Ever wondered about that giant stand of bamboo-like plants in your backyard, or community garden, or creek edge, that just keeps getting bigger each year? Have you spent months, or years, or even decades struggling to get rid of it?… Read More ›
Program News
Biocontrol Agents: Noxious Weed Control’s Unsung Heroes
On a cold and rainy May morning, I walk with Weed Specialist Karen Peterson along the bluffs at the west edge of Seattle’s Discovery Park. As usual, we’re here to control weeds—in this case, a large stand of Scotch broom (Cytisus… Read More ›
Look for Poison-Hemlock Posters at a Community Garden Near You!
As the weather warms, King County’s gardeners are venturing outside to till the soil, plant, and watch their new crops grow. But in and around many of our community gardens, another plant thrives: poison-hemlock, a noxious weed that can be… Read More ›
Hike with a purpose this year by becoming a weed watcher
Going for a hike is how we leave our regular life behind and experience nature that isn’t completely transformed by development. So doesn’t it drive you crazy when you see the same weeds you have at home up in the mountains?… Read More ›
Shiny Geranium – April 2017 Weed of the Month
With shiny geranium, appearances are deceiving. Don’t let the plant’s small size or delicate pink flowers fool you. To quote Ed Alverson, a botanist from Oregon who has extensive experience battling shiny geranium, “this is pretty much the most diabolical… Read More ›
Noxious weeds to watch out for this April
“There it is!” On the shoreline of West Seattle’s Lincoln Park, Weed Specialist Maria Winkler points uphill past a wall of blackberries, fallen trees, and other brush. A recent landslide has formed a narrow shelf of mud above them. On… Read More ›
Learn the latest on Scotch broom at symposium in Snoqualmie on May 23
Scotch broom is one of the most costly invasive species in Washington, according to a 2017 report commissioned by Washington State agencies. Of the 23 species analyzed, the study found that Scotch broom is near the top of the list in terms of economic… Read More ›
Brushing boots really works to keep weeds on site
Why clean your equipment after a long exhausting day controlling noxious weeds? One of the primary modes of weed dispersal is seeds or other propagules hitching a ride on boots, shovels, pant legs and paws. In the case of garlic… Read More ›
Gorse – March 2017 Weed of the Month
Gorse is one of the earliest and most conspicuous noxious weeds to flower in King County, adding a little color to the otherwise dull-looking hillsides. Unfortunately, along with the attractive blooms comes a huge, thorny, invasive bush that is a… Read More ›
King County’s annual noxious weed seminar is open for registration
Registration is open for King County’s popular noxious weed workshops being offered this May. Vegetation management crews, landscape professionals, stewardship volunteers and others can choose between three sessions of this all-day seminar on noxious weed control offered on May 3, May 10… Read More ›
