With the Vashon Strawberry Festival coming up and the Unofficial Mayor Contest in full swing, Vashon Island might seem like an idyllic world of its own, separated from the rest of King County. In some ways, it is; but when… Read More ›
Tips
Invasive weeds that are ripe for action this time of year
All over King County invasive weeds are on the move, growing in parks, gardens, roadsides, and many other places. Now is a perfect time to get outside, enjoy the sun, and eradicate them! Below are some important invasive and noxious… Read More ›
Noxious weeds to watch for in June
If you’ve made it outside on a recent sunny day, you’ve probably noticed the abundance of flowers blooming in gardens, parks, forests, and throughout King County right now. Unfortunately, the noxious weeds are out there, too—many of them bolting, flowering,… Read More ›
Noxious weed shiny geranium spreading on Vashon Island and other places in King County
When noxious weed specialists Maria Winkler and Minwook Park drove down a quiet street on Vashon Island earlier this spring, they were alarmed to find a large, dense carpet of shiny geranium lining the road. It wasn’t the first time… Read More ›
Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum) April 2018 Weed of the Month
Poison-hemlock, the toxic cousin of the carrot, is easy to spot in April. Look for the large mounds of bright green, lacy-looking leaves on stout, purple-spotted stems rising up above the grass. It’s important to recognize because poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum)… Read More ›
King County’s noxious weed program tackles several high priority species in April
King County’s noxious weed specialists have their hands full this month and it isn’t going to get easier anytime soon. Top priority noxious weeds they are focusing on this month include garlic mustard, European coltsfoot, giant hogweed and shiny geranium…. Read More ›
It’s Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week!
As spring approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on what we can do this year to help the natural world here at home. Learning about and taking action to help stop the spread of invasive species is one great… Read More ›
Scotch Broom – February 2018 Weed of the Month
There are three things I often hear about Scotch broom (or Scot’s broom, which may be the correct common name, but is not as commonly used). First, people tell me they hate this plant because they are allergic to it…. Read More ›
Noxious weeds seen flowering in February in King County
There are already a few noxious weeds you might spot flowering around here this month. Just today I noticed flowers on a spurge laurel plant I have potted up for education events. Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) is a smallish evergreen… Read More ›
Give weeds the brush off!
Weed control is hard work so it makes sense to look for ways to do less of it. Preventing weeds from moving to new places is one of the easiest things we can all do to reduce the need for… Read More ›
