The sun is shining! Planning on spending some time outside? Going for a walk in a natural area or doing some gardening are great ways to unwind while practicing social distancing. But this time of year you could encounter a… Read More ›
poison plants
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 ›
Don’t eat this plant! Poison-hemlock may be growing near you
Watch out this spring for poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum), a common noxious weed that’s toxic to people and animals. The stems of young poison-hemlock look like those of carrots and other members of the carrot family, but eating any part of… Read More ›
Watch for buffalobur popping up in late summer
Buffalobur makes an occasional appearance in King County this time of year. It comes up in late summer when many other plants have already gone to seed or dried up in the heat. Buffalobur’s spiny leaves and flowers harm animals trying… Read More ›
Bumper crop of tansy ragwort creating headaches for county workers and homeowners alike
If it seems like there’s more tansy ragwort in your neighborhood this year, you aren’t alone. Tansy ragwort plants are larger and more numerous just about everywhere in King County. County weed specialists report seeing tansy ragwort in places it… Read More ›
Proteger a los caballos eliminando la hierba de Santiago
La hierba de Santiago es una maleza bienal, invasiva y tóxica de Europa que comúnmente se encuentra en pastos y a lo largo de los bordes de las carreteras. Enferma a los caballos y puede matarlos si comen una cantidad… Read More ›
Protect horses by getting rid of tansy ragwort
Tansy ragwort is an invasive, toxic biennial weed from Europe often found in pastures and along roadsides. It makes horses sick and can kill them if they eat enough of it. The plant is also toxic to cattle, sheep, some… Read More ›
Goat Hill Giving Garden volunteers learn about and remove poison hemlock threatening the garden
Poison-hemlock met its match last month in the volunteers of the Goat Hill Giving Garden in downtown Seattle. On May 5, volunteers met with noxious weed specialist Mary Fee to learn how to identify and remove poison-hemlock plants that had… Read More ›
Giant Hogweed – June 2016 Weed of the Month
Giant hogweed has earned a fearsome reputation due to its massive, striking appearance and its ability to cause horrible blisters if you get the juice on your skin. June is the month hogweed plants typically reach their full size of… Read More ›
Weed free hay and forage certification available in King County
Before you take horses and pack animals to the backcountry, make sure you have the right hay. The Forest Service, BLM, and other government agencies are requiring weed free hay and forage on their lands in order to protect natural… Read More ›