Problem: In extent and staying power, noxious weeds stand alone as threats to the health of western farm and ranch lands. No farm or ranch is immune. As roadways, set-asides and canals become unintended weed seed nurseries, food production costs grow and strong chemicals spread across the land. Further, weeds deplete natural areas, out-competing native vegetation and literally consuming hillside rangeland. The downsides are obvious: less native feed, less control against erosion, and less groundwater percolation. Depleted habitat explains why marker wildlife species are dwindling: their homes are under assault, with less forage, nesting, and resting corridors. The proof is all too visible: once abundant game species (pheasants, dove, and quail) are now rare sightings.

Solution: The good news-- unlike more complex problems (air and water quality; groundwater subsidence), weeds are not invincible, nor beyond individual control. Weed growth is within the scope of every farmer and rancher, especially when neighbors and agencies work together. Though the counter-attack takes time and persistence, everyone can turn back noxious weeds. Clearly, one-time weed removal is not the way. We must replace the unwanted plant with the desirable. Success depends on adopting a basic management program that respects the weed threat and offers equally powerful responses. Here are some first steps.

1. Identify and understand noxious weed cycles;
2. Select site-appropriate management and eradication methods;
3. Replace invaders with beneficial grasses, shrubs, and trees to impede weed growth; and
4. Commit to ongoing weed control and plant cultivation to assure permanent dividends.

One objective of this webpage is to provide information on particular weeds the RCD considers the most invasive in our county. These "weed summary sheets" are available in our Resource Library, on the Weeds Index Page.  Each sheet will show you how to identify weeds you don’t want, how they grow and prosper, and what are the best control methods. We provide additional information through links connecting you to other helpful weed learning centers.

Benefits of Native Vegetation for Borders: In open areas or borders that stay relatively dry during winter, perennial native bunch grasses are ideal. Once established, they out-compete unwanted species, provide deep, drought-resistant roots, thrive on controlled burns, require low to no chemical inputs, and attract farm-friendly wildlife. Grassed buffers reduce runoff and filter agricultural and roadside pollutants. Add a native plant hedgerow and this complete border attracts songbirds, raptors, and insects known to prey on crop pests.

A comprehensive weed control program presents great opportunities to reduce spraying and blading costs, improve water quality, and improve the eye appeal of your home, fields, business, or roadside borders. Benefits to wildlife and crop-protecting beneficial insects accrue immediately and over time. Establishing healthy borders requires some new knowledge, but no new tools or skills. Timing, correct chemical applications and follow-through, especially with native grass and plant cultivation, are what matter most for a successful weed control strategy.

Growing native grasses is similar to any other basic crop. The steps are:

1. Eliminate existing weeds
2. If weed growth is thick and long-standing, the subsequent heavy seed bank requires up to two years of extermination before planting in the third year. The cleaner the source, the less involved is the two to four year, post-planting maintenance period. From then on it is pretty much clear sailing with maintenance eliminated or very minimal.
3. Seed grasses into a prepared bed. Wait for the first rain, apply an herbicide at the first flush of weeds germinate. Slower than annual weeds, native grasses take about 10 days to germinate.
4. For two years, weed control involves spot-spraying and mowing. After that, progressively less maintenance is needed. Controlled burning is a useful tool every two years to remove thatch and stimulate native grass growth.

As always, we recommend you contact your local cooperative extension agent or ag commissioner’s office for herbicide recommendations. Contact the Yolo County RCD for more information about a weed replacement plan, and visit our Resource Library folder on this website and select Invasive Weed Control, for a more detailed article.  Finally, we encourage you to work with your neighbors, share the effort to lighten the load, and speed up the process of reclaiming our quality lands.

The RCD is a founding member of the Yolo County Weed Management Area group, an information and funding clearinghouse. We invite you to become a "Weed Warrior" and to become a member of the Weed Management Area group or to get future mailings, please contact the Yolo RCD or the County Ag Commissioner’s Office (666-8140). Visit the On-Farm Practices folder of this website to learn more about how to establish roadside vegetation and hedgerows. We also have a complete guide, Bring Farm Edges Back to Life" available for $18.00 (includes shipping and handling)--contact Sheila at (530)-662-2037; X117 for ordering.