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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume VI, Issue I Page 19 April 15, 2002 The Impact of Weeds in Our Lives Note: This article is copied and adapted from Weber County’s Weed Web Site. Weeds Are a subject that may not seem worth much thought when measured against the myriad of duties and distractions that are leading us full speed into the twenty-first century. However, we do feel that it is more a matter of awareness than an absence of an assigned level of importance in peoples lives. When asked if they are aware of weeds, most people will mention dandelions in their lawn or puncturevine in the driveway. Effective awareness runs much deeper than the simple knowledge that weeds exist. Effective awareness means that we understand the negative impact of weeds in our environment. It is this kind of individual enlightenment that drives us to build and distribute a web site dealing with weeds in Northern Utah. Our Awareness of the weeds in the environment is already stored in the back of our minds. Many experience the discomfort of itchy eyes, also includes: screen cleaning light fixtures window tracks vacuumed new construction cleanup wooden blinds dusted 745-3083 call for a free estimate in person or over the phone. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED scratchy skin or a runny nose. Others recall vividly when bare feet came in contact with a “goat head” along side of the house. Still others have noticed that livestock appear to not have had enough to eat even though the pasture looks green. The anglers among us have memories of a struggle to access a great looking fishing hole through some kind of horrible, prickly weed. These examples, easily remembered and understood, are a good start. But the kind of appreciation, if you will, of noxious weeds in our lives that we would have you grasp is on a bit larger scale. Noxious Weeds spoil things for the vast majority of us! They can render sports and recreation sites useless while destroying the businesses that serve them. Weeds harm public health, crops, livestock, and the land. Many of the items on your grocery list have damages or loss from noxious weeds already added into the price you pay at the register. Even with this said, our goal to bring you to a better understanding of the impact that weeds have is made more difficult by the size of the problem. Millions of acres of anything, especially weeds, are like millions of miles of ocean. It’s not easy to wrap our reasoning around such large figures. Even so, the fact remains that our land is infested with weeds . . . millions and millions of acres of weeds. There are thousands upon thousands of acres of thistles, knapweeds, bindweed, woad, and noxious grasses here in Northern Utah alone! One Key to understanding the serious nature of noxious weeds— most of these weeds DO NOT fit in our world. By definition, a weed is simply a plant out of place. For instance, a rose in a field of corn is a weed. Most noxious weed species Earth Day Ogden are not a part of our historical, natural eco-system. With few exceptions, they are not utilized as forage nor as habitat. Noxious weeds are an introduced blight on our lands. Although most are not native to the Western United States, they are highly adaptive and thrive here. It is of note that many of these weeds were introduced by our pioneer ancestors who unknowingly utilized contaminated hay or grain as they settled in the West. Regardless of the method of introduction, noxious weeds are here and they are spreading even today. We Encourage you to expand your knowledge about noxious weeds. Visit your local Extension Agent, Ag Inspector, park ranger or federal land manager about specific weed problems in the area. Our natural resource heritage depends on your involvement! Visit our web site at www.co.weber.ut.us/WEEDS/weeds.html Note: Each link will direct you to a photograph of the weed and some information regarding growth habit, impact, and identification. In addition, you will find links to weed control methods, and timing suggestions for each weed. Also to be considered are the weeds identified as future trouble here in Utah. Those “New and Invading” species are listed separately, although, in many cases, we give them top billing in our weed eradication efforts. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Toy Trading Station: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Meet live birds of prey from Hawk Watch International. Wildlife on Wheels — meet and learn about live animals from the Ogden Nature Center. Bring a toy to trade and recycle through sharing. Re-Uz-It-Craft Station: Make and take a craft made from reclaimed or recycled materials with the Treehouse Children’s Museum. The Starry Eyed Puppets live performance of The Recycle Revival. Awards Presentation: “Ogden Recycles” Art Contest. Meet live birds of prey from Tracy Aviary. Weedless Gardening, with Jerry’s Nursery. With the coming of spring, the weather has been warm and beautiful. It gets us all excited to plant something, to see something growing, and to see color. But beware; it is still early up here in Ogden Valley. We are a zone lower than Ogden, which puts us a month behind as far as planting things. Now would be a great time to buy and plant trees, shrubs, and dormant perennials. You don’t want to plant anything that is all green and leafy. Many plants in nurseries have come from warmer places like California, and will most likely die if planted now. It is true that some of the perennials already planted in your yard may be popping up now, but they have been in the ground and are acclimatized. As far as vegetable gardens go, you can plant potatoes, carrots, peas, and cabbage in the next two to three weeks. It’s best to wait on other vegetables until at least mid May. Pansies, violas, and primroses are cold-hardy, and may be put I now. On nights of suspected frost, they should be covered. Now is the time to prepare your soil. You can also fertilize your yards, and apply a pre-emergent weed preventer. This will stop weed seeds . . . before they can get started. Have fun with your digging and planting! 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM Western Family 100% CranberryHJuice P ! 2 for $2.00 with coupon OT Also Cran-Raspberry & Cran-Grape Limit 2 per coupon Western Family RICE 64 oz. Expires 4/30/02 Ice Cream 5 qt. bucket $2.99 with coupon — Lean tips about gardening, the Weber and Ogden Rivers, backyard composting, energy conservation, water-wise landscaping, and more! — See nature artist, paper making, a “junk graveyard,” and wild bird enthusiasts. — Shoot some hoop with aluminum cans, and other fun activities. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. By South Fork Garden Center 801-745-4000 Saturday, April 20 Newgate Mall — Sears’ Court 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It’s Time to Get Excited About Digging in the Dirt! Limit 1 per coupon Expires 4/30/02 Coca-Cola Products 4 12-packs for $10.00 with coupon Limit 4 per coupon Western Family 12-pack cans Expires 4/30/02 24-Roll Bathroom Tissue $2.99 with coupon Limit 1 per coupon Expires 4/30/02 |