Rants Ramblings and Other Nonsense

Controlling, isolating, and identification of the monsters that are downright evil. Kochia (IronWeed) kochia scoparia L This nasty beast grows rapidly in many soil types and takes only minimal moisture to germinate and establish a rapidly penetrating taproot. It starts in late winter and early spring, and seedlings are tolerant of moderate freezing.  Germination continues throughout the growing season from March to September. It causes problems in non tilled and established production areas. It originated in Russia and was introduced to the US in the late 1800's. It can grow to heights of six feet or more with adequate moisture. Kochia can concentrate chemicals such as nitrates which are toxic at higher levels to sheep, goats, and cattle. It can be an issue if other forage is not available and at later stages of plant maturity. Prolific seed production, and the ability for seeds to lie dormant for many years, make it an obnoxious plant in forage and past...

My friend (Montessa) stands in the riparian corridor along the banks of the West Walker River. She stands in a grove surrounded by family members and offspring of various ages. The birthdate or germination date, as it is described for plants, coincides with the years when the river flows overtopped the banks. She consists of three separate trunks that emerged from a single root system.  Surviving through droughts that were severely stressful and floods that washed away soils in which some of my roots had formed. Her foliage has provided shade on hot summer days and nest platforms for Blue Herons, Redtail Hawks, Magpies, and some species of songbirds. A beaver has found my bark quite tasty, but gave up thankfully. I really didn't appreciate him try to cut me down.  The trees that line the banks help stabilize floodplain soils. They share the riparian area with other plant species, that includes native grass, sage, buffalo berry, wild rose, and wild golden cur...

A plant out of place is a simple definition of a "Weed". First of all how did I get to that position which was out of place? Some possibility exists that I was hauled there in a truck or trailer, or maybe stuck to a car tire. Maybe I was just taken to that place in a car with the more desirable species, just tagging along. Maybe a bird carried me there, or maybe the wind. Well I grew undetected and flourished in all my glory. Then one day this noise, and all of a sudden I was separated from my roots by a very sharp knife. Well after being beaten around and being detached from my foliage, the journey to the seed processing plant began. What an experience it was. The tumbling, blowing, and falling through all those screens, still attempting to hide with all the good guys. I had no idea at the time that I was a weed seed in what was to become a field of bright yellow flowers. My size and shape was different in this cozy bag of seed, but I still fit in so to speak. I found myself...