#quackgrass

Weeds of Boise: Awkward Botany Headquarters

Last December, Sierra and I left apartment living behind and embarked on a new journey as homeowners, which you can read about in this January’s Year in Review post. This means that Awkward Botany Headquarters now has a yard, and having a yard means we also have weeds. For many people living in urban areas, the weeds of most concern to them are the ones found in their yards, especially for those…

🌺Red Lily🌺: big, face splitting grins and red freckles peppering the bridge of their nose; ripped jean shorts and tank tops;texting their friends at nine am to hang out with them(and whining until they do);early morning jogs with neon spotswear, dangling earbuds; infectious positivity and ambition; a friendly competition with everyone they meet

🏵Dandelion🏵: sun-kissed freckles lining their forearms and a bright summer tan; energetic and social, like a puppy; charms jangling on their backpack as they walk; big, bright eyes; chasing butterflies; afternoon picnics and laying under the shade of the trees; 12 pm when everything’s warm and bright; laughing with their mouth wide open

🌾Quackgrass🌾: big fuzzy sweaters; sleepy, drooping eyes; thee pm afternoon siestas in the warm, sun baked hammock; soft cheeks and a chubby face; quirky and lost in thought; sunbathing and swaying in the wind; beanies pulled over their eyes and hair tickling their neck; soft giggles; waking up at twelve pm; rolling over in bed with sunlight on their eyes, soft(TM)

☁️White Clover☁️: white lace tank tops; biking and feeling the wind against your face; cloud watching and giggled whispers; clinking of jewelry or charms; chokers and colored contacts; pastel hair and pastel clothes; uncaring of others opinions and bravely them; persistent, stubborn but for the right ideals; the sunlight streaming through the clouds and all of a sudden blinding you

🍁Japanese Maple🍁: refined, elegant, and powerful; softly swaying orb earrings; a knowing look and sharp eyes; soft smiles in acknowledgement and thanks, wit as sharp as a knifen; wise beyound their years; a bubbling pot of ginger and cinnamon tea when anyone is distressed; the clacking of stilettos on marble tile; always knowing the right thing to say, the best advice even when it hurts; sunsets and a certain wistfulness, making them seem older

🌷Tulip🌷: going to the park on a sunny day; dropping your backpack and running off to play; local playgrounds, the smell of fresh wind and laughing kids, the friendly ice cream man and his cart; ‘kid’ snacks like apples and peanut butter, pretzels, and juice; your parents telling you to come in before dark; climbing trees; bright and innocent eyes; big stuffed backpacks and an eagerness to learn; sharing secrets with best friends

The Uninvited Guest: Uncovering the Truth About Quackgrass

Did you know that quackgrass, a seemingly harmless weed, is responsible for an estimated $1 billion in annual losses to the agricultural industry in the United States alone? This staggering figure is a testament to the weed's incredible ability to spread and thrive, often at the expense of more desirable crops.

Quackgrass, also known as Elymus repens, is a perennial grassy weed that can be found in fields, gardens, and lawns across North America. It's a member of the grass family, but don't let its innocent appearance fool you – quackgrass is a formidable foe that can outcompete even the most well-established plants.

The Life Cycle of Quackgrass

Quackgrass grows from underground rhizomes, which are long, slender stems that produce new shoots and roots as they spread. These rhizomes can extend up to 10 feet in a single growing season, allowing quackgrass to quickly colonize new areas. The weed produces seeds in the summer months, which can remain viable in the soil for up to five years, ensuring a steady supply of new quackgrass plants.

Identifying Quackgrass

Quackgrass can be identified by its bright green leaves, which are typically 2-4 inches long and 1/4 inch wide. The leaves are flat and taper to a point, with a distinctive "V" shape at the base. The weed produces a tall, slender stem that can reach heights of up to 3 feet, topped with a feathery plume of seeds.

The Impact of Quackgrass

Quackgrass is more than just a nuisance – it can have serious consequences for farmers, gardeners, and homeowners. By outcompeting crops and desirable plants, quackgrass can reduce yields and lower the overall quality of produce. It can also harbor pests and diseases, making it a vector for the spread of unwanted organisms.

Growth Control and Eradication

Controlling quackgrass growth requires a multi-pronged approach. For warm-season turf, Celsius WG is a highly effective herbicide that can be used to target quackgrass.

-> Get **Celsius WG** For Warm Season Turf Herbicide here.

In addition to herbicides, cultural practices such as proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing can help to suppress quackgrass growth. Physical removal of the weed is also an option, although this can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.

Prevention is Key

The most effective way to deal with quackgrass is to prevent it from taking hold in the first place. This can be achieved through a combination of good agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and maintaining a healthy, dense stand of desirable plants.

How to Get Rid of Quack Grass Fast and Easy

Quack grass is a troublesome weed in lawns and ornamental turf throughout America. The roots of quack grass are also very vigorous, and the weed is considered invasive. Quack grass is also a weed of annual crops, especially corn and soybeans. In pastures, it can displace desirable forage grasses. Let’s look at how to get rid of quack grass from lawns and gardens.  Getting rid of quack grass The…

How to Identify Quackgrass

Quackgrass grows in various conditions and can cope with shade and poor soil as long as it gets enough water to survive. Let’s look at how to identify and get rid of quackgrass. Quackgrass is a perennial grass that can grow up to several feet tall. It produces large amounts of seed, which it drops in the surrounding area, causing the plant to reproduce the following growing season. It grows…