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<br />Best Management Practices for the Nozious Weeds of Mesa Couuty <br />GENERAL RULES <br />1) KNOW YOUR WEEDS! Identification is the first step in forming a weed management plan. <br />2) Eazly detection is always the best defense against noxious weeds. Treat intensely when a new or small <br />patch is found. <br />3) Understand the biology of the weed to identify the best management practices. <br />4) Know which growth stage to implement control measures so that control is most effective. For <br />example, once a biennial or annual has gone to seed, it is too late to do anything about it. Spraying a <br />perennial in the rosette stage is a waste of chemicals as the root system will send up new shoots. <br />5) Use weed free seed, hay, forage, and mulch. <br />6) Reseed site with competitive species. Grasses are often recommended so that broadleaf herbicides can <br />be used to spot treat broadleaf weeds. <br />7) When tilling, till only in the weed patch so roots and seeds do not get spread. Always clean equipment <br />and machinery after working in a weed patch to prevent spread. <br />S) Many biological control agents are available for control of large weed patches. This is a long-term <br />process and not recommended for small patches. Biological control never provides 100% control and <br />must be incorporated with other methods for successful management. <br />9) Weed management is a long term process and hence a long term commitment to the land. Weed seeds <br />last 5-50 yeazs in the soil and pieces of root as small as 1/2" can start a new plant and a new infestation. <br />] 0) Drought causes plants to shut down their growth process. Spraying weeds during dry periods is not <br />recommended because effective~tess dimhtishes greatly. Treat after rainfall IF the weed is still in the <br />proper stage for effective control. <br />11) Not all herbicides work equally on all weeds nor can every herbicide be used in every situation. <br />Noxious weeds, in particulaz, aze often not controlled successfully with products available at nurseries, <br />gazden shops and other retail markets. Read the label, and consult weed manuals and experts for the <br />most effective chemical to use. <br />12) Developing a weed management plan depends on how much time, money, and land a person has. If <br />someone wants to do non-chemical control, they will not need a lot of money, but they will need a lot of <br />time and energy. If they want fast action, herbicides can be the most efficient use of money and time, but <br />not always. Annual weeds may be as effectively controlled with tillage or hoeing as with spraying if done <br />properly and at the right time. <br />