Noxious Weeds Best Addressed This Time of Year

Spring is not only the time to plant in many cases, but perhaps also the time to rip out some of those noxious weeds.

A noxious weed is simply a weed that is on the noxious weed list, which is determined by the state. Every year the list is updated in November.

"How they get on that list? If they are very hard to control. If they are very damaging to agriculture or natural resources. Some of them are actually toxic to humans." said Chelan County Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator Julie Sanderson, "So there is a whole list of criteria that would make a weed a good candidate for that list."

Instead of simply traveling your property and weeding, Sanderson explained that the better thing to do is call them so they can provide specific instructions depending on the weed, property, and time of year.

Also, if you've been feeding birds all winter, make sure to weed out everything under and around the bird feeder. Bird feed can contain weeds from the Midwest that are more herbicide-resistant than in North Central Washington.

More information, including the Noxious Weed Control Board's contact information and the current list of noxious weeds, can be found here.