UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia)

The nursery industry has introduced thousands of ornamental plants, but only a small percentage (~1%) has escaped to become invasive and cause economic or ecological damage. Thus, the removal of these known invasives should not present a major economic hardship on the industry.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) The late spring rains that fell in Northern California seemed to benefit some plants more than others. One weed that appears to be doing very well this year is Field bindweed.

Cooperative Extension Specialist Brad Hanson, who chaired the 55th annual Weed Day at UC Davis July 14, was interviewed by Jeffrey Callison, host of Insight on Capital Public Radio on July 19. Click here to listen to the interview. Hansons interview begins at about 23:30 min.

Most of us learn best by doing, which is why Weed Science School 2011 promises to be better than ever this year. Were offering more hands-on training, says Cooperative Extension Specialist Joe DiTomaso, chairperson of Weed Science School 2011 to be held at UC Davis Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

We received several calls yesterday from a news organization in San Francisco about a CDFA biocontrol program for an invasive aquatic weed, water hyacinth. I'm a terrestrial weed guy who works mostly in orchards and vineyards, not aquatics so I kept a low profile.