Weeds

Weed control is probably the biggest challenge for many small acreage managers.  There is much more to weed control than spraying herbicides.  In fact, a well-managed property may need very few if any herbicide applications.

The most effective approach to weed control is to encourage healthy growth of desirable plants. For this reason, the term "vegetation management" is preferred to "weed control". Vegetation management stresses the need to manage the plant community, not simply kill weeds.

Larimer County Weed Control District has information on noxious weed control and COST SHARE PROGRAMS that pay for as much as 55% of your weed control costs. Cost share applications are available at their web site.

WEED SPECIES

Field bindweed -       Managing field bindweed - CSU-Adams County Cooperative Extension
                                  Identification and control of field bindweed - North Dakota State University

Pricklypear cactus - Controlling prickly pear and other cacti (PDF) - Texas A&M

Foxtail barley -         Foxtail barley - Colorado State University

Diffuse and Spotted Knapweed -
                                  Diffuse and spotted knapweed - Colorado State University
                                  Biological Control of Diffuse and Spotted Knapweed - Colorado Dept. of Ag.

Russian Knapweed - Russian knapweed - Colorado State University

Sagebrush -               Sagebrush - University of Nebraska

Leafy Spurge -          Leafy spurge - Colorado State University
                                   Biological Control of Leafy Spurge - Colorado Department of Agriculture

Canada thistle -         Canada thistle - Colorado State University

Musk thistle -            Musk thistle - Colorado State University
                                   Biological Control of Musk Thistle - Colorado Department of Agriculture

Toadflax -                 Biology and Management of the Toadflaxes - Colorado State University

Weed Management for Small Rural Acreages - Colorado State University

HERBICIDE INFORMATION

Pasture, Range, and Non-Cropland Weed Response To Herbicides - helps you select the most effective herbicides for your problem weeds. Be sure to consider surrounding plants you DON'T want to kill. Never spray an herbicide such as picloram (Tordon) near desired broadleaf plants. READ PRODUCT LABELS.

Herbicide Families and Modes of Action - Describes how various herbicides work and their chemical families. To avoid herbicide resistance in weeds, do not rely on chemicals with similar modes of action for extended periods of time.

See also "Pesticides" section of this web site