Weed Warriors class shows how to control unwanted weeds

Staff Reports

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's 2010 Weed Warriors class on May 13-14 offers introductory-level training in invasive and common-nuisance weed management.

The class is 1-5 p.m. May 13 and 8 a.m.-noon May 14 at the cooperative extension's Reno office, 5305 Mill St. Classes are simultaneously delivered by interactive video to the cooperative extension's Gardnerville office, 1329 Waterloo Lane.

Extension Water Quality and Weed Specialist Sue Donaldson, who teaches the classes, said effective weed management starts with knowing what type of pests you are dealing with.

"If you can't identify a weed, you don't know how to control it effectively," Donaldson said. "We start by identifying the weed, and then we learn how to control it.

"We do a hands-on session on how to identify weeds in general. Participants learn the overall strategy of integrated weed management - identifying the pest, learning its biology and how it reproduces, then picking from a box of tools to determine the best method to control the weed whether it be mechanical, cultural, biological or chemical."

Mechanical and chemical weed-control methods like hand pulling and pesticides can be effective, but Donaldson said gardeners can control some weeds with cultural methods like adjusting the amount of water being delivered to each part of your garden to favor the species you want and discourage the weeds you do not.

Students must attend both sessions to complete the training and become certified Weed Warriors. Cost of $30 includes program supplies, a binder of weed management information and refreshments.

Register before April 30 at www.unce.unr.edu/calendar/files/pdf/WeedWarriors2010.pdf

Information, Donaldson, 784-4848.