Comments on: Pulling thistles, sowing hope

By: John M Buerger

John M Buerger — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 23:29:20 +0000

that is now 27 years applying soil amendments of minerals, microbes and carbon blends to manage weeds and improve quality plant populations. You see when these blends are on the ground some plant species are harmed and other plants thrive. Take for example. Tap and rhizome rooted plants do not flourish in soils where there is an an abundance of soil microbe activity, but plants with hair roots, like Timothy, / orchard grass and woody roots of trees and shrubs grow better with microbe active soils. Many noxious range / pasture weeds are not poisonous like thistles, curlydock, oxeye daisy, but because they are bitter and bland grazing animals avoid them.

By: John M Buerger

John M Buerger — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 23:15:18 +0000

I read the weed pulling article with sore elbows, been there done that … until I decided in 1996 to learn as much as I could when I picked up the book, “Weed Controls Without Poisons”. This started me on a business

By: Sally Jones

Sally Jones — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:18:40 +0000

In reply to Sally Jones. I forgot, what do you do with the thistle? You could make weed tea that would be benefit the environment.

By: Sally Jones

Sally Jones — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:17:05 +0000

I wish there were groups like this in Denver. We could really make a difference. Also, I think of Lake Powell where invasive plants line the shores. It could be tackled at least.

By: Becca Lawton

Becca Lawton — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 17:13:43 +0000

“P-ing in the wind” is a time-honored method of self expression. Go for it! You’re building community with your hope and hard work.

By: Jeffrey h Desautels

Jeffrey h Desautels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:02:04 +0000

I don’t do much hiking anymore, but when I did, in Colorado, I would use my hiking poles to whack the seed pods off the stalks. Sort of like an old cavalryman with sabre – made kind of a game of it. I thought, without really knowing, that if I got the pod before the seeds matured, I might stop at least the pods I whacked from forming new plants. Was there any truth to that theory?

By: susan

susan — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 17:42:34 +0000

In reply to Steve Winslow. thanks and same to you for all the hard work you have done. It's great when you can see the difference.

By: Steve Winslow

Steve Winslow — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 04:22:11 +0000

Good for you hard working volunteers! Sometimes just the feeling that you’re making something even just a little bit better makes it worthwhile. I work on a 1,200 acre sheep ranch near Zion National Park, Utah. I’ve made real progress over the past 15 years in reducing Musk thistle, Scotch thistle, and Bull thistle on the property. I used to spend 30-40 days a summer working on weeding and this year only 7, completely eliminating thistle is some spots and really kicking it back in others. But have concluded that it will always be around and part of the plant composition. Keeping it in check will be a never-ending chore for me and eventually my children and grandchildren! Keep up the good work!