Noxious Weed Project
The Brownstown Township and the Jackson County Soil & Water Conservation District worked jointly to hire Ashley Kincaid as a summer intern. Her job was to survey the roads in Brownstown Township to locate, identify, and delineate lands with populations of detrimental plants, noxious weeds, and / or rank vegetation along county roads and adjacent ditches.
The Indiana Code IC 15-16-8-1 lists Canada thistle, Johnsongrass, Columbus grass, bur cucumber, and shattercane as detrimental or noxious weeds. Noxious weeds can easily invade an area and become hard to maintain causing an economic impact on the area.
Ashley said, “The noxious weeds were found in greater numbers were Johnsongrass and Canada thistle. Canada thistle is a problem because it is very competitive for soil nutrients; it was normally found in less plant diverse areas. Johnsongrass is a perennial there for it can easily consume an area because it can come back year after year. “
The easiest way to control noxious weeds is to mow or cut them before the seed has a chance to produce on the plant. Noxious weeds need to be controlled so they do not spread. It is best to restrict the growth and seed production from July 1 and September 15th. The Cooperative Extension Service may provide information on this topic at your request.