Getting ready for the Fall

[Erie Air Park HOA]

Hi Neighbors,

Riley Hefner of the Town of Erie has reminded us that the Erie Air Park Residents are responsible for all property along the road of the respective home. The Town or the Vista Ridge Homeowners Association will only mow the property along the West side of Bonanza.

This is a reminder that it is time to take care of your property by following the management suggestion listed below. 

The following is copied from the Weld County.gov website. Kochia can grow to 5' or more in height. Many of the plants growing along side the road can become tumbleweeds if not cut now. The yellow flowering plants that are along the road of many of our properties should also be mowed as they to could become a type of tumbleweed..

Reduce tumbleweeds through management of Kochia, Russian Thistle

Published on July 10, 2023

 

It’s a scene that repeats itself every year. Tumbleweeds blow throughout Weld County clogging irrigation ditches and fence lines. In some cases, they can be so severe they temporarily close county roads, as evidenced this past April when they overtook a portion of Weld County Road 53 southeast of Kersey and northwest of Keenesburg, effectively closing the road for three days.

To reduce the nuisance tumbleweeds create, Weld County Government is reminding residents that they have the ability to stop tumbleweeds before they start by taking some simple steps to manage the growth of Kochia and Russian Thistle on their property.

“We’ve repeatedly seen tumbleweeds create a hindrance, and many start as dead Kochia” said Weld County Commissioner Kevin Ross. “We encourage residents to do what they can to limit the growth of these weeds. By doing so, hopefully tumbleweeds won’t be as big of an issue in the fall.”

It's not just a few trouble areas that are concerning. Rather, it’s the Kochia and Russian Thistle that dots thousands of acres countywide, typically forming large biomass clusters near buildings, fences, on non-productive ground or near other areas of disturbance. To best manage Kochia and Russian Thistle growth and prevent the weeds from forming tumbleweeds, Weld County Weed Division Supervisor Tina Booton recommends:

Mowing and mulching to a manageable height – When mowing is conducted prior to flowering, it has been shown to reduce the likelihood of biomass clusters reforming by 33% compared to a non-mowed site. Mowing can also reduce seed density in an area by 98%, if it is completed prior to flowering. However, mowing a little later in the season can lessen the chances of having to mow more than once and reduce the size of biomass clusters.

Planting native grasses and other desirable vegetation – Doing so may limit the opportunity for Kochia seed to establish and form new plants.

Chemical application – Although it may be too late for chemical application this year, it is most effective when used in the early growing stages of Kochia and Russian Thistle, usually in the spring and summer.

Booton realizes no two situations are alike. She said the Weed Division is always willing to help landowners identify their issue and develop a treatment plan. She just asks that they take the first step to address the issue.

“Controlling Kochia and Russian Thistle is mutually beneficial. Not only does it reduce the likelihood of tumbleweeds forming, but it also enables the land to be used as intended without being invaded by these plants. We’re happy to help people develop the best management strategy, we just ask they make managing Kochia and Russian Thistle a priority,” Booton said.

Read more about Kochia Weed and Russian Thistle control options. Contact the Weed Division at (970) 400-3770 or at www.weldweeds.org.

 

[Julie Singh]

Just FYI

I’ve occasionally been mowing a small section beside the road on both sides of Bonanza from Piper Drive to Cessna with my small riding lawnmower for the past couple of years. The Vista Ridge side doesn’t get mowed but the EAP side is better.  I haven’t mowed south of Piper because I don’t usually walk there and I have seen really big weeds growing there.

Since I walk along Bonanza and some cars come speeding along, I often have to step off the road to avoid them and sometimes the weeds are prickly and large so it is uncomfortable that is why I’ve taken it upon myself to mow. Hopefully Vista Ridge will begin mowing their side as well! 

Thanks!

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[Liz Unruh]

Thank you, Julie for mowing along bonanza. I appreciate that.   

If the town is going to make a fuss about the air park, they need to take better care of all the weeds growing near old town along county line. I noticed this morning, they finally had a crew out there mowing: It’s been like a forest.  

Liz Unruh

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