| Wade Bowcutt asks Jeffrey to describe the root system of the Diffuse Knapweed. Jeffrey responds by saying this plant is one of the easier weeds to control. Usually it is a biennial and goes through its life cycle every two years and it may even take three years. You can tell this is a biennial because you do not see last years remaining stalk with the plant. Another sign is that the root is so small and he uses his fingers on one hand to measure the root. He notes that a Spotted Knapweed may have a root of 2-3 feet, and leafy spurge may go down 30 feet in contrast. Jeffrey then shows that he killed this plant just by pulling on it. However, he admits that hand pulling a lot of this plant is pretty tough, but, in some areas where that is the only tool, volunteer crews are available to come in and do the work. The people feel good about the work, and they are removing all the seeds if they pull it out earlier than the stage we are looking at.
Wade asks how kids can be involved and Jeffrey notes that boy scouts, girl scouts, and school groups really like to go on field trips. Students can learn about mapping technology at the same time.
Jeffrey also notes that when these plants are pulled they can be put in garbage bags with the tops tied tight. He says to take them to the landfill where they will bury them so deep the seeds will never grow.
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