August 15, 2013
Thursday PM

Tansy ragwort continues to grow throughout our hot dry summer. A few of us have been busy picking on the south end, mainly in the Fawn Mountain area. One woman in Bear Valley called with information that she sprayed full strength white vinegar on plants in her driveway and the first year tansy plants died out, (along with surrounding plants so be careful). I've sprayed first year plants as I pick the tall second year growth and will see if vinegar is as powerful as she reported.

Occasionally I find tansy plants that have been pulled and left on the side of the road. This will NOT stop the plant from re seeding. Rather, the flowers dry and develop into seed pods, much like dandelions. If you pull a plant, please dispose of it so seeds do not dry out and disperse.

While driving on the north end on Friday,I saw a man filling two large plastic bags with tansy. Thanks for being a responsible property owner.

Tansy picked now can be taken to the solid waste facility where it can be properly disposed of. Last week, I hauled 12 bags of tansy, and have 8 more ready to be disposed of. Please do your part if tansy is on your property and get rid of it before it goes to seed.

Victoria Mcdonald
Ketchikan, Alaska

About: "A dedicated tansy ragwort picker"

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