Club Advisory Team Talks
Club Presenter: Fran Brooks on Noxious Weeds - September 9th, 2024
What does it mean to be a noxious weed?
First things first, what is a noxious weed? And why do we care? “Noxious weed” is a legal designation.
To become a noxious weed a plant must meet 4 criteria.
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Introduced to Washington state
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Spread beyond where they are planted
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Create harm where introduced
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Difficult to control​
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This harm can be agricultural, such as reducing crop output, ecological, such as out competing our native plants, or physical, such as toxic to humans or livestock. They can impact wildlife, human health, land value, recreation, and natural resources. Chances are several of those are relevant to your life!
Anyone can nominate a species, but only the State Noxious Weed Control Board decides which plants are noxious. They also decide where they should be controlled based on how widespread they are. County Noxious Weed Boards can select additional species to educate about on a more local level, but do not have the power to select weeds for designated control without state approval (more on this below).
Resources:
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/class-c-noxious-weeds
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds
https://burkeherbarium.org/imagecollection/
https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/weeds/weedlists/2024-noxious-Weed-List-common-name.pdf
https://www.wnps.org/invasive-species
https://kingcountyweeds.com/2024/02/16/the-2024-noxious-weed-list-is-official/
Club Presenter: Kari Ulatoski - "Roses 101 for All Seasons" - September 9th, 2024
"I was handed down a recipe for rose fertilizer from my mom and have used it for almost 50 years on my established roses"
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1 cup alfalfa meal
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1 cup Epsom salt
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1 cup triple phosphate
Additional Takeaways:
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Don't worry about pruning off too much. Roses are very forgiving.
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Roses are big feeders. Do try to keep a fertilizing schedule.
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Watch your new growth for aphids and whiteflies. If you have a stressed plant, they will be worse than ever.
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Plant alliums and nasturtiums and learn to gleefully squish aphids.
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Cut bouquets. It's more fun than deadheading!
Winter Prep and Pruning:
I usually start pruning in mid-November, but have procrastinated until December at times with no consequences. Use clean, sharp pruners to make an angled cut just about a 1/4" above an outfacing bud. Depending on the size and type of rose, I cut about a third of their height off and don't worry. Remove all dead or diseased branches and foliage, trim back crossing branches. I also like to strip off all the leaves to discourage new growth. Cut back longer stems to prevent them from snapping in winter storms. Pick up leaves around roses, especially if they have any black spot on them. Note: Put them in your garbage, not your compost. If your roses have black spot, I use corn starch around the base of the plant out to the drip line using a powdered sugar shaker or anything with a sieve. I just keep it handy and apply to my roses when it isn't raining periodically during the winter to keep the spores on the ground, not on If you aren't taking all the foliage off your roses, this will help your roses when new foliage appears in the Spring.
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Spring Prep and Pruning:
I usually wait until the first or second week in March to prune my roses. Using sharp secateurs, cut just above the bud at an angle of about 45", with the blade sloping away from it. Prune the top stems to a new rose bud that is growing away from the center of the plant. I cut any remaining branches growing toward the center, including new growth, to encourage air between the leaves and discourage disease. I also cut out anything I may have missed that is smaller than a pencil diameter. This is the hardest part; I prune my roses down to 18-24" tall, which delays the new growth but gives me healthy, vigorous growth later when everything is less wet. As the new leaves bud out, I sprinkle more cornstarch around the base of the drip line. I continue to keep an eye for black spot. (I also use it on my peonies when the red tips start to show). For newly planted roses, use 1/4 cup each. Apply at the drip line and gently rake into avoid damaging the feeder roots.
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Fertilize every 4-6 weeks. Aim for 3 applications: your last fertilization should be done before the end of August. Try not to fertilize in the hottest part of the summer if you will be gone. Water deeply and you won't have to water as frequently. Consider using a mulch, but keep it about 10" away from the base.​​​​​
