local dirt Report Jimsonweed A lberta Agricul-


ture and Forest- ry has received


reports of Jimsonweed in Alberta. This is not a common weed found in Alberta, and producers need to be diligent to stop its spread. It is important that


producers handle this weed carefully to prevent further spread and potential health risks to livestock and humans. Proper handling information can be found below and on the Agriculture and Forestry website. Jimsonweed is classified as a Class


Jimsonweed.


1 weed under the federal Weed Seeds Order of the Federal Seeds Act. Jimson- weed is a prohibited, noxious weed seed under the Seeds Act, and it must not be present in any seed imported into or sold in Canada. The Seeds Act prohib- its the sale of seed containing prohib- ited noxious weed seeds. Datura stramonium, known by the


common name of Jimsonweed, is a plant of the nightshade family. All parts of the plant are toxic to animals and humans. CFIA is taking the appro- priate steps to investigate the source of Jimsonweed in Alberta. Jimsonweed has now been found in


eleven rural municipalities, as of Sept. 14, 2015. Counties include Barrhead, Camrose, Flagstaff, Leduc, Lacombe,


Favourite flower photos


Thank you to everyone who sent in photos of their favou- rite flowers. If you keep sending them we will keep on sharing them in the magazine. Send photos to tania@pegasuspubli- cations.net.


“Bees Love, Love, Love Borage” by Laurie Fenton. A few years ago, my 93- year “young” neighbour showed me borage. I have been growing it yearly (ever since she gave me the seeds to start) specifically for the bees in my backyard. It never ceases to amaze me that for such an insignificant and non- showy looking flower – the bees actu- ally prefer it over most other things I grow here in Sherwood Park.


4 • Beautiful Gardens 2015


Lac Ste Anne, Park- land, Ponoka, West- lock, Wetaskiwin and Wheatland. The major- ity of reports have been spotted in canola fields. While some wheat and barley fields have reported the weed, they have links to canola seeded in nearby fields or in the previous year. If Jimsonweed is producers


found,


should take the follow- ing steps:


• When hand pulling, wear gloves


and long sleeves • Double bag the plants for the land-


fill disposal • Canola stubble should not be baled


up for feed where plants have been found. These practices will increases risk for poisoning in livestock feed. • Do not compost or burn, as this


will release toxins in the air and may cause secondary poisoning. Collecting information on Jimson- sightings Alberta Agriculture


weed


and Forestry (AF) continues to work with the CFIA and ag fieldmen to track fields. Counties and producers are asked to work closely with AF to obtain as much information as possible on all reports of Jimsonweed in crop- ping situations. If Jimsonweed has been spotted, please call the Ag Info Centre at 310-FARM. Report all sightings of this plant. We need to stop its spread!


letters


Alberta Gardener, I look forward to receiving each


edition of the Alberta Gardener magazine, which I read cover to cover. I recently received Volume 14, Issue #3 and as usual I was impressed with the featured garden (Marten’s home in Calgary). I was quite shocked when I turned to page 11 and spotted what appeared to be bighead knapweed front and center in the top right hand photo. I am hoping this is not the plant that it looks to be since bighead knap- weed has a provincial designation as a prohibited noxious weed in Alberta and was featured in Alber- ta Gardener Volume 14, Issue #1 on pages six and seven. I feel the Marten’s garden is beautiful and it appears a large amount of effort has been put into it either by the home owner or a professional land- scaper but someone should do their homework on growing alternate plants which can replace noxious weeds. Likewise. if this truly is bighead knapweed the writer of the article and editor of this magazine should have recognized this plant and at the very least not utilize the picture as part of the article. My husband and I live on a farm and our yard is approximately 2 acres in size. I am an avid gardener plant- ing over 10,000 annuals each year in our yard. I do not grow many perennials because they do tend to readily reseed or spread, I do my research on the internet as well as a variety of magazines and books, with all the resources available I feel we all have plenty of information that should prevent any gardener or distributor from possibly aiding the spread of unwanted plants. Thanks for producing a wonder-


ful magazine. Donna Dul


Hi Donna, Thanks for your very nice letter.


The couple did do their own garden. And thank you for making the point about the knapweed – don’t know how this got by us, but we will print your letter and that way folks will be aware. Cheers, Dorothy


localgardener.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40