While playing in the Alaskan wilderness I saw hawkweed amongst the fragrant wildflowers, thick groves of spruce, and along the banks of the Kenai. As a young child, I was naive to the harm that this “pretty flower” could bring to Homer, and due to this I treated it no different than the native flora that sprung up at the edge of my road. Thankfully my grandmother, a horticulturist, invested her time in teaching me how to properly identify vegetation. Through this I also learned how to distinguish what was a weed and what was not. Hawkweed was one of my grandmother’s primary concerns because of how …show more content…
disastrously it affects the environment. When left to its own devices hawkweed will send runners and stems to form large mats. These inhibit the maturing of undergrowth found within forest habitats, therefore lowering biodiversity and reducing the forage value of meadows.
After having learned about this I began to notice how hawkweed dominated the area around my house.
I was prompted to investigate solutions on how to remove the plant by my discovery of just how detrimental this plant could be. One such effort was when my family and I spent hours trying to dig up this tenacious plant. Despite our continuous attempts the weed only seemed to return with more vigor, spreading instead of diminishing. Through continued research I realized that incomplete removal of the root system causes hawkweed to only return stronger. Upon doing more research I found that there was more than one way to expel this plant from our
property.
The three most common ways to control hawkweed are chemically, culturally, and manually. Chemically managing hawkweed involves the use of herbicides early in the growing process. Culturally managing hawkweed means working with the natural environment to halt further spread. Many organic growers view this as the preferred option, as it excludes the use of chemicals, and does not harm surrounding plants. Manually managing hawkweed is the last technique to rid an area of hawkweed and involves the digging, burning, and pulling of the plant.
Because it took quite some time to find out what hawkweed is, how troublesome it can be, and how it should removed, I’ve decided to take charge and inform Homer through the creation of a pamphlet. Raising awareness about this invasive species and educating the population on the proper way to handle the weed is the solution to controlling future outbreaks. By dispersing these leaflets to local businesses and groups, such as Islands and Ocean, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, the Wynn Nature Center, and the Homer Garden Club, everyone in the community can quickly and easily become informed. This town that I call home is very near and dear to my heart, and I believe that protecting it, is the least I can do.