Vegetation Management

Garfield County Achieves Biocontrol Milestone

Garfield County is the first county in the state to have its own Russian knapweed biocontrol nursery and distribution program. Since 2000, Garfield County Vegetation Management has worked with the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Palisade Insectary to release various biocontrol agents on noxious weeds throughout the county. Biological control, or biocontrol, is the use of natural enemies – such as insects or pathogens – to help control weeds or other pest organisms.
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Contest rules-|

Noxious Weed Cost Share program

Garfield County and the Bookcliff, Mount Sopris, and South Side Conservation districts are once again offering landowners financial assistance for controlling noxious weeds and trees on their properties. Cost-sharing is available for all state of Colorado listed noxious weeds and watch list species, including Russian olive, tamarisk, and Siberian elm trees.
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Application -|

Spring Weed Watch: Whitetop

Whitetop/Hoary Cress Cardaria draba

Plant Characteristics
• Whitetop is a perennial growing 10” – 18” tall
• Reproduces by seeds and extensive creeping roots
• Clusters of white flowers with four petals give the plant a white, flat-topped appearance
• Blooms from April to May
• One plant can produce up to 5,000 seeds
• One of the first plants to come up in spring
• Displaces native plant species, reduces biodiversity, wildlife habitat and forage production; serious threat to cattle industry
• Contains glucosinolates which can be toxic to cattle

Management
Whitetop emerges early in the spring; in some parts of Garfield County it will bloom in late April or early May. It will set seed about a month after blooming. One of the problems with whitetop is that we often don’t notice it until it starts to flower. This can be a problem as the best time to control whitetop is prior to flowering.

Keeping a good cover of existing native vegetation can prevent weeds from getting established. The best way to manage whitetop once it has established is to prevent it from encroaching further. To prevent invasion, limit seed dispersal. Avoid driving vehicles and equipment through infested areas during the seeding period. Livestock should not graze infested areas during flowering or seed set; if they do, they should be transported to a holding area for 2 weeks after grazing whitetop infested pastures to allow time to pass the seeds.

Follow-up treatments from year to year are essential. Chemical recommendations will vary depending upon the specific site and surrounding land use.

For specific recommendations on whitetop, please contact Garfield County Vegetation Management:
Steve Anthony: 945-1377 x 4305 or email
Sarah LaRose: 945-1377 x 4315 or email

Photo credit: Todd Patrick Photography (top image) and Photo credit: Mark Schwarzlander, bugwood.org (lower image)