Invasive Weeds

Each spring the cool wet weather brings on a new, aggressively growing, crop of weeds.  At first you won’t notice them but by mid summer they are tall, flowering and going to seed. Some of the nastiest weeds found throughout Carriage Hills include:

  • Musk Thistle
  • Canada Thistle
  • Cheat Grass
  • Hoary Alyssum
  • Knapweed (Diffuse and Spotted)
  • Toadflax (Dalmation and Yellow)

Each year a group of Carriage Hills residents get together and walk the roads of Carriage Hills, digging and pulling the invasive plants in the roadsides. The best time to do this is after a rain when digging and pulling is a bit easier. If you don’t know much about plant identification we are happy to teach you what we can. Many of the plants are very distinctive and only have to be pointed out once. To be notified of upcoming invasive weed walks contact David Born by email at Born@ku.edu or by phone at 970-586-9607.

The Estes Land Stewardship Association has produced a great booklet on invasive weeds. You can download a copy here:
ELSA Booklet