Last week, on Thursday, June 30, we featured the last gardening column for 2011. Space limitations did not allow us to run the last bit of information from Jeff Janke. We feature his last bit of advice on weed control today. Read on.

From Jeff Janke of the Noxious Weed Control Board of Grant County

Out of all the articles I have written, one word keeps coming to mind: "Program."

My favorite example is the lawn and that is simply this: Do you fertilize, water and mow your yard just one time during the spring and then put your mower and water hose away for the rest of the year? Some of you may be laughing at that statement, but stop and think about it. If you expect to have a nice looking yard throughout the spring and summer, you must implement and manage a successful program.

Weed control is no different. You must implement a program that consists of timing, proper herbicide use and possibly planting vegetation that grows well with little or no maintenance at all. Always remember almost all noxious weeds grow where they don't have to compete with other vegetation.

Let's talk about herbicide usage. Herbicides are not any different than the medication we take when we become ill; We don't all take the same medication for different illnesses. Doctors prescribe specific medication for specific illnesses. Herbicides are designed the same way. Some examples of herbicides are as follows: A pre-emergent herbicide stops seeds from germinating and a broadleaf herbicide can, for example, take the weeds out of your grasses. Then there is non-selective herbicide that kills or controls all vegetation. So as you can see, it is very important to use the proper herbicide to control weeds.

That also leads to timing. Take for example the noxious weed, Canada thistle. When the weed starts to grow in early spring it is pulling up all the nutrients it stored in the root system during the winter. During this cycle of the plant you would need to use a 2,4-D product that basically grows the plant to death.

During the fall after the first frost the weed starts to go into shock and prepares for the winter. The weed now is taking as many nutrients as it can get down to the root system and stores it for the winter. That is how biennials and perennials survive the winter. During this time you would want to use a glyphosate product, for example, Roundup (R), that translocates through the plant. The glyphosate is absorbed into the plant and is taken down to the root system and then kills the weed.

Before you use any herbicide, always read the entire label.

Another great tool for your weed control program is keeping clean equipment. You always need to keep the weeds where they are and be sure not to move or scatter them. If you are farming and moving equipment from field to field, be sure your equipment is clean. You don't want to take weeds out of one field and introduce them to another field. That also applies to people that live in the city. If you have weeds growing in your driveway, eventually they will end up growing in your yard or garden. Always remember, control weeds where and when they start to grow.

Contact Jeff at 509-754-2011, Ext. 375.

Lunch with the Troops; Col. Guemmer expected to attend

Fairchild Air Force Base Commander and also the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander, Col. Paul Guemmer, is planning to attend the next Lunch with the Troops event to take place on Tuesday, July 19 from noon to 1 p.m.

Also expected to attend by telephone will be Rock 'n' Roll legend and hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent. I nominated Ted to become a fellow Fairchild AFB CommStar and we are will conduct Ted's induction ceremony at the luncheon.

The CommStar program is designed to foster mutual understanding between military leaders and civilian leaders. The objective is to allow military and civilian leaders to get together on a formal and informal basis to exchange ideas and share common interests that enhance the relationship between Fairchild AFB and the public.

Ted has been supportive of the Fairchild troops temporary stationed in Moses Lake by either calling during the Lunch with the Troops event or sending a message to be read during the event.

The luncheon will take place at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake from noon to 1 p.m.

We are offering one Buck Knife and one Wenger, Genuine Swiss Army Knife, in a raffle to benefit Operation Warm Heart, a fund operated by unit First Sergeants to assist airmen in need.

In July, Mike O'Halloran and his wife, Becky, will be sponsoring the Buck Knife in their names and the American Legion Post 209. Also in July, Eric Van Woert will sponsor the Swiss Army Knife in the name of the Olde World Trading Company.

Randy Graham of RSC Equipment Rental said the business wants to sponsor one, maybe more knifes. This leaves six or seven more knives needing sponsors. Contact me for details.

Becky Hill, Manager of the Moses Lake American Legion Post 209, conducts the raffle, so we are in compliance with Washington State laws and regulations. Raffle tickets will be sold during the luncheon with the knives as a prize. The drawing will take place at the end of the event.

Come join the fun and bring a friend or two. You will find the visit with the troops invigorating and heartwarming.

People wanting to attend the June 21 luncheon are asked to call me at: Home: 762-5158 or Cell: 750-0541. Or the Porterhouse Steakhouse at: 766-0308. We won't turn anyone away, but we need to have an approximate head count.