Dear Board Members,

The Columbia Basin Herald has, for several years, enjoyed the experience of helping to educate Grant County residents about noxious weeds found in the county through the annual gardening column. The calls to the weed board office and comments I've received indicates our goal of education has been achieved again this year.

Another element entered the scene this year when Poison Hemlock was discovered in a housing area. Together we saved lives, as this plant is considered one of the most 10 deadliest plants in the world. It was used in the execution of philosopher Socrates.

I'm convinced a youngster or animal would have, in time, ingested a few leaves or seeds, causing illness and perhaps death.

Together we also provided information about the plants we have been trying to eradicate, destroy, exterminate, eliminate or simply control throughout the decades.

While an established rancher or farmer may know every weed by name and appearance, the owners of five acre or smaller lots may not. The noxious weed information provided by your consultants has educated these gentlemen farmers with a valuable knowledge required to control noxious weeds on their property.

Your staff includes Coordinator Craig Hintz, Administrative Assistant Trish Durand, Weed Consultants include Danielle Blevins, Amy Dana, Marcie Mangold and Martin Blevins. The roadside applicator is Bryan Johnson.

A big thank you to all for helping provide the written material and photos to teach the rest of us how to control weeds. Although the column has ended for the year, feel free to send me noxious weed info relevant to the time of year. This we will try to fit into the Bits & Pieces column as space permits.

The educational material we supply to readers is valuable. Our partnership is solid and long-lasting. I look forward to working with your staff next year.

- CBH Columnist Dennis L. Clay

Fair History Barn looking for volunteers

The usual group of volunteers who man the Grant County Fair History Barn is not available this year. As a result the history barn will be closed except for a couple of hours a day.

Unless, unless...you are available to help. The job is easy; just greet visitors while seated in the air conditioned room and ask them to sign the guest book.

Give me a call at 762-5158 if interested.

Mystery clover

A few weeks ago, I asked Danielle Blevins to identify this plant, which is growing in my lawn and my neighbor's also. The evening this column appeared, a reader called saying he also has the plant and wanted to know about eradication.

I passed along my method of spraying with Weed B Gone; spraying one day, watering the lawn the next and spraying again the next day. And the procedure continued until the plants began to die.

"Oh, so being persistent did the trick," he said.

A day later Danielle sent me an e-mail:

Dennis, What you have there is Black Medic. It's a common turfgrass weed, it's not a noxious weed, but it sure can be obnoxious! This weed can be found throughout much of the United States. Black Medic is a member of the Legume family and as such has three leaflets. This species has tiny yellow flowers that are grouped in tight bunches. You can view herbicide recommendations online on the Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbooks website or feel free to give the Noxious Weed Board a call.

From Dennis: Thanks, Danielle. So it is not a clover at all.

From Danielle: Well it is a clover, clovers are in the Legume family.

Artists' Market

Stop by the August Artists' Market tomorrow, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This month the popular event has a new location; 404 South Division Street. Directions say to park next to the Ries & Kenison Law Firm.

This group of artists has provided an avenue to show their talent, plus provide the public with the prospect of not only viewing their work, but purchasing the items as well.