For instance, several acre-sized patches of hawkweed have been reported on Skyline Drive and Diamond Ridge. Smaller spot infestations are popping up all over lawns in Homer. Once established, hawkweed can quickly develop into monoculture, out competing turf grass and native plants alike.

The typical hawkweed invasion goes like this, "I saw a beautiful orange flower in my lawn and decided to mow around it. In one year that small orange spot grew to a patch and I began to get worried. I mowed the patch and then it got worse. What do I do?"

Controlling hawkweed is difficult because it spreads underground via rhizomes and can resprout from impossibly small root fragments. As a result, if you try to control hawkweed by mowing alone, it only makes the problem worse. You can pick the flower heads to prevent them from going to seed, but those pesky rhizomes will keep spreading and choking out desirable vegetation. Because hawkweed threatens our local ecosystems and is difficult to get rid of, Homer Soil and Water Conservation District developed a management strategy to control this pest.

In 2007, Homer SWCD worked cooperatively with a homeowner on Diamond Ridge whose lawn was overrun with hawkweed. After consulting with experts, we decided an integrated management approach was best for controlling hawkweed infestations. Our approach involved application of fertilizer, broadleaf herbicide, turf-mix grass seed and regular mowing. The application of fertilizer, turf-mix and mowing were done to stimulate grass growth and increase grass competition with hawkweed. The broadleaf herbicide targeted and controlled the hawkweed and had minimal impacts to the burgeoning grass population. After two years, the landowner reported that 98 percent of the hawkweed in his lawn was controlled.

Controlling invasive species takes vigilance and sustained effort. Gaining the upper hand on a large hawkweed infestation will likely take 3 to 5 years of hard work. However, the reward means protecting your lawn and garden from invasion. Furthermore, managing weeds in your lawn will help prevent invasion into sensitive ecosystems.

For more information on Homer SWCD's hawkweed control program, contact me at 235-8177 ext. 111 or by e-mail at blainespellman@homerswcd.org.

Before applying any herbicide contact me or the Cooperative Extension Service for recommendations. Too much herbicide can be a terrible thing for Alaska's fish, wildlife and your family's well being.

Blaine T. Spellman is a natural resource specialist for the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District.