Lompoc man wages war against pampas grass
Lompoc man wages war against pampas grass
21 February 2012
published by http://santamariatimes.com
USA — Barry Weaver of Lompoc has a passion, and that passion is getting rid of a plant that is increasingly invading the Central Coast area pampas grass.
Decorators have long used the feathery stalks for ornamentation inside homes. And gardeners have used pampas grass for landscaping for many years. In fact, the plant was introduced into Santa Barbara by the nursery business in 1848.
But make no mistake its a weed.
Once pampas grass gets started, it will quickly proliferate. Each pampas grass plant is able to produce more than a million seeds during its lifetime, and the seeds can be blown by the wind up to 20 miles away. The seeds also can be spread by farm or ranch equipment or by off-road vehicles.
Once established, the vigorously growing pampas grass pushes out other vegetation
already living there. It takes over, clogging waterways and wetlands and causing environmental chaos. And when dry, it can be a fire hazard.
The grass thrives in coastal regions and likes disturbed areas. Now, it can be seen growing on road cuts along Highway 1 just south of Lompoc.
Five years ago, I dont remember seeing it along Highway 1. Now, its getting really bad, Weaver said.
Another place the grass is seen in ever-increasing numbers is along Jalama Road, the 14-mile scenic byway off of Highway 1 to Jalama Beach. Vandenberg Air Force Base has major infestations, as do Vandenberg Village and Burton Mesa.
Weaver, a retired schoolteacher and a member of Lompocs Beautification and Appearance Commission, has gone so far as to have errant stands of pampas grass eradicated on his own dime. He also has taken it out himself on roadsides all along the Central Coast.
(Even) ranchers dont like it, Weaver said. It takes away pasture land, and the cows dont eat it.
Eradicating pampas grass is quite a chore. The leaves are sharp and tough. The plant has a large taproot that makes it difficult to pull out. You must dig up the root ball and dispose of it to completely get rid of the plant. Strong herbicide can be used as well.
For several years now, there have been active programs in many of Californias coastal counties to eradicate the plant, including Santa Barbara County.
David Chang, a weed-management specialist with the Agricultural Commissioners Office for Santa Barbara County, said that a decade ago, the county had a grant to specifically take out pampas grass infestations. It was funded by the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project and by the countys Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund.
But as money has been getting tighter and tighter in the last few years, grant funding has been shrinking, and the county has had to prioritize with its weed removal. The county isnt taking out pampas grass right now, except for infestations that pose a particular threat, according to Chang.
Thats not to say it isnt a priority.
We are emphasizing the removal of pampas grass from the areas of Jalama Road, Highway 1 between Gaviota and Lompoc, from Las Positas Road and the Goleta Slough. We will likely be treating some of these infestations in the future, he said, adding that he hopes more funding becomes available.
Weaver said the general public should be educated through the media about pampas grass so they will stop planting it and take it out whenever they see it. To him, its a crusade.
He recommends finding out more about pampas grass and other problem plant species through the California Invasive Plant Council. The group recommends that instead of planting pampas grass or fountain grass, homeowners should plant blue oat grass, deer grass, giant wild rye, lavender, California fescue or San Diego sedge.
