Starthistle workshop tackles bad weed

It’s prickly, invasive and can kill a horse. Those are just a few reasons yellow starthistle is considered such a bad weed.

Right now, this noxious plant is getting ready for another attack on California. A winter-growing annual, starthistle produces seed in September and October that sprouts with fall rain. Found in every county, starthistle is estimated to be the dominant plant across 15 million acres in California alone.

With deep taproots, starthistle seems impervious to many attempts at control. Yes, it does support pollinators (and makes delicious honey), but starthistle is toxic to horses – which makes it downright dangerous in pastures.

Learn ways to control starthistle -- before it’s too late -- in a free workshop, offered by the El Dorado County master gardeners.

Set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 26, “Starthistle Management” will take a deep dive into this thorny subject with loads of practical information. The in-person class will be held at the Bethel-Delfino Ag Building in Placerville.

“Join Master Gardener Steve Savage to learn about this invasive weed that has taken over large portions of California’s range land and urban landscape,” say the master gardeners. “Learn about its origins, how it moves, why it is so difficult to control, how to overcome these difficulties, control methods, and how to design an effective control program.”

Native to the Mediterranean, yellow starthistle likely came to California (and the greater Sacramento area) in contaminated animal feed during the Gold Rush, say UC researchers. This weed loved the climate and quickly became a nuisance. It thrives where other plants struggle, such as compacted dirt along roadways.

No advance registration for the workshop is needed, although it is appreciated, say the master gardeners; space is limited. The Bethel-Delfino Ag Building is located at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville.