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Back To: Hardin County | Your Government | Roadside Vegetation | What Can You do to Help?

What Can You do to Help?

Don’t Plant Invasive Weeds

Be selective when you choose plants for home landscaping. Some invasive plants, such as purple loosestrife varieties, are still illegally sold in nurseries and garden shops, so beware! If you plant these in your yard, they may escape into nearby areas and become a problem by displacing native species. Not all non-native plants are invasive. There are many beautiful horticultural plants available for you to choose from, without contributing to the invasive weed problem. Also consider planting native species in your home garden. Natives offer a good choice for home landscaping because they are well adapted to local conditions and often thrive with less care than required by many non-native plants. Native plant gardening also enhances the value of your yard for local wildlife including birds and butterflies.

Don’t Plant Invasive Weeds

Be selective when you choose plants for home landscaping. Some invasive plants, such as purple loosestrife varieties, are still illegally sold in nurseries and garden shops, so beware! If you plant these in your yard, they may escape into nearby areas and become a problem by displacing native species. Not all non-native plants are invasive. There are many beautiful horticultural plants available for you to choose from, without contributing to the invasive weed problem. Also consider planting native species in your home garden. Natives offer a good choice for home landscaping because they are well adapted to local conditions and often thrive with less care than required by many non-native plants. Native plant gardening also enhances the value of your yard for local wildlife including birds and butterflies.

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What Can You do to Help?
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Remove Invasive Weeds

Be on the lookout for invasive weeds and remove or report them whenever possible. You may have invasive plants already growing in your backyard. Birds and other animals may eat the seeds of these plants and then travel to nearby uninfested lands, resulting in the spread of invasive weeds. You can help stop these invasions by removing the source plants. Talk to your neighbors and local greenhouses about the problem and share your concerns. Report sightings on public lands to the land manager. And if you do remove these plants from your own land, be sure not to spread the seeds when disposing of them.

Help Prevent the Accidental Spread of Invasive Weeds

When you venture into natural areas, roadsides, or any place with invasive weeds, be aware that you could be introducing or carrying invasive weeds inadvertently. Check your shoes, socks, clothing, etc., which might carry seeds. Another important thing you can do is to try to limit soil disturbances on your property. Invasive weeds thrive on disturbance and can quickly colonize areas that don’t have a good vegetative cover. If invasive weeds are moving in, try to control them before they get well established and the area is infested.

Educate Yourself and Spread the Word

Become better informed about how to identify invasive weeds, how to avoid spreading them, and how to control them. The battle to control invasive weeds cannot be won without public awareness and support. Share what you have learned so that others can join in the WAR ON WEEDS!

Additional Resources

Here are some groups and agencies that can provide further information or assistance on noxious weeds:

Quick Links


FAQs

Who controls noxious weeds in Hardin County?

All landowners are required to control noxious weeds on their property to eliminate seed production. Weeds growing within city limits, in abandoned cemeteries, along railroads, streets, and highways, as well as on farmland, or any private or public land, must be controlled. The Hardin County Weed Commissioner enforces the Iowa Noxious Weed Law. Iowa Code Chapter 317 – Weeds

How do I contact the County Weed Commissioner?

Every county in Iowa has a Weed Commissioner to oversee that county’s noxious weed control program. The Hardin County Weed Commissioner is located at the Engineers Office 708 16th St., Eldora, IA 50627 Phone: 641-939-8263

Why should I control noxious weeds?

Noxious Weeds and other invasive species threaten all of our natural resources. They can destroy native plant and animal habitat, damage recreational areas, clog waterways, lower land values, decrease agricultural crop yields, and some can even poison humans and livestock.

Noxious Weeds are also a leading cause of species endangerment under the Endangered Species Act. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, along with Hardin County, has declared 31 species of plants as Noxious.

View a complete list of plants considered noxious by Hardin County or the State of Iowa. Complete list of noxious plants.

Contact Us

Roadside Vegetation Office

Physical Address

708 16th St.
Eldora, IA 50627

Directions
Mailing Address

1215 Edgington Ave Suite 1
Eldora, IA 50627

Phone: 641-858-5058

Fax: 641-858-3182

Hours

Monday - Friday
07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

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