When the state's top weed experts converge in Southern California in January, they will spend a half-day offering science-based guidance to local home gardeners waging the perennial war on weeds.

The California Weed Science Society's free urban weed control workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon Monday, Jan. 11, at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel and Towers, 777 Convention Way in Anaheim. The program is open to the public and reservations are not required.

University of California, Orange County and irrigation and herbicide company representatives will present information on preventing and controlling a wide variety of weeds, pests that rob nutrients, water, sunlight and esthetic beauty from landscapes and vegetable gardens.

"It's not uncommon for homeowners to see unwanted plants, and without identifying the plant or considering the alternatives, spray on an herbicide," said Cheryl Wilen, University of California Cooperative Extension Integrated Pest Management Advisor. "Being well-informed about weed pests and ways to control them both chemical and non-chemical can make gardening more enjoyable, environmentally sound and safe."

Presenters will cover such strategies as close plant spacing, subsurface irrigation, bark, gravel and fabric mulches, and various types of hoes and herbicides.

The California Weed Science Society is holding its 51st annual conference in Anaheim Jan. 11-13. Scientists from all over California and the nation will present farmers and other ag professionals with the latest research-based information on controlling weeds in commercial agriculture.

"This is a unique opportunity for Southern California gardeners to get the most accurate, up-to-date information on weed control available," Wilen said. All urban session participants receive a free home garden weed guide booklet. The agenda for the free session follows:

8:30 a.m. — Integrated Weed Management in Landscapes — Cheryl Wilen, UCCE Statewide IPM Project, San Diego 9: 20 a.m. — Current Weed Eradication Projects and Future Weed Problems — Bill Tidwell, Orange County Vegetation Management Specialist 10:30 a.m. — Herbicide Options in the Landscape — Dan Wickham, Zeneca, Santa Margarita 11:10 a.m. — Irrigation Design to Minimize Weed Problems — Mark Warardy, Rainbird, Irvine.

For more information on the free weed workshop, contact Cheryl Wilen at the University of California Cooperative Extension office in San Diego County, (619) 694-2846, or e-mail cawilen@ucdavis.edu.

(Registration for the three-day, professional conference is $55 before Dec. 15. For information on the conference, contact Wanda Graves of the California Weed Science Society at (510) 790-1252.)

Jeannette Warnert
Public Information Representative
Ag and Natural Resources
UC Center
550 E. Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710