Since 1958, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Monitoring Laboratory at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii has measured the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the air. They tell us that carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has been increasing. There is a lot of debate about what the global climatic effects of more greenhouse gases will be. But we do know that when atmospheric CO2 is increased, plant growth rates increase. More and bigger plants fertilized by increased CO2 sounds good. I can imagine raising a 500-pound pumpkin, entering it in the county fair and winning the blue ribbon. As those CO2 rates continue to climb, crop yields should go up. That means enough corn for human consumption, as well as to make ethanol for fuel and to feed beef cattle. I like corn on the cob, thick steaks on the grill and Sunday drives through the countryside.
Thinking about it a bit more brings the realization that not all plants benefit mankind. Weeds are plants, too. Weeds are already beginning to make news because they've been growing bigger from CO2 fertilization during the past decade. Their toxic effects are getting worse, too.
Careful yard and garden cleanup is more important now than it ever was. Many weeds are species which have nothing inherently wrong with them but grow in the wrong place — wild violets in lawns or oxalis in flowerbeds, for example. They fit the definition of a weed as "a plant out of place." These plants are unwanted because they take moisture, nutrients, sunlight and landscape space that should be going to desirable plants. It will take more effort to get rid of weeds that are larger and more numerous in the future. Once "super-sized" weeds pumped up by more atmospheric CO2 start multiplying throughout your landscape, they'll be harder to control.
Homeowners also need to help knock out invasive species by eliminating any growing on our own properties. Invasive weeds make trouble by winning the competitive battle for available resources over native plants and wildflowers. As a result, desirable plants die and biological diversity is destroyed at sites where these weeds take over.
Crown vetch (Coronilla varia) and kudzu are invasive species that were imported for erosion control but got out of hand in the southern states. Crown vetch spreads by both airborne seed and by vigorously growing stems and roots. Dense vetch foliage can prevent other plants from taking root and overgrow nearby plants, shrubs and even small trees — killing them by blocking sunlight the desirable plants need to survive. Indiana has a good fact sheet on crown vetch with detailed pictures available for download to your home computer from the Web site www.invasivespecies.IN.gov.
Another group of weeds causing more severe problems to humans in recent years are those which introduce pollen allergens into the air, such as ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) or that produce skin irritants on contact like poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Ragweed releases lots of pollen that causes allergic reactions or asthma attacks during late summer and autumn (August through November). Other weeds that contribute to the pollen count at this time of year are curly dock, lambs quarters, pigweed, plantain and sheep sorrel.
Chop down or bush hog these bad actors if you're trying to create better air quality around your home, but leave the golden rod. Golden rod has been falsely accused of stimulating allergic reactions. It has showy yellow flowers at the same time annual ragweed is in bloom but does not produce the airborne pollen that irritates your eyes and makes your nose run — ragweed is to blame for that. Find out more from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences page www.niehs.nih.gov.
Plateau Gardening is written by Tennessee Master Gardeners about home landscapes and gardening in our state's Upper Cumberland Region. For answers to specific yard and garden questions or to learn how to become a Master Gardener contact UT Extension Cumberland County, P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557 (phone 484-6743). E-mail inquiries to mgardener@volfirst.net. E-mail may be answered either individually or in future newspaper articles. Visit the companion Web site web.infoave.net/~mgardener to view photos and seasonal tips or to see Cumberland, Putnam and Smith County growing conditions.
Lifestyles
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MASTER GARDENERS: More carbon dioxide stimulates plant growth
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Widows Sons support TAD
The Widows Sons Masonic Riding Association, Dry Bones Chapter, held a benefit motorcycle ride May 19 to benefit the Teens Against Drugs (TAD) Center in Crossville.
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New Corvette Club shares love for flair, design
If you were reaching maturity during the 1950s through '60s, you were probably either a Chevy guy or a Ford guy. While Chevy guys had reason to admire Ford Thunderbirds and Mustangs, the Chevy sports car enthusiasts have had an ace-in-the hole with the advent of the first production Corvette in 1953 — only six months after it debuted as a GM prototype.
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Arts festival coming in September
Mark on your calendar the dates of September 14-15 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for the Plateau Arts Festival at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive (off Peavine) in Fairfield Glade.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Award-winning artist shares talent with community
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2012 Tennessee Senior Chess Tournament winners honored
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PLATEAU GARDENING: Photographing plants and blossoms
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Celebrating Tennessee state parks
Come celebrate National Trails Day and the 75th anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, Saturday, June 2.
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GIVING BACK: Take a look at state of our waste
The county recently submitted its solid waste report to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. In the past year, the county collected and landfilled 52,462 tons of waste. Another 6,067 tons of materials were collected and recycled. A total of 58,829 tons of waste were collected by the county.
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The River WILD!
The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River winds its way through the 125,000 acres of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area before flowing into the Cumberland River and Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. It’s a free-flowing river, with no dams to control release of the water, but the scenery and the magnificent rock formations make it a favorite of paddling enthusiasts who watch the weather to see if they can get out and explore areas that are hard to reach by foot.
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Farmer's Market opens for business June 2
The Cumberland County Farmer’s Market will officially open the growing season as it has every year since 1978. This year’s “opening” will be Saturday, June 2, at the traditional location on Livingston Rd., next to the fairgrounds. Selling will begin early (6:30 a.m. or so), although some vendors may set up a few hours later in order to provide the freshest vegetables picked just that morning. There is usually a good selection until well after noon.
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