Wow... I'm glad we don't live in Franklin County. I know the following refers to the Code of Iowa, but the Hardin County advertising edition didn't mention this. Not, of course, that I would care if it did. We live in Butler County.
Notice is hereby given this 6th day of June, 2005 pursuant to the Code of Iowa, Chapter 317, Weed Law. All owners, occupants, agents and public officials in charge of lands in Franklin County Shall destroy or eradicate noxious weeds standing, being or growing on such lands by effective cutting, tillage, cropping or otherwise destroying, as often as may be required to prevent the weeds from blooming and maturing seeds and on or before the dates according to the following tables:
. . .
Group 3 - By July 15
. . . Velvetleaf. . . Sunflowers. . .
--from the Hampton Reminder
How can velvetleaf possibly be a noxious weed? Those leaves are soft enough to make a pillowcase. Not to mention, the drafter of this law has obviously never sat on his lawn and carefully stripped fuzzy velvetleaf skin off the long, smooth, woody stem inside.
And sunflowers?
So I looked up the Iowa Weed Law and discovered a few discrepancies: no mention of velvetleaf and sunflowers - unless they're masquerading under more scientific names - but it does bring up bindweed / European morning glory, which I suppose would be "binderweed". Good luck with that. You can't get rid of it if you try. Besides, how is this fair to children's imaginative play in the great outdoors? Carolyn and Ethan and I made ourselves some beautiful crowns with the stuff.
No comments:
Post a Comment