Weed control methods
Invasive weeds in this guide can be controlled with physical and chemical methods. Physically, they can be pulled to remove all or most of the roots, preventing the plant from growing back. Wet soil makes this easier. Even if all the roots don’t come up, the plant is likely to die. Returning to follow up on weed removal gives you a second chance to eradicate weed patches.
Other methods that physically cut or pull weeds can also be effective, including mowing large areas. Girdling large plants by cutting away a strip of bark several inches wide around trunks of trees or woody vines interrupt the flow of nutrients to leaves and active growing points to kill the plant. Use a knife, ax, or saw.
Mulch can smother weeds by preventing sunlight from reaching the ground. It can be organic, such as straw and sawdust, or synthetic, such as plastic.
Soil solarization means covering damp soil with clear or black plastic to trap heat, killing plants and seeds.

Chemical herbicides
Only trained workers with specific directions should apply chemicals. Site conditions, time of year, target species and other considerations all must be weighed against the risk posed by the invasive species. The goal is not only control of the invasive but also re-establishment of native plants.

Weed disposal
Dispose of weeds in green waste wheeled containers. No plastic bags. Mission Country Disposal will empty the bins on regularly scheduled garbage pickup days. They take the weeds to a facility in Santa Maria to be used in making compost.

After five years of drought, the rains of 2016-2017 were welcome. However, along with native vegetation, millions of invasive weed seeds were waiting to sprout. Thistles, wild radishes, broom and other invasive weeds cover Cambria's landscape.

Individuals can help by removing weeds from their property. How to tell the difference between native plants and Invasive? This Guide can help. Greenspace -- The Cambria Land Trust held a native Plant Workshop to help vegetation workers tell the difference between native plants and invasive weeds. Workers are certified, and listed at the Fire Department. Call for a recommendation for a contractor to help clear weeds off your property.

Cal Fire and the Fire Department are working to reduce weeds. They have a special interest because invasive weeds are often more flammable than native plants, which are adapted to the landscape and climate here. They also grow tall enough to become ladder fuel, carrying fire from the ground up to the trees. Grant funding paid to remove broom from Bridge Street, and clear the fire break that had been overgrown with broom and other weeds at Covell Ranch.

Will 2017 turn out to be the Tipping Point, the year native plants lost the battle against invasive plants? Each of us can help save native habitat by pulling weeds.

Every thistle I pull, I think, That's one million fewer seeds in the wind.