March 17, 2020 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Extension Profile For Shaffer, Where There’s A Weed, There’s A Way EDITOR’S NOTE: This series of articles is to introduce the South Dakota Extension Specialists who trained Master Gardeners in Yankton last summer and share about their activities and resources that are available for the public. ——— BY BRENDA K. JOHNSON P&D Correspondent In his job, Gared Shaffer responds to what makes weeds grow so well in his job. Shaffer is South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Weeds field specialist at the SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center. His emphasis is farmers’ and ranchers’ row crop and pasture weed control. Without an Extension Horticulturist available last summer, he addressed garden and yard weed management for Master Gardener Interns and active Master Gardeners at the Yankton training site. “Weeds are adapted to the environment we have them in. Weed seeds are prolific with so much seed production. They’re (competitive with crop plants) partly due to the temperature and moisture levels where we live. Years of higher moisture equals more weeds. Dryer years equal less moisture to germinate weed seeds. Some weed control practices spread weed seeds. When weeds are not controlled in the fall or early spring, they get out of hand,” he said about weed challenges. Shaffer has been with SDSU Extension three years and has several articles available to the public. These include topics on herbicide damage, effects of spring floods on weed seed movement, and cows eating weeds. See the articles and resource personnel information at the Extension website: www. sdstate.edu. “As a Kansas State graduate student, I had a few acres to keep weed free,” he said. “I couldn’t use herbicide because of the study, so I used Gared Shaffer (Courtesy Photo) a stirrup hoe. I use it now to knock down weeds. It’s easy to use. It cuts the roots right at the ground surface. It’s especially great for annuals.” “A weed is a plant out of place; we don’t have to demonize it. It’s in that location that it doesn’t work. Often, it’s introduced plants that are a problem. Some come from our ancestors who brought them here for beneficial reasons at the time, but later got out of hand,” he said. Extra moisture helped some planted fields, pastures and gardens last season, but also encouraged unwanted plants in bare spots. Shaffer’s approach to garden weeds is integrated weed management that includes weed identification, prevention and monitoring. It also includes his backyard garden experience. “I like to work with more innovative weed control methods. I look for ways that are easier for weed control and promote plant health,” he said. Lasagna or layered nutrient and weed barriers, plastic weed barriers where necessary, mulch and soil amendments to improve the soil health and suppress weeds are some examples. He looks for local materials to use as mulch that provide some nutrition and are adequate weed barriers. “Second or third cutting alfalfa provides organic matter, nitrogen source and weed control. Square bales are easier to move, or round bales if you have a larger area. Oat or wheat straw works as weed barrier too. Make sure you know who you get it from to ensure that it doesn’t have residual herbicides,” he said. Wood chips can come from the local tree removal service. Grass clippings and compost are available at no charge at the Yankton Transfer Station. No-till gardening is another approach to weed reduction. “In gardening, no-till is not as common. I grew up with a garden that my dad tilled. You don’t think it will work until you try it. No-till doesn’t mean no problems or no management. You still have to manage it properly. It’s a new way to think through how to produce the plants you want,” Shaffer said. arch Madness M New At The Library Here’s what’s new at the Yankton Community Library this week: ADULT BOOKS • Duct Tape Killer: the True Inside Story of Sexual Sadist & Murderer Robert Leroy Anderson by Phil Hamman, nonfiction • The Book of Science and Antiquities by Thomas Keneally, fiction • The Case of the Spellbound Child by Mercedes Lackey, fiction • Conclusion by Peter Robertson, fiction • Conviction by Denise Mina, fiction • Long Range by C.J. Box, fiction • The Network by L.C. Shaw, fiction • The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich, fiction • The Poppy Wife by Caroline Scott, fiction • Sword of Kings by Bernard Cornwell, fiction • Warsaw Protocol by Steve Berry, fiction • Where Winter Finds You by J.R. Ward, fiction AUDIO CDs • Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke, fiction • Golden in Death by J.D. Robb, fiction • Husband Material by Emily Belden, fiction • The Museum of Desire by Jonathan Kellerman, fiction • Never Look Back by Alison Gaylin, fiction • The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica, fiction • Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah, fiction • The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth, fiction • Someone We Know by Shari Lapena, fiction • Treason by Stuart Woods, fiction YOUNG ADULT BOOKS • Beneath the Surface: A Teen’s Guide to Reaching Out When Your Friend is In Crisis by Kristi Hugstad, nonfiction • Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, fiction • Gut Check by Eric Kester, fiction • Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw, fiction • You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman, fiction EASY READING BOOKS • Cells: An Owner’s Handbook by Carolyn Fisher, nonfiction • Butterbean’s Café: the Bean Team by Tex Huntly, fiction • Chicken Break!: A Counting Book by Cate Berry, fiction • Fix That Clock by Kurt Cyrus, fiction • Ghoulia and the Mysterious Visitor by Barbara Cantini, fiction • Ghoulia: Making New Friends Can Be Scary by Barbara Cantini, fiction • The Great Pumpkin Contest by Angie Rozelaar, fiction • Katie Woo’s Neighborhood: Good Morning, Farmer Carmen! by Fran Manushkin, fiction • Katie Woo’s Neighborhood: Super Paramedic! by Fran Manushkin, fiction • Kitten Construction Company: a Bridge Too Fur by John Patrick Green, fiction • Little Mole’s Wish by Sang-keun Kim, fiction • Miles is The Boss of His Body by Abbie Schiller, fiction • My Little Pony: We Are Thankful by R.R. Busse, fiction • Rusty Rivets: Magnet Power! by Tex Huntley, fiction • Spirit Riding Free: Merry Christmas! by Jennifer Fox, fiction • Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, fiction • Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market by Raul the Third, fiction • What John Marco Saw by Annie Barrows, fiction • 8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie, boardbook • Build a Block by Christopher Franceschelli, boardbook • The Eye Book by Dr. Seuss, boardbook • Green Energy! by Ruth Spiro, boardbook JUNIOR BOOKS • Cool Careers in Science: Drone Pilots by Andrew Morkes, nonfiction • Energy at the Amusement Park by Karen Latchana Kenney, nonfic- tion • Forces at the Amusement Park by Tammy Enz, nonfiction • Game Logic: Level Up and Create Your Own Games with Science Activities for Kids by Angie Smibert, nonfiction • Hidden Wonders: a Guide to The Planet’s Wildest, Weirdest Places by Lonely Planet, nonfiction • How to Draw: Pokemon by Maria S. Barbo, nonfiction • The Renaissance Artists by Diane C. Taylor, nonfiction • Scratch Code Challenge: Scratch Code Transportation by Max Wainewright, nonfiction • Ultimate Kids Baking Book by Tiffany Dahle, nonfiction • Wild in the city: a Guide to Urban Animals Around the World by Kate Baker, nonfiction • Claws of Rage: a Beastly Crimes Book by Anna Starobinets, fiction • The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell, fiction • In the Wolf’s Lair: a Beastly Crimes Book by Anna Starobinets, fiction • The Last Life of Prince Alastor by Alexandra Bracken, fiction • Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee, fiction • The No-Good Nine by John Bemelmans Marciano, fiction • The Plucker: a Beastly Crimes Book by Anna Starobinets, fiction • Popular MMOs Presents A Hole New World by Patrick Julianelle • Popular MMOs Presents Enter The Mine by Patrick Julianelle, fiction • A Predator’s Rights: a Beastly Crimes Book by Anna Starobinets, fiction • Tales from Beyond the Brain by Jeff Szpirglas, fiction • Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia, fiction ——— Visit library.cityofyankton.org or call the library at 605-668-5275 to reserve any of these titles! 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