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Orono Weekly Times - 5 Goldeniod is nothing ti sneeze at but ragweed by Garry Hoekstra For many Ontarions, the blooming goldenrod on roadsides roadsides and meadows marks the beginning of autumn and the nevfr school year. Unfortunately, it is also associated associated with the onset of allergy season. But goldenrod has gotten an undeserved bad rap as a source of allergy-causing pollen. While it is not pollen- free, it's not the really bad guy. Goldenrod is a friendly, photogenic photogenic native plant that is beloved of birds and bees. The true villains are some of those easy-to-overlook plants with greenish flower l stalks. The worst one is ragweed ragweed that blooms at the same time as goldenrod, and often grows in the same places. Ragweed is easily overlooked because it does not have colourful flowers and it blends into the other greenery in the landscape. Goldenrod pollen is heavy and is transferred short distances from plant to plant by bees but not by wind. But ragweed pollen is very light, and blown great distances distances by the wind. Ragweed pollen can travel up to 200 kilometers. Pollen from plants in Chatham, Ontario can easily easily cause eyes and noses to run in Kitchener. Fortunately for northern Ontario, ragweed is very rare. Ragweed is also a nuisance, to Ontario farmers. When the soil is undisturbed ragweed seeds can sit in the soil several several years without making its presence known. But when the soil is tilled, the right conditions conditions occur for germination and the seeds wake up. Ragweed plants can be very competitive with crops and rob them of moisture, water J.J. LARACY 905-983-9954 Landscape Services & Contracting FIREWOOD Mixed Hardwood Now taking orders and nutrients. The good news is that many Ontario farmers have adopted no-till systems which keep the ragweed seeds fast asleep, and ragweed plants away from their crops. Also, crops such as hay, wheat, barley barley and oats compete well with ragweed. But ragweed is not all bad - it is used in some homeopathic homeopathic medicines. And the birds have figured out that ragweed seed is an important wintertime wintertime staple. The oil rich seeds are full of energy and keep our feathered friends well fed when other food sources are scarce. This feature was produced with the assistance of the Agricultural Adaptation Council and Kemptville College, College, University of Guelph. ^^||fully eceived ^Boiations always is® Mm ü MS lives here. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada. Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada __ 1-800-268-7582 www.mssociety.ca It's time to raise your voice in celebration! Join the Choir and Friends of Orono United Church for the 2nd. Annual ANNIVERSARY SPIRITUAL & GOSPEL SING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, Singing starts at 7:15, the program starts at 7:30 Special music includes the Adams Family Bluegrass Group, Heather Maitland, Krista Brown, the Anniversary Choir "In the Mood" and much more. Free will offering. Reception following the concert. NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME Family owned and operated by Carl Good, Funeral Director, and Joyce Kufta 386 Mill St. S'., Newcastle 905-987-3964 : f www.newcastlefuneralhome.com "Caring for our Community" in mm. Ml mm : ';'v' u ■ •mm m . V Wm m ü When it comes to water, the expectations are clear. If your drinking water is meant for public use, you must know for certain that it's safe. Owners and operators of certain drinking water systems must now comply with the requirements outlined in Ontario's drinking water systems regulation (Reg. 252/05, June 2005). If the general public has access to your drinking water, whether it's via taps, washrooms, drinking water fountains or showers, this regulation affects you. Some establishments included are restaurants, service stations, churches, arenas and seasonal residences (such as campgrounds and communal cottage developments). Clean, safe drinking water is vital to our health. Do your part to protect the quality of drinking water in your community. Tap into drinking water systems Regulation 252/05 for complete information. www. safe water, ene. gov. on.ca 1-800-565-4923 Protecting our environment. Ontario Paid for by the