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Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Hey all, I need some help! My problem is weed control. I am unable to spend a lot of time in the patch due to my job, but there has to be an easier way to control these beasts. I realize that nothing beats good ole pick and pull method, but I am curious as to what the seasoned growers have done to keep the weeds at bay. I would like to know what you have tried in the past that both worked and failed.

I have thought of a couple things, since my weed problem is crab grass, I was think about trying a crab grass killer to destroy the grass. I was also thinking in advance of next years growing season, to put down weed barrier to prevent the weeds from even starting. I am not really sure what I can do to control these beasts at this point, but anything could help.

Sincerely,

Frank

6/14/2008 9:05:19 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Careful applications of Round-Up.

6/14/2008 9:27:36 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

Do not use crab grass killer!

Avoid excessive tillage. This brings up new weed seeds

Roundup is an excellent product. Cover your plants with a tarp or blanket first. A couple applications per season will take care of the bulk of your weeds.

Multh is good. This can be in the form of a "weed barrier" as you described above or can be organic like peat moss, straw or a cover crop pulled or killed ahead of the advanceing plant.

Weeding is the biggest task in the patch. With some careful planning and some of the above tools, you can minimize the work

John

6/14/2008 10:07:58 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Whatever you do, don't use Crossbow.

6/14/2008 10:31:44 PM

Western Pa.

We all face the problem of weed control, all the above can be helpful, but the use of mulch can harbor insects, pests and disease. There is no easy way out, if you want to grow a big pumpkin, you've got to make the time to pull weeds! And if you don't get rid of the weeds until after they produce seed, you'll have billions and billions more weeds next year.

6/15/2008 8:46:30 AM

[email protected]

Roundup - low pressure, coarse spray, no wind = happy grower.

6/15/2008 9:03:09 AM

Santa Rosa, CA.

The good news is that if you take the time to get rid of the weeds this year there will be less next year. I now have only a few weeds in my 4 year old patch and can spend the "weeding time" doing other things.

6/15/2008 10:32:48 AM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

John or anyone for that matter,

Do you recommend using round up early in the season to prevent weeds from beginning? I think this was my fatal mistake this year. I started out weed free, but now I have many weeds.

Another question would be how do large acreage farmers control the weeds in their feild pumpkin patch's? There has to be something the professionals do that we can do, but on a much smaller scale. Of course, we need to be safe about it.

I can honestly say, I am very happy with my results so far this year, but a little frustrated with the weeds. I am thinking and planning for next year.

By the way thank you for your suggestions!

6/15/2008 2:56:03 PM

Cochecton, NY

I can tell you all one thing to not do in preparing your patch. I have a half an acre piece of my property that has not been maintained for at least six years. This spring I had my local fire department do a control burn when it was really dry. After that I hit it with a disc plow and then a york rake. Removed all the clumps of root system that did not get ground up by the disc plow, then added my ammendments and tilled them in. Moral of the story is that the burning put all those nutrients into the soil, but also stirred up alot of dormant seed and such. I weed everyday now!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, what not to do...never brun a field if you are going to plant in it!!!!!

6/16/2008 6:59:56 AM

Cochecton, NY

oops! That would be BURN, not BRUN!

6/16/2008 7:00:59 AM

San Jose [email protected]

fdr

round up is not a pre emergent weed control it has to be sprayed on leafy areas to work, they do make pre emergents

6/16/2008 10:38:08 PM