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Bristol R.I. USA

Here's my issue I have been in the patch everyday and have been trying to get as many young weed seeds as possible. I know there's an easier way of weeding or lets just say a better more efficient way of weeding without spending an hour every day compacting the soil. I'm not in favor of using Preen as it will inhibit root growth and roundup is just to risky with wind. A good push pull hoe always works. I'd be interested in finding out how some of the bigger growers do to control weeds especially when they have a ton of plants to tend to.

5/30/2013 11:46:00 AM

Muddy Waters

Im using weed barrier on my melons this year.Bill Neptune had a great year using it.I however cant get myself to put in my screen houses(kins) everywhere as it would most likely stay to wet & I found the moles like to live under it.So I will have to keep up with the weeds as best as I can using a loop hoe & my hands.Once the pumpkins tower over the soil It generally slows the weeds down a lot.If it starts to get to be too much to handle I may try the roundup system this year very carefully on a calm day.

5/30/2013 12:09:58 PM

Seattle, WA

20% horticultural vinegar will kill any leaf matter it comes in contact with, similar to roundup, though organic. Doesn't kill the roots and it has to be a sunny day. Not sure how useful it would be in this situation but thought I'd mention it. You can google the product to see studies on efficacy. We've used it in our greenhouse prior to planting.

5/30/2013 3:36:01 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

Yes - round up is risky. When I use round- up on my lawn around small shrubs and such, I don't spray it- I roll it on with a paint roller. This is effective and prevents any spray drift!! I am still a big beleiver in corn gluten. I do not have to pull weeds in my patch. The effect on root growth on the kin (not sure). I think i'll see some controversey on this subject, but I am sold on it!!!

5/30/2013 8:30:25 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

When your plants are still so tiny they fit into a five gallon bucket, gotta love that round up! Even when plants are larger I still use it. Usually turns accidentally hit leaves white, never lost a vine to it, damage seems localized to these big plants. In moderation of course.

5/30/2013 10:19:22 PM

BC, Canada

Not for everyone or every situation but flaming the weeds with a propane tiger torch can be fast and easy. It kills the seeds and after a season or two you will see a lot less weeds overall. It cost a bit in propane is the downside I guess.
The black plastic weed cover can work well but harbors some unwanted guest on occasion. I get lots of slugs under it, but then I get the snakes that eat the slugs. The main issue I find is getting the weed barrier down at the right time and then finding time to remove it before the vine gets to it. I've taken to putting it down in overlapping smaller more manageable size pieces.
They say, the more you weed - the less you'll weed.
So, tomorrow I had better get out there, I am a little behind on it this year.
And yeah, I find myself using the scuffle hoe a lot.

5/31/2013 2:58:12 AM

Piqua, Ohio

old fashioned scuffle hoe here, don't think I could live without it!

5/31/2013 6:32:19 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Me too Josh, an hour a day and its easy to stay on top of.

5/31/2013 8:13:37 PM

Ohio

Old trick Jack LaRue told me about when I first started growing, is to take a metal rake and turn it over and use the back of it like a hoop hoe, you sure can cover alot more area in alot less time.

6/1/2013 4:57:52 AM