Weed, Weed, and WEED SOME MORE!



What does an organic farmer do between planting and harvesting? The farmer weeds, weeds, and weeds some more! :) Perhaps well established organic farmers have figured out their system for weed suppression with mulches or well tilled soil, but we are still trying to figure out the best method for weeding.

We are using black plastic to suppress large areas of weeds. We are also learning what tools work the best for weeding around plants.  So far, we have found a few favorites - the stirrup hoe and the garden weasel. The stirrup hoe can be used both forward and backward and it cuts weed roots below the surface of the soil if used correctly. The garden weasel is great for picking up the dead weeds left over from the stirrup hoe and breaking up and evening out the soil.

Weeding takes a serious amount of time and muscle. It is taking us approximately an hour to weed each 40' row.  In the future, we are hoping to use green mulches and find a weed suppression method that is reliable, time efficient, and cost effective!

The weeds have grown exponentially in the next section we plan to seed



We covered it with black plastic to smother the weeds. In two weeks, the weeds will be gone!

Weeding is a little more difficult in the rows with our plants. Can you even see our plants?





Favorite weeding tool #1: Stirrup hoe




Favorite weeding tool #2: Garden weasel



Damian has mad weeding skills! Look how wonderfully weed free his row is!