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DEAR NEW FARM:
I've grown organically since 1985. I would be
interested in a weed control class. While my problem is troublesome,
some of the larger growers in my area have worse problems
with wiregrass and have asked me for advice. It would be great
to be of help to them.
Laura
DEAR LAURA:
The course we are moving forward with right now is our organic
online transition course, the initial phase of which we plan
to introduce sometime in February.
Klaas and Mary-Howell Martens have written a wonderful early
season weed control series for us, which we will be running
late this winter. We've also begun work with several partners
on a biologically
based weed management research program.
We asked farm manager Jeff Moyer for his input regarding organic
controls for wiregrass. Here’s what he had to say:
“Wire grass is not a problem
for most farmers this far north, so my experience is—none.
However, any perennial weed like wiregrass can be a burden
for organic growers. Once a farm is converted to organic
and a diverse rotation is established, it has been my experience
that perennial weeds seem to disappear and annuals take
over. This is due to the rotation of the crops as well as
the constant use of tillage and cover crops. Take thistle,
another problem perennial we do have. A heavy dose of cover
crops (buckwheat and rye) along with successive tillage
over about 18 months will remove thistle. I can only think
that a similar approach with appropriate covers and tillage
would also work on wiregrass.”
NF
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