Co-op Extension offers
organic garden weed management tips

As every farmer and gardener knows, weeds are a major challenge especially for organic production. To control in an effective and environmentally friendly manner, weeds must first be identified and their basic biology understood.

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Cornell University has a web-based tool at www.css.cornell.edu/WeedEco/weeddatabase/index.html that includes text and pictures for identification, biology and ecology of weed species such as velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common ragweed and hedge bindweed. Effective ecological approaches for controlling weeds are suggested along with biological profiles that provide origin and distribution, timing of emergence, season of germination, longevity of seeds in the soil, reproductive capacity, ability of plants to set seed after uprooting and common natural enemies.

For a free monthly email newsletter on sustainable production, send an email to jg16@cornell.edu with name and address or visit www.smallfarms.cornell.edu.