Weeding
is most effectively done when the weeds are young and in the
morning on a sunny day. Together, those two tactics will result in the
highest mortality rate. Young weeds are simply easier to kill and all
weeds are easier to kill when the afternoon sun is available to desiccate their
disturbed foliage and roots.
Also, although there seems to be an unending supply, there really are just so many weed seeds available in the 'weed seed bank' — that collection of weed seeds lying dormant in your soil, awaiting favorable conditions to germinate and cause you problems. Weeding while the weeds are young and have not gone to seed, works to effectively deplete the weed seed bank and eventually will result in relatively weed-free conditions. But, you have to be diligent and proactive in order to ever achieve that.
Explore our collection of short-handled weeding tools:
Also known as the Nejiri
Gama Hand Hoe, this low-cost,
lightweight tool becomes an extremely sharp and precise extension of
the user's arm when in use. It is by far our best-selling, small hand tool. It sports a D-shaped, high-carbon steel blade welded
to a steel shank, set in a wooden handle. These are great low-cost tools for
growers to equip their entire farm crew with for detailed in-row
weeding in the field.
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| Hand Hoe |
The
Lucko Wire Weeder
This tool was recommended to us by Paul and Alison Wiediger of Au Naturel
Farm in Kentucky. The Wiedigers prefer this European-made tool for detailed
weeding in their hoophouses. The round wire design creates the business end of a
tool that won't cut drip tape but will easily upend young weed seedlings. It
has a narrow end for weeding between closely spaced crops like dense plantings
of baby leaf lettuce, and a wider
end to cover more ground in open areas.
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| The Lucko Wire Weeder |
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| The Wire Weeder |
This short-handled version
of one of Eliot Coleman's favorite tools is perfect for in-row weeding of
closely spaced crops like salad mix, carrots and onions, as well as
perennial flowers and herbs.
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| The Spring Tine Cultivator |
Three round, spring-steel tines scratch the soil just enough to uproot smaller
weeds while loosening the surface soil, allowing water and oxygen to
penetrate. Great for cultivating tight areas.
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| The Ho-Mi EZ Digger |
This is also known as the
traditional Korean hand plow and dates back over 5000 years. It has multiple
curves in its forged design that impart strength as well as function. It can be
used to dig, furrow, weed, cover seed, transplant seedlings, and loosen, level,
cultivate, and mound soil.
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| The Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator |
This short-handled version of the Cobrahead has a tough, sharp steel
blade and comfortable handle that makes fast work of tedious garden chores.
Used to weed, cultivate, make small furrows, and even as a mini trowel for
small transplants.
Pre-emergence
Weed Control
This is a practice that many farmers
swear by, especially for dense, hard-to-weed crops like baby leaf lettuce or
greens. In this method, the bed is prepped for planting a couple of weeks prior
to seeding and weeds are allowed to grow. Just before seeding the grower will
flame the bed, killing any weeds that have started to grow, and then seed into a
so-called 'stale bed.' After that, the crop should come up
nearly weed-free. The labor and fuel costs associated with flaming are usually
far less than the cost to hand weed these dense beds or cull out weeds in
the wash water, so the method pays for itself.
Thanks for reading and best of luck in your own personal
battle against weeds.
Adam Lemieux
Tools & Supplies Product Manager
Learn More
To learn more about Weed Management in Sustainable Agriculture Systems, see the following articles on our website:
- Guide to Johnny's Long-Handled Weeding & Cultivation Tools by Adam Lemieux, R&D, Tools & Supplies Product Manager
- Weed Management Basics: A Two-Pronged Approach to Season-Long Weed Control, by Eric Gallandt, PhD, Weed Ecologist, University of Maine
- Got Weeds?
Targeting Annual & Perennial Weeds
Targeting Annual & Perennial Weeds
