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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Quack grass remedies?

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  • From: "stonecirclefarm tds.net" <stonecirclefarm AT tds.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Quack grass remedies?
  • Date: Tue, 3 May 2011 08:19:45 -0500

Persistence, persistence, persistence.  Quack grass rhizomes are at their weakest when the grass is about 6 to 8 inches tall.  This is when the plant starts putting energy toward producing a seed head.  Turn it under and repeated tillage with a field cultivator (a spring tooth harrow or similar) will drag rhizomes to the surface and/or to the edges of your field for removal.  Follow this with a cover crop or a cash crop with a dense and quickly forming canopy (I grew pumpkins on a closer than normal spacing one year to good effect).  It may take a few years to get quack under control but I find it easier to deal with than some other weeds (such as purslane, bindweed, Canadian thistle).  There are some other recommendations on quack management here:

pages 23-25 of "Cover Crops on the Intensive Market Farm"
http://www.cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2003/09/covercrop09final.pdf

-John




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