Market Farming

[Cameron Pedersen <campedersen AT gmail.com>]

We are looking for the most suitable way, at our scale of about 3
cultivated acres, to control weeds in the pathways between raised
plastic mulch beds. For several reasons, we don't want to cultivate,
which leaves us (as we see it) with 2 options: seeding the pathways
with grass and mowing several times in the summer, or mulching once with
straw or hay. Last year, we tried seeding grass, but because of the
hot/dry summer much of it didn't germinate (but the weeds still did!)
We are going to try seeding some rows again this year, but also wanted
to give mulching a try. However, the expense and time of mulching
15000+ row feet by hand seems somewhat daunting! One of those nifty
mulching implements would be great, but at our scale I'm not sure it
would be cost effective. Last year, straw was going for $150+/ton
around here.

Does anyone have any experience with mulching pathways on a small market farm scale? Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks!
Cameron

-- 
Bending Bridge Farm
www.bendingbridgefarm.com