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Weed Management

Weed and pest management on organic and transitioning farms requires a holistic approach. It relies primarily on preventing and avoiding pests with cultural and mechanical suppression. NRCS coordinates conservation plans with farmers’ Integrated Pest Management plans to protect natural resources and benefit the ecosystem. For example, organic farmers can plant insectaries to attract beneficial insects, like ladybugs, that biologically control pests. They can use companion planting within or bordering rows to draw pests away from crops. Installing nesting sites such as bat and owl boxes can also help manage pests. Livestock can be used to graze weeds. Cover crops naturally break the cycle of soil-borne diseases, and some soil-dwelling insects, while increasing the soil’s organic matter. One of the greatest challenges organic farmers face is weed management. A single weed can produce more than 10 million seeds, and if they’re not dealt with in time, they can present farmers with challenges for years to come. Instead of using chemical herbicides, organic farmers can work with NRCS to implement a variety of innovative practices that suppress weeds while continuing to build soil health. Cover crops are one of the most effective tools for suppressing weeds, and they work in three ways.: 1. When alive, they outcompete weeds for water, nutrients, and sunlight. 2. As mulch, they minimize weed growth by physically preventing the germination of weed seeds, cutting off access to light and warmer temperatures. 3. When certain legumes, cereals or brassica decompose, they produce natural herbicides that can suppress weed seed while sequestering carbon. Crop rotation, timing planting dates to escape weed germination windows or increasing seeding density to suppress late-germinating weeds are other strategies. NRCS can help growers implement conservation tillage practices. Organic no-till uses tools like the roller crimper, which rolls cover crops in one direction. The rolled cover crop acts as mulch, preventing annual weeds from growing through. To further reduce weed pressure, farmers can also use a variety of mulches. Made of natural materials, paper or plastic, mulches are installed at the beginning of the growing season and trap soil moisture while preventing sunlight and weed growth. Farmers can also use things like flame weeders that kill small weeds, mechanical weeding or approved organic herbicides made of natural substances. Not all weeds are bad, though. Research shows that plants can tolerate some level of weed pressure before yields are affected. Weeds can even benefit soil health by adding organic matter, and weeds such as dandelions can provide early season forage for pollinators. To learn more visit http://www.thelexicon.org A production of the Lexicon of Sustainability Producer - Laura Howard-Gayeton Writer/Director - Douglas Gayeton Editor/Animator - Pier Giorgio Provenzano