In preparation for the topic of this month's guest speaker, and something we can all relate to...

A weed is any plant growing in an area where it is not wanted. We try to control weeds because they compete with crops for light, moisture, space and nutrients. Certain weed species can harbour plant diseases and insect pests. Other species may be poisonous, allergenic or irritant to humans and/or livestock. Medical and economic problems such as illness, death, rashes, hayfever, or a reduction in quality of fur, meat and milk products may result.

Weeds have many unique characteristics which make them extremely difficult to control. Most produce a tremendous number of seeds. The seeds of some weed species may be dormant for many years, with only a small percentage germinating each year. Weeds generally mature earlier than the crop and often seeds will be dropped before crop harvest and remain in the field. Weeds are generally more competitive than crops and can often survive under unfavorable growing conditions.

Early identification of emerged weed species is critical for choosing the best weed control methods. This guide will enable you to identify weeds at three growth stages. Summer annuals complete their lifecycle from seed to maturity in less than one year. They germinate in the spring, mature, set seed and die in the fall. Winter annuals germinate in the fall, overwinter as seedlings or small rosettes and mature, set seed and die the following spring or early summer. Some weeds are capable of both the summer and winter annual lifecycle.

Biennials complete their lifecycles in less than two years. Germination and the production of an overwintering rosette of leaves occur the first year. The second year, flowering, seed production , and plant death occur. Control is best obtained during the first year.

Perennials live for more than two years. They reproduce vegetatively from roots, rhizomes, buds, or tillers, or from seed, or both. They can be especially difficult to control because of their persistent root systems.

Several weed control options are available. Prevention is the most practical and economical form of weed control. Always use certified seed, clean off farm implements when travelling from field to field, control weeds in fence lines, right-of-ways, irrigation ditches. Be alert for new weeds on your farm, so they can be controlled before they become a serious problem. Mechanical control may utilize hoeing, timely cultivation (excellent for seedlings and annuals), and mowing to prevent seed production. Cultural control may utilize techniques such as proper grazing management, good soil fertility practices, proper drainage, rotation and choosing good competitive crop varieties to encourage maximum crop competition.

Biological control is the control of weeds with plant pathogens or insects. Several of our most troublesome pasture weeds can be controlled with this method. For example, tansy ragwort is controlled by the cinnabar moth. Chemical control utilizes various herbicides to control weeds. Weeds must be correctly identified in order to select a herbicide that will be effective. Herbicides will be most effective on annual and biennial weeds during the seedling stage. Herbicides will be most effective on perennial weeds during the seedling stage or just prior to flowering (bud stage) or in the fall.

Remember to always read the label of the herbicide to determine crops registered, weeds controlled and safety precautions.

The best weed control program will not rely on one control method, but rather will integrate several methods of weed control.

Revised January, 2000 Originally published in 1991 by: Agriculture Canada, New Brunswick Agriculture and Rural Development Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing

Lise LeBlanc, Weed Project Coordinator NSDAM
Kevin McCully, Weed Specialist NBDA

I found this article at:
www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/hotlinks/hotline-helpers.html
Refer to this website for the rest of the article with information such as a glossary of terms and weed identification.

Everyone wants a low-maintenance garden! Following some of
these tips may help you get one.

• Know your site: Soil type, light and moisture, hardiness and climate.
• Make plant grouping according to their requirements – sun lovers together, moisture lovers together. Not only will you get a better looking garden but the maintenance chores will be easier. You can make sure that the moisture lovers are watered more often and the drought tolerant ones less.
• Choose disease-resistant varieties. This will save you a lot of work later. Before buying a plant, ask the nursery personnel about the resistance of a specific plant.
• Do not try to grow grass under shrubs or shady trees.
• Never allow soil to sit bare. Cover crops and mulches prevent erosion, moderate temperature and return nutrients and organic matter to the soil. And they cut down on weeding.

- Sunita Shastry

When "they" say water, that one inch of watering actually means that the water soaks down ten inches."