Weed Management

Weeds increase the cost of growing vegetables, reduce crop yield and quality, and impact farm management. On this page, find information on weed management and control of vegetable crops, including herbicides and pesticides. Find tips on integrated weed management, using the proper herbicide formulations, and avoiding herbicide drift.

Vegetable Weed Control and Management

Managing weeds is one of the most challenging aspects of growing vegetables. There are many strategies you can use to control weeds through an integrated weed management approach. Penn State Extension’s videos Integrated Weed Management for Fruit and Vegetable Production describes these strategies. The videos are also available in Spanish.

Understanding the life cycles of weeds, and whether they’re annuals, biennials, or perennials will help you decide how to control them effectively. Not only are there different types of weeds, but there are also a wide variety of methods you can use to control them, many of which are featured in the publication Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.

Conservation tillage systems are one way of managing weeds that uses mechanical, cultural, and chemical control tactics. And of course, there’s always the use of herbicides.

Vegetable Crops Herbicide Application

There are lots of factors to consider if you choose to use herbicides to control weeds in vegetable fields. Timing is one of the most important, as it also determines which type of herbicide you choose to use. You can apply herbicides before you plant a crop. Postemergence is a type of herbicide you apply after a specified crop or weed has started growing. Penn State Extension’s article on Herbicide Recommendations for Noxious Pigweeds offers advice on the management of this noxious weed in corn, soybean and forage crops.

If you are planning to apply restricted-use pesticides on your vegetable crops, you will need a private pesticide applicator license. You can find courses to help you prepare for the certification exam in English and Spanish. Keeping a record of the crops sprayed and the herbicides used plays an important role as commercial growers have to make regular reports to processors, packers, and the EPA.

You should consider the problem of herbicide drift. It is a very serious issue as you may face legal ramifications if there is a substantial amount of drift-related damage. If you use the correct herbicide formulations, it can help prevent damage to non-target plants.