36th International Carrot Conference Abstract

Weed Control in Organic Carrot Production: A Case Study in Western Washington

John P. Navazio

Washington State University Extension and Organic Seed Alliance, Port Townsend, WA and Nash Huber, Nash’s Organic Produce, Sequim, WA

Weed control in organic carrot production is achieved using very different cultural practices than the practices that are usually used for conventional production of carrots. The major difference is the exclusion of the use of herbicides in organic production. Because of this commercial organic farmers have developed a number of effective mechanical methods for controlling weeds. In order to be economically viable these weed control methods must be executed with precision and be well timed to be effective and efficient. Carrots have several characteristics that make mechanical weed control more difficult than when it is used in most other crops: 1) a prolonged germination period, 2) small seedlings, 3) relatively slow early seedling growth, and 4) sparse foliage for the first month to six weeks of growth. There have been a number of innovative organic farmers over the last 30 years that have perfected various innovative techniques to control weeds. In this session photographs of a number of these methods will be explained in the context of the production of a carrot crop at Nash’s Organic Produce in Sequim, WA. Weed control methods that will be covered include the use of a stale seed bed, burning with propane, and multiple cultivations. Specific cultivation techniques include the use of basket weeders, spiders, sideknives, and sweeps at various proximities to the crop.

Last updated Thursday, 25-Jul-2013 11:51:12 CDT