Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Glyphosate, also known as Roundup and sold under a variety of brand
names, is often the herbicide of choice because it moves from the leaves
and stems of weeds into the roots and rhizomes, killing the weeds and pre-
venting resprouting. Translocatable herbicides are often used as part of a
season-long bare ground fallowing, followed by biofumigant and green ma-
nure crops, as we discussed above. The herbicides can be broadcast-sprayed
throughout an entire field or spot-sprayed on weed patches.
Most organic certification programs require a wait of at least 3 years
after the last application of a prohibited substance before that site can be
certified organic. When used early in the site preparation process, herbicides
provide a way to rapidly and economically control weeds, and organic certi-
fication is possible by the time the trees bear their first or second crops.
Pest Control
At the same time you begin your preplant vegetation management program,
also begin controlling gophers, voles, and mice. We will discuss rodent con-
cluding piles of wood, boards, and anything these pests can hide under. Use
repeated, shallow cultivation to destroy burrows and nesting sites. Keep ve-
getation around your planting site mowed very short to reduce cover. Espe-
cially for gophers, it is generally more effective to trap the animals than to
poison them, and it poses little risk to pets and other off-target animals.
If you have birds of prey (raptors) that feed on small mammals in your
area, install perches for them around the planting blocks. Owls and hawks
are quite effective in hunting rodents.
Planting the biofumigant green manure crops we discussed earlier can
help reduce nematode pest populations. Removing host plants from
hedgerows and other non-crop areas on your site will help reduce pest and
what plants serve as hosts of pests and diseases and what to remove from
your property.
