From

Location

Message

Date Posted

nanaimo,B.C,Canada

At this stage is it better to walk into the patch and pull tons of disease harbouring weeds[ and compact the soil] or is it better to just leave the weeds? I have noticed some mildew were there are lots of weeds below.

Dave

8/22/2005 10:17:33 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I just put in a bunch of new soil at the beginning of this season. And, the manure must have had a lot of weed seed in it because they have totally taken over. I too am nervous about pulling them. Not just because it would be a huge job. But, I'd be worried about ripping out tap roots that are entagled with the weed roots.

8/22/2005 10:47:39 PM

Whidbey Island

Don't walk on the soil. Consider just snipping the weeds off and not pulling them up.

8/22/2005 10:57:44 PM

Abbotsford, B.C

Me too, I am starting to get hit by the powder too, unfortunately. And it seems to be hitting the old leaves in the middle of the plant where the weeds are worst. But I compact the soil so much going into there to get them. At this stage which benefit out-ways the other? Weeds and no compaction, or compaction and no leaves, as well as (in all likelihood) a few snapped leaves too?

Cameron

8/23/2005 12:56:42 AM

No Place Special

At this point ill cut weeds down...dont pull or just leave them if they are not tall and blocking sun light

8/23/2005 10:07:52 AM

Canada

Agree, as long as they arnt blocking the sun or takeing ahold of the vine or leaf stalks, id just leave them be

Dave

8/23/2005 10:41:35 AM

White Plains, NY

Lawn mower with a bag. Instead of pulling the weeds, mow them and suck up those weed seeds. Next to the good vines will still require hand work.

8/23/2005 10:42:53 AM

Saegertown Pa.

If you can get in there without damaging the leaves I would pull them. Some time early September I stop going in and pulling that's after I have got most of them out at the end of August. You can cut two boards three foot long and use them to stand on, there easy to move around.

8/23/2005 12:59:06 PM

Penngrove, CA

i'd put newspaper down where possible, watering will make it heavey, and might be enough to snuff weeds out, and then it'll much good in winter

8/23/2005 3:17:29 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I think it depends a lot on your situtation. My soil compacts
when it gets wet, and right now it's plenty hard. Weeding
just gives me a chance to aerate the soil. I pull the weeds
that I can reach, within reason.

8/23/2005 5:53:30 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

Mowing?????
Your patch must look different than mine

8/23/2005 6:44:15 PM

White Plains, NY

Dakota,

The inquiry by Pumpkinpley was "At this stage is it better to walk into the patch and pull tons of disease harbouring weeds". If one had TONS maybe the mower could be helpful.

8/23/2005 8:37:28 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

At this point it's looking like I'm growing giant quack grass rather than pumpkins. I don't think that I can cut enough of it or pull it out. But, do you think that I could mitigate the damage that it could do next year by using a weed torch to burn off the seeds at the tops?

8/23/2005 9:20:21 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

Wasn't shootin the idea Capt
I agree, if you can get in there, mow it!
I just had trouble picturing it. ..
My patch is solid vines.
Though I have weeds under the canopy.

8/23/2005 10:42:58 PM

Rhode Island

if you stay on top of your program then weeds should never get so out of hand that they take over your patch
hands and knees people, hands and knees

8/24/2005 5:33:08 AM

Circleville ,OH.

Remember what weeds you leave go now will come back ten fold next year. Weeding often makes the job easier in the future!

8/25/2005 2:29:35 AM

ohio

One year weeds, seven years seeds

8/25/2005 8:05:35 AM