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Wichita, KS

I have the healthiest plants I have ever had right now. I have a pumpkin set on the vine, 2 days old, and about 3 weeks earlier than normal for me. All the leaves are lush and green and the vines are growing just under a foot a day.

The problem is that I have a lush green carpet of crabgrass growing, too. There is really too much to attempt pulling. I have cultivated, but that seems to encourage the grass. I have tried to kill it off by covering it with plastic and cooking it... not working too well; it creates a greenhouse for these blades. I don't want to spray because it is too close to the vines. I realize I may not get rid of the weeds this year and am about to give up, but I noticed that so many of you have enviable, weedless patches in your diaries. HOW DO YOU DO THAT?!?

How do you weedless geniuses manage to keep your dirt weed free?

6/16/2007 10:25:39 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

Either pull them or Round em up! I would cover the plants with plastic or tarps in the evening...no wind....and spray the uncovered weeds with Roundup. Don't leave the plants covered too long especially if its hot. Then pull the grass thats close to and under the vines. Also, a dutch hoe works well. Just be carefull.

6/16/2007 10:36:53 PM

Waitakere New Zealand

weeds are hard work, hoeing, hand weedingand roundup are probably the way to go. Ihave used roundup close to plants by using a paint brush and painting weeds with roundup takes time but is safer than spraying.

6/16/2007 11:16:09 PM

Gettum while their young and keep at it,,,stirup or shuffle hoe's are your friend ! When you bury vines a quick cleanup under the canopy works,,when the leaves fill in the weeds are mostly done for the season if you have them knocked down.

If you use the Roundup on a paint roller it will do the job and keep the material off the plants... or there are various "tools" that do the same thing available online or in garden centers.

6/17/2007 12:10:42 AM

Jericho Vermont

I agree with Dan. Got to get em early and often. I do my patch by hand and give it a weekly stirrup hoe. Also when I am out pruning plants, I am always pulling a weed or two. If you can keep your patch clean until the leaf canopy fills out you will be ahead of the game for next year as well. No mature weeds equals no seeds for the next month or year.

6/17/2007 8:14:16 AM

Wallingford,CT

probably to late for my method but for next year.....I cover my patch with clear plastic, cheep stuff. seal all the edges with soil. It will get very hot under there and kill them as they germinate. as the pkn plant grows I remove the plastic. there are always a few to be removed by hand but much easier to keep up with

6/17/2007 8:58:51 AM

[email protected]

Bart for PRESIDENT.

Until then, Roundup & a scuffle (stirrup) hoe.

6/17/2007 11:10:43 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

One reason I haven't put up pics of my plants this year, are because my patch is far from weed-free. I weed by hand, and a tiller(a ways away from the plants).

6/17/2007 1:21:05 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I weeded for 6 hours yesterday. I dont think there is an easy solution. Just put on some tunes, a hat, grab some beer and "git er done".

6/17/2007 2:20:34 PM

Ohio

Do what Larry Checkon does and let em grow, he tries not to step foot in his patch if he can help it.

Brooks

6/17/2007 3:00:09 PM

Ohio

And yes, I agree with Tremor, Bart for Presidentaa!!

6/17/2007 3:02:54 PM

Nauvoo, Alabama

I tillered all fall and all spring. Once a week til planting time. Then i kept it tilled around the plant as the plant grows out.
Every time you turn the ground plant roots are facing the sun and they just die. The more you tiller the more will die and you dont have to do much hard labor.
Then during vine growing time you just pull the young grass and weeds that show up.
When you mow the grass around your patch or gardens, make sure the grass is blown away from the patch instead of in the patch. ( something my husband always forgets cause he is no gardener and doesnt think about things like that)

6/17/2007 4:44:39 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

I use a hoe similar to the one Joel Holland uses and they are great, I try to keep the chemical applications to the insectisides so spend 10 minutes a week and get some exercise and use your hoe and it will work wonders I'm still amazed at how well it works.

6/17/2007 7:43:59 PM