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Deer Park, WI

After reading Len's statement about soil compaction and decreased corn yield, It made me wonder. I am very meticulous when it comes to weed picking in my patch. I have a no weed tolerance. All this weed picking is sure to compact the soil. Catch 22!! So for those of us who need to pull weeds, I suggest the use of snow shoes. I would also like to hear any other ideas that may help reduce compaction.

2/27/2001 11:02:52 AM

Modesto, CA

Last year, I put some 2x4s around my patch or a few pieces of plywood and then would walk on those when I wanted to walk in my patch to reduce soil compaction. You might want to try that to see how that works ~Monica

2/27/2001 12:36:25 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

HI JOE:
i USE A WIDE VARIETY OF PLANKS DIFFERENT WIDTHS AND LENGHT'S MOST OF THEM ARE 1X8 OR 1X10 WIDE AND ALWAYS WALK THE PLANK SO NOT TO PACK DOWN THE SOIL.

2/27/2001 3:03:49 PM

walton n.y.

i to use the plank method i've been toying with the idea of one of those preemergance weedkillers that kills the seed before they sprout and i've heard that if you cover your patch a week or so before planting with clear plastic it lets light and the suns warmth through and burns the young weed sprouts off has anybodt tried that

2/27/2001 7:40:44 PM

Deer Park WA

Hello Joe, I too am on "board" with Mini Patch when it comes to soil compaction. I also use a lot of various sizes of walking planks. To destroy pesky weeds, or anytime I have to enter the patches hard to reach spots, I use a couple of 1"X10"X4' boards, and lay them out ahead of me as I work my way around the patches, allways shallowly hoeing the trampled area behind me in an effort to reduce compaction. Mr. Stellpflug is right on the money when it comes to reduced yields in compacted soils.

2/27/2001 8:06:20 PM

I duc taped 16" x 10" pieces of plywood to my garden boots which worked well to keep the soil from getting compacted when I tilled, but dosn't work for weeding. I think I'll use boards this year.

Alex

2/28/2001 3:02:29 PM

Western Pa.

Hey Alex!

Can we get a picture of that?

kilr

2/28/2001 7:15:03 PM

I don't have a digital camera, but I'll try to get a pic scanned.

Alex

2/28/2001 9:04:32 PM

walton n.y.

yes i too would like to see that picture

3/1/2001 7:18:47 PM

PA

Randy, I too am interested in the preemergent weed controllers, I actually used some last year in one patch but the thing that worries me is that it can hinder growth of the plant in soils with high organic matter content.
I did not use it as heavy as the label said because of this so I had some weeds but not near as many without it. I'm still undecided about it. Hand weeding is not the most fun job but I was more worried about the soil compaction. I used boards last year.

3/2/2001 4:56:58 PM

walton n.y.

amy, that was a concern of mine as well will it stunt my plants i was talking with a fertilizer salesman and he said that if you put the preemergence weedkiller on at least 2 weeks in advance of your crop plants it won't hurt them now here's my problem 2 weeks before i plant is in my threat of frost window as a matter of fact a couple times i've had snow on young potato,pea and onion plants and as you say weeding is what keeps most people out of gardening i guess it's still planks for me

3/2/2001 7:13:18 PM