"We have 1000 acre traditional grain operation and within property we are trying to develop a 100 acre sustainable livestock, fruit and vegetable garden. we are creating a garden in an old cattle lot and have been working at this project for 5 years with much difficulty. Our weed problems are overwhelming. We have tried crop covers, hand pulling, spraying. Our fertility is good we have even added a llama and several goats. We need help!"

Rolling Meadows Farm is an Integrated crops/livestock operation.

Production approach is: Sustainable (low chemical use)

Rotations: Formerly corn/soybean. Now going into vegetable production. Field in question was a cattle lot for 50 years. For the last five years it's been in permanent pasture with small vegetable rows.

Cover crops: Clovers, alfalfa (ineffective in controlling weeds, especially thistle).

IPM used: Somewhat familiar with IPM. Uses chemicals as a last resort.

Tillage: Field in question has not received any regular tillage.

Soil amendment program: Cover crops. Soils are well-drained, sloped, south-facing that promotes rapid warming in the Spring.

Soil tests: Click HERE.

Farm was visited on 4/27/09. A test field was identified that is roughly two acres. Canada thistle was observed in several patches throughout the field. Caren is preparing to establish organic vegetable production in this field next year and so has agreed to use this year to test our recommendations for controlling the Canada thistle before moving into vegetables. The following plan was developed with Caren, Chris (Caren's son) and Connie (friend of Caren's who helps at the farm):

 

1. Till multiple times. Much of the field will be tilled with a pull-behind PTO roto-tiller in order to break up thistle roots in the top soil layer and keep thistles from sprouting and flowering.

2. Plant sudan grass. Seed has been located and will be planted in early June at a recommended rate of 55 lbs/acres in areas that were tilled.

3. Mow at 4'. Sudan grass will be mowed just as thistles are starting to flower. Sudan should be at least 4' tall. Farmer will try to locate and use a flail mower.

4. Sudan will be mowed or grazed (by goats). A second mowing will help build up a thick layer of biomass to smother thistle.

5. Sudan will be tilled under in Fall or following Spring.

2nd visit...



Trudeau reported that thistles were marked with spray paint and rototilled severely on May 5. The marking of the thistle was done so that no thistle was missed. In mid-May sudangrass was planted and by mid-July, at the time of mowing, it had reached 5' tall. Farm was visited again on August 24. A good mat of sudangrass from the first cutting was still visible. The sudangrass had started to regrow. No thistle was visible in the pasture.


A good mat of cut sudangrass can be seen under the regrowth.