Expert: Richard Clark - 7/26/2008

Question
Next spring I plan on vegetable gardening on a 75 x 75 foor plot.  It is just a weedy field now.  Is there a better way or more economical way to kill the weeds besides round up?  When should I do this?  I am in zone 7, very north Georgia.  Any other tips would be appreciated.    thanks

Answer
Dave
I would start now clearing the weeds out. Any weeds you may have will go to seed. A size like you are planning on, I would rototill every week or when new weeds sprout. Before it gets too wet I would plant a cover crop that will die during the winter and you can rototill that in in the spring for mulch. For a garden I don't like to use chemicals but if you want to I would suggest 2-4-D. It will only kill broad lead weeds. It will not kill grass, wheat, rye or barley. If you use clover as a cover crop and nitrogen the 2-4-D will also kill that. In the early spring take a soil sample to the county extension office and they can send the sample to a lab to see what fertilizer you will need before you plant your garden.
Good luck,Richard