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Survey Weeds—Late Spring

By surveying weeds in late spring, you can identify any species that escaped previous control attempts and determine what perennials are present. Weeds in tree rows must be managed, but annual weeds in row middles may be beneficial. If herbicides were used, surveying identifies any need for changing to another herbicide.

Record your observations in order to make weed management decisions. Keep these records so that you can track weed population information from year to year to better understand how weed populations change, problems with herbicide resistance, and how effective your management operations have been over the long term.

How to survey your orchard

• Survey your orchard in late spring or early summer, after summer annuals have germinated.
• Pay particular attention to perennials and check for regrowth a few weeks after cultivation.
• Sketch a diagram of the orchard and mark areas where perennials are found.
• Keep records of your survey results. By knowing what species are present, you will be able to make appropriate decisions on cultural and chemical controls.

Survey information collected over a period of years tells you how weed populations may be changing and how effective your management operations have been over the long term and help you better understand ongoing weed control problems such as resistance.

Important links

• Late-spring weed survey form (106 KB, PDF)
• Weed management decisions
• Photos of summer annual weed seedlings
• Photos of perennial weeds

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