by Kove Janeski, Graduate Student in Landscape Architecture, UW Farm Student Staff, Operations Lead
Eliminating weeds without chemicals
Despite the cold snap we have been experiencing in Seattle, the UW Farm is hard at work preparing and planting our first crops across the Farm’s three campus locations. As the first step in the bed preparation process, we try to remove weeds before planting seeds or transplants. To minimize disturbance of the soil and eliminate the need for chemicals and reduces tilling, which can have a negative impact on the farm ecosystem. We remove the weeds and incorporate the cover crop using large black plastic tarps. Also referred to as Silage tarps (see the UW Farm video), this cost-effective weed management tool, utilizes black, UV-treated polyethylene sheets that block out sun and create warm, moist environments on the surface of the soil. Weeds are starved of sunlight and weed seeds that are encouraged by the warmer temperatures to germinate are also killed. This is a popular practice among small-scale farmers. For this process to occur in the winter and early spring, we keep silage tarps on beds for 6-8 weeks before planting the bed’s first crops. In summer months we use clear plastic to kill weeds using solarization.
In other areas, like Mercer Court’s perennial blueberry plots, we use decomposable materials like cardboard and burlap to achieve a similar affect: layers of cardboard, weighted down with wood chips generated on campus, create a dark environment and barrier on top of weeds. However, the cardboard allows for water infiltration for blueberry roots and decomposes over time. The cardboard and chips, as they break down, will also feed the soil around the blueberries, which prefer an acidic environment and do not need nitrogen in large quantities. An alternative to cardboard are other waste products such as coffee bean bags (pictured above between beds of garlic) or pieces of untreated wood.* These can be lifted and moved or remain in place if used in walk-ways.
Placing cardboard around bushes and other hard-to-weed areas with mulch can be an excellent, cost-effective weed reducing method. Replacing the mulch used on top of the cardboard with compost or soil can also be a way to quickly create planting beds while adding nutrients.
*Remember to remove plastic tape, staples and labels when using cardboard and avoid using pressure-treated, painted, or stained wood as these materials can contaminate soil.
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As Spring approaches, the folks at RainWise are taking the time to celebrate "Creating a Healthy Garden”. This event features garden experts of all sorts and will benefit all Seattle residents with an interest in gardening.
Join FLiP as we work to restore our urban forests and natural green spaces. The Park includes 80 acres of forested areas, with a huge diversity of native trees and plants. But our urban forests are threatened by invasive plant species and need our help to thrive and remain healthy. This is where YOU come in! We promise you a good workout and lots of eco-karma. Good for the environment and good for your health!
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Our winter quarter volunteer shifts and locations can be found on our website.
Please be sure to sign up beforehand and help us start the season off strong!
The UW Farm donates regularly to the UW Food Pantry. During peak season we also donate to food banks close by. The links below are resources to help you or someone you know with food access.
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The Monthly Dirt is produced once a month by the University of Washington Farm, a program of the UW Botanic Gardens, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment. It is published nearly year-round for educational purposes and the majority of the content is written or contributed by students and farm staff.
This issue's contributors:
Around the Farm, Kove Janeski, Student Staff, Operations Editors: Dannette Lombert, UW Farm Americorps Volunteer/Food Security Lead, Perry Acworth, UW Farm Manager, Diana Knight, Advancement and Communications Manager, Department of Chemistry; Jessica Farmer, Adult Education Supervisor and Community Education Lead, UWBG Photo Credits and Other Content: Perry Acworth
Other photos retrieved from the internet and noted in sections
As the first step in the bed preparation process, we try to remove weeds before planting seeds or transplants. To minimize disturbance of the soil and eliminate the need for chemicals and reduces tilling, which can have a negative impact on the farm ecosystem. We remove the weeds and incorporate the cover crop using large black plastic tarps. Also referred to as 
