Except in especially flexible crops such as onions and garlic, he figures 9 inches is maximum crop height. Because of their quick growth, Gemme s greens usually only need one more weed-control pass before the leaves make cultivating impossible. The late application is the key to top yields in the nutrient-hungry crop, he s found. This avalanche of loose soil retains moisture and suppresses weeds within the rows. When weed pressure is heavy, he may make two basket passes and two runs with the sweeps.
Some weeds demand follow-through beyond the current crop.
For instance, Gemme mentally notes areas of high galinsoga population during spring crops. After harvest, he tills then packs the soil to create ideal conditions for the weed. He subjects the area to a fallow period during summer heat, shallow tilling it repeatedly with his tandem disk just deep enough to kill the weeds. He believes a springtooth harrow or field cultivator would do the job even better. This practice depletes surface weed seeds and readies the area for fall planting.