Let the War Begin

Against weeds that is!  After too much rain and chilly days, leaving my boots and hands looking like this:

We finally have nice weather that seems to be holding.  That means everything is going into overdrive in terms of growing, including WEEDS.  Yesterday and today I weeded the raspberry acre of what the farmers say is a type of creeping honeysuckle, but I think it might actually be a type of nightshade.  A brief search got me to thinking it might be Solanum Dulcamara.  It is TERRIBLE!

A few notes on weeding:
Get 'em while they're young! The smaller the weeds the easier it is to hack 'em down with a hoe.  Once they start growing bigger, like any plant the roots get more established and then hand weeding is necessary to pull out the roots.  Weeding by hand takes MUCH longer than with a hoe.
Weeding on a sunny, dry day is preferred to weeding on a wet, rainy day.  If it is wet, the roots of the weeds have a better chance of reestablishing themselves.  On the other hand, if they are pulled out on a sunny day, the roots will get scorched by the sun and burn in weed hell never to return!

In other farm news, the cucumbers in the high tunnel are going to be ready in about a week! The tomato plants have little green tomatoes springing out everywhere. It's very exciting seeing everything come to FRUITion.  Now all we have to do is weed and wait, and then picking begins!  

How are things coming along on your farm?  What do you do to battle weeds?

I promise to have more pictures soon, I'm unfortunately notorious for forgetting my camera when I need it!

Until then!