Mechanical Weed Control

Richard K. Zollinger
NDSU Extension Weed Scientist
HTML Editors: Jochum Wiersma & Tracy Allrich

The rotary hoe can be effective on shallow emerging weeds, such as pigweed, wild mustard, kochia, lambsquarters and foxtails; however, a rotary hoe will not be effective on wild oats which usually emerge from deeper depths.

The rotary hoe may be used in small grains under the following situations:

1. Small grains planted at least 1 1/2 inches deep.
2. Rotary hoe is adjusted so that it is not working more than 1 inch deep in the soil. Rotary hoeing should be complete the 2 to 3 leaf stage of the crop.
3. Surface of the soil is dry and the weather is dry and sunny.
4. If you have not used a rotary hoe on small grains before, do not work the whole field at once. Do part of a field, then check to see if the hoe is pulling out a lot of the plants, if so, readjust the hoe.

Take your time and do not rotary hoe every small grain acre until you are sure you are doing more good than harm.

Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers

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