Successful weed management should integrate cultural practices such as planting density and row spacings along with hand weeding, hoeing, mechanical cultivation, and mulching. Proper use of cultural practices reduces hand weeding.

In plant communities of mixed species (vegetables and weeds), the plant that emerges first and begins growing has a powerful advantage over those species that emerge later. Keep vegetables weed-free during the first two or three weeks to ensure that vegetables gain a competitive advantage over emerging weeds.

Corn gluten meal is sometimes sold as a natural herbicide because it can inhibit seed germination. Its effectiveness varies and is much lower than conventional herbicides. If you wish to sell products treated with corn gluten meal as "organic" you must ensure that the meal was not prepared from genetically modified corn.

Flame weeding is the use of a torch to kill weeds by heating them so that their cells rupture. This strategy should not be used in woody crops that could catch fire. The flame should pass over quickly to cook weeds, not burn them. Crop damage can occur if the flame strays into crop rows.

Hand weeding is particularly effective for removing annual weeds. Perhaps its major advantage is you can remove weeds growing in the row without harming the vegetable crops.

Hoeing is most effective for removing small weeds between rows and in the row of vegetables with wide spacing between plants. A sharp hoe makes this job much easier. Shallow hoeing is important, especially when hoeing near vegetable plants. Deep hoeing near plants destroys their roots.

Mechanical cultivation is generally used in large gardens. This method is effective in destroying weeds and can be much faster than hoeing or hand weeding.

Mulches prevent weed emergence and/or suppress weed growth by excluding light or by releasing naturally occurring organic chemicals that prevent weed seed germination or inhibit growth.

A modified mulch plan - For seed crops, wait until seedlings have true leaves; for transplants, proceed at once. Install soaker or drip irrigation system. Leave a space for seedlings and transplants and cover the space between the rows with 4- to 6-ply of newspaper strips. Do NOT use glossy paper. Soak the paper, and then cover the space with traditional organic mulch material. This stops weeds and allows easy irrigation when rain is short.

Weeder geese have been used successfully to remove weeds from strawberries, corn (after lay-by), fruit orchards, potatoes, onions, sugar beets, brambles, and other small fruits and ornamentals. Chinese and African geese work well. They are particularly effective in controlling grassy weeds. Geese need supplemental feed and water and can be contained by a 30-inchfence.