Weed Control in Strawberries, Raspberries and Saskatoon Berries - Frequently Asked Questions

 
 
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 When is the best time to control weeds in Strawberries?
Weeds in strawberries should be controlled at a time when critical growth events (i.e. flowering, fruiting, daughter plant growth and establishment) are not taking place. Pre-planting weed control is crucial and may be accomplished by a range of techniques (mechanical, chemical, etc.). Post-planting weed control is usually carried out in early spring, during the renovation period (following harvest), or in late fall. Consult herbicide labels for weeds controlled, appropriate rates and safety measures. Do not over-apply chemicals (rates and number of applications).

What herbicides can be applied?
Planting Year
Weed Problem
Preplant
2-4 weeks
4-6 weeks
Late Summer
Late Fall
Emerged weeds (incl. rhizomatous perennials)
Glyphosate (spot treatment/directed spray)
. . . .
Annual weeds
Treflan EC
Rival DF/EC
Bonanza 400/480
Dacthal W-75
Dual II Magnum
.Betamix ß EC5, 6
Sinbar /
Sinbar WDG
.
Devrinol 50DF/ DF-XT/2-XT3
Sinbar /
Sinbar WDG
Goal 2XL2,3
Annual grasses & quackgrass
.
Venture L3
.
Venture L3
.
Seedling weeds (annual & perennial)
.
Gramoxone
.
Devrinol 50DF/DF-XT/2-XT3
.
Fruiting Year
Weed Problem
Early Spring
Renovation
Soon After
Late Fall
Annual grasses & quackgrass
Venture L2,3
Poast Ultra
.
Venture L3
Venture L3
Annual weeds
Devrinol 50DF/DF-XT/2-XT3
Glyphosate2 (spot treatment /directed spray)
Dacthal W-751
Aim EC2,3 (hooded spray)
Chateau WDG4 (hooded spray or broadcast)
Authority 4803
Gramoxone
Sinbar1 / Sinbar WDG1
Devrinol 50DF/ DF-XT/2-XT3
Dacthal W-751
Chateau WDG4 (hooded spray or broadcast)
Sinbar1 / Sinbar WDG1
Devrinol 50DF/ DF-XT/2-XT3
Gramoxone
Dacthal W-751
Goal 2XL2,3
Canada Thistle
Glyphosate2
(spot treatment / directed spray)
Lontrel 3603
Clopi / Clip / Thizzle / Pyralid / Nufarm Clopyralid3
. .
1 Failure to irrigate after treatment may result in damage to plants
2 Consult label for appropriate pre-harvest intervals
3 Apply only once per season
4. Hooded spray for non-dormant plants.
5. Post-transplanting application
6. June-bearing only – do not apply to varieties that may bear fruit

* Adapted/Updated from MB Agriculture & Food Fruit Guide (2000)
** Product recommendations are for commercial plantings only

When is the best time to control weeds in Raspberries?
Similar to strawberries, weed control in raspberries should be conducted so as to avoid damaging plant parts, which affects survivability and future yields. Chemical weed control typically takes place pre-planting (1-2 years) or in early spring or fall in established plantings. Consult herbicide labels for weeds controlled, appropriate application rates and safety measures. Do not over-apply herbicides (rate and number of applications).

The use of grass between rows can decrease weed pressure, while also improving accessibility during the season. This type of system is not compatible with some chemical treatments (e.g. Casaron G-4).

What herbicides can be applied?

Weed Problem
Year of Planting
Established Plantings
Pre-Planting
Post-Planting
Fall
Early Spring
Fall
Emerged weeds (incl. Rhizomatous perennials)
Glyphosate
.
.
.
.
Annual Grasses
.
Venture L
Poast Ultra
.
Venture L2,3
Poast Ulra
Venture L2,3
Annual weeds
Devrinol 50DF/10G/DF-XT/2-XT3
Devrinol 50DF/10G/DF-XT/2-XT3
Devrinol 50DF/10G/DF-XT/2-XT3
Gramoxone
Simazine 80WP / 480 / Princep Nine-T / Simadex Simazine
Aim EC2,3 (hooded spray)
Sinbar3 /
Sinbar WDG3
Authority 4803
Devrinol 50DF/10G/DF-XT/2-XT3
Gramoxone
Casaron G-41
Sinbar3 /
Sinbar WDG3
Chateau WDG
Perennial weed seedlings
.
.
.
Simazine 80WP / 480 / Princep
Nine-T / Simadex Simazine
Gramoxone
Gramoxone
Canada Thistle
.
.
.
Casaron G-41
Quackgrass
.
Venture L
Poast Ultra
.
Venture L2,3
Poast Ultra
Venture L3
Primocane control of established plantings
---
-
-
Liberty 150SN
1 Should only be applied to well established plantings (minimum 2 years) and then every 2 years
2 Follow label directions for appropriate pre-harvest intervals
3 Apply only once per season

* Adapted/Updated from MB Agriculture & Food Fruit Guide (2000)
** Product recommendations are for commercial plantings only.
*** Product listing in this article is not an indication of endorsement of any particular company or product.

When is the best time to control weeds in Saskatoon berries?
Similar to raspberries, weed control in Saskatoon berries should be conducted so as to avoid damaging plant parts, which affects survivability and future yields. Chemical weed control typically takes place pre-planting (1-2 years) or in early spring or fall in established plantings. Consult herbicide labels for weeds controlled, appropriate application rates and safety measures. Do not over-apply herbicides (rate and number of applications).

The use of grass between rows can decrease weed pressure, while also improving accessibility during the season. This type of system is not compatible with some chemical treatments (e.g. Casaron G-4). Certain application restrictions or limitations may apply depending on other management practices.

Weed
Pre-Planting
Planting Year
Fruit Year
Pre-Planting
Early Spring
Fall
Annual grasses & broadleaves
Glyphosate products (non-selective control)
Trifluralin products (Bonanza / Treflan)
Poast Ultra
(15 days)
Casoron G4
(9months)
Canada Thistle
Casoron G4
(9months)
Annual Broadleaves
Linuron / Lorox (50 days)
* Numbers in brackets indicate appropriate pre-harvest interval
** Adapted from MAFRI Fruit Crop Protection 2004



Prepared by Robert Spencer, Ag-Info Centre, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

 
 
 
 
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Robert Spencer.
This document is maintained by Mary Ann Nelson.
This information published to the web on June 26, 2003.
Last Reviewed/Revised on September 11, 2017.