| | 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?
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 | . |
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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