April 2024 - 15

GROWER PROFILE
" We get good results by using the
best equipment for the job, at the
right time in the crop cycle, " Chris
Worden said.
Growers must know their weed
species and their growth habits and
observe how environmental factors,
such as soil moisture and temperature,
affect weed germination and growth
for different species, Eva Worden said.
With doctorate degrees in crop science and ecosystem management,
Chris and Eva Worden grow a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers
in southwest Florida. Photo by Lynn Morris.
" In a successful crop run, as
the crop nears maturity, it has an
established plant canopy, and has
outcompeted the weeds, " she said.
" The crop will be easy to harvest, and
easy to turn over for the subsequent
crop cycle. "
To minimize the weed seed bank
in the soil, the Wordens focus on
preventing weeds from going to seed.
When possible, they transplant crops
to give them a competitive advantage
against weeds, and select vigorous
crops and time the plantings to
outpace weeds.
To reduce weed pressure prior
to planting, the farm uses a stale
seedbed technique, which allows
weed seeds just below the surface to
germinate and are killed before a crop
is planted. Cultivation is most effective
for young weeds in the " thread "
stage of growth, Chris Worden said.
The operation uses many
cultivation tools and techniques to
address weeds within and between
rows and in the wheel tracks. Older
and newer high ground clearance
cultivating tractors are set up for row
and bed configurations, with belly or
rear-mounted implements deployed
for mechanical weed removal.
For weeding within rows, disc hiller
cultivators, steerable finger weeders
and flex tine cultivators are used.
Between rows, these implements as
well as cultivating shanks and basket
weeders are used. For wheel tracks,
discs or S-tine cultivators are used.
Cover crop aid
The Wordens rotate crops, and
in the summer, plant cover crops,
including sunn hemp and sudex, for
organic weed control.
Cover crops contribute many
benefits, including weed control,
insect and disease population control
and soil improvement. To prepare
fields for seeding cover crops, the
Wordens disc, field cultivate and till.
Growing in June and July, the cover
crop biomass is mowed and disced
before the fields are cycled back into
fall vegetable crops.
Some of the less common crops
Worden Farm customers like are
daikon, jicama, roselle and calabaza.
Carrots are one of the vegetables that Worden Farm grows.
Others include sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green
beans, peppers and squash. Photo courtesy of Worden Farm.
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 15

http://www.VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM

April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2024

Editor's Letter
The Pest Whisperer?
Managing wildlife on the farm
Weed battle
Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association
Southeast honors
Why every operation needs two succession plans
Biopesticides and beneficial insects
Ag Labor Review
Farm Market & Agriculture
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
April 2024 - 1
April 2024 - 2
April 2024 - 3
April 2024 - Editor's Letter
April 2024 - 5
April 2024 - The Pest Whisperer?
April 2024 - 7
April 2024 - 8
April 2024 - 9
April 2024 - Managing wildlife on the farm
April 2024 - 11
April 2024 - 12
April 2024 - 13
April 2024 - Weed battle
April 2024 - 15
April 2024 - 16
April 2024 - 17
April 2024 - Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association
April 2024 - 19
April 2024 - Southeast honors
April 2024 - 21
April 2024 - Why every operation needs two succession plans
April 2024 - 23
April 2024 - Biopesticides and beneficial insects
April 2024 - 25
April 2024 - 26
April 2024 - 27
April 2024 - 28
April 2024 - 29
April 2024 - Ag Labor Review
April 2024 - 31
April 2024 - Farm Market & Agriculture
April 2024 - 33
April 2024 - Classifieds
April 2024 - Advertiser Index
April 2024 - 36
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