Resources - Pests

Weed Control

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HABITAT: Cultivated fields, gardens, roadsides, waste places. Most abundant on rich soils.

DESCRIPTION: A course, erect annual, 2 to 3 feet tall.   Lower stems are often red or red-striped, with color continuing down the taproot.   Leaves alternate, stalked, dull green, ovate, rough 3 to 4 inches long.   Flowers are numerous, small, green, tightly arranged in large, branched, spike-like, terminal clusters.  Flower clusters are full of stiff, spine-like scales.

SEEDS: Jet black, glossy, somewhat flattened.

CULTURAL CONTROL PRACTICES:

Infested fields should be tilled shallowly in the fall or early spring to place the pigweed seed in a position for germination.