Tomato > Year-Round IPM Program > Planting > Weed Survey

Tomato

Weed Survey—Postplanting

Conduct a survey after planting but before weeding to determine the spectrum of weeds present. Records from previous crops are also helpful to indicate which weeds may be in the seed bank and require control before germination. Depending on the planting date, it is possible that you will see winter annuals and summer annuals.

How to survey

Walk through each field in a random pattern, rating the degree of infestation for each weed species. Use either a numeric scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the lightest, 5 being the heaviest), or rate as "light," "medium," or "heavy."

• Note the location of weeds producing seed as carefully as possible.
• Check fencerows, ditch banks, field edges, and wet spots as these may be problem areas for weed growth.
• Check areas around the field edges as these areas could be potential sources for wind-disseminated seeds.
• Pay particular attention to perennial weeds.
• Sketch a map of the field and mark areas with major weed infestations for follow-up control action.
• Record results on a weed survey form (111 KB, PDF).

Important links

• Photos of summer annual weeds
• Photos of winter annual weeds
• Photos of perennial weeds
• Integrated weed management pest management guideline

• Weed survey form (111 KB, PDF)

PDF: You need a PDF reader, such as Acrobat Reader version 8 or later, to view or print this PDF. If no reader is installed on your computer, you can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.