Although a popular fruit among home gardeners, strawberries present a major issue when it comes to weeds. The trailing growth habit of strawberry plants creates a groundcover which makes hoeing a problematic form of weed control. Hand pulling weeds is recommended for small plantings. For larger plantings, herbicides may be more appropriate.
Poast (sethoxydim) is a grass-killing herbicide that can be used once weedy grasses appear in the strawberry patch. This herbicide can be sprayed directly over strawberries without causing harm to the strawberry plants. Anytime chemicals are applied to a crop pay close attention to the directions for re-entry and in the case of edible crops, note the pre-harvest interval (PHI). Strawberries should not be harvested within seven days of application of Poast. Poast can be found in Fertilome Over the Top II and Hi-Yield Grass Killer.
Cynthia Domenghini
