Don’t Let Weeds Go to Seed: Managing Lambsquarters and Redroot Pigweed in Vegetable Fields

Weed management continues to be one of the biggest challenges in vegetable production. Two weeds that can become particularly troublesome are common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Both are fast-growing annual broadleaf weeds that can compete aggressively with vegetable crops for light, water, nutrients, and space.

 

During my field visits this season, I have seen how quickly these weeds can grow and overtop vegetable crops when they escape early-season control. Once they become large, management becomes much more difficult. This makes timing one of the most important components of weed management.

 

If They Have Escaped Control, Act Now

 

Ideally, lambsquarters and redroot pigweed should be controlled when they are small. However, if they have already become large in vegetable fields, field edges, headlands, or areas where the crop has been harvested, the priority should shift to preventing seed production and reducing additions to the soil weed seedbank.

 

If these weeds are approaching flowering or seed development and you have not controlled them yet, mow, cut, hoe, or remove them as soon as practical—before mature, viable seed is produced. Do not leave mature weeds standing simply because the vegetable crop is close to harvest or has already been harvested.

 

This is especially important because allowing weeds to produce seed this year can create weed-management problems for many years to come. Small-seeded weeds such as lambsquarters and pigweed can persist in the soil seedbank for years, producing new flushes whenever environmental conditions are favourable.

 

Don't Wait Until Weeds Are Large

 

The best approach is still to manage weeds early and when they are small. Regular scouting is critical, particularly during the first several weeks after vegetable crops are planted. Depending on the crop and production system, an integrated weed-management program may include crop rotation, stale or false seedbeds, cultivation, hoeing, mulches, cover crops, and appropriately labelled herbicides.

 

Once lambsquarters and pigweed become large, they are much more difficult to control and may already have competed substantially with the vegetable crop. Even when late-season control can no longer recover lost crop yield, removing or mowing escapes can still be valuable because it can reduce seed return to the field.

 

Think About Next Year's Weed Problem Today

 

Weed management should not end when the vegetable crop is harvested. Walk fields after harvest and look closely at field edges, headlands, missed rows, irrigation areas, and patches where weeds escaped earlier control. These areas can become important sources of seed for future infestations.

 

If lambsquarters or redroot pigweed are present and have not yet produced mature seed, do not give them the opportunity to finish their life cycle. Mow or remove them promptly. Where mature seed is already present, use additional care during mowing, removal, tillage, and other field operations to avoid unnecessarily spreading seed around the field.

 

The goal is simple: control weeds early whenever possible, and when weeds escape, prevent them from going to seed. Every weed prevented from contributing seed is an investment in reducing future weed pressure.

I am also including a few photos taken from different vegetable fields this season to illustrate how aggressive lambsquarters and redroot pigweed can be under field conditions. Growers work hard to manage weeds, but during the busy growing season, other time-sensitive farm operations can take priority, allowing these fast-growing weeds to get ahead very quickly. The photos highlight how rapidly these weeds can grow and compete with vegetable crops, reinforcing the importance of timely management before they mature and produce seed.

 

Take-Home Message

 

Lambsquarters and redroot pigweed grow rapidly and can become highly competitive in vegetable fields. Scout early, control them while they are small, and never intentionally allow escaped plants to mature and replenish the weed seedbank. If large plants are still present and viable seed has not matured, mow or remove them as soon as possible.

Figure 1. Lambsquarters growing along the edge of a vegetable garden.

 Figure 2. Lambsquarters and redroot pigweed growing in a pumpkin field.

 Figure 3. Aggressive growth of lambsquarters and redroot pigweed, which can quickly outgrow vegetable crops and leave growers with a very narrow window for effective weed management.

 Figure 4. Lambsquarters and redroot pigweed competing with eggplant.

Figure 5. Uprooted lambsquarters and redroot pigweed showing their extensive root systems, which allow them to compete strongly with vegetable crops for soil moisture and nutrients.

Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.

Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Email mfageria@perennia.ca

Mobile 902-890-7716

6-28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1

 

Cover Crops for Late Summer and Early Fall in Vegetable Systems

 Keep the soil covered

Late summer and early fall are important windows to establish cover crops after vegetables, potatoes, and other annual crops are harvested. Leaving soil bare can increase the risk of erosion, nutrient loss, weed growth, and degradation of soil structure.

Cover crops help keep the soil covered, capture unused nutrients, improve biological activity, suppress weeds, and build soil organic matter. They can also improve water infiltration and water-holding capacity, helping soils become more resilient to variable weather, drought, and heavy rainfall.

Start with your farm goals

There is no single cover crop or mixture that is best for every farm. The right choice depends on your soil, crop rotation, planting date, available equipment, and what you want the crop to accomplish.

Before choosing a species, consider whether your main goal is to build organic matter, fix nitrogen, capture nutrients, suppress weeds, reduce compaction, protect the soil from erosion, or simply keep the soil covered until the next crop.

Option 1: A cover crop that will winter-kill

If you want the cover crop to be naturally terminated by winter, consider a mixture such as oats + tillage radish + crimson clover.

Oats establish quickly and provide ground cover and biomass, while tillage radish develops a deep root system and can help capture nutrients and create biological channels in the soil. Crimson clover adds nitrogen fixation and biomass.

Crimson clover is killed by winter in most years, but in some years, it may survive the winter.

Option 2: Keep living roots through winter and into spring

If your goal is to maintain living roots over winter and continue growing the cover crop into spring or later, cereal rye is one of the most reliable choices. Cereal rye can be planted alone or combined with a legume to provide additional benefits.

Some options include:

• Cereal rye + single-cut red clover
• Cereal rye + double-cut red clover
• Cereal rye + hairy vetch
• Ceral rye + Austrian winter peas

Winter rye provides strong soil cover and biomass, while red clover or hairy vetch can contribute nitrogen and additional biomass. These winter-hardy species will require a planned termination strategy, such as herbicide, mowing, tillage, grazing, or a combination of these methods, depending on the crop and production/rotation system.

If you are planting late in the fall, cereal rye would generally be the main option. Winter wheat and triticale are also winter-hardy options. However, planting dates are very important, and the best choice will depend on your location and how late you are planting. Winter wheat can serve not only as a cover crop but also as a valuable cash crop, giving growers the opportunity to produce a marketable crop while providing soil-cover benefits over the winter.

Planting method and seeding rate matter

Good establishment is one of the most important factors determining crop success. Choose the planting method based on the equipment you have available or can borrow. This could include a no-till drill, conventional seed drill, air seeder, or broadcasting. The important thing is to achieve good seed-to-soil contact and establish an even stand.

Drilling generally provides more consistent seed placement and establishment. Broadcasting can also work, but seed-to-soil contact and moisture become especially important. If you are broadcasting, you will generally need 20–50% more seed than the recommended drilled seeding rate.

Additionally, the seeding rate will depend on whether you are planting a single species or a mixture. For example, if cereal rye is normally seeded at 110 lb/ac when broadcast, a mixture with hairy vetch could use approximately 55 lb/ac of cereal rye + 20 lb/ac of hairy vetch. These rates are only examples; the appropriate seeding rate will depend on the planting date, planting method, species, and your specific goals.

Atlantic Canada is not one growing environment

This is especially important for growers who are new to cover crops. Weather conditions can vary considerably across Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces. Temperatures, rainfall, frost dates, and growing conditions can be very different between northern and southern areas, as well as between eastern and western locations. They also vary from year to year.

Because of these differences, species selection and planting date are very important. A mixture that works well when planted in August in one area may not establish the same way when planted later or in a different location.

Plan now for next spring

A cover crop should be selected not only for what it does this fall, but also for how it will fit into next year's crop. Consider when the next crop will be planted, how the cover crop will be terminated, how much residue it will produce, and whether the field will be tilled or managed with reduced tillage.

Planning the termination strategy before planting can prevent problems in the spring.

In the photos, you will see some vegetable crops, an air seeder, and cover crops. Some of the photos were provided by Lawrence Levesque.

Need help choosing a cover crop?

Every farm and field is different. My goal is to help growers succeed with cover crops—not simply plant a cover crop and hope it works. Species selection, planting date, seeding rate, and planting method are all important, especially for growers who are new to cover crops.

If you are unsure what to plant, please feel free to contact me before deciding on your farm. I would be happy to discuss your crop rotation, location, planting date, goals, and available equipment and help you select an appropriate species or mixture and seeding rate.

The goal is to choose a cover crop that works for your farm—not simply to plant a cover crop for the sake of planting one.

Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.

Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Email mfageria@perennia.ca

Mobile 902-890-7716

6-28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1

  

 

Managing Soil Compaction in Vegetable Production: Practical Strategies for Nova Scotia Growers

Soil compaction remains one of the most persistent and limiting factors in vegetable production systems. It is often not immediately visible, but its effects show up in reduced infiltration, poor root development, uneven crop growth, and lower resilience during dry or wet periods. In many cases, compaction is gradually created over time through routine field operations rather than a single event.

In intensive vegetable systems, the challenge is that soil must be worked, planted, harvested, and trafficked regularly. Because of this, completely eliminating compaction is not realistic. However, reducing its formation and improving soil recovery capacity are very achievable goals.

Understanding the Real Problem

Compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space. This typically results from:

• Machinery traffic, especially under wet conditions
• Repeated tillage passes
• Heavy equipment loads
• Lack of soil organic matter and biological activity

While tillage may temporarily loosen soil, it does not always solve compaction. In fact, repeated deep or aggressive tillage can weaken soil aggregates and make soil more vulnerable to re-compaction.

The long-term goal is not simply to “loosen” soil, but to build a soil structure that resists compaction in the first place.

1. Reduce Field Traffic and Passes

One of the most effective and immediate ways to reduce compaction is simply reducing how often equipment enters the field.

Every pass across a field contributes to soil pressure, especially under moist conditions common in Atlantic Canada.

Practical approaches include:

• Combining operations where feasible (e.g., seedbed prep and fertilization)
• Avoiding unnecessary tillage passes
• Working only when soil moisture conditions are suitable
• Planning field operations to minimize traffic frequency

Even small reductions in passes over a season can have a measurable impact on soil structure.

2. Be Strategic with Equipment Choices

Equipment is one of the primary drivers of compaction, often more than growers realize.

Key considerations include:

• Heavier machinery creates deeper and more persistent compaction
• Tire pressure significantly affects soil loading
• Wider tires or tracks distribute weight more evenly
• Equipment upgrades should consider soil impact, not only efficiency or horsepower

A useful principle is: compaction risk increases with axle load and soil moisture at time of traffic.

Where possible, reducing weight or improving load distribution can have long-term benefits for soil health.

3. Build Organic Matter to Strengthen Soil Structure

Soil organic matter plays a central role in resisting compaction. It improves aggregation, increases pore space, and enhances biological activity.

Improving organic matter can be achieved through:

• Compost or manure applications (where appropriate and available)
• Leaving crop residues in the field
• Maintaining living roots through cover cropping
• Reducing excessive soil disturbance

Healthy soils with higher organic matter behave more like a sponge, absorbing pressure rather than collapsing under it.

Biological activity, particularly earthworms and soil microbes, also plays a major role in creating stable soil structure over time.

4. Use Cover Crops as a Biological Tool

Cover crops are one of the most practical and effective tools for addressing compaction in vegetable systems.

Different species provide different benefits:

• Deep tap-rooted crops (e.g., radish, alfalfa):
  Help open deeper layers and improve infiltration pathways
• Fibrous-rooted crops (e.g., winter rye, winter wheat, Sorghum Sudan, Pearl millet):
  Build surface aggregation and improve soil structure stability
• Mixed cover crop systems:
  Provide a combination of rooting functions and broader soil benefits

In Nova Scotia conditions, even short-term cover crop windows can contribute meaningfully to improving soil resilience.

5. Separate Crop and Traffic Zones Where Possible

One of the most effective structural strategies is to reduce random traffic across growing areas.

Options include:

• Permanent beds for vegetable production
• Designated wheel tracks or traffic lanes
• Avoiding foot traffic on growing beds
• Keeping machinery in consistent pathways where possible

Even partial separation of crop and traffic zones can significantly reduce localized compaction and improve crop uniformity.

Full controlled traffic farming systems can be highly effective but require investment in equipment alignment and farm design. However, even simplified versions can provide benefits.

6. Rethink Tillage: Use Less, Not More

There is often a tendency to rely on tillage as a corrective tool for compaction. While it can provide short-term relief, it is not a long-term solution if repeated frequently.

Over time, excessive tillage can:

• Break down soil aggregates
• Increase susceptibility to compaction
• Reduce biological activity
• Disrupt soil structure formation processes
• Release stored carbon from the soil into the atmosphere, reducing soil organic carbon levels; keeping carbon in the soil is beneficial for growers as it supports fertility, improves moisture retention, and enhances overall soil health.

Key Takeaways for Growers

Soil compaction cannot be eliminated entirely in vegetable production systems, but it can be managed effectively with practical, incremental changes.

The most important principles are:

• Reduce unnecessary field passes
• Be conscious of equipment weight and tire pressure
• Build organic matter and biological activity
• Use cover crops to improve structure
• Separate crop zones from traffic zones where possible
• Avoid relying solely on tillage to “fix” soil

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Growing Season

As vegetable fields across Nova Scotia continue to develop this season, many crops are showing strong early growth. As vegetable fields across Nova Scotia continue to develop this season, many crops are showing strong early growth. The accompanying photos of lettuce and squash are great examples of what healthy soils and good management practices can help achieve. These crops look vibrant and thriving, reflecting the hard work and dedication of local growers.

After the challenging drought conditions experienced in many areas last year, there is optimism for a productive growing season in 2026. Weather will always be a factor beyond our control, but building healthy, resilient soils helps crops better withstand both dry and wet conditions.

Local growers work hard throughout the season to produce fresh, high-quality vegetables and fruits for Nova Scotian families. Supporting local agriculture by purchasing locally grown produce helps strengthen our farming communities and contributes to a more resilient food system.

Wishing all growers a safe, successful, and rewarding season ahead.

 Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.

Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
Email mfageria@perennia.ca
Mobile 902-890-7716
6-28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1

 

 

Cabbage Maggot Post 

With the warm weather finally arriving, it's important to pay attention to when insect pests will become active so that control measures can be implemented. Cabbage maggot (Delia radicum) is a particular challenge in brassica crop production. It overwinters in the pupal stage, emerging in the spring, usually coinciding with the bloom of yellow rocket and serviceberry. From a growing degree day perspective, emergence begins around 161 Growing Degree Days (GDD) at a base of 4°C, with peak flight occurring around 250 GDD for the first generation of cabbage maggot. As of Tuesday May 19, 2026, 225 GDD (base 4°C) have accumulated in Brooklyn Corner. If you would like to check how many GDD have accumulated in your area go to Perennia’s Farm Data Tools GDD Calculator. Once there, you can select a station close to you, and calculate the GDD accumulation in your area.

                                                Cabbage Maggot Feeding On Roots  

Other Delia species, Delia platura (seedcorn maggot), Delia antigua (onion maggot) and Delia florilega (bean seed maggot) are also on the move in the Valley. Once the first generation of adults has emerged in the spring, they take flight and lay their eggs. It is important to know when peak flight is taking place so that you have the opportunity to alter planting times or deploy control measures, such as insect netting, accordingly.  For scouting purposes, eggs can usually be found in small clumps on the soil around the base of your seedlings.

Matthew Peill, M.Sc, CCA, Integrated Pest Management Specialist

Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.

Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
Email mfageria@perennia.ca
Mobile 902-890-7716
6-28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1

 

Protecting the Future: Mitigating Spring Soil Erosion

This spring in the Annapolis Valley, erratic and heavy rainfall events have highlighted a critical vulnerability in our farming systems: soil erosion, particularly on our sloped landscapes. As a grower, watching topsoil wash away is watching your farm's future productivity disappear. Topsoil contains the highest concentration of organic matter and nutrients; once it is gone, your soil becomes less fertile, leading to an increased dependency on fertilizers and, eventually, the permanent loss of land value.

The Evidence: A Side-by-Side Lesson 

The visual evidence in our fields right now is undeniable. In the Soil erosion photos (soil erosion 1.jpg, soil erosion 2.jpg), we see a sloped field that was prepared for planting. Without cover, the kinetic energy of raindrops detaches soil particles, leading to massive rill erosion.

In contrast, the Protecting soil erosion photo (Protecting soil.jpg) shows the second half of the same field protected by Winter Rye. The rye provides a physical canopy to break the impact of raindrops, while the root architecture anchors the soil, effectively eliminating visible erosion.

Because Winter Rye is a perennial-like crop that requires termination in the spring, growers looking for a low-maintenance alternative can plant annual species in the fall, such as:

• Radishes and Oats: These species are winter killed, meaning they do not require termination in the spring.
• Biomass Benefits: If planted in August or early September, these crops can grow 1 to 3 feet tall, providing significant biomass residue and roots to protect against erosion.

Cover crops and Nutrient Cycling: In addition to erosion control, these cover crops assist in nutrient cycling and overall soil health.

Strategies for High-Slope and Spring Management

To preserve our soil, we must implement specific Best Management Practices (BMPs), especially when dealing with steep topography:

• Contour Farming and Bed Orientation: Where high slopes exist, utilize contour farming. Ensure beds are oriented perpendicular to the slope rather than running up and down the hill to create "mini dams" that slow runoff and encourage infiltration.
• Living "Walkways" and Wheel Tracks: Consider planting winter rye or other resilient crops between beds. These green strips act as protected lanes for foot traffic or machinery, preventing compaction of the primary growing ground.
• Optimizing the Spring Preparation Window: We recognize that ground must eventually be prepared for planting, but the goal is to minimize the time soil sits bare. Do not prepare ground too far in advance; prepared soil is more prone to erosion and takes longer to dry out after rain.
• Reducing Tillage Intensity: Every tillage pass breaks down soil aggregates and destroys macropores. Over time, frequent tillage leads to surface crusting and compaction, which further accelerates erosion.

The Science of Stability: Soil aggregate stability is maintained by organic "glues" and fungal hyphae. Tillage mechanically disrupts these bonds, leaving soil particles easily transported by water

Even if your fields are not on a slope, integrating cover crops into your cropping system provides numerous advantages beyond erosion control. These crops are essential for building organic soil matter, improving nutrient cycling, and enhancing the overall biological resilience of your farm. By maintaining living roots in the ground as often as possible, you promote better soil structure and water infiltration, ensuring your land remains productive and healthy regardless of the topography.

Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.

Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Email mfageria@perennia.ca

Mobile 902-890-7716

6-28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1

Building a Resilient Future: A Note to Nova Scotia’s Vegetable Community

Hello everyone,

I am writing this as I wrap up my first few weeks as your new Vegetable Specialist at Perennia. While I have only been in the role for a short time, my roots in agriculture run deep. As a sixth-generation grower with over 30 years of experience in farming and research, I understand that the most important work happens in the field, not behind a desk.

I’ve made it a priority to visit as many Nova Scotia vegetable farms as I can in the first few months and so far, these visits have been amazing. I want to thank the community for being so welcoming and open with me. I am mindful that there are over 150 vegetable growers across Nova Scotia, each with a unique story and a specific set of challenges. My goal is to eventually support every one of you in a variety of ways.

A Holistic Approach to Your Success

I believe in a holistic approach because every farm has its own unique ecosystem and economic constraints. I specialize in soil health improvements, cropping systems, conducting side-by-side demonstrations and real-world trials directly on your acreage to see what works for your specific soil. I have come to know that variety selection can make a huge impact; for instance, there are potato varieties that mature early and require fewer inputs while producing 20 percent more marketable yield than some existing varieties. My work also focuses on regenerative integration, such as implementing cover crops or exploring rotational grazing to improve soil structure, reducing erosion, improving water holding ability and fertility and ensuring that all research results are turned into actionable knowledge for your daily operations.

I Want to Hear from You

Before I dive into research and demos and other work for the season, I need to learn from the experts—you.

What is the main challenge you are facing on your farm?

The more I learn about the specific challenges you face, the better I can focus my efforts on coming up with practical, effective solutions. I will keep all the information you share with me strictly confidential. Whether you need support collecting more information on a specific issue, or you are interested in conducting a research demo on your farm, please reach out. I am here to listen, to learn, and to work alongside you.

Contact:

Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.

Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Email mfageria@perennia.ca

Mobile 902-890-7716

6-28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1