Use this time to control weeds

Rather than seeding early, weed control may be the bigger priority. University of Saskatchewan research has shown that early application of pre-seed herbicide treatments provide greater yield benefits for later seeded crops than waiting until immediately prior to seeding. This research was done in years where moisture was adequate so controlling weeds early is especially important in a dry spring.

Winter annual stinkweed growing strong in late April. Source: Angela Brackenreed
Winter annual stinkweed growing strong in late April. Source: Angela Brackenreed

If perennials, winter annuals and early emerging weeds are growing, there is no benefit to waiting for later emerging weeds such as lamb’s quarters or redroot pigweed to show up. Weeds present now will have a greater impact on yield than weeds that emerge with or after the crop.

Further reading:

How early is too early for weed spraying?
PODCAST: 10 tips to manage cleavers
Early weed control in cool or frost conditions
Pre-seed burnoff: 8 top weeds and how to control them
Keep It Clean: Quinclorac
Keep It Clean: Cleavers