Weed management is a key issue for organic orchard growers, and finding a balance between weed control and nutrient management will help organic growers be more cost and time efficient. Five different weed control and three different nutrient methods were used in this project, none of which produced significant difference in fruit yield or diameter. Application of feather meal, preferably dividing up the application in the spring and early fall, and applying 90 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre was the most effective nutrient management system. The most cost-effective weed control method was in-row mowing with a side mounted mower, or mowers such as the Weed Badger or Wonder Weeder.
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