Weeds
Weeds, or "plants out of place," compete with fruit crops for nutrients and water, provide a moist environment for disease organisms, and often harbor insects and small animals such as rabbits and mice. Nearly every fruit grower who attempts to grow plants around his or her property is faced at one time or another with some form of weed problem. Each type of growing situation has its own type of weed problem: lawns might contain plants other than desirable grasses; the vegetable garden is a constant source of weed growth; and landscape plantings and garden areas devoted to fruit-bearing plant production often are trouble spots. Competition between weeds and fruit plants for resources (nutrients and water) is of particular concern during the full-bloom period, when nothing should be allowed to interfere with the blossoming and subsequent fruit-setting processes.
