Sometimes I'm so tempted to go out and use a weed killer, but I don't dare risking our certified organic status.

Really, there's only one weed that is a burden at North Star Farms and that is field bindweed, or the plant many of us call creeping Jenny.

It's just amazing how it can grow, spread and literally take over healthy vegetables in as little as 24 hours. I've done just about everything I know how in organic methods to control this weed and it keeps coming back.

I've used intensive tilling, daily hoeing, vinegar sprayed on the flowers when it's 100 degrees and I've even gone as far as digging down beside the roots and pulling the roots out, but creeping Jenny persists.

And it's only in spots. Most places are fine and a weed will pop up here and there and can very easily be managed. But the creeping Jenny comes through with a vengence and it will quickly populate spots in the garden and like I mentioned earlier, just take over.

Thus, I'd put out a plea to anyone who might have an answer to stop this scourge. I've read some ads regarding flamers and what they do to plants, but I wonder if they would do enough damage to stop this vine that last year, wrapped around my buckwheat and destroyed part of the field.

If a flamer would take care of it, I'd be willing to get one for the peace of mind of restoring the field conditions to where they should be.

I've always been one to believe that a clean field will produce better yields, even during drought conditions and it makes sense. If beneficial plants, like tomatoes or celery are getting all the moisture, it stands to reason they are going to be better producers. When weeds are all over the place, there's competition for the moisture and in nature, the creeping Jenny is going to win the battle.

If anyone has any ideas, I'm certainly willing to listen. In fact, send an email to ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with your suggestions and I will make the attempt and see what happens.

Right now, I've got too many blisters on my fingers so I need an alternative to keep the produce healthy.