Bermuda Grass

Pictured below is a plant known as Bermuda Grass. On the farm, our class has been removing it, along with its roots before planting / double digging. 

Bermuda Grass is classified as an invasive species, meaning is can cause some trouble for native species that we would like to grow on the farm. Invasive species are known for competing with native species and often out-competing them. By removing this specific plant, along with its roots, we eliminate a risk of our crops dying due to a lack of resources and space in the soil. By growing crops without the presence of Bermuda Grass, it is more likely that the crops will receive nutrients and room without high levels of stress. 

Given that our farm at Redwood High School tries to grow food sustainably, a finite amount of resources can be used in the process. Removing invasive species, including but not limited to Bermuda Grass, will help conserve the resources that are being used on the farm because it will require less resources to grow the same amount of food. I hoping that by removing all of this grass (several pounds from my designated bed alone), the crops that we grow will not be as restricted. 

After having removed most of it, our group decided that we could begin to double dig without including too much of of this invasive species in our soil.

-Michael Ritter