Ragwort question

[aspenarb]

Our fields out the back seem to be alive with the stuff, its proving tough to pull because the ground is so dry. Other than Roundup is there anything new on the market for knocking this on the head?

 

Bob

[Treemover]

We have an organic dairy farm; so have to pull by hand; but rotation or reseeding will reduce amounts of plants.

[Daniël Bos]

Cut the flowerheads off when they are in full flower/just starting to seed.

The plants die off after seeding (life's mission fulfilled!) so if you cut the flowers off the plants still die and don't seed. It's about ten times as fast as pulling/digging but slower than spraying.

You do have to get the timing right though, too early and the plants wont have yet produced the signal it's safe to die off and will try to grow more flowers/come back next year. Too late and they'll spread seeds.

 

It's quick, easy and cheap. It also leaves the plant up for a bit (valuable habitat) and importantly doesn't disturb the soil/create bare ground (the ideal situation for ragwort germination).

[Marko]

Cut the flowerheads off when they are in full flower/just starting to seed.

The plants die off after seeding (life's mission fulfilled!) so if you cut the flowers off the plants still die and don't seed. It's about ten times as fast as pulling/digging but slower than spraying.

You do have to get the timing right though, too early and the plants wont have yet produced the signal it's safe to die off and will try to grow more flowers/come back next year. Too late and they'll spread seeds.

 

It's quick, easy and cheap. It also leaves the plant up for a bit (valuable habitat) and importantly doesn't disturb the soil/create bare ground (the ideal situation for ragwort germination).

 

Above works well if you collect the cuttings. If you don't, the flower can still set seed even when severed.

 

My thoughts would be to mow & collect asap and spot weed with Grazon in a knapsack any regrowth which will kill the ragwort but not the grass. If you use roundup you will kill the grass and the resulting bare patch will be populated with more weeds in the blink of an eye.

[aspenarb]

Thanks for the replies and PM`s on this, There are a few areas I can test case a few of these suggestions. Will report back, thanks again.

 

Bob

[SteveA]

Everything you need to know about Ragwort is here: Ragwort Facts. All the ragwort science and information that you need to know. cheers, Steve

[Sandworks]

Can't beat hand pulling, preferably a day after rain, it might seem mad but once you get the knack it's quick and even a heavily infested acre can be cleared by one man a day, the following season you will only have to pull a handful of plants, wear gloves though!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk while dossing!

[biggarlogs]

Get some sheep they will eat crowns in the spring so it will not flower.couple of years will do it.then eat sheep!!!

[Sandworks]

Get some sheep they will eat crowns in the spring so it will not flower.couple of years will do it.then eat sheep!!!

 

 

Even better😝 pass the mint sauce🌿🍴

[aspenarb]

Can't beat hand pulling, preferably a day after rain, it might seem mad but once you get the knack it's quick and even a heavily infested acre can be cleared by one man a day, the following season you will only have to pull a handful of plants, wear gloves though!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk while dossing!

 

We have been pulling this stuff out for the last 30 years, I missed last year which was a first and I am now looking at it thinking bring on the chemicals It has to be worth a try .

 

Bob