The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: Laura_Long on March 23, 2018, 12:09:35 pm
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Hi All,
I have an infestation of tiny buttecup rosettes throughout my pasture (2.5acres). I have somebody renting the field to cut for haylage this year - they are planning to use an organic fertilizer and I will overseed with pony pasture seed including creeping red fescue to try and fill in the open sward. She will want to get two cuts from it this summer. When would the best time to make the first cut with the aim of cutting buttercup before it seeds? I am going around with a rag fork and hand weeding as much as I can but its widespread!! On a plus note my hamstrings are getting a good workout!!
I don't want to use any chemicals to control it if at all possible.
TIA
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buttercups are usually a sign that a field has a really low ph. lime usually gets rid of them and makes the grass grow better. probably worth taking a soil sample.
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Yes that's correct, I am pretty sure the land is acidic and I will try and get some lime down when they fertilize. In the mean time when is best to get the field cut before it seeds? I am new to all of this and google isn't providing what I need.
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I've no idea about when buttercups seed but they do quite a bit of spreading via suckers that spread out at soil level (like Strawberries) which won't be affected by mowing.
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Two things we found helpful: sow a thicker sward: Graze hard with sheep.
It's best not to use manure and lime at the same time. It's usually done at 6 weeks apart.
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The grass out competing them with the fertilizer and changing the pH with the lime will kill the buttercup out
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Thanks all. Seems like I am doing the right thing! I will keep hand pulling, will harrow and reseed with creeping red rescue mix to try and outcompete it and test ph and add lime if necessary.