The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: Sarah Smyth on November 03, 2014, 07:52:18 am
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Hi - i have a number of fields showing fairly significant coverage with rushes standing 2-3 ft. The surrounding grassland has been grazed down close. These rushes are showing seed. Just enquiring as to the best approach with these:
Top and weedwipe now?
Just weedwipe now?
Wait until next year?
Thanks!
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Your first option; "Top and weedwipe now" or if the weather isn't conducive to wiping, simply keep topping them.
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I don't know where you are but much to wet on 'wet' land to drive over it all now .... watch a tractor pulling another out of a field yesterday where it had been topping rushes. Don't know how big an area you are trying to treat but my OH is having much success weed wiping by hand using one of hose 'extra dry' mops and glyhosate. Generally bit late in season for treating... better cut first and weed wipe the regrowth.
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I appreciate that for smallholders its not always possible but try and improve the drainage.
If you do the rushes should go as they are only there due to excessive moisture.
If not an option at the moment I'm with Backinwellies - time is against us now.
Probably best to top now and treat in the spring.
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Last 2 posts have echoed what I would say. Usual guidance is to top and give it about 3 weeks and wipe the new shoots. I'd be waiting till spring myself. In fact got similar and will be waiting till next spring
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sorry to be thick - what's weed wiping? and can you do large areas or just small areas?
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Sort of does what it says on the tin. Wipes or licks taller weeds avoiding spray on plants you want to keep. Big ones can be towed behind tractors and smaller ones behind quads with height adjusters. I think there are handheld versions tho not sure if they're any good
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. I think there are handheld versions tho not sure if they're any good
My husband has very successfully used one of these http://www.shopclues.com/single-rib-telescopic-aluminium-mop.html (http://www.shopclues.com/single-rib-telescopic-aluminium-mop.html) !!
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. I think there are handheld versions tho not sure if they're any good
My husband has very successfully used one of these http://www.shopclues.com/single-rib-telescopic-aluminium-mop.html (http://www.shopclues.com/single-rib-telescopic-aluminium-mop.html) !!
oh yeah- didn't read your post properly- sorry
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Cutting and removing the rush will gradually suppress it, allowing the grass and herbs to take over. You might have some fen meadow flush pasture which is actually getting quite rare these days. Is there any marsh marigold?
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Our cattle - Herefords, or Highlands will eat rushes down when grass is in short supply.
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One thing that sometimes gets forgotten in the war on reshes is that they are great shelter for sheep and especially lambs.
Which said, the most effective way to reduce them is to top and then weed-wipe the new growth - the poison is absorbed much more readily through the softer, new growth.
If you don't want to, or can't (due environmental scheme for instance) use chemicals, then topping in early summer (after the ground nesting birds have fledged and left) and again 6-8 weeks later is also fairly effective.
If you like providing habitat for ground-nesting birds, then don't top all of it every year, but rather top different thirds each year to give a range of heights and some open areas.
Oh, and native ponies will probably do a reasonably good job too, over time.
As everyone else has said, probably too late to do much about it this year as the ground is likely to be very wet by now.
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I am into the second winter of strip grazing a wet rushy field, with back fence, and the treading of the plants has really thinned them out already. I hope to get some summer grazing on the field next year too as stock levels have increased.
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I am into the second winter of strip grazing a wet rushy field, with back fence, and the treading of the plants has really thinned them out already. I hope to get some summer grazing on the field next year too as stock levels have increased.
Assume this is with cattle.
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Hi,
I still don't understand what "weed wiping" is.
Dave
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I still don't understand what "weed wiping" is.
Have a watch of Logic's video (http://www.logictoday.co.uk/agriculture/products/weedwipers/ctf), that should explain - and show - it for you.
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I am into the second winter of strip grazing a wet rushy field, with back fence, and the treading of the plants has really thinned them out already. I hope to get some summer grazing on the field next year too as stock levels have increased.
Assume this is with cattle.
Equines. Two mules, a native pony and a warmblood horse with heavy feet.