Author Topic: Removing nettles!! (Read 25561 times)

bloomer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:18:51 pm »

if your going to spray at all stop cutting the spray is absorbed through the leaves!!!

Eastling · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2011, 09:57:53 pm »

Thanks will do

Glentarki · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:14:36 pm »

Ditto what bloomer says..... and if you go for Grazon 90 preferably spray nettels before they are in full flower.... Hopefully this time next year your be glad you did

Dave

Eastling · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:35:46 pm »

Just seen a recipe in home brewing for nettle wine!! might have to pick some ( before spraying weed killer)

Glentarki · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:41:36 pm »

Tee Hee now even I could be tempted to give that ago

Dave

ellied · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2011, 10:15:29 am »

I haven't space this year to spray and rest paddocks in turn so was out yesterday with a short scythe swinging the nettles away from the first paddock fences

I leave them lying and once dry the ponies will eat them but I have a lot of fencelines and worse there are signs of ragwort coming up which could mean a backbreaking summer all round cos by the time I've scythed nettles it'll be straight on to pulling/digging ragwort

If I could just get enough grass growing to not be feeding hay at the same time I'd know it was summer backbreaking work rather than winter backbreaking work but both at once is a bit much

suziequeue · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2011, 08:28:57 am »

Yes - but contaminate the soil

Whilst I appreciate that salt is a naturally occuring chemical, too much will raise the soil salinity which will degrade the soil and it's ability to support vegetation.

(Sorry - this looks a bit odd as it was in response to somebody suggesting pouring salt on the areas where the nettles had been cut - but it seems to have been removed now)

Eastling · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2011, 02:12:39 pm »

Spent Sunday spraying with Grazon can see that it is working! Still have some areas to do but very windy here at the mo

Plantoid · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2011, 12:59:42 pm »

That Grazon 90 is the dogs thats for sure .
I cleared 1 1/2 acres of mainly chest high nettles in shrubs and a hundred plus or so of saplings /trees after using my self propelled strimmer on it and letting the beasts come back up to 6 inches tall .

Only ever do the Grazon in the growing season on new growth not autumn or winter when the plant is closing down or almost dormant .

It took two applications a month apart to really hammer them and then an occasional clean up of the odd one or two bits that I'd missed previously .

I seem to remember that stock could graze fairly soon after each spraying .

Plantoid · « **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2011, 01:06:15 pm »

Quote from: ellied on May 06, 2011, 10:15:29 am

I haven't space this year to spray and rest paddocks in turn so was out yesterday with a short scythe swinging the nettles away from the first paddock fences I leave them lying and once dry the ponies will eat them but I have a lot of fencelines and worse there are signs of ragwort coming up which could mean a backbreaking summer all round cos by the time I've scythed nettles it'll be straight on to pulling/digging ragwort

If I could just get enough grass growing to not be feeding hay at the same time I'd know it was summer backbreaking work rather than winter backbreaking work but both at once is a bit much

There is an advert for a weed extractor on TV a Fiskar or something like that name ..
They work and save your back as does Round up in a weed syringe but because of the toxicity of the ragwort your better off with the remover and a barrow to cart them out the fields/ paddocks .

Eastling · « **Reply #25 on:** June 04, 2011, 08:57:31 am »

The nettles have turned black and are dry after using Grazon, my question is do i leave them to rot down or is it best to pull them up or strim them?

feldar · « **Reply #26 on:** June 04, 2011, 10:05:41 am »

Quote from: Sandy on May 02, 2011, 08:52:41 pm

[quotei read once that African ladies rubbed nettels on there breasts cant remember the reason]

::)worth a try

[/quote]
Why would anyone want to do that!!!

Ipick nettles let them wilt and feed to my pony overnight mixed with hay he loves them.

Glentarki · « **Reply #27 on:** June 04, 2011, 10:17:23 am »

Hi Eastling glad to hear you had good results

......If your happy enough to leave them to rot down that will be fine....strim them if you wish. Just occasionally you will get very small signs of regrowth on very large rooted nettles but only occasionally, just give the individuals that do another small spray as the leaves appear.

Dave

Eastling · « **Reply #28 on:** June 04, 2011, 10:23:48 am »

Bad enough getting stung on the hands can't imagine what it would be like else where!!

We don't have ponies and they were nearly chest height and taking over usable land. I have used some for making fertilizer, the pigs can only eat so many, so next option weed killer which has worked a treat. Will have to spot spray some that were missed but happy to do that.

Want to use some of the area for ducks and chickens so hence the question on cutting/pulling up

Glentarki just seen your reply yes very pleased with results hopefully will make life easier and manageable no