Best way to get rid of buttercups and clover permanently?

[Patchworkpony]

Which is the best way to get rid of buttercups and clover permanently? I am thinking of killing off the whole paddock and then reseeding. I don't think selective weed killers do a very good job. What do you think?

 

[lamlyn2012]

Not sure about clover but we have just used a new product called Envy which has had a good effect on the buttercups. Thrust is good too.
We have also had the field limed which helps with buttercup control as buttercups like acid soil.
It's a good idea to have a soil analysis done.

 

[MagicMelon]

I thought lime reduced the acid in the soil which is what buttercups like? Ive just had my paddock (which has buttercups and clover in) weedkilled and limed so will wait and see!

 

[Patchworkpony]

Thanks guys we have just arranged to lime the field as it is very acid - at least that should slow the blighters down.

 

[eggs]

I had my fields limed last year and there are definitely fewer buttercups so far this year

 

[Mariposa]

We had one field sprayed this spring - I think they used Grazon ? We've had to keep the ponies off the field for 2 weeks, we're going to leave it free for another couple of weeks as it still looks a bit manky! We had the other fields done last May and we definately have a lot less buttercups, before it was a sea of yellow.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Relay P was excellent for clover and buttercups, but it has sadly been withdrawn now :confused3:. Thrust is a good alternative. Liming is a good move, but is not enough to get rid of established buttercups, they will need spraying as well, being persistent little blighters.



Mariposa, I wish you well if you used Grazon, it is expensive and over several seasons it never touched our clover and buttercups at all after initial mild witherings

 

[Mariposa]

Mariposa, I wish you well if you used Grazon, it is expensive and over several seasons it never touched our clover and buttercups at all after initial mild witherings

Eek really? Hope it works - as you say, it wasn't cheap! So far everything died down but will see how it progresses!

 

[lamlyn2012]

I thought lime reduced the acid in the soil which is what buttercups like? Ive just had my paddock (which has buttercups and clover in) weedkilled and limed so will wait and see!

Yes that's right. Sorry if my reply was misleading.

 

[lamlyn2012]

We had one field sprayed this spring - I think they used Grazon ? We've had to keep the ponies off the field for 2 weeks, we're going to leave it free for another couple of weeks as it still looks a bit manky! We had the other fields done last May and we definately have a lot less buttercups, before it was a sea of yellow.

Grazon should only be used in a knapsak sprayer and the stock exclusion is only 7 days (although I always leave an extra week in addition to recommended with any product). Also grazon is not very effective for buttercups so just wondering if maybe it was a different product which was used. (I'm guessing you had a contractor to do it?).

 

[Patchworkpony]

Thanks for these great replies. The trouble is with spraying that unless you have a spray licence you can't use the really strong stuff - b***** regulations!

 

[Antw23uk]

I've just used Thrust which has made great guns into the docs, given the buttercups a good pounding but the clover? Well im not convinced. Still seven days to go before I can graze but so far im not holding out much hope on the clover!