Controlling Ragwort

T

trottingon

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 December 2009
Messages
1,072
Visit site
Hi, has anyone tried killing ragwort in the field using one of those gas canister weed burning devices?
Does it kill them? For one season or longer?
Any opinions?
Thanks
 
Not tried it but I'm sure it'd kill the plants you can see, the problem is it'll kill anything else around it and leave a bare patch so the roots underneath (which won't be damaged) will have a perfect spot to grow back into.
If you're walking round plant by plant some broadleaf weed killer would be better, kill down to the roots and not the grass around it.
 
My dad goes out in him dumper and pulls them all up bless him. We have tried weed killers and burning but with a field of the stuff up wind (and noone doing anything about it) we always have a battle.
 
The gas wands will do nothing as they simply burn off the visible parts, and any plant will grow back very quickly. They certainly will not affect the root which it is necessary to destroy with Ragwort.
 
equi said:
My dad goes out in him dumper and pulls them all up bless him. We have tried weed killers and burning but with a field of the stuff up wind (and noone doing anything about it) we always have a battle.
Click to expand...

Report this to your local authority, it's a legal obligation to control ragwort.
 
I hate ragwort. Spent a lot of time with a Ragfork after so many years almost rag free. Tried sprays, did not seem very effective and pretty pricey. Keep digging, seems the most effective
 
JustKickOn said:
Report this to your local authority, it's a legal obligation to control ragwort.
Click to expand...

Tbh I don't want to. The neighbour is a helpful man in other ways and you don't **** on your own doorstep. I'd rather pick up a few bits of rag than have a war lol
 
If his land is visible from a public byway, it could have been reported by anyone. It's causing a problem for you. If you don't want to report him, why not ask if he can treat the land.

Surely by attacking the problem at it's source, rather than the after affects (which are on your land) it would be better for you?

Weeds Act 1959 and Ragwort Control Act 2003 - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...chment_data/file/69264/pb9840-cop-ragwort.pdf
 
Dig, dig and dig I`m afraid ... it`s the best way, you need to get the root out. I have a rag fork, gloves and bucket. Ragwort leaves a coated in a waxy substance which causes weed killer to just roll off. It`s a nightmare, but digging it out root and all and then burning it seems to be the best way to get on top of it, and then just try and stay on top of it by pulling it up as soon as you see it :)
 
I suspect they are about to change the law and it will be a lot more difficult to get neighbours to control ragwort in the future. It is also going to be impossible to get professional chemicals without attending a course and passing examinations, then your sprayer will need to be tested every few years. Just a suspicion but based on the current attitude of DEFRA.

Is it really a legal obligation to control ragwort? I thought that was only if a neighbour within spreading distance complained and they kept livestock? As above, the "authorities" don't want to know and your MP won't bother chasing them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top