Dock leaves - What to do?

[Goldenstar]

I just top them, the thing is there's millions of seeds waiting for a chance to grow so you kill the ones that are there and next growing season more pop up.
I have got them under control at my place but have not eradiacated them.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The best way to keep docks, and most other weeds down is to graze sheep on the land. They won't eat older tough dock leaves but they will eat the young shoots, so this year I would strim/top and then borrow some sheep for next year. You will be amazed at the difference they make and they are much better for the environment than harsh chemicals

 

[indie1282]

So over the last two days I have cut down my docks in one field.... hurrah! Now the problem I have is where yhe docks were there is no real grass growth :-( The field was overseeded at the end of April and is coming on ok but the bottom where the docks were are looking v bad and pretty bare in patches.

I'm not going to use the field untill the end of June so was thinking of hand seeding the bare patches but will it have enough time to grow so I can use the paddock at the end of June? We're having fairly decent warm weather down here and its a nice sheltered spot.

 

[NZJenny]

Hmm mm, I have a couple of big dock patches in my paddock. Horse uses those areas to poop and so far I've just left them.

Will they get worse and take over if I leave them?

I have same and have done for years. Am lucky enough that the paddock is big enough - they don't poo on the "lawn" areas, so it's a nice easy care system. The docks haven't spread at all - I think they like a certain type of soil. Thistles on the other hand, I have to cut.

 

[JillA]

I'm not going to use the field untill the end of June so was thinking of hand seeding the bare patches but will it have enough time to grow so I can use the paddock at the end of June? We're having fairly decent warm weather down here and its a nice sheltered spot.

It might germinate in that time, if we have some rain, but it won't survive being grazed, it won't have established enough roots. You might be surprised at how it greens up if you leave it, or maybe short term you could use it as a muck heap for when you poo pick the paddock. Then in the autumn chuck the seeds from under the hay on it, it will be fine by next year.