Getting rid of weeds, making grass grow

[Baldybear]

Hello,

Have just moved to a new field, there is in corners/edges of field lots of weeds, nettles, brambles, the usual suspects!!

Want to somehow get rid of these and encourage the grass to grow. The areas are currently sectioned off, so at rest, but want to get rid before they take hold and take over.

Is it best to dig them out and then grass seed it??? Or is there any other way??

Ground is sandy, not sure how well it grows in summer as only seen it now.

Many Thanks

 

[meesha]

I was told spray in Spring when they are actively growing then harrow, grass seed and rest - I had mine sprayed a few weeks ago - worked very well on the thistles but a bit late for everything else. If only small areas you may get away with pulling it all by hand and cutting back nettles by hand or spraying with backpack sprayer.

Worth making sure you keep grass short too - we bought a little ride on mower and used it for first time this year and it has made a huge difference, even when the field is rested we keep cutting it and it has encouraged it to grow back alot thicker.

Good luck

 

[Keimanp]

I have a local farmer come out once a year generally in April to spray the fields for weeds, Ragwort and then I overseed and feed myself. The farmer uses a ride on quad with spray attachement, they are fairly common for small feild spraying, I came accross him on an online register.

The farmer sparys with Pastor and it kills all broad leaf plants (and removed the brambles) from the fields, had a bit of a problem with Docks and it reduced the 50% covering of the firled down to about 5 or 6 plants. the Ragwort spray is an optional extra and as the other farmer next door keeps cows and doesn't bother controlling his ragwort I try and keep on top of my fields and kill off any sapplings!

I then use the grass seed store, they have a website and sell on ebay. They offer a variety of different grass types including herbs etc mixed in if need and feed to make the grass grow. The agricultural feed they have 20-10-10 (20% nitrogen) is a good base feed and a light spreading once a year keeps the paddocks looking fresh.

I don't have much land at home and have 3 small paddocks that I rotate through but when they are being grazed they tend to be overgrazed and I have to keep on top of the maintanence to ensure I have grass all year round (and not a muddy mess)

Robert