Help Advice Please!? Is this ragwort??

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jess_ruby

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Please could I have have some advice, do you think this is ragwort??

Ok this first one is in the middle of the field doesn't seem like there's much others that look like it just a couple, may just be a weed?



These next few are all in the same area (in the first corner of my field) quite a big area with them in and they seem more prickly that the first picture?









And they final one is right by the stables this one looks more grown but can't see any others near it



Also there is a huge field of rapeseed right next door to my paddock not sure if that contributes to anything but doesn't look like the same plant to me and also the rapeseed is pretty much fully grown...

Thanks guys :)
 
Thank you! Wasn't to sure... Ok so cut the thistles at the base and leave them in the field to wilt? As for the ragwort what's the best way to get it out shall I just pull it by hand making sure to get rid of the roots too?
 
Not sure about the top pic, but all the rest are certainly thistles. We have loads in our field and the ponies love munching on them! My Nana used to eat the purple flowering tops of the big ones when she was a kid. Apparently they are very sweet. I've never known a pony who can resist them!! ;-)
 
jess_ruby said:
Thank you! Wasn't to sure... Ok so cut the thistles at the base and leave them in the field to wilt? As for the ragwort what's the best way to get it out shall I just pull it by hand making sure to get rid of the roots too?
Click to expand...

It's a big plant, so I'd be tempted to dig it up, rather than pulling, as the chance are that you will snap it at the base. Wear gloves to handle it - nasty stuff
 
The bottom one is a milk thistle, horses enjoy eating them and they are good for them so either leave them or pull it up and feed it to them if you want, the next lot up are thistles which need to be controlled otherwise they will take over if allowed.

The top one may be ragwort, picture is not quite clear enough but if it is not prickly treat it as if it is and pull/ dig up then burn the whole lot or dispose of it carefully away from animals.
 
lindsay1993 said:
Not sure about the top pic, but all the rest are certainly thistles. We have loads in our field and the ponies love munching on them! My Nana used to eat the purple flowering tops of the big ones when she was a kid. Apparently they are very sweet. I've never known a pony who can resist them!! ;-)
Click to expand...

Ok great thank you! Never heard of anyone eating the flowering tops though, don't think i'm quite brave enough to try that ;-)

Auslander said:
It's a big plant, so I'd be tempted to dig it up, rather than pulling, as the chance are that you will snap it at the base. Wear gloves to handle it - nasty stuff
Click to expand...

So just dig a whole round the are and pull the whole thing up? Then is burning the best way to dispose of it? Think i'll definitely do it sooner rather than later i've heard some people leave it to flower as it's easier to get up but we've got a few good weather days ahead of us, so I best tackle it...

be positive said:
The bottom one is a milk thistle, horses enjoy eating them and they are good for them so either leave them or pull it up and feed it to them if you want, the next lot up are thistles which need to be controlled otherwise they will take over if allowed.

The top one may be ragwort, picture is not quite clear enough but if it is not prickly treat it as if it is and pull/ dig up then burn the whole lot or dispose of it carefully away from animals.
Click to expand...

I'll go grab another photo of the first plant and try get a clearer picture for you, Thanks for your advice :)
 
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Few more photos looking close it does look a bit prickly so think i'll just dig up anything that looks like this just to be safe!







 
jess_ruby said:
Thank you! Wasn't to sure... Ok so cut the thistles at the base and leave them in the field to wilt? As for the ragwort what's the best way to get it out shall I just pull it by hand making sure to get rid of the roots too?
Click to expand...

you need to dig it out with a ragfork - pulling it by hand leaves bits of root, which ALL form new plants!!!
 
Auslander said:
It's a big plant, so I'd be tempted to dig it up, rather than pulling, as the chance are that you will snap it at the base. Wear gloves to handle it - nasty stuff
Click to expand...

This, it can be poisonus to humans so wear gloves.

If you leave it to flower you will get more next year.

We used to burn it.
 
Yep, that one's ragwort! I usually push a trowel into the ground around in, then lever it up incl roots and leaves. Bag it and bin it. The rest is thistles. You can dig those up too but they're harmless. Mine enjoys eating them!
 
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