Rag-Fork & electric tape Q's...

RubyFrench

RubyFrench

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Just wandering whether the rag fork is the only way forward when it comes to ragworting, i've never had to do it before and was just interested in peoples opinions before i splurge on one.

Also i am planning to section off an area of my not huge "single pony paddock" to rest it, do i NEED electric tape and posts (it will only be tied to wooden fencing) or can i use a cheaper alternative e.g. rope??
 
I would never use rope for temperery fencing as its heavy and will not break if they run at it. I once had a pony running round a paddock with 4 wooden broken fence posts and 20ft of rope when he tryed his luck. The wooden posts broke but not the rope. If its a small area well strung poly wire is cheap and will break they run through it.
Rag forks are good if you only have a moderate amount but sometimes it seems easier to pull them just as they are about to flower as there is more to get hold of.
 
I avoided getting a ragfork for ages as thought pulling them out would be fine. Got really fed up with it eventually and decided to treat myself :D Would say its worth it, so much easier and avoids getting soil ingrained in your skin and under your finger nails :)
 
One of our fiields has loads of small rosette sized ragwort plants which are a pain to pull up. I have found this http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wc...ay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=361839 to be a great tool to use on the smaller plants. It works better than a ragfork as it grabs the plant and it can be pulled out with roots and minimal soil. It also ejects the plant after pulling so no need for gloves. So far so good with this and with the telescopic handle much better for your back. I think for larger plants a fork or just pulling by hand (with gloves) is better.
 
For resting fields I have read that the best time to take out the rag is when it has formed flower buds but before they open, it has used max energy to form the flowers so is at its weakest for regrowth if you pull it then,

For rag in a horses field you want it out asap and I havent found anything better than the ragfork+gloves+bucket, well worth the money
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
For resting fields I have read that the best time to take out the rag is when it has formed flower buds but before they open, it has used max energy to form the flowers so is at its weakest for regrowth if you pull it then,

For rag in a horses field you want it out asap and I havent found anything better than the ragfork+gloves+bucket, well worth the money
Click to expand...

Agree, funny just moved mine to another field and out came ragfork for first time this year, had the fork for years, brilliant. As the grass hasnt grown the little rosettes were quite numerous. I usually take a carrier bag or bucket and on my stroll around just do a bit at a time. The big plants when they are flowering (as soon as they flower) are easy to pull up after it has rained but then you have more to get rid of. I bought a field a few years ago and it was blooming hard work for a couple of years I could fill up sacks of the stuff but it is non existant now.
Re electric fence you need proper plastic securing ie stakes/posts/attachments etc if it is being electrified. I prefer the white tape as I think the rope is hard to see as well and yes its unbreakable(not sure if the tape is unbreakable)?
 
indie999 said:
Agree, funny just moved mine to another field and out came ragfork for first time this year, had the fork for years, brilliant. As the grass hasnt grown the little rosettes were quite numerous. I usually take a carrier bag or bucket and on my stroll around just do a bit at a time. The big plants when they are flowering (as soon as they flower) are easy to pull up after it has rained but then you have more to get rid of. I bought a field a few years ago and it was blooming hard work for a couple of years I could fill up sacks of the stuff but it is non existant now.
Re electric fence you need proper plastic securing ie stakes/posts/attachments etc if it is being electrified. I prefer the white tape as I think the rope is hard to see as well and yes its unbreakable(not sure if the tape is unbreakable)?
Click to expand...

my tape is certainly breakable - on many occasions. it has several knots!
 
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