Weed control - what do you do?

[kit279]

I need to get a handle on the weeds in our fields - they were spot sprayed in the early spring but we had no rain so it wasn't very effective and mostly seemed to kill the grass. We have ten acres and quite sandy soil with a lot of drought-resistant grass species that will most likely be killed off if we spray the entire fields. The really problematic weeds are nettles, but there are a few thistles, docks and the odd ragwort that gets pulled out by hand.

What does everyone else do?

I was planning on fertilising in the autumn and maybe spot spraying again. Does this sound reasonable? It's probably not possible to weed that acreage by hand at the moment as no time...

 

[zoon]

We have nettles and just top them - the horses eat the wilted nettles once they are cut and they don't seem to grow back - think it gives the grass time to establish there. The odd thistle we get just gets pulled up and again the horses will eat them when wilted a bit!

 

[L&M]

I would also go for topping if you can, as will prevent any seeds spreading.

Do you have a petrol strimmer as this is what I use on my own paddocks - I find it insanely satisfying flaying the heads off the weeds...!