weed killer for ragwort

[windand rain]

I sent hours over several months last spring digging out or using barrier h on ragwort last year and it is back with a vengeance this year anyone recommend a suitable weedkiller that actually works long term to get rid of the dreaded weed. I know a lot go by pulling or digging it but I have found in our soil that just seems to make more grow. what was a tiny patch is now the size of a large cartwheel so please please help
Rented land so I cant graze sheep

 

[Loftyrules]

I sent hours over several months last spring digging out or using barrier h on ragwort last year and it is back with a vengeance this year anyone recommend a suitable weedkiller that actually works long term to get rid of the dreaded weed. I know a lot go by pulling or digging it but I have found in our soil that just seems to make more grow. what was a tiny patch is now the size of a large cartwheel so please please help Rented land so I cant graze sheep

Thrust is a chemical that professionals can purchase and use (A soluble concentrate containing 344g/l 2,4-D and 120g/l dicamba as the dimethylamine salt) it generally takes 2 years of treatment to eradicate Ragwort, remember to adhere to the grazing withdrawal times and also remove any dead plants

 

[PeterNatt]

Digging up ragwort will only work if you completely remove all the roots and root filaments as otherwise they will regenerate to form a new plant.
Barrier H will work but I use at least two applications about one week apart both of which should be done during a dry weather spell. I leave the Ragwort in the ground to completely doe off for 4 weeks and only then remove it when it has completely died off.

 

[windand rain]

Thanks I did leave it to die off with the barrier h it worked for those plants but we had so many more appear it got a very expensive exercise spraying it every two weeks It was a rested field so no problem of access for the horses. I would like to try something that is over sprayed like headland polo or thrust as I am fed up of digging it for even more and bigger patches to appear. I use a rag fork the soil is sandy so it comes up easily but I have found that for everyone you dig you get 10 more so thought spraying it this year may be an option. Thank you both for your input

 

[Asha]

I tried everything at our last place - digging up = back breaking and no use whatsoever. Then I tried Barrier H, it just came back.
In the end we hired a professional to treat. He said it would take a couple of years to get rid of everything. after the first year we saw a massive improvement. We sold the place, have been past and all looks good. So would highly recommend getting someone in who does this for a living

 

[JillA]

Something containing MCPA as an active ingredient works well - Spear is one you can get from agricultural suppliers. I use a knapsack, but you do need to ensure the plants have rotted away completely before horse have access to it again. For a small patch I treat it and them chuck a small bit of electric fencing round it for a month or so (if you have not too bright equines like mine who never ever suspect it isn't connected lol).
It is a biennial plant so the ones you are finding this year are the non flowering juveniles from last year, hence the professionals advice that it will take 2 years or more) or seedlings if you (or a neighbour) let them go to seed.

 

[Cahill]

it is a 2 year cycle plant so if you got them all last year there will be a new lot this year.you just have to keep at it over several years,i have a few and they are gradually moving over to the way the wind blows so I am getting them .I find the easy way is to drag a builder sack(the ones with the 4 handles) around the field digging up then burn the lot.

 

[Gwyntbryn]

When I took over my field it was 80% ragwort and nettles and 20% grass , not that I knew it a when I signed up! I have been there 12 years and have at last got to the stage where I have to look for it rather than tripping over it At every pace. The trick is never to allow it to flower, and to keep at it every year. Sadly I have too contend with being alongside a motorway as well so have to keep on a highways department as well. I used to use headland polo to great effect but only professionals can buy it now. Roundup works well but kills the grass as well. You can use it on bigger plants if you are careful tho. I also find that Grazon 90 made up at double strength works pretty well. Good luck. It is possible to get rid of it but it takes time.

 

[Pipkin]

When I took over my field it was 80% ragwort and nettles and 20% grass , not that I knew it a when I signed up! I have been there 12 years and have at last got to the stage where I have to look for it rather than tripping over it At every pace. The trick is never to allow it to flower, and to keep at it every year. Sadly I have too contend with being alongside a motorway as well so have to keep on a highways department as well. I used to use headland polo to great effect but only professionals can buy it now. Roundup works well but kills the grass as well. You can use it on bigger plants if you are careful tho. I also find that Grazon 90 made up at double strength works pretty well. Good luck. It is possible to get rid of it but it takes time.

I've been buying headland polo for last few years. Had some delivered last week, no problem. Countrywide sells it over the counter again with no issues.
Op headland polo is great, kills rag and other unwanteds. I've got 29 acres of grass instead if rag and buttercups finally

 

[whiteflower]

I used to use headland polo to great effect but only professionals can buy it now.

ditto this, ive always used headland polo or depitox for years and you now have to have qualifications to use them. ive looked up the courses and for me it will be about £500 to do pa1 and pa2 for spraying :-(

i think this year ill get someone into do it but long term its probably worth the investment

 

[Alec Swan]

Treat the rosettes NOW. MCPA plus an accelerant (it's a water based oil), Rhino works well, and dependent upon the level of the problem, in small paddocks, use a knapsack sprayer, do it as they reappear, and if you treat it as a religion, then they will die!!

Alec.

 

[whiteflower]

Treat the rosettes NOW. MCPA plus an accelerant (it's a water based oil), Rhino works well, and dependent upon the level of the problem, in small paddocks, use a knapsack sprayer, do it as they reappear, and if you treat it as a religion, then they will die!!

Alec.

just looked up rhino and thats now showing as professional use only too :-(, alec, or anyone do you know anything you can use without a certificate that actually works on ragwort ??

 

[mirage]

Roundup Biactive.You don't have to be qualified to use it,and it will kill anything.I'm a gardener by trade and have even got rid of Japanese Knotweed with it,have never known it fail.You can buy it over the counter at Mole Valley Farmers,last time I bought it ,it was about £30,but lasted ages.

 

[Wagtail]

I have just ordered some Resolva as it's far cheaper than barrier H, though I have yet to try it out!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I sent hours over several months last spring digging out or using barrier h on ragwort last year and it is back with a vengeance this year anyone recommend a suitable weedkiller that actually works long term to get rid of the dreaded weed. I know a lot go by pulling or digging it but I have found in our soil that just seems to make more grow. what was a tiny patch is now the size of a large cartwheel so please please help
Rented land so I cant graze sheep

I have just been told by our land guy that if you spray round up at close contact to the center of the ragwort, it kills it as the plant absorbs it.

 

[honetpot]

This site supplies weedkillers and has good information on what to use.
http://www.progreen.co.uk/weed-kill...in-grass/weedkillers-for-paddocks/cat_28.html
Roundup kills just about anything including the grass but I have so much of the dam stuff I am going to spot spray with it.

 

[ollie20041979]

This site has some excellent advice and a freephone number to actually speak to someone that knows what they are talking about!
www.agrigem.co.uk

I'm now using Broadshot mixed with an oil stuff (not the technical name!!) and have seen remarkable results over the last year!

 

[happyclappy]

has anyone ever tried "ragtime"? it was developed specifically for ragwort

 

[Highlands]

Friend said try dishwasher salt, no idea if it works!