thistle: mow or spray

[smstonypoint]

Is it too late to spray a pasture in South Carolina with 2-4D to control thistles and other plates that are in competition with my fescue?

My experience is that 2,4-D works best in warmer weather when plants are actively growing. I would wait until next spring to spray.

Steve

 

[jenkinsph]

Is it too late to spray a pasture in South Carolina with 2-4D to control thistles and other plates that are in competition with my fescue?

This late in the year I think you would be better off to keep it mowed down to about 3" height. Depending on how warm your locale is you might have to mow it again. I would fertilize with a winterizer now and some of these are available with weed control. This is important as the roots will keep growing all winter, the best way to fight weeds is by having the grass roots choke them out.

Start in the spring with a good fertilizer regimen and overseed any thin areas, this has worked for me fighting thistle.

 

[deereman75]

If you have access to a bunch of hungry horses, they would work well.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Is it too late to spray a pasture in South Carolina with 2-4D to control thistles and other plates that are in competition with my fescue?

I fall spray for thistles here in Western Montana before the first frost . The plants must be actively growing to have an effect and with fall spraying a lot of herbicide will get to the roots since the plant is storing food for winter. I'd advise you to use something like Weedmaster (2,4-D plus diacamba)for a better kill.

Google on canada thistle for more info about fall spraying.

 

[JimRB]

It should be the tail end of thistle season. I have not seen any thistle in a few month here in N. Ga along I20. You could still spray says the armchair 2-4d spray application tech. My pastures are generally Bermuda so I spray in early June and in the summer. Usually spot spraying and hand cutting and bagging thistle as we do not have a huge thistle problem.