Weeds!!!

[rvaitor]

Not sure the appropriate forum to post this but here we go, feel free to move it if there is a better spot, but this is one of my projects for this fall and next year.

This past weekend, I took some pictures of weeds in hopes of either spraying this fall or a plan for next year. This field was sprayed in May with WeedMaster. I need help in identifying and a strategy for remediation. Also the grass has purple seed clusters, is this good grass, someone told me this was Johnson grass and not good. Thanks for any help.

Here's a link to pics of my Weeds

 

[MMagis]

Some weeds don’t really show up until late summer. That’s probably why the spring spraying didn’t get them all. What works for me is to mow now, wait for rain and for weeds to start growing again, and then spray again. If you spray those tall weeds you won’t kill many of them without very high rates of herbicide. Even then many will survive. You need young, actively growing plants for herbicide to work best. Johnson grass can cause some issues with livestock in some instances. If you don’t plan on using the ground for pasture I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[smstonypoint]

I'll give a shot at trying to identify some of the plants --it's hard to tell from the photos. I think I see sericea lespedeza, goldenrod, black-eyed susans, and maypop (passion flower). There is a native grass called purple top or greasy weed that has purplish seeds, but it doesn't grow in clumps like Johnson grass.

What do you plan to do with the plot? It looks to me like you might have the makings of a natural meadow, even though the lespedeza and Johnson grass aren't native.

Steve

 

[Western]

I would get your county extension agent out for a look see, it's free!

I have a love hate with Johnson grass, good soil erosion control, cows and goats will eat it, best for cattle to keep the tops cut if they turn purple, I've never had a problem just what I've been told.


Can be very invasive.

 

[jbooth]

I'll give a shot at trying to identify some of the plants --it's hard to tell from the photos. I think I see sericea lespedeza, goldenrod, black-eyed susans, and maypop (passion flower). There is a native grass called purple top or greasy weed that has purplish seeds, but it doesn't grow in clumps like Johnson grass.

What do you plan to do with the plot? It looks to me like you might have the makings of a natural meadow, even though the lespedeza and Johnson grass aren't native.

Steve

Yes, I agree with smstonypoint, there is definitely sericea lespedeza. It was introduced in Kansas as a wildlife planting and is now on our noxious weed list. In KS. the noxious weed department will help with the spraying with a cost share. Also seen some small sumac. We use pasturegard spray for sericea. It may be small consulation but the sericea sure looks healthy so you must have good soil. Burning or mowing will generally help with weed control if that is a possible option.

 

[smstonypoint]

YAlso seen some small sumac.

Good eye!! I missed it in IMG_5809.

Steve

 

[volcamp]

I'll keep it simple, like me. I cannot and would not waste the time identifying those weeds. I have seen them all before in my pastures. Everything there can be dealt with by cutting and a simple application of nothing more exotic than Weed B Gone for southern grasses. The only exception is the last weed that grows the little apple looking thingy. W-B-G does not irradicate that one with one application. I wound up using 2-4-D on those. The key to the weeds is stay on top of them once you get them under control. I will most likely take you two seasons to get where you want to be.

 

[smstonypoint]

The only exception is the last weed that grows the little apple looking thingy.

That's a maypop, aka passion flower.


Steve

 

[rvaitor]

I'll keep it simple, like me. I cannot and would not waste the time identifying those weeds. I have seen them all before in my pastures. Everything there can be dealt with by cutting and a simple application of nothing more exotic than Weed B Gone for southern grasses. The only exception is the last weed that grows the little apple looking thingy. W-B-G does not irradicate that one with one application. I wound up using 2-4-D on those. The key to the weeds is stay on top of them once you get them under control. I will most likely take you two seasons to get where you want to be.

Thanks to all. I do have a fair amount of the sumac stuff (hollow stems can grow 10-15 feet in one season). WeedMaster is mostly 24-D as I think is Weed B Gone, I haven't bought WBG in bulk though. WeedMaster runs about $75 / 2.5gls vs $175 for Crossbow, and I have been applying, I think about a pint/acre(I'd have to re-look at my rate chart). I'll probably either spray once more if I can after a cut and before it frost and try and schedule my spraying when stuff is actively growing twice next year. I may have reduced some stuff, I know I got some of the thistle and a lot of the poison ivy(it's clear where I sprayed and didn't).

 

[jbooth]

I may be wrong but I believe you will find 24-D to be your most economical option, especially in the quantities that you will require. 2-4-D will not get Johnson grass or other thin blade grasses. Should get all the broadleaf plants. Pasturegard is designed for the sericea. I haven't used 24-D on the sericea. I think the last 24-D I bought was less than $50 for 5 gallons.