Re: weeds
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Fiona, we have tansy ragwort here too. There is a caterpillar that eats it and eventually destroys it. I borrowed a few caterpillars from a friend whose tree farm had been treated with the bugs. I do not have a problem at this time, only one small patch that I pull each year. Ran out of caterpillars. I hear that burning the plants circulates the seeds. This is a deadly plant as horses build up a residue in their system and it eventually kills them.. A bit like xray, as you do not notice anything until it is too late. Fortunately unless you have a horse who will eat anything, fjords?, there is a bad taste to the plant. My Charlie ate the heads off six plants when he was five months that I had not seen. So far so good. Also it is my understanding that creosote is no longer allowed here? Jean Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" Occupied Germany 1946 TO 1949 ] http://www.techline.com/~jgayle Barnes & Noble Book Stores
Re: weeds
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/5/00 9:01:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Ragwort is a big problem over here . >> Tansy ragwort is a problem in the Northwest too. But valiant attempts have reduced it's numbers dramatically. Still, the two summers we've lived on this property we've had to hand pull a dozen or two out of our pastures as soon as we notice them. Pamela
more on weeds, fjords
This message is from: "McInvailles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear List, We run an organic vegetable farm and weeds are a constant battle. The old adage is: "the best weed control is the farmer's shadow." We do not use herbacides, but do rarely use organic (natural derivitives from plants) instecticides and companion planting/beneficial bugs. I don't know how practical it is for under fences, but we put black plastic down in the fall or early spring. This could also be placed under fences, but around here that is alot of black plastic strips!! You can staple it to the ground with landscaping staples. Black plastic is cheaper than the other versions. You then add mulch over the plastic (any mulch you don't think the fjords would eat...shavings, leaf rakings, straw?). Some folks can forget the black palstic and just mulch. This may decrease how often you need to weed eat. Finally, torching does work and can add nitrogen back to the soil. (The blueberry farmers do this each fall to the crop to enhance growth the following year). for the fjord experts: We need to sell our filly (born last May) this year. I think she is the "bees-knees" and will be sad to see her go. How do I decide on a price for her? I have other horse friends who think she has good conformation, but they are not "fjorders." Any suggestions? Krissy
weeds
This message is from: Fiona Nicholson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On the subject of weeds , the only one we have a real problem with is Ragwort,( I guess you will get this deadly weed also) although we have not got loads a few plants in some fields its so hard to get rid of even most chemicals only knock it back for a while we have stopped it spreading by hand pulling and making sure it never seeds but the plants always comes back bigger and stronger some time ago I read a letter in a horse magazine that suggested creosote painted onto the roots you have left in the ground after hand pulling we tried it this year and it works , its so smelly it keeps animals away and soon disappears , so I can say it works for the odd plant doing more than that it would be a very messy job The weed killers that do kill Ragwort are really strong chemicals mind you the battle against ragwort is never won because even if your fields are ok, if you just have one plant nearby you are in trouble each plant has 1000s of seeds Ragwort is a big problem over here . Happy Fjording fiona Yorkshire, England.
Re: weeds
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/5/00 8:03:52 AM Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > As to fence lines - I am contemplating using a serious kind of weed control > fabric under fences so I won't have to weed eat five times in one season. Five years ago I bought a "DR Trimmer." This is a tool that really works! It's like a string trimmer on baby buggy wheels that you push and it fits under fence lines, etc. Sears just came out with a less powerful, but also less expensive one that would probably do fine. I could clear an entire acre of waist-high weeds and Johnson grass in an hour. Gail-Dorine
