The paddock that houses Dexter and Baxter is rapidly being overtaken by Billygoat weed, Ageratum houstonianum. It is really quite troubling as it's smothering the pasture grasses and spreading at a rapid rate. Apparently the worst thing you can do is mow over the stuff....and what have we been doing for the past twelve months? Hmmmm well you learn by experience. But to control the thing?
Steve trialled an area using Roundup which seems to have worked and pasture grasses are coming back, so we might continue with spraying, together with manual pulling out (have I got a job for you, HelpXer). The weed is moderately palatable to goats so I'm tempted to run a goat trial as well. Problem would be that we would need to tether the goat as the fences wouldn't keep a rascally goat in for very long at all.
The paddock that houses Dexter and Baxter is rapidly being overtaken by Billygoat weed, Ageratum houstonianum. It is really quite troubling as it's smothering the pasture grasses and spreading at a rapid rate. Apparently the worst thing you can do is mow over the stuff....and what have we been doing for the past twelve months? Hmmmm well you learn by experience. But to control the thing?
Steve trialled an area using Roundup which seems to have worked and pasture grasses are coming back, so we might continue with spraying, together with manual pulling out (have I got a job for you, HelpXer). The weed is moderately palatable to goats so I'm tempted to run a goat trial as well. Problem would be that we would need to tether the goat as the fences wouldn't keep a rascally goat in for very long at all.
4 comments:
You could try a selective herbicide such as Kamba M instead of roundup. The selective herbicide, milder than roundup, will kill broadleaf weeds but not grasses. In time the grass will take over again as the weeds are slowly eliminated. It takes patience though: Kamba does not work quickly, nor does it kill all weeds (it makes them look very very tired though :-) ).
thanks for that advice, Mieke....Steve bought something from Kyogle last weekend but I haven't had a look at what it is..sounds like what you describe though.
Jamba M works a treat on Biindi Eye, didn't have much luck with Ageratum☹️
Hi, I live in 2482 and the owners of the property have just whipper snipped the flowers right next to my garden with hundreds of particles flying in. Are the flowers invasive? It would be such a pity because I have been really on top of the weeds getting in. Would a detergent and vinegar spray work? Apparently, vinegar kills bindis.
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