Applying Some Effective Ragwort Control Steps - By: joalesto

Ragwort is an invasive plant that can form colonies in wastelands and fields. It is not only invasive but also harmful especially because it produces toxic chemicals that harm the liver of grazing animals. When there is a good chance for it to spread, it must be controlled before it takes advantage of the favorable conditions in the area.

You know a ragwort when you see one. It can grow up to one and a half meters tall and bears right yellow flowers. Like any hardy plants, ragwort bears tough seeds that can survive many years, waiting for favorable conditions before germinating. This plant spreads rapidly in good conditions though. The seeds can spread quickly as they can be carried by wind or vehicles.

Ragwort populates an area to compete with other plants and it usually does so efficiently by releasing chemicals that harm its competitors. People who lack experience in ragwort removal may inadvertently spread the weeds instead of controlling it. Pulling the plants carelessly causes seeds to be dispersed randomly, introducing growth in different areas. If you do manual removal of ragwort, you should wear gloves to keep toxins from getting onto your skin.

The government obliges people to keep their fields and properties free of weeds. One of the weeds that need to be controlled and removed is ragwort. The need to prevent invasion of ragwort is even more important to livestock owners. Removal measures will have to be taken immediately before the weeds spread uncontrollably.

Experts warn that most of the techniques employed by ragwort controllers don't work. Many of the means to remove the weeds do the opposite. Like mentioned above, most people employ manual pulling of the stems which is the worst method because it leaves behind root fragments. The root fragments left will grow again into new plants. Careless manual removal may only result in the proliferation of ragwort.

There seems to be no effective method to successfully control these weeds. Every method to keep these destructive plants from growing at tremendous populations has flaws. For example, farmers who use mowers to cut off stems during the flowering season of ragwort may be surprised to see thicker growth in the next few months.

The understanding of ragwort shall make the job easier. What we know is that preventing the seeds from growing into new plants discourages competition among them. Hence, allowing the seeds to settle on the ground may just do the trick. The seeds will grow into new plants which will compete with the old ones for water and soil nutrients.

What makes ragwort management on farms effective is combination of various measures. Such measures include soil cultivation, manual removal of the weeds, herbicide application, and competitive vegetation. More than 15 centimeters of the soil should be cultivated. In manual removal of the weeds, the entire plant should be removed, including the roots. Land rehabilitation is also a feature of integrative control methods and it includes introduction of desirable plants for competition. Planting of trees may provide long term benefit because they provide shade once they grow big enough and ragwort may not live well under the shade.

Spraying of herbicides can be done twice a year, particularly in spring and fall. However, selective herbicides are preferred to other weed-killing agents to protect other vegetation. Treatment using chemicals is normally used when killing off ragwort growing along roadsides and bushlands.

Various ragwort control programs are employed depending on the degree of infestation. Maintenance is important even after an area is cleared of ragwort. Inspection must be regularly done to look for new growths. Prompt clearing up of new infestation is imperative to avoid rapid growth and invasion to other properties. To prevent uncontrolled spreading of ragwort, quarantine measures should be employed.

About the Author

Jo is a writer for 'Invasive Weed Solutions' (http://www.invasiveweedsolutions.co.uk/), a web page owned by Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd., an established Japanese Knotweed removal experts based in UK. If you are a keen gardener, a home builder or a nature lover and are looking for experts in Himalayan Balsam removal then check out Invasive Weed Solutions.

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