Cough grass

[adamhartree]

Hi all, I have a plot with half of it being over run by cough grass. What is the best/strongest weed killer to get rid of it?. Thanks all

[alex-adam]

If you must use weedkiller, then the Glyphosate based products will do the job. You MUST follow the manufacturers direction exactly and apply on a still day when there is no possibility of any spray drift onto neighbouring plots.

I have read that sowing turnip seed thickly among couch grass will weaken or kill it, but have not tried this. One correspondant on this forum did report that although he had couch on his plot, the area in which he grew turnips was free of it, so it possibly works successfully.

Of course the labour intensive way is to carefully dig over the plot with a fork, not a spade, and remove the grass and its invasive roots by hand. - On no account rotorvate the plot.

a-a

[Two_Sheds]

Frogs like to hide in long grass. Glyphosate is toxic to frogs.

the labour intensive way is to carefully dig over the plot with a fork, not a spade, and remove the grass and its invasive roots by hand.

Less labour intensive is to cover the plot. Darkness will significantly weaken the roots. Dig out a patch only as you need to plant it up.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ard_62967.html

On no account rotorvate the plot.

Amen to that. Rotavating only increases the problem.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yups, round up or similar but best to wait until spring is here as it works best when the grass is in full growth. Don't use glyphosate based based weedkillers around rhubarb. it is a contact weedkiller but somehow rhubarb keels over and dies without contact.

Wasn't aware glyphosate was toxic to Frogs. Thanks for that info.

[di]

When the soil is at the right consistency, (not so wet it doesn't crumble and not so dry that it either goes to dust or brick) I find digging out couch roots really therapeutic. It's easier if you can slice off the top growing grass.

[adamhartree]

Thanks all for advice, I have today dug loads out by hand, will give it a try this way I think and if it gets really bad only then blits the lot with week killer.oh and di, if you find it therapeutic you are more than welcome to come and dig mine out for me

[Snadger]

My plot was covered with couch grass and thistles. I dug the lot out as I went, covered the ground with a strawy manure and it was eradicated in one foul swoop. Quite theraputic from what I remember. I used a good sharp spade, cutt it into squares and shook out the soil.
My neighbour killed my rhubarb last year with glyphosate. Originally marketed by Monsanto (need I say more) as Roundup. Orrible, orrible stuff, like all pesticides and lethal to equatic life.

Speaking from experience, and no matter how bad the weed infestation is, please let me implore you to forgo the use of pesticides...............you know it makes sense!

PS Pesticde is a generic term for weedkiller,insecticide,molluscicide,fungiside etc.

PPS Just realised its not only me who found it theraputic!

[adamhartree]

Hi snadger, thank you.you too are also welcome to dig it for me been as its therapeutic lol . I didn't find it as bad as I thought it was going to be actually.I also have a big pile of strawy manure so I will cover it as I go.

[Two_Sheds]

Wasn't aware glyphosate was toxic to Frogs. Thanks for that info.

It says so on the bottle, I think.

" This product is not registered for application to aquatic sites"

"application of product ... glyphosate would kill 90% to 100% of tadpoles of all six amphibian species tested" SS-AGR-104/AG248: Safe Use of Glyphosate-containing Products in Aquatic and Upland Natural Areas

"Relyea (2005), ...found that glyphosate resulted in high mortality of some amphibian species. They observed approximately 100% mortality for tadpoles" http://www.umaine.edu/mafes/elec_pub...tins/tb192.pdf

its not only me who found it theraputic!

Not just you! I spent a lovely hour y'day in the warm sunshine, on my knees, forking out long strands of couch (still invading me from next door).

[di]

It's actually my favourite weed to dig out

[binley100]

Benylin helps with a nasty case of cough ..........

I'll get me coat , taxi's on its way

[Snadger]

Nowt like 'getting down and dirty'!

Just don't try to do it all in one day! Weed a bit, mulch a bit, plant a bit,ad infinitum.

It took me about 3 months to clear my plot!

[Snadger]

Benylin helps with a nasty case of cough ..........

I'll get me coat , taxi's on its way

Its amasing how you managed to write that reply..............especially whilst wearing a straight jacket!

[binley100]

love it when you find a bit , pull and a whole long string of it comes out ........sad I know

[Snadger]

love it when you find a bit , pull and a whole long string of it comes out ........sad I know

Not so good when its interwoven with a rotted piece of hessian carpet the previous occupant left on site................