Rushes and draining land.

Dighire4u

Hi I have 18 acres to drain and remove rushes it has been let go wild for years and just horses on it but it wet and over growin should I drain first and can I drain it at any time of year what time of year is better for draining and do I cut and spray or spray and cut any help will be great.

bbam

I would say spend a year at clearing the rushes first.
You need to clear the ground so you can identify where drainage is really needed.

Even after drainage you'll need to work on the rushes. Remember there is a huge seed bank in the ground. Each tuffet of rushes produces 10,000 seeds PA and these seeds remain viable in the soils for 70+ years. Waiting to emerge in any wet year.
Clear the ground.
Drain where required
Continue to work in rushes.
Address soil PH as acidic soils promote rush emergence and growth.

Spray now.. And they'll be well rotted away before next spring for grass growth

jimini0

If the land has original drains but they are covered over/blocked drain them now. The winter rain will have somewhere to go. It might dry up the land abit so you can tackle the rushes. I'm 4 months into my wet land rush killing project