mulch rushes and graze

tellmeabit

Hi all. So got a spot of mulching on a field today. Half it was covered in strong enough rushes. Would cattle eat this? Any harm to let them at it? Or would one better to shake it out with haybob to help break it down or even to gather it up Into rows. Any thoughts?

massey woman

row it up and burn it

Sam Kade

tellmeabit wrote: »

Hi all. So got a spot of mulching on a field today. Half it was covered in strong enough rushes. Would cattle eat this? Any harm to let them at it? Or would one better to shake it out with haybob to help break it down or even to gather it up Into rows. Any thoughts?

If cattle ate rushes after mulching there wouldn't be a rush left in the country

tellmeabit

Thanks for advice

_Brian

Sam Kade wrote: »

If cattle ate rushes after mulching there wouldn't be a rush left in the country

No worry, they grow back damn quick !

Sam Kade

_Brian wrote: »

No worry, they grow back damn quick !

Mulch them up again and graze away
If only grass grew as good without reseeding or fertilizer. The rush seed can lie dormant for over 100 years.

_Brian

Sam Kade wrote: »

Mulch them up again and graze away
If only grass grew as good without reseeding or fertilizer. The rush seed can lie dormant for over 100 years.

The roots also emit a chemical that makes the ground more suitable for them to survive, it alters the PH.

tellmeabit

I was thinking of putting few bags gramlime on after. Then the weedlicker before end of Aug.

pedigree 6

_Brian wrote: »

The roots also emit a chemical that makes the ground more suitable for them to survive, it alters the PH.

Maybe. I never heard of that one before.

I'd have gone with the other way round.
Adjust the soil pH and also the p and k's as well as the poor drainage issue and no rushes.

pedigree 6

tellmeabit wrote: »

I was thinking of putting few bags gramlime on after. Then the weedlicker before end of Aug.

Any thoughts on doing a bit of drainage on the ground in the future?

Rushes don't grow on dry ground.
Solve that and save yourself from endlessly trying to stop them coming back by spraying or weedlicking.
Save the environment.

That's my Greenpeace thought for the day.

tellmeabit

I unblocked drain pipes last year with a length of 3/4 inch pipe. So it has dried up a shot. I'd like to see how it goes after this effort to see how it works out. Will have to open up one drain alright. And old stone drain that is blocked

I said

Repaired drains here last year replacing old clay pipes rushes growing like mad topped them will spray in a few weeks hopefully that will sort them out.Land is dry enough to travel that area now so no probs topping.