spraying thistles at this time of year

max12

topped a few acres with a lot of thistles a couple of weeks ago and the new ones are coming neicely.

is it too late to to spray at this time of year or woruld I be better off waiting til the spring.

ganmo

I'd say too late at this stage
They probably won't flower so they won't go to seed.

The last thistles I sprayed was a month ago

Bass Reeves

If they are comming and are nice and green you could consider spraying.

Willfarman

Yes spray away. Weaken the roots before at least. Spray again in the spring.

Sam Kade

Willfarman wrote: »

Yes spray away. Weaken the roots before at least. Spray again in the spring.

What's the best spray for thistles that won't hit the grass too hard?

Dunedin

Sam Kade wrote: »

What's the best spray for thistles that won't hit the grass too hard?

I'm using high load micram and find it good.

Willfarman

Mcpa is cheap and effective

Bass Reeves

MCPA will kill thistles and as WF says quite cheap, however Micram is cheap two at 10-12 euro/acre but it will hit docks harder than MCPA and clean up other weeds such as dandaloins, buttercup etc. The disadvantage woth Micram is that if you had a new reseed the clover might recover after the MCPA it will not recover after Micram. But my opinion if weeds are an issue the clover gets in the neck it as well

max12

Bass Reeves wrote: »

MCPA will kill thistles and as WF says quite cheap, however Micram is cheap two at 10-12 euro/acre but it will hit docks harder than MCPA and clean up other weeds such as dandaloins, buttercup etc. The disadvantage woth Micram is that if you had a new reseed the clover might recover after the MCPA it will not recover after Micram. But my opinion if weeds are an issue the clover gets in the neck it as well

back to my opening post, is it too late to spray or should I wait til the spring. they are coming back nice and green and up to ankle hight - topped them probably 2 weeks ago.

angiogoir

A forlorn hope maybe... but please consider wildlife, especially bees, before thinking of spraying. Is it really necessary?

patsy_mccabe

angiogoir wrote: »

A forlorn hope maybe... but please consider wildlife, especially bees, before thinking of spraying. Is it really necessary?

Yes, spraying is necessary. Unfortunately. Certain weeds if left unchecked will completely take over a field. The seeds will also spread into neighbouring farms. A few, like thistle and ragworth, are actually banned and the farmer in question could be prosecuted if he fails to control them.

Sam Kade

I doubt many bees would be collecting pollen off a green field with thistles at the pre heading stage of growth.

Bass Reeves

max12 wrote: »

back to my opening post, is it too late to spray or should I wait til the spring. they are coming back nice and green and up to ankle hight - topped them probably 2 weeks ago.

If they are growing actively I would spray. There roots will be weak alread as they will have gone to seed. Now they have used any reserves to grow again. Roots will be really weak and trying to draw down food from leaves ideal time to spray.

angiogoir wrote: »

A forlorn hope maybe... but please consider wildlife, especially bees, before thinking of spraying. Is it really necessary?

It is much better to spray now rather than spring when bees are more active. By spraying late in the evening( less wind) you are again reducing risk to bees. What really hurt bee populations is spraying when they are actively seeking food in the late spring and early mid summer

Good loser

max12 wrote: »

back to my opening post, is it too late to spray or should I wait til the spring. they are coming back nice and green and up to ankle hight - topped them probably 2 weeks ago.

Yes spray away.