Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
THANKS a ton!
My Major problem is Foxtail, think my mowing will greatly help or kill it? Some spots it was like CARPET it was so thick (no too tall- I mowed in time). Evil stuff, any other suggestions for foxtail? (Probably there from my spring round-up treatment).
My other game plan above seem ok?!?!
I am checking into Deer Hunter's Rehab Clinic right now. I should be cured by 2065 they think! Wish me luck!
Thanks again for help on this "Massive" project that I am working my tail off to turn out great! (and my wallet's getting a work out!)
THANKS a ton!
My Major problem is Foxtail, think my mowing will greatly help or kill it? Some spots it was like CARPET it was so thick (no too tall- I mowed in time). Evil stuff, any other suggestions for foxtail? (Probably there from my spring round-up treatment).
My other game plan above seem ok?!?!
I am checking into Deer Hunter's Rehab Clinic right now. I should be cured by 2065 they think! Wish me luck!
Thanks again for help on this "Massive" project that I am working my tail off to turn out great! (and my wallet's getting a work out!)
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dbltree
Super Moderator
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
Foxtail is an annual that is going to come up when we till or spray and kill everything else. It can only be controlled in switchgrass with residual herbicide like atrazine or by clipping.
My guess is this...if you don't spray(roundup) next spring, it won't be a problem. It doesn't like being clipped so that should do the trick for this year.
If you can apply atrazine and RUP together next spring that's another story, otherwise I think I would wait and clip as a last resort. That seed is laying there ready to sprout so all RUP does is kill everything else so the foxtail is...FREE....
Dang stuff anyway....I'm bound and determined to make it to heaven because I'm pretty sure the "other place" is nothing but a sea of foxtail..........
Foxtail is an annual that is going to come up when we till or spray and kill everything else. It can only be controlled in switchgrass with residual herbicide like atrazine or by clipping.
My guess is this...if you don't spray(roundup) next spring, it won't be a problem. It doesn't like being clipped so that should do the trick for this year.
If you can apply atrazine and RUP together next spring that's another story, otherwise I think I would wait and clip as a last resort. That seed is laying there ready to sprout so all RUP does is kill everything else so the foxtail is...FREE....
Dang stuff anyway....I'm bound and determined to make it to heaven because I'm pretty sure the "other place" is nothing but a sea of foxtail..........
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Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
We had about 5 acres frost seeded with big blue stem, Indian grass and SG in March. I see alot of "plants" but other than foxtail, can't tell if the switch growing?? Is it OK to leave the foxtail and others alone and the switch will eventually grow? We did spray heavy before the seeding.
We had about 5 acres frost seeded with big blue stem, Indian grass and SG in March. I see alot of "plants" but other than foxtail, can't tell if the switch growing?? Is it OK to leave the foxtail and others alone and the switch will eventually grow? We did spray heavy before the seeding.
dbltree
Super Moderator
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
It's tough to tell native grasses from foxtail at this point but I would clip that foxtail off 8-12" high. That stuff is nasty and it will smother and suffocate native grass seedlings.
Next year it won't be back or at least not as bad unless you spray with RUP again.
Only way to control foxtail is with a very heavy dose of atrazine or Plateau and that's hard to do in a mixed seeding.
I'd say...clip it
It's tough to tell native grasses from foxtail at this point but I would clip that foxtail off 8-12" high. That stuff is nasty and it will smother and suffocate native grass seedlings.
Next year it won't be back or at least not as bad unless you spray with RUP again.
Only way to control foxtail is with a very heavy dose of atrazine or Plateau and that's hard to do in a mixed seeding.
I'd say...clip it
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Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
So its safe to run over the entire field and cut all grasses off at about 8-12"? That way I can get all the "foxtail/grasses."This won't hurt the new switch? Thanks.
So its safe to run over the entire field and cut all grasses off at about 8-12"? That way I can get all the "foxtail/grasses."This won't hurt the new switch? Thanks.
Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
So I clipped some of my field today but "stopped" after a couple swipes. Felt like I was killing everything so I'll try and send you some pics on hotmail Paul of my first year frosty seeded field with IG, BBS, and CIR. Should be interesting and I'll try to get them up here. I raised my mower as high as I could but it still felt like I was mowing "low" I guess. If I get the green light from you guys I'll finish Wednesday but as you will see in my pics..... foxtail is ruling the roost and I am not even sure if any prairie grass is up????
So I clipped some of my field today but "stopped" after a couple swipes. Felt like I was killing everything so I'll try and send you some pics on hotmail Paul of my first year frosty seeded field with IG, BBS, and CIR. Should be interesting and I'll try to get them up here. I raised my mower as high as I could but it still felt like I was mowing "low" I guess. If I get the green light from you guys I'll finish Wednesday but as you will see in my pics..... foxtail is ruling the roost and I am not even sure if any prairie grass is up????
dbltree
Super Moderator
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
Felt like I was killing everything
Naww...I doubt it!
Send some pics and we'll take a look at them though. Sounds like you need to whack that foxtail off or it will do the "killing" for you...
I don't mean to make anyone "over think" any of this or scare you fellas...heck...I had to learn the hard way... By Guess and By Gosh!
Still ended up with a good stand of switchgrass too...
Felt like I was killing everything
Naww...I doubt it!
Send some pics and we'll take a look at them though. Sounds like you need to whack that foxtail off or it will do the "killing" for you...
I don't mean to make anyone "over think" any of this or scare you fellas...heck...I had to learn the hard way... By Guess and By Gosh!
Still ended up with a good stand of switchgrass too...
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Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 1st
Thanks Paul! Sent the pics to your email about 5 minutes ago. If you can post em that would be great..still can't get them attached to my comments.
Thanks Paul! Sent the pics to your email about 5 minutes ago. If you can post em that would be great..still can't get them attached to my comments.
dbltree
Super Moderator
Re: Switchgrass - July 21st
This pics are pretty typical of what a first year native grass seeding is going to look like with no residual herbicide control.
This area isn't really to bad..plenty of sunlight hitting the ground.
The other pics show weeds getting pretty thick and it's time to clip them.
Plenty of good ole foxtail
Time to clip this for sure
All I can say is don't mow it like your lawn, just clip the top half of that foxtail off so that the native grass seedlings can get sunlight.
Clipping will set back the foxtail and weeds so they aren't sucking up all the moisture and soil nutrients.
Almost any mower/brush cutter...etc., can be lifted 8" off the ground and 12" is better.
Your not going to "kill" the native grass but it's just hard on it since it isn't like cool season grass. It develops a "clump" near the soil surface and it's not designed for close grazing or mowing when it is growing. Dormant, it can be burned without worries.
Get the mower back out and Git er Done!
This pics are pretty typical of what a first year native grass seeding is going to look like with no residual herbicide control.
This area isn't really to bad..plenty of sunlight hitting the ground.
The other pics show weeds getting pretty thick and it's time to clip them.
Plenty of good ole foxtail
Time to clip this for sure
All I can say is don't mow it like your lawn, just clip the top half of that foxtail off so that the native grass seedlings can get sunlight.
Clipping will set back the foxtail and weeds so they aren't sucking up all the moisture and soil nutrients.
Almost any mower/brush cutter...etc., can be lifted 8" off the ground and 12" is better.
Your not going to "kill" the native grass but it's just hard on it since it isn't like cool season grass. It develops a "clump" near the soil surface and it's not designed for close grazing or mowing when it is growing. Dormant, it can be burned without worries.
Get the mower back out and Git er Done!
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Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 21st
If I mow these foxtail and weeds, what can one expect for a first year stand of Switch. 1 ft, 3 ft etc? Hope its somethingI just am not even sure if I see the bases anywhere.
If I mow these foxtail and weeds, what can one expect for a first year stand of Switch. 1 ft, 3 ft etc? Hope its something
I just am not even sure if I see the bases anywhere.
dbltree
Super Moderator
Re: Switchgrass - July 21st
If you mow now, you may see something this fall but 90% of mine the first year I was just sure was a complete failure
The second year I at least saw some but I had to mow again and I still had nothing it seemed
Third year...whooowhooo!! Stuff finally took off! That's because it was quietly growing down not up until it had the "stuff" in it's roots to push it upward and begin to out compete the "junk".
Only with a very potent application of Atrazine (or Plateau for a native grass mix) before weeds and grasses emerge are you going to get residual weed control that allows you not to mow, and when you mow it, it's not going to be 6 foot high...period.
Originally Posted By: huntyak
If I mow these foxtail and weeds, what can one expect for a first year stand of Switch. 1 ft, 3 ft etc? Hope its something
If you mow now, you may see something this fall but 90% of mine the first year I was just sure was a complete failure
The second year I at least saw some but I had to mow again and I still had nothing it seemed
Third year...whooowhooo!! Stuff finally took off! That's because it was quietly growing down not up until it had the "stuff" in it's roots to push it upward and begin to out compete the "junk".
Only with a very potent application of Atrazine (or Plateau for a native grass mix) before weeds and grasses emerge are you going to get residual weed control that allows you not to mow, and when you mow it, it's not going to be 6 foot high...period.
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Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 21st
Great great advice! I will keep that in mind and "be patient." I remember you saying that it has to establish roots first before coming up. I will mow this Wednesday and how often should I do that through the next couple years...maybe 1x/summer? Hopefully once this summer will work.
Great great advice! I will keep that in mind and "be patient." I remember you saying that it has to establish roots first before coming up. I will mow this Wednesday and how often should I do that through the next couple years...maybe 1x/summer? Hopefully once this summer will work.
Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - July 21st
Well, I have failed to get the mowing done. The field was just too wet today.... but the SWITCH is growing. The foxtail is still really thick as well as the greenish tall weeds shown in my thread above (not sure what they are?) In any case, will not being able to mow this year be a big deal? Hopefully the switch will compete better next year as FINALLY I can see a bunch of it about 8-12" tall. I could make it down next week but its already August and I'm tempted to just leave it. Any thoughts?
Well, I have failed to get the mowing done. The field was just too wet today.... but the SWITCH is growing. The foxtail is still really thick as well as the greenish tall weeds shown in my thread above (not sure what they are?) In any case, will not being able to mow this year be a big deal? Hopefully the switch will compete better next year as FINALLY I can see a bunch of it about 8-12" tall. I could make it down next week but its already August and I'm tempted to just leave it. Any thoughts?
dbltree
Super Moderator
Re: Switchgrass - Aug 1st
You'll just have to use your own judgement regarding clipping. If the switchgrass appears to be competing alright then perhaps you can get away with leaving it.
Foxtail can get pretty thick and suffucating but if you wait to long to clip it the remains can cause more harm then good also.
Here's some pics of my own Cave In Rock Switchgrass
You'll just have to use your own judgement regarding clipping. If the switchgrass appears to be competing alright then perhaps you can get away with leaving it.
Foxtail can get pretty thick and suffucating but if you wait to long to clip it the remains can cause more harm then good also.
Here's some pics of my own Cave In Rock Switchgrass
Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
Re: Switchgrass - Aug 1st
Looks great..I am hoping to one day get there!
Looks great..I am hoping to one day get there!
Re: Switchgrass - Aug 1st
Like it's been mentioned earlier in this switchgrass post- kill late summer, would you say it's too early to start? I started killing off about 4 acres, I'll spray a few times to really hammer the brome!
What would you personally consider too late for killing brome to be frost seeding CIR later?
*If I kill good in fall, frost seed late winter AND finally- hit it with round-up and Atrazine in spring, would you recommend any changes to that plan?
Like it's been mentioned earlier in this switchgrass post- kill late summer, would you say it's too early to start? I started killing off about 4 acres, I'll spray a few times to really hammer the brome!
What would you personally consider too late for killing brome to be frost seeding CIR later?
*If I kill good in fall, frost seed late winter AND finally- hit it with round-up and Atrazine in spring, would you recommend any changes to that plan?