With springtime approaching, it’s never too early to start thinking about ways to protect your property and ensure it turns into a healthy and green area.
As most property owners know, this is typically easier said than done, mainly because weeds can sprout with very little warning. However, just because weeds are popping up, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Weed control is attainable with a little hard work.
Why Is Weed Control Important?
Weed control best practices are a must for those that have a pasture for livestock to graze, or property owners that have a large amount of acreage where they want to have healthy vegetation. Weeds overtaking the pasture or acreage will result in lower quality hay or grazing vegetation.
How Can I Control Weeds?
Mowing and spraying are two of the most basic and effective ways to control weeds that are already present. Here are some weed control tips (for each) to keep your pasture or property healthy throughout the year.
Periodic mowing of the pasture is a good choice if you are able to cut weeds after they’ve grown above the height of the grass in the field (but before they’ve filled out with seeds). This helps to control the spread of the weeds.
- A rotary cutter is a great tool to use for this process. Cutting the weeds before the seeds spread will reduce their ability to grow and survive. Keep in mind, if you’re property is primarily used for livestock grazing, you will likely want the desirable vegetation to grow more than four inches tall. In this instance, rotary cutting may not be the best long-term solution.