Ditch weed maintenance

[TheMan419]

We have a drainage ditch on our property line. The county maintains it but only about once a decade. In the mean time trees, weeds and other brush grows up on the banks. I don't have the equipment to mow up to the edge of the bank in any manner that is not labor intensive.

I found this thread https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/land-clearing-equipment/270116-spraying-ditches.html

My ditch has water in it most of the time. What I would like to end up with is little to no weeds and no woody trees/bushes. I would think think a couple times a year running the weed eater along the bank would suffice. It is a pretty sudden drop off into the ditch.

Of course I need to keep some living vegetation on the bank as erosion control.

Any advice on what would be legal to spray? I am certainly concerned about protecting the environment and staying within label requirements.

 

[atsah]

I have the issue here, mine is about 150ft along the front of my house, I used my little shovel dozer to scrape all the bushes etc. Spraying things doesn't seem to work for very long when you have water constantly feeding vegetation..

 

[MossRoad]

That was the same problem we ran into when we planted trees in a floodplain near the ditch. The trees had to be side sprayed with herbicide to protect from weeds, yet we weren't allowed to use herbicide in the floodplain. The solution? Mechanically cut weeds. :ashamed:

Contact the extension office and see if they can make any recommendations for your particular situation.

St. Joseph County - Purdue Extension

Maybe the district 3 biologist
DNR: Wildlife Biologists

But i'd try the district 1 state forester first.
DNR: Indiana District Foresters

This is the guy that helped us with our reforestation back in the early 90's. Kinda surprised he's still there. He'd probably know firsthand who to contact. He can also help you with site analysis if you want to plant/maintain any trees or a woodlot.

 

[clemsonfor]

Anything labeled for aquatic use. They make aquatic glyphosate. It used to be Rodeo what the Monsanto product. It's like round up pro aquatic now a days. There are generics as well. Over the years there has been Aqua Neat as well I don't think it's made. If you want more brush control for tougher Woody vegetation use a triclopyr trade name is Garlon. The water version is Garlon 3a the a is for aquatic. Any of these I mention are legal to spray over and directly into water for control of listed species. Remember to read the label, restrictions will exist for municipal water sources etc.

I get that you may not trust what people on the internet say. And I advise you to check out on your own any info you are given. These herbicides are non restricted meaning you can purchase and use them and use them for your own use following the label (the label is the law). I am saying this as a licensed applicator, and registered forester, so I have actual education and experience useing all of what I have listed, but I would recommend you taking what I have given you and doing research, especially looking up the label for each one.

 

[jeff9366]

We have a drainage ditch on our property line.

You did not mention ditch length.

Consider a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment. PHOTOS

Articulating bucket will position Ratchet Rake anywhere in the ditch or along the ditch bank you desire.