Giant Ragweed...

[grunewald]

2-4-D will kill broadleaf plants, as in giant ragweed. Will not kill grass, thats why I use it.

 

[Soundguy]

A flail mower would be awesome, but I'm thinking of something that I can get for $500-$1000. We used to use a Ford 600 tractor, with a Ford 501 sickle mower. Whenever I do eventually get into hay work, I'll probably end up with a disc mower.

man.. I'd love a 501 mower..

I'd get a beater brush hog for the ragweed and save the money and the poor sickle bar mower..


soundguy

 

[Watain]

2-4-D will kill broadleaf plants, as in giant ragweed. Will not kill grass, thats why I use it.

Thanks for the info, I'll pick some up.

man.. I'd love a 501 mower..

I'd get a beater brush hog for the ragweed and save the money and the poor sickle bar mower..


soundguy

Yeah we used it to mow around the creek bank, and the steep hill that runs along side my driveway, places where a brush hog would be awkward. The 501 we had looked nice, and cut good, but we went through several pitman(sp?) arms. I believe it was worn out when we got it, but I would love to have it back..

 

[crash325]

Here's a link to a good site with giant hogweed photos and information. Below are two photos of giant ragweed. I can see how you might get them confused, but I think ragweed is far more common. At least it's very, VERY common here in Texas. We also have something called pigweed or careless weed (3rd photo). If you have hayfever, stay away from careless weed when it is in bloom and producing pollen. It will make you sneeze your head off. I've chopped thousands of pigweed plants out of row crops as a kid. Some of the big plants can have a tap root 2" in diameter and bright red on the outside.

Young Pig Weed / Careless Weed when is very good as a seasoning, in salad or as a fresh green. Pick before it starts to flower or seed. I even put in beans when making a new batch.

Don't let cattle, horses or other livestock eat it after it dies off. At that point it becomes poison and can kill livestock. As it matures it starts sucking up nitrogen to point of becoming toxic.

In my area as long as it warm and gets a little moisture it will get 10 to 12' tall. Very little in the yard this year as it is well drained. But out where there is more water it is going nuts. Will soon push it over and pull out with my small drag that has teeth on it.

Last year let one grow in my little Green Spot as there were a couple of tiny birds (about the size of a large humming bird) that loved the seeds. When it first comes up Baby Quail love it as well.