I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer

   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer #11  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

If I recollect right, Monsanto says cut short and multiple treatments required. It's hard to get rid of.
 
   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer #12  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( now have the best patch of Johnson grass I have ever seen. )</font>

Alan L.,
You'll never get rid of it until you kill the rhizomes about 6-8" underground. That's if you can keep it from going to seed also. It grows just like bermuda grass, procreates from seed, rhizomes, and, vegetatively (although like this, it takes a pretty good size chunk to regrow). MSMA is probably the best chemical defense. If you have the patience, and time, and inclination to have a perfectly JG free area, hand removal of the rhizomes will remove it permanently. I conquered my problem (2 acres) like that. Just dig with a good, sharp fork (no shovel, you'll cut up the rhizomes so small it will have many, many babies!), and try to sift out the rhizomes where ever you find a patch of Johnson grass. Of course, after conquering the JG, I now have another more annoying grass, guinea grass. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer #14  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

With grass, it's a little hard to tell much from a single plant, so I like this picture of Johnson Grass a little better, although even it doesn't do justice to a field full of Johnson Grass. We cut a few fields of Johnson Grass for hay when some of it actually was 8' tall and so thick that we discovered some cows in there one day when you couldn't even see them from the tractor seat until you got real close. And I've brush hogged some along the road right of way when it was taller than the ROPS and canopy on my B2710. Incidentally, on the tall stuff, the edges of the grass blades can sure make tiny cuts or scratches in your skin.
 
   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer #15  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

sure! i don't think it'll like the cold much... it's an ugly looking grass!!
 
   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer #16  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

Your right, Bird, that's a better photo. I got the first one that Google spit up.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...although even it doesn't do justice to a field full of Johnson Grass. We cut a few fields of Johnson Grass for hay when some of it actually was 8' tall and so thick that we discovered some cows in there one day when you couldn't even see them from the tractor seat until you got real close.)</font>

That's the truth. While combineing milo it is frustrating to hit a section full of JG. Some of the best combine plug ups were created by just that type of JG stand. Wraps around everything.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Incidentally, on the tall stuff, the edges of the grass blades can sure make tiny cuts or scratches in your skin. )</font>

And, it can itch something terrible.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( sure! i don't think it'll like the cold much... it's an ugly looking grass!! )</font>
arthr31,
You'd be surprised how well it can overwinter. Those rhizomes are pretty deep and hardy.
 
   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

The JG field is now brush hogged. Funny, it does not look like near as much plant material laying on the ground as it did standing up. And, there is quite a bit of bermuda in there! Much of it 6 inches tall.

Hopefully if I keep the JG mowed down the bermuda will squeeze it out. That is some real nasty stuff.
 
   / I'm a Johnson Grass Farmer #18  
Re: I\'m a Johnson Grass Farmer

Alan,

I am trying to remember when johnson grass goes dormant. I have some small patches but the cows will eat it when its cut and baled so I do not worry about it. Besides the frequent cutting seems to be reducing it.

But the reason the dormant time is important is that if it stays green longer or greens up before the bermuda your in luck.
This is the case with fescue.
The result is it is very easy to control fescue in bermuda. You just spray the whole feild with roundup.
I know that sounds like a dumb thing to do, but in the fall and late spring when the bermuda is brown, but the fescue is still green roundup works on fescue, but has no effect on the dormant bermuda.

Fred
 

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