Reclaiming pasture

[nickmech]

What is the best way to restore an overgrown field? I have started mowing 10 ft. high blackberries and small alders and brush. It is only about 3 acres, years ago it was a pasture but now just a jungle. Lot of debris left on ground after brushhogging. Should I get a rake and pile up to burn? And how to keep the junk from growing and get a nice pasture? Box blading seems to to help cut the stuff off at ground but does'nt kill the roots. Some have suggested hire out to spray it or use a dozer but that just makes piles of dirt. Suggestions?

 

[wushaw]

Mow it then disk the tar out of it to expose all the roots, you will still get new weeds from dormant seed so you will need to disk it several times during the summer then plant a cover crop like rye grass for winter that won't come back in the summer then disk again after you start getting all the weed seeds then plant whatever pasture seed you want.

 

[Onthesauk]

NICKMECH, I'm right in your backyard. Did the same thing a few years ago. I just started brush hogging over and over again until I've got it to the point that I can mow it with a riding mower. No matter what you do, blackberries will continue to sprout for years as will scotch broom if you've got it.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Wushaw's method will work well. Of course it is a lot of work. Are there any particular animals you want to put on this pasture or do you just want it not to be a jungle? Mowing alone would work for non-jungle, but if you want horses or cattle on it you really will be better off getting it totally clean (multiple disking, or spray) and then reseeding.

 

[3RRL]

Wushaw's suggestion would definitely work, but not only is it a lot of work, it takes some time too. That is the real way to do it though. I would think once you got it down by brush cutting, you could keep it manageable with frequent cuttings.

 

[bigballer]

welcome to my world ;-) i was brushogging 10ft high blackberries 2 yrs ago in my overgrown pnw pasture (snohomish county). some of the vines had climbed over 40 feet up into the alders/cedars. i now have most of them under control but due to many other projects haven't totally renovated the area yet. i have about 2 acres of scatter alders i am in the process of cutting down and digging out. Once that's done, i'll level as good as i can and probably disc the area and then seed. right now there are not many weeds oddly enough the grass has come back but it's still not what i want and the horses sort of ignore it so i cut it. i guess it doesn't taste as good as other grasses in the pasture. this fall i am going to harrow and overseed the "cleared" areas and see how that goes. there are not many bb growing now. if the overseeding seems to work, i'll just leave it as is. if they come back i'll have to get more intense as wushaw recommends..

Good Luck!!

 

[nickmech]

Thanks for all the advise. Using a disc sounds good. I will look for one.
I will keep at it. The Bible says to subdue the earth...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Tillage may help...It may hinder your cause. Depends on soil conditions, climate conditions, and type(s) of undesirable plants already established.

IMHO, the best way to deal with noxious weeds is to mow, mow, mow, and mow some more. Keep them from establishing a new seed crop. Fertilize (as needed, based on soil testing) Healthy stands of grass will fill in and crowd out weeds. Finally, spray. Do so AFTER fertilizing. Healthy weeds take up more herbicide, which will spell their doom.

2 years ago, I sold my farm and moved to a smaller place. The 45 acres we have now were once a mess of weeds. The place sat empty for 2 summers. Weeds had taken over. We moved here in the early fall of '05. I mowed everything, then treated with various products based on need. Mostly 2-4,D based products for control of broadleaf weeds. But by that point, the '05 seed crop was already planted. I sprayed everything again in mid spring of '06 to get newly emerged weeds, kept everything mowed all summer, then sprayed again in the fall. This year I sprayed in the spring and have no plans (or need) to spray in the fall. Pastures are almost weed free now. Doing it this way, I never lost grass cover. Being on hilly ground, that reduced erosion. I have a power seeder reserved (rental) for this fall, along with fall and next spring fertilizing. What was 2 years ago a mass of weeds now looks like a golf course.

 

[KaiB]

To reiterate a few points already made.

You must decide what you want to seed to. At that point, condition the soil (lime or acid, fertilize), establish control (mow and spray), and then seed in.

I am slowly (as I am slow) learning that breaking ground (in this case with a heavy disk) is often not the thing to rush into. Exposed dormant seeds will cost more to control and can slow down the process of establishing good pasture.

The goal is to spend as little as necessary to establish braggin' rights on good fodder. This is true unless you really want the seat time, in which case, all options are open.

Edit to add: You do want to check with your local extension; they can help with soil testing and very well may have a no-till drill you can use.

 

[scott_vt]

IMHO, the best way to deal with noxious weeds is to mow, mow, mow, and mow some more. Keep them from establishing a new seed crop. Fertilize (as needed, based on soil testing) Healthy stands of grass will fill in and crowd out weeds. Finally, spray. Do so AFTER fertilizing. Healthy weeds take up more herbicide, which will spell their doom.

Mornin Bill,
Thats basically what I have done to my property. Just kept mowing it, it still has some weeds but even the local farmers have commented that the acreage looks much better than a few years back ! I havent got to the spraying part yet but Im sure I can make it better than it allready is ! Of course that all takes money, and you know how I hate partin with that !

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Mornin Bill,
Thats basically what I have done to my property. Just kept mowing it, it still has some weeds but even the local farmers have commented that the acreage looks much better than a few years back ! I havent got to the spraying part yet but Im sure I can make it better than it allready is ! Of course that all takes money, and you know how I hate partin with that !

Howdy Scott!

Been known to be a bit frugal myself I come about it honestly. My dad was tighter'n Jack Benny. My wife said one time that dad and me were responible for the invention of copper wire. Someone threw a penny on the ground in front of the two of us, and.....

I don't like spraying any more chemicals than needed. Cost and later effects both play into that. But this place was a real mess. When all is said and done, timely mowing probably did as much, if not more to clean up the weeds.

My spraying days are about over here too. Liegh has flowers and shrubs planted all over the place now. If I kill so much as one blossom, I might be living in the shop. I do believe she's starting a bee and butterfly sanctuary.

 

[Flywheel]

Shred it down, let stuff grow a couple weeks, apply Grazon at 4pts/acre (confirm with label), spot treat is needed, shred and another month or so, fertilize and cover with winter rye with light disk.

Do a soil sample now - you might need lime, etc.

This should get you through the winter.

You should have somewhat of a pasture by spring - then summer grass and fertilize...possible weed kill again...

You gotta be a little patient, but it'll come - I had a mess a couple years ago, and whould have hit it with the weed kill sooner. Got it pretty good with the shredder though.

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto what wushaw said.. cut it down.. disk the tar out of it.. plan on doing it again. seed for cover.. then reseed and keep it mowed religously after that.

Soundguy

 

[Grrrr]

I think regularly cutting it would be the anwer. If you cut it enough, eventually you will just be left with grass.

If you cut the weeds before they release their seeds you should stop next years growth.

 

[jimg]

Good advice from Onthesauk as hes familiar w/ local conditions. Ive seen first hand what passes for blackberries out there and I think theyd be very hard to control. W/ all the rain and moderate temps a kept field will grow out of control in no time. Frequent mowing will be the best bet although not fast.

Whatcom Co is a really nice area esp around Lynden.

 

[MikeD74T]

Having raised blackberries as a cash crop I agree with others about mowing. Disking/tilling will promote vigerous blackberry growth. Only herbicide or constant mowing will eradicate them.
If you go the herbicide route consider buying/building a weed wiper. Uses less herbicide & is a selective application process.
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MikeD74T

 

[rdam]

My 5 acres is part of a subdivision of lots between 5 and 20 acres each. It was a dairy farm at one time and was primarily Penasacola Bahia. Those that are not maintained become over run with briars and weeds. However, if it is mowed regularly, the Bahia comes through. I am mowing mine weekly now that I have my tractor, and it it has been mowed regularly over the past 3 years. It looks great. I think the cheap (and fun) way out is to mowmowmowmowmowmow.

 

[Luremaker]

I think regularly cutting it would be the anwer. If you cut it enough, eventually you will just be left with grass.

If you cut the weeds before they release their seeds you should stop next years growth.

I wish I could say the same. I have just as many weeds in my lawn as I had 6 years ago and I cut it every week.

 

[Flywheel]

Rick - that place looks really great - what grass is that?

I am real happy with the way my place turned out after two years of work - basically 85% coastal turnout pasture and native grasses. part of a pasture rotation program.

Anyway, the shredding really helps to keep the weed from sucking doen nutrients for the grasses - but as Luremaker pointed out - sometimes it is not enough.

I have another 10 acres (of a 30 acre place) that wont take to shredding alone - and the weed kill was applied at the wrong time in the past - so we got some work to do there.

 

[JoeinTX]

Not in Washington, but listening to your situation I have to agree with FlyWheel.

Cut down/beat back and then apply a proper herbicide for your troubles. Give the desirable native plants a chance at a stand.

What is your ultimate goal with this piece of property?