Field Woodrush in Lawns
I am posting this message just in case you are suffering this weed on your
lawns. We had at our house when we arrived an old Edwardian Tennis Lawn. This has been used as a play area for many years but when the kids left home we decided to work on it and turn it into a croquet lawn. But there were large areas of field woodrush. Experts who came in to help said there was nothing on the market that would kill this weed. But my old gardening books recommended nitro-chalk in order to create conditions disliked by this plant. I duly applied it. There was no instant effect, of course, but two or three years later I was suddenly aware that there was no field woodrush anywhere to be seen and, as yet, it hasn't returned although it is in other parts of the garden that I didn't treat. Frankly I can't think what the purpose of the 'nitro' was other than to encourage the grass to re-colonise the area. Its disadvantage was that the only form in which I could buy this was pelleted, which meant that the fertiliser tended to burn the grass for a while where it was concentrated. It didn't show up, that much, of course, but in order to keep up with the treatment (and not let the lawn return to its acid state again) I think I will just add the chalk - assuming one can buy chalk in its powdered form. Derek Carver Oxshott, Surrey |
Field Woodrush in Lawns
"Derek Carver" wrote in message ... I am posting this message just in case you are suffering this weed on your lawns. We had at our house when we arrived an old Edwardian Tennis Lawn. This has been used as a play area for many years but when the kids left home we decided to work on it and turn it into a croquet lawn. But there were large areas of field woodrush. Experts who came in to help said there was nothing on the market that would kill this weed. But my old gardening books recommended nitro-chalk in order to create conditions disliked by this plant. I duly applied it. There was no instant effect, of course, but two or three years later I was suddenly aware that there was no field woodrush anywhere to be seen and, as yet, it hasn't returned although it is in other parts of the garden that I didn't treat. Frankly I can't think what the purpose of the 'nitro' was other than to encourage the grass to re-colonise the area. Its disadvantage was that the only form in which I could buy this was pelleted, which meant that the fertiliser tended to burn the grass for a while where it was concentrated. It didn't show up, that much, of course, but in order to keep up with the treatment (and not let the lawn return to its acid state again) I think I will just add the chalk - assuming one can buy chalk in its powdered form. there are plenty of selective weedkillers that would kill this weed u can also add lime to gain more alkaninity to the soil |
Field Woodrush in Lawns
"Derek Carver" wrote in message ... I am posting this message just in case you are suffering this weed on your lawns. We had at our house when we arrived an old Edwardian Tennis Lawn. This has been used as a play area for many years but when the kids left home we decided to work on it and turn it into a croquet lawn. But there were large areas of field woodrush. Experts who came in to help said there was nothing on the market that would kill this weed. But my old gardening books recommended nitro-chalk in order to create conditions disliked by this plant. I duly applied it. There was no instant effect, of course, but two or three years later I was suddenly aware that there was no field woodrush anywhere to be seen and, as yet, it hasn't returned although it is in other parts of the garden that I didn't treat. Frankly I can't think what the purpose of the 'nitro' was other than to encourage the grass to re-colonise the area. Its disadvantage was that the only form in which I could buy this was pelleted, which meant that the fertiliser tended to burn the grass for a while where it was concentrated. It didn't show up, that much, of course, but in order to keep up with the treatment (and not let the lawn return to its acid state again) I think I will just add the chalk - assuming one can buy chalk in its powdered form. Derek Carver Oxshott, Surrey Yes Woodrush is quite persisent but actually I quite like it, the flowers are very attractive in a quiet sort of way. Some of it's bigger relatives are excellent ornamental plants esp. Luzula niveum, Luzula sylvatica and its variegated form. Field woodrush occurs typically on acid impoverished lawns that are mown very close. Why does Nitro-Chalk work? - Well it is Calcium nitrate and as you've seen it's powerful stuff. You are adding a big slug of nitrogen which is boosting the growth of grasses at the expense of the Woodrush which doesn't tolerate competition. You are also raising the pH because Calcium nitrate is a basic salt. If you really must get rid of Woodrush it will also help if you set the mower a bit higher - still mow as frequently or more if you want and collect the cuttings when the Woodrush is flowering and setting seed. Feeding and higher mowing will also help against several other lawn weeds and mosses. Rod |
Field Woodrush in Lawns
We try and encourage the few patches we have in our "lawns" - it is really
pretty, but tends to not last. My wife even avoids cutting it when we get a patch. Looks like I need to make an acid section, to encourage it :-) Derek Carver wrote: : I am posting this message just in case you are suffering this weed on your : lawns. : We had at our house when we arrived an old Edwardian Tennis Lawn. This has : been used as a play area for many years but when the kids left home we decided : to work on it and turn it into a croquet lawn. But there were large areas of : field woodrush. : Experts who came in to help said there was nothing on the market that would : kill this weed. : But my old gardening books recommended nitro-chalk in order to create : conditions disliked by this plant. I duly applied it. There was no instant : effect, of course, but two or three years later I was suddenly aware that there : was no field woodrush anywhere to be seen and, as yet, it hasn't returned : although it is in other parts of the garden that I didn't treat. : Frankly I can't think what the purpose of the 'nitro' was other than to : encourage the grass to re-colonise the area. Its disadvantage was that the : only form in which I could buy this was pelleted, which meant that the : fertiliser tended to burn the grass for a while where it was concentrated. It : didn't show up, that much, of course, but in order to keep up with the : treatment (and not let the lawn return to its acid state again) I think I will : just add the chalk - assuming one can buy chalk in its powdered form. : Derek Carver : Oxshott, Surrey |
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