Topping in the Rain

[GAM]

I have just ferted a couple of fields which have been sheep grazed and there is Rush grass left standing, so I was advised to Top it off, as this will encourage the ordinary grass to grow through, then to graze it off again and spray the Rush. The problem is the weather forecast changed and I a drizzle/rain this morning, is it OK to top in the rain the ground is hard?

 

[delilah]

I'm sure @Kiwi Pete posted something yonks ago saying it is good to do so, as the rain lands in the cut stem and triggers a rot process. Might be wrong though..........

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I have just ferted a couple of fields which have been sheep grazed and there is Rush grass left standing, so I was advised to Top it off, as this will encourage the ordinary grass to grow through, then to graze it off again and spray the Rush. The problem is the weather forecast changed and I a drizzle/rain this morning, is it OK to top in the rain the ground is hard?

Its the grass to long to weedwipe the rush now , but i would be spraying if not . Topping will just set you back until they grow back

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I'm sure @Kiwi Pete posted something yonks ago saying it is good to do so, as the rain lands in the cut stem and triggers a rot process. Might be wrong though..........

Yes, that's more to control spreading thistle but if the ground is hard, then compaction from topping will be minimised.

6 organic ways to crush your Cali thistle problem

Californian thistle is one of the most common weeds on NZ farms, and one of the hardest to kill off, but it is possible to do it without the use of chemicals. The trick with this persistent weed is to be persistent yourself: it typically takes three years to achieve a significant (eg 90%)...

thisnzlife.co.nz

Rushes are generally symptomatic of soil with low air content, so again if it's dry and firmer than usual it's probably the best time to give them a haircut! Then look at ways to treat the cause of the problem, as otherwise they will thrive, if unaddressed.

 

[neilo]

I have just ferted a couple of fields which have been sheep grazed and there is Rush grass left standing, so I was advised to Top it off, as this will encourage the ordinary grass to grow through, then to graze it off again and spray the Rush. The problem is the weather forecast changed and I a drizzle/rain this morning, is it OK to top in the rain the ground is hard?

It’s ok to top in the rain, but be aware that it will be like a skating rink. I don’t know if you are on steep ground, but something to be aware of.

 

[GAM]

Its the grass to long to weedwipe the rush now , but i would be spraying if not . Topping will just set you back until they grow back

I appreciate what you have said and mean... It’s dark green and big tumps, so I wanted to level it a bit as well!