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Getting rid of docks

 
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Mardu



Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 67

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 5:26 pm    Post subject: Getting rid of docks Reply with quote
    

Does anyone know how to get rid of docks in a pasture apart from spraying?

(Paddington Bear is unable to access this forum at present for technical reasons which he does not understand)

sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 5:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

He's probably got marmalade on the keyboard.
In answer to your question, no not really. Ferocious and persistent digging helps a bit. But they're buggers basically.

Mardu



Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 67

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 5:59 pm    Post subject: Getting rid of docks Reply with quote
    

So if we didn't buy the land we wouldn't have a problem?

sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 6:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Getting rid of docks Reply with quote
    

Paddington Bear's OH wrote:
So if we didn't buy the land we wouldn't have a problem?


No....but you wouldn't have any land either.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The only thing I can think of is pulling steadily when the soil is very wet. You could try one of those special dandelion forks with a narrow fork to lift as much root out as possible.

What animals eat docks?

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have heard of people cutting them and putting parafin on the stumps, or using those weed flame throwers (NOT together!) But obviously it depends where they are. What about folding a goat or pigs on the land - surely nothign would survive a goat!?

sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

wellington womble wrote:
What about folding a goat


Isn't that cruel?

nettie



Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 05 9:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You could try a great gadget called a Ragfork, designed to easily get ragwort out by the roots. It works well on docks too, although it's best to do it while the ground is still a bit soft.

www.ragfork.co.uk.

Mardu



Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 67

PostPosted: Sat May 21, 05 10:12 am    Post subject: Getting rid of docks Reply with quote
    

One method suggested to us was to spray the docks with Cornish seaweed, dunno what's special about Cornwall, but apparently this makes it sweet for horses who normaly would avoid docks. We haven't got horses at the moment and the land covers ten acres with only post and rail fences so extra fencing would be needed for goats. It's an idea though as Paddington said there is no way he is getting his paws dirty puling them all up by hand!

(PB can still not not log on as himself but he can as PB OH)?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sat May 21, 05 10:19 am    Post subject: Re: Getting rid of docks Reply with quote
    

Paddington Bear's OH wrote:
(PB can still not not log on as himself but he can as PB OH)?


I'll ask Jema to take a look. If PB knows his password it could be a cookie problem.

If you ever have a rabbit problem in your field I know someone who could help.

jema
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28098
Location: escaped from Swindon
PostPosted: Sat May 21, 05 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Can you telll me what it says when you try and login?

Mardu



Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 67

PostPosted: Sat May 21, 05 11:05 am    Post subject: Getting rid of docks Reply with quote
    

Hi Jema, PB gets
"You have specified an incorrect or inactive username, or an invalid password."
when he tries to log on.
We use the same PC but I have no problems (she said smugly)

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Mon May 23, 05 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Pigs would certainly root up the docks, but I see from another post of yours that there is a question mark over whether you will be able to keep pigs.
My meat chickens love docks, and really give them a hard time, but 10 acres worth is a lot of chickens!
Keeping the grass short is probably your best bet - you would be weakening the plants, they wouldn't have a chance to seed and whatever animals you keep on the land would be more inclined to nibble the fresh young shoots. And by keeping it short, you would also be encouraging the grass to grow at the expense of the other weeds.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 05 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'm going to be controversial...

The amount of energy you expend trying to get rid of the dock by non-chemical means may be greater than the total energy expenditure (manufacture included) if you spray once, maybe twice, with glyphosate. If there's no problem with water courses, I'd consider it as the ethical, environmentally sound option.

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