Musk Thistle Control?

[LarryBud]

Hi Folks,

I have a few acres which were worked with a dozer last year. I have replanted some, with more planting to be done this fall. The dirt work has created a serious musk thistle outbreak.

I have been mowing to prevent them from going to seed. I'm sure a few will seed as they lay flat under the mower deck. Now comes spraying. Questions:

If I spray now, as the heat of summer approaches, will it be worth the time and expense? Or, do I keep them mowed and go after them this fall / next spring?

Also, I can use 2, 4, D for about $50 / 2.5 gallons or the county agent suggested Grazon Next HL for ~ $150 / 2 gallons. Since my labor cost will be the same while spraying either, I want to use what effective but I see 2, 4, D is the primary product in Grazon.

Anyone have experience / advice here?

Thanks

 

[D2Cat]

You already know this, but I'll post if for general information. Note, Johnson Grass is a noxious weed in Kansas but in Texas it's fertilized, baled and sold for cattle feed. Why the difference?

Musk Thistle | Dickinson County, KS - Official Website

www.dkcoks.gov

https://agriculture.ks.gov/docs/default-source/pp-noxious-weed-control/musk-thistle-control-plans.pdf?sfvrsn=1a2290c1_0

 

[jyoutz]

Hi Folks,

I have a few acres which were worked with a dozer last year. I have replanted some, with more planting to be done this fall. The dirt work has created a serious musk thistle outbreak.

I have been mowing to prevent them from going to seed. I'm sure a few will seed as they lay flat under the mower deck. Now comes spraying. Questions:

If I spray now, as the heat of summer approaches, will it be worth the time and expense? Or, do I keep them mowed and go after them this fall / next spring?

Also, I can use 2, 4, D for about $50 / 2.5 gallons or the county agent suggested Grazon Next HL for ~ $150 / 2 gallons. Since my labor cost will be the same while spraying either, I want to use what effective but I see 2, 4, D is the primary product in Grazon.

Anyone have experience / advice here?

Thanks

Mow to keep from going to seed. Use a 2-4-D product to kill plants, and seed grass to thicken the competition. Ask the county agent about the differences in herbicide products. Often a branded product will use additives to make a basic herbicide more effective for certain uses. I believe that musk thistle is sensitive to plain 2-4-D, but do a little research.

 

[DaveFromMi]

Glyphosate, 24-D, and triclypr all kill thistles.
I spray Canadian thistles with whatever is in my pump sprayer as I spot spray other weeds and briers. 24-D is best for a hay field as it won't kill grasses or clover. 24-D is the most toxic, so follow the safety instructions.