Managing New Prairie Wildflower Area ... Weed Control

[Tree Spud]

Well now into year 3 of a 1 acre wildflower area planted for bees and pollinators. Starting to see the wildflowers appear along with other non-desirables.

I can deal with the cold season grasses, but how do you deal with the broadleaf weeds?

Is mowing an option for weed management? What other approaches can I consider?

 

[b116757]

One man’s weeds are another man’s flowers. I likely wouldn’t worry about it unless one weed takes over the entire area if they are mixed about who cares. The cool season grasses can likely be killed in the fall after the wild flowers are dormant with a careful herbicide application the weeds idk.

 

[b116757]

I will say we bale our native grass warm season hay in mid July to allow the native grasses to mature.

 

[Tree Spud]

Vinny pea is one of the weeds taking over. It grows and spreads and smoothers everything else out.

 

[b116757]

https://wric.ucdavis.edu/information/natural%20areas/wr_L/Lathyrus.pdf

 

[Obie]

Year 2 of a switchgrass field that I put purple cone flower and partridge pea in to. Zero weed control, planted into bean stubble. I've got some undesirable species coming in here and there(honeysuckle) , but it's going to be good cover. Right now the dominant species other than switchgrass is goldenrod. I'm not bad about that.

 

[Tree Spud]

https://wric.ucdavis.edu/information/natural%20areas/wr_L/Lathyrus.pdf

Thanks. The problem is that I can't spray for the peas as I would hit the wildflowers also killing them.

 

[b116757]

I’m not real familiar with your pea issue maybe there is a very selective herbicide available that might work not scorch earthing everything else around the peas.

 

[omicron1792]

My man Tree. With one acre load up backpack sprayer with gly and just select spray. I’ve done that many time.

 

[Brian662]

To establish my wildflower mixes(also an acre in size) I mowed the first year and then hand pulled undesirable weeds. Did that several times throughout the growing season year 2. Now in year 4 I'll take the weed whip and knock out a burdock or thistle from time to time but the natives are strong enough to choke everything else out.