Timing The Final Switchgrass Spraying

[MilkweedManiac]

I’m hoping to see some switch that was frost seeded in February as the season begins to warm.

Question - current soil temps in my zone (6a) are low 50s according to agweb.com. I have read that switch germinates at 55ish. So far since the Simazine treatment, we have cool season growth of about 4 inches. But I’m concerned that if I wait until that growth is 8-12 inches before spraying Gly and 2,4-d, I will be spraying newly germinated Switch since I’m already close to mid-50 soil temps.

Still safe to wait a bit longer to spray the Gly|2,4-d? Thoughts?

 

[j-bird]

if it was mine... I would look long and hard for signs of any new grass. if I found none then I spray now. if I find grass then I spray just the 2-4D if it's safe for the grass....the gly component is my concern. If you would like I can go check mine tonight - established and burned last week or so and see if any of it has woken up yet....

 

[MilkweedManiac]

J-bird, thanks for that advice. These warm days have me concerned. I won’t be spraying until later in the week either way. If you happen to get out and see whether yours is germinating yet or not, would surely appreciate heads up.

 

[j-bird]

J-bird, thanks for that advice. These warm days have me concerned. I won’t be spraying until later in the week either way. If you happen to get out and see whether yours is germinating yet or not, would surely appreciate heads up.

It will give me a reason to take a walk with the dogs this evening... I'll let you know. Spraying the 2-4D I would not wait either way...kill them broadleaf weeds!

 

[MilkweedManiac]

I hear you. I'm going to head back there tonight and take a few pictures of what is growing so far. There is still a great deal of bare soil with some patchy growth here and there. Nothing longer than 4 inches.

 

[Bill]

New planting are tough to compare to existing switch grass. Established field will germinate faster than new plantings. IMO.

The only sure fire way to ID very young switch grass is to dig some up. If you have grass growing dig some up from the warmer areas of the field. South slope or where the sun hits most. Gently was away the dirt and look for switch seed. It will still be attached. Switch grows a root down from the seed and a grass stalk up. The seed will still be attached.

 

[MilkweedManiac]

That’s a good point, Bill. I did read in Dbltree’s thread that established Switch will usually germinate a little sooner than a first year frost seed. I took a gander tonight and 99% of what is growing has deep, deep roots. The only possible sign of switch that I found was in one isolated spot (picture with hand in it for reference). The root was only about an 1/4” deep which made sense to me that it might be early switchgrass. But I need to go back and dig a small amount to check for the switch seed to make sure.

Either way, I need to spray soon. I see a TON of microscopic broadleaf that is beginning to pop.

 

[Bill]

That’s a good point, Bill. I did read in Dbltree’s thread that established Switch will usually germinate a little sooner than a first year frost seed. I took a gander tonight and 99% of what is growing has deep, deep roots. The only possible sign of switch that I found was in one isolated spot (picture with hand in it for reference). The root was only about an 1/4” deep which made sense to me that it might be early switchgrass. But I need to go back and dig a small amount to check for the switch seed to make sure.

Either way, I need to spray soon. I see a TON of microscopic broadleaf that is beginning to pop.

Broad leaf is easy. 2-4,D won’t hurt any grass and will smoke most broadleaf. The first year is always the worst for thinking it’s a failure.

 

[j-bird]

My established switch is waking up already... just as a point of reference. but I would agree with Bill that germination activity and growth vs that of an established plant I would expect to be different.

 

[MilkweedManiac]

Wow...soil is looking nice and clean around the switch. Thanks for the reference point. Heading to RK to grab some 2,4-d and get this sprayed ASAP.

 

[j-bird]

Wow...soil is looking nice and clean around the switch. Thanks for the reference point. Heading to RK to grab some 2,4-d and get this sprayed ASAP.

I burned it off a week ago or two. Switch LOVES to burn! I burn mine probably more than I should (annually)....but it helps me control the cool season "weeds" because it exposes them and I have a narrow window where I can spray without harming the switch and other warm season stuff.

 

[Rit]

My 2nd year switch is just starting to poke its head up. I over seeded the area this year and no signs of new seedlings. I sprayed my field on May 2nd of last year to kill the cool season weeds and was still over ran with foxtail. It was almost July before new switch seedlings emerged last year (6A).

I sprayed Simizine and a week later glyphosate and still have cool season weeds at about 5” already. I can’t get my tractor into the field usually until May so this year I had to spray by hand which wasn’t all that pleasant. I think next November after I hunt I’ll be mowing everything down and be spraying a fall application of something to stop the weeds.

 

[Rit]

I have about had it with switch. I know patience is needed and this is only the beginning of year 2 but ddaaaaaaammmmmmmnnnnn. It has been so wet and cold this Spring outside of my hand spraying I haven’t been able to do anything for my switch. I don’t know that burning will be an option again because of the trees that I have planted.

I will be lucky if I get into the field before June. I haven’t seen water like this in the field ever. I am covered up in Foxtail, thistle, and a bunch of other broadleaves. The switch has started growing but lagging behind the weeds.

Does anyone know if there is something you can fall spray for spring weed control on dormant switch? I’d like to mow it all down around Thanksgiving and give it a shot of something.

 

[Bill]

Once it’s dormant gly will kill any cool season grasses in there. You can spray anytime this summer with a good dose of 2,4-D for broadleaf just avoid your trees.

Based on your pics from last year I think your going to be surprised at how well it will actually do this summer.

 

[Rit]

Once it’s dormant gly will kill any cool season grasses in there. You can spray anytime this summer with a good dose of 2,4-D for broadleaf just avoid your trees.

Based on your pics from last year I think your going to be surprised at how well it will actually do this summer.

I hope you are right. I just wasn’t cut out for this patience thing. Weeds might be 4’ tall before I can get in the field though. Depending on how tall the switch is when I can get in there I might clip the weeds just above the switch. Won’t kill the foxtail but will set it back.

 

[MilkweedManiac]

I hope you are right. I just wasn’t cut out for this patience thing. Weeds might be 4’ tall before I can get in the field though. Depending on how tall the switch is when I can get in there I might clip the weeds just above the switch. Won’t kill the foxtail but will set it back.

I feel your pain on the moisture issue. Believe it or not, I was able to get a small lawn tractor out there this afternoon to spray my frost-seeded patch with Gly and 2-4,D without leaving too much of a mud pit. I did my best. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I wish you success on your journey!

 

[j-bird]

Spray the broadleaf weeds and address the cool season weeds once the switch is dormant. I prefer to do that when I can burn the switch as this exposes the target weeds better. I like to spray within a week of burning if I can. The exposed soil seems to warm faster and encourages the switch to grow and thus halt your desire/ability to spray. I had issues with foxtail as well when I was trying to get mine established, but it wasn't as bad as I had thought. You can also mow off the broadleaf weeds (just avoid cutting the switch) if/when you can... I FULLY understand that tractors and ATV's don't float.... The good news is...once it's established it pretty much takes care of itself...