A field of Docks

[MuswellMetro]

I have access to a 10 acre field that has not been used for sometime as the bridge across the stream to it has collapsed, but it is total covered in Dockweeds (Rumex obtusifolius), not just one or two, they have allmost out competed the grass but i am not allowed to use weedkiller

apart from Beehives what else can a field of Dockweeds be used for, can it be grazed?

 

[Hivemaker.]

apart from Beehives what else can a field of Dockweeds be used for,

You can use the leaves to rub on places where you get stung by stinging nettles.

 

[B+.]

apart from Beehives what else can a field of Dockweeds be used for, can it be grazed?

Apparently, you have a source of Oxalic Acid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumex_obtusifolius

 

[thenovice]

you can eat it as well... not so fond of it myself as very bitter but I hear of Foodies taking the roots and let them shoot in the dark to produce a pale salad leaf.

 

[mintmoth]

Llamas, alpacas and goats and some cattle will eat docks, although goats will prefer your hedging. Not sure about llama preferences. If you offered free grazing you may get someone who will put some stock on to clear it up for you. Not horses. They won't touch docks.

 

[theeggman]

You could try wandering around with a salt-cellar.

Salt works quite well on plants AND isn't a "weedkiller".

 

[einsteinagogo]

I have access to a 10 acre field that has not been used for sometime as the bridge across the stream to it has collapsed, but it is total covered in Dockweeds (Rumex obtusifolius), not just one or two, they have allmost out competed the grass but i am not allowed to use weedkiller

apart from Beehives what else can a field of Dockweeds be used for, can it be grazed?

We had a massive problem with a similar patch of land, we've been able to obtain from our local parish, which has not been maintained for about 30-50 years, our site was only 1 acre.

It was used by sheep, horses, goats they did not touch the docks, but chickens did!

BUT, docks have very large roots, and although they ate the top, they grew back!

So eventually, before turning it into allotments, we dug them all up!

there are still some coming back up, 4 years later, make sure that you stop them from self seeding...

good docking luck!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Piggies?

 

[einsteinagogo]

Piggies?

you'll definitely end up with a ploughed muddy field, cover in pig ****!

 

[MikeT]

Rumex obtusifolius is one of the 5 weeds within the Injurious Weeds Act 1959, and therefore must be controlled. If you cannot spray then the only control is topping and this must be done before flowering. Out of interest why cannot you spray for the docks? If the field is in an Environmental scheme permission to spray may be obtained to control weeds covered by the I Weed Act.

 

[pargyle]

I took over an allotment that had not been dug for 10 years that was infested with docks in about the same situation as you describe ... it's taken four years of digging them up to get on top of them ... Some of the roots were as thick as my wrist and went down over two feet - they would have gone further but the clay gets so solid at that point they seem to give up. I don't like using weedkillers but everyone around me was muttering 'Roundup and walk away' ... I have to admit that, by year 3, I was getting close ...

But what really pees me off is that the plot next to me is in the same state as mine was four years ago .. the council keep letting it but everyone who takes it on takes a look and gives up ! The plots flood every winter, the plot next door goes to seed and I reap the harvest of dock seedlings ... I've told the council I would take it on a free of charge basis to just top the docks every couple of months but they won't let me 'have' two plots ! I complain about the state of it - send photos . nada .. nix... useless stupid council bureaucracy !!

 

[einsteinagogo]

we cover our empty plots with weed fabric, and over the summer, a strange effect takes place, where the heat on the black fabric kills everything underneath, and the weeds rot down, and the soil turns clear of weeds. The seed bed, is still there though, and docs keep coming back, and need digging out.

we did this to stop the spread of weeds, and docs over the allotments, other issues the docs were so big and strong the petrol strimmer line would not cut them, we had to change it to a bush cutter!

 

[B+.]

you can eat it as well... not so fond of it myself as very bitter but I hear of Foodies taking the roots and let them shoot in the dark to produce a pale salad leaf.

Is that not burdock? I love Dandelion and Burdock

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I took over an allotment that had not been dug for 10 years that was infested with docks in about the same situation as you describe ... it's taken four years of digging them up to get on top of them ... Some of the roots were as thick as my wrist and went down over two feet - they would have gone further but the clay gets so solid at that point they seem to give up. I don't like using weedkillers but everyone around me was muttering 'Roundup and walk away' ... I have to admit that, by year 3, I was getting close ...

But what really pees me off is that the plot next to me is in the same state as mine was four years ago .. the council keep letting it but everyone who takes it on takes a look and gives up ! The plots flood every winter, the plot next door goes to seed and I reap the harvest of dock seedlings ... I've told the council I would take it on a free of charge basis to just top the docks every couple of months but they won't let me 'have' two plots ! I complain about the state of it - send photos . nada .. nix... useless stupid council bureaucracy !!

Can't you just walk over with a spade and snag the tops off on a weekly basis? Personally I would simply roundup the docks. I spot treat the ragwort in next doors grass field as I don't want the seeds blowing into my paddocks. The owner doesn't treat but has no objection to my actions.

 

[aberreef]

I've read that Rheas eat dock so they could be a novel option for you. They lay HUGE eggs too

 

[Floyd]

You could try using a Lazy Dog, Not a cheap tool though but is made for the job

http://lazydogtools.co.uk/pulling-docks-using-lazy-dog/

 

[pargyle]

Can't you just walk over with a spade and snag the tops off on a weekly basis? Personally I would simply roundup the docks. I spot treat the ragwort in next doors grass field as I don't want the seeds blowing into my paddocks. The owner doesn't treat but has no objection to my actions.

Yes, I have done that near the edges - The trouble has been that the council keep letting the plot, new plot owners start and then give up - but I don't know whether the plot is let or not and some allotment plot holders can get a bit sensitive about other plot holders encroaching on their territory !!

 

[pargyle]

You could try using a Lazy Dog, Not a cheap tool though but is made for the job

http://lazydogtools.co.uk/pulling-docks-using-lazy-dog/

Thanks for that link - I was looking for that tool but all that came up in my search was the Fiskars one which really is not up to pulling docks out. The LDT is a bit expensive but it really looks the Dogs B's for heavy duty weed extraction. Bit late for me now !!

 

[MuswellMetro]

Rumex obtusifolius is one of the 5 weeds within the Injurious Weeds Act 1959, and therefore must be controlled. If you cannot spray then the only control is topping and this must be done before flowering. Out of interest why cannot you spray for the docks? If the field is in an Environmental scheme permission to spray may be obtained to control weeds covered by the I Weed Act.

the landowner just says NO, something to do with contaminating the fishing,

now he has regained access , he just intends to run a tractor with mower over them to cut off the seed heads but all thats does is self seed more docks in the field

Thanks for all the replies, think i might give it a miss and dont want to take on the responsibilty under the injurious weeds act