Japanese Stiltgrass Control In Pasture
This past summer i attended a workshop given by nofa organic land care on the organic management of invasive plants in the landscape.
Japanese stiltgrass control in pasture. I have a pasture that has extensive japanese stiltgrass. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is an invasive annual grass. This article displays images to assist with identification and provides recommendations for control including a management calendar and treatment and timing table. There are some pre emerge selective herbicides referenced in the following attachments but none appear to be safe for pasture but i have included for your reference.
Stiltgrass is best controlled when plants reach 3 to 5 inches in height which usually occurs in late may to june. I will continue to research and respond if i can find a pasture safe control method. Relative effectiveness of herbicides for japanese stiltgrass control in pastures. It germinates in spring and grows slowly through the summer months ultimately reaching heights of 2 to 3 ft.
Vimineum was originally documented in tennessee in 1919 and is believed to have been accidentally introduced to the united states through its use as a packing material. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is taking over forest understories throughout pennsylvania and quickly spreads into adjacent lawns and pastures many pennsylvania livestock and horse owners are becoming frustrated with this weed because grazing animals rarely eat it and it is outcompeting desired pasture forage species. Japanese stiltgrass may be driving you crazy but don t go for the torch just yet. Controlling stilt grass can be very difficult as you have indicated.
Mike mcgrath shares tips and tricks to getting rid of those pesky weeds in your lawn without all the fire and fury. I want to share some of the information i learned especially as it relates to japanese stilt grass microstegium vimineum which i wrote about last week since japanese stilt grass is an annual grass the primary goal is to prevent it from producing seeds. Japanese stiltgrass also known as bamboograss flexible sesagrass japanese grass mary s grass microstegium nepal microstegium nepaleze browntop or vietnamese grass is a summer annual commonly found in shady moist areas and is spreading rapidly in woodlands as well as shaded landscapes and low maintenance turf throughout the southeastern united states mid atlantic states and north. I m planning to use a pre emergent agent this spring but would also like to know what would work post emergence.
I would like to get this under control and there are no animals currently grazing the pasture so it s really just an unused field of mixed grasses.
