RAGWORT

I’ve mentioned a few stubborn weeds in this column over the last few years. Japanese knotweed and horsetail are probably two of the most stubborn. One weed that is in the news this week though is the weed known as Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea). The British Horse Society (BHS) held an Action Ragwort week last week to highlight the fact that this plant can be deadly to horses and cattle. Ragwort has its place in nature but it is hoped that it can be contained in special areas of conservation.

We see a lot of Ragwort in the hedgerows and neglected land around Inishowen. The society are asking landowners to realise that Ragwort kills and it should be removed from any land that animals use. Every year horses ponies and cattle are put at risk. The Horse Society ask people to pull up the weed or burn them and in severe infestation to use a weed killer. Poisoning from Ragwort can happen at any time of year, as the dried plant in bales tastes good to the animals. The toxins in the plant have a cumulative affect on the animals and a small amount eaten over a long period of time can be as harmful as a large amount eaten all at once.

WHAT IS RAGWORT?
· Ragwort is a biennial flowering weed with crinkly, rosette type leaves. Yellow daisy-like flowers come from stout stems in the plants second year of growth.

· Ragwort is one of the most frequent causes of plant poisoning of livestock.

· Ragwort seeds can be dormant in the soil for up to 20 years.

· Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds and these have a 70% chance of germination.


CONTROLLING RAGWORT
There are ways to keep the weed from pastureland and the same principles can be put to use in the garden. If the weeds are allowed to set seed on your own plot then the seeds can easily spread throughout the peninsula. The roots of the plant can regenerate new plants if you don’t pull them all out, so don’t just knock the tops off, get a trowel underneath them. Get to the plant before it sets seed. If you notice the plant close to your own plot then you might have to tentatively mention the fact to the owners of the land, as when they go to seed they could also be your problem. If you see the weed on grass verges then it might be an idea to contact the council and let them know of the problem. There are ways of keeping the weed out of pastureland such as avoiding bare patches of ground and regular cutting of the grass. These principles can be used in your own garden. The thicker your grass the less likelihood of the plant taking hold.

When you are getting rid of this weed make sure that you wear gloves, as they are poisonous to humans as well as livestock and horses.

Before taking any action about ragwort,please check out the RAGWORT UPDATE article.

Horticultural.