I turn to you, oh kings of random useful knowledge, to help me in my quest to rid my back lot of these awful plants from Hell.
Recently moved into a great rental with my girlfriend while we finish up college and find real jobs. Great place, great price, great location. But the back is pure dirt and the goat head weeds are taking over.
I just went out and sprayed this 20 ft by 35 ft area and I had about 60 goat heads lodged into my shoes from about 3 minutes of walking around.
I have an idea for a device to remove the spikey seeds rapidly and effectively, I will be experimenting with a prototype the next few weeks.
But I was wondering if anyone else has thought up a method for picking up the little seed things quickly and easily?
Grizz
Dork
8/10/12 3:55 p.m.
Pave everything.
Added Bonus: Autocross practice in your front yard.
I have the same problem at my house. Teh Googlez says, spray with pre-emergent and fertalize the hell out of the ground. I haven't heard anything else that's different. I just dig them up and get the root and all. Been doing it for 6 months... Eeeeevery weekend.
alex
UltraDork
8/10/12 4:04 p.m.
Hadn't heard of those, but a quick Wiki (a qwiki, if you will) turn up this:
Qwiki said:
Chemical control is generally recommended for home control of puncture vine. There are few pre-emergent herbicides that are effective. Products containing oryzalin, benefin, or trifluralin will provide partial control of germinating seeds. These must be applied prior to germination (late winter to midspring).
After plants have emerged from the soil (postemergent), products containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ("2,4-D"), glyphosate, and dicamba are effective on puncture vine. Like most postemergents they are more effectively maintained when caught small and young. Dicamba and 2,4-D will cause harm to most broad-leaved plants so the user should take care to avoid over-application. They can be applied to lawns without injuring the desired grass. Glyphosate will kill or injure most plants so it should only be used as spot treatments or on solid stands of the weed.
Another product from DuPont called Pastora is highly effective, but expensive and not for lawn use.
Nasty looking seed pods on those things. And the seed is viable for 3-5 years! Resilient little sucker.
We call those damn things sand spurs around here and man am I glad they don't like red clay (that's what my yard is).
