Cattail Growing Season

[Jamie]

We have three ponds (they are .9, 1.32 and 1.75 acres), which are
densely populated with cattails. We plan to spend the money to remove
those cattails in the September/October time frame. To keep our costs
down, I'm thinking that we will want to cut them down, but not apply
any herbicide (Rodeo) this year if the cattail growing season is done,
rather wait until Spring of next year.

Does this sound like a good idea, to wait until next year for the use
of herbicides?

The pons are located in southeast Wisconsin.

[Köi-Lö]

*Note: I am again being impersonated by a troll, so there are two "Koi-Los"
on this NG.

"Jamie" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> We have three ponds (they are .9, 1.32 and 1.75 acres), which are
> densely populated with cattails. We plan to spend the money to remove
> those cattails in the September/October time frame. To keep our costs
> down, I'm thinking that we will want to cut them down, but not apply
> any herbicide (Rodeo) this year if the cattail growing season is done,
> rather wait until Spring of next year.
>
> Does this sound like a good idea, to wait until next year for the use
> of herbicides?
>
> The pons are located in southeast Wisconsin.
======================
You don't really want to spray or poison them in the spring when the
red-wing blackbirds and other water loving birds are breeding. Your local
Agricultural Extension Service Agent would be the one most familiar with
your weather, water and weed conditions. They can tell you the safest and
most effective way to remove or kill the plants without killing birds or
wildlife at the same time.
--
KL....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }<((((*> ~~~ }<{{{{(ö> ~~~~ }<((((({*>

[Kevin]

What if you cut them down and apply a cover of plastic weighted with
stones or the black weed block that people use for lawn under their
mulch. Might smother them out, but it sounds like you have alot of
cattails/acreage.


Köi-Lö wrote:
> *Note: I am again being impersonated by a troll, so there are two "Koi-Los"
> on this NG.
>
> "Jamie" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > We have three ponds (they are .9, 1.32 and 1.75 acres), which are
> > densely populated with cattails. We plan to spend the money to remove
> > those cattails in the September/October time frame. To keep our costs
> > down, I'm thinking that we will want to cut them down, but not apply
> > any herbicide (Rodeo) this year if the cattail growing season is done,
> > rather wait until Spring of next year.
> >
> > Does this sound like a good idea, to wait until next year for the use
> > of herbicides?
> >
> > The pons are located in southeast Wisconsin.
> ======================
> You don't really want to spray or poison them in the spring when the
> red-wing blackbirds and other water loving birds are breeding. Your local
> Agricultural Extension Service Agent would be the one most familiar with
> your weather, water and weed conditions. They can tell you the safest and
> most effective way to remove or kill the plants without killing birds or
> wildlife at the same time.
> --
> KL....
> Frugal ponding since 1995.
> My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
> http://tinyurl.com/9do58
> ~~~~ }<((((*> ~~~ }<{{{{(ö> ~~~~ }<((((({*>

[gene]

I think now would be the best time to use the herbicide. Now is the
time that they are sending nutrients down to the roots to prepare them
for regrowth next spring. If you spray them now, you will be
eliminating their source of nutrients and also sending the herbicide to
the roots.

[~ janj]

According to the book The Pond Doctor, if you cut them below the surface
they drown. Can't say if that really works or not. ~ jan
-----------------

Also ponding troll free at:
http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium

[Jamie]

Thanks for the advice everyone, and I'll be sure to get a copy of 'The
Pond Doctor' for reference too!