Renovating An Orchard Meadow

Any suggestions regarding best method for restoring an orchard from rank grassland/tall herb to more permanent grassland?I have taken on a neglected orchard, where the “grassland” is 50% hogweed, nettle, thistle etc and 50% tussock grasses (tall oat, cocksfoot etc).Plan is to restore predominantly grass, hay meadow mix, with cut paths, areas of longer grass, preferably being able to walk through the orchard without breaking your ankle in some of the humps and hollows!Have restored rank grassland in the past with regular cutting, but the ground is too rough here, and needs some levelling first.I don’t want to rotavate, partly because of the trees. Considering a flail mower - is a couple of cuts with a flail mower enough to level rough grassland? Have an Allen scythe available but don’t think it will be useful for regular cutting but will it cut through raised tussocks?Oh, and there’s a nice patch of Japanese Knotweed in the corner (which the land agent gave me some Grazon 90 for – has anyone controlled Knotweed with this selective hormonal herbicide?)Any experience, suggestions welcome!Thanks!

Thanks for response.

Yes, I shall be using glyphosate to control the knotweed, but steering clear of herbicides for the main orchard - just using re-seeding and mowing to adjust the species composition of the grassland. The problem currently being the uneveness of the ground. Does a flail mower chop up dense tussocks and mulch the hollows?

John Honeyman said:

Hi, Re the knotweed, I have tended to use glyphosate based weedkillers, primarily as its broken down in the soil. However it is a listed invasive weed and there is advice on eradication on environment agency website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/31364..... However as Pro Gard says there is no short term fix to its control. Re the meadow I would spot treat the weeds but only where a judicious re-seeding and a meadow cutting regime has been unable to swing the competitive edge towards meadow grassland.

Replies

Gareth June 7, 2009 at 10:34am

The first cut was with the Allen scythe, follwed up by rotary mower (top cut 75mm) but the masport mower will get severely challenged unless the ground is levelled out. Access a bit limited otherwise get the local farmer to harrow?

Pro Gard said:
I would spot treat the worst weeds then strim off or flail then have a look at the actual levels, bit of a guessing game until its all mowed down and you can see precisely what state its in.

Ive always treated knotweed using roundup tank mixed with mixture B, whatever you use it will be a long battle. As for nettles, thistles brambles and hogweed, Blaster or timbrel would be my choice.
John Honeyman June 7, 2009 at 12:28pm

Hi, Re the knotweed, I have tended to use glyphosate based weedkillers, primarily as its broken down in the soil. However it is a listed invasive weed and there is advice on eradication on environment agency website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/31364..... However as Pro Gard says there is no short term fix to its control. Re the meadow I would spot treat the weeds but only where a judicious re-seeding and a meadow cutting regime has been unable to swing the competitive edge towards meadow grassland.
Gareth June 7, 2009 at 12:50pm

Thanks for response.

Yes, I shall be using glyphosate to control the knotweed, but steering clear of herbicides for the main orchard - just using re-seeding and mowing to adjust the species composition of the grassland. The problem currently being the uneveness of the ground. Does a flail mower chop up dense tussocks and mulch the hollows?

John Honeyman said:
Hi, Re the knotweed, I have tended to use glyphosate based weedkillers, primarily as its broken down in the soil. However it is a listed invasive weed and there is advice on eradication on environment agency website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/31364..... However as Pro Gard says there is no short term fix to its control. Re the meadow I would spot treat the weeds but only where a judicious re-seeding and a meadow cutting regime has been unable to swing the competitive edge towards meadow grassland.
Cornish Apple Trees June 7, 2009 at 3:31pm

A flail mower (farm machinery size) will in time start to even the surface up, but this is a long process. But considering all your options it is the best, (budget for bi annual swipe).