Sharp buttercup is not only considered a weed by farmers. The poisonous plant spreads very quickly and robs lawns and forage plants of valuable nutrients. Combat should take place as quickly as possible. How to permanently combat sharp buttercups.
How do you combat sharp buttercup permanently?
The best way to combat sharp buttercup is to mow the affected areas early before flowering so that seed formation is prevented. In addition, bare areas should be reseeded with lawn seeds or strong-growing grasses to prevent weeds from germinating.
Sharp buttercup is particularly common here
Sharp buttercup grows particularly well on compacted, moist soils, but occasionally also occurs on recently loosened areas.
Unlike creeping buttercups, sharp buttercups are propagated exclusively via seeds.
Fighting sharp buttercup mechanically
Since sharp buttercup reproduces generatively, it is quite easy to control because it is not necessary to pull out the roots. To combat sharp buttercup, it is enough to prevent the formation of seeds.
The best method of control is to cut the buttercup plants early. To do this, the affected area is mowed early, before the flowering period of sharp buttercup begins.
If the meadow and lawn are cut regularly in spring, the sharp buttercup will disappear over time. However, this is a problem with pastures, as early mowing also cuts off the pasture herbs.
Sowing lawn seeds after mowing
After mowing, the lawn should be checked for bare areas. These areas are sown with lawn seeds or, in the case of meadows, with strong-growing meadow grasses, such as:
- English ryegrass
- Meadow reps
- White Clover
Due to the new growth, the seeds of the buttercup no longer receive enough light and are therefore prevented from germinating.
Chemical agents to combat sharp buttercup
If a pasture infested with buttercup is used for agricultural purposes, the only option is often to combat it using chemical agents. There are a number of preparations that are approved for this purpose. If they are used according to instructions, there is no danger to people or animals.
However, such products should be avoided if you have sharp buttercups in meadows and lawns. It is better to combat buttercup mechanically, even if this requires more work and has to be done over several years.
Tip
Sharp buttercup is particularly poisonous compared to creeping buttercup. If the hot buttercup is dried after mowing, the toxins break down. Hay with dried buttercups is therefore suitable for feeding animals.