prevention TIPS:
Adopting a diligent pasture management program with the proper herbicide can help you ward off this predator plant. Creeping Indigo is rooted VERY FIRMLY in the soil, making it PARTICULARLY difficult to manually remove. So, the most effective plan of attack for this particular weed is to treat it with the proper herbicide.
TREAT YEARLY WITH CAPABLE HERBICIDES:
MANY herbicides/products can kill Creeping Indigo, but only TEMPORARILY. This is because DEEPLY ROOTED weeds (such as CI) require an herbicide capable of a SLOW KILL. A weed with a deep root will sprout back when treated TOO HARSHLY. This is because the leaves are burned by the product and the plant actually shuts down to protect itself before thoroughly absorbing the herbicide all the way to the tip of it's deep root- which means, you'll have new growth from the weed within a couple weeks. This is why things such as vinegar/vinegar based products and other harsh treatments including overly concentrated herbicides are not effective on this weed. The ideal "turn time" for a deeply rooted weed is 4-7 days minimum.
The following list of herbicides have been proven to kill Creeping Indigo permanently (beginning with the most effective):
#1 Grazonext HL: extremely active on all legumes (2 applications), Application rate 16-32os per Acre *spot spraying 0.6oz per gal, 34oz per acre per year MAX, wait ZERO days prior to grazing your animals, DO NOT use manure for mulch
#2 Banvel: second best for legumes (2 applications), Application rate 32oz per acre *spot spraying 0.6oz per gal, 64oz per acre per year MAX, wait ZERO days prior to grazing your animals, DO NOT use manure for mulch, Volatile- use caution with sensitve plants.
#3 Remedy or 2-4-D: third best for legumes (2 applications), application rate 32 oz per acre *spot spraying 0.6-1.2oz per gal, 64oz per acre per year MAX, wait ZERO days prior to grazing your animals, DO NOT use manure for mulch, Volatile- use caution with sensitve plants.
#5 Milestone: 5 fl oz per acre
The following list of herbicides have been proven to kill Creeping Indigo permanently (beginning with the most effective):
#1 Grazonext HL: extremely active on all legumes (2 applications), Application rate 16-32os per Acre *spot spraying 0.6oz per gal, 34oz per acre per year MAX, wait ZERO days prior to grazing your animals, DO NOT use manure for mulch
#2 Banvel: second best for legumes (2 applications), Application rate 32oz per acre *spot spraying 0.6oz per gal, 64oz per acre per year MAX, wait ZERO days prior to grazing your animals, DO NOT use manure for mulch, Volatile- use caution with sensitve plants.
#3 Remedy or 2-4-D: third best for legumes (2 applications), application rate 32 oz per acre *spot spraying 0.6-1.2oz per gal, 64oz per acre per year MAX, wait ZERO days prior to grazing your animals, DO NOT use manure for mulch, Volatile- use caution with sensitve plants.
#5 Milestone: 5 fl oz per acre
TREAT AT THE RIGHT TIME:
Weeds shut down when stressed and when they are shut down- they do not drink applied herbicides. Stress can be caused by drought, cold snap, mowing and treatment. You want to treat the weed right about the same time you think you need to mow. (when the grass is about 6in) For best results; treat during Spring-Summer rain seasons when the plant is active and thriving.
MANAGE GRASS/SOIL:
Creeping Indigo has a VERY quick rate of travel. Dr Julia Morton's studies concluded that ONE plant could over take a pasture in a short 6 months!!! (Yikes) Adopting these practices along with yearly treatment for legume killing herbicides should keep this weed from over taking your land before your next herbicide treatment:
Treating and re-seeding your pastures every year, rotating your pastures and supplementing hay in the Winter is common knowledge for the average horse owner. Creeping Indigo is more reason to keep it up! Dense grass can slow Creeping Indigo down and keep it more manageable for spot treatment upon pasture checks if it makes it's way to your pasture before your yearly treatment with herbicide.
UF suggests the following guidelines for healthy pastures:
1 acre of grazing for every 600-700lbs of horse on your land. If you cannot meet this requirement- rotate your pastures/stall time to allow the pasture to rest. They suggest keeping your grass between 3-6" in length and remove your animals when the grass reaches 3" to allow the grass to recover and remain dense. You may also supplement hay throughout the year if your acreage per horse is on the low-end. But, they suggest ever owner at least supplement hay in the Winter months.
You may also manage your soil's PH levels. Creeping Indigo does not thrive below 4.5 or above 6.5 and therefore, will not spread as quickly.
Treating and re-seeding your pastures every year, rotating your pastures and supplementing hay in the Winter is common knowledge for the average horse owner. Creeping Indigo is more reason to keep it up! Dense grass can slow Creeping Indigo down and keep it more manageable for spot treatment upon pasture checks if it makes it's way to your pasture before your yearly treatment with herbicide.
UF suggests the following guidelines for healthy pastures:
1 acre of grazing for every 600-700lbs of horse on your land. If you cannot meet this requirement- rotate your pastures/stall time to allow the pasture to rest. They suggest keeping your grass between 3-6" in length and remove your animals when the grass reaches 3" to allow the grass to recover and remain dense. You may also supplement hay throughout the year if your acreage per horse is on the low-end. But, they suggest ever owner at least supplement hay in the Winter months.
You may also manage your soil's PH levels. Creeping Indigo does not thrive below 4.5 or above 6.5 and therefore, will not spread as quickly.
TAKE PALLIATIVE PRECAUTIONS:
Feeding a well balanced diet with arginine-rich protein sources is believed to help to DEFEND against CI by being in their systems PRIOR to CI consumption and organ damage. We do suggest a healthy protein regimen for preventative measure though, nothing can guarantee that they can be protected from larger quantities of CI being consumed.