UGA Cooperative Extension
Colquitt County Extension Office:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
ANR Radio
Scott Brown, Colquitt County Extension Coordinator, has been a Cotton Authority in our area for many years. Scott, along with other Cotton Researchers, have created several radio spots that have been included in local radio stations formats for quite a while. Access the link below to listen to some of these informative spots on cotton!
ANR Newsletter
ANR Articles
SOUTHERN STINGING NETTLE (Urtica chamaedryoides)
Have you had any luck controling this weed in your lawn?
This weed, sometimes called “fireweed”, can be very difficult to control. Regardless of the herbicide chosen, multiple applications are usually required for control. Since it is a prolific seed producer it may also take several years to obtain control if a population of the plant has become established due to the seed load in the soil.
In noncommercial situations, Roundup or other glyphosate materials provide the most complete control with a single application but is risky as this herbicide is nonselective and will kill grass or other desirable vegetation in the treatment zone. Selective treatment can be made by using a “rope wick” device (available from some large garden centers and ag supply stores, MSI in Tifton may be a source) or some other system that confines the herbicide to the plant to be treated by “wiping” or “painting” it on. Spraying glyphosate almost always will result in the loss of desirable vegetation.
Products containing 2,4-D alone will not do an adequate job. Products containing dicamba and/or triclopyr in combination with 2,4-D will do a much better job. 2,4-D plus MCPA and MCPP are better than 2,4-D alone but not as good as those with dicamba or triclopyr. If premix products of these herbicides cannot be located then the individual herbicides should be purchased and mixed according to the manufacturers label. To locate such materials you will have to look at the active ingredient on the label. In most cases the trade name will not indicate the herbicide(s) contained in the product. When treating stinging nettle always use the highest labeled rate allowed by the manufacturer. Atrazine has good activity but is no longer registered for homeowner (noncommercial) use. As with most weeds control is easiest if treatments are made with weeds are small and before they bloom or produce seeds. Remember, multiple treatments will most likely be required and for this reason spot treatments only to the weeds themselves are recommended to reduce injury to desirable vegetation.
When using any pesticide always read and follow the directions on the manufacturers label.
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Scott N. Brown
Colquitt County Extension Coordinator
mothman@uga.edu
