The groundsel or ragwort (Senecio) is a highly poisonous genus of plants from the daisy family. Well-known and feared representatives are above all the Jacob's ragwort and the common ragwort. The pretty plants are very dangerous for both humans and animals and should therefore be combated effectively. However, this is difficult because the plants can spread seeds over long distances via airborne seeds. For example, the narrow-leaved ragweed grows mainly along highways and railway lines, since its seeds are spread using the same means of transport.
Larger areas of ragwort can easily be mowed
Mow larger areas twice a year
In principle, ragweed should be removed quickly or prevented from seeding even if there are only small numbers - otherwise the very vigorous plants will spread very quickly over large areas. Once this has happened, the infested area should no longer be used as pasture or for hay production and should be mowed at least twice a year - preferably right before flowering. However, this method is very tedious and must therefore be combined with others. The mowing material should be removed and preferably burned, as the flowers will not ripen and can still seed.
Tear out and cut out
If there are only a few specimens, it makes sense to dig them out or cut them out over a large area. It is best to use a digging fork that is guided as deep as possible. Ragworts often form a deep-reaching taproot, and all root components should also be removed, as the plant can sprout again from even the smallest parts. For the same reason, ragweed that has been dug up does not belong in the compost, but should be burned or disposed of with organic waste.
Chemical and biological control
In the private sector, large-scale chemical control of ragweed is difficult, since permission is required - but this is only granted to farms. Treatment with herbicides effective against ragweed is therefore not possible. Biological control through the use of carmine or blood bear caterpillars (Tyria jacobea) also shows little success.
other methods
Instead of relying on chemicals, you can also cover the infested area with a weed fleece (€21.70) for several months after mowing and thus cause the remaining parts of the plant to die off. This method is very effective for larger areas, but has a serious disadvantage: it also kills any further growth.
tips
Before you start fighting ragweed, first carry out a specific determination. For example, St. John's wort, a medicinal plant, is very similar to ragwort.