What implement to use?

P. Jansen · Aug 12, 2009

What would work the best to try to level an area that has many swamp grass clumps?

The area is not a swamp but rather a sparsely wooded - gently sloping area - that for many years had seepage from a wet area running across it.

The seepage has since been redirected and I would like to smooth out the lumps of swamp grass - but that is some pretty tough stuff!

Any suggestions?

I was wondering if a heavy disk would work?

JMS/.MN · Aug 12, 2009

Heavy offset (plowing disk). Blades are typically 24-32 inches, takes big horse with duals to pull it. Mine is a 14 foot, pull it with 190hp MFWD, dualled in front when necessary. Check with road construction folks- they often use similar, might hire it out.

Sam from WA · Aug 12, 2009

You're gonna want to use either a heavy offset disk or a big rototiller. I was pulling a 13 foot offset disk with a slightly snoosed up Allis 7000, but traction was my biggest enemy. Most of the time I pull that offset with a John Deere 4960 with MFWD, it handles the disk just fine. A tandem disk isn't going to do the job, it'll just roll over the clumps.

tjdub · Aug 13, 2009

Discbine. Preferably a rented one

I'm serious though, if the clumps you are describing are the same as the clumps I'm used to in my swamp ground. I'm not sure of the original cause of them (my guess is crawdads), but they are usually about 4-6 inch diameter grassy spires up to 10 inches high. A disc mower eats them for breakfast. Since you're talking about higher ground maybe these are anthills? It that case you probably want to do tillage.

P. Jansen · Aug 13, 2009

What I call a "swamp grass clumps" sounds a lot like what you are describing. The ones around my neck of the woods just sprout up in wet areas - (not necessarily in standing water)

The grass itself is not all that hard to cut, but the roots form a really tough mass that is partially above the level of the surrounding soil. The older the clump - the larger and taller the root mass. You end up with just one big lump next to another and so on - making it a real pain to walk through.

You might be able to dig some smaller ones out with a shovel but the bigger ones you pretty much have to chop out of the ground with something like an ax.

I don't intend to plant anything in this area - I just was trying to level it out enough so that a guy can walk through there without tripping on the darn things.

I was wondering if I were to spray the area with Roundup first (it's only an acre or 2) to kill the stuff and then wait a year or so - maybe the roots would start to decompose and make the disking (or whatever), a lot easier.

What implement to use?

P. Jansen

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JMS/.MN

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Sam from WA

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tjdub

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P. Jansen

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