Tall goldenrod is a tricky plant to mitigate. Dormant season burns and mowing encourages its growth. Herbiciding techniques miss plants and since Tall goldenrod has long term root and rhizome storage capabilities, it requires various techniques over several years to see results.
This example management plan shows how the combination of techniques and timing can be mixed and matched. Because we’re working with nature, this is merely a guide. I have begun this management in late August. That has been the timing of my initial treatment but you’ll see in subsequent years, management is considered as early as March.
| Year 1: | Late Aug- early Oct | When in bloom, mow in the wet mesic areas, then swipe stems (One shouldn’t expect to get them all) or When in bloom, lop and treat in the dry areas |
| Nov-Jan | Overseed all the mowed/lopped areas |
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| Year 2: | Early March | While plants are dormant, mow a larger portion of the problem area (to encourage growth and make it easy to treat) |
| March/April | Spot herbicide rosettes | |
| Mid-late May | Spot herbicide the 6-8” tall plants | |
| Late Aug- early Oct | When in bloom, mow in the wet mesic areas, then swipe stems (One shouldn’t expect to get them all) or When in bloom, lop and treat in the dry areas |
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| Nov-Jan | Overseed all the mowed/lopped areas | |
| Year 3: | Mid-late May | Mow when plants are 6-8” tall |
| Late Aug- early Oct | When in bloom, mow in the wet mesic areas, then swipe stems (One shouldn’t expect to get them all) or When in bloom, lop and treat in the dry areas |
|
| Nov-Jan | Overseed all the mowed/lopped areas | |
