Autumn is a suitable time to identify and remove harmful weeds remaining in orchard shelter belts, or any area adjacent to the orchard.

The flowerheads of the invasive South American pampas grass have just emerged (not to be confused with the native toetoe which flowers from September to January). Within another month or two, hundreds of fluffy seeds on each pampas flowerhead will be blown by the wind, ready to cling to Hayward fruit especially.

Any pampas seed on fruit is a serious reject factor – it is difficult for the rollers to remove these seeds in the pack-house.

To remove pampas:

• Small plants can be hand pulled.

• Very large plants may need to be trimmed back prior to applying herbicide.

• Cut seed heads off and burn or bury them in a disposal pit, or bag and dispose of seed heads at an approved landfill.

• For areas outside of the orchard growing area, carefully apply glyphosate at the recommended label rate to the basal leaves of the plant. A small amount of surfactant/penetrant will also help the herbicide move into the tough leaves.

• Apply herbicide carefully and under low pressure to avoid any possible off-target damage, ideally using a knapsack sprayer.

A video produced by Bay of Plenty Regional Council on how to control pampas can be viewed here.