Curled Dock,also known as Curly Dock, Yellow Dock, Sour Dock, Narrow Dock.

The mature plant is a reddish brown colour, and produces a stalk that grows to about 1 m high. It has smooth leaves shooting off from a large basal rosette, with distinctive waved or curled edges.

Curled Dock grows in roadsides, all types of fields, and low-maintenance crops. It prefers rich, moist and heavy soils.

Once out of the seedling stage, docks are resistant to grazing, mowing and competition from grass. Infestations may be contained but not eliminated. It is prudent to avoid sward damage from trampling and poaching that will allow seedlings to become established.

Methods of control

• Cutting is an emergency treatment to prevent seeding, but one that must be followed by a control technique.
• Pulling by hand provides immediate results, but will require more than one treatment. Labour is supplied.
• Selective herbicide application can be done by knapsack spraying or boom spraying and is extremely effective.
• Weed wiping uses a smaller amount of, and less harmful, chemicals than selective herbicide application, although this varies depending on the height of surrounding vegetation