Ground-elder

[nigelb]

Got ground elder,and couch grass (or twitch as its known round here), and various other very determined spreaders.

I've found that if I dig down at least 6 inches, taking the soil out, and then go through the soil speck by speck, removing every last trace of root, I reduce the problem some.

The clearest I've got an area was when I forked it 6" down, pulled out everything I could see, then levelled it again. Wait 4-6 weeks, then repeat.
With all the soil freshly turned like that, its easier to get the roots out in one bit, and the weed level does decrease if you keep this up for several months!
(or, as others have said, invest in a sythe or sickle and compost them!)

As an aside, why does everything else in my garden grow faster than anything I plant?

Nige

 

[meenaghman]

I did see a bit on Countryfile or whatever the farming programme is, where they were clearing rhododendrons in Snowdonia. They drilled a hole into the plant, then poured in roundup. This seemed to kill them although it took about 3 months to act.

 

[Norm]

Roundup is generally very good but don't over-apply it. If you put on too much, it kills the vegetation before it has had a chance to act on the roots. When it starts growing again is when you realised you wasted your time and effort and put on more than you needed to.

IMO, scorched earth is the way to go. Strong chemicals to kill everything, then create your seedbed and start again.

A tip for sowing grass seed is to mix it with the compost / conditioner of your choice and some sharp sand in a trug / bucket about a week before you want to apply it. Keep it somewhere warm at night but make sure it also gets plenty of daylight so put it out every day. Turn the mixture daily as well, so that everything in there gets some sunlight. After about a week, it will have started to germinate so broadcast it then and it will come up a lot faster. You will have your grass ready for the first cut in about 1/3 the time it takes if you sow it straight from the box.

 

[661-Pete]

Bindweed, and goose-grass (aka 'sticky-willy') are other delightful adornments that will really enhance your gardening experience.

In France - surprising, some might suppose this is a very 'British' problem - we have an ongoing battle with brambles, a losing battle it seems. Big ones: the thorns might take your finger off if you're careless. It's really hard work separating them from the hedge! We've learnt the hard way not to ride the bikes close to the house.

But there are plusses too. Lots of lovely orchids in the lawn, in spring and summer.

 

[rich p]

We've got a terrible problem in the kitchen with ground-coriander

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Thanks folks - even rich

So, it's a scorched earth policy then if we're to be rid of the bloody stuff. We bought the house from an old lady, well her son - who happens to be an estate agent, and she'd lived in the house since the late 1930s. I think the ground elder got out of hand because the house stood empty for a year or two before we bought it and it was free to roam. Having said that we've lived there for three years or more but have only been fighting fire with the stuff up to now. It's in two of the flower beds so I may just dig the whole lot out and start again.

 

[accountantpete]

I have some Horsetail spare if you want some.

 

[Beardie]

Ground elder can't grow very high, so try shading it out by planting taller plants very thickly. I'm going to try tackling a grassy area by sowing sunflowers.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

BTW Mort, there's a couple of bales of the stuff on the way to you - enjoy!

 

[ChrisKH]

I have a major infestation of what looks like Sun Spurge (I think). Wife keeps telling me it's a plant and I'm reasonably confident it's a weed but I can't be absolutely sure as the variety we have has thick dark green leaves below and the bouquet of Spurg weed above it. I think it's Spurge as it can give off a milky substance at certain times of the year. If I cut the top weedy looking part back it actually looks like a decent bush/shrubbery of sorts. How can I find out?

 

[accountantpete]

I have a major infestation of what looks like Sun Spurge (I think). Wife keeps telling me it's a plant and I'm reasonably confident it's a weed but I can't be absolutely sure as the variety we have has thick dark green leaves below and the bouquet of Spurg weed above it. I think it's Spurge as it can give off a milky substance at certain times of the year. If I cut the top weedy looking part back it actually looks like a decent bush/shrubbery of sorts. How can I find out?

Coat your hands in the white sap. If it's a Euphorbia they will go all blotchy and swell to twice their normal size and then you'll know!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Coat your hands in the white sap. If it's a Euphorbia they will go all blotchy and swell to twice their normal size and then you'll know!

Really helpful hint there pete

You can use the same method with drugs and liquids you're unsure of - if after you've ingested them you die they're not very good for you.

 

[ChrisKH]

Really helpful hint there pete

You can use the same method with drugs and liquids you're unsure of - if after you've ingested them you die they're not very good for you.

Thanks you two! I'll feed it to the kids and let you know how I get on.

 

[rich p]

I have a major infestation of what looks like Sun Spurge (I think). Wife keeps telling me it's a plant and I'm reasonably confident it's a weed but I can't be absolutely sure as the variety we have has thick dark green leaves below and the bouquet of Spurg weed above it. I think it's Spurge as it can give off a milky substance at certain times of the year. If I cut the top weedy looking part back it actually looks like a decent bush/shrubbery of sorts. How can I find out?

Put up a piccie?

 

[ChrisKH]

Put up a piccie?

Yea, fair comment. None here 25 floors up though, so it will have to wait until I get home.