Ground Elder - what would GC do?

As you can see the strip of land down the side of my house is invested with Ground Elder, I'm trying to formulate a plan of attack.



My first thought was to spray the lot of it with some Weedol Rootkiller Plus, let it get to the roots and then dig out around Autumn time.

Then I thought maybe I should start digging it out now and any bits that start poking through I can dig them out too.

I thought I could split it up into four/five sections so to make sure each section is completely free of it (spraying any bits that are near tree's, fences or path).

What would GC do?

 

I'm not planning on planting anything there until next year, would like to get it to a fine tilth ready for next year when I think I'll chuck a load of nasturtiums and wildflowers in there. Or some shade loving plants maybe?

 

We've got a large area that's 3/4 covered in ground elder. We're getting some heavy-duty killer which the local farmer uses. Cover up anything I want to keep and then spray. Anything that's left, dig out as and when it's seen. It's awful stuff, I've uncovered roots that are as thick as small tree branches. Another lovely legacy left us by the previous owners... Good luck!

 

Sounds awful Ellen. The roots on these are only pencil thick. Phew!

 

We've considered using a rotorvator but that won't be any use until its all killed off, as otherwise it'll just spread the root bits out to start giving me a headache somewhere else!

 

It sure is! I dug out a 6' trench in it, and that, so far, is still lovely bare soil But that's where I got the huge root from. That took me a good half hour...

 

Just to give an idea of the area, it's from behind the wooden fence you can see, and goes out to the left as well where the fruit trees are just in view. 3/4 of it is lush ground elder... The rest is docks, nettles and buttercups!

 

We eradicated ground elder from between plants at a previous house using Glyphosate.

Dunno if Weedol is the best formulation of Glyphosate out there, but I personally would doubt it and I would use the Roundup brand as Monsanto created the chemical and probably have the best idea how to formulate it (whilst Glyphosate is Glyphosate is Glyphosate of course, there are adjuvants added, different for each brand I expect, and they break down the leaf surface to allow Glyphosate to enter, and help transport it to the roots where it does its murderous deed they tend to also be the most toxic part of the weedkiller (to humans and animals) as Glyphosate itself is relatively non-toxic)

You can get agricultural grade Roundup off eBay. As such chemicals go it is regarded as reasonably safe, but its your call whether you feel comfortable to use them without the requisite formal training etc. The latest formulation "Roundup Pro Bio", which is replacing the previous "Roundup Pro Biactive", has a much safer adjuvant such that there is no hazard symbol on the package any more - so you may actually be better off using that than an amateur brand ... either way, the commercial products are stronger and more effective .

Monsanto has suggestions for treating pernicious weeds, including Ground Elder, on their website. From memory I think they say not to treat it too early in the season as you get a better kill with later application, so you may find that July is the earliest date to be doing it anyway.

 

Thanks Kristen, This Weedol stuff seems to work pretty quick. I've seen dandelions pretty much disappear in 3 days compared to some Round Up formula. Impressed so far. I think I'll coat the lot this weekend and keep an eye on it.

The only plants I want to save in there are two Aquilegia's, do they mind a bit of disturbance?

 

Good advice Kristen

 

http://www.lovethegarden.com/product-details/weedol-gun-rootkill-plus-1litre

 

Don't confuse speed with effectiveness

Most high speed weedkillers use a Desiccant - all it does is to dry out the greenery, which dies. The plant's roots survive and it comes back again ...

Weedol has two formulations, one of which only has a desiccant in it (and the other has Glyphosate in it and a Desiccant I think).

The key to getting a good "kill" is to get the Glyphosate transported to the roots where it then interferes with the chemistry of the roots, killing them - and then the plant doesn't come back again. Where it isn't fully effective it kills X% of the roots, the plants that come back are severely weakened and a subsequent application, or maybe two, does for them.

I am sceptical that things that combine Glyphosate with a Desiccant, such as Resolva, are more effective than plain Glyphosate - Glyphosate only works well on actively growing plants and if you instantly kill off the vegetation (with a combination Desiccant) I wonder how well the Glyphosate part then actually works?. For most weeds the trauma is probably enough to finish them off ... Ground Elder is not most weeds though ...

There is a reason why Roundup is the chemical of choice for farmers. My advice would be to keep your Weedol for weeds in your drive / paths and use the most effective chemical you can get your hands on for anything that is a serious pernicious menace - like Ground Elder.