How would I get rid of these weeds please

Hi,
Anyone know what this weed is called and how I can remove it please. Its spreading and growing very quickly
Many Thanks

 

Hi @prettypolly
It's a bit tricky to tell the scale in the photo, but could it be annual Mercury (Mercurialis annua)?

 

Thankyou, I googled the name you gave (Mercurialis annua) and it definitely looks like them. Any ideas how to stop it growing and spreading please
Thank you

 

It's going to be tricky as it spreads by seed, which stays viable in the soil for several years.
You need to remove it by pulling-up, hoeing or using a fast acting weedkiller, but it will keep coming back so try and keep on top of it. The seeds are also spread by ants (like cyclamen), so it can increase rapidly in light soils.

 

Hi
Thank you for that information, I will try my best and persevere to keep on top of it now then, I have my spring bulbs underneath so I shall try and be careful as well. I thought with the weather on the turn now they might die off but there are happily flourishing still.

 

It isn't deep-rooted and should pull up easily, which means it won't affect your bulbs. You could try mulching the area to keep seed germination down, but it'll be a bit of a battle for a few years! As it flowers and sets seed so quickly, it's important to try and remove before the tiny white flowers appear.

 

Yes remember the old phrase one years seeds means seven years weeds. Keep pulling or hoeing them off so they don't flower any more.

 

I think I have these in a pot, but they don't take over, so I just leave them. Is this very unwise?!

 

Only if the pots are over an area where the seeds would fall and germinate.

 

I have these come up in the garden in summer, not sure if its frost hardy, I assume just an annual, like all weeds best got rid of while small, the problem only gets worse if you leave them.