Ground Elder invasion

[Crabby Apple]

I have a persistent problem with ground elder. Would you recommend weedkiller that is meant to kill down to the root?
Does putting down wood chippings help or does it just make it harder to dig out future growths of ground elder?

[lafrancaise]

I used a glysophate weed killer to get rid of mine. Spray a second time after a week. Don't be tempted to pull up the dead weeds too quickly as it won't have had time to get to the end of the roots. My garden is now ground elder free so I know this works.

[jake-the-peg]

I'm impressed lafrancaise managed to get rid of this stuff it's notoriously difficult to irradicate.

I certainly would go with the advice of hunting down and painting glyphosate on any you find - you'll probably have to do it several times over the year.

I suspect wood chipping would just make it cross :c)

[Crabby Apple]

Thank you lafrancaise for your advice. I will certainly give it a try. As for the wood chippings (Jake the Peg) I don't think that I'll risk making it cross. Thanks.

[growbag]

Hi, we have had a problem with ground elder, not helped by the fact that it's coming through from under the neighbours fence.... We painted as much glysophate weedkiller on as we could, then repeated after two weeks, then dug out the whole bed (not an easy task) and laid a weed suppressant fabric over the whole area, up to the fence. Then we covered the bed in topsoil and - fingers crossed - haven't seen any more of the stuff. I am about to plant up the bed (through the fabric) and will be prepared to weedkiller any signs of the stuff returning. The only alternative we coudl see was to turf over the bed for at least two years but didn't want to do that. Good luck!

[beattie819]

Hi,apparently, Mexican marigolds stop ground elder, all marigold roots secrete chemicals and also stop bindweed. I found this out on www.thecei.org.ukBeanstalk/companion_plants.htm, hope this helps

[beattie819]

Ooops, sorry, forgot to say Mexican marigolds are also called Tagetes Minuta, so Im told.