Annoying persistant weed

[Matheous]

I have several large container/patio plants of various types -most of which are blighted by a nasty small leaved (overall size is small) weed which explodes its seed everywhere on contact by hand ( no innuendo intended ladies !).....
If anyone recognizes or knows of a simple remedy or prevention- I would greatly appreciate help. I have considered a mulch of fine chips or gravel .....?

[Thunderbird+]

This sounds like 'Hymalayan balsum' or another of the balsums, AKA touch me not or policemans helmet.

Just pull em up before they flower and eventually they'l die off.

[Matheous]

Thunderbird+
Thanks 4 the info although I was hoping that a gravel-mulch might be a deterrant....?

[heathfield]

'Hairy bittercress', and I have tons of it in my flowerbeds. Difficult to get rid of unless you keep pulling it out before it turns to seed. You can eat the leaves, it seems! Read about it here

[dancecaller]

Yours may not be Himalayan Balsam as that is not small, but it's a real pest.
A stately plant with pink 'policeman's helmet' flowers, and an interesting habit of exploding when the seeds are ripe, if you touch it.
DO NOT PLANT IT. You'll be pulling it out for evermore. It is invasive in the wild too.

[Matheous]

heathfield -Thanks -that's the culprit !