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What is this?

louisegray391WqUsajQlouisegray391WqUsajQ Posts: 4
edited June 2023 in Problem solving
Hi,

Does anyone know what this green stuff is and how I can get rid of it please?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hello @louisegray391WqUsajQ and welcome to the forum 😊 

    The photo isn’t very clear, but it looks very much like Creeping buttercup aka Ranunculus repens. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • louisegray391WqUsajQlouisegray391WqUsajQ Posts: 4
    Dovefromabove said:
    Hello @louisegray391WqUsajQ and welcome to the forum 😊 

    The photo isn’t very clear, but it looks very much like Creeping buttercup aka Ranunculus repens. 

    Hi,

    Thanks for the advice. Sorry I had to resize the image to get it on here. 

    I've taken another photo. 

    I think it is what you've said though. 

    I've tried Roundup Fast Action Weedkiller and there's no difference. 

    Any ideas?
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    If you use a glyphosate weedkiller it should work but it takes about 3 weeks to kill the roots.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited June 2023
    @louisegray391WqUsajQ Have you got a membrane underneath? If not you could try hoeing. Creeping buttercup is not easy to get rid of especially if it is in surrounding gardens.
    When the weather is dry it is the best time.It will get weaker over time.

    I would forget weedkiller it is expensive and weeds do not respond as they did years ago. Not sure if it is weaker or the weeds themselves have mutated. Many weedkillers have been banned as there has been more understanding about how insects/including bees/birds and small mammals have been affected. There are also concerns regarding human health.

    House sparrows eat the seed it would seem, always a bonus. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • louisegray391WqUsajQlouisegray391WqUsajQ Posts: 4
    GardenerSuze said:
    @louisegray391WqUsajQ Have you got a membrane underneath? If not you could try hoeing. Creeping buttercup is not easy to get rid of especially if it is in surrounding gardens.
    When the weather is dry it is the best time.It will get weaker over time.

    I would forget weedkiller it is expensive and weeds do not respond as they did years ago. Not sure if it is weaker or the weeds themselves have mutated. Many weedkillers have been banned as there has been more understanding about how insects/including bees/birds and small mammals have been affected. There are also concerns regarding human health.

    House sparrows eat the seed it would seem, always a bonus. 
    Thank you. 

    I think there is a membrane under it. Looking at it I found this. I think the black is the membrane. 


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited June 2023
    @louisegray391WqUsajQ I don't think the membrane is doing a very good job have you had it down for a while?They can vary in how long they last.
    You can also get a layer of dust over time between the membrane and the stones, weeds will root in that too.

    Creeping buttercup spreads by runners and is deep rooted it has gone straight through the membrane. Digging out with a trowel will only result in more damage to the membrane and it will also be hard work due to the stones. The problem is the more you used a trowel and damage the membrane the more this weed will find it's way through.

    Over time weed seed will always win the battle over membrane and stones. Nature takes it's course.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • louisegray391WqUsajQlouisegray391WqUsajQ Posts: 4
    GardenerSuze said:
    @louisegray391WqUsajQ I don't think the membrane is doing a very good job have you had it down for a while?They can vary in how long they last.
    You can also get a layer of dust over time between the membrane and the stones, weeds will root in that too.

    Creeping buttercup spreads by runners and is deep rooted it has gone straight through the membrane. Digging out with a trowel will only result in more damage to the membrane and it will also be hard work due to the stones. The problem is the more you used a trowel and damage the membrane the more this weed will find it's way through.

    Over time weed seed will always win the battle over membrane and stones. Nature takes it's course.
    I don't know how long it's been down. Its a rented property, I've lived here 12 years and it's never been replaced in that time. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @louisegray391WqUsajQ I am not sure but 12 years does seem like a decent amount of time. I don't know for sure but I believe there have been improvements over the years could be much longer with some of the newer membranes?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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