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Ground elder

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  • If you have never used weedkiller on it you could of course pick it and eat it!  it's a bit like spinich.

  • bunnysgarden,

    Agree entirely with Bob and Dove - no danger at all, provided you look after the dog and adopt basic hygiene: follow the instructions on the container, wear rubber gloves or disposables, don't splash the stuff on yourself (I usually wear protective glasses), wait for a dry day.

    I've got rid of several infestations quite easily.

  • We have SO MUCH ground elder in our garden it's unbelievable.  I think it could qualify for a national collection! 

    Roundup got rid of it when we first purchased our house in summer 2012 and then one of the very overgrown flowerbeds was dug over and all traces of ground elder that we could see were removed.  Still lots trying to come up there though! 

    I think it's going to be a long hard slog to get rid of it all.  

    We uncovered a patch at the back of the garden that had been covered in black plastic sheeting for a couple of years.  That was about 2 months ago and now ground elder is shooting up there like a carpet.  Would roundup be effective this time of year so should I try and dig it out?  We want to sow grass seed on the area eventually.  

    Awful stuff!

  • SiabodSiabod Posts: 3

    I think the advice I was given for getting rid of docks would apply, dig it up hang it up to dry for 7 years and then burn it.

  • I would leave it until there is good leaf growth - about April. Good hunting, lass!

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,109

    We uncovered a patch at the back of the garden that had been covered in black plastic sheeting for a couple of years.  That was about 2 months ago and now ground elder is shooting up there like a carpet.  Would roundup be effective this time of year so should I try and dig it out?  We want to sow grass seed on the area eventually.  

    Awful stuff!

    Get rid of what you can, sow your grass and mow it regularly - regular mowing will kill if off - eventually image


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





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    My dad had used roundup several times over a period of 25 years on the garden I am now in, and it still came up, IMO digging out is the only long-term way. Letting it seed dosnt make much difference as it spreads by underground roots, that's why if you leave any tiny bit in, it will grow again.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Bunny ...Bunny ... Posts: 3,471
    Thank you for your views, I think I will approach with the old fashioned dig out what I can method , and keep it relatively contained to that area if I can.
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