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Getting rid of daffodils

TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,349
in Problem solving

Help! We made some 2' high raised veggie beds in a corner of our new garden last summer - not realising there were daffodils deep in the soil in that area. image

The bulbs have sprouted in the beds and I need to get rid of them. I estimate the bulbs must be a good 3 feet below the surface of the beds & impossible to dig out without dismantling the beds. Does anybody know if glyphosphate is effective against bulbs? (I realise I might have to apply it for several years to get rid of them) or any other suggestions to deal with the problem? 

Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down

Posts

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317

    It will work-but why not just dig down a bit and cut off the leaves?-say a foot or so ??

    In time you will weaken the bulb and it will give upimage

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    I'd do as lazy gardener. There were some not very floriferous daffs in a patch of grass when we came here. A few years' mowing and they'd gone



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Steve the Gardening VetSteve the Gardening Vet Posts: 1,629

    Don't get me started on spanish bluebells... image

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,349

    Thanks for the suggestions so far. I did remove the leaves to about 10" below soil level a few weeks ago but they are already showing through again. Encouraged to hear it probably is a matter of just persistently trying to weaken the bulb over a few seasons.

    I was thinking that a bit of chemical help would speed things along - just wasn't sure whether glyphosphate worked on bulbs or not.

    Spanish bluebells, Steve J - I understand - have a similar problem with celandines all over the place - pretty - but looking way too much like weeds now!

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317

    Having second thoughts about this-bulbs 3 foot down are unlikely to have the energy to grow that high-and you say you cut off the leaves a few weeks ago

    Are you sure these are daffodills-have they flowered??

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,349

    Definitely daffodils / narcissi. One or two flower buds - most are blind. Tenacious little blighters aren't they? I was suprised they were shooting from that far down - but they are.

    Do you think chemicals might be my friend here?

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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