Overrun with Weeds!

I’m overrun with these weeds in my veg beds and around a lot of my garden. I did put a weed membrane down all winter to try and suppress their growth, but when I lifted it today they’re like a forest under there!

They have really strong, deep roots. I don’t know how to get shot of them. if I put weed killer down, will it damage the plot for future veg growing?

They are coming from under the garden fence, then under the sleepers into the veg bed. I feel like I may never get rid of them.

 

A number of weed killers that you spray on the leaves that kills the roots claim that soil neutralises the chemical in the spray. So it claims on the label. I have never had any problems growing veg after using these sprays but I do wait a few weeks before planting.

 

They look like raspberry suckers. Glyphosate based weed killer will work on new strong growth but you need to be patient..it takes up to 6 weeks to kill the roots. Check that what you re using isn't based on pelargonic acid. That is absolutely useless.

 

Looks like ground elder to me. It's an absolute pain in the neck. Every bit of root left in the soil will regrow. Glyphosate works but takes 2 or 3 sprayings. It's a nuisance when it comes from a neighbour. Happened to me.

 

I think it's ground elder too. Good luck!

 

I really hope that you can dig out all the unwanted plants and not use chemicals. Yes it is very time consuming but your ground then isn't full of chemicals.

 

I thought ground elder but there seem to be old, dry stems and bristly new ones? Either way the treatment will be the same :-)

 

The jury's out on whether glypho degrades into nitrogen in the soil as the manufacturer's claim or whether it persists. As it's taken in by green growth and works by translocation to the roots, it doesn't work the other way round, i.e. it won't be taken up by roots. When it's used correctly, and only when really needed, it's the only permanent solution for certain invasive plants. But entirely a personal choice of course :-)

 

If it is, and looks like it, then you have your first crop of the season, for it is edible. Itwas a staple for the middle ages.#
https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/ground-elder/

 

Japanese Knotweed is said to be very tasty too!

 

Ground Elder was also known as Bishop's Gout Weed. Gives a clue as to what you took it for.

 

@NigelJ maybe I’ll make my Dad some tea from it . He’s 80 and suffers with gout

 

Thanks everyone.

So - eat it, spray it, or learn to live with it. But the chances are I’ll never properly get rid of it

very helpful as always!

 

I've never had to deal with ground elder so can't speak from experience. My go-to for weeds is 360 Glyphosate Weedkiller, from ebay.(It lasts for years).



I transfer some to a dropper bottle and apply 1 or 2 drops to the centre of the weed.
By the look of your problem, I would use a small paint brush and apply to the leaves.
No overspray and no chance of wind drift.
Good luck.

 

You can eradicate it, trust me :-) Zap the top growth to kill off as much root as possible. Then you might need neighbour's co-operation to get a physical, vertical barrier as deep as possible into the soil between your gardens. What they choose to do about their side is their affair! In the future you'd only need minimal zapping or digging out of roots as soon as any new growth is seen. Good luck :-)