Shoot Logo
Take a photoPlans & pricingBook a demoGet started

Ground Elder

Ground Elder

Question from Shoot User
978 5
I have ground elder coming up everywhere. I keep digging it out but of course the runners are everywhere. It is in my borders and all over the lawn. Any ideas how to rid myself of this please.
Posted: Friday 20th of March 2009 05:18 PM

  • Glyphosate!

    Shoot User
    The only thing I've found to get rid of ground elder. Ideally, dig up the plants you want, spray when the leaves are big enough to take up the glyphosate (Roundup). I then covered the area with a weed suppressing membrane and mulch for a couple of seasons. There are still some that come through, but it's a lot more manageable. The WSM has gone now, as it's easier to plant into the ground.
    Good luck!
    Replied: Friday 20th of March 2009 08:16 PM

  • Ground Elder

    Jason Lock
    Every gardeners, garden designers and landscapers nightmare - I have it too and 'mares tail'

    Ground Elder - its not all bad, you could cultivate and eat it as it does make a spinach like dish and when in flower is quite a stunning plant. However as it is invading borders and grass it is more of a headache.

    In borders the only real solution is to if practically possible is to take out all the plants and chemically treat with Glyphoste based system herbicide usually 'Roundup' howevre this may not be practical. Spot treating with a chemical is also a possibility if you get the smaller plants out and need to leave the lareg plants in, a combination of this and manulayy diggingout can be a lengthy process but it is in the end effective.

    The more you do this the more you will weaken the plants - however it is in the lawn as well so will keep re-invading. On the lawn you need a selective herbiced for 'braodleaves' so it will not kill the grass but you will need to be careful so you do not get any spray drift on the plants.

    I would suggest you contact the Association of Professional Landscapers and find a local contract who would be able to undertake this for you and possibly advise on the best course of action.

    Good luck!


    Jason Lock MSGD
    [LINK]www.deakinlock.co.uk[/LINK]
    [LINK]www.landscaper.org.uk[/LINK]
    [LINK]www.sgd.org.uk[/LINK]
    Replied: Saturday 21st of March 2009 11:55 AM

  • Helpful?

    Nicola
    Dear Kate,

    Thanks for your question for the panel. I am sure Dilys and Jason would love some feedback on how useful or otherwise this advice was. Do you have time to drop a quick reply?

    Also the panel may be able to answer any other related questions you may have.

    Does the forum format work for you? Could it be structured any better for you? Cheers Nicola
    Replied: Monday 23rd of March 2009 12:23 PM

  • Many thanks

    Shoot User
    I've been trying to find out how to do just that and have only just found my way back in to the forum.
    I am very grateful Dilys and Jason for your help - will have a go and see how we get on. I'll let you know.
    I also have Mares tail but I just keep hoeing those off.
    Replied: Monday 23rd of March 2009 03:08 PM

    • Lost?

      Nicola
      Hi Kate - thanks! That in itself is interesting feedback. How could we help make finding your threads easier? If you login and then go to your profile all your most recent ones are stored there in 'forum posts'

      Kind regards
      Nicola
      Replied: Monday 23rd of March 2009 05:17 PM

    • Marestail

      Jason Lock
      The trick with Marestail is to bruise the young plants by lightly squashing them with your foot and then treat with Roundup or similar. Eventually the plant weakens.

      Jason
      Replied: Tuesday 24th of March 2009 10:38 AM

  • Re: Ground Elder

    Shoot User
    If Roundup (or other glysophate) is applied in a strong mix, in summer, how long might it take before I notice the g/e leaves wilting or going brown? I've applied Roundup many times, in summer, but the g/e leaves seem to be unaffected. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks.
    Replied: Sunday 15th of February 2015 03:34 PM
TOP