View Single Post
  #2   Report Post  
Old 16-05-2010, 05:48 AM posted to rec.gardens
Coffee's For Closers[_3_] Coffee's For Closers[_3_] is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Feb 2010
Posts: 12
Default I must have dug a thousand dandelions today

In article ,
says...
I'm trying to reclaim a big flower bed that has been neglected for a
couple of years. Rather than spray it with Roundup, I've been digging
out the weeds (mostly dandelions.) The depressing thing is that the
ground is white with dandelion seeds, but if I cover them with mulch
maybe the earthworms will eat them.

I have found some perennials in there that I thought were gone; lilies,
liatris, evening primrose, and Echinacea (I knew there were a few
Echinacea in there.) And the dirt looks pretty good. Unfortunately
about half of the dandelions are breaking off about 6 to 8 inches down.
So I'm getting *almost* all the roots out, but probably leaving enough
in there that they'll resprout. Hopefully it takes all their energy to
send up just one or two shoots and if I keep the tops hoed down they'll
die quickly enough. Or I can spot treat with Roundup. But I'd rather
get it done naturally.

The johnny jump-ups are especially pretty this year. I'm working around
them as much as possible.



Personally, I would just put down cardboard, weighted with large
rocks or bricks, and leave it for a few weeks.


--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
http://www.cardreport.com/
Credit Tools, Reference, and Forum