On Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:15:28 +0000, cheeky chappie
wrote:


hi

picture the scene, i have a front garden comprising rectangular lawn
surrounded by 4 x borders, within which i've planted various (mainly
everygreen) shrubs. within the centre of the lawn there is a circular
area of soil with no plants/shurbs in it.

the borders and circular area suffer badly from what i think is 'sheeps
sorrel' and, after reading online and being advised on here, i now
realise the best way to tackle this weed isn't to turn the soil and pick
out what you can but rather to use a suitable weedkiller on the leaves
without disturbing the soil, right?

i tried this approach towards the end of last summer in the circular
area (really good dose of weedkiller, haven't turned the soil since) and
whilst i can see a few bits of the weed reappear it's nothing to worry
about. the easy thing about the circular area was no plants/shrubs to
worry about, i only had to ensure the grass surrounding the soil wasn't
touched by the spray.

my challenge with the borders is all the shrubs, i need to protect them
and the grass. someone advised i brush the weedkiller on by hand but
i'd rather spray. based on this will the following work and, most
importantly, will my shrubs survive?

1. cover all shrubs in plastic sheet tied at base i.e. all leaves
protected.
2. cover edge of lawn with plastic sheet.
3. this leaves me to liberally spray all exposed areas of soil in the
borders.

my hope is the weedkiller will be absorbed by the leaves of the weed and
kill the weed by killing the root system ... however if the roots of the
weed are entwined with my shrub roots is there a risk my shrubs will be
affected, or will they be okay due to their leaves being covered during
spraying?

bear in mind i'm intending to give the soil quite a good dose to try and
eliminate what is quite an unsightly weed which spreads like mad!

What weedkiller are you planning to use? There are systemic ones like
glyphosate or there are the soil-deadly ones (often sold as path
clearing products). The former are absorbed above ground and become
inactive when they hit the soil whilst the latter can stop anything
growing in the soil for an amount of time as they leave residues in
it. If you use the latter type then it will soak into the soil and
attack the roots of your shrubs and kill them.

If you are resolved on the weedkiller approach then look for a
glyphosate-based product (or preferably get pure glyphosate
concentrate). Protect whatever you don't want to kill and then spray
the rest - spray the foliage, NOT the soil. You don't need to drench
everything, just give it a good wet. Persistent weeds may require a
second spraying not less than 6 weeks later. Dilute as per
instructions. Don't be tempted to make the solution stronger - it
will have the opposite effect to that which you desire.

Probably a bit early to do this now. I'd wait until late March/early
April.

Once the area is dry, it's safe for pets and children.

Just remember that glyphosate kills everything it touches so protect
well the stuff you want to keep. It may take time to work so don't be
tempted to dig anything up before it's dead - allow time for the
weedkiller to work its way down to the roots.

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
Urgling happily from the dryer end of Swansea Bay where
the four seasons are salt,pepper,mustard and vinegar.