weed control ?

[logman]

Anyone have any ideas or solutions on how to get rid of Ground elder from an established flower bed without digging up the whole border?

[gardenknowin]

Ground elder is a PIG!! Apart from digging the whole bed up to about 18ins deep, and picking out every little bit, which I gather you're not too keen to do, my best suggestion is to make up some RoundUp at about triple strength and paint it with a small brush on each visible leaf on a dry (haha) day. A long and boring process, but it does work, and if you value your established plants it is worth the hassle. Ground elder is like bindweed, it will regrow from tiny pieces, but RoundUp is systemic and as long as you take care and don't splash it about, it will only kill the "plant" it's applied to. Alternatively, lift all your special plants, heel them in elsewhere and dig like crazy! Then get some good sterilised topsoil and re-lay your pride and joy.

[andyjevs]

As above, probably one of the worst weeds to eradicate. I've had a patch at work for 5 years and it gets sprayed with a 50/50 water/roundup mix every year and i still have the odd leave come up.
I don't know whether SBK would zap it any better or some of the stuff we use for stump killing such as garlon mixed with diesel

[logman]

Thanks Guys, for the good advice above.

I'am gonna be rigging up a couple of canes, one with a paint brush attached the other with a right-angle pad, to take the back ache out of treating individual leaves.

As for mixing the chemicals, i shall stick strictly to the manufacturers spec, otherwise one would assume that they know more than the scientists who developed it. thanks again......

[andyjevs]

If you stick to the manufacturers correct mixing rates, you won't kill it.
When you get a large 5 litre commercial bottle of roundup (like we get at work), it states on the label that it can be used at stronger dilution rates for tougher weeds such as brambles, marestail and ground elder. It can also be used almost neat on tree stumps.
You really won't do any damage by using it stronger unless you get it on other plants !!!

[gardenknowin]

Hi andyjevs, whilst you obviously know your stuff, it seems your PC needs a good dose of glyphosate....! or anti-virus .......