I bought this old house and discovered it's infested with Creeping Charlie in both the front and back lawns. I've tried natural methods to get rid of it, but nothing seems to work. I'm considering using Trimec once to eliminate the infestation and then planting clover. Is this a good approach for the environment, or am I just introducing another problem?
5 Answers
You definitely want to choose a replacement plant that's native to your area if you're thinking of replanting. It doesn't make much sense to swap one invasive species for another, right?
Tarping the area with a black tarp for a couple of months during summer can really help kill off those perennial weeds. This method has worked wonders for me whenever I start a new garden!
It’s understandable! Sometimes herbicides are the only practical solution for a serious infestation like this. The misuse of herbicides is where most issues arise, so careful application is key if you go that route.
Consider increasing exposure to light and reducing moisture in the area, like trimming back trees and maybe adding a French drain. Raking hard with a metal rake can disturb the Creeping Charlie runners. Complete removal is tough though; it often requires starting over from scratch!
Just a heads up, bumblebees really enjoy Creeping Charlie. If you remove it to plant something else, you might lose those beneficial pollinators. Manual removal is often the best route to go if you want to keep the ecosystem healthy.

I've heard that works really well! I might try it for some of my stubborn weeds.