I'm really struggling with creeping Charlie in my yard and I know it's notoriously tough to control. Does anyone have any organic or non-toxic methods to remove it without harming my grass? I've tried hand-pulling, but it just seems to be everywhere!
4 Answers
I haven’t dealt with it myself, but I came across a video that suggests using a vinegar solution. You apply it during warm weather, and it's supposed to help keep creeping Charlie at bay. It’s worth a shot, right? Just make sure to cover it all well!
Honestly, if you’re okay with chemicals, Triclopyr Ester is your best bet. It’s pretty effective, but you may want to look into the organic alternatives first.
Honestly, chemical treatments or constant digging are usually the only surefire way to get ahead of it. I have an eco lawn service that helps manage it, but I've come to just accept having a bit of it. If you keep it out of your garden beds, you can manage it better. By the way, if you’re dealing with ground elder too, I found that if you catch the leaves when they’re young, they can be edible! It’s almost like a parsley substitute. Let me know if you need tips on that!
From what I've experienced, you might consider using cleaning vinegar. Just be careful because it’s not super effective if it doesn’t get absorbed. Make sure to remove any of the plant pieces you pull up or they’ll just root again. Best to treat it before it flowers in spring. Once it flowers, it gets way harder to control.
Yeah! A good resource for edible weeds is a book by Julie Briton-Seal. It gives some neat recipes for ground elder and even suggests using ground ivy as a baking herb. It could help make the most of that pesky plant!