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- Weed Control
- Ground Elder / Goutweed
- Disease Control
- Pest Control
Control Methods Overview
Non Chemical
Constantly dig and weed the area and continue with regular hoeing, this exhausts the plant and is very effective. Never add to the compost, there is a risk that bits of rhizome will remain intact. Dig out and burn, never use a rotivator as this breaks the rhizome into many tiny pieces ready for growth.
Chemical
The most effective weedkillers contain glyphosate, a broad spectrum non-selective systemic herbicide; glyphosate is inactivated on contact with the soil, so there is no risk of damage to the roots of nearby ornamentals.
How to remove Ground Elder/Goutweed; Aegopodium podagraria Family Umbellifer
Ground elder has since proved an extremely troublesome and obnoxious pernicious weed. The ancient Romans are credited with introducing it to England as a food and medicine.
It is very difficult to eradicate without resorting to chemicals but, in organic gardening there is no such thing as an organic weed killer as there is always danger in their use. The eradication of ground elder is possible but it does require much perseverance possibly over a number of years, but success is possible.
The plant is a perennial about 15cm high with green leaves and small white frothy flowers. It has a vigorous crop of white creeping underground rhizomes found just under the soil surface. The rhizomes are brittle and extensive entwining like wire, each tiny piece has the ability to multiply and produce a new leaf at every node. It should never be allowed to flourish as the flowering stage presents the most vigorous stage of the plant it has the ability to put on 90cm of growth in a season.
I have achieved success by clearing the site of all plant material and burning it and then putting the area to grass or laying a membrane with a vigorous crop planted through the membrane. Persistence and diligence is required to remove and destroy any stray ground elder plants and rhizomes as they erupt around the membrane.
Find out how to control Ground Elder/Goutweed