Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all

Any ideas on the best way to get rid of ground elder? I am trying to be as organic as I can, so advice "organically" I would prefer -- but may end up compromising in order to ensure that the invasion is stopped...

Many thanks

David

Eat it. Really. Eat it. It was introduced by the Romas as a vegetable, and it tastes great. Keep hacking back the soft young greens, and you'll have plenty of encouragement as it tastes great, and eventually it'll die. It might take you a year or four, but its organic, free and easy.

For some recipes, check here (I compiled my favourite recipes into an article for convenience):
http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Fi...ublesome_Weed/

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How interesting! I have it in the garden and have given up trying to pull/dig/etc it out.
Have you tried it? wonder what it tastes of? Will give it a go. Have just checked the border and it's just starting to grow.

Cab. How wonderful to know that. I do know that the Romans are also credited with introducing stinging nettles and docks to Britain. They planted clump along the sides of roads as they built them. The idea of the nettles was that you gathered a bunch of stems and used them to whip your legs and feet. The nettles would make the legs and feet go numb and stop any pain on long marches. Archaeologists recognise that nettles and dock leaves are a good indication of prior human buildings and construction.
Jax

I believe that nettles and docks got here before the romans, that one is an urban myth, but we can thank them for alexanders (tasty and common around the costs), coriander, fennel and ground elder; all related, and all very tasty.

Ground elder has a strong flavour, it went out of fashion because its so invasive and because people tend not to want intense flavoured veg (I know, I know, 'people' are mad!). But I really like it.

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So thats it - I've been hacking the fresh young shoots back for years and it still continues to grow. Its obviously psychological - it needs to know it is being eaten before it dies off

Seriously - great idea. Might try the soup!

Oh this grapevine is good - the things one gets to learn !!!

Jennie, I'd be lying if I said that nibbling it to death is quick

But it does die back eventually; keep at it, keep hacking it back, keep digging it out from the edges, and eventually you'll beat it.

Had it in one garden once. Killed it all eventually, then I started picking it wild to eat.

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Hi David,

this is what might be called a perennial problem I read somewhere that there is a plant that you can sow and it secretes something from the roots that deters Ground Elder but I can't remember what it is (fat lot of use eh ). I'll have alook thru the books and see if I stumble across it.

Can you eat bind weed I wonder...

Thank you Nick for that reminder - my sister in law told me about that one - a Mexican something or other - was in the Kings catagloue I think. (She only works with Kings!). Will go on their website and have alook.

Mentioned Ground Elder soup to OH - can't describe the look on his face! I said we might get desperate when the spuds run out.

Just been on Kings website (www.kingsseeds.com) and its Herb Marigold Mexican Item No. 15260, grows to 2 metres in height (bet not this far north) and has flowers. "Suppresses" ground elder and couch grass - 100 seeds for 99p.

Will have to give it a go! or will have to do a H-F-W and sell ground elder soup at work.

Hi nick/all

I'm new to this forum, looks really helpful , unfortunately I dont want to eat ground elder ,I actually want a lawn in its place , currently it is covering my entire garden and I need to eliminate it 100% , my neighbour has suggested getting hold of ''paraquat'' but I cant seem to find that either, any suggestions for a really good weed killer ?
Many Thanks
Kitty (novice gardener !!)

Seriously, if you want to be rid of ground elder you have to use weed killer. Something like tumbleweed. One application won't do. But every time it reappears spray again. After 3 or 4 sprayings it will be gone. If you don't it will be everywhere. We would all like to be completely green and organic but there are times when it just don't work.

If you go to your local farm supplier, they sell industrial strength glysophate/ glyphosphate (SP???!!!). It's too powerful for garden centres to sell and will still need applying several times for it to be effective. It's still the nearest thing to non-toxic you can buy too. remember...farmers need something that will work quickly! most people find roundup etc from garden centres just too weak.

Mmmm, how about swap plots?

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Kindest regards, David.

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updated - Thursday 8th January at 2130hrs

If it's a lawn you are after is it really tolerant of repeated mowing?

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With ground elder you will have to spray or cover with black plastic for a long time. You could dig it out but you will find it back breaking work.

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Andrewo
Harbinger of Rhubarb tales

Hi all , many thanks for your prompt responses , these are all most helpful , I will investigate the options, my neighbour did tried covering, but alas this did not work , as I have some much of it I think the weed killer - (thanks Nicos) will be my first option & will let you all know how I get on in the coming months.
Many Thanks
Kitty

Covering with black plastic takes at least 3-4 yrs to work...too long for those of us who can't wait to sow our seeds!!! I still say, Industrial strength glysophate from a farmers market applied regularly through the year should see it out!!