Creeping Charlie

gracefarrell

Has anyone had any success getting rid of creeping charlie?  I thought we successfully destroyed it all last year, but now that the snow has melted I discovered another patch of it in the corner of our yard.

 Short of ripping out our lawn and starting over, is there anything I can do?  It seems to be all over the neighborhood as well.  Any way we can prevent it from spreading into our yard?

 Thanks!

Jennrs

Dude, that stuff is relentless! I honestly don't think it can be destroyed, it's like horror movie character who won't die! I really hope somebody knows something I don't about it because I'm sick of it in our yard and neighborhood.

littlemommy1

We've been wondering the same thing! We sprayed last fall (even though we didn't want to) and thought it was gone. Surprise! Seems like there's more than there was before. Ugh.

littlemommy1

I just talked to a guy at the local Earl May, and he suggested Super Weed and Brush Killer. I hate spraying chemicals in the yard, but I also hate these damn weeds!

GRsweetpea

Creeping Charlie is my nemesis.  I spend hours pulling it.  I built a raised bed in hopes of stopping it from spreading in one patch.  Like you, the snow revealed that I was losing the battle.

FoxinFiji

After it rains go out and pull it out by hand getting as much of the roots as you can.  Then when it comes back pull it up again.  Soaking the ground will help you get as much of the roots as possible.  Repeat until it's gone.  It takes a while but it works.  Put everything you pull out into garbage bags marked "Invasive weeds do not put in a landfill" on a piece of tape and set it out on your curb.  Most municipalities have programs to collect and burn these invasive plants.  Check with your local garbage service if and when they pick these up. 

Unlike most people I refuse to use chemicals on my lawn because I get to see the real life effects that stuff has on amphibian life in our ponds and marsh.  So while you may not have a pond in your backyard somewhere down the water table from you you are killing off wildlife by dumping chemicals into the ground that may or may not even work. 

littlemommy1

This is what I'm scared of. I know I said we sprayed last year, but we were both dragging our feet to do it. I'm willing to try anything this year before resorting to chemicals. I also have dogs and a toddler who loves to play outside, and I don't want them dragging that in the house.

I found these suggestions while doing some Googling:  http://www.providentplan.com/1910/6-cheap-homemade-natural-organic-weed-killer-recipes/

I'm not sure why bleach is on there, that's not a good natural way to rid it. I'm going to try the boiling water first, then borax. Maybe vinegar.

FoxinFiji-could you tell us some of the effects you have seen? Maybe that would help everyone see it from your perspective.