Weed madness!

[Vince G]

They'd be OK in pots for a bit - the ones I got recently are pretty small, so they're now potted up and will sit in the polytunnel until the frosts have finished in the spring.

[ColourMeSurprised]

Hmm, I might have a look at getting some then, if they're still available next time I get paid. I could keep some in my teeny tiny greenhouse and some indoors.

So someone asked before what sort of weeds I'm gonna be fighting. I went out today, chopped back a huge number of brambles:



Clearly I'd let them get WAY out of control. But yeah, while I was doing that, I took some pictures of the overgrown area and specific weeds. Please pardon the finger in shot - the sun was in the way so I was trying to block the glare.



So yeah, I tried smothering a small section with thick cardboard when it was last cut back (by the landlord, before we moved in), but it all just sort of grew around and over it. XD This is the main weed that seems to be everywhere:



And I'm not sure if the one on the left here is a separate weed, or the same one:



I'll finish this in another post, as I think I've reached the image limit or something XD

[veggiechicken]

Your troublesome weed is Creeping buttercup. It spreads by runners but is quite shallow rooted. Just fork under them and lift them out of the soil. Let them dry off on the surface and shake the soil off the roots.
Not too bad a weed to have

[ColourMeSurprised]

I also have a lot of this white thready stuff:



I've also got some of this growing as tall stalks, and it smothered my raspberry cane. Not sure if it's actually a weed? It smells gorgeous when pulled out; almost herby.



There are also a couple of little flowers in this shot:



So yeah. If anyone could identify these for me, I'd be very grateful. My boyfriend's dad has mentioned bindweed, and I'm not sure if that's one of them?

[ColourMeSurprised]

Ahhh thank you, chicken! Sorry, I posted that before seeing your reply XD

[Martin H]

The one you weren't sure if the same or different from the creeping buttercup looks like Aquilegia / columbine.

In your latest set of pictures, the fluffy bits are willowherb, the tall nice smelling one is some sort of mint, the little flowers in the last pic are herb robert.

[ColourMeSurprised]

Thanks for the identifications, Martin! Is there any way of narrowing down the type of mint? And can I assume it's safe to eat/use? I adore the smell of it, and would love to move some into a pot and keep it, if it's usable.

[Martin H]

Is there any way of narrowing down the type of mint?

Sorry, I'm not an expert. I just go by what they smell like. Maybe if you cut a stem, including the flowers / seeds, lay it on a sheet of white paper and take some sharp close-ups, the experts on the forum might be able to narrow it down?

[veggiechicken]

Does the "mint" have a square stem?
Hairy leaves?
Rub the leaves - what sort of smell?
If its minty smelling, have a nibble of a leaf.
How does it taste?
Do you like the taste?

[Kristen]

I was planning to sow grass seed there once it's clear, and try to extend the lawn up to the hedge.

If you are going to sow grass seed in the "shade" near the hedge then make sure you get a Shady Mix of grass seed. I had an area of lawn here that became heavily shaded as the trees grew, and was always a bit bald when I mowed it / it was walked on a lot. Re-seeded that with "shady mix" and its as green as the rest of the lawn now

[ColourMeSurprised]

Chicken:

No, it doesn't have a square stem.
The leaves are not hairy.
Rubbing the leaves, they smell herby. I'm thinking minty now, but is that because mint has been suggested? XD
The leaves are quite tough, but they don't really taste minty.

I've taken some close-up photos:



And thanks Kristen, I'll keep that in mind if I go with the grass option!

[Martin H]

Sorry, it's not mint after all. Actually I don't recognise it.