Trailing creeping weeds

[chasingmytail]

Been spending days after days pulling out trailing weeds that have enveloped my beds. My major problem is the silverweed (could be some Cinquefoil), horsetail, chickweed. The soil was imported in by husband so could of come from anywhere and the thick layer of compost was homemade by using our cow muck.
The land around the bed has been compacted and messed with. It was farmland pasture not well attended to.

As quick as I'm removing the horsetail and silverweed they appear again within a few days. The silverweed can regrow from the tiniest root (prob got a scientific name) Its really getting me down now as if anything happens (say I get ill) then its going to over run within a few days.

The area around is also unattended which doesnt help either.

Is there any light at the end?

[Penellype]

Silverweed (Argentina anserina) is a real pain to get rid of. It has fleshy tuberous roots which break up very easily and are dark brown so they are very hard to see. The roots are actually edible, although I have not tried to eat them myself. All I can suggest is to keep prising it out carefully with a fork. The looser the soil the easier it will come out whole.

Horsetail is nearly impossible to eradicate, and you may simply have to learn to live with it. The black, fragile roots can go down upto 8 feet. Even weedkillers struggle to kill horsetail although they will burn off the top growth.

Chickweed is an annual weed. If you can remove it before it flowers you should in time be able to remove most of it.

[Bigmallly]

If you don't want to go down the chemical route, the only thing I can suggest is covering it with cardboard or plastic to slow it down.

[Python15]

I've read of a lot of people eating the chickweed. Can't say I've tried it myself but could be a good salad ingredient? Apparently it's quite good for you.

[happyhumph]

Agree with bigmally. Either glysophate or if you don't want to use chemicals choose a small area to concentrate your efforts on & cover the rest up for now.