Losing the battle of the weeds

[helensusan]

Help! I'm losing the battle against weed attack. I know this forum is primarily concerned with fruit and veg growing, which I also do, but my weed problem is in a shrub border.

We have a large border by our house which we planted up with shrubs early last spring. The shrubs are still small and the bare spaces have become carpeted with a thick layer of weeds. Despite ridiculous amounts of time weeding last year, it's virtually impossible to clear them on this heavy, sticky clay soil, and even during summer months it's quite a challenge. I don't really use chemicals but I need to tackle the problem before all is lost, but not quite sure which weedkiller product may be most suitable for the job. Any suggestions please? Thanks!

[veggiechicken]

What sort of weeds are they? Can you hoe the tops off them as they emerge?

[VirginVegGrower]

I had this yesterday when I raked all the leaves off the borders. Weeds underneath, although not a huge amount. Invest in a pair of clog crocs and a long handled hoe. After I had forked out the perennial weeds, which was fairly easy as very wet underfoot. I then hoed back and forth at great speed. Loads of compost mulch on the top and job was finished. Constant hoeing weakens them. Your problem is those with a tap root, which require forking out. Only graft with a hoe that will keep on top of it I am afraid. Long handles reach easily into the areas that ordinarily you can't get to. I have been planting clumps of alchemilla which self seeds like billio (?) but does ground cover well.
Trouble is that having done one side, I now have the other side to complete, ho hum

[redser]

Any chance of a photo helensusan. I'm thinking a mulch of some sort would be your best bet.

[alldigging]

What weeds?
Some will die if you bury them under layers of paper and cover them with bark mulch.
Taproot ones can be dug out.

[binley100]

I would dig out perennial weeds like docks, then hoe and give a nice thick mulch. Also consider growing some ground covering, weed suppressing perennials . At least then you've got something there you want.

[SarzWix]

Weed fabric and bark chippings would be my choice I think. Or cardboard and bark chippings.

[chris]

Indeed. Block the light, it'll kill off most weeds.

[helensusan]

Many thanks to all for your replies. Lots of good advice that I will put to use very soon!

[helensusan]

I think that I will cover the border with bark chippings once I've cleared as many of weeds as I can. Can't actually figure out why I didn't think of that in the first place!!

[chris]

Put something underneath them - bark chippings won't stop weed seeds germinating as well as a covering will do. Either weed control fabric, or cardboard, wet newspapers etc.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Help! I'm losing the battle against weed attack. I know this forum is primarily concerned with fruit and veg growing, which I also do, but my weed problem is in a shrub border.

We have a large border by our house which we planted up with shrubs early last spring. The shrubs are still small and the bare spaces have become carpeted with a thick layer of weeds. Despite ridiculous amounts of time weeding last year, it's virtually impossible to clear them on this heavy, sticky clay soil, and even during summer months it's quite a challenge. I don't really use chemicals but I need to tackle the problem before all is lost, but not quite sure which weedkiller product may be most suitable for the job. Any suggestions please? Thanks!

Don't know if it is still available but Caseron G4 is a sealer and should prevent germination of weeds where you don't want anything growing. So one last weeding session and then sprinkle on----if you can get it

[helensusan]

Put something underneath them - bark chippings won't stop weed seeds germinating as well as a covering will do. Either weed control fabric, or cardboard, wet newspapers etc.

Thanks for reply. Get the idea about underneath layer but not sure how I can put down weed control fabric when shrubs are already planted? Is there a type of bark chippings that doesn't contaminate the soil?

[alldigging]

Get normal weed fabric and cut a line up it and put the plant in that bit. Over lap the cut ends - like a shawl round a neck...

[Bigmallly]

Thanks for reply. Get the idea about underneath layer but not sure how I can put down weed control fabric when shrubs are already planted? Is there a type of bark chippings that doesn't contaminate the soil?

Although it will break down over time, you could use several sheets of newspaper or flattened cardboard boxes covered with chippings.