Dock

[Mumbles]

Hi all.

My allotment is currently covered with docks as when there today a few fellow plot holders advised me the only way to get rid of them was weed killer that I'd apply direct to the leaves.

I'd rather avoid chemicals if I can but also feel a bit rude by ignoring the very friendly welcoming advice I've received.

I'm thinking about covering half with weed killed as advised but digging the front half. Are they really that difficult to dig out?

Thanks


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[Greenleaves]

That was probably because the hard work involved in digging out the roots. I'm a digger so my trusty fork would be out but other grapes have far more knowledge than I and may have much better solutions.

For me chemicals are a last resort. I also believe that if you have lots of docks it indicates your soil is on the acid side, so you may need to test the soil and apply lime if needed.

Grapes, if I have just typed a load of eyewash....please feel free to let me know

[WendyC]

Docks are fairly deep rooted but there are far worse horrors out there to try and eradicate. I'd dig too. Excluding light from them will weaken the growth, either with landscape fabric or layers of cardboard.

[Mumbles]

I like to dig too but feel rude ignoring them when they've been so friendly and eager to give advice


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[Greenleaves]

Best intention is not always best invention, maybe try varying solutions that will satisfy you desire to show gratitude but also allow you to develop your own solution.

Difficult I know...the chap on the next plot to me still burns of weeds....chokes me but it is his way

[Mumbles]

That's why I'm thinking of doing half and half, I can keep them happy by taking their advice but still get on with some digging.

Also there are so many docks that it would mean doing nothing while the weed killer did it's stuff and I have a plot to grow things not sit around waiting for things to die...


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[Mumbles]

I'm also quite excited to use my new weeding tool made especially for long tap roots :
😛


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[Greenleaves]

oh there long alright!

[Mumbles]

Good test for my tool then


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[Glutton4...]

My gardening chum has a novel idea for removing tap-roots; a large Phillips screwdriver! She shoves it down the middle of the plant, twists it, and pulls. Most of the time it works, too!

Personally, I wouldn't spray, but I would pull/cut off all the stems of those I didn't have time to remove, as it will weaken them, and prevent them seeding quite so soon. Good luck with them.

[Two_Sheds]

My allotment is currently covered with docks ... the only way to get rid of them was weed killer

nonsense.

I had a bad infestation of docks for the first couple of years on this plot. I dug them out (they're much easier to pull out when they are starting to flower) and now they only appear once in a blue moon.

[Alison]

nonsense.

I had a bad infestation of docks for the first couple of years on this plot. I dug them out (they're much easier to pull out when they are starting to flower) and now they only appear once in a blue moon.

Exactly, I've got a few in slightly awkward places which are harder to dig out but on the whole they're not that bad at all.


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[Bill HH]

Make a big show of spraying them but use water, then dig em out.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi.
I would say dig them out. Great exercise and even if you dig a few out at a time and cover the others. Also if you dig then you see the result straight away.
Chemicals can take a bit to really kick in plus if you have a large area it can work out really expensive if you need to so a few sprays of the stuff. If they don't rot down then you still have to either pull them up or dig them up.

[Samurailord]

I dig them out, pull them up, cut off the leaves of those I can't get to right away.

I personally wouldn't use a weedkiller on docks, but on large patches of horesetail on the path surrounding my plot - that's a different matter altogether.

At the end of the day, it is your plot and you should deal with your own weeds as you see fit.

Advice can be good or bad - it's up to you to make your own mind up about it.

Andy