It's not a pretty sight for the dignified, straightforward German gardener when he spots Giersch in the lawn in front of his door. We immediately think about how we can remove these weeds as quickly as possible so that the green idyll in the lawn grows as usual. Here we explain to you what you can do to combat the greed!
How to combat groundweed in the garden?
To combat ground cover effectively, you can remove root runners manually, chop off the plant regularly, suppress the ground cover with ground cover or cover it with fleece, film or bark mulch. Weed killers should only be used as an emergency solution.
A dreaded, annoying weed
In order for the fight against gooseweed to be really successful in the long term, you should first recognize the gooseweed correctly. Is that really groundweed in your garden? This herb prefers to grow in light shade, on moist surfaces, preferably at the edge of the tree.
The next step is to find out what survival strategies this wild weed has. One thing is known: Giersch is almost rampant. But how does he do it?
- forms root runners (up to 50 cm deep)
- spread in all directions
- it also forms shoots 5 to 10 cm deep
- Seeds like to sow themselves
- Seeds remain viable for several years
Fine work: Remove all root runners
What helps now? The most proven method of combating the disease is to remove all root suckers by hand. Admittedly it's tedious, but it works! To do this, it is necessary to remove all underground shoots or roots, as this will cause the herb to multiply without being asked.
You can pull the plants out of the soil if it is a little moist. But deep down, root remains remain. These must be picked out after digging, for example with a digging fork. They can grow up to 50 cm deep. It is ideal to use a sieve to remove the root residue.
Every little bit left in the ground can grow into a new gourd plant! This is how you can recognize the foothills or roots:
- they are white
- they are extremely fragile
- they are at least 20 cm long
- their diameter is 2 to 3 mm
Hecking – never wait until the flowers bloom
You can also control the greedweed by chopping it off regularly. This gradually robs the plant of its strength until it eventually dies. Always do this before flowering begins! Otherwise, you may be encouraging the seeds to self-sow. It's best to start in spring.
Get rid of ground cover plants
Here another strategy against the greedweed explained:
- suppress with ground cover plants
- Suitable ground cover: potatoes, sweet potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, comfrey, knotweed
- z. B. Plant potatoes in spring (distance 20 cm)
- the dense foliage casts shadows on the ground and takes away the light from the groundweed
- also take nutrients and water
- Side effect: soil is loosened
Cover the gopher to destroy it?
Covering the wild herbs has also proven useful. This may be your method of choice because it requires the least amount of effort. However, this is a lengthy method. It takes 2 to 3 years and is not 100% successful.
The idea is to smother the gooseweed with a fleece, foil or cardboard with bark mulch. The eradication takes place gradually. The disadvantage of this method: The seeds can survive because they remain viable for many years.
Weed killer? Only if there is no other option
Chemical-based weed killers should only be an emergency solution. You should think carefully beforehand about using poison in your own garden. For example, the long-term consequences of herbicides containing the active ingredient glyphosate are unclear. In any case, this active ingredient is portrayed in a bad light.
Therefore, avoid using such a spray! Not only for the sake of the environment and your own he alth, but also because herbicides - including those containing glyphosate - are often ineffective against groundweed. The root system survives.
Other options, but less effective
You can also try the following measures to combat the gopher:
- don't water, let it dry out
- Mix in soil with sand, if necessary also mix in lime
- Let sheep or other grazing animals graze on the Giersch
Learn to love and eat the gourd
Of course it can be completely different. You have the choice whether you see the gopher as an enemy or as a friend. This wild plant is not poisonous, but can actually be good for your he alth!
Giersch can be eaten! It is a tasty, nutrient-rich and free alternative to parsley. For example, you can use it for stews, pestos and spinach. The plant also helps with gout, rheumatism and digestive problems and is beneficial to your body with its high iron, vitamin C and potassium content.
Tip
Attention: The rhizomes of the gooseweed are stimulated to grow by simply chopping or cutting through.