Hardly any weed is as stubborn as the common ground weed, also known as trefoil or goat's foot. Thanks to its meter-long root runners and amazing adaptability, the weed conquers almost any terrain, even pushes itself into the root balls of plants and sprouts boldly right next to them. In this article you will find out how to get rid of groundweed successfully and permanently.
How can you effectively get rid of and utilize groundweed?
In order to combat groundweed successfully and permanently, you should remove the roots mechanically, mulch or cover the soil and dispose of fresh groundweed roots in the organic waste bin. Use young greedweed leaves in the kitchen to use the weed in a positive way.
Do chemical weed killers help?
The trefoil is extremely robust. It is true that some plants die as a result of treatment with herbicides. However, the extensive root extensions that reach deep into the ground are not fully reached by the products, so the groundweed soon sprouts again.
Since weed killers also damage crops and negatively affect the microorganisms living in the soil, you should prefer other measures.
Fighting goatfoot mechanically
This method is the most effective, but unfortunately quite tiring. A day when the soil on the surface is relatively dry is ideal for combating it, as it then breaks down into fine crumbs.
- First loosen the soil with the digging fork. The gourd roots are found at a depth of around twenty to thirty centimeters.
- Do not lift the soil as this could tear the roots and make them more difficult to remove.
- Put your hands carefully into the loosened soil. You can now feel the root network, carefully lift it out of the ground and shake off any adhering substrate.
- Afterwards, pick out all root residue very carefully using a hand rake (€7.00 on Amazon).
If the gourdweed has been removed over a large area, it may still be possible that a few small plants will still appear. It helps to weed these regularly so that the plant can no longer spread again. Mulching is also a good way to suppress regrowing groundweed.
Covering with foil or fleece: The alternative method that requires a little patience
If weeding is not enough, you can temporarily cover the ground with a dark film or plant fleece. The goat's foot is deprived of light and oxygen and it shrinks. However, you will need a bit of perseverance to do this, as the film must remain on the area for at least one season.
Where to put the roots?
You don't have to put the gooseberry in the organic waste bin, as is often the case. Let the roots dry in the sun and then chop them up. You can then add the groundweed to the compost, where it will rot like any other plant material.
However, it is better to dispose of fresh gourd roots in the organic waste bin, as they would re-sprout in the compost and grow through the garden faster than they rot.
Young gourd leaves are too good for the trash
Don't just throw away the weeded greens completely, because the entire above-ground herb can be used to make extremely tasty dishes. The young leaves are particularly tasty and tender. You can prepare them like spinach, add them to salads, put them on pizza or serve them as a filling, for example in ravioli. Giersch even works very well as a pesto.
Tip
Edible flowers are very trendy. Giersch produces small, white flowers that taste pleasantly spicy. Sprinkle these on salad or as a decorative seasoning on potato soup. You will be surprised at how good weeds are in the kitchen.
