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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 26, 2007 15:16:08 GMT
As a couple of members have asked about a "Weed" thread, we thought we would start something on similar lines to the Floral and Tree Lexicons - however not in alphabetical order. A photo is essential for identification purposes and any information about getting rid of them or infact anything of interest. One of the worst weeds I know and hate is: Ground Elder I do know that some people use the young leaves in salads, and they are very welcome to have some of mine. Too many apparently work as a laxative..... Apparently it has herbal uses - against rheumatism and gout. The only way I think is to dig it out and get every single piece which I have found nigh on impossible. We have some system herbicides here and I think that Glyphosate is good in the UK for it. RF |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2007 19:17:44 GMT
bindweed I remember this being a problem on the family allotment and we have it in the garden here, but this year will be trying a technique I have only just come across (apologies if this is well known): instead of trying to eradicate as it appears, we are going to grow it up canes, slide the cane out, collapse the plant intact into a poly sack and spray with roundup or something similar. Hardly the organic approach we aspire to, but it is famously difficult to control.
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Post by jean on Mar 26, 2007 20:04:01 GMT
Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are a sure sign of fertile soil and are great for making a liquid feed for your plants or veggies if you can stomach the smell. They have herbal qualities too.  They spread by roots and self seeding. The roots are yellow which does help in getting as much out of the soil as possible, cutting the tops off on a regular basis helps too. Haven't got rid of mine in amongst my borders yet  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 28, 2007 7:25:52 GMT
Dock Plant   It is best to get docks leaves out before the roots find their way to China, and try to keep the roots in one piece.Again Glyphosate is good. Herbal uses - the best known is to rub a dock leaf over a nettle sting - also for nettle sting is the nettle itself. I have never done this myself - only seen it done and that is to break the stem of a nettle in half and use the sap of the nettle sting and apparently it soothes immediately. Dock leaves boiled are said to improve vision, and dried leaves and roots are said to help treat eczema and psoriasis. RF |
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 28, 2007 20:48:17 GMT
Couch grass (Dog's Grass, Twitch)- Agropyrum repens  IMO the most common of our difficult weeds. Once it takes over in a garden it is dreadful, digging out is an option but you really have to get every tiny little bit of root out. Any pieces left will re shoot and are then best sprayed with glyphosate. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2007 20:56:20 GMT
no picture but that tiny bitter cress which flowers & pops its seeds all year & grows through every paving crack. I dig it out with an old knife but it always wins the battle.
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 28, 2007 21:20:02 GMT
Here you go gertrude, found this for you. I get it in my garden and it does pop the seeds everywhere. You need to pull it out before the seed heads appear, if you don't as soon as you touch it the seeds just go ping and pop off everwhere at great speed. The botanical names is Cardamine hirsuta  |
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Post by jean on Mar 28, 2007 21:24:17 GMT
Mares or Horse tail is worse than bind weed  The single cone on each fertile stem can release 100,000 spores that germinate quickly on moist surfaces. Its difficult to control and it spreads by cultivation and new stems can regenerate from fragments. Black plastic can help to kill of the rhizhomes in the upper layers but it can survive flooding and drought conditions. Not one you would want to find on the lottie. |
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Post by andy on Mar 29, 2007 9:09:17 GMT
It's taken me 7 years to get rid of marestail and ground elder from some of the beds at work using a strong glyphosate mix several times a year  Anyway....here's another bane of my life...oxalis cornicata  |
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Post by andy on Mar 30, 2007 5:37:32 GMT
Ivy leaf Toadflax (Linaria sp)....what a PITA this one is  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 31, 2007 13:50:14 GMT
Japanese Knotwood - Polygonum japonicum We get a lot here in Germany - terrible stuff if it once gets a hold. The only real way is to keep digging it out and it is resistant to most weedkillers. Glyphosate works after repeated use over a long time.  RF |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 15:25:56 GMT
 Oh my...i've just recognised the previous plant as one i tended at my last house not knowing what it was...i kept cutting it down as it was climbing up some conifers....and it kept coming back. Ooops...it got nearly to the top of 40ft conifers....erm glad i sold and moved.
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 3, 2007 12:56:37 GMT
Broad-leaved Plantain - Plantago major  Common on bare ground including cracks in paving, edges of buildings and also in lawns. On bare ground a good weedkiller will get rid of it but but in my lawn I dig it out. RF |
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Post by Shrubrose on Jul 13, 2007 17:05:25 GMT
not boasting but I have all of these and more ;D
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Post by bagpuss on Jul 19, 2007 11:22:13 GMT
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Post by Jardack on Jul 21, 2007 9:50:39 GMT
lol I seem to have most of them growing in my garden Really need to get on top of the weeds but they grow so bloomign fast! Jardack |
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Post by Pip on Jul 21, 2007 10:00:55 GMT
I am afraid to say that most of them are very familiar to me as well unfortunately.
I don't have the Japanese Knotwood though thank heavens.
Why do weeds always grow quicker then flowers.
Pip
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Post by rosagalicia on Jul 22, 2007 21:05:15 GMT
And why don´t the snails eat them!!! |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 23, 2007 14:51:47 GMT
Good question Rosa, I wonder too  |
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Oh my...i've just recognised the previous plant as one i tended at my last house not knowing what it was...i kept cutting it down as it was climbing up some conifers....and it kept coming back. 
