Friday, November 21, 2008

Dam Creeping Charlie

Q: Our lawn is being run over by ground ivy. How can we get rid of it?

A: Ground ivy, also called creeping charlie, is a perennial broadleaf weed that lights up the horticulture hotlines all over the country in the spring. Interesting enough, the best time to apply a control for it is when you apply your fall lawn fertilizer. Look for a weed-and-feed product that contains prodiamine. The herbicide will prevent the ground ivy seeds from sprouting, and it will kill any tiny plants that have already started growing. Consider another possibility - hand-pulling. Ground ivy is completely edible and was one of the "potherbs" harvested in early spring when little else was available. It contains Vitamin C.

Interestingly enough me padre and I were just discussing this annoying plant, which is growing out of control in his yard, and how we might remove it. We first had to identify what we were dealing with and that we did, I think. However, I don't know if I have me padre 100% convinced but perhaps come Spring when it begins flowering he'll be sold. I also hope he'll begin the process of hand-pulling this sucker outta the ground.

This invasive lawn weed (Glechoma hederacea) of the mint family is sometimes referred to as: creeping Charlie or creeping Charley, gill-over-the-ground, string-of-nickels, chain-of-coins, field balm, cat's foot, and run-away-Robin.

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