Hello and hope you are shaving a lovely weekend.
I am writing because I a looking for suggestion and ways how to get rid of gout weed in my back yard. It has been three years since I brought my place and neglected dyne garden for two years and it has now taken over. Some patches that didn’t have it are now having it. My neighbour and I are having shed time keeping up with it. I tried probing the plant but it is so exhausting and labour intensive.
Any ideas on what I can do to eliminate it and or plant a plant or flowers that can complement and or over power it.
Dennis.
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners.
We receive numerous inquiries regarding how to elliminate this plant from the garden.
The following information is a summary from a few of our archived posts:
” Long touted for its ability to thrive in areas where little else will set foot, goutweed is considered by many as the ultimate low-maintenance ground cover for shade or part-shade. That’s because, once established, this low-growing perennial with its all-green or variegated foliage spreads vigously by vegetative means, extending its rhizome system to form large colonies without any encouragement. Therin lies the problem.
Eradicating goutweed takes time and patience. In order to get rid of Goutweed properly, you need to follow its root and completely unearth it. This is easier after a good rain. Please note that just 5mm of root left will create a new plant. Of course this job is easier if you do not have other plants in the area. If there are shrubs or trees, the roots of the goutweed will intertwine with that of the shrub or tree and are difficult to eliminate. If the area has perennials, it may be advisable to dig them and clean/eliminate any of the Goutweed roots. Rhizomes should be bagged and disposed of to prevent reestablishment.
Frequent mowing at short heights can control or slow the spread of goutweedbut will not make it disappear. However, not allowing the goutweed to bloom, will stop future plants from germinating. Doing this early in the year just after the plant has fully leafed out, and covering the entire colony with black plastic sheeting afterwards, is a great way to exhaust its energy reserves.
Goutweed’s root system buries itself within 1 foot of the surface. Cutting the weed down would weaken it but will not make it disappear. However, not allowing the goutweed to bloom, will stop future plants from germinating. In order to get rid of Goutweed properly, you need to follow its root and completely unearth it. This is easier after a good rain. Please note that just 5mm of root left will create a new plant. Of course this job is easier if you do not have other plants in the area. If there are shrubs or trees, the roots of the goutweed will intertwine with that of the shrub or tree and are difficult to eliminate. If the area has perennials, it may be advisable to dig them and clean/eliminate any of the Goutweed roots. Your idea of placing plastic bags and mulch is a good way to control them although it does not allow water and air into the soil so it is not a healthy alternative in the long run, but it will definitely help.”