Ok, so weird started this thread a few days ago just realized it never posted.
Search function here is not working so can't locate any threads on this discussion.
Ok, I need something to kill the weeds in our backyard that is safe for the kids and the dog. I am being overrun with mouse eared chickweed. HELP!!!
Any suggestions????
Check this site http://altnature.com/gallery/chickweed.htm .
Would be nice to try if I didn't have a dog pooping and peeing in the backyard. ☺
Thanks anyway.
That's an organic fertilizer!
Well he needs to do more of it, cause it's not working...lol
I tried a pet safe fertilizer a few years ago, and all it did is make them want to eat the grass and dirt (even more than they already do, which is a lot). I think a lot of the organic ones are chicken poop based, or something, which evidently smells pretty tasty to my dogs. They can't resist Holly-tone, either, when I try to feed the hydrangeas. So I just give up- it's just not worth the effort. (yes, the lawn looks terrible)
Think you meant organic weed-killer, not fertilizer??
I actually tried an organic weed killer last year, too- not on the lawn, but just in various spots in the garden where I didn't want to use Round Up. Sure enough, it had such a strong smell (not a bad one, but very strong), that it was even more appealing to my dogs than something like Round-Up would have been. It also didn't work as well as Round-Up.
I've heard you can use vinegar to kill weeds, but it has to be a really strong vinegar. I tried the regular household/kitchen vinegar and it did not work.
another reason not to have a dog - i visit friends dogs:)
You visit friends' weeds too, Bill.
Boiling water is worth a shot too.
Nah, give me the love of a dog over a weed free lawn, any day! They do make gardening a real challenge, though. Slug control for me is the biggest one. It would be a lot less work for me if I could just use the big gun slug bait with Methaldehyde...but I can't, because of the risk of my dogs eating it.
Ya, a weed and feed kinda like Scotts. I need to check reviews on Gardens Alive. I was going to try corn gluten but it's too late to apply this year.
I thought you were supposed to put out a saucer of beer for slugs? They get drunk and fall in the saucer and drown (which is pretty violent IMPO) but it's supposed to work. I do not have slugs; but I do have beer. Flowerjen did you find something that would work on weeds?
http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=2836
http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=2958
I see these 2, I need time to check reviews
I wonder what the extra ingredient is in the 2nd one? Do they have to tell you what's in it flowerjen? I didn't see a list of ingredients.
Corn gluten is only for annual weeds - it suppresses seed germination. My multi-year experience with it is that it does not work very well.
So I should save my $ on the corn gluten, huh?
And I'll save my $ on the beer, since that doesn't work at all for the slugs and snails I have!
I looked at the website for a lawn care service here that is organic. Their protocol is corn gluten, compost tea, and vinegar based spot weed control. I bet they sneak some chemicals in there when no one is looking! ;)
Just got a postcard for a local organic lawn care company, debating whether I should call them
Maybe call and see if you can get some references? Those places usually require contracts, don't they? If so, I would want some assurance that the corn gluten is gonna work! BTW, I know that would just make my dogs want to eat the grass and dirt, too.
I called our county extension office and mentioned about the chickweed, Master Gardener volunteer kinda chuckled and said"good luck with that, grab the kiddies and start pulling" Oh great!
Never a good sign when they chuckle.
Jen - I have this yearly too - out of control sometimes, as it comes in from the neighbour's. I have had success smothering it with horse manure, but it's not in an area that has visual importance. My dogs think horse 'biscuits' are the very tastiest treats. So I have to watch them or else they perform stealth maneuvers to get into the manure.
I have smothered other weeds with a thick blanket of bark or fresh grass clippings. The clippings are removed after they are no longer useful & it does buy me some time to complete all the weeding.
Boiling water does it well as Victor suggested, it even kills seeds. If I want to treat a larger area, such as a brick walk, I just set up the turkey fryer and cook away. Safer than a Dragon in my experience. Borax will get the job done in driveways and such, but leaching into adjoining areas can be an unsightly mess. Ric
Ric - any ideas on dealing with an area that measures approximately 40' x 50'?
Napalm.
oooo - drastic measures would allow the creeping ranunculus to take its place.
CR - a survivor, like cockroaches.
and whatever happened to April? Geez - it's almost May!
Gotta hustle up, here...
