Gundermann, also known as ground ivy, is not without reason considered an unpopular weed in the garden. The small plant with its pretty flowers can quickly become a nuisance because it spreads almost unhindered. Combat is difficult. How to destroy Gundermann in the garden.

The best way to permanently remove ground ivy is to rip it out by hand

This is how ground ivy spreads in the garden

Ground ivy is a small, delicate, edible plant that propagates via seeds, but mainly via runners. The mother plant quickly forms tendrils up to two meters long, on which new plants grow every ten centimeters.

Whether the soil is dry or compacted, whether the location is sunny or shady - the Gundermann doesn't care. It grows in almost every spot, even in front of walls, it doesn't stop.

Ground ivy control is advisable for two reasons. Ground ivy takes away light and nutrients from other plants, making them difficult to thrive and die. In addition, the herb is very susceptible to fungal attack. There is a risk of infecting nearby plants.

How to remove ground ivy?

The trade offers some means with which a chemical control is carried out. Unfortunately, none of the previous remedies show a long-term effect. So you can save yourself the effort because it is of little use anyway.

The best way is if you go organic by removing the weeds by hand.

  • Find mother plant
  • rip out along with the roots
  • Follow foothills and undress
  • Remove roots as completely as possible

Make sure that you get as many roots as possible, because ground ivy will sprout again even from the smallest root remains.

Fighting ground ivy in the lawn

Ground ivy is so robust that it also spreads in dense lawns. Frequent mowing of the lawn, as is recommended when ground elder appears, is not advisable when controlling ground ivy. On the contrary, the short grass creates ideal conditions for further spread.

With ground ivy in the lawn, only continuous cutting out of the plants helps.

prevent spread

There are a few things you can do to help control ground ivy. For one, the herb doesn't like strain. You will not find vines on sidewalks. If you want to leave Gundermann for underplanting in shady places, make sure that the garden is separated by garden paths.

If possible, pluck the herb before flowering so that the ground ivy cannot also reproduce via seeds. You can recognize it by its distinctive leaves, which are a bit like ivy but smaller. That is why ground ivy is also called creeping ivy.

Leave pulled ground ivy plants on a rock until they dry up. Then the roots cannot regenerate and you can dispose of the herbs on the compost.

tips

Ground ivy or ground ivy is not poisonous to humans. The leaves can be eaten in salads or used medicinally. The flowers are very hot and used to be used as a substitute for pepper.

Category:

Vegetable garden