I'm hoping. It has already gone to seed so it doesn't matter if I get it this year really. Let the guys mow it, then till it in. (bagging and NOT composting, don't need any more grass seeds germinating). It's mostly annual grass.

Maybe if I weeded a couple of rows and rescued some of my perennial flowers and replant them in the clean rows...

Arlene, you simply have too much to do.

Yep, but I refuse to admit it!

Looks great, Ann.



(Feels good too, doesn't it? )

So glad to hear the plan worked. That was a big bed to work on, plus the hill....I would have been rolling down the hill! My ankles hurt just thinking about it.
I've spent the last few days pulling weeds in the 100 degree heat, and I keep telling myself how nice everything will look for the fall. Weeds don't usually come back in the fall, so this is the last weeding for 6 months!
I use the hose the whole time I'm weeding, so I don't notice the heat as much. If I've disturbed a good plant's roots while pulling a weed, then it gets a good drink to help in its recovery.
When I finish for the day, I get a good drink to help in my recovery! And then it's off to the hot tub to look at the stars.
Well I hope everybody gets motivated after seeing all the work she did! Up and at 'em!

Cindi, sounds like you were already motivated.

Thistles are known to be a relatively difficult weed to kill; however, to prevent the spread of more thistles, one should attempt to kill existing thistles before their seeding season. Since thistle root systems can continually grow new thistle plants, the best way to kill them in a single effort is to first cut the plants down, as close to the root as possible. Then, cover the area where the plant had been with a thick, dark covering, such as a tarp or old carpet, which will not allow sunlight to penetrate or new plants to spring up. Over several weeks, this should kill the plant.

Welcome, Katherine!

>> ... first cut the plants down, as close to the root as possible.
>> Then, cover the area where the plant had been with a thick, dark covering,
>> such as a tarp or old carpet, which will not allow sunlight to penetrate
>> or new plants to spring up.

I think that's a great idea. I usually just try to chop them at ground level with a scuffle hoe, or below gorund with a mattock, so often that they get few leaves into the sunlight, and hope to starve them. HAH! As if I get around to weeding everything that often!

But covering them with black plastic film and some rocks or paving stones ... THAT I could do.

I have Himalayan Blackberries everywhere. When I try to pull their roots out of the clay/pebbles, it's pretty clear that there are more roots below ground than there are vines above ground.

There's a nice Pacific Northwest Gardening forum here.
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

We also have an "ATP Member Map" that shows where ATP live, based on the address in their profiles. Closest to you are Peppa, Sherri, flowerlady and mistyfog. Also tikipod and Maukahound. If someone's name doesn't pop up when you hover your mouse overit, change the zoom level and try again.
http://garden.org/users/member...

katherine2 said:Thistles are known to be a relatively difficult weed to kill; however, to prevent the spread of more thistles, one should attempt to kill existing thistles before their seeding season. Since thistle root systems can continually grow new thistle plants, the best way to kill them in a single effort is to first cut the plants down, as close to the root as possible. Then, cover the area where the plant had been with a thick, dark covering, such as a tarp or old carpet, which will not allow sunlight to penetrate or new plants to spring up. Over several weeks, this should kill the plant.

I'm new here too. Hi Katherine!

I use 2-4D weed killer. It will not kill daylilies (monocots), but it does a good job on thistle (broad leaf weed). If you use a concentrate, make sure you add the recommended amount of water. An incorrect "heavy" mixture can kill everything (kind of like Roundup).

Of course, 2-4D will not kill grass.

Wendy!

Welcome Wendy!

Welcome Wendy!

frankrichards16 said:I use 2-4D weed killer. It will not kill daylilies (monocots), but it does a good job on thistle (broad leaf weed). If you use a concentrate, make sure you add the recommended amount of water. An incorrect "heavy" mixture can kill everything (kind of like Roundup).

Of course, 2-4D will not kill grass.

It will kill St. Augustine grass!

I was trying to kill some grass to do a flower bed and found out by accident. Thanks for telling me for sure that it will not harm the daylilies. Should I use the weed-n-feed or buy the liquid and mix it up as directed?

http://www.fairwaylawns.com/yo...

I prefer using 2,4-D, not the mixture weed & feed.

From what I have read, St Augustine grass is sensitive to 2,4-D

This probably means that in the right dilution, 2,4-D is OK?

Forgive me for asking, but wasn't 2,4-D the major ingredient in Agent Orange? A bit scary for me, but I'm not a chemical fan and plead general ignorance.

I personally don't like the odor of 2-4D; it's unpleasant and persistent. Definitely kills the weeds, tho! But then, I still have to find something to take out the remaining grass. Not sure what kind of grass I'm fighting now; 2 or 3 applications of Roundup and it's still going strong.

Bonehead said:Forgive me for asking, but wasn't 2,4-D the major ingredient in Agent Orange? A bit scary for me, but I'm not a chemical fan and plead general ignorance.

Deb, yes it was the main ingredient in Agent Orange. That is why they ( environmental groups) were trying to ban it, but from what I read the request was denied by the EPA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04...

frankrichards16 said: I prefer using 2,4-D, not the mixture weed & feed.

From what I have read, St Augustine grass is sensitive to 2,4-D

This probably means that in the right dilution, 2,4-D is OK?

It is ok for most stuff but I read that it will kill or damage St. Augustine grass. I was using grass killer a few months back and it did not faze the grass so I took it back and was told that SA was the one grass that it will not kill, so I started looking else where sense I did not want to use Round up around the daylilies, just did not want to take the chance on a drift, I have a lot of expensive daylilies.
I did read that the 2,4D would kill it but could not find any information about using it around daylilies. I read a lot of fact sheets and nothing. I think I will do my own experiment with cheap daylilies before I use it around the good ones, but I really need help killing this stubborn grass and I will try it for that first.
For applying any chemical, which is always a last resort, I wear my mask and gloves, long sleeves, pants and tennis shoes so I can be safe, also I wash my clothes and shoes when I am done.