Ground elder

Have you tried Round-up?

That is your choice of course but I would not consider it toxic-the only other solution is to burn it off with a flame -gun wont get rid if it permanently though

When I first moved into my present address and big garden, the ground elder was everywhere, I dug it out by hand, its really the only effective way, but you cant leave the slightest bit in there. It is very shallow rooted, so hope fully you can just pick at it, it will take a long time, but I got on top of it in one season. I just see the odd bit that got snapped off, but can easily grab it out now.

I find it quite therapeutic, find something comfie to kneel on, take a coffee and make a start. its addictive!

I had a lot of this in my clay soil but glyphosate based weedkiller (Roundup) got rid of it eventually.  Roundup is non-toxic to animals, once it has dried onto the leaves, so do it on a sunny day and keep the dog inside until it has dried.  You want to spray it when it is in full growth and about to flower for best results.  Leave it to die down completely before removing it and the glyphosate should travel to where it's really needed, the roots.  Small patches of it may re-appear, so will need another treatment but as long as you don't let it seed, you will eventually be rid of the stuff.

I agree with BobTheGardener - Roundup will not affect your dog  once it has dried onto the leaves.  As he says, spray it when it is in full grrowth - it sometimes helps takeup if you bruise a few of the leaves on each plant.  Leave it to die down completely before pulling it up - that means that the glyphosate has travelled down to the roots.  This may take some weeks - be patient. 

Your dog will be fine as long as he keeps off it until it has dried. 

If you have never used weedkiller on it you could of course pick it and eat it!  it's a bit like spinich.

bunnysgarden,

Agree entirely with Bob and Dove - no danger at all, provided you look after the dog and adopt basic hygiene: follow the instructions on the container, wear rubber gloves or disposables, don't splash the stuff on yourself (I usually wear protective glasses), wait for a dry day.

I've got rid of several infestations quite easily.

We have SO MUCH ground elder in our garden it's unbelievable.  I think it could qualify for a national collection! 

Roundup got rid of it when we first purchased our house in summer 2012 and then one of the very overgrown flowerbeds was dug over and all traces of ground elder that we could see were removed.  Still lots trying to come up there though! 

I think it's going to be a long hard slog to get rid of it all.  

We uncovered a patch at the back of the garden that had been covered in black plastic sheeting for a couple of years.  That was about 2 months ago and now ground elder is shooting up there like a carpet.  Would roundup be effective this time of year so should I try and dig it out?  We want to sow grass seed on the area eventually.  

Awful stuff!

I think the advice I was given for getting rid of docks would apply, dig it up hang it up to dry for 7 years and then burn it.

I would leave it until there is good leaf growth - about April. Good hunting, lass!

We uncovered a patch at the back of the garden that had been covered in black plastic sheeting for a couple of years.  That was about 2 months ago and now ground elder is shooting up there like a carpet.  Would roundup be effective this time of year so should I try and dig it out?  We want to sow grass seed on the area eventually.  

Awful stuff!

Get rid of what you can, sow your grass and mow it regularly - regular mowing will kill if off - eventually