How To Get Rid Of Weed – Choking My Plants

Question

I live in Southwest Florida. I have a very small garden. I am not an avid gardner, and I prefer not to use pesticides in my garden. I only have flowers (nothing edible). I can’t get rid of this weed. It’s a creeper with deep roots. When I pull it breaks. And so it continues to grow. It can get taller than some of the flowers. It killed the marigold, and others are barely hanging on (false heather or Mexican heather, purple Mexican petunias, and some other small flowers I don’t remember the names). Please help me get rid of this without killing my plants. Thanks 🙂

Answer 1

Unless you choose to use selective herbicides, then your only option is to carefully dig up all of your important plants at the correct time. Kill off all of the weeds in the bed with boiling water (Fast method) or solarizing (takes a few months). Then you can plant all of your plants back at the correct times.

Since the weeds are well established, they will be much stronger than your garden plants. Most of what you attempt that is not selective to ONLY kill the weed will destroy everything in the bed. Unfortunately, digging all of your plants out and starting with a fresh bed will be best. You may even apply landscaping fabric under the soil after tilling it. This can help with weeds in the future.

Here are some articles that will help you in renewing your garden plot: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/easy-makeovers-for-your-home-and-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/pulling-up-landscape-fabric.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/overgrown-landscape-beds.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/starting/how-to-build-a-flower-bed-starting-a-flower-bed-from-scratch.htm