Getting rid of noxious weeds

[floor-a-matic]

I am having problem with a weed infestation; not sure what kind of weed this is? I thought it was bluegrass?

I used Ortho or Roundup to temporarily get rid of this tough weed; but it grows again. What herbicide will work?

Even digging this out didnt resolve the problem; & my Weed Eater SG11 electric string trimmer quit working when I tried to cut this

 

[cuffs054]

Flamethrower is what you need!!

 

[cb123]

Sounds like it's time to salt the earth!

 

[marks_here]

Vinegar, washing up liquid & salt & make sure the sun is out so it dries on the weeds once it's sprayed on them also if no rain is near by.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I've used Roundup........

followed by a Clorox blast from a spray bottle.  Trust me:  when I'm done,  there's nothing left.  I face the weeds saying, "Stand back,  I've killed before".

 

[gusherb]

"Stand back, I've killed before"

Is there something you wanna tell us, John?

 

[kirbysthebest]

That looks like Thistle

It appears that you are doing what is most recommended:
1: Cut it down at the base. Each time it sprouts back up cut it down again keeping no green above the surface will starve it out.

2. Dig it out: They have very long tap roots so you may have to dig, cut and spray several times.

3. Herbicide: Glyphosate (Roundup) Make sure to coat the entire leaf top and bottom as well as the stem.

4: Mulch: Goes along with starving it out. Sunlight is how it makes it's food through Photosynthesis. Heavy mulch will inhibit it's existence.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

not at this time, lol.

To quote Dolly Levi, "Life's full of secrets and I keep em".

 

[tolivac]

Can you put a weed blade on the weedeater-this will help.I keep "chemical Warfare" to a min-these can cause runoff pollution.I go for mechanical controls--mowing,the weedeater,digging,or smothering with mulches.Yes,there are weeds in my yard-just make them all the same height.All of the yards in my area have weeds.That one pictured in the above post looks like something from a horror movie!Some of the "weeds" in my area are poison Ivy or its other realtive-at that point the plant has beat me--its chemical warfare defeats me-I break out even at the slightest touch-the neighbor removed them from my fence-and the guy I hire to do this.For the most part HATE yard work except mowing-to me its like vacuuming a giant carpet.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I too, usually dig out the weeds.

When I can. I spray things when I have to.....sometimes b/w sidewalks...to prevent new growth. I'm very allergic to poison oak/ivy... there, it's open season.

 

[human]

If it weren't for weeds...

...I'd have nothing green at all in the yard. I'm just not a yard person. I don't fertilize, I don't water, I don't rake in the fall (they call them 'leaves' for a reason. You leave them alone), and I mow the weeds down once a month, whether they need it or not. My neighbors may hate me for it, but I don't give a rip.

 

[kenkart]

It may sound stupid..

But if you will cut it down when the Almanac says to, it will die and NEVER come back,I forget which is a barren sign, but it really does work, I wouldn't think of planting anything or going to the dentist etc without checking.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Can you find out when to cut it? I'd hire someone

to do it at that time. 

 

[sebo_fan]

Ive used Vinegar, washing up liquid & salt but it doesn't work. In Scotland we get that kind of weed all the time growing in between patio and slabs.

But I do something quite unusual with dry days and if I don't add Round Up at the first stage. Not something you can do with your every day upright vacuum cleaner.. I end up taking out my Felix to do a bit of clear up. So much easier to deal with and cuts time before pressure washing.

Have a look!

 

[floor-a-matic]

cirsium vulgare (bull thistle)

I think bull thistle is too tough for that! If only weed trimmer blades were available for electric trimmers, so I don't have to use string.

NW Ohio is notorious for bull thistle (cirsium vulgare) infestation. My yard has lots of bull thistle, especially around the barn

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environme...s-weeds/weed-identification/bull-thistle.aspx

 

[floor-a-matic]

This is how bad cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) infestation in my front yard. It ate up my vegetable garden! I am too scared to go near that bush of thistle without a lawn mower

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I only had 1 of those.

I dug it out.No problems now.


 

 

[tolivac]

I have a Ryobi electric trimmer that can use a blade head.Will have to dig it out to do some of the weeds around my place.
OUCH!!!!Using the Sebo Felix as a porch-patio weeder?Isn't that kind of hard on it?If that Sebo can withstand that-a REALLY TOUGH vacuum!Think I prefer to use other tools.It did get the weeds between the patio stones,though.
The giant thistle plant--for those of that size a tractor powered BUSH HOG is the tool for that!!Its even fun to bush hog plants like that--The swishing and whirring of the blades-then the gentle sounding thunks from under the hog as it chops the plant up!A tractor drawn flail mower would work,too.Both types of mowers cut the plants down--then grind them to small bits.

 

[sebo_fan]

Well the main front of the SEBO soleplate naturally gets scratched but that can be replaced in time. But I only use the Felix once or twice a year for the clear up if it is sunny and the soil and weeds have been left to dry. And that black ET1 is for garden use only.

Before I discovered how well the SEBO Felix stands up to that kind of treatment, tied in with the brush roll that effectively chops "the heads" off, i used to use a wet and dry Vax canister tub.

The problem with the Vax is that it has a bent angled handle, so all kinds of weeds and dirt are liable to get stuck on the bent angled part. Used without a bag becomes messy and dusty too so I just used to use the Vax fabric shakeable dust bag.

In the UK it is possible to buy an electric patio brush, but I don't think they go deep enough to remove all roots.

 

[countryguy]

I have never seen one of those electric patio brushes! That is exactly what I need to control the moss and weeds growing between the interlocking brick.

 

[tolivac]

Same here-good idea!Possibly could be made as an attachment for gas and electric powered upper motor trimmer type power units.Lawn care services might go for those,too.
Suppose if you use the Sebo once or twice a year for weeding-OK,and good the floor shoes are easily replaced.For that duty would think you would have to replace the brushroll-on Sebos,of course they are easy to change.Maybe Sebo needs to make a "weeding" brushroll!Would have stiffer,coarser bristles.

 

[tolivac]

Another tool for the Giant Thistle plant---A KEE Mower.These are common in the South.They are composed of a vertical or horizontal shaft engine coupled to an open front mower deck by a belt drive.so if you are mowing in tall material and hit a stump,buried rock,or survey post-the belt slips and prevents bending the blade and damaging the motor.The orig Kee mowers used sickle mower blades bolted to a rotary blade bar carrier.When the sickle blades dulled-just take them out and flip them over-new edge.Becuase of present safety rules for walk behind mowers-bolt on blades on carriers no longer allowed.Blades for Kee mower can be high lift-reg grass cutting-or no lift-for that thistle plant.When I had a Kee mower-you could set the motor at just above idle speed and wade thru high grass and weeds about all day.and the machine was well balanced so you could almost push it with one finger.Some models were self propelled.Getting ready to get another.The rear wheels on the Kee were like large bike wheels and swivel wheel casters on the front of the deck.Well designed machines.Used ones out here sell quickly.

 

[sebo_fan]

The brush roll came with the ET1 floor head. It has never been replaced. The bristles are washable.

As for that electric patio brush, there are pros and cons. Feedback owners online state that the wheels wear down quickly and replacement parts can be expensive.

Whilst the SEBO is good for chopping off heads, I'd still be inclined to pressure wash first and then after all soil has dried out, do a quick vacuum to get all the dirt and soil up. Then I would apply Round Up.

I have also been advised to mix Round Up with Washing up liquid (dish liquid) as it makes it stronger.

 

[vacuumlover]

just cut them down and get salt onto where you cut them. Same thing goes for weeds in the path/slabs. Pull what you can up then get salt on the roots/whats left.

 

[mark40511]

@ sebo_fan

LOL - I did that same type of thing just the other day outside my front door, it's sort of a sheltered area and there were spider webs all over and the welcome mat and concrete steps had outdoor dust/dirt all over them, so I took my Shark out and vacuumed it all high and low. I felt like a fool but it's does a much better job that sweeping with a broom.

 

[davetranter]

Two Cents' worth

'Electric Patio Brush' Looks like one can be made from an old Black and Decker drill with a wire brush in it, tied to a broom handle. If in doubt, IMPROVISE!! ;-)

'Roundup + Washing up liquid' The washing up liquid works as a 'wetting agent', allowing the weedkiller to be more effective on any plant with a waxy, shiny, or hairy leaf surface.

Interesting thread

All best

Dave T

 

[floor-a-matic]

I got a bull thistle outbreak (Super Breakout) in my back yard; about the size of a football field instead of just a few here & there. I tried to mow it down with my old Massey Ferguson tractor but the blade split in half

 

[marks_here]

Well then do like we do here to get rid of the yellow jacket nests . . . Gasoline!!! I wood have suggested this earlier but sometimes you have to just screw what the environmentalists suggest & take matters into your own hands!!

 

[floor-a-matic]

The Garden Bully