Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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We've just bought a beautiful cottage which has been standing empty for the last couple of years. Unfortunately right around the side of the cottage, the garden and lovely gravel driveway are full of dock plants. What is the best way to get rid of them? They seem to have tap roots like tree trunks! Trying to dig them out in the driveway and side of the cottage isn't an option. We are keen not to use any weedkillers as the entire area is a haven for insects and wildlife and we intend to keep it that way. Unfortunately there are just hundreds of the damn plants!
We've just bought a beautiful cottage which has been standing empty for the last couple of years. Unfortunately right around the side of the cottage, the garden and lovely gravel driveway are full of dock plants. What is the best way to get rid of them? They seem to have tap roots like tree trunks! Trying to dig them out in the driveway and side of the cottage isn't an option. We are keen not to use any weedkillers as the entire area is a haven for insects and wildlife and we intend to keep it that way. Unfortunately there are just hundreds of the damn plants!
The only other option is glyphosate, though I'm loath to ever recommend it due to the damage the sprays do to the ecosystem and the rest of the wildlife. The one way I would ever condone its use is with the gel applicator just to each weed individually so it don't drift or spray onto other plants. However, once you've spent a day squatting around carefully applying it, you may have well used a hori hori and just dug them out instead!
I know that's probably not the answer you want, but it is the best option for an ethical gardener.
The last option is to put on an amazing buffet, invite all your friends for a 'dock pulling competition' and then have cocktails or mocktails to celebrate once done. Job done in one afternoon and smiles to be had.
The only other option is glyphosate, though I'm loath to ever recommend it due to the damage the sprays do to the ecosystem and the rest of the wildlife. The one way I would ever condone its use is with the gel applicator just to each weed individually so it don't drift or spray onto other plants. However, once you've spent a day squatting around carefully applying it, you may have well used a hori hori and just dug them out instead!
I know that's probably not the answer you want, but it is the best option for an ethical gardener.
The last option is to put on an amazing buffet, invite all your friends for a 'dock pulling competition' and then have cocktails or mocktails to celebrate once done. Job done in one afternoon and smiles to be had.
The best time would be the end of February as most overwintering insects will have weathered the worst of the weather. One other idea is to remove them ASAP on the first dry day and then leave them on a pile on top of some bags or tarpaulin so anything that's living on them can survive a bit longer. Then come March, when they are all wet and pretty much dead, put them in your green bin.
Don't try to home compost docks as they nearly always survive!
The best time would be the end of February as most overwintering insects will have weathered the worst of the weather. One other idea is to remove them ASAP on the first dry day and then leave them on a pile on top of some bags or tarpaulin so anything that's living on them can survive a bit longer. Then come March, when they are all wet and pretty much dead, put them in your green bin.
Don't try to home compost docks as they nearly always survive!
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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