[Goosegirl]

I thought it had all been removed (except for a tiny bit) but it is coming up in various places in my pot and onion beds. Curses! What should I do as they are planted up now. Is the best way to hoick out any leaves that show to weaken it or try and carefully spot-weed it?

[Lardman]

It depends on the soil and the amount of grass. Here I can wait for a few dry days and then gently pull the grass and roots up and out. If things are a bit more established a small tool, (hand fork) can help prise it out without disturbing surrounding plants.

If the soil is well worked and airy it's a simple enough job to remove any that appears  but you have to keep on top of it  - once it gets a hold you'll have a pig of a time trying not to cause damage removing it.

[finleyfreyaseth]

don't think ull ever get rid off it ,ive not seen it in areas of my paths for 2 years been covered with wood chipins on paths probs 4 or 5 times a year to top up paths and blooming stuff poking its head up this year 

[Trillium]

On wet days you can try to pull out the top and roots since the soil is so soft. Otherwise make a paper shield and spot spray with glyphosate. Normally I wouldn't recommend it but couch is so invasive that it will soon take over if not stopped dead now.

[sunshineband]

Yes, I am sorry but the only way is to remove it as you see it. Having had to do this myself I know it is tedious but eventually I have beds almost free of the demon grass now.

Good luck with yours GG

[maloneranger]

In my experience, it is best not just to remove the top growth.

What is best is to use the top growth as a guide to where the "root" is.
This will be the fragments left behind when weeding.
Try to dig down and remove these pieces of root.

I know that this may be difficult when crops are already growing.
However, it can re-grow from very small fragments, from a considerable depth.

[RaptorUK]

In my experience, it is best not just to remove the top growth.

What is best is to use the top growth as a guide to where the "root" is.

This is exactly what I have been doing,  I see the green shoot as an invitation to find the bit of root that I missed during the Winter digging and turning.      However,  it's a real pain when it's in the middle of a row of Spring onions,  I have just this issue with Horsetail . . .  as carefully as I try I can't help but disturb them   

[beesrus]

If the couch is right underneath the potato or onion plants, and it can't be pulled easily, nothing is gained by trying any further until after you crop. Just keep the top growth down.
I made the mistake this year of planting Autumn onions on last year's potato bed, and I wasn't amused when I saw rogue potatoes sprouting under my onions. These potato "weeds" had to go as they would have swamped the onions. Not so with couch. Keep it under control for 3 months and then dig out the root with the harvest.

[Headgardener22]

Try to keep it down by pulling it out if you can. With the pots, you might be lucky and be able to get some of the couch grass out as you earth them up. With the onions hoe between the rows with a super sharp hoe and then remove the couch. Careful not to disturb the onions as this will spoil the crop.

Try to keep it down until you can have a good go. Luckily you'll be digging the potato plot over when you harvest so you'll be able to have a good clear through.

[Aunt Sally]

I've bought a spot week killer for the bind weed:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roundup-Ready-Use-Weedkiller-Gel/dp/B005ZALTF0

[Headgardener22]

My dad passed on to me a great way of spot weeding.

Put a rubber (or plastic) glove on your right hand;
Put on an old cotton glove over the top;
Mix up some weed killer;
Dip the fingers of the cotton gloved hand into the weed killer;
Grab hold of anything you want to kill.

It has the benefit of meaning you are in complete control of what you kill and you can bruise the plants whilst you're doing it. You can also use whatever weedkiller takes your fancy.

[Goosegirl]

Ooh - that last one is a very good idea and any spray won't drift! Pot bed I can weed when I earth up except where the pots are coming up, but my onions are just starting to show and I can't dig where they are. Many thanks.