[WG.]

As if you would let the weeds get ahead of your veggies.  I have.

The groundsel is threatening to swamp my baby leeks and shallots (from seed).  Problem is that it causes huge losses when I try to pull out the large root ball it has - I'd have no leeks left.

So I am trying a new technique.  I use scissors to snip off the groundsel below the crown & simply leave the roots in place.   I am hoping that regrowth won't happen or, if it does, will be slow enough to let the leeks swamp the groundsel for a change!   Same thing with annual grasses.

Anyone tried this technique?  Did it work?

[spinny]

It may well work for groundsel W-G, as long as there are no buds below where you've cut that could sprout, but it's unlikely to work for grasses as they grow from the base.

spinny

[richyrich7]

Sounds like a reasonable plan of action WG even if it don't kill em first off it will eventually, you can kill couch by mowing it. At least the leeks will get a head start.

[WG.]

Thanks spinney and RR.  I will report back in due course.   I am snipping out the little clumps of grass a bit below ground level so am hopeful there too.

[freyaluck]

You could put some mulch over them eg straw, it wont kill them off might help keep them ay bay.
Good luck
carlie

[spinny]

I am snipping out the little clumps of grass a bit below ground level so am hopeful there too.

That's exactly what a dutch hoe does, especially if it's kept sharp and with a fraction of the effort...

spinny

[WG.]

That's exactly what a dutch hoe does, especially if it's kept sharp and with a fraction of the effort...

spinny

... and at great cost to the baby leeks I am growing (sown broadcast)  

[nobby]

If a howe is to big try a patio scraper on a long handle [ like the ones that wolf tools sell ] thay are verry usefull for tight areas

[spinny]

... and at great cost to the baby leeks I am growing (sown broadcast)  

But you didn't say that......

[yummy]

We have been snipping the weeds on our strawberry patch for the same reason. We will thin out the plants and weed it properly when they have stopped fruiting I guess. Hopefully the straw covering will stop them growing too.

[mkhenry]

W_G if you have the time snip off any visible regrowth after 5 or 6 days this will give a small check on any plant trying to hard to re-establish which might just give you a fighting chance