[compostqueen]

I was on the plot the other day noticing how verdant the weeds were so I think now would be a good time. The nettles have never looked so lush 

[marcofez]

Mulch them with wet newspaper. 3 or 4 sheets covering the weeds will stop light getting to them and will eventually kill them off! Don't forget to weigh down newspaper with soil or compost.

[Growster...]

What a speedy reply from Monsanto! I'm sure ot's OK to post it here, (OK Mods..?)

Dear Mr Growster,

You have brought up a very interesting question!

Roundup can be applied close to most plants and as long as the spray droplets do not hit the foliage it will be safe. However there is no approval for professional use in Raspberries in field crops.

In many minor crops including gooseberries and currants there is a recommendation for using certain Roundup products under an Extension of Authorisation approval (EAMU)- ie one which is not on the label but is considered safe enough by the regulators to carry out at the grower’s own risk. https://secure.pesticides.gov.uk/offlabels/search.asp
 
In summer fruiting Raspberries the mix of new suckers emerging in the vicinity of the old canes means even spot treatment of perennial weeds is likely to result in suckers taking up the herbicide and transporting it back to the stool. Damage can be severe, hence there is no extension of use for Raspberries.
 
I accept entirely that autumn fruiting canes bear fruit on current year’s wood so that at this time of year there is no green vegetation to take-up the glyphosate. Glyphosate will not be absorbed through brown/lignified/woody stumps. 
 
If you are using the Lawn and Garden range of Roundup weedkillers, again there is no specific recommendation for such use, so the small risk you take is your own.

I trust this is helpful.
 
Kind regards,

[name and contact details edited - Yorkie]

So it looks as though Roundup can be applied with near certainty of a result, when the stems are dormant!

I know there will be several schools of thought on how to tackle the problem, but rasp-work can be pretty tiring if there are several square yards to deal with. As I said, I don't mind the digging out, as I did one and a half plots which were just bulging with couch, but I do like to use new technology if it means I don't ache so much the next day...
 

[Kristen]

Glyphosate will not be absorbed through brown/lignified/woody stumps. 

Interested in that bit as folk put Glyphosate on treestumps to stop them sprouting.  Perhaps such (i.e. "still active") treestumps would now be described as "brown/lignified/woody" though?

[Salmo]

Glyphosate will not be absorbed through brown/lignified/woody stumps. 

Interested in that bit as folk put Glyphosate on treestumps to stop them sprouting.  Perhaps such (i.e. "still active") treestumps would now be described as "brown/lignified/woody" though?

Tree stumps must be treated within a day or so of cutting so that the chemical is absorbed into the newly cut material.

Well done Monsanto. What a nice letter. Many companies would have just fobbed you off.

[Ema]

I have a similar problem in my couch grass/strawberry bed!

I'm going to take a folk to it today and see how heavy the soil is. If its going to be too much hard work I'm going to pull out some of the strawberry plants and relocate them, then cover the bed with cardboard

[Growster...]

Glyphosate will not be absorbed through brown/lignified/woody stumps. 

Interested in that bit as folk put Glyphosate on treestumps to stop them sprouting.  Perhaps such (i.e. "still active") treestumps would now be described as "brown/lignified/woody" though?

Yes, I was interested at that bit, Kristen!

I suppose any bit of rasp stem which is 'snappable', would count as dead, and |I think I'll go down that route, and clobber the couch that way!

[Growster...]

Glyphosate will not be absorbed through brown/lignified/woody stumps. 

Interested in that bit as folk put Glyphosate on treestumps to stop them sprouting.  Perhaps such (i.e. "still active") treestumps would now be described as "brown/lignified/woody" though?

Tree stumps must be treated within a day or so of cutting so that the chemical is absorbed into the newly cut material.

Well done Monsanto. What a nice letter. Many companies would have just fobbed you off.

Thank you Salmo, I think they are being very helpful! I've never thought of how to treat stumps, but there are items on the shelves for this, and possibly made from the same stuff!

We never question drug companies making new inroads against hurts for people in distress, but when a company makes it easier to grow necessities like food, the BBC armies get up on their hind legs and start complaining.

Weird!

[Growster...]

I have a similar problem in my couch grass/strawberry bed!

I'm going to take a folk to it today and see how heavy the soil is. If its going to be too much hard work I'm going to pull out some of the strawberry plants and relocate them, then cover the bed with cardboard

Ema, make it easier on yourself, just do as they say, and take a chance!

We are!

[Kirpi]

I painted glyphos onto bindweed leaves that were strangling my raspberries two years ago and they have only just come back to full growth this year. Last year I was starting to think they would all need replacing.

My experience was even the slightest accidental touch of glyphos on one or two raspberry leaves was enough to seriously threaten the whole plant. I wouldn't use it again.

[Yorkie]

What a speedy reply from Monsanto! I'm sure ot's OK to post it here, (OK Mods..?)

I've edited out the author's details as they haven't specifically consented to them being posted on the www., Growster.

Nice and helpful letter otherwise, thanks for posting it. 

[gobs]

I'd be tempted to move them, as advised by some, Growster. I am of the view, a raspb bed needs a good clearing every now and then, otherwise it's just gets into a mess with time. And I personally find it easier and faster - depending how bad it is -, to dig up, dug over, sort canes, keep the best only, plant where you want.

[Growster...]

What a speedy reply from Monsanto! I'm sure ot's OK to post it here, (OK Mods..?)

I've edited out the author's details as they haven't specifically consented to them being posted on the www., Growster.

Nice and helpful letter otherwise, thanks for posting it. 

Thanks Yorkie, of course you're right to do this!

[Growster...]

I'd be tempted to move them, as advised by some, Growster. I am of the view, a raspb bed needs a good clearing every now and then, otherwise it's just gets into a mess with time. And I personally find it easier and faster - depending how bad it is -, to dig up, dug over, sort canes, keep the best only, plant where you want.

I think you're probably right, Gobs, but I'm also weighing up the 'Growster nasty impinged shoulder' syndrome, which is beginning to make decisions on heavy labour more circumspect...

[gobs]

Oh, I see.

Then, either Trill's advise or frequent hoeing, CG does not like that. If both are strenuous, Roundup def. does not kill woody things, wait till dormancy of crop, when the grass is growing.

I did not realize it killed grass, mind.

It did not kill the ivy or the holly I sprayed, that's for certain.