Is there a foolproof way to rid my yard of creeping charlie? I live in zone 5b.

Melissa, when I moved into my house 4 years ago, I had a lot of creeping charlie. I bought a product at Zellers or Canadian Tire called "Tri-Kill" that you attach to a hose and spray on the lawn. I sprayed once and then again 2 weeks later. It worked. I'm not a chemical user but there are times. Stan

I also have a yard full of creeping charlie. Will Tri-kill kill my grass as well or only the creeping charlie? Is there something that will kill only the bad stuff?

Betty, Tri-Kill did not do anything to the grass at all. I don't use a lot of chemical at all so I was quite surprised at how effective it was. I noticed that it was coming back in some spots last fall so I will use it again this spring. It is really a persitant weed but my yard had tons of the stuff.

Stan, I have creeping charlie in my garden beds rather than in the lawn. Will this product kill only the creeping charlie or also my flowers etc?

I have a problem with this plant also. Atleast thats what i think it is. It strangles all my flowers every year and is uncontrollable. I am afriad to use something in my garden to kill it. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Monique

There are chemicals like the one Stan used which will kill broadleaf plants in lawns, Killex for example. The reason they don't kill the grass is that grass doesn't have as big a leaf surface for the chemical to work on and it has a smooth shiny surface that the chemicals run off of. If you use it in your flower garden, it would kill any flower that it came in contact with. The best method of keeping weeds out of a flower bed is constant pulling and cultivation. A nice 2-3 inch mulch helps lots by hindering germination of seeds and making it easier to get the entire root out. I have applied Roundup with a sponge on persistent perennial weeds in rock gardens and places like that but be careful. It kills any plant that you get it on.

I have read that Borax, applied to the creeping charlie will kill it and is less toxic than other herbicides. Has anyone out there given it a try? Although it is to be used in the spring, the main criteria is when the creeping charlie is actively growning, so I mightgive it a shot.

If you cultivate it you can ship it to Scotland, they grow it for groundcover. A local lawn firm told me that Chloroseptic spray may kill it but not sure how it may affect other flowers.

I have the motherlode in my yard!!

So you think that you have the mother lode at yourplace come to my place the grass is trying to survive so I have been fighting this for years but decided the heck with it I have an acre of grass pardon the pun BUT ITS GREEN and when its cut looks just as pretty I do not care for chemicals what does it do to us???? good luck Phil

Thanks for the encouraging words. I think I am probably one season behind you in my thinking. The neighbours -- about 5 years!! We keep pulling the stuff (unwilling to use chemicals) so we have a nice 12-inch stip beside the sidewalk that is Charlie-free. Pulling is very therapeutic - but not very effective for all over control!

What exactly does this weed look like?

A good site to see what it, and many other weeds look like is at http://crop-net.com/weeds.htm. I have a bit of creeping charlie here. My big battle is with Black Medic.

I tried the Borax and after 36 hours, the Creeping Charlie is browning off!! I can't believe it. I will continue to watch it for awhile and keep you posted. I found this info. awhile ago at the University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Brief. It was posted by David Lunsford, Horticulture Technician. I don't have the link because I just printed the info. and the link did not print. I'll try to find it. There are some limitations to the number of times you can use the Borax and how to use it. But, so far so good - we'll see what happens. By the way, the grass seems unaffected. As most of you probably know, Borax can be used in the home, on the laundry, etc., so as poisons go, it is pretty mild. Apparently, it just sets up a boron toxicity in the Creeping Charlie.

Hi Glen I would like to thank you for the information you gave me the other day I tried to contac the thread and was of course unable so the info has really helped thanks a bunch boy is that ever interesting that site Phil