Considered an “aggressive weed” in most grow zones across the country; Creeping Charlie loves moist soil and taking over your yard. Creeping Charlie is also known as “ground ivy” and as a part of the mint family (it even smells like mint!) it has a tendency to spread. If this annoying plant has taken over your yard, here’s how you can get your soil back!
Before beginning, you have to determine if what you are dealing with is really Creeping Charlie. This pesky plant has kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges (see photo below). Leaves are often bright green and very shiny. Also, this plant has an elaborate root system which makes it difficult for effective plant removal.
One can try to “hand weed” out the Creeping Charlie, but gardeners often find that it always comes back. A foulproof way to get rid of your weed, mix up your own herbicide. Mix together 2, 4-D, Mecopop (MCPP), and Dicamba. Apply your herbicide in the Fall or in the Spring, but never in the middle of Summer. As always, when you apply the herbicide, take care that you only apply it on the plant. It will kill the rest of your plants, so be careful!
Of course, if you have Creeping Charlie hanging around in your yard, it could be sign of a growing condition problem in your yard. This pest often comes about because your yard growing conditions are too dark and too moist. Keep Creeping Charlie at bay by allowing soil to (slightly) dry out. If this isn’t an option for the plants in your landscaping, use turf to keep Creeping Charlie in check!
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