getting rid of dock leaf plants

kitcat80

I'm despairing and wonder if anyone can help. Our plot seems un be overrun by dock leaf plants - they're growing with real vigour and seem to keep coming back no matter what I do. I've tried roundup type killer and also digging them out - neither is ideal as most of them are in my veggie patch. Is it just a question of persistence or can anyone suggest any other ideas? If persistence is digging them out or weedkiller the better solution? thanks

warwicktiger

Old seeds, starting growth after several years in the ground starting to grow each time you turn the soil over. Keep digging them out, you should be clear in seven years!

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Docks go deep down; the best thing is to make sure they don't set seed and dig them out after a particularly wet period - and dig right down [sometimes about 2-3ft] to get all the roots up.

Alternatively, keep pulling when small and if you keep doing that, eventually they will give up.

I feel your pain, I manage a large community garden and we have docks everywhere; I dug an asparagus bed a short time ago and it was riddled with docks; but because I went 3ft deep 90% of them haven't come back.

kitcat80

Blimey - 3 feet down?! Thanks for these - sounds like I'll just have to persist with this. Basically I created a veg patch out of some land that was completely overgrown and although I've been focussing on improving soil quality I hadn't appreciated it would be such a long slog with the weeds. Guess that comes from being an optimistic newbie. Thanks for the help and will get digging!

Yorkie1

Roundup gel, although weaker, would enable repeat applications among the veg with minimal risk of contaminating the veggies.

cjb02

I would suggest a strong glysophate (roundup but better) like rosate 36 (buy it on ebay/read the useage label/takes up to 6weeks to kill plants) and keep spraying them when they appear. I have issues with docs and this does the trick nicely but doc plant seed have a seed life in the soil of in excess of 100 yrs (I believe) so once you got rid of mummy and daddy plants , you will still get seedling appear which are much easier to hoe. stick at it. it might be a good idea to weed kill everything next year in spring before you plant anything.

Davesnave

Dock seed has a potential life of 70 years, but I have largely eradicated it from grassland by selective spraying with an equally selective weedkiller (not glyphosate) inside 4 years. Clearly, in relatively undisturbed soil, it can be controlled easily if you have the patience and dedication to do it.

In the new garden, made from the same field, clearing the weeds is harder because of the constant disturbance of soil. Also, one can't spray broadleaved weedkiller, as all the plants are broadleaved! There, recognising the docks early and hoeing them out immediately has reduced the problem on established beds. In time, I think the docks will become much less of a problem.

Incidentally Roseate 360 isn't necessarily more powerful than the Monsanto product, despite some people's insistence that it is; it depends on the type. It's cheaper, which is a good reason for purchase, but the professional Monsanto product is actually stronger.
Strength isn't everything here, though. For spot weeding among flowers, I use any glyphosate product, either mixed with wallpaper paste or with cooking oil to stick it on, applied by paint brush. If I'm spraying cheap glyphosate, I add an adjuvant, which does the same job....but it costs....so the old Roseate doesn't then work out quite so cheap!

Yorkie1

Just to point out that Rosate is only licensed for use by professionals.

cjb02

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Just to point out that Rosate is only licensed for use by professionals.

Is it? why do you say this?

Mojisola

cjb02 wrote: »

Is it? why do you say this?

Because it is.

On Amazon it tells you -

ROSATE 36 IS A CONCENTRATED GLYPHOSATE WEED KILLER. IT IS USED FOR THE CONTROL OF GRASSES AND WEEDS IN AMENITY, INDUSTRIAL, FORESTRY AND AQUATIC AREAS. IT BIO-DEGRADES IN THE SOIL INTO NATURAL SUBSTANCES.

Please note: Professional pesticide products must be applied in accordance with the Ministry Code for Plant Protection Products, more information can be found here by going to http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/pesticide-approvals/legislation/plant-protection-product-legislation-in-the-uk or by speaking to one of our BASIS qualified advisors on 0800 411 8141.

Upon purchasing this product you and/or the end users are responsibile for ensuring that these products are used in line with industry Approved Codes of Practice. All operators must be trained and certificated in using and applying any Ministry Approved Professional Product (MAPP). Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

Please be aware that by proceeding you are purchasing a professional pesticide product. You must ensure the end user of these products complies with the DEFRA/HSE Code for the Safe use of Pesticides.

cjb02

that doesn’t say it is only licensed for professionals to use.

It says any one using it must following industry approved codes of practice, it states it is a professional pesticide product and that you should follow ministry code for plant protection products.

Non of this states for professional use only.