Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

My yard is full of a 'weed' called Creeping Charlie! Any idea how to get rid of it, without killing all of the grass? HELP!

Cathy (01/11/2005)

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RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

I read in a magazine once that if you put beer on certain types of weeds in your yard it will kill it. I've not tried it myself, but it may be worth a try. (01/11/2005)

By TJo31well

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

You can choose between a "broadleafed" herbicide or one for grasses. The broadleafed herbicides will kill your weeds but will not harm your grass. Be sure the herbicide you choose is not for killing grass and you will be fine. (01/12/2005)

By jlxian

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

I was told by a nurserywoman that a 1/2 cup of Borax to 5 gal water will kill creeping charlie. Use a watering can to water the grass with this mixture. Give the borax time to disolve before using. (02/01/2005)

By Anonymous

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

http://www.mspmag.com/gardener.asp?date=12-13-2000&page=3 this site says using Borax isn't going to work because you can only use it 2 times a year for 2 years that's it no more or you risk making it so nothing will grow where you sprayed it. It suggest (april 11? 2001 note) 2 ways to rid your yard of this pest 1. pull it up EVERY BIT OF IT ot it'll start all over. Or 2. weed killer 4 times a year with out fail is suggest you check with a nursery on what kind to use. Hope this helps (02/18/2005)

By Tracy Bettendorf ia

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

Trimix is te stuff to use . Worked for me after many repeated applications (04/27/2005)

By Big Williw

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

Use the following mixture and applied after cutting your lawn in a spray bottle will remove creeping charlie Take a pinched Chewing tobacco wrapped in cloth placed in two cups of boiling water once dissolved remove and add two table spoons of molasses once the molasses is dissolved pour into a gallon container. Add one can of Beer and one can of non-cola sode (Sprite). Then pour a 12 or 16 oz container of dish soap (any brand) into the gallon. Spray after every cutting for a whole summer and it will remove the creeping charlie. (06/02/2005)

By PaulB0319

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

I woouldn't waste my beer LOL (05/14/2006)

By gosewisch

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

Iodized salt will kill creeping charlie. You have to be very carefull when mixing the salt with the right amount of water or the grass will be damaged also. When I applied the salt directly on the creeping charlie the next day it was dead and the ghrass wasn't hurt at all. (07/10/2006)

By Wiliam Pietschman

RE: Getting Rid Of Creeping Charlie Without Killing My Grass

I'll need to try the salt with my bark areas...and save the beer for afterwards ;) (07/11/2006)

By camo_angels

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Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

Question:

I don't know how to get rid of creeping charlie without killing what's left of my grass. This stuff is horrible. Please help me save my lawn.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Trisha from Ontario Canada

Answer:

Trisha,

This is never the popular answer, but my personal recommendation is to try to control Creeping Charlie by pulling it out. You probably won't completely eliminate it this way, but you can certainly keep it under control, and your yard and garden will be healthier for it. Pulling can be done by hand or you can use a spading fork or dethatching rake. The best time to jump start this project is late summer or early fall. Pre-moistening the soil will make it easy to lift the plants out.

Many well-intentioned folks (including some nurseries) may suggest using Borax to get rid of Creeping Charlie. I don't recommend it, and here's why. The University of Minnesota and Iowa State University have both conducted studies on using boron, a chemical contained in household Borax, to control Creeping Charlie. As a micronutrient, boron helps plants transport sugars. Studies have found that giving small amounts of excess boron to Creeping Charlie has a toxic effect on the plants. The problem is that applying it is a total crapshoot. No one recipe will work on every lawn due to the varying levels of boron found in individual sites. Without a soil test, it's extremely easy to apply too much. An over-application will burn your lawn and will injure (and/or kill) surrounding plants. Even if it works, it doesn't guarantee that Creeping Charlie will never show up again. Your best defense against Creeping Charlie and other weeds is to maintain a healthy lawn through good cultural practices.

Ellen

About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com

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RE: Controlling Creeping Charlie

Borax has been touted as an organic control for Creeping Charlie, but research at both the University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University has shown that borax is typically not very effective and can injure turf and other plants as well, causing stunting and yellowing. Borax contains boron, which is necessary in very small amounts for plant growth, but is toxic in larger doses. Creeping Charlie happens to be extremely sensitive to boron, so supplying more boron should be detrimental to it more than other plants, such as grass, that aren't as sensitive. However, since boron availability in the soil depends on soil type and pH, it's difficult to determine just how much boron should be applied in any one place. And there's little room for error: too little results in poor control and too much injures surrounding plants. Also, boron doesn't break down or dissipate in the soil, so repeated or excessive applications can result in bare areas where no vegetation can grow.

The best means of controlling Creeping Charlie is with a postemergence broadleaf herbicide. As with any pesticide, always read and follow label directions. The best choice for homeowners is a weed killer containing salt of dicamba (3, 6-dichloro-o-anisic acid). This active ingredient is often found in combination products, such as Trimec or Three Way Lawn Weed Killer, so check the ingredient list on the label to see if it contains dicamba. The other chemicals in these combinations are generally 2,4-D (2, 4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and mecoprop or MCPP (2-(2-methly-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid). Products containing triclopyr or 2,4-DP may also provide decent control. These products are good for applications on lawns, but can't be used in vegetable or flower gardens as many broadleaf plants are very susceptible to these herbicides and even minimal amounts of the herbicide will cause severe injury. In those areas it's best to hand pull or hoe the invaders. If there's more Creeping Charlie than grass in your lawn, it may be easier to start over by killing all the vegetation and reseeding the lawn. (09/15/2006)

By markz

RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

True happening: I threw borax soap full strength on the Charlie, because it was going to rain. Okay, I had a huge brown dead spot, however, I raked up the dead grass and Charlie and now it's the best spot I have in the yard. (06/06/2008)

By Mikey

RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I've had two major weeds: wild violets and creeping charlie. I had it so bad that that's all my yard was in the back. I still deal a little with it today a few plants, but really nothing especially with what I started out with. I started using Weed Be Gone about 4 years ago and would put two applications on a year, spring and fall. It killed a lot, but what I did this year helped so much. I applied Weed Be Gone at first, then 4 days later I applied Bayer weed killer, not lawn killer. Then after that I waited 1 1/2 weeks and applied Bayer again. It worked well very well. You will lose a little green to your lawn, but it didn't kill any. I just applied fertilizer 2 weeks later and it greened right up. (10/29/2008)

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Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I see my creeping charlie has survived the winter and is thriving nicely. I have pulled it over and over. It seems to make it grow better. I will not use chemicals, but have read that iodized salt will kill it. If so do you put it on straight or mix it with water? What is the mixing ratio?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

By Michelle from Burlington, IA

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RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I was told by a nurserywoman that a 1/2 cup of borax to 5 gallons of water will kill creeping charlie. Use a watering can to water the grass with this mixture. Give the borax time to dissolve before using. Good luck. (03/13/2010)

By kffrmw88

RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

Borax does kill creeping charlie, but it has to be applied in exactly the right amount and not too often or you will have trouble. Here is just one link I found on it.

extension.umn.edu (03/19/2010)

By Laniegirl

RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I really hate killing plants, can't you ask around to see if someone would dig them up for the taking? They make great hanging plants. We need to learn to share instead of killing off good plants. I take cuttings and start plants to give away. Great to swap also. Just my opinion.

Great Granny Vi (03/19/2010)

By Great Granny Vi

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Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

What is the best way to get rid of creeping charlie?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

By Sue from Andover, MN

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RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I found the only thing that works (and the extension service says the same thing) is something with Triclopyr or 24D in it. I used a product called Pasture Pro. My son bought it at a farm supply store. Ortho Weed B Gon will work, also. I sprayed last fall twice and still have to do it this spring again. It says to wait till it gets done flowering. It got rid of 2/3 of it last fall and am hoping a couple more applications will control it. Here is a good site to go to where they discuss it. I would, however, stay away from the borax if someone suggests that. You will see why after reading on this site. forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/yarddoctor/msg0612033826424.html (05/11/2010)

By Laniegirl

RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I think I have found something to get rid of creeping charlie. Check out my site. http://creepingcharlie.homestead.com/ (05/27/2010)

By 1Scotty5

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Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

I have creeping charlie that has consumed the back yard! Can I get rid of it without chemicals?

By Missy

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RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

Unfortunately, creeping charlie is a fast spreader. Mowing helps it along as runners are cut up and thrown out to grasp elsewhere. We are plagued with this weed and it's taking over the grass. Buying a weed killer is about the only solution I know that will kill it back.

I've pulled the runners filling at least seven black bags full so it can dry out and be burned. Do not just toss this weed after pulling into the garden area or meadow as it will return. (09/18/2010)

By Lorelei

RE: Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie

Try using vinegar. It will kill anything that you spray it on, so be careful around any plants that you want to keep! Another suggestion: post it for "free" on www.freecycle.org; on Craig's list in your area; and on Yahoo local garden trading groups. However, the only creeping charlie that I have ever seen has always been in hanging baskets. (09/18/2010)

By MzScarlett