This article originally appeared in the August 22, 1997 issue, pp. Ground ivy was used in this manner to cure kidney problems, urinary tract infections, and indigestion. #creepingcharliekiller #pestcontrol #creepingcharlieremedy #gardening They compared various rates of dry and liquid borax with Super Trimec (2,4 D + dicamba + dichlorprop) and Sharpshooter (saturated fatty acids of potassium salts). They also found that cooler weather may reduce effectiveness. of borax (found in stores' detergent aisle) with 4 oz. Worse yet, the Borax will destroy other plants it touches. Spray a Borax soap solution onto the ground ivy for an organic solution. As always, when using pesticides, read and follow label directions carefully. After this has been accomplished, it is important to ensure that this pesky flowering invader no longer attempts to take over your yard. Ground ivy is a non-native perennial herb. Spray the borax solution evenly over the ivy. Borax can be used to control ground ivy in turfgrass because the ground ivy is more sensitive to boron than the cool-season turfgrasses. Practice using a garden sprayer so you get used to how wide and how powerful it sprays. Borax is a kind of thing that is basically sodium tetraborate. Creeping charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a creeping, invasive weed common in gardens and lawns. Borax (sodium tetraborate) has been found to be an effective herbicide for creeping charlie (Glechoma hederacea, also known as ground ivy, creeping jenny and gill-over-the-ground). Borax, though primarily used as a laundry detergent, has … Place the herbicide into a pump sprayer, and mix it with water per the manufacturer's instructions. ISU research does indeed show that the home remedy for ground ivy works. Regardless of the type of material applied (broadleaf herbicide or borax), the key to successful control of ground ivy is proper application. If you really want to kill the roots, it may take another application. So in 1991, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, ISU horticulture graduate student; and Nick Christians, ISU horticulture professor; conducted research on the effectiveness of borax in control of ground ivy in turfgrass and ornamental situations. Use protective eyewear and gloves when handling the chemicals. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral salt that has many household uses, most often as a cleaning agent. However, the difference between plant requirements and toxicity problems is very small. Fall (mid-September through early November) is generally the best time to control ground ivy with conventional broadleaf herbicides. There have been university studies done on using Borax to kill ground ivy with some positive results but some tests didn't show any improvement. As creeping charlie is an invasive perennial leaf, borax can form a toxic spot to the area that you spread the entire borax mixture. Borax is not only great as a weed killer for creeping Charlie. His passions in life consist of extensive personal research on food, gardening and finding natural and eco-friendly alternatives to nearly all aspects of life. Leaves will turn brown and dry up in 2-3 weeks leaving the next layer of ivy exposed. To do this, add 10 ounces to borax to 4 ounces of warm water. Trimec and Weed-B-Gon Lawn Weed Killer2 are two widely sold products that contain dicamba. All of the leaves and stems should be lightly coated with the solution. I also tested five versions of a Borax ant killer against Terro and found that many of them are quite effective at controlling ants. It’s commonly found in most supermarkets in a form of Borax laundry detergent. But the best part is, it won’t harm the grass. Hatterman Valenti and Christians found that the damaging effects on bluegrass turf with borax can be longer lasting than Super Trimec (for instance, 10% visual injury 40 weeks after treatment with liquid borax in 1991). Be precise. In areas with little or no grass, this is an ideal natural strategy for ground ivy eradication. Copyright © 2020ISU Extension and Outreach Some people, however, are looking for a "natural" weed management product, so the thought of applying a naturally occurring mineral like borax seems to be a better option. How much borax is too much? University of Minnesota Extension; Using Borax to Control Creeping Charlie; David Lunsford, Iowa State University Extension; Control of Ground Ivy in the Home Landscape; Ricard Jauron; May 15, 1998. Getting rid of creeping Charlie or ground ivy in the lawn is a tough battle,. Creeping Charlie is an aggressive ground weed that can cause havoc on your lawn. Through trial and error, people found that borax could kill ground ivy. Ground ivy thrives in damp and insufficiently fertilized soils. Since then, ground ivy has escaped cultivation and spread to a variety of native plant communities throughout the United States. Similar to how Borax works as an insecticide, the agent works well for killing thistle and other unwanted vegetation by drying them out and withholding moisture. Homeowners may also wish to consult ISU Extension publication Pm-930, "Home lawn care: weed control" for more information about managing weeds in the home landscape.". Make sure to spray the ground under the ivy as well as the tops of the leaves. The leaves of ground ivy are round or kidney-shaped with scalloped margins. Remove Creeping Charlie in a few simple steps using Borax, or make a natural weed killer out of vinegar to eliminate invasive ground ivy. Take for instance, the case of ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), a common and invasive perennial weed in Iowa lawns and gardens. Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Ivy, which is sometimes considered invasive, may be controlled with borax. Ground ivy spreads by seed and the vining stems which root at their nodes. Kill Weeded Creeping Charlie With Borax Creeping charlie, or ground ivy, is a flowering weed that grows in shady, moist areas and, if left unchecked, can quickly take over other areas of your lawn. The low-growing plant creeps along the ground, rooting wherever a leaf node touches the soil. To selectively control ground ivy in turfgrass, dissolve 10 ounces of borax in 2 to 3 gallons of water and … Spray the ivy with the Borax solution until it drips off of the leaves. Was dissolved in hot water, allowed to cool, and applied to infested lawns. So—If I use the 20 Mule Team Borax home-made herbicide solution as described in your A to Z article on creeping Charlie, ... (also known as 'ground ivy, 'lawn ivy' and 'Gill Over the Ground') mostly spreads via underground rhizomes, often overtaking lawns that … Treatment can be made in spring or fall. What effects, if any, will the boron have on nearby plants? Once destroyed, maintain clean, weed-free borders around flower and vegetable gardens to prevent the ground ivy from "creeping" back in from adjacent areas. This should kill the ground ivy entirely within 4 weeks. (Caution: apply over recommended area to avoid toxicity symptoms), (Past Horticulture and Home Pest News articles published about managing ground ivy in the lawn and garden can be found in the April 13, 1994 and July 18, 1990 issues. For every 25 square feet, add 5 tsp. Kenneth Coppens began his freelance writing career in 2008. 2150 Beardshear Hall Place the lid on the tank and shake the tank to dissolve the borax. Lung and respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, have also been treated with creeping charlie in the past. Kill Ground Ivy Borax for Killing Creeping Charlie. Borax, or sodium tetraborate, is a powdery white mineral that has been used as a cleaning product for several decades. All borax treatments and Super Trimec provided greater than 90% ground ivy control the spring following application in 1991, when soil moisture was good. Ames, IA 50011-2031 So when callers to the ISU Hortline ask about the borax ground ivy control "recipe," they may sometimes detect a hint of reservation. Borax is a chemical compound made of boron. Too much product can harm your soil, and too little might not kill the weed. Dissolve 8 oz. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral salt that has many household uses, most often as a cleaning agent. Horticulture technician David Lunsford of the University of Minnesota Extension Service recommends only one application per year for a maximum of two consecutive years. Weed is every gardener’s nightmare. Why did the borax work? But research is beginning to untangle the thicket of unknowns about borax's effect on lawns. Use a solution of borax on it, or manually remove it. Kill Weeded Creeping Charlie With Borax Creeping charlie, or ground ivy, is a flowering weed that grows in shady, moist areas and, if left unchecked, can quickly take over other areas of your lawn. It … HOWEVER, care must still be exercised when using it. If the tree is surrounded by a mat of ivy on the ground, you'll need to remove the ivy from the ground and control its growth so that it won't climb back up the tree. Borax contains boron, which is an essential plant nutrient. Today, modern ingredients have mostly replaced borax … Add the mixture to 2.5 gallons of water. Borax kills ground ivy but generally doesn't harm lawn grass or other plants if it's not repeated frequently. It's important to know exactly how the garden sprayer sprays to ensure effective removal of the ivy with minimal damage to other plant life. Borax can be found in the laundry aisle of many supermarkets under the brand name 20 Mule Team Borax. We also know that grasses tend to be more tolerant of excess boron than are broadleaves. How to control or get rid of ground ivy Apr 10, 2015 at 7:54 PM Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a common weed in lawns and beds with excess shade and moist soil. Apply Borax to Kill Ground Ivy. English ivy is a hardy ground cover and wall-climbing plant that can be troublesome for homeowners. Ground Ivy, also known as creeping charlie can be a terrible nuisance in a lawn that is difficult to kill. Ground ivy can be controlled with borax. Creeping charlie is an invasive perennial weed that vines throughout lawns and chokes out grass. of warm water. Borax contains boron, an important plant micronutrient. ISU researchers concluded that the ground ivy was sensitive to the boron in the Borax and was injured to the point of dysfunction. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed. Through trial and error, people found that borax could kill ground ivy. There are two ways to kill ground ivy organically. Mix a borax solution in the tank of a garden sprayer. In reality, Borax will stunt the nasty vine but Borax alone will not kill it. The key to effective control of ground ivy in gardens is persistence. Why did the borax work? A member of the mint family, ground ivy produces a minty odor when cut or crushed. Spray generously. Three concentrations of borax solution were used in the experiment. Borax contains boron, an important plant micronutrient. but here I show you part 1 of where to start. And that’s how it can kill … Spray over 1,000 square feet of the ground cover you want to kill. Research was conducted over the next two years, and they concluded that, dependent upon weather conditions, borax indeed could indeed match or exceed the performance of common herbicides' in eradicating ground ivy. Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), also called creeping Charlie, has rounded, aromatic leaves with scalloped edges, stems that are square in cross section and small purple spring flowers. Another historical function of this plant was to clean the internal parts of the body. Popular Misconception About Borax and Ground Ivy. Borax is not harmful to people, but since most plants cannot tolerate too much of it, using it on weeds in a vegetable garden is not recommended. The best way to control ground ivy in flower and vegetable gardens is by hand pulling and hoeing. [5] Originally brought to the United States from Europe as a ground cover, the plant soon became a pest because of its spreading habit. Homeowners who prefer using conventional herbicides have some effective options. Perennial weeds such as creeping Charlie or ground ivy not only choke grass but can also find their way towards the garden plants. Cut away the ivy on the ground. When excessive quantities are present, boron can damage and even destroy plants. I dont think you can successfully pull ivy … You can effectively succumb weed problem by spraying your garden with borax weed killer solution. Use borax with extreme caution in a yard or garden, as high concentrations have the potential to damage soil and make it difficult to grow new plant life. This difference in tolerance allows us to selectively control ground ivy while leaving bluegrass. Home owners will usually receive a caution to ensure that they apply it at the recommended rate. The second application should be 10 to 14 days after the first. However, several questions remain to be answered: How long does it remain in the soil? This article was originally published on August 22, 1997. You can make your own selective weed killer using Borax and it is very effective for even difficult to kill weeds such as Creeping Charlie (also known as creeping Jenny) in your lawn, without killing your grass. So if liquid borax and Super Trimec provide comparable results, which would a homeowner want to choose? It's effective, inexpensive and easily obtained. (800) 262-3804, Iowa State University | PoliciesState & National Extension Partners, by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture, Like us at Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, Like us at Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Revised Ground Ivy Control Recommendations, Control of Ground Ivy in the Home Landscape. There are two ways to kill ground ivy organically. The most effective broadleaf herbicide products are those that contain dicamba. Borax will work within 1 week when the leaves of ground ivy will start turning brown. The scientific process can sometimes be a long and winding road, much like the long and winding path of a stem of ground ivy. Mix 20 to 30 ounces (570 to 850 g) of Borax per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a garden pump sprayer and apply to the patch of ground ivy. All necessary for Pest Control https://amzn.to/2rLU5CG ----- How to Kill Weeded Creeping Charlie With Borax. This substance also has outdoor uses, however, including its application in the elimination or control of many types of plants, such as invasive ivy vines. Once the ground ivy has been effectively controlled and an healthy lawn reestablished, the home gardener needs to use good mowing, fertilization, watering, and cultivation practices to maintain a dense, healthy, competitive stand of turfgrass which should help discourage future invasions of this aggressive weed. of borax and 1 quart of water. It is very difficult to control because it spreads by vining stems that root at their nodes as well as seeds. It was introduced into North America by settlers as early as 1672. Flowers are small, bluish-purple and funnel-shaped. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. Removing a donut-shaped mat of ivy from around the base of the tree is sometimes referred to as a "lifesaver" cut. Repeat the process the following year, if necessary. On my blog, I show how the best way I found to remove ground ivy is with a thatch rake. Stems are four-sided. The treatment was not effective in Dr. Rossi's trial, and he concluded that Wisconsin soil conditions likely tied up the boron before it had any effect on the ground ivy. If properly applied, borax can be used to control ground ivy in turfgrass because the ground ivy is more sensitive to boron than the cool-season turfgrasses. (Two other compounds commonly used in broadleaf herbicides are 2,4-D, and MCPP. Luckily, the natural and environmentally friendly combination of salt and vinegar can help homeowners and gardeners kill this plant. Enter the "hero" of the story: the common household product called Twenty Mule Team Borax. It’s used for reducing the creeping charlie. Creeping Charlie Borax Recipe, Borax … This substance also has outdoor uses, however, including its application in the elimination or control of many types of plants, such as invasive ivy vines. Borax can be found in the laundry aisle of many supermarkets under the brand name 20 Mule Team Borax. These unanswered questions indicate a need for more study in this area. Two applications are usually necessary. When excessive quantities are present, boron can damage and even destroy plants. Do it again. Ground ivy thrives in damp, shady areas, but also grows well in sunny locations. In the meantime, homeowners do have options in their fight to control ground ivy. Neither material effectively controls ground ivy.) Repeatedly pull and hoe the ground ivy (remove the plant debris to prevent it from rooting) until it has been eliminated. Use a solution of borax on it, or manually remove it. In 1992, a dryer year, only liquid borax and Super Trimec controlled 85% of the ground ivy the spring following application. However, the difference between plant requirements and toxicity problems is very small. While not as effective as vinegar against the more common lawn weeds, Borax is one of the leading ways to remove more expansive brush like ground ivy. Borax is actually sodium tetraborate, a white, crystalline, mineral salt formed in the beds of ancient lakes millions of years ago. Ground ivy is known by a variety of names, including Creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, and Ground-Over the-Gill. Sometimes folklore and science actually intersect, though often in unexpected ways. The second application should weaken the ivy to the point you can control it. After this has been accomplished, it is important to ensure that this pesky flowering invader no longer attempts to take over your yard. As you would expect, "it depends.". The borax should be used in a wet solution, not dry mixed with sand. 132-133. But there is little research information on how borax affects turf and ornamentals in the home landscape. Some people falsely believe Borax will kill Creeping Charlie. 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