Getting rid of Lily of the Valley - Ask Extension
We have a substantial bed of lily of the valley in our front yard, and it keeps growing every year. We are doing some major grading to try to allevi...
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Getting rid of Lily of the Valley #422904
Asked August 22, 2017, 10:42 PM EDT
We have a substantial bed of lily of the valley in our front yard, and it keeps growing every year. We are doing some major grading to try to alleviate water in our basement, and we want to take out the lily of the valley. I have been told they are very hard to eradicate. Would you please give us directions on how to best get them "gone". One friend said to mow them down first, then try to eliminate them. Please let me know if this step is necessary, helpful or not helpful. Our gardening skills and knowledge are limited, sad to say!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for your question.
Here are some control methods:
ORGANIC: Digging and removing the roots of this plant is the most effective organic control method, and this is best done when the soil is moist. This may be done most easily by running a flat bladed shovel through the soil below the root level and then sifting through the uprooted mass to remove the entire plant. The plants should then be disposed of properly. Repeated treatments will be needed as it will re-sprout from any root fragments that might remain. Smothering may be the easiest organic method of control for larger monocultures. This can be done in early spring as the plants begin to sprout, or as late as early summer. Be sure to cut mature plants to the ground level before smothering. Lay down a tarp, old carpet, landscaping cloth, cardboard, or 8 to 10 layers of damp newspapers over the entire plant colony. Then cover this material with a thick layer of mulch, soil or gravel, and leave this covering in place for one full growing season. If you use paper or cardboard with mulch for smothering you can later install new plants into this already-prepared planting bed.
CHEMICAL: Application of a glyphosate-based herbicide (RoundUp®, etc.) will control lily of the valley, although several applications may be necessary. The best times to spray the plants are early in the spring when the leaves are still tender and while the plants are flowering. Always read herbicide labels carefully before use and always apply according to the instruction on the product label.
Hope this helps.
Thank you for your question.
Here are some control methods:
ORGANIC: Digging and removing the roots of this plant is the most effective organic control method, and this is best done when the soil is moist. This may be done most easily by running a flat bladed shovel through the soil below the root level and then sifting through the uprooted mass to remove the entire plant. The plants should then be disposed of properly. Repeated treatments will be needed as it will re-sprout from any root fragments that might remain. Smothering may be the easiest organic method of control for larger monocultures. This can be done in early spring as the plants begin to sprout, or as late as early summer. Be sure to cut mature plants to the ground level before smothering. Lay down a tarp, old carpet, landscaping cloth, cardboard, or 8 to 10 layers of damp newspapers over the entire plant colony. Then cover this material with a thick layer of mulch, soil or gravel, and leave this covering in place for one full growing season. If you use paper or cardboard with mulch for smothering you can later install new plants into this already-prepared planting bed.
CHEMICAL: Application of a glyphosate-based herbicide (RoundUp®, etc.) will control lily of the valley, although several applications may be necessary. The best times to spray the plants are early in the spring when the leaves are still tender and while the plants are flowering. Always read herbicide labels carefully before use and always apply according to the instruction on the product label.
Hope this helps.
