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Lawn #757431

Asked June 21, 2021, 11:30 AM EDT

I have a small backyard in sourth mpls with a lot of shade that has overcome with creeping charley. I want to till it all up and get rid of my creeping charley and replace it with something that does not require mowing, vine, and possibly native to Minnesota or region. I am covering my lawn with tarps to help kill creeping Charlie, then I plan to till my yard and last poor boiling water to kill any remaining roots. Again I do not want to use chemicals does this sound like a good sequence for my yard and do you have a reccomendation of a plant to replace grass and creeping charlie?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Sorry but this does not sound like sound management.  Tilling will only cut the roots into smaller pieces, all of which will root and produce more plants.  Also, tilling will turn the seeds of Charlie into the soil as it spread both by sending runners and by seed.  Boiling water will do more damage than a herbicide.  The best way to rid yourself of it is to pull the plants.  You will have to make sure to get all roots.  There is nothing wrong with using a herbicide following label directions.  It will not harm other creatures.  If you want to leave the tarps on your lawn, it will have to be all summer.  Then you still will have to remove the plants manually.  Please read through the suggestions which includes replacement plants in this publication from the University of Wisconsin:  Creeping Charlie – Wisconsin Horticulture

Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied June 21, 2021, 5:57 PM EDT

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