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weed/roots in garden #814328

Asked October 15, 2022, 1:05 PM EDT

When I was cleaning out my vegetable garten, I kept digging up these roots that were amall but alll tangled together with the dirt. It was very difficult to dig or pull up. This is the worst it has ever been. Ir was throughout the whole 8' x10' garden. I pulled and dug a lot out but there is more, I am worried my tiller won't be able to till that it will be all tangled with these roots. Do you know what they are and what I can do with them.?

Anoka County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning Virginia, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension.  I can see the roots from the photos you submitted.  There are other issues you should consider: 

1. Are these roots from garden vegetables you've pulled up in the garden? 

2. Is there a tree or shrub near the garden where roots would grow into the garden? 

3. When was the last time you tilled the garden and what was there when you last tilled? 

4. Could this be crabgrass roots? Did you have vegetables in the garden this summer? 

5. When you pull up the roots, what leaves are attached at the top? 

These are all issues that will tell you what the weeds are from. If you did not grow any groomed vegetables or flowers in this garden this summer, it won't take much time for the weeds to take over. 

I am attaching a link to the U of M Extension Garden website about controlling weeds in your garden: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/controlling-weeds-home-gardens

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied October 16, 2022, 7:50 AM EDT

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