Dock weed problem in the garden

[strath44]

Hi folks, we have big dock weed problem in the garden and looking for suggestions to get rid of them.
I heard constantly cutting them eventually kills them but that’s not the case.
Was hoping there was maybe something I could inject into the stem? As I don’t want to kill the surrounding grass.
We have children and chickens so this is a factor for what is used.
Any help appreciated!
Thanks

[Simpo Two]

Glyphosate, sprayed on the leaves and repeated as per the instructions.

They have a very deep root so just cutting the tops off doesn't work (well it would have to eventually but would take a long time) and trying to dig them out just breaks the root.

[Drogo]

Wet the leaves then sprinkle with salt.

[Wacky Racer]

Get some Gallup from Amazon, water it down to double what it recommends and spray it on with a backpack sprayer.

Will kill anything including Japanese knotweed.

[Mr Pointy]

Wacky Racer said:

Get some Gallup from Amazon, water it down to double what it recommends and spray it on with a backpack sprayer.

Will kill anything including Japanese knotweed.

It's just glyphosate. Almost everything available is.

[bigpriest]

I'm guessing it's a big area - train the chickens to eat them The best solution is to carefully dig them up, keeping the roots intact. What you need to consider is where the seeds have arrived from because the problem will just come back.

[Mr Pointy]

You used to be able to get touch weeder gel sticks but they seem to have been banned for some reason. Maybe it was too easy to get glyphosate on your fingers while rubbibg the stuff on the leaves.

[OutInTheShed]

Any weed will eventually give up if you keep cutting it often enough.
But new seeds will always arrive.

We have the usual brambles, bindweed, ground elder, wild garlic etc.
There's probably some dock in the hedge under the trees too.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Wacky Racer said:

Get some Gallup from Amazon, water it down to double what it recommends

Bad advice.

You should use the dilution rate as recommended in the instructions, because that dilution rate has been tested and determined to be the most effective rate. If you use a stronger dose, you risk killing the top growth of the plant before the glyphosate has properly translocated throughout the whole plant including the roots. And if you use a weaker dose it might not work at all.

[Simpo Two]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Wacky Racer said:

Get some Gallup from Amazon, water it down to double what it recommends

Bad advice.

You should use the dilution rate as recommended in the instructions, because that dilution rate has been tested and determined to be the most effective rate. If you use a stronger dose, you risk killing the top growth of the plant before the glyphosate has properly translocated throughout the whole plant including the roots. And if you use a weaker dose it might not work at all.

Indeed. When I was involved with writing instructions for such products we always assumed that people would either (a) use half as much to save money, or (b) use twice as much to 'do a proper job'. Our guidance was 'think of the most stupid person you know and then add some'.

Slightly in WR's defence, it may be that these days the ideal dose is not possible because it fails some modern H&S/toxicology reason.

[strath44]

Thanks for all the help, will try Gallup and see how we get on!
I’ve spent 2 years digging I think it’s time to go chemical!!!
Is there a version of Gallup that won’t kill the grass just docks and thistles?
Thanks

[Cheib]

There are plenty of selective weedkillers for professional use.

https://www.pitchcare.com/collections/professional...

[Bill]

SBK is good against docks etc while not affecting the grass.

[strath44]

Thanks for all the help, will try Gallup and see how we get on!
I’ve spent 2 years digging I think it’s time to go chemical!!!
Is there a version of Gallup that won’t kill the grass just docks and thistles?
Thanks

[shtu]

strath44 said:

Is there a version of Gallup that won’t kill the grass just docks and thistles?

Gallup (and Rosate) are just Glyphosate, which kills eerything. You need a selective weedkiller as mentioned above.