Question
I am an 80 year old widow and I cant seem to control the weeds especially CREEPING CHARLEY.  It has invaded my grass and flowers.  I am on a fixed income and I  cannot afford a garden service.  Can you please help me

Answer
Hello Georgia

This plant is really a menace!  Can you believe that it was once recommended as a ground cover plant?

How to get rid of it?  

In grass you can use a 'Broadleaf' herbicide, which you can get from the garden center - read the label to be sure that the one you chose will deal with Creeping Charley.  It should be applied in the fall and again in the spring.  If you apply the herbicide when the plant is in flower it will be more efficient at killing it.  For how much to apply, just follow the instructions on the label.

You have to use a different method in the flower bed - no herbicide, which would kill the plants you want to keep.  I'm afraid this is a case of pulling up as much of the plant as you can, then going back a day or two later to check if any bits of root left behind have rooted - if they have, pull them out.

The next thing to do is put down a covering of mulch - leaf mould or compost - to smother the thing!

Georgia, I do understand that this might be difficult for you.  Do you have a local church group or community group who might be willing to help with the physical work?  If you do have such groups in your neighborhood, don't be afraid to ask.

Gill