Renovating an Overgrown Garden Bed While Saving Peonies

Clearing Weeds Without Harming Established Peonies

You have a large, sloped bed (60×9 ft) overgrown with grasses, wild berries, and weeds, with prized peonies in the center. It’s the wrong season to transplant them, and hand-digging the whole bed isn’t feasible.

Targeted Herbicide Application

The safest, most effective method is “wick application” of glyphosate (a non-selective herbicide that isn’t root-absorbed). Mix according to label directions, then use a sponge mop or paintbrush to wipe the herbicide onto unwanted foliage only, avoiding the peonies.

Process

1. Apply glyphosate to weeds, coating as much green tissue as possible.
2. Wait several days for translocation to roots.
3. Cut down or till under dead vegetation.
4. Re-treat any regrowth at 8–10 inches tall.

For the peony-free section, you can spray more broadly. Always wear protective gear and follow label instructions.