Due to its proliferating properties, creeping cinquefoil would actually be a good ground cover against weeds if it weren’t one itself. The plant is an undemanding guest that is not welcome in many gardens: its stubborn roots reach deep into the soil and are difficult to remove – if you pull out the creeping stems above ground, you don’t have to wait long until the cinquefoil sprouts again. To prevent the plant from spreading, you must have patience and perseverance. Below we will introduce you to the weeds in more detail and tell you about effective control methods. Finally, we will give you tips for prevention.
The creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) is also known as five-fingered herb because of its five-fold leaves. The plant is found in almost all of Europe and prefers nitrogen-rich soil. It spreads in the fields, in herbaceous beds or on the lawn, but does not stop at road embankments. Typical of the weed are its rampant stems, which form roots at the junctions. These can grow up to one meter into the earth; the actual taproot is also deep in the earth and reaches a length of up to 45 centimeters. For this reason, it is difficult to remove by hand. The plant produces its five-fold yellow flowers between June and August. However, the best time to combat creeping cinquefoil is in spring.
To prevent the perennial plant from spreading, it is important to remove the mother plant. The best time for this is spring. As soon as you spot creeping cinquefoil in the garden, lawn or flower beds, you can use one of the following control methods:
As mentioned at the beginning, cinquefoil has a deep-seated taproot that can grow up to 45 centimeters long. In addition, the plant forms so-called root runners at the nodes, which branch out underground. Therefore, the most effective method of controlling weeds is to remove both the taproot and as many runners as possible. This takes time and energy, which is why you should use a weed cutter and a digging fork to help. Use it to pierce the soil as deeply as possible to completely remove the creeping cinquefoil. The more roots you miss, the faster the plant will sprout again.
Alternatively, you can also use herbicides. However, you should note that chemical weed killers not only fight the cinquefoil, but also the surrounding plants. A better method would therefore be to make the uninvited guest’s stay as uncomfortable as possible: Since the weeds prefer soil containing nitrogen, reduce the nitrogen content by sprinkling sand over the soil and incorporating it. Then scatter new grass seeds to strengthen the growth of the meadow. It is important that you remove new grass clippings immediately, as they would in turn supply the soil with new nitrogen.
To prevent creeping cinquefoil from spreading in beds and lawns and competing with other plants for their space, you can keep the weeds in check early with the following measures:
Source: My Beautiful Garden
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