At one time, I thought this delicate pink-flowered plant looked cute and harmless, until it started growing in every crevice, border and shady corner of my garden… I first saw it in a potted plant I brought back from London, then it started appearing literally everywhere.
I didn’t really mind Herb Robert – also known as Stinky Bob (I’ll get to that later) – at first because of its tiny pink flowers and delicate fern-like foliage. However, after spending weeks searching Best ways to kill this weed And preferably a A natural way to do itI have come to realize that these beautiful plants are more persistent than they appear. And this spring, it’s safe to say that this “weed” is officially winning the battle I’ve been fighting with it. Every time I pull some of them up, even more appear!
(Image credit: Getty Images/KBWills)
What makes it so hard to get rid of Herb Robert?
Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), or Stinky Bob, as I like to call it, is a fast-spreading wild geranium native to the UK. Its nickname, Stinky Bob, comes from the strong chemical-like smell that comes off when the leaves are crushed (it reminds me of petrol), which I now know well after countless weed sessions.
While it is technically a wild flower For which there are many advantages hayRather a more aggressive one invasive weedsStinking bob self-seeds extremely easily, explains Richard Barker, horticulturist LBS HorticultureWhich makes it difficult to get rid of.
‘Stinky bob is very difficult to get rid of because each plant is capable of producing hundreds of seeds, and they are forced off the plant, potentially a few feet away,’ explains Robert.
‘This makes it difficult to control the spread by getting rid of the parent plant, as it may have already started seeds in the surrounding area. Seeds can also remain viable in the soil for long periods of time and plants are able to thrive in virtually any environment.’
So you see the problem? Read on for how to control pesky plants, or better yet, get rid of them.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Rigger Tidmann)
Expert-Approved Ways to Get Rid of Herb Robert
Timing is everything with Herb Robert. Lucy Bradley, gardening expert Easy irrigation in the garden, Many contrast that explains weed As BindweedBed grass and DandelionsHard to get rid of because it regrows from the roots you leave behind, Herb Robert relies on seed production to spread.
So it’s important to pull weeds from your garden before they have a chance to produce seed, which is from late spring to late fall, making it the perfect time to start removing them from your garden before any seed pods appear.
Here’s how to stop Herb Robert in his tracks before he takes over.
1. Pull by hand
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Richard explains that hand pulling is one of the most effective ways to deal with Robert weed, especially when the plants are still young and before they have had a chance to set seed. Fortunately, roots are relatively shallow, so they usually come off fairly easily.
‘When the plant is young, it can be easily pulled by hand as the root structure should not be too complex at this point,’ he explains. ‘If pulling by hand, do this before flowering to prevent the plant from self-seeding. If you are trying to remove plants from compacted soil, you may need to use a garden fork.’
Lucy says you can also use Grubber like this Gardena Combisystem Again, £13.99 at AmazonTo easily loosen weeds from the ground so you can then collect them, ready for disposal. If you prefer to weed without bending, Lucy recommends using a long-handled hoe like this one. Dutch Hoe, £8.85 at AmazonOn a dry, sunny day, cut off the stems of the herb robert, leaving the weeds to die.
(Image credit: Future/Jenny McFarlane)
She also recommends always wearing gloves (this A bargain set of three gardening gloves, £5.97, is a bestseller on Amazon) when handling it, because Herb Robert is easy to pull free of the soil, roots and all, while the fine, fuzzy hairs covering both stems and buds sometimes contain a clear, watery sap that is also present in the weed’s leaves and stems.
‘This sap will come out of the stems and leaves when they break, which is likely to happen when you’re pulling them off the ground, and this sap itself can cause skin irritation,’ she explains.
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2. Smothering
(Image credit: Getty Images/Collinswood Images)
Herb Robert is an effective chemical-free way to clean large areas Sheet mulchingLucy explains, especially if it keeps returning to the same spots.
And Richard agrees yYou can prevent herb robert seeds from germinating and growing by covering the soil with a thick layer of mulch. ‘Use a three-inch-thick layer of organic matter, or you can use Ground cover plants,’ suggests Richard.
A thick layer of bark, compost or mulch helps block light from reaching the seeds and makes it difficult for new seedlings to establish. Lucy says that Using cardboard Provides additional suppression under mulch in heavily impacted areas.
‘When using this method, first cut out the herb robert, then, using brown, corrugated cardboard, cover the area, overlapping the sheets of card, as you want to prevent any light from reaching the ground.’
Soak the cardboard layer with water and cover with three to eight inches of organic mulch such as garden compost or bark chippings (we’re big. fans No RocketGro’s Magic Mulch, £18.98, Amazon), keep both cards in place and block out all light,’ advises Lucy.
‘After six to 12 months, the card will break down, but you will need to monitor the area, because if any seeds remain in the soil, they may still be viable and may germinate if the soil is disturbed and exposed to light.’
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3. Boiling water for patio cracks
(Image credit: Getty Images/Digipub)
If you have herb roberts growing in the cracks of paving slabs, gravel paths and driveways, Lucy says boiling water can be a surprisingly effective natural remedy. However, she does not recommend using it in the garden the bed and borders.
This non-selective method can damage the plants you want to keep if boiling water gets on them, because it works immediately, tearing the plant’s cell walls so that they dehydrate, dry up and die within days,’ she explains.
‘So if you want to use boiling water, this is best suited for weeding between paving slabs or on pathways rather than in flower beds or borders.’
This method is particularly useful for isolated clumps in awkward places where hand pulling may be difficult.
How to stop the herb from coming back to Robert
Preventing herb roberts from returning is all about making your garden less inviting in the long term. Richard recommends never fertilizing plants that have already developed seed heads, as the seeds can survive in the compost and later end up directly in your borders.
It’s also worth cleaning muddy boots, gloves and tools after weeding, as the tiny seeds can easily ride around the garden. Another suggestion is to plant immediately after infested areas because exposed soil gives stink bob the perfect places to germinate and spread.
‘Dense, ground cover plants can help with this, as they will quickly cover the space and block light from reaching any seeds left in the soil,’ suggests Richard.
This will help block light and crowd the seedlings. Flowering ground cover plants such as Creeping phlox, Hardy GeraniumAnd Creeping thyme Herb Robert loves that will do well in shady areas.
But most importantly, to prevent this beautiful but persistent weed from taking over, he advises that long-term monitoring is necessary. ‘Stinky bob seeds can survive in the soil and remain viable for years. For this reason, you’ll need to closely monitor any cleared areas for a few years to quickly remove any new seedlings.’
Lucy advises that you will need to be patient and persistent when dealing with Herb Robert, as he can take year To remove it completely.
‘Herb Robert seeds are very versatile, allowing them to germinate within a few weeks of being on the ground,’ she explains. Or they may lie dormant in the soil from late winter and germinate the following spring. However, they can remain viable in the soil for five or six years and germinate when conditions are favorable.’
So you’ll need to germinate new weeds and nip them in the bud as soon as possible, explains Lucy.
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