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Docks, docks, and more docks!

pickle61pickle61 Posts: 47
in Problem solving
My sons new back garden is full of hundreds of docks and thistles. I've used Westland Resolva Pro Extra Tough weedkiller sachets, diluted correctly and sprayed all over, saturating the weeds. MADE NOT A HAPPORTH OF DIFFERENCE!!! There's £12 wasted! His garden at present is tiny; approx.20' x 20'. I can't dig them out, I'm too old and decrepit. Please please, how can I kill these docks off?? I've read somewhere that glyphosate is not the answer for docks? Should I try agricultural vinegar (30%)? Would that just kill off the leaves and not the root? Should I blowtorch them? ANY advice is most welcome. PLEASE!!
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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,523
    Its probably too early in the season. They need a good bit of leaf cover and then glyphosate them . I don't know why you are thinking of digging them out. Buy your son a good fork or lend him one and get him to fork them all out now. His back is younger than yours.  When they start to regrow from the bits, either fork again or glyphosate them.
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 614
    Think I would try the vinegar, but also add some washing up liquid to the solution to penetrate any surface tension. 
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,959
    edited 19 March
    A strong form of glyphosate will do the job.
    Some years ago I used Rosate 360 to do a similar job.
    Any form of glyphosate that has 360 in the formulation will work.

    Only use it when the docks are growing actively, so April - Sept is ideal.
    It is only absorbed by the leaves.
    Use on an overcast day when the weather is calm.
    It is VERY strong. I used a pump sprayer with the nozzle set to droplets - a fine mist will drift onto other plants and kill them.

    Some examples from Amazon
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=glyphosate+360&crid=1LDUBEIOOJ733&sprefix=glyphosate+360%2Caps%2C116&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 8,068
    edited 19 March
    How long did you wait after applying it before you concluded that it didn't work, and were the weeds actively growing, i.e. did they have plenty of new young growth not just last year's old growth when you applied it? Glyphosate takes a few weeks to work and it needs the weeds to be in active growth. Often they look like they're putting on a bit of a growth spurt after you use it, before it gets down into the roots and starts killing the whole plant.
    Vinegar or blowtorching will just take off the top growth, which can be enough to kill young seedlings but big established plants will grow back. Repeating every time they grow back will eventually see them off but it might take a long time and end up costing more.
    Excluding all light eg by covering with thick layers of heavy-duty opaque plastic or old carpet can work if you leave it for a long time but it doesn't look pretty and established docks might just regrow anyway.
    Digging works if you can get out every bit of root, and even if you leave some it will weaken them a lot more than vinegar or blowtorching, but if neither you nor your son is able to do it, then it's not the solution for you. If your son is capable but short of time, perhaps he could invite some friends round - bring spades, dig out weeds for an afternoon and reward them with beer and pizza afterwards.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,030
    What is he going to do with the garden? Just mowing an area that small will deal with the weeds eventually. That many docks will no doubt mean that the soil is full of seeds so weed killer isn't going to stop it all growing back. You need a long term solution depending on what he plans for the garden.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,133
    I'm inclined to agree with @wild edges. 
    I also agree that any weed killer needs the right conditions to work, and also needs enough time. One application would rarely be enough for a hefty infestation of any weed.
    I'm not sure either why he isn't doing the work instead of you. It's not a big space.

    A photo would also help if you can post one  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 1,722
    edited 19 March
    Fork out as much root as possible.  Get a younger man to do it (your son?).  Wait, and then fork again and again.  Put it down to lawn and mow regularly.  If it is still a problem, use a selective lawn weedkiller.
      location: Surrey Hills, England, cretaceous acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • pickle61pickle61 Posts: 47
    fidgetbones said:
    Its probably too early in the season. They need a good bit of leaf cover and then glyphosate them . I don't know why you are thinking of digging them out. Buy your son a good fork or lend him one and get him to fork them all out now. His back is younger than yours.  When they start to regrow from the bits, either fork again or glyphosate them.
    My son is in a wheelchair so what do you suggest; I tip him out and chuck a fork at him? 
  • pickle61pickle61 Posts: 47
    Fairygirl said:
    I'm inclined to agree with @wild edges. 
    I also agree that any weed killer needs the right conditions to work, and also needs enough time. One application would rarely be enough for a hefty infestation of any weed.
    I'm not sure either why he isn't doing the work instead of you. It's not a big space.

    A photo would also help if you can post one  :)
    " you're not sure either..."? You've just made an assumption; you know what they say about when you assume? 
  • bédébédé Posts: 1,722
    edited 10:25
    pickle61 said:

    My son is in a wheelchair so what do you suggest; I tip him out and chuck a fork at him? 
    Snotty!

    Several of us have made an assumption.  We got it wrong.  Don't blame us if you don't provide important details.

    Before I give you any more help, how old and how unfit are you?


      location: Surrey Hills, England, cretaceous acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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