Expert: Richard Clark - 8/22/2004

Question
we've got a space between sidewalk and the garage about 2' wide and very long, and has contained prior to our moving here, day lilies and a ground cover referred to as "snow on the mtn" which spreads like wild fire...can't seem to get rid of it...and lilies are ugly...we've removed all other things and would like to sterilize this bed, and be able to use it next year for pernials and bulbs...would like the best way to do this successfully, thank you in advance for your help

Answer
Jacque
First of all if you sterilize the ground don't expect to grow anything on it for four to six years depending on what you use. If you want to plant this space next year you must get rid of ALL roots of the plants you don't want to grow. I found that spraying the growing plants that you don't want with Round-up this will kill the roots. It is expensive but it will work on growing crops. The other way is to dig and remove ALL of the roots. This is a lot of work to get rid of plants you don't want, but it works.
Good luck, Richard