How to remove purslane from the garden: life hack for the fall

Purslane is not an easy plant to grow, and it is not easy to remove. During the growing season, purslane produces up to 3-4 seed generations, and the yield of one plant is up to 1 million seeds per season. It is a very hardy and resistant crop, because even broken stems quickly release their roots at the slightest contact with moisture.

You can't feed the weeds to livestock, because purslane already has seeds that can't be digested. OBOZ.UA figured out how to remove purslane from the garden.

How to get rid of purslane

Purslane must be dug up and taken out of the garden, otherwise roots will form at the nodes of the broken shoots and quickly sprout into the soil.

Experienced gardeners say that deep digging of the bed in the fall or spring helps. When the seeds get to a deeper depth, they are not strong enough to germinate.

Regular weeding won't help - it's better to dig up or pull out the plant by the root. If the root neck is not cut off, new shoots will soon appear.

It is important to emphasize that all work on the destruction of purslane must be carried out before flowering.

Is mulching necessary?

During the growing season, you can mulch the soil after planting or watering. The layer of mulch should be at least 5-6 cm, but if necessary, it should be raised to the desired height.

One-time thin mulching will not give the expected effect. It is best to use sawdust, straw, hay, and high-moor peat. And conifers should be avoided, as they increase the acidity of the soil, which will negatively affect most garden crops.

Sowing green manure and using herbicides

Autumn sowing of green manure will be effective for the destruction of purslane and a number of other weeds. It is best to plant a mixture of mustard and rapeseed.

If you cannot remove the purslane weed naturally, you will have to resort to chemical treatments. After harvesting, it is advised to treat the bed with herbicides in accordance with the List of pesticides and agrochemicals approved for use in Ukraine for retail sale to the public. This is the most radical method of dealing with purslane.

Experts emphasize that herbicides are most effective at a temperature of +18+20°C, and the effect is manifested in 3 to 5 days.

Be sure to follow safety requirements when working with herbicides. Wear protective rubber gloves and avoid getting the solution on cultivated plants. Do not allow the solution to get on exposed skin and mucous membranes.

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