| I just pull the strawberries right after a heavy rain. You have to get all the runners which extend from each crown. No, I never quite get rid of ALL of them but that's because they grow under the holly hedge and I'm not good about getting on my tummy to reach under it. Everywhere else is pretty much clear of them. Mint seems to spread underground, so again, the soil must be extremely moist or you will miss getting all the rootlets. I guess I've been lucky because while I've had mint escape their containers [usually due a break in the container], I've never had to pull them for longer than the following spring. I do know that using the lasagna method of mulching will control the weeds under azaleas. Put down about ¼" sopping wet newspaper, overlapping sections, and then top that with a couple inches of shredded leaves or other organic mulch. It needs to be refreshed yearly because it will gradually decompose, but it is succesful at preventing weeds from sprouting. You need to keep the mulch about 4 to 6" away from the trunks, I use an inch of aquarium gravel to both deter weeds and prevent rodents from nibbling. |
