I spent days pulling up the tiny seedlings, then we had several days of rain, and tons more germinated. The problem is that the seedlings are right up against the desirable plants in the area (royal fern, blue flag iris, and milkweeds). The area is wet, especially in the spring, and everytime I weed I really compact the soil.

I was thinking of dividing the area into sections, and each day removing all of the desirable plants in the early morning,picking all the seedlings off the plants, pulling all the weeds, and then putting the plants back that evening. Then the next day doing the next section. I don't think I can get all the seedlings unless I lift the plants.

What do you think? What would you do in this situation? It is a very large area, and my husband is sure that there must be an easier solution, but that we just can't see what it is.

Many thanks! Molly

The old adage comes to mind: One year's seedling yields seven years of weeding.

Just keep doing what you're doing until the seed supply is exhausted. And don't let any of it go to seed!