Soursob

[geejaybee]

What is the best way to kill soursob in the lawn and garden beds with out spraying glyphosate. I have managed to stop them in my back garden by pulling them out by hand but the front garden is a nightmare at the moment. Any advice that will save my back would be greatly appreciated.

[Isobel]

Have you had any luck @geejaybee?

[geejaybee]

Only sort of, I have sat out there pulling them by hand but unfortunately it has rained so much I have trouble getting out there. But i do now have a 6meter tall gum tree collapsed in the back yard crushing quite a few grevillias with it. But that happens when you get 100km+ winds.

[QuailFlock]

Persistence is the key word.
Each week, for 5 years, I have been digging out the soursob in a small area in the garden. This area is now free of soursobs! Pure will power!

[geejaybee]

It would seem that I have pulled out all the soursob from the front yard, all 30+ square meters. Now all I have to do is wait for next season to see how many reappear and do it all again. Thankyou to everyone for your responses to the nuisance problem!

[Andy_Mann]

Well done@geejaybee, it does take time & patience, but at the end of the weed session, it looks amazing & fires you up for the next weed season.

I get a real buzz out of looking over the weed free area when I'm done, knowing that next season will be easier, & another step closer to eradicating them.

[Jason]

Great job @geejaybee! I'm sure all the hard work will be worth it.

Jason

[CathD]

Well done. I'm sure if you keep at it you will win the battle.

[aussiblue]

I find this weeder better https://www.bunnings.com.au/fiskars-xact-4-prong-weed-puller_p2970049 ; certainly saves the back and is very effective. Works on the winter-grass, dandelions, bindi, flatweed etc as well. Note there are 2 models at the same price; the newer one has the golf club shaped handle and carbon fibre composite foot piece (rather than plastic which more easily breaks). I am really hanging out for the weeder equivalent to the robovac though as I hate gardening and loath weeding.

[QuailFlock]

Good news, no more hard work killing the weeds. Apparently they are edible!!
Someone was harvesting the weeds in a patch near the playground and told me they are a delicacy, then I find this proof -
http://www.gcc.mass.edu/permacultureblog/2013/08/28/wait-you-can-eat-that/

[Kermit]

I think I'll pass @QuailFlock.

I'm always shocked when I go past those juice bars and see people lining up for those grass drinks...