I need a natural solution for killing flowers.

Bonnie Germick
by Bonnie Germick
My morning glories reseeded themselves and now I have hundreds! Too many to pull! I have a small dog and do not want to use weed killers.
  4 answers
  • Deb Deb on May 17, 2017

    Many gardeners are confused and call morning glory bindweeds. While the plants are separate species, they do have similar stubborn growth habits and are difficult to eradicate just with pulling. Morning glory weed control is a multi-part task. Pre-emergent herbicides will not work on this plant and pulling is labor intensive and tends to just break the rhizome, which re-sprouts. Completely removing the plants can be a maddening, many years long task. The use of thick mulches or weed barrier fabric can help smother the seedlings in spring. Do not allow the vines to flower and set seed, which will prevent some of the sprouts the following spring. Glyphosate and some broad leaf herbicides have some effect, but you need to spray early in the season when the plants are young. Any systemic selective herbicide is a better choice, since Glyphosate will also affect surrounding plants. It is widely available, however, and painting it on the leaves helps prevent drift and surrounding plant injury. No matter which method you use, you will need to be vigilant and monitor for new plants and treat them. Controlling morning glory will take several seasons and persistent seeds in soil can sprout years later. Morning glory vine can be a glory in the garden, but it can also be a royal pain, so think once and twice before you install this rampant colorful vine.


    Read more at Gardening Know How: Morning Glory Control: How To Kill Morning Glory Weeds https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/morning-glory/control-morning-glory-weeds.htm

    • Bonnie Germick Bonnie Germick on May 18, 2017

      Thanks so much for your input. Who would've thought a gift of a pack of seeds could turn into such a nightmare!


  • Deb Deb on May 18, 2017

    Who would have!!! Hope all works out for you!

  • Kathy Kathy on May 18, 2017

    Depending where the plant is and what is planted with it you could cover with cardboard (best) or 9-15 sheets of newspaper, then 2-3 inches mulch then put on preen. Work yourself from back of bed in 24"-30" sections to front outside of bed. Plants need water, sunshine and nutrients to grow. It's best if you don't damage or try to break off vines just lay horizontally and follow the instructions above. Or


    I sprayed down the weeds in the morning before it started getting warm around 10 am. Spray the center really well so the root gets saturated. I did read about the weed killer not harming the surrounding grass, however be careful not to spray the grass because it will kill it. I had TONS of weeds, so I sprayed and refilled and then resorted to pouring because my hand was killing me from squirting so much. If you should be so lucky not to be infested with weeds then the spray bottle will work great for you. We cut the grass and all the weeds were gone AND the grass was not badly damaged. I sprayed a day before we actually planned on getting the yard cut. It was not very noticeable at all after all the shriveled up messes were mowed down. The above photos were tests spots and not where there was a bunch of green grass. All of the weeds shriveled up and turned black and it has been about 1 1/2 month and those particular previously sprayed weeds have not returned. I wish it would send the memo out to the other weeds so we can be done with it. I doubt that will happen so spray on!


    *Repeated use of the salt can be toxic to the soil. *I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPEAT*



    Natural Plant Killer

    Use sprayer for large area or spray bottle.

    1/4 Cup Salt

    Squirt of Dawn

    Fill with vineagar





  • Joyce Fuhrman Joyce Fuhrman on May 18, 2017

    Spray them with vinegar. It should kill the plants and will not hurt your dog.