Gundermann in the lawn: With a piece of cardboard, the spread can be contained

The weed Gundermann can make it difficult for the hobby gardener in the home greenery. With a trick you make sure that it does not multiply.

When the days get longer and warmer again, a lot of gardening is the order of the day for many. After all, the local green has to be brought back into shape after the cold winter months. This also applies to the lawn. This one also needs a portion of care again in the spring.

Gundermann in the lawn: laying out cardboard helps to prevent spread

Sowing, fertilizing, mowing the lawn: It's hard to believe what comes your way from a patch of grass. But even the weeds are usually not far away and like to make themselves comfortable between the blades of grass. Among them is the wild herb Gundermann. Glechoma hederacea is a species of flowering plant in the mint family.

Gundermann is known as a medicinal plant. We still don't want him on the pitch. (Symbolic image)

© H.Tschanz-Hofmann/Imago

The evergreen, hardy and herbaceous plant with the kidney-shaped to round leaves and arcuate edges is known to form long, low runners. It gives off a minty smell when cut or crushed. Under optimal conditions, the Gundermann can quickly spread throughout the lawn as well as in beds.

You can find even more exciting gardening topics in the free 24garten newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.

To prevent this, the only thing that often helps is to weed the weeds. But you should also make sure to remove the roots completely. Do not throw the Gundermann on the compost afterwards, otherwise it will start to take root there. Since the herb has been used for centuries as a spice and medicinal plant, you can make a tea from the leaves. This is supposed to help against coughs, stomach and intestinal complaints.

Gundermann in the lawn: How to get the weeds under control

But if that's too much work for you, but you don't want to use chemical weed killers either, you can use another trick. To eradicate Gundermann, you can also place one or more large pieces of cardboard, a heavy cloth or a black plastic tarpaulin over the plant. As a result, sunlight no longer reaches the plant. But that's what it needs in order to grow. However, since the weeds can also spread in low light conditions, make sure that it is completely dark under the box or tarpaulin.

Grasses in the garden: the best species for sun and shade

Grasses in the garden: the best species for sun and shade

After the Gundel vine has died, you should quickly remove the plant debris, including roots. The risk is simply too great that it will sow again. Finally, it is best to cover the area with a layer of mulch wood chips about five to seven centimeters high. This prevents the Gundel vine from spreading again.

Category list image: © H.Tschanz-Hofmann/Imago