[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

Curled Dock - Rumex crispus - Copóg chatach
by GPI

Also known as curly dock, sour dock, yellow dock, narrow-leaved dock.

Thrives in
Acid soils,especially those which are heavy, nutrient-rich and damp. This weed also does well in infrequently mowed lawns.

Flowering season(s)
July, August, and September.

Appearance
Rosettes of 15 to 30cm long lance to oblong shaped leaves with wavy margins.
Leaf edges are smoother when young then get progressively wavy as the weed matures.
The leaves can often be play host to purpleish-brown fungal leaf spots.
With age vast areas of the leaves can become purpleish brown in colour.
From spring onwards a 100 cm tall green stem is produced which plays host to the plants flowers and following seeds.
Its summer flowers on the upper portion of the stem consist of long clusters coloured greenish-white, which when mature change to reddish-brown seedheads.
Upon digging you will be able to view the plants tap-root, long, fleshy, and yellowish to orange in color.



Curled Dock leaves, photo / picture / image.


Curled Dock flower, and seed head, photo / picture / image.

Trouble?
Can be quite troublesome in a newly laid or sown lawn if its roots are not cleared by mechanical or chemical methods beforehand.
Also troublesome for those of us who do not cut our lawns with regular frequency, or for those with damp, sparse turf.

Organic or cultural control.
Ensure adequate soil drainage when creating your lawn through the use of free-draining soil and the installation of drains at the outset.
Improve current soil drainage through spiking, aerating, and sanding.
Ensure your lawn is well fertilised as this promotes strong grass making it difficult for docks to become established.
Apply lime to your lawn.
Mow your lawn regularly to weaken the weed and prevent seed production.
If you have just one or two of these weeds in your lawn you can be dug out with the tip of garden trowel or a small spoon. Try to ensure you remove as much of the root as possible to prevent further resprouts. Should you get regrowth then continue to dig them out and you will weaken the weed to a point that the grass can overtake it.

Other Control.
To check growth, apply a Sulphate of iron/lawn sand.
To check growth, apply a 3 in 1 lawn feed/weed/mosskiller.
To kill, apply selective herbicides containing the active ingredient MCPA. This is available in the product Verdone Extra Liquid Lawn Weedkiller.
To kill, apply selective herbicides containing the active ingredient 2,4-D. This is available in the Bayer Advanced lawn Weedkiller and for spot treatment in the product Doff Lawn Spot Weeder.
Spot treatment can also be carried out using a Glyphosate wax stick.

Notes on selective lawn weedkillers.
Applying a lawn fertilser to your grass approx two weeks before applying selective lawn weedkillers will improve results. Weedkiller application is most effective while the weed is actively growing, between the leafing to flower stage of growth. For best results, apply selective weedkiller to the lawn on a day forecast to be dry. Apply on a calm morning (no drift) once the dew has dried.

With most lawn weedkillers expect to apply two or three applications at 6 week spacings to rid your lawn of the weeds and the regrowths from their seeds. Always read carefully the instructions supplied with the weedkiller, and follow them to the letter especially regarding protective equipment and the care of children and pets.

Nature notes.
Please note that the Irish gardening forum does not advocate the removal of plants, instead, this forum encourages planting and preservation. However, there are occasions where a plant becomes a problem or a weed within the garden for certain people.
Be aware that Curled Dock is beneficial to lots of insects. Please at least think about this before you remove the plant from your site.

Any queries or comments on Curled Dock, please post below.