[John H]

I have a beech hedge around my garden and have struggled to keep the weeds down.

Would it be alright to spray the base of the hedge with round up when all the leaves are gone brown. I am worried that I could kill the hedge. Or is there a right time to spray these hedges and is round up suitable or is there another type of spray that will sort out the weeds for the year.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Foxylock]

Howya John.

I use roundup twice a year around the trees and hedges and never had a problem with it . All you have to do is take care not to get any on the leaves so watch for drift on a windy day ! Roundup wont kill anything under the soil so the roots of your hedge are in no danger if adequately covered with soil.

[Peter Dowdall]

Round UP (Glyphosate - active ingredient) becomes inert when it hits the soil and so cannot be taken in through the roots of the hedge. However you need to make sure that you do not hit the stem as well as the leaves as in young plants the chemical can also be taken in through the stem and translocated to other parts of the plant. Unfortunately we're at a time of the year when it is wet and so it is difficult to find the right time to spray Round Up and also it is less effective during these colder days.

[beetroot]

i have heard of people putting old carpet or vinyl around the new hedge, if you cut a slip in it and put it around the stem and you can leave it there forever...