I'm trying to reclaim a big flower bed that has been neglected for a couple of years. Rather than spray it with Roundup, I've been digging out the weeds (mostly dandelions.) The depressing thing is that the ground is white with dandelion seeds, but if I cover them with mulch maybe the earthworms will eat them.
I have found some perennials in there that I thought were gone; lilies, liatris, evening primrose, and Echinacea (I knew there were a few Echinacea in there.) And the dirt looks pretty good. Unfortunately about half of the dandelions are breaking off about 6 to 8 inches down. So I'm getting *almost* all the roots out, but probably leaving enough in there that they'll resprout. Hopefully it takes all their energy to send up just one or two shoots and if I keep the tops hoed down they'll die quickly enough. Or I can spot treat with Roundup. But I'd rather get it done naturally.
The johnny jump-ups are especially pretty this year. I'm working around them as much as possible.
Bob