If you’ve ever battled the infamous creeping Charlie (or ground ivy, for those who prefer to sound fancy), you know how tough it is to get rid of – it’s like trying to remove a stain that just won’t budge.
I honestly thought I’d never be rid of it. It took a solid two months before I saw any real progress, and there were days when it felt like the weeds were mocking me, growing back twice as fast as I could pull them out!
But luckily, I finally stumbled upon a few simple tricks that actually worked – and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t tried them sooner.
Now, I’m here to save you from the same frustration I went through. So, let me share my top tricks to help you banish creeping Charlie once and for all.
1. Beat Weeds The Natural Way With Vinegar
We are going to start with the simplest (and cheapest) solution – vinegar.
You probably already have vinegar in your home for cleaning, but did you know it can also double as an effective weed killer for creeping Charlie? That’s right!
All you need to do is mix one gallon of white vinegar, a tablespoon of dish soap, and a teaspoon of salt. I usually grab a big spray bottle and go to town on the weeds during a hot, sunny day. The vinegar burns them right up and the soap helps the mixture stick.
Just a heads-up: vinegar can harm anything it touches, so aim carefully. You don’t want to end up ruining your precious roses, right?
2. Corn Gluten Meal Is The Best Organic Solution For Weeds
Next up is corn gluten meal. It sounds like something you’d feed a racehorse, but trust me, it can do so much for your lawn.
I spread it in early spring, before the creeping Charlie has had a chance to get all nice and comfy. It’s a natural pre-emergent herbicide that prevents those little weed seeds from ever sprouting.
And here’s the best part – it’s totally safe for kids and pets. So, while you’re out there feeding your lawn with corn gluten, you can rest easy knowing you’re not poisoning anything that has four legs or plays with a ball.
3. Increase Lawn Density For A Stronger, Weed-Free Yard
Weeds love weak lawns, and creeping Charlie is no exception. It loves to sneak in where the grass is sparse and weak, which is why our best bet is to strengthen our lawns and make them healthier.
I overseed in the fall with grass varieties that thrive in my area (shoutout to fescue). A thick lawn chokes out creeping Charlie by blocking sunlight and competing for nutrients.
And let’s be honest, a thick and healthy lawn looks much better than a sad, weedy one.
Not sure about overseeding? Here are some tips to help you out: Easy Tricks To Overseed Your Lawn In Fall For Stunning Grass Next Summer
4. Hand-Pull Or Dig Up Weeds For A Personal Touch
Sometimes, you just have to roll up your sleeves and do the dirty work. I know, I know – it’s not glamorous, but when it comes to creeping Charlie, getting up close and personal is often the best way.
I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit digging up those pesky roots. It’s crucial to get every last piece of root, though, or it’ll just come right back up.
A small weed digger will help you get deep into the soil and make sure you’re pulling up all the roots (it’s definitely worth the extra effort).
5. Smother It With Mulch Or Newspaper
Creeping Charlie loves to spread where it can soak up sunlight, so one of the easiest ways to fight back is to block out the light completely.
I’ve had great success by smothering patches of creeping Charlie with a thick layer of mulch or newspaper. If you go with mulch, aim for at least three inches to keep the weeds from pushing through. If you’re using newspaper, layer it about five pages thick and soak it with water before covering it with soil or mulch.
Give it a few weeks, and creeping Charlie will suffocate underneath—no sunlight, no growth! Just be patient and resist the urge to peek too soon.
6. Mow High And Keep The Grass Strong
Mowing might seem like just another lawn chore, but it’s actually a great way to keep creeping Charlie in check. The trick? Set your mower blade higher!
I used to cut my grass super short, thinking it would look neater, but all it did was invite weeds to take over. Creeping Charlie thrives in low-cut, stressed-out lawns, so I started mowing at around 3.5–4 inches instead.
Taller grass shades out weeds and grows stronger roots, making it much harder for creeping Charlie to sneak in.
Bonus tip: Keep your mower blades sharp to avoid tearing the grass, and always leave the clippings behind for extra nutrients. It’s like giving your lawn a free snack while fighting off invaders at the same time!
And there you have it – the six tricks that have worked for me in my eternal struggle against ground ivy.
I’ve been using these for quite some time now, and I’ve noticed far fewer weeds trying to invade my turf. It’s like a secret weapon – but just don’t tell creeping Charlie, okay?