Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Roots

Bonnie writes~
I dug out Lilac bushes to replace them with a fence. Now the problem is how do I get rid of the roots that I missed or couldn't get?

A. After you have used the deepest spade you have to cut down all around and in various angles, turn the soil, hand pick out pieces of roots and discard in plastic bags. Dig out in a greater circumference than the bushes were as underground roots can travel quite a distance from the main growing system. Apply RoundUp, following the directions carefully. Consider a second application 2-4 weeks later. Do not apply right before rains if possible since the water will cause the chemical to seep deeply into the soil away from the old roots. It might be a good idea to spread thick black plastic sheeting over the area, thus cutting off sun and air and not allowing water to enter this soil area.