Using Borax to Treat Creeping Charlie

I have heard that Borax is an ideal treatment to get rid of creeping Charlie or ground ivy in your lawn. If this is so, what is the mixture? I tried different things and could not get it to dissolve in warm water.

I do not recommend borax as a treatment for creeping Charlie. Although the University of Iowa found it effective against creeping Charlie I have seen many cases of the mixture damaging the lawn. Plus I am concerned about the long term impact on other landscape plants like trees and shrubs with roots running through and under the grass.

Here’s how the Borax works. This product contains boron, an essential micronutrient needed by plants. Unlike nitrogen it's only need in very small amounts for plant development. When a plant is given just a bit more than needed it has a toxic effect on the plant. Creeping Charlie is slightly more sensitive to boron than the grass in your lawn. The idea is to apply a level toxic to creeping Charlie but not to the lawn. If the Borax is not properly mixed it can also damage the grass. I have seen this happen many times. In addition I have not seen any study on the long term impact of this treatment on the trees, shrubs and perennials that have roots in or below treated lawn areas,

Over application or build up of boron in the soil can damage or kill plants. Much worse than the creeping Charlie.

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