In the long run Mary Ann, the irises will like what your doing for them and you will enjoy the blooms. It's looking good what you have been able to get done.

Thanks Richard -- it's been a long haul. I'm ready to be finished with it now!!

Mary Ann, congrats on your winning battle with the Bermuda grass. It looks wonderful.

It sure does! Good job!!

Welcome Mary Ann

Looks awesome Mary Ann! I bet it can be seen from space when in bloom!

LOL Neal -- wouldn't that be something???

Wow Mary Ann!!!! What a difference and how beautiful the iris were in bloom.

Looks really wonderful Mary Ann. Go girl go!!!

I think I need to find some Grass Be Gone too. Does anyone know if it affects Louisianas or Japanese iris? Those are my beds that have to battle with grass since they are down by the creek, and aren't raised beds. Input really needed!

It doesn't bother Siberian, but I don't have any Japanese or Louisiana irises. It won't bother peonies or daylilies either.

Try to take it easy on your back....that's a lot if hard work!

Your irises will love you for this and to show their appreciation, they will bloom their little hearts out.

Sibs are similar to JI's. I may cautiously try it out.

Lestv said:Looks really wonderful Mary Ann. Go girl go!!!

I think I need to find some Grass Be Gone too. Does anyone know if it affects Louisianas or Japanese iris? Those are my beds that have to battle with grass since they are down by the creek, and aren't raised beds. Input really needed!

It doesn't seem to hurt them, although......when I spray it....even though it is an "over the top' product, I don't spray the iris, daylilies, whatever...if I can avoid it. The grass is what you are trying to kill, so there is no point in spraying an iris . When I have grass actually IN an iris clump....yes, I'll spray the whole thing, but still, I *try* not to get any of the spray on the iris leaves.....it's pricy, after all !
I have also found that the *best* time to use it is either after a rain, or, after a good *watering*....I think there are two reasons, first, the grass starts a real *growth spurt", after a watering....and the chemical gets into it's "system" faster...and, the grass 'blades" (leaves) are clean, and free from dust and dirt then....so, there's a better chance that the chemical will be absorbed into the leaf.

Has anyone tried to sink metal or plastic bed edging next to the iris beds as a control for this invasive weed? Maybe the runners are deeper? Anything that helps with these invasives is a good thing.

DaveinPA said:Has anyone tried to sink metal or plastic bed edging next to the iris beds as a control for this invasive weed? Maybe the runners are deeper? Anything that helps with these invasives is a good thing.

I have the whole top line of my big garden edged with the plastic border. So far it has kept everything from entering the iris beds from going under it. I still get weeds from things that blow over the top. I have had it in for three years - it has been a big help!

I have one side of a bed lined with metal edging. The Bermuda Grass is unimpressed -- grows right underneath it!! It's just about impossible to stop Bermuda except with chemicals.

I have edged with a big berm of hot chips. It works well. I use a pile about 1 foot wide and 9 inches high. One could even make a piled walkway with it. It works especially well with cardboard underneath. Appliance stores have lots of nice big pieces of cardboard.

What are hot chips, Linnea?

My guess would be (free) fresh wood chips from a local tree company. I get about 14 loads every year for my field.

Hearing it called hot chips made me want some chips and salsa.