Does anyone let wild ageratum or jewel weed grow? or iron weed? Jo Pye? the last three I permit in or on the edges of my orchard. Also some "Wandering Jew", a common name for this wild vine-like plant with blue flowers with a yellow eye, grows in and about the brush pile. For quite a few years now, I've had a nettle plant growing in a corner of the courtyard garden. Don't ask me why I allowed it, it just appeared one Spring and bloomed white and has grown large and up until this year somewhat contained. Now there are stalks coming up in all the wrong places, like in the middle of a hosta. Even with gloves on when you pull or cut these nettles, you can feel a burning sensation. I guess RoundUp is in order next Spring when it first emerges. Right now I'd be afraid of the spray drifting into things I want. I saw a plant or shrub at a nursery labeled "Black Nettle", with white blooms. Why is it called nettle?

Thank you for sharing......I like the way Herb Robert romps about in the wooded areas and although a weed to others, is a delight to my eyes and obviously a godsend to your life. you can purchase seeds, just check on line. gail

Anytime you pierce through that mulch layer & bring up soil from below the weed seeds will resurface & sprout. Containers are different than in ground gardens, so I've not tried a wood chip mulch in them. You might try removing the top few inches before you add transplants then fill your containers to within 1 inch with new potting mix. If planting seeds in containers you definitely want new potting soil mix. Control weeds in the ground around the pots. If containers are planted densely & mulched with a thin layer of dried grass clippings to cover the soil surface you may have a weed free container quickly. Like other posters have said do patrols & remove the sprouts. It regenerates from pieces, so definitely don't use a tool to chop it up. Corrine

I transplanted maybe 50-75 plants last early fall. They seemed to do very well. They flowered this spring and there are growing good. I also collected seed last year and planted it in 2 areas. I harvested the seeds at the perfect time. The seed pods would split open if I didn't handle them gently. I planted them in a raked bed in the woods. There are small plants coming up all over. So I was successful with seeds also. I watered the seed beds for about 2 weeks after planting as it was relatively dry at the time. I understand the seeds don't have very good viability if allowed to dry out. I planted all my plants and seeds in the woods along a gravel drive that goes thru the woods. My soil has little to medium amounts of clay in the soil. I can't speak to the PH. I watch the weather when transplanting, I try to do it before a good rain. I also dig them up and keep as much original soil around the roots as practical. I also dig and plant them within about 1-2 hours. I always struggle when transplanting wild flowers, especialy woodland flowers. I try to find a place that I feel that they will be happy with. So I'm looking for the right amount of light, moisture and soil type. Hopefully in an area that isn't over whelmed with Sugar maple seedlings. They are the most prolific "weed" I deal with in the woods. Hope I've helped.