Hey fellow gardeners! I’ve been battling with goldenrod in my garden for years, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about controlling this persistent plant. While goldenrod has its benefits, it can quickly become overwhelming if left unchecked. Let me walk you through the most effective methods to manage it
Understanding Goldenrod
Before we dive into removal methods. it’s important to know what we’re dealing with
- What is it? Goldenrod belongs to the Solidago genus with over 100 species
- Appearance: Tall yellow wildflower with single unbranched stems (1-7 feet)
- Growth pattern: Spreads through both seeds and underground rhizomes
- Common misconception: Often confused with ragweed but doesn’t cause allergies
- Benefits: Great food source for native bees and pollinators
5 Proven Methods to Control Goldenrod
1. The Cardboard Sheet Mulch Method (My Favorite!)
This is the method I use because it works great and is good for the environment. Here’s how I do it:
- Mow the goldenrod as close to the ground as possible
- Water the area thoroughly
- Lay down cardboard sheets (remove tape and staples)
- Overlap edges to prevent gaps
- Secure with landscape staples or rocks
- Cover with soil and wood chips
Pro tip: Those Amazon boxes collecting dust in your garage? Perfect for this job!
2. Manual Removal
For smaller infestations:
- Pull plants after rain when soil is damp
- Use a dandelion digger to trace and remove rhizomes
- Remove entire root system (about 2 inches below surface)
- Repeat as needed (those sneaky rhizomes are persistent!)
3. Strategic Mowing Schedule
This two-year plan has worked wonders for me:
- First mowing: Mid-June (6 inches above ground)
- Second mowing: Late August/early September (12 inches above ground)
- Repeat this pattern for two consecutive years
4. Herbicide Application (If Needed)
When organic methods aren’t enough:
Spring Treatment
- Apply when sprouts are 3-4 inches tall
- Use Triclopyr (Garlon 3-A or Garlon 4)
- Temperature: 60-85°F
- Use a “Cone of Death” (modified plastic funnel) to prevent drift
Late Summer Treatment:
- Bundle 10-12 stems together
- Apply Glyphosate or Triclopyr to upper foot of leaves
- Use “stream” setting on sprayer to avoid drift
5. Smothering Method
Alternative to cardboard:
- Use thick mulch
- Apply landscape fabric
- Leave covered for one full growing season
Prevention Tips
Here’s what I’ve learned about preventing goldenrod from taking over:
- ✅ Maintain healthy turf
- ✅ Fill bare spots quickly
- ✅ Remove plants before they seed
- ✅ Minimize soil disturbance
- ✅ Plant competitive native species
Common Challenges
Listen, I won’t sugar-coat it – getting rid of goldenrod isn’t always easy. Here are some issues you might face:
- Persistent Rhizomes: May take multiple attempts to fully remove
- Reseeding: Seeds can travel by wind from neighboring areas
- Time Investment: Complete elimination might take 1-2 years
- Slope Issues: Some methods (like cardboard) may cause water runoff
Environmental Considerations
While controlling goldenrod, we gotta think about the bigger picture:
- Keep some goldenrod in contained areas for pollinators
- Consider native alternatives for your garden
- Be mindful of herbicide use near water sources
- Protect beneficial plants during removal
Final Thoughts
From my experience, the most successful approach combines multiple methods. Start with cardboard sheet mulching for large areas, manual removal for isolated plants, and maintain vigilance with regular monitoring. Remember, patience is key – complete elimination takes time, but with persistence, you’ll get there!
Need more gardening tips? Drop me a comment below! I’d love to hear about your experiences with goldenrod control.
[Last updated: March 2025]
Using cardboard sheet mulch to eradicate goldenrod
Sheet mulching is a popular and practical method for eliminating large areas of weeds and grasses. If you have a large patch of goldenrod youre trying to remove, smothering it with cardboard might be your best option. First, mow the goldenrod down as close to the ground as you can. Then, use a hose or sprinkler to wet the area. Then, prepare your cardboard. Yes, its finally time to use those empty boxes that have been taking up space in your garage.
Cut the cardboard into flat pieces, and remove any tape, staples, or other inorganic material. Once you have your cardboard sheets, lay them out on top of the goldenrod-infested ground. Make sure the cardboard pieces overlap so that weeds can’t grow through any cracks or holes. Be sure to secure your cardboard down with either landscape staples or heavy rocks.
Next, simply put soil and wood chips over the cardboard and begin your new garden. The cardboard should prevent the goldenrod from growing, smothering the unwanted weeds. As the cardboard slowly decomposes, it should nourish the soil, resulting in a healthy garden.
Permaculture Solution: How to Get Rid of Blackberry, Multi-Flora Rose, and Goldenrod
FAQ
How do you get rid of a goldenrod?
If you want to get rid of your goldenrod and start over with something new, or if it is growing where it is not desired, you can kill it using one of several methods. Moisten the soil with 1 inch of water and hand pull goldenrod to remove and kill it. Discard debris in the trash.
Is goldenrod a weed?
Goldenrod can be a divisive plant. Even though the yellow flowering “weed” is a beneficial native plant to North America, it is also very aggressive and can be hard to get rid of because it often spreads through rhizomes. Luckily, you can get rid of goldenrod without hurting your soil by covering it with cardboard rolled up like sheet mulch.
How do you get rid of goldenrod weeds?
Sheet mulching is a popular and practical method for eliminating large areas of weeds and grasses. Putting cardboard over a big patch of goldenrod that you want to get rid of might be the best way to do it. First, mow the goldenrod down as close to the ground as you can. Then, use a hose or sprinkler to wet the area.
Does burning kill goldenrods?
Burning is effective at controlling goldenrod dominant sites like prairies and meadows. Conduct burns before growth begins in spring or after flowering concludes in late fall to avoid spreading seeds. Systemic herbicides that kill roots, like glyphosate (Roundup), provide chemical control if applied late summer or fall.
Does Roundup kill goldenrods?
To get rid of tall/Canada goldenrod in my prairie garden, I put RoundUp on a rubber glove and then rub it on each plant as it starts to flower. That eliminates the problem of spraying RoundUp and having it hit and kill desirable, nearby plants. It kills the invasive goldenrods quickly.
How do you control a Canada goldenrod?
Janice said her aggressive goldenrod was stiff goldenrod. Thank one is definitely not the one I have found but her tips on control are greatly appreciated. I spot spray with Transline and spray out the Canada golden rod. It is easy to spot by its leaf shape.