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wood sorrel takes over #937495

Asked July 01, 2026, 1:22 PM EDT

I left my garden dry the last two summers and before that I sprayed it with Round-up several times. The wood sorrel has completely taken over. There are thousands of those round ball like rhyzomes in the soil. The seeds have no chance to compete with it. Any ideas on how to get rid of it? I would attach an image but the file is too big and I am not sure how to downsize it.

Coos County Oregon

Expert Response



Prevention: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent seeds from germinating, and use heavy mulch in garden beds to block the seeds from sunlight. 
Hand Weeding: Because woodsorrel has shallow roots and spreads via seed pods that burst open, always pull or dig out the entire plant before it blooms. Use a weeding tool to carefully lift the root system, as any left-behind root pieces can easily regenerate. 
  • Smothering: For stubborn patches in garden beds, smother the area by clearing the surface and laying down heavy-duty Landscape Fabric or thick cardboard covered with a thick 3-inch layer of mulch.
    • https://extension.umn.edu/weeds/yellow-wood-sorrel
    https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/creeping-woodsorrel-and-bermuda-buttercup/#gsc.tab=0
    Samantha Clayburn (she/her/hers) Replied July 01, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT

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