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Getting rid of Bindweed

I managed to do some bramble-eradication at the weekend, I can now see the bottom of the garden, and can (almost) get into the first shed, where there's a step down into the bottom part of the garden.

I have, however, found that there is now LOTS of bindweed, that's rivalling the brambles for world domination (or back garden domination, anyway).  Question is, how do I get rid of it.  I'm going down the glyphosate, then cutting down  & digging out roots for the brambles.  I've been told that bramble roots only go down a spade and a half, that they mostly propogate by sending out huge runners and rooting wherever they hit the floor (which is why if they're not quite dead and the green bin is full, they go onto concrete).  So I don't think I'll have THAT much digging to do for the brambles, question is, will it be the same for bindweed?  I have a horrible feeling that sends it's roots out and then pops up all over the place to strangle anything useful attempting to grow.

So, peeps, who's had it, and what's the best way to get rid of it?  All suggestions welcome.

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    I thinks it's dig out what you can then spray what comes back MMD. I live with it to some extent. You'd never start planting if you waited for it all to be gone.

    Plus,  the world is held together with bindweed and if it all went we'd be in trouble



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    Garden was totally infested with the stuff when I moved here,oh, 18 years ago. I dug out miles of root ( easy to spot as it's creamy white ) but then my soil's very light and free draining, if yours is heavier, then that is hard work. Now I get the odd whispy bit erupting, which I nip off on sight, thinking chlorophyll deprivation will continue to knock it back.



    I think a similar approach to your brambles is the way to go, some folk recommend sticking bamboo canes in the ground to encourage it to twine and grow, then bruise the foliage and zap it with glyphosate.



    Good luck.
  • donutsmrsdonutsmrs Posts: 487

    I had a lot of Bindweed in my garden, it was coming up everywhere and the fence in my back garden would be covered in it. I used Roundup weed killer. If it was close to other plants I would paint it on to the leaves, if it is away from other plants I sprayed it on, and as I was digging the soil over at any time I would pull out any roots I found.  It didn't go overnight, it took a year or more but it was worth the wait because now I don't have any. It is a war you can win, you just have to stick with it and be patient. So go get it Mummy muddy paws and take no prisoners. Good Luckimage

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    Yes, glyphosate/Roundup or similar then leave it until it's dead and really withered.  That way you know the stuff's gone down into the roots.  If it reappears bruise the leaves and spray or paint with more glyphosate.  

    We had the big white stuff all over the last garden - it went right up into the gutters of the single story extension - we got rid of it by doing as above, but every Spring I went around the bottom of the fences bruising and spraying the leaves of shoots as they crept in from next door.  

    Wonder if the new people are doing it this spring image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • blackestblackest Posts: 623

    What is the difference between bindweed and japanese knotweed? Are they the same thing? Also morning glory is that a weed as well?

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Not had to deal with bindweed but I think the advice re bruising and spraying is probably right. Certainly the best method for willow herb infestation which is my main bugbear. I've also heard the 'stick in ground to get it climbing then weedkiller' method. Constant weakening is part of it too but I suppose it also depends what you intend doing with the site once it's cleared MMP? Brambles- for all their desire to slash you at every opportunity- have quite shallow roots so they're easier to dig out.

    Japanes knotweed can now get weedkiller treatment to eradicate it but I think it'sstill  a specialist job.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Japanese knotweed is a much bigger problem than bindweed, speaking as someone who has had both. I dealt with the knotweed by cutting off the stems two inches from the ground while the plant was actively growing and pouring in neat Roundup. This does work, though some people prefer to spray the foliage. The biggest problem with it is that it is usually in the gardens/countryside around and will tend to invade again. Getting a specialist job done is probably best, but I think you have to wait a year before gardening again and everything else is killed as well. This is hearsay, though, since I didn't do this. Digging it up doesn't work because the slightest bit left in will regrow, and also it gives you a major problem with disposal.

  • SebUKSebUK Posts: 11

    With the bindweed I'd just stick to zapping it with Glyphosate... If you dig yout just going to break up the root and help it to multiply!

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