If you have a garden, then you know the importance of keeping it weed-free. Weeds can quickly take over and choke out your plants, leaving you with sad, patchy flower beds and lawns.
But of all the weeds out there, bindweed is one of the worst. Bindweed is a fast-growing, deep-rooted weed that’s notoriously difficult to get rid of.
So what’s the best way to get rid of bindweed weeds? Keep reading to find out.
Bindweed Weed Identification
The first step in getting rid of bindweed weeds is to identify them. Bindweed weeds are small, delicate-looking plants that have slender stems and small white or pink flowers.
The leaves are usually arranged in pairs, and they’re ovate or lanceolate in shape. Bindweed weeds can grow up to 2 feet in length, and they typically flower from June to September.
Bindweed Weed Lifecycle
Bindweed weeds go through four stages of development: germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production. Germination typically occurs in late spring or early summer. During the vegetative growth stage, the plant will produce roots and leaves. Flowering typically occurs in mid-summer, and during this time the plant will produce flowers.
Finally, bindweed weeds will go into seed production mode in late summer or early fall. Once the weed produces seeds, it will die off—but not before releasing those seeds into the soil so they can germinate next year!
3 Steps to Getting Rid of Bindweed Weeds
1. Dig up the roots. Bindweed has very deep roots that can extend up to 6 feet into the ground. So the first step in getting rid of bindweed is to dig up as much of the root system as possible. This can be a daunting task, but it’s necessary if you want to get rid of the weed for good. Take your time and be thorough—it’ll be worth it in the end.
However, if you have a large area infested with bindweed weeds, mechanical removal may not be feasible. In that case, you’ll need to resort to chemical control methods.
2. Apply herbicide. Once you’ve dug up as much of the root system as possible, it’s time to apply herbicide. Be sure to use a glyphosate herbicide, which is specifically designed to kill weeds like bindweed.
Apply the herbicide directly to the leaves of the plant and avoid getting it on any other plants nearby. Then wait patiently for the plant to die; this usually takes anywhere from 1-2 weeks.
There are several effective herbicides that will kill bindweed weeds without harming your other plants. Glyphosate is a popular choice because it’s readily available and relatively inexpensive. Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide that’s sold at most hardware stores and home improvement centres.
Another option is 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), which is sold under a variety of brand names, including Fertilome Over The Top II Herbicide and Ortho Weed B Gon MAX Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-to-Use. Whichever herbicide you choose, make sure it’s labelled for use against bindweed weed specifically—otherwise, it may not be effective. Â
3. Prevent regrowth. Even after you’ve killed bindweed, it’s still important to prevent regrowth. This means regularly checking your garden for any new sprouts and removing them immediately. You may also want to consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide, which will prevent new bindweed seeds from germinating in the first place. With these steps, you can say goodbye to bindweed weeds once and for all!
In conclusion
Bindweed weeds are no match for determined gardeners. By following these three steps—digging up the roots, applying herbicide, and preventing regrowth—you can clear your garden of this pesky weed once and for all. So don’t give up hope; with a little patience and elbow grease, you can have the weed-free garden of your dreams.
Want to know more about Bindweed weeds?
Knotweed Removal aims to provide the most up-to-date information, help, and advice for YOU to make informed decisions. If you are unsure or uncertain about how to proceed, please reach out to us and we will gladly come back and advise you as best we can.
Governmental advice can be found here and the UK law covering the removal of Japanese Knotweed as stated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be found here.
The best means to contact us is via our email – hello@knotweedremoval.tips
Do not forget we have a library of blogs covering many areas relevant to Japanese Knotweed, our free downloadable How-to Guides, and Product Reviews on the latest methods being employed to eradicate or remove Japanese Knotweed.
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