bind weed

[roger]

how can I get rid of bindweed,it is very prolific in the fruit plot,it really likes redcurrents :-\

[roger]

[kenkew]

There's actually 2 types. The field bindweed (convolvulus arvensis) and the hedge bind weed (calystegia sepium).
The latter isn't so invasive and the shallow roots are easily dug out. Looks quite pretty on a fence.
The former is the baddy. Looks great but causes havoc. The best non-chemical way to deal with it is to cover the area around the plant with layers of newspaper or cardboard to act as a mulch and prevent the food supply from the roots reaching the leaves. Top that with bark to weight it down and help to keep the light out. Of course, remove whatever roots you can as you come across them.

[growmore]

Use a brush and paint it with roundup or glyphosphate but it needs to be in leaf for a good result...Jim

[Moggle]

Does hoeing off or pulling off the green bits do any good eventually? Or does it just keep coming back? And is the leafy growth okay to go on a compost heap?

[Marley Farley]

Hi all, Bindweed is a real pain I know. >:( I found the only way was to spot treat with round up mixed with wallpaper paste, then it stays on the leaves.  ;)I also dig if possible but am very careful to get all the bits of root out. An old chap in our village reckons the roots can go as deep as 10ft. I don't know how true this is, but the roots do seem to go on & on. I dispose of all of the plant,root, leaves whatever in the BLACK DUSTBIN!!  i am winning, I think!!! :o

[Moggle]

Thanks Marley, forgot to say that I would prefer to try an organic method at this point. If I get desperate, I know I can reach for the round up, but would rather try other methods first.

I think I am going to have a hard time digging it out of my newly dug bed  >:( It was compacted clay before, and is now more like mud-bricks  :-\

[Marley Farley]

Hi Moggle, I know what you mean, I prefer organic but sometimes I find I need something a little more drastic. Roundup is as drastic as I go. Good luck!! It's a sod of a task.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[undercarriage plan]

Haven't done this myself, but sounds about right.  Put a cane in the ground where the bindweed is growing, it'll creep up the cane, and you can treat it with some chemical to get rid, without harming your plants.  Good luck  Lottie

[Robert_Brenchley]

When I was a kid, our garden was overgrown with bindweed. I nicked some copper sulphate from the chemistry lab at school, and kept painting it on the leaves till it died. It never came back. These days I'm organic, and I either dig it out or just keep pulling it. The latter does work, but it takes ruthlessness and patience, as it can take over a year.

[sandersj89]

Moggle

The plot I took on last year was riddled with the stuff.

I carefully dug over the ground and removed all the roots I could see, even small lengths less than a cm were removed. This got most of it under control.

Through the summer it did poke it's head up here and there. These I pulled or hoed off as soon as I saw them. This prevents the plant getting energy down into the roots and slowly weakens the plant as it uses up reserves to get new shoots above ground level.

So far this year there is very very few signs of bindweed and I hope to fully crack the problem over the summer.

I am a great believer in a sharp hoe.

Jerry

[Moggle]

Thanks all, I shall hoe and hoe and when I'm done with that I will hoe some more  ::)