irises?

[littlegem]

moved to new house in nov '04
Great big garden and veg patch.
lots of these flowers growing everywhere, as it was winter unsure of what they were (mum says irises) Cos they're rhizomes, i'm strugling to get rid of them to make way for undisturbed veg planting, I've used a fork, so as to keep from cutting the roots, i've done this about five times, each time carefully lifting them aout after scouring underground to try & get all the roots, but the little bleeders keep on poking their heads out and sniggering at me, any suggestions other than blowing the garden up, to get rid of these once and for all. they also seem to be able to fly and set up camp everywhere.!!!! ???

[littlegem]

[maz]

 :o  Can you give us a pic of the marauding masses gem?

[littlegem]

here is an example (if it shows!) they really have got everywhere, even found them on other side of vine house (no conecting soil at all!!!)

[Palustris]

That ain't no iris my friend, that is a picture of Calystegia, or otherwise known as BINDWEED.
The only sure way to get rid of it is Roundup, and even then you are talking time and effort. Sorry.

[littlegem]

THATS JUST PANTS!!!! :( just been looking on t'internet about bindweed, and your right, hard work!!! ::) dont want to use any chemicals, so, gonna persivere! some sites say dig up as much as you can and what you cant, hoe, then maybe it'll get exhausted! lets hope so. thanks (i think) for letting me know what it is, i've been having nightmares!!!!

[dibberxxx]

poor u littlegem i have loads of the stuff have try-ed everything cant get rid of it, so i pull it out when i see it and have just learnt to live with it both neighbours gardens are over grown and full of it so  don't have much chance of it ever going,

[Mrs Ava]

Shame!  Have it on the plot and it is a bind!  Try sticking canes in where it grows and it will whizz up the stick and at least then you know where to get at it and dig, or zap!

[Palustris]

Well, on your own head be it, but having tried both ways I can tell you now, that getting rid of it without weedkiller is impossible. It is just barely possible with weedkiller.

[Obelixx]

Geoff Hamilton once advised that bindweed shoots should be gatehered up and wound on a cane till good and strong but thus not invading the real plants.  Then you take the lot and dunk it in a bucket of glyphosate which gets taken back to the roots.   Repeat as necessary till it's gone.   

It's an elegant solution and minimises chemical impact on the garden.  Just be sure to have strong growth before you do it or you'll only kill off a bit of the roots and the problem will recur.