Thoughts on bindweed and fruit bushes please?

[Seahorse]

This week, I've been clearing the area of my plot that I hope to make into the fruit area. It was completely covered in 6 to 8 ft high brambles and what I thought was 'a bit' of bindweed. Having carved my way into the thicket, I find it's 'a LOT' of bindweed. Hard to tell as yet how many roots but the tendrils were all over an area about 5m x 5m. I know the answer is dig it out (and again... and again... until one of us dies) but I'm wondering whether it's realistic to think I can eradicate enough of it in the next couple of weeks to make it worth planting my fruit bushes there? I should be able to put in a fair few hours but as I understand it, bindweed just pops up again because every last bit can form a shoot/root.

I've already bought the bushes, so they do need to go in somewhere. If it would be better to leave the bindweed area for more thorough clearance, would it be possible to plant the bushes elsewhere and transfer them to this area next year, or maybe in the autumn? I have gooseberries, raspberries, currants etc.

I really do want to use this area for fruit (it's at the far end of a long, thin plot and it would be so much easier in terms of watering, shade, appearence etc.).

Any advice much appreciated.

[rustylady]

Why don't you dig and clear as much as you can, and then lay a thick layer of black plastic - cut holes to plant your bushes through, and keep pulling up any shoots that find their sneaky way round the edges. No plant can keep growing if it's leaves don't get any light.

[Seahorse]

Thanks RL (I'm starting to think I should justy PM you with my queries, you're such a mine of helpful information ). Would it absolutely have to be black plastic, or would a think cardboard/manure mulch work. Looking to be a bit prettier and more environmentally conscious... but not if it meansd the bindweed wins!

[Hans Mum]

cardboard & manure should keep it manageable then you can do as RL says and pull it as it comes through, or put in a few canes to let it grow up and brush the leaves with organic weed control

[starwatcher]

Make sure you cover it well and keep it covered SH I have had a couple of my beds covered with black plastic for 8 months, took the covers off yesterday and low and behold bindweed still fighting its way up all be it rather weakened I think your right about the keep digging it out till one of you dies.

[Peter]

If bindweed makes its way through holes in the mulch let it grow a bit, then untwine it from the bush, pin it down and using rubber gloves and a 1/2" brush carefully paint it with correctly diluted glyphosate weedkiller.

Smallest amount of weedkiller needed for the job, no drifting spray and no bindweed.

[wayne]

i think if you do as thorough job as you can and keep an eye for any new growth you may of missed you will be fine! i have done the same myself.. good luck
ps try to cut back on the black plastic its not eco at all

[Seahorse]

Cheers folks I'm trying to minimise use of black plastic and really hope not to use glyphosate or similar at all (though I do appreciate I'm a new enough gardener to remain idealistic!).

Good to know this type of thing has worked for you Wayne!

[SarzWix]

In my limited experience (only had my lottie 1 year), if you're at the allotment a lot (more than once a week), the weed regrowth is much easier to keep on top of - the shoots are lucky to grow one leaf before you pull them up, & certainly don't get to choke the plants! I had horsetail coming up through the mulch next to my spuds last year, but I kept taking the tops off & the shoots were getting more & more spindly. I'm not optimistic enough to think it's all gone, but it certainly isn't winning! But I'm there practically every day, so much easier to keep on top

[Earthbabe]

Just to add that the problem with bindweed is that it can spread underground, however as we have found this week where there has been a covering on the ground although there are a lot of tendrils they are all on or very near the surface making it very easy to get rid of. Just loosen the soil and gently remove. So if it does come back lift what ever is covering the soil and loosen. It should then come away really easily.