What can I do about bindweed?

[vikkib]

I'm trying to prepare my garden for creating some veg beds etc. but I keep spotting bindweed that seems to be coming up from under the fence from my neighbours garden.

I've heard bindweed is a real 'mare to get rid of. Can I just keep pulling up the bits I see or is there something more drastic I can do to get rid of it?

Many thanks!

Vikki

[PAULW]

Spray it with roundup it dies pretty quickly

[selfraising]

I've had big battles with bindweed. The problem is if you just pull at it, it will break and re-grow. Also dispose of the bits you have pulled up in the bin or put them in a bucket to die off. If you leave it on any soil it could re-root. I agree with Paul, roundup is your best bet. The only other alternative is to dig it up but if you don't get every little bit, it will just start growing again.

[Snadger]

I have bindweed in part of my plot but I just live with it. The flowers are quite pretty.
I won't resort to weedkillers I'd rather just keep digging it up if you don't mind!
If you feel you must use glyphosate on it, give it something to climb up to make a bit of leaf growth and paint the weedkiller on the leaves.

[Gwyndy]

The only effective, long term solution that I have found to bindweed is to keep on digging out all the root. Admittedly this is somewhat difficult if it is travelling under a fence from a neighbour's garden. Have you tried talking to your neighbour, explaining the problem, and offering to go and dig it out on his side?

Alternatively, use Snadger's method but, as he says, you will have to let it grow and produce some leaf before you can use glyphosate.

[Two_Sheds]

Definitely go with Snadger's trick to let it twine up a cane before you spray it.

I have the same problem with my neighbour - he's now put up a solid fence parallel to mine, so there is a 6 inch wide gap of No Man's Land, which he hasn't bothered to weed (bramble, couch grass and bindweed) first, and is now inaccessible.

[vikkib]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will go and put some canes out now and try and entice it up them!

Have you tried talking to your neighbour, explaining the problem, and offering to go and dig it out on his side?

Unfortunately the people next door haven't been too helpful so far! We moved in about a year ago and have asked them to sort out a couple of things (broken sewer cover and overhanging tree branches) and they've been pretty unresponsive. I will give it another try though!

[Eco-Chic]

If you don't want to spray, in case of drift, don some rubber gloves and put an old pair of gloves or socks over the top of them, dip hands into weedkiller and run the vine through your hands.

[Nicos]

I've heard that painting it with vinegar can help kill it off.
We have Tons on our lottie- I just yank it up when I find any.
Each plant can grow 30ft wide ...and up to 30feet deep

Don't let it flower and seed- the seeds are viable for 50 yrs!!!

here- I found this on one site...

..........."Recently, an article in Growing for Market related the need to
ceaselessly hassle the awesome power of this plant. Delete this if
you are feint of heart.

First some facts from ND State U:
One plant of field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, produces about 550
seeds. Soon after germination each seed can produce up to 200
vertical roots, each at least 4 feet long. Horizontal underground
roots are also about 4 feet long and produce new shoots that
establish themselves as new plants. Roots can extend 20-30 feet
laterally. Root depth depends on soil type and rainfall but have
been excavated as deep as 30 feet below the surface.

Some keys to the battle:
.... Never intentionally give it water.
.... Never let it flower and go to seed. Some folks think the
flowers are pretty. Fifty year old seed has been found to be still
viable.
.... Cultivate, shallowly, in dry soil (best time is 8-12 days after
new plants emerge). Over 2 years, 18-20 shallow cultivations will
get it under control. Never chop it up unless you want new plants.
Alternatively, a deep tillage of 16-18 inches will set it back for an
annual crop.
.... Shading with alfalfa, cereal grain, or corn is is somewhat effective.
.... Black plastic (absolutely no light) covered with mulch and left
for 3 years is effective.
.... Poultry or young hogs in a confined area are good at hassling this weed.
.... Herbicides suppress but do not eradicate field bindweed.

Don't despair. Keep at it."


...bit off putting isn't it???
doubt we'll ever control it!!

[vikkib]

That is more than a little off putting...

... still, you gotta love evolution!

Well, 'admire' anyway!

[Two_Sheds]

although they "can" grow 30 foot deep, I've never found any more than 3 foot deep. Honest.

and if you keep defoliating it, it will eventually weaken and die. I've cleared it from my plot, by hand, in less than 3 years.

[Nicos]

I did too 2sheds- but it continues to creep in from my neighbours plots!

I only dug down about 18"- and that was hard enough- and put down 18" metal corrugatd sheets below soil level- and it still finds its way back!

Well done for keeping at it 2 sheds!