Bind weed

Hello there,

I bought my house a couple of years ago and did the patio last year and this year is garden time. It's all dug over now and ready for planting. I've covered it in membrane at the moment to stop the weeds coming up untill I've worked out what plants I want in there.

The thing is there's a fair bit of Bind weed comes up and it hasn't reheard it's ugly head yet. Should I hold off from planting until it starts coming up? Do you know when that will be? So I can dig it out as much as I can. Or will it be ok to leave the membrane down and get planting?

I'd appreciate your advice!
Many Thanks

 

i think that bindweed will just find its way through and choke your plants

i would dig over the whole lot and remove as much as you possibly can

then plant up

loopy

 

Hi lovelavender and welcome to the forum.

I am not sure that you can dig bindweed out. As you invariable leave bits of root in the soil and it will regrow from these roots. I understand that the roots can go down as far as 16 feet, and can reach 20 to 30 feet sideways.

You might want to have a look at this. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/AdviceSearch/Profile.aspx?pid=241

I got rid of mine by using a pesticide with Glyphosphate. Glyphosphate works by being taken down into the roots and killing them. I put a bit of glyphosphate into a poly bag, then stuffed the bindweed into the bag, taped it up, and left it for 10 days. This way the bindweed is in contact with the Glyphosphate for 10 days, which is much more effective than just spraying it.

I think I would be inclined to let it grow a bit, so you have sufficient topgrowth to apply the Glyphosphate to. Then apply the bag method to every bit that you see. I am told that if you crush the leaves and stems a bit it gives more access to the Glyphosphate.

I don't see any reason why you can't plant up in a while. The bindweed will grow up in between your plants, but you can still apply the bag method wherever you see it. I think it needs some concentrated and drastic action, or you will be having it forever.