Bindweed problems

Bindweed once established can go down a matter of feet with its roots, I don't think digging it out is an option, controlling it is about as good as you can get IMO.

 

You kinda have to admire its staying power. And if it were rare and difficult to grow, we'd all be swooning over the flowers (which have a certain loveliness to them) and yearning to get our hands on a cutting.

 

I agree with @pete, we've been here for 17 years and have never managed to eradicate bindweed despite years of trying.

 

I abandoned my garden for many years due to unpleasant neighbours, and it became one solid mass of bramble, sprawling buddleia and bindweed. I only started trying to recover it about 3 years ago when the neighbours moved out. It was more like archaeology than gardening, and I didn't use any chemicals (still don't).

But already the bindweed isn't really much of an problem. I pull up bits when I see them, and rescue any plant that's being swamped. If I'm digging a hole to plant something, I remove all the bindweed root I see. That's quite satisfying, because they're thick and white and easy to identify.

I find the docks much more of an issue. And I've never seen so much plantain as this year, but at least it's easy to pull up.

I'm getting some volunteer plants appearing that are welcome. Lots of aquilegia and self-heal.

I think if you're the sort of person that wants to always see clean, empty, weed-free space in between the official "plants", then gardening is not going to be a relaxing hobby for you.

 

I certainly haven’t totally eradicated it, but I only have the occasional one pop up now and again

 

Without the cooperation of your neighbour, i don't think you've got any chance at all getting rid of it. I think it'll take both parties working together to have a chance.

I have bindweed in two hedges i share with two different neighbours. To one side, that neighbour doesn't care and isn't interested, and i pull as much of it out the hedge at my side as i possibly can two / three times a year or so. The neighbour to my opposite side does care, and we are working together to get rid, and it's working, but it's taken a couple of seasons so far, maybe next year........ or the year after and on!?

Interestingly, though, i get on very well with the neighbour that doesn't care, but i'm often found exchanging rocks over the hedge with the neighbour that does care. We don't get on very well at all!!

 

Soul destroying, indeed. Thanks, @Goldenlily26.

 

This put me in mind of 'Man About the House' for some reason.