Japanese Knotweed. Maybe. What do I do?

Oh no. Just looked up what the root looks like. I've come across it in the garden a couple of tiMrs. Like when I dug my pond on the other side of my garden and some in the veg bed. And I broke it off. I'm a out to cry. I did wonder what the weird carrot like looking thing was. But there was so much stuff in the garden plastic, glass, metal, I didn't realise. Aaaargh

 

Looks like Japanese Knotweed, the good news is that the young shoots can be picked boiled and eaten.
Locally Paignton Zoo have had success with injecting glyphosate into the stems using a syringe and a needle, the advantage of this technique is that all the weedkiller gets into the plant and can spread throughout the plant, but you need to do as many stems as possible.

 

Thanks Nigel. Would it be best I suggest to my neighbour to do the same so that we can attack it at every stem

 

You know,
I was hoping you could tell me, I dont have any.

But when digging I always remove roots, even bindweed is a problem.

So when you dig near the old stems, or preferably, dont,........ remove any roots you find.

I've seen clumps of this stuff for years, and it moves very slowly, its only when humans help it that it becomes a real problem.

 

Yrs. Well I looked it up. And I have come across it and inadvertently helped it. It looks like a really long woody carrot. Bright orange

 

You could suggest it and yes it would be better. They may let you do it for them which, while more work, would get it done.

 

I will let them know and offer to do it. I don't mind the work. Just want it gone

 

Have a look at the RHS website for advice. That site gives recommendations on what products to use to kill it, although it will take a few seasons to do so (by which time you might have moved on).

Don't forget to burn any bits you dig up rather than compost/bin them.

 

Contact your local council they maybe able to help.
Failing that I know of somebody that watered a solution of caustic soda on to the area. Worked a treat but couldn't grow anything there again

 

I agree with @mowgley contact your local council.

 

Sadly it does look like japanese knotweed to me. It is a bit of a ****er to get rid of. The shoots are so strong they can break through patio's, drains etc so you do need to try to get on top of it. Your landlord could be held liable (I think) if the knotweed escapes from their property and damages another, but any complainant will have to prove the source of the plant. If you cut the stems you can't throw them in any compost or green waste - but you can let them dry out and then burn them. The best bet is to keep cutting the stems and using a strong stump killing solution on them. Whether your landlord will run to the expense of getting it properly eradicated may be questionable, but you can try. In the meantime, don't plant into the ground, your best bets are some pots to start with, to make it a little prettier. Oh invest in some long handled loppers -they'll make the job of cutting much easier.