Bindweed is so difficult to get rid of, perhaps because its vertical roots can extend beyond 20 feet into the ground, and a piece of root as small as two inches can start a new plant. Other reasons it's hard to get rid of include its ability to produce up to 550 seeds per plant and those seeds can survive for at least 60 years. Oh and did I mention that the seeds can start growing with temperatures anywhere between 41 to 104 F! Truly an amazing plant...if only we wanted it.
So what can you do? Well, there's always pulling it. Sure, it doesn't get the whole plant, but if you continually pull it, it won't be able to take over your garden or landscape. Another great way that I recently learned from my friend Candy Holm will take a little more time, but I think it is well worth the effort. So here it is: Take a small empty glue bottle (like Elmer's), fill it with Roundup, and paint the bindweed's leaves with the Roundup.
So depending on how far you've let your bindweed go decide now to set aside a good chunk of time and go after those suckers!
If you have any questions, comments, or just something you want to add, please leave a comment, email me at gardengoddesses@hotmail.com, or call me at 801-885-3178.
Lara L Cummings
Garden Goddesses
Life is a garden. Grow a good one.
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Ho ho - would you believe that I have frequently collected bindweed seeds and tried to get them to grow in containers on my balcony - and failed miserably... :(
ReplyDeleteBut I know what you mean about it being so invasive. I once lived near an abandoned house wher bindweed had taken over the entire garden. I've never seen anything like is - there wasn't a square centimetre of space that wasn't covered ...
Found you through Blotanical incidentally and have left you a welcome message there too.
It was nice going through your blog. Enjoyed it very much as I love garden art. Beth www.iflorist.co.uk
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could sit next to it and tell it to grow instead. Then with all its contrary heart, it'll decide to die instead.
ReplyDeleteWell, you could always try this out ;)
Nice tips! I have lots of morning glory that pops up in my garden. It will take over if you let it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a weed here but flowers are pretty to me. we have few colors of this weed growing. i agree, it is difficult to get rid of them once established. they self sow as well.
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ReplyDeleteBindweed blows! It's so incredibly annoying to try to pull up - only to get a small part of the weed. Annoying.
ReplyDeleteNice tips! I have lots of morning glory that pops up in my garden. It will take over if you let it!
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