[smalex]

Hello everyone, i'm new here...

took over my allotment last september, it was covered in weeds and grass and in parts, old carpet  :roll:

i set about digging it over and removing as many weeds as possible, and have made myself a fairly nice big patch for veggies and fruit. started plating seeds and bushes etc in the past month or two, but on my last visit at the weekend the dreaded bindweed was springing up EVERYWHERE. i thought i'd removed loads of the underground roots, but here it it... threatening to take over everything  

does anyone have any helpful suggestions? is it just best to carry on pulling it up where i can??

please tell me it gets better with time....

[noshed]

Double-strength glyphosate (get the concentrated, it's cheaper). Air strikes are good but a simple sprayer can be as effective. (50p each at the pound shop).

[John]

Please be cautious about chemicals - I'm not sure double strength is a good idea or even more effective.
Glyphosate Safety Concerns

[noshed]

John is right of course. I was just a bit amused by what our allotment officer advised me to do. A man of the old school I think.

[smalex]

thanks for the replies. I'm not really keen to use chemicals on my plot, plus the other plots are pretty much chemical free so i dont think they'd be too chuffed either!

[John]

I think chemicals can be a great boon - doubt I would be alive without the little pills the doctor gives me.
With some problems, I think chemicals are the only realistic answer. Half a plot covered with horsetail for example.
The problems with chemicals are they they tend to be a sledgehammer solution. Insecticides that kill both friend and foe end up making problems worse in the long run.
The other big problem is that the chemical companies have a big axe to grind on safety issues. I'm not saying they falsify test results or slant reports (I might get sued!) but they certainly have an incentive to do so.
With fertilisers, over use can be harmful as well. Applying a load of nitrogen will encourage leafy growth but this soft sappy growth is more susceptible and attractive to aphids.
I tend to 'convert' my chemicals - some sulphate of ammonia or urea (or urine, but that's natural) will heat up a compost heap. The compost is my converted chemical.