[matt80]

Hi all,

I've just taken over a new plot and my neighbour pointed out to me that I have bindweed growing in certain spots. Apart from a few old looking strawberry and raspberry plants, there is little of any use on the plot and I am considering applying glyphosate and then pulling everything out and starting afresh.

Does that sound too drastic? How long does glyphosate stay in the soil for - will it stop things from growing next year?

[Nobbie]

Sounds like a good plan, but best to do it quick before the weather turns cold or else the weedkiller won't be effective. Glyphosate is not a persistant weedkiller, so you can plant as soon as the weeds are dying in about a week or two. I've just zapped my new plot with it, as it is due to be a good growing week which should get the glyphosate working well on the weeds. I can then start digging it over next weedend ready for winter.

It probably won't kill off the bindweed completely as it won't be growing fast at this point of the season, so you will still have to pick out all the roots as you dig the plot over.

[SMD66]

if there are only a few isolated patches try using a cotton ball with neat glyphosphate to wipe the leaves.  (wear rubber gloves) This works best where it is growing around stuff that you don't want to spray.  It is virtually impossible to eradicate by pulling the roots, they go a long way and even a tiny bit will re-grow.  It will be something you may have to do for a few yrs, but you will get on top of it in the end.

[barbarella]

If after all that you get shoots popping up next spring, pop in a bamboo cane which they will readily climb, then you will find it easier to zap them if you carefully screen the cane from nearby plants.  Obviously, only spray when conditions are calm. 

[chili]

If after all that you get shoots popping up next spring, pop in a bamboo cane which they will readily climb, then you will find it easier to zap them if you carefully screen the cane from nearby plants.  Obviously, only spray when conditions are calm. 

what a good idea

[jolly jen]

i dug all my bind weed out ......dug the whole plot by hand ,,covering the rest as i went

[matt80]

I was wondering, is it possible to dig up the strawberry plants and replant them elsewhere in an area that isn;t affected? I know theyre quite hardy, but are they happy to be dug up and moved?

[Plot22]

I've just planted a load of strawberries dug up by my allotment neighbour and they're romping away.  Some are even fruiting.

[goodegg]

yes you can transplant the strawbs and the rasps if needed try to get a good lump of earth when you dig rasps then you should still have fruit from them next year.

[SMD66]

DON'T DO IT
if you transplant anything from an area affected by bind weed you will also transplant the bind weed.
Trust me, it's happened to me.

Taking a 'good clump of earth' will ensure a good clump of bind weed roots too.

[Roll Roll]

Bindweed is a nightmare to get rid of. Jolly Jen has the right idea just dig it out. But be carefull you only need to leave a tiny bit of root behind and it will take. 
If only veg grew as easy as it.

[hightide]

Oh you poor soul! Bindweed shoots come from rhizomes very deep in the ground and until you remove those or weaken them enough you will get shoots and the damage from the climber for a very long time.
The first thing to understand is that you will not eradicate it in one season and there are few herbicides that provide effective control. I have found that the only time to apply Glyphosate is when the plant is in flower - about now.
Whatever you do, do not let it set seed, pull and burn or let the sun kill it.
Try not to rotovate, this is the best method of propagation.
You must be persistent, hoe or pull the part of the weed you can see, which depletes the carbohydrate reserves stored in the roots; just don't allow them to grow enough leaves to make more.
If it causes problems around plants which you don’t want to dig under, what is effective is to cut the bottom off a large plastic squash bottle and cover the weed, you must wait a while until there is enough leaf to spray through the neck (Local Nuke).
Attack the damn stuff wherever you see it and eventually you could see it off.
sorry to ramble on pet hate

[pedro]

I have 2 plots and they had loads of bindweed.
I have a jar and paintbrush and some roundup deeproot concentrate that I mix myself.
every  3 weeks i mix up a new solution and go round my 2 plots decorating the bindweed.
( takes about 3 weeks for it to die back).
When I dig I take care to remove every bit of root that i can see.
It takes a couple to 3 years to get control of it but you have to keep up the war  to stop the main root getting the nourishment that it is looking for.

[Rangerkris]

Dig remove, dig remove ,dig remove and dig and remove you will always have problems but keep at it and it will slow down.