Bindweed
Any gardener who has had Bindweed in their garden knows how infuriating and disruptive it can be.
Although, Bindweed is difficult to control once established, with persistence and the right tools it can be done!
How To Identify Bindweed?
Bindweed is a perennial, climbing weed that will tightly wrap around and bind plants and infrastructure, like fences or stakes. It is best identified by its thin and twining stems, trumpet-shaped flowers and arrowhead shaped leaves.
The two different types of bindweed are slightly different in appearance:
- Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) has large leaves and big white trumpet-shaped flowers in summer.
- Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is similar to the Hedge variety but is smaller and has flowers that are either white or pink.
Be careful not to confuse Bindweed with the popular climbing plant, Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor), which also has arrowhead shaped leaves and trumpet flowers. The biggest difference between the two is that Morning Glory flowers are typically brightly coloured rather than white.
Why is Bindweed so damaging?
Bindweed spreads quickly underground via a network of white roots and produces long trailing stems that twine around anything they touch, including plant stems. If not controlled, it can choke and smother other plants.
It is difficult to eradicate by hand, as bindweed roots break easily, and plants will re-grow from any segments of root left in the ground.
Field bindweed seeds can remain dormant in the soil for several years.
How To Control Bindweed?
Weedkiller is the most effective way to get rid of bindweed, however non-chemical control can work if done consistently over several seasons.
Remove bindweed naturally
- Dig up any seedlings as soon as they appear, removing as much of the root as possible. You will need to do this regularly for several seasons to eradicate the weed.
- If it is not possible to dig up the roots, for example in densely planted beds, cut the stems as close to ground level as possible, to weaken the plants.
- Never put bindweed roots on a home compost heap, as these are unlikely to get hot enough to kill the roots. Either burn the roots or send them to your local council’s green waste collection.
Using weedkiller to control bindweed
- The best weedkiller for bindweed is a systemic weedkiller containing glyphosate. This is applied to the leaves and absorbed into the plant, killing roots, stems and leaves. The most effective time to use weedkiller on bindweed is in summer when the plants start flowering.
- When spraying, take care to avoid the weedkiller drifting onto any other plants. Glyphosate is a non-selective weedkiller and will kill any plant it comes in contact with. Unwind bindweed stems from around other plants and spread them on bare ground before spraying them.
- Alternatively, use a spot-treat weedkiller that eradicates individual weeds without affecting surrounding plants.
***Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying weedkiller.
How To Prevent Bindweed?
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch or compost to garden beds to reduce the growth of bindweed and other weeds by blocking light.
Mulching beds also improves the texture of the soil, making it lighter and more crumbly. As well as being good for soil health, it also makes it easier to pull up deep-rooted weeds, like bindweed.
