The Allotment Holders Enemy…

 

Convolvulus arvensis or, as we all know as Binweed, is a species that most effects the allotment and never seizes to subside. Bindweed is a part of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). It has both a climbing and creeping habitat growing anywhere between 0.5-2m. Of course as we all know once one lot pops up it is the growth of another plant that becomes problematic when attempting to control it. If you’re not sure what Binweed looks like, the leaves are spirally arranged, linear to arrowhead-shaped, 2–5 cm long and alternate, with a 1–3 cm petiole. Flowering occurs in the mid-summer, when white to pale pink, funnel-shaped flowers develop. Each fruit contains 2 seeds that are eaten by birds and can remain viable in the soil for decades.

But it’s not only the seeds that are the problem…One of the worst things any gardener can do is attempt to dig up Binweed. If you do its highly likely you will miss a part of the root, and leaving broken roots in the ground, even dropping a piece as you take it away from the site, can result in further growth ready to pop up and surprise you at any area within the allotment.

Plastic sheets, carpets or any ground covering tends not to work but simply supress growth. Once sheets are lifted the roots will either shoot into action, spurring the green growth of the plant, or, if you decide to leave covering over the bindweed it will send up new growth through any gap, searching for light, which in turn will send food supplies back to the roots under the sheet.

Most attempts to kill Bindweed are used by chemical weed killers - Glyphosate is the best but you may fail if you do not continue to spray the area. Many of us tend to give up on it but keep at it! The best weather conditions are on war, dry days when there is no wind or chance of shower so the roots take the chemical in. Make sure you spray carefully, making sure no other plants in the area are likely to catch even a hint of the chemical or you could be saying goodbye to some of your crop. Using gloves is also a good tip, or rapping the bindweed around a cane that has been sprayed in the glyphosate solution will work quickly and effectively.

Glyphosate is sold under a variety of brand names such as Roundup and Problem Weed Killer etc - needs to be applied to the foliage of the bindweed when it is in active growth. 'Active Growth' is when the weed is in flower, but you should have success.

The important thing to remember is that it will probably take two or even three applications throughout the growing season to kill the bindweed off altogether. Treatment can take up to three weeks, although the first effects can normally be seen after a few days or a week. Don't be tempted to pull the bindweed out at this stage. Allow it to die down to ground level - giving it time for the Glyphosate to reach the roots.

Glyphosate Gel is also available; you can paint this onto individual leave. This method does take longer than spraying, but it is often the only chemical course of action.

Bindweed is virtually impossible to fully eradicate by digging the white fleshy roots out. In terms of an allotment keep tending you allotment and keep it full, packed with plants and vegetables, leaving no area unattended

If you have never been able to completely eradicate the plant it can still be controlled, often we all have the odd area affected by Binweed and some plants just won’t go. But by simply pulling the weeds out regularly, gently controlling the active growth and making sure the plant does not flower will still be a preventative. If you keep removing the foliage eventually the roots will be totally starved of their food resources and the plant may die.

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