There are few things as frustrating as having a beautiful garden that’s constantly being devoured by some pest or another. The worst of them all is hedge bindweed, a pesky plant that has the ability to take over your entire garden given half the chance. You can’t simply remove it or cover it up because it grows underground and spreads via its thick, fibrous roots. If you have this troublesome plant in your garden, you’ll need to employ certain techniques and tricks to get rid of it once and for all.
What is Hedge Bindweed?
Hedge bindweed is an invasive, noxious weed also known as wild field bindweed and creeping nightshade. It’s a member of the Convolvulaceae family and closely related to the morning glory. The plant grows as a vine with heart-shaped leaves and purple flowers and is common in gardens, meadows, and waste areas It’s a perennial that can be difficult to eradicate and is often treated as a noxious weed by local municipalities. While it shares some common characteristics with morning glory, hedge bindweed is much more aggressive in its growth patterns. Its thick, fibrous roots can grow up to 3 feet long and travel deep into the ground, making it extremely difficult to eradicate.
Identifying and Getting Rid of Hedge Bindweed Roots
The first step in getting rid of hedge bindweed is identifying and digging up as many of the roots as possible. It’s a painstaking process that requires persistence and patience, but you’ll be glad you put in the effort when you’re finally rid of this pesky plant. To identify and remove hedge bindweed, you must first know what to look for. The plant will grow in patches that look like a tangle of vines and can be difficult to identify as individual plants. The leaves of hedge bindweed are heart-shaped and can be either green or purple. The flowers are pink, purple or white and are bell-shaped. If you are trying to identify hedge bindweed during its growing season (from May to September), you may be able to smell the distinctive odour of its crushed leaves.
Two Steps to Eradicate Hedge Bindweed for Good
If you’ve identified hedge bindweed in your garden and want to get rid of it, there are two main steps you’ll need to take:
- Remove as many of the plants as possible. Taking care of this at the beginning is essential to preventing the spread of the plant.
- Remove as many of the roots as possible. This may seem like a lot of work, but it’s the only way to make sure the plant isn’t able to come back. The roots of hedge bindweed are thick and fibrous, which makes them difficult to remove. If you don’t dig the roots out completely, they’ll grow back almost instantly.
Weed Killer Options for Killing Hedge Bindweed
If you want to kill the plant off quickly, there are several options for a weed killer that will kill hedge bindweed. The best weed killers for killing hedge bindweed are glyphosate-based herbicides. Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide that kills all plants, including hedge bindweed. When applied correctly, it will kill the plant within hours. When you’re deciding which weed killer to use, be sure to read the label to make sure it’s capable of killing off hedge bindweed. While many weed killers are effective at killing off this pesky plant, they’re not all safe to use around humans or pets. If you want to be safe, use an herbicide designed to kill hedge bindweed. You can find them at most garden stores or online.
Strategies for Keeping Hedge Bindweed Out of Your Garden
If you’re dealing with an infestation of hedge bindweed, the best way to keep it out of your garden is to prevent it from getting in in the first place. Here are a few tips for keeping hedge bindweed out of your garden:
- Weed regularly - It’s important to keep your garden free of weeds at all times. If you notice hedge bindweed in your garden, weed regularly to prevent it from spreading.
- Avoid tilling in the garden - Tilling your garden is a great way to loosen the soil and help it retain water. It also opens your soil up to weeds and other pests that can take root and spread rapidly.
- Avoid overly rich soil - Hedge bindweed thrives in rich soils, so make sure yours isn’t overly rich.
- Avoid using compost with weeds - Compost with weeds in it can introduce the plant-hopper and the plant’s seeds into your soil.
Get Rid of Hedge Bindweed
Hedge bindweed is one of the most aggressive, invasive plants you can find in a garden. It has the ability to take over an entire garden given half the chance and can be difficult to get rid of if left unchecked. If you want to get rid of this difficult-to-kill weed, you’ll need to identify it, remove as many of the roots as possible, and implement strategies for preventing it from getting in in the first place. There are a few options for killing hedge bindweed, including glyphosate-based herbicides. It’s important to weed regularly to prevent it from spreading. To keep it out of your garden, avoid tilling in the soil, avoid using compost with weeds, and avoid overly rich soil.
