Have got tonnes of this weed growing through the lawn at the back of the garden. Could anyone identify it please? It's a new lawn we have had only for a few weeks!
Depends on whether you use chemicals or not. Three approaches then.
Pull up or pull off every scrap of stem the minute you see it. Leave to dry on the lawn or a paved area for a few days so it dies completely before you put it anywhere near a compost heap or bin. Do this frequently and eventually the roots will die from lack of foliage to feed them but it will be a very long haul. This is the simplest way.
Dig up every plant in the border, clean its roots thoroughly to remove every scrap of bindweed and plant in temporary pots, buckets or other containers to keep them going for a while so you have time to see if any regrows in each plant and also dig over the entire border removing every scrap of bindweed root. The smallest piece will become a root cutting and grow again so you need to leave the border empty for a few weeks so you can zap new growth either by digging it up or spraying.
Pull the bindweed stems off the plants and gather them together in a bucket or wrap round canes and then spray with a glyphosate solution or Brushwood weedkilller. Leave for 2 weeks for this to be transmitted down to the roots. Do not get any spray on treasures you wish to keep as they are indiscriminate and kill anything green. You need a still, dry day with 6 hours of sunshine in prospect. Pull off the dried out stems and watch for regrowth. Bindweed can sometimes need several applications.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Oops. Didn't spot the lawn bit. Agree with Dove. regular mowing but do't put grass cuttings anywhere near a compost heap till it's all gone. Be vigilant about it creeping into borders.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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Sorry I've just discovered what it is!! Bind weed! Best ways to get rid?
Depends on whether you use chemicals or not. Three approaches then.
Pull up or pull off every scrap of stem the minute you see it. Leave to dry on the lawn or a paved area for a few days so it dies completely before you put it anywhere near a compost heap or bin. Do this frequently and eventually the roots will die from lack of foliage to feed them but it will be a very long haul. This is the simplest way.
Dig up every plant in the border, clean its roots thoroughly to remove every scrap of bindweed and plant in temporary pots, buckets or other containers to keep them going for a while so you have time to see if any regrows in each plant and also dig over the entire border removing every scrap of bindweed root. The smallest piece will become a root cutting and grow again so you need to leave the border empty for a few weeks so you can zap new growth either by digging it up or spraying.
Pull the bindweed stems off the plants and gather them together in a bucket or wrap round canes and then spray with a glyphosate solution or Brushwood weedkilller. Leave for 2 weeks for this to be transmitted down to the roots. Do not get any spray on treasures you wish to keep as they are indiscriminate and kill anything green. You need a still, dry day with 6 hours of sunshine in prospect. Pull off the dried out stems and watch for regrowth. Bindweed can sometimes need several applications.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I agree with Obelixx
As for where it's growing in the lawn, regular mowing ... at least once a week ... on a medium height (not too short) will exhaust it after a while.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Oops. Didn't spot the lawn bit. Agree with Dove. regular mowing but do't put grass cuttings anywhere near a compost heap till it's all gone. Be vigilant about it creeping into borders.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw