Bindweed! Can it be battled organically?
Tom Garner
Posts: 5
Hi everyone, I have just noticed a few shoots of bindweed appearing on my allotment and I obviously want to get rid of them immediately. I took on the plot in Feb 2013 and so far I've managed to do everything organically. I'd prefer to maintain my organic approach but I'm all too familiar with the destructive nature of this tenacious weed so I'm considering using some form of weed killer just where the bindweed appears.
Does anyone know an effective organic approach to this problem? Digging it up isn't really an option as it has infiltrated grass paths and other areas that would require major excavation!
If I'm forced to take the chemical approach, which type will be most effective while having the lowest environmental impact?
Any ideas, help or suggestions most gratefully received 
Posts
I only know of a chemical approach to bindweed, and that's with glysophate based weed killer. I find the paint on ones you see advertised practically useless, so I only use a spray now. Leave the weed in place until it has completely died back. Glysophate breaks down on contact with the soil, so it's pretty safe.
Thanks for the swift reply, Dave! I had a feeling this would be the most likely response but it was worth asking. Any particular brand you'd recommend? Ground Clear?
I mix my own, but roundup spray is a good killer. The ground clear is a long term weed suppressant usually used on drives or patio's. A small spray will do so you don't need to buy much unless your'e doing a large area.
..yes you can clear bindweed organically but you need to be very persistent, and over a period of about 3 seasons... not everyone can be bothered with that kind of regime... but once you get started it's actually very easy...
...you simply nip off all the stems above ground getting it a bit below the soil as much as you can with your fingers, even just an inch or two...you have to keep doing this as soon as the weed appears above the soil, or at least once a week and no later...preferably checking every day if you can find the time... it just means going along and nipping off every single shoot that keeps popping above the surface, so that the plant is unable to photosynthesize....thereby starving the root...that is what you are trying to do...
...in the following season you will notice improvement...much more so the year after and by the 3 year you may not see any at all... I've been here 5 years and it's all disappeared from my garden... maybe last year I had just a shoot or two...
...it takes time...and if you doubt this approach...it was the way Beth Chatto cleared her well known Essex garden of the weed....
....p.s. I've cleared 2 gardens this way successfully.... I never resort to chemicals for any reason, which is a personal preference..... best of luck if you should try this...but understandable if you don't...
Where you see the bindweed growing, give it a cane to grow up - that way you can see where it originated from and it doesn't spread itself out. When you have got good top growth, place a container over the top of the cane and spray glysophate into it eg a 4 pint plastic milk bottle (with its bottom cut out and its top cut off enough to leave you the handle to hold and allow the spray to enter) Hope I've explained this well enough...I'll see if I can find a picture!
Doing this way none of the weedkiller can drift onto surrounding plants and you can zap the bindweed effectively.
Found the top half....you just need to cut out the bottom!! Hope this helps
Thank you Salino and Daintiness. Unfortunately the bindweed originates in a neighbouring plot, so while I may be able to pick off all the shoots which appear on my plot, I'll never be able to eradicate it completely this way. I am tempted by your innovative idea, Daintiness, although I am still reluctant to use chemicals on my hitherto organic allotment!
And thanks again for your help, Dave.
What we need are slugs and snails which ONLY eat bindweed (*wistful sigh*)
..well..you can only but try Tom.... my bindweed originated from over the fence too... if it comes back..it'll get the same treatment.... best of luck however you go ahead with it there...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.