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Use These Tips To Keep Bindweed Out Of Your Garden
By CLAIRE DANGALAN
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) are perennial intruders that can swiftly transform a flourishing garden into a field of green warfare.
Bindweed's deep root system and rapid growth rob other plants of resources. As they bloom, they disperse a bounty of seeds that remain in the soil for decades.
One way to rid your garden of bindweed is to gently excavate the soil around the weed using a shovel or fork. Complete root removal is paramount to prevent regrowth.
Another option is applying a three-inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw, grass clippings, or wood chips. This will help suppress growth by depriving it of sunlight.
A non-toxic weed-killing solution you can combine with other methods is spraying bindweed with undiluted white vinegar. This requires precision to avoid damaging other plants.
During the hot summer months, you can also cover infested areas with clear plastic sheeting, harnessing the sun's heat to cook the bindweed roots beneath the soil.
If you're getting rid of bindweed in large patches, you can also pour boiled water at the base of each plant. However, you may need to repeat the process until they are eradicated.
To prevent bindweed from returning, solarize soil before planting anything new, cultivate dense ground covers, and remove any new bindweed shoots before their roots take hold.