weed control - Ask Extension
how to control bindweed in flower garden?
Knowledgebase
weed control #869368
Asked May 20, 2024, 8:43 PM EDT
how to control bindweed in flower garden?
Harford County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello and thank you for your question. Bindweed, both hedge bindweed and field bindweed are difficult to control, vining/climbing weeds in our area. Hedge bindweed has pointed arrow shaped leaves and larger flowers than field bindweed, but both are more than frustrating to a gardener.
Here are some mechanical and chemical techniques you can try to reclaim your flower bed:
1. Dig them out, trying to get all of the roots. Any remaining rhizome/root pieces will resprout. Continue to dig any that resprout as they appear.
2. Cut larger plants at ground level; repeat this over the season to deplete the energy stored in the rhizomes. This will weaken but likely not kill the plant. After weakening it for the year, attempt to dig out remaining rhizomes the following season.
3. Paint a concentrated, nonselective herbicide on cut stems with a small paint brush. You may opt to spray the foliage instead, but you will have to protect desirable plants with cardboard while spraying to avoid contact. A good time to use chemical control is late summer/early fall as the plant reserves are going back down into the root system. If you choose this option and opt to do so late in the season, cutting the plants off at ground level intermittently will keep your flower bed from looking too messy while you wait. And, as always when using an herbicide, follow all label directions for mixing and protective clothing during use.
Let us know if you have any further questions.
Here are some mechanical and chemical techniques you can try to reclaim your flower bed:
1. Dig them out, trying to get all of the roots. Any remaining rhizome/root pieces will resprout. Continue to dig any that resprout as they appear.
2. Cut larger plants at ground level; repeat this over the season to deplete the energy stored in the rhizomes. This will weaken but likely not kill the plant. After weakening it for the year, attempt to dig out remaining rhizomes the following season.
3. Paint a concentrated, nonselective herbicide on cut stems with a small paint brush. You may opt to spray the foliage instead, but you will have to protect desirable plants with cardboard while spraying to avoid contact. A good time to use chemical control is late summer/early fall as the plant reserves are going back down into the root system. If you choose this option and opt to do so late in the season, cutting the plants off at ground level intermittently will keep your flower bed from looking too messy while you wait. And, as always when using an herbicide, follow all label directions for mixing and protective clothing during use.
Let us know if you have any further questions.
Thank you! I have some work ahead of me!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 21, 2024, at 8:05 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You're welcome! Good luck :)
