Rampant weeds

[miffy63]

I have a problem with weeds in my garden that overwhelms me. I have a particular problem with a plant that twists itself around another one and it grows very fast. Two months ago I dug a vegetable patch over 3 times and even with regular weeding it's still taking over everything I put in. I have 2 cats so don't want to use chemicals. Help!!!

[meltoadhall]

we have the same i think. we call it bindweed around here and it does have very pretty white flowers. trouble is it does wrap and strangle everything it can to climb and spread, all we can do is keep pulling it up to keep it under control.

[Lonnie]

It definately sound like Bindweed, you can't dig it up, without disturbing the roots of other plants, and if you drop a bit of it, the thing is likely to take root.

I got this method from Kew Gardens, and it works, totally cleared my front borders, and am now doing the same to the back.

Plant a longish cane into the ground, and train it up it, once it above your own plants, paint the leaves with a good weedkiller.

It takes time, and the canes can be a bit unsightly, but it works, and once clear, thats it. gone for good.

[n00dles]

Hi miffy

As meltoadhall pointed out, it sounds like bindweed.

Calystegia: There are some which are grown to scramble over trellis or walls and have very pretty flowers in different colours. But many species of the genus, a member of the bindweed family are weeds. And boy, do they take over! They sometimes strangle your plants in order to climb, and are difficult to erradicate, even when you think you have got the roots out. I know your concerned about your pets, but if you buy a systemic weedkiller which you spray on the leaves (the plant ingests this) it goes to the root(s) of said plant and kills it. It might take a while depending on the size and how much you have growing. Spray on the top leaves, or ones in which the cats cannot reach. Be careful, you don't want your prized plants getting sprayed. Oh! there are some weedkillers which state they are harmless to pets.

Wait until you can see it has killed the bindweed, then gleefully cut all the offending stranglers!! It might take a while to rid your garden, depending on how much it has taken over, but it is possible, take it from one who knows!! Good Luck !

[n00dles]

Lonnie beat me to it (I took the scenic root - no pun intended!)

His method will certainly suit you (pets), whereas we didn't have that problem.

Besides I didn't have a paintbrush at the time! LOL :0}