This weed is known for being a menace in British gardens and aggressively competing with other plants. But an expert has warned to take care when removing it or risk making the problem worse
A gardening expert has warned not to do one task if you spot this highly invasive weed in your garden – otherwise you risk making the situation worse.
Bindweed, and in particular, hedge bindweed, poses a common problem in UK gardens, due to its fast-growing roots that cut through the root systems of other established plants in your garden. Plus, its tall stems can reach up to several metres high and are known to create dense foliage, which can smother other plants.
It will also aggressively compete with your other plants for essential resources like water, nutrients, and light – which can lead to weaker growth. Worse still, its roots are brittle and break easily, with even the smallest piece capable of developing into a new plant if left in the soil.
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If you spot it choking your other plants, it’s important to get rid of it before it becomes even more of a problem. However, there are some crucial things to consider before getting busy with your shovel.
Gardening expert Simon Akeroy came onto his TikTok channel to urge gardeners to avoid doing one common thing during the removal process.
According to Simon, bindweed can be “a nightmare for gardeners” as it can strangle surrounding plants. Bindweed will twine itself around their stems and choke them, preventing them from getting enough light and nutrients to grow.
Worse still, the weed is known to rapidly spread if left to its own devices, thanks to its deep rooting system and ability to regrow from just a fragment of its roots.
For this reason, Simon urged: “Every last bit of the root needs to be removed from the soil.” Of course, after going through all of that work, many gardeners will be tempted to add the weed refuse to their compost so that its nutrients can be recycled into the soil.
However, Simon warned that gardeners should avoid adding the weed to their compost piles – or risk dealing with an even bigger nightmare.
He told viewers: “Don’t add bindweed directly into your compost because bindweed roots will regrow through the compost.” Luckily, there is a viable alternative. He continued: “Instead, add some chicken wire and place fresh bindweed roots onto this.”
You should then leave the root to dry out for a few weeks. According to Simon, once the root has been completely dried, you can then add it into your compost pile without risk of it re-growing.