Whether you are annoyed with the creeping knotweed, which is quite popular as a climbing plant, or with the gigantic growing Japanese knotweed: both types of knotweed are characterized by extremely fast growth, rapid spreading and exceptional robustness. These properties often make complete and permanent removal difficult and lengthy.
Strength and patience are required to remove knotweed
Herbicides require a permit
Many a gardener is desperate enough to put an end to the ever-recurring knotweed with the help of poison. Roundup, a broad spectrum herbicide also known as glyphosate, is commonly used for this purpose. However, such a use is not without danger, because herbicides not only destroy the unwanted knotweed, but also all other plants in the area - and are also highly toxic. Roundup has been under criticism for years, and not without reason. Apart from that, the use of such means is not permitted for private use and therefore requires approval.
Remove knotweed radically
Therefore, as a gardener, you usually have no choice but to put a lot of effort and patience into getting rid of the knotweed. It is immensely important that you remove any parts of the plant, no matter how small, and dispose of them carefully - but please do not put them in the organic waste bin or on the compost. Knotweed grows back from even the smallest bits of root. The best way to remove it is as follows:
- Cut the above-ground parts of the plant down to just above the ground.
- Dispose of them carefully, preferably by burning.
- Now dig out a generously dimensioned hole.
- Dig them out about three meters deep.
- Dispose of the excavation.
- Cover the bottom of the pit with plastic wrap.
- Fill the pit with new topsoil.
More methods to remove knotweed
Admittedly, the method described above is quite radical. If you want to proceed less uncompromisingly, we recommend the following procedures.
Mowing / pruning
One possibility is to keep preventing the knotweed from sprout. Remove the young, constantly recurring shoots regularly, for example with the help of secateurs or a lawnmower. If there is a large-scale infestation with Japanese knotweed, you can also let sheep and/or goats graze the area. This measure means that you starve the roots and the plant eventually dies.
Cover with black foil
You enhance the effect even more if you cover the radically cut knotweed with a thick, black foil. However, this method is only recommended in combination with short holding. However you want to get rid of your knotweed, you need patience. It can sometimes take up to five years before you have finally eliminated the growth.
tips
Incidentally, you can simply dispose of the young shoots of the Japanese knotweed by eating them.