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In particular, the Japanese knotweed has now proven to be a real nuisance. Once imported as a fodder plant for native game, the neophyte spreads relentlessly and is very difficult to contain or control. The reason for this lies in the very deep-growing roots, which can grow up to three meters or more into the ground.
Chemicals should always be avoided when fighting knotweed out of consideration for the environment and your own health
Combat knotweed
The knotweed is a popular climbing plant and a good choice when greening large areas. After all, it is not without reason that the plant, which grows up to nine meters a year, is nicknamed "architect's consolation". Due to its strong growth and the fact that its roots reach several meters into the ground, the knotweed is difficult to destroy. Basically there are only two options:
- Destruction with a herbicide (“Roundup”)
- radical pruning of any new shoots
- Dig up the soil and remove all the roots.
In particular, the use of the highly toxic Roundup is not recommended in private gardens, especially if a kitchen garden is nearby. The mechanical removal, however, takes a lot of work and time - on average it takes about five years until the monster is finally destroyed.
Properly care for creeper knotweed as a preventive measure
However, the enormous growth of the knotweed can be curbed in advance, which, however, involves considerable effort. That includes the plant
- avoid planting if possible
- but to cultivate in a large tub instead
- cut back radically on a regular basis
- and steer the creepers in the right direction.
Fight Japanese knotweed
In contrast to the knotweed, the Japanese knotweed should never be planted in the garden - it grows enormously, spreads quickly, crowding out all other plants and can only be destroyed with effort and years of work. In the following table we have compiled the common methods for combating the neophyte.
| What? | As? | Per | cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| tear out | pull out young shoots with their roots | Remove a few young plants | not possible with older plants |
| Dig out | dig up young shoots with their roots | Remove a few young plants | not possible with older plants |
| mowing | mow young shoots every two weeks | Growth is severely curbed | not complete removal |
| grazing | Allow stock to be eaten by sheep and goats | difficult disposal is eliminated | not complete removal |
| Cover with foil | Cover plants with thick black foil | Growth is severely curbed | not complete removal |
| round up | Injection with Roundup | complete annihilation | environment also polluted |
tips
Whichever knotweed species you want to remove, remove the roots generously if possible and destroy them carefully. the plants sprout again even from the smallest root parts.