Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive plant that grows quickly and can cause significant damage to buildings, roads, and other types of infrastructure that stand in its way.

If you've discovered Japanese knotweed on your property, you're probably eager to get rid of it as soon as possible - but don't be too hasty!

It's extremely important to take care when disposing of Japanese knotweed. Under UK law, those who help the plant to spread - even accidentally - may face:

• Up to 2 years in prison
• Or a fine of up to £5,000

How to Dispose of Japanese Knotweed (Without It Spreading!) 

Japanese knotweed didn't become such a widespread problem in this country by pure coincidence. The plant's rhizome root system allows it to spread from one location to another with frightening ease - a single small root fragment can quickly grow into a whole new plant!

This is why you simply can't be too careful when disposing of Japanese knotweed. Failure to follow the law can end up fostering further knotweed growth, and frankly, this species is doing just fine for itself without any extra assistance from us. 

Japanese knotweed can't be thrown onto the compost (unless you seal it away to rot for at least 6 months before hand), and you can't take it to the tip. So, how can you dispose of Japanese knotweed safely? 

What’s the Right Way to Dispose of Japanese Knotweed?

While it's not illegal to dispose of Japanese knotweed yourself (as long as you know exactly what you're doing), it's usually preferable to hire a contractor who knows how to dispose of Japanese knotweed properly.

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to deal with Japanese knotweed, both of which are generally better left to the experts:

1. Excavation - The Japanese knotweed is dug up using heavy earth-moving machinery, then transported to a specialist landfill site with the relevant environmental permit (taking care at all times not let any contaminated soil or plant matter find its way into the wild).
   
   
2. Herbicide - Over a number of months, the Japanese knotweed is repeatedly sprayed with herbicide to control the plant's growth.

Although there are certain situations where option 1 may be preferable (e.g. if there is a tight deadline for clearing the site of Japanese knotweed), herbicide application is by far the cheaper option and is usually sufficient to prevent Japanese knotweed from causing any long-term problems.

Japanese Knotweed Removal Services From Taylor Weed Control

When it comes to Japanese knotweed, it’s best to ensure that it is removed properly first time around. This is the best way to ensure that Japanese knotweed doesn’t become a recurring issue, or you don’t accidentally get fined for it spreading. Taylor Weed Control specialises in herbicide-based Japanese knotweed control, and we offer this service throughout South Wales, the South West and beyond.

We are registered with the Property Care Association, and our reports are approved by the RICS (Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors), so you can rely on us to handle your Japanese knotweed problem in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

FREE Japanese Knotweed Survey >

Last updated 5th July 2022

Bristol Grounds Maintenance

Need an expert to help with your grounds maintenance in Bristol? You've come to the right place! Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we offer professional grounds maintenance services throughout Bristol and the South West of England.

Whether it's a commercial business park, a full-size football pitch, or something else entirely, the team here at Taylor Total Weed Control are more than up to the task! Our professional team can visit your grounds in Bristol throughout the year to make sure they are maintained to a high standard. 

Better still, our Bristol grounds maintenance services are also available to other parts of South West England as well (including Somerset, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire).

We carry out weed control and maintenance for a variety of different clients, including:

• Those who require a full, comprehensive maintenance service on a regular basis
• Those who need specialist, one-off assistance with a problem they haven't encountered before (e.g. a moss invasion)
• Those with unusual/bespoke requirements

Thanks to our professional technicians, we've become a firm favourite for grounds maintenance in Bristol and the surrounding areas. 

What's to expect from our grounds maintenance in Bristol

Even though it may sound pretty self-explanatory, you may be surprised to find out what we offer as part of our Bristol grounds maintenance or why it is important.

For those of you who may not be up-to-date, take a look at our blog below to find out everything you're likely to expect with our professional Bristol grounds maintenance.

What Does Grounds Maintenance Involve? >

Our Seasonal Bristol Grounds Maintenance

No matter the time of year, our team of professionals will ensure that your Bristol ground maintenance needs are taken care of so that your land is in tip-top condition. Here is what you can expect from our seasonal services in Bristol and the South West!

Spring

• Grass Cutting & Lawn Maintenance
• Planted Areas, Shrubs & Bedding
• Hedges & Bushes

Summer

• Tree Works
• Commercial Hard & Soft Landscaping
• Weed Control & Invasive Weed Management

Autumn

• Tree Planting & Moving
• Park & Playground Maintenance

Winter

• Winter bedding 
• Fertilising 

So, if you're in need of grounds maintenance in Bristol or South West England, don't be shy and give us a call! We'll make sure that your grounds look picture-perfect, whatever the season!

For more information on grounds maintenance Bristol-wide or otherwise, click one of the buttons below and get in touch today!

Our Grounds Maintenance Services >   Contact Us Today >

Transcript: How to Prevent Japanese Knotweed from Spreading

If you think there is a risk of Japanese knotweed on your property it is ABSOLUTELY VITAL that you prevent it from spreading into neighbouring gardens and beyond! Failure to prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading can lead to:

• Prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000!
• Extensive damage to your property
• Difficulties trying to sell your home

How does Japanese Knotweed Spread?

Japanese knotweed has a reputation for being incredibly persistent. It tends to find a way around most conventional methods of weed control, so special care has to be taken to control or remove it properly before it spreads. Any movement of the Japanese knotweed rhizomes, even tiny fractions in the soil, can lead to it spreading. So how does Japanese knotweed spread? Does it spread in more than one way? And what can you do to prevent the spread?

It commonly spreads if:

• You use infested top soil on your lawn
• You allow contaminated vehicles onto your property
• You leave early signs untreated

Scientific research has shown that as little as 0.7 grams of Japanese knotweed rhizome can be enough to create a new plant, that's why preventing Japanese knotweed from spreading is so hard! Here are a few ways you can prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading, follow these steps to help control the spread of Japanese knotweed. 

Solution:

• Always buy your top soil from a reputable supplier
• Brush or jet wash contaminated vehicles before leaving an infested area
• Treat early signs of Japanese knotweed right away!

Spotted Japanese Knotweed on Your Property?

Here’s How to Deal With it:

Burn it

1. Dig up as much of the Japanese knotweed as you can.
2. Leave the Japanese knotweed canes to dry out.
3. Burn them!
4. Dispose of remains properly – rhizomes may survive the burning process.

Bury it

1. Dig up as much of the Japanese knotweed as you can
2. Cover it in a root barrier membrane so that it won’t be able to re-establish underground.
3. Choose an area of your own land to bury the remains.
4. Dig a hole at least 5m deep & bury.

Leave it to the Experts!

1. Head to taylor-weed-control.co.uk/japanese-knotweed-removal.
2. Request a FREE lawn survey & speak to our team about your Japanese knotweed problem.
3. Arrange a date for us to attend your property.
4. Sit back, relax & let us do the rest!

To prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading you need to treat it sooner rather than later! Our Japanese knotweed team have over 15-years of experience in preventing Japanese knotweed from spreading – call Taylor Weed Control on 029 2039 7554 today!

For more information on how to prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading, hit the button below now and get in touch for a FREE survey.

Request a FREE Survey

The infographic below provides a brief overview of all the common lawn weeds that we have come across throughout South Wales and the South West over the years. Some are more damaging and more difficult to get rid of than others, so we have provided essential information about each that you will need to know! 

Infographic Transcript 

Ephemeral Weeds

This weed type tends to have more than one life cycle per year, therefore ordinary weed killers are not particularly effective. The word ‘ephemeral’ means transitory or quickly fading, referring to the unique growth strategies exhibited by these types of weeds. In each of these growing strategies, the ephemeral weed has a life cycle timed to exploit a short period when specific resources are freely available such as low waters and wet periods.

Groundsel

• Grows 5-22cm high
• Lobed leaves & small yellow flowers
• Sets seed within 4-6 weeks
• Seeds germinate throughout the year apart from midwinter

Hairy Bittercress

• Compact plant growing 3-5cm high
• Tiny white flowers
• Sets seeds within 4-6 weeks
• Weed of cool moist conditions – improving drainage will help control

Chickweed

• Grows 5-7cm high
• Vigorous spreading habit with small white flowers and an extensive root system
• One of the most common ephemeral weeds
• Set seeds quickly – germinate easily in damp soil

Annual Weeds

These types of weed grow and flower in a short period of time. They tend to seed in the winter and come back throughout various times in the year, living for only one season, hence why they are given the name ‘annual’. The trigger for these types of weeds often come from a few wet days during Spring. Take a look a some of the most common annual weeds below.

Fat Hen

• Grows up to 27cm high
• Broad leaves with small indistinct green/white flowers
• Found on rich soil – seedlings germinate in dense patches
• Seeds persist for a long time and will germinate readily

Yellow Oxalis

• Grows around 5cm high but it a prolific seeder
• Seeds are dropped from barely visible pods before even noticing its presence
• Once present will multiply very quickly
• Often found in nursery plant pots

Prickly Milk Thistle

• Can grow up to 90cm high – often smaller
• Pale yellow flowers
• Seeds set in as little as four weeks if the plant is in a dry and shaded place
• Strong taproot, making it difficult to remove when established

Perennial Weeds

These types of weeds are persistent and prone to becoming more and more challenging as time goes on. Perennial weeds appear every year from the same plant and are difficult to get rid of. Many have deep roots which need to be removed but once this is done, smaller regrowth can be handled in an easier manner. These weeds have the ability to cause a great deal of disturbance to your lawn and garden.

Dandelion

• Can take 6-9 month to remove by digging out small roots
• Remove as much as parent root as possible to avoid the possibility of re-grow
• A common weed which spreads easily, they are valued for their medicinal properties and culinary use
• Leaves are diuretic which cleanses the liver, provide rich mineral content

Dock Leaf

• Look a lot more difficult to remove than they actually are
• Slicing through the tap root about 6 inches down and removing as much as possible will often stop it from re-growing
• Once seed heads mature, large clusters of brown seeds are produced – best burnt
• Friends as well as foe – Soothes skin stung by nettles by rubbing on affected area

Bramble

• Always look far more difficult to remove than they actually are
• Often grows with a tangle of long thorny stems
• Remove all stems initially and then remove the root
• Mulching helps after the ground has been cleared

These are just a selection of the common lawn weeds that you’re likely to find on your property.

If you do happen to come across any of these weeds or any other weeds that you may be unsure of, be sure to visit our website https://www.taylor-weed-control.co.uk/ for more information on our weed removal services!

When it comes to maintaining a healthy garden, moss can be a real pain in the grass.

Typically found in damp or shady locations, a dense green clump of moss can be a blemish to an otherwise beautiful lawn.

Luckily, there are a few lawn moss control treatments and techniques you can utilise to combat your moss problem. Here are some handy hints from the experts here at Taylor Total Weed Control...

How to remove lawn moss

The best time to remove moss from your lawn is during the spring and summer months. This allows your garden to prepare/recover during the summer period, where it will be at its peak in terms of growth.

Moss doesn't fare well in iron-rich soil...which is great if you have high levels of iron in your soil. For those who don't - if you're reading this, that probably includes you - giving your mossy tenant a dose of iron is a great way to ensure it has a rocky stay.

Now before you begin pouring gallons of Guinness all over your lawn, there is an easier way to supplement iron. Besides, that's a colossal waste of perfectly good Guinness - save that for a celebratory toast to a job well done later on.

Most lawn moss killers contain iron sulphate, so a simple spray of any good moss killing agent should provide more than enough iron to kill your moss.

Easy moss removal techniques

Another great lawn moss treatment is one that is easily achievable by any self-respecting homeowner. Everyday washing-up liquid is something that any household should have readily available and can also make for an effective partner in lawn moss control.

It's recommended that you use around 50ml of washing up liquid with 4.5 litres of water (for smaller patches, reduce measurements accordingly). From there, mix well and spray using a garden sprayer, being mindful not to drown the area. Spray the moss patch until there is visible run-off and let nature take its course.

Additionally, moss isn't great with lime either, so adding lime to your sprayer may also be helpful in eradicating your unwanted garden guest. This will make the soil less acidic, which is more favourable to grass as well.

Ideally, try to time these methods so that they don't coincide with an impending spell of rain, as this will likely dilute the formula and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment - putting a literal dampener on your mossy mutiny.

The root of the problem

Dead or dying moss will soon turn bronze in colour before drying up completely. Moss has very shallow roots so, once it turns orangey-brown, simply rake over the auburn excess and let the healthy grass take back its patch.

However, while the above methods can be great solutions to your moss problems in the short term, they may not solve your garden gripes in the long run. You could simply repeat the previous steps ad nauseam; however, there's no guarantee this will stop the moss from returning time after time.

If there's an underlying issue that is causing moss to grow in the first place, this is something that needs to be addressed in order to prevent it from rearing its ugly head once more.

How to control and prevent lawn moss

You can prevent lawn moss growth in a number of ways, from mowing technique and scarification to sufficient fertilisation and healthy water coverage. However, for peace of mind, why not get in touch with us for some expert advice on moss treatment?

At Taylor Total Weed Control, we specialise in lawn moss control and know exactly how to identify, treat and rid your lawn of its unwanted eyesores, once and for all. We even use specialist fertilisers unavailable to the general public to ensure your lawn gets a new lease on life - moss-free!

Cure your mossy headaches today with a FREE moss treatment survey! Hit the button below for more details or visit our Moss Control page.

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