Best Time to Control Japanese Knotweed

Okay, right off the bat let’s start by saying that there’s never a “good time” to find Japanese knotweed on your property.

A major pest of Mother Nature, this vexatious vine can wreak havoc on your homestead and cause serious structural damage from beneath the surface.

That being said, there are better times than others when it comes to treating it and keeping it under control. This blog aims to help you with just that.

So, clear your diary and save the date: it’s time to vine and dine with Japanese knotweed.

Treating Japanese Knotweed Organically

Japanese knotweed can spread through your garden like a campus cold during Freshers week. As such, quite literally nipping it in the bud can save you untold headaches down the line.

That being said, like most garden activities, there are certain times of the year that are better than others when it comes to ensuring the most effective treatment.

If you’re looking to go the non-chemical route, there are a variety of options and techniques you could explore. Here are a few suggestions along with the best times to go about it.

Pulling/Digging

For smaller populations that are new to your property and not yet made themselves at home, hand removal is a viable option during the growing season.

Break up the soil around the rhizome with a fork or shovel and haul that weed out of its freshly loosened liar.

Smothering

Smothering is a better option for larger patches of knotweed that are more well-established; however, it’s by no means a quick-fix. In fact, this technique can literally take years to achieve the desired effect.

Cut the stems as low as possible and cover with heavy-duty black plastic. If the resulting aesthetic is unsightly, cover with a further layer of mulch to mask the plastic’s appearance.

This route is most effective when implemented during the early summertime. During this period, the surrounding plants will be at the height of their growth, exhausting some of the rhizome’s reserves.

Treating Japanese Knotweed with Herbicides

If the softly, softly approach isn’t working and you’re looking for a less subtle way of banishing your knotweed nightmares from whence they came, herbicides provide the heavy artillery.

Japanese knotweed controls its nutrients in line with the seasons: during the spring and early summer, it channels its nutrients upward from the roots to the shoots, while it does the opposite during the late summer and autumn in preparation for winter.

For the best results, it’s wise to apply your herbicide at the end of the summer prior to the wintry weather kicking in, taking advantage of the natural downward flow of the plant's nutrients.

Professional Japanese Knotweed Treatment

Regardless of which option you choose, Japanese knotweed is a formidable foe and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If you really are serious about giving ridding your property of knotweed in an effective manner that limits the possibility of a return, it’s wise to consider calling in the professionals.

At Taylor Weed Control, we specialise in Japanese knotweed removal and offer a wide range of services to ensure your weedy woes are stopped dead in their tracks.

With over 15 years’ experience, we’ve seen it all and lived to tell the tale – the same can’t be said for the knotweed we’ve met along the way.

For further details on the best time to control Japanese knotweed or more information on our Japanese knotweed removal services, why not get in touch today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or click the button below to request a FREE weed removal survey.

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