Getting rid of Japanese knotweed might require several seasons. Select a weed killer appropriate for Japanese knotweed, and follow its label instructions. Take care to have gloves or a mask on as you distribute the weed killer and to properly store the excess. Then, spray a glyphosate weedkiller, like Roundup, on the remaining plant, making sure not to get it on the surrounding vegetation. Prevent spread of Japanese knotweed You must prevent Japanese knotweed on your land spreading into the wild. Once a week, mow the area to trim down any remaining knotweed until the plant weakens and dies. The root system can grow up to 7m from the infected site and even a tiny fragment of knotweed … We are pleased to offer our Japanese Knotweed solutions and other invasive weed removals nationwide to … Japanese Knotweed Removal Phlorum is one of the UK’s leading specialists in Japanese knotweed removal solutions, with offices covering the whole of Great Britain, including bases in Brighton and Manchester. However, you can easily trample them by walking over the tarps. To get rid of Japanese knotweed, start by using garden shears to cut off the canes as close to the ground as possible. Japanese knotweed is an aggressive semi-woody perennial plant that is native to eastern Asia. Then, in late autumn and/or early spring, dig up as many of the rhizomes as you can. As well as harming the environment, Japanese Knotweed is able to grow through the smallest gaps in walls, pavements and structural foundations of buildings. It can grow between 3 feet and 8 feet tall on average with a bushy appearance. The plant arrived from Japan to the U.K. and then to North America in the 19th century as a landscaping ornamental. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. In the 1800’s it was introduced to North America as an ornamental species and also planted for erosion control. Operating across the UK, Environet is a leading specialist in Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants. Japanese Knotweed is not an easy plant to control and trying getting rid of or kill Japanese Knotweed yourself is not easy and takes patience! For tips from our Horticultural co-author on how to dispose of Japanese knotweed clippings, read on! Even the tiniest piece left behind can sprout a new plant. Japanese knotweed removal. The key is to stick with your project. After you’ve used your herbicide, don’t pull the weeds immediately. And they might kill nearby garden plants that you want to keep. Sick of dieting? Curious about intermittent fasting? If the knotweed has invaded your garden to the point where you can’t spray weedkiller for fear of ruining other plants, paint a glyphosate gel on the individual canes and leaves instead. This weed can be eradicated with a dedicated effort on your part. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Japanese Knotweed Specialists are renowned within the industry as one of the UK’s leading contractors in the removal, treatment and control of Japanese Knotweed. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Prepare the area by cutting mature weed canes (the tall stems) down to the ground and removing any debris. References. Don’t despair, however: with a little time, effort, and patience you can get rid of Japanese knotweed for good. You only need to cut the stems near the ground and throw them in the garbage bin. Keep plenty of water nearby to put out the fire, and. However, many of these products aren't safe for humans, pets, or the environment. Giant Hogweed. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Pay special attention to the safety warnings. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Soil or plant material contaminated with non … Find out more about Japanese knotweed removal Do not: Spread contaminated soil As a general rule of thumb, you should not spread any soil that has had Japanese knotweed growing in it. Giant knotweed leaves are generally twice the size of the other 3 species. Any portions of the root system not removed can re-sprout. Our locally … Do an Internet search to find a registered carrier and licensed landfill site near you. Japanese knotweed spreads relentlessly and grows back year after year, meaning you should use a multifaceted approach to eradicate it from your lawn or garden. Covering Japanese knotweed with tarps suppresses the plant's growth and ultimately kills it. This method is best to do in the spring to catch the plant at the start of its growing season. Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)—nicknamed Godzilla weed—is one of the world's most invasive plants. If you've ever attempted to eradicate this weed, you already know of its Godzilla-like qualities. The Westerners who first planted it might have been drawn to its masses of flowers, its heart-shaped leaves, and its bamboo-like canes. University of Maryland Extension. Though small patches of the invasive plant may be managed by the homeowner, it’s not without its problems. Japanese Knotweed is not your average weed. % of people told us that this article helped them. As new shoots emerge over time, they might push up the tarps. It grows to heights of 7 feet (2.1 m), and the roots can be twice that deep. A distinguishing feature of Japanese knotweed is the zigzag pattern in which leaves are arranged along the plant’s arching stems. For tips from our Horticultural co-author on how to dispose of Japanese knotweed clippings, read on! The costs of Japanese knotweed removal can at first seem high, but when compared with the potential costs of any damage to your property, and the potential for being sued should the knotweed spread from your land to an adjoining property, it will save you considerable cost and headache in future. Japanese Knotweed identification . Research and follow all local fire laws and regulations before burning yard waste. Japanese Knotweed Removal by Herbicide Injection You may be aware that the herbicide, glyphosate is often used to remove Japanese knotweed. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Knotweeds spread rapidly through root systems that may extend from a parent plant up to 20 metres laterally and up to a depth of 3 metres. After 7 days, pull out all the dead knotweed and dig out the roots with a pitchfork. Japanese knotweed is a member of the buckwheat family. It prefers sunny, moist areas, including riverbanks, roadsides, lawns, and gardens. Is killing Japanese knotweed and reclaiming your yard a realistic goal to have? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In most Japanese knotweed compensation claims, legal action cannot be pursued until all parties have been informed of the infestation. Cut the plant down to the ground throughout the growing season, so it's not able to photosynthesize efficiently. Japanese knotweed can be suppressed, though usually not fully eradicated, by cutting it back. This process often must be used in conjunction with other methods. How to Get Rid of Japanese Knotweed . Because the cuttings can easily sprout new roots and take hold in the soil, make sure you gather them all up and bag them for disposal. Based near London, we are in the ideal spot to help remove dangerous Knotweed in Surrey, as well as areas across Kent. We provide consulting and contracting services on the treatment and removal of the more challenging and damaging invasive plants in both the residential and commercial sectors. Japanese Knotweed Agency is on a nationwide mission to help identify all locations and present conditions of Japanese Knotweed infestations across England and Wales for of formal recording and supporting those affected with sound information and advice and recommendations for an action plan. Alternatively, you could wait for it to dry out and burn it. Wait to Remove Sprayed Weeds. Using a knapsack sprayer herbicides are applied to the top and underside of the leaf surface. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Timescale: 3-5 growing seasons. Instead, it typically takes advantage of areas disturbed by humans—areas affording not only ample sunlight but also friable (or crumbly) soil for its invasive roots. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. By using an experienced Japanese Knotweed removal specialist, with extensive knowledge of how to get rid of Knotweed, you can control the problem. In the meantime, you can use the tarped area for above-ground container gardening. Japanese Knotweed is renowned as a problematic and tenacious plant, and removing it can be a complicated and time-consuming process, as well as an expensive one. Japanese knotweed is so tenacious that it has been known to grow through solid masonry foundations. We are the preferred Japanese Knotweed removal specialists, possessing an unrivalled depth of knowledge and commercial experience to help companies, councils, and homeowners alike across South East England. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. As it is classed as controlled waste, any parts of the plant that you do manage to dig out must be disposed of at licensed landfill sites. Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an invasive, perennial herbaceous plant that is also known as Mexican Bamboo, Fleeceflower, Japanese Polygonum or Huzhang. We can remove Japanese weed by carrying out a range of services, so please get in touch for details on the Japanese knotweed removal. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Its leaves are a medium green color, and it sports small white-green flowers in the late summer. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. The scientific names of Polygonum cuspidatum or Reynoutria japonica are also used. It takes over roadsides, residences and community recreation areas, threatens our stream banks and increases fire danger. Place the tarps back on for winter, so they're already set for the next growing season. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. The proper timing for fighting Japanese knotweed depends on which strategy you employ. Japanese Knotweed. There are a variety of ways to get rid of Japanese knotweeds. The canes have sharp edges that can easily puncture a tarp. Severe infestations will require repeated attacks throughout the year. Japanese knotweed’s ease of spread and rapid growth from a deep rhizome (root) system was initially prized for planting schemes. After positive identification has been made of any Japanese knotweed infestation, it becomes necessary for other parties to be notified of the problem so that they have the opportunity to respond. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. This article has been viewed 88,716 times. Using a shovel or similar digging tool may aid in the removal of smaller plants but it is essential to remove the entire plant, including all roots. Himalayan Balsam. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Try to get as much of the rhizomes as possible, and bag them for disposal. There is one piece of good news: Japanese knotweed doesn't tend to invade forested areas. The most common method is to use a glyphosate herbicide but this will require a high dosage and it will not be eradicated after just one dose, it will require repeated doses to completely rid your property of Japanese Knotweed and may take a few seasons. This rapidly growing plant is quick to shade out native species and garden cultivars. For the purposes of this document, this plant will be referred to as Japanese Knotweed, with the scientific name of Fallopia japonica. Cover the plant area completely with one or more tarps depending on its size. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/documents/japanese_knotweed_control.pdf, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=218, http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/house-home/gardening/how-do-you-get-rid-of-japanese-knotweed-11364170417724, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Glyphosate, widely sold under the brand names, Roundup and Rodeo, can be applied as a foliar spray (i.e., you spray it on the leaves) to stands of Japanese knotweed, using a pressurized garden sprayer. This article has been viewed 88,716 times. … Some gardeners resort to applying weed killer to eradicate Japanese knotweed. Locate and dig up the plant's rhizome clumps (underground stems that send up shoots). Excavation and removal of the underground Japanese Knotweed root and rhizome system: Xtract™ - On-site processing of infested soil to separate and remove the viable rhizomes on non-residential property, avoiding the costs associated with off-site soil disposal Resi-Dig-Out™ - As Xtract™ above but modified to suit residential properties. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Get-Rid-of-Japanese-Knotweed-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Japanese-Knotweed-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Get-Rid-of-Japanese-Knotweed-Step-1.jpg\/aid9386601-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Japanese-Knotweed-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"