Summer is just around the corner with the warmer weather meaning many will be hoping to enjoy their garden.
However, there are a number of pesky plants that could ruin your time outdoors and even cause legal issues when it comes to the outdoor space surrounding your property. One of these plants is Japanese knotweed. The invasive, non-native weed is actually illegal and needs to be controlled and irradiated if spotted.
The fast growing plant emerges during the spring months with reddish-purple fleshy shoots emerging from pink buds at ground level. Knotweed rapidly sprouts, producing dense stands of bamboo-like canes that can reach heights as high as 2.1m (7ft), according to the Royal Horticultural Society. The leaves are usually heart or shovel shaped, forming in a zig-zag pattern along the stems.
The plant dies into the ground as winter returns, before beginning to sprout once more as spring arrives.
Japanese knotweed can sprout from very small section of rhizomes, with the presence of the plant an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The presence of the weed can cause issues if you are selling or buying a property, holding the ability to cause structural issues to the building.
Japanese knotweed is classed as 'controlled waste', meaning it requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. But how can the invasive plant be managed?
How to manage and get rid of Japanese Knotweed
There are various ways to get rid of the plant, including burning it and burying it. Here are some of your options.
Cultural methods to tackle Japanese knotweed
There are various ways you can use cultural control methods to get rid of the plant.
For example, you can try digging out the plant. However, it can often be deeply penetrating making it difficult to dig out without professional help.
There are specialist Japanese knotweed contractors that can help. These professionals must be registered waste carriers to safely remove the weed - so it is best to check before employing their services.
You can also attempt to get rid of the invasive plant by allowing the site to dry out before burning it.
Under no circumstances should Japanese knotweed be included with your normal household waste or put in your garden bin to be collected as usual.
Treat with chemicals or weedkiller
You can spray or inject the stems of the plants in order to stop them from spreading. This must be done using approved herbicides.
It is not a quick process and you will need to spray the plants over a long period of time - it can take around three years to treat Japanese knotweed.
Even after spray treatment, knotweed rhizomes can remain dormant in the soil for many years and regrow if disturbed or if the soil is relocated.
When using weed killer chemicals you must make sure to follow all instructions on the pack to make effective use of the product as well as minimising risks to people and the environment.
Professional contractors may have access to more powerful weed killers that can help, it may be best to seek professional help if the patch of the plant is large and tough to tackle.
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