Gardeners struggling with bindweed are being urged to take action now to prevent its regrowth. Nick Turrell, an adviser from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has shared simple tips to eliminate the persistent weed without harming other plants.
Bindweed is identifiable by its long, twisting stems and large white trumpet-shaped flowers. It competes aggressively for moisture, nutrients, space, and light, and can strangle garden plants, stunting their growth or killing smaller varieties. Its deep, extensive root system makes it particularly challenging to remove entirely.
Turrell emphasised the importance of persistence. In a recent TikTok video, he advised gardeners to "keep cutting it back" using secateurs to snip leaves and stems. He also recommended forking out as many roots as possible, taking care not to break them, as even tiny fragments can regrow.
The RHS additionally suggests deadheading bindweed before it produces seeds, forking out seeds in spring and autumn, or lifting border plants to clear the ground. However, Turrell noted that in wildlife gardens or mature hedges, bindweed can be left alone as it supports a range of insects and pollinators.
