When it comes to the treatment of Japanese knotweed, there are a number of options to consider. The two most popular choices, however, are those of excavation and herbicide application.

Now, we know excavation may sound a little scary but we can assure you that your whole garden isn't going to be ripped to pieces. Regardless, the thought of having a digger on or around your property tearing away at the ground can be somewhat offputting, therefore herbicide application is often the go-to choice for many homeowners.

One of the many discussed treatments is glyphosate, an active ingredient in many herbicides. But does glyphosate kill Japnese knotweed off completely? Let's find out...

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If you read our blog "When is the Best Time to Treat Japanese Knotweed?" you'll know that the plant prepares to die back in the autumn months by moving all its nutrients down into its rhizomes. Introducing the herbicide at this critical point in the weed's lifecycle will help ensure it doesn't re-emerge again in Spring.

But what does Japanese knotweed look like in winter? Well, like most plants, when the temperature in your garden plummets, they die back for the winter. Plants with rhizome systems like Japanese knotweed will preserve their energy and survive under the soil until more favourable conditions return. 

Japanese knotweed in winter becomes dry, brittle and brown. The stalks which were once red and purple and full of leaves have turned woody and bamboo-like. The canes are hollow and will collapse around each other as they die.

If the area hasn't been treated until this point, you can't guarantee that the knotweed won't come back stronger in a few months time. That's why swift Japanese knotweed treatment is always recommended.

Read more on Japanese Knotweed Identification

What should I do if I suspect I have a knotweed problem?

Whether you spot Japanese knotweed on your property is spring, summer or winter, it's vital that you get in touch with a professional removal company right away. You CANNOT rely on the winter months to take care of the knotweed problem for you. 

We can survey your garden free of charge to find out if the plant you've spotted is actually Japanese knotweed. If it is, we'll be able to offer you a quotation for thorough removal, meaning the knotweed won't have a chance to spread around your property further. 

Request a FREE Japanese Knotweed Survey

If you have any questions about identifying Japanese knotweed, or if you'd like to speak to our team about treatment, contact us today!

In an attempt to control the rapid spread of Japanese knotweed in Holland, the Dutch government has issued an exemption to their alien species ban by releasing leaf fleas to control the knotweed from spreading.

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SHORT ANSWER: No, Japanese knotweed is not poisonous. In fact, the plant can make a tasty and nutritious addition to all sorts of different recipes!

Japanese knotweed is a troublesome plant that causes a lot of problems here in the UK. It grows very quickly, it can cause damage as it spreads, and if there's Japanese knotweed in your garden, you may find it difficult to sell your property.

Still, knotweed's not all bad. Unlike some other invasive plants (such as giant hogweed, whose sap can cause severe skin inflammation), Japanese knotweed is not directly harmful to humans - you can actually cook it and eat it with no ill effect.

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Horsetail, also known as marestail or Equisetum arvense to the Latin speakers among us, is a common perennial plant that grows up and down the country. Easily spread and difficult to kill, horsetail is one of the more awkward weeds to control. Even a small amount of horsetail can spread very easily and quickly throughout your garden. Here, the roots spread far and wide while the plant itself reproduces using spores rather than seeds.

However, despite horsetail being a nuisance when it comes to removal, it can be done! This blog looks at the methods of horsetail removal and how Total Weed Control can help you if you have horsetail in your garden. 

Image: Pixabay

Traditional methods of weeding such as slashing and mowing have very little effect on removing horsetail completely due to new stems developing from the roots left behind. This often leaves many gardeners and homeowners frustrated by their unwanted presence.

Issues with horsetail begin during the spring when greenish-brown shoots appear from the ground. These shoots are tipped with small cones that produce spores which spread the plant even further. Therefore, it's best practice to try and control the shoots before they begin to spore.

As horsetail roots being to creep throughout the ground, however, they become quite difficult to spot due to their colour being very similar to working soil and often end up spreading much further than most people realise.

Attempting to dig up the roots before the plant develops isn't very feasible either due to the root systems reaching depths of up to 1.5m! Once the stem has created spores, horsetail starts to develop small, thin leaves throughout the plant that last throughout spring and summer before dying off in late autumn. 

Despite the leaves dying off, the roots remain intact meaning the plant will begin to reappear the next and the cycle starts all over again. 

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