Transcript: How to Prevent Japanese Knotweed from Spreading

If you think there is a risk of Japanese knotweed on your property it is ABSOLUTELY VITAL that you prevent it from spreading into neighbouring gardens and beyond! Failure to prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading can lead to:

• Prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000!
• Extensive damage to your property
• Difficulties trying to sell your home

How does Japanese Knotweed Spread?

Japanese knotweed has a reputation for being incredibly persistent. It tends to find a way around most conventional methods of weed control, so special care has to be taken to control or remove it properly before it spreads. Any movement of the Japanese knotweed rhizomes, even tiny fractions in the soil, can lead to it spreading. So how does Japanese knotweed spread? Does it spread in more than one way? And what can you do to prevent the spread?

It commonly spreads if:

• You use infested top soil on your lawn
• You allow contaminated vehicles onto your property
• You leave early signs untreated

Scientific research has shown that as little as 0.7 grams of Japanese knotweed rhizome can be enough to create a new plant, that's why preventing Japanese knotweed from spreading is so hard! Here are a few ways you can prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading, follow these steps to help control the spread of Japanese knotweed. 

Solution:

• Always buy your top soil from a reputable supplier
• Brush or jet wash contaminated vehicles before leaving an infested area
• Treat early signs of Japanese knotweed right away!

Spotted Japanese Knotweed on Your Property?

Here’s How to Deal With it:

Burn it

1. Dig up as much of the Japanese knotweed as you can.
2. Leave the Japanese knotweed canes to dry out.
3. Burn them!
4. Dispose of remains properly – rhizomes may survive the burning process.

Bury it

1. Dig up as much of the Japanese knotweed as you can
2. Cover it in a root barrier membrane so that it won’t be able to re-establish underground.
3. Choose an area of your own land to bury the remains.
4. Dig a hole at least 5m deep & bury.

Leave it to the Experts!

1. Head to taylor-weed-control.co.uk/japanese-knotweed-removal.
2. Request a FREE lawn survey & speak to our team about your Japanese knotweed problem.
3. Arrange a date for us to attend your property.
4. Sit back, relax & let us do the rest!

To prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading you need to treat it sooner rather than later! Our Japanese knotweed team have over 15-years of experience in preventing Japanese knotweed from spreading – call Taylor Weed Control on 029 2039 7554 today!

For more information on how to prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading, hit the button below now and get in touch for a FREE survey.

Request a FREE Survey

The infographic below provides a brief overview of all the common lawn weeds that we have come across throughout South Wales and the South West over the years. Some are more damaging and more difficult to get rid of than others, so we have provided essential information about each that you will need to know! 

Infographic Transcript 

Ephemeral Weeds

This weed type tends to have more than one life cycle per year, therefore ordinary weed killers are not particularly effective. The word ‘ephemeral’ means transitory or quickly fading, referring to the unique growth strategies exhibited by these types of weeds. In each of these growing strategies, the ephemeral weed has a life cycle timed to exploit a short period when specific resources are freely available such as low waters and wet periods.

Groundsel

• Grows 5-22cm high
• Lobed leaves & small yellow flowers
• Sets seed within 4-6 weeks
• Seeds germinate throughout the year apart from midwinter

Hairy Bittercress

• Compact plant growing 3-5cm high
• Tiny white flowers
• Sets seeds within 4-6 weeks
• Weed of cool moist conditions – improving drainage will help control

Chickweed

• Grows 5-7cm high
• Vigorous spreading habit with small white flowers and an extensive root system
• One of the most common ephemeral weeds
• Set seeds quickly – germinate easily in damp soil

Annual Weeds

These types of weed grow and flower in a short period of time. They tend to seed in the winter and come back throughout various times in the year, living for only one season, hence why they are given the name ‘annual’. The trigger for these types of weeds often come from a few wet days during Spring. Take a look a some of the most common annual weeds below.

Fat Hen

• Grows up to 27cm high
• Broad leaves with small indistinct green/white flowers
• Found on rich soil – seedlings germinate in dense patches
• Seeds persist for a long time and will germinate readily

Yellow Oxalis

• Grows around 5cm high but it a prolific seeder
• Seeds are dropped from barely visible pods before even noticing its presence
• Once present will multiply very quickly
• Often found in nursery plant pots

Prickly Milk Thistle

• Can grow up to 90cm high – often smaller
• Pale yellow flowers
• Seeds set in as little as four weeks if the plant is in a dry and shaded place
• Strong taproot, making it difficult to remove when established

Perennial Weeds

These types of weeds are persistent and prone to becoming more and more challenging as time goes on. Perennial weeds appear every year from the same plant and are difficult to get rid of. Many have deep roots which need to be removed but once this is done, smaller regrowth can be handled in an easier manner. These weeds have the ability to cause a great deal of disturbance to your lawn and garden.

Dandelion

• Can take 6-9 month to remove by digging out small roots
• Remove as much as parent root as possible to avoid the possibility of re-grow
• A common weed which spreads easily, they are valued for their medicinal properties and culinary use
• Leaves are diuretic which cleanses the liver, provide rich mineral content

Dock Leaf

• Look a lot more difficult to remove than they actually are
• Slicing through the tap root about 6 inches down and removing as much as possible will often stop it from re-growing
• Once seed heads mature, large clusters of brown seeds are produced – best burnt
• Friends as well as foe – Soothes skin stung by nettles by rubbing on affected area

Bramble

• Always look far more difficult to remove than they actually are
• Often grows with a tangle of long thorny stems
• Remove all stems initially and then remove the root
• Mulching helps after the ground has been cleared

These are just a selection of the common lawn weeds that you’re likely to find on your property.

If you do happen to come across any of these weeds or any other weeds that you may be unsure of, be sure to visit our website https://www.taylor-weed-control.co.uk/ for more information on our weed removal services!

When it comes to maintaining a healthy garden, moss can be a real pain in the grass.

Typically found in damp or shady locations, a dense green clump of moss can be a blemish to an otherwise beautiful lawn.

Luckily, there are a few lawn moss control treatments and techniques you can utilise to combat your moss problem. Here are some handy hints from the experts here at Taylor Total Weed Control...

How to remove lawn moss

The best time to remove moss from your lawn is during the spring and summer months. This allows your garden to prepare/recover during the summer period, where it will be at its peak in terms of growth.

Moss doesn't fare well in iron-rich soil...which is great if you have high levels of iron in your soil. For those who don't - if you're reading this, that probably includes you - giving your mossy tenant a dose of iron is a great way to ensure it has a rocky stay.

Now before you begin pouring gallons of Guinness all over your lawn, there is an easier way to supplement iron. Besides, that's a colossal waste of perfectly good Guinness - save that for a celebratory toast to a job well done later on.

Most lawn moss killers contain iron sulphate, so a simple spray of any good moss killing agent should provide more than enough iron to kill your moss.

Easy moss removal techniques

Another great lawn moss treatment is one that is easily achievable by any self-respecting homeowner. Everyday washing-up liquid is something that any household should have readily available and can also make for an effective partner in lawn moss control.

It's recommended that you use around 50ml of washing up liquid with 4.5 litres of water (for smaller patches, reduce measurements accordingly). From there, mix well and spray using a garden sprayer, being mindful not to drown the area. Spray the moss patch until there is visible run-off and let nature take its course.

Additionally, moss isn't great with lime either, so adding lime to your sprayer may also be helpful in eradicating your unwanted garden guest. This will make the soil less acidic, which is more favourable to grass as well.

Ideally, try to time these methods so that they don't coincide with an impending spell of rain, as this will likely dilute the formula and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment - putting a literal dampener on your mossy mutiny.

The root of the problem

Dead or dying moss will soon turn bronze in colour before drying up completely. Moss has very shallow roots so, once it turns orangey-brown, simply rake over the auburn excess and let the healthy grass take back its patch.

However, while the above methods can be great solutions to your moss problems in the short term, they may not solve your garden gripes in the long run. You could simply repeat the previous steps ad nauseam; however, there's no guarantee this will stop the moss from returning time after time.

If there's an underlying issue that is causing moss to grow in the first place, this is something that needs to be addressed in order to prevent it from rearing its ugly head once more.

How to control and prevent lawn moss

You can prevent lawn moss growth in a number of ways, from mowing technique and scarification to sufficient fertilisation and healthy water coverage. However, for peace of mind, why not get in touch with us for some expert advice on moss treatment?

At Taylor Total Weed Control, we specialise in lawn moss control and know exactly how to identify, treat and rid your lawn of its unwanted eyesores, once and for all. We even use specialist fertilisers unavailable to the general public to ensure your lawn gets a new lease on life - moss-free!

Cure your mossy headaches today with a FREE moss treatment survey! Hit the button below for more details or visit our Moss Control page.

Get in Touch >   Moss Control >

Okay, first things first, just what are perennial weeds?

As the name so accurately suggests, perennial weeds are simply troublesome vegetation that recur regeneratively time and again with a seemingly infinite frequency (i.e. perennial in nature).

These persistent little pests can be a major headache for gardeners and make for an ugly addition to an otherwise perfect flower bed. Without proper treatment, these troublesome weeds can crop up year after year like a botanical bad penny.

If knowledge is power then it’s time to take the power back, as we take a closer look at Britain’s most common perennial weeds.

What Perennial Weeds Are Common in the UK?

Ranging from the humble dandelion to the common buttercup, perennial weeds can come in a whole host of shapes, sizes and, of course, species.

Naturally, some are a little easier on the eye than others and sadly not all weeds will take the form of the aesthetically pleasant buttercup – which is all the more reason to give your soily squatters a speedy eviction.

Here are the five most common perennial weeds you may see in and around your garden.

Bramble

Featuring long thorny stems, brambles can grow up to 2m high. While they can feature clusters of white or pink flowers during the spring/summer, they are most recognisable by their fruit – the blackberry!

Thistle

Thistles are commonly found in two varieties: the spear plume and the creeping thistle. The former is relatively easy to deal with, while the latter is far more troublesome. Characterised by dark pink/purple flowers at the top of the stem, the creeping thistle is both easily spread and hard to unroot.

Bindweed

Boasting eye-catching white flowers, this somewhat pleasant-looking weed can be very misleading. Beneath the service, its roots can burrow very deep and are frustratingly brittle, making them almost impossible to remove whole.

Nettle

Commonly used for tea, soup and even smoothies, nettles can be a helpful weed to have around – particularly if you are adventurous in the kitchen. However, they can also be potentially hazardous due to their stinging hairs and can grow wildly out of hand if left to themselves. The roots can become a tangled mess beneath the surface, while the plant itself can grow to over a metre in height.

Dock

While dock leaves are famed for their soothing qualities in neutralising nettle stings, docks are still deemed weeds themselves. If left to mature, dock seeds are produced in abundance and can spread easily. Worse still, dock seeds can survive in soil for up to half a century!

Dealing with Perennial Weeds

So, just how do we give these weedy perennials an everlasting burial?

Like most problems in the garden, this is one problem that can be solved by rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. If you don’t happen to have any sleeves, now's the time to get changed – ‘cos it’s time to roll them up and get in the dirt!

The most effective way to weed out these perennial pains is to go straight to the source and get to the root of the problem… that being the roots. Unfortunately, most perennials weeds have roots that spread deep and wide, so ridding your soil of its outstretched tentacles can be a tough task. Tough but not impossible.

Physically pulling them out is a wise place to start; however, this may not be possible for weeds with brittle or stubborn roots. If yanking doesn’t get the job done, another way to deal with your weedy invader is to give the area a good old-fashioned forking. If available, it’s also a good idea to use a hoe and plough thoroughly.

Outrageous innuendos aside, yanking, forking and hoeing are the holy trinity of removing/destroying most perennial weeds. If the roots aren’t removed entirely, the damage done from the trauma should break up any remains, preventing regeneration. However, it's important to remember that this is a general rule of thumb and each weed may require its own particular approach.

If you still need assistance or aren’t sure how to deal with your particular case of perennial weeds, it may be worth considering chemical warfare in the form of weedkillers; however, if this is the case, it may be easier (and safer) all round to simply call in the experts.

For more information on weedkillers, treatments and general weed removal tips, why not drop us a line or enlist our team of experts to remove your problem plants for you?

Call today on 029 2039 7554 or hit the button below to contact us for a free survey now!

Get in Touch Today!

If you're a homeowner or an individual that has recently bought a piece of land or maybe you're planning on buying some land to build on, it's important for you to be aware of the laws and legalities surrounding planning permission and everybody's favourite beast from the east, Japanese knotweed! 

As Japanese knotweed is classed as an intrusive plant here in the UK, there are a number of laws that surround the eastern Asian plant which may impact on your ability to extend your house or build one altogether. To make things a little clearer, let's take a look at some of these laws and what impact that may or may not have on your chances of gaining planning permission.

Planning Permission with Japanese Knotweed 

For individuals considering planning permission for their property, it is essential that the checks are conducted for the presence of Japanese knotweed. If carried out and there is a suspicion that the plant is present, it is vitally important that a survey is requested by an ecological surveyor. If its presence is then confirmed, a control programme suitable for the site in which the property sits will need to be planned as part of the planning application, which includes the safe removal of the knotweed. Planning conditions to ensure the control programme is performed sufficiently should be imposed.

Planning Conditions 

Planning conditions are imposed on sites where Japanese knotweed is known to be present in order to prevent the spread of the invasive plant, which under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an offence. Japanese knotweed is notorious for devaluing sites, as well as causing major structural damage to any buildings which may be developed on contaminated land. A management plan will need to be put into place which contains a number of the following things:

• The objective of control action 
• An assessment of control options
• Criteria for completion 
• Advice on preventing spread around site 

So, despite all of the hysteria surrounding Japanese knotweed, planning permission is still possible if found near your property! However, a stringent and effective plan to manage it must put into place before work can be carried out. 

If you have reason to believe that Japanese knotweed is present on your premises and require experienced professionals to assess and remove it, then do not hesitate to get in touch with Taylor Total Weed Control today for our expert Japanese knotweed removal services! 

Japanese Knotweed Removal >