Any keen gardeners will have heard about Japanese knotweed supposedly having the ability to break through strong, impermeable materials like concrete. Can Japanese knotweed actually grow through concrete? Well, not exactly...

Japanese knotweed is one of the most relentless plants that will happily invade and spread through your garden, causing lots of damage as it goes. But, it's not strong enough to force its way through solid concrete slabs or walls.

That being said... Japanese knotweed is notorious for finding its way through small cracks and holes making it appear as though it has broken through all kinds of stony surfaces on its own!

The root of the problem:

Like any other plant, Japanese knotweed needs sunlight and water to grow. This means that it will take advantage of any crack or hole big enough to fit a trickle of water or a ray of sunshine down! Japanese knotweed's complex root system will send new shoots out to all of these available places, which is why our problem with this weed is so widespread. 

Getting rid of Japanese knotweed:

Unfortunately, most people's efforts to eradicate the plant themselves do not work, simply because destroying the visible plant will barely impact the complex root system underground. To tackle Japanese knotweed efficiently, you really need an expert team to deal with the weed.

Here at Taylor Weed Control, we have years of experience dealing with Japanese knotweed all over South Wales - so we're sure we can help you! Read more about our Japanese knotweed removal service here:

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Identifying Japanese knotweed can be a challenge on its own, you may have noticed some pesky weeds poking up through the paving around your garden. If you're not sure what they are, or how to get rid of them properly, contact us for a FREE lawn survey!

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What is Himalayan balsam?

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant with easily identifiable pink or white heart-shaped flowers, that was introduced to the UK in 1839. If you've ever wandered along a riverbank, pond or lake, we guarantee you will have seen it at least once! Himalayan balsam is a fairly common and widespread weed nowadays!

The reason it's able to flourish as much as is it does is because it can survive in low-level light conditions where other plants would struggle. Generally, Himalayan balsam grows to just over 2 metres tall and can be seen flowering in the middle and end of summer.  When the seeds are ready, the Himalayan balsam's seed pods explode violently, dispersing over 800 seeds per plant, no wonder we have such a rapidly expanding problem!

How can I get rid of it?

If you want to try and control the Himalayan balsam yourself you can try cutting the plant back or pulling it up before it has a chance to seed. Of course, with Himalayan balsam growing incredibly tall and in difficult to reach places, this method can be time-consuming and often ineffective. Using this method, you'll be lucky if it takes no fewer than three years to completely get rid of the Himalayan balsam!

If you need to use something that's much more likely to eradicate the problem quickly, weedkiller is the route to take. You could opt for a contact weedkiller which is applied directly to the weeds and is unlikely to harm other plants around the Himalayan balsam. Residual weed killers are less precise and can remain in the soil for a couple of weeks after you apply them.

Because Himalayan balsam tends to grow in wet areas, special care needs to be taken when you apply any kind of weedkiller. If any weedkiller leaks into the water accidentally, it may pose a health and safety risk! Generally, the best way to choose a suitable weedkiller is to take some time to read the bottle before purchasing.

Contact Taylor Weed Control

If you don't have the time (or will power) to browse the entire weedkiller aisle to deal with your Himalayan balsam problem, why not leave it to the professionals? 

Here at Taylor Weed Control, we can help you eliminate the Himalayan balsam in no time! We use techniques and weedkillers only available to industry professionals. click the button below to fill in our enquiry form, and we'll be in contact soon!

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Football is a passionate sport: from the fans in the stands to the players on the pitch. If you’re involved in the upkeep of a football pitch, that same passion can show with the way the pitch itself is maintained. After all, a good pitch can make a big difference come kick-off time.

Here are our top five tips when it comes to football pitch maintenance.

Mow

According to several football pitch experts (including those associated with clubs in the Premier League), the grass on a football pitch should never be allowed to exceed 60mm in length. That means regular mowing and frequent TLC – even in the off-season.

During the playing season, the recommended grass length is between 25 and 30mm long. To achieve this, it’s recommended that your pitch has a minimum of 20 cuts per year, allowing for additional cuts to be made if the weather is good and promotes a faster rate of growth.

Fertilise

Fertilising your football pitch can be an effective way of ensuring it’s well maintained and continues to grow and recover healthily. An unfertilised pitch can lead to a weak pitch that recovers a slow rate – which is far from ideal during the height of the season.

However, like anything in life, too much of a good thing can quickly become bad news. Excessive use of fertiliser – particularly nitrogen – can lead to a number of problems and cause your turf to damage more easily.

Weed

As with any grassy terrain, football pitches can be susceptible to weed growth, which can be both an eye-sore for the fans and an annoyance for the players. This doesn’t just apply to the aesthetics either - a weed-free pitch also provides a better surface for the players to perform.

When it comes to weed prevention, herbicides can be a great way to ensure your pitch stays in peak condition. However, it’s worth noting that the application of agrochemicals can only be administered on your pitch by a licensed and fully-qualified professional.

Maintain and Repair

Staying on top of your pitch throughout the season can be the best way to ensure it stays in tip-top condition until the very last game. That means regular repair work and methodical care from week to week.

From applying top dressing and verti-draining to fixing divots and maintaining pitch markings, regularly tending to your ground’s needs can be the difference between a lush, green playing surface and a boggy pit of sludge.

Tough Decisions

While nobody wants to be the bad guy when it comes to sport, sometimes tough decisions need to be made for the greater good. For a groundskeeper, that can mean calling off a match if conditions aren’t ideal.

It won’t be a popular decision to make but a soaking pitch that’s been stampeded for 90 minutes by 22 players will leave behind a seriously tarnished battlefield and one that may not recover by the following week.

Another tough decision that may prove to be a good one is to outsource some of your maintenance needs. There’s no shame in knowing when you’re out of your depth and sometimes calling in an outsider to help lighten the load can be a wise call.

After all, a botched job can prove catastrophic for an impending fixture and getting it right the first time is vitally important. The football fans (and players) that attend may not be so forgiving if the pitch isn’t fit for purpose!

If you would like more info on football pitch maintenance or are looking to outsource any of your maintenance needs, drop us a line today! Call our grounds maintenance team now on 029 2039 7554 or drop us a message for a FREE quote.

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A mossy path can be problematic for a number of reasons. Not only is it unsightly, it may be dangerously slippery, and the moss can - in some cases - actually cause damage to the path by lifting stones or creating cracks as it grows.

For these and other reasons, it's a good idea to act quickly when you notice moss growing on your path or driveway. An Internet search for 'how to kill moss' will provide you with dozens of home remedies - most of them involving vinegar - but if you want results that last, the best course of action is usually to call in a moss control specialist who can treat the problem properly.

Why is moss growing on my path?

As the RHS website explains, moss - and similar growths like algae and lichens - are usually found in damp places where there's plenty of moisture. Your path may be more prone to moss growth if:

• The path is in a shady spot
• There are trees and/or other plants overhanging the path
• Water remains on the path for a long time after rain (poor drainage)

The RHS actually recommend allowing moss and lichens to flourish in areas they don't present a hazard (e.g. on stone sculptures), but we've already touched upon, a mossy path can present a serious slip hazard, especially in winter. So what can you do?

Get your mossy path under control!

Here at Taylor Weed Control, we offer a professional moss control service that's available in Cardiff, Bristol, Swansea, and most other parts of South Wales and South West England.

Our seasoned moss control experts will use specialist treatments to control your moss and keep it under control for the long term. We've helped all kinds of clients to deal with their moss problems, including sports clubs and local authorities as well as private residents.

If you'd like to request a FREE moss control survey, please call Taylor Weed Control on 029 2039 7554 or email sales@taylortwc.co.uk today.

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay

In September 2018, the Independent reported that Japanese knotweed had knocked nearly £20 billion off the value of the UK property market, with an estimated 850,000-900,000 properties affected nationwide.

Why does this particular weed pose such a big problem? Well, Japanese knotweed is exceedingly difficult to get rid of. Not just because the plant's rhizome root system can sometimes burrow a full 2 metres down into the ground, but also because a tiny fragment of those roots can sprout into a whole new stem.

This allows Japanese knotweed (once beloved by UK gardeners for its resemblance to bamboo) to spread to new sites at a truly alarming rate - ironically, many attempts to destroy the weed only end up helping it to take root elsewhere!

So, if you're sat around wondering how to get rid of Japanese knotweed, the professionals here at Taylor Total Weed Control are here to help!

We don't recommend trying to remove Japanese knotweed yourself.

Japanese knotweed is recognised by British authorities as a highly invasive non-native plant, and there are certain laws in place to keep it from spreading. For example, Japanese knotweed is classed as 'controlled waste', meaning that it can only be disposed of at specially licensed landfill sites.

As mentioned above, attempting to eradicate Japanese knotweed by yourself can backfire and make the problem even worse, so it's generally wise to call in a Japanese knotweed removal specialist to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.

How to Get Rid of Japanese Knotweed Permanently

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to get rid of Japanese knotweed:

• Herbicide - Spraying the plant's leaves with herbicide is generally the most cost-effective solution. Herbicide application should take place over several years to ensure the best possible results.
  
  
• Excavation & Disposal - The other option is to use excavation machinery to dig up the affected site, after which the knotweed can be disposed of at one of the aforementioned licensed landfill sites. This is by some distance the more expensive and disruptive approach of the two, but it may be preferable if you're on a deadline.

So, when it comes to getting rid of a knotweed infestation on or near your property, you have the two above choices. Whicher you decide to use will ultimately depend on your preference in terms of time and disruption.

How we can help get rid of your Japanese knotweed infestation

Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we provide specialist Japanese knotweed removal across South Wales and South West England that ensure any confirmed case of knotweed on or around your home is dealt with in a professional and effective manner.

So, what are you waiting for!? To get rid of your Japanese knotweed, get in touch with our expert team today before it's too late!

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