Like an unwanted house guest, Japanese knotweed can be difficult to get rid of. Patience and persistence are key to getting the job done properly.

Photo by Leonora Enking (View Original)

As we discussed in our blog about Japanese knotweed's growing cycle, this invasive species may appear to die off completely during the winter months. But appearances can be deceptive.

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So your lawn is looking a little crowded these days. Dandelions, hairy bittercress and a selection of other common lawn weeds have made your garden their home, and your lovely green grass must now compete with all sorts of other plants for water and essential nutrients.

Clearly, some anti-weed measures are in order. But how do you kill those pesky weeds without killing your grass too?

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With so many types of weed killer available on the market, it can become quite confusing when comes a time when you have to pick the right one. A range and variety of herbicides will more than likely have you scratching your head whilst looking at a wall of products standing in aisle six. To make things a little easier for you, we try to break down the main types of weed killer that you can buy, their characteristics and when they are suitable to use.

The types of weed killer include contact, systemic, residual, selective and non-selective. It’s important to note that before buying any type of weed killer, selecting and using the wrong type on your lawn or affected area can cause serious harm. Also, the most popular herbicide, ‘Roundup’, is a contact, systemic and non-selective weed killer.

Contact Weed Killers

As its name suggests, this type of weed killer kills weeds as soon as they come into contact with it. Here, the herbicide is consumed by the stomata (tiny openings) of the plant’s leaf. However, in order for the weed killer to be effective, the stomata need to be open. These are only open when the plant is actively growing and throughout the day whilst the process of photosynthesis is taking place. Therefore, contact weed killers need to be applied to the target plants during the growing season, to green, living foliage and early in the day. This gives the herbicide the whole duration of the day to work its way into the stomata.

Contact weed killers are used by many homeowners and lawn care enthusiasts as they have no impact on the garden soil surrounding the target plants. A popular type of contact herbicide is glyphosate, when applied, becomes locked inside soil particles, making it unavailable to plant root, resulting in it becoming redundant in the soil. Contact weed killers take approximately two weeks to take full effect and are a superb choice for tackling and controlling annual weeds. To manage perennial weeds, however, two or maybe three applications of contact herbicide are required.

Systemic Weed Killers

The majority of herbicides fall under the category of systemic weed killers. This means that on entry into the plant, the herbicide works its way through the plant’s transport system to target and kill all of its areas. An example of a systemic week killer in action would see it entering a plant through its foliage and working its way all the way down the plant until it reaches the roots, where it eventually kills the weed completely.

Residual Weed Killers

These type of weed killers are also referred to as soil acting weed killers. Careful consideration must be taken when selecting and using these herbicides as their application will poison the soil surrounding the target plant, rendering it inactive and useless for growing any further plants, weeds or flowers. The majority of residual weed killers sit in the soil for months, preventing any form of growth from taking place. However, lesser plants such as algae and lichens are not affected by these herbicides. The ideal areas to use residual week killers are hard-standing areas such as paths, driveways and patios and not areas where you may grow plants or vegetables in the near future.

Selective Weed Killers

These herbicides work to kill a particular plant whilst leaving surrounding soil and plants unharmed. For example, certain selective weed killers aim to only target broad-leaved plants such as buttercup, dandelion and daisy, whilst having zero effect on narrow-leaved plants such as grass. As the two types of plants are two early evolutionary divisions within the plant kingdom, they have two very different vascular and transport systems. Meaning selective herbicides can be created to target one of these two plant types.

Non-Selective Weed Killers

As you may have already guessed, non-selective weed killers are herbicides which work to kill everything that they come into contact with, similar to contact weed killers. Unlike contact herbicides, however, non-selective weed killers will kill or severely damage any and every plant that they touch. It is therefore extremely important to take extra care when using and applying this type of herbicide. Be sure to never spray during windy conditions, never walk over areas that may have been sprayed previously, cover plants that are near the target weed and handle chemicals and knapsacks sprayers with care.

Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, you’ll be glad to hear that we use appropriate weed killers whenever necessary. Matching both the weed type and the result that you’re looking to get. Our team of weed control specialists have years of training and experience in the use and application of herbicides, so you can rest assured knowing that your lawn or effected area will be in safe, professional hands.

To learn more about our weed control services, simply click below. You can also get in touch with a member of our team if you would like to enquire about weed control treatment on your property.

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Japanese knotweed may appear to die during the cold winter months, but it's probably still alive and lying dormant beneath the soil.

As the calendar cascades from shimmering summer to auburn autumn and beyond, the weather naturally starts to get colder.

In fact, as soon as the clocks go back, it's not unusual for the temperature to drop faster than a microphone at a rap battle.

While the frosty cold and bitter chill can be a stark reminder that summertime has indeed been consigned to history, it does have its perks - particularly when it comes to garden weeds.

Most garden weeds will die out during the wintertime and spend the cold months either biting the dust or kicking the bucket - either way, few tears will be shed in remembrance.

But does Japanese knotweed die off in winter as well? Let's find out...

To Have and Have Knot

Anyone unlucky enough to have fallen foul of Japanese knotweed in the first place has likely been left frustrated to the point of nausea by the relentless persistence of the wicked weed.

However, the summertime supremacy of this invasive species does recede during the winter, losing its leafy greens and taking on a far less intimidating brittle brown appearance.

While this may seem to be a welcome reprieve for gardeners, don't let this faux farewell fool you.

Battle-tested knotweed veterans will know that this is all a clever ruse, perpetrated by the pesky plant to lull you into a false sense of security.

What Lies Beneath

Though Japanese knotweed may appear to die in winter, appearances can be deceiving.

While the colour may change and the canes may recede, a death this certainly is not. Sadly, the wintertime is merely a power-nap for Japanese knotweed, and sooner or later, the plant will rear its ugly head once more.

Such a miraculous resurrection might seem almost unfathomable, but this is no miracle. Despite the frail shoots, the knotweed rhizomes remain healthy and virtually unscathed beneath the soil and merely lay dormant in the ground throughout the winter period.

As winter turns to spring, your Japanese knotweed will rise once more like a phoenix of frustration from the ashes, ready to unleash its wrath on your garden once more.

Treating Japanese Knotweed in Winter

If you have Japanese knotweed present in your garden, why not give yourself an early Christmas present and serve your unwanted guest a festive eviction notice?

At Taylor Total Weed Control, our weed-whacking warriors are armed to the teeth with an itchy trigger finger to match - they're ready, willing and able to blow your knotty no-goodnik to smithereens.

With over 15 years of experience in the weed removal game, we have the power to banish the vexatious vine from whence it came. All you have to do is ask!

Request a FREE Japanese knotweed survey

While it may sound more like something from a Harry Potter movie than a garden-dwelling pest, giant hogweed is far from a magical presence in your garden.

In fact, giant hogweed has the ability to cause serious damage, particularly if it comes into contact with human skin.

For this reason, you should NOT attempt to remove giant hogweed by hand. Instead, contact Taylor Total Weed Control today - our invasive weed experts know how to deal with hogweed safely and effectively. Our giant hogweed removal services are available in Cardiff and across South Wales.

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