Bindweed in riverfront grasses - Ask Extension
Our property is on the McKenzie river. From top to bottom, we have gardens/grass, a sloped, sharp drop of about 2.5 feet, and a grassy riverbank that ...
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Bindweed in riverfront grasses #889651
Asked November 11, 2024, 10:31 AM EST
Our property is on the McKenzie river. From top to bottom, we have gardens/grass, a sloped, sharp drop of about 2.5 feet, and a grassy riverbank that floods. I’ve battled the bindweed out of the upper areas without using chemicals but it is prolific on the slope and in the lower grass. I’ve planted trees and shrubs below. How can I both hold in that slope and battle bindweed on the lower grassy area?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for your question.
As you know, bindweeds are very aggressive, persistent weeds and can be difficult to remove as they can have very deep root systems. Removing the aboveground parts to try to starve the plant is an option but will require a long term effort as it will continually resprout. This sounds like the method you have been employing on your property. I've used this method in my yard in areas where there are desirable plants present also.
Here is some information from Oregon State Extension about identification and removal of field bindweed and hedge bindweed -
- field bindweed https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/field-bindweed
- hedge bindweed - https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/hedge-bindweed
Here is an Oregon state Extension article about removing field bindweed - https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/controlling-perennial-bindweed-takes-persistence
As you know, bindweeds are very aggressive, persistent weeds and can be difficult to remove as they can have very deep root systems. Removing the aboveground parts to try to starve the plant is an option but will require a long term effort as it will continually resprout. This sounds like the method you have been employing on your property. I've used this method in my yard in areas where there are desirable plants present also.
Here is some information from Oregon State Extension about identification and removal of field bindweed and hedge bindweed -
- field bindweed https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/field-bindweed
- hedge bindweed - https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/hedge-bindweed
Here is an Oregon state Extension article about removing field bindweed - https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/controlling-perennial-bindweed-takes-persistence
