A happy client with recently designed and planted front garden rang up and asked if we could do a once–over tidy up of the rear garden, including some planting, as they had a big family celebration coming up.
On arrival on site we carried out the usual health and safety assessment for a new location. And we discovered Japanese knotweed at the bottom of the garden. Immediate discussion with the client, who because of the timescale, needed the impossible ‘quick fix’. The solution we found was a variation of organic ‘cut & injection’. With the knotweed temporarily sorted, we continued with the original plan of tidying and planting, ready for the family celebration party.
After the family celebration we returned to deal with the knotweed. A more thorough inspection of the garden than we had had time for previously did not show incursion from any neighbours’ garden, or thankfully, into a neighbouring garden. We weeded thoroughly around the contaminated area, digging down the required depth to check for spread of knotweed. We used organic ‘cut & injection’ method for the crowns and organic solution for the top growth.
The client kept an eye on the affected area for signs of further growth. We returned later to deal with the detritus. There was some new growth by this time so we treated this as before. We made one further visit that year. The following spring the client was on the alert and called us as soon as growth was spotted. This second year the client, thanks to some tutoring, felt able to sort out some aspects of control, so we just dealt with the organic pesticide application, of which we carried out three over the growing season. Monitoring of the contaminated area both within the garden and in neighbouring gardens continued; luckily we seemed to have contained the spread.
To request a site survey if you suspect you have Japanese knotweed in your garden, please email us: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
In the third year we only paid one consultancy visit, as the client had become more confident about the practicalities of dealing with the knotweed as an ongoing problem. Whatever method is used, chemical or organic, an infested site will need to be continuously monitored and treated for a minimum of 3-5 years.
Total and permanent eradication is unlikely, control and prevention of spread is the best that can be hoped for.
Consultancy
Consultancy is charged on an hourly basis, plus related costs and expenses. Your requirements and the fee are agreed before we start. Full terms and conditions are available on request.
To discuss your particular requirements, please get in touch via email or telephone 020 8289 8086.
Tutoring is available for showing you how to deal with problems and more pleasurable aspects of garden and gardening – check tutorials section on the website.