I've recently bought a house and found the yard was in pretty bad shape due to neglect by the previous owners. After spending two years getting rid of goat heads, I'm now tackling morning glory, also known as field bindweed, which is taking over my front yard and choking my flowers. I've done some research and know it's a tough battle. I think I've found a major root of one of the plants, but it seems like there might be at least two separate morning glory plants in my yard. Any advice or strategies on how to effectively get rid of this invasive plant would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
In Southern Missouri, we deal with morning glory too. My tip is to yank them out the second you see them. If even one flower blooms, you're doomed. We've managed to clear them from our garden a few times, but they always show up again – it seems like they pop up out of nowhere! It might take a couple more years, but you can get there.
I've been fighting morning glories for over ten years, and the best approach for me has been to pull them early in the spring as soon as they start to show up. I use a dandelion fork to help dig out the roots more easily. Just be persistent and get them before they flower; otherwise, they'll regenerate and you'll be back to square one. Good luck!
A technique I've had some success with is using glyphosate, but it requires careful application. Here's what I do: get a squeeze bottle of undiluted glyphosate, wear gloves and eye protection, snip the vine near the ground, and put a drop directly on the cut. Just remember to monitor the area for new growth because they can come back strong! But this really took me several years to completely clear them.
Just a heads up, glyphosate has been linked to cancer, so be careful with that!
I live in North Carolina, and my dahlia garden has been overrun with morning glory. The roots are deep and tough to pull. I've tried using white vinegar which kills the leaves, but the real issue is the roots. I wish I had a better solution, but you're not alone in this struggle.
So true! I’ve dug down three feet trying to get to their roots and they just keep going deeper.