War of the Knotweed

In the perpetual battle of man versus knotweed, I launched a major offensive today.

Before the Battle

It has been warm.  The knotweed by the creek has been growing like crazy.  It was over 4 feet tall in places.

After the Battle

It was very warm and muggy this morning.  It seems like it is always warm and muggy when I have to knock back the knotweed.   I grabbed the scythe and attacked it hard.  The scythe is the best tool for the job.  It takes a little effort, but it cuts a large swathe moves pretty fast.  I was able to clear the knotweed in about 30 minutes.  I was drenched in sweat, but I can now see our creek.

The knotweed will be back.  I'll have to hit it hard 3 or 4 more times this year.  Only when we get the next hard frost will the knotweed retreat until next year.

Knotweed

We had drainage problems around the barn. The addition on the southwest corner was not allowing water to drain away from the main foundation of the barn. We had water collecting in the lower level of the barn. I trenched around the foundation, layed in heavy plastic, and carted in 20 wagonloads of field stone to line the trench. This allowed water to flow away from the foundation. When I was putting the drain in, I ran across a stand of plants stalks about 6 feet tall. I also found them along the creek. At first I could not figure out what it was – but in time I learned about it – it is Japanese Knotweed!

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is a non-native species which was brought from Asia. It is an extremely aggressive species. It can grow as much as 18 inches a week. It likes wet areas, like the side of creeks and areas of poor drainage. Japanese Knotweed can grow to be 8 feet tall. It can send roots down over 6 feet. I even found shoots growing into the second floor of the milk shed! Because its roots are so deep, it can’t be pulled. It does respond to some herbicides, but I did not want to use them near the creek.

Luckily, knotweed is easy to cut. Its stalk looks like bamboo, but is very soft and usually full of water. Cutting it with a string trimmer works, but the watery-filled stalk tends to spray water all over. I’ve found the best tool is an old-fashion scythe.

The Knotweed Slayer

I bought a scythe at an auction for $15. It was in good shape, and with a little tightening and blade sharpening, I was ready to tackle the knotweed. I have to cut the weed back every three weeks, or it grows so tall that we can’t see the creek. As long as you trim it, it stays in check. In time I also learned knotweed has 2 enemies – Japanese beetles and cold weather. It seems very few animals eat knotweed. At least Japanese beetles are good for something. As far as cold, once the first frost kicks in, the knotweed turns brown and dies back.

Now that I know what knotweed is, we see it all around the area. We were in Vermont last weekend visiting friends, and even noticed it there. I know I’ll never rid the property of knotweed (it’s all around every stream in the area). The battle of the knotweed won’t end – but I’ll keep fighting it.