It’s August and field bindweed (Figures 1 and Figure 2), one of our most-persistent perennial weeds, is flowering. Although not statewide noxious, it’s locally noxious in Bennett, Bon Homme, Clarke, Lake, Stanley, and Yankton counties. Therefore, it’s the landowner’s legal responsibility to control the weed in these counties.
Identification and Management
Field bindweed can sometimes be mistaken for hedge bindweed and wild buckwheat (Figure 2). However, the basal lobes of field bindweed leaves are more pointed, whereas those of hedge bindweed are more angular or “squared off.” Both bindweed species are perennials, but wild buckwheat is an annual with leaves that are heart shaped. Wild buckwheat is typically found in annual production systems such as crop fields and vegetable gardens. Bindweed species are found in both annual and perennial systems (i.e. lawns or grasslands).
Often called Creeping Jenny, one must kill its extensive root system to control the weed. Hand-pulling the above ground foliage, which produces the plant’s resources, can starve the roots. This must be done persistently over several years. Mowing is not a substitute for pulling, as it doesn’t cut the weed at the soil surface. In addition, field bindweed can adapt and produce seed below the mowing height. Shallow tillage (2-4 in. depth) can also be effective. Similar to hand-pulling, tillage needs to be persistent over several years but can lead to increased soil erosion. Field bindweed lacks shade tolerance, so growing a thick canopy of a taller species, spreading mulch, or tarping the soil surface are also good control measures.
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