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  • #1

    Any ideas what this is??

    Any ideas what this might be?

    My new allotment has not been used for 2 years and, when I went to dig today, there was roots like these all over the plot. They were about 3 or 4 inches below the surface. There seemed to be a central bit from which the rest of the roots had come from, which made me think something had been growing there before. But then again, maybe not.

    I've not dug up all I can find anyway so hopefully that will be the end of it.
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  • #2
    Looks like Bindweed to me but many roots can look similar.
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    • #3
      I'm not certain what it is but you need to get all of it out - and don't rotovate or you'll chop the roots up and they'll regrow.

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      • #4
        Well done in getting as much out as you can. You'll find out what it is when the bits you've missed start to grow!
        My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
        Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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        • #5
          I think it it is a combination of bindweed and couch grass (bits with the red tinge). As the others suggest dig out as much as possible as the smallest bit will start to shoot.

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          • #6
            Don't know about the wriggly woody bit but the smooth white stuff sprouting roots from the segments looks like couch. Drowned in water it makes a good but smelly liquid feed.
            Location ... Nottingham

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            • #7
              If the central bit has like a knuckle, it could well be blackberries... My first allotment had that everywhere and they were well established. I never could get it under control and moved to another plot in the end, but that was as much due to the lack of time on my part, as the extensive amount of blackberries :/
              https://nodigadventures.blogspot.com/

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              • #8
                Bindweed? The long white ropey bits look very familiar from my plot - the odd primary root was so thick it bent my fork trying to get it up.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Justcallmemrbloom View Post

                  I've not dug up all I can find anyway so hopefully that will be the end of it.
                  I do like an optimist
                  It will be back what ever it is, it always does. It's just like the bad guy at the end of the horror movie, you think he's dead then next minute he's there trying to kill you again

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                  • #10
                    Mr Bloom? *leer*

                    Looks like mainly couch grass to me. Strong roots that draw through the soil when pulled and will wrap round your hand without breaking. I've found bindweed to be white, fleshy and very fragile.

                    My other expertise is in horsetail. ... long roots that look like muddy bailer twine, will pull to a straight draw, but will snap if bent slightly.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post
                      I'm not certain what it is but you need to get all of it out - and don't rotovate or you'll chop the roots up and they'll regrow.
                      with a vengeance

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                      • #12
                        Plot holder next to mine rotovated a plot full of couch grass. He planted potatoes, onions and cabbage then left it all , imagining he didn't have to do anything else. Was painful to watch, especially while I was going through my plot with my fingertips pulling all the roots out.

                        By summer his 'crops' had disappeared and the plot was knee high in couch. By autumn he sprayed the lot off and now someone else has it, and the only thing growing are thistles.

                        Sad.

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                        • #13
                          Thanks for responses

                          Thanks for all the feedback. I've done my best to dig it all out...it's all I've done the last two weekends. Who knows if I've got it all but if any is missed it's not been through a lack of trying. Potatoes and onions in today so fingers crossed.

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