Published in the Contra Costa Times on September 2, 2006
 
Q. How can I get rid of bindweed? My side yard is full of it. 
 
A. With persistence and patience. This plant is a native of Eurasia that
appeared in California in the late 1800's. There are been times when it has
been called the worst weed in California, a status is has since lost to
star-thistle. The botanical name is Convolvulus arvensis, which means
'twining plant from the cultivated fields'. It is also known as field
morning glory, perennial morningglory, creeping jenny, bellbine, sheep-bine,
and corn-bind, as well as a number of unprintable names. Field bindweed is a
prostrate, vining plant with arrow shaped (hastate) leaves. The plants have
been known to climb and smother surrounding plants. The flowers resemble
small, white-pink morning-glory trumpets, about 1" wide. The rooting system
spreads deeply into the soil and laterally and explains in part why it is so
difficult to control. The roots overwinter when the leaves are dormant; can
colonize up to 10 ft of the soil in a single growing season, living for many
years. If the roots weren't enough of a challenge, the average plant can
produce over 550 viable seeds in a season. These hard coated seeds have been
known to be viable after 60years. The plant is drought tolerant, likes
heavy clay soils and neglect. 
With it's deep root system, cultivation is effective only if done every 2-3
weeks. Black plastic that completely covers the soil with no light
penetration is effective, but it takes at least three years to kill the
roots. The plants do prefer full sun, so cover cropping an area will help.
Never let plants go to seed, and pull new seedlings when they emerge in the
spring with enthusiasm. 
Given that your side yard has had field bindweed in it for a long time, I
would assume you have an abundant seed bank waiting to germinate. Clear the
area of all plants, and compost them only if you have a hot compost pile.
Cover the area with a dense landscape fabric and cover that with 4-6" of
mulch, so that all light is excluded. Next years replace the mulch as
needed, and be sure to pull any vines that creep out from the edges. You are
going to need to leave the area mulched heavily for three years. When you
decide to plant, cut through the landscape fabric and minimize the amount of
soil exposed. Check new plantings frequently for seed germination, and
remove them promptly. Herbicides are not very effective, but can be used as
a supplement to the cultural controls. The URL for the UC pestnote on
Bindweed is http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7462.html 
Applications can be downloaded for the Contra Costa Master Gardener Program
beginning in October, 2006 at http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/. Click on 'Becoming
as Master Gardener'