The weather here in the UK has been a rollercoaster these past few weeks, with weeks of sunshine coming to an abrupt and rainy end. While this might be good news for some of your garden plants, there are others that you really don't want to be growing and thriving this summer. 

According to experts, this combination of warm soil and rain can cause Japanese knotweed to grow rapidly. This invasive plant might look harmless, but it can cause significant problems if it's not dealt with promptly. Terry Fisher from Sold has sounded the alarm about one thing that people should never do when trying to tackle this problem. 

He said: "We’ve been basking in the glorious sunshine but now the rain has made an epic return. This combination of wet and warm creates the ideal conditions for Japanese knotweed to thrive and even go into a super growth. Meaning homeowners might unearth a beast in their gardens this spring. 

"The invasive plant is a nightmare - it’s relentlessly durable, fast-growing and can cause damage to nearby structures."

Japanese knotweed tends to grow from spring onwards every year, so if you spot it in your garden, there's one thing that can make the problem a whole lot worse - so it should be avoided at all costs. 

What to do if you find Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed, which was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, can only be removed with costly specialist treatment - so do not try and get rid of it yourself. 

Terry explained: "Avoid attempting a DIY removal as you could accidentally spread it further. It requires a multi-pronged approach, often involving herbicides and potentially excavation, depending on the extent of the infestation. This is all best left to the professionals."

Is Japanese knotweed illegal? 

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, it's not illegal to have Japanese knotweed growing in your garden, but it's an offence to plant or cause to grow in the wild - and you should take steps to prevent it spreading.

Environmental authorities can also take action to control the growth if they think it's necessary. However, because it can negatively effect homes and gardens so much, most people are keen to get rid of it as soon as it's spotted.