The dreaded Japanese knotweed. Digging it up might break the roots into pieces and make matters worse. To me, it seems the easiest way to destroy it is to manually remove all shoots until August, let it grow until it blooms, shoot it then with Roundup and apply Roundup to any new growth the next year. If your 10 foot patch is in the middle of a cleared area you could build a large, long burning bonfire over it to kill it immediately, but that's not practical in most cases. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Knotweed-how do I get rid of it

Ugh! Thanks for the ID. It's in the only growing area I have in my townhouse patio. I just keep plucking the shoots as soon as they sprout up. Sounds like some roundup in the fall is going to have to be the way I go.

Thanks!

I have these tiny weeds in my back garden that are so small it would take forever putting them by hand. They are starting to look like a carpet/ground cover. Does anyone know what they are and how to get rid of them? Thanks~