My neighbor's back yard (Zone 6b) is over run by "Mile a minute" weed
(Polygonum pefoliatum) and I am going to help her eradicate it. It's a rocky
area that lost it's tree canopy over the last few years (storm damage) and
this stuff is covering EVERYTHING. It is even choking out "Tree of Heaven"
trees. I need to get on it fast, as it's going to seed right now, and a few
plants are already are showing fully formed berries.

I'll only use herbicides as a last resort, as this area supports wells. My
plan is to stake down tarps and cover her entire back yard until next
Spring. Is this plan sound, or has someone had success with another method?

Google searches say the "seed is spread by water." What does that mean? Do
birds also eat and spread the seed? I assume this is an annual weed that
reseeds itself. Will the covering method rot the seeds on the ground,
preventing them from germinating, or do I need to follow up with a
pre-emergent herbicide in the Spring? Wholesale burning is not practical.
This site below says the seeds can persist for up to 4 years in the soil.

http://www.invasive.org/eastern/bioc...leAMinute.html

What to do? . Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Zing the Weed Warrior