Poison Ivy and Rhubarb - Ask Extension
I planted my great-grandfather’s rhubarb in my yard early May 2010. We gave it it’s own little garden. We rotatilled and amended the soil. We knew...
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Poison Ivy and Rhubarb #752162
Asked May 25, 2021, 9:22 PM EDT
I planted my great-grandfather’s rhubarb in my yard early May 2010. We gave it it’s own little garden. We rotatilled and amended the soil. We knew there was poison ivy 30 feet away previously but nothing was up. I got an extreme case of PI from the roots(?). The rhubarb is growing. We continue to spray the nearby area to prevent poison ivy from growing. Haven’t seen any. It’s in the neighbor’s yard, so it’s tricky. Can I eat the rhubarb? Can I transplant it and if no evidence of PI, can I eat it? Maybe I would be transplanting the PI and expose myself to it each time I pick it? Thoughts? Thanks so much! Annette
Otter Tail County Minnesota
Expert Response
Did you get the poison ivy from the rhubarb patch? Or touching the area 30 feet away? Was poison ivy growing in the rhubarb bed? Whatever you do, we of course don't want you risking poison ivy again.
There was no obvious poison ivy where I planted the rhubarb. There was poison ivy nearby, like 30 feet away, but none had sprouted yet since it was early spring. That is why we, doctors and pharmacists, thought I had gotten in to some roots. I am now wondering what I can do to use, salvage, re-locate the rhubarb. Thoughts?
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On May 26, 2021, at 7:45 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
From your descriptions, there is really no evidence that your rhubarb patch contained poison ivy. A patch 30 feet away shouldn't affect your rhubarb. Your rhubarb should be safe to eat, but to be extra cautious you may want to avoid harvesting it this year just to see if poison ivy does pop up in the garden. If a full year passes and there is no indication of this scourge in your rhubarb patch, you should be safe.
Thanks so so much!!
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On May 27, 2021, at 7:59 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
