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Pokeweed! #829972

Asked May 14, 2023, 4:10 PM EDT

I did not use or clean out my raised beds last year and pokeweed moved in along with other less concerning weeds. I just cleaned out the box and dug up 2 giant roots and pulled the starts. There are still chives and strawberries that came back and I was planning to plant herbs in the box this year. Should I be concerned about any residual pokeweed as I understand it is toxic.

Wood County Ohio

Expert Response

Theresa,
Thanks for your question about pokeweed.  I have included some general info that I found from Penn State Extension.  From my understanding, you have done a good job eliminating the pokeweed from your raised bed.  Since the pokeweed was relatively recent (one growing season), your raised bed should be pretty clear.  Use this info to monitor, but there should not be any residual if the taproots have been removed.
https://extension.psu.edu/common-pokeweed-identification-and-management

Common pokeweed (Phytolacca decandra) is an herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 9 feet tall. Mature plants resemble shrubs or young trees. However, the stems are not woody. Pokeweed reproduces from seeds. New leaves and roots, along with the berries, should not be eaten because they are toxic; having said that, years ago parts of the plant were used for medicinal use.

The seedlings have alternate leaves that are reddish on the underside. The new shoots that emerge each year from the taproot resemble seedlings, but are thicker and clustered together before extending laterally. A pokeweed taproot can be over a foot long and 4 inches thick. Stems of mature plants are reddish. Pokeweed produces flowers from July into early fall. The small white flowers grow on reddish-stemmed racemes (clusters of lowers grown on short pedicels). The racemes are erect or droop. The fruit are green at first and turn purple to almost black as they mature. They are very noticeable and contain a lot of red juice. Numerous birds use the fruit as a food source.

Pokeweed can be a weed in landscape beds and nurseries. First-year plants can be hand removed, particularly early in the growing season. Due to the size of the taproot, it can be difficult to eradicate once it becomes established. A non-chemical method would be to cut the plant a number of times each growing season until it exhausts the energy stored in the taproot.



I have also included this article just for general information.  The article is really written about pokeweed in the ground, not in a contained environment of a raised bed.
https://yardmanual.com/how-to-get-rid-of-pokeweed/

How to Get Rid of Pokeweed Naturally

1. Hands

Using safety gloves, pick out the weed shoots as much as possible. The idea here is to not settle only for the top part, i.e. what’s above the soil. The roots need to be eradicated. Otherwise, you’ll see these pesky plants popping up again. This method is suitable for small plants only. A garbage bag is ideal for disposing of weeds safely.

2. Digging

Digging out weeds is a better alternative to the previous method and works best for larger weeds. Using the right tools, dig a deep and wide hole, around 1 foot (12 inches) in diameter. This ensures that the whole taproot is accessible to be uprooted. A large spade is ideal for this task. A rototiller can also be used if required to loosen the surrounding soil.

3. Tools

To get rid of pokeweed, using the right tools is the key. Depending on the situation, you can switch between hand, spades, rototiller, etc. It depends on the quality of soil and how much work is needed, alongside the size of the weed.

4. Vinegar

Vinegar contains acid that acts as a natural weed killer. Spray the vinegar solution regularly on the weed. You can pour it if needed. The ideal volume is 50% water to 50% vinegar. Over time, it’ll kill the weeds.

5. Natural Sunlight

Sun helps to kill the pokeweed. Let it dry in the sun after the removal. Make sure there is no soil for regrowth. A concrete surface is preferable. The poke should die due to the sunlight. After it’s completely dry, move it to a compost bin or burn if needed.

6. Being Consistent

Frequent and consistent weed removal is crucial as it spreads quickly. Monitoring after removal and acting on any changes is needed. You can plant grass or something similar in the place of weed.

7. Raking the Soil

Rake the surrounding soil after the uprooting is over. It’s done to change the compactness of the soil. You can plant grass or any other plant there.

This article uses vinegar for controlling sprouts that may emerge in your raised bed.

https://greenpacks.org/will-vinegar-kill-pokeweed/

Pokeweed

Pokeweed is a stubborn and invasive plant that can quickly take over your garden. It has deep roots and can grow up to 10 feet tall, making it difficult to remove manually. While there are different methods to get rid of pokeweed, one common household item that people often turn to is vinegar. But the question is, will vinegar kill pokeweed?

The short answer is yes, vinegar can kill pokeweed. Vinegar is a natural and non-toxic weed killer that can be effective against a wide range of weeds, including pokeweed. This is because vinegar contains acetic acid, which is a desiccant that can dry out and kill plant tissues.

To use vinegar to kill pokeweed, you will need to follow a few simple steps:

1. Choose the right vinegar: You will need a vinegar with a high concentration of acetic acid, which is typically 10-20% strength. This can be found at most garden centers or online.

2. Apply the vinegar: Pour the vinegar directly onto the leaves and stem of the pokeweed plant. Be sure to cover the entire plant, as well as the surrounding soil.

3. Repeat the process: Depending on the size of the plant, you may need to repeat the vinegar application severl times over the course of a few weeks. This will ensure that the plant is completely killed.

See also Regrowing a Leggy Fiddle Leaf Fig: Tips for Gardening Fans

While vinegar can be an effective weed killer, it is important to keep in mind that it can also harm other plants if not applied carefully. It is best to use vinegar on a calm day when there is no wind, and to avoid spraying it on any plants that you want to keep in your garden.

In addition, vinegar may not be effective on very large or established pokeweed plants. In these cases, you may need to use other methods such as digging out the plant or using a commercial herbicide.

Vinegar can be a useful tool for getting rid of pokeweed, but it is important to use it correctly and in conjunction with other methods to ensure that the plant is completely removed. With patience and persistence, you can successfully eliminate pokeweed from your garden and enjoy a healthy and thriving landscape.

I think you have your problem under control, and do not need to worry about residuals.  Just be vigilant.





Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com Replied May 15, 2023, 9:10 AM EDT

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