Eliminate Pokeweed For Good With These Pro Tips
Pokeweed is a persistent perennial weed that can quickly take over gardens, yards, and natural areas. With its large spreading roots and ability to regrow readily, pokeweed can be quite difficult to get rid of for good.
We'll cover mechanical removal, chemical controls, and integrated management techniques. Follow these pro tips to finally rid your property of this invasive pest plant.
What Makes Pokeweed So Challenging to Remove
To understand why pokeweed is so hard to eradicate, you first need to know a bit about its growth habits and biology:
- Pokeweed develops a long, thick taproot that can extend deep into the soil.
- Its extensive root system allows it to regrow from any pieces left behind.
- Pokeweed produces copious amounts of seeds, up to 2,000-8,000 per plant annually.
- Its seeds remain viable in soil for decades, sprouting when conditions are right.
With such prolific reproduction and its tenacious roots, pokeweed is definitely one tough weed! Removing top growth provides only temporary control unless you kill the taproot and prevent seed production.
Manual Removal Methods for Pokeweed
Hand pulling and digging up pokeweed can eliminate young plants, but mature plants with established taproots often defeat these mechanical methods. However, manual removal still has its place in an integrated strategy.
Hand Pulling
For young sprouts just emerging, hand pulling may work well. Wearing gloves, grasp stems low and gently pull up the entire plant. Remove as much of the taproot as possible. Pulling often breaks stems, leaving the taproot intact to resprout. So regular monitoring and re-pulling is required.
Digging Out Taproots
Use a spade or shovel to dig down 6-8 inches around mature pokeweed plants. Try to extract the entire taproot if possible. Place a tarp or plastic sheet around the plant when digging to contain loose soil and root fragments that may re-sprout if left behind.
Digging up taproots becomes quite difficult as plants get larger. It's most practical on younger plants up to 2-3 feet tall. For mature 8 foot plants, removal by herbicide is more effective.
Chemical Control Options for Pokeweed
While manual methods have a place in integrated pokeweed management, for established infestations chemical control is the most effective approach. Systemic herbicides that translocate down to the roots provide the best control.
Glyphosate Herbicides
Glyphosate products like Roundup are commonly used on pokeweed. Cut large mature stalks close to the ground in early summer. Then immediately apply a concentrated glyphosate solution to the freshly cut stump.
You can also directly spray glyphosate on smaller plants, thoroughly wetting the leaves and stems. Repeat applications are typically needed, spraying any regrowth once it reaches 12-18 inches tall. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles when spraying.
Other Herbicide Options
Other systemic herbicides such as triclopyr, imazapyr, and aminocyclopyrachlor are also effective on pokeweed. Consult your local agricultural extension office for specific product recommendations for your region.
Note that many herbicides are non-selective, which may damage or kill other surrounding plants. Glyphosate products are non-selective while triclopyr is selective for broadleaf plants. Carefully read herbicide labels and follow all safety precautions.
When to Remove and Control Pokeweed
Timing of pokeweed removal and treatment is important for the best results:
- Spring applications target young plants as they emerge.
- Summer spraying or cutting treats vigorously growing plants.
- Avoid fall applications once plants enter dormancy.
Hitting pokeweed early before it can reproduce gives you the best chance of long-term control. Hand pull seedlings in spring before the taproot takes hold. 3-6 foot plants are most susceptible to foliar herbicides during summer growth.
Time of Year | Control Method |
---|---|
Spring | Hand pull and dig seedlings |
Summer | Cut and apply herbicide to regrowth |
Fall | Avoid - plant entering dormancy |
Repeated Efforts Needed for Pokeweed Management
A single pokeweed removal effort will not provide long-term control. You need persistence and a commitment to follow-up.
Monitor areas closely after removal for any regrowth from root fragments. Hit small sprouts quickly with spot herbicide spraying or hand pulling before they get sizable.
You'll likely need 2-4 herbicide applications per season for 1-2 years to fully kill established plants, roots and all. It's a marathon, not a sprint!
Why Repeated Efforts Are Needed
- Mature pokeweed roots can extend 5 feet deep or more.
- Any roots left can give rise to new growth.
- Seeds in soil will continue germinating for 30-40 years.
- Prevention of seed production is key to lasting control.
Persistence pays off! Stay on top of any regrowth and you can finally eliminate pokeweed from your property.
Alternative Pokeweed Removal Methods
If chemical herbicides are a concern, there are some alternative pokeweed management options to consider:
Natural Herbicides
Vinegar or citrus-based natural herbicide products may provide control of young sprouts. Thoroughly wet all foliage to burn and desiccate plants. Results are less consistent than glyphosate, but can be useful in areas where synthetic chemicals are prohibited.
Biological Control
Certain fungi and bacteria applied to pokeweed can provide control without chemicals. These include Phytophthora palmivora fungus and Pseudomonas bacteria . These biologicals specifically target pokeweed without harming other plants.
Physical Barriers
Installing landscape fabric or weed barrier cloth can smother out existing pokeweed plants. More importantly, it blocks sunlight to prevent seeds in the soil from sprouting. This is a non-chemical preventative measure.
Integrated Pokeweed Management
The most effective long-term pokeweed control combines methods such as hand pulling, herbicide spraying, barriers to block growth, and monitoring to catch any new seedlings early before they take hold.
Preventing Future Pokeweed Growth
Pokeweed sprouts are much easier to control when small and young. Here are tips to avoid having mature plants develop in the first place:
- Remove plants before they go to seed to stop spread.
- Clean tools, boots, and tires that may spread seeds to new areas.
- Monitor areas vigilantly and remove sprouts quickly when found.
- Mulch bare areas to discourage pokeweed seeds from germinating.
An ounce of pokeweed prevention is worth a pound of control efforts down the road! Stopping seed production and dispersal is critical.
Completely eliminating pokeweed takes patience and persistence over time. But with diligence and repeated efforts to deplete the seed bank andcontrol regrowth, you can rid your property of this stubborn weed.
Follow an integrated plan that combines manual removal, proper herbicide use, barrier installation, and vigilant monitoring. Time applications appropriately for the stage of growth. Finally, focus on prevention by stopping seed production and spread to achieve lasting pokeweed control.
Use these pro tips to tackle pokeweed with confidence. With commitment to the process, you will succeed in banishing this invasive pest plant for good!