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Lilies of the valley and vegetable gardening. #867829

Asked May 09, 2024, 10:47 PM EDT

Hello, I have a formerly shady area that has lots of lilies of the valley (LOTVs). (We cut down some trees and now have more light where the LOTVs are.) I would like to do some vegetable gardening in the area where the LOTVs are. It is a large area and there are just too many LOTVs to transplant. If I clear out some LOTVs and plant various kinds of vegetables nearby, maybe within a foot or two, will the poisons/toxins from the LOTVs get transferred to the vegetables via their roots or any other way? In other words, will the vegetables be safe to eat with LOTVs growing nearby? If not, how far away would the LOTVs need to be in order for the vegetables to be safe to eat? Thank you very much for your time and help.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
The toxins in Lily of the Valley will not be absorbed into food plants.
This plant is a pest even though it is not registered as a noxious weed in MN. Accordingly do not transplant it.   https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/how-invasive-is-lily-of-the-valley.htm#:~:text=The%20lily%20of%20the%20valley,colonies%20that%20threaten%20native%20plants.
Wearing latex gloves, dig it up widely and deeply, bag it (do not compost at home), and send to your municipal compost program. Persons with heart disease, especially arrhythmias, should not be handling this plant. 
I am an MD in addition to being a Master Gardener  
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied May 09, 2024, 11:03 PM EDT
Dear Dr. Miles,

Thank you very much for your quick reply!  I really appreciate it.

With best regards,

Ron Van Rossum
 



On Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 10:03:51 PM CDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 10, 2024, 10:07 AM EDT

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