Crown Vetch Control - Ask Extension
How do you recommend to eradicate the invasivecrown vetch? I moved to my current home a few years ago and started native garden beds and edible garden...
Knowledgebase
Crown Vetch Control #870622
Asked May 29, 2024, 4:02 PM EDT
How do you recommend to eradicate the invasivecrown vetch? I moved to my current home a few years ago and started native garden beds and edible garden beds. Our garden area is roughly 6,000 square feet. After starting, I learned that the most pervasive weed in the garden is crown vetch. I went to MN wildflowers website to make sure it was the correct vetch species and it definitely is crown vetch. According to neighbors, it has been in this yard for many years. The root system is deep. Even with a shovel I can not dig up the entire root because after I get 2 feet down, it ends up snapping. I would prefer not to use herbicide, especially where it's growing near our edible plants like our veggie beds, raspberry patch, etc. But if I have to in order to get rid if the vetch, I will.
If I continue to hand pull it whenever it pops up, will it eventually die? Or is the only realistic way of killing it permanently by using herbicide? If so, which brand should I use, and how should I apply it? I've read online that it can help to mow it before applying herbicide. I can't mow mine since it's interspersed with plants I want to keep, and it's on a slope that's inaccessible to a mower. But I could clip it with garden shears. Do I apply the herbicide to the cut stem with a paint brush? Or would a buckthorn blaster dauber tool work better? I'm nervous about spraying because of the possibility of overspraying. I am really uncertain of what method to use for removal.
I would greatly appreciate insight on whether hand pulling consistently is a viable solution or if herbicide is the only effective solution (and if so, detailed instructions on how to apply herbicide). Thank you so much for your help!!!
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
The Missouri Dept of Conservation has the most complete list of means to eliminate crown vetch. Triclopyr seems to be the most effective. You could apply it with one of the foam paint brushes to the cut portion of the stem. Please read through the information in this link: https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/crown-vetch-control