How do we get rid of poison oak/ ivy organically ?

Bonnie
by Bonnie

How do we get rid of poison ivy and poison oak in our garden plot? I’m having a hard time working in the garden because I cannot seem to get rid of this. We would love to do this organically, but if not, then we want to protect our plants and food. But I cannot continue to live on calamine lotion! So any help please?

  10 answers
  • Magnolia Mama Magnolia Mama on Aug 19, 2018

    Manually pulling it after a good, soaking rain is the most effective way that I've found. Put on a nitrile or vinyl glove and put your hand inside a plastic shopping bag. Grab the base of the plant with the bag and pull firmly but slowly to get all of the root. When you have removed the plants and root, pull the bag over the whole thing and tie the bag closed. Carefully remove gloves and wash well with cool water and Dawn soap. Warm water will one the pores in your skin and allow any oils on your skin to penetrate. Pulling plants when they are small is easier.

    • Bonnie Bonnie on Aug 19, 2018

      we pulled them out and I’m on week 3 of having poison ivy and we also have a bunch of poison oak. We inherited the plot and I think years of growing have made it think it can continue to live in our plot. I cannot garden until we get it sorted

  • Kathryn Kathryn on Aug 19, 2018

    A warning, NEVER burn trash with Poison Ivy or Oak in it. You can inhale the fumes, not good.

    • Bonnie Bonnie on Aug 19, 2018

      Yes, we have a dumpster so we pull and put in the garbage bags and throw out. We are in a community garden area... just trying to get rid of it so I can go and get some of our vegetables and weed.. but as I keep picking up the poison ivy/ oak- I’m hesitant to be in there

  • Caseyem11 Caseyem11 on Aug 19, 2018

    First wash your hands, arms and face with techno soap. Pull, pull, pull. Hoe, hoe, hoe. Cover with black plastic and let the sun and heat work their magic. Then wash again with the techno soap. Wash your clothes immediately. I had a friend who rid his yard of poison ivy by covering it up with old rugs. It looked awful but did the job. Good luck!

  • Joyce Brown Joyce Brown on Aug 19, 2018

    Pickle juice-kosher style. Pour it directly on the poison ivy and oak.

  • Magnolia Mama Magnolia Mama on Aug 19, 2018

    If you have access to goats, they eat the stuff like a delicacy. The goats suffer no adverse effects.

  • 1401470 1401470 on Aug 19, 2018

    The best way to get rid of this awful plant is with goats. They will eat the root and all so if you have a friend with goats see if they may bring a few over to spend a day clearing for you.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Aug 01, 2023

    3 cups white vinegar

    1/2 cup table salt

    1 tablespoon liquid detergent or soap (I use Dawn) for stick-to-itiveness.

    Directions

    1. Mix vinegar and salt until the salt is completely dissolved. Stir in liquid dish soap, and pour into a spray bottle.
    2. Spray onto the green growing leaves of the plants.
    3. Wait a week, then repeat on any survivors. Best time to apply: during a dry spell.

    Repeat as necessary.

  • Deb K Deb K on Apr 06, 2024

    Hi Bonnie, hope this helps. Fill a garden sprayer with undiluted white vinegar. Spray the poison ivy leaves and crown. Avoid overspray on the surrounding soil. Repeat every few days until poison ivy dieback occurs, same goes true for the poison Oak, avoid getting it on plants you love, or Cut into the ivy plants severing them, and put undiluted white vinegar on the ends and pull as they die back, repat until you get it all.

  • Betsy Betsy on Apr 06, 2024

    Hi Bonnie: I Wear protective clothing and maybe even safety glasses. 'm not sure of any organic way, but this is what I did: I use a product called Ground Clear by Ortho. However, it will kill everything it touches, so put it in a spray bottle, or buy the spray, (the refill is cheaper, $5.97 for 24 oz vs $6.97 for a gallon Search Results for ground clear at The Home Depot) and spray the leaves, top and bottom. Put a tarp on the ground to catch any overflow. Also, and this is what I did, was to cut the plant down to about 6" from the ground, putting the cuttings into a bag. Then, I got a syringe filled with the ground clear and injected the remaining stem in several places, and the top. The plant will take the poison to the roots, killing the plant. You may have to do this a couple of times, but it works.