West Union, Illinois | John Smith - When did it arrive in Southern Illinois? It's been around a long time, people just ignored it or didn't realize what it was. Once you see it, you see it everywhere. I've had several folks tell me that
At least 10 years ago, maybe 15 or more now that I think about it, I posted a picture of a pretty flower in a ditch. First one I had noticed and wondered what it was. A guy from I think Pennsylvania (east of me anyway) replied. You could almost hear him jumping up and down yelling KILL IT! KILL IT DEAD!
He was right.
It is very invasive in non-crop areas. And any part of it can kill you.
I fought it hard for 5 years or more. It was my new Johnsongrass or nightshade. I've been more successful controlling those two than Poison Hemlock.
My best luck has been 2% Crossbow with a surfactant (Dawn or similar). I used to mix in Glyphosate, but all that did was kill the competition and let it breathe easier. But you have to hit it at least twice a season. Three or four to be really successful. Because it's a biennial, grows first year, flowers and make seeds the second. You'll hit it and get the older plants. But they will kind of protect the young ones, which really take off when the old folks are gone.
I have one fencerow I no longer try to control it. It's a property line between a place I own and one I rent. Over the years the sand hill has tried to move but the fence and trees stopped it. When I bought it there was a 2-4 foot difference in elevation! I worked hard on the Hemlock. I was more successful on everything else, to the point the main thing holding the hill back is a few trees and hemlock. it stays out of the field, but has taken over the fencerow. It's crowded out the Johnsongrass! |
Poison Hemlock Herbicides
