Crown Vetch

by Ron
(lambton County On. Canada)

I have this growing in my soybean fields and I cannot kill it it keeps coming back. Will Roundup or something kill it before the soybeans pop thru the ground. It grows along the ditch bank across the road, They used this to protect the ditch banks from eroding and has been spreading. Yours truly

Doug says this is not an ag area but the deal with crown vetch is that it is one of the most invasive plants you're going to run across. You can cultivate it out on the edges but don't let the darn thing ever go to seed or you're whipped.

Roundup will kill off the tops but not existing seed. Cultivation will also do the job and will bring the roots up for drying in the air. This is a heavily rooted plant and perfect for ditches where nothing else will grow. But it's the kudzu vine of the north. Good luck.

For home gardeners - the deal is the same thing. Never plant this in your garden as it is a spreader - a noxious plant. I happen to have it in the new garden we just purchased and I anticipate a multi-year battle to eradicate it. Starting with the backhoe next year that will dig it up (and discard the top 12 inches of soil) as we insulate the foundations of our new house.