How do you remove Jacob's Ladder

by Vanessa Vidas
(Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)

I planted this spreading plant in the garden several years ago and am now trying to remove it but it is so pervasive. Any suggestions you have would be most welcome.

Vanessa Vidas

Doug says good luck. This self-sowing biennial will indeed turn into a pest if left unchecked. Start by pulling out the adults and all babies. Keep pulling out the adults and all babies. It should only take year or three to eliminate all plants and seeds. Remember though that if you allow a plant to set seed, you'll be starting this all over again.

And like all self-sowing or aggressive plants, there isn't a "chemical" organic or otherwise you can use in the garden to stop just one or two plants from setting seed. Particularly large seed from this plant - even organic corn gluten won't work on this one because the seed is large and vigorous.

A heavy mulch will stop seed from germinating.

But bottom line - start weeding. Sorry