Virginia creeper taking over vegetable garden

Question: Good evening, we have had a Virginia creeper issue on our property forever. Just now I’m seeing it spread into my garden ten fold. Usually I pull the root out as best I can or we mow over the shoots if we don’t notice it. Now I’m unsure how to handle since it’s spreading in my garden. I can’t really use a weed killer if I have to plant my seed and transplant my plants. Do you have any advice on how to handle?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 19, 2023, 7:40 AM EDT
response: Jannel, Thank you for the question. Yes, you have a problem! Glyphosate is a contact herbicide so you can use it to spray those new shoots without causing a problem for your vegetables to be planted later. Glyphosate is more effective later in the season but you will want to give it a try now. Here is the info from the University: Control of the woody vines Virginia creeper and wild grape are somewhat similar. Glyphosate applications are best applied from late August through late September but before a frost. If it is growing among other desirable plants, one will need to be very careful when treating these vines with glyphosate or any other broadleaf herbicide to avoid injuring or killing them. Where they are growing among desirable plants and the above mentioned controls would be too risky, these vines can be cut off near the soil line and the stumps treated with a combination of glyphosate or triclopyr or a combination of the two. These treatments can be performed from late summer all the way through late fall and generally provide good control come the following spring. Paul Tree Care Advocate volunteer

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 19, 2023, 9:33 AM EDT
response: Now one more question if you don’t mind! Glyphosate…..if that is roundup…that shouldn’t affect me being able to plant my vegetables this year, should it? Does that only last a few days so if I wanted to get my seed and plants in this coming week I should be good?   Also I guess two more questions, the glyphosate will indeed work on the shoots? It doesn’t need to be just the root of the vine?   Thanks sooooo much!!  Sent from my iPhone  On May 19, 2023, at 6:40 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:    ﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 19, 2023, 10:35 AM EDT
response: Jannel, Roundup is a brand of herbicide with glyphosate. Many others now sell herbicide with glyphosate, typically for less. It is a contact herbicide - so what you spray it on is what gets killed. It does not kill the soil so you are ale to plant those veggies. Do be cautious when spraying. 1. A breeze can cause drift to nearby desirable plants. 2. Don't apply excessively on those shoots such that you saturate the garden soil around them. On larger vines, I would cut them off near ground level and then immediately treat the cut surface with glyphosate. A small paint brush works well for this avoiding over spray and reduces amount of herbicide needed. It may only stunt those old, large stems because herbicide application is more effective later in the season but it's worth a try now. If they re-sprout treat again. Caution: Always follow the label! Paul