Castor Bean eradication?

[jewelg]

Hi, folks- wasn’t sure where to put this thread, but since it has to do with prepping an area to build in, I figured this would work! We’ve had an unwanted castor bean plant from our neighbor’s that’s grown over our fence and pops it’s seeds all over that area. She has now cut out the plants from her side, but we still have seeds in the ground in our yard. And I planted a bunch of sweet peas on our side before we got chickens, so same issue. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them so we can add a run along that fence line? They are both so toxic to chickens.... so far, I’ve been letting them sprout and pulling up the seedlings. Think that’s the best method? I think that would mean giving that area until next spring/summer to sprout fully, ripping out seedlings as they appear. I would love your ideas if you can think of a faster method! Thanks!

 

[imnukensc]

Round Up

 

[jewelg]

Hi, @imnukensc - thanks! I don't use chemicals in our garden, so Round Up is not an option I'll utilize. Sometimes it's long road to eradication as a result...

 

[aart]

Repeated applications of some kind of vinegar/salt recipe might help,
there's a bunch of them out there, none work for long.
Will knock down the foliage, for a while anyway.

Not sure how toxic the seedlings might be, are they growing in the run area..or range area?

 

[jewelg]

Repeated applications of some kind of vinegar/salt recipe might help,
there's a bunch of them out there, none work for long.
Will knock down the foliage, for a while anyway.

Not sure how toxic the seedlings might be, are they growing in the run area..or range area?

Thanks, Aart! As I understand it, the seeds are the troublesome part of this plant. They're quite easy to pull up once they sprout, but there are sooooo many seeds... From Cornell, "If the seed is swallowed without chewing, and there is no damage to the seed coat, it will most likely pass harmlessly through the digestive tract. However, if it is chewed or broken and then swallowed, the ricin toxin will be absorbed by the intestines." Since the grit in a chicken's gizzard would grind away at the seed coat, even if they swallow the seeds whole, I think it's pretty much certain death if they eat the seeds. The leaves are also poisonous, but the toxin is in a lower concentration than in the seeds.

The seeds in our yard are along a section of the yard in which I'd like to build a run. We have so many predators that our chickens are only allowed to free range with supervision, so I keep them away from that area of the yard when they're ranging. I think the only solution is going to be time - letting the existing seeds sprout, so I can pull them up and get rid of them. The seeds casings don't seem to be a concern, based on what I've read - it's really the seed inside the casing, and the rest of the plant once it sprouts. Ugh. An opportunity to practice patience, I guess!

 

[aart]

Knew about castor beans.
Is the neighbor eradicating any sprouts on their side?

Didn't know about sweet pea being toxic.

 

[jewelg]

Our neighbor did cut out the plants themselves, but not before they popped the seeds out everywhere. @aart, you make such a good point about the sprouts on her side- I haven’t asked her but I will.

Here’s some info on sweet peas- how can something that smells so good be so poisonous?