I would like to grow a vegetable garden, but...?

Question

...I have a poison ivy problem. I live in the Mid-Atlantic.
First, how do I get rid of the poison ivy problem without harming the surrounding vegetation and soil?
Second, does the land need time in between the eradication of the poison ivy and propogation?
Third, should I use any composting material after eliminating the poison ivy or will this be irrelevant with regards to the poison ivy? And...
Fourth, how concerned should I be about this poison ivy problem in light of beginning a vegetable garden? After all, the vegetables are going to eventually go into the stomachs of my family and I am concerned for any poison ivy "residuals".

Please, only serious responses will be welcomed and professionals/educators are a bonus.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Poison ivy roots, in particular, contain high concentrations of urushiol. Urushiol does degrade over time but this is one plant that needs to be removed fairly thoroughly. One idea might be to sheet compost the area after the plants are removed. Til some fresh compostable material like manure into the soil. That will help heat up the site. Cover the area with clear plastic. This can bring soil temps over 100 F if there is a lot of sun like you need for a garden site.
Solarization instructions
http://ag.arizona.edu/gardening/news/articles/12.8.html
http://groups.ucanr.org/Soil/Statewide_Soil_Solarization_Ma/
This should degrade the poison but it will also kill off all the beneficial soil organisms. So will using glyphosate herbicides like Roundup nor does Roundup vanish as fast as advertised. Read this before using.
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/actives/glyphosa.htm
"However, while glyphosate alone has low toxicity, the formulation of glyphosate with the surfactant polyoxyethylene amine (POEA), which is widely used, is significantly more toxic." "Some soil invertebrates including springtails, mites and isopods are also adversely affected by glyphosate. Of nine herbicides tested for their toxicity to soil microorganisms, glyphosate was found to be the second most toxic to a range of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and yeasts"

Poison plants Agri-Food Canada website:
http://res.agr.ca/brd/poisivy.html
Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Its Cousins, by Isadora Stehlin, U.S. Food and Drug Administration website:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_ivy.html; 4
Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Information Center website : http://poisonivy.aesir.com/.

Answer 2

I would ask also if the area has full sun?

Poison ivy will not leave any residual in the soil, the itchy chemical is in the leaves.

Digging up poison ivy may not eliminate it entirely. I would use Round Up -- spray the area and wait two weeks. If any PI is still green, spray again. Repeat until it is all dead. Use gloves to remove the dead leaves and stems -- do not burn them as the itch inducing oils will be in the smoke. Best to dispose in garbage. Once vegetation is removed, cover the area with 5-6 layers of moist newspaper and 1-2 inches of compost to stifle any regrowth.

Two weeks after use, Round up is no longer in the soil and you can plant. It should be used when plants are actively growing, so use it now and you will be ready for spring.

Answer 3

My first question would be, does the garden spot get enough sunlight. Generally poison ivy doesn't grow in full sun where gardens need to grow. Other than that put on a good set of gloves and dig/hoe up the offending plants. I prefer to do this in late winter (it's kinda late in the year to be starting a garden unless your looking to do a fall or herb garden) and let it rest until last frost. Hoe in compost and plant your garden. I like to use the raked up leaves as a mulch, I rake them in a pile then mow them under. Then rake them over the garden, just wait until your seeds come up. Good luck.