I disagree. I agree that it will come back, but poison ivy is perhaps the most sensitive plants to Round up. You can apply two drops on three leaves with a small paint brush, and the whole plant dies. I was able to eliminate it from my blackberries without losing a single bramble. Once the plant dies (3-4 weeks after painting), cut it at the base so it falls to the floor and starts rotting. But I would not plant carrots, lettuce or turnips in there the first year, only stuff that is well elevated, tomatoes, pole beans or cucurbita with a trellis, collard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, okra, pepper, eggplant. PI usually grows in good soil. You could also lay down cardboard and mulch, and punch holes just for the plants. That will separate you from the PI, but pay attention not to touch the trowel blade while you plant. This second method is probably as good as the first.

Several studies have shown that either the glyphosphate in Roundup, or the surfactant in it that allows it to penetrate and kill the plant, is highly lethal to amphibians, and and to earthworms. Other studies have shown that it interfers with hormones and damages human placental cells, and possibly the placental cells of other mammals (you wouldn't want to spray it anywhere near where farm animals graze). It can inhibit mycorrhizal fungi (a bacteria that helps plants take up vital nutrients), and there are reports it can kill beneficial insects like parasitic wasps and lacewings. I have not read anything about using it around septic beds, but given that it is implicated in harming or inhibiting many organisins, including bacteria, I'd not recommend using it there. Ditto for your well area. I would suggest you rethink your desire to get rid of the clover too. Clover has been rebranded a weed only since the developement of broad leaf weed killers. Prior to that it was a very much desired addition to lawns because of it's ability to remain green throughout the heat and drought of summer. It also fixes nitrogen, allowing a healthier grass growth, which in turn discouraged other weeds. I've never read anything about poison ivy and veggies. Even if the veggies can't take up the urushiol, it can't be good to garden in poison ivy :-) Poison ivy is a pain in the a**!!!!! Most people don't have a reaction to it the first time they come into contact with it, so your experience is normal. It takes one or two exposures to become sensitized to it first. Lots of people also report that dogs don't have problems with it, but they can get the oils on their fur which then become a problem for you when you pat the dog. You can keep it to a minimum if you are dilligent about pulling it up as soon as you see it. Since you just moved, you might have a lot right now. You can buy cheap gardening gloves at a dollar store and latex gloves at a drug store. Use both! Put your feet into a couple of trash bags (might want to use two or three layers if they're thin), and tape them shut as high as they'll go and you're fairly well (and cheaply) protected form the oil. Throw out the gloves and trash bags inside another trash bag. You can also pick up some cheap clothing at a local thrift shop - wear it while removing it and them throw it away. By removing what you can see, you'll cause a growth spurt from any remailing stuff, but if you repeat the process every week or two for this summer, you'll have gotten rid of most of it without having had to resort to Roundup. Check nearby trees and undergrowth for old vines - they're hairy. If they're too big or high to remove easily, just hack through them and remove what you can - the rest of the higher up stuff will die and be out of the way so you won't need to worry about it. It sounds like a great place though! You're so lucky to have that much room! A lot of work to bring it into shape, but that's half the fun :-) BP

Unfortunately, the vines will have to be handled at some point, even if you kill it first with Jeff's suggestion. Before you start removing the vines, go to your local drug store or Wal Mart and get some stuff called Technu. It's a product to bind any poison ivy oils that may have gotten on your skin. When you remove the vines, wear gloves and long sleeves. Long pants too. Tie back your hair to keep it from touching the vines, and also to keep you from brushing it back with contaminated hands while you work. Be careful not to touch your skin at any time with your gloves or any other clothing that has been exposed. As soon as you are done, strip off all your clothes and wash them in hot water. (I usually wash mine a second time, just to be sure.) Then, immediately use the Technu, and treat any areas you even think might have been exposed. Face, neck, wrists and arms, etc. Heck, treat your whole body just to be sure. Shower afterwards. I'm very allergic to poison ivy, and have even been to the ER with severe breakouts. But a few years ago someone recommended Technu to me, and I've never had a breakout if I've used Technu immediately after exposure. In a pinch, if you've been exposed to poison ivy and don't have Technu handy, wash with liquid dish detergent (such as Dawn) and hot water. Don't use regular soap, because it just pushes the oils around on your skin and can actually make things worse. You want a detergent that will cut the oils and wash them away. One last thing... wash your tools with detergent and hot water, including the handles. The poison ivy oils will remain on them if you don't, and you could end up contaminating yourself again, even months later. Wash your shoes too. And your hat. And anything else that might have come in contact with the vines.

The top one looks like cinquefoil. It's not poisonous that I know of. I've seen a lot of poison ivy, but the bottom one doesn't look like poison ivy, either