Step 1. Correctly identify your plant.
This biennial plant puts up a flowering stalk and grows tall in its second year of growth. It can reach heights of 4 to 8 feet tall.
It has large heart shaped leaves. The upper surface of the dark green leaves is smooth, while the under surface is hairy.
The numerous flowers are rounded and can be pink to purple. Flowers are enclosed in a prickly bur. The flower spines hooked at the end were inspiration for Velcro.
Photo credit: https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/ and https://www.ediblewildfood.com/
Step 2. Choose your method.
Hand pulling or digging is effective, be sure to remove at least the top 2-4” of root.
Seed any large patches of bare ground with native seed to prevent future weeds.
Step 3. Repeat.
Treatment should continue for a few seasons since the seed in the soil is believed to still be viable after 2 to 3 seasons.
To learn more about the biology of Common burdock visit the web page below.