Curly dock is a common weed in moist areas such as meadows, waste areas, shorelines and forest edges. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and has become one of the more invasive weeds around crops. Once mature, the leaves go from a reddish tint to brown. Seeds disperse by wind or they stick to animals or clothing. Each plant is capable of producing thousands of seeds a year.
Due to the plant’s height, mechanical control can be difficult if maturity is achieved. Cultivation is not always effective as plants can germinate from the taproot. Selective herbicides can be effective in the right applications. Non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate can be the most effective solution.
