I have a small garden bed that appears to have sprouted what I believe is death camas. I was planning to plant broccoli there, but I'm wondering if it's safe to do so given the previous growth. Is there a way to sterilize this soil to ensure I can safely grow vegetables?
2 Answers
I had never heard of death camas before this; I had to look it up! Fortunately, we don’t have it in the southeast US. Just be really careful if you're unsure—those plants can be toxic, and it's better to err on the side of caution!
Have you got a picture of the death camas when it was flowering? There are some varieties, like C. quamash, that may have white blooms, depending on where you live. That info could help identify if it’s the right plant or something else entirely.
I don’t have pics since I removed it right away to prepare for planting soon. I’m located in Colorado, zone 5b. The ones I pulled had V-shaped leaves, a dark bulb, and just smelled like soil—not like onion.