How to Plant Poke Berries

Cultivate a garden bed in full sun to partial shade. Pokeweed is not fussy about the type of soil. Till to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Add 3 to 5 inches of compost and incorporate it with the existing soil to increase nutrients and drainage. Rake the bed smooth to remove debris and even it out.

Sow the seed in spring, 6 to 8 inches apart in rows that are at least 12 inches away from each other. Pokeweed can grow 12 feet tall and may spread 3 to 6 feet wide. Cover the seed with a quarter-inch layer of sand. Lightly water the bed to ensure the seeds are moist.

Plant seeds in successive rows every 4 to 6 weeks so you have a continuous supply of poke leaves. Water the bed to keep it evenly moist down 3 inches.

Harvest the leaves when they are young. The larger leaves will taste bitter and have a higher percentage of toxins. Gather the young shoots with small leaves before they turn reddish. Boil for 20 to 30 minutes with a change of water in the middle of cooking. Pokeweed makes an excellent substitution for spinach in salads.

Continue growing the plant through the summer to produce the berries. Berries are toxic to all animals except birds but impart a colorful touch to a natural or woodland garden. It may be necessary to stake large plants, as they are likely to fall over under their own weight.

Propagate the plant by digging up pieces of root and planting them. The root is extremely vigorous and readily sprouts, which makes it difficult to remove the plant if you wish to do so. All traces of root must be dug up to ensure the pokeweed doesn't come back. Berries ingested by birds are seeded out and volunteer plants can pop up.