Connect
← Return to Let's Talk about Gardens
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@gingerw Roundup (glyphosate) is a non-selective herbicide, it kills what it touches, whereas Weed-b-Gone is selective and only kills the listed plants.
There is a great deal of debate about glyphosate, with lawsuits and all that. I tend to be pretty much a non-chemical gardener but I understand there are times when a specific pesticide may be the least-bad solution. Of all the non-selective herbicides on the market for either home or professional use, glyphosate is among the least toxic and one of the least persistent. It is less toxic to the soil than industrial strength vinegar and table salt, which are often promoted as alternatives by people who object to pesticides. That said, it is still a chemical to be handled with great care and used according to directions and with proper precautions.
I am a University trained Master Gardener and research nerd - my mind was changed about glyphosate after I took a class where it was discussed as a controversial and emerging issue. We were given a lot of research material to peruse, and I did a lot of studying. We were encouraged to make up our own minds based on our own studies and conscience - we were not told what to believe or say.
I still try EVERY other solution first, but do resort to Roundup rarely, like when fighting buckthorn, oriental bittersweet and poison ivy in my yard.
I realize that each gardener in this group has their own opinion about glyphosate and other chemicals - if you want to share yours, please let's keep it fact-based and respectful of others' beliefs.
Happy gardening
Sue
Replies to "@gingerw Roundup (glyphosate) is a non-selective herbicide, it kills what it touches, whereas Weed-b-Gone is selective..."
Connect
@sueinmn I do not like to use the super-duper stuff if not needed, and try to be gentle on our Earth. But the north slope of our property has a blackberry jungle. There is a volunteer pine tree trying to survive, plus some fiddlehead ferns. In early January the power company removed a dead maple that threatened to take out power lines, so it opened up some nice space. As in, the blackberries figured it was all for them! We have hauled out most of the rounds of wood, and need to chain up and drag the balance out with the Jeep. Previous owners actually fed the blackberries fertilizer and water! The soil here is pretty adverse to normal plantings, as it has a lot of clay, but I will give it a try.
@jimhd Thanks for that info. I feel guilty that I cannot do what I would like to, given physical/emotional limitations. Doing as much as possible without wiping me out is a daily variable! As of this morning the blackberries are almost gone, thanks to a hard-working young man from the town [posted in gratitude group].
@parus Here, I'll help you down. Soapbox? nah! I can barely manage a step!
Ginger