In my recent post about weeds I mentioned using ROUNDUP. Since then an alert reader sent me this article which tells the sad story of the dangers of this chemical and the usual slow response to these dangers by regulators.
I have done some more reading about this and it turns out that, not only does Roundup pose a threat to wildlife and possibly humans, it encourages weeds that are resistant to it. Monsanto has, as a result, developed an even stronger version of Roundup and is profiting from those sales as well. In other words, we are in an escalating chemical war against weeds with Monsanto profiting along the way. Sound familiar?
Best to opt out of the chemical war altogether and pick up that garden fork. You can kill weeds with less damaging tools like a flameweeder, vinegar and some soapy mixtures, but that only gets the leaves on top. Enough applications of these may kill the whole plant but the only way to insure the removal of the weed is to dig up the whole thing, roots and/or bulbs. It may be necessary in some stubborn cases to replant things that simply smother out the weeds by their vitality.
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We don't have to garden to survive in today's world where food is easily available. We can go to public gardens to look at plantings that are more expansive and more carefully tended then we can ever accomplish in our own backyard. If we garden it is to honor nature and be a part of its miracle every day. For me, using a harsh chemical that potentially destroys a part of that natural order will create cognitive dissonance and so destroy the very essence of what I seek in gardening. So it's back to my will and the handy garden fork for me.
If you want to join me in getting rid of your old Roundup. The next hazerdous waste collection for Montgomery County will be on October 22 at the Lower Merion Transfer Station.
