Geri B

I don't disagree that the lawn care products are toxic and long range dangerous, but, since 99% of us who have property insist on grass. And inevitably dandelions...that can be quite aggressive and one can loose the battle with them quickly....what is the alternative.....we have a veggie garden and some flower gardens, but like everyone else...much grass...that must be " maintained" to keep property values stable..........so I have a lawn service.....

Stitchnripper

I would be interested in an alternative to Round Up that works here in the deep south. I've tried all those recipes with Dawn, salt, vinegar, etc. in various combinations, some boiling, etc. It kills the green parts, but, then in a day or two it is all back like it was on steroids!! I pull as many as possible, but, anyone down here will tell you in a minute, weeds will take over again. We have done a good job in the flower beds with pine straw. that has cut down tremendously on the weeds. Weeds come up through landscape fabric, two layers with the top part of the grass/weedy part scraped off first. Go figure. So, will be interested in a good alternative.

Tothill

I have a huge old cherry tree in the middle of my front yard. The drip line covers 80% of the lawn. I flat out refuse to use any toxic chemicals that could get into the cherries.

I do not have the 'must kill the dandelions' gene. I pull them, but do not worry about them in the long run.

I also plant bulbs in my lawn.

Lastly I do not water my lawn. It usually has turned brown by the end of May and greens up again in September when the rains start.

sparkys_mom

Roundup commercials set my teeth on edge.

PB from MN

There is a great deal of misinformation available and unfortunately we have people such as Dr Oz and the media, who only like to give part of the story. Here is an article with more information:
http://www.askthefarmers.com/glyphos...-a-carcinogen/

PB from MN
A proud American Farmer

Onebyone

If you live where there is planted field nearby then you have chemicals in the air, water, and soil. Organic fields use chemicals deemed safe for the product but not for the environment. No farmer wants to waste water and food for weeds but why care about weeds in a yard? Mow or weed them short and they look just fine. Round Up works by increasing the growth of the plant so much it can't keep up with itself and dies out. Really like a turbo Miracle Gro.

Stitchnripper

That is a great article. Thanks for sharing.

bee3

"There is a great deal of misinformation available and unfortunately we have people such as Dr Oz and the media, who only like to give part of the story. Here is an article with more information:
http://www.askthefarmers.com/glyphos...-a-carcinogen/ "

This is not a scientists blog, this is a farmers daughter. A farmer who produces GMO corn. There are many modern farmers that advocate the widespread use of GMO chemicals, and pesticides. This is their living, and many are funded by these chemical companies, especially those producing GMO soybean and corn. They are going to support the use of these chemicals and downplay their impact.

Or you can read on the American Lymphoma website, and many medical websites, scientific research, and on Beyond Pesticides to read the impact these very chemicals and GMO products are having on the lives of "the everyday citizen", which in this article said is largely unaffected. Know your sources. This article advocates GMO's and pesticides.

tessagin

DH uses vinegar and dawn. For the really stubborn ones he mists them with ammonia. We've had couple really thick batches of poison ivy in our yard and use the Dawn vinegar and ammonia. DH brushed up against a small patch and didn't take him long to start itching. He immediately grabbed Dawn and started washing his hands and arms. best thing to use. Never needed the Calamine or any other lotion. [QUOTE=just_the_scraps_m'am;7160441]what bugs me the most is that there has to be a natural alternative, but apparently it doesn't make as much $$ as chemicals that kill... and if you're buying/eating organic b/c you think it's safer

cwcquilters

Round Up is a diluted form of Agent Orange.........the defoliant used in Viet Nam. That is what is being sprayed on the fields and our food. If you live near a farm that uses this make sure you stay inside or leave when this is being done. It is a definite carcinogen, skin irritant, lung irritant........and I could go on and on. Just BE AWARE !