Know your weed killer!
04-12-2015, 12:16 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
And that is exactly the reason Monsanto is so powerful-they put a LOT of money into politicians' pockets. Monsanto is, unfortunately, a necessary evil for most farmers-they are very close (despite their claims) to being a monopoly.
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...135253110.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...135253110.html
04-12-2015, 06:00 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 449
"....are we all ready to grow our own produce, raise our own meat products, weave our own cloth? Aren't those places called third world countries? Most of us would not survive without stores...…"
not necessarily, much of Europe still exists like this, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Greece, to name a few. Russia and Most of europe has been boycotting and trying to ban Monsanto from coming in and setting up GMO crops, its been a long hard battle but they are winning, although Monsanto won't stop, they are finding GMO crops in Europe that weren't planted there or allowed, Monsanto still insists on opening up big headquarters throughout Europe and they continue to fight them off. Much of Europe has banned most of the pesticides and herbicides that we use all over this country, along with GMO.
There should be and are alternatives to the disgraceful poisoning of our ecosystems, animals, and produce. but its big business, and heavily infiltrated into the political processes of this country.
not necessarily, much of Europe still exists like this, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Greece, to name a few. Russia and Most of europe has been boycotting and trying to ban Monsanto from coming in and setting up GMO crops, its been a long hard battle but they are winning, although Monsanto won't stop, they are finding GMO crops in Europe that weren't planted there or allowed, Monsanto still insists on opening up big headquarters throughout Europe and they continue to fight them off. Much of Europe has banned most of the pesticides and herbicides that we use all over this country, along with GMO.
There should be and are alternatives to the disgraceful poisoning of our ecosystems, animals, and produce. but its big business, and heavily infiltrated into the political processes of this country.
04-12-2015, 06:16 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern, Utah
Posts: 973
Vinigar with a small amount of Dove soap added can get rid of a lot of weeds. If you have an area with weeds that you don't want to plant again use 1 gal vinigar 2 cups epsom salts and 1/3 cup dove soap.
04-12-2015, 07:11 AM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,453
Originally Posted by nativetexan
I still see commercials with professionals spraying someone's lawn, wearing regular clothing and shoes and walking forward as they spray for weeds, bugs, etc. When i spray for dandelion's, I walk backward and don't spray on windy days either. I hate chemicals but do use them. carefully.
04-12-2015, 08:21 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SW Washington USA
Posts: 4,388
another area where we can do something as individuals is to quit using household cleaners with phosphates
Our beloved dishwashers with their high phosphate content soaps...
"The category got a lot less sleepy in July 2010 when, for environmental reasons, several states banned the use of phosphates as an ingredient in dishwasher detergent. (Phosphates can cause algae overgrowth in lakes and ponds, disrupting the ecosystem.)" from http://www.slate.com/articles/busine..._of_2011_.html although the same info is on hundreds of websites.
An area of my state (spokane washington) was one of the areas were it was banned. My SIL orders it in from other states. Are we, here, willing to forgo convenience for healthy ecosystems? I doubt it, far easier to shout about what someone else is doing wrong.
Our beloved dishwashers with their high phosphate content soaps...
"The category got a lot less sleepy in July 2010 when, for environmental reasons, several states banned the use of phosphates as an ingredient in dishwasher detergent. (Phosphates can cause algae overgrowth in lakes and ponds, disrupting the ecosystem.)" from http://www.slate.com/articles/busine..._of_2011_.html although the same info is on hundreds of websites.
An area of my state (spokane washington) was one of the areas were it was banned. My SIL orders it in from other states. Are we, here, willing to forgo convenience for healthy ecosystems? I doubt it, far easier to shout about what someone else is doing wrong.
04-12-2015, 09:21 AM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Live Oak, Texas
Posts: 6,133
Originally Posted by vschieve
I read once a few years ago there is a way to deter the weeds from coming back in the spring. I printed the method and filed it away and would have to search for it at this point, but what it entailed was two different spreading applications of natural substances about 2 weeks to a month apart when rain would not be imminent. Like first layer in late January or early February and second layer following. All I can remember at this point is that one of the applications had corn meal in the mixture. Supposedly what this does is suffocate or smother out the seeds from germinating that were dropped into the ground from last years weed crop. I have seen a mixture in bags at Lowe's that has the corn meal for the lawn. Anyone familiar with this?
04-12-2015, 09:43 AM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 1,920
Similar thing w/corn. My husband walks a rural route wherein the sprayer unloads weed killer on weed & ground and drops the corn seed at the same time. The seed germinates in these chemicaled soils and then we ingest them when we eat the corn.
Several years ago Monsanto (I think the source for RoundUp) sued a farmer for using seed he'd save from his crop of the previous crop. Needless to say, no corn or corn products in my home.
Folks on Pinterest are suggesting full-strength white vinegar as a weed killer. Will be using it this summer.
Several years ago Monsanto (I think the source for RoundUp) sued a farmer for using seed he'd save from his crop of the previous crop. Needless to say, no corn or corn products in my home.
Folks on Pinterest are suggesting full-strength white vinegar as a weed killer. Will be using it this summer.
Last edited by Suz; 04-12-2015 at 09:46 AM.
04-13-2015, 04:17 AM
#49
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,181
We don't use anything like that. I had Ivy growing where I didn't want it to grow. I tried pulling and digging it out, I ended up pouring a gallon of white vinegar on it and it killed it but now I have dandelions growing. I will try it on them. Would probably work on our gravel driveway.
04-13-2015, 11:28 AM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
We don't use anything on our lawn either. I don't mind dandelions (our bunnies and chickens love them) but the really bad weeds, we just pull. Like those dang stick-tight things that get on everything-I try to pull those when they're small and don't have stickers yet. We don't use any fertilizer either. It just fends for itself. lol.
But as far as the food supply, we're at the mercy of what the farmers use.
But as far as the food supply, we're at the mercy of what the farmers use.
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