The War on The War on Weeds

[JHC]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/rudy2toot/IMG_8855.jpg

This is my back yard. The guys that work for the golf course mow right up to our shrubbery (in the yard), both because they like Mom and her garden and, I suspect, because our weed patch of a lawn is an eyesore.

This weed patch is not an accident. I am of the opinion that fertilizers and pesticides and gas mowers and trimmers and edgers are kinda stupid. Like wearing makeup - I'm pretty without. :rofl: But seriously, have you heard about the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico?
Last time I checked, it was the size of New Jersey. It is believed that this dead zone exists because of the nitrogen run-off from agriculture and golf courses and urban lawns and gardens.
In Tampa Bay, you can find examples of some of the most prehistoric forms of life - the lancelet. For a while, the dead zone dipped right into Tampa Bay.
The Gulf of Mexico is habitat of the endangered manatee and breeding grounds for Loggerhead sea turtles.
We are already endangering our economy with more and more frequent blooms of algae known as Red Tide - it stinks, it burns your nose, it fills the beaches, makes it hard to breathe.

So, crazy or not, I'm joining this guy in the war on the war on weeds (or maybe he's just joining me): http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/the-dandelion-king/?ex=1287547200&en=1b4caf336d9f0ea4&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=OP-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M146-ROS-0410-L2&WT.mc_ev=click

I also use a push mower.

Do you think I'm (we're) out of bounds?

[Michael]

Toronto is way ahead of you...

http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/index.htm

[Americano]

Toronto is way ahead of you...

http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/index.htm

I notice the ban only applies to cosmetic use of pesticides. Taking on big ag is a different scenario and the real root of the problem. Pretty sad in a world becoming food dependent on chemical pesticides and fertilizers that eventually render growing media useless with salt deposits.

[Michael]

I notice the ban only applies to cosmetic use of pesticides. Taking on big ag is a different scenario and the real root of the problem. Pretty sad in a world becoming food dependent on chemical pesticides and fertilizers that eventually render growing media useless with salt deposits.

Can't go after big-ag if the plebs in the suburbs are doing the exact same thing.

Once the plebs are weened off their artificial chemical dependencies, then it becomes more possible to take the fight to a higher level.

One has to walk before one runs. We are at least moving in the right direction.

[Americano]

Can't go after big-ag if the plebs in the suburbs are doing the exact same thing.

Once the plebs are weened off their artificial chemical dependencies, then it becomes more possible to take the fight to a higher level.

One has to walk before one runs. We are at least moving in the right direction.

It is a shame. There are so many organic methods that cost less and do a far better job while actually enriching soil rather than depleting it.

[Michael]

It is a shame. There are so many organic methods that cost less and do a far better job while actually enriching soil rather than depleting it.
Yes, that's true. And once the 'voters' in the suburbs learn this in their own lawns and gardens, it becomes an easier 'sell' when it comes time to address 'big-ag'.

But voters that are addicted to chemical pesticides are going to be sympathetic to the claims of 'big-ag' when they say they use the same things for the same reasons (just on a bigger scale).

[JHC]

Give me a sec., I have to go get the lighter fluid...

Alright, here's the deal with big ag the way I see it: We really can't feed the people we have on earth now without using pesticides and fertilizers and genetic manipulation, using hormones and our precious antibiotics in cattle feed that are produced in pens where they not only don't live happy lives but breed disasters for all of us of all kinds.

The more organisms we add to the top of the food chain, the more miserable and tenuous is our existence.

Birth control is where it's at. That means that a free market economy based on growth of the population has got to end.

Growth of the economy could and should be based on making more enjoyable lives for a smaller population.

[Americano]

Growth of the economy could and should be based on making more enjoyable lives for a smaller population.

Always has been that way. They're called the ruling elites.

[evanescence]

:lol: i thought this thread was on a different topic.

[Evangeline]

I've always been against poisoning the earth with weed killers and pesticides. I've never put them on my lawn. When the crabgrass grows, I pull it out. If you spread poison in your yard, you also kill the ladybugs and butterflies. And the birds and other animals and pets end up ingesting poison.

And yes, the deadzone in the Gulf and other run off bodies of water. Terrible.

[Michael]

It is a shame. There are so many organic methods that cost less and do a far better job while actually enriching soil rather than depleting it.

But where's the corporate profit in that?

And that's why we have a problem here.

[evanescence]

I've always been against poisoning the earth with weed killers and pesticides. I've never put them on my lawn. When the crabgrass grows, I pull it out. If you spread poison in your yard, you also kill the ladybugs and butterflies. And the birds and other animals and pets end up ingesting poison.

And yes, the deadzone in the Gulf and other run off bodies of water. Terrible.

You pick each and every weed from your garden by hand?

[Michael]

You pick each and every weed from your garden by hand?

Why not? Farmers and gardeners have been doing that for thousands of years.

[Americano]

You pick each and every weed from your garden by hand?

You could use the Monsanto method; genetically enhanced, proprietary seed with weeds controlled by chemical pesticides sprayed right on the weeds and your vegetables. That's what you get in most markets.

[Americano]

But where's the corporate profit in that?

And that's why we have a problem here.

It is difficult to patent heirloom seeds and organic growing methods to secure those monopolies and generous government subsidies.

[evanescence]

You could use the Monsanto method; genetically enhanced, proprietary seed with weeds controlled by chemical pesticides sprayed right on the weeds and your vegetables. That's what you get in most markets.

I'm sure there must be other methods..that more people would actually use.

[Americano]

I'm sure there must be other methods..that more people would actually use.

There are but names like Miracle Grow appeal to the general public's immediate gratification desire. I live in a rural area and organic growing is beginning to dominate personal and commercial vegetable, produce and fruit growing, but decorative plants/lawns are virtually 100% chemical maintained.

[evanescence]

There are but names like Miracle Grow appeal to the general public's immediate gratification desire. I live in a rural area and organic growing is beginning to dominate personal and commercial vegetable, produce and fruit growing, but decorative plants/lawns are virtually 100% chemical maintained.

I do not use chemicals on my lawn, but may consider it in my flower bed, unless I go with the tarp instead. I may even use both.

[Americano]

I do not use chemicals on my lawn, but may consider it in my flower bed, unless I go with the tarp instead. I may even use both.

Organics, for agricultural or decorative purposes, is a lifestyle decision.

[evanescence]

It must be..since it is so time consuming. I do enjoy nature, but I have two small children. It's rather difficult to pull weeds for hours on end.

[JHC]

:lol:
I thought I'd pop in this morning to see if there was anything new. "The War on the War on Weeds", hey, that sounds good. :D

I'm sorry I wandered off.

Mom grows hot peppers and makes a spray from them to keep garden pests away and to keep neighbor kitties out.

Weed pulling, where it's done, is done by hand. Raised beds and solid boarders help.

[Americano]

:lol:
I thought I'd pop in this morning to see if there was anything new. "The War on the War on Weeds", hey, that sounds good. :D

I'm sorry I wandered off.

Mom grows hot peppers and makes a spray from them to keep garden pests away and to keep neighbor kitties out.

I like neem oil diluted in water with a couple of drops of liquid soap.

Weed pulling, where it's done, is done by hand. Raised beds and solid boarders help.

[JHC]

I like neem oil diluted in water with a couple of drops of liquid soap.

Do you grow the neem trees or is it too wet out there?

[Michael]

:lol:
I thought I'd pop in this morning to see if there was anything new.

We always enjoy your sporadic visits and we hope you are keeping well. :)

(and yes, that's the 'royal we' I tend to emply when I speak on behalf of the forum! :lol: )

[Americano]

Do you grow the neem trees or is it too wet out there?

The neem oil and powder used in my area are imported as processed goods from India and other countries. Due to the often wet spring climate here powdery mildew is a serious problem and neem oil the best organic solution found to date for fungus and leaf eating/sucking insects. Garlic and hot pepper based remedies are also used by some personal gardeners but lack the fast action and effectiveness of neem byproducts.

[JHC]

The neem oil and powder used in my area are imported as processed goods from India and other countries. Due to the often wet spring climate here powdery mildew is a serious problem and neem oil the best organic solution found to date for fungus and leaf eating/sucking insects. Garlic and hot pepper based remedies are also used by some personal gardeners but lack the fast action and effectiveness of neem byproducts.

Mom and I were going to grow our own neem tree. There is an organization called Echo that sells the seeds for all kinds of edible plants and plants useful for growing food. They sold mom the seeds and the result is a beautiful deciduous small tree with long tendrils of yellow blossoms - but not a neem tree. :lol:

[Americano]

Mom and I were going to grow our own neem tree. There is an organization called Echo that sells the seeds for all kinds of edible plants and plants useful for growing food. They sold mom the seeds and the result is a beautiful deciduous small tree with long tendrils of yellow blossoms - but not a neem tree. :lol:

It is an interesting tree useful in a wide variety of ways. You can buy (http://neemtreefarms.com/) a living 1.5' neem tree for $24.95. I prefer just opening a container of the cold-pressed oil, but have ordered some neem kernel (seed) I'll grind into a powder and use in an AACT tea as a foliar and drench application.