It is true confession time.
I recommend organic gardening methods, and I practice them at home. Usually, anyway. I have resorted to killing the weeds in the
lawn with a broadleaf weed killer, and I have used a non-selective chemical
herbicide on some areas where the weeds have just gotten out of control.
I recommend organic gardening methods, and I practice them at home. Usually, anyway. I have resorted to killing the weeds in the
lawn with a broadleaf weed killer, and I have used a non-selective chemical
herbicide on some areas where the weeds have just gotten out of control.
I do not like to use chemicals, but sometimes I find them
necessary to maintain order in the garden.
This winter, the weeds have been worse than usual because of the mild
weather. I tried using the chickens as
weed-controllers, and they did a fine job of mowing the weeds and fertilizing
the lawn. The problem is, if I left them
on the lawn long enough to dig up and remove the weeds, they would also dig up
the sod. So, along with healthy sod, I
have lovely green patches of extra-healthy weeds where they sojourned.
necessary to maintain order in the garden.
This winter, the weeds have been worse than usual because of the mild
weather. I tried using the chickens as
weed-controllers, and they did a fine job of mowing the weeds and fertilizing
the lawn. The problem is, if I left them
on the lawn long enough to dig up and remove the weeds, they would also dig up
the sod. So, along with healthy sod, I
have lovely green patches of extra-healthy weeds where they sojourned.
I can mow the lawn to control the weeds, but to control the
weeds, it would probably require several mowings of weeds before the actual grass
gets tall enough to mow. That will cause
pollution from the gasoline engine of the lawnmower that would probably equal
or exceed the pollution caused by the weed killer.
weeds, it would probably require several mowings of weeds before the actual grass
gets tall enough to mow. That will cause
pollution from the gasoline engine of the lawnmower that would probably equal
or exceed the pollution caused by the weed killer.
The most environmentally friendly solution would be to
abandon the lawn for a meadow, or to let the weeds grow tall without worrying
about it, or let the chickens mow the lawn constantly. None of those options suits most people,
including me, although when I no longer have children who need a lawn to play
on, I may reduce its size. Even if I let
the weeds grow tall, though, they would go to seed, which would spread more
weeds into my garden areas, where they are definitely intolerable. Maybe I should get a flock of sheep to mow
the lawn…
abandon the lawn for a meadow, or to let the weeds grow tall without worrying
about it, or let the chickens mow the lawn constantly. None of those options suits most people,
including me, although when I no longer have children who need a lawn to play
on, I may reduce its size. Even if I let
the weeds grow tall, though, they would go to seed, which would spread more
weeds into my garden areas, where they are definitely intolerable. Maybe I should get a flock of sheep to mow
the lawn…
When I apply the chemicals, I read and follow the directions
carefully. I make sure I don’t apply too
much, and I don’t put them down just before a rain so they wash away. I keep children and pets off the lawn for at
least 24 hours after their application.
carefully. I make sure I don’t apply too
much, and I don’t put them down just before a rain so they wash away. I keep children and pets off the lawn for at
least 24 hours after their application.
Part of my weed problem is due to the very warm winter we’ve
had which has allowed the weeds to grow all winter. Another reason for my problems is that in
September, we had 100 trees cut, and the sudden absence of both their shade and
the competition from their roots for moisture has allowed long-dormant weeds to
flourish. I hope my perennial garden,
also free of the competition and shade, will also flourish. I have neglected some weeding chores in favor
of preparing my newly cleared land for an orchard, and I have not been as
vigilant about getting mulch out as in past years.
had which has allowed the weeds to grow all winter. Another reason for my problems is that in
September, we had 100 trees cut, and the sudden absence of both their shade and
the competition from their roots for moisture has allowed long-dormant weeds to
flourish. I hope my perennial garden,
also free of the competition and shade, will also flourish. I have neglected some weeding chores in favor
of preparing my newly cleared land for an orchard, and I have not been as
vigilant about getting mulch out as in past years.
I don’t use weed killers on food crops, and I used them only
when I have given up hope of eliminating weeds any other way. I do not apply them routinely. I have two giant mountains of mulch from the
trimmings of the 100 trees we cut, and over the past couple of weeks, I have
spread numerous loads of mulch on paths and in flowerbeds. From my father and from a horse-keeping
neighbor, I have spoiled hay, and I am in the process of covering the garden
with it after I tilled it.
when I have given up hope of eliminating weeds any other way. I do not apply them routinely. I have two giant mountains of mulch from the
trimmings of the 100 trees we cut, and over the past couple of weeks, I have
spread numerous loads of mulch on paths and in flowerbeds. From my father and from a horse-keeping
neighbor, I have spoiled hay, and I am in the process of covering the garden
with it after I tilled it.
Next winter, I hope the wood-chip mulch, which I have put
down heavily, will still retard weeds in the paths and flowerbeds into next
winter. Winter weeds are always my
biggest problem, I think because after working hard all summer I want a break
after the frost comes, and I neglect the garden for a while, long enough for
the winter weeds to become established.
Weeds are the bane of the gardener’s existence, but in some ways, I am
thankful for their presence because they get me out into the garden, working
and exercising, and noticing all the blossoms and new growth I might otherwise
miss.
down heavily, will still retard weeds in the paths and flowerbeds into next
winter. Winter weeds are always my
biggest problem, I think because after working hard all summer I want a break
after the frost comes, and I neglect the garden for a while, long enough for
the winter weeds to become established.
Weeds are the bane of the gardener’s existence, but in some ways, I am
thankful for their presence because they get me out into the garden, working
and exercising, and noticing all the blossoms and new growth I might otherwise
miss.