My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah, yeah,
yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till and
till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what it
comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd like to
know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or will it stay
in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control that is plant
friendly would be appreciated.

Steve

"SteveB" wrote in message
...
I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what
it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd
like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or
will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control
that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

I've had luck keeping Timothy grass at bay by using layers and layers of
paper and cardboard, with mulch (leaves and grass) on top. I have to
re-paper it in the fall, as the grass does tend to find a way to survive,
but it keeps the grass down during the growing season. If you do this for a
few seasons the grass may eventually become stressed enough that it just
dies altogether.
--S.

On May 22, 1:06*pm, "SteveB" wrote:
My garden is weedy. *I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. *Yeah, yeah,
yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. *Stuff that has a
spreading root system. *Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. *I till and
till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. *I have heard that it only kills what it
comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. *I'd like to
know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or will it stay
in there after I plant. *Other suggestions for weed control that is plant
friendly would be appreciated.

Steve

Anything other than a Monsanto chem. 4 x 8
sheets of plywood laid over the plot to smother
the weeds would be effective -- and lay out perfect
garden beds at the same time.

"SteveB" wrote in message
...
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till
and till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them
all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what
it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd
like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or
will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control
that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

Steve



What will you be planting, Steve?

SteveB wrote:
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah, yeah,
yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till and
till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what it
comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd like to
know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or will it stay
in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control that is plant
friendly would be appreciated.

Steve




If it's really Bermudagrass, the only way to get rid of it is to move
That said, Roundup works great in a vegetable garden.

Have you considered "no till" gardening? If your ground is full of weed
seeds, when you till it they will wake up and you'll get a fresh crop of
weeds.

Consider spot-treating the perennial grasses with Roundup, digging up
the thistles and dandelions, and contolling the rest with mulch.

Best regards,
Bob

On 5/22/2009 10:06 AM, SteveB wrote:
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah, yeah,
yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till and
till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what it
comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd like to
know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or will it stay
in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control that is plant
friendly would be appreciated.

Steve



In contact with the soil, Roundup decomposes and is no longer effective
after about 3 days.

I don't use Roundup broadly. I have used it to spot treat certain
weeds, most recently Scotch thistle. Neighboring plants were not
affected.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

In article ,
zxcvbob wrote:

SteveB wrote:
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah, yeah,
yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till and
till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what
it
comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd like to
know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or will it stay
in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control that is plant
friendly would be appreciated.

Steve




If it's really Bermudagrass, the only way to get rid of it is to move
That said, Roundup works great in a vegetable garden.

Have you considered "no till" gardening? If your ground is full of weed
seeds, when you till it they will wake up and you'll get a fresh crop of
weeds.

Consider spot-treating the perennial grasses with Roundup, digging up
the thistles and dandelions, and contolling the rest with mulch.

Best regards,
Bob

Before using Roundup in your garden, you may want to look at
http://todayyesterdayandtomorrow.wor...ensored-news-t
he-lethal-dangers-of-roundup-made-by-monsanto/ . Bermuda grass is a
tough nut to crack. Roundup may be the only cure for Bermuda grass but I
wouldn't want to eat from the garden it was used in. You might try
solarization (clear plastic), but it won't help you for this year but
you might be able to clear an area for next year. Throwing cardboard at
it may eventually exterminate it, if you are vigilant. You may not
wipeout the Bermuda grass but you should be able to get a harvest.
And heads up on thistles and dandelion, they have deep taproots and
improve poor soil. See:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants....cum+officinale
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion

You might want to identify the thistle before you pull it.
http://www.pfaf.org/database/search_...LNAMES=thistle
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En2TzBE0lp4

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050688.html

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
"SteveB" wrote in message
...
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till
and till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them
all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what
it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd
like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or
will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control
that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

Steve



What will you be planting, Steve?

Tomatos, peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash .......... whatever.

"SteveB" wrote in message
...
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till
and till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them
all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what
it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd
like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or
will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control
that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

Steve

If you're asking will it kill plants that you plant where you sprayed - no.
It only kills what it lands on.

"SteveB" wrote in message
...
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till
and till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them
all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills what
it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil. I'd
like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas, or
will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed control
that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

Steve

Steve

We have a weedspray on our domestic market made from pine oil which
dehydrates weeds that is certified organic. Not sure if any use to you or if
available in your part of town. Worth a squiz though he. This stuff is not
systemic so will require reapplication but might knock down grasses to the
point where they give up and die. Will not poison your soil I believe.

rob

http://www.eproducts.co.nz/index.cfm...tor/index.html

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Cons...-control-weeds

"SteveB" wrote in message
...

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
"SteveB" wrote in message
...
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till
and till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them
all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills
what it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil.
I'd like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas,
or will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed
control that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

Steve



What will you be planting, Steve?

Tomatos, peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash .......... whatever.


OK. Here's where Roundup discussions always get interesting, so pick and
choose which of the responses you believe. A pair of dice is helpful, since
that roughly matches the science behind human exposure to agricultural
chemicals.

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/DMPGR.php

In my opinion, the only way to determine whether ag chemicals are safe
around humans is to test those chemicals in the same way as drugs. In other
words, dose living volunteers with the stuff. For all intents and purposes,
that never happens, although someone in this group once showed an exception.

If you're growing food at home, what's the point of taking the same risks as
commercial farmers and exposing yourself to chemicals which have not and
will never be tested for safety? Why do all that work to end up with
essentially the same result?

Use mechanical methods to deal with weeds, like the suggestions about
cardboard & mulch.

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote
"SteveB" wrote in message
...

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
"SteveB" wrote in message
...
My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know.

I have what seems to be Bermuda grass or a variant. Stuff that has a
spreading root system. Hundreds of other garden variety weeds. I till
and till, and rake out the weeds and roots, but I know I won't get them
all.

I use Roundup on my 2+ acre spread. I have heard that it only kills
what it comes in contact with, and doesn't work once it hits the soil.
I'd like to know if it is safe to use in the garden on the weedy areas,
or will it stay in there after I plant. Other suggestions for weed
control that is plant friendly would be appreciated.

Steve



What will you be planting, Steve?

Tomatos, peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash .......... whatever.


OK. Here's where Roundup discussions always get interesting, so pick and
choose which of the responses you believe. A pair of dice is helpful,
since that roughly matches the science behind human exposure to
agricultural chemicals.

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/DMPGR.php

In my opinion, the only way to determine whether ag chemicals are safe
around humans is to test those chemicals in the same way as drugs. In
other words, dose living volunteers with the stuff. For all intents and
purposes, that never happens, although someone in this group once showed
an exception.

If you're growing food at home, what's the point of taking the same risks
as commercial farmers and exposing yourself to chemicals which have not
and will never be tested for safety? Why do all that work to end up with
essentially the same result?

Use mechanical methods to deal with weeds, like the suggestions about
cardboard & mulch.


Every three years I treat my 12' wide by 600' long crushed stone driveway
plus two parking aprons with Roundup Pro Concentrate, that area is roughly
1/6 acre. I mix and spray 3 gallons of roundup pro concentrate, last time
was two years ago and it cost more than $300 (would cost $400 now) and most
of a day's labor with a 3 gallon manual pump sprayer and a lot of sweat
mixing and lugging on a hot sunny day (didn't feel the investment in a power
roadway sprayer was worth it for one time every 3 years). It would cost
roughly $2,400 to treat 2 acres of unwanted lawn with Roundup... and I
seriously doubt vegetables would grow there for at least a year... I know
from personal experience that the effect of Roundup continues for a long
time, that's why I can get by with an application every three years... it's
been two years now and vegetation is starting to move in enough that now I
mow my driveway.

I don't believe SteveB has a 2 acre garden, in fact I don't believe he has
any size garden or has ever had any garden, and probably once he wakes up
from his beer fogged trailer trash dream and realizes what gardening is
about he will never have a garden... no one who has a 2 acre garden (that's
a farm, folks) would ever ask such questions about killing grass and weeds
with Roundup defolient... a person could feed a family of four with veggies
from the market for two years for the price of enough Roundup to treat 2
acres. A person can easily feed a family of four (and two other families of
four) veggies all year from a 1/16 acre garden and not pay a cent for any
chemicals whatsoever... Steve couldn't afford to treat a 2 acre garden with
H2O. When I read of people with their claims of 4 1/2 acre and 2 acre
gardens (none have ever posted a photo) I seriously wonder if folks here
have any concept of what's an acre of garden.

brooklyn1 wrote:

I don't believe SteveB has a 2 acre garden, in fact I don't believe he has
any size garden or has ever had any garden, and probably once he wakes up
from his beer fogged trailer trash dream and realizes what gardening is
about he will never have a garden... no one who has a 2 acre garden (that's
a farm, folks) would ever ask such questions about killing grass and weeds
with Roundup defolient... a person could feed a family of four with veggies
from the market for two years for the price of enough Roundup to treat 2
acres. A person can easily feed a family of four (and two other families of
four) veggies all year from a 1/16 acre garden and not pay a cent for any
chemicals whatsoever... Steve couldn't afford to treat a 2 acre garden with
H2O. When I read of people with their claims of 4 1/2 acre and 2 acre
gardens (none have ever posted a photo) I seriously wonder if folks here
have any concept of what's an acre of garden.



He never said he had a 2 acre garden. He said he has 2+ acres and uses
Roundup, and he's getting ready to put in a garden.

I had a 1/4 acre garden when I lived in Texas. (and I used RoundUp to
spot treat the Bermudagrass that kept sneaking in.) It was a huge
garden (IMHO) and was pretty much unmanageable until I discovered drip
irrigation.

Bob

"zxcvbob" wrote in message
...
brooklyn1 wrote:

I don't believe SteveB has a 2 acre garden, in fact I don't believe he
has any size garden or has ever had any garden, and probably once he
wakes up from his beer fogged trailer trash dream and realizes what
gardening is about he will never have a garden... no one who has a 2 acre
garden (that's a farm, folks) would ever ask such questions about killing
grass and weeds with Roundup defolient... a person could feed a family of
four with veggies from the market for two years for the price of enough
Roundup to treat 2 acres. A person can easily feed a family of four (and
two other families of four) veggies all year from a 1/16 acre garden and
not pay a cent for any chemicals whatsoever... Steve couldn't afford to
treat a 2 acre garden with H2O. When I read of people with their claims
of 4 1/2 acre and 2 acre gardens (none have ever posted a photo) I
seriously wonder if folks here have any concept of what's an acre of
garden.



He never said he had a 2 acre garden. He said he has 2+ acres and uses
Roundup, and he's getting ready to put in a garden.


He certainly did refer to his 2 acre garden... why would someone mention 2
acres in reference to a garden when they are putting in say a 10' X 10'
plot?!?!? Actually he did say he already has a garden, a "weedy" garden
_"My garden is weedy. I'm tilling it and preparing it to plant. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I waited a long time, I know."_ He led folks to believe he has
a 2 acre garden that is all weedy and he was asking if it was okay to get
rid of the weeds in his garden with Roundup... it is quite clear that his
intent was to lead folks to believe he has a weedy 2 acre garden. Had he
truly wanted suggestion about how to weed his garden (which many offered) an
honest person would have said right from the gitgo what size area (he said 2
acres), otherwise no one could offer help except some generalizations and
mostly wild speculation. Just like the last person who boasted that she
had a 4 1/2 acre garden but when I asked her to post pictures of her garden
she didn't deny it but instead posted pictures of all sorts of things but
none of any garden (probably a neighbor's property). People on usenet are
smarmy, they make all sorts of wildly exaggerated claims and tell down right
lies... very few are who they say they are. Many of the pictures folks post
are not of their garden and/or not of anything they themselves did. It's
easy to post a picture of someone elses garden, or some landscaper was paid
to do and then claim they did it, and cameras are very portable so anyone
can take a shot of a garden across town, and it's very easy to lift an image
off the net... when someone posts a pictures of fully cropped flowers I
wonder where they stole those images.

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
news:KURRl.1176
If you're growing food at home, what's the point of taking the same risks
as commercial farmers and exposing yourself to chemicals which have not
and will never be tested for safety? Why do all that work to end up with
essentially the same result?

I always wonder the same thing. I hear so often of people growing their own
vegetables because they don't want the chemical-laden crap that you get tat
the store, yet they plant them in plots that have been chemically treated,
and sometimes even use pesticides around them. Why not just save the
expense and trouble and get them at the store?
--S.