Pesticide Free Gardening

One of the most common pesticides are Glyphosate and/or Roundup which is harmful to aquatic insects, have widely varying half-lives in soil, and have been associated with damage to the nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory system, and skin. Roundup usage is probably endangering the health of the person using it and damaging the very crops they are trying to protect. Although Roundup will most likely bind to the soil particles where it is applied and stay there for months or years, it can also migrate from those particles to adjacent soil or water, where it will damage seeds, worms, ladybugs, etc. Depending on your method of application, it may await you in your salad. In Monsanto’s own tests, Roundup was found on lettuce five months after it was applied.

Fortunately, Roundup is not the only or best response to invasive grass. Healthy soil is alive with bacteria and organisms that break down organic matter, make nutrients available for plant uptake and aerate the earth. In organic lawn care, gardeners nourish the soil instead of using chemicals– which decrease soil’s biological activity. A chemical-free lawn may mean a lighter green colour and longer grass. But you’ll have a lawn that’s healthier for you and the environment.

The main methods for organic weed control are:

1. Mulch is an additional surface layer that suppresses weeds by excluding light - the most important method of organic weed control. It’s also used as an aid to plant culture.
   You can also use sheet mulch to reclaim rough land - while at the same time you can plant through the sheet.
   It’s no opt-out to do nothing - how I love to hear that - if you really don’t have time to tackle part of your garden, leave it and don’t worry. Weed cover protects soil and growing roots improve drainage. Before seed dispersal try to scythe them down for composting.
2. Gardening Tools. Yes, that’s right use good old fashioned human powered tools to do the job. It does help to have the right tools for the job. You can find a good description of different tools for different jobs at ergonica.com
   
3. Prevent Seed Distribution - by cutting down problem areas before they seed. Rough patches often benefit wildlife. But don’t let the seeds escape. You may decide it’s worth leaving some flowers to give pollen to insects and some seed heads for bird food.
4. Control Adjacent Areas - to prevent re-infestation. On allotments this can be hard. But when an adjacent lot is unoccupied you could ask the secretary for control until a new gardener is found to take the lease. Regular mowing of weedy patches will usually be sufficient.

For more information try the organic gardener and ergonica.com

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