Glyphosate (trade name RoundUp, etc), is the most widely applied agricultural chemical in the country. If you're fretting over if being applied near food crops...well, that ship sailed decades ago.
It's basically an enyzme synthesis inhibiter. It only works on actively growing plants, the uptake method is through the foliage (i.e. it won't work as a pre-emergent). And it does breakdown relatively quickly for an herbicide. EPA gives it one of the lower toxicity ratings.
If you're fretting over if being applied near food crops...well, that ship sailed decades ago.
And: Still, I wouldn't want it on my food.
Farmers spray it ON food crops. You know that right? That's the whole point.
EPA gives it one of the lower toxicity ratings.
Given your apparent confidence in government work, which is possibly lower than my own, I'm not sure this means much.
The perpetual problem of humans monkeying with nature is that we are rarely able to know and understand the long-term implications of our actions. In the early part of this century almost no agricultural chemicals were thought to have negative effects, but naturally with use and time to see them we discovered that was very much not true.
Everything you do on a farm has consequences. Everything you put on or near the soil affects it. Sometimes it's perceivable, sometimes it's merely measurable, and sometimes you don't see the consequences for many years.
If you google glyphosate toxicity you can find studies that link the chemical to deliterious effects on living creatures (here's just one). But do you need a study to tell you that wiping out all plant life in a given area will not have some consequence? It matters to me that it is toxic to humans or toxic to mice, but far more important is that this practice ignores the delicate balance of systems farmers must work within to ensure long-term soil health and productivity.
I'm really bummed, as this has been a hobby of mine for a few years now.
The irony of poverty is not being able to afford to get my garden going this year. If I could fund the startup, I'd be paying less for the veggies I love to eat.
How long does that plastic last? We were thinking about doing some of those, but it seems like 2-5 years max before the plastic would deteriorate up in Tahoe. Currently harvesting used windows in the tahoe area...
Wes, if you are asking me, it's not plastic. Well, it's still a petroleum product. But it's a breathable lightweight row cover for keeping insects at bay and reducing heat. It comes in heavier weight versions that are excellent frost protection. It lasts long if you are careful -- it rips easily.
The brand we use is Agribon, available many places. We bought from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply in Grass Valley.
We do use greenhouse plastic on our cold frame, and it should last 3-4 seasons with care.
I'm real happy with what I've got going this year.
No problems. No setbacks.
This is when it's fun. Production matches exactly what I can cook and eat. Sometime in the next couple weeks the work will start and I'll be firing up the canner.
She canned a case of Boysenberry jam weekend before last. Probably need to do at least two more batches and a batch or two of Raspberry
Thanks to climate cooling I'll have a bumper crop of tomatoes so the Salsa and sauce canning production will start in about two weeks.
The heat loving plants like the corn have been a dud this year. The Sweet potatoes are rather stunted, but the beans are finally starting to take off late from a state of arrested development.
I will have to transplant the Shallots this weekend.
when you grow them from seed you get clumps like Scallions and then you need to replant them and give e'm some room.
The Goat got hers, too. She gets rid of the ends, peels, seeds, etc. Unlike the Dogs, who know there's no future in begging, the Goat thinks she needs to be front-and-center for the whole process.
Chaz, I like your setup. Nice big garden, avo trees, goats, what's not to like?
I'm a wee bit envious. Not too much, as I have my own sweet garden, but I like goats.
I wasn't going to plant this year, but crumpled at the last minute and got my babies in the ground. Good thing too, because we had snow over Memorial Day weekend. I put 'em in the ground the next weekend.
I'm growing my hot peppers in pots again this year, I had outstanding success last year. This year I've added habaneros into the mix. Pots are great for peppers, as you want a lot of sun to increase the capsaicin. Mobility is key if you live in an area with many trees and you can't find a site with all day sun.
Let us know!