Michigan

[RaZ]

Vinegar works really well, but it does also kill practically everything, so keep that in mind when using it. The boiling water is a good idea, as it should help kill the root as well as the having the vinegar kill the foliage. I have also heard that a bit of dishsoap in the mixture helps the vinegar bond to the leaves, or something like that? Anyway, it's effects on the soil are not supposed to be long lived, if you are planning on putting something else in.

Yes, not only is the weed killed but also the beneficial organisms living in the soil. Then you are still left with the task of getting rid of the dead material.

It's just better to pull the weeds in the first place and be done with it.

BTW if you go the vinegar route then get the horticulture strength, it's stronger than grocery store vinegar.

 

[chicken grandma]

Doesn't ROUND UP kill everything?
Does it leave harmful chemicals behind?

 

[Juise]

This is rather vague territory for me, but I believe there is round up you can spray on weeds in your lawn without effecting the lawn, and so forth...

But yes, it does leave harmful chemicals behind.

 

[chicken grandma]

Quote:

Hmm, for some reason your quote box is coming up blank, but, no, that is not what I was talking about. That is also done, but I was referring to plowing under crops. There was a lot of hoopla here in Michigan in '09 about cherries, something around a million pounds were destroyed.
Well, I was unable to find information on crops being destroyed. I grew up in a farming community and while I did see people make choices about what to plant that were influenced by the government subsidies, I never saw crops destroyed. I would really love to have the link to a reputable source on this.

 

[chicken grandma]

This is rather vague territory for me, but I believe there is round up you can spray on weeds in your lawn without effecting the lawn, and so forth...

But yes, it does leave harmful chemicals behind.

When I moved here I was told that I can use Round Up in my yard and it will not effect my garden. Just wondering if you know why it would be a problem in the yard around the garden. Does anyone know a weed killer that is very effective but non toxic to the garden?

 

[RaZ]

Doesn't ROUND UP kill everything?
Does it leave harmful chemicals behind?

I don't remember the chemical name off the top of my head, but it does reside in the soil for up to 100 days but not at levels high enough to kill new plants. However the affect on insects that eat those plants is deadly.

When I moved here I was told that I can use Round Up in my yard and it will not effect my garden. Just wondering if you know why it would be a problem in the yard around the garden. Does anyone know a weed killer that is very effective but non toxic to the garden?

Another victim of marketing. I'm not being glib, slick ads sell a lot of junk to smart people. I used to use the 4 step programme on my lawn but stopped several years ago. Now my lawn is healthier than ever and is largely weed free.

Unless you plan on wholesale destruction of your garden or lawn, the best weed control is manually removing the offender. Elbow grease is 100% effective and safe for the environment.

 

[Mom 2em All]

There is only one way to kill that weed but most people don't like to use it.

It's Grease.

Good old fashioned Elbow Grease.

It is pretty easy too pull out, the roots are pretty shallow.

I have used elbow grease every year, but it always wings...it comes from the neighbors yard, and puts down roots as it grows- then it branches out on its own..and it comes under the fence- the whole length, and it grows like...a weed...
I never ever win. DID YOU SEE my yard? I have no grass at all. I have algae...but I have this WEED growing and coming in and taking over...why doesnt it die? Grass wont grow, but this will..

I bought a White Pine just now. Gonna go plant it in the middle of my yard. Its about hip-high...then I am going to barricade it so that nothing can pick it clean...and then Im going to wait 199 years for it to grow as tall as my garage.

Yes, not only is the weed killed but also the beneficial organisms living in the soil. Then you are still left with the task of getting rid of the dead material.

It's just better to pull the weeds in the first place and be done with it.

BTW if you go the vinegar route then get the horticulture strength, it's stronger than grocery store vinegar.

 

[NovaAman]

Kids are gone for the night... time to get house work done. I don't feel like it. Maybe I am just in a resentful mood. But I am sick of being the only one to do any house work. Sick of my mom using her "I can see" mantra for not helping to dust or to vacuum, but she sure can see if the kids drop something.

Better just get to it.

Best not get myself all tissed off.

I better go water the ducks first. Treat the chickens. That always calms....

 

[uchytil]

HOW far away are you? AND how is my baby bunny?
Did you sex her yet?

YES- cotton tails. AND did I mention that I hate rehabbing them because they always die?

Close to Muskegon. Twin Lake to be exact. No sexing yet but no worries, there's always a good mix. By the time they are ready (another 4 weeks at least) they will be pretty big. If you really want one we'll figure out a place to meet.

On my property, rather than burn, or chip, I build brush, and wood, piles. I have a few spread out over 30 acres of wooded land. The rabbits tunnel under them and live. Nesting is a different story, they like to build nests in open fields and just off the fields to keep bunnies since they basically abandon them during the day. I find the nests fairlyeasy and can place orpaned Cottontails in the nests which are accepted by the mother rabbits. I've done it before and revisited the nests to find the same number still there thriving. Of course that was when my Beagle Jasmine was alive and I used her to find the nests.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Close to Muskegon. Twin Lake to be exact. No sexing yet but no worries, there's always a good mix. By the time they are ready (another 4 weeks at least) they will be pretty big. If you really want one we'll figure out a place to meet.

On my property, rather than burn, or chip, I build brush, and wood, piles. I have a few spread out over 30 acres of wooded land. The rabbits tunnel under them and live. Nesting is a different story, they like to build nests in open fields and just off the fields to keep bunnies since they basically abandon them during the day. I find the nests fairlyeasy and can place orpaned Cottontails in the nests which are accepted by the mother rabbits. I've done it before and revisited the nests to find the same number still there thriving. Of course that was when my Beagle Jasmine was alive and I used her to find the nests.

We are on complete opposite sides of the state!

Are you going to Chickenstock?
If I cant finagle a trip before then, would you bring her to CHickenstock? She will be real big then!
Maybe we can work out a bunny train...