Bind weed

[salad muncher]

Would try it on Asparagus bed but I would have thought that Asparagus would act as a self suppresant as the root system is also vigorous ?

[salad muncher]

[Jak]

I seem to remember reading somewhere else on this site that bindweed will not grow where there are marigolds (calendula).  Certainly worth trying - they are so pretty and will also attract beneficial insects.

Jak :D

[kevinc]

Only problem with marigolds is they are the fav snack of slugs n snails which most cerainly arn't beneficial! >:(

[Jak]

Well surely then they will divert them away from your crops?  I've found that it's the Tagetes (French and African Marigolds) that are so loved by slugs and snails - I just can't grow them in my garden, I have a real mollusc problem! :'(  However, I have always grown Calendulas .... and no bindweed, although the gardens either side are smothered in the stuff! ;D

Jak :D

[Garden Manager]

I really can't see how the use of glyphosphate on the foliage can have any affect on the soil & therefore be non-organic.

And if you do spray the soil, you can still sow or plant immediately. = Tim

Tim, Glyphosate is whats called a 'translocated' herbicide. This means it is absorbed into the whole plant by the plants own circulation system (OK you probably know that). What it also does is become inactive once it enters the soil (or is supposed to anyway). In theory at least it shouldnt harm the soil once it does its job.

Organic growers hough tend to disagre and say that there must be some chemical residue left behind which can then be absorbed into subsequent crops, and if edible then be eaten by us with the food.

Personaly i am not convinced by either arguament, though i try not to use herbicides if i can avoid it, prefering to be chemical free as much as possible.

When it comes to bind weed, 'domestic' weed killers are often not very effectice at killing the plant completely, requiring several applications. in this case perhaps manual removal is better?

[Hugh_Jones]

On the subject of glyphosate I have posted this link before, but I make no apology for posting it again.  All would be organic gardeners contemplating the use of glyphosate should read it

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

[john_miller]

To make the comment that organic growers believe that glyphosate leaves behind a residue is disingenuous as it implies that they are alone in this belief. Monsanto, the USDA and the EPA all have found a half life in the soil of anything from 3 to 174 days (depending upon various conditions) of the active ingredient. This can be taken up by subsequent crop plants and passed into the food chain resulting in the various problems described in Hugh's link. Other problems, notably in Japan, are discussed in this paper:
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:PIFG-H-pxoEJ:www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Glyphosate.pdf++%22glyphosate%22&hl=en.

[salad muncher]

Just found this fact sheet that will tell you all you will need to make your mind up www.infoventures.com/e-hlth/pestcide/glyphos.html (not sure about using it my self but hey each to there own.
With regards to Jak and the marigolds allotmenteer next door and one after are going to be trying out the marigold theory so will warn about the slugs and stuff will print all your helpful ideas to let them decide for them selves but keep your sujestions coming in.

[john_miller]

Those of us who farm in alternative manner to that encouraged by global agri-businesses do not view the USDA, with it's very close ties to those businesses, as necessarily a source for all that you need to know about the products and prescribed techniques of those same companies. I found your link a long time ago and after reading it knew there was a lot more to the question of glyphosate than it mentioned (I did some research after hearing a radio news item about suspected pesticide poisoning among farmworkers in California). This article, to me, is an example of the superficiality that the USDA is so often guilty of (I had personal experience of that some fifteen years ago).
I definitely agree about each to their own but at some point someone else's own can become mine too.

[tim]

Point firmly taken.
I have to say that I have only ever used the stuff in the the 'flower' garden, but I hadn't appreciated that the absorbed product could move into the soil. = Tim

[salad muncher]

Well after reading my link then your link John I think we are all glad that we are all growing our own Veg, and know exactly what has been put into the soil. Frightening thought as to what is put in the soil for commersial purposes. so to sum up on dealing with bindweed the answer is to dig and keep on digging.

[kevinc]

Have to agree with the muncher on this.  There are no short cuts to being organic just hard work.  That said its live and let live as far as i'm concerned and if plot holders next to me use chemicals good luck to them.  I know that my efforts mean that at least for a short period of time i'm in control of what the family eat but i'm also realistic enough to knoew that for much of the year we will be eating fruit and veg that has been grown using chemicals.

Like the views on this board, lottie holders on my site seem to be split on the issue, Those using chemicals are primarily those who have been brought up with chemicals and the younger generation ( I get in just!) who seem to be following the chemical free route. (Not a criticsm in any way its simply a case of what you know, after all if you have gardened successfully with chemicals for 40 years why change?

Think ultiatly as the Mucher says each to their own.

Apologies for the rambling - its is a Monday morning after all.

[Hugh_Jones]

Not a good argument.  I`ve been gardening for over 60 years, for nearly 50 of them I used every chemical that was available, but for the last 15 I have grown purely organically - so the leopard can change its spots.

P.S. Although I must confess to using weed killer on my drive and occasionally in my woodland