vegetable patch management
weeding
using glycophosphate to kill
weeds
Glycophosphate (commonly called
Roundup) is one of the most widespread herbicides in use
today. Below is an assessment of the risks involved
in using Glycophosphate plus some suggestions as to when it
might be appropriate to use it.
The risks involved in
using glycophosphate
It is claimed
that Glycophosphate breaks down into inert parts (water, nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, phosphorus and carboxylic acid), which means it
should not leave a nasty residue in the soil. However I have also seen
warnings about using it near waterways because of it has a harmful
effect on aquatic life. So, while not as bad as some herbicides, it clearly poses an environmental risk. If you apply the Three D's (Deter, defend, Dynamite) to glycophosphate in my mind it clearly comes under the Dynamite heading and therefore should only be used when all other options have been exhausted.
When using
Glycophosphate may be the best option
for people with bad
backs
Removing tough weeds like Couch grass can be hard
on the back. For people who suffer from back problems
using Glycophosphate to kill Couch grass will dramatically reduce the
amount of digging required which will reduce the risk of
causing further injury to their backs.To remove Couch grass
from large areas
By hand painting Glycophosphate solution directly onto weeds infesting a useful plant it is possible to kill the weeds without disturbing the plant.
to remove weeds
amongst established plants
Perhaps the best use of Glycophosphate is for removing weeds from
amongst established plants that you do not want to disturb. With a bit
of patience and care it is possible to hand paint weeds with a
Glycophosphate solution so as to kill the weeds without harming the
useful plants. In the past I have used this method to successfully
remove Couch grass from amongst Black Currant bushes,