RoundUp is translocated through the vascular system to the root system. If you used plain RoundUp and not one of the 'juiced up' products, damage can be lessened if the herbicide is washed off within a few minutes. Once RoundUp gets into the soil, it won't harm the plant (usually). However, if it is allowed to remain on the plant for a few hours, then the jig is up! Day temperatures, sunlight, etc. affect how quickly RoundUp will go to work. There are some formulations out that are very fast acting, and if you've used one of those then it is only a matter of minutes before the translocation process begins.

No, fertilizer won't help one bit.

There are other methods of weed control that are less likely to have ill effects. You might want to check out the Organic Gardening Forum for some ideas.

But saying, "Take note too! This man's son died from cancer. Now gee, that's a coincidence", is using some pretty fauly logic. And yes, could very well be a conincidence. The truth of the matter is that you have no idea whatsoever what the neighbor's son died from. Making these kind of statements really polarizes people on issues like this and does a great harm by spreading misinformation. To say nothing of promoting safer ways of doing things.

Nothing gets me going faster than misuse and overuse of pesticides. And as a licensed applicator I have a very healthy fear of them as well. Along with 20% acetic acid being used as an herbicide, bleach, ammonia, moth balls, salt solutions, deisel oils, gasoline, etc... and all kinds of other supposed safe or organic (not my words or yours) treatments I've seen floating around and promoted on these forums and others.

Yes Stephen, please tell us what happened. We might help you avoid this problem in the future if you are interested. Or help find another solution.

There are formulations using Roundup's active ingredient that are labeled specifically for use in aquatic sites such as those you have described. Read the label for Aquamaster and Rodeo for specifics.

The label tells you how long you must wait to plant after use. It isn't long.

If you are growing edibles I would encourage you to avoid the use of any herbicides or pesticides.

It isn't one of those things that kills you instantly, but there are no studies on the effects of chem a with chem b with chem c in the body over time.

When it comes to edibles it is all natural for me.

Just something to consider.

This week I will be boxing in my beds and raising them a foot or so and putting lawn edging around it to control the grass spread (garden shrinks an inch or two every year!)

One more question. Cedar or otherwise? I've heard both "no cedar" and "only cedar"
Which is correct?

Thanks!

It is the equivalent of pressure treated wood, without the chemicals.

A cedar frame should last you 10 years at a *minimum*.

I try to remain as organic as possible, but my general philosophy is 'organics for growing, synthetics for killing' ;-)

RoundUp works really well when you want everything dead. I hate thinking about the genetically modified crops designed to be sprayed heavily with it in the grocery store which is why I, personally, avoid all chemicals around my edibles, but when the weeds are out of control in an area it works.

If only I had the extra income to buy strictly organic I would in a heartbeat! Thus, I grow what I can at home as healthily as possible. Still beats the supermarket produce full of who knows what. I suppose I would need organic seeds to produce organic veggies?

P.S. sorry for hijacking this thread lol

Good grief no! LOL.

Let's talk this through in a rational rather than evangelical manner ;-)

To be organic means to focus on building healthy soil that 'solves' a lot of problems before they occur. It means to stay away from various chemicals that haven't gone through sufficient testing for us to know they are safe.

A seed is simply a seed. I don't care if the momma plant was dosed with cyanide. If it grows, it is all good.

The amount of toxin that could theoretically be in a seed isn't worth considering.

Just grow a garden full of produce where you use compost, manure, grains, kitchen scraps and other 'real' stuff as much as possible, use as little synthetics as possible, do not use herbicides or pesticides whenever possible and let that be that. Notice I didn't say never use them under any circumstances, just avoid them to the extent possible and the extent that you, personally, wish to.

There is no contest and there is no prize ;-)

Garden the way that makes *you* happy. For me it is in finding ways to use less 'manmade' stuff and more natural stuff with no worries associated with it. Whatever works for you, works for you.

Goodnight and take care :)

for those who think organics are better, lead, arsenic and other very harmful chemical elements can still be found even in organic produce. not ot discredit organics but it is not that much "safer" or "healthier" than non-organics.

that is my $.02

If that well were mine, I'd arrange with the local Dept of Health to have the water checked frequently; if they can't then it would be worth it to me, to pay for a private lab to test.

My husband was a painter and died from the cumulative effects of paint and solvent ingredients he was exposed to before breathing gear became mandatory. His doctors told him his brain damage was worse than as if he had been a chronic alcoholic all his life.

Watching and taking care of a man dying by inches over 11 years is painful, too. Cause and effect were documented on his death certificate.

The POEA surfactant in Roundup is similar in toxicity to soaps and detergents, all of which will prove toxic when bathing cells of any kind. The study referred to showed nothing new, as surfactants of all kinds can produce such effects. Such effects are not related to risk since such exposure cannot happen in real world conditions.

Roundup is not considered "deadly" in any toxicological way, not does it bioaccumulate in food chains. It is broken down by soil organisms completely over time.

Certain solvents in some paints, and other kinds of solvents, can most certainly be toxic to nervous systems, can be carcinogenic and display a host of other toxicologic effects when dosed over long periods of time. Linking Roundup to such well know and proven problematic chemicals is not founded by the facts.

As the information sheet at the link explains:
"Researchers fed dogs glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) for 1 year at doses of 0, 20, 100, or 500 mg/kg/day. The dogs exhibited no adverse
effects." The other component in Roundup is a detergent like surfactant that would not create nervous system effects such as seizures.

As the Ask The Vet Pets column states:

"I read your recent column about dogs that eat grass. My dog also eats grass, sometimes shortly after I’ve sprayed it with the grass killer Roundup. Is Roundup safe for dogs?"

Answer:
"If the Roundup is still wet on the surface of the grass when it’s eaten, it can cause vomiting. Once it’s dry, it seems to be safe. Studies in which Roundup was fed to dogs, rats and mice in huge doses didn’t show any long-term problems, including cancer. The dogs in these studies were fed the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, at 500 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. That’s 10,000 mg of glyphosate daily for a 44-pound dog like me. And that translates to a daily dose of just under 1/4 cup of the concentrated Roundup product we have in our garage."

http://www.askthevetspets.com/d2003-44.asp

I had a terrible experience today regarding a couple of very aggressive dogs. I was spraying weeds on a commercial property when these two "junkyard" type dogs charged me - caught me completely by surprise. When I used to be a cable installer I had a lot of experience with aggressive dogs; you can usually tell - though not always - whether they are bluffing or going to actually bite. I only had about 2 seconds, as they charged me, to access the situation, but I felt they were going to actually bite me. I was alone with no place to retreat to and nothing to use as a weapon (other than my leatherman knife, as a last resort).
So, as a reflex, I pointed the sprayer wand at the lead dog and as he continued, non-stop toward me; about 2ft from me I sprayed into his mouth. I was hoping it might have a mace-like effect, but seemed to do nothing (although that was as close as he got). We had a bit of a stand-off for a little while and eventually I was able to slowly back out of the area.

I've been depressed today over the whole experience, but reasoned with myself that if I'd found something like a pipe to hit them with or even had to use my knife, I might have caused at least as much harm.

I don't blame the dogs; I blame the people who let them run wild.

I'm sorry, for the people on this forum who've lost their dogs, seemingly to roundup. But, I'm hopeful, after reading this thread, that I have not seriously harmed this dog.

With seconds to act and no way to retreat, I felt I did the best I could to defend myself, but the thought of a horrible painful death by poisoning would have weighed heavy on my mind for the next few days, at least.

Thanks for the information.
Will