homemade weedkiller

*dim* · Jul 9, 2012

here is some info on the vinegar ... the stuff to use is not fish and chips vinegar ... it 's 20-30% strength

http://www.thesoilguy.com/SG/Vinegar-AnOrganicHerbicide

Scrungee · Jul 9, 2012

Kristen said: ↑
So, just to be sure I'm clear

I can't use salt on my paths to kill the weeds?
But its OK to put it on the path (and road) when it is icy?

Hence why some research into whether Salt etc. is harmful to the environment would be good-to-know I reckon.
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Some people add it to their Brassica beds - is that illegal?

Kristen · Jul 9, 2012

That's presumably not to kill weeds? and if so, presumably again, that's all right then? !!

I mean, they stick Seaweed on Jersey Royals ... and that's OK, right?

Kristen · Jul 9, 2012

having said that, I thought it was bad to put Salt on the soil- Have I misremembered that?

keithhampson · Jul 9, 2012

Kristen said:
That stuff that you are asserting to be toxic to the environment has in fact been tested and been found to be safe for the environment. You may dispute that, but the testing is as good as is gets, as of this moment in time. Clearly the former tests, e.g. those used for DDT and Thalidomide, were not good enough, at that time.

Its people using Creosote and Jeyes Fluid to "sterilise the soil" and then finding it was getting into the ground water that have probably lead to a knee-jerk reaction from Brussels ... together with lobbying from Big Pharma :(

I have no idea how bad Salt and Vinegar are for the soil; my understanding is that Salt is definitely bad, but I may have mis-remembered. Either way, you should not assume that something you put on your fish & chips is going to also be safe to put on the ground.

Personally I think when legislation like this comes in ("All products must be retested before being allowed to be sold") then any products in common use (such as Sulphur as a fungicide and Ammonium sulphamate as a weedkiller - both "simple" chemicals by anyones' definition) and where manufacturers have no Patent monopoly to enable them to re-coup the cost of testing, then those products should have testing funded by the government - perhaps only where some learned body of Scientists form an independent opinion that the balance of probability is that the product is unlikely to harmful, and is likely to be effective.
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Well on my weed killer it says, use in a well ventilated area and keep away from pets but I get no such warning on my salt and vinegar bottles!

Scrungee · Jul 9, 2012

Kristen said: ↑
I mean, they stick Seaweed on Jersey Royals ... and that's OK, right?
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I'm sure I've read somewhere recently that it's illegal to take seaweed from the foreshore.

We do we stop/start with all this?

Marley Farley · Jul 9, 2012

It is very bad to put salt on the soil in any form as it stays there for months & can build up.. It leaches away very slowly spreading out from the original area and starts affecting other plants nearby.. You cannot replant in the area for months either as all the plants will shrivel & dye as well..

Phil A · Jul 9, 2012

Scrungee said: ↑
I'm sure I've read somewhere recently that it's illegal to take seaweed from the foreshore.
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That was something Daitheplant made up.

Scrungee · Jul 9, 2012

Zigs said: ↑
That was something Daitheplant made up.
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I thought it may have been John Wright - something about you could hunt/collect/fish for/cut(?) living stuff, but not legally gather loose, washed up seaweed (same as sand, pebbles, etc.?) - anybody got a copy of Magna Carta handy?

EDIT: See post below

*dim* · Jul 9, 2012

many people have tried to make their own seaweed fertilizer with dire consequences

you need to wash all the salt off etc ... it's safer (and cheaper) to buy the bottles of seaweed extract that is made in laboratories

Scrungee · Jul 9, 2012

Can't find that book I was reading on a wet, windy day by the seaside, but here's a quote from the RHS about gathering seaweed:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=301

Fresh seaweed has long been used by coastal gardeners as a soil improver and plant feed, but there is no public right to collect seaweed from the beach unless you own the beach and it is not designated a site of special scientific interest or a special area of conservation. If you plan to gather seaweed, it is always advisable to check with the land owner and the local council first.
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Some more 'heavy' reading here:

http://www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/activities/bait-collection/bc5_0_1.htm

shiney · Jul 9, 2012

Marley is correct that salt is bad for the soil. The quantity needed is debatable. In ancient times, when countries were at war, they used to 'salt' the oppostions land to make it unusable.

It would be wrong to advocate on this site the use of anything that is banned under current law but we are not restricted from discussing what used to be used.

ARMANDII's thread from his old book gives numerous ideas.

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/from-the-old-book.31444/

pete · Jul 9, 2012

Aesculus said: ↑
our stance is that we try too educate in posts rather then eradicate posts and since this forum is now hosted within the EU it's probably best if we try and at least make an effort
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So best cut out all the ones about neem oil?

Scrungee · Jul 9, 2012

So if boiling water poured on ant's nests hasn't been approved by the EU, is that also something we shouldn't mention?

Seems to have the same 'unapproved' status to me.

shiney · Jul 9, 2012

I think that if Dai was around he would be telling you that individual household chemicals were used in the garden it would be OK but mixing chemicals for the specific purpose of a pesticide is banned by the EU.

We all know that this is a stupid law that covers too wide a field but GC needs to be careful about how it's discussed. GC can't be seen to endorse these things but there is nothing wrong in me saying that I have found pouring boiling water on ants kills them.

Actually there is something wrong in that , as I have never poured boiling water on ants - so I would be lying.

I, of course, never use the glacial acetic acid or potassium nitrate, that I have in my cupboard, as a garden chemical. although I have heard that they have been used in gardens in the past.

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shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

Scrungee Well known for it

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

Homemade nettle soup as fertiliser

Homemade liquid fertiliser strength

Homemade wooden planters, plants not thriving

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