26-05-2018, 03:58 PM
1
Garden chemicals
I've just been reading an interesting thing about the use of chemicals in our gardens.It began by talking about when farmers used to widely use the now banned DDT. Then by the 1960's it was realised it was killing small birds in very large numbers. This then led on to a sharp decline in the birds of prey.
Scientists also found that eggs being laid by these birds of prey were fragile and soft shelled, and it was finally attributed to chemical poisoning.
Birds of prey were ingesting the small birds and mammals, then were accumlulating the toxins in their own bodies because they were "top of the food chain."
Peregrine falcons were badly affected.
If DDT hadn't been banned (in 1984) the Peregrine would have been well on it's way to extinction by now.
The point of all this is, WE are "top of the food chain" too, and it is realised that organochlorines can harm human health, after travelling along environmental pathways and accumulating in us, and could well be associated with problems like Cancers and Diabetes.
Apparently, more chemicals are applied to lawns than to any other part of the garden. Yet this is where our pets walk, and children and grandchildren roll about and play.
Personally, I'd prefer a few weeds in the grass that me and my dogs use, than the use of chemicals to weed and feed, just to make it look good.
26-05-2018, 04:58 PM
3
Re: Garden chemicals
Originally Posted by Mups
->
I've just been reading an interesting thing about the use of chemicals in our gardens.It began by talking about when farmers used to widely use the now banned DDT. Then by the 1960's it was realised it was killing small birds in very large numbers. This then led on to a sharp decline in the birds of prey.
Scientists also found that eggs being laid by these birds of prey were fragile and soft shelled, and it was finally attributed to chemical poisoning.
Birds of prey were ingesting the small birds and mammals, then were accumlulating the toxins in their own bodies because they were "top of the food chain."
Peregrine falcons were badly affected.
If DDT hadn't been banned (in 1984) the Peregrine would have been well on it's way to extinction by now.
The point of all this is, WE are "top of the food chain" too, and it is realised that organochlorines can harm human health, after travelling along environmental pathways and accumulating in us, and could well be associated with problems like Cancers and Diabetes.
Apparently, more chemicals are applied to lawns than to any other part of the garden. Yet this is where our pets walk, and children and grandchildren roll about and play.
Personally, I'd prefer a few weeds in the grass that me and my dogs use, than the use of chemicals to weed and feed, just to make it look good.
The only thing I use on my lawn is a lawn feed so I hope that is ok. I don't use the weed & feed stuff.
26-05-2018, 05:46 PM
4
Re: Garden chemicals
My lawn is full of weeds, I dig the plantain and dandelions up on my hands and knees.I don't like using any chemicals in my garden when I eat some of it. The lawn trimmings go in the compost bin and most of that goes under the runner beans.
I share a front lawn with my neighbour and it usually falls to me to mow both sides. Every year she puts 'weed and feed' on hers and tries to persuade me to have mine done too. I did one year and it turned black
I won't be doing that again.
26-05-2018, 08:26 PM
6
Re: Garden chemicals
Originally Posted by Longdogs
->
Thanks for a good post Mups.The only thing I use on my lawn is a lawn feed so I hope that is ok. I don't use the weed & feed stuff.
'Tis true though Dongles, about us being 'top of the food chain' isn't it.
We are probably all eating supposedly ' healthy' vegetables and fruit that have been treated with pesticides to kill insects, rodents, mould and disease, and grown on fields covered in artificial fertilizers .
A lot of our meat is reared indoors, never feel sunshine, eat fresh natural food, and are treated with veterinary chemicals.
More fish is being raised on intensive fish farms.
Even a lot of 'home grown' veg is often contaminated with sprays to kill Blackfly/Greenfly/Whitefly/Caterpillers plus many other specific diseases.
Then to top it all, many spray their roses, feed & weed their lawn . . . and then we go into a nice clean shower and use our chemical shampoos/Conditioners/Body moisturizers/deodorants ...... and the ladies start putting on the slap, and spraying themself with perfumes!
And don't even think about household cleaning products!
It's the accumulative build up of all these chemicals that we inhale, ingest, and have around us that bothers me.
And we are at the "end of the chain" with them all, just like the poor birds of prey were.
26-05-2018, 11:45 PM
8
Re: Garden chemicals
Originally Posted by AnnieS
->
I can't believe that people put chemicals on their lawn. I don't use any pesticides or weed killers. I dig up dandelions with a weed tool. A perfect lawn is not a necessity, particularly when you have pets.
Couldn't agree more Annie.
I certainly wouldn't risk my animals on a treaated lawn anyway.
|
|
