RE: ROUND-UP STUDY

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Let me add another consideration to the excellent observations of Andy.  It is extremely difficult for a generalist free lance writer in the gardening world to even begin to learn the complexity of modern pesticide chemicals.  We all struggle as best we can, and unfortunately are vulnerable to bad information published in popular resources.  There are two issues I would like to add to the discussion.  It is my understanding from years of reading up on RoundUp that the product sold to consumers at retail, if poured directly into the soil (which is against label instructions) will be “sorbed” by the soil within 12 to 18 inches depending on the soil type, soil pH, and other variables.  If true, this means that the chemical is absorbed and held by the soil particles waiting for bacterial activity to break it down into lesser chemical forms.  Interestingly, it is sorbed faster in sandy soils than in loamy soils which seems opposite of logic.  Again, if this is true, then RoundUp if used according to the label, not in wetlands or around lakes and ponds, will not show up in the ground water as do other yard care chemicals, especially fertilizers. 

Whenever I review a new chemical, especially a pesticide, I am interested in its impact on the soil food web, especially earthworms and beneficial soil microbes.  I have found a number of studies that show the RoundUp Ultra, used as an herbicide in fields with genetically manipulated crops, actually increases the microbial activity in the soil.  I have seen a number of a studies that say it does not harm earthworms. 

Does this mean I don’t treat RoundUp with extreme care and respect? NO. Does this mean I don’t write about using it in very special situations where its use will be a one time event? No.  Americans do more harm to the quality of water with their fertilizers and the millions of gallons of gasoline they spill into the soil each as they sloppily fill their many powered tools.  

As Andy pointed out, there are millions of idiots out there misusing lawn and garden chemicals every week of the season.  If we can help a few of them stop being stupid, we are doing well for the environment. 

Now the big question, after we have learned that pouring RoundUp on amphibians is lethal, how does one kill a lawn with more than 50% weeds, in order to renovate it by overseeding?  What chemical is on the market that will do that job as well as RoundUp?  We have toads in our lawn at certain times of the year, but I have not learned enough to know when.  I’d rather not kill my toads, but maybe I need to kill my grass for a one time renovation; never needing to use RoundUp on the lawn again.  Any suggestions? Maybe I can have Nancy walking in front of me with a grass rake, lightly raking the grass to scare up toads, but I doubt it..

Jeff Ball