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Post by spindrift on Jul 9, 2009 20:14:37 GMT
I can see I'll have to go round to Scats (store) that specializes in such products.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2009 20:34:13 GMT
I wish I could just hop on over and help .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2009 20:58:29 GMT
It seems to me that there should be chemical products to neutralize "mistakes."
Of course putting chemicals on top of more chemicals is not a prospect that fills me with joy, but as long as it is not a kitchen garden....
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Post by Jazz on Jul 9, 2009 22:34:06 GMT
Your friend is in trouble, in deep emotional distress, and thank god you are there to help her Spindrift. You are a good friend. I have looked at the photos and this is not something that can be solved (?) in one summer. This depends, immersing herself in the garden devastation may help her through and her budget is another factor. Her aesthetic is personal, but the immediate problem is the Roundup crisis. I have never used pesticides and have often wondered...how does this vile chemical distinguish the Bad (weeds etc.) from the Beautiful? This is what I would do for this year:
1. Dig up the soil down to 2 feet in the brown areas (top and bottom) and replace with good soil.
2. Either extend the bricks, or build a patio at the top. My choice would be to extend the bricks and it would look lovely. Simplest, cheapest, and I prefer the look of brick or stone. I would still dig up the contaminated soil, (maybe only 1 foot here) because rains may wash the chemicals as it slopes downwards and inwards. On her new patio she can have a few potted plants, a table, chairs and umbrella. Beautiful.
3. Somehow, I sense a 'semicircle of garden', with the fattest portion at the bottom of the yard and curving into each side along both fences, thus leaving some grass for the kids to play on...just below the patio. There are many fence vines that could be chosen (see our vines thread), some grow quickly or could be bought at a more advanced state (more expensive). Your friend is probably completely overwhelmed and perhaps could split the difference...opt for some slow and fast growth and rest with a simpler garden this year. I feel that she needs a calm place to be most of all.
*I wouldn't use any 'neutralizing' chemicals. Nature will take care of itself.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 9, 2009 22:56:01 GMT
That would be beautiful and make for a really multi-purpose garden, Jazz. Okay ~~ I googled "neutralizing roundup". This first quote is from a garden center selling Roundup, thus the enthusiastic tone: Roundup is a tried and true product that is absorbed only by the leaves, stems, flowers, and above ground parts of the weeds it is sprayed directly on. From the above-ground parts of the weed, it moves systemically through the whole weed, down into the roots, to slowly kill it. Soil immediately neutralizes Roundup, so it can't pass through the soil to the roots of other plants, nor can it harm future plants put into that soil.Another group of answers: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080609044206AAviMAfI don't know. Were it me, I'd still want to get rid of those contaminated areas. One tiny bright side -- if SD's friend is going to extend the patio, there is no reason to revitalize the soil in that part for re-planting.
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Post by Jazz on Jul 9, 2009 23:04:11 GMT
I don't know. Were it me, I'd still want to get rid of those contaminated areas. One tiny bright side -- if SD's friend is going to extend the patio, there is no reason to revitalize the soil in that part for re-planting. Bixa, I agree with this. Given that the housekeeper only sprayed a few times, it has probably rained often since, and the full extent of the damage has been done. Therefore, forget the digup below the new extended patio, but definitely get rid of the stuff at the bottom. I do not trust the 'neutralizing roundup' schtick....they are marketing.
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Post by spindrift on Jul 10, 2009 8:20:15 GMT
Thank you all for your most helpful suggestions.
Jazz - it would be nice to use natural stone to pave the top area near the house (although not the entire length of the house). A curving herbaceous border might be very nice and that would provide interest and colour most of the year.
I would be against trying a neutralizing chemical. I know that Roundup is a systemic plant killer and shouldn't affect soil around the roots. I'm sure it's best to leave the present damage for several months so that rain can leach and dilute poisons out of the ground. Then it would be best to dig up the dead grass and start again. It may not be such a big task if my friend decides to pave over most of it.
I'm sure that money would be available to do what's necessary. My friend will probably have to change the fencing at the bottom of the garden since horses are kept in the next door field and as it is they can easily put their heads over the fence to eat the new growth. Additionally the field, around the 'headlands' is full of nettles which may or may not spread.
But that's another problem.
I'd like to know what's happened to the cleaner!
Casimira - please come over! I'm sure my friend will pay you to fix the garden and put you up in her house too.
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