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From: andrea@hp-sdd.HP.COM (Andrea K. Frankel)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Getting Weeds with Roundup
Message-ID: <571@hp-sdd.HP.COM>
Date: Mon, 3-Nov-86 22:03:54 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-sdd.571
Posted: Mon Nov  3 22:03:54 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Nov-86 03:55:36 EST
References: <1132@mhuxl.UUCP> <690002@hpfcdc.HP.COM> <552@hp-sdd.HP.COM> <5309@dartvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: andrea@hp-sdd.UUCP (Andrea K. Frankel)
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, San Diego Division
Lines: 42

In article <5309@dartvax.UUCP> ruths@dartvax.UUCP (Ruth Sylvester) writes:
>Andrea Frankel writes: "He also
>stressed wearing plastic gloves, and throwing the gloves and bottle out
>after use."   This just generates another problem, although it's
>out of sight.  Let's not let it be out of mind.  Our garbage *is*
>our problem!  (With Roundup, though, because of the quick breakdown
>on contact with earth, it's less of a problem.)

As I noted, I have yet to actually use any of this stuff, because I
share your reaction to increasing the amount of poisonous garbage
on the planet we all share.  

Some cities are investigating or starting "poison disposal" days, where
homeowners can bring small quantities of things which really shouldn't
be dumped down the drain or thrown into general landfills (weed
killers, paints, wood preservatives, etc.); since most of us can't
afford to pay for toxic waste disposal for small amounts, this seems
like a good idea.

Of course, the best idea is to avoid using the gunk in the first place,
but the highest organic and environmentalist ideals often get overcome
by practicalities such as lack of time, bad backs from weeding, and
just plain running out of patience after you pull out the @#%$@%$#!
quack grass for the (n+1)st time.  I used to hire a local high school
kid who loved to weed and clean up yards for $5/hr (he was thrilled
to be getting more than miniumum wage; I was thrilled to get someone
who actually did what I asked them to).  Now that he's off at college,
I haven't found any neighborhood kids who will do more than a surface
job, and sloppy at that!

How do other aspiring organic gardeners deal with weeds and pests
when working long hours at the computer or laid up with back problems?
(Guilty consciences love company...)

Andrea Frankel, Hewlett-Packard (San Diego Division) (619) 592-4664
 "every time that wheel goes round, bound to cover just a little more ground"
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