Dandelions 
Dandelions can be maddening, they pop up overnight after a mowing
like jack-in-the-boxes, as if you did not mow at all, laughing and
daring you to do something.
Personally I like dandelions but most Americans, including my dad,
hate them with a passion and will not think twice about casually
using dangerous chemicals to kill them. One should think twice,
after all it is just all about aesthetics.
|
For the lowdown on the dangers of common household pesticides
and herbicides visit: Poison
In the Grass: The hazards and consequences of lawn pesticides
it will make your hair stand up.
"Homeowners apply up to 10 times more chemicals
per acre than farmers do. Common lawn pesticides and fertilizers
have been linked to various types of cancer, neurological
damage, and Parkinson's disease. They're also the leading
cause of accidental pet poisoning. Once the stuff is in your
yard, your family will track it into the house on their shoes,
where it settles into the carpets and cracks in the floor."
Organic
Gardening
|
Immature dandelion
A person should be able to control weeds and pests without taking
crazy personal and environmental risks and there are available safe
courses to take. They may not work as quickly or conveniently but
it is better than suffering the consequences of bowing to the gods
of expedience.
Straight distilled vinegar is an effective and
economical solution to controlling dandelions, one gallon or 128
fl oz. cost about $3.99. I just put a few of drops on the center
of the rosette using a turkey baster, the kitchen gizmo that looks
like a giant eye dropper. Generalized spraying is not a good idea
because the vinegar will also kill grass that it comes in contact
with and also may turn the soil too acidic. A controlled localized
spraying directly on the plant may work and acidic soil can be rebalanced
by adding alkaline soil components to balance the ph.
The vinegar will kill the dandelion leaves and flower but not the
root and new growth should be expected. However repeated applications
in conjunction with timely mowing should offer
adequate control. Mowing height is important, doing so that grass
is about 3" high is ideal. Less than 3" actually encourages
dandelion re-growth.
Forms of corn meal gluten have been patented
as a herbicide in preventing dandelion seed germination by inhibiting
root development. Application 4-6 weeks before expected seed germination
should reduce the number of new dandelions. The gluten contains
nitrogen and will give competing grass a boost. The corn meal gluten
has been called the truly natural weed and feed.
A sensible person should see that using vinegar, the savings of
3 cents per fl oz for vinegar versus 20 cents per fl oz for the
cheapest chemical application, makes economic sense and that not
having to take the risk of acquiring or spreading some horrible
illness would be an added bonus and even bigger savings.
|
