Do you know about this weed killer that can be found in manure, and that damages vegetables?
Martin C asked us to check if people are aware of the risk from some manure to garden plants. One particular hormone based weedkiller, aminopyralid, used by some farmers, can stay active in grass even after going through a horse’s digestive system. Gardeners have recently been finding typical signs of damage with curled leaves (see photo from the RHS site) in their plants, particularly vegetables.
Gardeners’ Question Time’s Chris Beardshaw says, ‘It’s potentially a huge problem which can affect ornamental plants as well as vegetables.’
GQT Plant expert Anne Swithinbank says, ‘Gardeners have to be really vigilant and think about what they are putting on (their ground) and what might been in it asking farmers whether they have used the chemical or bought (hay or silage) from people who may have used it.’
Panellist Pippa Greenwood, a plant pathologist warns that, ‘Ground affected by the contaminated manure should not be used for up to two years.’
This weed killer is more likely to get into plants when the manure has been dug into the soil, so it has been having less impact on flower gardens where it has been used as a mulch. Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time this week recommended if you have contaminated manure you should try first to return it to the supplier so it can be spread on grassland, if not then spread it on a less sensitive part of your garden, it takes about six months for the active components to break down when it is mixed with ordinary garden soil, though it should be kept away from vegetables for longer than this.
Allotment Growing Diary Plus are organising a petition to the Government to have this weed killer banned.
For more information click on the following links:
Do let us know if you have had any problems with this locally.
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