Weed Killer Spray and my garden

If the spray did not kill the plants, the produce can be removed and completely washed to remove any spray drift that they caught, and they will be fine to eat. If the spray was sufficient to kill the plants, I would dispose of them.  I have never heard that the spray is fine for consumption after it is dry - the lawn companies advertise that their spray is fine to walk on after it is dry, but they don't say anything about consuming it.

deriter wrote:Thank you OhioGardener for your reply.  I guess I am just struggling with the thought of week killer spray on my veggies.  It just don't sound right to me and in my opinion there was a lack of courtesy on his part to think he could do that.  When I have to judge if the plants were affected, how good is my judgement.

We won't eat the produce.  I will destroy what's left of the garden and be done with it.  I will discuss one more time with him and then if there is a next time I will have a test done on the produce to verify if there is contamination and go from there.

I am probably some kind of eccentric, but just never have trusted chemicals totally.  Really thought there were others out will similar experiences with a situation like this.

Personally, I wouldn't throw away an entire garden just because of a spray that is only biologically active on plants. Assuming the spray didn't also contain pesticide, glyphosate shouldn't be hazardous at those trace doses. Glyphosate is water soluble and should wash off the fruits themselves. Unless there was a strong wind, I wouldn't expect any to have gotten on your food. If any significant amount did get on your produce, you would notice the broad-leaf plants (lettuce, kale, etc.) wilting within a couple days. Of course, if you usually have seasons, then your plants are already wilting and it probably doesn't make too much difference.

I probably shouldn't say this, but because I have bermuda grass which can't be simply weeded away, I sometimes spray within 4 inches of garden plants. Of course, I'm using a very light dose, a directed spray, and never during a wind. It's hard to believe this plant was deliberately planted at one time.

My undestanding is that round-up like chemicals are used in no-till farming and also to hasten harvest times before rain season (especially in Northern states and Canada).  So unless you are buying only organic food it's likely your market produce and grains (and flours) have traces in it. 

Maintaining good relations with your neighbor might be more important than a hypothetical concern about a chemical that only kills plants.

sanderson wrote:I accidentally introduced common Bermuda into the back lawn.  I foresee Roundup in the very near future before it goes dormant.

I would get to it sooner than later. Once it permeates the soil, the only way to get rid of it is to spray, wait for it to die, water, spray, wait for it to die, rinse, repeat. And of course, nothing else is going to be able to grow in that area while you do all this.

Incredibly, they are working on making a variety that is cold tolerant! Yeah, let's move that invasive species northwards!

markqz wrote:Incredibly, they are working on making a variety that is cold tolerant! Yeah, let's move that invasive species northwards!

They have already done that with Zoysia grass!  People plant that stuff thinking they will have a nice low maintenance lawn all summer long. Then come fall it turns completely brown like an old rug. But, regardless of whether it is green and growing, or it is brown and dormant, the roots are spreading into every neighbor's yard while it smothers all the native grasses and takes over flower beds.

sanderson wrote:Okay, Experts, I need some advice with Roundup.  I think I am going with the regular blue and white container, Weed and Grass Killer.   Do you know how soon I can reseed with Fescue seeds?

Not an expert, but the Roundup site says you can plant within 3 days. Which makes sense. You want the round-up to have thoroughly dried before germination starts happening.

The general advice is to check your weather report and not spray if it's going to rain any time in the next day or so. Spray in the afternoon rather than in the morning or evening -- you want the spray to dry quickly. Remember that you want to wet the plants, not the soil. The higher the dose, the quicker you'll see results.

sanderson wrote:Okay, Experts, I need some advice with Roundup.  I think I am going with the regular blue and white container, Weed and Grass Killer.    Do you know how soon I can reseed with Fescue seeds? 

Roundup says you can sow grass seed 3 days after applying all Roundup except for the "Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Sure Shot Foam", which requires 7 days.  Probably best to wait 5 to 7 days for all of their sprays, though.