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 Post subject: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:15 am 
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Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:28 am
Posts: 3
This may have already been a forum subject--I just joined. We've discovered that hay we purchased and fed to our livestock had been sprayed with Grazon. We composted their manure and added it to different parts of the garden before realizing this. The plants in those sections are showing the classic signs of aminopyralid contamination. I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what measures might be taken. I'm reading about bio-stimulants but most of what I'm finding out about this type of contamination is that time is the only real thing that works. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:21 pm 
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I too have just joined as I came upon this site while looking for a solution to my contaminated soil.
I have lost 3 trees in my front lawn in approximately 7 years. All have been professionally planted. They seem to do well and "take" root wise for 3 to 6 months.
Then suddenly they begin to die.
My only conclusion is that about 9 years ago, a neighbor gave me a "weed killer" in a tupperware container. No instructions, label etc. It was, he told me, a professional weed killer that would end my weeds forever. I spread it all over my front lawn (which is zeriscape rocks mostly) and hoped for the best. Well, most weeds were killed. Some came back the following spring and I've been spraying ever since.
Is it possible that this 'weed killer" is lying dormant in my soil and killing my new trees
after they establish a root system?


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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:38 am 
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Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
Luckydog, I fear you're correct about the Grazon contamination. Here is a notice from NCSU.edu http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/ncorganic/special-pubs/herbicide_carryover.pdf Here are the full Google results.

Contaminated Soil Detox Program

I used coastal hay for bedding for my dogs until my vet said it could be problematic. I used to put the old hay from their stall into the compost. Now I don't use the hay at all, the dogs sleep on old cotton rags bundling for bedding. Though it wasn't a huge volume in my compost, if it was treated it may have had an impact. I had a couple of years when the crops were small and the plants not so robust.

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Grazon-warning-NCSU-form.JPG
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flygirlkaff, it sounds like your neighbor wasn't doing you a favor with that chemical. Be careful how you dispose of that tupperware container. Find a community toxic waste collection site to hand it over. You said you've been "spraying ever since" - spraying with what?

Weed killer is a classic mistake for killing trees. Look at the detox program to help the soil. Also look at the recommended organic weed control methods if you must spray (instead of simply pulling weeds). Also, "professional" tree planting is no guarantee that trees will survive. For some trees it is the kiss of death if all they do is dig a hole, drop in the tree, and spread pretty mulch over the top. Soaking the roots, untwisting roots wrapped from being in a pot, using native soil only and making sure not to plant the tree too deep (since it is probably already too deep in the pot). Read the tree planting newsletter and think about planting your own trees next time. And consider smaller trees - planted properly they'll quickly catch up to the larger trees you can buy, and they'll be easier to handle when planting.

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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:11 am 
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Thank you Northwesterner. Lotsa good info. I'm spraying with spectracide when weeds emerge. I have also planted smaller trees myself with no success. I will read your other suggestions in hope of detoxing soil and finding a solution. I really appreciate your input. Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:53 am 
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Thanks for the information, northwestener. I'm still looking into all my options and will add these to the list. I'm not feeling quite as devastated about this as I did when we first realized what we had unwittingly been doing!


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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 12:22 pm 
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Spectracide is in no way shape or form good for you or your garden. Look through the various offerings of this organic gardening site and you'll find lots of healthy alternatives. Take any Spectracide and other toxic garden chemicals to a community toxic waste collection site, it should never be discarded in the trash. But it should be gotten rid of!

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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 4:55 pm 
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Spectracide was never a consideration. I've been doing some reading and research on mycorrhizae and biostimulants. I'm thinking of using those in conjunction with some of the things you suggested. And I agree, it doesn't make sense to dig up problem A and move to where it'll just be problem B.


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 Post subject: Re: contaminated soil
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:40 pm 
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There were two questions asked in this same thread, the spectracide answer applied to the other question. There is a mycorrhizae product called Thrive that can be added via a watering can and sprinkled onto the ground in the garden. I've had good luck with it in my vegetable gardens.

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