[Paul Rhodes]

glyphosate, yes or no?

[Salmo]

Yes or no what?

[bigben]

If the answer is yes - another question could be glyphospate - where? I try to avoid spraying the beds I grow stuff in, but am less bothered about paths and targeted edges that are really difficult to get weeds out from. I have two greenhouse bases on my plot. Weeds pop up from gaps in the brickwork. I cannot dig them out but resort to spraying.

[DD.]

I think Salmo's question should be answered before we proceed.

[compostqueen]

There'll be tonnes written here about glyphos so I should take time to read the posts and all will become clear  

[stompy]

I think we all know what the question is, although a little more info within the OP's question would be better an more polite!

Yes, i would and do use Glyphosate.

I only use it when i really need to though and if i need to use around my crops i paint it onto the leaves of the weeds, also when i have lots of crops growing and i need to clear a larger unproductive area i don't spray i use a watering can.

[Goosegirl]

Personally, I think that we need a sensible, balanced and practical solution to this problem. We don't all have the time to weed organically, but nor do we want to compromise our beliefs. Some people are not physically able to dig and remove perennial weeds as they would like. Some, like me, are scared to spray with weedkiller as my cats may get it on their paws. I plan to bottle spray dandelions, etc, with glyphosate and cover them with lawn clippings. If you "spot spray" perennial weeds like this you will save yourself so much trouble later on. Where do we go from here - worry about weeds or enjoy our precious gardening times? Weeds (a plant in the wrong place) are unsightly and seed all around. Weeds can take nutrients from the soil, but if you feed your plants well, then hoe the weeds off....? I don't know the answer to this, but the enjoyment of gardening and reaping its produce, whatever that is, shouldn't be compromised by trying to acheive perfection in our own eyes or others.

[Dom2599]

I used this when i first took over my plot, it had not been touched for years, i used this on most of the plot, if it was green it got some, this went all for most of the first year. The plot is now mostly clear

I had cleared a small part by hand to grow something in our first year.

[ilan]

If you use glyphosate do it carefully according to instructions Then there are no significant side effects The glysophate will in effect become tightly bonded to the soil where it may remain for some time causing no side effects unless it is near a waterway

[Yorkie]

I am happy to use glyphosate once a year on stubborn couch grass on paths / around the side of the plot when it gets too stubbly for my electric strimmer to keep on top of or too tall to manage otherwise.

When showing people round neglected allotment plots, I tend to say to them that there is no shame in using glyphosate at the start of one's allotment journey, so that you can get on top of it and stay on top of it.  Most people want to grow fully organically - and it is wonderful if you have the time and energy to dedicate to that - but if the weeds get on top of you in your first season you will soon lose the will to go down ... leading to never succeeding.

[snowdrops]

I don't like to use it as a rule,but I have resorted to using it this year on the new plot I have swapped to. I had no idea how bad the couch grass was on it. If I dig with the fork it's like spaghetti under the soil so I'm using glyphosate to get it under control this year.

[Goldfinger]

Last year, I used it once, at the beginning of the growing season only on path edges and the damn ivy where my 'poly is now.

Looking at what's come back this year (so far), I may not need as much - if at all hopefully.

Except where I'm going to extend some beds into an ever widening path and putting a proper edge on it.

[WOODY7]

i'm planning to use it on my new plot this year ,anybody know the best time to use it i was thinking in the next couple of weeks ?

[AlaninCarlisle]

I haven't got the time or inclination to weed out stuff like docks, couch and nettles by any other method

[Ice]

i'm planning to use it on my new plot this year ,anybody know the best time to use it i was thinking in the next couple of weeks ?

It works best when the plant is actively growing so the next couple of weeks should be fine.