Organic vs. Round-up regarding surrounding desired plants

14 years ago

I used salt and/or vinegar solution to kill weeds in the area where no desired plant is present around. Considering salt and vinegar is soaked into the soil, I don't think that soil that has been soaked with salty or vinegar water can be used any more for growing desired plants.

I started using Round-ups for the weeds around desired plants. Now, wouldn't the round-up chemical stay in the soil and gradually mix with the rest of the soil? And it will make the entire soil affected by the chemical. Having said that, whatever I want to grow would not do well in that surrounding area at all. Am I right? Or am I just jumping into conclusion too soon?

I am not sure now what to use for the weeds present around the desired plants I grow....... Would using Round-up and salt/vinegar eventually change the soil? Which one change more, if either one does?

Thanks

Featured Answer

JAYK

14 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

The active ingredient in Roundup binds very tightly to soil particles once it hits the ground, making it inactive herbicidally. Microbes then break it down into natural constituents over time. Unless there is a really huge load of the herbicide applied in a very, very sandy soil situation there should be no herbicidal effect on plants in the vicinity. Salt will affect the soil zone and poison it until it is washed away in rains over time. Applying enough salt will poison the growing area for quite a long time. Vinegar is less problematic, but it too can affect soil pH if enough is applied. Both salt or vinegar need to be used in much higher rates compared to glyphosate to effect weed control.

If your question is which regimen has the least effect on the root zone of nearby desirable plants, than glyphosate would be that regimen, although a light dose of weak vinegar occasionally will not be a big deal either. Salt is the least desirable option.

Here is a link that might be useful: Environmental fate of glyphosate

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