I recently bought a house that has some gardens completely overrun with weeds. I'm considering using Roundup to eliminate them, but I'm wondering if it's safe to spray it in the gardens and start planting vegetables just a few weeks afterwards. Will the Roundup residue still be a problem after that time?
9 Answers
Tools like a stirrup hoe might be your best friend for weeding! It'll take some effort at first, but after that it’s just maintenance. I personally would never spray Roundup anywhere near my food – it's not worth the risk, especially with health concerns related to glyphosate.
Using Roundup introduces harmful 'forever chemicals' to the soil, which is something to avoid. I'd recommend pulling the weeds by hand or using a weed whacker followed by tilling to get rid of roots. It's also better for the microbiome in your soil.
Herbicides can be useful, but if you choose to go that route, opt for glyphosate rather than Roundup for affordability. Just be very careful where you use it as plants like tomatoes can be extremely sensitive. Always follow the label instructions!
Another method you could try is solarization. You can cover your garden area with clear, heavy-duty vinyl to trap heat from the sun. It helps reduce weed pressure over a few weeks, although it might not eliminate every weed.
I think it's okay to use it, but make sure you wait a good while before planting vegetables.
I really wouldn't recommend using any vegetation killer like Roundup in your garden. It's safer to pull the weeds out by hand or consider hiring someone to help. What I did was collect big cardboard boxes from folks during winter – things like TV and appliance boxes – and covered the garden area with them. Then, I put down some weed fabric on top and secured it with bricks. This way, you can either plant through holes in the fabric or try bucket gardening with food-grade buckets instead!
Honestly, I would just say no to using Roundup for this.
You might want to consider using agricultural vinegar instead of glyphosate products like Roundup. It's eco-friendlier and effective for weeds! Just be cautious and read up on the best uses of whichever product you choose.
Roundup can linger in the soil anywhere from 7 to 60 days, and some studies suggest it could remain for up to a year! Honestly, I'd skip it and just hand-pull the weeds. It's way safer for any future veggies!