I recently discovered that my landlord's handyman sprayed herbicides around my low-to-the-ground edible container garden, and I'm worried that some of it drifted onto my raised planter box as well. I had spent a lot of money and time cultivating my plants, especially my basil and pea shoots, and was almost ready to harvest them. My landlord denies spraying near the plants, but I am certain herbicides were used. The soil and plants feel contaminated now, and I'm uncertain about consuming anything from my garden after what happened, especially since I just flushed the raised planter box thinking it was safe. This has caused me a lot of frustration and anxiety over my gardening efforts.
3 Answers
I totally understand your frustration! If the herbicides didn't kill your plants, you might not need to worry too much. Some herbicides, like glyphosate, don’t linger, so if your plants are still thriving, just give them a good wash and you might be fine. It feels disappointing, but it doesn’t always mean everything is ruined. Just be cautious moving forward!
Ugh, that sounds so frustrating! It’s also sad that not all landlords are considerate of their tenants’ gardens. If you haven’t done so yet, I’d recommend getting everything documented and figuring out a fair resolution from your landlord. Protecting your interests is crucial, especially when it comes to your hard work in the garden!
That’s really tough! It's hard when landlords don't consider how their actions affect your hobbies. I had a similar situation where a former landlord messed up my garden too. It's important to document everything—send your landlord an email outlining the damage caused by the handyman. Check your lease to see who’s responsible for yard work, and clarify any expectations. It might also help to request that this handyman is not sent back, as you deserve someone who respects your space.