Alaska Life

Here's why you should never use non-organic herbicides and pesticides

The other day I was asked what pesticides I would recommend for use by a condo association that is very proud of its grounds. Children were specifically mentioned. It seems the association regularly has their cotoneasters and birches sprayed with chemical pesticides, but some on their garden committee are now wondering if they should continue.

I am a gardener, not a ballplayer, but oh, how I love a lob. Perfect timing and perfect pitch. Here was my answer. It applies to everyone. In short, I do not recommend anyone use pesticides and herbicides if they are not totally organic. Ever. (Are you listening, Alaska Railroad? Apparently not, and shame on you).

I've made this decision based upon the research I have done, some for the three best-selling books I have authored, and some as a result of the myriad articles I read on the subject every week. There is no question in my mind that many, if not most, of the synthetic chemicals sold to gardeners are simply dangerous to your health and mine, or to the environment's.

Forget that the safety tests conducted to show these chemicals are fit are done by the sellers of the products. We all trust these folks to look out for our business before their shareholders, right? And, the tests are conducted for only 90-day periods. Heck, life is uncertain! Who cares about the impacts over the next six months, never mind the next generation.

And, amazingly, these tests use outdated science and lab techniques. Heck, it is 2016. You put more new science into making your coffee every morning. Today, we can actually do things (and cheaply) to see if there are changes in the DNA, for example. Even without using modern science, the safety of some chemicals (say "RoundUp," everyone!) is so questionable (companies do some pretty serious pushback to make money) that even the UN is involved. You would have to be a bit crazy to use these no matter what your political stance is on the United Nations.

Add to all of this that what is used by you never stays on your property. Spray those dandelions and the herbicide drifts -- even without Alaska-style winds -- miles and miles. How do you feel knowing that you live 25 miles outside Fairbanks, but you get to breathe in the same old dandelion killer those who live in a manicured subdivision do? How lucky!

Consider the serious attention states that have legalized cannabis are paying to what is in and on cannabis. Oh, high and mighty sanctity! Would that these same states (and the railroads they own!) might have the same concerns about what is sprayed on cotoneasters and birches around condos or individual yards. There is no way our Assembly in Anchorage would touch the problem, so it is hard to fathom the state Legislature stepping up to the plate. Lucky Alaska Railroad.

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In most cases, there are alternatives to using these chemicals, and I give them in my columns whenever I can. I am not insensitive to the plight of the poor gardener who gets hit by a disease or plague of some kind or a landowner who wants to save a tree. But sometimes the only choices are so bad that you need to let the insect, fungus or whatever the cause prevail. DDT, anyone? We are still finding it in bird eggs.

So, just to be clear in case I have muddled things so far, you won't find the use of dangerous chemicals ever suggested in my columns, and for good reason. A tree is important. Yes. A cotoneaster should not have all of its leaves chewed up. Surely. But an unsuspecting child or neighbor or especially a total stranger some 25 miles away is much more important.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar

Plant from seeds, outdoors: Peas, spinach, chard, mustard, kale, onion sets, potatoes

Harden off plants grown indoors: Put them in the shade for a few days, protected from the wind and increase exposure to sun for a few days.

Hoses: No leaks. Get washers.

Lawns: Now's still way too early to fertilize -- if ever!

Jeff Lowenfels has been writing this column for 40 years and never missed a week. He is the author of the best-selling, award-winning books "Teaming with Microbes" and "Teaming with Nutrients," which will become a trilogy with the impending publication of his third book. He can be reached at jefflowenfels@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com or click here to submit via any web browser.

Jeff Lowenfels

Jeff Lowenfels has written a weekly gardening column for the ADN for more than 45 years. His columns won the 2022 gold medal at the Garden Communicators International conference. He is the author of a series of books on organic gardening available at Amazon and elsewhere. He co-hosts the "Teaming With Microbes" podcast.

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