Pond Boss
Posted By: backabit Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/09/10 10:09 PM
For the past 8 years I have used high dollar weed killer. I read online how to make homemade weed killer. The recipe is 1 gallon of white vinegar, 1 cup salt, and 2 TBS of dish liquid soap. I was wondering if this recipe would be safe to use around my pond. I would not spray it in the pond but around the rocky banks. Below is a link to a photo of my pond. You can see I get grass/weeds that grow in the rocky bank.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30168652&l=ba4acfbc35&id=1263764433
Posted By: backabit Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/09/10 10:20 PM
If this wouldn't be safe can you give me other options? I would like to know what other folks use. I use a 3 gallon sprayer. What do you use and what would be the recipe to make 3 gallons?
If using reward, how much reward should I use in a 3 gallon sprayer?
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 01:19 PM
That looks more like a recipe for disaster than weed killer to me. Little bit of vegetative cure with the vinegar, little dose of soil sterilization with the salt and some soap for surfactant.

Inevitably you get some water contamination using anything that close to a pond. Many commercial products recommend a 25 foot clearance. And they dissipate. That salt is there for decades. I don't know if it ever breaks down, but after enough gets into your pond, maybe you can farm oysters.

Anything you choose to use, including Reward, has specific directions right on the package/bottle. I would not go that route, I'd use a glyphosate product on terrestial plants, but that is a personal choice.

You know what grows in salty soil?
Posted By: backabit Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 02:01 PM
Okay I will not use the vinegar recipe around the pond. But will still like to know what others use to kill their weeds around their ponds.
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 02:35 PM
It's not the vinegar that is the problem it is the salt. Australia has some of the highest naturally occuring salty soil in the world. It is close to sterile. Whoever posted that homemade recipe is a bit reckless. Salinity in the soil is a major agricultural problem. It can make formerly useful farmland useless. And the effects of runoff into a pond, which would happen, would be brackish waters, sedimentation and eventually a sterile pond.

The number one used herbicide in the world both privately and commercially is Glyphosate. Formerly owned by Monsanto. Trademark, Roundup. Not no more. I'm using that Wise Up product at $23 per gallon, for a 41% active ingrediant. But I only use it near water during drawdowns and Summer. With a 3 gal mix I'd use about 10 oz.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 04:31 PM
TPF, do you have Rural King or Big R stores near you? I bought 2.5 gallons of "Big N Tuff" which is 41% Glyphosate for $39.95 + sales tax from Big R. Rural King was the same price.
Posted By: backabit Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 06:15 PM
Yes I have a Rural King, Farm and Family, Big R, and Tractor supply. I have using aqua pro with cide kick. For a quart of aqua pro I have been paying $129.00. I only use 2 oz but it adds up quick. Looking for something that is just as good but don't break the bank. Thanks for the feedback. Seems like Glyphosate is the key here. I need to look around in the stores at what they have and what the active ingredient is.
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 06:41 PM
Backabit,

I respectfully disagree with Pondfrog. I can't imagine that little bit of salt would be a problem if it washed into the pond. Heck I use more salt than that all the time with my fish and it does them good. In aquaculture it's considered the 'aspirin" of aquaculture. We use it for hauling to reduce osmotic stress.

Some bodies of water have naturally elevated levels of salt and the fish do just fine. Bruce Condello's ponds have 5 gm/l.
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 06:56 PM
You can respectfully agree or disagree, putting a little bit of salt in with your fish and dumping cuploads on soil are two different things. Salt accumulates, it will leech into your pond and then pretty much raise the salinity to the point nothing will grow in your pond either. The bodies of water on this planet with high salinity are dead zones. Put your fish in them and see what happens. No salt for me, not even when I transport fish. I don't beleive in it.
Posted By: Greg Grimes Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 08:22 PM
TPF, sorry I have to agree with Cecil here. Look at the math I can dump thousand lbs of salt (they do this in aquaclture) in a 1 acre pond and see what the ppt level is. It is so diluate at that point then guess what its back to what it was prior. In fact many species of fish do well with a little salinity to the water. Salt is one of the best things around for fish health. We use it often for fish hauling and helping sick fish.
Posted By: Chuck Fikes Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 08:36 PM
This homemade weed killer has worked good for me. It is the organic formula from Howard Garret. It is best to use a very clean soap I normally use something like Dr. Bonner's. The hardest part is finding 10% vinegar look for pickeling vinegar or try an organic garden center or feed store in your area. Also, do not spray at the hottest time of the day the top of the plants will burn fast and it will not kill the root.

Vinegar Herbicide Formula:

1 gallon of 10% vinegar
Add 1 ounce orange oil or d-limonene
1 teaspoon liquid soap or other surfactant (Bio Wash)
Add molasses at 1 tablespoon per gallon to the vinegar formula
Do not add water

The other option is replace the salt in your formula with an ounce or two of orange oil and see what happens.
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 10:22 PM
This is the same ol retread disagreement. Some people believe in salt, others don't. When you transport fish the water in the tanks/bags is less than the salt in the fish. It just decreases the osmotic gradient bteween the fish and the transport water.

Putting it in the soil is totally different. It is not a temp fix. It is not changing the ppm of salt in the water for proper levels. It is uncontrolled salinity of the watershed. If the pond is on the high side already it can push it over the edge. Salt is highly soluable. It naturally leaches out of soil into water.

I don't use salt in fish I transport because I use the water they live in, and don't need to address osmoregulation. I don't use sedatives, I don't use antimicrobial. Salt baths do not improve a fishes health. Just take a look at the Salton Sea, Tilapia will soon be the only species to survive there.

I don't use homemade weed killers, I don't use salt on fish. I don't put salt on soil, or my food. I really don't care who agrees or disagrees. To me salt is toxic to fish and plant life.
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/10/10 11:19 PM

Pond frog,

I respect your opinion but just happen to disagree. I think the small amount of salt we are talking here is quite minor, especially considering salts are naturally found everywhere.

It's O.K. to disagree though. I still value your experience and opinions highly.
Posted By: catmandoo Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/11/10 01:08 AM
Backabit,

For nearly sixty years I've used vinegar, and a little salt, on my cucumbers, salads, and holiday headcheese. Sometimes I use both on my fish and chips too. I always wash my hands with a good soap before I eat. But, I wouldn't ever think of using a commercial weed killer for any of these things.

I've also used strong vinegar, with a little detergent, to kill weeds in my walkways, the gravel edging around the house, and down the middle of my driveway. It works very well. Here too, I wouldn't ever use a commercial weed killer that could get on my pets or grand children.

It is a little hard to find, but I try to use 20% agricultural vinegar, cut with a little water. Farm supply stores frequently carry it. Being a moderately strong acid, it needs careful handling. When I can't find it, I try to use straight 8% pickling vinegar.

I've never added salt to my weed killer, but in the amounts you posted, I certainly wouldn't expect an issue on soil or around a pond. Based on the info we have about your pond, a cup of salt would be extremely difficult to even detect in over a million gallons of water.

I would have a concern about commercial weed killer, especially if you have lilies or other water plants you wish to keep. It wouldn't take much of a Roundup-type chemical slick to do serious damage. Yet, the salt and vinegar will mix with the water and disperse very quickly.

For the most part, I'd try weed whacking. Around my pond I mainly use either my weed whacker, or I back my bushhog over the edge for especially difficult growth.

Good luck, and keep us posted.
Ken
Posted By: Bob Lusk Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/11/10 01:52 PM
Backabit,
I completely understand the science behind what you are wanting to do. The amount of salt you want to use will do absolutely no damage to your environment.
Pond Frog is wrong.
It takes more than 4,000 ppm total salts in fresh water to disrupt fish's ability to reproduce. That's more than 10,000 pounds of salt in one acre foot of water. And, even with that much salt, fish and many fresh water plants can still live and thrive. Salt is a critical compound used in transport of fish. It helps the fish keep from sloughing their slime, it fights parasites and stabilizes crowded fish in transport tanks. I managed a hatchery for several years where the water supply naturally has 3,500 ppm salts. People used that water to irrigate coastal bermuda, but they didn't let the water sit long. They flooded, then drained the fields and the grass took up what little salt was left, then the water went on down the irrigation system. My fish never had any of the traditional diseases and thrived in that water.
The home recipe you want to use will not do any damage to your pond. Use it if you wish.
If you use it, mist it onto the grass and a gallon of the stuff will cover a lot of ground.
Salt, vinegar...or even any governmentally approved herbicide...if overused or abused will cause environmental damage.
Bottom line is this...what little bit of salt (1 cup) used around a periphery of a pond will do no harm.
Looking at the picture of your pond, I bet you won't need to use more than a half gallon of that mix to do what you want to do.
Posted By: HoneyHole Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/11/10 04:25 PM
Backabit,

I second all that Bob says about the little amount of salt being of no concern for the health of your pond. In fact after enough applications you might get enough built up in the soil to prevent future vegetaion (doubtful though), which is what you are trying to accomplish. I too have experienced farming fish at 3500 ppt salt. Fish farmers around here dump salt by the dump truck load in ponds to help their fish. On another note, you should be able to find locally some 41-53% generic glyphosphate product for @ $20/gal. Mixing at a rate of 2-3 oz. per gal and an oz. of surfactant or soap, that comes to a big savings over what you are paying now.

-HH
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/11/10 05:02 PM
How many cups of salt we talking here. Guy says his 3 0z of herbicide add up. So how many cups of salt would add up? Then multiply that annual salt loading over the years. But how about we go outside the forum, from a bunch of pond managers to a Water Quality Specialist, from a Lake Management Unit?

http://www.iappo.org/pdf/IAPPO07_RoadSalt.pdf

Pretty much shoots down the no effect argument, and this is from a water quality expert. Road salt trickles in from the melting, it is not dumped or sprayed cup after cup pondside.
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/11/10 05:53 PM
Originally Posted By: The Pond Frog
Road salt trickles in from the melting, it is not dumped or sprayed cup after cup pondside.


But they also put truck salt down by the truckload tons right next to roadside ditches and creeks, at least around me. I wasn't aware it was dangerous in the water table just not what we want in our drinking water.
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/11/10 07:09 PM
What part of accumulation in aquatic systems and organisms do not need cloride do you not understand? Truckloads of salt getting dispersed on a wet road get diluted and cover a very large area, and most of them go out the roadside storm drains eventually going back to sea. Those cup after cup after cup are going straight into that pond and accumulating. You can argue all you want about road salts are not cupfuls of salt pondside. The impacts are what I have been stating all along, NEGATIVE!
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 12:04 AM
Originally Posted By: The Pond Frog
What part of accumulation in aquatic systems and organisms do not need cloride do you not understand?


shocked grin
Posted By: loretta Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 01:09 AM
I tried the recipe Backabit posted using regular vinegar from the grocery store, on my driveway. I only made up one batch as a test and it only worked on a few weeds. On other weeds it looked like they were starting to die but they came back. It was spring and not too dry and the weeds were still small. I was really disappointed.
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 01:22 AM
I saw the road salt program go South first hand. First all of the trees within 50 feet of the road started dying. Then stream in the lower elevation getting the higher elevation runoff started having major trout die off. Plants near the stream and river started dying. Biologist came in and said, road salt is the culprit. They switched over to road sand and never looked back.

I have also seen a pond die a horrible death from salt, never to recover. Guy had a lot of concrete work done around his home, and all of his walkways were salt rock finish. He had a real nice pond. Had, until all of the rain and runoff from his concrete hit the pond. It had one of the worst crashes I have witnessed. Just a slow and steady death. Plants started yellowing, fish started getting sick, dissolved O2 was also going away. Was called in too late after no one could figure it out. He lost everything, and that pond was filled in and a full length basketball court was put on top of the fill in, because nothing could live in the water. At first I thought it was muriatic acid runoff, or some type of concrete poisoning. But when I saw the type of concrete finish I had an idea many sacks of rock salt. Had water tested, just over 4 ppm salt. PH was also a disaster. Pond had at least 10 LMB over 5 and 3 over 10 plus 100 smaller ones. It was a sickening sight I will never forget. We even emergency aerated to no avail. The lack of dissolved O2 was merely a symptom, not the root cause. Guy was teary eyed at the very end, was planned to be his grandkids fishing hole. He built the court for them instead. You never forget jobs like that, never.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 03:08 AM
TPF, a buddy that lived out there had his whole back yard killed when the rock salt washed off of his new concrete deck. He ended up removing/replacing the soil.

Didn't Romans salt fields during their wars?
Posted By: Greg Grimes Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 12:27 PM
TPF, my suggestion take a deep breath. I understand your concern. However for what we are talking about is unfounded. When I first start posting here at PB many years ago I gave some bad advice. I would answer a question about a pond in another region and things are different there. My suggestions were not correct. I understand more now and speak expertly abtou SE. Even aware of different situations in my region.

I get the road salt issue and general concept of high salinity in some regions. However you are not doing the math- look again at the numbers Bob gave you. Do you honestly think somehow 50,000 lbs will end up in a small 1 acre 5 foot deep pond. Even if it did this is the concentration for a short time.

For growing fish in the SE I 100% wish I could get our lakes to have a little salinity it benefits fish- this is not debatable. Fact is no matter our efforts we can not get it up slightly unless we purposely dumped tons of salt in there. Then here you are stating we are doing damage by putting in a few cups over time. We get the point but you need to not be so general and look at spefic information.
Posted By: ewest Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 02:58 PM
Thank you Greg. Well done !
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 04:23 PM
You may think it is bad advice, because you have never seen the damaging effects first hand. Salt accumulates in water. I cannot say that enough. That is where it gathers and stays. It would not take long for those cupfuls of salt to equate to a few sacks of rock salt. I live in an area of disasterous salinity issues. Here is an older study from UC Davis, a few members understand the expertise this ag school supplies the public.

http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/repositoryfiles/ca4606p18-69646.pdf

You know what a 2,000 acre salt pond looks like? Can you imagine over 600,000 tons of salt leached out annually? This is where I live. I know this subject like the back of my hand. Salt exists everywhere on this planet. Two thirds of it are saturated seas and oceans. Salt also exists in rain, groundwater and city mains. It does not stay in the surface soil long, where the cupfuls are being sprayed. It leaches down to the water below. If this homemade recipe was used continually next to this pond, it would be just a matter of time before that pond was dead. If you think that is bad advice your ignorance on the subject is obvious.

You know how many truckloads of road salt were applied here? Zero.

Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 04:39 PM
But we don't live where you do Pond Frog and we don't have the salinites you have. That's what you're ignoring.
Posted By: Bob Lusk Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 04:49 PM
Pond Frog, we are limited by what we know.
That includes me, and in this case, you.
You can defend it all you want, but the science of your advice in backabit's case is dead wrong. For every study you find, I'll find two that disprove it.
Yes, I've worked with ponds twice as salty as ocean water, in near west Texas. The soil is sterile to plants that won't tolerate those concentrations, but there are plants living in those soils, leeching the salt and using it naturally and the pond is alive with its own algaes and tolerant creatures.
As a private fisheries biologist and lake manager in my 31st year as a professional, traveling North America helping landowners be better stewards of their land and water resources and owner of this website and Pond Boss magazine, my experiences and knowledge stand on its own merit.
Yours does, too.
The way we respond to questions on this website is a reflection of what we know and what we can discern and convey through the written word.
This question was clear.
So is the answer.
Now, sitting in my shoes, it will be interesting how you respond next.
I'm hoping you'll see the advice and respond appropriately.


Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 05:12 PM
Here is a scientific fact: No matter where you live it applies, water leaches salt out of soil. It holds it, it accumulates it. This area was not naturally saline, the water brought it in, and caused salinity, then became saturated. Many of these farmers have to retire acreage, as in it no longer supports crops. This homemade recipe would just add to the naturally occuring salt, and accumulate not in the soil it was applied on, but the water table below it. Maybe 8 cups annually, maybe more, it's just simple math how many years it would take to reach the point of no return. In the path towards there, every cup of salt is degrading the water table, it's ability to dissolve O2, it PH, it's ability to support plant life. This is not my opinion, this is proven science. It's not about truckloads of road salt, nor where I live, this is basic science that applies anywhere and everywhere.
Posted By: RAH Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/12/10 07:26 PM
One additional variable - How much water leaves the pond through the outlet? The water leaving the pond through the outlet contains disolved salt, the amount that leaves will equal the amount of salt added to the water, divided by the gallons of water in the pond, multiplied by the gallons leaving the pond through the outlet. If the water is saturated, then the amount leaving the pond is limited by the maximum solubility of your water (depends on water properies and temeperature). Unless your pond loses its water only through evaporation and seepage, the water leaving a pond will likely lower your salinity way below any measurable amount unless you add tons to your pond. Talk to your local extension or natural resources folks. "There is nothing less productive than arguing with someone who already knows the answer and does not consider alternate possibilities." Can't remember who said this first, or if I quoted it correctly, but you get the point.

P.S. I do not advocate spraying concoctions rather than highly efficacious herbicides that have been tested for safety.
Posted By: The Pond Frog Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 01:49 PM
RAH makes the only good argument in the entire thread. At least he does not say The Frog is wrong because we say so. Water movement is a huge factor. That is how the farmers in San Juaquin keep farming, they drain the subsurface water out and put it into salinization ponds. Other choice, retire the land and make it a salinization pond.

UD Davis folks are not wrong, neither is the water quality expert, but the Frog always is here as of late. Would I ever show up to a customer's pond with some homemade concoction called weed killer? Of course not. I would use gly, like always, like I already said.
Posted By: Sunil Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 03:15 PM
catmandoo wrote: "For nearly sixty years I've used vinegar, and a little salt, on my cucumbers, salads, and holiday headcheese."

OK, that's just wrong! Headcheese????
Posted By: catmandoo Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 04:47 PM
Originally Posted By: Sunil
catmandoo wrote: "For nearly sixty years I've used vinegar, and a little salt, on my cucumbers, salads, and holiday headcheese."

OK, that's just wrong! Headcheese????


I don't understand. What's wrong with that? Putting mayonaise or ketchup on the headcheese (sylte) would be just wrong! But, not vinegar and salt. Geeze, how do you serve it at your house?

When I make my Thanksgiving batch this year, I'll make enough so you and the family have some to enjoy, and to try with many different condiments.

Ken
Posted By: Sunil Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 05:22 PM
You really don't have to. Really!
Posted By: MRHELLO Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 05:28 PM
Ok I have to know, what is Headcheese?
Posted By: Attica Farmer Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 05:40 PM
Head cheese or brawn is a cold cut originating in Europe. Head cheese is not a cheese but a meat jelly made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig (sometimes a sheep or cow) in aspic. While the parts used can vary, the brain, eyes and ears are often removed. The tongue, and sometimes even the feet and heart may be included.

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_cheese
Posted By: catmandoo Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 05:53 PM
Originally Posted By: MRHELLO
Ok I have to know, what is Headcheese?


Attica Farmer hit it right on the head. His link has good photos and a very good description.

I don't use heads much anymore, as they are too hard to find. So, I just use pigs feet, neck, and shoulder, and I usually add some fresh venison.

As Attica's links says, it goes by many different names in different countries. My brother refers to it as "pig Jello." Absolutely delicious by any name!

And Sunil -- it won't be any bother at all. Heck, we would even enjoy a ride towards Pittsburgh at that time of year. What days are you going to be home around Thanksgiving?

I'm just a little concerned that we are talking about delicacies like headcheese on a thread about homemade weed killer. Somebody could get the wrong ideas.
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 05:59 PM
Originally Posted By: The Pond Frog
RAH makes the only good argument in the entire thread. At least he does not say The Frog is wrong because we say so. Water movement is a huge factor. That is how the farmers in San Juaquin keep farming, they drain the subsurface water out and put it into salinization ponds. Other choice, retire the land and make it a salinization pond.

UD Davis folks are not wrong, neither is the water quality expert, but the Frog always is here as of late. Would I ever show up to a customer's pond with some homemade concoction called weed killer? Of course not. I would use gly, like always, like I already said. And I would not try and push some gly product for twice the price per gallon available with 36% active ingrediant vs. 41% and sit there and say, well, I think mine works better, and I'll give you 10% off for being a member. How wrong is that?


TPF,

I'd love to go to the link you provided and show you the flaws in your thinking but considering you'd probably disagree anyway it isn't worth the time. I'll hand it to you. You are one stubborn dude! grin

Posted By: Attica Farmer Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 06:07 PM
I thought the headcheese conversation might help everyone relax but Cecil had to go ruin it for everyone by getting back on topic ..

LOL
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 06:45 PM
Originally Posted By: Attica Farmer
I thought the headcheese conversation might help everyone relax but Cecil had to go ruin it for everyone by getting back on topic ..

LOL


Sorry about that Attica. blush Here I thought it was just another random offtopic hijacking. I never realized there could be a purpose. grin
Posted By: RAH Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 06:49 PM
Somewhat tangential, but very illuminating
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrogen_monoxide_hoax
Posted By: MRHELLO Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 08:23 PM
Originally Posted By: catmandoo
Originally Posted By: MRHELLO
Ok I have to know, what is Headcheese?


Attica Farmer hit it right on the head. His link has good photos and a very good description.

I don't use heads much anymore, as they are too hard to find. So, I just use pigs feet, neck, and shoulder, and I usually add some fresh venison.

As Attica's links says, it goes by many different names in different countries. My brother refers to it as "pig Jello." Absolutely delicious by any name!

And Sunil -- it won't be any bother at all. Heck, we would even enjoy a ride towards Pittsburgh at that time of year. What days are you going to be home around Thanksgiving?

I'm just a little concerned that we are talking about delicacies like headcheese on a thread about homemade weed killer. Somebody could get the wrong ideas.



So you make your own. May have to try to get you to send some this why the next time you make some.

Thanks for the info and now time to get back on topic.
Posted By: WaterWizard Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/13/10 10:37 PM
I'm not going to offer any commentary on this topic but I think Penn and Teller did this bit the best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi3erdgVVTw I watched this video a long time ago in a class that focused partially on public relations in the environmental field. I love the lady who says she doesn't need to hear anymore about it and that she'll sign...while holding a bottle of water!
Posted By: Bill Cody Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 12:41 AM
The homemade weed killer "could" be okay for occassional use, but I would not use it on a regular nor a frequent basis. It could initially kill weeds but it could alter the growing conditions of the soil to promote another resistant plant or even damage the microorganisms in the soil that keep the soil "healthy" and functioning properly. A healthy soil is important. Normal soil does contain myrids of living organisms to process organics that accumulate in or on the soil. A resistant plant once established my be more difficult to eradicate than the original offending plants.

An approved herbicide such as a glysophate product (examples Rodeo + surfactant or ShoreKlear-Plus) dissipates and breaks down relatively rapidly leaving very little or no toxic residue and not altering the soil conditions.
Currently glysosphate products are in a price war and prices for it are about 1/2 what they were a couple years ago. Makers of Round-up (Monsanto) maintained fairly high prices with the rationale that newly developed surfactants make their product better than other brands or generics. But even now, makers of Round-Up are changing their philosophy and lowering their basic price. Users should currently see or will soon see a price decrease. Homemade may at times appear to work okay but it is not always better especially in the long term or if all things or features known and unknown are considered.
Posted By: catmandoo Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 01:36 AM
Just think! This thread would have probably only had two entries if Bill Cody's post above would have been the second post! That makes perfect sense, even to me.

I wouldn't have had to bring out the homemade headcheese recipe as an antidote.





P.S. The photo below is not headcheese -- it is cheesehead. There is a big difference. One is home made, the other home turf. Neither is very toxic, unless you are also a Viking's fan when they play each other. Being from the border, I'll spare you the embarrassment of seeing me in my horns-n-pigtails head dress and my Twins' Homer Hanky. Unfortunately, both states have been pretty seriously polluted with this material.


Posted By: Sunil Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 01:55 AM
Ken, you are the salt of the earth. Our distinct pleasure to know you.

I think you've lived close enough to Pittsburgh now to take the Steelers as your home team.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 02:49 AM
Ken:

It's been a while since I've had a headcheese sandwich. Tomorrow I'm going to have to hit the local grocery store and see if they have some.

My Dad's cousin's wife that lives in Fifield, Wi. is a die hard Packers fan. Dad always gives her a hard time during football season, and if the Bears lose, she's on the phone to him the second the game is over.

They don't know it, but I'm supposed to be getting 2 tickets to the Bears/Packers game in Soldiers Field this September. One of her sons will drive her down, and they both will go to the game together. Now that'll be interesting!
Posted By: Kelly Duffie Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 03:09 AM
Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
But even now, makers of Round-Up are lowering their basic price. Users should currently see or will soon see a price decrease.


Bill, as usual, I'm impressed! Your info is very accurate and timely. wink

As for the rest of this thread, I've enjoyed my popcorn in the bleachers - so far.

Although I do NOT agree with the portrayed ramifications of using the vinagar/salt weed-cocktail on a limited or infrequent basis, I also can't imagine anyone concluding that such a concoction; which caustically "mows" weeds on a temporary basis, is a more user-safe and "greener" alternative to properly diluted applications of glyphosate.
Granted, I have a vested interest in the later. However, I truly attempt to look at such debates from both angles. Maybe my bias has blinded me to the environmental-logic surrounding such "organic" approaches.
Then again, exactly what is "organic"?
Isn't it, by definition, any substance that is carbon-based????


Now I'm confused.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 03:16 AM
Here's a question for the masses.

If I have a glyphosate solution in a semi-transparent white contaner (mixed for application) and if it isn't applied directly after it's mixed, how long will it stay active, and will it retain it's potency?

My JD 345 has some motor issues, and the 25 gallon tow-behind sprayer is full. It's been on the trailer in the sun and heat for the past 2 days, and with the rain forecast for tomorrow, I don't know if I'll get it applied tomorrow either. If not, I'm shooting for Sunday.

Thoughts?
Posted By: catmandoo Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 03:21 AM
Oooh boy! This whole thing is ripe for moderating and lockdown.

Originally Posted By: Sunil
Ken, you are the salt of the earth.

I hope that doesn't mean you think I'm toxic to ponds. It could cost you your holiday gift pack of headcheese!



Originally Posted By: Sunil
I think you've lived close enough to Pittsburgh now to take the Steelers as your home team.

It's not about the team. It's not about the game. It's about the rivalry and the tailgating. Sometimes it even takes on political meaning. Like needing better BORDER CONTROL. Think FAVRE!

It divides families on game day



It can kill a referee's career


Where else can you have an outdoor BBQ at -23 degrees with brats and beer?


(Have we managed to hijack this thread far enough to detoxify it?)
Posted By: Kelly Duffie Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 03:31 AM
esshup - it greatly depends on the quality of the diluent (water) that you used in the spray-tank.
"Clean water" (no suspended colloids or excessive microbial organisms) will usually allow the "in-tank" glyphosate mixture to retain its nominal level of activity for several days, and possibly weeks. Otherwise, glyphosate will either bond with clay particles and/or suffer microbial degradation at varying rates & levels.
Posted By: RAH Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 10:30 AM
Based on what I understand, Kelly is right on the money. The key is water quality and being sure it can be resuspended/resulubilized if it fell out of solution. However, I would be inclined to spray it out (so it is not dumped in one spot) and use a fresh tank, unless you have time for a respray after you see what it does.

http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/pubs/fatememo/glyphos.pdf
Posted By: sprkplug Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 12:16 PM
Originally Posted By: esshup
Here's a question for the masses.

If I have a glyphosate solution in a semi-transparent white contaner (mixed for application) and if it isn't applied directly after it's mixed, how long will it stay active, and will it retain it's potency?

My JD 345 has some motor issues, and the 25 gallon tow-behind sprayer is full. It's been on the trailer in the sun and heat for the past 2 days, and with the rain forecast for tomorrow, I don't know if I'll get it applied tomorrow either. If not, I'm shooting for Sunday.

Thoughts?
Whoa! Now this is serious. esshup, what's wrong with the engine on your 345?
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 12:52 PM
Thanks guys. The water was potable water from a well, so I believe the water quality is O.K.

Sparkplug, I believe it has something to do with the governor. I had the tractor running at about 1/4 throttle, moving very slow (ground speed) while hand spraying. All of a sudden the RPM jumped to higher than it's highest setting, and when I throttled it down as low as it would go, it still seemed like the RPM was higher than when set on high.

FD590V motor. 18 hp 845 hours on it. The plastic cam gear was replaced at 700 hrs with a steel one. I thought my technical service manual covered this motor, but it doesn't. cry

Hopefully I can figure out what's wrong without taking it in to JD because they are backed up about 3 weeks. I hope that I don't have to pull the motor.........
Posted By: Sunil Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 12:54 PM
eeshup, just go to the store a look at the headcheese. That should be enough to send you out of the store empty handed.
Posted By: sprkplug Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 01:33 PM
esshup, I was service manager for a JD lawn and garden dealership for years before I opened my own shop. I am quite familiar with the 590 used on your tractor, as well as the 611 used on later model 345's. As you probably know, verify that the linkage to the throttle shaft is still hooked up, also check to see if the throttle plate inside the carb is still attached to the shaft... I've seen them fall off and be drawn into the engine. I don't want to hijack this thread, but if you need some long-distance help, let me know. I have all the JD service manuals... going to a family reunion in a few minutes, I'll check in later.

Tony
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 02:12 PM
Tony:

PM is being sent.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 02:18 PM
Sunil:

Have you had your breakfast already? grin

The headcheese that I'm familiar with has pieces of meat in it surrounded by a gelatinous tan jello. It's good sliced about 3/16" thick, slapped between two pieces of bread. Sliced thicker like that gives you some consistency in the meat pieces when you bite into the sandwich. Yum!!
Posted By: Bill Cody Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 06:59 PM
Postscript. Users should currently see or will soon see a price decrease in glysophate prices. Generic "full strength" glysophate can be purchased for around $10-15/gal and price is expected to go lower. Although this sometimes requires one to buy in quanity 2.5-20 gal. A gallon of full strength glysophate will make about 47 gallons of spray to kill most terrestrial 'weeds'. I would hardly call this high dollar herbicide.
Posted By: Kelly Duffie Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 07:20 PM
Originally Posted By: backabit
Yes I have a Rural King, Farm and Family, Big R, and Tractor supply. I have using aqua pro with cide kick. For a quart of aqua pro I have been paying $129.00


Post-Postscript: Someone should be arrested for theft.
Posted By: JKB Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/14/10 08:37 PM
Originally Posted By: Sunil
eeshup, just go to the store a look at the headcheese. That should be enough to send you out of the store empty handed.


Headcheese isn't what it use to be. I grew up on the stuff and love it. Can't get good headcheese anywhere. The best is where they slice up and cut strips out of the pigs snout. Looks like octopus suckers, and chewy, but hey, I like octopus!

People eat spiders and bugs. Not for a pile of cash would I try that.

Besides, headcheese goes with beer. You hearing me Sunil! Put a slab on a Ritz Cracker or two and soak up a barley pop! It could be a life changing experience to better eating habits!

I would like to visit Ken's someday and try the road kill menu!
Posted By: Sunil Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/16/10 12:52 PM
Thanks JKB, but I was able to resist temptation and avoid headcheese all weekend. It wasn't that hard to do.

On a side note, it's important to mention that this thread (with a PM or two) was the breaking point for Lusk in an ongoing discussion with The Pond Frog on what is and what is not acceptable conduct on the forum. Suffice it to say that Pond Frog will no longer be participating on Pond Boss. In light of this, we all have to be cognizant of the rules of conduct for participation on the forum, as well as the fact that forum participation is a privilege, and not a right. While I don't speak for Lusk, I can safely say this his tolerance level for misconduct on the forum, be it political commentary or disrespect to others, is greatly reduced.

The moderators and members are asked to be aware of violations of the forum rules. You can contact and report to a moderator if you think forum rules are being ignored. We try to run a good Forum here that respects its members while providing good sound information about management of our water resources. Thank you from all the Forum owners and moderators for being a member and obeying the rules.
It's too bad pond frog had to be banned from the forum, he did have alot of knowledge of certain areas of aquaculture, but he just didn't know when to stop beating a dead horse.
Posted By: backabit Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/17/10 10:13 PM
Wow, it seems this got a little out of hand. I agreed on the first page I would not use homemade weed killer. I just never heard of making it and was curious if it would work. I had a company from another state come and put in some grass carp( white amur )this past Spring. They seem to be feeding on the plants in the pond as I haven't had to use any treatments this year. Just using Aquashade. Got all the banks sprayed and my weeds are dead for now. I feel bad about the pond frog. He was very adamant in his dislike for salt around ponds. I like a great debate and hearing both sides. Not sure how we ended up discussing headcheese. My gramps use to eat that stuff and loved it. I was never brave enough to even try it. Could be great tasting but can't get past the looks of it.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 08/17/10 10:27 PM
Just don't look at it before you eat it! grin
Posted By: abbottmorris Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 07/13/12 10:05 AM
Many Many thanks for sharing this weed killer recipe with us. My friend is also dealing with weed problem. I would definitely suggest this recipe to her. I hope this homemade solution would definitely work..

links removed pending administration approval
Posted By: Dudley Landry Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 07/13/12 02:24 PM
I remember a time when head cheese was appropriately named but I think that down here it is now made with ham hocks and other more appealing pork cuts. Manufacturers would be wise to rename it.
Wow just read the whole thread.. Some people just know their right no matter what huh?? I guess the PM's must of been pretty rude because I didn't think the post were all too bad.. Except the fact it went from helpful comments too an argument.. Awww the excitement of pondboss thanks for putting the excitement in my day (I know I'm boring)..

Remember guys be thankful your members on this site and it's a privilege not a right
Posted By: Dudley Landry Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 07/13/12 06:39 PM
Even so, perhaps we should reserve a particle of admiration for anyone who has such courage of his convictions.
Posted By: John Wann Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 07/13/12 09:21 PM
Wow! That was something else.
Posted By: Cecil Baird1 Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 07/13/12 11:03 PM
Wow fascinating how a thread from 2010 can be resurrected.

grin
Posted By: John Wann Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 07/14/12 12:39 AM
I read that one top to bottom. Very entertaining. That guy really hates salt!
Posted By: FHD Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/19/15 05:35 PM
Wow! I was simply researching how to rid the weeds around my pond and came upon this thread. Interesting conversation and amusing! However, I didn't really come away with a clear answer to my question, lol. I don't use salt much as far as cooking with or ingesting it so I don't even have a cup of salt in the house and the only vinegar I have is cider so I don't believe I will be trying out a home recipe. I do, however have Roundup. It sounds like I can use that lightly and carefully. I really love my fish and I'm nervous about harming them. I even have a baby Koi this year after having two Koi for 7 years. I assumed they were the same sex. Although, judging by the size of the baby, he had to have been around last summer in hiding.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/19/15 05:54 PM
Read the label. Roundup isn't rated for use in or near ponds if the spray will hit the water. It's not the active ingredient (glyphosate) that is the problem, it's the other ingredients that are not listed. THEY have not been tested in a pond/lake/water environment for safety.
Posted By: RAH Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/19/15 06:00 PM
Actually they have been tested and are not safe to some pond life.
Posted By: dlowrance Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/19/15 07:04 PM
Wow...this was one HECK of a post string! I had to pop popcorn about halfway through page 1!!
Posted By: Bill D. Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/20/15 10:20 PM
So Guys,

Back to that original question now years later...kind of ...sort of.

I need a cost effective general herbicide around my property lines to take out briars, burdock you name it. Roundup works but costs me approximately $2 per gallon of spray. Is there a less expensive alternative these days? The spray would not be used within 50 feet of the pond. My landscape buddy suggested Cornerstone.

I also need a herbicide to use on the riprap in the swales to the pond as well as shoreline. Is there a cost effective product for that?
Posted By: sprkplug Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/20/15 10:28 PM
You might look at Shore-Klear.
Posted By: Bill D. Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/20/15 10:41 PM
Thanks Sparkie,

Probably not something carried locally. Do you know any PBF members that sell it? I know I can probably find it on-line but I like to try and support the forum guys if I can. If you do, or anybody else does, please send me a PM.

Thanks,

Bill
Posted By: catmandoo Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/20/15 10:47 PM
Originally Posted By: Cecil Baird1
Wow fascinating how a thread from 2010 can be resurrected. grin


More than that. A well known moderator from the Pittsburgh area, and a well known fish monger from the St. Louis area, consumed about a pound of my headcheese in about 15 minutes.

The AR in the pictures of that well known moderator's avatar came from that same weekend. The AR was supplied by our WV legal counselor! That legal beagle also helped consume the headcheese - along with beverages that probably could be construed as weed killer. Not all was home made in WV!
Posted By: sprkplug Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 02:08 AM
I'll bet esshup can come up with shore-klear.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 04:49 AM
Originally Posted By: sprkplug
I'll bet esshup can come up with shore-klear.


wink grin

I think Cornerstone is a generic glyphosate that is not rated for ponds.

Bill D., I'll send you a PM.
Posted By: Kelly Duffie Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 05:11 AM
Originally Posted By: RAH
Actually they have been tested and are not safe to some pond life.
Correct statement, in reference to terrestrial-labeled glyphosates which contain tallow-amine surfactants (wetting-agents) which can be harmful to aquatic organisms - including fish.
If a non-selective herbicide is appropriate, use an aquatic-label formulation of glyphosate (ie. RODEO, ROUNDUP CUSTOM, AQUANEAT, SHORECLEAR, etc.), OR imazapyr (POLARIS, etc); all of which will require an additional surfactant to enhance leaf-coverage and leaf-cuticle absorption.
If a selective herbicide treatment is desired (to control broadleaf weeds and woody plant species while leaving grassy-plants mostly unaffected), consider using an aquatic-labeled 2,4-D or triclopyr product, OR a soon-to-be aquatic-labeled formulation of aminopyralid. More details on the later in June.
For anyone interested in managing wildlife food plots, there are also grass-selective herbicides that control undesirable & intrusive grasses while leaving broadleaf plants/dicots unaffected.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 05:26 AM
Kelly:

You touched on food plots. What can be used to control undesirable broadleaf weeds in clover? (I have grass covered in those plots)
Posted By: lassig Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 12:13 PM
Scott,

Try 2-4 db I have used this on my clover plots for controlling broadleafs but mowing still works the best.
Posted By: esshup Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 02:20 PM
Mark, what's a trade name for it? Thanks!!
Posted By: mnfish Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 07:59 PM
Originally Posted By: lassig
Scott,

Try 2-4 db I have used this on my clover plots for controlling broadleafs but mowing still works the best.


+1
Posted By: lassig Re: Homemade weed killer. Pond safe?? - 05/21/15 08:04 PM
Butyrac 200
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