A Chemical Reaction - Documentary Pesticide Use

[The Helpful Gardener]

I will certainly look into those books, but back to topic...

It seems Dr, Irwin's work continues to bear fruit...

The MAJORITY of ornamental pesticides go down in fertilizer combinant products like weed and feed. The Canadian government has taken the common sense stance that this is NOT in the best interest of the environment as a whole, or of its populace in general, as the health issues surrounding chemical use continue to unfold, despite the waters being muddied by lobbying dollars from the industry side.

This is a game changer to be sure, and much as the Supreme Court ruling outlined in the movie brough immediate response from the American chemical industry, I am sure we will see a flurry of activity around this issue here in the states. I will do my best to keep you all informed.

This is a HUGE leap forward in thinking about how we interact with our environment and a most logical step in the Canadian adoption of the Precautionary Principle. Such enlightened governance is to be commended, and it makes one long for such an approbable bureacracy here... Kudos to our neighbors to the north, and bless you Dr. June. One step closer to sainthood...

HG

[gixxerific]

That is a good step for the Canadians. But when will America open it's eyes? I know several people close to me that will garb for the weed and feed and I see it stocked fully on store shelves.

I fully understand their reasons for the banning of such weed and feeds. As the article states these products contain mainly broad-leaf 'cides which do no good unless the broad-leaf weed in question is actually present (not being an effective pre-emergent). So there are undoubtedly millions of consumers spreading a chemical that is not only dangerous to the environment as a whole but they are spreading a chemical that may not be needed and is wasted at the wrong time of the season. Kudos the Canada!! I have acutually discussed this very point with a garden department head at Lowe's she had no idea this was going on. Her comeback to my questioning why they are still sold in U.S. was "They want to make a large profit".

[Gerrie]

I'm really interested in seeing what kinds of rabbits the industry tries to pull out of it's hat. Sickening the way profits mean more than people to business and even more amazing how many folks don't take the precaution labels seriously. Someone I know thinks these labels are only written to protect the company from lawsuits, wears no protective clothing, no mask and refuses to listen to anything that us 'treehuggers' think. I can't wait to see the film.

[The Helpful Gardener]

The rabbits are already popping out; the chemical companies are challenging again under restriction of fair trade law and will likely try to tie NAFTA into their argument. There is too much money at stake for them to walk away quietly and the fact that their poisoning people has been known to them for some time holds little sway on their thinking. It will not be easy to beat their money.

But no force can hide truth forever, no party will suffer injustice indefinitely, and the Canadian people seem far more progressive in their thinking. Despite the claims of falling property values and disintegrating landscapes, the bans now in place for over a decade still support lush, beautilful lawns and landscapes and property values continue to rise. These straw man arguments continue to be fodder for the American mill; nonsense such as this will continue in a like manner for sometime, I suspect.

But we have a fine example of the right thing to do just north of us and they keep setting a better example all the time. Hopefully this movie can start the same conversations here, with the same results. But Dr. June started her campaign in 1985, and it is just seeing results over twenty years later. We need to start soon...

HG

[The Helpful Gardener]

Gixx, you asked; here's the link to put hands on the movie

Good reception tonight (the snow date). Met cherlynn; hey dear! Very nice to meet a HG member, and I am now an official garden club member as well. Spent the day at the Flower Show with the Foundation's executive director talking up the state premiere Mar. 7th. Working towards that and I'll let you know how it turns out, but tonight was well recieved. They love June, and what is not to? As the local newspaper editor says in the movie "If the environmental movement ever canonizes someone, it should be June Irwin." I think Duff is right.

Well now you can all see it. And you all should, and get some friends to see it with you. And get them to buy a copy. And so on and so on. Pay this forward and we might just clean things up...

HG

[gixxerific]

Ask and you shall receive. I would have loved to go to the screening, but it would not have been feasible so far away. There are several organizations around me that hold classes and show films. One in particular I would like to suggest a screening of "A Chemical Reaction" to. I will be going to see a film "Dirt" in Mar. While there I will see if I can get some feedback. If that's okay that is. "Dirt" is a film about soil which will fit in with "Teaming With Microbes".

I will definitely get a copy of that move, though it may be a few weeks, are they limited? I just spent a bunch of tax money on lawn and garden stuff. I will actually be following in Paul's footsteps for my lawn care this year. I Found his site last summer and have been going back to it quite a bit for reference and to watch the movies. He seems like a great person, and very knowledgeable.

Thanks for the heads up.
Dono

[Graymatter]

Many people are not aware that they don't have to use pollutants to have a successful garden. There are many companion plants that can achieve the same result as pesticides, and at the same time provide a useful bi product. Many industries are economically co- dependant that we do not get this information , so they can continue selling their products and polluting our lakes and rivers. Be apart of the solution , research companion planting, or check our site buildavictorygarden.com....... Getting excited; planting season is just about here, finally our first reaL THAW HAS ARRIVED. Time to have your game plan in order. happy planting to all.

[gixxerific]

Many people are not aware that they don't have to use pollutants to have a successful garden. There are many companion plants that can achieve the same result as pesticides, and at the same time provide a useful bi product. Many industries are economically co- dependant that we do not get this information , so they can continue selling their products and polluting our lakes and rivers. Be apart of the solution , research companion planting, or check our site buildavictorygarden.com....... Getting excited; planting season is just about here, finally our first reaL THAW HAS ARRIVED. Time to have your game plan in order. happy planting to all.

Now that's a great first post. Welcome aboard.

Dono

[The Helpful Gardener]

Many industries are economically co- dependant that we do not get this information , so they can continue selling their products and polluting our lakes and rivers.

GM hits the nail squarely on the head. The nitrogen fertilizer industry and the oil lobby are joined at the juncture of 4 gallons of bunker oil to make a fifty pound bag of fertilizer. The recipe starts by heating air to 800 degrees or so; not the greenest product even before we get it to the garden, where it kill off soil biology and runs into lakes, streams, and eventually, the ocean...

Nice post GM!

See you around, I hope...

HG

[The Helpful Gardener]

Sneak preview very well recieved; working towards the state premiere...Here's some videoI shot with my friend Nancy from Natureworks, one of Connecticut's original greens...

Enjoy! And spread the word...

HG

[gixxerific]

Awesome vid. We could hang and talk all night I'll bring the marshmallows.

Best quote in there:

Scott

Nature has worked for millions and millions of years. Chemicals have been around not quite 100 in our gardens. Which one do you trust? Nature or a chemical company executive?

Mad props HG.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Thanks Gixx!

Although if you and I are up all night I suspect there would be stronger staples than marshmallows at hand

My favorite is the toolboxes. Got that one from a post here; stealing my own material.

HG

[gixxerific]

Yeah the toolbox reference was good and hit home, being that I work construction and know a thing or 50 about making stuff and the right tools do make a HUGE difference.

Oh the marshmallows would just be the beginning I know of your love of a fine malt beverage, I'm with you on that. That darker the better I say. So when are you coming to the STL? We can feast and drink and you can tell me how I have gone wrong in my garden. Than the next morning we can fix things.

Apple, RBG, Toil, Soil, D_V, TDB, Earl_K, OL and the rest of you are all invited too.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Party in St. Lou!

Last one there buys the first round!



And Gixx, you have mostly gone RIGHT in your garden. Don't let anyone else tell you different. Even me.

HG

[applestar]

[The Helpful Gardener]

Well the big day was yesterday and I'm still taking it all in. We were cursed with the first absolutely perfect day of the year , so I was thinking that a Sunday matinee was DOA. Much gloom on my part in the AM.

Yet we still half filled the place, the chefs and farms were famously good, and the crowd was enthusiastic. A lively and vigorous debate followed, with a real who's who of organics in CT for the roundtable after. And Brett's movie is wonderful and Paul is lucky Brett let him be in it ( ). They are a dynamic team, like Scorsese and Deniro.

And Cinestudios remains the most beautiful place to see a movie in Connecticut; old Gothic stone and carved wood, and red velvet.

My thanks to all who participated; I have thanked you all elsewhere and this is not the place, but everyone in the building yesterday has my undying gratitude. I owe a particular debt to Rep. Richard Roy, cochair of the Environmental Committee for his attendance and participation. It was and is most appreciated.

HG

Thank You

[The Helpful Gardener]

Looks like the next showing in Connecticut will be April 1st, so of course I will be involved!

The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District is doing a showing in Middletown, CT., at the Middletown H.S. auditorium at 7PM in conjunction with the local vo-ag department; are these kids starting out right or what?

See ya there!

HG

[Nathan_sr]

Im a landscaper in RI and my company uses chemicals to fertilize lawns all over the stat and our fertilizer crews swear by the chemicals they use.i argue with them all the time and they keep telling me that there is no organics out there that will give u a greener and more fuller lawn.I have a hard time believing that and as far as plants and trees r concernd if it couses problems to us wont the chemicals couse problems for the as well down the roud.

[Nathan_sr]

i personly used and tested one way to deter the local pest like mosquito and difernt plant eating bugs by grinding old garlic cloves into a fine powder and mixing them in a spray bottle with watter and i find that it helps keep the bugs away.just a suggestion one hole bulb of cloves to 68oZ of watter

[The Helpful Gardener]

Hey Nate,

Talking to people who use the stuff for a living can be really difficult; you run into the "We've always done it this way" or "I tried it and it doesn't work." Paul Tukey (star of the movie) got a gig taking care of the nation's front yard, The National Mall, and we greened up an area that NPS was having trouble with while treating chemically, 100% organically. It was so succesful that somebody had to sabotage it (wonder who thought THAT was necessary? ).My yard may not be weed free, but it's as green as anyones elses on the street, and I do very little to get that. Try searching with the search function for "organic lawn" or hit the Lawn Forum fo more ideas...

You should post your bug juice in our Organic Insect and Pest Control Forum; we love it when people find things that work for them, especially if they are DIY projects...

Welcome to the Forums!

HG

[The Helpful Gardener]

So I was talking about the real story unfolding ...



HG

[forgardener]

Greetings all,

I recently interviewed an old friend and colleague, Paul Tukey, about his new movie, and we have featured the interview on the site. Please take a minute to read about this important film and then let's talk about it back here... I look forward to hearing from you all...

Thanks

Scott

It would be great to find out where and when this will be shown around the country. I am subscribed to several garden related ventures around here but you never know if I might have missed the one that will be showing or relating this presentation to the public.

[greenheirloom]

It's not well known in the United States that Home Depot has ceased sales of pesticides in Canada. But as Paul Tukey asks, why is it ok to still sell the same chemicals in the United States?

"Like our customers, we, at The Home Depot, are concerned about the environment," said Annette Verschuren, president of The Home Depot Canada and Asia. "We are going above and beyond government regulations by working with our suppliers to develop pesticide alternatives that are environmentally friendly and produce excellent results on lawns and gardens."

Now that is a great quote and begs the question, why is it OK here in the US? We all need to educate the public about the harm these pesticides can do.

[Gary350]

Good............Its about time!!!

[Leo Mitchell]

Having been trained by the university system in agriculture/horticulture in the 60's, I was not exposed to organic gardening concepts. It wasn't until I picked up a copy of Organic Gardening magazine that the world of organic gardening became a topic of interest. Having worked in the lawn care industry, I can only look back in sadness at the tons of chemicals, both pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers, I used. I did it out of ignorance, so I won't be to hard on myself or others. A film like this will take away the ignorance people have and they will no longer be able to claim "ignorance" as an excuse to continue the madness!

[georgepichardo]

Two Thumbs Up! A must-release film, and of course a must-see one.

[KayGarden]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have so many "discussions" with my husband about lawn care and so far I am "winning" by the skin of my teeth. I think, once I show him this, he will agree with my position much more. : )

Best,
KayGarden

[Chris@hisfarm]

I really enjoyed reading all of the comments that came about by sharing the movie!

Just as Hippocrates state let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food, So it is with the land that we are here to take care of.

I am grateful to be part of a community that chooses to help and make a difference!
javascript:emoticon(':D')

[atreecompany]

Great post, this is a topic that needs to be openly discussed because it affects the environment that we all live in. I'm glad the makers of this film were able to overcome the financial challenges and get it this out there.