Note in the linked article 'grasses including sweet corn.are not affected.. by those herbicides."
And the writer doesn't cite any confirmation of finding the chemicals in the examples he attributes to them. I'm not trying to trash my beloved U MD extension. It just wouldn't hold up in court based on his anecdotal examples.
I don't know any other reason why you had such a bad year, when you're very experienced in gardening. Was this year any better?
This is my second year of 'polliwog' (stunted pointed) cucumbers myself, after plenty of success before. And my Cherokee Purple grew poorly, Mortgage Lifter not that great either, while Early Girl were fantastic. Absolutely NO herbicides or 'foreign' mulches or manures came anywhere near any of my gardens.
