kqcrna said:Admittedly, I'm a rookie, which is why I suggested you contact your extension office. I've taken a heck of a lot of science classes in my life but they were all related to chemistry and physics, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology. Amazing that I was never required to learn anything about plants. More amazing yet that I manage to have a pretty garden most of the time. 
I tried to have an all-organic yard for quite a few years, and it was awful. Weeds and bugs were taking over. And I discovered that most organic information I found was impassioned anecdotal evidence rather that actual scientific research. I guess I don't know where to look?
I still try to keep my yard at least earth friendly if not strictly organic. I don't use pesticides or strong chemical fertilizers. I stick to more natural based stuff like fish fert, some Espoma products, and compost. But I no longer rule out a little Roundup or Preen. And while I haven't resorted to using pesticides again, the bugs are winning the battle so far.
Karen
I think you understand where I'm coming from. I have never ruled out Roundup but have used it as sparingly as possible. I used to say, "I'm not ABOVE Roundup but I only use it when I can't figure out another way". Working forward, I'd like to DECREASE my dependence on it. I now live smack in the city of Pittsburgh, which has a hideous environmental past. I used to live in a place where human impact was far far less. In other words, I want to personally be cleaner because my environment is dirtier. (I MUST say here that today's Pittsburghers are light years ahead of their elders in terms of green thinking. But I live in a house built in 1920 for probably miners' families and I still find broken galss, rusted metal, etc etc etc every time I dig anywhere in my yard. Don't even want to THINK about what fell with the rain before the steel mills went down.....)
I have never seen a frog or a toad on my small city lot. My friend's lot where I'm trying to kill Boston Ivy is even more urban - wedged between a house and an industrial building that faces a busy city street, I have no HOPE for frogs/toads there. SO salt is OK. THAT particular spot will not recover without bulldozing and the addition of several feet of good clean soil. Heck, there's only about 3 feet of ground between my friend's house and the asphalt parking lot of the building backing up to her house.
But the fence line on my OWN lot, I would like to replace rampant grapes in rampant Rose of Sharon with APPLE TREES, so I cannot use anything that will harm the trees.
I also think you understand that I want a firm SCIENTIFIC answer to my question so I can extrapolate it to my own situation.
CAN ANYBODY HELP A GREENIE OUT?????
