Saturday, September 19, 2009

Weed Killer I

Several years ago there was a weed killer commercial on TV that really bugged me. A bunch of little animated weeds walked and talked in annoying fashion and then got killed by some weed killer in a spray bottle because they were annoying and EVIL weeds. The thing that got my goat was the fact that all of the weeds were actually wildflowers that I know and love. Joe Pye Weed, dandelions, Queen Anne's Lace...yuck. It was a dark representation of the old gardener's adage that there is no such thing as a weed, there are only plants that grow in the wrong places.

I wasn't able to find the original offending ad on YouTube, but here is a Brit commercial that should give you the idea (although you'll probably approve of it if you dislike dandelions - I myself dream of someday cultivating dandelions in a raised bed and harvesting all of the edible parts for their goodness):

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Lawns I

I walk my indoor cats outside on leashes. Thank goodness that I live on two acres of land that is pesticide free. My landlord feels very strongly about not using pesticides and I am extremely grateful for that. Tonight, I'm too tired to be clever about my reasons for sharing my Pesticide Journey here. I just felt the need to organize my thoughts on this issue and to do some research. Maybe I can become more knowledgeable and formulate some balanced opinions BEFORE I become a raving, rabid, lunatic activist.

So first, I am going to spend some time with these people.