babylady
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Weed Killing : animal friendly chemicals???Hi All
I have a mountain of weeds in an area where I want to plant fruit trees and a wildflower meadow.
I would prefer not to use chemicals but may be my only option as the weeds have really taken hold especially the thorny brambles.
I have left brambles available in other areas for the birds but this area needs to be cleared off.
What can you suggest. I was told Roundup is ok for animal life but I'm doubtful that something that can kill weeds so aggressively is safe.
I have dogs, cats, birds so it HAS to be safe whatever I use.
Please help.
Thanks. 
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blowin
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I think most of us would prefer not to use chemicals but sometimes there is no practical alternative .
AFIK "Roundup" is generally considered to be the least persistent and damaging . It becomes inert very soon after making contact with the soil and you can re-seed shortly after that ( you would obviously read the instructions for detail ) . It is considered "pet safe" for the same reason . We have cats & dogs and share your concern for wildlife but have not noticed any problems following occasional use of this product over the years .
I think you will find that a much stronger brushwood or stump killer is normally recommended for tough stuff like brambles but you can get away with Roundup if you are prepared to give it a couple of doses . It works best when the target is growing vigorously so I would cut all the old growth to the ground now then spray when the new shoots appear . That should be in Spring but could be in just a few weeks if we get a warm spell . Good luck  .
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keithrawlins
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i do this for a living at the moment and have just finished the course for my licenes .round up is safe for pets after about 2 hours/when it is dried but for grazing animals eg goats cattle sheep you need to keep them of it for 2 days to alow it to breack down in the plant .but always read the lable as some weed killers difure
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wayland
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I think that weed killers like "Roundup" are a great helper in the case of a new weed infested plot. Being organic is all well and fine of course, but the disheartening prospect of trying to work a weed infested plot can cause some to give up altogether. Better to spray roundup first and then be organic is my view. Good luck
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babylady
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Thanks all.
Yeah will have to introduce some roundup or similar and like you said once weeds under control can start afresh and organic as possible.
Thanks
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blowin
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As you may know the REPS scheme ( to help small-scale farmers ) pays a premium if you are certified as "Organic" . It seems to be fairly common practice to hammer all the weeds with Roundup just before the beginning of the conversion period . Perhaps not totally in the spirit of the scheme but a working compromise .
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keithrawlins
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good news i passed my final exam . and am now licenced to handle and use pesticides. 
bad news the next day i lost my job [credit crunch] but there you go. 
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wayland
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Great news on your pass . Are you going to set up your own business now?
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keithrawlins
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im not sure what to do yet the main thing at the minite is the bills. but cafre aredoing hedgelaying,dry stone walling and tree selection andplanting. so ifi get those maybe start a field boundery maintinance firm
wewill have to wait and see.
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wayland
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Well the best of luck
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