by David The Good
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If you’ve been reading here for very long, you know I had a nasty run-in with toxic herbicides in composted cow manure a couple years back.
In one of my latest posts for The Prepper Project, I talk more about what you can do to avoid… contain… and identify if your supposedly organic and wonderful amendments are contaminated with DEATH.
Today’s takeaway: Don’t use off-site manure in your garden unless you own a freaking lab. Seriously.
2026 Reading List
Currently Reading
The Holy Bible (Douay-Rheims translation) by God
Don Quixote by Cervantes
Finished Reading
History of Rome by Michael Grant
Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rowlings
The Life of Greece by Will Durant
The Annals of Imperial Rome by Tacitus
The Persian Expedition by Xenophon (trans. Rex Warner)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 1
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2
Florida Foraging 1 by Billy Bailey
Florida Foraging 2 by Billy Bailey
I’m David The Good, gardening author, homesteading, survival gardener, nursery owner and plant geek. Let’s grow some food!
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3 responses to “@ThePrepper Project: More on Toxic Herbicides”
Strange that you posted this. Just today, I was commenting to my husband that it seems a lot of USA blog gardeners I follow have a hard time finding good, safe, organic compost and soils for their gardens. That doesn't sound like fun.
I ran into that last year using purchased hay as mulch. I noticed the effects within a few weeks and pulled up all the hay, but I did lose some annuals and a few plants in my vegetable garden (fortunately, I hadn't used much in with the vegs). The permanent plants all had deformed growth last year, but this year they all look nice and healthy. I think mine recovered so quickly because I only had it on the soil surface and for such a short time. It's my understanding that once it is mixed in with the soil it can take years to recover.
Of course, both the company I bought the hay from and the hay grower denied having used any sort of herbicide on the hay, but my plants showed otherwise. The experience has left me really gun-shy about using any organic matter that doesn't come from my own place.
[…] I remembered seeing this article on The Survival Gardener. The only thing these plants all have in common? They’re all mulched with tons of hay. […]