How long before it's safe?

moneyistooshorttomention

As in, how long does it take for land to recover from having conventional "chemical" weedkiller used on it?

There is some land near me that has had "yer conventional weedkiller" used on it recently:eek: and I'm wondering how long it will be before the land recovers and its safe to use any plants grown on it (be it for food or any other purpose)?

I'm thinking it might be around 5 years perhaps of "keeping the chemicals away" before the land is "clean" and anything on it is usable, but I'm not sure whether I'm correct on the time period or no. Maybe it's pretty usable after 2 years and if the "chemicos" stay away from it for that length of time anything on it becomes usable?/maybe its 5 years?/maybe its 10 years?/maybe its never? and they've just plain ruined the land.

But I know that organic farmers buying a farm that was previously farmed with chemicals have a certain period after which they can get Soil Association accreditation, so am presuming there is a "safe period" after which anything growing on that land is safe.

(Yep...I do know the previous owner of my current house could have used anything on my garden and I wouldn't have the foggiest and am just having to cross fingers/hope they aren't about to contaminate my organically-grown food some time after they have "moved on"). I estimate my own garden has definitely been chemical-free for about 2 years now, so it should be okay.

wallbash

Personally I think you are 'over' thinking any problems.
You don't know what was used, I'm thinking some just to clear the land? You may well be able to grow crops in the first year.
Waiting up to five seems extreme.
But it would be nice to find out what was used.

moneyistooshorttomention

That's where the nub of the problem lies, in that I don't know exactly what was used and therefore its as well to assume the worst I would think...

lostinrates

Soil association ( organic) requirements is usually two years no spray.

Ectophile

If it was glyphosate (Roundup), then it will be a few weeks. Despite all the horror stories, the stuff actually biodegrades in the soil and the land can be re-planted not long after.

The really persistent weed killers have been banned now.

moneyistooshorttomention

This is what I wonder about. I assume it, quite possibly, was Roundup that was used and know the manufacturers say it degrades quickly, but they obviously would say that.

Do you have any links to the most objective sources of information out there as to how long it takes for the soil to return to normal after this has been used?

Ectophile

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

This is what I wonder about. I assume it, quite possibly, was Roundup that was used and know the manufacturers say it degrades quickly, but they obviously would say that.

Do you have any links to the most objective sources of information out there as to how long it takes for the soil to return to normal after this has been used?

Avoiding anything published by Monsanto themselves, try:

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphotech.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/pdfs/factsheets/soc/tech/glyphosa.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/agr/pesticides/rightofway/docs/glyphosate-2011.pdf

forgotmyname

Modern weedkillers are crap. Inert when they hit the soil according to some of the labels.

Explains why the weeds come back within weeks of spraying the area.

I have a little bit of sodium chlorate weedkiller left. I think they have taken it off the shelves everywhere now.
Nothing grows for the rest of the year. Good job i stocked up when they were selling it at the £ shop.

Almost out now though. So used sparingly.