least-toxic control

[Akiva]

Deborah wrote:

>Anyone have suggestions for weed abatement around schools?  Weeds seem to 
>be the worst "pest" to solve.......and Roundup is the easiest thing to use.
>Our 2 reps to the committee implementing the least-toxic pest control 
>policy
>at Ventura Unified are being ganged up on to put a herbicide on the
>"acceptable use list". We don't want to, but have to counter with a 
>potential solution that's effective & cheap. Some mechanical means have 
>been ruled out. (ie. Flamers have too much
>liabilty for use).  The BIGGEST problem is a weed problem that got out of 
>hand while they were hammering out the list of acceptable controls. Too 
>late for mulch?!
>Ideas?


anything may be done (or not done) rather than poisoning children:

a. grow something which can outcompete the weeds
b. have students study weeds for biology, than pull them out at end of 
lesson
c. invite school neighbors/parents to help garden at school
d. realize that weeds are preferable to poison
e. convert zone to xerioscape in which only drought tolerant plants will 
grow and not weeds.
f. sheetmulch over weeds using materials generated by the school

In general, weeds show up to benefit soil and microbial life in the absence 
of human stewardship or cultivation. Spraying poison is the poor substitute 
for true human stewardship and sends a poor message to the kids.

Happy solstice,
Akiva
Ojai, CA









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