Hello all,

I would like to know what you good people think regarding the use of the herbicide paraquat. Is it a substance you would not apply under any circumstances, or only sparingly?

Part of my vegetable patch runs along a fenced off neighbours property which is never tended. The weeds and vines come through and strangle my plants, so I thought a dilute solution of paraquat sprayed through the fence would keep the vines at bay. I am concerned that the runoff would contaminate my edible plants though. Thank you.

I wouldn't risk it.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/paraquat/basics/facts.asp

http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/metiram-propoxur/paraquat-ext.html


If a neighbour sprayed it through the fence, I would be extremely unhappy.

Get some leather gardening gloves and a sickle, just chop them back once a week.

Please please please don't.

A few years back, Lamma saw the massive loss of cats and dogs within a 2-week period around autumn time because the Government was using paraquat to kill the weeds.

I made a formal complaint after losing my lovely dearly dog 6 years ago who was diagnosed to have absorbed the lethal herbicide through his paws (he didn't even need to eat the weeds that were sprayed on). He was a big dog, weighing over 30 pounds. Imagine what it can do to smaller animals and even kids, who happen to be around and somehow touch the weeds.

Its use has been banned from many developed countries, and as far as I know, the Government does not use it anymore on the island to kill off the weeds and that's probably why we don't see the massive deaths of animals these years.

Thank you Alan and Moley for your replies and concern. I would not have considered using paraquat but the gardener I had employed last year to help me clear up the land and prepare a garden and veg patch had bought some. Thankfully it is still almost full.

Where could I deposit it though. Is there a government run toxic waste dump anywhere in HK?

Anyone know of any homemade non-toxic herbicides? How about if I splash boiling, highly salted water through the fence? That ought to kill the weeds no?

I am a novice gardener and am realising just how labour intensive this whole business is. I know there are no real short-cuts to anything in life. However, if anyone is looking for an easy lay, then try the Laguna Music Club in Wanchai on any Sunday afternoon.