Desiree or Charlotte? And are they normal??

[veggiechicken]

Bumping this thread to ask Bario for the latest news. Hope its better than it seemed to be.

[bearded bloke]

Looking at the last block of pictures, the tomato plant looks to me to have leaf curl rather than weed killer damage.

[bario1]

Looking at the last block of pictures, the tomato plant looks to me to have leaf curl rather than weed killer damage.

Sadly you're wrong BB, this was 100% aminopyralid damage. If you look closely you can see that even the flower buds are distorted. Everywhere that I put that manure I saw twisted, stunted growth - potatoes, tomatoes, peas, onions and broad beans.

If more evidence is needed, take a look at this picture (taken today) of a broad bean plant that I direct sowed too close to a row of (poisoned) onions - you can see healthy growth behind:



Thankfully, the damage is fairly localised, as I didn't dig the stuff into the whole plot, but I did lose most of my potatoes and my outside peas, and some onions.

I did dig loads into the beds I was going to grow my courgettes in, but I've planted those up with squashes instead - apparently the squash family is not affected by aminopyralid as much as other plant types, and they do seem to be growing normally - whether I'll eat anything they produce, i haven't decided yet. I'm hoping that they'll 'draw out' the noxious stuff from the beds in some way.

So - beware of horse manure! Test it before you use it! Don't assume (as I did) that this problem is a thing of the past....

[Scarlet]

So - beware of horse manure! Test it before you use it! Don't assume (as I did) that this problem is a thing of the past....

This is a sad thread. Are you going to get rid of some of your soil or wait it out? You must be gutted

[veggiechicken]

Really sorry Bario.
A timely warning for all those who think manure is safe to use

[Nannysally99]

Another sorry from me Bario

[Penellype]

And from me. Devastating to do all that work and have it come to nothing, and then have to deal with the remaining problem. I hope your squashes grow well.

[bario1]

Are you going to get rid of some of your soil or wait it out?

I'll wait till the end of the season, then dig what I can out. Each time the soil gets turned over the chemical depletes, but apparently it can hang about for 4 or 5 years, so yeah, I'm gutted!

[muddled]

Oh blimey...the damage to your plants is just awful.
The problem, we know, is horrendous but actually seeing the twisted and stunted growth....well, it must make you want to weep.
It does me.
I'm gutted for you Bario.

I think I might reserve those beds for a flower patch the next couple of years.
What on earth will you do with the soil you dig out?

[Bren In Pots]

Sorry to read about your what's been happening to you Bario

[bario1]

Aw, thanks for all the concern folks, but apart from the spuds, it's not caused too much mayhem - I'm having a pretty decent season to be honest! I'd mainly added it to containers rather than digging it into the ground, so I don't feel like my whole plot has been sullied. As to what I'll do with the contaminated soil, I haven't decided yet - maybe spread it thinly on an area of waste ground somewhere? Maybe I can help someone out with a weed problem??

[Nicos]

Sorry to see it confirmed bario.
I suppose at least you now know what you are dealing with.

Keep us updated won't you?