[DARC MIND]

certain varieties of horsetail can be contained in containers, ive done this for 3+yrs & so do many nurserys

they thrive in damp soil but not impossible to prevent from spreading nor is comfrey impossible to kill

They ruin ecosystems, reduce biodiversity and dont support many native insects.

same has been said about modern agriculture hence the rise/shift to eco-agriculture & ecological design

[VerdantGreen]

in the 10 years ive been at my present house, the field horsetail has spread from a corner across the whole garden even though i pull it and compost it wherever i see it. (it was all lawn before which contained it to where it wasnt mowed)

at least horsetail doesnt smother everything it grows with so its not so bad..... but as a gardener i deal with the fallout of people's poor gardening choices on a daily basis. peeps dont think 50 years ahead when they plant a tree that will eventually shade their whole garden and make the soil dry... etc etc.

i guess in the UK we've had longer to fuck up our ecosystems and natural balance - and we've done a pretty good job of it.

being sensitive to the future impact of our gardening choices is all part of being an organic gardener imo, but each to their own.

VG

I've been through Hoboken enough times to find it hard to believe anything grows there - even horsetail.

I cannot more highly suggest "Dirt: the erosion of civilizations" by David Montgomery. Enthralling and scientific read.

[Payaso]

Let's get clear, and stay on topic... does C.Danger mean that he suggests "Dirt: the erosion of civilizations" - or NOT?

[Payaso]

Thanks for the informative read about nettles Vonforne! Turns out I was confused between nettles and thistles. Seems we are in thistle territory... too dry up here on the volcano to grow nettles.

You folks would get depressed looking at the soils around here... dead, sandy; or dead and rocky... lots of red rock, lots of bottle rock in the area also. Shards of volcanic glass litter the area from the last eruptions... (NOT yesterday by the way )

It's a challenge I accept.

[Coba]

"being sensitive to the future impact of our gardening choices is all part of being an organic gardener"

I do not disagree.

Payaso, thanks for the catch there!

Originally Posted by Payaso

It's a challenge I accept.

Found a one hour vdo: Dave Montgomery - Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations

And the book online at google books

Thanks Carlos Danger, I'm going to watch the vdo today.

NP Payaso.

I forgot to add yesterday that kelp is also a dynamic accumulator, one which we all use but cannot grow. lol Collect yes but not grow. I love the smell of kelp meal too...........

Originally Posted by Payaso

Thanks for the informative read about nettles Vonforne! Turns out I was confused between nettles and thistles. Seems we are in thistle territory... too dry up here on the volcano to grow nettles.

You folks would get depressed looking at the soils around here... dead, sandy; or dead and rocky... lots of red rock, lots of bottle rock in the area also. Shards of volcanic glass litter the area from the last eruptions... (NOT yesterday by the way )

It's a challenge I accept.

Your land is not worthless......lava rock makes a great aeration component replacing the standard perlite. Give it a try and also using some local soil in your mixes. Just in small amounts.