by Robin Rasch
The use of chemical pesticide/herbicide to control insects and weeds (pro/con) is a
controversial topic, especially if you are not a chemical agent user and your neighbor or
someone you share a property line with is. This article is a short dive into the topic and
ways we might approach it in our own gardens.
My point of view is to start with supporting the already built-in, life-sustaining design of
the natural world. If I cannot find what I consider a ‘safe’ alternative to chemical use,
maybe the pest can have the plant.
I have observed home garden chemical use in different places: California, Hawai’i and
Oregon. Hawai’i has a whole different level of pesticide/herbicide use, but the story of
home garden pesticide misuse applies to what I have observed in all three locations.
Invariably comes the moment I catch sight of a neighbor outside spraying ‘something’,
more times than not, a chemical, along the property line. And invariably the person
spraying has no protective gear with the spray drift landing on my plants/property. I
spring into action to have that conversation, “Please don’t spray chemicals on our
mutual property line.” This neighbor was cooperative.
Another instance, I came home to find a sudden die off of foliage growing along a
shared property line fence and noticed a neighbor’s landscape worker, nozzle in hand
carrying a pump sprayer. My spouse approaching the worker was not taken lightly and
the worker pointed the nozzle at my spouse. The neighbor and I had been introduced
previously, so I decided I would give conversation a try. Once we established glyphosate
(aka Roundup) was being sprayed, I shared my spouse’s interaction with her worker
and expressed my concern for her worker not wearing protective gear. Clearly, my
neighbor and her worker were oblivious to the caution required when applying
glyphosate.
At the time, I was part of a group advocating for the passage of a legislative bill that
would limit the use of glyphosate being applied by Hawai’i County workers to Hawai’i
County-owned property, so I had reliable literature to share and I asked my neighbor if
she would be open to reading the material. She agreed. Something had an impact on
her and she shifted from chemical use to weedwacking. I can’t say what convinced her
to shift; the literature? fear of poison of herself and her worker? avoiding a conflict?
What I do know is that she showed an effort to resolve the issue by making a change.
When my banana crop came in, I shared the surplus with her and her worker.
I am sure many of us have our own stories of neighbor interactions and tips, and
every situation is different with its own set of dynamics. If we decide to have a
productive conversation, how can we best prepare?
- What do my neighbor and I have in common?. For example, love of gardening, or you
like your neighbor’s landscape design, or, __? - Starting with, what’s my own attitude? angry? anxious? assumptions? Writing down
and exploring those thoughts beforehand might help soften it if there is an emotional
charge. - It can feel awkward for both parties to have a conversation when there is the potential
for disagreement. Can I be flexible with my expectations? Am I open to neighbor
feedback (positive or negative)? - Ask what is being sprayed before reacting.
- If the neighbor is open, decide on a good time to have a discussion. Have an initial
meeting to share concerns. If necessary, allow time for your neighbor to think about a
plan for follow up. - Listen to understand where your neighbor is coming from and share your concerns,
avoiding criticism. - If it is chemicals or something that we believe is adverse to our plants/property/
household, we can ask if the neighbor is open to considering alternatives. - Share literature that can inform and/or suggest alternatives. OSU Master Gardener
Extension website can be a resource.
I was grateful to preserve a speaking relationship with my neighbor. Of course, we
cannot know ahead of time the outcome of such conversations, but if we take time to
prepare our best selves, regardless of the neighbor feedback or outcome, we can
decide to advocate for the way we want to be understood.
A brief side note. The conversation about the use of glyphosate (aka Roundup) and
other chemicals where I lived in Hawai’i is a deeper dive than I can share here. And,
though our Hawai’i legislative bill of 2015 to protect against the use of glyphosate failed,
what started as a campaign to limit spraying of glyphosate by Hawai’i County on Hawai’i
County property as of 2023 has become the new practice.
If interested please see hawaiicounty.gov, excerpt below.
“The County of Hawaiʻi, Public Works Department is announcing its plans to end the
use of glyphosate-based herbicides on County roadsides, drainage structures, rights-ofways,
and easements by July 1, 2023″
