Help with Garden! (fertilizer question)

[Little Lion Head]

We are going to plant a garden this weekend with so many veggies I think it’s going to be at least 20 feet long!

My mom has the green thumb in the family so she is coming to help out. She said I should get “Preen” brand fertilizer which is also weed killer. Will this be safe to put on the garden if the bunnies are going to eat the veggies?

My mom said we should plant marigold flowers around the garden b/c wild rabbits don’t like the smell of them and it should keep them out of the garden.

I intend to fertilize with the bunnies’ poop.

Would love any other pointers to make sure I do this the healthiest way possible for the buns!

[LBJ10]

Which kind is she suggesting?

[Little Lion Head]

http://www.preen.com/products/preen-garden-weed-preventer-plus-plant-food

I’m thinking she uses this one…

[Little Lion Head]

I found this info online about Preen:

Ingredients: Corn Gluten

Safety: Preen Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer is immediately safe; children and pets can play in the area right after use. As with any product, some individuals may have an allergic reaction to inhalation of dust. Preen Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer is an organic product that will biodegrade and add organic nitrogen to the soil. Preen Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer is safe for use around and under bird feeders and bird houses. Simply follow the instructions and water the product into the top 1 to 2 inches of soil so the birds will not use this as a food source. It will not harm them if they do, but it will remove the weed prevention. Preen Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer will not harm earthworms.
– See more at: http://www.backyardstyle.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-19265#addtocartthing

[LBJ10]

Ah, I see. It has a pre-emergent herbicide in it (Trifluralin). This type of herbicide is highly toxic to fish and aquatic life, so there are warnings to not apply it where it could run off into a stream or pond.

The EPA offers some information, including the results of studies where rabbits and other animals were exposed to Trifluralin.
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastemin/minimize/factshts/triflur.pdf

The product label says the soil and plants are safe to touch after it has been watered in and it has dried. Still, I would be worried about possible exposure if any residue remains on the vegetables you’re growing.

What about using corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent instead? That would be much safer in my opinion.

[LBJ10]

Oops, looks like you found something while I was typing. LOL

Yes, the corn gluten meal would be safer (as I suggested in my post).

[JackRabbit]

The marigolds are actually to help keep insects away. Rabbits will eat the marigolds. If you have a problem with wild rabbits eating your garden, best to put up rabbit fencing around the garden.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sincerely wish I could help. I’m the only vegetarian I know with a BLACK thumb! I’m a plant murderer….it’s just awful….

[Little Lion Head]

LBJ–so do you think it would be unsafe if the rabbits eat the (washed) veggies? They won’t be in the garden at all since don’t go outside. That website actually sounds kind of scary (the effects!).

I’m totally willing to find something different. Can you buy just corn gluten meal? I’m so gardening-stupid; I just want to have everything I need before my mom gets here.

LPT–I can barely keep my houseplants alive…this will be interesting!

JR–I see that now as I’ve been researching…not sure what my mom was thinking? I’ve never seen any wild rabbits around here though. Either way, the marigolds will be pretty to have!

[Little Lion Head]

LBJ–so do you think it would be unsafe if the rabbits eat the (washed) veggies? They won’t be in the garden at all since don’t go outside. That website actually sounds kind of scary (the effects!).

I’m totally willing to find something different. Can you buy just corn gluten meal? I’m so gardening-stupid; I just want to have everything I need before my mom gets here.

LPT–I can barely keep my houseplants alive…this will be interesting!

JR–I see that now as I’ve been researching…not sure what my mom was thinking? I’ve never seen any wild rabbits around here though. Either way, the marigolds will be pretty to have!

[LBJ10]

Probably no worse than non-organic produce you buy from the grocery store since pre-emergent is often used in agricultural applications as well. That’s why I buy the organic spring mix.

You don’t have to use a pre-emergent. You could control weeds by putting down a thick layer of mulch too. But if you do want a pre-emergent, I would use the corn gluten meal. It’s better for the environment.

[LBJ10]

And yes, you can just buy a bag of corn gluten meal.

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