<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Ask Umbra on urban foraging]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by boakly http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/ Mon, 18 May 2009 06:18:46 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/1 So is it a good rule of thumb to say that if you see lots of weeds in your local park, it is pesticide-free? Probably not, eh? Also, you have to wonder about all the other toxins floating around in our cities, as Umbra mentions. Also brings up the question of how pesticide and toxin-free are our rural farms where the food comes from?

]]> So is it a good rule of thumb to say that if you see lots of weeds in your local park, it is pesticide-free? Probably not, eh? Also, you have to wonder about all the other toxins floating around in our cities, as Umbra mentions. Also brings up the question of how pesticide and toxin-free are our rural farms where the food comes from?

]]> Comment #2 by jillbilly http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/ Mon, 18 May 2009 07:09:15 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/2 Oh, my! As soon as I recover from the laugh-cramp I just suffered, I'll ponder the long-term impact a new generation of urban foragers would have on our green city. The motto of Chicago, as I'm sure you know, is Urbus en Horto (city in a garden) and our current mayor-for-life is doing his darn-diggenest to make sure the whole world knows it. I'm trying to envision this new/old green sensibility being embraced by citizens who've known nothing but grocery blight for generations ("How To Grow Your Own Sliders", perhaps). It is true that there are plenty of rosy-cheeked upstarts turning abandoned lots into community gardens, but the idea that any of our already-squandered tax dollars would be earmarked for Park District maintenance, even of the toxic variety, can only be described as pessimistic naivety. So relax, dear Kjersten - the city that can't afford to replace dangerous outdated playground equipment will certainly skimp on the expensive chemical weedicides. But, just to be on the safe side, don't graze in Millennium Park, which is Hizzoner's front yard. Come on down to the South Side wilderness instead.

]]> Oh, my! As soon as I recover from the laugh-cramp I just suffered, I'll ponder the long-term impact a new generation of urban foragers would have on our green city. The motto of Chicago, as I'm sure you know, is Urbus en Horto (city in a garden) and our current mayor-for-life is doing his darn-diggenest to make sure the whole world knows it. I'm trying to envision this new/old green sensibility being embraced by citizens who've known nothing but grocery blight for generations ("How To Grow Your Own Sliders", perhaps). It is true that there are plenty of rosy-cheeked upstarts turning abandoned lots into community gardens, but the idea that any of our already-squandered tax dollars would be earmarked for Park District maintenance, even of the toxic variety, can only be described as pessimistic naivety. So relax, dear Kjersten - the city that can't afford to replace dangerous outdated playground equipment will certainly skimp on the expensive chemical weedicides. But, just to be on the safe side, don't graze in Millennium Park, which is Hizzoner's front yard. Come on down to the South Side wilderness instead.

]]> Comment #3 by splashy http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/ Mon, 18 May 2009 22:49:14 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/3 Um, I think that really it's herbicides that would kill the dandelions, not pesticides. Pesticides are for insects, herbicides for plants.

But, since there are so many dandeliens, then it would be herbicides everyone is talking about, right?

Otherwise it would be about chiggers, ticks, and other insects.

Just trying to make it all clear to everyone. There is a difference between the chemicals, although all of them are probably not what you would want in your dandelion wine.

]]> Um, I think that really it's herbicides that would kill the dandelions, not pesticides. Pesticides are for insects, herbicides for plants.

But, since there are so many dandeliens, then it would be herbicides everyone is talking about, right?

Otherwise it would be about chiggers, ticks, and other insects.

Just trying to make it all clear to everyone. There is a difference between the chemicals, although all of them are probably not what you would want in your dandelion wine.

]]> Comment #4 by PermieWriter http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/ Sat, 23 May 2009 17:52:47 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-15-ask-umbra-urban-foraging/4 It's usually pretty obvious when someone has been spraying herbicides. If there are a bunch of dead plants in a spray pattern and a nasty, chemical smell in the air, don't pick the flowers.

]]> It's usually pretty obvious when someone has been spraying herbicides. If there are a bunch of dead plants in a spray pattern and a nasty, chemical smell in the air, don't pick the flowers.

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