I see man-made chemicals / poisons as the absolute last step in solving gardening  problems (weeds and pests etc). I WILL use them if you require – as a last resort, but I don’t stock them in my arsenal.

This is for many reasons:

• Organic solutions solve more than one problem at a time, eg get rid of weeds AND feed the soil; or prevent/kill insect  pests AND feed plants
• Preparing and spraying chemicals is just as time consuming as preparing and using organic solutions. Chemicals also cost so much more money – not to mention the health risks
• Organics promote life in the garden, chemicals promote death – not only of unwanted plants and pests, but also of the soil.
• Chemical drift is a serious problem – you might want to kill the weeds, but your roses won’t take kindly to the spray.
• Weeds are much better put to use alive than dead – to revitalise the soil,  by returning the nutrients they’ve taken out. Slash them, let them feed the soil under mulch (which will in turn prevent them regrowing).
• Use your waste to make compost, not landfill. Alternately,  use lantana leaves to make an aphid deterrent, or soak weeds to make a plant tonic.
• Overall, organic pest and weed control strategies will feed your soil and your plants, making healthy crops and gardens. Chemicals will kill more than they they set out to do.