Terrible things happen to good gardners.

11 years ago

I, like most gardeners anxiously stated in early January, hours
of planning, days spent seed starting and nurturing. Put in early crops, set seedlings inside then
outside, inside again and outside again until the weather was good enough for
them. Went out to cover the tender plants when it was going to be too cool for
them at night. Finally, 5 months later, everything in in the ground: Tomatoes, radishes, beets, squash, turnips,
beans, green beans, dill, potatoes,
watermelon, cucumber, honey dew, cabbages, spinach, rutabaga, peas and six
types of lettuce. Then there are the
rhubarbs, blueberries, raspberries, grapes and cherries. The apple, pear and plum trees. All up and flourishing, this is going to be
bumper crop year! Hours and hours of
work and now it is time to get the cook books and canning recipes. AND THEN IT HAPPENS…. The farmer sprayed
2-4-D, while it was windy. It blew into
my gardens…almost everything is affected.
I am sad today.

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Comments (4)

gardenerlorisc_ia
11 years ago
Not too smart of him, and I would go have a talk with him. If he does not pay damages, it is off to small claims court.
citytransplant(zone5) thanked gardenerlorisc_ia
User
11 years ago
If you are certain it was the farmer spraying 2-4-d when it was windy, which probably violates the USDA regs for using herbicides, go have a chat with them and the county's environmental agency.

There are perhaps BIG fines for doing stupid stuff like that.
citytransplant(zone5) thanked User
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citytransplant(zone5)
Original Author
11 years ago
I figured that I could yell, scream and stomp my foot, but then remembered that I garden to relax, not to get excited about things so I did not go in the garden, just sulked for a day. Yesterday I was very grateful that the season was young enough to replant, but it was too windy to work outside, so stayed in and re-planned my gardening.

This morning the farmer was here, he said that he had immediately contacted the person who sprayed who in turn contacted his insurance agent.

I am so glad that I had my little pity party and did not immediately tear everything out. The agent needs to see the damage himself.

I have no idea of how to figure damages on the hours of tending seedlings, the years of coaxing fruit trees and bushes, but seriously it really does not matter. I am so very thankful that I garden to relax and that it is not an eat or starve situation.
elisa_z5
11 years ago
So sorry this happened!!

It sounds like a story that is still unfolding, and will be instructive for you, the farmer, the sprayer, and possibly the insurance company as well. I hope you pursue it, in a relaxed manner of course, and allow yourself to be compensated. You'll be laying the ground work for future situations like this, and hopefully preventing future occurrences (for yourself and others).

Please keep us updated -- that way it will be instructive for many!