Board of Directors

We’ve had a few question/comments about the use of Roundupto control weeds in the Manor. I understand the concern. Here’s what we know and what we are doing.

This year when we contracted with Sarver Landscape for grass cutting, we added a couple of new services, including spring cleanup and weeding, previously done by our Manor crew. The Sarver crews are using Roundup for weed control ONLY on planting areas (that is, not on all common property, but just planting beds). They are also using a pre-emergent product called Snapshot, which will help keep weeds from sprouting and helps to reduce the amount of Roundup that needs to be used. Sarver mixes dye with the weed control product so that we can see where it is. When the dye is no longer visible, the product has dried. When our crews took care of weed control, we used Roundup on the beds, too, and we used it for many years without incident. We didn’t pair it with a pre-emergent product or mix it with dye. Our crews didn’t use backpack delivery systems, so it was probably less obvious.

Before the growing season began, and before Sarver began their services, I asked Bob to research any available alternatives to Roundup. There really just isn’t a comparable product for commercial use that works. I had the same conversation with Adam Sarver, and he concurred.

I, too, researched what alternative might be available, what the EPA had to say and the available information about the recent lawsuits against Monsanto. As you are no doubt aware, conflicting information abounds on any issue; Roundup is no different. There currently are three recent judgements against Monsanto (owned by Bayer), and the awards are huge. All three verdicts are being or will be appealed, and those outcomes are yet to come. At the same time, the EPA continues to maintain that there is little or no evidence that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, causes cancer, in particular, non-Hopkins lymphoma, as the lawsuits claim.

I won’t make a judgement one way or the other; all I’m saying is: there’s significant disagreement. Here’s a link to the MSDS sheet for the product Sarver is using and  a link to Bayer’s website, where several issues are addressed:

MSDS Roundup Quick Pro

All About Glyphosate

I hope you’ll agree with me that the Manor looks beautiful this spring – much of this is no doubt due to abundant rain, but the grass looks green and verdant, and we are seeing very few weeds. Weeds anywhere, if given the opportunity, will sneak into the grassy areas. We do need weed control.

However, due to the controversy over the product, the Board decided that residents can opt out of the Roundup application around their homes, provided they agree to take care of weed control.

Here’s how to do it:

If you wish to opt out, please stop by the Manor office and fill out an opt-out form (this will allow us to keep track of who is opting out) and pick up one or two landscape flags. I asked Bob to purchase small yard flags for this purpose. In order to differentiate our opt-out flags from any of the utility One Call flags, Bob chose a bright yellow green (chartreuse?). Then, simply place the flags in your planting beds where the Sarver crews can see them. They will know to skip those areas.

IF YOU DO OPT OUT, you are responsible for weed control in those areas.Again, weeds travel very quickly and pervasively into the grassy areas, so it’s important to keep them under control. If our crews notice weeds advancing out of your opted-out beds, we will notify you once, but we may have to add your beds back in to the service if the weeds continue to grow uncontrolled.

Thank you for your cooperation and for your concern for our neighborhood,

Sally Shipley

President