Neat Solution to the Greenhouse Weeding Problem

jojackson said:
I wouldnt risk that at all Pure, The tortoise dosent know its not suppose to munch poisoned plants.
Personally I would think, digging out the topsoil, laying weedmat and gravel ontop would pretty much Kibosh the weed problem, though the tortoise wouldnt like it.
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Well no, I wouldn't either if I kept torts. I'm saying instead of forcing an animal to eat what may not be the right diet. Use this. I wouldn't consider a green house an Ideal freerange Tort environment. Torts are known to bang on things (walls) of any enclosure with their shells. I wouldn't risk the green house or the Tort by keeping one free range in a green house.

edit: When I say "around animals" I'm speaking about this persons current "caged" collection. I wouldn't use this chemical around any animal that may have access to the plants after being poisoned. Like I said you have to be careful with this stuff, it isn't something to be toyed with. As a matter of fact, to spray it in a commercial application "lawn guys" you have to be licensed.
 
Weed killer works fine in a greenhouse without tortoises. Red foots, or any tortoise, are not going to solve all of your weed problems though, especially in a greenhouse. Might I suggest an inexpensive ground cloth ? Any greenhouse supply company has them, and you get what you pay for, as ground cloths range from cheap and of short duration, to those that will last almost forever. You can also decide to use the ground cloth in areas you want to keep clear, and allow weeds to grow in other areas to support your tortoises, and supplement with a good tortoise chow. In all candidness, I do not think you've done much homework on this, if any.
 
Just got back from my weekday classes.

My goals for the weeds in the greenhouse is to have them trimmed low and not 100% gone. I think from a scenery, humidity, and temperature perspective that it is good to have some around. I think the chameleons prefer the green house with extra greenery. However when the weeds restrict air flow they have got to be trimmed back and that's where the tortoise come in to to keep the weeds hedged low. I let my chameleons free range occasionally in the greenhouse and I can not consider using any chemicals as they may drink water with toxic chemicals off plants, eat a free ranging insect with toxins or eat some vegetation with toxic chemicals. As far as a ground cloth the only place appropriate would be in the middle path and I spend enough time in my greenhouse that a ground cloth to keep the weeds down is not necessary.

I've done homework on this matter however (with this thread) I'm not finished doing my homework. I have not got much background with keeping tortoises and have been consulting the local experts. As well as Red foots they think Yellow foots would work as well. From the people I have consulted they think the tortoises would keep the weeds down to my specifications. I when the green house is moved and is up to standards am going to attempt to keep tortoises and see if they can complete this job.

I'm planning on taking out all the plants that are possibly toxic out of the greenhouse and to not allow the tortoise to forage on these plants of concern.
 
I would still worry about the tort damaging the GH banging his shell against the walls. It would be simple enough though to put a 3 foot wall of plywood around the base of the walls to protect them.

And yeah I see your point. If you let the Chams free range do not use this chemical.
 
Pure maybe on other greenhouse coverings shell banging may be a problem. My greenhouse has a very durable plastic covering and I'm not worried about shell banging. The skin that's on my greenhouse is as think as a substantial piece of cardboard and has put up with cattle trying to get at the plants inside for about six years now. If cattle (including bulls) can not get to the greenery inside the greenhouse a tortoise is not going to be a problem. If the green house coverings were made of thin glass or plastic sheet banging could be a problem causing tearing or breaks.

Check out the photos from your old greenhouse thread. You'll see the skin is thick and durable.
 
The new drainage gravel has not broken down enough to make good soil for plants. There is no weeds or mint growing at all. The only weeds/mint are in the potted plants. Probably going to be a couple of years until I consider tortoises for weed control in the greenhouse at the new location.
 
I picked up two tropical tortoises from the 2015 Sacramento Reptile Show (Expect photo's when they are grown a bit more). However until then there is some growing to be done as the tortoises are babies. My weed control is on the way.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich
 
Motherlode Chameleon said:
I picked up two tropical tortoises from the 2015 Sacramento Reptile Show (Expect photo's when they are grown a bit more). However until then there is some growing to be done as the tortoises are babies. My weed control is on the way.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich
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Goats and tortoises: god's natural lawnmowers. :D
 
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