Farm runoff

So i live on a family crop farm, i plan on growing about 10-15 plants in the untilled areas. we plant corn and soybeans and use anhydrous anomia fert. for nitrogen, and typical herbicide probably roundup. there are many drainage ditches and one holding pond (about 20yardsx30yards) near the areas where i plan on growing and was wondering what chemicals and or substances should i be looking for in the water that would harm my plants. it would make it a great deal easier to get water from theses water sources instead of hauling in water so i plan on getting a water test kit but i dont know what i should be looking for.

i know ill check pH

im from a farm community and have a few farmer friends who grow on their land and I know for a fact roundup will kill them on contact no return.....

So does this mean if there is a stream near my site I can't use the water from that stream? The stream will definently have runoff from the farm won't it?

I would use my own water source. Dig your own hole and put a big tarp in it and fill it yourself with water. The rain will keep water in it after you fill it and it will be alot easier than hauling it yourself

Does everything else in the area grow good? Like the weeds, grass, etc?

If so then your herbs will probably be fine. If not then find another place.

I wouldn't get your water from a drainage ditch but a stream should be fine. Water some grass with it and see if it dies. If you have a high enough herbicide in your stream to kill plants then you need to call your local water resource office and bitch em out and demand action. Might even be able to get some lawsuit money from it

Gastanker said:

I wouldn't get your water from a drainage ditch but a stream should be fine. Water some grass with it and see if it dies. If you have a high enough herbicide in your stream to kill plants then you need to call your local water resource office and bitch em out and demand action. Might even be able to get some lawsuit money from it

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im pretty sure its his farms runoff in the stream lol

TokeSmoker420 said:

im pretty sure its his farms runoff in the stream lol

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lol. prolly right. Here in California the army corps of engineers gets on your ass if the water has anything in it. If your project puts silt into the water they are on your ass so fast.

yeah i dont think my dad would appreciate being sued by me haha, the drainage ditches that the water would come from are full of vegetation and it is not stagnant as it usually has a decent flow of water through it