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2-4-D wilt to garden plants #875464

Asked July 01, 2024, 10:32 AM EDT

I spayed my lawn with 2-4-D on a calm evening at the rate according to the label. I chose the evening as to not have issues with temperature inversion. There was no droplet or liquid drift onto my garden. There was a chemical odor after spraying. Two days later i notice my green beans and cucumber leaves were wilting but perked up two days later and now appear normal, it has now been 7 days since the lawn was spayed. It looks like the first picking of beans will be ready in another 7 days will they be safe to eat? Sorry i did not think to take any pictures.

Wadena County Minnesota

Expert Response

No. You will have to decide the level of risk you want to take, but for no risk - don’t eat them. I would pull the beans and plant a new crop. You still have plenty of time to get a harvest. 

2-4-D is a systemic herbicide and damage usually doesn’t show up for 7-10 days. It is still traveling through the plant and will be in the beans.

There will always be drift when spraying herbicides and insecticides. Even when there is no discernible wind. They can drift up to a mile. Also, they will atomize if sprayed in temps above 80°.

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-6105

https://extension.sdstate.edu/herbicide-damage-fruits-and-vegetables

http://npic.orst.edu/faq/garden-drift.html

Deb Reierson Replied July 02, 2024, 2:47 PM EDT

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