Picking grass and weeds from country roadside?

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CiaraPatricia

CiaraPatricia

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Hi guys, I'm just wondering what your opinions are on picking grass and weeds from the side of the road if there isn't much traffic? I know that websites say to avoid it, but some say to avoid it on "heavily trafficked roads".

Just because I only have a small garden, and when I'm walking my dogs in the country I hate to see all those dandelions and long grasses there and not use them! So far I haven't picked any, but I think maybe it would be ok? Or would it be best not to risk it? They'd be well away from houses so no chance of weedkiller.

Also I was just thinking, can guinea pigs get leptospirosis? from rat or mouse urine? I know dogs can, etc. but can guinea pigs? But then again, there could easily be mice or rats visiting my garden from time to time anyway . . .
 
My concern would be that none of the chemicals sprayed on the fields next to where you pick could have contaminated the plants you are picking and that you pick from a spot where you are absolutely sure that no dog can have peed, as dog pee is poisonous and can kill piggies in the worst case. Not sure about foxes, but I suppose that fox pee isn't any good either!
 
I never thought of chemicals being sprayed on the fields. I guess it isn't a good idea then. The fields would just be grazing fields for cows . . .

I couldn't guarantee that a dog hadn't been there. But then again, I can't guarantee that my dogs don't pee on the grass where my guinea pigs might be some other day. The dogs are not usually around the guinea pigs, but sometimes are and sometimes pee on the grass. I never knew it was actually THAT dangerous to guinea pigs . . .

Do you know why exactly it is dangerous? Just interested to know, since I'm studying vet nursing and it would be useful to know. Thanks for your reply.
 
It's hard to know what's safe... I live in the city and I try to get at least 50 metres away from roads before I pick dandelions and grass. This isn't based on anything, it just feels "good enough" to me, especially considering organic greens are pretty hard to come by and who can be sure what's close to a road or not?. I also pick places where at least I haven't seen dogs go.

I don't have any answer to the leptospirosis, never heard of it!
 
Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is in rodent urine. It can make dogs really really sick, and people too. There's a vaccination for dogs but I doubt there's one for piggies! I guess that's just a risk you have to take though, since nobody can really guarantee there are no mice in their garden :)

I would pick stuff from the fields behind my house, but the farmers might see me stealing their cows food :))
 
I have never heard of leptospirosis, so I don't think that it is an issue for guinea pigs.

But we have had a case of somebody's guinea pigs being severaly ill and even dying after eating grass that had been peed on by a dog. Eventually, of course, the dog urine will be washed off by rain, but it must contain a compound that is toxic to guinea pigs.

Most people who have dogs and piggies do fence off of a "piggy zone".
 
I'll have to do some research into why it's dangerous. Did the person know it was definitely because of the dog's urine? Leptospirosis is spread through dog urine, but most dogs are vaccinated against it. It does affect rodents but I've never heard of it with guinea pigs either. I'll look it up and do some research.

That's quite worrying. At least my dogs are usually in their part of the garden fenced off, it's just when I let them into the rest of the garden. It's scary how many things can be dangerous for them without me even knowing!

Unfortunately I can't fence off a piggy area. I don't want to stop them eating grass though since they love it so much . . . it's a tough choice. I guess maybe washing the grass with a hose before using it would be a good idea anyway.
 
From what I can gather, leptospirosis can infect guinea pigs but I don't know any more than that. Leptospirosis infections in guinea pigs is stated by CCT/BAR.
 
skrikopanik said:
It's hard to know what's safe... I live in the city and I try to get at least 50 metres away from roads before I pick dandelions and grass. This isn't based on anything, it just feels "good enough" to me, especially considering organic greens are pretty hard to come by and who can be sure what's close to a road or not?. I also pick places where at least I haven't seen dogs go.
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I'm the same. I live in London and I pick grass for my guineas all the time. I also try to find the most desolate spots for my harvests. I know I can't always avoid where our K9 friends decide to wee so I make sure to give the grass and dandies a good soak and rinse in the sink when get home. Grass doesn't absorb liquids that easily, so if you wash it well, I am sure you can cleanse it sufficiently to reduce the risk of illness. I think the threat of pesticides taken in via the roots may be more of a problem when you're in a rural environment than it is in the city. But then again, you will probably be buying that farmer's veg at the supermarket for your guineas a few weeks later so I have to agree, it is definitely hard (perhaps impossible) to know what is safe...
 
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