Are you totally chemical free - or do you cheat sometimes?

[tiggsy]

I know that some organic gardeners are complete purists, and wouldn't even consider using a chemical for any purpose.

Others may occasionally resort to the "quick fix" when there doesn't seem any other way to rid yourself of some problem - like japanese knotweed, for example.

What do you think? Is it legitimate to resort to chemicals in certain circumstances, or not?

I'm looking for substantive answers here, so if you vote in the poll, please also add a comment as to why you voted the way you did.

[billy]

well i use slug pellets its the only way i can keep them at bay ..sooooo..i suppose thats cheating a bit but i cant find another way ...apart form that everything that goes into the garden is totaly organic ..im just a beguiner mind you, and iv moved out into the middle of nowhere in the scottish borders..this year iv stuck in some spuds. beetroot, cabbage,scallions,leeks,peas,lettuce,parsely,and iv imhereted some strawberries  im lucky living 100 yds from a farm where i can get all my manure and hen pen and the like but iv herd you can over do it so heres hoping iv not..