Spring Clean

Well I spent today power washing my patio pavers and gardening, its been another perfect day weather wise and everything in the garden is starting to sprout, I planted two tomato plants and some coriander and will plant another two tomato plants in three weeks. As ussual I potted the plants without reading the instructions on the mix, gardeners using potting mix should always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions on the bag.
:· Wear a particulate disposable mask to avoid breathing in dusts. These are available from large hardware stores
;· Wear suitable eye protection such as good quality sunglasses, or goggles/safety glasses;· Do not shake the bag before opening it, as this will produce dust particles
; · Moisten contents of bag by spraying lightly with water upon opening. Do this by making a small opening and insert a garden hose to dampen potting mix to avoid creating dust
;· Always open potting mix bags at arms length in a well ventilated place with care to avoid breathing in airborne particles
;· Store potting mix products in a cool dry location to limit growth of bacteria
;· Clean up by sweeping whilst the product is damp to reduce dust; and
· Wash hands on completion of use of potting mix and wash work clothes regularly.

Well I washed my hands afterwards, I wonderered why all the fuss, well its due to Legionella longbeachae, a form of Legionnaires’ disease. It is found in minute quantities in the general environment (including soil) and is not a health hazard. But the ingredients and moistness of potting mix make it the ideal breeding ground for the bacteria. instead of calling it Legionella etc they should call it "potting mix pox" I'd have worn gloves. Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration.

The garden center had some terms for their plants including,
"A favorite of birds" which i recon interperates to, avoid planting near cars, sidewalks, or clotheslines.
"Grows more beautiful each year" means "Looks like roadkill for the foreseeable future."
"May require support" means engineering degree will finally pay off.
"Moisture-loving" plants are ideal for landscaping all your bogs and swamps.
"Carefree" refers more to the plant's attitude than to your workload.
"Vigorous" is code for "has a Napoleonic compulsion to take over the world."
"Grandma's Favorite" -- until she discovered free-flowering, disease-resistant hybrids