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Comment by F, Calla & Luca on March 6, 2012 at 4:17pm

Yes, Adina I think Joanne is right a discussion would be better. The potting soil should be fine. Is it warm enough where you are to be doing this yet? Annuals here should wait till mid May but nowadays all bets are off. Still even in your area I suspect you are jumping the gun. Toxoplasmosis can be ingested and is dangerous for the fetus but it is not transmitted in milk TTBOMK. Dampen the soil if you're really worried about breathing any in but I've been gardening forever and never dreamed of wearing a mask for planting. Go for the planters, I remember them and they are nice. Start with nice, easy plants from the nursery although a few seeds can be fun. I thought by now we'd have you doing perennials and digging with bare hands. But you keep having babies : )

Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on March 6, 2012 at 3:43pm

Adina,

I'm laughing here because .... well this would have been a good discussion.  So much to say.

One, I think gardening with children is fantastic.  Something I always liked to do myself..  A few sunflower seeds in a cup on the sink might be a good idea if you are not so hip on the idea of all those flower beds.   Just a thought.

Can dirt get contaminated from cats or critters going potty in there?  Yes it can.  Toxoplasmosis (sp) among other things is always a risk.  I would not work in the soil if you are still breast feeding and it has a LOT of cat poo/urine in there.

As for masks-not necessary unless the dirt is fine and dusty.   For now, take a shovel and just turn the dirt under for a week or so.

Not to sound prejudice or sexist ( as I was a single mother with a huge yard and garden), but have Clark turn the soil for you.  Just because the initial working with the soil bothers you.  That's cool.  Does not mean you can't enjoy gardening and flower planting. If he turns and works the soil, you are left with the fun things to do with the kids.

Turn the soil over, leave it for a week, turn it and chop it up fine so you can work with it.  Don't buy potty soil.  You already have soil. 

If it is one or two pottys from a kitty, oh well.  I would never plant vegetables there that you are going to eat, but flowers should be fine.

If the soil is highly contaminated, remove the first inch or so.  But my thoughts are... you don't have a huge cat house in your yard because of the dogs--right?

Gloves--they make great garden gloves for children.  Even those of us who are not afraid of 'dirt' wear gloves when working with that much soil.

Or just grab a pair of medical gloves and throw them out as needed for both you and Natalie.

Comment by Adina P on March 6, 2012 at 2:50pm

Two years ago I planted Petunias (my first planting ever of anything as an adult!) in the flower beds on my porch.  Well this year I want to play in the flower beds with my 2 y.o. because I think she'll LOVE doing it.  But I want to start fresh and get rid of the dirt already in there or should I?  Let me remind you all dirt scares me.  I don't know anything about potty soil or fill dirt or where you get what.  I fly by the seat of my pants every time I attempt something there.  Can dirt get contaminated from cats or critters going potty in there?  Are some dirt mixes full of chemicals I don't want my kids to play in?  See...even my questions are probably ridiculous because I'm a total plant/dirt/nature ignoramus.  And what the heck do I DO with the dirt already in there?  Should I wear a mask so I dont inhale the dust as I scoop it out...do I just fill my trash can with bags of dirt.  I'm totally dumb about this stuff.

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on February 12, 2012 at 2:22pm

I don't always believe the rules : ) But after the fall growth has stopped and before the spring thaws is usually good. Mostly you could do many trees anytime, though. Maples and things like that get messy in spring when the sap is rising.

Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on February 12, 2012 at 2:16pm

I stopped and spoke with the Gardeners at work the other day.  They were pruning trees.  After asking some questions about my Dog Wood trees I asked when it the right time to prune??  I seem them doing this so much.

Any month with the letter R, is the rule. I found this interesting.

Comment by Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper on December 22, 2011 at 10:08am

Great!  and thanks !    

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on December 22, 2011 at 7:39am

Welcome!! We need more people to dish the dirt : )

Comment by Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper on December 22, 2011 at 5:07am

Thanks for letting me "dig in" with you guys!  

Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on August 14, 2011 at 8:12am

Maybe you could use vinegar?

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on August 14, 2011 at 8:03am

Why don't you start a discussion . Anything in comments tends to get lost. Unfortunately Other than cleaning it periodically with some bleach, I can't think of  any safe alternatives just now.

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