This is just a friendly reminder — please use protection.  Growing up, some authority figure in your life may of told you that it would be best if you use protection when you — do your thing.  That’s great. Really. Listen to them cuz in the garden, when you are doing your thing, anything goes. So because of this, I’m trying to raise awareness. The issue was first brought about in an earlier post, and since then I’ve had a few people ask me about it. I’m writing this post in response to a few folks who have asked me about using protection.

Now, I don’t always use protection — but when I do, I use whatever I’m about to talk about below.  Keep on planting my friends.

I like to get dirty. That’s just me. I love the raw feeling of earth in my hands. And yes, I still do garden straight up *RAW* like that!  It really is a wonderful feeling. I am currently doing HEAVY repotting with my plants. Essentially, I’m repotting (or at least attempting to) repot my entire collection at the moment. This is quite a monumental undertaking, and also one that calls for a little bit of extra care.  I’m removing the overgrown weeds, and changing out some nasty old media that has been sitting there for years – and although I like to get dirty – some of the stuff I’m changing out of those pots are just nasty.  It’s pretty fun to think about whats in the media especially after a few plants that have rotted out like this. I’m dealing with nasty overgrown pots and old staaahnky fugly planting media in some cases. One of the nasty things I really don’t want to run into is this.  (Click that link willya?)

I’ve been growing for a few years and haven’t had to run into Sporotrichosis. At this point – given the constant exposure to the nastiness  and repotting plant after plant, I decided to play it safe. One simple way to address the issue is by using  some nitrile gloves. I like to use nitrile as it’s pretty tough stuff that doesn’t tear that easily. It can take a poundin’! I stopped by my local Rite Aid to pick some up, however the gloves can be found in pretty much in a wide range of stores. I find that latex gloves in the garden don’t do too well and end up tearing.

Disposable nitrile gloves – great stuff!

Sometimes, you’ll run into those woven type gloves coated in nitrile. That stuff is OK for some things, but keep in mind that you’re protected only at the palm, and fingertips. I don’t use these types for repotting. See, Sarracenia are bog plants – and when you’re repotting quite a few plants – water and media can get in through the fibers and you’ll end up with a gloves with wet interior. That will lead to some nasty mildew/fungus that can grow in the gloves. That’s why I also favor the disposable gloves for my current repotting endeavors, as I can just toss it afterwards.

The Pitcher Plantation, Australia also suggested to use a type of alcohol hand wash after de-gloving.  Yes, I’ll do that too.  In the greenhouse I’ll have a bottle of some type of hand sanitizer that I use after de-gloving that I use just as a further precautionary measure. Then I get to a sink and wash with soap and water.

Hand sanitizer – for use after de-gloving.

On another similar protection note – IF for any reason whatsoever you have to do any strange spraying of any type -PLEASE be sure you have plenty of air circulation!

Even if you have air circulation, I still strongly suggest to protect your lungs as much as you can.  I know it feels AWESOME to get high off things like spray paint and… er… oh never-mind.  It’s not like I was recently spray painting or tagging up my hood leaving botanical-inspired tags all over the place… that wasn’t me!   (Heh!) ANYWAY – the bottom line is to watch what you are sniffing. If working with chemicals – this is just a friendly remind to please use caution and follow directions on any labels.  It would be a good idea to wear clothing that minimizes skin exposure to any said chemicals. (Sorry, I would of taken a pic with my biohazard suit, but it’s at my dry cleaners right now…)   Practice safe gardening!

Happy (safe) gardening!!!