A couple garden myths explored

I heard you could sanitize garden tools with bleach...now I won't

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3881/

..moderator or rooster, oops, this should have gone into the non sfg topic - I'm sorry

Topic moved to Everything Else. Some interesting stuff.

That was some good and useful reading. Thanks for sharing!

Ahhhh, now I have a rational reason to not prune when I transplant.
thanks

I for one would not even use the Listerene .. it is very much a tooth enamel attacking product according to Ian my dentist pal who has been a dentist for over 50 years . He reckons it is on par with diluted vinegar and said several years ago , " How else does it burn off the plaque ? "

It brings into view all sorts of things that people swear by and would get very upset if you gave several differing scientific reviews .

Any one up for planting out lettuce by the light of the moon , wearing a gents size 14 dunlop wellie on the left foot and a ladies pink stilletto on the right ?

Plantoid - I am with you on the Listerine! The way that stuff burns the mouth, I would not wish it on my worst weed!
(I have the pink stilettos! Tell me what a Wellie is and I might just give it a try!)

GG

Goosegirl wrote: Plantoid - I am with you on the Listerine! The way that stuff burns the mouth, I would not wish it on my worst weed!
(I have the pink stilettos! Tell me what a Wellie is and I might just give it a try!)

GG

It's a rubber knee length water proof boot , correctly called a rubberized Wellington Boot after the style of boot made common by the Duke of Wellington's leather boots . .. I think you guys call them " Gloshers or something similar "

Look up youtube " Wellie Throwing " if you want a laugh

Wellies are gumboots. Although having said that, I'm not sure if you guys call them that!

Lol, just looked up Wikipedia, I've never heard of some of their versions!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington_boot

Ah! Muckin' Boots! I GOT THOSE!

GG

Here is a simpler thread and much more plausible http://www.shoeguide.org/Wellies

Anyway back to the original thread.
If you only cut off diseased sections at the sound material there is no great need to sterilize things after each cut .
Once all the diseased stuff is off the host plants collect it up and chop into small bits for the composter if it is eligible for composting .
Same with cutting down complete diseased plants , do each one completely at the base , remove from site , then cut them all up well away from the beds .

A simple wash with clean tap water before any residues have dried ( it has a chlorine content over here ) & /or a good wipe with a methylated spirit impregnated cloth to remove the residue if it has dried , a shake then a quick spray of WD 40 will see the secateurs & loppers OK .

My secateurs are well over 48 years old ( they were my fathers ) , my loppers are just under 20 yrs old loppers .

I don't think we ever had any spreading of infections from our practices.

in most american cities and municipalities, if you use plain tap water, you are de facto using chlorine bleach to clean your tools. in some places, and at various times of year, you are using a whole lot of it. enough that it can bleach your clothing in an ordinary load of laundry, enough that it can be smelled when opening the kitchen tap. i don't find that problematic, although i'm hesitant to use ammonia in my house because of it.