Garden Detective

In 1922, T.S. Eliot, apparently disillusioned by the changing world around him, wrote the poem, "The Waste Land." Its most well-known verse goes like this:

"April is the cruellest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain"

Who among us hasn't bred lilacs out of dead land? It's always so exciting when the garden wakes up in spring, when life springs forth from "dead land." So how is that cruel? I never really understood that part. Of course, I think Eliot was likely not talking about gardening, but using it as a metaphor for post-World War I Europe. If you think about it that way, I guess it can be a little bittersweet.

My lilacs are long gone, but my Phlox 'David' and Joe Pye weed 'Gateway' are springing forth, though not exactly from dead land. And the weeds -- some I can't even identify -- are springing forth, launching their own invasion on the area surrounding my tomatoes and basil and peppers and parsley. Oh, and they've just about filled the "maternity ward," a neglected area where I've been nursing stem cuttings and starting seeds.

And did I pull them out this weekend? I barely even stepped out into the garden, I'm sorry to say. Lazed around, mostly, on a rare and rainy 3-day weekend. Went shopping. Watched a few movies. Ate things I shouldn't have. And the weeds mixed memory with desire and laughed at me.

Photo by Jon Sachs, poison-ivy.org

Since poison ivy is a major cause of allergic dermatis in this part of the country -- causing unbearable itching and a really nasty looking blistery rash - let's talk a bit about avoiding it this summer.

Though I spend a lot of time in the garden, I've never personally contracted a poison ivy rash. I'm not sure if I've just been lucky or if I have some sort of immunity. I know it's out there because my husband has gotten it several times. It's good to know, though, that regardless of how ugly and contagious that rash looks, you can't catch it from another person.

The first step in avoiding the plant is being able to identify it. Here's a picture from the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Notice the leaves are made up of 3 leaflets apiece. Hence, the childhood rhyme: Leaves of three, let it be.

Poison ivy grows on a vine just under the soil surface and climbs up trees and along fences, attaching itself via aerial roots. Every part of the plant contains urushiols, which are responsible for the allergic reactions. If your gardening tools or clothing have come in contact with any part of the plant, and you touch them -- even months later -- you can get a rash. You also can get poison ivy dermatitis in the winter, when the vine has no leaves on it and appears dead. You can even get it by touching a pet that has brushed up against the plant.

That's why it's so important to remove poison ivy if you have it growing on your property. The easiest time to pull it out of the ground is early spring. Be sure to wear long sleeves, pants and gloves, and to remove clothing carefully when you're done, so as not to allow your skin to come into contact with it. Throw your clothes in the washer and jump in the shower with some TecNu soap.

And whatever you do, never burn poison ivy. The smoke would release toxins into the air, and when you inhale it, you'll get what amounts to a poison ivy rash in your lungs. It's not pretty. Bag it up carefully and set it out with the trash, tied securely closed.

Non-selective herbicides like glyphosate (the main ingredient in Roundup) and triclopyr will kill poison ivy, but keep in mind they'll also kill other plants they contact. Follow label directions carefully.

If you have a lot of poison ivy, it's best to call in a poison ivy removal expert both to protect yourself and to ensure it's removed completely.

Here's a great resource with more information from the FDA.

Earlier this week, lawn-care giant Scotts recalled four of its lawn and garden products that contain weed suppressants never approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. They are Miracle Gro Shake 'n Feed with Weed Preventer All Purpose Plant Food, Scotts Bonus S MAX, Scotts Turf Builder MAX and SLS Fertilizer with .28 Halts.

The products were not contaminated. There weren't any bad batches. That might be understandable. But according to the press release, "two of the products have not been registered with EPA and two of the products were registered but are not properly labeled." The company has reportedly blamed the error on a former employee.

Um. Maybe it's me, but wouldn't you think it's safe to assume that in this great country of ours products that require registration would be, well, registered before hitting store shelves? We're not talking about a mom-and-pop operation here. Scotts is a publicly-traded company that pulled in $2.9 billion in net sales last year. Its products are sold pretty much all over the planet. How does one single person have such control in a company like that?

I don't want to get into a debate about Scotts' business practices, but since lots of people use its products in their gardens, the recall makes it necessary to talk about alternatives.

I’m not a big fertilizer person. In fact, I have never, ever fertilized my lawn. I've never quite understood the whole suburban obsession with perfect turf. Mine is nearly half weeds, but when it’s neatly mowed (which is isn’t right now), you’d never know it. Green is green, whether it’s grass or amputated dandelions. For my purposes, it's a lawn.

I try to garden responsibly – just like I try to eat well – but I'm not an extremist in any facet of my life. And while I’ve been known to indulge in the occasional sack of White Castle cheeseburgers, I’d rather my lawn go without weed killers than smother it in chemicals.

I do, however, give my perennials an occasional dose of 5-10-5. I’ve used Miracle-Gro in the past, and in all fairness, I’ve seen good results. A couple of years ago I discovered a product called Worm Poop that worked wonders on my tomatoes. Another "plant food,” Dynamite, which was bestowed with EPA’s Gulf Guardian Award, has served my perennials well.

Regardless of the brand you buy, pick one with a slow-release formula, which is best for the environment with less excess to run off into ground water. They're also better for your plants. And look for one that contains micro nutrients like magnesium, copper, boron, iron and molybdenum in addition to the usual nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K). Dynamite offers both benefits, plus it contains ammoniacal nitrogen instead of the more-common urea, which can contribute to groundwater pollution and is found even in some organic fertilizers.

And what about weeds? Why not try all-natural corn gluten? Applied before weed seeds germinate, it's a good alternative to products containing trifluraline.

If you have any of the recalled Scotts' products, don't use them. Call 888-295-0671 for instructions on getting a refund. Other Scotts products are unaffected by the recall.

In honor of this week's Westminster Dog Show, it's a good time to think about the well-being of our pets, and an important part of keeping them healthy is keeping them away from harmful plants.

Cornell University photos Three toxic plants, from left, Lantana, Dogbane, Daphne.

Cornell University photo Digitalis (Foxglove)

Many houseplants, perennials and shrubs are toxic to animals, and different species are affected by different plants. (The lists below include the most common plants, and should not be considered entirely complete. In other words, please do not assume that a plant is safe just because a plant isn't listed here.)

Below are the 10 most common toxic plants, according to the Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA, and the symptoms associated with them.

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa): Central nervous system depression, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, seizures and coma.

Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta): Ingestion of just one or two seeds can induce vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Lilies ( Lilium spp.): Very small amounts can lead to severe kidney damage in cats.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs (Tulipa/Narcissus spp): Gastrointestinal irritaion, drooling, loss of appetite, central nervous system depression, convulstions, cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron (Rhododenron spp.): Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, central nervous system depression, coma, cardiac collapse, death.

Oleander (Nerium oleander): Gastrointestinal irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia, death.

Castor Bean (Ricinus communis): Severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness, loss of appetite, dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma, death.

Cyclamen: Significant gastrointestinal irritation, intense vomiting, death.

Kalanchoe: Gastrointestinal irritation, serious cardiac rate and rhythm abnormalities.

Yew (Taxus spp.): Central nervous system abrnormalities, trembling, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, death.

Other plants that are harmful to pets

Houseplants and tropicals

Caladium, Colocasia , Philodendron, Umbrella Plant, Aloe Vera, Mistletoe, Lucky Bamboo