Kitchen Garden Forum

And when it makes a rare appearance you can actually feel the warmth of the Spring sun! (That is ducked behind a wall out of the wind)!

I was really feeling it yesterday. Soon more sunny days will come, and hopefully not only on sundays like last one!

Our allotment committee has fitted a bottle of antibacterial gel near the exit gate. Idea being you swish a bit on your hands just prior to unlocking gate, so when you handle the padlock, some go on the padlock.

I was thinking about the Coronavirus this morning, the way infections are spread and what a mixed bag many gardeners probably are regarding the hand washing/hygiene regime.

Hands up anybody who has pulled up the first radish of the year with grubby gloveless hands, just brushed off the earth from it and popped it straight into their moth...or the first pea pod ?

Guilty as charged I'm afraid I realise viruses behave rather differently from bacteria though.

I wonder how long it will be, shallotman, before that bottle of sanitising gel near your allotment gate is nicked, because it is in such short supply. All the stores round here appear to have completely sold out. Should have bought shares in their manufacturer !

I think coins are the biggest spreader of germs...

Especially when you test your guineas with your teeth.

oldherbaceous wrote:I think coins are the biggest spreader of germs...

Maybe that is why one of our drinking group at the Rugby Club is reluctant buying a round.

Of course, we don't have that problem, Shallot Man...it's all notes for us...

Handles on supermarket trolleys must come a close second in the germ spreading stakes.

John

We are probably the lucky ones as alone on the plot so out of reach of contaminated folk! Might have to take to walking home rather than the bus, but as only 5th stop to get off, & bus is pretty empty. I know I could walk it but enjoy the sit down after several hours of bending & digging! Getting the bus home from work is a different matter as pretty full, but luckily older folk than me on the bus are already starting to chat about not doing the trip into Bournemouth for a sit on the beach! I know this as they all talk so loud, feel they need to shout into their original tiny mobile phones! I will miss them as love the conversations but they are scared - & I will be safer!

Antibacterial sanitizer is of little use for a virus. You need soap.

Meanwhile in Australia they're fearful about the state of their backsides

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-51731422

Stephen wrote:Antibacterial sanitizer is of little use for a virus. You need soap.

Agreed, but as the Council turn off the site water during the winter.

antibac is ineffective, as you said Stephen, but the alcohol ones can be. The high % alcohol kills most things!

retropants wrote:antibac is ineffective, as you said Stephen, but the alcohol ones can be. The high % alcohol kills most things!

Wonder if the committee will sanction gin.