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linared replied to your post:

Wow. I get that campuses are disease vectors, but…...

I know that Rutgers is encouraging students to leave but they are keeping dorms open and are planning to use some dorms for people who are under quarantine.

That makes plenty of sense -- like, if you can go, it’s probably for the best, but let’s acknowledge that it’s not a universal thing! And using certain dorms for quarantine is smart.

#linared

I saw that you have a big garden. I want to start gardening but our house's garden is full of poison ivy and I don't want to touch it but I also don't want to use anything toxic. Do you have any suggestions?

Actually, my garden is pretty small, which is fine. I don’t have time for much more. However, my grandfather was a farmer and my mother has an ENORMOUS and labor-intensive garden that is her pride and joy, so I do know a little (a very little), and I’m happy to share what I do know.

Unfortunately, when it comes to PI, the news is not good. Unless you’re willing to resort for ecology-destroying and potentially cancer-causing nasty herbicides like RoundUp (please don’t!!!), PI has to be dealt with the old fashioned way. It’s gotta be pulled. These people have some good recommendations how to do it while minimizing your exposure:

http://www.gardensalive.com/product/poison-ivy-problems-pulling-is-the-way-to-go/you_bet_your_garden

You can also spray a really strong salt solution, but be aware if you do that it will kill ALL the vegetation it touches, not just the PI. And depending on your soil, climate, and weather, it can even poison the ground and make it hard to grow stuff after. BUt if you really have a TON concentrated in an area, it might be worth it to “nuke from orbit.”

Protip: Once you’ve pulled it all, DO NOT decide burning it would be a good way to go. A neighbor once took my sister camping, and did just that, not realizing that the oils go airborne -- my sister was covered head to toe in reaction, even in her nostrils, mouth, and throat. She had to be put on steroids. BAD PLAN. DO NOT DO.

Hope this helps a little, sorry it’s not better news.

#linared