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Safety
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Taking
every precaution to build a safe garden
Little did you
know that your seemingly harmless container garden is a potentially
life threatening safety hazard. Of course it is! (But then again,
so is a Popsicle stick if put in the wrong hands.)
A careless urban
garden can kill! You don't want to get in the way of the fire department,
or have your plants fall on someone's head. Similarly, you don't
want muddy water to drip down on that brand new white and gold sheepskin
barbecue cover your downstairs neighbor picked up at the last NRA
convention.
"Safety
first!" is our motto at Emily's Plants - as it is the motto
of all container gardeners around the world. (That, and "We
love drainage!") We are proud to report that none of our
staff has ever injured or killed, or been injured or killed,
with or by a container garden. (Well, except for that one toe
stubbing incident back in October, but that was mostly the toe's
fault.) And we keep vigilant watch 24 hours a day to protect
our spotless record of garden safety.
We recommend
the following rules for proper safety:
- Test to make
sure all hooks and brackets for hanging baskets and window boxes
will hold the weight of a full grown plant in wet soil.
- Make sure
all paths to doors have adequate space for people to walk in and
out without coming in contact with containers.
- Provide adequate
catch basins for excess drainage to prevent damage from leakage
and slick floors.
- Do not put
unsecured containers near edges of porches, balconies, or other
places where they can fall and injure anyone below.
- Do not leave
fertilizers or other potentially toxic materials where children
or animals may find them.
- Do not block
fire escapes or other emergency exits with plants, containers,
or gardening equipment.
A SPECIAL
NOTE FOR LARGE ROOFTOP GARDENS: if you plan on bringing a plow,
combine or other large equipment up on the roof, make sure any petroleum-based
fuel products are clearly labeled. Always observe fire codes and
traffic regulations!
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