[Bamboo]

Is it our responsibility to plant plants that arnt poison to people, or is it the homeowners job to teach their kids not to do stupid things?
I just planted a burgesa and some digitalis and the young homeowner asked me if any of the plants were poison. I told her all plants are poison except the ones in the herb garden. Whats your veiw and plan of attack on this question?
Thanks

[Stonehenge]

Whenever I design for a family, I automatically choose plants that aren't poisonous to dogs if they have dogs, or kids if they have kids.

But I always use plants that are poisonous to cats...but that's just me.

Just kidding. I'm here all week.

Seriously though, whether what I do is what ought to be done or not, it's just something I try to do. I'm sure I'm not as strict about it as it sounds, and probably forget often enough.

[GLAN]

Wow....

I never realy gave it much thought.......other than if there were dogs involved.

As for kids........I should think the parents were attentive enough to not have their child behave like a dog.

[r schipul]

I've often thought of that often as well. The biggest problem in Connecticut is deer. Add to that our zone 5 growing conditions and the amount of plants that are poisenous to animals and humans, what's left? Some herbs! and most of the herbs aren't the pretty salvias we see in the nurseries. I like to think that it would take a whole lot of plant eating to die. I also like to think that the human or animal would give up on the taste before consumption reached a lethal dose.

[Stonehenge]

A couple years ago we had a client who's dog died after eating some compost. Didn't take much, and the dog was dead in less than 48 hours. It took awhile before we isolated the compost as the culprit, so it was pretty uncomfortable for a little while, with her asking me about the mulch we used and the plants.

[Uncle Albert]

People are stupid, a loaf of bread says don't put the bag on your head"serious injury or death can occur",a Spackle bucket says don't fill with water and stick your head in it"serious injury or death can result" Now you say please don't eat the daisies "serious injury or death can occur" People are stupid. you should use your herb garden line on every customer so at-least you know you have been a responsible gardener.

[Stonehenge]

If we could just get the growers to create hybrid plants the have warnings visible on the petals, foliage or berries....

[r schipul]

now that's a good idea! While their at it, maybe a pepsi or mcdonalds ad could be squeezed in.

[r schipul]

I was thinking about what Stone mentioned all day. I'm not doubting you stone but it's mind blowing that a dog died from eating some compost. That's crazy!!!!!!!!! What was in the compost? I'm not a dog owner but don't dogs love to play, dig holes and role around in soil all day long. For the last 3 weeks I have a dog which continues to dig up a tree at a landscape we just installed. I've replanted the tree 3 times and yes there is plenty of compost.

[Stonehenge]

I had no idea this could happen, either...until it did. Apparently the bacteria that breaks down the organic matter leaves behind a toxin that is deadly to animals. This was a little Boston Terrier, and she'd eaten a meal worth of the stuff. By that night she had been vomitting like crazy, diarrhea, and was showing neurological problems. They brought her to the vet, and they were treating her, but she just got worse and worse until she died.

So I'm sure it's like anything else - depends on the dog, the size of the dog and the amount eaten.

If you run a search on Google for compost, dogs and toxins, you'll find quite a bit of info.

[Uncle Albert]

I'm no DR. but compost is derived from many organic sources. all producing a large amount of biological decomposition and change. iv'e seen ,smoke ,yellow smut, blue-green pink stuff that could make a Billy-goat puke!and a smell unbeknown's to God. yes a dog could die!!!

[RottieMommy]

When I design something where small children or animals will have access to gardens and the landscape, I shy away from poisonous stuff. Mostly because I never forgive myself if I suggested they plant something and it harms, or worse kills, their kid or their pet. I just don't trust people enough to know they would watch their kids or animals outside....all it takes is a minute or two with their backs turned.

If someone asks for a plant that I know is poisonous and they have critters or little ones running around, I definitely call it to their attention that the plant is toxic.

[Bamboo]

I just miss the days of moms arm across my chest as a seat belt.
I wonder if anyone still has a truck before seatbelts?
I didnt eat plants why do the new (lil chits?) ones eat em?

[GLAN]

Bamboo

As far as trucks and seat belts go.......I'd settle for someone having one with no shoulder harness, just the lap belt.

As for eating plants, in this case not eating plants......You/me were more supervised as children

[Dale Wiley]

All plants we use are non poisionous. They have to be, because the lawyers will eat you alive.

In our service area in the last 2 years , we have had 2 young children fall into water features / ponds and drown. One was behind a fence with an un locked gate and the other had open access. We had a client who had a Yorkshire terrier that fell into a pond we built and almost drowned. She fished the dog out and then complained there was no way for the dog to get out. We ended up building a ramp in case the dumb animal fell in again.

After those incedent's, we had our lawyer draft a release / warning / information for any homeowner who we install a pond for. They have to sign off on about 7 different points to make sure they understand and accept all liability for having a pond in their back yard.