Not sure about the assumption of "clean" sites. As rhizo states, Verticillium is ubiquitous - it is present in most temperate soils worldwide and can remain dormant or inactive in the soil for many years. It can also be vectored in by weeds and other plants - it has many, many host plants. It can also be transmitted by mechanical means (contaminated pruners or other garden tools, grafting and cuttings), through insect damage and even by irrigation, as well as by imported soil/amendments or infected nursery stock. But the chances of a woody plant contracting VW are greatly reduced if a) the land was not previously used for agricultural purposes; b) there has been no prior indication of the disease; c) you avoid cultivation or disturbance in the root zone that could lead to root damage; d) the plant is kept free of stressors (poor drainage, drought, excessive heat/cold) and has adequate available nutrient levels (avoid high nitrogen fertilizers) and e) you practice good garden sanitation (routinely clean/sterilize garden tools and pruners and control host weeds that act as inoculum resevoirs, like ground cherries/nightshade, lamb's quarters, horse nettles, pigweed, shepards purse and velvet leaf). I have not yet seen any documentation to prove the efficacy of Actinovate in controlling the pathogen once diagnosed but it may very well assist in prevention as it has a biological mode of action (it is a bacterium) that may prevent the fungal pathogens from invading root tissues. And a biologically diverse and healthy soil should do the same. Compost is well-documented in its disease suppressing capabilities and mulching with compost would go far in maintaining high levels of soil biology. FWIW, I have had a couple of woody plants succumb to VW over the years and while I did not replant with known susceptible species, there were other VW susceptible species growing in close proximity that were totally unaffected.

I've had a look in Google for you, but I'm in the UK and get mainly UK results. Still, I'll do my best. People in the States usually seem to look at MaxiAids for adapted devices like this, so they might be worth a try. http://www.maxiaids.com/ Failing that, here are some more. Audible Spirit Level called the Stabula from Tool King in the US http://www.toolking.com/products/52437959.aspx?c_j=37959 Another Audible Spirit Level from the RNIB in the UK http://onlineshop.rnib.org.uk/display_item.asp?n=01&c=50&sc=121&id=2299&it=1&l=3&d=0 Brochure for this item (Word doc) http://onlineshop.rnib.org.uk/DownloadInstructions.aspx?filename=DY08.doc&status=True&actualFile=DY08%20new.doc&prodid=2299 UK £28.69 including tax. There's another one at ConformUK http://www.conformuk.com/audible_spirit_level.html Price UK £32.25 Yet another one at Cobolt.co.uk http://www.cobolt.co.uk/cobs/product.asp?dept_id=4&pf_id=0048 Price: UK £22.95 MK Products, based Cyprus! http://www.mkprosopsis.com/Hardware/HouseholdProducts.htm They claim they have contacts with distributors world-wide. Hope that helps. Seems to me there are masses of blind gardeners in the world, and I'm one of them, though I confine myself to plants and don't get too involved with the hardware! Hoping to encourage others to have a go, I put together a Blind Gardening web page at http://www.batfromhell.co.uk/blindgardening.html We have an organisation here called Thrive, which does all kinds of wonderful things with blind gardeners. Best of luck with the landscaping! And Happy New Year to all! Vince Here is a link that might be useful: Vince's Parallax: Blnd Gardening Page

If you want to enjoy the birds, bees and butterflies then put some effort into incorporating some native plants as part of your design. And remember if you want a sea of texture and color, then that equals less lawn and more shrubs, perennials and especially annuals. And when you choose shrubs then consider shrubs that flower in both spring and summer so that you have more year round color. Then consider shrubs that have good fall color for that third season. For the fourth season, mix a few evergreen shrubs as well. How is the moisture level overall? That needs to be consider. Georgia clay is actually very moisture retentive when properly mulched to help it from escaping in the top layer. Here is a link that might be useful: Georgia Native Plant Society

Thank you all for your feedback. Yes, I noticed that a bleach solution rusted two scissors a tiny bit, but the scissors were inexpensive from Ikea, not my good Felcos, so it's no great loss. Bleach is an effective disinfectant; the problem is finding a safe way to dispose of it when you're not hooked up to a municipal sewer system. The wipes are an interesting suggestion. Goop built up both on hands and scissors. (How I wish for a faucet and janitor sink in the veg. garden.) Rubbing alchohol also sounds like an easy, practical alternative to bleach. I also thought of Hydrogen Peroxide as a possibility, but it may not do the trick. Many thanks for posting your ideas. They're greatly appreciated. ppod