I think the writer is full of that poop herself. She is perpetuating a common myth without getting out there and gaining her own personal observations from doing her own research. I have been using horse manure for years without the problems that is claimed in the article, I could post many, many pictures of excellent produce from my garden and my worm population has been excellent up until the last drought this past summer which took it's toll on them. However, they are bouncing back now. This following statement is crap too: "Another common problem with horse manure use is that, over time, crops often start showing signs of stunting or slowed growth. Soil tests can explain why. Adding horse manure to garden soil over many years can result in the buildup of toxic levels of magnesium. Because horses have an incomplete digestion system, sometimes large nutrient residues end up in the soil. Non-water-soluble residues such as minerals can be especially troublesome, in part because symptoms of nutrient excess can mimic symptoms of nutrient deficiency. " I just got the results back from two soil tests by a reputable lab and posted the results in another thread on here for all to see. One of them shows the magnesium level as just a bit low and the other one shows it to be medium. Many who have seen some of the many pictures that I have posted would probably agree that I do not have any problems with stunted plants or produce. She probably got her paycheck for the week so all is well, but she should be regarded as a fiction writer. If she is supposed to have credentials as some sort of an expert or knowledgable person, they would be suspect to me. That is my personal opinions, experiences and observations. Bill P.

Solarization of the soil will kill some parasites like Giardia, which is quite common, and can be carried by most mammal species. To solarize your soil, water the area very thoroughly, then cover with CLEAR plastic (all one piece), and seal all the edges with soil, to keep all trapped heat contained under the plastic. This only works in full sun, not in shade. There is more info in the link below. However, roundworm eggs are extremely difficult to kill, not being very susceptible to heat or cold. Most dogs and cats are born with them. (Talk to your vet.) They are known to survive quite a few years in soil. Any food grown where animals may have defecated should be thoroughly washed before eating. The eggs would be be in the soil, and are not absorbed within the plants. Mulching heavily will also help to prevent soil from splashing onto the plants. Tell your husband that a garden area is not a garbage site. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Solarizing soil, U of CA, Davis

Thanks Jackie, for that tip on blue jays liking peanuts. What is a rose folly? I found some interesting info. about bat and birds dropping. Rabies are thought associated to bats only, but cattle (esp. cows) represent 5% to 11% of rabies cases since 2004. Here's the info: Worldwide, bats are predators of vast numbers of insect pests, saving farmers and foresters billions of dollars annually and helping to control insect-spread human diseases, like West Nile virus. Although bats play key roles in keeping insect populations in balance, they are North America's most rapidly declining land mammals. Bats give one or two off springs per year. Wild animals accounted for 93 percent of reported cases of rabies in 2001. The wild animals in which infection was reported included: Raccoons -- 37.2 percent of all animal cases during 2001 Skunks -- 30.7 percent Bats -- 17.2 percent Foxes -- 5.9 percent Other wild animals, including rodents and lagomorphs (e.g., rabbits and hares) -- 0.7 percent. Fresh bat droppings (unlike fresh bird dropping) can contain the histoplasmosis fungus. Bat droppings do not need to come into contact with soil to be a source of the disease. Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus found primarily in the areas drained by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The disease is transmitted to humans by airborne fungus spores from soil contaminated by pigeon and starling droppings (as well as from the droppings of other birds and bats). The soil under a roost usually has to have been enriched by droppings for two years or more for the disease organism to reach significant levels. Infection occurs when spores, carried by the air are inhaled especially after a roost has been disturbed. Most infections are mild and produce either no symptoms or a minor influenza- like illness. On occasion, the disease can cause high fever, blood abnormalities, pneumonia and even death. In some areas, including portions of Illinois, up to 80 percent of the population show evidence of previous infection. Outbreaks of histoplasmosis have occurred in Central Illinois. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reported a potentially blinding eye condition presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS) that probably results from the fungus. NIH estimates that 4 percent of those exposed to the disease are at risk of developing OHS.

Don't forget the plants with animal names. We're considering a zoo garden. Here's the compiled list so far after searching for previous threads on this subject, all may not be easy to grow or sutable for kids, but there are some good ones on here. Dandelions Rattlesnake bean Rat Tail Radish Lion's Ear (herb) Tigger Melon tiger lily hens and chicks, lambs ears, colts foot gooseneck loosestrife worm wood cardinal flower Bee Balm Snap dragon OX-eye Daisy TOAD Lily SNAKE Root OSTRICH Fern BUTTERFLY Bush Chelone 'Pink TURTLEhead' LEOPARD'S Bane FOXglove CATtails CATnip CATmint BUTTERFLY weed SPIDER lily BEAR's breeches SHRIMP plant catch-FLY BURRO tail sedum CRANEsbill geranium teddyBEAR sunflower Zebra Grass MOUSE-ear coreopsis DOGtooth violet. RATTLESNAKE master. HAWKweed SNAKEhead fritillaria SQUIRL corn BUNNY tail grass COLTS foot PUSSY toes GOATS beard MOSQUETO plant HENNY penny TROUT lily calendula PORKYPINE CAT grass horeHOUND PARTRIDGE pea raggid ROBIN shoFLYl SPIDER flower TICKseed Cow Slobber (Tradescantia) is my all time favorite common name. dogwood Thanks for getting the hard scape suggestions started. I'd appreciate hearing about any of the animal decore ideas that come up on this thread in case I can't find it again. Hope this helps, Catrina