>>>don't know what 12-0-0 formulation is? Is that the brand of the blood meal thingy? what is blood meal? 12-0-0 is the concentration of nutrients, N-P-K. The first number is Nitrogen concentration, the second is Phosphorus, and the last number is potassium. In your case, look for something with a high N number (the first one). Blood meal is a type of organic fertilizer. There are many brands available, but blood meal is the product. (Just like there are more types of tissues than just "Kleenex".) It is basically dried blood. It's a very good fertilizer for leafy greens, because what you are looking for is foliage! It's not a great idea to use exclusively though, for any type of fruiting veggie. They produce great vegetation, but won't fruit much, that would require a higher P and K number. BTW, all fertilizers are rated according to their concentrations of N-P-K. A number like 10-10-10 means equal concentrations of each. 5-5-5 is also equal concentration, but half the strength of 10-10-10. High N fertilizers can BURN your plants if given in too high a concentration, but typically, organics won't. HOWEVER, they do take a little more time for the nutrients to be readily available to your plants. >>>" UCGs, Diluted urine, guano, alfalfa meal, cotton seed meal, kelp meal or fish emulsion often sold together" Are al these things sold together, or just the fish emulsion? You'll have to look into this on your own, I'm not as knowledgeable about all organic products and how they are sold, merely how they work. >>>What is fish emulsion? Fish emulsion is liquified fish, basically, diluted. Very good for plants. Kelp or seaweed are nice as well, if you are a little squimish about the fish! BTW, you can't tell, but it will have a bit of an odor. Either way you go, you will purchase a concentrated liquid and need to dilute according to manufacturer's directions. >>>and a foliar feeder? Spray directly onto the plants leaves. This is very good for your situation, because the nutrients will be readily absorbed by the leaves themselves and be immediately available for them, no need for movement through the plant. This also ensures that the feeding you give the plants definitely goes directly TO the plant. Lower waste. Do this with plenty of time for the plants to dry out before night fall though. Also, it's not recommended to be done during midday. CAUTION: Not all fertilizer is designed for foliar feeding. Fish emulsion or kelp is though. If your not sure if it is ok to use as foliar DON'T!!! >>>help!? I hope this gives you a little more background.

Linda, I live in the middle of the lettuce-growing and yes, there are porta-potties and hand-washing facilities (mounted on tralers hauled field to field) everywhere there are workers, and the sanitation rules are enforced. When the spinach recall happened a few years ago, it was traced to a field near Hollister that edged a cattle ranch. And there are also wild animals out there who don't read or follow rules. Here is a link that might be useful: Spinach recall in 2007

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Toro Recalls Recycler Mowers Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert) The 2015 22-inch walk-behind power mower has a red base on four wheels, a black motor and handle, and a white bag attached for catching the clippings. A black plate on the front of the mower says “Toro Recycler 22.” Model number 20337 and a serial number are located on a decal affixed to the rear of the machine. Recalled mowers have serial numbers ranging from 315000101 to 315000983.

Yes we removed the outer leaves of both cabbage and iceberg but we always thought of iceberg as being very 'tight' like cabbage and thus not dirty inside. never found dirt inside either. I also stopped buying iceberg for awhile because I heard there were 'fewer nutrients' but really it's full of fiber and it makes a good addition to other greens and I do find it kind of nicely sweet too.