SOIL AND FINGERNAILS

 I have been following postings from the Soil Science Society of America (https://www.soils.org/), based in Madison, Wi.  The SSSA is a "progressive, international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils."  Their purpose is to provide soil information in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem, sustainability bioremediation, waste management, recycling and wise land use.

The subject posted recently, "Are there soil microbes under my fingernails?" caught my eye for more than just the thought provoking title.  It has involved the OSU Master Gardeners.

I'll start at the beginning, as I know it.  The citizen-science project was proposed by Gwynne Mhuireach in 2020 after becoming interested in the topic while studying for her Masters at the University of Oregon.  

Through a different study program with OSU, a partnership was formed with Gail Langellotto, OSU Coordinator of the statewide Master Gardener program.  In June 2020 a call out was made for gardens located in the Willamette Valley and High Desert regions.

Gardeners who volunteered were asked to collect soil samples from several different beds in their gardens and from the surface of their hands and/or forearms.  Questions were asked regarding garden management practices and daily use of anti-bacterial soap and lotion over a 2 day testing period.

A more complete explanation of the study is "An exploration of the garden microbiome and potential transferability to human skin."

Soil science is well-developed in terms of nutrients and organic matter needed to keep plants healthy.  Little is known about the interactions between farmers or gardeners and soil microorganisms.  The focus of the study was to understand how much microbial transfer from soil to skin occurs, what types of microorganisms are transferred, or how long they persist.

Gardens are interactive places.  On our way to do one thing, we spot a weed or grass that we decide to pull.  We can't resist a quick harvest on the run.  Spotting a radish we rub off the soil and enjoy, or we may plant a newly purchased seedling.  All of these may have been performed without the benefit of garden gloves.  Did we do right or wrong? 

We don't need to be too concerned because most of the microbes we might encounter in garden soil are more likely to be neutral, in terms of health effects, rather than causing illness.  In fact, there is more and more evidence that exposure to soil microorganisms can help train the immune system.  A common soil bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae has been found to have positive impacts on stress tolerance and mental health.

I found the posting to be very timely during this time of  heightened awareness for cleanliness.  Have we limited our children's/grand-children's play outdoors in their own backyard?  Have we gotten a little paranoid ourselves in our home life?  Masks and hand sanitizers are definitely a must for doing any activity as a Master Gardener and I know we will all be happy when that restriction is lifted.

I look forward to reading the results of the study.  In the meantime I won't panic over  not wearing gloves and getting soil under my nails--the soil may contain some good guys that will help keep me healthy.

National Gardening Day founded by Cool Springs Press  (https://www.quartoknows.com/campaigns/National-Gardening-Day/) to celebrate the hobby of gardening was noted on April 14.   I celebrated by starting the tomato seeds on heat mats.  Dr. Meyers from OSU was the breeder for a new purple color paste tomato named Midnight Roma which I am 

Midnight Roma

excited to keep track of.  Also trying a new greenhouse variety-Big Juicy, 67 days, 10-15 ounce fruit.

Earth Day (https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/) was celebrated on Thursday, April 22.  I celebrated that day by starting the irrigation system now that I have water.   Every year when this day appears on the calendar, I think of Rachael Carson and how I need to reread her book titled "Silent Spring".

The Environmental Center (https://envirocenter.org/) on Kansas Ave. in Bend will have a day of celebration on Sat. April 24th including their always popular parade--this year a virtual parade.  Check their website for participation and viewing details.  Also on the list of events for Sat. is a "Meet the Artist" at the Learning Center Garden on Kansas Ave from 1-4:00 pm.  Meet Bend High School art student Madeline Magana and enjoy her colorful painting.

Start saving your bucks--plans are developing for a virtual OSU Spring Plant Sale. Pre-order dates aren't available as yet, keep watching for notices on this blog, on Facebook and at www.gocomga.com.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 4 to tune into Gardening: Get Good at It segment "Water-Wise Gardening" on KPOV 88.9 FM between 9-9:30 am.