Steps for Garden Managers and Gardeners
BEST PRACTICES
- Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who has come in contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to the gardens. Ask anyone displaying symptoms to leave.
- Postpone any events to avoid people gatherings in close contact. Maintain a 6-foot social distance between people.
- Consider limiting the number of visitors, or closing the garden to the public.
- CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings. Scroll down their page for directions for making sew and no-sew masks. A sheet or bandana and a coffee filter can protect you.
- Consider wearing disposable gloves to avoid picking up germs from gates, spigots, etc.
- Consider bringing your own tools from home and not sharing tools.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
THE GOOD NEWS
COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. It is extremely unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission, not eating. The routes of exposure to be concerned about include:- Being in very close proximity to other people, or
- Coming in contact with high touch surfaces (gate latches, padlocks, spigots, tool handles, doorknobs, banisters, etc.).
- Touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
PLAN AHEAD
Be prepared for the possibility that there may be limited access to the garden or gardeners may be sick at critical times in the future.
- Mulch now to prevent weeds and reduce soil moisture loss
- Install automatic irrigation
- Use row covers for insect control when feasible.
- Stay ahead of seasonal tasks
STAY ENGAGED
The garden is the social center for many gardeners. Social Distance need not lead to social isolation. Stay in touch even when you can't gather in person. Use your website, web conferencing (Zoom.com, Discord, Google Hangouts), listserves, social media and newsletters to foster a connection by sharing:- Stories and Profiles of gardeners
- Tips and Strategies shared by gardeners
- Recipes
- Photos of home gardens and gardens from previous years
- Consider offering online webinars on gardening topics - feature gardeners and gardening experts from NC State Extension and elsewhere
Additional Food Safety Resources from NC State
Stay informed: go.ncsu.edu/COVID-19, CDC - Coronavirus
Prepared by Natalie Seymour, Ben Chapman, Lucy Bradley and Joni Young-Torres
Updated March 17, 2020
