Gardening and TTC

brachatzipora

I've been doing a lot of research on gardening and pregnancy/TTC.  What I glean from most of it is that pesticides are threat and most of the problems can be avoided through logical behavior like wearing gloves, wearing socks and shoes instead of sandals, using organic/chemical free pest products, and frequent hand washing after any work. 

I know some people have REALLY strong feelings that gardening should be avoided, but others really disagree.  So what are your thoughts?  Doing it will TTGP?  Once you get your BFP, will you stop or just use further caution?

If you want, share what you're growing!  I'm doing veggies and herbs like basil, rosemary, etc.

Bizzy98

I'm a big gardener and it hasn't stopped me.  I don't usually wear gloves either but I also don't use harsh chemicals or pesticides.  If you are taking proper precautions and not inhaling chemicals I don't see a problem with it. 

Mattel

Never really thought about it. Once I get a BFP, I will talk with my MD about it, but I imagine wearing gloves and thorough handwashing and obvious precautions like not eating the plant spray or dirt should keep me safe.

 

Bizzy98

Oh forgot to include- I am growing Tomatoes, Basil, cilantro, gourds, corn, yellow beans, jalapeno peppers, and onions.  Yum

kayash

Honestly it hadn't even popped into my head to even consider not gardening. Although we don't use many chemicals anyway and when we do dh does it - but that's more for my green-natured self than related to ttc.

I actually think gardening is good while ttc because it gives you something to focus on besides sitting there going "did I just feel a twinge?" lol

RobinR91

Hmmm, is it wrong I never considered gardening a threat? I certainly fall on the conservative "better safe than sorry side" and avoid risks or potential risks at all cause. I never considered gardening a risk. Why? I don't use anything with chemicals, my gardens are organic (read: the have plenty of bug/bacteria spots)

I have roses out front, but they've already got "the black spot of death leaf" happening, so I think those are done for the year. I have many flower gardens, black eyed susans, purple cone flowers, dianthus, nasturtium, daisies, pansies, impatiants, etc.  In my vegetable garden I grow basil, rosemary (YUM, put it on fries, with some sea salt), cilantro, thyme, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and my spinach failed miserably so I won't count it.

Fill me in TB, what's wrong with gardening if everything is organic?

kayash

jbizoe:

Oh forgot to include- I am growing Tomatoes, Basil, cilantro, gourds, corn, yellow beans, jalapeno peppers, and onions.  Yum

We have tomatoes, peppers, greenbeans, sweet basil, cilantro, and thyme. My mint didn't grow and we never got around to planting any of the other herbs.

 

And lol at pp about not eating dirt :P

branwen5

I love gardening and have a huge garden. I tend while TTC and plan to continue through the fall.  I use a bug killer early in the spring (we do the whole yard) but otherwise there are so many non chemicals to treat problems I just stick to those. It's a great way for me to relax and gives me lots of healthy foods to eat.  I have veggies, herbs, blueberries and flowers.

brachatzipora

Thanks for the quick responses, everyone. Sounds like we have a lot of green thumbs here    We'll have to do some PIPs later this summer with some harvests!

bulldogmom4

I usually wear gloves but that is because I have getting dirt under my nails!  I plan on still gardening unless my doctor tells me otherwise.  What we have right now are tomatos, corn, strawberries, cilantro & pumpkins.  We have more but my dog decided to dig everything up the other day so that is what I have left!

cjpreuss

I have a garden right now and don't worry about it at all. I also had a garden the entire time I was pregnant with DS. DH put anything harsh on for me if we ever needed it and both the veggies and DS all turned out great!

BlueEyedDreamer

We have a huge garden. It's a major hobby for me and DH. I haven't changed anything while TTC because we don't use much more than Sevin dust and fertilizer, and we use them sparingly. DH usually applies these anyway. I will probably continue once I get pg.

Right now we have tomatoes (heirloom and hybrid), peppers (bells and bananas), corn, beans, squash (yellow crook-neck, zucchini, and blue hubbard), basil, cilantro, thyme, sage, lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, mint (spear, chocolate, and orange). blueberries, strawberries, peaches, tons of other flowers and trees. It's so rewarding this time of year when everything is blooming and fruiting!

ETA: one more plant  

IdahoLakeLady

jbizoe:

I'm a big gardener and it hasn't stopped me.  I don't usually wear gloves either but I also don't use harsh chemicals or pesticides.  If you are taking proper precautions and not inhaling chemicals I don't see a problem with it. 

 This. It never even occurred to me to be concerned, then again, the strongest chemical I use is Miracle-grow.  

I've got potatoes, corn, sunflowers, sugar snap peas, 4 types of squash, 4 types of tomatoes, 2 types of onions, 3 types of lettuce, garlic and spinach in the ground. Oh, and cilantro, mint (for mojitos!), basil, oregano and thyme. I'm enthusiastic about gardening, hopefully the garden is enthusiastic about producing!  

Bubbalub

I haven't thought much about it, but I guess I should. I always wear gloves though they are filthy already and I don't put a lot of chemicals on our plants. None at all on the edibles. The roses and other flowers get fertilizer and sprayed with neem oil for the bugs/orange rust. I should get H to do that when we need to.

 I have roses, peruvian lillies, delphinium and foxglove, plus some other flowers. I am growing some herbs this year too: chocolate mint, spearmint, chamomile, lemon thyme, english thyme, rosemary, dill and oregano. It's hard to grow veggies in my part of the city because it is often too foggy and they don't get enough sun. I'm surprised we even manage to get roses! 

 

 

6to82010

Wow, I thought this was another fake post! Who knew to add gardening to the do not do list! 

I have a condo with a huge patio and have some pots with tomatoes, mint (mojitos!!), basil, thyme and rosemary. My mint is insane, PP whose mint didn't grow, mine is taking over so quickly, it might cover the earth in a week or two! I take out a few shoots every time I water it, so it keeps it at bay. 

farmerlynda

I agree with all the PPs... and it was so fun reading everybody's lists of what they're growing!  I farm for a living (although I do have a part-time office job) so there's no way I would ever stop gardening while TTC, or even while pregnant.  We are organic though, and even when we use organic sprays we use proper protection, so I'm not worried at all about the chemical component.  

I see absolutely no reason to stop gardening while TTC or pregnant!  Unless your cat happens to use your garden as a litter box... which would be disgusting anyway.  

 

ETA:  If you're really interested in pesticides and TTC, you should read "Having Faith."  It's a great memoir by a pregnant biologist who does a ton of research on different chemicals, and their impact on pregnant women and infants.

LaraValentine

Be extra careful if there are outdoor cats in your neighborhood. If you are on your tww and your bare hands may be exposed to particles from feline fecal matter... ick... There's a test you can take to see if you'll be susceptible to the whole "stay away from litter boxes" thing. Sorry I don't know more about it. My cousin is planning to take the test as she is a month along and has two cats and her husband is not very good about cleaning their litter boxes.