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Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

How Clean? A Giveaway Sponsored by Botanical Interests

May 22, 2010 By Carol Michel 65 Comments

After a day of working in your garden, where you have managed to cover yourself from head to toe with dirt, mud, grass stains, and other stains, how “cleaned up” do you need to be to make one last mad dash to the garden center to get that last (fill in blank here of what you ran short of)?

We have already established that most serious gardeners wear some of the goofiest outfits while out working in their gardens. But when it comes to “cleaning up” a bit to go to the garden center, how clean is “clean enough”?

I’m sure there is a wide range of opinions on this subject ranging from “just go as you are” to “stop, clean up, and change clothes”. Plus there is the ever popular “find the cleanest person in the house who has a driver’s license and make them go while you take a much needed break”.  (Though we all admit that if this cleanest person is not a gardener, there is a big risk that they will not return with the right (fill in blank here of what you ran short of)).

Even those of us who are willing to make that last trip in the “just go as you are” gardening attire we have on, complete with bits of leaves and twigs stuck in our hair, would agree that the one thing we should do before we head back to the garden center is…

Wash our hands.

Treat them well.

Make them smell good and feel a little softer by washing them with a good bar of soap like the new Botanical Interests Gardeners Scrubbing Soap with Basil and Poppyseed.    

At this point, I should insert a picture of my hands before washing with this soap and a picture of my hands after washing with this soap, but my hands, with clipped short fingernails and… well let’s just say I am not looking to switch careers to become a hand model anytime soon.

Instead, I’ll just leave you with these instructions…

To enter a drawing to win your own Botanical Interests Gardeners Scrubbing Soap with Basil and Poppyseed, leave a comment below and tell us how cleaned up you need to be to go to the garden center.  Be sure to include a link that will take me back to a blog where I can find your email address or put your email address in your comment (disguised of course, something like Indygardener AT g mail dot Com). I’ll figure it out if you are the winner.

Comment by 5:00 pm EST on Sunday, May 23.
Open to residents of the United States and Canada.
Winner will be chosen by random drawing and be notified by email.

(Yes, Botanical Interests sent me a bar of this soap to try and they are sponsoring this giveaway.)

Times up! Thank you to all who entered.  Our winner is Kari, lucky #22. Kari, watch for an email from me to tell you how to get your Botanical Interests soap.)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: gardening, reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leenburke says

    May 22, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    I usually try to change my pants because they are usually my yucky nasty gardening pants with dirt on the butt 🙂
    leenburke at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  2. Gail says

    May 22, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    My quick run to the store outfit almost always includes the dirt on my forehead from swatting at mosquitoes~My email is on my blog! gail

    Reply
  3. Aisling says

    May 22, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    I hope no one will take a candid photo of me and post it on YouTube, but in my opinion a gardener need only wash their hands (and maybe their face) before making a dash to the garden shop. I concede that my gardening clothes aren't too outlandish.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    I usually wash my hands and make sure I don't have dirt on my face before we go to the garden center. If my clothes are filthy, hubby usually gets sent.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  5. Rose says

    May 22, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    I'm one of those weird people who won't go anywhere without at least a swipe of mascara and making sure my hair is not sticking out at crazy angles. I do wash my hands, of course, and this soap sounds yummy. Now, does Botanical Interests make something to get the ground in mud out of the knees of my jeans??

    Reply
  6. Marcia says

    May 22, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    Cleaned up? Who gets cleaned up for a garden center? If I clean up its for the car, so I don't get mud or dirt in there or at least where I sit. The back of the Subaru is another story. Any hand soap that will help my hands would be appreciated.

    dan5446atcomcastdotnet

    Reply
  7. mverno says

    May 22, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    i'll go as i am at the time i'm not out to impress anybody
    mverno@roadrunner.com

    Reply
  8. Diana says

    May 22, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    Timely post this morning as I looked at yesterday's gardening jeans and the only clean pair of pants I have (laundry day, dontcha know) while getting ready to head out to a big plant sale. Do I wear the scrungy jeans and look like, well, a gardener who's been working all morning or do I wear the nice pants and potentially get dirt on them?

    I usually just go to the garden center or hardware store with a quick wash of the face and hands. And I try to get the dirt out of my hair. There's always dirt in my hair. Not sure how it gets THERE.

    DEQDAVIS at G MAIL dot COM or on my blog.

    Reply
  9. Heather's Garden says

    May 22, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    I definitely don't change my clothes, but I do usually kick off the garden shoes and throw on a pair of flip-flops. And I have to admit that I don't "wash" my hands, but I usually spray them with the hose and wipe on my already filthy pants.

    heathersgarden AT live DOT com

    Reply
  10. Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings says

    May 22, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Well, you know how I went to the nursery the other day. I can attest they at least like your hands clean. I usually wear gloves, but I still always need a good bar of soap.~~Dee

    Reply
  11. slb3334 says

    May 22, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    wash my hands and face.

    Reply
  12. llinda29 says

    May 22, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    I wash up a bit and add cologne

    Reply
  13. elaine says

    May 22, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    I don't worry too much about some soil on my hands or clothing-I figure since the garden centre certainly has seen dirty hands before.

    Elaine R
    emrosser@shaw.ca

    Reply
  14. Terry says

    May 22, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    I wash my hands and pat my hair down which is usually a mess. I only take off my garden clogs if they are really muddy.
    terry at terrycorum dot com

    Reply
  15. MOMFOREVERANDEVER says

    May 22, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    going out to work I throw on my old clothes, or leave tee and shorts I slept in– I like playing in the dirt

    Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    I'm a girly girl and prissy. If I'm in the garden, I always bathe before heading out!

    mzpaw@yahoo.com

    Reply
  17. "Daffodil Planter" Charlotte Germane says

    May 22, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    I'm like Dee–a glove girl. But I always peel off the gloves and do a quick hand wash before I grab the car keys (and the dog who loves the garden center at the bottom of our hill). This soap sounds great! daffodilplanter AT g mail dawt com

    Reply
  18. chigiy at Gardener's Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Hummmm, let's see I wash my hands, put on lipstick, make sure nothing is hanging out of my nose. I usually wear the same lovely outfit including shoes. The sad thing is I do this even if I'm not going to the garden center. Cleaning up takes up too much precious gardening time. Where ever I go people are pulling debris out of my hair and wiping dirt off my face. It's just me. Now I am just lying hear staring out at my neglected garden wishing I could go to the garden center. whaaaaaaaaa!

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    I'll wash my hands and make sure there's not too much mud on my shoes. I really don't clean up much.

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    I wash my hands and comb my hair, unless the hat hair is really bad in which case I put on my most presentable gardening hat.

    Deirdre

    Reply
  21. Charlene S. says

    May 22, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    My hands & face have to be clean. The clothes, who cares. If they don't like they can look the other way 🙂

    motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  22. Kari says

    May 22, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    I dont bother going inside and looking in the mirror or i would feel obliged to clean up a bit. I just use the hose to wash my hands, splash my face, and grab a drink. Then it is off to the nursery.

    Kuhrich at gmail dot com

    Reply
  23. BowieTip says

    May 22, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    I allways take a hot shower before leaving my house.

    Reply
  24. debbie says

    May 22, 2010 at 7:18 pm

    I usually just wash my hands, if my clothes are really bad I will change them. I consider dirt to be a badge of honor for gardeners.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Anything goes for the gardening center. I like to go first thing in the morning, so if I'm not in my pjs I'm good! That being said, I spent 45 mins this morning in a very chlorinated pool with my son during swim lessons and my hands are still dirty from gardening yesterday!!! I would love to try this soap!
    greenlancer at comcast dot net

    Reply
  26. Unknown says

    May 22, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    for the gardening center i'm lucky if i brush out my hair…ahah twigs, grubby clothes, etc…;)

    i'd love to try this soap though! i do wash my hands before leaving the house!!

    thanks so much!!!

    Reply
  27. Pinky says

    May 22, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    I need to have my hair combed, makeup on and clothes clean. The only times I haven't gotten out like that are the times I have run into people that don't understand gardeners! 🙂

    rtandkt at gmail dot com

    Reply
  28. heather @ what's blooming this week says

    May 22, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Hands, feet, hair….all need showering after a couple of hours in the garden. I garden like I cook – messily.

    Reply
  29. vrtish55 says

    May 22, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    Change my shoes, and wash my face and hands, since I'm heading to the garden center, then that means I'll be getting back to my "fun" as soon as I can. Thanks for the chance to try something new. vickers_73460 AT yahoo DOT com

    Reply
  30. EDRing says

    May 22, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    I don't have to be very cleaned up. Just washmy hands & face & a little lipstick & I'm off.

    Ellen
    eering99@hotmail.com

    Reply
  31. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    I brush the dirt from my hair, wash my hands, and go.

    farrell@crosslake.net

    Reply
  32. Denise S. says

    May 22, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    I brush my hair and that's about it. I'm not trying to land a man anymore so who cares is my philosophy.

    Reply
  33. Darla says

    May 23, 2010 at 1:03 am

    Ever since a neighbor asked me while I was gardening, "Just where do you buy your clothes?" I try to change my shoes and get the 'stuff' out of my hair from pruning.. rusdarathotmaildotcom

    Reply
  34. Ramble on Rose says

    May 23, 2010 at 1:17 am

    I at least put my hair back in a ponytail and I don't wear my muddy, ripped up gardening jeans. But that's about the extent of my effort.

    Reply
  35. Kat White says

    May 23, 2010 at 2:23 am

    As a rule I always wear a hat and have my hair in a ponytail to start my gardening project. So no effort needed from the neck up. If my shirt is really dirt, I'll throw a hoodie over top. The pants normally stay as they are unless I've been dealing with muck. Change into cleaner sneakers and I'm off.

    Reply
  36. Kaizen Fashion Project says

    May 23, 2010 at 2:59 am

    I just wash my hands before I go. I don't think you should have to completely wash down or take a shower before heading to the garden center. It is after all a 'garden center', so I'm sure they almost expect a certain amount of soiledness to their customers. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Vickie says

    May 23, 2010 at 3:54 am

    I'm not sure my garden center trusts anyone without dirt on them somewhere…..

    I will wash most of the crud off of my hands, put a towel on the seat of the car and then go…

    And you really should post a before and after pic of your hands…I bet all of our hands look similar..gardener's hands…

    VWinship at aol dot com

    Reply
  38. Helen G says

    May 23, 2010 at 4:20 am

    Wash my face and hands and maybe change pants and shoes so car doesn't get too dirty.

    Reply
  39. cpullum says

    May 23, 2010 at 4:32 am

    Heels and a dress! ha!!! just kidding I go in dirty!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  40. Town Mouse says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:15 am

    OK, I take my gloves off and I check that nothing sticks to the backside of my pants that would dirty the car's upholstery. Then I go, wearing large sunglasses so noone can recognize me.

    But I do wash my hands if I have a snack after my day's labors.

    Reply
  41. Ruth says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:38 am

    Oh I wash my hands because they are always dirty after being in the garden . I love being outside . I just go as I 'am .

    Reply
  42. cman says

    May 23, 2010 at 7:02 am

    Clean enough to where I don't leave anything dirty there!

    Reply
  43. Rusthawk says

    May 23, 2010 at 7:12 am

    Neat reading all these comments. I go as is, usually stopping long enough to grab keys (and intentionally avoid the mirror).

    Reply
  44. Brian E. says

    May 23, 2010 at 10:23 am

    Thanks for the giveaway…depending on the the output of sweat I might throw on a dry tee shirt, and my "good" baseball cap, so as not to scare the other shoppers.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    Reply
  45. sweepmom says

    May 23, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    Basically I just wash my hands as best I can. Usually this means there is still dirt under my nails and ground into my skin.

    Reply
  46. vetsy says

    May 23, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    I'm so desperate to get back to my garden and finish what ever I'm trying to complete, I'll just wash my hands and change my dirty tee shirt; The dirty pants, scarf, and shoes stay on!

    vmerri@ymail.com

    Reply
  47. Sherry at the Zoo says

    May 23, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    I admit I change clothes, because I wouldn't want anyone seeing me in my gardening attire! It's pretty bad! I will go without make-up though!

    Reply
  48. SuzOH says

    May 23, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    I usually don't change clothes, but maybe my shoes. The shoes I wear in the garden, I don't even want in my car–usually muddy. I do wash my hands, sometimes more than once trying to get them clean. They seem to get dirty even when I wear gloves.

    Reply
  49. Anonymous says

    May 23, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    HORTON111@AOL.COM

    I TRY TO LOOK HALF WAY CLEAN WHEN I GO LOOKING FOR PLANTS AND GARDEN ITEMS

    Reply
  50. Jean says

    May 23, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    I"ll wash my hands, and check myself in the mirror before I go

    Reply
  51. sksweeps says

    May 23, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    I wash my hands and maybe run a comb thru my hair… depending on the gardening attire d'jour… I may have to change! (yes, I'm one of those)!

    sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

    Reply
  52. lsfish says

    May 23, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    It depends, I usually don't like to go too dirty unless I'm desperate (I wont go smelly , though!)

    Reply
  53. Sand says

    May 23, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    I go everywhere clean and with light makeup.

    Reply
  54. susan1215 says

    May 23, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    I just make sure my clothes, face and hands are clean in case I run into someone I know.

    Reply
  55. julis55 says

    May 23, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    I definitely don't change my clothes, but I do usually kick off the garden shoes and throw on a pair of flip-flops.

    Reply
  56. cmcathiem02@gmail.com says

    May 23, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I wash the dirt off my hands and go.

    Reply
  57. Unknown says

    May 23, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    I don't need to be cleaned up because I think they expect you to be dirty, however if you decide to go to another department you may run into trouble because they may think you are a day laborfer or homeless and call security on you. I play it safe and dress up in my golf clothes like a yuppie redneck wannabe. garrettsambo@aol.com

    Reply
  58. New Leaf says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    Clean up?? Who has time to clean up? Gotta get there before they close! But I could use some of that great soap at the end of the day so old left brain will quit calling me raggamuffin.

    Reply
  59. lilyk says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    I need to be cleaned up pretty good.

    lilyk@mail2world.com

    Reply
  60. Amy says

    May 23, 2010 at 6:22 pm

    I will wash my hands, and maybe change my pants/shorts if they are super dirty (don't want the car seat to get dirty), but that's about it. A dirt-covered tshirt is no problem. 🙂

    amyspener at gmail dot com

    Reply
  61. Michelle B says

    May 23, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    An entire change of clothes and wash hands and face
    angelsspot(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  62. Charlene Kuser says

    May 23, 2010 at 7:58 pm

    I usually like to get cleaned up.It
    is nothing worse then standing next
    to a smelly person,even at the garden
    center.

    CharlieGurl57(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  63. Kylee Baumle says

    May 23, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Sometimes I just have to change my clothes because I'm a muddy, dirty mess, but sometimes I just pick up and go. Since the nearest garden center is some distance away, I rarely make a quick trip there without planning other stops, so I'm usually fairly cleaned up.

    I'd sure like to try this soap! Thanks to Botanical Interests for the giveaway and you, too, Carol!

    You have my e-mail, and if not, it can be found on my blog.

    Reply
  64. Anonymous says

    May 23, 2010 at 10:03 pm

    I might have to change my clothes and wash hand, legs and face.

    My email is jinijose_v@yahoo.com

    Reply
  65. susansmoaks says

    May 23, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    i don't clean up at all to go to the garden store, i just go in whatever i have on
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    Reply

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