The Chill is Coming
This year I'm really looking forward to the cooler weather, which is due to arrive early next week. That's actually a strange thing for someone who has no hot water in his house.
The deal is, the nematodes are held in check by cooler temps. I think that the most aggressive species of RKN I have in my garden (RKN means root knot nematode) is a tropical species, so the chill should really set them back.
I dug some of my sweet potatoes, and did not find much so far...not even enough to fill a colander. And they showed signs of RKN infestation. Most commercially grown sweet potatoes are resistant, and I'm growing a commercial strain, so I thought I would be safe. But unfortunately this new species of RKN that has invaded Florida has the ability to overcome resistance in veggies. So far I'm not finding anything like the numbers of potatoes I dug last season.
Next hot season, I think I'm going to have to try drastic measures to kill the RKN. I think I may sow the entire garden with Sunn Hemp, a soil building crop that is known to kill off RKN in the soil. The Sunn Hemp may work wonders with that sandy soil I have, soil building is just what I need. It's used extensively to condition the soil in India.
Many of my friends on DS are going through a lot of emotional turmoil now. This is the time of year for it. The shorter days can trigger emotional problems, and the holiday cheer does not help a person who is living a life of desperation. I would like to do what I can to help them, but I've noticed that my own mood is taking a nosedive. I think I need to keep control and pull out of this downward direction before I see the ground coming at me.
There's not much on TV, my garden is full of RKN, my house is slowly falling apart, and I have an appointment with an eye doctor I've never dealt with before. And I keep having these memories of my missing and deceased cats popping up. I lost seven of them in the past seven years. All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia.
The deal is, the nematodes are held in check by cooler temps. I think that the most aggressive species of RKN I have in my garden (RKN means root knot nematode) is a tropical species, so the chill should really set them back.
I dug some of my sweet potatoes, and did not find much so far...not even enough to fill a colander. And they showed signs of RKN infestation. Most commercially grown sweet potatoes are resistant, and I'm growing a commercial strain, so I thought I would be safe. But unfortunately this new species of RKN that has invaded Florida has the ability to overcome resistance in veggies. So far I'm not finding anything like the numbers of potatoes I dug last season.
Next hot season, I think I'm going to have to try drastic measures to kill the RKN. I think I may sow the entire garden with Sunn Hemp, a soil building crop that is known to kill off RKN in the soil. The Sunn Hemp may work wonders with that sandy soil I have, soil building is just what I need. It's used extensively to condition the soil in India.
Many of my friends on DS are going through a lot of emotional turmoil now. This is the time of year for it. The shorter days can trigger emotional problems, and the holiday cheer does not help a person who is living a life of desperation. I would like to do what I can to help them, but I've noticed that my own mood is taking a nosedive. I think I need to keep control and pull out of this downward direction before I see the ground coming at me.
There's not much on TV, my garden is full of RKN, my house is slowly falling apart, and I have an appointment with an eye doctor I've never dealt with before. And I keep having these memories of my missing and deceased cats popping up. I lost seven of them in the past seven years. All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia.
Replies
Wow, that will be great when you get the Sunn Hemp planted.
With all of us coping and sharing support I think we shall hold on and make the best of it - one small moment at a time. I used to \'joke\' for the three years I had no working toilet and had to \'dump\' the \'port-a-potty\' out in the dug hole in the back yard - It was my \'Camping IN/OUT experience\'. Now days if I have a working toilet I feel I am living well - LOL
Gentle ((hugs))
:-) Patricia
Richie my thoughts & prayers are with you. I wish I was a bit closer to you in florida I\'d sit and chat with you a spell. Yup it looks like Monday the temp is gonna be 67* here in central fl. I think if I\'m up to it I may make a crock pot of veggie soup. Then I can freeze some of it. Your right the holidays stir up our emotions good & bad. December is a sad month for me. I loss both my parents in Dec 96\' & 98\'. I have my memories. Plus being ill doesn\'t help matters any...but we do what we can. Support one another because we all know hard times one way or another. Hugs Grace
Sometimes it feels like I\'m barely hanging on. I realize that the roof is not repaired after all. The water is still finding a way in on the East side. I\'ve had 3 different roofers and almost $1500 in repairs who all guaranteed their work but yet can\'t be found when I find it\'s still leaking. I realize now when I have no more money that I should have gone with a new roof instead of repair. I\'m feeling down also. Don\'t understand this mood I\'m in. I\'m usually upbeat and can see humor in everything. So sorry about losing so many of your kitties. That must have been terribly difficult. I\'m here if you need to talk.
Hugs,
Teri
I\'ve been thinking about something - trying to make a decision, and something I read here has helped me with that decision. It really doesn\'t have that much to do with my situation but it was how you said something that triggered a thought and now I\'m thinking in a different direction and leaning toward something that I had tried to talk myself out of last night.
My point is that we help each other in ways that we may not even realize. You didn\'t set out to help me today with your journal writing, but you did!
gotta love a bit o\' help when it comes your way
katy
Ya see?? We write our journals, and just talk about our feelings and our day to day chores...and it strikes a chord in someone elses life. It\'s all good, Richie!! This journaling thing.
You are right. This time of year makes everything bad seem worse and puts doubt and damper on our spirits. It shouldn\'t be that way, but I think because we have given up so much normalcy.....giving up a few happy holiday moments, just seems like a bit too much. I think we reach a certain point and then we don\'t want to deal with the losses anymore...we just shut everything out. This is bad. We musn\'t do that. We can at least talk to each other. Obviously it helps. It helps you to vent, it helps us to relate and we get ideas on how to cope from each other.
Don\'t get discouraged Richie! You\'re on the right path and lots of us are following you in your day to day routine, which, believe it or not, is more than some of us can do, and I think we find your fight for survivial nothing less than inspirational!
Seriously!! Keep on truckin. You\'re helpin folks!!