Let's talk with the Animals

In one of my past blogs, I wrote about the garden pests and friends. I would like to expand on this subject as I have other visitors that I haven’t seen before since I moved here in 1993. On Friday as I was working in the yard, I saw something out of the ordinary a small black snake moving quickly across the lawn. It was too small for Ophelia. Upon closer inspection, I saw a small snake about 18” long that was red, black and yellow. I look at it as I tried to remember the poem that is used to determine the difference between the coral snake and the king snake. Ken Bultman writes on the website Scienceray:

“To the newcomer who has not seen either reptile coming across the harmless king snake causes many to believe they have encountered a deadly coral snake. The result is often the needless dispatching of a beautiful creature that means no harm except to small rodents and large insects. There is a poem (I did not write it) that locals try to teach new residents upon their arrival to help them distinguish between the two varieties of snakes–one poisonous, one not. “Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack.”

This is a great reminder but when you actually are look straight at it, you can get confused. This one was definitely a coral snake. Normally, I would kill any venomous snake that come on the property, but it was so beautiful, I just could not bring myself to do it. Not to mention, the little bastard was very fast. So I let it scurry into the woods unharmed.

As I had mentioned in the past, I have many pests on the property including several tribes of ants, spiders and tree frogs (who seem to think coming inside of the house is the safest place to be.) When I work in my flower beds, I literally, sit in the dig up weeds in the beds. I do this by loosening the soil with a potato fork and then snaking my hands through the soil to get the root system. If you can get the entire system, no more weeds. If you leave one piece of root, they continue to grow. While I am doing this, I am often attacked by angry ants and the battle begins. I through chemicals to kill them, but to them it is candy. So now I am following the advice of a friend who told me to take part of one colony and put is by another one and then they fight to the death. This is fun to watch. Although, mostly I deal with the ants, I am also exposed to every other bug in the yard. One time, a spider got me. I am sure it was a brown recluse as my leg swollen twice it size and was very painful. When I went to the hospital, I left after sitting in an empty waiting room for 4 hours and went home. I kept the let elevated and used some natural oils to help draw out the poison. It took about four or five days but like I was once told by a nurse, “you are such a man by refusing to go to the hospital.” I said, screw and waited it out.

Throughout the years, I have also witness some creatures that just add to my reasons for living here. Besides the common yard birds such as sparrows, blue jays, finches and cardinals, I have barn and screech owls. I love the owls. One night while sitting in the yard with friends, we witness one of the funniest sights you can see. Two owls that were flying down and then swooping up and bump in mid air. They repeated this same pattern for quit awhile. It was the funniest this to watch. The next day, I asked one of my older neighbors about this and was informed that we were watching the mating ritual of the barn owl. They certainly were exhibitionists, because they did not mind the audience. When they were done, they landed on some nearby branches. As the female smoked a satisfying cigarette, the male simply turned away from her and went to sleep. Men are such pigs.

I also have several have hawks, deer, raccoons and possums that share my property. Every so often, I have had some very strange experiences with animals. Once, I had a cattle stampede, of about 50 cows, run past us like we were not there. Though, the most unusual was a Florida panther that was walking through the property. It was interesting because we found that no matter how big the kitty, they are still afraid of dogs. My Rottie and lab proudly treed this cat for about an hour before we got the dogs and let it go on its way.

So as with everything else in life you take the good with the bad and find middle ground. Yes, I have found some of the really bad visitors that really could have done some damage, but, then I look at the good. Who needs a zoo when all I have to do is sit and watch the world go by and welcome the visitors as they come. The one thing I have learned, is when you talk to the animals, they will talk to you. You just cannot find this in the city.

Nature's Therapy

People often ask why I love gardening. Mostly my reply is just look at the results of my work and its beauty says it all. In reality, it is therapeutic. I go through bouts of severe depression where I just cannot function. At times, I isolate myself and have no motivation to do much of anything. My mind is like a blank screen. Television is just noise. I don’t eat or do anything to care for myself. To some people, it is easy just to shake it off and move on. Unfortunately for me, mine goes beyond that. Sometimes is it may lasts for just a few hours or a few days-life is not good.

I am blessed by good friends who check in on me and a dog that does everything he can to try and get me to snap out of it. If it does not work he lies on my lap and stays very close. Then there is my garden. As my mind slowly makes a turn in the right direction, I still may not be able to deal with people or leave the house, but I can go outside and doing the simplest thing like pulling weeds is a deterrent. The busier I get, the more; I am able to slowly come out of it. Then I get back on track. With a property my size there is plenty of things to do. A great part of the time, when I feel the onset of depression, I can get to work and this alleviates the changes going on in my mind.

Amy O’Brian writes in an article published earlier this year for the National post about how gardening benefits people who are sick emotionally or physically.,

“Gardeners believe it and studies have shown that even the view of a flower or tree can lift spirits and help an ailing body recover.”

She further refers to a behavioral research study made by Rutgers University which found the presence of flowers-at the bedside or outside a window-triggers happy emotion, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in positive ways that exceeds what was previously believed.

Amy continues with an interview of Aimee Taylor, a Vancouver horticulture therapist who works with disabled adults and seniors. Taylor explains,

“If you look at the research in environmental psychology, it shows that gardening helps people recover from stress and it can help people focus less on their problems," Taylor said. "Evidence has shown that gardening makes people feel more optimistic, gives them a regular routine, a sense of purpose and achievement."

Amy O’Brian confirms with both the Rutgers’s study and the interview with Taylor, the benefits of how gardening benefits those suffering from emotional distress or illness in a very positive way. I agree 100% with her findings. Though my moods can be similar to riding a roller coaster, working in my garden does helps to alleviate the some of the pain associated with my depression. Most of all, to see the final results is enough to lift not only my spirits but anyone who comes here. In today’s world everyone is so busy with the hustle and bussel of our lives, sometimes stopping to look at the beauty of God’s creations can make us appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

The things we do for a pretty garden

Meet my new friend Gumby. Why is he my new friend? He supplies me with some really good shit. I usually put cow manure that I buy around my roses and some of my plants every year, but it seems to lose something in the processing. Fortunately I live in an area where I have an abundant supply of shit from a wide variety of animals. Mark Powell, states in his article, “Contributions to Society: MANURE-FERTILIZER.FUEL, Developed Countries,” The manure produced by dairy and beef cattle, poultry and swine contains vast amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus that in some regions can be land applied at agronomic rates on farms where it is produced. Manure provides essential and secondary nutrients for crop production, increases soil organic matter levels, and enhances soil physical properties and over all soil quality.

Many years ago I discovered this is true, Though, I found after stopping by a Circus when it came to town, they had a supply of manure from a large variety of animals. Sometime, the bigger the animal, the better the product. When I lived in Indiana I had a composed pile of the circus manure and in the middle of winter, we’re talking 0 degrees outside, the pile was 87 degree. This is some hot shit. After it sat for several months I used it around a friend’s roses and some of my own plants. These plants produced roses the size of softballs. For this reason, when I met Gumby, I was very excited.

Last week, I stopped by his home and spoke with the owners. They thought I was sort of strange, but agreed to let me come by occasionally to visit Gumby and follow him around with a shovel. Gumby, doesn’t seem to care, but I am very careful not to piss him off. Nothing like getting bit or kicked by a 800 lb animal. After I collect my treasure, I take it home and pour it in a bucket to make a “shit soup.” I’ll let it sit for a few weeks, It use it on my roses. While searching other blogs, I discovered many companies who actually take dried manure and put them in tea bags. Can you imagine to make your shit tea and mistake it for your good old fashion sun tea.
As for my other plants, I’ll still use my regular fertilizer and save the good shit for the roses.

This is not to say that I against using chemical fertilizers, I do. Britannia Encyclopedia defines fertilizers as

“Natural or artificial substance containing the chemical elements that improve growth and productiveness of plants. Fertilizers enhance the natural fertility of the soil or replace the chemical elements taken from the soil by previous crops. The use of manure and composts as fertilizers is probably almost as old as agriculture. Modern chemical fertilizers include one or more of the three elements most important in plant nutrition: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Of secondary importance are the elements sulfur, magnesium, and calcium.”

In the article “Organic VS Chemical Lawn Care” ,written on the site for Adgrand organic supplies who argue
“Traditional lawn fertilization practices certainly cause surface and Groundwater pollution, but banning the application of certain nutrients is not the answer.
The application of both Nitrogen and phosphorus can be problematic. Chemical fertilizers that are highly concentrated cause water pollution even when they are applied at the recommended rates if a heavy rain or too much irrigation are applied soon after they are applied. However, many homeowners do not calibrate their fertilizer spreaders or just throw fertilizer on their lawns by hand which is the most likely cause of most of the nutrient loading in lakes.”
Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo, We have nuclear power plants dumping in our waters, oil rigs polluting our oceans and they complain about a little runoff in our lakes. I’m willing to make such a sacrifice for my plants. I do not use large quantities and I use both for different reasons. The manure for larger flowers and healthier roses. I use a general 10-10-10 fertilizer for my scrubs trees and other plants because it is quick to apply and who the hell wants to follow a camel around for that much shit.

What to do, what to do.

Today is the first day I am starting to feel a little better. I am actually able to eat solid foods. I look at the yard and have made a list of projects to do but just don't want to press my luck. I want to move some scrubs and replace with roses and create a new bed for daylillies. Oh well, there is always another day. One thing about it, it will always be there another day. With Winter coming, I'll be able to work on the beds and get them ready for Spring.

Some call it junk others call it art

When you decorate your yard it, you basically use what you feel is fitting to your own likes and desires. Some people want to add that little extra touch to their gardens such as a bird bath or some little cute statues. My yard on the other hand is a combination of history, art, cute and unusual. The first thing you see when you pull into my yard is my legs which is a statement of its own. I have had people drive by, stop and back up just to see what they though they were. Katie Kinne's in EHow.com she states "If you love retro, you have to own it, be it, and be willing to defend it if necessary. So get up the guts to display what most people will find to be incredibly tackyrticle." I agree with her views, if it gets peoples attention, gives them a giggle or repulses them-it is something they will talk about again and again.

You see the fire hydrant, a real one from the city of Sanford. It is about 75 years old. I had a friend in the scrapping business give it to me. The down fall was it came with the original pipe that cam out of the ground. It took everything I had to unload it from my truck and drop it in a four foot hole. Though it was worth the potential of a hernia. Though, this will go with the house if I ever sell. In the same bed, I have a couple cute little rabbits which came from Aunt Gwen's. I also have a couple of other little cutsie statues that came from her yard which normally I would not have in my yard but they have significant sentimental value.

Most of the beds are surrounded by large stones. The stones have a history of their own. In the late 1800s, there was a small town on 301 in Hernando county Just north of 50. The town was called Rydall, where it had a turpentine plant, a brick factory, some homes and a hotel for when the train went through. Over the years, the companies closed down and the hotel became, well basically a whorehouse. Eventually hwy 301 was moved a little more west and the hotel started falling apart. So the owner gave me permission to help my self. So I can honestly say my yard carries the spirits of the old town and a whore house.

The brick I made my sidewalk with is from the old train depot in Webster and the left overs became the start of my brick collection to build a fountain. Eventually, I will have a fountain, similar to one you may see in Savannah or in older cities. Over the past couple of years I have collected bricks from anywhere i could get them and now have enough to build a 10' by 7' by 2 1/2' fountain (bricklayer needed, with experience with concrete can pay with good home cooked meal.) I have friends who have little ponds with fish but me, I have always had a thing for fountains. While living in Indianapolis, it is safe to say I have swam in all but one of the city's fountains. Many times, the nice policeman would simply tell us to get out and threaten us with public intoxication and a few other charges but this never stopped us. With my fountain, I will not only have the fountain I want, but if I get hot I can simply walk out side and sit my happy ass in my fountain without threat of getting arrested.

As you continue the tour, you will see several original sculptures and then some statuary that I have bought. The one with the legs in a dancing position is called "Dancing Sanctuary," an original piece by an artist named John Deverter. In my orchid area, I have another original that I bought at a thrift store. I also have sever birdbaths, one a cherub and then some regular bird bird baths. One with a very large piece of amber crystal in the center which radiates as the sun shines down on it. Then the same be I have the grill to an old tractor. This may sound odd but it really adds a great effect with the flowers growing around it.

When you place yard art in your gardens sometimes it is a reflection of you. In my garden, I have a wide array of things spread out which each bed speaking for itself. My newest addition is a statue of David, yes everyone should own an anatomically correct statue of David for you yard just to keep the neighbors talking and wonder. Here in my area they don't wonder but just enjoy the scenery. One more thing, did I mention I still hate the people who shared their germs with me. I hope not many people get what ever they gave me.

People are toxic!!

I have lived in my home since 1993. When I found the place, I found the charm of the place was the land and the isolation. Coming from Indianapolis, I was used to city living. I missed the sounds of the city from firetrucks, traffic and screaming kids and the one thing I remember the most is the street sweeper that passed under my window at exactly 3 am every morning. I lived downtown so I enjoyed the fountains, tall buildings and people watching.

When I moved here it was the difference of night and day. When it got dark, it was really dark. The first six months I would have every light in the house one because you never know what might happen. Eventually, I got used to it and even enjoyed being outside in the seclusion and darkness. I could look at the sky and watch the stars which seemed so close, I could reach up and grab them. At night, it was a whole new world. I am serenaded by a symphony from the creatures of the night with the whippoorwill as the star attraction. I know what true peace is.

The downfall of living in the country is people. Since I started school, I have gotten sick more times than I have in my life. This week I have a bug that is not pleasant. On campus, there are what 50,000 people and being around them, they pass their germs along to everyone around. For me, I have been protected by my seclusion. So now, I carry bottles of disinfectant with me and hope the people that are sick are staying home.

I love my home and enjoy the seclusion. Meanwhile, in my pursuit of my degree I will have to just deal with the inconvenience even though it is unpleasant. Whether sick or well, I still have the music of the night to help me through any problems or discomfort and most of all the peacefulness of my environment. The moral of this story is when possible, stay away from people but when worse comes to worse, take a minute to listen to the music and everything else just seems minute.

Garden Pests and Friends

Earlier this week, I found all the leaves of one of my angel trumpet completely gone. I knew right away that it was that little bastard grass hopper, I never could catch. As I wandered around looking at my other plants, I came across the culprits a pair amorous grasshoppers in the process of let's just say having a conjugal visit on my camellia bush. I think it must of been date night for them because to top the evening off they were listening to Barry White and having a good time. Needless to say this couple barely had enough time to finish their cigarettes before their untimely demise. In this area, these large grasshoppers spend the summer reeking havoc on my garden and laying their eggs. Once I went to see my county agriculture agent to see what to do about them because nothing I tried would kill them. His reply was the only way to kill them at that age is to smash them. This was good enough for me at that time but then the eggs hatch in early spring. This is the only time any good pesticide can kill them. When young they are black with a reddish yellow stripe down their back. Once you spray, all you Can do is pray you killed the little bastards. Raymond Zebra states in his article in the Florida Times Unions, "The adult eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera) is very resilient to chemicals and the only way to rid yourself of them is to smash them. It is best to address them when they first hatch or they will continue to reproduce year after year." I agree with his assessment and have found in the early spring poisons like Malathion or Diazonon are very effective. Usually after spraying, I cut the leaves they are on and put them in a plastic bag and discard them appropriately.

With the grasshopper it is very obvious they are around because it is easy to see the damage. Though, there are other pests that can do significant damage to a plant quicker if left unattended. Aphids and spider mites are so small you can barely see them. So you have to constantly stay on top of inspecting your plants and treating them immediately. Aphids are usually found on the underside of the leaves and slowly drink the nutrients out of the leaves. If you have ever noticed a plant with a black suety color on the leaves, it is a sure tell all that the plant is infested. Treating them with malathion or other pesticides usually will take care of all most pests. As for the black soot, simply spray the plants with soapy water and this will help clean the leaves. As for spider mites, the most damage they do is discolor the leaves. On camellias the leaves turn to a silver color and a good way to deal with them is spraying.

When working with poison, one has to be very careful and wear protective clothing and safety glasses. If you get a little on you, wash the area immediately. When finished, throw the clothes in the washer machine right away and shower. Exposure to most of the household poison can be serious but not bad unless you ingest it. As for other poisons, just getting it on your skin can be dangerous. One time, I bought an antique commercial powder spreader for decoration. When I got I home and unloaded it from the truck, a yellow powder poured out of it all over me. Yes, I got very sick and actually should of went to the hospital but being the stubborn man I am, I just layed down and slept for a couple of days. This piece of equipment came from an old farm house and I think it is safe to say it was DDT. I now understand why it was taken off the market. Fortunately I did not have any two headed babies.

The Department of Agriculture bans may of the good chemicals because of tree huggers who say they are getting people sick. Sometimes you trade off for the good of the plant or the people. I choose plants. I have found that when old people die and families have yard sales and you can always find some of better chemicals. yes they are banned for safety reasons, they sure work a lot better than the watered down alternative. Sometimes I think the Department of Ag do not think when they ban certain items. This year they decided to ban phosphates from fertilizer because people felt it was doing damage to the environment. What they did not think of is that the state of Florida is known for their Phosphate mines. Duh.

Call me a prude or a murderer but I'll stick with the poisons to keep up my beautiful yard. If people want to complain, keep their damn children out of my yard.

I've dealt with the pests and the mean time I have found some new friends. Besides the birds that frequently visit the yard, I have found this year I have been fortunately blessed by several new species of butterflies and moths. These are the kind of friends I like to have. Though on Saturday George discovered a couple of his own new friends, Hilary and Bernard gophor turtles. He is facinated by them. When he goes out, he runs to see if they are out and tries to play with them. On the otherhand, I have never seen a turtle flip someone off but they do that often now just to try to get rid of him. Being a good parent, I have not told him what that means, so he just keeps playing.

Of all the creatures I can call friend the most welcome is Ophelia. I met her Saturday while working in the yard. Ophelia is a black snake. When I first moved to Florida, I was terrified of snakes. I had a pair of black snakes that used to sleep right outside my back door. I had a hard time using that door until I started talking to the locals. They told me that if you have a black snake on your property, you will not have rattlesnakes. Apparantly they are territorial and do no like rattlesnakes. After this brief education, I was able to share my porch with them but found it is easier to accept them if they had names. I named them Frank and Julie (after a couple of people that reminded me of snakes) It is very safe to say she is my best friend.

With that, I'll leave you with this thought: we have good friends and bad friends but sometimes even a snake will make a wonderful friend moreso than people that may act similar to them.