For us, the storm named Colin has been much ado about nothing. I was hoping for a few inches of rain, less than the TV weather guys are saying, but still a nice, wet event. As we end the second day, there’s just about an inch in the rain gauge. We had a few short periods with fairly hard rain and some wind gusts, but more on the order of a typical rain storm than something with a name. Having said that, there was one garden casualty. We had a serious wind gust that blew over 90% of the corn. I promise – this is my last attempt at raising corn. Between critters and weather, it just doesn’t work here – unless you consider bulking up the compost pile as a positive. – update, make that 5” and add a couple of tomato plants to the blow over list.
What we were mostly concerned about with the storm potential was the vulnerability of the house we’re working on. It’s completely open on the ground floor and the second floor on the south end of the house. It could be a real mess with blowing rain, especially if the second floor gets soaked. We had hoped to get by with only a minimum rework on the top floor but this could be a game changer. Update, it looks ok. Nothing fell over and not too wet inside. George and Garett managed to get a plastic sheet across the open back side and it apparently did the job.
I think I mentioned that the cucumber crop was shortened by a return of the feared and dreaded nematodes. I had real problems a few years back but thought I had beaten them with massive infusions of compost over the past 5 years and selective solarization. Last year was nematode free which I thought was a permanent condition. Wrong. So I’ll solarize a couple of rows where the cuc’s and squash were growing – that means pulling all the plants and weeds and then covering with clear plastic for a couple of months. That heats up the soil enough to kill the nematodes 8-12” deep. I know it works but didn’t think I had to do it annually. So far the tomato crop is looking good and they are usually quite vulnerable to nematodes. I have them growing in a section fairly far from where I’m having the problem so I’m guessing the problem is local. Ditto green beans – those are doing quite well and are prone to nematode attacks.
I repeat – how is it possible that a great country like this with over 300M people, could come up with two losers as the finalists in the presidential race. I think I’ll just write in a name – maybe one of my blog readers. Obviously they’re an intelligent, astute, and discerning group.
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