Posts

"Protecting Plants from Cold Damage"

LowTide Morning - December 15, 2018 "Protecting Plants from Cold Damage" (from my archives: Extension weekly article 12/21/04) Local radio host, John Scott Kapaona recently introduced me to his listening audience on AM 720. Each week we chat about different gardening topics and John, not being a gardener, has learned to ask all of the right questions. Two weeks ago we talked about plant cold hardiness zones, which determines the minimum temperature that a plant can tolerate during winter and survive. A zone 7 plant that has acclimated to winter dormancy should tolerate temperatures as low as 0 - 10 degrees. Zone 8 will only tolerate between 10- 20 degrees. This week, as the temperatures dropped into the 20's, John asked about protecting plants against cold weather. As I was pulling information together for the show, I started asking some simple questions at the Extension office that seem to have rather in-depth answers. I wanted to know if and when I really need to pull o...
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"How 'bout it, Greg?"

LowTide Morning - December 8, 2018 "How 'bout it, Greg?" It is the dead of winter. Coats are on. The maître d' collects coats at the entrance. Everyone enjoys an excellent dinner with appetizers, wine, and dessert. When it is time to leave, the maître d' hands Greg "his" coat. The problem: it isn't Greg's coat. Maître d': "Are you sure this isn't your coat?" Greg gives him the look. He puts the coat on, and the sleeves are three inches too short. "Oh, sorry. Someone else must have mistakenly taken your coat. Maybe he will bring it back." Greg gives the look again. If the sleeves on the coat left behind were three inches too short, don't you think one would notice the sleeves on the absconded coat were three inches too long? "We'll pay to replace your coat." According to Greg, the coat is irreplaceable. Not to mention it is the dead of winter, and he now is without a coat. Greg vows never to eat at ano...
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"Hold everything"

LowTide Morning - November 24, 2018 "Hold everything" Most drivers brake for animals—if not out of compassion, they hope to avoid damage to their precious, shiny vehicles. With the exception of that one copperhead in my driveway, I do my best to avoid colliding with creatures that wander into the path of oncoming traffic. I also brake for plants. I find it nearly impossible to drive by a tree in full glory without slamming on the brakes to take a picture. I've learned to park my vehicle a few doors down, so it isn't in the picture. This leads neighbors to wonder what I'm up to. I don't like raising suspicion, but it's often the undesired effect when I amble around with a camera in hand. Today, I offer an explanation to the inquiring neighbor who rolls down her window. "I'm just taking a picuture of this beautiful tree." The sweet elderly lady gives me an understanding nod and carries on. A few clicks of the camera at different angles and expo...
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"Thankful for Another Day"

LowTide Morning - November 17, 2018 "Thankful for Another Day" I'm sitting at Piedmont Hospital asking questions such as "What is his ejection fraction?", "How much function will come back?", and "Normally, how many arteries are there going to and from the heart?" I am surprised to learn that the number is not the same for each person. Purportedly, almost everyone has five arteries, maybe six; some might even have seven—cardiac superstars. So, we have lost a few arteries over the years. That's okay. It appears we can survive with just a few arteries, perhaps even one. Although, I can't imagine walking around with only one artery like a single engine airplane. That would be banking everything on one engine. It's frightful to think what could happen if it sputters and stops in mid-air. At least a pilot has a chance of safely landing a malfunctioning plane. My preference is to keep every single major and minor artery, but for some, t...
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"Colors for All Seasons"

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LowTide Morning - November 10, 2018 "Colors for All Seasons" [The following is an article that I wrote while employed with the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. There are a couple of noteworthy changes since this writing. My dear Master Gardener friend, Ray Prior and his wife, Rita are no longer with us. My resistance to spring colors in the fall has softened.] He said, she said... My thoughts were revolving around the garden in fall, when one of our Master Gardeners, Ray Prior submitted an article on Fescue lawns. After reading Ray’s article, I realized that we see things through different eyes. Ray likes a green fescue lawn in the dormant season, noting " I’ll admit a well manicured bermuda lawn looks nice during the summer and early fall; but even though I have lived in the South for 25 years, I still can’t get used to a lawn being brown in the winter time." I sympathize with those moving from northern climates where cool season grasses, such as fescue are the n...
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"Oh, look!"

LowTide Morning - November 3, 2018 "Oh, look!" I can't remember the last time I strolled through a proper mall. Does it seem that the new trend in outdoor plazas has replaced malls? That suits me; I prefer plein air opportunities, especially on a crisp fall day. In addition to shopping and eateries, the thing I like most about browsing a mall, or other public venue, is people-watching. (Although, it was far more interesting before people started plastering their noses to electronic devices.) Airports abound with people-watching opportunities, which were most enjoyable before we were expected to report anything unusual. Unusual? That used to be our source of entertainment. Observation is in our genes—watching other people and wondering... For a brief period, stimulated by a college assignment, I entertained the thought of becoming an ethnographer. In some ways, the power of obsevation increases with age, e.g., reading every single street sign and billboard along the way, a...
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"Mother's red truck"

LowTide Morning - October 27, 2018 "Mother's red truck" Mom is currently "living" with us, but she views it as an extended vacation. Good enough. Since May of 2017, she has had two knee replacement and two cataract surgeries. We believe this year, and likely longer, it is in her best interest to stay with us. True to her alternative-medicine mantra, Mom refuses further testing, so we assess her abilities via day-to-day occurrences and conversations. Mom and I are watching the news featuring the 3D Ronald Reagan hologram in the Ronald Reagan presidential museum. Reagan speaks and moves as if in real life. Mom comments, "Ohhh, I haven't seen him in a long time." Nor, have I, Mom. I don't find this alarming, simply something to note, like my father-in-law calling flower blossoms feathers because the right word doesn't pull up. I know what he means. That is what matters most. Indicators hint we are fading into a new season in life. I take it as...
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