Water, water was everywhere — but relief is in sight
My favorite weather meteorologist, Robert Van Winkle, stated after Nov. 1, “When we turned our clocks back on the first of November, we seem to have set them back to June.” We were having such a late heat wave. This too is passing. Cool weather is playing cat and mouse with us.
Then, in November, my dear friend, Marty, announced that hurricane season was over. I interjected that hurricane season goes until November 30. Bristling, she proclaimed, “We may have severe storms, but no hurricanes in November!”
Here I go – researching again.
Well, she is more accurate than I am. It seems, Southwest Florida has had only three hurricanes in November, the last one being Nov. 4, 1935. The Palm Beach Post recently described it as the hurricane dubbed “Yankee” because “of its advance from the north with a sheet of clouds as gray as a Confederate soldier’s uniform that charged quickly towards a loosely fortified Miami.” Winds of gale force hit us, but it was nearly rain-free. That was the last time South Florida has been hit in November. his year, November has been gentle on us weather-wise.
The weather does seem to be drying up, with most likely weak storms and tropical depressions. Astronomically, when fall begins, the Earth tilts on its axis, pushing the northern hemisphere away from the sun, signaling the end to our storms. We are in our 10th season free of hurricanes hitting land mass in Florida. A few more rain storms, then we are into water rationing.
The city has issued the reminders to follow the water schedule. On Monday and Friday, watering is midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 0, 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 1. On Wednesday and Saturday, watering is midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 3 and 5, 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 7 and 9. Thursday and Sunday, watering is midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 2 and 4, 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 6 and 8.
As my Arizona brother would say – you know the drill. Cape Coral’s consumption of water annually for irrigation is about 9.65 billion gallons a year. Irrigation water needs to be used wisely, as our supply is not unlimited. Normally we have cooler weather in the dry season and watering the lawns is not as necessary, two days is adequate to maintain our lawns. This goes for all residents, whether on dual-water, wells, or pumping from the canals.
Judith and I are working on the flower beds at Trafalgar Middle School, the vegetable and fruit areas are doing great. The Builder’s Club wants to take flowers to Hope Hospice. A Rutgers University study found that flowers ease depression, improve social interaction and enhance memory in adults 55 and older. Flowers have an impact on happiness. They make a space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere.
Texas A&M research shows that a change as simple as adding flowers and plants to the workplace also increases people’s productivity with innovative and creative problem solving, the difference between moderate and great business success.
I remember writing about our County Agent, Roy Beckford, telling us about gardening and that the Microbacterium vaccae, a harmless bacteria commonly found in the soil, increases the release and metabolism of serotonin in parts of the brain that control cognitive functions and moods, much like ant- depressants. It was called the Prozac of gardening. We found that Forest Bathing is good is for us, but getting down into the dirt fights stress by releasing the soils harmless bacteria as an anti-depressant. Gardening is better than, ” take two aspirin and call me in the morning.”
Fresh air, exercise, getting your blood moving, are all ways of lowering the risk of dementia. Even just walking in a garden is pure therapeutic.
I read an article about ‘”What Is Your Gardening Style?” We all approach gardening differently. A little sense of humor helps. Some have to wait until a plant defoliates to notice it is crying for help, others are intense worriers going into a panic over the least little blemish. Mister in-between is a cool laid back dude. I personally am a Geeky Gardener. I have to study up on all the available information and research by trial and error.
I’m not the Skeptical Gardener that believes no one or anything. There do seem to be more myths in the gardening world, so they don’t believe theories until they try it themselves.
As in parenting, there are the Helicopter Gardeners, ones who hover over their plants – peeking, poking, checkin, and changing plants around. They are the perfectionist type that never quite gets them to that perfect place, stressing the plants and their own health.
The Nail-Biter Gardener is a worrier – a very serious worrier; the gardener who sees diseases and pests or calamities where no one else can. After finding a few spots, they proceed to over-medicate, stressing their plants and themselves to the point of damaging said plant. If they could just slow down and not jump to hasty conclusions, researching, finding one solution. Wait and see are the key words here.
The Guilt Ridden Gardener tends to overdo, a regular slave to their plants. In the back of their minds is a long list of “to do” things. Like the worrier, they feel so guilty about not doing enough; they forget the point is to take time to smell the flowers.
An Easygoing Gardener accepts their garden and is non-critical. They not only tolerate flaws, they rarely see them. Nothing in nature is going to be perfect, but do be aware of pests and disease before they get a foothold.
Which are you? Take time to thank a tree for our clean air.
Joyce Comingore is a Master Gardener; hibiscus enthusiast; and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral