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St. Thomas Ontario

It seems in early spring I had thousands, now...they're no where to be found. Has my heavy handed fertilizing caused their demise?? Can I get them back?? Thanks in advance.

6/3/2003 8:31:46 PM

Roanoke Il

If you tilled while it was still cold good chance you killed most of them off. just a thought . mark

6/3/2003 8:50:22 PM

[email protected]

Fertilizer salts will repel them for a while. Dry, hot or very cold soil conditions will too. Sevin will kill them outright.

How much fert & what analysis? - Steve

6/3/2003 8:51:36 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

when I bought some worms to refurbish the garden...Instructions included...no pelletized applications esprcially lime...leave a layer of peat and coffee on top of the soil...although the instructions were for worm farming..I was also told that soluable ferts will drive the worms out and organics would be ok??? not sure on that one.
chuck

6/4/2003 2:55:39 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I've added lime, systemic pesticides (which were supposed to be fatal), granular ferts (0-0-60, 19-19-19), and tilled when it was cold. Mine are big, red, huge, and there's thousands of 'em. Best crop of worms I've ever had in a garden of any type.

6/4/2003 6:29:07 AM

Cologne / Germany

Worms stay as long as they have something to do in that soil - first of all helping to break down organic material like manure or compost. Maybe the worms are already done with your soil and went away. In that case your OM level might be much to low.

6/4/2003 6:47:35 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I added 60 tons of cow manure this Fall/ early Spring.

6/4/2003 9:29:17 AM

Montoursville, PA

Red Worms are specifically manure oriented. When the manure is processed they will die and the gray worms will carry on the mission. If you have red worms your manure is not fully digested as of this hour. Farm folks where I grew up called the red one's s#!* worms and the huge gray one's night walkers. There were all kinds of arguments as to which would catch the fish best. We kids made a dime a dozen collecting them and sold them in tin pipe tabacco cans. Those were the days when a dime bought two creamsicles or twenty nigger babies when you were alowed to say that. They were molded black gummy yummy's in baby images. Who wouldn't pick worms for that trade off?

6/4/2003 10:53:59 AM

Nova Scotia

well lookajook i know of a farm east of you that had thousands of earth worms but a famous fisherman used them all up and moved south. if it weren't for that i'd tell you to go there to gather worms for your garden but what does it matter for you know old freind you will never catch your greatest pumpkin rival of old. hahaha hahaha hahahahaha.

6/4/2003 10:55:58 AM

St. Thomas Ontario

I find it awfull suspicious I lost my worms around mid May..(fisharama time) No wonder I can't grow a 900lber....YOU GOT ALL MY WORMS...ahahahaha!

6/4/2003 3:37:30 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Where are the worms? Well, they are looking for higher ground from all the rain. Oops, around here, I live on highest elevation around this area(Miami County). I guess that means that they have all drowned....Tom

6/4/2003 4:42:33 PM

Montoursville, PA

If you have not nuked them with applied fertilizer they will return. In any event even if you nuked them patience, warm weather and more organics will help.

6/4/2003 5:27:14 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

I hope you're right...I'm a firm believer that a healthy supply of earthworms is a good indication of a healthy soil....no worms....no soil....NO PUMPKIN:(I think I did put too much 'salt' in their diet. (or Mr.T you got em all in a pill bottle for your next fishing trip;) Thanks for the replies though.

6/4/2003 9:36:33 PM

North Ga

Wow doc! Hadn't heard bout nigger babies in a lot of years. I have told my wife about them many times before and she didn't believe me! Thanks for the proof. LOL. Bye the way, I loved those things!

6/5/2003 7:42:32 AM

St. Thomas Ontario

And rightly so, The "N" word (even concearning small licorice treats) has lost it's broad appeal.

6/5/2003 3:19:21 PM

North Ga

You are right lookajook. Sorry if I offended anyone. It just amazed me that someone besides me had eaten that candy.

6/5/2003 3:32:56 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

No worries...I love them too, just the name needs a little work;)

6/5/2003 5:02:33 PM

Montoursville, PA

Not only have I eaten that candy I have collected it and resold it in the ligitimate antiques or collectables market.
Most notedly five original black gum drop babies in a period Luden's Coughdrop tin for the sum of $165.00. It was purchased by a female black Phd. from a major university to add to her collection of over a thousand pieces of ugly black items and reference materials from the thirtys to the fifties. They were then and are now showing in a major university titled exactly as they were factually sold. A note of history to be remembered and preserved. Perhaps a brash statement but a correct one indeed. No need to cover up or dress up the facts. We can not hide our truths. I think we should not when describing such a memory.

6/5/2003 8:51:18 PM

North Ga

Wow!!! I could be a zillionaire if I would have kept all I ate!!! LOL!!

6/5/2003 9:24:15 PM

[email protected]

I'm with you on this one Dwaine. We can only learn from the past. Can't change it. About 5 years ago, the town next to us (Milford) changed the name of a small pond from Niger's Pond to Black's Pond. It is on the land formerly owned by a freed slave who was willed the property by his former friend & master upon his death.

Very little known fact: Here in Stratford we still have a small trout stream called "Niger Brook". No signs or anything & I wouldn't know myself but for an old map I have of our town. So I checked the fishing division of the states DEP & sure enough, that's still the name even today.

Just don't tell the Rev. Al or his buddy Jesse. Then we'll pay all bloody hel* for it in the news. LOL

Talk about message board chaos theory now huh? Incredible!

Steve

6/5/2003 9:25:59 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

There is also an African river and country by the same name "Niger" (pronounced NY-JER), which Al or Jesse can do nothing about;). It just seems a little odd that when we find a softspot on one our beloved 'specimens' or a vine borer tunneling his way through our garden pride we can't say "dirty ba%$*$#" or "bloody hel*" for fear of reprisal, but a disparaging term or ethnic slur is acceptable as long a candy manufactuer said it first. I know this isn't how it was intended, but the word in itself IS considered an offensive slang even if it was a delicious one.

6/6/2003 7:53:37 PM

[email protected]

Oh I agree. It is offensive. But in an ironic sort of way that is relatively current. I have Nigra Arborvitae in my back yard. The common name is Black Arborvitae. The words have the same meaning. And they have for a lot longer than the term has been considered offensive. I have often wondered how long any term can be used before someone takes offense to it & decides it shouldn't be used anymore. Kind of silly if we think about it. The word isn't the problem at all. Just the way it's been used. And pitifully, this much hasn't changed near enough. And well chosen verbage is of little value if attitudes haven't changed first. May be someday these conversations needn't take place anymore. We can pray. But better still is to teach by good example.

I absolutely abhor political correctness. It serves a poor excuse for defending feelings of inadequacy by individuals who prefer defensive posturing to sound reason. Just more weak mindedness like those exhibitted by the cowards who prey on attitudes with hurtfull words.

JMHO

Steve

Steve

6/6/2003 9:15:41 PM

Montoursville, PA

Brian.........don't be to discouraged. Without the period Ludens Cough Drop Tin those babies would not have survived and likely would have been eaten by the mice. The fact in that sale was a near mint tin that properly dated the candy.
...I would place the major value on the tin not the contents by themselves.

6/6/2003 9:38:48 PM