Koyote Hill: June 2011

For many in the northeast and Great Lakes regions, it has been a very wet spring; for many farmers, the corn crop went in late, if at all due to wet field conditions. Home gardeners were also late, and what did get in the ground just sort of sat there.

Some garden organizations are already raising the red flag about a gardeners worse nightmare this year, the late tomato blight. The blight is fatal after a few days to both tomatoes and potatoes. The late blight thrives in cool wet conditions and can spread via the wind and infect gardens for miles around.

There are some good resources to help identify the late blight and most claim the best thing to do is to check your plants regularly and if an infection is discovered, the plant should be pulled immediately and properly discarded.

It's getting a little late to plant blight resistant tomatoes but it is worth a shot and try. There are some organic copper sprays available. However, some of these sprays are not very good for beneficial insects in the garden. Some of the chemicals are not good for the soil, investigate money saving and healthy organic gardening.

I planted about three dozen Speckled Roman tomatoes in the garden with four going into pots. Hopefully, I'll be able to build a small cold frame/greenhouse in the upcoming weeks and that’s where the potted plants will go. We'll see how that works, just in case.

Gardens can save homeowners a lot of money. They also provide tasty and healthy vegetables.

If conditions were too wet this spring, think about planting a garden which will be ready to harvest in late summer of fall. There's many different kinds of vegetables which can be planted which do not require a long growing season and which actually enjoy the cooler conditions.

Bees and Bears

While doing the yard or garden work this summer be careful if you use pesticides. Many are fatal to the honeybees and our native bees. Check out other options to control a situation instead of using harmful and toxic chemicals. The bees have been declining in numbers for the past several years and they are needed to help pollinate many of our crops.

By the same token, the bees pollinate many wild food sources which provide food for our native wildlife.

While the bees are having population problems, bears in Pennsylvania are becomng more plentiful. Sure wildlife can be troublesome such as the bears, raccoons, possums, coyotes and skunks. Follow a few basic steps to avoid problems: secure garbage in tight containers, don't leave pet food outside, never – ever feed the bears or any other wildlife except maybe the birds. (Note: It is illegal to feed bears in PA.)

If you happen to come across a bear, it's likely more scared of you than you are of it. If you must, shout and wave your arms. If the animal is aggressive, contact local police or the game commission.

Fracking

Marcellus Gas drilling has created jobs and promises to be an economic boom for Pennsylvania, New York State and West Virginia in particular. However, there have been many concerns about the effects of fracking on water quality.

Anglers and hunters, along with outdoor organizations are expressing concerns and are taking water samples.

The gas drilling industry claims the process is safe and still pays no taxes in Pennsylvania.

Civil War - The amazing story of the Sachem

His Native American Seneca name was Hasanowanda or “The Reader” and was born in 1828. He's better known today as Eli Samuel Parker. His family adopted the name Parker to deal with white settlers in the western New York – Pennsylvania region.

His father was a Tonawanda Chief and a veteran of the War of 1812, his mother a descendant of an Iroquois prophet.

In 1852, he became a sachem and adopted the name Donehogawa or “Keeper of the Western Door of the Long House of the Iroquois”. Afterward, he studied engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and landed a job with the federal government working on public works projects. He met Ulyses S. Grant during this work period.

Parker attempted to enlist in the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War but was unable because of his Native American heritage.

Eventually, he was commissioned by Grant to be his military war secretary. He was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 where he recorded Grant's orders of surrender.

When Grant was elected president, he appointed Parker to be his Commissioner of Indian Affairs on April 13, 1869. Afterward he became a successful businessman in New York City and later held positions with New York Police Department.

He died on August 31, 1895 and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.