Switching from Team Dog to Team Cat?
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8 years agoDebbie Downer
8 years agoRelated Discussions
'Teaming with Microbes'
Comments (17)Suzy, it's a book called "Teaming with Microbes." It's a book on the soil food web and the kinds of microbes that live in the soil. One thing it states is that chemical fertilizers kill portions of the soil web because the salts in it destroy many of the microbes by sucking out the water in them, like a slug is killed by pouring salt on it. The death of the microbes affects the other organisms in the soil as well; earthworms, for example, leave. The book says that different kinds of plants require different types of nitrogen, either nitrates or ammonium based, and that soils are either fungally or bacterially dominated depending on what kinds of plants live there. Or the kinds of plants that live in a soil depend on the kinds of microbes that live in the soil. Either or/both and, I guess. That's the part they're talking about above, the succession of plants that are annuals or weeds with soils that are bacterially dominated, to a soil that is fungally dominated that will support shrubs (roses), trees. The way that soils are changed, then, from a soil that is bacterially dominated and that will only naturally support annuals (weeds) to one that will support trees and shrubs, is to encourage the development of the soil food web by composting and allowing microbes themselves to reuse the rotting composted material. They will produce the kinds of nitrogen the plants need so the soil will support other kinds of plants. The book goes on to talk about using AACT, actively aerated compost tea, to spray on your plants to increase the amount of microbial activity. That's what Barbara has been doing the last couple of years to try to increase the health of her plants and to get rid of her rose midge plague. There's also a large amount of interplay between roots and various kinds of microbes that goes on. I just think of it all as some kind of drama that's taking place outside my home that I don't hear or see. Kind of like the drama that's going on with the insects and birds that I scarcely understand at all. I think that Vintage Roses changed to AACT as their way of dealing with disease a couple of years ago. There are a couple of old threads that discuss his change and this book; whether they're still around, I don't know. The way this book impacted me is a much increased awareness of soil science and the activity in the soil. As to whether the book is completely true, I don't know. I garden with manure and alfalfa, I have a used chipper shredder that I use to make mulch out of garden stuff. I sometimes use a chemical booster, especially to help the mulch compost w/o killing the surrounding plants. Here's a link to the book. It's interesting reading, and I notice it's been revised since I bought it. Makes me wonder what's been added. FWIW. If I said something wrong about the book, please correct me. Gean Here is a link that might be useful: Teaming with Microbes...See MoreUPDATE: Green Team: Pick-a-Seed is headed out tomorrow!
Comments (73)The robbin has returned home all fat and chirpy. I want to thank all who participated and kept her hopping along. Special thanks to Tina who started, planned and provided the start up seeds. The robbin would have not existed without her. I just took a quick look at the contents and want to especially thank those who sent me special thank you seeds. That was a very nice and unexpected surprise. I'll find special places for them. I already had special plans for the snow man marigolds and they are SO cute. I'm starting those seeds today. Thank you thank you!!! A super special thanks too to whoever put in the Anasazi beans. What a treat. Now questions: 1) How do you start the 4 o'clocks. I have "just planted them" twice and never got anything. Tell me what to do so that the third time will be the charm Any tips or clues on the "formosa lilies"? It says constant moisture, like at the edge of a pond or just moist with good drainage??? Or whatever???? 3)Was there anything in there that you were really wanting but did not take???? If it came home, chances are excellent that you can still have it. Just let me know. Thanks again to all Beth...See More40 Mule Team Borax
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Comments (8)Thanks for all the replies and for brainstorming with me. As I'm rethinking my system, I've come to the conclusion that my system actually does work. It's the execution of the system that presents the problem. (That, and wishing I had more space to contain it all in one central location -- aka mudroom/laundry room.) In theory, having the sports stuff in the kids' bedrooms might be ideal. But in practice it needs to be in one location. Sometimes there is barely time between games to wash the uniforms. So the less the uniform travels throughout the house, the better. As they come out of the washing machine they go on a hanger. In the past, they would then get folded and sent to the bedroom. I've since learned that if bedrooms are involved then there's the risk of dirty getting mixed with clean (not to mention the odor factor). They now stay on the hanger until needed again. Being on the hanger also indicates "guaranteed clean". (And while they usually stay in the laundry room at this point, sometimes they have to be moved into the DR to dry over an air vent if they require a quick turnaround.) The duffle bag is a problem in itself. (Any suggestions on how to keep it clean and deodorized?) My DD (freshman) practices 6 days/week and tends to accumulate smelly socks. Her own fault, we both acknowledge this. But I'd hate for her to store clean headbands, socks, etc. in this bag. Better for her to grab fresh items as needed. She knows to find these in a laundry room bin. (I actually keep these in a net bag -- otherwise the cat likes to drag them throughout the house while we are not at home. Good idea to actually wash them in the net bag too. Thanks, TS.) Sometimes the clean headbands get hung on the same hanger as the uniform, over the top of the hanger. The kids are 14 and 12. I know...old enough to take care of ALL of this stuff on their own (even washing!) But, I have the time -- and frankly, my daughter just does not have the time between HW and sports to maintain this on a day-to-day basis. (There are days when I feel more like her manager than her mother.) I don't mind doing this at all -- and they are both good at completing their other daily responsibilities. I think if I clear out a small space in the garage to hang the duffle bags (so we are not tripping over them in our very small mudroom) that would help too. Then (presuming the bags are hung empty), it's just a matter of getting what is needed from the laundry room. The laundry room and mudroom and garage are all within the same proximity. There's just not enough room for more than one person to occupy these spaces at the same time. I think the current system actually is working, (with some minor tweaks based on suggestions here, thank you very much,) we just need to stay on top of it. (And it helps to "think out loud" and see it here in writing, too.) Thanks again :-)...See MoreAnnegriet
8 years ago
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
8 years agoWell, I am partial to my Havanese. She weighs 10 lbs. and is a sweet, sweet dog. While I do walk her about 5 times a day (because I can and I like it), she is happy just to be hanging out with me in the house. I think it is good that you are giving this so much thought. I also have a miniature schnauzer and a cat. The schnauzer is a love, but he can be a barker. The cat is 14 and now a lot more lovey than he ever used to be. But he has claws and while he hasn't destroyed any of my furniture, he is not averse to reaching out to the nearest chair. The best thing I've done for him is getting an indoor/outdoor sisal rug for the kitchen. I really got it because the schnauzer would not walk across the linoleum floor. But the cat loves it as a sort of scratching post. It doesn't hurt it in any way and he gets a good stretch out of it. Here is a picture of my Havanese.
PROMDLN
8 years agoUser
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoDon't think this is a strange suggestion, please. I went from decades with (English) Bulldogs - a popular dog breed for apartments - to adopting a retired track racing Greyhound from Tampa, FL.
Many Greyhounds live quite satisfactorily in apartments and condos. Their exercise needs are similar to the Bulldog. They are of a calm temperament. Not known for barking. And both breeds are known for good temperament. Greyhounds are a very healthy breed, Bulldogs not so much. (Generalities for both breeds, of course.)
I've lived with cats with my Bulldogs and it never was an issue. Indoor cats can be quite long lived - 16-20 years is not unusual.
I think it is great that you are looking ahead. In my case I really wanted to "do the right thing" by a dog that needed a home. I would also apply that idea to adopting/rescuing a cat.
Lotta critters out there that need help.
My oldest son has a Havanese - I love the picture above. Really sweet dog.
nannygoat18
8 years agoUser
8 years agostir_fryi SE Mich
8 years ago
agmss15
8 years agoI am a dog person who has both cats and a dog. I am not sure cats are easier - with the possible exception of pet care if I go away. My dog wants to please - my cats wish to be pleased NOW.
My sister and I both got smaller dogs about 3-4 years ago. I told her they were our first old lady dogs. Lol.
She has a mini daschund - he is very sweet and very willful. A total snuggly lap dog. Adorable!
I have a mutt - westie shih tzu. Although I love my cats - he is my baby. I truly lucked out. He is 16 lbs. Large enough to love winter in Maine and small enough to pick up. Non shedding medium energy people loving. Today he played well and hard with three wound up neighbor kids - which always impresses me because he spends so very little time with kids. Usually he gets short walks and inside play. He is a hole digger though.
Good luck with whichever creature you end up with....
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