Staking Tomatoes in a Lightning Storm... Good Idea?

marc_groleau · June 22, 2012

I guess it depends. Storm's coming in, lightning on the horizon and the thunder booms within a few seconds of the flash. The wind's picking up and I see the plants I'd planned on staking and tying tomorrow are tipping over. Off I go with my 7 foot stakes and a hammer. My wife shouts that I'm crazy. Well that's not news to me so I climb the metal ladder, drive the stakes and tie the plants until I know that I won't lose any to the impending storm. Crazy? I think not. Crazy is loosing the plants you worked hard to cultivate because you're afraid of a little lightning. Agree or not? I love thunder storms!
At this time of year the plants are growing so quickly that a working man can only hope to catch up on the weekend. If a change of weather requires immediate attention then that's what it requires. Right?

rnewste · June 22, 2012

Marc,

With your description, I just had a flash-back to that Movie Caddy Shack, where the Reverend INSISTS on getting in his round of golf - - - remember what happened to him???

Stay safe!!

Raybo

janezee · June 22, 2012

I was struck by lightening in Meriden, Connecticut in August, 1966.

I'm very happy to be alive to be telling the story. I lived because I was wearing rubber-soled shoes and holding a wooden umbrella, I think.

I wouldn't repeat the experience just to save my freakin' tomatoes.

j

marc_groleau · June 22, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnewste

Marc,

With your description, I just had a flash-back to that Movie Caddy Shack, where the Reverend INSISTS on getting in his round of golf - - - remember what happened to him???

Stay safe!!

Raybo

Very good analogy! I love it! Sorry but when I work for something I'm going to do everything I can to see a successful outcome. It's not my fault that everything is going so well in the garden right now.

I know God's gonna get me for boasting.

Worth1 · June 22, 2012

Only been struck 3 times I would say it was safe.

Worth

rnewste · June 22, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc_groleau

Very good analogy! I love it! Sorry but when I work for something I'm going to do everything I can to see a successful outcome. It's not my fault that everything is going so well in the garden right now.

I know God's gonna get me for boasting.

Well, as "J" says, wear rubber boots - - and use a wooden hammer.

Raybo

marc_groleau · June 22, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by janezee

I was struck by lightening in Meriden, Connecticut in August, 1966.

I'm very happy to be alive to be telling the story. I lived because I was wearing rubber-soled shoes and holding a wooden umbrella, I think.

I wouldn't repeat the experience just to save my freakin' tomatoes.

j

Note to self... pick up rubber-soled shoes and a wooden umbrella.

jhp · June 22, 2012

marc- to avoid tying up plants in a thunder storm, I spent my day off today out in ridiculous humidity, sweating all day to keep my babies safe in the impending showers. I knew it would rain at some point, and thankfully it held off till long after I was done and inside. Doesn't a shower feel the best after getting super sweaty and dirty in the garden?

janezee- wow, that is impressive. Did you sustain injuries? I can't imagine what that must have felt like. I'm glad you survived.

Jen
(freakin' crazy about her freakin' tomatoes)

marc_groleau · June 22, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhp

marc- to avoid tying up plants in a thunder storm, I spent my day off today out in ridiculous humidity, sweating all day to keep my babies safe in the impending showers. I knew it would rain at some point, and thankfully it held off till long after I was done and inside. Doesn't a shower feel the best after getting super sweaty and dirty in the garden?

Oh boy if I could be out there in the heat and humidity, I would. Had to work though. I would never enjoy a day off for shoveling snow but I'd take every hot and humid day I could if I could work in the garden.

Mashman · June 23, 2012

I hope everyone plays it smart/safe but thought I would share this info. Irony at its finest... moral of the story might be ----> do not fall in love with your tomatoes (during a lightning storm!)

"Roy Cleveland Sullivan (February 7, 1912 – September 28, 1983) was a U.S.park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Between 1942 and 1977, Sullivan was hit by lightning on seven different occasions and survived all of them. For this reason, he gained a nickname "Human Lightning Conductor" or "Human Lightning Rod". Sullivan is recognized by Guinness World Records as the person struck by lightning more recorded times than any other human being.He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 71 over an unrequited love."

Michael

marc_groleau · June 23, 2012

"Roy Cleveland Sullivan (February 7, 1912 – September 28, 1983) was a U.S.park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Between 1942 and 1977, Sullivan was hit by lightning on seven different occasions and survived all of them. For this reason, he gained a nickname "Human Lightning Conductor" or "Human Lightning Rod". Sullivan is recognized by Guinness World Records as the person struck by lightning more recorded times than any other human being.He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 71 over an unrequited love."

The moral of the story is it really is safer to drive virtual lightning rods in a thunderstorm than it is to fall in love with the wrong woman. Right?

remy · June 23, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by janezee

I was struck by lightening in Meriden, Connecticut in August, 1966.

I'm very happy to be alive to be telling the story. I lived because I was wearing rubber-soled shoes and holding a wooden umbrella, I think.

I wouldn't repeat the experience just to save my freakin' tomatoes.

j

Wow!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc_groleau

"Roy Cleveland Sullivan (February 7, 1912 – September 28, 1983) was a U.S.park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Between 1942 and 1977, Sullivan was hit by lightning on seven different occasions and survived all of them. For this reason, he gained a nickname "Human Lightning Conductor" or "Human Lightning Rod". Sullivan is recognized by Guinness World Records as the person struck by lightning more recorded times than any other human being.He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 71 over an unrequited love."

The moral of the story is it really is safer to drive virtual lightning rods in a thunderstorm than it is to fall in love with the wrong woman. Right?

I think you're right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnewste

Marc,

With your description, I just had a flash-back to that Movie Caddy Shack, where the Reverend INSISTS on getting in his round of golf - - - remember what happened to him???

Stay safe!!

Raybo

Good one Ray!
Remy

Mudman · June 23, 2012

And if you are golfing in a lightning storm do as my dad always told me, "Hold up your 1 iron, not even God can hit a 1 iron."

Mashman · June 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc_groleau

"
The moral of the story is it really is safer to drive virtual lightning rods in a thunderstorm than it is to fall in love with the wrong woman. Right?

================================================== ====

Or...... fall in love with the right woman and create lightning? Just say'n.

marc_groleau · June 24, 2012

And if you are golfing in a lightning storm do as my dad always told me, "Hold up your 1 iron, not even God can hit a 1 iron."
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mashman

================================================== ====

Or...... fall in love with the right woman and create lightning? Just say'n.

I love both of those ideas!

Tells me I may not be as crazy as my wife thinks I am but my wife would disagree with that theory.

June 22, 2012	#1
marc_groleau Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 444	Staking Tomatoes in a Lightning Storm... Good Idea? I guess it depends. Storm's coming in, lightning on the horizon and the thunder booms within a few seconds of the flash. The wind's picking up and I see the plants I'd planned on staking and tying tomorrow are tipping over. Off I go with my 7 foot stakes and a hammer. My wife shouts that I'm crazy. Well that's not news to me so I climb the metal ladder, drive the stakes and tie the plants until I know that I won't lose any to the impending storm. Crazy? I think not. Crazy is loosing the plants you worked hard to cultivate because you're afraid of a little lightning. Agree or not? I love thunder storms! At this time of year the plants are growing so quickly that a working man can only hope to catch up on the weekend. If a change of weather requires immediate attention then that's what it requires. Right? Last edited by marc_groleau; June 22, 2012 at 10:04 PM.

June 23, 2012	#13
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	And if you are golfing in a lightning storm do as my dad always told me, "Hold up your 1 iron, not even God can hit a 1 iron." __________________ Mike

June 22, 2012	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Marc, With your description, I just had a flash-back to that Movie Caddy Shack, where the Reverend INSISTS on getting in his round of golf - - - remember what happened to him??? Stay safe!! Raybo

June 22, 2012	#3
janezee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5 Posts: 931	I was struck by lightening in Meriden, Connecticut in August, 1966. I'm very happy to be alive to be telling the story. I lived because I was wearing rubber-soled shoes and holding a wooden umbrella, I think. I wouldn't repeat the experience just to save my freakin' tomatoes. j

June 22, 2012	#5
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Only been struck 3 times I would say it was safe. Worth

June 22, 2012	#8
jhp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Danbury, CT Posts: 492	marc- to avoid tying up plants in a thunder storm, I spent my day off today out in ridiculous humidity, sweating all day to keep my babies safe in the impending showers. I knew it would rain at some point, and thankfully it held off till long after I was done and inside. Doesn't a shower feel the best after getting super sweaty and dirty in the garden? janezee- wow, that is impressive. Did you sustain injuries? I can't imagine what that must have felt like. I'm glad you survived. Jen (freakin' crazy about her freakin' tomatoes)

June 23, 2012	#10
Mashman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: MA Posts: 158	I hope everyone plays it smart/safe but thought I would share this info. Irony at its finest... moral of the story might be ----> do not fall in love with your tomatoes (during a lightning storm!) "Roy Cleveland Sullivan (February 7, 1912 – September 28, 1983) was a U.S.park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Between 1942 and 1977, Sullivan was hit by lightning on seven different occasions and survived all of them. For this reason, he gained a nickname "Human Lightning Conductor" or "Human Lightning Rod". Sullivan is recognized by Guinness World Records as the person struck by lightning more recorded times than any other human being.He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 71 over an unrequited love." Michael