Damage Assessment - Muddy Bucket Farm

ContainerTed · July 17, 2013

I'll call this preliminary because it is quick and I may not have listed everything. However, the scope of the losses should be evident. This is a collection of notes taken while trying to gather the info and is in no particular order.

========== Seed production surviving plants: =========

Boronia (vial #4210) - 2 plants
Boronia (Vial #12-109) - 2 plants
Chocolate Champion (Vial #12-101) - 1 plant
Chocolate Champion (Vial #4148) - 2 plants
Big Green Dwarf (vial #3889) - 3 plants
Big Green Dwarf (vial #4142) - 2 plants
Russian Swirl (Vial #3569) - 2 plants
Russian Swirl (vial #12-146) - 2 plants
Blazing Beauty (Vial #12-143) - 1 plant
Blazing Beauty (Vial #12-172) - 2 plants
Sean's Yellow Dwarf (Vial #3433) - 2 plants
Sean's Yellow Dwarf (Vial #4236) - 1 plant

======= Also surviving: ===============

Jade Beauty - 2 plants
Fred's Tie Dye - 1 plant
Summer Sunrise - 1 Plant
Loopy Stripe Dwarf - 1 plant
Sweet Sue - 1 plant
Cheeky Dwarf (new) - 1 plant

=========== Not surviving: =================

Wherokowhai (Vial #12-183) - 4 plants
Wherokowhai (Vial #4231) - 3 plants
Summertime Gold Improved (Vial #12-117) - 3 plants
Summertime Gold Improved (Vial #12-107) - 4 plants
Tennessee Suited (3 vial numbers)
Cheeky Dwarf prospects (2 varieties, 5 plants)
Loopy Dwarf prospects (2 varieties, 6 plants)
Yukon Quest (3 Plants)
Perth Pride (2 Plants)
Iditarod Red (2 Plants)
Sleeping Lady (2 Plants)
Wild Fred (2 Plants)

91 other varieties of open pollinated and heirloom tomatoes (174 plants)

23 varieties of sweet and/or hot peppers (51 plants)

============ Also destroyed: ===================

-half a row of beets (hopefully, the ones that were not crushed might regrow some leaves)
-half a row of turnips (just getting started - about 3-4 inches tall)
-11 cabbages (near harvest with good heads - about 8 pounds each)
-8 cucumber plants (didn't know cows liked cucumbers
-3 new grapevines (literally pulled up roots and all)
-2 blueberry plants (premier variety first year out of bare root stock)

Something I noticed was how so many of the plants had been destroyed by the cow planting one foot squarely on top of the point where the main stem entered the soil. The semi-soft soil then gave in a bit and the root snapped just below the soil line.

Also, the deer tracks were mainly in the row where I planted my cherry and saladette sized tomatoes. Some of these have a goodly portion of the main stem left and may recover by frost time. If I can get these plants to put some foliage back on, I think I may get blooms by the time the weather cools a bit in September.

As I wrote in a reply to a PM from a good friend, those poor cows were scared and they came running to my house where they found sanctuary and safety. They were too afraid to stay in their pasture. And, after they got here, they found the food so good that they invited their friends, the deer, to join them. The deer have to put up with a lot of loud bangs all their life. I guess I'm going to just log it all off to involuntary payback. Mother Nature must have her share from time to time.

And actually, the owner of the cattle is a bit concerned about them eating the cabbages and especially the hot peppers. Seems like a formula for some "GAS-tronomical" problems. If you've never heard a cow "break wind" at 2 o'clock in the morning from just eating hay and fresh grass, you'll have to expand your imagination to achieve full appreciation of what I'm eluding to.

Thanks for reading this and thanks for caring. Now, I've gotta find out if any of my backup plants can help the recovery effort. I think I'm getting over it now. I've stopped cussing about it, and have descended into quiet reflection and acceptance.

I think I'll grill a steak tonight and hope the wind carries the scent out to the pasture. No, I'm not bitter.

MissS · July 17, 2013

People can be so unthoughtful sometimes. Those with the fireworks are a good example. I'm sure they just laughed as the cows ran from the field and did not even care what the outcome was. Milk production went down. Fences broken. Gardens destroyed. You and the farmer upset. The cows in a frenzy. Thank goodness that the field did not catch fire. Thank goodness that your crops were not your means of making a living.
This is not the cows fault. Nor the deer. You and the farmer are not to blame either. This was the senseless people who decided they needed to light fireworks over someone else's property and animals without even giving a second thought to their actions.
I am so very sorry that this happened and I do hope that you have enough backups to make a small dent in the losses.

amideutch · July 17, 2013

I still can't believe it. Your crops get decimated by a cattle stampede and to add insult to injury they stick around and invited there buddies to munch on whats left. This has to be a first my friend. If I could find a way I would send you a rack of Bitburger Pils ASAP but I don't have any contacts in MAC any more.

Ted

clara · July 17, 2013

Oh Ted, I'm so sorry for your losses!! And so much work done in vain! I'd wish I could send you all my back-ups which are still in the greenhouse! I was very angry some days ago because somebody must have secretly entered this greenhouse - he has taken several seedlings, among them a few varieties I had only one single seedling of and no more seeds left, but that nothing compared to you. I do hope that at least some of your plants will recover!

Deborah · July 17, 2013

We really do care, Ted. I was thinking about you this morning-I would have stood there crying. Hang on and hang in there. You're among caring friends.
Clara, what a creep to enter your property and steal from you. I just hate a thief. We care.

NarnianGarden · July 17, 2013

Sorry to hear all the losses, but at least you haven't lost your cheerful way to look at things. It's true those poor animals acted on pure instinct, and did not intend any harm.

At least in these days you can get veggies in the supermarket, or hopefully there will be Farmer's Market nearby for some organic produce. Still, it's a shame, but hopefully the milk from those cows will be full of nutrients...

**Lee** · July 17, 2013

Quote:

========== Seed production surviving plants: =========

Boronia (vial #4210) - 2 plants
Boronia (Vial #12-109) - 2 plants
Chocolate Champion (Vial #12-101) - 1 plant
Chocolate Champion (Vial #4148) - 2 plants
Big Green Dwarf (vial #3889) - 3 plants
Big Green Dwarf (vial #4142) - 2 plants
Russian Swirl (Vial #3569) - 2 plants
Russian Swirl (vial #12-146) - 2 plants
Blazing Beauty (Vial #12-143) - 1 plant
Blazing Beauty (Vial #12-172) - 2 plants
Sean's Yellow Dwarf (Vial #3433) - 2 plants
Sean's Yellow Dwarf (Vial #4236) - 1 plant

So, can we list these varieties as having cow and deer resistance?
Could be a nice selling point?

All kidding aside, I'm hoping that more recovers in due time. Also,
perhaps you now have the opportunity to plant some things for fall/winter that you hadn't planned on.

We all appreciate your spirit through this unexpected event. It definitely shows a lot about your character.

Best wishes,

Lee

PA_Julia · July 17, 2013

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear this!!!

LDx4 · July 17, 2013

Ted,

I'm so sorry to hear about your disaster! I hope you can find enough survivors to allow you to continue until the end of the summer. Next year will be better - it has to be!

Lyn

Doug9345 · July 17, 2013

Wow that's a lot of damage. Are either you or the cattle owner going to go after the fools with the fireworks? I mean legally, not with a club.

ContainerTed · July 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

So, can we list these varieties as having cow and deer resistance?
Could be a nice selling point?

Lee

Hey, and we might include Anger Management qualifications (they watched me go thru it).

Also for Doug: I think I mentioned it in the other thread that the cattle owner is seeking damages for injuries to the cattle. Some of them got cut up on the barbed wire and one has a decided limp with the front rigfht leg.

You know, I've watched many of these cows get born. I've watched them while they tried to take their first stumbling steps - their first drink of their mother's milk. Even though they are absolutely magnificient walking barbecue candidates, I don't think I could take meat from one of them. The owner raises them for the beef market. And, yes, the DW and I have names for some of them. I can go close to the fence out back and some of them will come over wanting a nose scratching. They really are sorta like pets.

No, I'm not a vegetarian.

I'm just an old grandpa type.

Redbaron · July 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug9345

Wow that's a lot of damage. Are either you or the cattle owner going to go after the fools with the fireworks? I mean legally, not with a club.

What's wrong with a club?

ContainerTed · July 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by amideutch

I still can't believe it. Your crops get decimated by a cattle stampede and to add insult to injury they stick around and invited there buddies to munch on whats left. This has to be a first my friend. If I could find a way I would send you a rack of Bitburger Pils ASAP but I don't have any contacts in MAC any more.

Ted

I really appreciate the Bitburger Pils thoughts. In lieu of that wonderful Bavarian concoction, I had to "go local" and had my usual Natural Ice mixed half and half with my homemade extra-thick tomato juice. And, I didn't forget to add in 2 jiggers of vodka. I invented this drink one time when I felt that my spirits needed to be elevated (pun intended). About three or four of these and the garden just doesn't seem all that important, at least for a little while.

Good to hear from you again.

Doug9345 · July 18, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbaron

What's wrong with a club?

Mostly it's too hot to swing it and I've never found pounding on something as dense as a rock very effective.

Doug9345 · July 18, 2013

I'm curious if any of the destroyed tomato plants will send up new shoots.

July 17, 2013	#2
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,150	People can be so unthoughtful sometimes. Those with the fireworks are a good example. I'm sure they just laughed as the cows ran from the field and did not even care what the outcome was. Milk production went down. Fences broken. Gardens destroyed. You and the farmer upset. The cows in a frenzy. Thank goodness that the field did not catch fire. Thank goodness that your crops were not your means of making a living. This is not the cows fault. Nor the deer. You and the farmer are not to blame either. This was the senseless people who decided they needed to light fireworks over someone else's property and animals without even giving a second thought to their actions. I am so very sorry that this happened and I do hope that you have enough backups to make a small dent in the losses. __________________ ~ Patti ~

July 17, 2013	#8
PA_Julia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Princeton, Ky Zone 7A Posts: 2,208	Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear this!!! __________________ Personal Best- 4.46 LB Big Zac 2013

July 17, 2013	#1
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Damage Assessment - Muddy Bucket Farm I'll call this preliminary because it is quick and I may not have listed everything. However, the scope of the losses should be evident. This is a collection of notes taken while trying to gather the info and is in no particular order. ========== Seed production surviving plants: ========= Boronia (vial #4210) - 2 plants Boronia (Vial #12-109) - 2 plants Chocolate Champion (Vial #12-101) - 1 plant Chocolate Champion (Vial #4148) - 2 plants Big Green Dwarf (vial #3889) - 3 plants Big Green Dwarf (vial #4142) - 2 plants Russian Swirl (Vial #3569) - 2 plants Russian Swirl (vial #12-146) - 2 plants Blazing Beauty (Vial #12-143) - 1 plant Blazing Beauty (Vial #12-172) - 2 plants Sean's Yellow Dwarf (Vial #3433) - 2 plants Sean's Yellow Dwarf (Vial #4236) - 1 plant ======= Also surviving: =============== Jade Beauty - 2 plants Fred's Tie Dye - 1 plant Summer Sunrise - 1 Plant Loopy Stripe Dwarf - 1 plant Sweet Sue - 1 plant Cheeky Dwarf (new) - 1 plant =========== Not surviving: ================= Wherokowhai (Vial #12-183) - 4 plants Wherokowhai (Vial #4231) - 3 plants Summertime Gold Improved (Vial #12-117) - 3 plants Summertime Gold Improved (Vial #12-107) - 4 plants Tennessee Suited (3 vial numbers) Cheeky Dwarf prospects (2 varieties, 5 plants) Loopy Dwarf prospects (2 varieties, 6 plants) Yukon Quest (3 Plants) Perth Pride (2 Plants) Iditarod Red (2 Plants) Sleeping Lady (2 Plants) Wild Fred (2 Plants) 91 other varieties of open pollinated and heirloom tomatoes (174 plants) 23 varieties of sweet and/or hot peppers (51 plants) ============ Also destroyed: =================== -half a row of beets (hopefully, the ones that were not crushed might regrow some leaves) -half a row of turnips (just getting started - about 3-4 inches tall) -11 cabbages (near harvest with good heads - about 8 pounds each) -8 cucumber plants (didn't know cows liked cucumbers -3 new grapevines (literally pulled up roots and all) -2 blueberry plants (premier variety first year out of bare root stock) Something I noticed was how so many of the plants had been destroyed by the cow planting one foot squarely on top of the point where the main stem entered the soil. The semi-soft soil then gave in a bit and the root snapped just below the soil line. Also, the deer tracks were mainly in the row where I planted my cherry and saladette sized tomatoes. Some of these have a goodly portion of the main stem left and may recover by frost time. If I can get these plants to put some foliage back on, I think I may get blooms by the time the weather cools a bit in September. As I wrote in a reply to a PM from a good friend, those poor cows were scared and they came running to my house where they found sanctuary and safety. They were too afraid to stay in their pasture. And, after they got here, they found the food so good that they invited their friends, the deer, to join them. The deer have to put up with a lot of loud bangs all their life. I guess I'm going to just log it all off to involuntary payback. Mother Nature must have her share from time to time. And actually, the owner of the cattle is a bit concerned about them eating the cabbages and especially the hot peppers. Seems like a formula for some "GAS-tronomical" problems. If you've never heard a cow "break wind" at 2 o'clock in the morning from just eating hay and fresh grass, you'll have to expand your imagination to achieve full appreciation of what I'm eluding to. Thanks for reading this and thanks for caring. Now, I've gotta find out if any of my backup plants can help the recovery effort. I think I'm getting over it now. I've stopped cussing about it, and have descended into quiet reflection and acceptance. I think I'll grill a steak tonight and hope the wind carries the scent out to the pasture. No, I'm not bitter. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch Last edited by ContainerTed; July 17, 2013 at 03:30 PM.

July 17, 2013	#3
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	I still can't believe it. Your crops get decimated by a cattle stampede and to add insult to injury they stick around and invited there buddies to munch on whats left. This has to be a first my friend. If I could find a way I would send you a rack of Bitburger Pils ASAP but I don't have any contacts in MAC any more. Ted __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

July 17, 2013	#4
clara Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,351	Oh Ted, I'm so sorry for your losses!! And so much work done in vain! I'd wish I could send you all my back-ups which are still in the greenhouse! I was very angry some days ago because somebody must have secretly entered this greenhouse - he has taken several seedlings, among them a few varieties I had only one single seedling of and no more seeds left, but that nothing compared to you. I do hope that at least some of your plants will recover!

July 17, 2013	#5
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	We really do care, Ted. I was thinking about you this morning-I would have stood there crying. Hang on and hang in there. You're among caring friends. Clara, what a creep to enter your property and steal from you. I just hate a thief. We care.

July 17, 2013	#6
NarnianGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Finland, EU Posts: 2,550	Sorry to hear all the losses, but at least you haven't lost your cheerful way to look at things. It's true those poor animals acted on pure instinct, and did not intend any harm. At least in these days you can get veggies in the supermarket, or hopefully there will be Farmer's Market nearby for some organic produce. Still, it's a shame, but hopefully the milk from those cows will be full of nutrients...

July 17, 2013	#9
LDx4 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 321	Ted, I'm so sorry to hear about your disaster! I hope you can find enough survivors to allow you to continue until the end of the summer. Next year will be better - it has to be! Lyn

July 17, 2013	#10
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	Wow that's a lot of damage. Are either you or the cattle owner going to go after the fools with the fireworks? I mean legally, not with a club.

July 18, 2013	#15
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	I'm curious if any of the destroyed tomato plants will send up new shoots.