Being Spooked by a Slippery Surprise
Imagine going about your regular grocery run, picking up broccoli, only to discover something that sends chills down your spine. That’s exactly what happened to Neville Linton, a 63-year-old man from the West Midlands of England. When he unzipped the bag of broccoli he bought from Aldi, he found himself face to face with a snake! As an ophidiophobic (someone with a fear of snakes), this was Linton’s worst nightmare come true.
A Tale of Courage and Quick Thinking
Thankfully, Linton’s relatives rushed to his aid and managed to take control of the snake before any harm was done. Linton’s sister, Ann-Marie Tenkanemin, immediately recognized the creature as a snake and together they safely transported it back to Aldi. Linton expressed his relief, stating, “It’s lucky I didn’t just leave the broccoli out in the kitchen, or it would have been loose in the house. That would have been a huge risk for us because we have two vulnerable people living here.”
The Impact on Fear and Family
Linton’s experience was not just alarming; it had the potential to be even more dangerous for his disabled son and mother-in-law. He believes that the compensation he received from Aldi was insufficient considering the potential risk to his family’s well-being. He expressed his concerns, stating, “The implications for us if it had [gotten] out in the house are huge. Plus, I’m phobic of snakes, so there’s the emotional impact of that, too.”
An Unusual Reptilian Encounter
So, what kind of snake was it exactly? According to expert opinions, it was initially identified as a juvenile ladder snake by a Dudley Zoo expert. However, herpetologist Dr. Steven J. R. Allain disagrees and asserts that it is, in fact, a harmless fish-eating species called a viperine water snake (Natrix maura). These snakes are found in southwestern Europe and northern Africa.
Demystifying the Fear
Here’s the reassuring news: neither the ladder snake nor the viperine water snake pose a significant threat to humans. They are not venomous and tend to avoid human interaction. In fact, they’re more interested in feasting on insects, birds, and even rodents. Dr. Allain hopes to dispel the fear surrounding these creatures, emphasizing their non-aggressive nature and their role in maintaining ecosystems.
Stop Buying Tomatoes. Use These 4 Smart Methods To Grow An Endless Supply
Find Out How to Grow Tomatoes at Home the Best Ways
A fruit with many uses, tomatoes can be added to soups, pastas, salsas, and chiles, among other dishes. Growing your own tomatoes could save you money and improve the flavor if you eat a lot of them. Though establishing a new harvest with a tomato seedling is the most popular method, there are other options to think about. These four tactics will ensure that your favorite fruit is always available.
1. Bury Slices of tomato
A plentiful harvest can result from burying tomato slices, did you know that? The Wannabe Homesteader provides an easy-to-implement and affordable fix. An overripe tomato, some planting soil, and multiple containers are all you need. Potting soil should be added to a large container until it is nearly full. Then, cover the soil with a few thin tomato slices. Pick slices with many of seeds and bury them in enough soil so they don’t sprout. Give them a week or two to begin growing.
The tomato seeds take around a week to sprout. Up to sixty seedlings can be raised in a single container. Take cuttings from the top four or five strongest sprouts and plant them in different locations. Every few weeks, check on the young plants and pull off the weaker ones to make place for the stronger ones.
2. Bury Them in the Earth
Planting your tomatoes directly in the ground will greatly boost your harvest if you have a large yard with lots of sunlight. According to Bonnie Plants, this method also lessens the requirement for watering. But be aware that rabbits and deer can like nibbling on your garden, so you’ll need to take extra care.
3. Construct a Window Box for Them
In window boxes, tomatoes can be grown successfully even in situations when you don’t have much room for a garden. Use a window box large enough to accommodate at least 1.5 liters of soil, and use a string trellis that is drilled into the wall to support the plant. Use smaller tomato types to ensure the success of this technique.
4. Use a hanging basket to grow them.
Instead of using a pot on the porch, use a hanging basket if you’re concerned that hanging a heavy box from it would damage it. But remember, since the water will evaporate faster in this container than it would in a regular one, the plant will need more water. Use a cascade cherry tomato variety, like DIY Network recommends.
An easy and affordable method to get fresh, tasty fruit all year long is to grow tomatoes yourself. Take into account these tactics to guarantee an endless supply of your preferred fruit.
Is there someone you know who might like to give tomato growing a try?
Kindly TAG your family and friends in this post!
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