| How to Pick Field Peas Properly Posted: A five gallon bucket full of zipper cream field peas. Whether you drive to a U-pick produce farm, or raise them yourself, picking field peas can be a unique outing, the rewards of which are great on the dinner table. For those not familiar with the name field peas, other common names include cowpeas, or black-eyed peas. Here are how fresh field peas are picked. Steps -
Home garden crop of zipper cream peas. - Black-eyed peas - these are usually harvested and used dry, rather than fresh and succulent from the garden. A cousin of the black-eyes are pink-eyes, a popular, easy-to-grow field pea common in the south.
- Crowder peas - these are usually a green pea that is tightly packed in the shell.
- Cream peas - these are a lighter colored pea, with a milder flavor than the above mentioned varieties.
- Zipper peas - these have a fibrous vein along the length of the shell, which, when pulled, makes splitting the shell much easier.
- Prepare yourself for your outing in the pea patch. You may find the weather very warm during the field pea season, so consider wearing light colored clothing and a broad rimmed hat. Other things you might take along to wear or carry once at the farm include:
- Sturdy boots
- Long pants
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hampers, bags, buckets, or other containers for your peas.
- Enter the field and select a row of peas to pick. Peas are usually planted in rows about 3 feet (91.5 cm) apart. Look for rows that have lots of mature peas, and remember that it is more efficient to pick peas by row, rather than randomly wandering around, so that you can keep track of which pea vines have been harvested. Staying between rows also reduces damage to the plants.
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A five gallon (19 liters) bucket is great for pea-picking. Here you can see a mature pea compared to two that are not yet filled out. -
Holding the plant stem prevents damage to the pea vine when picking the peas. -
Here is an example of an insect damaged pea. -
About one gallon of peas will yield around one quart when they are shelled. - Rinse the peas under lots of fresh water, then transfer them into a clean container for shelling. A large, shallow bowl works well for this step. Find a comfortable place, have a seat, and shell away; you will soon learn that picking the peas is only half the work!
Video Tips The larger pea in the photo is mature, the smaller useful only as snaps. - Be careful with the blooms, as these are the next crop of peas and can be easily knocked off.
- Shell and either cook or freeze fresh field peas as quickly as possible to preserve their quality. You can also make pea puree for freezing or refrigerating.
Warnings - Field pea fields are home to many insects including spiders, wasps, and bees.
- Watch for venomous snakes if they are native to your area. Ask the farmer for advice on the potential for snakes.
- Avoid fields where herbicides and insecticides have been applied recently. Again, ask the farmer.
Things You'll Need - Suitable clothing, insect repellent, and drinking water
- Container for picking
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| wikiHow's Heat Wave Survival Guide Posted: When outside temperatures climb into the triple digits (over 40ºC) for a period of several days or even weeks, this prolonged period of excessive heat is known as a "heat wave". Heat waves are often accompanied by high humidity. [1] While there is also no universal definition of a heat wave, (as people used to a hot climate may already be acclimatized to a period of high heat, whereas the same heat visited on people in a usually cooler climate can cause severe disruption and heat deaths due to people not knowing what to do to minimize the risks), [2] the real issue is the health and safety impact of prolonged heat and high humidity. Notorious for causing widespread power outages, hundreds of heat-related illnesses, and even deaths, heat waves are perfectly survivable provided you take appropriate precautions. In general, our ability to regulate high temperatures is impacted by our health, age, and the quality of our shelter. This article is aimed at helping you to cope when the summer heat takes a turn for the worse.
Steps The dangers of a heat wave Not everyone fully understands the difficulties produced by heat waves. If you're fit, healthy, and have access to air-conditioned respite, a heat wave can pass by fairly uneventfully. However, there is a risk for everyone and it's important to be aware both for yourself and for others whom you might be taking care of. - Understand why excessive heat causes problems for us. Heat pushes the human body beyond its limits and in the case of extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body has to work extra hard to maintain its normal temperature. Problems occur when a person is over-exposed to heat or overexert themselves. Those most likely to be impacted negatively by excessive, prolonged heat include the elderly, young children, sick persons, and those who are overweight and unfit. It is important to recognize that over-exposure to heat can be fatal. Possible health problems include:
- Heat cramps – these are muscular pains or spasms that occur as a result of heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe of heat health problems, they are a warning sign that your body is not coping well with the heat.
- Heat exhaustion – this occurs typically when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where bodily fluids are lost through heavy sweating. The blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a mild form of shock. If this goes untreated, the victim's condition will worsen, the body temperature will continue to rise, and heat stroke might occur.
- Heatstroke – the victim's temperature control system which produces sweating to cool the body simply stops working and the body temperature can rise high enough to cause brain damage and death. A victim in this situation needs to be cooled quickly. Note that sun stroke is usually applied as another term for heat stroke.
- Learn how to recognize the environmental conditions that exacerbate the dangers of a heat wave. If you are aware of what makes a heat wave even more dangerous, you can take precautions to limit your exposure to it, as well as keeping an eye out for others who might be affected by it. Things to pay particular attention to include:
- Stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality (smog, pollution).
- Living in an area that is heavily asphalted or covered in concrete - asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release this heat during the night, producing higher nighttime temperatures known as the "urban heat island effect".
- A prolonged period of excessive heat, especially when combined with excessive humidity.
- Read the Heat Index. This will show a number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) or degrees Centigrade (C) and it tells you how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees!
Surviving a heat wave Surviving a heat wave is a combination of recognizing that you, your family, and your community are at risk during a period of prolonged heat and knowing what to do to reduce the risks. As part of this, it is important to also keep an eye out on people for whom you are personally responsible, and for helping members of your community where possible. - Prepare your home for the event of a heat wave. There are some easy but key things you can do to make your home a safer place to be during a heat wave:[3]
- Check that your window air conditioners are snugly installed; if not, insulate around them. Check that the air conditioning vents are also properly insulated.
- Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard. These will reflect heat back outside.
- Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
- Cover windows that receive morning and afternoon sun. Use drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. Outdoor awnings and louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 8 percent.
- Keep storm windows up.
- Dress appropriately for indoors. Indoors, it is important to remove any heavy clothing and to wear as little as modesty and laws permit! Suitable clothing includes:
- Loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Natural fabrics (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.)
- Avoid wearing polyester and flannel as these fabrics will hold in sweat, causing you to stew in the humid air.
- Dress appropriately for outdoors. When outdoors, it is important to cover up. Still adhering to the loose-fitting, lightweight and natural clothing suggestions in the previous step, cover up as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn.
- Protect your head and face by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Consider wearing clothing made of synthetic sports fabrics that are designed to wick away perspiration.
- Avoid dark colors as these absorb the heat; light colors reflect it.
- Stay indoors as much as possible. Keeping out of the sun is the best way to reduce your exposure to the heat. In addition, find non-strenuous activities to do inside.
- If your home isn't air-conditioned or cooled with a water-evaporation system, consider spending the warmest part of the day (or even night) in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Many of these are specially opened by public authorities during a time of a heat wave, so check for extended hours. There are even local cooling centers opened in some places to help people cool down.
- If your house has more than one story, or you live in a multi-story building, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if the air conditioning is not available. You can put makeshift beds downstairs during the heat wave if needed; ask the concierge to sort out something for residents if you are part of a condominium.
- Put on a fan. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the evaporation rate of perspiration. A fan can help move the air around your house and will be useful for pulling in relatively cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan to keep cool during the day. A fan will not prevent heat-related illnesses when the temperatures are over 98.6ºF (37ºC). A cool shower is a much more effective way to cool off.
- Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink lots of liquids, especially water.
- Avoid or minimize alcoholic, carbonated, and caffeinated beverages as these can dehydrate you.
- Drink more than you think you need. You need to replenish the liquid removed by sweating and sweating is a key part of keeping you cool.
- Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
- If you're sweating a lot, be quick to replace lost salts and minerals as well as water. Fruit juice or sports drinks with electrolytes are good choices, but do not take salt tablets unless directed to by your doctor. Taking calcium supplements, however, is a good idea.
- Drink cool (but not icy cold) liquids to help lower your body temperature. Try to keep water refrigerated prior to drinking, if possible.
- Eat lightly. Hot foods and high-calorie or high-protein meals raise your body's metabolism and its temperature, which is the opposite of what you need to stay healthy during a heat wave. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, cold salads, etc. and be sure to eat light, well-balanced and regular meals. Some good things to try would include:
- Take steps to practice appropriate heat wave behavior. When exercising, working, or performing exerting activities, keep these things in mind:
- With exercise, pace yourself - this is not the time to take up running. It may, in fact, be time to stop running for a while, unless you can do so at night when the temperatures have cooled down. If you wish to exercise outdoors but aren't acclimatised to the temperature, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Pay close attention to how you feel. If your heart is pounding and you're short of breath, stop immediately, go into a cool environment to rest, and drink plenty of fluids.
- With work, avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks. If your main work takes place outside, it is likely that your workplace will arrange to find shelter, alternative work, or alternative working hours when the heat is less oppressive. If you work for yourself in the outdoors, change your working hours to the early morning where possible, to avoid the day's heat.
- Breathe through your nose to avoid water escaping through the mouth. It will help to keep your body hydrated longer.
Looking after others - Look out for signs of heat stress and exhaustion in all members of your family and others close to you. Be vigilant and explain to them the importance of taking steps to minimize the effects of heat during a heat wave.
- Never leave children or pets in parked cars, even for brief periods of time. The temperature inside the vehicle can rise to 120ºF (49ºC) or more within minutes, enough heat to kill someone very quickly.
- Check on neighbors, family, and friends, especially those who are elderly, sick, or not able to take care of themselves without assistance and those who live alone. If you know that a neighbor lives alone and is at risk of health problems from heat (especially where they do not have air conditioning), try to contact family members to come and help. If that is not possible, your local emergency services might be able to help but if you can ease the burden on them by taking care of such a person yourself, that is the better option.
First Aid for heat illnesses - Understand what heat related illnesses are and how to identify the symptoms, such as heat cramps, which are painful spasms in the muscles of the arms, legs, and abdomen.
- Heat exhaustion is a serious condition and should be treated as soon as possible. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include:[4]
- Heatstroke is an emergency. Anyone exhibiting the signs and symptoms of heat stroke should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:[5]
- Red, flushed skin - may become pale
- A body temperature of 106ºF (41ºC) or higher
- Seizures
- Extreme headache
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating ceases
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness.
- Check out the following articles to know what to do in the event of heat injuries:
Video Tips - Don't undertake difficult, hot travel or movement during the daytime. If you must travel, the best time is by night, when it is much cooler.
- Keeping a hand fan with you, especially if you go outside, is a good idea. It can be a lifesaver in a hot bus!
- Look at your urine to tell if you're dehydrated. Normal urine should be clear colored, or light yellow. If the color is any darker, you may be dehydrated.[6] During a heat wave, drink 1 liter of water every 2 hours.
- If you plan to be out and about during a heat wave, some cities may open designated cooling centers at various locations to visit if you feel overheated. Water, air-conditioning, and first-aid stations are typically provided.
- Always pay close attention to those who are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses. They include:
- The elderly
- Infants and young children up to the age of four
- Those who perform strenuous activities outdoors (i.e. sports coaches, athletes, campers, etc.)
- Overweight and obese people
- People with certain health problems, such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and compromised immune systems
- The homeless.
Warnings - Heat waves and "heat storms" (a prolonged and severe heat wave) are to be taken seriously. Use common sense.
- If there is a drought going on in your area, observe all relevant laws and guidelines, such as not watering the grass or filling up swimming pools. Where you are legally obliged to reduce water usage, you may end up paying severe fines or even prison time if you fail to cooperate. Listen to the news, especially news about the heat wave, for any laws passed to combat a drought.
- Drinking or eating icy cold or frozen things (i.e. ice cream, slushy)can be counter productive because it cools your body core only, fooling your body's temperature control mechanism.
Things You'll Need - Self-powered radio - some have the weather band for monitoring weather related matters.
- Self powered flashlight
- Generator
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