Doing Businesses The Right Way
In home lawn care, the price of the service is equally important just like the services offered by the home lawns. When looking for a lawn care companies and you want the best, you should consider the say that says that, if you want a good thing then you will have to pay for it and you should also remember that a cheap lawn is not said to be the perfect one.
Do not worry too much when you find a lawn care company which seems to be too expensive because it is said that the higher the price, the higher the services provided and this is exactly what is happening in lawn care companies.
An advice is that when you want to hire a lawn care company, and you want the best for your lawn care, then you will have to go for the most expensive lawn care to provide you quality services.
On Options: My Experience Explained
Maybe you can be wondering why you just have to go for the expensive lawn care companies to get good services, but the truth is that the expensive ones offer quality services.
News For This Month: Services
One of the greatest reason why expensive lawn care companies are the best is that they are always using equipment of high standards and making their services of good standard.
Another good thing with the expensive lawn care companies is that they use the best fertilizer to ensure that at the end of the service, you will have a truly green lawn.
The following information is to help you find the best lawn care company if you are looking for one and you do not know how to go about it.
One of the greatest information you should know is that you are supposed to check your neighbor’s lawn if it is good, ask him or her about the lawn care company that they hired so that you go and hire the same company.
Another thing you should know when you are looking for the best lawn care companies is that the best is that which uses the best equipment, so you will have to consider that one.
Before you hire a lawn care company, you are supposed to ask a lot of question about them which is going to help you find the best company for taking good care of your lawn.
From the web, make a comparison of different type of lawn care devices which are going to provide you with the best serves after being satisfied with the information that they have posted.
After you have hired the best lawn care company, you will be sure that you will get the best result that you need, that is your lawn will be purely green, and that will be the result you will be looking for.


The Establishment for human care and development (MASRRAT) announces its intends on conducting a tender for the supply of Azote fertilizer (Urea 46%), Within the food security support program for affected families in Idlib countryside
Announcement date: 28.02.2022
deadline to receive offers: 06-03-2022
For obtaining the technical specifications of the tender, please visit the establishment’s office in the village of Al-Jinah / Al-Atarib or contact us via e-mail:
The bids shall be delivered by hand in sealed envelopes to the MASRRAT office located at: (Aleppo countryside – Al-Jinah village / Al-Atarib sub-district).


Whether you want to buy a farm or ranch to have plenty of land or you want to use the property to raise livestock and grow crops, there are some essential things you'll need to look for before making a purchase. Use the following tips in addition to help from your real estate agent to find the best land to suit your needs.
Access To Water
You'll need access to plenty of fresh water no matter what you use the property for, whether it's providing drinking water for livestock or irrigating crops. Check to see where the water is currently being sourced from on the property before making a purchase. For land in arid areas, you may also want to do some research on when rainfall is typically expected throughout the year, as this can help determine how much water you will need to keep the property running properly.
The quality of the soil on any property will help dictate what you can do with the land. You can inspect the soil by feeling it as a preliminary indicator of quality. Soil that is soft and moist will typically make it easier to grow crops. However, if you plan to farm the land, you may also want to have the soil professionally tested. Knowing the mineral content of the soil can inform your decision about what to raise and whether or not to buy the real estate.
Ideally, your ranch or farm will come with all the buildings and structures needed to begin operations right away. This might include stables for a horse ranch or barns and silos for a large farm. Inspect each of the buildings to determine how much work they will need, if any, and determine if you'll need to take on new construction projects on the property. If you plan on living on the farm or ranch, you'll also want to have a complete home inspection done for any house included with the purchase.
Before making a purchase, take some time to determine what the actual operating costs will be. This is important whether you want to use the property as a business or you simply want to live on the land. You'll need to account for ranch or farm hands that may need to be hired as well as the cost of raising livestock, horses, or crops. Break this down into a monthly figure so you can add the cost of your loan payment to it for an overall estimated monthly cost. If you hope to turn a profit on the land, you should also consider projecting what your expected income from the property will be.
Work with a real estate agent who is experienced in farm and ranch real estate, and look into any local laws or restrictions that might govern how you can use the land. This will help you to find the ideal property for your new farm or ranch adventure.


Guria & Samegrelo, located in western part of the country are the coastal regions of Black Sea. Ancient territory of Kingdom of Colchis is Rich in cultural traditions and untouched natural beauty. Both regions have its unique and charming identity. Cultivation of citrus groves and tea plantations is highly developed in those regions, thanks to its favorable subtropical climate.
Guria is famous for its music and polyphonic singing; while in Samegrelo’s highlight is its cuisine, one of the delicious in Georgia, with its spicy foods.


One of the things I had forgotten about the South was the lawn worship. Southerners like large lawns and love to spend time and money making them look great, which usually means a monoculture of grass. Yes, this is going to be a rant post. On my bike commute last week, I was overwhelmed by the smell of chemicals on the lawns I passed. Could have been fertilizer, weed killer, pre-emergent, or combinations thereof.
I’ve always been sensitive to the environment around me. I was a Boy Scout, read Silent Spring while in elementary school, and have been nurturing plants my whole life wherever I have lived. Some people even call me a closet tree-hugger. But I’m more practical than that. I simply want to make the environment I control to be as healthy and productive as possible while minimizing my impact on environments outside of my control.
So that is why I’m a big fan of permaculture and diversity. Much to the chagrin of my wife, our lawn does not look like a golf-course. It is devoted to plant diversity which most Southerners would call weed-filled. But I love the fact that I don’t have to water it, fertilize it, or put chemicals on it to make it beautiful.
Now for those of you who actually pay attention to my posts, I have my limits. Witness the Whack-a-Mole scorecard, which incidentally stands at Moles 2, Paul 1. I let them frolic until I couldn’t take the tunnels of dirt spread across the yard. So I guess that makes me a permaculture hypocrite. So be it.
However, one major advantage of my diverse lawn is Spring flowers. Right now my yard is awash with violets and other flowers that makes it feel more like a meadow than a lawn. Which is what I prefer. Enjoy some shots of my Spring lawn!
Categories: Deep Thoughts, House
Please Leave a Reply!


Having a garden in a small space can prove to be quite difficult. And if you are someone with green fingers who loves being outdoors, a small space might just cramp your style. It does not have to though.
Today, there are many ways that you can transform your small garden into a beautiful and welcoming oasis. You won’t even miss having a lot of space once you’ve got it all worked out and set up!
In this post, we discuss a couple of ways that you can transform your small garden into a fantastic extension of your home.
Plant Flowers with Veggies
If you love working in the garden and planting your veg, try to plant flowers and veggies next to each other. This can increase your yield due to an increase in pollinators while saving space. Who said there was a rule that said you couldn’t plant veg next to flowers?
Prune Those Trees
Did you know that you can plant trees next to the wall and ‘train’ them to grow against it? This process is called espalier and is fairly simple to do. Attach your 2-year-old tree to wires next to your wall and prune it when necessary. Soon you’ll have a green wall!
Potted Plants for the Patio
If you have a patio or deck, you can easily decorate it with potted plants. Make sure to vary the type of plants, pots and pot sizes. Whether you have some flowers or veggies in pots, it will add greenery to your deck and be used to create some more privacy at the same time.
Raised Gardens to Maximise Space
Those of you who do not have space for gardening can easily use a self-built raised garden to add some greenery to your small backyard. The fact that the garden is raised ensures the plants get some sunlight while you can keep things tidy by keeping tools underneath.
DIY Vertical Gardens
Another clever way to add greenery to a tiny outdoor space is to grow a vertical garden. You can even use an old pallet and convert it into a vertical garden. It can easily be fastened to a wall, while pots can be fastened to the pallet with cable ties and nails.
Grow Ornamental Trees
Having limited space does not have to limit your creativity or space for greenery in any way. You can easily grow ornamental trees (also referred to as dwarf trees). Many dwarf tree varieties can add some flowers and foliage to your small garden.
Get your green fingers working on these great ideas to turn your small garden into a wonderful and welcoming oasis. All you need is a bit of creativity, inspiration and motivation and you are halfway there. Have fun!


Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni is known for his unconventional hobbies and ever since he retired from Indian cricket he has been indulging in various activities. The most recent and interesting one is, that he is going to send vegetables from his farmhouse in Ranchi to Dubai.
As per the latest news report doing rounds on social media, the Agriculture Department of Jharkhand has taken the responsibility of sending the fresh lot of vegetables to UAE from Ranchi. Also, it has ben finalized that Farm Fresh agency will sell the vegetables in UAE and the agency will also send vegetables to other Gulf Countries.
While Dhoni is associated with many leading brands in the country and earns crores every year, it is expected that his new venture of exporting vegetables from his farmhouse will benefit furthermore in terms of income.
Dhoni’s farmhouse is located at Ring Road in Sembo village in Ranchi. According to a report, the fresh fruits and vegetables being produced in his 10 acres of farmland include strawberries, cabbage, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, hock, and papaya. You will be surprised to know that cabbage, tomatoes, and peas that are grown in the farmhouse are in huge demand in Ranchi.
Would you also like to try fresh veggies from Dhoni’s farmland? Let us know your reaction in the comment section.


Experience Local La Veta
What experience would you bring to the team?
Please include any relevant education, gardening and/or
Why do you think you would be a good fit for our program?
What do you want to take away from your internship experience?
What are your life dreams and aspirations?
Why are you applying for this specific internship position?
Why are you passionate about the new emerging food movement?
Please email your application to:
Want to be part of creating something extraordinary? Apply by thoughtfully answering the following questions and email them to us. Let us know if you are interested in concentrating on the farm or table side of the program. Once we receive your application we will contact you for a Skype interview where you will be able to ask more questions and we can go into greater detail about the farm, cafe and internship program. We look forward from hearing from you!
We are looking for 4 self-motivated, team-oriented, friendly interns that bring their previous farming experience to the project. The farm is run by our farm manager and the interns and the program is designed to be a well-rounded learning opportunity that encompasses the complete farm to table life cycle. The internship program runs from mid April through October 31st, 2017. It is important to go through an entire growing season and we can only accept interns that can commit to complete the program. Interns participate 40 hours a week farming and serving the community through farmer's market, education and making value-added products.
Here is a sample weekly schedule:
Tuesdays Learning Day: New concepts and skills are taught and then put into practice
Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays Farm Days
Saturdays, Farm Day, Farmer's Market or Help in the Cafe: Help out at the farmer's market stand or in the cafe according to your interests.
Sundays and Mondays: Days off to explore the area, rest, relax and enjoy our beautiful mountains!
The internship includes education and hands-on training and full room and board. Interns live together in a large, four bedroom house on the farm. Great organic food is provided, along with the produce off the farm, and you will be cooking for one another. Days the cafe is open, everyone is encouraged to eat the delicious food we serve there and to hang out with the community. We will be working on communication, team building, leadership training and other important life skills. Yoga and meditation practice is available to those who would like to participate. A team building retreat in the mountains and later in the season a Vision for Life retreat are included in the program. We will also be taking a couple of farm to table field trips to Taos New Mexico and Paonia Colorado. There is not a stipend at this time but there is opportunity to work at the cafe or in the community to earn spending money.
It is important to us that you leave the program at the end of the season with clear goals of your next endeavor in life and that you have a strong gardening and homesteading background to live a sustainable life and do great things in the new emerging good food movement!
Our Farm: ecological, ethical and spiritual stewardship of the earth that produces food with extraordinary flavor, quality and nutrition.
You will be immersed in a full growing season from seeding, planting and transplanting, installing irrigation systems, plant care, green house growing, harvest, seed saving, preserving food through canning, drying, and fermenting and raising layer and meat chickens and our cute heirloom pigs! You will learn how to apply no-till permaculture methods to market farming that save water, build soil, and mimic the natural cycles of nature . We will be moving to more biodynamic practices this season. The "Deep Organic" biodynamic philosophy understands the influence of the sun, moon and planetary constellations have on plant's and animal's growth and vitality creating a homestead that becomes a self-sufficient, living organism. These methods, along with organic and bio-intensive growing practices, combine to promote healthy plants, greater yields and higher nutrient value while caring for the earth and all its biology.
Our Table: beauty vibrates off the plate, flavor fills the soul with joy,
the love in our food makes the belly smile...
Learn the importance of providing the highest quality, most nutrient dense, good-for-you food to the community. Our growing program donates most of its produce to the bakery cafe and we educate our customers to the delicious benefits of eating fresh just-harvested, made from scratch food that follows the season and delights the senses. You will be helping to grow the food and make value-added products that are served with love in our friendly community-oriented cafe and bakery. If you are interested, you can help us out at the cafe, where we have a fun working atmosphere using sacred commerce principles that create a nurturing working environment to grow us while we share our gifts and our hearts with our patrons, creating an incredible food experience for them. This is not business as usual but a new way to prepare and present food, educate and feed the community with love!
Join the Team
We believe the earth, humanity and all living things can be saved from the current state of degradation and brought into a balance where everything and everyone is thriving through restorative agricultural
practices and the elevated nutrition that biodynamic farming provides. If you are passionate about making a difference through farming, food and nutrition then this internship is for you!
Farm to Table Internship


Our Pure Raw Honey is in a 5 gallon bucket which is 60 pounds. Raw honey has not been heated. It is produced in Michigan. The honey is crystallized and you will receive the white container of honey. The gallon container simply shows you what the honey looks like.
Remember you are buying directly from a beekeeper and honey’s flavors do change through out each growing season and from year to year. Local honey does have a flavor palette to enjoy and savor just like a fine wine.
Produced locally in Michigan. These make great favors, for showers, birthdays and even weddings.
This honey has exceptional taste and is great used in tea, spreading on breads or biscuits and however you choose to use this honey. Great all around honey.


Wisconsin is a beautiful state with many great attractions, but there are also a few unwelcome plants that can take over your garden or property. In this article, we will go over some of the most common weeds in Wisconsin and how to identify them. By learning what these plants are and how to deal with them, you will be able to enjoy your Wisconsin environment without fear of unwanted vegetation. Wisconsin’s many soils and climate conditions create a wide variety of plant growth. This means that there are many different types of weeds in the state. To identify Wisconsin weeds, you’ll need to know the characteristics of each type of weed, as well as how to look for them. The most common types of weeds in Wisconsin are annual grasses, broadleaf plants, and sedges. Annual grasses include kikuyu, ryegrass, and bermuda grass. Broadleaf plants include willow, maple, birch, and alder. Sedges include cattail and bulrush.
To identify Wisconsin weeds, start by looking at the plant’s appearance. Look for annual grasses that grow tall and have long stems. Broadleaf plants will have leaves that are relatively large and spread outwards; they may also have small flowers at the tips of the branches. Sedges will have stems that are long and skinny, and their leaves will be flat or slightly concave. Next, look for specific weed characteristics. Annual grasses typically have spikes at the tips of their stems; broadleaf plants may have large leaves that are divided into lobes.
Common Weeds in Wisconsin
Weeds are plants that grow in places where they are not supposed to, such as on the side of the road or in gardens. Weeds can be a nuisance, because they take up space and provide no food or flowers. However, some weeds can be useful, because they help stabilize soil and provide nutrients to other plants. Here is a list of common wisconsin weeds which are recommended by earth develpmentinc company,
- Lamb’s quarters
What to look for when identifying weeds
When identifying weeds, be aware of the following:
- Common Wisconsin weeds will typically have a coarse texture and are green, brown, or black in color.
- Common Wisconsin weeds can grow quickly and can become a nuisance if not controlled.
- Some common Wisconsin weeds are known to spread harmful diseases if not properly controlled.
How to identify common Wisconsin weeds
Wisconsin is blessed with a wide variety of terrain, including hills, valleys and forests. This diversity of habitats allows for many different weed species to thrive. Here are a few tips on how to identify common Wisconsin weeds. Weeds are a common problem in Wisconsin, and it can be hard to know what weed you’re dealing with. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common weeds found in Wisconsin and how to identify them. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to take appropriate action to remove them from your property without damaging any plants or flowers.


Regulator can be specially used in grow rooms, grow tents, green houses, aquariums, and other places. CO2 is essential to photosynthesis and is often the most overlooked element limiting plant growing. Growing plants with hydroponics requires up to 5 times the amount of CO2 than naturally occurs in the air.
FOR MICHIGAN customers contact: HYDROPROS (586)803-0966. Other customers, CONTACT US, to direct you, to a DEALER in your area.


When are you folks going to start planting and what are you planting? Seems I always get some things in the ground too late so needs some ideas.
Last year, the neighbor gave me an extra cucumber "start" that was four times bigger than mine. I jokingly asked did you start it in January?! She smiled and said pretty close. I will be starting seeds as soon as the waterfowl gear is put away. Right now, I am thinking 4 tomatoes, 3 peppers, 2 zuke, 2 cukes & at least 2 butternuts. I've had issues with some critter chomping the tops off my bean plants as soon as they get two leaves so I will also start them indoors but not for a while.
I bought 100 yellow onion bulbs. Can those be planted in March?


So, if you haven't already, it is probably time to start thinking about planting your summer vegetable and flower garden. This is a great activity to include in your homeschool. Not only can gardening be a lot of fun and very rewarding, but it also provides a lot of opportunities for your children to observe nature firsthand.
Here are a few tips for including your children in the gardening process:
- Give each child their own plot of ground. This could be an area of the family garden or even a good-sized pot on your front porch or deck. Having ownership of their own plants brings a sense of responsibility as well as a sense of accomplishment.
- Let your child choose what he or she would like to plant in their garden. It can be so much fun to look through a seed catalog, walk the aisles of the nursery, or check out a colorful display of seed packets. Check out this top ten list of crops that are child friendly here so that you can steer your children towards plants that are most likely to be successful.
- Don't expect your children to be involved in every little part of the gardening process. Depending on the age of the child, you may need to help out behind the scenes.
- Let your child give garden tours to visiting family and friends.
- Involve your children in the harvesting and preparing any vegetables for the table or cutting any flowers for decorating around your house.
We always had a vegetable garden in the summer when I was younger. I have a lot of memories of working in the garden with my parents and brothers-- pulling weeds, watering, picking the vegetables. I think my favorite part of gardening as a young child was the harvesting part. I loved picking the monster-sized zunchinni or searching out the green beans on the vine. I think that eating vegetables you have grown yourself also just taste better. I am not sure how it works, but I think it's true. The past few summers, I have mainly grown flowers in my garden box, while my mom and brothers grow the vegetables. Last year in my I grew: zinnias, hollyhocks, cosmos, daisies, violas, and clover. My mom and brothers planted: lettuce, peppers, zuchinni, tomatoes, green beans, pumpkins, various herbs, sunflowers, marigolds, and pansies. Having so many different plants might be ambitious if you are new to gardening.
I hope you are inspired to get out there and garden with your children. I will be posting more in the following weeks about gardening with children as well as updating you on my own gardening adventures.
The theme for next Monday's art show is going to be gardens, so make sure you check back in to see some wonderful artwork focusing on gardens. Have a great weekend.


Built for comfort and ease of use, the backpack sprayer is becoming a go-to tool for gardeners, landscapers, and pest control professionals—as well as for renters and homeowners who simply want to enjoy a weed- and insect-free outdoor space.
What’s the point? A backpack sprayer’s ergonomic design lets you carry fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, or any other liquids on your back, rather than hauling around a heavy metal cart or a hand-held sprayer. The tool also allows you to spray a uniform stream from a variety of different nozzles to reach not only areas right under your feet, but those hard-to-reach areas as well.
Weed & Feed
Comes with a lance holder, a spare seal kit, and spare nozzles.
It's a good idea for gardeners to have at least two sprayers, one for herbicide and one for insecticide. The residue from many herbicides is difficult to completely remove from inside a sprayer tank, and this leftover residue could harm your plants. Plus it's not a good idea to mix pesticides. Make sure you label each sprayer appropriately.
Maintaining a uniform walking speed is essential to keeping the application rate relatively uniform throughout the operation. A higher travel speed will result in a lower application rate.
Maintaining a uniform spraying pressure is also essential both for keeping the application rate and the droplet size uniform during the application. Lowering the spraying pressure leads to higher application rates, and larger droplets.
Don't smoke, eat or drink when spraying. Spray on a calm day to prevent winds from blowing the spray. Wash up after spraying.
A regular spraying schedule can help prevent many lawn and garden pest and disease problems.
A: What is PSI?
Q: Pounds per square inch (PSI) is the unit of measure identifying the amount of pressure a backpack sprayer is capable of propelling through its nozzle. The average PSI for a backpack sprayer is around 70 PSI, but smaller models can use as little as 40 PSI and larger ones may use as much as 150 PSI. PSI is important to ensure your backpack sprayer operates effectively. Too little pressure will produce an uneven spray that reduces the effectiveness of its contents, while too much will prove excessive for a smaller yard. If you have a large yard with many hard to reach spots, or you are a professional who works in many different-sized spaces, a sprayer with a PSI rating of 70 or above is your best bet. For those with average-sized or smaller yards, a moderate PSI rating between 40 and 70 is more than enough to spray your space.
Add: No.1008 Qihang Road, Binhai Industry Zone, Jiaojiang, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
WeChat: 137 5068 3466
Phone: +86 137 5068 3466
Hangyu Plastic is Leading Backpack Sprayer Manufacturer Which Offer Complete Backpack Sprayer Solution for Garden spraying, Weed Spraying, etc.


You will find hundreds of types of peppers out there. You could only be familiar with a few of them, and may not need to branch out and attempt a lot of more unique kinds. In the event you don’t try to eat very hot peppers, target the fairly sweet versions, or grow an assortment of both. Peppers are super easy to grow, along with the rewards are tremendous.
Peppers require warm temps and soil to develop, therefore they should not be transplanted outdoors until 3 or 4 days following the last typical frost day. Plant seeds should be started out in the house 8 to 10 days just before these are planted inside the backyard. Make certain you have a sun-drenched location to commence plant seeds to ensure the vegetation will grow vigorously. Transplants can be bought in most backyard garden centers, but this tremendously lessens the range you need to pick from. Your garden should be prepared for peppers. Earth should be properly drained, and filled with organic and natural substance like garden compost or aged manure. Peppers do much better in somewhat acid dirt, which is the reason peat moss would also be an excellent garden soil amendment. They want nitrogen to cultivate, and can be planted where peas have started previously within the year to accomplish this. Fertilizer may also be used.
Peppers also need suitable irrigating to flourish. They ought to stay moist, but should not be damp. For this reason, nicely emptied, wealthy earth is essential. If plants do not acquire enough h2o while blooming, you will find a probability of blossom fall, which means that fruits will not likely set. Location mulch around plant life following putting in the backyard garden so that you can preserve dampness in between each irrigating and check here for more useful information https://icae2018.com/best-insecticide-for-vegetable-garden/.
Be mindful of pests that are popular problems for peppers. The most frequent of the is aphids. Aphids are extremely tiny, but they are noticeable leaving a sticky, honeydew product on simply leaves which will let you know that they are there. An appearance of ants on the peppers will even offer you a hint that aphids are in property. A cleaning soap answer might be sprayed on plants to clear your plants and flowers of this problem. Watch out also for corn borers which will trigger inner rot of the peppers on their own. Use floating row handles in the beginning in order to avoid moths from laying their eggs.
Peppers will probably be hefty suppliers within your back garden, and are versatile in your kitchen. Ensuring to prepare dirt and also to look out for pest infestations will help with the achievements your vegetation. Appreciate striving different versions, and let ripening for smaller or longer time periods to attain diverse shades and flavors of the peppers you increase.


Our company Eagle Plant Protect Private Limited has been a leading player in the market in manufacturing and wholesaling a whole encompassing range of Organic Fertilizers And Agro Chemical Products like Bio Plant Protector, Agricultural Biopesticides, Plant Growth Stimulator, Bio Fungicide, Plant Growth Regulator, Cotton King Plant Growth Regulator, Bio Miticide, Agricultural Fungicide, Bio Insecticide, Bio Products, Agro Chemical, Bio Larvicide, etc.
We are a renowned manufacturer and supplier and wholesaler of Larvicide. This 100 % organically derived material is naturally occurred with wild plant leaves extracts. This material is mainly used to reduce the menace of mosquitoes and malaria. Our product ranges is very user friendly and cause no harm to the skin.
We offer a novel idea of using plants, animals, bacteria and other natural materials like minerals and other things for fighting against the pests. Some of the materials considered as Agricultural Biopesticides are canola oil and baking soda.
Approx. Rs 850 / Kilogram(s)
Get Best Quote
Item Code: Bio-Insecticide
With a vast experience in biological control, we offer certain Agricultural Biopesticides that are effective against insects that harm the plants and crops. These insecticides are very powerful and help in complete control of insects. In this method certain animals, natural materials, minerals are used to control insects. The features are as follows.
Content: Oil of Wild plant seeds, Fatty Acid and Alkaloids
Function: To control White fly
Dose: 1.0 to 1.5 ml per Liter of water
Recommended Crops: Any Field Crops and/or Horticultural Crops
Used as on: At the time of disease
Compatibility: Mix with most of all pesticides/ fungicides/ PGR
Bulk Packing: 50 l HDPE Containers
Minimum Order Quantity: 200 Kilogram(s)
Manufacturer & Exporter of Organic Pesticides. Our product range also comprises of Agricultural Biopesticides and Plant Protector.
For more Details


Organic Cotton Fabric
We’re dedicated to using only the finest organic cotton fabric. All of our comforters, toppers, pillows, and infant bedding items are made with organic cotton sateen fabric grown in India, then milled and finished in a GOTS-certified facility in Pakistan. Never bleached or dyed, our sateen is naturally lustrous and soft without the use of caustic alkalis or other chemicals.
Our cotton fabric is GOTS-certified 100% organic. No chemicals are involved at any stage of the process – planting, growing, harvesting, or processing. Utilizing farming methods that encourage healthy ecosystems, including eliminating the toxic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers common in conventional cotton farming, means a safer environment for farm workers, more productive and sustainable soil, reduced irrigation needs, and a healthier end product for the consumer.


Cherry trees are a sight to behold in the spring, when they’re covered in white or pink blossoms. After that, they produce the delicious cherries that most people know and love. Here’s how to grow cherry trees in your own garden!
- Sweet cherries are the variety most often found in markets. They have a thick, rich, and almost plum-like texture. Sweet cherries grow in hardiness zones 5 to 7; they are self-sterile and best for an orchard or a large garden. You’ll need at least two or three trees, as they’ll need to pollinate each other. If space is limited, consider the dwarf, self-pollinating cultivar ‘Stella’.
- Sour cherries are not usually eaten raw, but are widely used for preserves and other cooking uses. Sour cherries are much smaller than sweet cherries and all varieties are self-fertile. They grow in zones 4 to 6.
Cherry trees generally start bearing fruit in their fourth year; dwarf trees bear fruit a year earlier. One mature, standard-size tart or sweet cherry tree will produce 30 to 50 quarts of cherries each year; a dwarf tree, about 10 to 15 quarts.
Plant cherry trees in early spring or late fall (when the ground is soft and has a higher moisture content) in a sunny site with good air circulation and deep, well-drained soil. Apply mulch and water well. After flowering in a fruiting year, you’ll need to drape trees with wildlife-safe netting to protect the fruit from birds.
Plant cherry trees in a sunny site with good air circulation; planting that will shade the cherries. Ideally, cherry trees should get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
Space sweet cherries 35 to 40 feet apart; dwarfs, 5 to 10 feet apart. Space tart cherries 20 to 25 feet apart; dwarfs, 8 to 10 feet apart.
When to Plant Cherry Trees
- Plant cherries in the late fall or early spring (when the ground is soft and has a higher moisture content).
- When selecting sweet cherries, make sure the different varieties will pollinate each other.
How to Plant Cherry Trees
- Trees on standard rootstock should be planted with the graft union a few inches below the soil level. Trees on dwarf rootstock should be planted with the graft union several inches above the soil level, which will prevent the graft from growing its own roots and bypassing the rootstock.
- When planting fan-trained trees, construct the necessary supports before planting. Plant fans only 12 to 15 feet apart.
- For bareroot trees, place the rootstock on a small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole, and spread the roots down and away, trying not to bend the roots. Backfill with soil.
- For container-grown trees, first remove the rootball and set the tree on its side; cut through any pot-bound or encircled roots with shears. Don’t cover the top of the root-ball.
- Pick fruits only when FULLY ripe ( red, black, yellow); the sugar content rises the few days before fully ripened.
- Be ready to harvest within a week’s time. Eat or cook immediately.
- Pick fruits when firm if they are to be frozen.
- Be sure top pick with the cherry stem so you do not tear into the fruit, however, take care to lead the fruit spur to produce fruit next year.
- Remember that cherry trees do not typically bear fruit until their fourth year. Thereafter, they should produce about 30 to 50 quarts of cherries each year.


Is this the future of food?
Join me as I try 'Chapulín' at the insect market...
Why Eat Insect?
They’re full of fibre, protein and a ton of other good stuff.
Compared to meat, they’re great for the environment.
Beef (vs Cricket):
Producing beef requires 12 times more feed, 23 times more water and 38 times more land. It also produces 1815 times more greenhouse gasses. Combine all this with a booming population of hungry humans and insect appeal is clear.
Meat could one day be a luxury for the wealthy.
Will the West Bite?
Insects taste like what you add to them, so they have potential to become a meat competitor... As long as they are powdered!
Would you swap a steak for powdered insects?
Where on Earth?
🇲🇽 Want more Mexico? Watch the series


What is sod installation?
Make your lawn look lush, green, and gorgeous with our professional sod installation services. Forget about hard-to-maintain seeded lawns. Our sod installation and re-sodding will leave your property look amazing.
If you are new to sod installation, you are in for a treat. Sod installation, just involves putting pieces of grass together to construct a beautiful, natural-looking lawn.
Using and taking care of sod is extremely easy.
Over 20 years of experience
From landscaping to lawn maintenance, your property will see great improvements when you entrust it to our care.
With a fully insured team and a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction, we promise to give you reasonable, reliable, and affordable sod installation and much more when you choose us.
Why choose sod?
• It is easy to work with
• Fast to use
• Requires less irrigation than grass seed
• Requires less watering than a seeded lawn
• Cools the air and has less heat compared to bare soil
• Absorbs carbon dioxide
• Releases oxygen
• Residential services
• Can increase your property value


With North Carolina’s springtime quickly approaching, it’s time to start considering how to get your lawn looking its best. While waiting until the warm weather approaches in April or May is tempting, the best time to aerate your lawn is in the winter months.
Fort Smith Landscaping has expert advice for how to best keep your yard and soil in good health through spring aeration. As a homeowner, you know you want to have a lush, green lawn that doesn’t show signs of turning brown or having bare spots. However, you are unsure of the process of achieving the lawn results you desire.
Read on to learn how to care for your lawn through the aeration process.
What Is Aeration and Why Is It Important?
The overall health and growth of your lawn benefits from regular mowing, weeding, watering, and fertilizing. However, most homeowners overlook the importance of lawn aerating in addition to those other often-performed tasks.
Mowing and weeding your grass, as well as everyday traffic on the lawn, can lead to what is called thatch buildup. Thatch is the accumulation of organic matter such as old grass, roots, and weeds that lay on top of your lawn, making it difficult for your grass and soil to soak up water, oxygen, or other nutrients it needs to grow.
Through lawn aeration, the thatch layer on top of your lawn is broken up. This creates a series of holes throughout the soil compaction, allowing the soil, root system, and actively growing grass to thrive.
What are the Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn?
- Allows nutrients to reach the soil and help avoid moisture-related problems.
- Resists harmful toxins from building in the root system.
- Prevents disease and other pathogens from affecting your plant life.
- Promotes plant health and the activity of beneficial microorganisms.
- Makes seeding more effective.
- Limits fertilizer and pesticides from running off.
- Builds a thicker, rich-looking lawn.
Signs Your Lawn is in Need of Aeration
- Signs of bare spots and stunted growth.
- High-traffic lawns where kids play or people walk on it a lot.
- Water pooling, puddles, or runoffs.
Can You Aerate in the Spring?
Knowing the right time of year to have your lawn aerated is vital to the success of your efforts. It’s always a good idea to sign up for regularly scheduled lawn care services that include aeration. However, if you prefer to try the DIY method or to understand the process, we have all of the best tips for what time of year is best for preparing lawns for spring through aeration.
For anyone living in North Carolina, your lawn experiences the most growth during the spring. It’s always best for a lawn to aerate when the grass is actively growing, but when temperatures outside are not overly warm or overly cold.
Warm vs. Cool Season Grasses
Whether your turf is made of warm or cool-season grasses will impact the best time to aerate. Warm vs cool-season grasses experience growth at different times of the year, with warm-season grasses growing between April and October and cool-season grasses growing more rapidly in both the spring and fall.
Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Buffalo, and Zoysia should be aerated during the spring and summer, whereas cool-season grasses like Ryegrass, Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass should be aerated in early fall and early spring. Aerating when the roots of the specific grass type are most actively growing will facilitate the grass allowing oxygen into its pores.
Preparing Your Lawn for Springtime Aerating
Before you aerate it’s important to prepare your lawn. Let’s review how to best ensure your lawn will become enriched by the aeration process through proper preparation.
- Choose the best time for aerating based on where you live, the type of grass in your yard, and outdoor temperatures.
- Mow your lawn low.
- Prune dead areas of grass.
- Remove debris from the yard.
- Water your lawn.
The Process of Spring Aeration
There are two ways to aerate your lawn: core aeration and liquid aeration.
Core aeration is the traditional aeration method used. Core aeration is done by creating a series of small holes in your lawn with an aeration machine in order to break up compacted soil. For core aeration, you will have to rent an aeration machine or have a local and experienced landscaping company who are experts in aeration come to your home.
The aeration machine, which is pushed across the lawn just like a lawnmower would be, is designed specifically to penetrate compacted soil by driving holes into the ground so that water, air, and other nutrients can access the root system to promote growth.
Liquid aeration uses a specialized solution to do the job and requires no extra machinery. The liquid solution breaks down particles in the soil to create small pores to loosen the soil. The solution is simply spread across the lawn evenly and does the work on its own.
Both types of lawn aeration methods are effective, but many homeowners prefer liquid aeration for DIY projects due to the ease of not having to rent aeration equipment.
Aftercare Tips for Keeping a Healthy, Lush Lawn
After you aerate your lawn, there are more steps you can take to ensure your lawn resists weed growth and continues to grow thick, green grass.
- Apply pre-emergent: By applying pre-emergent herbicides, you can kill off any potential weed growth from germinating.
- Overseeding: Apply new grass seed over the existing seed.
- Add Fertilizer: Apply fertilization after aeration so that the fertilizer can reach deep into the pores created through aeration so that it reaches the soil and roots.
- Water soil: Within 48 hours of completing the aeration process, it’s important to give your lawn some moisture by watering the grass and soil. Continue to water every 3-4 days for the next 2-3 weeks after you aerate.
Fort Smith is Your Source for NC Spring Aerating Services
Are you ready to schedule your spring aeration service with Fort Smith Landscaping? Our lawn care aeration experts serve customers in the Wake Forest, NC area and know exactly what it takes to keep your turf looking plush and healthy.
Call us today at (919) 228-8495 or fill out our contact form to receive your free quote on spring aeration services today!


By Ryan Métivier
In 2016 the locally approved Real Dirt On Farming project continued to be popular in Region 2. Leaders Jean Sullivan and Leah Richardson-Dean of Carleton 4-H Association began the project in 2015 and in only its second year, it already doubled in size.
“I took the Real Dirt On Farming training (through Farm & Food Care Ontario) and felt the issues discussed would fit with the 4-H format,” says Sullivan. “The topics apply to youth as they are bombarded by information and misinformation on social media.”
The Real Dirt On Farming project is based around the teaching of topics such as how your food is grown, the difference between growing crops conventionally and organically, pesticide use, animal housing and animal welfare, environmental sustainability, technology used in farming and more. Last year Jean and Leah’s club touched on many of these topics by visiting a strawberry and vegetable farm to discuss farm labour, organic versus conventional foods and direct sales. They also participated in the Port of Prescott Grain Handling Tour, having conversations about grain buyers and GMO/non-GMO corn. Additional tours included learning about an anaerobic digester and manure management/stewardship during a dairy farm tour and learning about how soybeans reproduce at Central Experimental Farm. Three members attended the Centre For Food Integrity to listen to research about consumer trust.
In 2016, “soil your underwear” was introduced to provide a project to carry through the club and it was a huge success. In order to learn about soil health and the importance of soil to agriculture, members were given a pair of white cotton underwear to bury on their farm or property, with plans to dig up at a later date to examine what they could learn about soils. The club was also able to create a display at the Carp Farmers Market by stringing them up on a clothesline across the front of a small tent.
“We tried to make the conversation something that wasn’t too technical—simply that soil contains lots of microorganisms, fungi, and bacteria,” says Sullivan. “It’s these creatures that eat through the cotton in the underwear, showing us they are there and working to build soils.”
As someone who grew up in 4-H herself, Sullivan says it provided her with a positive experience and has shaped where she is and what she does today. Being involved as a volunteer has allowed her to share her knowledge on topics she cares about and to receive positive feedback from members, parents, other leaders and the community.
Kathryn Stanton, a 4-H member in Carleton, has been a part of the club for the past two years and says what she has enjoyed the most has been learning about different farm operations and furthering her understanding of the Canadian agriculture industry.
“A big part of what we learnt was how to best interact with consumers and becoming true ‘Agvocates,’ she says. “I also developed skills such as public speaking through our achievement days, one of which we spoke to the Ottawa City Council of Rural Affairs.”
As part of the Real Dirt On Farming project, each of the past two years a representative of Farm & Food Care has visited the club to provide insights into perceptions of media, consumers, protesters and others.
“Having Farm & Food Care attend our meeting was extremely helpful teaching us the ropes on how to best help tell the story and facts about the industry,” says Stanton. “One of the key things they touched on was how to have a 30 second elevator conversation, where you discuss who you are, how you are connected to agriculture, all the while keeping the topic positive and educational.”
“I think they are also gaining skills and attitudes to help them understand others,” says Sullivan. “Through participation in this club members are gaining confidence in presenting their opinions and public speaking, parliamentary procedure and decision-making skills.”


Building a Greenhouse in a Hospital : From Vision to Reality
A project of Hospitality Ventures Consulting LLC while serving as a Wellness Consultant and Interim Director of Wellness and Retail Services for Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
Building and Opening a State of the Art Greenhouse
1392 sq. feet (29 x 48)
3 different hydroponic growing systems
Year round production
Diverse crop selection, ensuring quality of flavor and nutritional value
Allows for educational and therapeutic experience
Goal : Becoming the best by benchmarking the best in the industry
Greenhouse layout was designed by Dr. Howard Resh PhD-Internationally known as a pioneering hydroponic researcher, author and practitioner; A personal friend of Jeffrey Jacobs
Consulting resources provided by Dr. Fred Petitt PhD-Agriculture & Water Sciences Director for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts; A personal friend of Jeffrey Jacobs
Greenhouse operations run by Michelle Lutz,-Resident Farmer, with more than 15 years experience as owner and operator of one of Michigan’s largest certified organic vegetable farms. Hired personally by Jeffrey Jacobs.
A Three Part Hydroponic Growing System
Hydroponic Growing System #1 Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Lettuce & Specialty Greens
12 foot x 20 foot area
648 growing channels
648 nursery channels
Uses 30% of greenhouse growing space
Every 4-6 weeks this system will produce the equivalent of 27 cases of greens.
Hydroponic Growing Technique #2 Dutch Buckets
Three 26 foot rows
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, peas, beans, okra, squash, cucumbers and tomatillo
Uses 37% of greenhouse growing space
Expected production of 1000 pounds or more of fresh, organic produce per calendar year.
Hydroponic Growing Technique #3 Plant Towers
Uses 10% of greenhouse growing area
Strawberries, culinary herbs and specialty greens
Culinary herbs include: specialty basils, cilantro, thyme, sage, parsley, oregano and mint
Specialty greens include: chinese cabbage, pacchoi, swiss chard, kale, asian greens and collards
Multiple plantings per year yielding hundreds of pounds of fresh, organic greens & herbs.
Crop Selection : Growing Food That Heals
Created the finest & most healthy food culture for a hospital
Growing & serving food that fights obesity & chronic diseases
Many heirloom varieties that have exceptional flavor& higher nutritional value
Diverse to add interest, but also meeting culinary needs
Enhance culinary quality & inspire creativity in the kitchen
Leading the way in organic hydroponic growing
Using organic and untreated seeds
Only organic, sustainable growing practices and inputs will be used
Educating our communities how to grow food without the use of toxic chemicals
Why Is Organic Important?
No chemical toxins ~ No pesticide, herbicide, fungicide residue on your food.
Your cells are the foundation of your health Chemical toxins cause them to malfunction and sometimes damage or kill them
By eating organically grown food you can reduce your exposure to contaminants commonly found in foods
Why Is Fresh A Factor?
Fresh food has more antioxidants
Antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and hence prevent and repair damage done by free radicals
Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection
Growing Above & Beyond “The Boundaries of Imagination”
The greenhouse created an epicenter of health and wellness education in the community by creating a better quality of life for its residents.
A greenhouse can serve as a national model for how wellness education can reduce health care costs and improve health care outcomes by providing resources to help people of all ages and walks of life achieve optimal health and quality of life.
Limitless Educational Opportunities
By educating the community on the importance of being environmentally responsible and eating healthy, both the people and the environment of the community will benefit in countless ways.
Community members come and learn about the importance of growing and eating organic, healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Fighting Childhood Obesity through Children’s Educational Programs
Childhood nutrition is under assault by the fast food and junk food industry.
Educating through agriculture offers an opportunity to fight back through exercise, life skills and making better food choices.
Students are more likely to try eating fruits and vegetables they have a connection with.
Food preferences are taken back home and improve family consumption as well
How Can Greenhouses Help?
The greenhouse can be a valuable resource for schools. Tours and workshops teach children how to grow food in and out of the classroom.
Educational programs can teach cooking skills, meal planning and healthier snack choices using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables.
Majority of the crops selected to be grown were done with children in mind. This plan was implemented with the goal of "putting fun back into food."
Adult Educational Programs
Integrating a greenhouse as a learning environment offers boundless opportunities for education on health and wellness.
Workshops and tours include sustainable growing tips and techniques as well as discussions on important food related issues.
Classes on seed selection, garden layout, seasonal and succession planting for an abundant successful garden.
Volunteers & Interns : "Farmers- in-Training"
With less than 1% of the US population claiming farming as their occupation the valuable skill of growing food is being lost.
There is an immense opportunity to help our community members learn how to grow food responsibly and add sustainability into their life style.
Therapy for Patients
Gardening therapy allows patients to take an active role in their recovery process.
Patients gain valuable experience and information on how to prevent chronic diseases through healthy growing, cooking and eating practices.
Progressive Plant Therapy
Relaxation for the mind and body through yoga and greenhouse programs
Using food as preventative and corrective medicine
Self sustaining business plan
Opportunity to generate revenue through tours and workshops


38th & Meridian Farmer’s Market • Opens June 18
The 38th & Meridian Farmer’s Market hosted by North United Methodist Church will begin its 11th season on June 18 from 4:30 — 7:30pm and will continue every third Thursday of the month through September.
One of the longest running Farmer’s Markets in Central Indiana will once again bring accessibility to produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and more to the Mid-North neighborhood and community at large.
With the recent developments and conversations around the redevelopment of Tarkington Park, the Market looks to continue being a flagship in building community and cultivating relationships in the neighborhood. Identified as a “food desert,” the area surrounding the Market has few options when it comes to accessing sources of sustainable and healthy food. Couple this with the opportunity to further allow the community to learn and grow together, the Market’s existence is seen as a welcome addition to the growing and changing neighborhood.


This post is Part 2 of an academic paper titled “The Economic System of the Hill Country of Israel in Iron Age I.” This paper was read during a meeting of the American Schools of Oriental Research which met on March 12, 1988 in Dallas, Texas.
To read the Introduction and Part 1 of the paper, click here.
Several factors contributed to the increase of food production. The first factor was the development of cisterns which made possible to increase the amount of water available for consumption and irrigation. Cisterns provided an efficient way of storing rainwater in the winter. Later, cisterns were reused to store surplus grains.
It is impossible to say when the first cistern appeared in the hill country, but at the end of the Late Bronze Age and at the beginning of the Iron Age there was an increase of population in the hill country, away from springs. W. F. Albright said that this movement away from springs came with the discovery that a waterproof plaster could be made from burnt and slaked lime, thus increasing the storage efficiency of existing cisterns and motivating the production of new ones.
Callaway, however, has found that most cisterns discovered at Ai were not plastered in Iron Age I. According to Callaway, this was possible because of a self-sealing quality present in the Senonian chalk that allowed the cisterns to conserve rainwater. At the beginning of the Iron Age, most cisterns were built for the use of the community, but with the increase of affluence, some cisterns were built under private homes, a clear evidence of economic prosperity. At Tel-en Nasbeh, fifty-three small private cisterns were found.
A second factor that helped the growth of the economic power of the villages was the development of terraces. Because of deforestation at the time of Joshua (Joshua 17:16–18) and on other occasions, the soil, which was held in places by trees, was eroded by rain and the elements of nature and lost its fertility for cultivation.
Ron, in his study of agricultural terraces, said that the purpose of terraces was “to establish favorable condition for the steady cultivation of the land.” These favorable conditions were established when the terraces fulfilled three basic functions which defined the terraces. First, terraces transformed a continuous slope into a series of level surfaces which allowed for cultivation. Second, the terrace prevented run-off erosion and thus enhanced the accumulation of soil and water. Third, the terraces were devoid of stones and formed a flat upper layer of cultivable soil. Not all of the arable land in the hill country were terraced. In some places the incline was small and the soil deep and fertile enough for planting, therefore, many areas could be cultivated without the use of terraces.
The most important factor that aided the development of village economy was the introduction of new tools and improved agricultural implements. Acquisition of iron technology contributed to the creation of an economic surplus in village economy. This economic surplus later on was used by Solomon to establish a trade agreement with Tyre (1 Kings 5:8–12).
During the Bronze Age tools were made of copper, meteoric iron, and bronze. The Iron Age came to Palestine in the thirteenth century from Anatolia, probably with the coming of the Sea Peoples. With the fall of the Hittite empire, the iron monopoly was broken, and the use of iron in weapons of war and in agricultural implements spread throughout Canaan. When the Israelites settled in the land in the time of Joshua, the Canaanites already possessed iron chariots and other objects made of iron (Joshua 6:4; 17:16; 22:8).
The Philistines tried to maintain control of iron technology to prevent its spread among the Hebrews. 1 Samuel 13:19–22 demonstrates that iron was in use among the Israelites at the beginning of the monarchy, but the Philistine prevented their smiths from working in Israel “lest the Hebrews make swords or spears” (1 Samuel 13:21). This passage shows that the Israelites were using plowshares, coulters, axes, and sickles made of iron. It is possible that the Israelites acquired the skills to use these new tools from the Philistines.
The Philistines did not prevent the Hebrews from using iron tools for agricultural purposes but forced them to obtain their tools and to repair them from Philistine smiths at a price. The Hebrews were under economic control of the Philistines until the time of David when he began to take metal ore as spoils of war (2 Samuel 8:8), thus obtaining “great stores of iron” (1 Chronicles 22:3).
The introduction of iron in the economy of the village produced radical changes in the community. The villages and the families that composed them were able to supply most of their own needs as long as they raised their own food, made their own clothes, and manufactured their own stone and wooden tools. However, this was no longer true when iron was introduced and metal tools were proven superior. The raw materials necessary to the production of these improved tools were not available to everyone in the community, therefore, the farmers had to depend on metal smiths, and the smiths could not function without the traders and miners.
The economy of the hill country at the beginning of Iron Age I was based primarily on farming and the care of domesticated animals. Two terms are used by anthropologists to describe these means of food production: pastoralism and agriculture.
Pastoral people derive their food from domesticated animals, either relaying directly upon them for most of their diet or using meat and dairy product for trade. Pastoralism should be differentiated from pastoral nomadism. Pastoral nomadism is “a socioeconomic mode of life that is based on intensive domestication of livestock and requires movement in seasonal cycles dictated by the need for pasture and water.” The word “pastoralism” describes settle people who, in addition to farming, use animal husbandry as a supplement to their food production.
Meat was not a regular part of the diet of the people, probably because of the scarcity of domesticated cattle or because it was uneconomical to kill animals which could provide other necessary food such as milk and cheese. Meat was usually eaten on special occasions or during religious festivals.
The goat was the most common animal in use. Besides its use as meat, goat’s hair was used as raw material for the production of fabrics for tents and various domestic purposes. Their tanned skins were used as leather and their hides as skin bottles. Goat’s milk was widely used, and its by-products were very important to the economy of the community. For these reasons, the goat was recognized as a form of the owner’s economic status in the community. The sheep, because of its wool, milk, and meat also gave economic status in the community. Callaway found bones of sheep and goats in almost every house at Ai.
True agriculture involves the use of the plow and draft animals. The book of Deuteronomy states that the people of Israel were entering a land highly developed in farming and with an established agricultural background. There are references to agricultural cultivation of the hills, where the fields were planted with fruit trees, olive trees, and vineyards, and irrigated with the help of cisterns. But agriculture in the hill country was more difficult than implied in the idea of a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Agriculture in the hills of Canaan was made hard because of the nature of the soil: it was a “land filled with stones” (Isaiah 5:2) and a land with a “thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). Because of the limited availability of fertile soil, most of the farming had to be done on hillsides.
Several cereals and legumes as well as fruits and vegetables were cultivated. Various cereals were included under the designation of grains and corn; wheat was the most important of these. Wheat was an annual grass that was sown with the first rains. It was used in the production of flour and consumed as bread, cakes, and as parched grains (1 Samuel 25:18). Among other cereals were the emmer, a kind of wheat and the barley which is a winter crop planted in Palestine. Beans (2 Samuel 17:28) and lentils were two other common legumes grown in the fields of Palestine.
Of the fruit trees, the Israelites were admonished upon their arrival in the land of Canaan to plant “all manner of trees for food” (Leviticus 19:23). Among these, the fig was the most popular fruit because it was found throughout the land. The olive was eaten fresh, but its main use was for the production of oil. Oil was one of the basic necessities because most of the people lived in arid areas. Olive oil was used for everyday diet, as fuel for lamps, in medicine, for sacrifices, and in cosmetics. Olive seeds were found in Megiddo as early as the Bronze Age.
Another popular fruit was grapes. The cultivation of the vine in Palestine dates back to the Early Bronze Age. Vintage was spread over the whole summer, and grapes were eaten fresh or dried, but its main use was in the form of juice and wine. Among other fruits cultivated were the apple, the husks of the carob tree, the fruit of the mulberry tree, the fruit of the Pistacia Vera (RSV: “Pistachio nuts,” Genesis 43:11), and the pomegranate. Among the vegetables and gourds were onion, garlic, melon, and cucumber. Among the condiments were the dill, coriander, and mustard.
NEXT: “The Economic System of the Hill Country of Israel in Iron Age I – Part 3″
NOTE: For other studies on the Book of Judges, read my post Studies on the Book of Judges.
 On the development of cisterns, cf. R. W. Hamilton, “Water Works,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 4:811–16.
 W. F. Albright, The Archaeology of Palestine (Gloucester, MA: Peter Smith, 1960; reprinted 1971) 113.
 Joseph A. Callaway, “The 1968–1969 Ai (et-Tell Excavations),” Bulletin of the American School of Oriental Research 198 (1970) 18.
 G. Ernest Wright, “Beth Shemesh,” Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1975) 1.
 M. Broshi, “Tel en Nasbeh,” Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1977) 3:916.
 On terraces cf. Ziv Ron, “Agricultural Terraces in the Judean Mountains,” Israel Exploration Journal 16 (1966) 33–49, 111–122 ; C. H. J., de Geus, “The Importance of Archaeological Research into the Palestinian Agricultural Terraces, with an Excursus on the Hebrew Word gbî” Palestinian Exploration Quarterly 107 (1975) 65–74, and Lawrence E. Stager, “The Archaeology of the East Slope of Jerusalem and the Terraces of the Kidron,” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 41 (1982) 111–121.
 There has been much controversy about the extent of the forests mentioned in Joshua 17:15. On this question cf. W. L. Reed, “Forest,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 2:314 and Denis Baly, “Forest,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible Supplement, 341. Denis Baly (Geographical Companion to the Bible [New York: McGraw-Hill, 1963] 60) has also said that the forest has almost disappeared. According to him, “this forest was the remainder of the extensive forest which grew in this region during the much wetter Pluvial Period.” Once this forest was cut down, it did not re-establish itself. Cf. also the statement of Nelson Glueck in The City Invincible, edited by Carl H. Kraeling and Robert M. Adams (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1960) 52.
 Ron, “Agricultural Terraces,” 35.
 R. J. Forbes, Studies in Ancient Technology (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1972) 9:229. Cf. also G. Ernest Wright, “Iron: The Date of its Introduction into Palestine,” American Journal of Archaeology 43 (1939) 458–63.
 Yohanan Aharoni, “The Settlement in Canaan,” The History of the Jewish People (Israel: Jewish Historical Society, 1971) 3:98.
 James D. Muhly, “How Iron Technology Changed the Ancient World—and Gave the Philistine a Military Edge,” Biblical Archaeology Review 8 (November/December 1982) 40–54.
 On these agricultural classifications, cf. Melville J. Herkovits, Cultural Anthropology (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1964) 123 and Elliot D. Chapple and Charleton S. Coon, Principles of Anthropology (New York: Henry Holt, 1942) 175, 225.
 Norman K. Gottwald, “Nomadism,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible Supplement, 629.
 W. S. McCullough, “Goat,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 2:407.
 Joseph A. Callaway, “Ai,” Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1975) 1:52.
 Cf. M. Zohary, “Flora,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 2:284-302 and J. F. Ross, “Food,” Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 2:305-308.
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
NOTE: Did you like this post? Do you think other people would like to read this post? Be sure to share this post on Facebook and share a link on Twitter or Tumblr so that others may enjoy reading it too!
I would love to hear from you! Let me know what you thought of this post by leaving a comment below. Be sure to like my page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, follow me on Tumblr, Facebook, and subscribe to my blog to receive each post by email.
If you are looking for other series of studies on the Old Testament, visit the Archive section and you will find many studies that deal with a variety of topics.


If you’re planting your own garlic, you want to make sure that you choose the right variety. You have to understand the differences between Softneck, Hardneck, and Rocambole garlics. Here are some tips to choose the right variety for your planting needs. After reading this article, you’ll be ready to grow and harvest great garlic in your own garden! Just remember that garlic has a small window of maturity, so harvest it at the right time! Check out, Fresh Australian Garlic For Sale.
To buy and select great planting garlic, consider the different varieties available. Hardneck varieties produce a stiff stem called the scape, which is an edible gourmet delicacy. They also steal energy from the plant and prevent bulb development. To avoid the trouble, make sure to buy plants without scapes. Hardneck varieties should not be planted near other plants or bulbs. If you’re buying a plant for planting, it’s a good idea to check the growing conditions.
Hardneck varieties of garlic have fewer cloves than softneck varieties, but they are larger and easier to peel. The softneck variety has two to four cloves per bulb, whereas hardneck varieties produce four to five cloves per bulb. This variety is also more versatile and easy to braid. It also has a flexible stalk and is better suited for southern climates. While USDA hardiness zones are the most commonly used guidelines for planting garlic, other factors are also important to consider, including the day-length.
Hardneck garlic plants need about 1 inch of water each week, which can be provided by rain or irrigation. During early summer, they need to be pruned. The scapes are excellent in stir-fry dishes, but should be removed to promote bulb development. After a week or so, they should stop being watered, as under-watering will stunt growth. However, if the soil moisture level is too low, supplemental watering is necessary.
There are many varieties of garlic, so it can be confusing to know which ones to choose. Hardneck varieties have a firm stem, known as a scape. Though it is a gourmet delicacy, scapes can also be detrimental to the plant’s health, as they rob the bulb of energy. To avoid this, try to buy softneck garlic varieties. However, these types grow at a faster rate, and will likely have a shorter season than their counterparts.
If you want the best results, purchase bulbs from a reputable source or specialty farm. Buying garlic from a grocery store may not guarantee a quality plant and will probably have been treated with an anti-sprouting chemical. When you buy garlic bulbs, make sure to choose top-sized bulbs that are in good condition. It is best to grow several different varieties to reduce the chance of diseases or poor performance.
Hardneck varieties come in various colors and types. If you live in a hot climate, you should avoid Artichoke garlic because its bulb wrappers will fade quickly. This variety will produce large, plump bulbs that will require careful harvesting. The average bulb will contain between six and twelve cloves. Other popular varieties include the Nootka Rose, Silver White, Mexican Red, and Mild French. Some varieties have a long flowering period, so choose yours carefully.
To get the best results, you should plant garlic in a raised bed with a thick layer of mulch. Ideally, the bed is two to three feet in width, and at least ten inches deep. Garlic is a fast-growing plant and needs ample moisture and fertilization to sprout and grow quickly. In spring, apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to the soil around the shoots. Use manure, compost tea, and alfalfa meal, as they are high in nitrogen. A synthetic fertilizer with nitrate nitrogen works well as well.
If you want a flavorful harvest, choose hardneck garlic. This variety has a pungent and richer flavor. However, not all garlic gardeners agree on the flavor of hardneck garlic. This variety can be harvested early in spring, similar to green onions, and served as a side dish or cooked as a salad. If you prefer a milder taste, go for elephant garlic, which grows large cloves with fewer bulbs per bulb.
Hardneck varieties do well in cold climates, while softneck varieties need less cold. To reduce the risk of disease, it is best to plant garlic from organic seed stock. Buying garlic seeds at a local garden center or from an online seed vendor will ensure top-quality results. And remember to share your harvest with others. And as always, do not buy garlic seeds from a common white grocery store. These garlic bulbs are likely to have been grown in a climate with warm winters.


Farm for Sale in Rio Grande do Sul with 2400 acres
FARM FOR SALE IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL WITH 999 HA
Fazenda of flat topography characteristic of the region. Field with 850 heads of cattle, cow grass in the lower parts, very well pasture property, free of Anoni, 100% soft soil, water rich area, only 15 (fifteen) ha of native bush, shed, fences in excellent condition, electric light and only 12 km from the highway.
Price: R $ 9,200.00 / ha


Feb 9, 2017 / 06:30pm - Feb 9, 2017 / 07:30pm Wabash, United States, IN, 1315 N Cass St, 46992
We invited local farmer, Nathan Fingerle from Riverridge Farms to speak about his growning practices.
Nathan's talk is growing the best produce. Nathan is one of the largest vendors at the Wabash Farmer Market, he and his family supply the area with delicious produce and his hoop house and organic growing practices are widely known.
Sign up and all attendees have a chance to win a FREE basket.


Supply And Installation Of Irrigation Systems
Once the headworks, mainline and internal pipework has been installed, the irrigation delivery method, for example, sprinklers, drip systems, micro sprinklers or spray systems is connected. Treasure Garden Services provides expert knowledge and service right through to this final stage. Planning is important for the installation program. It is essential that the installation is scheduled to be completed on time and well before the system is required to be used.
The installation must always follow the irrigation design, ensuring that installation best practice is followed. Our installers follow the system designs while proactively addressing any issues that arise during the install.


At Hintons Nursery we grow over 70% of our stock
So we know a bit about plants!
Welcome to Hintons Nursery, where we specialise in high quality plants and advice
Hintons is a nursery based in Warwick in the Heart of England. Plants have been grown on this spot since 1803, and continue to thrive under our specialist care.
We offer a range of services for every type of gardener, from the green to the green-fingered!
Learn more about our history here


One of my favorite things is heading out to Farmer's Markets and having FRESH FOOD available again! I do plant my own organic veggie garden, but I typically do not plant it until about now. Some of the farmers at the market have had their lettuces and spinach growing in hoop houses in the north so it is now available in the Farmer's Market.
Look at these gorgeous lettuces that I bought from Farmer Chet at Black River Organics this week. The one on the left is a red romaine and the one on the right is named Merlot and is a deep burgundy leaf lettuce. I visited his farm because I missed going to the market this weekend. It was such a treat to get them fresh from the farm.
- Fresh produce is more nutritious because typically vegetables and fruits loose their nutrients over time once they are harvested.
- More flavorful varieties are available--produce varieties that are shipped are chosen for their ability to hold up in transit and not ripen too quickly.
- You get to know your farmer and find out how the produce is grown. Just because it isn't labeled organic doesn't mean it has been sprayed. It helps to ask.
- The vegetables and fruits are so colorful and attractive you just want to take them home with you. You are enticed to eat healthier.
- It is cost effective to buy produce in season and freeze or can some so you have it for the colder months. Freezing is especially fast.
- There is more than produce available at Farmer's Markets. You may find herbs, honey and maple syrup, fresh baked bread and granola, plants, soaps and scents, alpaca products, sauces, salsas and jellies, coffee, quilts, artwork, jewelry, fresh eggs, cheese, meat and you might even find bone broth!
- There may be live music and good food at your local Farmer's Market, too.
- Farmer's Markets are becoming the place to be in the community to connect with people.
- And with every purchase, you are supporting your local economy.
The Farmer's Markets local to me in Ohio include:
- Oberlin Market--Open Saturdays May-October 9AM-1PM. Located in the parking area between the Public Library and City Hall in downtown Oberlin, OH.
- Elyria Farmer's Market at 328 Broad Street downtown Elyria, OH. Saturdays 10AM-2PM. This is a newer market and is starting to grow. They have music and great barbecued ribs! Facebook:Invest-Elyrias-Farmers-Market
- Avon Lake Farmer's Market is held every Tuesday in June and July at The United Church of Christ, 32801 Electric Blvd, Avon Lake, OH. AvonLakeFarmerMarket.org for information.
- Amherst Farmer's Market every Wednesday 4-7PM. At the St. Peters United Church of Christ, 582 Church St, Amherst, OH.
- Wellington Farmer's Market Fridays 5-7PM beginning June 12 and is held at 201 South Main Street, Wellington, OH.
Lots of Love,


Local, organic, non GMO and grown at home. Paris is planning on turning 1/3 of its green space into urban farms, Parisculteurs, a project which aims to cover the city’s rooftops and walls with 100 hectares (247 acres) of vegetation by 2020. NYC is moving in that direction as well, with an initiative to gather data on all the urban agricultural organizations and businesses who are interested in urban farming. An article on the recent urban agriculture bill published by Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center details a recent bill that is not without challenges, “The latest zoning efforts to create more space for affordable housing have put pressure on gardens across the city. Bushwick City Farm is one of the several community gardens and farms embroiled in a real estate struggle. The farm, which is located in an underserved community, gives away produce, eggs, clothing, and honey to the local community, but their landlord is currently trying to evict the farmers in order to develop the property.”
In her recent book City of Forests, City of Farms, Lindsay Campbell outlines the political decisions, popular narratives, and physical practices that shape city greening in New York City and discusses the fact that “Despite NYC having a long tradition of community gardening, particularly since the fiscal crisis of the 1970s, PlaNYC contained no mention of community gardens or urban farms. Campbell charts the change of course that resulted from burgeoning public interest in urban agriculture and local food systems. She shows how civic groups and elected officials crafted a series of visions and plans for local food systems that informed the 2011 update to PlaNYC.


Out of the different gardening tools that you can buy for your garden, garden sprayers are considered as one of the most important tools for your garden. It allows you to water your plants easily. This is extremely important especially if you have a big lawn or garden. In fact, garden sprayers are better than the conventional watering cans since it omits the need for you to fetch water from a faucet every time you water your plants. Having said this, garden sprayers provide convenience especially if you are a serious gardener. On the other hand, this particular type of sprayer also allows you to hold liquids such as fertilizers and pesticides in order to improve the quality of your plants.
There are a lot of types of garden sprayers and that each type can perform well depending on your needs. You can choose from a backpack garden sprayer to power garden sprayer to supply your gardening requirements. Thus, here is a list of the different garden sprayers that you can use to maintain your lawn.
Backpack garden sprayer:
This type of sprayer is carried just like how you would carry a knapsack. A backpack garden sprayer is made up of a sprayer with a nozzle and a big bag or cavity as one of its garden sprayer parts that allow you to hold a specified amount of liquid. You can use the backpack garden sprayer to carry liquid fertilizers and spray the mixture evenly to your plants. It is very convenient and is considered as one of the most portable garden sprayer that you can use. You operate it by pumping the liquid out.
Battery garden sprayer:
Compared to the previous sprayer mentioned, a battery garden sprayer looks just like a backpack garden sprayer. The battery garden sprayer also comes in with the container and the nozzles as one of its garden sprayer parts. However, what is different is that a battery garden sprayer is operated using a small battery thus instead of pumping to release the liquid, you just press something and the battery will work to release the liquid from the battery garden sprayer.
Garden hose sprayer:
One of the crudest types of sprayer for your garden is the garden hose sprayer. The garden hose sprayer is very simple. It is made from a long hose and has valves that you can control manually. You can also replace the garden sprayer parts easily unlike the other three types of sprayers used. The different valve sizes make the garden hose sprayer release different sprinkles from a fine mist jet of water to a bigger stream of water. On the other hand, garden hose sprayers are usually attached on the faucet due to other garden sprayer parts that allows you to connect it directly to the faucet.
Power garden sprayer:
A power garden sprayer is one of the most high-powered sprayers
that you can use for bigger gardens such as botanical gardens. A power garden sprayer is usually operated by gas or electricity and shoots off water as fine as a stream or as powerful as a jet of water. Having said this, a power garden sprayer is extremely helpful if you have a farm or a big garden to maintain since a power garden sprayer can reach a lot of areas easily. However, its garden sprayer parts are somehow expensive than the other sprayers.


Toward a society where all industries take care of the soil
With the participation of companies from Italy, Japan and Germany, JINOWA is an international consortium aiming to work hard on decarbonization and ecosystem restoration through the production of “healthy soil”.
We know that during 2020, when both business and daily life activities were severely stagnant due to the spread of the Corona virus, the world saw only an annual 7% reduction in carbon dioxide.
More than buying solar panels, quitting plastic, or buying electric cars, we need a drastic change toward the restoration of the environment and the ecosystem, a shared issue for all the Earth.
The best decarbonation mechanism is to take advantage of the natural carbon cycle, and of the fact that healthy and fertile soil has the ability to absorb and store the carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. At the same time, it is known that the fertility of soil increases as higher is the content of carbon in it.
Soil health is closely connected to plants, people and all life forms, and taking care of the soil also contributes significantly to people’s well-being.
We believe that eliminating all industrial waste and shifting to a system aimed to “take care of the soil” will be a great solution to restore not only the global environment, but also also all ecosystems, including humans.
The three circles in JINOWA’s logo represent the Earth, the Knowledge, and the Thousand of People, thus symbolizing the ideal of an industrial system rooted in human beings and territories all connected in one ecosystem, making the land good soil, not a receptacle for waste disposal. It was named with the intention of connecting business around the world within a returning cycle.
In our modern society, the practice of returning to the soil the tools and the building materials we use in our daily lives has been long forgotten.
Nowadays, it is often thought that sustainability means to produce and built with strong and resistant materials, such as concrete and stone, in order to use them for a long time.
However, the Japanese people have created a complete lifestyle of clothing, food and buildings made with natural materials, such as soil and woods, which are perishable and easy to compost, thus nurturing a wide variety of cultures while taking proper care. And by returning to the wisdom of periodic maintenance and rebuilding while returning materials to the soil, they live creating the new without damaging the nature.
It is said that Japanese deities like the word “tokowaka”, which could be translated as “always beautiful and youthful by repeatedly regenerating”.
For example, the famous Ise Imperial Shinto shrine, which is the center of Japanese Shinto religion and culture, is traditionally rebuilt every 20 years, showing the idea of valuing and respecting the life force dwelling in new things.
In fact, all the pottery used for the meals dedicated to the deities at Ise shrine is made of unglazed soil, and about 60,000 pieces of pottery are hand-made every year. Moreover, the practice of crushing earthenware used once, thus returning it to the soil, has continued for 1300 years.
Using natural materials in this way, creating new things every day and returning them to the soil has then become a common habit in daily life, a practice of harmony and coexistence with nature, and with the world that is about to come.
We would like to spread this ideal of a circularly returning society model originated in Japan, for the restoration and recovery of the environment and ecosystem, which all the world should aim for in the future.
Setting sails from Venice, Italy, at JINOWA we aim for the world.


Marshmallow (Malva parviflora) is an upright or sprawling annual that is a commonly found weed in horse pastures. Marshmallow is native to the Mediterranean region but has been introduced worldwide as an ornamental. Marshmallow has alternatively arranged, rounded, veiny, lobed, green leaves that are often covered in sparse hairs. It produces mauve, white or pink 5-petaled flowers surrounded by a cup-shaped structure that are clustered in the leaf forks. Flowers bloom in the spring and transition into a disk-shaped fruit.
Marshmallow has been implicated as the cause of many cases of poisoning in livestock in Australia. The toxin is unknown. Most poisoning cases occur between July and October.
MANUAL CONTROL: If found in small densities, pulling out young plants can be affective if taken out prior to the tap root becoming established. The taproot gets woody as it matures and is very difficult to cut or pull out.
MECHANICAL CONTROL: Shallow mechanical cultivation can be used while the plants are young. The cultivator should be set so that the blades or tines will pull the plants from the ground or cut the tap root below the soil level. Mowing is not an effective method of control because the plants have viable buds on the stems below the height of the mower blade. Common mallow tends to have a more prostrate growth habit so that species is even less affected by mowing.
CULTURAL CONTROL: Piling mulch on top of the plants can also be effective if it is at least 3 inches of organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: The fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. malva, however it has had limited success.
CHEMICAL CONTROL: Products containing oryzalin, pendimethalin, or 2,4-D provide limited control when applied to young plants.
- Marshmallow no treat for stock Farmweekly (2005)
- Everist, S. L. A review of the poisonous plants of Queensland. Proc R Soc Queensland, 74(1), 20 pp (1964)
- Smith, J. P. C. These weeds can poison your poultry. Agric Gaz New South Wales, 73(Mar), 136-142 (1962)
- Cunningham, I. J. Poisonous plants in New Zealand. N Z J Agr, 81 317-320 (1950)
- Lorenz, F. W. Egg deterioration due to ingestion by hens of malvaceous materials. Poult Sci, 18 295-30 (1939)
- Phillips, E. P. A preliminary list of the known poisonous plants found in South Africa. Bot Survey of South Africa Memoir, #9 (1926)


This authoritative, research-based collection examines urgent threats to future global food security and evaluates current and potential solutions.
A Kenyan environmentalist … a California chef … agricultural researchers in Canada … a transnational organization of peasant farmers … French heritage apple growers. These individuals and others, in virtually every corner of the globe, are developing innovative solutions to significant threats to the world’s food security. Their stories fill this timely new resource on the serious food challenges we are facing today.
Critical Food Issues: Problems and State-of-the-Art Solutions Worldwide examines 31 crucial areas of concern, from soil degradation, depletion of water for irrigation, and loss of biodiversity to declining rural livelihoods, hunger and obesity, unjust farm labor practices, and farm animal mistreatment.
Critical Food Issues divides its coverage into two exhaustive volumes, one on bioenvironmental topics and one with a sociocultural focus. Throughout, highly accomplished experts from a variety of academic backgrounds review the current state of research on specific problems, then identify strategies for confronting those problems that balance sustainable agrifood systems with environmental stewardship, healthy people, and equitable communities. At a time of increasing public outcries over the quality of food and the impact of agrifood production on long-term environmental and human well-being, Critical Food Issues offers an authoritative and comprehensive basis on which producers, consumers, and citizens can make more informed decisions about the future of food.
• 31 essays in two volumes—one on environmental, agricultural, and health concerns, and one on topics related to society, culture, and ethics.
• 41 contributors from a wide range of disciplines including environmental, nutritional, soil, and agricultural sciences, medicine and dietetics, education, literature, history, philosophy, economics, sociology, anthropology, and gender studies
• Tables presenting important statistical data concerning food growth and distribution, health concerns, and economic issues
• A comprehensive glossary including important acronyms and abbreviations
• Offers in one resource discussions of both the bio/environmental and the sociocultural and ethical aspects of problems with the world’s food supply and distribution
• Evaluates a variety of current and potential solutions to the threats to global food security
• Synthesizes the work of many academic disciplines into an ecological framework that relates critical food issues to environmental quality, human health and well-being, equitable communities, and ethical concerns about our responsibility to sustain future generations.
• Provides expert analysis of critical food issues, allowing citizens to make more informed decisions about the future of food


Thursday, June 4th, 2015
That garden is finally planted 🙂
What a busy day.
Morning — I made up some sugar cookies and then we went over to Kimm’s parents where she mowed the lawn and I read blogs (I’m SO far behind!) — we left them 18 cookies!
Lunch — grilled cheese and tomato soup (SO GOOD, especially because I was so cold)
Afternoon — after a brief nap we headed outside and weeded the areas for the garden (the raised bed, the fire pit, and back against the fence) — then I tilled all the areas — then we planted (6 green pepper plants in with 2 long rows of beans in the raised bed, 3 tomato plants (2 regular and one grape) as well as two pickling cucumbers in the fire pit, 4 tomatoes (regular size against the fence) — we also planted our two purple “cat urine” plants and a pink begonia next to those tomatoes
Dinner — CHINESE!! (vegetable spring rolls, vegetable fried rice, and vegetable lo mein) SO GOOD
Our plans for the rest of the evening include a few episodes of House and of course a snack!
Yoga tomorrow morning!! (can you tell I’m excited?? — we’ll be able to take our new yoga bags and I’ll get to try out my sticky yoga gloves!)
On a side note, I love hearing all the birds making noises around here at night…it’s so comforting somehow!


This cheese takes its name from the Friuli plateau in the Julian Alps at 1500 metres above sea level and well known for centuries for the quality of its pastures. Its origins date back to 1200, when the Benedictine friars, observing the work of the herdsmen in the chalets at high altitudes, perfected the techniques of cheese making in their convent in Moggio Udinese. The oldest mention of “Montasio cheese” dates back to 1775 in a list of custom rates of the city of San Daniele, in which the price of Montasio was well above the average of the other cheeses. As the years passed, production spread all over the Carnia area and since 1996, when it was certified DOP, it has been exclusive to the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the provinces of Belluno and Treviso and part of the provinces of Padua and Venice.
The transformation of milk into the cheese starts with the collection of cow’s milk from two milkings, to which are added milk enzymes and calf rennet in liquid or powder form. Once, only raw milk was used to keep the microbial and enzymatic pool intact, today a mild heating treatment is carried out which nonetheless guarantees the natural and traditional evolution of the transformation procedure. Coagulation takes about 25 minutes and gives rise to a curd which is then broken down into grains the size of a grain of rice and cooked at 46° C. The mass is placed in moulds which reproduce the mark of origin and the date of production, pressed for 12-24 hours to foster the rapid drainage of whey and the cohesion between the granules. Montasio PDO can be salted dry or with a mixed system where it is put into a brine bath for 12-18 hours followed by a dry treatment. Ageing is for a period of a minimum of 60 days and to be put on sale, Montrasio DOP must have a maximum humidity of 36%, whilst the minimum value of fat in the dry substance must be 40%.
Fresh Montasio PDO (from 60 days to 5 months of ageing) has an elastic and even structure, a pleasant smell and is delicate and harmonious in flavour. In “mezzano” Montasio DOP (aged from 5 to 12 months), the structure becomes crumblier and the smell is stronger, whilst in the very old type (aged for more than 12 months), the flavour becomes pleasantly sharp.
It can be used grated or as a table cheese, and is an excellent accompaniment to maize polenta or dishes with fine meats.