Potted Plant Care Tips :
Getting the best value of your money and delivered flower bouquets is in your hand. Want to know how? Read on and follow these simple steps that will help you to prolong the life span of cut flowers and potted plants.
Usually, the life of flowers depend on the fact when they have been cut off stem but as MayaFlowers give you the best quality and farm-fresh flowers, you can easily extend their life.
- If you have received flowers in a decorative arrangement of plastic, foam and green shoots, separate them before you put them in a vase. Put flowers in water as soon as possible.
- Make sure to add plenty of water. It is advised to change the water regularly. If you can't, it is recommended that you change the water as soon as you see some debris floating in the water. Dirty or cloudy water can damage the plants beyond repair. As we don't like to drink unclean or impure water, so do plants.
- If you have received potted plants as a gift, read the instructions carefully provided by your florists. Most plants have varied levels of likeliness towards water. Some like to have optimum water, just enough to help them stay moist while some plants tend to stay neck deep in water! Some plants love cool conditions while some might require to stay in the pleasant morning sun. But remember no plant like overheating, over watering or under watering. So, proceed carefully.
- Don't keep cut flowers in direct sunlight. Keep them in shade and in areas where there is no harsh lighting arrangement. Dining table, centre table and entrance corners and hallways are the ideal locations.
- Keep cut flowers away from smoke, kitchen heat and fruits. Fruits contain ethylene gas that speeds up the wilting process in flowers.
- If you have received flowers, it means that somebody thought highly of you. The effort should not be just forgotten so easily. Whenever you see any wilted leaf or dead stem, remove it immediately.
- If you are using the same vase to put cut flowers, it is advised to rinse the vase properly with mild soap to eradicate the fungus and bacteria supply, if any. If your area has hard water supply, use the potable or filter water for plants.
- Most florists provide flower mix with cut flowers. If you haven't received this or don't want to use any sort of chemicals on your plants, then put a pinch of salt in the water. This will perk up the flower for days.
- After a few days, cut the stems about 1 inch off the bottom. If you have bamboo plant or money plant that has roots extended in the water, just cut it two to three inches from the roots with knife. This will help in better absorption of water. Refrain from using a pair of scissors as it can rupture the stems.
Follow these steps and you can certainly enhance the life of your delicate flower plants & care for it.


Honourable Harvest is a sort of guideline to the harvesting of plants, but it can apply to animals as well. The key to harvesting is to do so with a grateful heart and to listen closely to the plants. Who wants to be harvested, who wants to be left to grow and exist?
If you're interested in learning more about harvesting I suggest you read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer or check out the Elixirs For Life website, where Kandis, the proprietor has written many articles on harvesting, the spiritual messages of plants, and more! elixirsforlife.ca
The principles of Honourable Harvest are:
Ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek. Abide by the answer.
Never take the first. Never take the last.
Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.
Take only what you need and leave some for others.
Use everything that you take.
Take only that which is given to you.
Share it, as the Earth has shared with you.
Reciprocate the gift.
Sustain the ones who sustain you, and the Earth will last forever.
Thank you yesmagazine.org for creating this list.


When it comes to our kids, terms like natural, organic and safe are music to our ears, because buying products with these labels helps us feel like we’re giving our kids the best start in life. The trouble is, all that we see, read or hear, cannot necessarily be believed. Terms like these, including the much-beloved ‘organic,’ may be loosely regulated. That’s why it’s important to be informed, so you know how to tell a truly organic product from a misleading one. When it comes to organic cotton, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the bees-knees. So, when it’s GOTS certified, you know that every part of a cotton textile product is exactly as it should be - 100% safe for your little ones. Here are 5 reasons why it’s worth choosing GOTS certified bedding, for the good of our planet, our people and of course, your kids.
1. Of the water used to produce organic cotton fibres, 90% less comes from environmentally damaging sources
According to WWF, when it comes to growing cotton the conventional way, two significant factors are damaging the environment: the diversion of water from natural waterways and the pollution related to cotton growth. These have had severe impacts on some of the world’s most important ecosystems.
However organic cotton which is GOTS certified does not, and cannot follow these harmful practices if it is to wear the official GOTS certified organic labels.
When we talk about water consumption for growing cotton, it’s essential to first understand the three types of water: green, blue and grey.
- Green is rainwater and moisture stored in the soil which is used for plant growth
- Blue comes from rivers, lakes and underground and is diverted for the purpose of irrigation
- Grey is freshwater that is used to dilute the pollution within wastewater (the water used during cotton processing), in order to maintain water quality to appropriate levels.
95% of the water used in producing organic cotton fibre is green water, and there is 91% less blue water used than in the production of non-organic cotton. As the use of blue water negatively impacts our environment and green water doesn’t, you can see that the method of production for organic cotton is exceedingly better for environmental reasons.
In fact, to put this in perspective, conventional cotton uses an incredible 11 times the amount of blue water than what is used for producing organic cotton.
2. There are no toxins in the wastewater
Cotton is by nature, a water-intensive or ‘thirsty’ crop. This means that it requires a lot of water to thrive and as a result, there is considerable wastewater. We’ve already demonstrated how organic cotton is produced with the most environmentally-friendly water type - green water. And luckily, GOTS certified organic cotton is not permitted to have pesticides or other toxins used in any part of the growing and processing stages (using only non-toxic ways of managing pests).
That means the wastewater produced from GOTS certified organic cotton is free of toxins, and must also comply with procedures designed to minimise waste discharge. This is significant because, with conventional cotton, one-fifth of the water used in cotton production is used only to dilute the pollution from wastewater. This use of grey water for conventional cotton is the definition of water wastage.
3. There are no toxins in contact with workers OR consumers
The pesticides and herbicides routinely used in the production of cotton are highly toxic to humans. This is a real safety concern. And scarily, conventional cotton production also consumes the highest amount of pesticides and herbicides compared to any other plant.
More chemical pesticides are used for cotton than for any other crop. Cotton accounts for 16 percent of global insecticide releases. 60 percent of the world’s cotton is used for clothing and another 35 percent for home furnishing.The World Counts
Workers deserve to be safe in their place of employment, and that’s why compliance with GOTS prohibits the use of pesticides and herbicides in the production of organic cotton. In this way, the GOTS certification protects farm workers and factory workers from the direct exposure to harmful chemicals they would face when producing conventional cotton, while also protecting consumers (like your little ones with their oh-so-delicate skin) from any harmful residual effects in the end product.
4. There must be appropriate working conditions
According to organiccotton.org, textile processing mills, such as those used to produce conventional cotton are commonly found to flout the regulations of labour rights. That’s why the socio-economic aspects of the GOTS standard are so important.
You see, GOTS certification does not permit child labour at any stage of organic cotton growth, production and processing. The production of these cotton textiles must meet other key conventions of the International Labour Organisation as well, including, but not limited to:
- Workers choosing employment freely
- Working conditions must be safe and hygienic
- There is protection of living wages
In short, the GOTS certification protects people from labour exploitation.
5. It’s one standard targeting three areas of wellbeing
There are other textile standards which do admirable things. For instance, the Oeko Tex Standard 100 addresses the toxins which may be present in products, from a health perspective. And this shouldn’t be disregarded. However, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 doesn’t require compliance with environmental or social aspects of production.
And that is the overarching answer to the question: Why choose GOTS? Because GOTS certified textile products meet strict standards across all three areas: health, environmental and social.
What’s more, GOTS knows cotton. In fact, the GOTS certification applies only to cotton and other organic raw material industries like wool and silk. It covers every aspect of the production of natural fibres, all the way through to manufacture and is far stricter than the Oeko-Tex certification.
When we’re talking about the safety of our planet, including our little ones, it’s got to be GOTS.
Luckily, we specialise in GOTS-certified kids bedding. Check out our adorable range kids bedding set range!


In Cuba they seek to get ahead: they face two pandemics (+ Photos)Publicado: mayo 6, 2020 Archivado en: Cuba, Cuba enfrenta Covid-19, Cubanos por el mundo, De Cuba y el Mundo, La isla y el mar Deja un comentario
By Lázaro David Najarro Pujol
May, 2020.- From the sugarcane fields to the tippers of the Cuban sugar mills, thousands of men and women support the country in the midst of two great challenges: the confrontation with the coronavirus COVID-19 and the most extensive economic, commercial and financial blockade. of humanity, imposed by the United States government on the largest of the Antilles, a fence that lasts more than 60 years.
Men and women who are convinced that to avoid the spread of the virus they must comply with all the measures ordered by the Ministry of Public Health and the highest authorities in the country, also aware that the production of grain is one of the unavoidable tasks that they cannot be paralyzed.
To guarantee the health of workers, the Azcuba Sugar Group implemented 55 measures, with the aim of continuing the harvest, but above all, guaranteeing the protection of the health of the workers, from the fields to the mill. In addition, keep a close watch on vulnerable people. (Leer más en esta entrada)


Availability: 100 In Stock
- Garden Walk-in Greenhouse Greenhouse protects plants and seedlings from elements of weather and climate. Ideal for starting seedlings, protecting young plants or to get a head start or extend the plant growing season. Enjoy fresh, healthy flowers and vegetables all year round.
- Sturdy Construction: The main shelves use high quality tubular steel with powder coated, heavy-duty bearing net on each layer is strong enough to hold more seed trays, pots and plants growth light. Greenhouses are lightweight yet sturdy enough to ensure long-lasting use.
- Smart Design: Walk-in design offers growing space and ventilation for large size plants. Zippered roll-up door for easy access and screened ventilation for optimum air circulation. Comes with PE cloth and non-woven fabric cover to accommodate different needs in various weather conditions.
- Portable and Easy to Assemble: Easy to setup and break down. No tools are required for assembly. An assembly instruction sheet is included in the package for your reference. Folds up easily into a compact storage bag for transport. Move or store when the seasons change.
- Product Dimensions: 57"L x 57"W x 77"H; weight:21 lbs; Weight Capacity (per shelf): 33 lbs. It's great for use on patios, balconies, decks and gardens. A greenhouse makes gardening more enjoyable, as it's much easier to grow and tend to your plants.
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american black nightshade usda
Accessions of black nightshade, American black nightshade, horsenettle, hairy nightshade and bitter nightshade species were each separated into distinct clusters except for two accessions that through RAPD analysis were identified as American black nightshade and eastern black nightshade.ImpactsNightshade variation in appearance makes identification and control more difficult. When exposed to 14/10 and 16/8 hours, apple of Peru and eastern black nightshade flowered 31 DAE compared to 60 days for the groundcherries. 2006. Last updated October 2018 / Privacy, James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org, Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org, Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org, Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org, D. Walters and C. Southwick, USDA, Bugwood.org, This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level Wahle, E.A. Thesis. Large eastern nightshade berries, >9 mm diameter, showed 100% viability, 6.3 - 9 showed 49%, 5 - 6.3 showed 9%, and 3 - 5 showed 0.4%. All but three of the twenty-five accessions of eastern black nightshade were in a single cluster. American black nightshade This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in â¦ This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. Grade A tomatoes were greatest and culls were lowest in the rye cover crop. Difference in herbicide response among eastern black nightshade and hairy nightshade populations in Michigan. In 2004, rye treatments increased soil bulk density, decreased soil temperatures, and increased soil moisture content. years, staking increased tomato height, but did not consistently elevate tomato plants above nightshade plants. American black nightshade (Solanum americanum) is an annual, or short-lived perennial, wildflower that is native to the United States.It is in the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family along with common garden plants such as pepper, potato, and eggplant. Non Technical Summary Eastern black nightshade occurs throughout the eastern U.S. and is the key weed which can not be control in tomatoes. In 2004, nightshade did not affect tomato yield, but rye decreased total yield. Horsenettle was the most susceptible species to sulfosulfuron. Fruit(s); Fruits of eastern black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) on the left, compared with those of hairy nightshade (S. sarrachoides) on the right. There were no differences in tomato yield caused by having 1-5 nightshade per planting hole, except for weight of jumbo (premium) grade fruit which decreased above one nightshade per hole with asymptotic yield loss reaching 84%. The issue of the edibility of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) came up in the comments on our post on forager Pascal Baudar.Weâve blogged about the confusion between the edible Solanum nigrum and the toxic âdeadly nightshadeâ or Atropa belladonna in a post last year.. The leaf of the plant grows up to 2 - 15 cm, the seed is 1 â 1.5 mm, and the fruit grows to 5 â 8 mm (3). yield. Solanaceae. Nitrogen fertilizer and population density affect tomato growth and yield. Evaluation of nightshade (Solanum spp.) - American black nightshade SOAM in the state of Texas Click the map above to view a larger image. Herbicide effectiveness varies depending on solanaceous species and accession.ImpactsMost eastern black nightshade plants are gentically similar but still differ in susceptibility to herbicides. nightshade plants was divided into 11 subgroups by cluster analysis. Among the sulfentrazone controlled nightshade 60 to 93% but caused 30% reduction in tomato yields. Under a 10/14 hour regime, apple of Peru initiated flower buds 15 days after emergence (DAE) and eastern black nightshade initiated flower buds 17 DAE. 2005. North Central Weed Science Society Proceedings 59:96. This document is HS1176, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Common Name. 54:504508. It can not be controlled by standard preplant herbicides or through tillage. We are currently collecting seed of these weeds from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and North Carolina. Miller and K.V. The two discuss President Trumpâs historic tax cuts and their effects on American farmers and small business owners. Image 5386639 is of American black nightshade (Solanum americanum ) flower(s). Generally said a Black Nightshade plant can produce up to 178,000 seeds per plant. M.S. americanum) with which it is confused and as Solanum nigrum L. var. Seed viability increased with berry size and with length of establishment or removal time. I have not taken pictures of the plants growing in my yard yet, but until then, I have included images The growth and yield Our research aims at understanding why these differences in weediness occur and to use that information to design alternative nightshade management systems for tomatoes.Publications, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Ingham2 eastern black nightshade population had more tolerance than other populations to sulfentrazone, metribuzin and halosulfuron. 54:490-495. 2006. Nitrogen fertilizer and population density affect tomato growth and yield. North Central Weed Science Society Proceedings 59:58. All accessions within a species had a similarity coefficient >0.75. - American black nightshade SOAM Steve Hurst. There are about 2,000 seeds to a gram. Results suggest that apple of Peru and eastern black nightshade germinating in late summer or in crop-shaded canopies can produce seeds. Eastern black nightshade, black nightshade, and American black nightshade were more genetically similar to each other than to other solanaceous species while bitter nightshade and groundcherry were distinct from other species. Sharkhuu, A., Goldsbrough, P.B. Wahle, E. 2001. The plant is native around the Tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, including HawaiÊ»i, Indochina, Madagascar and Africa. Our objective was to determine the characteristics which make eastern black nigtshade a problem weed and to develop environmentally-friendly strategies to manage nightshade in tomatoes. Weed Sci. Wahle, E. A. and Masiunas, J. Another study started to determine the genome for each accession. reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. September. B. Accessions of black nightshade, American black nightshade, horsenettle, hairy nightshade, and bitter nightshade each separated into distinct clusters. The Oceana1 population had a higher tolerance to sulfosulfuron than the other populations. About American Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum) 2 Nurseries Carry This Plant Add to My Plant List American nightshade (Solanum americanum) is a herbaceous flowering plant native to the Americas, from the south and west of the United States south to Paraguay and Peru; it also occurs in Hawaii, where it is considered possibly indigenous or may be a Polynesian introduction. Research was conducted to study the genetic diversity of eastern black nightshade compared to horsenettle, American black nightshade and bitter nightshade, clammy groundcherry and smooth groundcherry using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA analysis. An improved understanding of this variation will help in targeting mananagement practices. The group of eastern black This information will be used to develop control methods for nightshade in tomatoes. The actual taxa of this species is in question. Tomatoes did not consistently overtop nightshade and staking did not improve tomato competition for light. It also increased soil bulk density, decreased soil temperatures, and increased soil moisture content. All three soil characteristics have been linked to reduced and delayed yields in both tomatoes and other commercial crops. A wide range of tolerance to metribuzin was observed with the Monroe4 population, the least tolerant (GR50=0.28 kg/ha). Sulfosulfuron, rimsulfuron, and halosulfuron did not control nightshade. Image 5459965 is of American black nightshade (Solanum americanum ) seed(s). Solanum americanum, commonly known as American black nightshade, small-flowered nightshade or glossy nightshade is an herbaceous flowering plant of wide though uncertain native range. In both Buckelew, J.K. and Monks, D.W. 2006. American Black Nightshade is also known as Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L. var. The growth habitat is the Wahle, E.A. It is by Phil Westra at Colorado State University. The plants were larger in the North Central Weed Science Society Proceedings 59:91. Low risk herbicides were evaluated to control eastern black nightshade in tomatoes. Eastern black nightshade regrew from roots of plants that were clipped at the ground or from overwintering root systems. Michigan State University. American Nightshade, American black nightshade. Buckelew, J.K., Monks, D.W., Jennings, K.M., Hoyt G.D. and Walls, Jr., R.F. However American Black Nightshade, Common Nightshade, Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum) seed ... Photo (color adjusted and cropped by htop) courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr. These accessions are being grow in the greenhouse and their morphology studied. Image 5362865 is of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum ) plant(s). Carfentrazone substantially injured tomatoes.ImpactsNightshade variation in appearance makes identification and control more difficult. M.S. Potted plants of American black nightshade (Solanum nigrum). Effects of rye cover crop and staking on eastern black nightshade interference in processing tomatoes. Seeds of more than two hundred samples belonging to six nightshade and three groundcherry species were collected throughout the Midwestern U.S. Image 5412813 is of American black nightshade (Solanum americanum ) foliage. 2006. and Zandstra, B.H. 2003. In 2003, nightshade interference and rye cover crop mulch decreased total tomato yield. Weed Sci. Improved nightshade management in tomato will allow farmers to provide a quality and economical tomato crop to meet consumer demand for locally-grown produce.Publications, Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04OutputsStudies continued at Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina. Overall, staking is inconsistent for elevating tomatoes over competing nightshade plants, and inconsistent in giving tomatoes an advantage in obtaining light. Our purpose is to understand what makes eastern black nightshade a problem weed while other related plants are not. 14/10 than 10/14 hr photoperiod. HortScience 37 (In Press). inhibition was due to soil compaction. Rye cover crop mulch is nonselective reducing both nightshade and tomato growth and reproduction. virginicum. Provided by ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Coming soon. Arrows point to â¦ - American black nightshade SOAM in the state of Hawaii Click the map above to view a larger image. Family. American black nightshade USDA PLANTS Symbol: SOAM U.S. Nativity: Native Habit: Shrub or Subshrub Solanum americanum P. Mill. Eastern black nightshade was more Horsenettle flowered 97 DAE under 14/10 and 16/8 hour regimes. RAPD analysis on genetic diversity of nightshade species in the North Central Region. It is by James H. Miller at USDA Forest Service. and Masiunas, J.B. 2003. Staking and low-risk herbicides will provide environmentally-friendly control methods.Publications, Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02OutputsEastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum) is a problem weed in many vegetable crops, especially tomatoes. American black nightshade Synonym i Solanum nodiflorum Other names i âºSolanum americanum Mill. Solanum americanum, commonly known as American black nightshade, small-flowered nightshade or glossy nightshade is a herbaceous flowering plant of wide though uncertain native range. Eastern black nightshade, black nightshade and American black nightshade were more genetically similar to each other than to other solanaceous species while bitter nightshade and ground cherry were distinct. and Masiunas, J.B. 2003. Eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum) reproduction and interference in transplanted plasticulture tomato. The American Black Nightshade is an annual plant and usually grows up to 30 inches (76 cm) tall. tolerant to metribuzin and halosulfuron than hairy nightshade, horsenettle, clammy groundcherry, and smooth groundcherry. It is by Joseph M. DiTomaso at University of California - Davis. Competition between tomato and eastern black nightshade for nitrogen. nightshade vine length, and tomato and nightshade dry leaf biomass. Eastern black nightshade seedlings established before 2 weeks after transplanting or removed after 6 weeks after transplanting resulted in the majority of viable seed production. Comparison of nitrogen use by two population densities of eastern black nightshade. Several plants in the Solanaceae (potato) family are known as nightshade, including bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), hardy in â¦ In postemergence applications, North Central Weed Science Society Proceedings 59:50. Competition for nitrogen between eastern black nightshade and fresh market tomato. The biology of weedy nightshade species. Reductions in current weed management practices will save vegetable farmers a large input cost (hand-weeding), reduce soil erosion, and lessen surface and ground water pollution.Publications, Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/05OutputsSolanaceous plants such as eastern black nightshade are problem weeds. Although no specific mention of the leaves being toxic has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves. MS Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Among the eastern black nightshade accessions studied, all but three were in the same cluster. Bicksler, A. USDA hardiness. It can not be controlled by standard preplant herbicides or through tillage. The Oceana1 eastern black nightshade accession was more tolerant to sulfosulfuron while Monroe4 was less tolerant to metribuzin than other accessions. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. East Lansing, MI. Pandian, V. and Zandstra, B. H. 2004. The critical weed-free period to avoid greater than 20% loss for premium fruit grades was 28 to 50 d. The value of the sum of large, extra large, and jumbo grades was reduced by 1 eastern black nightshade plant per hole. Our research objectives were to understand the interrelationships between nightshades and to develop strategies for managing the weeds. Competition studies were performed with watermelon at 1 plant/m in-row and American black nightshade grown at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 plants/m2 in-row. Pandian, V. 2005. Shoots re-established after clipping. The seed is being isolated from the berries and planted in the greenhouse for seed increase and to study the morphology of the plants.ImpactsEastern black nightshade is a severe problems in tomatoes grown east of the Rocky Mountains. and Masiunas, J.B. 2003. Wahle, E. A. and Masiunas, J. response to herbicides. Groundcherries, although found throughout the same range are not a problem weed. HortScience 37:367-372. We evaluated a rye cover crop and staking as techniques to increase the competitiveness of tomatoes with nightshade. Raleigh, NC. University of Illinois. HS1176 American Black Nightshade Biology and Control in Fruiting Vegetables, Cucurbits, and Small Fruits1 Andrew W. MacRae2 1. Uhlig, R.E. An improved understanding of this variation will help in targeting mananagement practices. Weed Science 51:394-401. The effects of cultural practices on nightshade competition with processing tomatoes. The genetic relationships indicate: black nightshade and American nightshade are more genetically similar to each other than to other nightshade species; eastern black nightshade separated into 2 closely related groups as did hairy nightshade; horsenettle separated into 3 distinct groups; and bitter nightshade and groundcherry groupings were distinct from The impact of nitrogen fertilizer on the competitiveness of nightshade in tomato was studied. Difference in herbicide response among nightshade and groundcherry species in Michigan. In post-transplant applications, dimethenamid (1.1. kg/ha) and s-metolachlor (1.8 kg/ha) gave 100% nightshade control with no crop injury. Solanum) includes troublesome weeds in horticultural crops. Staking raised the tomato canopy over the nightshade and made the tomatoes more competitive for light. The rye cover crop inhibited tomato and nightshade growth. The black nightshade complex is difficult to classify because of extensive morphologic variation. Voucher 050419 42 at Mokolii, Oahu, Hawaii American black nightshade Solanum anguivi Solanum aviculare New Zealand nightshade Solanum bahamense Bahama nightshade Solanum bulbocastanum ornamental nightshade â¦ There was a wide range of variation to halosulfuron among five populations of hairy nightshade with Bay2 and Macomb1 more tolerant than others. North Carolina State University. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society. Better nightshade management systems will save farmers inputs (hand-weeding, tillage, and high-use rate herbicides), reduce soil erosion, and lessen soil and ground water pollution.


Winedale - Buildings & Decorative Arts -
The Four-Square Barn was also part of the original Lewis Farmstead. It is properly called a "transverse crib barn" because it consists of two pairs of corn cribs across from each other. The barn was built by the Lewis family sometime after 1848. Constructed of hand-hewn oak logs with some long cedar beams, it has mortise and tenon joints and half-dovetail corner notching. It is one of the few such barns still in existence in Texas.
The barn was designed to store corn in the cribs and corn tops and hay in the loft above. Animals and equipment were kept in the sheds attached around the perimeter. The barn was restored following the Wagner House restoration and today houses agricultural and cabinet-maker's tools and equipment.


How do you get rid of deep burrowing moles?
Here’s how to get rid of moles humanely:
- Eliminate Their Food Sources. Moles love grubs. …
- Apply A Repellent. In some cases, a mole repellent is an effective solution for an infestation. …
- Use Plants As A Barrier. …
- Dig A Trench. …
- Create An Unfriendly Environment. …
- Keep Your Lawn Tidy.
What is the fastest way to get rid of moles in your yard?
Fastest way to get rid of moles
- Mole trap: A mole-specific trap is considered the most effective way to get rid of moles. …
- Baits: Moles feed upon earthworms and grubs. …
- Remove the food for moles: Moles feed on various garden insects, such as earthworms, crickets, and grubs.
How do I fix mole holes in my yard?
How to Repair Mound Damage
- Remove excess dirt with a shovel.
- Fill any sunken areas with a mixture of 50/50 sand and topsoil.
- Lightly rake exposed dirt.
- Apply grass seed at the recommended overseed rate.
- Compact the dirt back.
- Cover exposed areas with peat moss.
- Water the lawn thoroughly while the seeds germinate.
Do coffee grounds keep moles away?
Coffee grounds have an overpowering smell that deters moles, so place them in a few of the tunnels or mounds to drive them off. … The more coffee grounds you place on your garden, the more effective it will be. You’ll need to place coffee grounds daily in order to keep scent as strong as possible.
What can I spray on my yard to get rid of moles?
Moles don’t like the taste or smell of castor oil, plus it contaminates the ground for insects. Create a spray using three parts castor oil, one part dish soap, and three parts water. Spray it wherever you see tunnels and molehills.
How do I get rid of moles in my yard without killing them?
Plant Marigolds and Daffodils
Planting marigolds, daffodils, or alliums in your yard is a wonderful, humane method of getting rid of moles. It doesn’t harm them or any other animals in the area. It simply encourages the moles to move on, and deters them from returning since they dislike them so much.
Will rolling your lawn get rid of moles?
Rake over the mole hills, collapsing them and dispersing the piled soil into the surrounding lawn. This not only removes the hills, but also makes the mole tunnels less hospitable since you are cutting off sources of ventilation.
Should I flatten mole hills?
You can wait to flatten the tunnels after the rain, but flattening the tunnels when the entire lawn is wet — as opposed to only the tunnels — increases the risk of soil compaction throughout the yard.


Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) media and public relations manager, Garikai Chaunza has said that prices of commodities such as mealie-meal, flour and bread are likely to rise in direct response to the government’s increase of maize and wheat prices.
Maize grain is now $1 300 per metric tonne from $726, while wheat has gone up from around $1 600 per metric tonne to $2 200.
The development is likely to impact on the prices of maize-meal. Currently, a 10kg bag of maize-meal costs $34 while a 2kg packet of flour is averaging $22.
The current average price of a loaf bread is $7.
The increase in the prices of maize and wheat come at a time when the government has already started importing the grains as its reserves are already empty.
The president also appealed to stakeholders and sympathisers to assist with food aid as the country faces severe starvation due to El Nino drought. Moreover, Cyclone Idai destroyed crops which were weeks away from harvest.
Prices of other commodities in the country are already high


Backyard Beekeeper, 4th Edition : An Absolute Beginner’s Guide To Keeping Bees In Your Yard And Garden by Kim Flottum
View book: Backyard Beekeeper, 4th Edition : An Absolute Beginner’s Guide To Keeping Bees In Your Yard And Garden
The Backyard Beekeeper, now in its 4th edition, offers a delightful and accessible approach to the revered and intricate art of beekeeping. Whether you reside in an urban or rural setting, and regardless of your beekeeping expertise, this book provides an opportunity to engage in this enriching hobby.
This comprehensive handbook not only serves as a guide to beekeeping, but also offers invaluable insights from experts in the field. It provides valuable advice on:
- Establishing and maintaining your very own bee colonies
- Choosing the ideal location for your bees’ safety and yours
- Implementing practical and non-toxic techniques to care for your bees
- Effectively managing swarm control
- Utilizing top bar hives
- Harvesting the fruits of your beehive, including honey
- Addressing and treating common bee-related issues
- Updated information specific to urban bees and beekeepers
- Optimal utilization of a smoker
- Enhanced pest management strategies
- Efficient practices for ensuring consistent and abundant food supply
- Promoting the overall health of your hives
By making use of this comprehensive resource and benefiting from the knowledge of Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture, your bee colonies will thrive and become more productive, affording you healthier and happier bees.
The Backyard Beekeeper: A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Honeybees in Your Garden
If you’ve ever considered having honeybees in your backyard, now is the perfect time. These incredible creatures play a crucial role in pollinating our crops, providing us with a significant portion of our daily diet. Without honeybees, the foods we enjoy would be diminished, and wild plants would be less productive. Thankfully, more and more gardeners and growers are recognizing the importance of honeybees and making changes to accommodate them.
But where do you start with beekeeping? How much time and money will it require? The beekeeping season mirrors the garden season, with busy periods in spring, maintenance in summer, and harvest in fall. Caring for a couple of bee colonies will take some time, but it’s manageable. Like any new activity, there is a learning curve, but once you gain experience, it becomes easier.
Before you begin, there is some prep work and equipment you’ll need. And yes, bees can sting, but they aren’t out to harm you. If you take the necessary precautions, stings will be rare occurrences. Just like dealing with bramble thorns or annoying insects, working with bees requires proper gear and good management.
If you’re interested in having a couple of honeybee colonies in your backyard for a better garden, more fruit, and even homemade honey and beeswax products, let’s explore what thousands of beekeepers already know.


When the Man Cub was only four months old, I strapped him to my chest and hiked half a mile into the forest to harvest ramps from my top secret honey hole. They were the first wild edible that I harvested with him. That reason alone would be enough to make them my favorite wild food. To put it over the top, they are delicious – combining the best flavors of both onions and garlic while adding something otherworldly that you can only get from growing in the filtered sunlight of a damp forested hillside. I love ramps (a.k.a. wild leeks). They are ephemeral, which only adds to their mystique. The little green bunny ears start to poke through the leaf litter almost as soon as the last of the snow melts and they have mostly gone to seed by the time the trees fully leaf out and cast shade upon the forest floor. Knowing the timing of when your favorite patch is ready for harvest is crucial.
There are many other ephemeral plants that can help clue you in as to when it’s time to hit up your patch of wild leeks. One such plant is Dutchman’s Breeches (. The small fringed leaves pop up first, followed soon after by the bright white and yellow flowers, which resemble a pair of breeches or pants hanging upside down. As you can see in the photo, Dutchman’s Breeches (left) and Ramps (right) grow concurrently. The ramps in this photo are still young and not quite fully mature. At this stage, they are excellent for sauteing up and serving as a side or in an omelet.
Trilium (Dicentra cucullaria) is another spring ephemeral flower that grows during this magical time of year. The trillium in this photo are not quite blooming but the flower buds are present and on the edge. I believe they were actually blooming only two days after this picture was taken. Again, you can see the young ramps in the background. Paying attention to what else is growing alongside your favorite edibles makes you more aware and tunes your internal clock. When you start to see trillium growing, it is time to visit your ramp patch.
This photo of Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) was taken during the same morning walk as the previous pictures of trillium and Dutchman’s Breeches. Bloodroot may not always grow in the same locations as wild leeks, but their bloom does tend to correspond with when the wild leeks are ready to pick.
Wild leeks are highly sought after and often over harvested. To harvest sustainably, it is best to follow the Rule of 10: for every ten plants there are, you can harvest one. In a good patch of ramps, this rule will still yield more than enough for your own personal use. Often times, you can find entire hillsides blanketed in green. When you are lucky enough to come across such a patch, you can often smell onions in the air long before you see them. Even stand such as these are susceptible to over harvest. It can take up to seven years for a wild leek to mature from seed to plant. This is why it is crucial to leave more than enough behind, ensuring future harvests for generations to come. I only share locations of major ramp populations with those whom I trust will harvest sustainably.
Identifying ramps is fairly easy. They have two (occasionally three) oblong green leaves emerging from a central stem. This stem extends into the ground where, if you dig carefully, you can find a white bulb. Sometimes the stems may appear red, as in the photo to the right. Once you add in the unmistakable onion/garlic smell, it is difficult to mistake them for anything else. I tend to only harvest one leaf from each plant, leaving the bulb and the other leaf behind. This ensures that the plant will be able to go on to flower and produce seeds. The only time I harvest the bulb is if I were to make pickled ramps.
One of my favorite ways to eat ramps is also one of the easiest. Chop up a handful of ramp greens and stir them into a pan full of scrambled eggs. Toss on some cheddar cheese and serve on buttered toast for an open faced breakfast sandwich.


Water conservation is a significant component of our sustainability agenda as we are located in the Intermountain West, where water availability and management is a serious concern. BYU is a leader in this area. In 2005 BYU received the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner’s Water Conservation Award. More recently, we completed a project to convert landscape sprinklers from culinary water to non-potable, ground-source, secondary water. BYU also saves water by planting the right types of plants in landscaping, and by providing only the water the plants need. Water usage in flower beds has been reduced one-third by using compost.
We have reduced the water usage from faucets and flush valves by 50 percent by using high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances. Moreover, we have replaced water cooled condensers with air-cooled to reduce water consumption. These measures help to keep the environment healthy. Untreated water from the Provo River Water Rights System is used to irrigate most of the campus at great cost savings. This is the same water that is used on the south campus Stream and Trail path, a preferred recreational study location.
Additionally, sprinkling systems are designed with optimum dispersion rates and water audits are conducted to ensure ideal efficiency. Each distinctive plant material is treated with its ideal sprinkler application. Grass, shrubs, and flowers are treated separately in individual beds with the best-suited irrigation heads, including MPR rotor heads and xeri-pop heads with the least amount of wasted water and drip irrigation for the shrubs. All valves are connected to a computer irrigation system that considers all soil types, sun-orientation, wind, rain and other environmental factors allowing the plant material to thrive optimally at maximum EvapoTranspiration (ET). This is determined and managed by a central computerized system and the campus water master.
BYU uses select landscaping and outdoor furnishings that can be maintained without toxic chemicals. Outdoor lighting is designed to reduce light pollution while landscaping is designed to reduce “heat islands,” and incorporate local plant and hardscape materials. Mulch helps with weed control, reduces erosion and provides airspace and water-holding capabilities for green areas across BYU’s 320 acres of maintained landscape. All plants used are either natives to Utah or specific for the zones (2-5) for this area of the U. S. and of low water-wise definition. The Utah State Extension Service Water-Wise list and Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) standards list are used for plant selection decisions.
Dining Services integrates locally-grown and organic foods into their menus. Food service equipment purchased since the end of 2006 is “energy rated” and uses less gas, electricity, and water than comparable models. In 2008 we took advantage of a new cafeteria, the Commons at the Cannon Center, to install dishwashers that recycle water from previous washes for early rinse cycles in the next washing. Specifically, water from the final rinse cycle is used to pre-rinse the next load. For more information, visit BYU Dining Services Sustainability.


Sunshine Coast & Noosa are ahead of the game when it comes to food, and we grow it all here so we know it has been ethically and sustainably sourced.
With growing and soil conditions near perfect, bountiful supplies of fresh ingredients are raised from the ground to be sold at roadside stalls, local markets, supermarkets or make their way into the skilled hands of chefs in the kitchens of some of the finest restaurants and cafes around.
Not only that, we also encourage visitors to try their hand at creating culinary masterpieces in any of a number of cooking schools throughout the Coast and Hinterland.
A host of cooking schools offer the chance of becoming a gourmet chef for the day, or at least part of a day. Whether it is a spice-blending master class in Caloundra, cooking Thai in a relaxed garden setting near Yandina or Cheese making in Cooran, our skilled professionals are only to happy to share their skills and love of food.
Fresh is best, and our local farmers markets and roadside stalls are a foodies haven, the perfect place to find fresh healthy vital ingredients. Of course it is not just fresh fruit, nuts, herbs and vegetables; we also raise some of the nicest meat here as well.
Having the freshest ingredients has become such a passion that several of our restaurants have their own farms growing and raising all of their own ingredients for the perfect paddock-to-plate dining experience. Of course you would need to here all year around to fully appreciate the seasonal change in their menus’.
Can you imagine standing on the farm and having a taste right at the source? Some of our farmers imagined the same, wanting you to know what food really tastes like, as a result a number have opened their farms to the public so that you can do that very thing, and in some cases pick your own.
So when you want a break from the beaches and are wondering what are some sunshine things to do today, places like Maleny Dairy, Kenilworth Dairies, Noosa Reds, Cooloola Berries, Hinterland Feijoas (to name a few) offer great chances to see and taste our farmers produce (Check for opening days / times).
If you cannot make it to any of these places, then any one of the local farmers markets will connect you with our fresh produce as well.
It is not just our farms, markets and restaurants where you can taste the best of the Coast and Hinterland. There has been increased interest in craft brewing with a number of craft breweries now dotted around the area, many coupled with onsite dining options.
Like the humble barbeque, beer is a part of our culture here too and although our brewing practices are still in their relative infancy when compared to other parts of the world, we still hold our ground with taste and quality in this region.
A trip to the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and surrounds would not be complete without a visit to one of the many local breweries for a taste. From Caloundra through to Cooran and up at Maleny too, you’ll be sure to find a craft brew ‘or two’ with a taste that’s just right for you.
When it comes to locally brewed we don’t just stop at beer, and although not part of the traditional wine growing regions of Australia, Queensland has a wine history that dates back to the 1860’s with the Sunshine Coast regarded as one of its fastest growing and most diverse wine regions.
A small but dedicated band of wine makers give a modern edge to the time honoured tradition of winemaking to produce an enviable selection of excellent wines. The area comprises vineyards situated high up in the cooler climates of the Blackall Range, Kenilworth and Traveston through to the milder climates in the valleys closer to the coast.
A wide variety of grapes are grown in the region due to diverse microclimates. A few of the vineyards where you can taste some of our excellent wines include Flame Hill Vineyard, Maleny Mountain Wines, and Dingo Creek Vineyard.
COFFEE – It’s not just the food, wine and the beer that stand out; it’s the coffee as well. Locally grown beans are roasted and sold in a number of retail outlets across the region and small boutique coffee roasters are a welcome presence for those with even the slightest caffeine addiction.
Finding its home in Yandina across from the Ginger Factory and a neighbour to Nutworks, Pioneer Coffee is one such roaster that host’s onsite roasting demonstrations and makes coffee that surpasses expectations when it comes to quality and taste.
HIGH TEA – If it is something lighter that you are looking for then indulge yourself in a sumptuous High Tea; from the delights of Flaxton Gardens to The Silva Spoon in Cotton Tree, know that a little decadence goes a long way towards making any occasion special.
Maleny Food Co. is one of our favourite stops on the Scenic Food & Wine Tour, they are an artisan food producer located in the beautiful surrounds of Maleny, in the heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland.
Grown in the sun-drenched fields of Queensland Australia, plump fresh ginger is selected for processing at the peak of the growing season. Visit the Ginger Factory on our Rainforest, Views and Montville tour.
Book our most popular Scenic Food & Wine Tour and visit The Barrel at Clouds Vineyard in the picturesque Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The friendly cellar door staff offer wine tastings and will guide you through their wine range.


We are aware of the unique quality of our vineyards and of the territory where they naturally grow.
This treasure has to be protected and preserved as a precious gift for the next generations.
For these reasons, we decided to become a 100% organic winery, a milestone in the journey towards our final goal: total sustainability.
AN ORGANIC PROSECCO FINALLY FREE FROM SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCES...
Prosecco and all other Corvezzo’s wines are produced with grapes cultivated exclusively without pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers.
Tasting Note: A dry cloudy frizzante rose that is a summertime sensation. Delightly grapefruity, very easy drinking alone or can be used in cocktails. Col Fondo is a term for an unfiltered sparkering wine from Italy, which is the way most all sparkling wines from the country would have been made before the mid 20th century. Only organic grapes are used.


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The state legislature has a plan to help suburban and urban residents of public housing fight food insecurity by growing their own food.
A bill passed both chambers of the legislature to launch a program with the Illinois Housing Development Authority that would help encourage public housing developments in urban and suburban areas to start community gardens.
State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) sponsored the measure in the Senate. She believes gardening reduces stress and improves health, along with other benefits.
“Gardening can help households cut down on food costs,” Turner said. “Providing affordable housing units an incentive to garden allows residents to have access to nutritional foods right outside their doors.”
Dawn Blackman works as the steward of Randolph Street Community Garden in Champaign, which feeds more than 40 families.
"Green spaces keep people calmer, getting to know your neighbor before there’s a problem helps to keep neighborhoods calmer," Blackman said. "It’s a win-win situation, and it feeds people in a food desert."
If signed into law, IDHA would work with University of Illinois for tips on implementing urban gardening strategies like vertical gardening and aquaponics, as well as the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide tools and distribute food.
Under the proposal, IDHA and DCEO officials are tasked with creating the rules for the program.
The bill would take effect immediately if Governor J.B. Pritzker signs the bill into law.
via News | WCIA.com https://www.wcia.com
May 22, 2023 at 05:49PM


Organic Chia Seeds
Matakana Superfoods Organic Chia Seeds. Grown in its natural environment in the fertile plains of Central and South America. Aztec Superfood! Chia seed is considered one of the greatest super foods, with just 1 mouthful said to sustain Aztec warriors in battle for 24 hours! Containing many nutrients, this humble seed has a mild, nutty flavour and can be chewed, sprinkled on sandwiches, added to soups, smoothies, breads, cakes, cereal or mixed with water to produce its special Chia gel. Chia seeds add value both nutritionally and as a functional superfood with many health advantages. Product of Central/South America. Packed in NZ. Gluten Free. Raw. Vegan. This is a mixed colour chia seed mix. 250 grams
WOW! 1 tbls provides 130.8mg calcium, 70.2mg magnesium, 138.6mg phosphorus & 133.8mg potassium, as well as 3.15 grams of protein and 5.5 grams of carbohydrate.
Benefits of Chia seeds
- Chia seeds contain one of the highest known sources of the essential fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6.
- Every tiny seed contains protein, carbohydrate, fibre and fat (healthy essential fats). Ancient Mayan folklore said that just 1 mouthful of Chia seeds could sustain a warrior for twenty four hours. (We would not recommend living on Chia seeds alone and only make this statement to make a point).
- When mixed with water, the seeds swell and form mucilage, a slippery substance which has a soothing and lubricating effect when ingested. This can be helpful for digestion and helping with the transit time of waste matter through the bowel.
- These seeds have a long "shelf life" due to their antioxidant content. In fact, Chia seeds have a shelf life of up to 36 months, if kept at room temperature and dry.
There are many more reported health benefits of chia seeds, these are just some of them.
The recommended dosage of Chia seeds is 1-2 tablespoons per day.
Chia is a gluten free wholefood that can be sprinkled over kids lunches, salads, smoothies, soup or incorporated into pastries, muffins, breads and cakes. It can also be mixed with water to form a nourishing gel that can be added to smoothies, juices, soups and sauces.
A teaspoon in hot water makes a great tea. Chia has a pleasant mild nutty taste so you can boost your favourite foods with natural goodness without altering their flavour.
Weight for weight, Chia Seeds contain:
- 10 times more Omega 3 than salmon
- 4 times more antioxidants than blueberry
- 3 times more iron than spinach
- 20% high quality protein
- High levels of the natural anti-inflammatory Omega 6
- An assortment of naturally occuring vitamins and minerals
- 5 times more calcium than milk
- 15 times more magnesium than broccoli
- 18 amino acids
- Chia seeds also have a slow burn glycemic index
Chia Gel may replace eggs and oils in cakes
A gel made from chia may replace as much as 25% of the oil or eggs in cakes, without affecting taste, says a new study that points to more nutritious products. In addition to being acceptable to the taste buds of consumers, the chia gel containing cakes had almost 60 mg more omega 3 fatty acids per 100 grams, according to findings published in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association. This sounds great for those who have intolerances to eggs and oil.
Fonterra have used Chia seeds
The seeds are rich in protein, fibre and amino acids and also omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. The seeds have been proposed for use in bread, while in Chile they have also been used in Pasta and in Australia and New Zealand in a yoghurt product made by Fonterra.
Chia seeds in cooking
Chia seeds have been used in the US in nutritional supplements, bars, breakfast cereals and cookies. A new study looked at the use of chia gel, obtained by soaking chia seeds in water, as fat replacers in cakes.
Rafael Borneo says "When we use Chia Seeds, They'll Never notice the difference".
"For a fat replacer to be successful it should improve or at least preserve the functional characteristics and sensory feelings of the food in which is will be used", explained the researchers. "In this case, the fat replacer should maintain the functional characteristics of the product (ie cake weight, cake volume and symmetry) and preserve the taste, texture and colour of the cake as compared to the traditional formula (control)
Led by Rafael Borneo from the Centre of Excellence in Products and Processes Cordoba at the Argentine ministry of Science and Technology, the researches prepared cakes with oil or eggs replaced at levels of 0,25,50 and 75%.
The results obtained using Chia seeds in the study
The data showed that the best results were obtained at a chia gel substitution level of 25%, based on a comparison with the colour, taste, texture and overall acceptability of control cakes.
Furthermore, the overall weight of the cakes were unaffected by addition of chia gel, said the researchers.
"This study demonstrates that chia gel can replace as much as 25% of the oil or eggs in cakes, while yielding a more nutritious product with acceptable sensory characteristics," wrote Borneo and his co-workers.
Source Journal of the American Dietetic Association, June 2010, Volume 110, issue 6, Pages 946-949.
100% Central/South American grown mixed colour Chia seeds. Organic. Packed in New Zealand for Matakana Superfoods. Seeds and nuts may be used to packed using the same equipment. Gluten free. GMO free. No known allergies. Vegan. Organic.
Keep out of the reach of children. Seeds and nuts may be packaged using the same equipment.


Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) has been presented with the Hall of Fame award by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agriculture Science North Florida Research and Education Center for his 12 years of service to the advancement of science and agriculture in North Florida.
The award was presented by NFREC Director, Dr. Nick Comerford, last week at the Quincy NFREC. Boyd was in Quincy for his forum on HAZMAT issues for local farmers.
“I was extremely surprised and honored to receive this award from the IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center,” said Boyd. “As many know, agriculture is near and dear to my heart – to this day, my family and I farm the same land that has been in our family for five generations.
“Throughout my service in Congress, I have worked to develop policy that supports our agriculture producers and enables them to continue to provide our country, and the world, with the highest quality, safest, and most reliable food supply. I will continue to do so, and I want to thank the IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center for this special award and for the important work that they do.”


Posted on January 29, 2017 at 8:35 PM
Okay, lets talk Pasture Management!
One could be excused at thinking that during this time of the year it is not necessary to worry about pasture and your horses grazing time as it is our 'rain period' in Nth Qld.
It rains, the sun comes out, the grass grows, horses eat grass, your feed bill is reduced, everyone is happy........ Don't be fooled though, is it really that easy???
I'm no expert on this topic but I have put a lot of my time into listening to my very wise ‘step-father' (cattle and land man of many generations) on this topic. Not only have I listened intently to his advice, more importantly I have been trying to implement his recommendations to better improve the quality and quantity of our pasture on our small property.
Already we are up against a wall with the amount of horses that we have compared to volume of grazing land.
As I believe a lot of others can relate to, we keep many more livestock per acre than what our wonderful land and mother nature can keep fertile.
So what can we do about it? My tips here won't go into great detail (as I pointed out i'm not a GURU on this) but I am going to bullet point a few things that we have implemented over the last 9 years and it has helped us have better quality grass, land and happier, healthier horses.
- 1. LOOK AFTER YOUR PASTURE AND PLANTS!!! I can't stress this enough.
- 2. DON'T OVER GRAZE - A very big one. If you can see dirt in your paddock when you walk through it (maybe not at the gate and fence line where horses walk) but the bulk of your paddock. At some point your paddock has been over grazed and will take some time to recover.
- 3. Allow grazing of grasses once they start to seed (not earlier). Just allow the horses to 'top' the grass and then move them out so the paddocks can continue to grow. If the grass is left too long after it has gone to seed, the quality starts to reduce and the horse(s) may become picky.
- 4. Rotate your paddocks for grazing. As we don't have large paddocks, we mostly have the horse(s) grazing one paddock for a short amount of time. Knowing when to stop grazing is just as critical to maintaining a productive pasture as deciding when to begin grazing. Pastures must have a periodic rest from grazing, so they can recuperate and recover from grazing and hoof damage.
- 5. We do irrigate so that the horses can have 365 days access to grass. I know this is not possible for everyone so thats why it is extremely important not to OVER GRAZE your paddocks.
- 6. When the heavens open in Nth Qld during over the months of Dec - April, if you have looked after your paddocks then your grass will grow quickly. Not only that you will have quite a lot and it is what my ‘step-father' calls 'free feed'. The horses can come in, top it and then it will regrow with little assistance or effort on our part.
- 7. We have parts of our property we call 'Sacrifice' areas. These are areas that don't grown grass very well and therefore we have chosen to sacrifice a small portion of our grazing land to house the horses during periods of rest and recovery of the other grazing areas. On the sacrifice areas we hand feed hay. On areas of our property that we can not irrigate we use these quite regularly to preserve the grazing paddocks and so they are 'rain ready' when the time comes. If we over graze the paddock(s) we’d have to feed hay anyway so we prefer to feed out hay earlier to preserve our paddocks that we can not irrigate to keep them in ‘rain ready’ condition for when the time is right.
So why go to all this trouble? Well not only does it reduce dust, make the property look appealing, the benefits to your horse are extensive.
- 1. Grass (or fiber of some type) is a basic necessity for normal functioning of the equine gastrointestinal tract, and a well-managed pasture will be an economical source of high-quality feed.
- 2. Pasture is a great place for horses to move around and free exercise, which can be important in maintaining healthy gastrointestinal function.
- 3. The above can lead to a reduction in veterinary expenses. Anyone who has ever experienced colic will attest to the stress (potentially life threatening) that it not only puts on the horse but also the stress to themselves and i'm sure anyone would prefer to prevent that?
- 4. Lower or reduced feed and supplement expenses. Depending on factors such as the horses work load, quality/quantity of pasture, time spent grazing and the stage of pasture growth.
- 5. Grass can be an excellent source of digestible nutrients for the horse, high in both digestible energy and crude protein. (levels depend on the quality, types of grass and stage of growing).
- 6. Encourages a more positive emotional and psychological state of mind for the horse. Think 'Happier Horse'
Many horse owners allow their horse access to a pasture continuously. The horse usually remains on the same piece of land over the whole grazing season. This type of grazing system is called "continuous grazing".
Although continuous grazing requires the least amount of capital investment and management, this type of system can be very unhealthy for the land. Owners need to weigh up their own personal situation and see what works best for them and their beloved horse(s).
So for 2017 onwards we will be continuing to learn and implement 'pasture management' strategies that will benefit our property and horses.
Picture above is of one of our paddocks still in the growth phase but is nearly ready in a week or so to be grazed.


Going organic with your food is a very good choice. It is actually not just a good choice, it can be said to be a wise choice to make. By going organic – especially with your fruits and vegetables – you are going with healthy options without sacrificing taste or flavor. So you really need to go organic for those reasons and not just because it is popular right now.
Organic fruits and vegetables are excellent choices particularly when are thinking about prioritizing your health. It is great to have such quality options when you think about how much chemicals go into non-organic food. Once you learn about all the pesticides and toxic chemicals that go into non-organic food, you’ll never want to eat anything but organic food again.
The only obvious drawback for going organic is the fact that it is a little more costly. But there’s a great, and even fun, way to counter that. And that is to grow own organic garden at home. You can have it in a corner of your backyard or you can use your whole yard for it, it’s up to you. The important thing is you are growing an organic garden.
Those who are interested in growing their own organic garden can follow the following steps on how to do it:
Start By Planning
Start by planning everything. The first step is to have a clear plan about your garden. By having a plan, there’s something for you to follow and you’ll never lose your way in growing your organic garden. Among those that have to be included in the plan are the following: the kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are going to planted; the actual size of your garden; how much you are willing spend for it.
Pick Your Plants
Part of the planning process is choosing the plants that are best suited to your place. This means that you need to consider the climate and in your area. There’s also the type of geography in your locale. You also need to take that into consideration. It wouldn’t be to your best interests or even productive at all to try growing plants that are not suited to your area. Also choose plants that are not that difficult to plant, so you wouldn’t have such a hard time in doing it.
Go all the way with growing organic plants. This means that you need to make sure that the supplies that you are going to use are all organic as well. It is easy enough to get hold of organic supplies. Some of those supplies are organic compost, soil, products that used for the treatment of diseases and different types of pests.
Perhaps one of the most important things in growing your own organic garden is that you need to have fun all the time. It might be overlooked at times, but having fun while gardening and taking care of it is a very important element of the whole process. It would be great to enjoy gardening and growing your own organic plants with the whole family.


Gualdo Tadino, 28 July 2016. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi today visited the Gualdo Tadino (Perugia) plant of Rocchetta water, the water of health.
Together with Infrastructure Minister Graziano Delrio and the President of the Region Catiuscia Marini, Mr. Renzi was welcomed by the CEO of the Uliveto-Rocchetta Group Mr. Bigioni and the Mayor of Gualdo Tadino Massimiliano Presciutti for a tour of one of the most important production sites in the region: “a high-quality business...
Cogedi will be present together with its products at the 18th edition of Cibus, the international food show, which will be held at Fiera di Parma on 9 - 12 May 2016.
Cibus is the leading event in the Italian agri-food sector, a large international showcase with conferences and forums on topical issues in the Food and Retail sector attended by the biggest companies on the national panorama.
It is also the perfect opportunity to promote the meeting between the Italian agri-food industry...
According to an analysis by Beverfood, mineral water is increasingly perceived as an important constituent of the 'Made in Italy' experience.
In fact, the Italian mineral water industry is assuming a leading role in quality Italian cuisine abroad, proposing our mineral waters as a typical product of the Italian culinary tradition and the Mediterranean diet.
Italy exports mineral water to around 100 different countries across the world and in 2014 Italian mineral water...


November - April
Farm closed for winter months.
Farm Shop and Fun Farm Yard opens from Friday, May 3rd
- Garden decor, plants, mixed hanging baskets, asparagus, rhubarb, baked goods,
preserves, cheese, maple syrup and honey.
- Decorative garden accessories and patio pots.
- Design your own container creations.
Strawberries (already picked) and pies are available at our Farm Shop.
Pick-your-own Strawberry Season starts approximately mid June.
Pick-your-own green peas and snow peas start late June. Strawberries and peas are also available ready-picked at the Farm Shop.
At our Farm Shop we offer jamming supplies. Our Dairy & Coffee Bar are open and serving slushies, cappuccino, freshly brewed coffee and delicious Kawartha Dairy scooped ice cream.
Pick-your-own continues with raspberries, snow peas, green peas, green and yellow beans, red and black currants and gooseberries.
Our own sweet corn & tomatoes, Ontario peaches and blueberries available.
Saturday August 24th, 2013, Whittamore's will host our second annual Teddy Bear Fair Family Fun Festival
Come out and support the Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation of Canada and visit Whittamore's Fun Farm Yard and enjoy a day in the sun supporting an excellent cause! Proceeds this day will be donated to the charity. For more info click here http://cancerrecovery.ca/get-involved/events/teddy-bear-picnic/ for more info.
Pick-your-own tomatoes and peppers start in mid-August.
Pick-your-own autumn strawberries and raspberries start mid to late August.
Several varieties of apples, cider, sweet corn, harvest decorations, straw bales, corn stalks and Indian corn at our Farm Shop.
Farm Shop & Pumpkinland - Harvest Festival Weekends - Enjoy a family outing on a crisp Autumn day in the country at Whittamore's Farm. At this time, our farm is transformed into a Hallowe'en wonderland of 1,000's of pumpkins and great activities for the whole family. Tractor drawn Wagon Rides, Mazes and the Balloon Typhoon are only the beginning of the fun that you and your family can experience here. Pumpkinland begins the 2nd last weekend of September and continues through until Hallowe'en every day from 10 am until 5 pm. There is an admission fee of $11 (+tax) per person to enjoy Pumpkinland and all of its activities. Both activities and rates are reduced during the weekdays.
Our Farm Shop is alive with the look of autumn. Straw bales, corn stalks, potted mums, gourds, Indian corn and apples fill every nook and cranny. Hallowe'en ghosts and goblins, apple cider and delicious fall baking add to the excitement. Be sure to make a trip out to Whittamore's during September and October with your family to enjoy our Pumpkinland.
Children's School Tours - For School Groups wishing to enjoy Pumpkinland, we will be open weekdays from Monday, September 23rd to Thursday, October 31 (inclusive), rain or shine. Bookings are taken for our tours and all are welcome anytime during these dates for morning, lunch hour or afternoon tours. Recommended for children from Pre-school to Grade 3.


open days: Friday, Monday, Saturday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Not open for public sales except for public tours (see the their website), parking at gate 7, 8 and 9. The National Flower Centre which is located on the Melbourne Markets site provides a wholesale trading facility for cut flowers and plants. Victoria produces about 40% of the national market for cut flowers. There are 140 permanent grower stands plus an extensive group of casual growers who sell through the flower markets.


We’d like to share a newsletter from our friends over at Greater Texas Landscape! They’re resident experts on how to best care for your garden. Contact them with any questions or landscaping needs.
See below for helpful information on how to best care for your landscape.
Question of the month: “This has been a crazy year (summer) for weather. We had lots of rain followed by hot, then dry weather. I hear that we’re still in a drought in parts of the state. Is that true? Should I even bother with watering my landscape?”
Absolutely yes! Here’s the 411 on how our weather affected the landscape trees and shrubs…..the unusual amount of spring/summer rain caused our trees and shrubs to get a bit “fat and sassy’ and all pumped up with liquid goodies. Roots and shoots grew like crazy then “BAM”….the faucet in the sky turned off and our temperatures rose to the high 90’s and 100’s. Results? Feeder roots started to shrivel. These tiny root hairs, which are out and along the canopies of our trees and shrubs, began to dry up and were not able to absorb the moisture in the ground. Full lush canopy growth began to transpire, “SWEAT”, meaning they were losing extra moisture like crazy. This is why you may see some browning and dieback in trees and shrubs in a short period of time.
So don’t cut off your plants from water sources just yet. Nurture them along with supplementary water until the next rain shower. Remember, each region of the state shares different wet and dry conditions. Do what’s right for your area.
Landscape Tips for October
There are so many great things to do in our landscapes during the month of October. Here’s just a few of those tips:
OCTOBER PROFILE – The Pumpkin
This month’s profile recognizes what we see all month…and through November…The Pumpkin. Of course we associate pumpkins with Halloween, but for the rest of us, we associate it with everything nice and sweet – pumpkin pie, pumpkin latte, pumpkin cheesecake to name a few.
Pumpkins and squash are believed to originate in the ancient Americas. The early ones were not like the traditional ones of today. They were more upright and crooked neck which made storage a bit easier. Archaeologists determined that variations of the squash and pumpkins were cultivated along river and creek beds along with sunflower and beans. Shortly after, maize (corn) was introduced, and ancient farmers learned to grow what was called the “The 3 Sisters” – squash, corn and beans.
The ancient pilgrims (those smarties) found so many uses for the pumpkin from cooking to using the dried shells as bowls! Some even fermented the pumpkins with a combination of persimmons, hops, and maple sugar to create a pumpkin ale. Cheers to that!
There are so many theories out there as to the origin of Jack-o-lanterns and Halloween. Everything from beets, potatoes and turnips were carved and used as a lantern where the root vegetable was hollowed out in Ireland, Scotland and England. To the European settlers arriving in the Americas carving out the pumpkins and calling them “Jack’s” lanterns. What ever the start, we know today’s pumpkin carving as taken on a whole new look and art form.


I’ve not heard any mention of Lilium longiflorum this week. No signs in stores, not a comment around the water cooler, although the advent of bottled water has curtailed most daily conversations in the workplace. No wonder everyone is on Facebook. Stop drinking alone, I say. Talk to people.
I digress. Lilium longiflorum is everywhere, but no one calls it that, and rightly so or it might not sell as well as it does. Besides, speaking in botanical terms does tend to disperse groups rather quickly.
Lilium longiflorum is the Easter lily and it’s everywhere. The plant became associated with Easter a little over a hundred years ago after a Ms. Thomas Sargent visited
Apparently she loved the plants so much she stuffed a few bulbs into her luggage before returning to her home in
You could do that then, before border controls, drug enforcement
agencies, and homeland security complicated travel.
After a local nurseryman forced the bulbs into bloom in time for Easter, the idea of a plant symbolizing Christ's Resurrection took off. If you’re wondering what Ms. Sargent was doing in
and if she was regularly smuggling other items back to the US, I’ve no
idea — but I do know why she found lilies growing there.
The plant is native to southern Japan and was living happily on the Ryukyu islands until plant hunter Carl Peter Thunberg sent a few to England in 1819 where it became popular. From there it made its way to
Bermuda where the climate suited the plant perfectly —
and the British too, no doubt. They began growing the plant as a cash crop and
everyone was happy until 1898 when a sneaky virus wiped out bulb production. Japan stepped
in, since it was their plant originally, and took over the industry until World
War II messed up the market and everything else in the world.
At that point, anyone growing the plants for fun in
North America quickly realized they’d been handed an
opportunity when the price of bulbs skyrocketed. Bulb growing became centered
in an area on the California-Oregon border that today accounts for about 95% of
bulb production. They are shipped out to commercial greenhouses across Canada and the US. Because
Easter is not a fixed date, these growers must carefully juggle growing
conditions to ensure the plants are in bloom for Easter.
And that’s how the Easter lily arrived at your grocery store. All you have to do is care for it for a week or two, and here’s how.
Easter lilies prefer moderately cool temperatures, so place where daytime temperatures are fifteen to eighteen degrees Celsius with slightly cooler night temperatures. They dislike drafts and won’t put up with excess heat or dry air from heating ducts.
They thrive best near a window in bright, indirect natural daylight — not direct sunlight. Water well when the soil surface feels dry, but avoid drenching. If the pot is still wrapped in decorative foil, rip it off as otherwise the plant’s roots are standing in water all the time.
As the flowers mature, remove the yellow anthers before the pollen starts to shed. This prolongs flower life and prevents the pollen from staining the white flowers.
The bulbs can be planted outdoors in spring and grown on; however, they aren’t reliably hardy in this area, but if you want to chance it, plant it about eight to ten centimetres deep in a sheltered, sunny, well-drained corner of your garden and mulch well to keep the soil cool. Mulch even more in fall for winter protection. Happy Easter and long live Lilium longiflorum.


MC Systems manufactures meteorological data recording loggers and sensors. These systems have been in constant use over the past 25 years in many environments, including agriculture, forestry managent and hydrological studies.
Modern orchard management requires up-to-date information on many weather-related parameters. Models for pest management, nutrition, dormancy, water usage, growth stage, and many more important variables are available to the farm manager. This data can be fed automatically into a personal computer, and can then be examined and prognosed for a particular location. When combined with the climatic database and detailed forecasts, the farm manager can examine the results of future option of yields, profit and management decisions.
8th April 2000, registered users of MCS Software can check for the latest version. Click here for more information about Live Update features.


There are very many uses for cannabis today, and it’s one of the substances that many people are using. The negative effects of cannabis on the body were a major problem, and that is why, it was classified as a destructive drug, and therefore, it was prohibited. The addiction was very high when people started taking cannabis, and in addition to that, it affected how the brain functions. Through a lot of processing and research, cannabis has been known to be one of the best drugs in the treatment of some conditions. Because of the continued research also, is now possible to understand how it causes addiction and because of that, reduce such negative effects. The general results of such research work is that some states and countries have allowed for the use of the drug. In the regions where cannabis has been allowed, it has been recorded to be one of the fastest-growing. One of the reasons for this is because many people have stopped fearing to check the drug and now, the number of users has increased. Because of the great demand that is there, people who open cannabis businesses can benefit a lot.
For you to successfully start a cannabis business, you have to be committed to the process and do everything that is required. The information provided in this article is going to help you to be successful in starting a cannabis business. One thing you will need to know other beginning is that you have to decide on the type of cannabis business you want to open. You can decide to open a business that sells cannabis or, you can decide to grow the cannabis on your own. Since there are some things that you have to follow regardless of the type of business you want, it would be important for you to consider them. For you to grow the cannabis, you have to get the land and also, get every equipment and materials required for the cannabis to grow properly. The maintenance of the trees is very important, and you need to know how to do it and also, the harvesting.
If you are opening a cannabis seller, it’ll be important for you to choose a very good business name and also the business type. After that, you have to register with the relevant authorities and you should get the relevant license to help you to operate. If you need some trademarks, it’ll be important to get one, but also, you have to hire the right qualified employees.


APIs are the best tools to simplify the wheat futures analysis. In this article, we’ll explain how they work and how you can use them.
Wheat is one of the most valuable agricultural products in the world. It is used to produce bread, pasta, cookies, beer, and many other foods. Wheat is also used to feed livestock and poultry. The demand for wheat is high because of its many uses.
The price of wheat can be affected by many factors, including weather conditions, production levels, and supply levels. If there is a bad harvest, for example, the price of wheat will increase because there will be less available for purchase. If there is a good harvest, the price will decrease because there will be more available for purchase.
Wheat futures are contracts that are traded on futures markets. These contracts allow producers and buyers to agree on a price for wheat in the future. This helps producers and buyers manage risk.
Wheat futures can be used to speculate on future price movements or hedge against current or anticipated price movements. They can also be used to speculate on weather conditions that could affect the supply or demand for wheat.
Simplify Wheat Futures With APIs
API stands for application programming interface. An API is a set of functions and procedures that allow software programs to communicate with each other. In this case, we are talking about an agricultural API that allows us to simplify the analysis of wheat futures.
APIs work as a channel between different systems and they provide information in a simple and standardized way. They work with artificial intelligence systems that make their work much faster and more accurate than traditional methods.
In this case, we are talking about an API that allows us to simplify the analysis of wheat futures. With it we can get information about the weather conditions and also about the production levels of this product.
Use This API For Wheat Futures Analysis
With all this information at hand, you can better anticipate market movements and make better decisions regarding your investments. We recommend you try out this API called Current Weather and Forecasted Weather API.
This API is very easy to use and works with artificial intelligence so it provides accurate information about current weather conditions as well as forecasts for up to 16 days ahead.
This API is very useful for those who have crops or cattle. With this information you can plan better your work and take better decisions for your business or farm.
Another great feature of this API is that it also provides information about specific places around the world so you can get data from anywhere you need it.
You can try Current Weather and Forecasted Weather API for free for up to 50 calls per month. If you need more call requests, you can upgrade your plan to get more capacity.


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Bark mulch, whether natural or dyed, adds an attractive, finished look to the garden while keeping A1 massage Mandal weeds and holding in moisture. The benefits of an organic mulch are offset when consistently damp or too dry mulch develops mold and fungus or you buy it with mold spores already ,ulch. While most mold and fungi in mulch are harmless, you can eliminate them without having Ftee buy new mulch if you take a few extra steps when it's time to spread the mulch.
Mix granular high-nitrogen fertilizer or fresh grass clippings with the mulch and compost the mulch in a pile for six weeks before using it. Use a material that allows for 1.
In partnership with Molde
The nitrogen helps the small cellulose particles in the mulch break down more quickly so their deterioration doesn't lead to mold in your garden. Breaking down the mulch, particularly that from fresh wood or younger trees, in a compost pile before you lay it in your garden also keeps the microorganisms that break down the mulch from robbing the soil and your plants of the nitrogen they Spring bed online Leirvik to grow.
Scatter bloodmeal, urea or a high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer over your soil before laying down mulch when you can't compost before laying the product. This provides more nitrogen to speed the breakdown of cellulose, Green tea chinese Bergen increasing the amount of nitrogen immediately available to your plants.
Spread mulch no more than 3 inches Free mulch Molde. When mulch is too deep, it can heat up in the center and dry out, killing the microorganisms that compete with nuisance molds and allowing it to colonized by mold and fungi that can make the mulch water repellent. At the same Singles in central Tonsberg, the center of the mulch is dry, the soil below Free mulch Molde thick layer of mulch can stay too wet, leading to root rot for your plants.
Thoroughly soak mulch with a garden hose as soon as you apply it. As mulch that has been stored in a pile by a landscaper or in bags dries, it cools down and the good microorganisms that thrive in warm, moist conditions die. Wetting the mulch allows it to be colonized by those that prefer cool, moist conditions before mold and fungi spores can move in. Remove the fruiting bodies of any molds Free mulch Molde fungi that develop with a small shovel to the compost pile or garbage.
Mix mushroom compost into your mulch if it develops artillery fungus. Mushroom compost contains microbes that destroy both artillery and bird's nest fungus, which are often confused.
Mlde gradual breakdown of woody material found in the wild is the natural cycle that provides nutrients to the forest. Our mulch is a byproduct of our tree business and is primarily wood chips but also may contain leaf and other organic materials. Each pile is different and may contain a variety of Free mulch Molde species.
Our Free mulch Molde will load your truck or trailer for you. This is the best option for smaller residential needs Fres if you would like to see the mulch for. For loads 20 yards and over please call our office at and we will add Adult bookstores in Drobak Norway to our delivery request list.
Free Mulch. Delivery Request For loads 20 yards and over please call our office at and we will add you to our delivery request mulcb. Delivery schedule is based purely on convenience for our crew and where they are working. Free Logs Are Also Available. We help gardeners find free wood chip mulch near. We also help arborists locate cheap, local drop sites for their wood chips and logs.
Mulc word mulch does not mean wood chips orshredded bark.
Mulch isanything that covers the soil to retain moisture and prevent weeds. those increasingly popular root mulches—can breed a nuisance mold known as' shotgun' or 'artillery '.
This is a guide for getting rid of mold on mulch.
When the air gets humid, mold can begin to grow on your mulch. ❶If you have a yard debris collection service in your city, you can also use this to get rid of any unwanted woody material.
Notice: The blue and green lines are just "helpe-lines" to dermine how much the tiles could be dropped. Take your own containers and shovels. It is not uniform and dyed like the high-quality landscape mulch for sale at Lowes. It'll work just like landscape cloth, and it won't cost you a thing. Shopping Cart. While most mold and fungi in mulch are harmless, you can eliminate them without having to buy new mulch if you take a few extra steps when it's time to spread Free mulch Molde mulch.
Steinkjer gold milf Lyme doctor uses both western and alternative approaches to mold and Lyme, so I can ask her about it as. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants. We recommend that you wear a dust mask while spreading wood chip mulch to avoid breathing in too much of the dust.|If you've never experienced the magic of mulch, here's what to expect: fewer weeds, less evaporation less Free mulch Molde Mulch also helps insulate plants against House russian bride in Norway and cold weather spells.
Consider using mulch in flower beds, pathways, and around trees.
Expectations of Service
Water deeply to kick-start the decomposition process. Craigslist therapeutic massage in Norway cardboard or newspaper will biodegrade over time releasing nitrogen into the soil.
The City of Chicago offers free mulch mylch at five locations. Mulch is Free mulch Molde on a first come, first served basis from am to pm Monday-Friday.


CONDUCTIVITY METERS AND WHY YOU NEED TO CALIBRATE
29 September 2019
An EC (Electronic Conductivity) Meter is a device used to measure the electrical conductivity of a solution. Small labs use these types of meters to help solve problems in the agricultural sector that concern the productivity of a soil.
Calibrating Conductivity meters is important to ensure their abilities to measure how well solutions conduct electricity and remain accurate. You should calibrate the instrument each time it is used in order to get accurate readings at all times.
How to Calibrate:
Calibration of these meters require the use of a solution that has a known conductivity to adjust the meter so as to read that known conductivity when testing that solution. Metal containers will affect the conductivity of the solution, so it is important to always use a plastic container when checking and calibrating the conductivity meter.
The calibration process of conductivity meters does require a keen and clean procedure to ensure the device is set to make accurate measurements. Contamination of the standard solution can cause its conductivity to vary away from the known.
Conductivity of solutions also depends on other variables such as temperature, and such factors have to be considered correctly when calibrating a particular meter. Electronic calibration should be conducted by well-trained people, to handle such solutions and done in appropriate lab environments.
For more than 30 years, Scientific Instrument Center has served businesses. We provide thorough, honest, and dependable services specializing in scientific equipment maintenance and scientific equipment calibrations.
To inquire about our services, you may contact us or give us a call at (614) 771-4700.
We are here to answer any questions you may have.


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Whats Growing Weekly
You are encouraged to follow our progress by viewing the seed progress found in our News pages. We will make photographs as well as editorial comments available when appropriate.
Whats Happening On The Farm
Follow our growing season in our News pages. We will try to keep you updated on our land stewardship as well as new and improved methods of handling your food. When it comes to what you put in your body YOU WANT to see how the “sausage” is made!
What’s Happening In the Food Industry
We will periodically post news of interest in the food industry. You may have noticed that the larger and smaller food suppliers are going more and more ORGANIC. Stores such as Costco, Aldi’s, Whole Foods, Sam’s Club and many others are making Organic and Gluten Free products, staples in their available foods. This is largely in response to consumer demand. While, GMO’s, chemicals with increased toxicity and blatantly false information regarding crop toxicity are being pushed on commercial food producers (farmers), the General Public is simply NOT BUYING IT!
The worst of all, is the plethora of scientifically unsupported, anecdotal, testimonials espousing rigorous testing to support claims of safety. In fact, it is difficult to find any truly scientific data of sufficient longevity to support any claim to safety. Your government is doing NOTHING to scientifically improve food safety. The prevelance of various cancers in farming communities is highly suspicious of exposure to environmental carcinogens.
There is no question that there is an Organic Revolution as a result of consumer demand. Many foreign countries have banned GMO grains imported from the United States.
The bottom line is that the consumer is highly suspicious of toxic foods. Flour is nothing less than a highly processed chemical experiment to achieve optimal characteristics for the baking industry. Unless you sprout and grind your own flour from non polluted sources, virtuall every vitamin or mineral occuring naturally has been removed and MUST be supplemented after processing.
Raising The Standards
We are raising the bar on Fresh, Organically Produced, Grains, Fruits and Vegetables by exceeding the Certifying Guidelines of the National Organic Program of the USDA. We start by purifying the water we use with a combination of sand filtration followed by Reverse Osmosis that removes solid and molecular contaminates down to the 5 micron level (5, 1 millionth’s of an inch). This process leaves our plant sustaining water vertually 99.9%+ pure.
We then plant biological borders around our “food plots” to help prevent extrinsic contamination of our crops. Although contamination can still occur, the likely hood is far less due to our separations.
We use only naturally based fertilizers such as fish and kelp and only natural disease controls and beneficial insects. Our weed control consists almost entirely of selective tillage and natural organic crop rotation using plants that have proven to be “alleopathic” (toxic) to weeds.
Whenever possible we grow our crops from seed. This allows complete control over organic production of our plants. Where we must rely on bare root plants we obtain our plants only from certified organic producers.
Steps For The Future
We have established a solid rotation plan to rehabilitate our soils with healthy bacteria, microbes and insects. These Organisms are completely destroyed with conventional farming practices utilizing commercially produced fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides based on Genetically Modified plants. These modifications are produced to withstand the poisons anticipated to be applied.
We take a scientific approach for testing and study of our crops. The current arguments rage on the topics of safety regarding GMO plants and the subsequent toxic chemicals to be applied. The major corporations profiting from these methods allude to “studies” by their hired guns (employees), relating to safety. Scientific study demands that testing, research and study be made by INDEPENDENT investigators utilizing a multifaceted approach.
As we continue to evolve, we are studying and developing methods of research and study on the effects of our foods. When possible we will try to place links on this website for your consideration of our research and study as well as that of other scientific authorities.
NEW FOR 2016
We are in the process of negotiating home delivery for a reasonable cost. NOW you will be able to receive delivery to your door within 2 – 4 days of picking.