I didn't get to craft, but I did get to garden.
Oh my goodness, I did enough gardening to leave my fingernails stuffed and my legs scratched for weeks to come.
It was great!
I pruned all the roses (about 15 bushes in total) and sealed them. Then I spent a couple of hours hacking at the giant St. Johns Wart in the back garden that obviously hasn't been pruned in years until it was reduced from a giant ball (my gardener tries to cut it into a lollipop shape despite my pleas) to a few piddly sticks that will now hopefully have room and sunshine to grow into a more natural shape. After that I trimmed the African Potato Bush plants and then hit a couple of nurseries to pick up some annuals for instant colour to draw the eye away from the pruned roses, as well as some organic fertilizer and snail bait, veggie seedlings and a new pair of fancy gardening gloves. I did some planting yesterday, but I have some more to do whenever I get a chance this week.
It was so good to be outside with the green things!
Aside from blitzing the garden and my fingers, we finally spent a bit of the money we made through hosting world cup guests. We bought tiles.
It feels very grown up and I'm sure it will bore everyone else to tears, but we spent a few hours in tile shops and found one at a great price that will be brilliant outside.
Yes, outside. We have rising damp on the side of the house where our braai area is, so we've decided to rip up the revolting old paving, fix the waterproofing issues and tile the area, as well as re-tiling our veranda while we're at it.
I'll take some before and after shots as we go to post here and maybe that will be more interesting that me writing about it ;-)
On Sat night we went for dinner with my folks at a place called Moo Moo in Brooklyn, Pretoria. It was divine. The menus are newspapers with a cow theme, so among the starters, mains, "whine" list and dessert menu are cow comics, cow jokes, beef facts and all sorts of interesting tidbits. The food was delicious, the service very good and the dessert (chocolate volcano) superb. The atmosphere was nice too, although dim lights meant that bits of the menu (black background with white print) were hard to read.
Sunday night was a potjie at our place with a few people we've met recently. It was good fun to get to know some new people, and TSC's potjie was as fabulous as ever. I made chocolate mud cake for dessert (thanks, Shayne - this recipe's still a hit) and we all enjoyed some lovely Inkspot red wine. Yum!
All in all, a lovely (if chaotic) weekend. Hope yours was too.


Shake a few seeds into the palm of your hand and behold the essence of creation. This dazzling product of sexual propagation compresses all the genetic information necessary to create an entire plant, plus opportunities for travel, and often, some sustenance for the journey. The birth of a seed is one of nature’s most ingenious gifts. The spirited cosmos start from seed, as does the giant redwood.
The acquisition of a startling new plant for the garden is one of the most compelling reasons to sow seeds. Producing a great number of plants is another. Scores of seeds can be sown, often at low cost (and sometimes free). Growing plants to sell at a fund-raiser for the botanical garden or edging the flower border with a single variety of annual are simple projects once the basics of seed propagation are mastered.
Mass production is just one of the benefits of sowing. Seeds also present an efficient, compact way to acquire plants, since they can be shipped around the world with minimal packaging and handling. (Begonia seeds come one million to the ounce.)
The next phase of the seed-sower’s career might be as a seed-grower– the actual production of the seed. By playing bee and delivering pollen, perhaps to the next county where a friend grows the same species, a gardener becomes a dedicated conservationist. There is also the potential to invent a new plant. If you anticipate the outcome of pollination by selecting and interbreeding two plants or a succession of plants, you can influence nature more directly, although this technique is controversial. Agri-businessmen, native-plant enthusiasts, plant purists and explorers have strong opinions on the subject. A good case is made by the seed-savers, who promote the old-fashioned heirloom varieties.
Conservation is another reason to propagate plants from seeds. Stealing plants from the wild is just plain wrong; the theft may contribute to a mini-ecosystem’s demise. The best way to stop people from digging plants in the wild is to make those plants readily available. The home gardener could obtain seeds of a wildflower from a native plant society, and germinate the seeds to help a species persist, even if its homeland does not survive.
There is one more incentive for sowing seed: it is so much fun. There is the challenge of the hunt for the seeds, the thrill of watching them sprout and the satisfaction of nurturing the seedlings. Ultimately, the joy of propagation is seeing the results in first flowers, or basking in the shade of a tree that will live beyond the length of our own lives.
Sowing for Selection
It is said that good luck is simply taking advantage of opportunity. Cultivars– varieties of plants that can be cultivated and introduced to the nursery trade–are found in intentional mass sowings all the time. More frequently, however, cultivars are simply discovered by someone who spends a moment taking a second look. Careful scrutiny of flats of seedlings at the nursery or seedlings sown at home often reveals something special. The more seeds sown, the greater the chance of discovering a unique plant.
Hostas are among the most popular herbaceous perennials; introductions appear each year and vie for the top spot on the annual list of favorites chosen by the Hosta Society. A hosta with the brightest golden leaves, sweetly-perfumed flowers, a shapely leaf with a wave or a wiggle, can command hefty prices: $200.00 or more. (Left, Recent fragrant introduction, Hosta ‘Stained Glass’.) Home gardeners can easily enter the sweepstakes.
Instead of dead-heading a prized hosta after its flowers fade, let the plump fruits form. When the fruits are still green but the stalk turns brown, cut the stem and bring it to a safe place indoors, maybe an empty vase set in a box where the warm air can dry the pods. Any seeds that drop when the pods split open can be collected and sown fresh; new hostas will come up quickly. The signs of something different soon be evident. Seedlings with promise can be potted up to grow in the garden, and the rest can be discarded. Thankfully, the seedlings that don’t measure up do not have to go to the compost heap. There’s a gardener born every minute, so the surplus should easily find homes.


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The region is located in the center of Ukraine and has an advantageous geographical position. Its territory is crossed by major highways, railways and the Dnipro river. The length of Kre-menchuk water reservoir is 130 km. Its average depth is 6 m, the total flood area reaches 2,252 sq km. The Kanivsky National Park is the biggest one in the forest steppe area. It occupies 341,100 ha.
Population of the Cherkasy Region is about 1,478,000 people. Area of the Cherkassy Region is 20,900 sq km.
Cherkasy region is the youngest in Ukraine. Established in 1954, the region was surrounded by the borders of Vin-nytsya, Kyiv, Kirovograd and Poltava regions. Its territory accounts for 3.5% of the total area of Ukraine. The agricultural land amounts to 1,456,000 ha, including 1,286,300 ha of ploughed fields, 139,100 ha of meadow and pastures and 30,100 ha of perennial plantations. The region has 20 administrative districts, 16 towns of region subordination, like Cherkasy, Smila, Uman, Kaniv, Vatutine and Zolotonosha, and 15 townships and 823 villages.
This is an industrial and agrarian region. Manufacturing industry accounts of 40 % of the total output; agriculture — 24%; construction — 7%.
Over 300 industrial plants are found in this region. Food and chemical industries prevail (36.2% and 28.4%, respectively). Machine building and metalworking sectors account for 7.6%, power engineering, 11.8%, light industry, 4.7%. The region produces synthetic ammonia, mineral fertilisers (over one fifth of total output in Ukraine);
chemical fibres and threads (over one third of the total output); automatic control devices, equipment for manufacturing industry, equipment for animal husbandry and fodder production, chemical equipment, equipment for production of chemical fibres, medical equipment. Local companies produce silk and cotton cloth, knitted goods; garment products. The region also manufactures washing machines, TV sets, watches, telephone sets, electric meat grinders, china, earthenware and majolica.
The region has a well-developed agricultural sector. Agricultural area in the region makes up 88 %. As far as the soil fertility is concerned, the region occupies the first place in Ukraine, the land area per capita exceeds the country's average.
Grain crops occupy 547,000 ha (42.5% of arable land), sugar beet, 88,000 ha (6.8%), sunflower, 61,300 ha (4.8 %). Such structure defines the main directions of development of agricultural sector, which concentrates on production of grain, sugar beet and cattle.


Agricultural fleets work in some of the harshest conditions ever. Companies in the agriculture industry place a high value on their machinery because their operations would be impossible without it. Agricultural equipment is a big investment for agricultural businesses.
The agriculture industry was one of the first to emerge. It has also been an early adopter of technology, whether for crop maximising, land utilisation, or farming technique improvement. Agribusiness maximises earnings by utilising an agriculture fleet management software system.
The machinery used in modern farming, from ploughs to tractors, has distinctive requirements. As a result, the sector employs telematics and GPS tracking devices to boost field production.
What is Agriculture Fleet Management?
Agriculture is more than just farming and crop yield. Asset management and corporate profitability are also important factors. As a result, agricultural fleet management focuses on farm vehicles and how managers might use them to enhance profitability while lowering operational expenses.
Telematics and GPS tracking are critical components of agricultural fleet management. Only via the use of OBD sensors, smart hardware, and software tuning can you maximise the revenues from farm cars. Data such as fuel usage, engine condition, trip history, and driving performance are presented in digestible reports by agricultural fleet management.
Benefits of Using Fleet Management in Agriculture
- Real-time notifications alert you to the movement of any assets, allowing you to call authorities immediately to avoid theft or loss.
- Agriculture fleet management is more than equipment and vehicle tracking. This invention allows you to see where your field labourers are at all times, allowing you to use this knowledge to make decisions and communicate throughout your operations.
- GPS monitoring systems also provide fleet managers with analytical data to assist them in maintaining their associated farm equipment, from scheduling maintenance to reducing wasteful engine idling.
- Agriculture fleet management makes it simple to identify where vehicles are left at the conclusion of a work shift and follow their movements while in use. This consistency in knowing where a vehicle is is critical for securing it, as not knowing where a resource is puts it in danger of theft or harm.
- Geofences can also be used in agriculture to identify areas that should be avoided by vehicles or areas that need to be tended to. Geofencing can also be used for:
– Prioritise target areas for fertilisation and harvesting in order to stay up with crop cycles to yield more with less.
– “Fence” off areas that need to be left alone for longer durations for soil cultivation.
– Isolate territory where livestock may be grazing to avoid accidents or injuries to humans and livestock.
– Identify zones that have been pesticide-treated or are deemed organic growth areas.
- GPS tracking technologies can be used to track land that has previously been treated, preventing field service staff from going out of their way.
- Route optimisation can eventually minimise vehicle wear and tear, extending the life of costly equipment.
- You can also schedule maintenance notifications in some fleet tracking systems. This will tell you when it is time to do routine maintenance of your fleet.
- Farms have varying terrains, resulting in varying engine exertion and fuel usage. When travelling uphill, your vehicle will use more fuel than normal. Instead of travelling across farm areas, you may use agricultural fleet management software to keep track of how much fuel your vehicles consume in every terrain.
Agriculture relies heavily on lowering operating expenses to boost profitability. You can make the greatest use of your farm’s automotive assets with the assistance of agricultural fleet management. The easiest approach to get the most out of your agriculture setup is to use agriculture fleet management, GPS tracking, telematics, and careful planning.


Are you in need of ground cover for your garden? Here at Camel City Roll Offs, you can rely on our dependable and prompt mulch delivery. Good mulch can help your garden to stay healthy and beautiful. It helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, keep the ground cool, and make your garden look lush and appealing. At Camel City Roll Offs, we offer high-quality mulch of many varieties, with several types and colors to choose from. We are easy to contact, show up when expected, and always provide excellent customer service. We’re sure you’ll be more than satisfied with your mulch delivery when you choose to work with us at Camel City Roll Offs.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your mulch delivery:
- Timing: Spring and fall are both excellent times to apply mulch, for both aesthetic purposes and to keep your garden in optimal health.
- Weeding: To give your garden the best shot at thriving, experts recommend a bit of cleanup before applying mulch. Remove weeds, leaves, and any other debris that may have wandered into your garden beds
- Aerating: Another tip for helping your garden is to aerate the space before mulch is delivered. This allows the soil to breathe and creates healthier soil where roots can grow strong.
- Delivery and application: Decide beforehand where you want the mulch left. Have a wheelbarrow, pitchfork, and steel tine rake on hand to help you transport and spread the mulch where you need it. You can also use a leaf blower to refine the look and clean up edges.
With these tips, along with our quality mulch and dependable service, we’re sure you’ll be happy with your experience. Call to schedule your mulch delivery today.


We at Ceres Organics Pvt Ltd take an integrated approach to crop management consulting, providing farmers and growers with a comprehensive choice of services, from crop inputs to environmental counselling.
Technological advances are being made at a dizzying pace, so simply working harder and longer isn't enough. Today's farm managers - already under pressure from increased competition and slimmer profit margins - must also work smarter. Our clients look to us for relief from the staggering amount of information they need to process each day.
Recommendations cannot be made in a vacuum. From deciding on seeds to pest control decisions to manure management systems, today's farmer needs to evaluate the pros and cons of every decision that he makes.
For over 12 years now, Ceres Organics Pvt Ltd has helped its clients sort out these kinds of questions. We keep pace with technology but without being blinded by it. Modern innovations such as GPS, infrared photography, satellite imagery and variable-rate applicators speed our job and add unprecedented accuracy, although most of our work is still done the old-fashioned way; in the field and by hand.
Farmers have plenty of information sources and virtually unlimited options for practically every aspect of their business. They can also choose from a wide variety of advisors.
Pomegranate, banana, citrus fruits, oil seeds, spices, sugarcane, all vegetables, we cater to all kinds of fruits, vegetables, etc and make sure that we get the best yields possible. Even the problem of today's sugar factories of increasing the sugar brix content of sugarcane can be easily taken care of with the most organic of methods which we provide.
Ceres Organics Pvt Ltd is the intelligent choice for independent, unbiased counsel. Our job is to provide you with the most advanced technologies and procedures available to grow your business and enhance your profitability. It's what we do best, and it allows you to do what you do best.


Over the weekend, my crunchy friends invited me to tag along on the 6th annual Know Your Farms Tour, a 2-day fest featuring 15 diverse farms in the greater Charlotte area. ?Y’all know I love the farmers’ market! ?
We only did the vegan/veggie farms because Kelley is a vegetarian. ?I’m not fancy enough to be buying my meats straight from farms and whatnot, so that was fine by me. ?Our first stop on Saturday afternoon:
The?Dover?family turned lemons into wine after a “pyromaniac cousin” burned down their?late grandparents’ home and barn. ?Rather than selling the land off, 29-year-old?Elizabeth (a?horticulture major who’s studied winemaking in New Zealand) decided to develop a 4-acre vineyard and 1.5-acre uncertified organic farm. ?Look at that pretty lettuce!
They had samples of wine available, only reds for now while the white grapes continue to mature. The whole endeavor is fairly experimental, which is cool to see. I got all kinds of caught up in the farm stand with Elizabeth’s mom, who urged me not to be shy with sampling the jams and jellies on offer. ?J. Garcia, who makes them from the farm’s produce, helped me find his freshest?jar of Strawberry White Wine Jam. I can’t wait to slather it on a turkey & brie sandwich! They are having an open house on May 31 that sounds like it’ll be worth the trip up the road. ?Next stop…
I’m familiar with Barbee Farms’ produce because?so many of the really great farm-to-table restaurants?and trucks buy from them. Visiting, it’s easy to see why. First of all, the farm is huge and diverse — they grow everything from asparagus to zucchini and harvest honey to boot. They’ve operated for over 100 years continuously, shifting crops with the times.
While waiting for the tractors to come back from tours, we headed to the samples. There was a smorgasbord of freshness just right there for us, mostly centered around the most delicious strawberries I’ve ever had in my life. IN MY LIFE. I can’t remember the chef’s name, but I believe he’s executive chef at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
I bought some pretty yellow cauliflower and a batch of berries in hopes of recreating those taquitos and cauliflower mash later this week. Then we ate some more. We ate so much that we missed the next tractor. So we figured, might as well eat while we wait for the next one.
Farm manager Brent Barbee was the guide for our tractor ride. He answered questions and I learned tons about not only this farm but food cultivation in general. Barbee Farms isn’t 100% organic, but Brent explained that sometimes the most organic solutions aren’t always, in his opinion, the safest. ?At one point he said that he wanted us to “trust me to grow your food.” I do. ?It’s delicious.
After grabbing a couple more plates of quinoa salad, we closed out the day and headed back to the big city. My biggest takeaway was that I need to expand my farmers’ market shopping. Right now, I usually go to Yorkmont Rd., sometimes Atherton Mills and King’s Drive. There’s a whole world that I’ve been missing out on in Davidson and Concord.
Later I’ll write about Sunday’s tours and share how we went farm-to-table with our finds!


I received this seed keeper as a gift recently (thanks Mom and Joyce!) and am excited to share how I am using it!
If you've read any of my previous postings, particularly my Welcome page, then you know I am fond of memory keeping and scrapbooking. As soon as I saw this organizer I knew I would be pulling out my supplies to personalize it. For the cover, I added some number stickers for the year and a photo that I mounted on cardstock. The photo I used was from the previous year's garden, in keeping with the theme of vegetables scattered around the outside cover.
On the inside front cover, I used rub-ons to add my name and that crown, and glued in some die-cut butterflies. For the seed packet keepers I used a black pen to write (in cursive, which I still love) the names of the plants, and stamped the 'date purchased' with a date stamper:
On the back of each seed keeper I stamped the date the seeds were planted, and wrote a few descriptive words from the seed packet backs:
The are several pages of gardening tips and some gardening resources followed by this page for notes, which I have been using to keep track of the events in my garden (I added the '2014' stickers):
And lastly, I recycled an envelope by gluing it into the back cover so I have a place for the photographs I'm taking this season:
I hope you've enjoyed this tour of my seed keeper book. If you are interested in any of the supplies I've used or would like to know more about the seed keeper book, leave me a comment! Thanks for looking!


Vermicomposting, or worm farming, is a great way to reduce the amount of organic kitchen waste that you dispose of. The castings, having passed through the worm’s body are an amazing source of nutrient rich fertiliser for the garden. Any nutrients and minerals going into your worm farm come out in a form that is more easily absorbed by plants. Worm castings also contain millions of beneficial bacteria and other organisms which are essential to soil and plant health.
Whilst handy to know, I can hear you asking, “What has this got to do with hobby?” In the last sixteen months since the birth of the Daughter, my wife has had a rapidly degenerating back and is now looking like going into surgery to fix it soon. The end result is that I have had a rapidly declining amount of time to do hobby!
Mister Ten is starting to show an interest in table top gaming in the form of the X-Wing Miniatures game but it is a bit fleeting. He’s ten, what more can I expect?!
With so little time for actual gaming and two kids to entertain, the only logical thing that I could think of was … WORM FARMING! I am a bit of a greenie at heart and worm farms are fascinating. Having accrued a fair few gift cards in the last couple of months, it was off to our local Bunnings for an impulse purchase or two.
We did a bit of research before leaving and came up with the shopping list:
- Worm Café worm farm – somewhere for the little darlings to call home.
- Worms – We ended up getting a box of 1000 worms and a box of 500 worms for the worm farm.
The total cost for the worm farm plus it’s denizens was $162.88. There are a heap of accessories also available. As we are just starting up the little cows and pigs and chickens seem a bit unnecessary. And how do worms drive tractors anyway?
The Worm Farm is a series of plastic boxes that fit inside one another. They are really easy to put together and the instructions provided were simple enough that we could all follow along. All we had to do was slide the plastic legs into the bottom tray and it was done. The bottom tray is where all the lovely worm juice gets captured. It has a plastic spigot on the bottom that releases any captured moisture from the worm farm. This can then be poured directly onto the garden as an excellent liquid fertilizer.
Another plastic try sits inside the base tray and this is the working box where the worms will live and play. Once the working box is full you just place another layer on top. From the working tray will come all of the lovely worm castings. The Daughter decided that she wanted to kick start the composting process.
What can I say? She over powered me.
The total time was less than thirty minutes to get the trays all assembled and placed in a shady spot around the side of the house. The worm farm should not be placed somewhere in full sunlight all day; morning sun is okay but the full strength of daylight should be avoided. Exposure to that much heat for a long period of time will dry out the worm farm and likely kill all the worms too.
Into the working tray we poured the bedding for the worms. This had to be soaked in water for about fifteen minutes to expand, it’s like saw dust and give the worms a comfortable place to live. After that, the worms go on top of the bedding. Before closing up the box it’s fun to dig around in the soil to see the worms and just check to make sure they’re in there. As a side note to doing this, babies will EAT worms if given the opportunity.Please-don’t-tell-her-mother!
There are only a couple of steps left, top up the worm farm with soil and add some food and a “blanket”. We broke down one of the worm’s boxes as a cover for them to be placed on top just before the lid. Before closing the worm farm up, we liberally doused the worm farm in water (and each other). Worms need a moist environment and soaking the cardboard help to keep it cool and wet in there.
The worm’s won’t seem to eat much food for the first weeks as they are settling into their new environment. We dumped the current stock of kitchen scraps on top of the soil and after just a couple of days of checking under the cardboard, could see that there were a few worms poking around and checking things out.
Now all we need for our new pet is a name. After much deliberation we chose “Jim”. For. All. The. Worms.
Remember, worms is for life, not just for Christmas.


Creating a beautiful and well-maintained landscape in Austin requires the right materials, and mulch plays a vital role in achieving that. A well-manicured landscape can significantly enhance the curb appeal and overall beauty of your property. One way to achieve a polished and eye-catching outdoor space is by incorporating black mulch. This blog will explore the benefits of using black mulch and guide you in finding the perfect Black mulch supplier in Austin.
Why Choose Black Mulch?
Black mulch is a popular choice among homeowners and landscapers due to its striking appearance and numerous benefits. The deep, dark color of black mulch provides a stark contrast against the vibrant greens of plants and flowers, creating a visually stunning effect. It serves as a backdrop that allows your landscaping elements to shine. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, black mulch offers several practical advantages for your garden or outdoor space.
Black mulch acts as a protective layer that helps suppress weed growth. By preventing sunlight from reaching weed seeds, it inhibits their germination and growth, reducing the need for frequent weeding and saving you valuable time and effort.
One of the key benefits of using black mulch is its ability to retain moisture in the soil. It acts as a barrier, reducing evaporation and helping to maintain consistent soil moisture levels. This is especially beneficial during hot and dry periods, as it helps to conserve water and keep your plants hydrated.
Black mulch absorbs heat from the sun, which can be advantageous in cooler climates or during the early spring season when you want to encourage soil warming. The warmth provided by black mulch can aid in the growth and development of plants.
Natural Mulch: Embracing Organic Beauty and Nutrient-Rich Benefits
Natural mulch, also known as organic mulch, is derived from organic materials such as wood chips, bark, straw, or compost. It offers a more rustic and earthy appearance compared to black mulch. Natural mulch not only enhances the natural beauty of your landscape but also provides numerous benefits. As it decomposes over time, it enriches the soil with nutrients, improves moisture retention, and promotes a healthy ecosystem by attracting beneficial organisms. Selecting a reliable Natural mulch supplier in austin is crucial to get high quality mulch materials for your need.
Tips to find a black mulch supplier
Finding the best black mulch supplier requires careful consideration and research. Check these useful tips;
- Start by seeking recommendations from trusted sources and conducting online research to identify suppliers in your area.
- Evaluate the quality of their black mulch products, considering factors such as sourcing, composition, and absence of contaminants.
- Look for a supplier with a diverse selection of mulch options to cater to different landscaping needs. Assess their customer service, including responsiveness and knowledgeability. Consider delivery options, pricing, and sustainability practices. Requesting samples and reviewing terms and conditions can also provide valuable insights.
Incorporating black mulch into your landscaping can significantly enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your outdoor space. The dark color provides a stunning backdrop for your plants and helps to suppress weed growth while retaining moisture in the soil. When seeking a Black mulch supplier in Austin, it is crucial to choose a reputable supplier like is if you expect a high-quality black mulch and ensure a seamless experience from purchase to delivery.


Every winter I get excited about gardening and get eager to start growing. A couple years ago I almost bought an Aerogarden. I didn’t because of its cost, but I resolved to learn about how it worked and if I could make one myself. As it turns out, the “Aerogarden” doesn’t actually use aeroponics, but “deep water culture” hydroponics. Not everyone agrees philosophically that we should be using hydroponics, but the science behind it is fascinating nonetheless.
Hydroponics, simply, is growing plants in a nutrient solution, without soil. There are various methods to do this, and the Aerogarden is an all-in-one consumer kit.
Aquaponics is a subset of hydroponics that incorporates fish into the mix, using the fish waste and physical filtering instead of a synthetic nutrient solution. You can also raise the fish for food. Many people use tilapia.
Aeroponics is a specific type of hydroponics that suspends the roots in air and sprays or mists the nutrient solution over the roots at set intervals. There are two types of aeroponics, high pressure and low pressure. (There is also another type called “fogponics”, using ultrasonic foggers, but there are issues with root suffocation on established plants. This tends to work best for cloning plants.)
High pressure aeroponics uses mist and is considered more efficient with water and more effective at growing plants due to ideal droplet size.
As far as I know, there are no consumer-grade high pressure aeroponic systems available, likely due to the requirement for more knowledge and maintenance (potential mist heads clogging, etc). The only company I know selling high pressure systems is Art Garden, and his systems require more than just a basic knowledge to operate, and are pretty easy to copy DIY.
Here’s an early video about the family behind Art Garden and their system:
There are some great plans for DIY systems on weed-related sites, the best I’ve found is from 420dotcom.com.
Low pressure aeroponics is simpler and can be cheaper, but isn’t quite as efficient. It uses slightly more water and the water droplet size isn’t as efficient for root uptake, compared with HPA systems.
Products like Tower Garden use low pressure aeroponics. Here’s a great example of a DIY system:
This system seems like the easiest to build and maintain. It could even work with an aquaponics setup as well.
At this point, I’m not ready to do anything. I’m going to stick to regular outdoor gardening, using the compost I’ve made from my yard waste and food scrapes. The first major project I have to start working on this year is finishing our basement. After the basement is finished, something like this could be a future project. In the meantime, it is fun to learn about this stuff and watch YouTube videos about it.
Various articles and videos I’ve watched in the last two years. If you want specifics, I can try to dig some up for you, let me know in the comments!


Is CBD legal? The 2014 Farm Bill signed by President Barack Obama, Section 7606 of the 2014 Farm Bill authorized the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp, from which CBD ostensibly derives.
The biggest difference in legality is the THC level. While marijuana plants contain high levels of THC, hemp contains very little of the psychoactive chemical, containing no more than 0.3% THC. This single difference is what most rely on to distinguish hemp from marijuana.
Find out more about legal tinders.


Direct from the Mountain Thunder farm in Kona on Hawaii's "Big Island".
100% Kona Premium Coffee. Dark (French) Roast. Whole Bean.
Only the ripe, red fruit are picked from the trees, leaving the unripe, green, fruit on the coffee trees until a later picking.
The beans are air-dried and carefully cleaned, graded and run through a Satake optical color sorter. This removes and black, white, yellow and brown beans which adversely affect taste. Contains 16/64 and 17/64 size beans.
Roasted in the Mountain Thunder signature Diedrich Roaster to a Dark (French) Roast.


I can't remember what actual week I'm on, either 7 or 8. Eh, anyway, while we were gone my kind brother came over and kept all of our cats fed, watered and with a clean litterbox and he watered my plants/garden. Yay for brothers!
Everything exploded while we were gone. Tendrils are reaching out for something to climb up and onto, tomatoes are flowering and growing, cucumbers and beans are blooming, etc. I do appear to have a pest problem, what kind of pest I'm not sure, I did catch a glimpse of something that looks like a pink/iridescent ladybug. At any rate something(s) have been nibbling on my morning glory, okra, beans and zinnias. I sprayed some insecticidal soap on Monday and because of the rain/watering I'll need to reapply this weekend. I also need to stake my tomatoes too but Lowe's was out of the right size of bamboo poles so off to Home Depot I need to go.
Doug's grapes (Concord & Red Flame)
In the flower bed my newest cone flower has bloomed and so has my double Rose of Sharon.
The potato vine and petunias were looking a little sickly but extra water and deadheading the petunias seemed to help.


Cultivation and Harvesting
The first step in making organic green tea is cultivating and harvesting the leaves. This process begins in the spring when the leaves are plucked by hand. The leaves are then sorted by quality and type. The best leaves are set aside to be used for leaf green tea, while the lower quality leaves will go to the trash.
Steaming and Shaping
The next step in making green tea is to heat the leaves to stop oxidation. This process is called steaming, and it helps preserve the colour and flavour of the leaves. After steaming, the leaves are rolled and shaped into small pellets. The rolling process breaks down the cell walls of the leaves, releasing their flavour.
The Process of Oxidation
When green tea leaves are plucked, they begin to oxidize immediately. This is because the cells in the leaves are broken, exposing them to oxygen in the air. The longer the leaves are exposed to oxygen, the darker they will become.
The Final Touch - Drying
After the leaves have been sorted and withered, they are ready for drying. This is done in one of two ways: By air or by heating. Air-drying is the traditional method and takes place in large rooms with good ventilation. The leaves are spread out on racks, where they will slowly dry over the course of several days. Heat-drying, on the other hand, is a newer method that uses warm air to speed up the drying process.
With its many health benefits and antioxidant properties, organic green tea (Camellia sinensis) has become popular in the world in recent years, especially as an ingredient in weight loss and detox teas. When it comes to green tea, fresh is best. When you are looking for high-quality green tea, you should keep a few things in mind. First, the best-tasting green tea will feel and taste smooth, bright and refreshing. Second, it should be a vibrant green colour. Third, the leaves should be whole and intact. Fourth, the tea should be free of any bitter or astringent flavours. Finally, it should have a pleasant aroma. And now, it's time to make a knowledgeable purchase on Indian green tea brands.


2023, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, USA
Callen Solley from Rocky Mountain High School addressed water use and polluted runoff by providing a soil moisture sensor to a golf course. Over 2 billion gallons of water are dumped onto golf courses in the United States each year. In addition to that, most of them are overwatered which creates excess runoff that carries fertilizers into the watershed creating algae blooms. A great way to stop the issue of overwatering is utilizing a soil moisture sensor. The sensor measures how much water is in the soil. These readings can help a golf course adjust the amount of water they are putting on the grass. This solution addressed targets 6.3 and 14.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals.


On May 22th, 2017, IMASA launched the first reference of the Industrial Hygroscopic Cycle technology.
The technology was incorporated into the 12,5 MWe Vetejar biomass plant, located in Palenciana area, which belongs to the Cordoba’s province (Spain) and is owned by Agricultural cooperative Oleícola El Tejar.
The benefits provided by the technology allow to amortize the investment in less than 2 years.
With the incorporation of the aforementioned technology to the industrial plant the following conclusions have been obtained:
- Increase the coolant temperature of the air coolers by 13ºC for the same condensation pressures.
- 100% saving of cooling water (229.200 m3/year).
- Reduce self-consumption of the plant (1.520 MWh/year).
- Increase the availability of the facility, working with lower average annual condensation pressures, thereby generating an additional 900 MWh/year.
- In conclusion, increase the electrical performance of the plant by eliminating all the cooling water consumption, as well as reducing associated O&M costs.
The 5th of July 2018, IMASA started up the second reference at industrial scale of the Hygroscopic Cycle technology. This technology has been incorporated into the 25 MWe Baena’s biomass plant.
The facility is located at Córdoba, one of the warmest provinces of Spain, and is owned by Oleícola El Tejar, one of the most important cooperatives in olive sector.
The benefits provided by the technology made it possible a very quick amortization about investment costs, significantly increasing the net electrical performance, completely canceling the consumption of cooling water, and reducing its associated O&M costs.


Tilda manufactures England’s top – selling rice since 1970. For over 30 years, Tilda is committed to preserve this legendary rice. Basmati remains at the heart of Tilda and the company is committed to only select the finest Basmati for all its products.
Tilda refuses to blend with inferior grains. For many years Tilda has worked hand-in-hand with the Basmati farming community and has taken on the mantle of guardianship of this precious grain.
Tilda supports more than 10,000 independent farmers, each of whom are known by name, and provides free advice on the cultivation, propagation and harvesting of Basmati, enabling them to secure a fair price in the marketplaces.
Tilda selects the unique, fragrant and delicate Basmati grain from the Himalayan foothills, the only place on earth where pure Basmati can be grown.
Each year Tilda provides farmers with certified Pure Basmati seed at no profit. In its quest for the very best Basmati, Tilda employs the latest DNA fingerprint technology and checks every batch of rice for purity.
To this day Tilda remains a family business employing some 200 people in the UK and is proud of its reputation for uncompromising quality and a commitment to sustaining the legendary status of Basmati and the Tilda Basmati brand worldwide.
The story of Tilda is one of unbroken success. Tilda was the first company to bring Basmati to the Western World and has become an international food brand selling in over 50 countries.
Tryfon Tseriotis and Tilda have been business partners for the Cypriot market since 1994.


Aggrand specializes in Natural Organic Fertilizer Products:
AGGRAND natural products meet your lawn, garden and agricultural fertilization needs.
In today's environmentally conscious society, AGGRAND offers a safe and cost effective line of
natural and organic liquid fertilizers. The products are not only convenient, but they are free of harmful
chemicals which makes AGGRAND the ideal choice for agriculture, homeowners, commercial growers, lawn care,
and turf professionals who are seeking natural products with proven performance.
Our website is designed to provide you with a portal pass through to the online sales website of AGGRAND natural fertilizers.
Click here to read Testimonials of Aggrand Natural Fertilizers: AGGRAND Testimonials.


ONE VISION KENYA
One vision Kenya is a youth-led non-profit organization working with communities in the rural areas of Migori county- Kenya. One vision Kenya design and implement socio-economic projects, with a focus on education for sustainability, agri-business, environmental conservation and climate change.
The vision of the organisation is “to provide a platform for pupils, students and community at large in Migori County to benefit from environmental education and learn values, skills, behaviors and lifestyles that ensure job creation, improve food security and leads to environmental sustainability in the region.”
One vision Kenya is a partner in the DaCCA component.


Experience the exquisite flavors of Bella Cucina Thousand Flower Honey, harvested on a biodynamic farm in the picturesque Piedmont region of Italy. Also known as 'miele millefiori,' this honey derives from the nectar of wildflowers, creating a beautiful, aromatic, and truly unique flavor profile.
Treasured as one of the rarest kinds of honey, it is an ideal accompaniment to breakfast scones or a delectable drizzle over hard Italian cheeses. Elevate your culinary delights with this exceptional honey from the Italian countryside.
Size: 6 oz
Weight (lb): 1
100% Organic Ingredients
Region: Harvested on a biodynamic farm in the Piedmont region of Italy.
Please allow up to 5 - 7 business days for this item to ship.


attainment of anything desired; realization; accomplishment: After years of hard work she finally brought her idea to full fruition.
enjoyment, as of something attained or realized.
state of bearing fruit.
Several months ago, our neighbor two doors down came over and gave us a container with 6 individual tiny tomato plants. Paul excitedly told us that these plants would produce hundreds of little yellow tomatoes that were delicious. We did have some tomato plants in our yard a couple of years ago, so I was happy to have the prospect of once again having this wonderful fruit that is so great in salads. We kept these little plants in our sunny kitchen window for about 8 weeks before my husband transplanted them outside. He took care of them for the first week or so, checking them daily to see how they were doing. One of them did end up dying, but the other 5 are still surviving and doing well. My husband asked me one day if there were any flowers blooming on the plants. I checked that day to see if there were any, but there were not. However, the very next day, I saw several flowers starting to bloom on a couple of the plants. That’s a good sign, because the flowering stage comes right before the fruit stage. It was sometime last week that I saw the first little green tomatoes on a couple of the plants. That’s when I took the two pictures above with my cell phone. Since that time I have found tomatoes on all of the plants. The largest of the plants has more than ten tomatoes on it. I am excited to see the growth on these plants and am looking forward soon to partaking of the “fruits” of our labor.
For several weeks now, before our plants were even flowering, this word has been on my mind. Fruition. It’s exciting to see different fruits and vegetables growing in the natural, but how much more thrilling to see it produced in the spiritual.
This is the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 and attributes that God would like to see develop in our lives.
It comes through
-obedience to God’s Word
-sometimes trials and tribulations
In the natural, fruit is enjoyed by all kinds of people. How many like peaches? How many like bananas? How many like plums? How many like apricots? Probably lots and lots.
How many like to be around someone that expresses love? How many like to be with someone that just seems to have a deep settled peace? How many like to be around someone when they’re down that just is so encouraging because of the faith that they express that you can make it through your dark hour?
If we are filled with the Spirit as the Bible teaches, God wants to see fruit produced in our life. If we’re faithful to do our part to cultivate the soil of our hearts, God will do His part, and we will bear fruit, whereby we can be a blessing to others. This is what I want. How about you?


Investment Opportunity Pineapple Farm in La Chorrera.
Discover an extraordinary investment opportunity: a 20-hectare pineapple farm in the prized La Cocobola region of Panama. This attractive offer provides a solid foundation for agricultural success and sustainable growth. As each hectare produces an impressive 4.5 containers of premium MD2 pineapples annually and the demand for premium MD2 pineapples is very high, this investment is an attractive option to capture a larger market share.
Strategically located in the renowned pineapple-producing region of La Cocobola in Chorrera, this farm ensures efficient distribution and access to the global market. Embrace this lucrative journey into the booming pineapple industry and secure your position in the international market. Explore the possibility of expanding your investment portfolio by acquiring additional land or using innovative business strategies, such as leasing land from other farmers. Take advantage of this golden opportunity and reap the benefits of investing in one of the world’s most coveted pineapple varieties.
For more information contact us.


Blessed with Maize in Bukulu
On NINAYO’s first visit to Bukulu village, in September 2019, the farmers somberly told us of how their previous maize harvest had been destroyed by army worm. The farmers were wary of NINAYO and unenthusiastic- reasonably so.
I promised them that we would supply seeds, pesticides and fertilizers of the highest quality- at a discounted rate. I was prepared to lose money on this offer. Because I sincerely wanted to help, sure, but also because I needed to gain the villages trust. At harvest time I was going to need the farmers to trust me as I convinced them they could own their maize digitally on their phones, with our “e-fadhi” pilot.
When we returned in March, the village matriarchs lined up waiting to meet us. They ceremoniously decorated our faces with a white maize paste and sang loudly. We were surrounded by towering maize stalks. Crowds were funneling in to sign up for our “e-fadhi” service. After ten years working in East African farm villages- I’d never had a reception like this.
What is e-fadhi?
NINAYO built a USSD system dubbed “e-fadhi” (translates to “e-storage”) which enables farmers to own their harvests digitally on their phones, while the hard product is transferred and stored in a central marketplace. E-fadhi has the potential to eliminate the 40% of harvests lost during post harvest handling, and increase farmers incomes by an estimated 30%.
Today, 172 Bukulu farmers have applied for the 5 slots we have open for our trial. You would expect that farmers would be nervous about owning their assets digitally. But they have been using mobile money for years. Furthermore, they are tired of being ripped off by middlemen. Owning their product in Tanzania’s biggest warehouse was never available to them before. They know how much more money they stand to earn with e-fadhi.
NINAYO is working with the World Food Program to scale e-fadhi this summer to somewhere between 50 and 150 farmers. We could help thousands more farmers, but the opex is high as we are advancing the cost of storage, transport, and the maize itself to provide low income farmers this service. Our returns are significant at the end of the season, however, making this a sustainable business model.
I’m actively looking for NGO’s, investors and partners during this worldwide wfh. DM me with any recommendation you can. I’m all ears.


Impacts of Climate Change to Agriculture
- Biodiversity Foundation and Friends of the Earth
The project has been designed to study the assessment of the effects of climate change within the agriculture sector, in several regions of Spain.
In particular, the project has studied the impacts of climate change for grape vines, tomatoes, chickpeas and almond trees. The foregoing crops are highly sensitive to specific climate characteristics. For example, an increase of temperature and carbon dioxide could benefit certain crops in different regions.
Based upon the study of the climatological characteristics which are determinant for each crop, in each region, the climate forecasts of said specific variable have been analysed and the relation thereof to the future productivity of the specific crop.


Commonly known as the black gold of Cote D’Ivoire, cocoa is the seed derived from oval shaped orange fruits known as calabashes. The Cote D’Ivoire is the largest producer and exporter of Cocoa Beans in the world representing 40% of global production. The quantity per year is about 1.4 million metric tonnes.
Cocoa requires warm and moist climates with altitude and can grow on its trunk or on branches. It needs shade to develop and hence most cocoa plantations either have banana trees or a forest with tall tress. This protects them from the sun and wind. Its height varies from 3 to 8 metres and simultaneously bears buds, flowers and fruits. On average it develops one fruit, a calabash, for every one hundred flowers. A calabash is the shape of a rugby ball and varies from 300 to 500 grams. It contains approximately 20 to 50 seeds which are wrapped by a white pulp. Once the white pulp is removed, it is allowed to ferment for 6 to 7 days and then dried in the sun for a further 7 days. At this stage, they take on the name of “cocoa beans”. The process of fermentation and drying are the two most important stages in determining the high quality of the bean.
There are three main species of Cocoa trees. The most widespread in the Cote D’Ivoire is used for bitter cocoa and goes by the name of “Forastero”. This tree originated from the Amazon region. The second is grown in Central America and parts of Asia and goes by the name of “Criollo”. This produces a more aromatic and finer cocoa. The final species is a cross breed of the previous two species and is grown all over the world. This species goes by the name of “Trinaterio” and produces fine cocoa which is rich in fat.
Global Commodities Limited, through its company in Cote D’Ivoire, exports about 7,500 Metric Tonnes of Cocoa Beans to various traders in Europe.
Sai Ivory SA
Tel: + 225 21 245558
Fax: + 225 21 245559
E —mail: email@example.com
Tel: + 234 1 763 4467
E —mail: firstname.lastname@example.org


A dense, flavorful bread pudding that puts all other versions to shame! Every morning as I walk into our country store from the parking lot, the tantalizing smell of apple cider donuts grabs my attention as it wafts through the crisp fall air. My walk becomes a trot as I anticipate the taste of a…
With allergy season sneaking up on us, now is a perfect time to purchase our delicious honey! All honey sold at Windy Acres is locally harvested, natural, raw & organic! Local honey is the perfect cure for seasonal allergies! You can put it in your tea, spread it on your toast, or even eat it…
A great read for any veggie and fruit enthusiast! Click here
We are proud to announce that we now have an Instagram page! https://twitter.com/WindyAcresFS
The greenhouses are in full bloom & the lettuce bowls look amazing! These lettuce bowls have a perfect mix of greens for a healthy salad! Be sure to stop in starting at the end of April to get one for yourself!
Planting onions and peas in the field today! Yes! The ground has thawed at least that much! Spring!!
Windy Acres The greenhouses are filling up at the farm. Spring really is on the way, it’s just hiding behind this cold patch.
The farm has fresh, nutrient rich soil awaiting planting. We begin in the greenhouses Monday!


You are here
This paper reviews the role of global commodities in the expansion of agricultural land use in three dimensions. First, the paper aims to understand the major drivers in the demand for agricultural commodities in the recent past. Second, it projects each of these drivers forward to provide demand estimates to 2050. Finally, it estimates the likely contribution of intensification and area expansion to supplying the demand for beef, soybeans, and palm oil to 2050. The policy brief focuses on soybeans and palm oil, where it shows that the five major drivers of tropical land use in the past 25 years have entered a new phase that will sharply slow demand for these commodities. The brief also reviews the outlook for beef which has expanded only modestly in recent years and notes considerable uncertainty with respect to future global trade in beef.


Starting around late August, the days start to take on a certain sweetness. The light begins to soften, the landscape moves to the muted mauves and golds of late summer’s wildflowers. And in the twilight air, when the sky turns pastel and the first stars appear on the horizon, there is a certain chill that was not there before. Suddenly it is a pleasure and even a hopeful desire to have the oven on in the evenings or a hot pan to stand over and stir, and there is even a sort of gladness when a cool rainy day confines one to the indoors.
It is an altogether different sort of sweetness that one experiences in those early spring days, when the weather can feel so similar. That is the sweetness of beginnings, of possibilities – the same sort tasted in the infant stages of a love affair, in our ambition and in all dreams fueled by hope. The sweetness of the first steps in a journey.
But this sweetness – the sweetness of ripe tomatoes and sweet corn, bunches of basil and the very first apples falling from the trees onto the roadside – this is the sweetness of endings. The sweetness of coming home again, of love that has endured, of gratitude, of harvesting. The sweetness of a seed planted in spring that has now come to fruit and seed again, nurtured by hot sunshine and damp soil and soft summer rains.
This is my favorite sort of sweetness. I do love all the seasons but there is something special about this time of year, this sense of fulfillment and quieting. I always feel in some way that I am settling back into myself again – as though for most of the summer I have been colored outside my own lines, expanded and stretched beyond them. Now I am relaxing back within them, pulled by some invisible tide.
The food of this time holds that comforting, fulfilling sense to me. There is a sense of thrill when the first asparagus comes in spring – but when one holds the first ears of corn and tender fleshed knobbly tomatoes of the year – there is a feeling like a sigh, a sense of relief. As though I have come back to a place I had longed for.
So you can think of this dish as a sort of celebration of that sweetness – sweet, tender corn and nutty barley topped with brightly colored hunks of heirloom tomatoes and tiny basil leaves that stain your fingers with their perfume. A harvest meal to eat in golden late August sunshine, feeling you have come home again, you have made it through another year.
Adapted from a recipe in Bon Appetit
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups fresh sweet corn, cut from the cob
- 5 cups vegetable stock
- 2 teaspoons salt
- a few tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 cup Scotch barley (or dehulled barley)
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels (cut from 1 ear of corn)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large or 2 small tomatoes, chopped into 1/4 inch hunks
- a handful of small basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- To make the corn broth, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and stir occasional until it begins to turn translucent. Add the garlic and corn and continue to saute for another 5 minutes before you add the stock, salt and a pinch of pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a gentle simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Cool slightly and then puree the broth until smooth using a blender, immersion blender of food processor.
- Once your corn broth is prepared, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and thyme, stirring occasionally for a few minutes, and then add the barley. Cook for about 5 minutes or so, stirring now and then to prevent sticking, and then throw the cup of white wine into the pan and let it sizzle away until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Once there is very little liquid visible in the pan, add 1 cup of the corn broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has been absorbed again - then add another cup of corn broth. Continue in this manner until you have used up your corn broth and the barley is chewy and tender (it won't get soft like the arborio rice used traditionally in risottos, but will retain a chewiness and bite). This should take about an hour. If the barley still has any crunch to it at this point, continue adding liquid in 1 cup increments - you can use stock or water - until it is completely cooked.
- Once the barley is swelled, chewy and delicious - add the corn and the grated Parmesan, along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a taste - adding more Parmesan, salt or pepper as you see fit - and then dish up in large shallow bowls. Place a few heaping scoops of tomatoes over the top, sprinkle with the basil leaves and serve.


Pick the right location
Most plants require at least six hours of sunlight each day. However, sun-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers want as much light as possible. Some crops, such as lettuce and spinach, as well as other greens, can grow well in your slightly sunny regions.
Keep it close to home
Being close to your home will make it simpler for you to routinely tend to your plot and will make it more handy for you to go out and grab what you need for a dinner.
Water needs to be readily available
Nothing wears out a novice gardener more quickly than carrying water to thirsty plants in a heat wave. Spending money on a good sprayer-equipped hose or, even better, a drip watering system.
Good soil is the key to a successful garden
The soil provides nutrition, stability, and drainage for plants. Start with well-drained sandy loam and add as much organic matter as you can to it to produce your greatest garden.
Amend your soil
The sponge factor—the capacity of your soil to both drain efficiently and store moisture—will be improved by compost, leaf mould, or well-aged manure. Never use new manure, though! It will burn fragile plant roots and may contain harmful microorganisms. For at least six to twelve months, compost it.
Seeds or plants?
The majority of garden vegetables, including lettuce, beans, carrots, beets, chard, spinach, peas, cucumbers, and squash, may be directly sown where they will grow. Things that require more time to develop an edible fruit do better if they start early. Six to eight weeks prior to planting them outside, buy transplants of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and melons or start your own indoors.


Target Specialty Products announces next master class
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif.Target Specialty Products, a service provider of pest and turf and ornamental solutions in the U.S. and Canada, is announcing part 14 of the Turf Fuel Master Class Series.
Turf Fuel Product Development Managers, Steve Loveday and Jim Turner, will co-present on strategies for winter warm season turf performance.
“A big part of the value that Target Specialty Products offers our customers is education that can be applied to real world situations. The Turf Fuel product development team not only focuses on developing new technologies, they are also equally passionate about sharing the latest research and turf management strategies with customers,” said David Helt, president of Target Specialty Products.
“The winter is the prime time playing season in many parts of the Southern U,S. Unfortunately, vigorous turf growth slows at this time of year. The strategic application of surfactants, biostimulants and specific nutrients can really make a big difference in performance during the winter months. Steve Loveday and Jim Turner will share some of these impactful strategies,” said Mark Jull, Turf Fuel business manager.
Register for the Turf Fuel Master Class, On Nov. 11, here.


Cuf 101 Alfalfa is adapted to low desert irrigated production areas. This variety is very non dormant (group 9). It is highly resistant to Fusarium wilt, pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, blue aphid, and root knot nematode. It is moderate resistant to Phytophthora root rot and to both Southern and Northern Root Knot Nematode.
CUF 101 Delivers Superior Performance
- Superior Yield
- Excellent Hay quality
- Exceptional grower value
CUF 101 Advantages
• Winter-active, very non-dormant FD=9.2
• Very high yield potential under 8- to 11-cut harvest managements
• CUF 101 demonstrates strong potential to deliver higher feed intake, improved milk production, and greater profitability when fed
• Highly resistant (HR) to all major aphid pests
• Highly resistant/resistant to all major nematode pests
• Very strong disease resistance package (including HR to Phytophthora Root Rot and Fusarium Wilt); promotes fast seedling establishment and long stand life
• Ideal FD=9 varieties for the cash hay producer: CUF 101 consistently produces big yields of leafy, fine-stemmed hay with high %TDN
• Salt-tolerant at seed germination, similar to the salt tolerant checks
• Outstanding persistence and long stand life on your toughest fields
• Unmatched weed control at both stand establishment and in established stands can mean fewer weeds and higher quality hay and haylage, which can result in more milk per ton fed and higher %TDN when tested
The primary use will be for hay, pasture, green chop, and dehydration.
All low desert southern regions
25 KG per Feddan for coated.
18 KG per Feddan for uncoated.
It can be drilled or broadcast.
Available in 20 kg bags, 25 kg bags, 50 lbs bags, or 2500 lbs bulk bags
33, Demeshq st, Mohandseen – Giza – Egypt


Giant Vegetables-Have You Ever Seen?Odd Stuff Yeah, these “babes” to feed an entire family in a year of famine. Huge pumpkin, zucchini, mushrooms and cucumbers continue to surprise even the most seasoned gardeners. 20. Proud exhibitors farm festival in the town Herrougeyt. 19. Farmer Joe Grouer Atherton holds his head on a giant cucumber. 18. Giant zucchini from the farmer on his shoulder. 17. Pete with a giant zucchini Gleyzbruk. 16. This year the exhibition of flowers and vegetables in the city Herrougeyt, which is located in the north of the UK, celebrated its centenary. At the same vegetables such size seen there before. 15. Derek Neumann farmer carries a giant cabbage for the exhibition of flowers and vegetables, which is held annually in the UK, in the town Herrougeyt. 12. Professional gardener Peter Gleyzbruk from the UK with a bow, has broken the previous world record by 1 kg 100 grams. 13. The weight of this "onion" - 8,15 kilograms. 12. Professional gardener Peter Gleyzbruk from the UK with a bow, has broken the previous world record by 1 kg 100 grams. 11. The gardener and his son Phillip Vauels Andrew and 51-pound zucchini in Llangerri, South Wales. 10. Bob Aynstoun a 2.27-pound carrots from his garden in 1973. 9. Again, not a vegetable, and 1.5-pound white truffle - a real treasure. Went under the hammer for 160 pounds. 8. This, though not a vegetable, but still impressive: huge mushrooms grown in China. 7. Michael Kingston with a 5.7-pound leeks grown Jo Atherton at the competition "Veg-Monster" in Shepton Mollet, Somerset, in 1999. 6. Antonio Marton with a tomato weighing 450 grams and a diameter of 38 cm, this giant has grown from a seed that Antonio had sent his family from Naples. 5. Nissan of Omer Tamir, Israel, show them grown radishes, each of which weighs 10 kg. 4. "Gherkin" in length 106 cm, grown Claire Pierce Uittlsete. 3. The legend in the world of growing huge vegetables Bernard Lavery with his crops in 1995. 2. Joe Midway with 392-pound pumpkin grown by Ken Rayyanom, winner of the contest for the biggest pumpkin. Director of the autumn flower show Martin Fish with a huge cabbage on the 100th anniversary exhibition.


Our goal is to raise and provide high-quality cows, goats, sheep, layer and broiler chickens, day-old chicks and fresh eggs, ostriches, and animal feeds. Poultry Equipment is also available. Our company has developed from humble beginnings to one that produces on average 250 000 day old chicks every week, supplying Layers and Broiler Chickens, ostrich, and now animal feed. Livestock
Our facilities are ideally positioned, ensuring that input costs are maintained low. We take pleasure in exceeding industry-required quality and safety requirements.
We believe in producing exceptional products while keeping quality control at the forefront of our operations. As a result, we’ve brought all of our manufacturing processes under one roof, ensuring total quality control while also making us one of the most efficient agricultural groups.


NEWS & DOCUMENTS
New dates set for SCRA Workshop. The SCRA announces that the nuts and bolts workshop will be held December 6-8, 2011, in Riverdale, Maryland. The workshop organized with collaboration from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service will provide crop developers with the information needed to begin developing regulatory dossiers for biotechnology-derived crops.
Biotech Plum approved by EPA. On 26 May 2010, the EPA issued the final rule that exempts from the requirement for a tolerance for residues of the coat protein of plum pox virus in or on stone fruit and almond when expressed by the plant-incorporated protectant, coat protein gene of plum pox virus. The final rule can be found here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-12579.htm
APHIS Stakeholder Meeting 2009. On 17 November 2009, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) held an issue-focused meeting on biotechnology regulatory activities for stakeholders in Riverdale, Maryland. The transcript from the Stakeholder meeting is available for public viewing at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/meetings_stakeholder_1109.shtml


At Pohl Spring Works we manufacture a multitude of custom parts for agricultural equipment. These parts include cultivator teeth, rock rate teeth, twisted points, harrow tines, anhydrous ammonia tubes, and many others. If there is a custom part that is hard to find, Pohl Spring Works can fabricate it to your specifications.
Our shanks are made from both round and flat stock and can be customized to fit your farming equipment. Several different fertilizer point (knife) and tube configurations available.
We carry rod weeder bars in 7/8" to 1" square. Our stock fertilizer tubing is 304 3/8" welded stainless steel.


Our vision is to bring life back to the forgotten villages in Guria, West Georgia by building a place for a diverse community and agro-ethnic experiences, place where you always want to return to. We invite guests to stay at our farm, eat fresh organic food farm-to-the-table, take part in the agricultural activities: tea picking, taking care of kitchen garden, vineyard, and hazelnut plantation. And to engage in various recreational activities.
Learn about how the first tea bushes appeared in Georgia and get to know about a charming Chinese expert - Lao Junzhou, who settled in Georgia in 1893 and merged the oriental tea traditions with Georgian culture.
Take a walk towards our tea garden, pick tea leaves, and learn how it is made.
Taste it shortly after with Georgian sweets on our balcony.
Chkhaveri is a western Georgian variety, It is truly a rare variety as only a handful of Georgian winemakers work with this grape today.
Chkhaveri berries are round, juicy, and thin-skinned. While its clusters are small or conical, sometimes with a single wing. This late-ripening and low-yielding variety tend towards higher acidity. Chkhaveri produces balanced, soft wines with moderate alcohol levels and varied diversity of aromas and flavors.


"Apples are unpredictable," explains pomologist Bob Gough, a professor of horticulture at Montana State University and MSU Extension horticulture specialist. "Because of the wide variety of genetic makeup in the apples, if you plant a seed, you don't know what you will get. It will be some combination of all the genes in the pool."
In other words, if you plant a seed from a delicious apple, that doesn't mean you're going to get a Delicious tree. Your seed might produce something as juicily romantic as a Duchess of Oldenburg, or you might get stuck with a sour little cork of a fruit. That's why the history of apples has all the makings of a Ken Burns miniseries. Each variety stems from a solitary seed that beat the odds.
Many of the apple varieties we know today were propagated from those rare moments of fate when someone planted a tree that happened to make especially good apples. The rest is a story of graft. Some varieties like the Sops of Wine, says Gough, grew in the days of Chaucer--and growers are still propagating them, grafting branches to new rootstock to keep their antique germplasm alive. In his native Rhode Island, Gough and like-minded apple lovers preserved historic cultivars in what they called the "Old Apple Club."
Gough gets a far away look in his eye when asked about his favorite apple. Many great tasting, long-keeping apples have been pushed from the mainstream by varieties selected for eye-appeal alone. The brown-red skin and yellow flesh of Gough's apple of choice, the Northern Spy, can't compete with the uniform redness and white flesh of a Delicious. "You can't grow a good Spy in Montana anyway," laments Gough, "The season it requires to ripen fully is far too long for most of the state."
So what apple tree can you plant in your Montana yard with great expectations? Roger Joy, who owns the Canyon View nursery in Corvallis, agrees with Gough that growing apples in this country is sketchy, but for 20 years he has worked to develop hardy trees that can hold their own in our climate. "Asking a nurseryman about his favorite apple is like asking a mother to select her favorite child," Joy insists, "But I'd lose my Bitterroot citizenship if I didn't mention the McIntosh."
Around the turn of the 20th century, newcomers came by rail to the irrigated Bitterroot Valley, where the rich land was marketed in orchard parcels. Today, "McIntosh Apple Day" --an all-out apple extravaganza hosted by the Bitterroot Valley Historical Society--is still a big event, reflecting an era when the Bitterroot Valley boasted, "The largest apple orchards in the world!" This year the event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 5.
Although McIntosh are part of our Montana heritage, Joy admits that if one of the 2,000 trees he grafts annually is likely to be hurt in a tough winter, it would be the Mac. Though they are considered a hardy variety by Eastern standards, they might not make it at all in some parts of the state.
To develop Montana-ready apple trees, Joy starts with the most winter-hardy, drought tolerant and disease-resistant root stock he can get his hands on, leaning toward our chilly neighbor, Canada, as a primary source. Then he grafts on apple varieties that can mature in our short growing season. One early apple he recommends is Lodi. It's more resistant to fire blight than its daddy, the Transparent. For a mid-season apple, Joy grafts Goodland and Goodmac among others; while Empire and Carroll are some of the late season varieties he wholesales.
The tricky part about growing anything in Montana is the checkerboard of microclimates strewn about the state, say Gough and Joy. Growing seasons vary from as short as 30 days to as long as 130, and minimum temperatures can vary by as much as 20 degrees within in a few miles. "The Climate Atlas of Montana," a $3 publication available through MSU Extension, gives detailed data about average high and low temperatures, length of frost-free season, and many other data gathered over more than 30 years.
Once you have picked a favorite variety and checked out the growing conditions in your area, it's not too late to plant apple trees this fall. Your local nurseryman or MSU Extension agent can give you more information about how to start growing plucky Montana apples of your own.
To order the $3 Climate Atlas of Montana: Mapping Montana's Weather (1992, EB 113), ask your local MSU Extension agent or contact MSU Extension publications at (406) 994-3273; http://www.montana.edu/publications.
Sidebar: A taste of apple varieties for Montana
Nurseries throughout Montana carry dozens of apple varieties, suited to different uses and climates. Here are some of the favorites:
Introduced in New York, 1942 (Montgomery x Transparent).
Early Season: Ripens August to September. *
(Ripens a bit later than Transparent and keeps longer.)
Fruit is pale yellow, flushed with deeper yellow. Flesh is crisp and juicy, sweet-tart flavor.
Keeps only about four weeks. Good for drying, freezing, sauce and juice. Good for pies when green.
Introduced in Morden, Manitoba, 1955.
Mid-Season:Ripens August to mid-September. *
Fruit is medium to large, round, uniform, an attractive "washed orange." Flesh is crisp, juicy, creamy, tender, sweetly slightly tart, aromatic
Keeps into mid January. Excellent dessert or sauce.
Introduced in Morden, Manitoba, 1961 (Moscow pear apple seedling x Melba).
Late Season: Ripens late August to September. *
Fruit is mottled bright red over creamy green, medium large.
Keeps well into December. Excellent early dessert variety, fair to good cooked.
Introduced c. 1870. Discovered in 1796 by John McIntosh Dundela Co., Ontario Canada. (Open-pollinated seedling.)
Considered a midseason apple depending on growing conditions. In Montana, mid-late September. *
Fruit is medium-sized, round, medium red. Flesh is white and crisp, mildly tart.
Keeps until Christmas in cold storage. Dual purpose, good for eating fresh or for cooking.
Introduced in New York, 1966 (McIntosh x Delicious).
Ripens in late September, (two weeks later than McIntosh).
Fruit is medium; skin is red-on-yellow to all red. Flesh is crisp, juicy, aromatic and slightly tart.
Sweet, spicy quality excellent for eating fresh, in salads and fruit cups
Introduced in Minnesota, 1923 (open pollinated seedling of Malinda).
Ripens late September to early October. *
Fruit is medium-sized, round-conic, attractive red. Flesh is white, firm, fine grained, juicy, mild, pleasant and slightly tart
Keeps well into February.
Fresh eating, good cooking quality
* Differing growing conditions throughout the state affect the number of days required to harvest, so ask a local nurseryman or your MSU Extension agent when varieties can be expected to ripen in your area.
Sidebar: Cooking the fruits of your tree
Tart, firm late-season apples like Haroldson are better for pie making than their early-season cousins, because their texture holds up better when baked. Softer, early apples like Transparent and Lodi have a short storage life and are best used for eating, sauce-making or apple butter. If you have a basket of apples handy, consider trying one of the following recipes, or look for fun apple recipes on the Internet. University of Illinois Extension lists recipes, apple history and more on their site at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/apples/
Peel and slice 4 or 5 large apples into an 8 x 8 inch pan.
Mix together in a large bowl:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup brown or white sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Add 1/3 cup margarine, working it into flour mixture with pastry blender or fork.
Place the mixture on top of apples.
Bake at 375 for 30 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender.
Recipe courtesy of Diann Pommer, Missoula County Extension Food-Stamp Nutrition Education Agent
Baked Apple Chops
4 thick (3-4oz) boneless pork chops, trimmed
2 of your favorite medium to large apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
4 cloves minced or roasted garlic
1 medium mildly sweet onion or 4 green onions, diced
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup apple juice
1tsp olive oil
Preheat oven to 350.
In a skillet, over medium heat, heat olive oil until it just begins to spread in the pan. Add onions and apples, sauté just until soft.If using minced garlic, add to pan as well and cook for another minute. If using roasted garlic, add it with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Cut a large slit in pork chops and brown slightly on each side. Toss apple mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Fill chops with mixture and place in a casserole dish. Pour apple juice over chops, and bake, covered, about 20 minutes, or until no longer pink. Uncover and continue cooking until the chops begin to brown, about 10 minutes.
Recipe courtesy of Melissa Knabe, MSU Health and Human Development
Contact: Robert Gough, MSU Extension horticulture specialist, (406) 994-6523; Roger Joy, Canyon View Nursery (406)961-4648; Jerry Cashman, Cashman Nursery, Bozeman (406) 587-3406; Helen Ann Bibler, Bitterroot Valley Historical Society (406)363-3338


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