Many of us have puzzled over whether to pry open our wallets and pay extra for organic fruits and vegetables.
Intuitively, we believe that organic food is healthier than food produced conventionally using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
However, frankly, there has been very little research to support this belief.
A recently released comprehensive study conducted by scientists from Washington State University concludes that organically grown strawberries are healthier, tastier and better for the soil than conventionally grown strawberries.
The study was well conceived and thorough.
The researchers compared 13 organic with 13 conventional strawberry fields in California over a two year period. To control for soil type and weather patterns, the fields were planted in pairs, one organic and one conventional field next to each other. The strawberries from all fields were picked, transported, and stored under identical conditions.
Here are more details of the study’s conclusions . . .
- The organic strawberries were higher quality. They had increased antioxidants, vitamin C, and total phenolics. Taste-testers generally rated them higher.
- Organic strawberry plants showed fewer instances of post-harvest fungal rot than conventional strawberries, despite the fact that no fungicides were used on the organic fields. (The study notes this finding may prove that organic systems help defend plants against infection through systemic-acquired resistance rather than chemical inputs.)
- Despite the conventional practice of spraying soils with synthetic fertilizers, the study found that organic fields contained significantly higher amounts of nutrients.
Let me see if I’ve got this. Higher quality and better tasting fruit, healthier plants and healthier soil. That’s win-win-win by my calculations.
I’m going to keep spending more to get organic fruits and vegetables because I believe they are better for us and for our planet. And, now, I have more than intuition to support that decision.
Here’s the journal reference for the study: John P. Reganold, Preston K. Andrews, Jennifer R. Reeve, Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Christopher W. Schadt, J. Richard Alldredge, Carolyn F. Ross, Neal M. Davies, Jizhong Zhou. Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry Agroecosystems. PLoS ONE, 2010; 5 (9): e12346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012346


The great advantage of your own Kauai vacation rental is the ability to cook and eat when you like in your own kitchen. Kauai has many fabulous restaurants that prepare the finest and freshest of foods and cuisines in the world. But sometimes, 7mgg you may just want to stay in and prepare your own meal at home. You might even wish to pick something up for your special picnic or on your way to relax on the beach…here are the best local markets where you can enjoy all the bounty that the Garden Isle has to offer:
Green Markets & Fruit Stands — The County of Kauai sponsors regular weekly Sunshine Markets throughout the island, featuring fresh Kauai Sunrise papayas (sweeter, juicier, and redder than most), herbs and vegetables used in the various Hawaiian ethnic cuisines, exotic fruit such as rambutan and atemoya, and the most exciting development in pineapple agriculture, the low-acid white pineapple called Sugarloaf, manguerose not as rare these days, but still hard to find. These markets, which sell the full range of fresh local produce and flowers at very fair prices, present the perfect opportunity to see what’s best and what’s in season. Farmers sell their bountiful crops from the backs of trucks or at tables set up under canopies. Mangoes during the summer, numerous lettuces all year, fleshy bananas and juicy papayas, the full range of Filipino vegetables (wing beans, long beans, exotic squashes, and melons), and an ever-changing tapestry of edibles are all for sale.
The biggest market is at Kapaa New Town Park, in the middle of Kapaa town, on Wednesday’s at 3pm. The Sunshine Market in Lihue, is held on Friday’s at 3pm at the Vidinha Stadium Parking Lot, is almost as big in size and also extremely popular. The schedules for the other markets: Koloa Ball Park, Monday’s at noon; Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Tuesday’s at 3:30pm; Hanapepe Park, Thursday’s at 3pm; Kilauea Neighborhood Center, Thursday’s at 4:30pm; and Kekaha Neighborhood Center, Saturday’s at 9am. The Koloa Market draws hundreds of shoppers, so go early shop hard and shop fast! There is also the Kauai Products Fair located in North Kapaa. Experience Kauai’s culture with all the fresh produce, tropical plants and flowers, artisans, aloha wear, island food, wellness practitioners and various form of entertainment…always free Wednesday through Sunday.
For Kauai vacation homes on the North Shore, Kilauea is the agricultural heart of the island, with two weekly green markets: the county-sponsored Sunshine Market, Thursday at 4:30pm at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center; and the private Kilauea Quality Farmers Association (mostly organic growers) Farmers Market, roomidea Saturday from 11:30am to 1:30pm behind the Kilauea Post Office. Everything in the markets’ wide-ranging selection is grown or made on Kauai, from rambutan and long beans to sweet potatoes, corn, lettuce, and salsas and chutneys. The markets are a dramatic, colorful illustration of how farming activity and enterprises are growing by leaps and bounds in Kilauea. Also on the North Shore, about a quarter mile past Hanalei in an area called Waipa, the Hawaiian Farmers of Hanalei — anywhere from a dozen to 25 farmers — gather along the main road with their budget-friendly, just-picked produce. This market is held every Tuesday at 2pm. You’ll find unbelievably priced papayas (in some seasons, several for a dollar, ready to eat), organic vegetables, inexpensive tropical flowers, avocados and mangoes in season, and, when available, fresh seafood. The best of the best, in season, are rose apples, mountain apples, and the orange-colored papaya lilikoi.
For Kauai vacation rentals on the South Shore, there’s great things said about the two adorable fruit stands in Lawai, where you can find inexpensive bananas (sometimes $1.25 a bunch!), papayas, and avocados along an old country road. The fruit are beautifully displayed, and sometimes the honor system is used — leave the money if no one is there. This is country style nonpareil. (From Kaumualii Hwy., turn at the corner — Lauoho Rd. — then take the first right.)
Closer to the resorts, in Poipu on Koloa Bypass Road, spaice with a view across asparagus fields and the chiseled ridges of Haupu Mountain, the Poipu South-Shore Market sells produce (some of it from Haupu Growers) daily from 10am to 6pm. Haupu Growers is the major supplier of Kauai asparagus, and this is where you’ll find it. Asparagus season begins in October. Fruit Smoothies & Exotic Treats — Fruit stands have sprouted up all over this island, and smoothies are gaining ground as the milkshake of the new millennium. New crops of exotic trees imported from Southeast Asia are maturing on Kauai, creating anticipation among residents and fruitful ideas for the smoothie world.


Being a part of the green community Uniservice ensures that our waste management practices has a positive environmental impact. By using modern technologies (eco-friendly composting methods), we have built and have installed waste composting units that are in line with the regulations put by the Govt.
Through our composting units, we collect and convert biodegradable domestic solid waste into useful manure. And this manure can be used for your gardens, nurseries and terrace gardens. Uniservice also tie up with empanelled vendors for waste disposal like dry waste, rejected waste, sewage waste, construction debris, garden waste, e-waste etc.


You don't know how to water your plants while on vacation? Going on vacation and afraid for your plants? There are several ways you can water your plants!
You can use simple and inexpensive methods that consist of buying some automatic irrigation bubbles or a drip irrigation system.
So, see each one of them!
1. Globes for Watering Plants
Um automatic irrigation system (pack of 2 units) innovative and simple to water your plants during the holidays and effortlessly. Well, he who captures the earth's oxygen present in the vase and uses that same amount of water.
This watering principle is also used by gardeners and even on cultivated land and in many vegetable gardens.
The globes supply the water, drop by drop (drip irrigation), over several days, keeping the plants always well hydrated.
Because, incredibly efficient and practical, these watering globes make anyone's gardening tasks simpler.
For more information and purchase of this irrigation system, just consult the links below.
A simple and decorative way that ensures your flowers and plants are watered and hydrated all year round.
Well, just fill the watering balls with water and place them next to each of your plants!
2. New Automatic Watering Globes
The new automatic watering globes come in sets of 4 colored units. They are an excellent invention for watering plants, as they capture oxygen from the soil in the pot and provide just the right amount of water.
How to use
These decorative sprinkler bubbles they are very easy to use. Plants must be watered beforehand.
Then, fill the spheres with water and place them in the soil of the pots, pressing down hard. The globes will gradually release water on the earth for some time, with a duration that can vary between 4 and 5 days, approximately.
The ideal solution to free yourself from the task of watering plants in person and manually for several days, ensuring their correct and continuous hydration. One watering method effective for watering plants automatically, which makes it easier to be away from home during trips, vacations, etc.
3. Automatic drip irrigation system
In addition to the watering globes, you can also opt for the drip irrigation system. Well, it is automatic, original and complete and allows you to water up to 8 plants in a practical and simple way.
Well, it's a more modern model, which gives you the ability to control how much water each plant receives and how often!
This automatic drip irrigation system for garden, it is perfect for those who are going to travel for a long time. It is also useful if you just want to regulate the amount of water your plants need without worry.
Thus, in addition to saving water, time and effort, it takes the headache out of having to water the plants manually, which is a great help to carry out this task more easily and safely, without forgetting or becoming a burden.
You can use this drip irrigation system in everyday life or while on vacation.
How does it work?
To be able to use it, all you need is the complete kit supplied and any water reservoir, such as a demijohn. Just it! Well, the system includes hoses, irrigation tubes, adapters and even 8 irrigation points.
This watering device is rechargeable (includes a USB to micro USB charging cable) and programmable. Well, it has a digital timer to indicate the interval between watering days (from 1 to 9 days). In addition, you can choose the desired watering duration in seconds.
In this article “How to water plants while on vacation”, you have just seen 3 drip irrigation systems, any of which are simple and very useful.
Correct watering is the main concern of every plant owner and either system will do the trick. While the first is more traditional, the second plant watering system is more advanced but still very simple to use and effective.
Buy your Watering Globes or the automatic drip irrigation system now and rest assured.


We will look back and return to the 15th century to mention the Ponte Family, of Italian origin and where the story that we want to share with you today begins.
Cristóbal de Ponte (1447-1532) sailed the seas from Genoa to reach the island of Tenerife and received several pieces of land from the conqueror Alonso Fenández de Lugo, on which he would found the town of Garachico and later the estate where the hotel is located today.
Before reaching today along the way we come across numerous milestones; the project to build a hermitage within the estate in 1565 (and which can currently be visited) the cultivation of vines or the construction at the time of the current Casa Cristóbal de Ponte which revolves around the hotel patio.
In 1608 the then King of Spain, Felipe III, granted Don Melchor de Ponte y Prieto the mayorazgo of Tenerife and in parallel the house grew according to the needs of the time; sugar cane plantations, vineyards and banana plantations, among others, mark the history of the farm and its relationship with the crops.
Today the legacy of history is palpable within the enclosure.
When you visit us you will find an extension of 60 hectares where the banana trees merge with the life of the hotel; numerous corners where you can read, think or simply close your eyes and imagine what life would be like exactly here, 500 years ago, where you are sitting right now.


Cold. Dreary days. Dark by 6:00 pm.
Not my favorite time of the year.
So where did our wonderful fall season go?
It left us all much too quickly.
I’m like this sunflower. I need the sunshine in order to bloom.
Without it, I’m pretty pathetic. And it’s a struggle.
But today…the sun came out!!! So I’m smiling!!!
I miss my sunflower. It was a surprise gift over the summer.
A critter dropped a seed right in the middle of my garden. Center stage.
And it flourished. Better than any that I planted myself as it stood over 7 feet high.
I have to say that I’m looking forward to nice weather again. And I will be planting more sunflowers.
So, today, I’m wishing you some sunshine and hope you flourish wherever you are planted.
Just like my sunflower.


Do you want to be successful in everything you do? If so, then 1 ?
Here is an example.
There was a farmer who 2 corn (玉米) all his life. Each year he took his corn to the market. Then each time his corn was chosen as the 3 and won the first prize. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something 4 about how he grew it. The farmer 5 his seed(做种子的) corn to his neighbors.
“How can you share your best seed corn with your neighbors?”The reporter asked. “You know they are taking part in the 6 with you each year. ” “Why, sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The 7 picks up pollen (花粉)from the corn and moves it quickly from field to field. If my neighbors grow 8 corn, cross-pollination (异花传粉) will affect the quality of my corn. So if I want to grow good corn, I must 9 my neighbors to grow good corn.”
The farmer knows much about the connection of life. His corn cannot improve 10 his neighbor’s corn improves. As a great man says, “we make a living by what we 11 ; We make a life by what we give.” We can’t 12 without food, clothes, and many other things. However, a meaningful life is not decided by how much we can get, 13 by how much we can give others. Giving, instead of taking, makes us 14 from other animals. So those who choose to live well must help others to live well and those who choose to be happy must help others to find 15 in their life.
1.A.why B.how C.when D.where
2.A.grew B.bought C.sold D.collected
3.A.cheapest B.prettiest C.best D.shortest
4.A.popular B.serious C.terrible D.surprising
5.A.lent B.showed C.offered D.recommended
6.A.game B.fight C.experiment D.competition
7.A.wind B.water C.farmer D.neighbor
8.A.tasty B.bad C.tall D.unusual
9.A.teach B.remind C.help D.require
10.A.unless B.though C.because D.when
11.A.do B.own C.get D.grow
12.A.cheer B.move C.work D.live
13.A.and B.but C.or D.so
14.A.different B.free C.safe D.far
15.A.hope B.success C.friendship D.happiness


If it's a Magnesium deficiency, yes, epsom salt can be used and it is safe for fish and inverts. You can use synthetic fertilizers on your plants, but doing so risks giving the plants too much of a good thing and has environmental impacts. It helps keep the soil pH within the range of acidity most plants require. Manganese deficiency symptoms, which often look like those of iron deficiency, appear as interveinal chlorosis(yellow leaves with … This unique DIY plant stand looks simple, yet elegantly pretty. Applying these amendments when you don't need them can be harmful. DIY Vertical Garden. Grower Services Newsletter, Role of Sodium and Chloride in Plant Culture. 1.30% Boron. When taken together, a few simple household ingredients can offer big benefits to plants at a fraction of the cost of commercial fertilizers. Iron and manganese toxicities have identical symptoms, so it is difficult to tell them apart. Some water sources contain manganese, but rarely enough to supply the needs of a crop. Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulfate MgSO4, it contains no Manganese. Manganese is most available to plants when the soil pH is between 5.0 and 6.5. In recent years advances have been made in the types of manganese dioxide media, allowing for higher loading rates and reducing backwash requirements. Start by tilling the top soil, either with a mechanical rototiller or a manual tiller. DIY Plant Fertilisers: The recipes 1. Manganese deficiency symptoms, which often look like those of iron deficiency, appear as interveinal chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins) on the young leaves, and sometimes tan, sunken spots that appear in the chlorotic areas between the veins. You can use the results of your soil test to determine the appropriate quantity. All plants have their own preferences for nutrients and pH levels, so you may need to increase pH or raise magnesium levels or do both at the same time. Manganese and iron are closely related, so manganese competes with iron and, to a lesser extent, with zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium for uptake by the plant. Severe toxicity may result in spots becoming more numerous and larger, forming patches on the older leaves. Manganese is an essential plant micronutrient . 1.Yogurt Containers: Easy DIY Planters. University of Wisconsin-Extension: Soil And Applied Magnesium, USDA: Cooperative Extension System Offices, Difference Between Garden Soil and Top Soil. Contact your Premier Tech Horticulture Grower Services representative for assistance in establishing the fertilization program that will work best for your crops. •. Manganese and iron deficiencies both appear as interveinal chlorosis of the young leaves. Manganese is also involved in pollen germination, pollen tube growth, root cell elongation and resistance to root pathogens. Mix these trace element ingredients together for use in all the homemade hydroponic nutrient mixtures. Always check your soil’s pH before considering a manganese supplement, which should not be applied unless the pH is above 6.0. A majority of plants grow better when the soil acidity is between 6.0 and 6.8. If you suspect there is an issue with manganese or iron, the prudent approach is to test the medium and tissue from both “normal” and “abnormal” plants and the nutrient solution(s) that are applied. Constant feeding with water soluble, peat-lite fertilizers is the best way to ensure that all essential micronutrients, including manganese, are provided in the correct proportions. Two commonly used amendments to raise magnesium levels are Epsom salts and lime. This fertilizer is made from fish parts and guts, mixed with water. The Fish Emulsion Fertilizer. A manganese level of 20 to 40 ppm (mg kg –) in plant tissue is sufficient for most plants. Click here to view the Types of Soil Buying Guide. These elements are, in fact, essential to the human diet. Do It Yourself Air Plant Stand decorasylum.blogspot.com. Like people, plants need a balanced diet with beneficial microbes, minerals and nutrition. Epsom salts will add magnesium without altering pH and lime will add magnesium while raising pH at the same time. Most fertilizers contain one or more of the following forms of nitrogen: nitrate, ammonium or urea. It really all starts with the soil. Homemade phosphorus fertilizer Homemade phosphorus fertiliser is a great way to get the most out of a garden or orchard. It is 100% organic, and adds many things to the soil which plants need. 2. Manganese deficiency in weed plants is quite infrequent and usually has something to do with a lack of zinc and iron. Iron and manganese control is the most common type of municipal water treatment in Minnesota. Never apply lime or Epsom salts to your soil without first having the soil tested. Because plants only require it in small quantities, it's categorized as a micronutrient. Using Foliar Spray 1. This article will help you better understand the role of calcium in your plant culture. Homemade Fertilizer For Potted Plants Nitrate Zinc potash is a potassium-based fertilizer used extensively in agriculture and recently the market has seen an upheaval. Providing magnesium for plants begins with annual applications of rich, organic compost. Water your plants deeply the week before you plan to apply the foliar spray. Comes in a convenient resalable bag, so you can store it for use when it is needed. Having an indoor garden is more nice but having a small succulent garden on your wall is just out of this world kind of mind blowing. of soil amendment. Product Overview Manganese Chelate 5% is an organic chelate formulated to keep the manganese in dissolvable form for plant absorption. The use of coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer has long been well known, and it is also one of the most commonly used homemade marijuana fertilizers.. Coffee grounds are acidic and favour the development of acetic bacteria in the substrate, containing about 2% nitrogen and other organic nutrients. This DIY Vertical Garden tutorial has a step by step pictorial instruction on how to create that wonder for your wall. Manganese is used in plants as a major contributor to various biological systems including photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen assimilation. Can I Use Hydrated Lime to Raise the pH of Soil? If your garden is too small for a tiller to be practical you can till by hand using a shovel and hoe, but be sure to till to a depth of at least 6 to 8 inches. Iron is a necessary component for the formation of chlorophyll, so it impacts a plant’s ability to harness the energy of the sun. It is suitable to be placed indoor, especially in your bedroom. The major difference is that as manganese deficiency progresses, tan areas develop between the veins while iron deficiency progresses toward an almost white appearance in the leaves. Magnesium is one of many nutrients essential for plant growth. It is absorbed by plants as Mn 2+. At pH levels below 5.5, manganese is very soluble and toxicity symptoms are probable, especially in zonal geraniums, marigolds, lisianthus and New Guinea Impatiens. Compare the test results to the specific needs of the plants you intend to grow. Although it is used in very small amounts by plants, manganese is of capital importance to healthy plant growth, like all micronutrients. Manganese and iron have similar visual deficiency and toxicity symptoms. Table 1 gives the manganese content of some soil- forming rocks. Lime is generally spread across the soil in powdered or granulated form, while Epsom salts can be applied either in granules or as part of a water solution. Compost conserves moisture and helps keep nutrients form leaching out during heavy rainfall. By enhancing the soil that your flowers and others plants grow in, you should find that they live for longer and are more visually appealing, enhancing whatever indoor or outdoor space you choose to put them in. This article will help you better understand the role of nickel in your plant culture. 19. Manganese. Ed BloodnickHorticulture DirectorUS-South East, JoAnn PeeryHorticulture SpecialistUS-Central, Canada-Central, Lance LawnsonHorticulture SpecialistUS-West, Canada-West, Troy BuechelHorticulture SpecialistUS-North East, Susan ParentHorticulture SpecialistCanada-East, US-New England, Jose Chen LopezHorticulture SpecialistMexico, Latin & South America. Test your water prior to the production season and consult with your fertilizer manufacturer regarding the fertilizers required to complement your water quality. Winter grains such as wheat and barley have a greater likelihood of manganese deficiency. An essential nutrient, all plants must have boron for normal, healthy growth. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This article will help you better understand the role of iron in your plant culture. Homemade, natural fertilizers are safer and less expensive to use. Manganese is an immobile nutrient and, therefore, deficiency symptoms show up on younger leaves first. For example, it would take 7.5 pounds of lime per 100 square feet to raise the pH from 5.5 to 6.5. This article will help you better understand the role of sodium and chloride in your plant culture. You would agree with me if I say that its modern look gives out a sense of relaxation and calmness. This is the only way to know if manganese deficiency or toxicity is occurring. 2.00% Manganese. | Ed Bloodnick. Several different types of proprietary manganese … “Unless your sandy soil has a low pH, you can expect manganese problems,” Ferrie says. Dolomitic limestone is the preferred source of manganese for your garden. You can purchase a test kit online and at most garden stores, or you can contact your nearest university extension office for a professional soil test. Most available manganese occurs as exchangeable manganese, manganese associated with organic matter, or vari- ous manganese oxides. Among others, it plays a significant part in the process of photosynthesis. DIY Plant Food. Cultivating hydroponic plants in a homemade solution of fertilizer salts and water ensures that your plants will have a proper supply of nutrients. Plant growth may also be reduced and stunted. 2.00% Manganese (Mn) 1.30% Boron (B) 0.40% Zinc (Zn) 0.10% Copper (Cu) 0.06% Molybdenum (Mo) ... Tweaking of Homemade Nutrient Mixes. It is similar to iron in many ways, and manganese deficiency or toxicity is often mistaken for iron deficiency or toxicity. Plants suffering from manganese deficiency simply fail to thrive, and often show yellowing between leaf veins. This article will help you better understand the role of silicon in your plant culture. Like any other element, it can have a limiting factor on plant growth if it is deficient or toxic in plant tissue. But boron is just as critical as nitrogen and other elements that plants need in larger amounts. His areas of expertise include travel, sports and recreation, gardening, landscaping and the outdoors. Vegetative Nutrient Recipe. It is often especially prevalent in acidic soils or soils with an excess of copper, manganese or phosphorus. Adding magnesium and raising the pH of garden soil often go hand in hand. In theory, it makes it impossible to overfeed your plants when they are grown in a hydroponic system. Having a garden in house is a nice thing. The Hi-Yield Manganese Sulfate Granules is a fast-acting water-soluble that prevents interveinal chlorosis or the yellowing of leaves while the vein remains green. A magnesium deficiency can reduce photosynthesis, stunt growth and prevent various lawn and garden plants from reaching their full potential. Specific instructions and recommended quantities should be included on the packaging when you purchase lime or Epsom salts. Manganese toxicity can occur if the fertilizer application rate is excessive. Like any other element, it can have a limiting factor … 6.00 gr Calcium Nitrate Calcitic or dolomitic agricultural limestone are the most common liming materials. There are three key nutrients all plants need: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Although it is used in very small amounts by plants, manganese is of capital importance to healthy plant growth, like all micronutrients. Also, always amend your soil before you do any planting; do not apply magnesium amendments to living plants. Plants grow to the lowest constraint. Most commercial growing media contain a “starter” nutrient package that includes manganese and the other essential micronutrients, but it will satisfy the needs of a crop for approximately one week. Manganese is vital for disintegrating enzymes, creating chlorophyll and as part of the photosynthesis process. Magnesium levels are closely tied to soil pH, and this nutrient tends to be lacking in acidic soils, or those with a pH below 6.0. Maintain the manganese to iron ratio at 1:2 for best results, and test the growing medium to verify that all nutrient levels and pH are within their normal ranges. Magnesium is a secondary macro-nutrient, meaning that plants do not need nearly as much of it as they do potassium. The most common symptoms of too much manganese look a lot like the symptoms of too much boron: darkening of leaf veins, especially on older leaves; leaf cupping This chelate is ideal for both foliar and soil absorption, considering this chelate is assimilated through a foliar spray. Iron and manganese occur naturally in groundwater. Conduct a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient content of your soil. Iron and Manganese 1 Iron and Manganese . Nutrients must be in the proper proportions to grow along with maintaining proper pH levels. Manganese sulphate helps correct frizzle leaf in palms. Role of Manganese in Your Soil Farmers use the term “winterkill” to talk about the devastation caused by manganese deficiency. Because plants are not in soil, they absorb all they need through the minute hairs on the ends of the roots. Richard Corrigan has been a full-time professional writer since 2010. Live. The exact amount of magnesium amendment you should add to your soil depends on a variety of factors including the texture of your soil and the preexisting magnesium and pH levels. Package contains 4 lb. After you have applied the amendment, till the soil again to thoroughly mix it in with the soil. A fertilizer for the growth phase . Get full access to all the information you need to start the season on the right foot. 0.40% Zinc. 0.10% Copper. Manganese in rocks and minerals is unavailable to plants and becomes available very slowly as the minerals undergo chemical weath- ering. Manganese (Mn) is an important plant micronutrient and is required by plants in the second greatest quantity compared to iron. One cannot make assumptions and institute corrective measures without laboratory testing to confirm there is a manganese deficiency. such as manganese greensand, has historically been used for iron and man - ganese removal. Magnesium is one of many nutrients essential for plant growth. Get your plants off to a good start and promote strong, healthy plant growth with this homemade nutrient recipe. Among others, it plays a significant part in the process of photosynthesis. Add to soil to correct manganese deficiencies in palms and other ornamentals. Methods and rates of applications vary. As a result, the plants cannot efficiently utilize chlorophyll or complete photosynthesis. Manganese (Mn) is an important plant micronutrient and is required by plants in the second greatest quantity compared to iron. See more ideas about Terrarium diy, Terrarium, Plants. Is we are at the DIY category we should say … This article will help you better understand the role of potassium in your plant culture. Apply the amendment once your garden is tilled. Manganese regulates the mineral metabolism, enzyme activity and other metabolic processes in plants. Garden Soil. On muck soils, inorganic manganese (the form that can be used by plants) becomes tied up by organic material and unavailable to plants. View in gallery. This article will help you better understand the role of sulfur in your plant culture. One place to broadcast manganese is on sandy, highly leachable soils. Under more acidic soil conditions, manganese becomes toxic. Neither element causes adverse heath effects at concentrations typically found in Minnesota. Manganese deficiency can occur when the pH of the growing medium exceeds 6.5, because it is tied up and unavailable for uptake. How to use fertilizer in a sentence. Soils with neutral or alkaline pH slow the solubility of manganese, so toxicities are less likely. For Potassium, Potassium Sulfate K2SO4 can be used, or Potassium Nitrate KNO3, or Monopotassium Phosphate KH2PO4. Sep 19, 2020 - Explore Vilfin Varghese's board "Terrarium diy", followed by 2139 people on Pinterest. There are an additional 10 elements needed in hydroponic nutrients: sulfur, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, chlorine, boron and molybdenum. Manganese is a plant micronutrient.It fulfils a number of roles and is used in photosynthesis (manganese is important for a number of aspects of photosynthesis), synthesis of chlorophyll and nitrogen absorption as well as the synthesis of riboflavin, ascorbic acid and carotene. Iron also plays a role in the respiratory function of plants, where they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. Choose a soil amendment. 10 /11. 7.00% Iron. Each form of nitrogen influences plant growth differently and the plant uptake significantly impacts the pH of the growing medium. Coffee grounds, excellent fertilizer for the growth phase. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from SUNY Geneseo in 2009. Manganese toxicity symptoms begin with the burning of the tips and margins of older leaves or as reddish-brown spots across older leaves. Deficiency can also occur from low fertilizer application rates, use of general purpose fertilizers (which typically have reduced micronutrient contents), excessive leaching or applying too many iron chelate drenches. Organic compost is also rich in magnesium and will provide an abundant source for plants. It is proven to control frizzle top on palms wherein new leaves causes weak growth and yellowing. Tuesday, September 29, 2020
PRO-MIX® is a registered trademark of PREMIER HORTICULTURE Ltd. Best practices
Manganese deficiency in Plants . Add the appropriate amount of water and manganese sulfate to your tank sprayer by following the instructions on the... 3. It also makes sure nitrates can be used for creating proteins, very important for marijuana plants.


Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation project is a five year intervention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project aims to improve the sustainability of agriculture, forest, and land-use management through rehabilitating degraded rangelands, biodiversity conservation and enhancing and maintaining the livelihoods of Afghan rural communities in Khost, Laghman and Nuristan provinces in Afghanistan by employing the community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) approach. The project has three major components: (i) capacity-building at the national, sub-national, and district levels in community based natural resources management for sustainable rangeland and forest planning; (ii) Integrated management and restoration of degraded landscapes for biodiversity conservation and sustainable/regenerative rangeland management; (iii) Systematic creation and sharing of knowledge, project coordination, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and institutional capacity development.
The Senior GIS specialist will be responsible for all the geospatial data creation and management which would facilitate the implementation of participatory assessment and mapping of natural resources of the target districts. In addition, they will be preparing land-use/land-cover, watershed and topographic maps for RMAs and FMAs and target areas.
The Senior GIS specialist will closely work with appointed specialists and support the project task team in preparing maps of land-use/land-cover, rangeland hotspots, FMAs and RMAs, mission maps etc which would facilitate in devising strategies and plans for implementation of sustainable natural landscape planning. They will provide technical guidance for the implementation of forest restoration and management, agroforestry and small-scale greenhouses.
FAO is looking for qualified national staff fill the position of senior GIS specialist. This position will support the work of the GEF-funded” Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation” project in Afghanistan.


Boise Farmer’s Market
Located of off Shoreline Drive in Boise, the Boise Farmers Market featuries locally grown and crafted products, including fresh seasonal produce, proteins, baked goods, honey, jams, sauces, coffee, and ready-to-eat foods, emphasizing the best of what is local and in season. Mobile Market brings fresh produce from the Boise Farmers Market to various Boise neighborhoods on multiple days and times throughout the week.
The market operates on Saturdays from April to December, from 9 am to 1 pm. Be sure to arrive early, as many vendors sell out quickly!
The market is located at 1500 Shoreline Drive, Boise, ID 83702.
Visit the Boise Farmer’s Market


You are about to read the story for the Fantasy Promptcast Talking Plants. Once you’ve finished reading, feel free to check out the companion video and try the prompt out yourself, or you can comment on the story itself- critique it! It’ll make me happy to know where I can improve.
“Be sure to weed the garden when you’re done with the dishes!”
“Yes Madam Fuldgery.” Delphi sighed.
Delphi scrubbed the plates and let the suds cover her hands in a film of slick that felt like an invisible barrier to the rush of the faucet. Why did it have to be the gardens, she thought, always the gardens for Delphi and never shoveling the multer dung or spreading the gnome feed.
It’s not that gardening wasn’t a hobby she enjoyed. She had enjoyed it a lot before her parents died, before Madam Fuldgery and the foster home- back when normal meant normal and not the things that usually happen.
She washed the film from her hands after the last plate was on the rack. Then she went to the front door and replaced her robin’s egg slippers for the Mousaw boots, and the film for yellow and green rubber gloves. She stepped out, careful to walk the path so as to not disturb the grass and made way to the barn, where her gardening tools were. Each of the kids had their own set of tools, and was responsible for caring for and repairing them after gardening. Delphi’s was a shovel-axe. Perfect for stabbing into the roots of nasties and slicing through a dandelion’s hard stems.
Madam Fuldgery had an uneasy truce with the grass: so long as it didn’t grow in her garden and stayed shorter than two thumbs- she would neither trod on nor cut it. throughout the property. But no such truce could exist for the dandelions. And so the weeding was a daily chore in the summers.
When Delphi made it to the gardens she knew she’d be out here for hours. Seven Dandelions crowded a far corner, screaming obscenities to the tomato plants, who weren’t much for a kind conversation anyway.
“You have to stop them!” the old Pumpkin Patch said, “They’ll kill us all and take our sun!”
Delphi didn’t need more instructions. She called forth the magic words: “Cogito ergo homunculus sum!” and the garden grew around her. The old Pumpkin Patch became three times her size, and even the gnomes would have stood larger than her if they wore their pointed wedding caps.
She held her shovel- axe firm in both hands. She screamed, and charged swinging at the stems of the yellow dandies.
Thanks again for reading today’s Promptcast story and double thank you for watching the video and trying the prompt yourself! If you did the prompt feel free to send me the story or concept you wrote and I will happily critique it in the Friday video! Have fun and keep writing my friends!


(February 29, 2016) Monsanto Cranks Up Junk Science Propaganda as Stock Prices Fall, Profits Diminish and Jobs Lost
If Monsanto didn’t have enough bad news already—considering its falling stock price, reduced profits, and recent job cuts—California dealt the agribusiness giant a body blow when it announced its intention to label glyphosate (the active ingredient in RoundUp herbicide) as a carcinogen.
Comments have been pouring in from health and environmental advocates, as well as from pesticide companies and their various front groups.
California is responding to increased research on the popular herbicide that shows glyphosate to be “probably carcinogen to humans,” according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Although the move would not restrict sales, it would better inform consumers of the risks associated with glyphosate use.
Despite these risks, the European Commission is planning to renew the approval of glyphosate as “safe to use” for another 15 years.


How many kilograms of vegetables do people in South America eat every year?
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Vegetables, most of us didn’t like them as a kid. But most adults quickly realize they are very healthy and there are some amazing ways to cook some delicious vegetables. The amount of vegetables one needs, depends on the age and sex. But on average this is about 240 grams per adult per day or 87.6 kg per year.
The biggest consumers of vegetables per capita in South America is Guyana, where people consume an average of 310 kg of vegetables per capita per year. Chile comes in second, with 77 kg of vegetables. Argentina is third, with 70 kg.
The lowest vegetable consumption can be found in Ecuador (25 kg), Colombia (44 kg) and Venezuela (46 kg).
Curious about vegetable consumption in other continents? Have a look at these other maps of Asia, Europe and Africa that I’ve made before.
But how exactly does the FAO define vegetables? It probably matches mostly with what you would consider a vegetable. However, there are a few interesting exceptions. Potatoes are not counted as vegetables. Mushrooms, melons and watermelons are. Yes, the FAO considers melons and watermelons vegetables. This is the FAO’s explanation: “This grouping differs from international trade classifications for vegetables in that it includes melons and watermelons, which are normally considered to be fruit crops. But whereas fruit crops are virtually all permanent crops, melons and watermelons are similar to vegetables in that they are temporary crops”. Want to see the full list? Have a look here.


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Do-It-Yourself Projects to Get You Off the Grid
Rain Barrels, Chicken Coops, Solar Panels, and More
Instructables is back with this inspiring book focused on a series of projects designed to get you thinking creatively about going green. Twenty Instructables illustrate just how simple it can be to make your own backyard chicken coop, or turn a wine barrel into a rainwater collector.
Here, you will learn to:
- Clip a chicken’s wings
- Power your lawn mower with solar power
- Create a chicken tractor for the city
- Water your garden with solar power
- Build a thermoelectric lamp
- Create an algae bioreactor from water bottles
- And much more!


What kind of question is that? Almost as crazy as me asking if tomatoes are in season. Wait a minute, that’s a valid question.
The tomato plant has a very short and specific growing season. As does grass. Is your lawn mowed year-round in Virginia, New York, or Illinois? How is it that grass finished beef should be available year round when grass is dormant from November through April? Granted, there are specific forages that can be planted to extend the grazing season beyond typical grass dormancy, but if we are truly expected to sustainably produce beef and lamb from forage alone, are we expected to produce them year round no matter the conditions? Or should we be raising and producing these animals with what would be as close to native forages that are available? I’m not sure, that’s why I’m asking.
I love the responsibility of year round work with these animals. I cannot describe how gratifying the feeling is to see a calf being born, put an ID tag in it’s ear, and be responsible for it over the next two years; and at that two year mark, be the one to load it onto the trailer and take it on it’s final walk off the trailer. I can’t imagine a closer bond with my food. We’re invested financially, emotionally, and physically into them. We work every day to ensure they have exactly what they need to continue to put on weight at a realistic pace when the growing conditions are right.
“When the growing conditions are right” –The quality difference between grass finished beef that is finished with intramuscular fat (marbling) and grass fed beef that has simply been harvested at 1000 pounds on run of the mill forage is exceptional. On Mount Vernon, I’ve seen a progression over the last several years as the quality of our soils and forage have increased, so too has the quality of our beef. There is still so much progress to be made, but our progression is coming. It’s a personal frustration when you, the consumer, have a bad experience with grassfed beef where no significant effort is made to actually finish the animal. They are simply removed from pasture at 1000# and processed. This is where grass fed beef gets a bad reputation.
To process an animal in February or August will have a dramatic difference from an animal that was finished in May, June, early July, and late fall. The quality and quantity of grass is crucial in finishing an animal. Genetics are just as important as the forage. Possessing genetics in a herd that have been proven over time to perform well on grass are very important. The holstein (Modern black and white dairy cow) is tall, large framed, and large boned would take an eternity to finish on grass. Ideally, grass based producers are looking for a small framed animal that can finish at 900-1100 pounds. They are small boned, low to the ground, and have a barrel-like mid section. More space to put on muscle directly from grass.
An average weight gain of over 3.5#/day over the last 90 days of the animals life is crucial to properly finishing a beef. Moreover an average daily gain of 1.7#/day over the course of the animals life will pay massive dividends on the plate. Significant weight loss or periods of little to no weight gain lead to gristle and a tough mouth feel.
In no way am I saying that every animal we’re producing is exactly consistent with the next, but we strive daily for consistency and excellence with the production of our food. Perhaps one can understand why freezing grass fed beef is as important as it is. It shouldn’t be available fresh year round in Virginia. The quality and consistency is simply not there. It’s the same concept as canning during the growing season. Preserving your harvest to consume during the off season. This is why we can eat grass fed beef during the off season as opposed to processing beef that is not finished and would be an inferior product.
Grazing planning is another key factor in finishing an animal. Getting them to the right spot at the right time for the right reasons. I’m able to plan where on the farm I want to finish, breed, and calve over the next 8 months. Taking into consideration grazing periods, recovery periods, water restrictions, and shade requirements during the summer months.
An informed consumer is a powerful consumer. Ask questions about your food as you have the right now know.


The New Leaf Refugee Agriculture Program offers refugees from traditional farming cultures the chance to "get their hands back in the dirt" and cultivate a piece of land in their new community. New Leaf participants are growing fresh, healthy food for their families, saving money, exercising and connecting with others.
Festival Beach near downtown Austin is where the New Leaf program got its start. Currently MRC has 18 plots at this site, gardened by refugee extended families – grandparents, parents and grandchildren – who share maintenance responsibilities.
LANIER HIGH SCHOOL
In a unique partnership with the Lanier High School FFA program, 13 individual plots in the school's community garden were developed for MRC refugee families, many of whom can easily walk from their North-Lamar-area apartments. The gardeners are also involved in tending to the chickens on site.
Many New Leaf refugee gardeners are also able to walk to their plots at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center Community Garden in Northeast Austin. Growing their own food lets them regain some of the self-sufficiency of their past lives while also beginning to integrate into their new community.
We hold community garden workdays once a month, typically on the third Saturday, so please let us know if you would like to come out and learn more about MRC and the New Leaf Refugee Agriculture Program.
Using an eight-passenger van awarded from the Capital Metro Community Mobility Vehicle Grant Program, MRC's Farm Link program connects refugees to weekly workshare farming opportunities at Green Gate Farms.


As we approach a winter of discontent and global food systems go from bad to worse, there’s trouble in paradise.
At the root of these problems, government responses to COVID-19 have contributed to a six-fold increase in famine-like conditions as global supply chains collapse, and field trials for gene-edited crops and farm animals begin in the UK.
Against this perfect storm, the UN’s World Food Systems Summit convened last month, with Member States joining the private sector, civil society groups and researchers, to bring about “tangible, positive changes” to the world’s food systems, and as the story goes, “drive recovery from COVID-19.”
But even if we could solve our problems using the same logic that created them, there are deeper, institutional problems undermining the integrity of the Summit. Specifically, its corporate capture by one man, whose vision of the future of food security places the interests of civil society and farming communities in a different universe to the corporations he is beholden to.
A household name on the world stage of disaster-capitalism, there is more to Bill Gates than doomsayer-general terrorising the world’s population into a permanent state of suspended animation, and it typically involves the future of food security.
America’s Fast-Food Impresario
In less than a decade, Gates has become America’s largest private farmland owner, acquiring more than 269,000 acres of prime farmland in the US, including the 100 Circles Farm where fast food giant McDonald’s potatoes are grown. Gates effectively owns McDonald’s fries, his commitment to public health aside.
On the one hand Mr. Gates is the most influential player in global public health, following in the footsteps of his spiritual leader, John D Rockefeller. On the contrary, he backs a confederacy of fast food brands that are killing more people globally than tobacco and driving those who survive towards the very pharmaceuticals which he also wheels and deals to the 50% of all Americans suffering from chronic health disorders.
When it comes to fast food, Gates owns 7.8% of Warren Buffet’s investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway, which controls 39% of the largest Subway fast food franchise and 9.3% of The Coca-Cola Company. That’s in addition to the Gates Foundation’s 16.8% stake in the largest Coca-Cola bottling franchise in the world, named for the fourth consecutive year, the world’s biggest plastic polluter.
But Gates’ environmental effrontery is only part of the problem. He also backs multiple ventures blurring the lines between food and tech; and if indeed Mr. Gates has his way, the food of the future will little resemble what’s served on our plate today.
That’s because his centre of gravity is GMOs. He owns 500,000 Monsanto shares worth a modest $23 billion, making him, by implication, the sworn enemy of everything under the sun organic and sustainable. There’s the Gates-funded Impossible Burger, made from genetically engineered soy and yeast, with its manufacturer, Impossible Foods, owning twenty five patents on artificially replicated cheese, beef and chicken.
Another Gates-backed start-up doing the rounds on the capital markets is Ginkgo Bioworks. According to their mission statement, Gingko will produce custom organisms, using cell programming technology to genetically engineer flavours and create ingredients for ultra-processed foods. Their plan is to license over 20,000 engineered cell programs to the food industry.
If indeed the agrifoodtech ventures Gates is bringing to market continues to flourish, traditional diets will soon be replaced by lab-cultivated meat and other Frankenstein foods. Gates might have all the appeal of a five-star fine dining experience, but in reality ‘you’ll get what you’re given.’
Because, like Rockefeller before him, Gates is transforming our relationship with how we grow food, only he’s weaving climate change and the new age mantra of ‘following the science’ into his worldview.
This typically involves genetics, agrochemicals, and a shedload of automation, with his foundations industry partners operating Herculean monopolies over services and supply chains. What is of little importance to Mr. Gates are the social and environmental costs of his ventures. Or at least, he promotes one set of values, and invests in another.
Take for example this widely read blog post from 2019. On the one hand Mr. Gates accepts that agriculture accounts for 24% of global greenhouse emissions, but thanks to the 100 Circles transaction, Gates is the largest farming real estate ticket holder in the US, with 269,000 acres of prime farmland, even though, we are told by the likes of Gates, that agriculture makes up as much as 70% percent of fresh-water usage globally, leads to greater soil erosion, deforestation, and, you guessed it, climate change…


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Using just 20% Worm castings in a potting medium with no other fertiliser added promote strong healthy plants that tend to be more disease resistant. The beneficial micro-organisms that are present in worm castings will continue to colonise the surrounding soil releasing previously unavailable minerals.
Worm Castings are produced from organic waste that has been fed to composting Tiger worms.
- Healthy plants grow: immediately available nutrients
- Higher yields of plants: plant growth is enhanced
- More worms arrive: attracted to the castings and delivering plenty of worm eggs in the vermicast
- Moisture retention: Roots stretch deeper into soils, accessing moisture available at lower levels
- Soil health is improved with biological activity
- Soil structure is enhanced with increased humus
- Nutrient leaching is reduced – less need for chemical fertilsers
For impressive results with :
• Annuals & vegetables mix worm castings under each seedling & around plants.
• Potted plants mix worm castings in the potting mix & around plants.
• Small trees & plants sprinkled worm castings out to the drip line.


Grow a Row Program
Attention Vegetable Gardeners and avid Green Thumbs!
How often is it that you can enjoy a favorite pastime and help your fellow Sudburians at the same time? Grow a Row Program is a great way to do both!
We invite you to plant an extra row of vegetables this growing season, and earmark it for donation to the Sudbury Food Bank. Whether your vegetable garden is large or small, add an additional row, bed or plot and plant something extra.
You can make your commitment to participate by phoning 705-675-3894 and ask for the Food Shed Project, for further information. Let them know what you intend to donate.
To email the Grow a Row Project Click Here


Special Community Screening of Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there) Road Show
Special Community Screening of Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there) Road Show. The reception will start at 5:30 pm and the show will begin at 6:30 pm. Admission is a $10 suggested donation.
Telluride Science, Mountainfilm, and The Telluride Foundation and are excited to partner in presenting a special community screening of Roots So Deep at the Sheridan Opera House. This important program focuses on innovation in regenerative farming and scientific solutions for our collective future. Join us for a night of free programming and engaging conversation.
Roots So Deep is a four-part documentary series all about inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil. For this special screening, we will be showing parts one and four.
Can a novel way to graze cattle that mimics the way bison once roamed the land help get farmers out of debt, restore our depleted soils, rebuild wildlife habitat and draw down huge amounts of carbon? Cattle have been seen as eco-villains for a long time… What if they can help save us from catastrophic climate change?
Roots So Deep is guided by director and wrangler of scientists Peter Byck as he meets farmers on both sides of the fence – the folks practicing a new way to graze, and their neighbors set in their family’s old style of doing things. Byck’s team of outcast scientists are measuring what’s happening on both sides of the fences, exploring if this new, adaptive grazing could help slow down climate change.
And one question looms over the whole series: even if the science shows that the new way to graze is better for the land and the farmers’ pocket books, will the old-school farmers change? Will they adopt the new methods? Will they evolve into climate heroes?
This screening is followed by a discussion with director Peter Byck. Byck is Professor of Practice in the School of Sustainability and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. Byck was also the writer, director and producer of Carbon Nation and Garbage.
Please visit our rental page for the entire historic Sheridan Opera House HERE or just the SHOW Bar HERE to see if they are right for your event or call Executive Director Ronnie Palamar at 970.728.6363 ext. 1.


Why Fragrant Flowers Are So Special
Today, truly fragrant flowers are quite rare and hard to find in the cut flower industry. Neill explains why and introduces us to his selection of scented blooms for the summer: Roses, Sweet Peas, Freesia, Gardenia, Lilies and Stocks. He also shares surprising facts and information direct from the growers of these gorgeous scented flowers.
Today, truly fragrant flowers are quite rare and hard to find in the cut flower industry. Neill explains why and introduces us to his selection of scented blooms for the summer: Roses, Sweet Peas, Freesia, Gardenia, Lilies and Stocks. He also shares surprising facts and information direct from the growers of these divinely scented flowers.
One of the things I love most when sourcing new flowers from the Dutch growers and breeders is seeing the passion and expertise they have for their flowers and discovering some of the secrets that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Fragrant flowers seem to be one of the richest in history and suprise, which is why I would like to dedicate this blog post to just a few of the scented flowers that are available in our boutique this summer, namely scented garden Roses, Sweet Peas, Gardenias, Lilies, Stocks and Freesias.
Smelling the scent of a flower is a gest that people do automatically. I notice it all the time in the store. Whether it's a single Rose or a bouquet, clients lift the flowers to their nose and wait, expectantly, to experience another level of sensual bliss from the sweet fragrance they anticipate, perhaps as a souvenir of the flowers they remember from childhood. The fact is that most scents have been bred out of the cut flowers available today because the breeders have skilfully manipulated nature to remove the scent in order to favour a longer vase life.
Let me explain...
Like humans, the biological function of a flower is reproduction, usually by providing a facilitator for the union of pollen with ovules. Flowers are programmed to survive and survival in most flowering plants means to produce new seeds. The more stressed the plant, the more it focuses on producing a flower that will be able to create new seeds, new life. To create seeds, the flower requires pollination (the movement of pollen from the anthers to the stigma) and fertilization (the joining of the pollen to the ovules). As pollination is usually conducted by insects, the flowers have different methods to help attract the insects to come and fertilize them. Some flowers have glands on various parts that attract animals looking for nutritious nectar; birds and bees have colour vision and will seek out brightly coloured flowers, but most garden flowers attract pollinators by their scent.
The stronger the scent, the quicker the insects come to pollinate and therefore the less time the flower needs to stay in bloom - since once pollination has occurred, its role is fulfilled and it has no need to continue to live. This is why the breeders have removed the scent from our cut flowers. Once the scent is removed, the flowers will stay in bloom much longer (thinking they have to "try" harder to be pollinated) and therefore offer customers a longer vase life after the days of transportation from the grower to the flower shop.
Interestingly, when flowers grow in the glasshouses for cutting, the growers make sure the insects are kept out in order to prevent any natural, unsupervised pollination which would damage the lifespan of the flowers.
Nevertheless, there are still quite a few scented flowers which remain a success in the cut-flower market. Here are 6 scented flowers that I particularly like and have in our boutique during the summer months.
FREESIAS are strongly scented and a favourite cut flower all year round. They are a strong flower with a natural vase life of 7 to 10 days. As they have many flowers on the stem, the buds open one by one over several days which allows them to continue looking beautiful after the first open flowers have died.
STOCKS are another highly fragrant flower which will last 5 days or more in the vase due to several small flowers per stem. Furthermore, these flowers are easy and inexpensive to grow (from seeds), both indoors and outdoors, so a favourite of many growers and a success in the cut flower industry.
Some LILIES are another strong flower with an intense scent. While there are many kinds of Lilies, it is the massive Oriental Lilies that have an overwhelming fragrance, along with the new "OT" Lilies (a new type of Lily created by the breeders by cross pollinating Orientals with Triumph Lilies).
Another new breed of Lily with a slightly milder sweet scent and incredibly beautiful is the "Rose Lily," a double Oriental Lily. These gorgeous blooms have double the usual 6 petals and no harmfully staining pollen. Developed from a once natural "mistake" of nature, it was a difficult achievement by the breeders that took 15 years since it is usually the pollen that allows reproduction of the flower. Each bulb had to be cut up into 50-60 pieces in order to create new bulbs only 2 years later. There are already 30 varieties of these beauties and another 60 in progress since it takes an additional 5 years for each plant to reach commercial production.
GARDENIAS are one of my favourite scented flowers, and also the favourite flower of our client Lady Gaga and Madonna! These Jasmin-scented flowers are very fragile and to use them as a cut flower you must buy the plants as we did when preparing a larger-than-life arrangement of the initials "DV," a gift from Lady Gaga to Donatella Versace which we delivered to Milan!
Gardenia Jasminoides is originally from southern Asia. (Vietnam, South China, Taiwan, Japan and India). The plant was named in the 18th century by Dr. Garden, a Scottish botanist living in America, but the flower's existence is much older since it appears in paintings of the 10th century Chinese artist, Xu Xi.
Another special favourite of mine and many is the delicate SWEET PEA. We source these intensely scented flowers from the grower Lathyrus.nl who has been improving the quality, the vase length and the number of varieties of its flowers for more than 10 years. Today, their production is available February through December and they harvest annually 3.5 million stems! Acting as a breeder and grower they have both created new varieties and, by selecting only the best and strongest seeds each year, little by little, they have increased the quality and the vase life to 7 days without reducing the scent. Like Gloriosa, one can buy either individual flower stems or 60-80 cms stems with several flowers.
Last but not least, the scented garden ROSE is a must at the boutique. We source our Damasque Roses from the Tambuzi Farm in Kenya which is not only the largest Rose farm in the country, but accredited for its social and environmental standards. In addition to providing jobs, its water source supplies the entire village; the farm is completely sustainable and with the naturally perfect climatic conditions for the cultivation of Roses, they produce a wide range of very beautiful, intensely scented blooms reminiscent of past times.
Flowers have created deep emotions in people for centuries, but combining their beauty and ephemeral qualities with blissful fragrances takes the experience to another level. The intoxicating sweet smell of these flowers when I arrive in the store each day is a joy I could not live without and I hope you too can enjoy this pleasure in your own home with a bunch of any of these wonderful blooms.


Benefits of Gardening: Family Time, Recycling and Lower Grocery Bills
I have been making too much time for work, working late, and complaining about working too much. The time that we spend with our families and loved ones goes by too quickly, and it’s easy to take for granted. So, I decided to enhance family time activities by starting a backyard garden, which resulted in some extra benefits of gardening I wasn’t expecting.
Benefits of Gardening Beyond Extra Family Time
I started a backyard garden and share a community garden with a few neighbors located a few blocks away. We strive to make it as organic as possible, so we only use organic fertilizer that we compost ourselves. In fact, we began composting a year earlier, since it takes almost that long to produce nutrient-rich compost.
We also took that time to strategize exactly what we would grow, how much we would grow, and to only grow necessities. Gardening has become a great stress reducing and family bonding activity. It has been instrumental in keeping my focus on recycling. Also, I am saving hundreds of dollars a year on some produce I no longer need to buy at the supermarket.
Significant Savings Potential
It can cost about $70 to $150 to buy the essential materials that you need to start your own home garden. That includes seeds, fertilizer, topsoil, worms, fencing and caging, and water. Plus, assorted tools like gloves, spades and tillers. You can gain a $530 return at the minimum on a $70 investment. However, it takes time and patience. It can take weeks or months from seed to harvest, depending on what you grow. It can also cost a little more if you want to build a greenhouse, but affordable materials from places like Simply Plastics make this a lot easier.
A 600-square foot garden can result in up to 300 pounds of produce worth over $600. However, I only expect to make half as much in savings, considering the square footage of my backyard garden and the shared community garden. Adjust your investment return expectations accordingly.
The average cost of a bag of fertilizer is about $26. Over 95% of compostable, organic waste is taken to landfills. That takes a toll on the environment. For the sake of my gardens, I make an effort to collect all organic waste to collect in compost bins instead of throwing it away. It takes focus and commitment but is worth it.
I have been hauling less garbage to the curbside bin. Also, I feel much better knowing that the food my family and neighbors are growing is being fertilized organically.
Strategize What To Grow
I researched that it is cheaper to grow tomatoes, zucchinis, and lettuce than to buy them. They don’t take up too much space and basically grow in spite of first-time gardener inefficiencies. Some fruits and vegetables require a lot of nutrients, soil, time and hands on maintenance to grow. If you want to plant flowers, have a look at some gladiolus bulbs to add some charm to your garden. Think about what you will grow and what you need before you begin. If you have some trees that need to be removed and mulched, you can consult a landscaping professional and a local arborist near you. If you don’t have time to do these tasks yourself, check out https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com/
Gardening Is For Relaxing
Gardening over 30 minutes a week has been suggested in scientific studies to improve moods, encourage emotional positivity, and even possibly stave off depressive moods. It is good low-impact exercise that is good for the heart and circulatory system over the long term. It is a relaxing and meditative activity that requires you to focus on your actions. Gardening is a great activity for family bonding activities.
Take Your Time
Strategize how you will start a garden. Don’t rush into it. I will say, I should have taken up gardening years ago. My grocery bills are lighter. I enjoy being in the sunlight and outdoors with my family. Also, I am proud to be growing produce that is organically fertilized.
Do you have a garden? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business


Our vineyard, located on a perfect sunny position, a marled and sandstone mould (we call it Ponka ) are, together with a long familiar tradition, guarantee of Sirk’s wines excellent quality.
Today on our farm we cultivate 6 ha of vineyards planted with 24,000 vines. We are involved in integrated cultivation, because of farming in harmony with nature. In our newly built wine cellar we annually produce 35,000 to 40,000 bottles of fine wine. Special attention is paid to indigenous varieties, because our wine is placed on originality, keen personality and friendly nature. We delight lovers of wine characteristics, structures, extreme and crazy tastes. Our wines reflect the distinct balance of taste, smell and freshness. The unique quality of these structural wines come particularly to the fore in combination with exquisite cuisine. Therefore, they are only sold in restaurants and wine shops.
In Goriška Brda, the Sirk’s family has worked in viticolture and in wine production farm for generations.
But it was in 1991 that they started their own wine production with the creation of Valter Sirk vineyard and cellar. After a preriod of growing inside the Slovenian border, now the production directs also to new inside and outside Europe markets.
Goriška brda it’s hilly region at the extrem West of Slovenia located near the Italian border.
Among the picturesque villages of this region there’s also Višnjevik. The village was mentioned for the first time in the 13th century with the history of Rittersberg castle. From the 16th century Collio has been known as a perfect region for wine and fruit coltivation So the story of Višnjevik’s wine production starts and begins in the Middle-age. The gentle village of Višnjevik is located on the top of the hill, 320 m high on the sea, over brook Reka’s valley.
Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.


when your talking about food in india, you have to start with the mango. the mango is national fruit of india and there are hundreds of varieties available in india. due to some bizarre ban on fruit from india, the united states couldn't import them, so we mostly had the boring ol' standard mango. however, in 2007 the ban was lifted so if you look around you may find a few crazy varieties. expect them to be expensive and not-as-fresh as mangoes grown more locally.
mangoes in india are like apples in the states, only like a hundred-times bigger deal. India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, by far. but india represents less than one percent of the global trade in mangos since the consume nearly all the mangoes produced. these are serious, mango-eating people.
in the traditional folk medicine of india, Ayurveda, mangoes are used to restore and maintain balance in the body. they are made into chutneys and pickled, but they're also eaten raw with salt or a little chili. much like our friends in mexico, indians are obsessed with matching sweet to spicy. pahna is a cool drink made from mango juice enjoyed in the peak of the hot season, and a mango-yogurt smoothie called lassi is super popular as well. a freshly squeezed mango-juice from a street vendor will run you about 20 rupees (about 43¢). march to may is the best time to get mangoes across the country, since that's when the bulk of the fruit ripens (just prior to the monsoon season). lucky for us, we arrive february 25 and leave may 28 - during a lull in tourism and at the very peak of the mango-buying season meaning prices will be low and the fruit fresh, plump and delicious.
among indians, the consensus is that the alphonso mango (also called Hapoos) is king. named for Afonso de Albuquerque, it's grown mostly in Karnataka and Maharastra. It's apparently amazing on it's own, and makes the best smoothies and candies. it's also really expensive, and can run you about 50 rupees ($1.08). it was described by one reporter as "knockout sweet, sorbet-smooth and very wet." the juicier the better when it comes to mangoes, as lapping up the overspill is de rigueur.


What's in a name?
Calendula (officinalis), commonly called pot-marigold, is a hardy annual native to the Mediterranean. It grows about 12 inches high displaying a variety of yellow to orange flowers. Calendula has been a favourite in farmer's gardens for centuries, thanks to its ability to deter nematodes in the soil, and for its medicinal uses. Its colourful blossoms attract bees and other beneficial insects helping in the pollination of nearby fruits and vegetables. Today's gardeners appreciate its simple beauty, its versatility, and the fact that it is so easy to grow.
Our goal at Calendula Publishing is to make your garden work easier, more productive, and ultimately more fun. Our series "Organic Gardening Tools" started in 1998 with the
Garden Wheel: Companion Planting at a Glance, followed by the
Garden Wheel: Vegetable Planting Guide,
the Herb Wheel and in 2002 we published out latest Wheel:
Beneficial and Edibl Flowers.
Since 1999 we also publish every year the Calendar and Garden Guide.
The same year the first edition of A Gardener's Handbook came out.
Also in 2002 we finally released My Garden, a beautiful, hand-bound logbook that has been in the making for a long time. Other garden related books are in the making.
Soon Calendula Publishing will have a new home so we can move forward and publish more exciting gardening books. Our "Garden Kaleidoscope" will go to the printer shortly.
Calendula Publishing can be reached:
By mail: RR1, 40 Big Rock Lane, Box 13, Chester, NS, B0J 1J0
Our new phone number is: (902) 708-3115
©1998 - 2016 Calendula Publishing


In the classroom: Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
Students in Senior Lecturing Fellow Michelle Nowlin’s class on food law and policy are spending the fall semester digging into a few culinary staples of the Tar Heel state: barbecue, corn-and-the-cob, and watermelon.
In her fourth year of teaching Food, Agriculture, and the Environment, Nowlin JD/MA ’92 is taking an organic approach to the curriculum, focusing on the laws and regulations that govern food from the farm to the table. Her curricular menu involves “a heck of a lot of laws” and a regulatory framework that is both technical and dense, she says.
The pork entrée (whether prepared in the rival Eastern or Piedmont styles or as ribs) leads the class into an examination of pork production methods, the laws governing that production, and possible environmental impacts and offsets. Corn-related issues include the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), interference with traditional seed-saving and hybridization techniques, and how Farm Bill subsidies affect the market for corn and corn products. Watermelon raises a discussion of pollinator protection, the health and safety regulation of fresh produce, and organics labeling.
Nowlin wants her students to gain an understanding of how food, agricultural production, and environmental sustainability are connected, as well as the ways in which the law influences food development and can help regulate unwelcome impacts of food production.
“The way we produce food has a lot of unintended consequences in terms of impacts to human and economic health in neighboring communities, animal welfare, and the environment, including emissions of greenhouse gases,” she says.
Nowlin finds that her subject offers a fertile showcase for the interdisciplinary collaboration that informs much of the work at the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, where she is supervising attorney, and elsewhere at Duke University. She makes a point of cross-listing the class, which is always fully enrolled, at other Duke graduate schools.
“We benefit from the expertise brought by students from other disciplines,” she says. “They might be able to address food regulation from a human health or social justice perspective, or explain how pesticide regulation affects soil quality. And it cuts both ways. Someone from Fuqua who is going on to be a product-line manager, or a medical student concerned about childhood obesity or the effectiveness of antibiotics needs to understand the laws and regulatory framework surrounding water and food policies.”
An evolving curriculum
The course arose out of a 2010 student-organized ad hoc seminar on food safety for which Nowlin served as faculty advisor.
“I was interested because I’d worked on agriculture and, tangentially, food issues for a long time and really wanted to do more in the field of sustainable agriculture, looking at local production and regulation of organics,” Nowlin says. The success of that class, which focused on such issues as recall authority, food importation, and port inspections, led her to develop a formal seminar, which she taught with Jeff Ward ’09, who now directs the Start-Up Ventures Clinic and who later served as faculty advisor to another student-organized course on the regulation of beer, wine, and spirits.
“In that first seminar we tackled a lot of the economic factors, different considerations held by farming and food organizations in setting up a corporation, looking at tax and land-use regulations,” Nowlin says. “I dealt with the regulatory side, looking at environmental impacts, how food is labeled and marketed, what tools are available to regulate, including some health and safety issues.
“Now I’m focusing more intentionally on the environmental impacts and tradeoffs associated with our modern industrial system – looking at the ways in which there is exceptionality in the law for agricultural producers and the ways in which those exemptions have been exploited over time.”
Shannon Arata ’13, who is a post-graduate Stanback Fellow in the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, says learning about laws governing food production in Nowlin’s class in 2012 refocused her professional interests.
“I came to law school for environmental law, with an interest in water issues and energy production,” says Arata. “But the class got me interested in the environmental impacts and effects on humans from factory farming, and the regulations governing factory farming, as well as other issues I hadn’t previously considered.”
Addressing food issues for clients
Faculty and student engagement with food and agriculture law and policy increasingly extend to their work in the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic and the Start-Up Ventures Clinic.
In the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, Nowlin has supervised student work pertaining to organics, local food policies, and the impact of patent laws on seed-saving techniques for such clients as the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and the Sustainable Foods North Carolina Coalition. They have also addressed zoning and best-management practices for Tilthy Rich, an organization dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint associated with food waste and to increasing soil health in the Durham area.
Ward has brought food-related clients into the Start-Up Ventures Clinic, where students have provided counsel to early-stage food entrepreneurs such Seal the Seasons Produce, an organization that partners with local farmers and distributors to sell fresh and frozen pre-cut organic produce, and Made With Love, an artisanal organic bakery.


Horsch Anderson has roots that span back over 25 years and over two continents. Back in the early 1980’s small grain farming practices were very different that today. Mulitple pass operations, more tillage, and a very long process were the traditions just to get a crop planted. Seeing this problem, Kevin Anderson set his mind to make wheat planting a one pass operation. Through trials and many hours in building models, Kevin introduced the Anderson Opener to the market in 1984. The Anderson Opener was the first ever opener of its kind, placing fertilizer and seed in a way to maximize crop stand and yield. Using twin row and deep fertilizer banding technology wrapped into one package, the Anderson Opener revolutionized small grains planting.
Across the globe at the same time many changes were happening in Europe. Communism was falling, democracy was growing, and the continent as a whole was in tune for history making revolutions. From the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe came tremendous opportunities in agricultural production. Seeing the demand for bigger and better machinery, Michael Horsch embarked on a mission to build products for farmers all over Europe. Innovation in tractors, applicators, tillage tools, and planting systems were made by Horsch and still continue to be the leader in seeding and tillage technology in Europe.
The birth of Horsch Anderson came to be in 2000. A chance meeting of two great minds of agricultural machinery innovation……Kevin Anderson and Michael Horsch……gave inspiration to build the first Horsch Anderson Planting System in 2002. Since that time Horsch Anderson has grown into markets across North America and continues to expand products and create innovation.
For customer and dealers alike who are interested in the Horsch Anderson product line, an invitation is always open for visitors to our facilities in Andover, South Dakota.


When we found out we were doing a sprouting book here at Quayside Publishing Group, we couldn’t quite resist sprouting here in the office and seeing what the big deal was about. Turns out, we all kind of loved it and the sprouting continues here.
It is a satisfying feeling that you can grow these sprouts without much effort and get some healthy food infused into your diet. You can add some money into your retirement funds in a similar fashion without much effort. You can use trading through the official website along with your usual work and improve the health of your retirement fund.
We now eat our sprouts on salads, in soups, on sandwiches, heck even just by themselves. If you’re looking for a new foodie hobby, this might just be the thing for you!
Here are some of our experiences.
Jonathan (Acquisitions Editor, Quarry Books): I don’t usually keep living things around. Pets and plants are more than I can bear, so sprouting is a bit like that grade school lesson in responsibility: can you keep an egg over the weekend without it breaking? I dutifully rinsed my alfalfa and dill sprouts in warm water morning and evening. The ritual was comforting, I remarked on their daily and relative growth. I even took them on a car trip to Vermont. My alfalfa sprouts flourished in just a handful days. I enjoyed snacking on them individually and throwing fistfulls into salads. The dill sprouts, however, languished. Nervous research showed they take as long as 15 days to sprout! In their second week, my patience with daily rinsings grew thin even as the first white sprouts started to just grow long. Rushing out the door one evening, I left my lazy sprouts in the common kitchen at work with no note or protective placement. When I returned, someone had very kindly washed all the dirty dishes including my sprouting tray—all that dutiful responsibility down the drain! A moment of fury passed when I realized if I saw a plastic container with things starting to grow in it, I’d probably turn on the water too. And now with a clean tray, I could start a new batch.
Caitlin (Assistant Managing Editor, Quayside Publishing Group): There were two benefits to my French lentil sprouting experiment: greenery for my work space and a crunchy lunch garnish. I did get a few curious glances when I started swishing and rinsing the sprouts at the break room sink twice a day, but the only hassle was remembering to put something down to catch the drips from the leaky mesh lid when I tilted the jar to drain it. It only took three days to get a tangled, leafy mass of successful sprouts. I’d never tasted this kind of sprout before and definitely agree with a coworker who proclaimed them “earthy.” My next order of business is to start bringing more salads and sandwiches for lunch so I can use them up…
Lauri Boone (Author of Powerful Plant-Based Superfoods): Thanks to Sprout Week, I finally dusted off my sprouting jars and bag and went to work growing food in my kitchen. I worked with two great varieties of sprouts from The Sprout House. I soaked both Pea Sprouting Seeds and Broccoli Mix Sprouting Seeds (containing alfalfa, broccoli, and red clover) overnight in glass jars (about 12 hours total). I rinsed and drained the seeds and then placed the broccoli mix in a sprouting jar and the pea seeds in a sprouting bag that hung from my kitchen cabinet. Twice a day for the next few days I rinsed and drained the seeds with water—that was it. So simple! Nature took its course and within a few days, my broccoli mix had sprouted and I was tossing handfuls into my salads and wraps. The peas took a few days longer to sprout, but when they did, they became a welcome addition to salads—bigger and crunchier than the broccoli sprouts. Sprouting reminds me that growing your own food can be easy, you can do it inside and at any time of the year, and the end result is a winning combination of delicious and nutritious.
Cara (Development Editor, Quayside Publishing Group):
Not all the seeds sprouted, but it didn’t matter—they were scooped up, dried in a paper towel, and eaten, too!
I’ve been working on Rita’s sprouting book, and I was really excited to get to try it out for myself. I’m normally not the type of person who gets excited about growing her own food—I like immediate or at least quick results, and just the thought of going outside and weeding makes me scowl. Plus even if I wanted to grow my own food, I live in a little apartment and don’t have anywhere to grow it.Sprouts were (and are!) perfect for me, as it turned out! I used an Easy Sprout sprouter, which kind of looks like an oversized Icee cup when you have the domed, ventilated growing lid on top. It took up practically no space at all in my kitchen. I quickly learned too that the Easy Sprout sprouter lived up to its name: the inner cup had a series of holes at the bottom, allowing it to easily drain into the outer cup. After soaking them overnight, all I did was rinse them twice a day! By day three I had what you see in the picture below.
This was the St. Patrick’s Day Mix, which consisted of red clover, mung bean, yellow mustard, and green lentils. They were delicious! I ate them on sandwiches, and in soups and salads. All in all it was a really simple and rewarding experience. I can’t wait to try round two of sprouting!
Preorder your copy of Homegrown Sprouts today!


We encourage everyone to learn the art of gardening. Not only is it a rich and rewarding life-skill with rewards both physical and spiritual, it is also a valuable tool for survival if one was ever faced with the need to feed themselves. In addition to being an agricultural producer in Southern Arizona, Avalon Organic Gardens is also a educational center. We want to feed the world, but we know we can't do it alone. Avalon Gardens offers several ways to learn the skills and techniques that we practice here everyday. Learn more about workshops and internships below or visit our Earth Harmony Sustainability Seminars page.
We periodically offer full-day and half-day workshops and courses on
- Organic Gardening and Permaculture Practices
- Food Forest Development
- Earth Harmony Homes
- Cal-Earth Domes
- Monolithic Domes
- Papercrete Brick Construction
- Utilizing Solar Power
- Building with Recycled Materials
- Survival in the near future and the nuts and bolts of building an EcoVillage.
Please contact us or check our calendar of events for more information on upcoming workshop dates
We offer residency-internship opportunities for individuals and families
who are looking to experience our fully-integrated garden and
ecovillage. Join us for a couple weeks, or a couple months, or a
full year, for a total immersion learning experience. By participating in
the day-to-day routines of Avalon Organic Gardens, you are sure to acquire
a new perspective on gardening, green-building, animal husbandry, and
community-living. Begin your internship with Avalon Organic Gardens
& EcoVillage today by contacting our admissions office, (520)
603-9932, or email info at Avalon Gardens.


Program for Sunday May 23, 2021
Engage with Laura Kelley in a conversation of the importance of quality foods. Many of us have been growing more of our own food; some have even managed to grow enough to share with our neighbors. Our choices of what to grow and how to go about it impacts our microbiome as well as the life cycles of native bees and other pollinators. Laura will talk about choosing seeds and crops, measuring productivity and maximizing diversity in our diets.
Pre-register for this program at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Meeting platform will open at 9:30 for informal socializing. Program will begin promptly at 10:00.
An 11th generation Cape Codder who takes the long view, Laura Kelley created POCCA Cape Cod [link to https://www.poccacapecod.org/ ] to educate and build local and state political will to protect the Cape’s aquifers for future generations. The proprietor of Littlefield Landscapes, an organic land care and design company specializing in native vegetation and custom stonework of all kinds, she lives and grows seasonal edible foods in North Eastham.