Field tomato growersfrom Florida to Texas say a new virus-resistant variety developed by vegetable breeders at Texas A&M University may provide a glimmer of hope for an industry that has been decimated by a raging virus complex spread by the dreaded whitefly.
The disease outbreak has been so intense that it has destroyed virtually all field tomato production in the vegetable-rich Rio Grande Valley and has challenged growers from Florida to Arizona who have been losing ground to Canadian and Mexican tomato imports in recent years.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Q9o3
Growbags are ideal for Tomato Growing. Visit www.coirgreen.com for more information.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Restored wetlands no match for real thing
How easy is it to recreate nature? When it comes to wetlands, the answer seems to be “not very.”
A new paper examining data from more than 600 restored or man-made wetlands found that in key ways, they don’t measure up to the real thing.
Wetlands perform vital ecosystem functions. They act as fish nurseries, control erosion, clean up water, store carbon, and provide wildlife habitat. But they have been filled, drained and paved over at a steady pace, prompting efforts to restore them in California and across the nation.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Q8LQ
For Coir Geotextiles, Waterlogs, Erosion control blankets visit www.coirgreen.com
A new paper examining data from more than 600 restored or man-made wetlands found that in key ways, they don’t measure up to the real thing.
Wetlands perform vital ecosystem functions. They act as fish nurseries, control erosion, clean up water, store carbon, and provide wildlife habitat. But they have been filled, drained and paved over at a steady pace, prompting efforts to restore them in California and across the nation.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Q8LQ
For Coir Geotextiles, Waterlogs, Erosion control blankets visit www.coirgreen.com
Starting Seeds Indoors for Your Vegetable Garden
After saving the seeds of several of my summer garden favorites (basil, cantaloupe, okra, tomatoes and watermelon), this past summer, I thought I’d try my hand at seed starting.
One of my long-time gardening friends recommends seed saving since, over time, plants will adapt to the micro-climate of your yard and therefore have stronger root systems, heartier growth and production.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Q8Af
One of my long-time gardening friends recommends seed saving since, over time, plants will adapt to the micro-climate of your yard and therefore have stronger root systems, heartier growth and production.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Q8Af
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
US: High volume, low prices for tomatoes
A glut of tomatoes coming from Mexico has increased the volume of available fruit in the United States. With such a large supply of produce, prices for tomatoes are low, while many in the US hope for a rise in price as the year progresses.
Dino Mainolfi, of All American Farms, says that the market for tomatoes is currently flat.
“We have more tomatoes than we can sell,” he says.
Prices on Monday were reported at $8.95 per case for jumbo roma tomatoes, $7.95 for medium roma tomatoes and $6.95 for small roma tomatoes.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P183
Growbags are ideal for Growing Tomatoes. 100% Natural, biodegradable product that helps root enhancement, water retention capacity, air porosity.... www.coirgreen.com for more information
It’s time to garden!
Heber Springs, Ark. —
Vegetables are taking a more prominent place on the table of health conscious people and they are gaining more respect in the gardening world. Once you start eating vegetables picked from your own yard, it is hard to be satisfied with anything less. Some of us are still enjoying vegetables from our fall gardens.
A reader, and devoted gardener, gave me a recipe that she developed using some things from her garden. She calls it Vegetable Medley. She sautés the following chopped ingredients in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter:
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0J2
Use 100% Biodegradable products for your garden this season. Coco chips, Coco peat, Coir pots, Weed control mats, Coir disk, Growbags... visit www.coirgreen.com for more information.
Vegetables are taking a more prominent place on the table of health conscious people and they are gaining more respect in the gardening world. Once you start eating vegetables picked from your own yard, it is hard to be satisfied with anything less. Some of us are still enjoying vegetables from our fall gardens.
A reader, and devoted gardener, gave me a recipe that she developed using some things from her garden. She calls it Vegetable Medley. She sautés the following chopped ingredients in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter:
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0J2
Use 100% Biodegradable products for your garden this season. Coco chips, Coco peat, Coir pots, Weed control mats, Coir disk, Growbags... visit www.coirgreen.com for more information.
UK Climate Change Risk Assessment shows the East of England needs to adapt
A ground-breaking study into the implications of climate change, and the threats the country faces, has revealed that the key priorities for the East of England include responding to water availability, flooding and sea level rise.
The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) 2012 highlights the top 100 challenges to the country and our economy, and provides the most compelling evidence yet of the need to increase our resilience.
The research also confirms the UK as a world-leader in understanding climate risk to ensure we can make robust plans to deal with these threats. It provides underpinning evidence that can be used by the Government to help inform priorities for action and appropriate adaptation measures.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0xO
The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) 2012 highlights the top 100 challenges to the country and our economy, and provides the most compelling evidence yet of the need to increase our resilience.
The research also confirms the UK as a world-leader in understanding climate risk to ensure we can make robust plans to deal with these threats. It provides underpinning evidence that can be used by the Government to help inform priorities for action and appropriate adaptation measures.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0xO
Legislation to control stormwater advances
WINCHESTER -- Bills aimed at controlling stormwater runoff and protecting the Chesapeake Bay through local monitoring continue to move forward in the General Assembly.
Regulations that take effect in 2014 would give most of the responsibility for permitting and monitoring stormwater management to localities. But, as Joe Wilder, deputy director of public works for Frederick County, the localities also receive most of the money from permitting fees.
"Really, I can sum up the bill in one little sentence here," Wilder told panel members. "It basically says that 'any locality shall be required to adopt a Virginia stormwater management program.' It's real clear."
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0tJ
Regulations that take effect in 2014 would give most of the responsibility for permitting and monitoring stormwater management to localities. But, as Joe Wilder, deputy director of public works for Frederick County, the localities also receive most of the money from permitting fees.
"Really, I can sum up the bill in one little sentence here," Wilder told panel members. "It basically says that 'any locality shall be required to adopt a Virginia stormwater management program.' It's real clear."
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0tJ
IECA to Celebrate 40 Years of Erosion Control Success at EC12
This year marks the International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) 40th anniversary. In honor of this achievement, the association is holding a "birthday bash extravaganza" on February 29 during its annual Environmental Connection conference. EC12 will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada 26-29 February 2012. The birthday celebration will include drinks, food, and entertainment. All EC12 attendees with full registrations will be given a free ticket to this end-of-conference bash.
Other highlights of the event will include:
* Greg Schaner, an Attorney Adviser for the U.S. EPA Office of Wastewater Management, will deliver a keynote address at the General Session and Awards Ceremony. Schaner will discuss changes and updates to the Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs).
* A number of new full-day training courses will be offered, including How to Analyze & Solve Soil Stability; Stream and Riparian Area Investigation, Rehabilitation and Design Workshop; and Turbidity Control 101: What You Need to Know for This Unfolding Business Opportunity
Source/Read: http://ow.ly/8P0k3
Other highlights of the event will include:
* Greg Schaner, an Attorney Adviser for the U.S. EPA Office of Wastewater Management, will deliver a keynote address at the General Session and Awards Ceremony. Schaner will discuss changes and updates to the Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs).
* A number of new full-day training courses will be offered, including How to Analyze & Solve Soil Stability; Stream and Riparian Area Investigation, Rehabilitation and Design Workshop; and Turbidity Control 101: What You Need to Know for This Unfolding Business Opportunity
Source/Read: http://ow.ly/8P0k3
February becomes a beehive of gardening activity
Chambers County in February becomes a beehive of gardening activity. Most (not all) danger of frost is past, and this winter has been quite mild, so thoughts turn to working in the yard on the sunny days. Summer, and its heat, come early in Texas, so you need to get the last of the cool season crops into the vegetable bed, giving them time to ripen and fruit. But you also need to remember that it’s too early for the plants that like the heat. They need warm soil to germinate or grow, and will just sit and sulk for weeks if you plant too early.
If you have a permanent bed ready, it’s not too late to plant asparagus crowns and artichokes, as well as strawberries. It’s about as late as you want to plant bushes and trees as well, while they are still in their dormant stages. Blueberries are already starting to flower a little, and the citrus by February in our area is in full bloom. So early is ideal for these more permanent garden gems. You can plant them later, but the point is to get the roots growing to provide more stability and food for the leaves and fruits. And if you do buy peaches, apples, and the like, force yourself to pick off those little fruits the first year. They do the plant no good, taking away the energy from development to stuff into a peach that won’t have great flavor while so young anyway.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0a5
If you have a permanent bed ready, it’s not too late to plant asparagus crowns and artichokes, as well as strawberries. It’s about as late as you want to plant bushes and trees as well, while they are still in their dormant stages. Blueberries are already starting to flower a little, and the citrus by February in our area is in full bloom. So early is ideal for these more permanent garden gems. You can plant them later, but the point is to get the roots growing to provide more stability and food for the leaves and fruits. And if you do buy peaches, apples, and the like, force yourself to pick off those little fruits the first year. They do the plant no good, taking away the energy from development to stuff into a peach that won’t have great flavor while so young anyway.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8P0a5
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
How To Maintain A Flower Garden?
Flowers enhances the beauty of the garden. Few gardeners use small containers or pots to keep flower plants whereas few prefer to have a flower garden. Flower gardens are colorful, lively and spread smell all around. Caring and maintaining flower gardens is important so as to keep the growing flower plants in shape. For easy flower garden maintenance, here are few gardening tips.
Gardening tips to maintain a flower garden:
1. It is best to grow flower plants in fertile soil. Remove weed and then add compost or manure to the soil. With a digging spade, dig the soil inside.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8NEk7
Gardening tips to maintain a flower garden:
1. It is best to grow flower plants in fertile soil. Remove weed and then add compost or manure to the soil. With a digging spade, dig the soil inside.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8NEk7
Legislation to control stormwater advances
WINCHESTER -- Bills aimed at controlling stormwater runoff and protecting the Chesapeake Bay through local monitoring continue to move forward in the General Assembly.
Regulations that take effect in 2014 would give most of the responsibility for permitting and monitoring stormwater management to localities. But, as Joe Wilder, deputy director of public works for Frederick County, the localities also receive most of the money from permitting fees.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8NEfr
Regulations that take effect in 2014 would give most of the responsibility for permitting and monitoring stormwater management to localities. But, as Joe Wilder, deputy director of public works for Frederick County, the localities also receive most of the money from permitting fees.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8NEfr
Add a veggie wall for a focal point
When it comes to elements in our landscape, gardeners always are looking for something that will cut down on the weeding and watering and help us reap our bounty with little effort. Oh, and we want it to look beautiful too.
So if you need a focal point in your landscape, a decorative barrier at the edge of the property, or a vegetable garden that is easy to take care of, then I've got a simple weekend project for you.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8NEb5
So if you need a focal point in your landscape, a decorative barrier at the edge of the property, or a vegetable garden that is easy to take care of, then I've got a simple weekend project for you.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8NEb5
30,000-year-old bison bone yields new clues on climate-change adaptation
A 30,000-year-old bison bone plucked from the thawed permafrost inside a Yukon gold mine has helped a team of Australian scientists make a potentially groundbreaking discovery about the way animals adapt to climate change.
A study published in the latest issue of the journal PLoS One describes the Canadian specimen — a bone from the extinct steppe bison, an ancient buffalo that disappeared at the end of the last ice age — as key to unravelling a mystery about how "epigenetic" DNA adjustments can occur more rapidly than full-scale genetic changes in an ecologically stressed species.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Nymp
A study published in the latest issue of the journal PLoS One describes the Canadian specimen — a bone from the extinct steppe bison, an ancient buffalo that disappeared at the end of the last ice age — as key to unravelling a mystery about how "epigenetic" DNA adjustments can occur more rapidly than full-scale genetic changes in an ecologically stressed species.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Nymp
In the Garden: With spring approaching, it's time to select seeds
February tends to be 80 percent winter-like and 20 percent spring-like in terms of the weather. But the good news is that the first day of spring is only seven weeks away -- on March 20.
There will be about one hour more daylight tomorrow than on Jan. 1. No more of those long December nights.
By now, some thoughts should be given to 2012 gardening plans. My first step is to look over seed catalogs and see the new offerings. Usually one or two new sweet peppers are selected along with a new tomato. Also the selection of a different wave petunia and at least one new or different perennial. Part of a gardening experience is to grow a few new or different plants. The outcome is unknown and that is part of the fun of gardening -- to see the results, for better or worse.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Nybg
There will be about one hour more daylight tomorrow than on Jan. 1. No more of those long December nights.
By now, some thoughts should be given to 2012 gardening plans. My first step is to look over seed catalogs and see the new offerings. Usually one or two new sweet peppers are selected along with a new tomato. Also the selection of a different wave petunia and at least one new or different perennial. Part of a gardening experience is to grow a few new or different plants. The outcome is unknown and that is part of the fun of gardening -- to see the results, for better or worse.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Nybg
Your say on Tanilba accessYour say on Tanilba access (A CHANGE of access points to the Tanilba Bay Foreshore.. )
A CHANGE of access points to the Tanilba Bay Foreshore will be the topic of an upcoming community meeting and Port Stephens residents are being encouraged to come along and have their say.
The call comes as part of Port Stephens Council's Tanilba Bay foreshore erosion management plan, prepared by SMEC Consultancy, which proposes that access points to the foreshore change in a bid prevent erosion.
The council is hosting the information evening to be held at the Tanilba Bay Community Hall on Thursday, February 9 at 6pm.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Ny6j
The call comes as part of Port Stephens Council's Tanilba Bay foreshore erosion management plan, prepared by SMEC Consultancy, which proposes that access points to the foreshore change in a bid prevent erosion.
The council is hosting the information evening to be held at the Tanilba Bay Community Hall on Thursday, February 9 at 6pm.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Ny6j
Horticultural grant scheme
GOVERNMENT Chief Whip Paul Kehoe believes that a new grant scheme launched by colleague Shane Mcentee will be of particular interest to his constituency. The money is up for grabs for commercial horticulture projects, with special terms for applicants aged under 35 years of age.
'As this sector is so strong in County Wexford, I'm asking all of my constituents in the horticultural sector to be mindful of this initiative because some of them may be eligible and could benefit under it,' said Minister of State Kehoe in a statement issued last week.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Ny22
'As this sector is so strong in County Wexford, I'm asking all of my constituents in the horticultural sector to be mindful of this initiative because some of them may be eligible and could benefit under it,' said Minister of State Kehoe in a statement issued last week.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Ny22
Climate Change Commission says Wales on right path, but more action needed
Wales is "on the right path" towards tackling climate change, but the Welsh government needs to do more to target additional emissions, a report says.
The Climate Change Commission for Wales has set out 37 recommendations in its first annual report.
The body, which advises the Welsh government on climate change, wants to see houses being made more energy efficient and businesses to go green.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8MjZt
The Climate Change Commission for Wales has set out 37 recommendations in its first annual report.
The body, which advises the Welsh government on climate change, wants to see houses being made more energy efficient and businesses to go green.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8MjZt
New proposal would govern Lake Ontario levels
The international panel that oversees water levels in Lake Ontario released a proposed new regulatory plan this morning intended to help restore the lake’s ecosystem by allowing greater fluctuations in levels.
The International Joint Commission, a joint U.S.-Canada treaty organization, said the lake would be allowed to be a few inches higher, on average, in the spring and fall than the current regulatory plan provides. Allowing more fluctuation in lake level should restore diversity in plant and animal life in and around the lake, the group said.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8MgPD
The International Joint Commission, a joint U.S.-Canada treaty organization, said the lake would be allowed to be a few inches higher, on average, in the spring and fall than the current regulatory plan provides. Allowing more fluctuation in lake level should restore diversity in plant and animal life in and around the lake, the group said.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8MgPD
Horticulture enthusiasts will flock to Vero Beach's Gardenfest! this weekend
A spring of new possibilities will flourish under the oaks of Riverside Park in Vero Beach this weekend as the 11th annual Gardenfest! attracts thousands of horticulture enthusiasts from the Treasure Coast and across the state.
Hosted by the Garden Club of Indian River County as a way to raise money to support the organization's civic projects, Gardenfest! gives visitors the chance to stroll through more than 80 exhibits displaying and selling a wide variety of plants, pottery, fountains, lighting and other garden accessories at a low cost.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8MgG9
Hosted by the Garden Club of Indian River County as a way to raise money to support the organization's civic projects, Gardenfest! gives visitors the chance to stroll through more than 80 exhibits displaying and selling a wide variety of plants, pottery, fountains, lighting and other garden accessories at a low cost.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8MgG9
Chicago Botanic Garden has a good year
For the third consecutive year, the Chicago Botanic Garden set an all-time attendance record in 2011, generating 953,864 visits, representing a 5.4 percent increase or 49,000 more visitors than 2010. This number equates to a 29 percent increase since 2009. During 2011, the Garden experienced three record-setting months: August was the highest attendance month ever in the Garden’s 40-year history with 134,049 visits; October had 97,289 visits and December saw 70,509 visits. The Wonderland Express winter exhibition exceeded 2010 attendance by 15,000 people, with overall attendance reaching 65,000.
The 385-acre Garden features 24 formal display gardens and four natural areas, including the 100-acre McDonald Woods, the 15-acre Dixon Prairie, the Skokie River Corridor and 60 acres of garden lakes. It is home to the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center and the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Mgud
The 385-acre Garden features 24 formal display gardens and four natural areas, including the 100-acre McDonald Woods, the 15-acre Dixon Prairie, the Skokie River Corridor and 60 acres of garden lakes. It is home to the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center and the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8Mgud
Monday, January 30, 2012
Expand your vegetable garden with containers
When the vegetable garden’s beds, as outlined on the coming season’s planting plan, are all spoken for and you wish there was just a little more space for a pepper plant or two or a small patch of that new lettuce variety, think pots. Vegetables in pots are a moveable feast. The pot that this year will grow lettuce in a shady corner of the perennial bed was used last summer to grow basil on the sunny porch steps.
Almost any container will work, provided it has drainage holes in the bottom and suitable capacity. Use the following list to determine the container size needed for various vegetables.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KH4A
Scientists say global warming changes currents
ELEANOR HALL: And staying with climate change, another international group of scientists says it has new evidence that ocean currents around the world are being affected by global warming.
The scientists said it was not news to them that the East Australian Current was a hot spot but when they examined several other currents near Japan, Africa and North America, they found a worldwide trend of warming waters, as Felicity Ogilvie reports from Hobart.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGYu
The scientists said it was not news to them that the East Australian Current was a hot spot but when they examined several other currents near Japan, Africa and North America, they found a worldwide trend of warming waters, as Felicity Ogilvie reports from Hobart.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGYu
Finding Fossils in Lake Forest
While we’re still in January—the month of beginnings—I've decided to put El Toro’s pioneer story on hold, focus on another type of beginning, and travel even a bit further back in time.
How much further? Well, how about to when this area was underwater?
And no, I’m not talking economics. I’m talking about a time, millions of years ago, when what we call the Saddleback Valley was completely immersed by what is now known as the Pacific Ocean.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGSi
How much further? Well, how about to when this area was underwater?
And no, I’m not talking economics. I’m talking about a time, millions of years ago, when what we call the Saddleback Valley was completely immersed by what is now known as the Pacific Ocean.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGSi
This generation will win or lose the wilding war
Continuing our series focusing on the wilding pines issue, a 13-strong group, headed by Prof Sir Alan Mark, penned this response to several opinion articles published on these pages recently.
The range of views expressed recently in the Otago Daily Times on wilding conifers is in cases concerning, given the enormous threat these pests pose to the high country.
All such wilding conifers have initially escaped from trees or stands planted for one of several purposes: erosion control, windbreaks, small woodlots, commercial plantings or landscaping. To this end, several species are involved, the most aggressive being the lodgepole, or contorta, pine. The critical factors are masses of viable seed in the right place and favourable weather. Capable of rejuvenating from single needles, these trees are a daunting foe for conservation.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGFc
The range of views expressed recently in the Otago Daily Times on wilding conifers is in cases concerning, given the enormous threat these pests pose to the high country.
All such wilding conifers have initially escaped from trees or stands planted for one of several purposes: erosion control, windbreaks, small woodlots, commercial plantings or landscaping. To this end, several species are involved, the most aggressive being the lodgepole, or contorta, pine. The critical factors are masses of viable seed in the right place and favourable weather. Capable of rejuvenating from single needles, these trees are a daunting foe for conservation.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGFc
Hydroponic gardening may aid food supply
I grew up in NASA’s Apollo years from 1961-72, when space-age technology yielded such essentials as memory foam, smoke detectors and water filters.
The agency helped fine-tune other products, such as cordless tools for Black & Decker, to make them better suited to space.
It shows how a new industry can have an unexpected impact on everyday life. That was on my mind recently as I strolled through the Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo in Long Beach, Calif. Such expos focus exclusively on hydroponics, the science of cultivating plants in soil-less media with little more than water and nutrient solutions.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGqv
The agency helped fine-tune other products, such as cordless tools for Black & Decker, to make them better suited to space.
It shows how a new industry can have an unexpected impact on everyday life. That was on my mind recently as I strolled through the Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo in Long Beach, Calif. Such expos focus exclusively on hydroponics, the science of cultivating plants in soil-less media with little more than water and nutrient solutions.
Read more: http://ow.ly/8KGqv
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