Horticulture: Making use of the rain in your gardens

Plants need water of some degree or another. It doesn’t matter if it is from the well, the meter or from the sky. We are all concerned about using water due to cost, drought or overwatering. A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for watering plants and gardens. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through roof gutter downspouts and become storm water runoff. Depending on your yard, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.

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Ecology gives the go-ahead to remove Mill Pond Dam

SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has issued a permit that means the Mill Pond Dam in Pend Oreille County can come down, restoring Sullivan Creek to the mountain stream it once was.

The permit is called a “401 Certification,” after section 401 in the federal Clean Water Act, and it means work can commence to remove the dam. The permit certifies that water quality will be protected in Sullivan Creek and Outlet Creek while the work is being done.

The Mill Pond Dam is part of the Sullivan Creek Hydroelectric Project, located on Sullivan Lake, Sullivan Creek and Outlet Creek within the Colville National Forest in northern Pend Oreille County. The project is managed by the Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County (PUD).

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Y847

USDA reminds producers of approaching deadline for CRP general sign-up

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded landowners, farmers and ranchers that the opportunity to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 43 ends on Friday, April 6, 2012. Producers who want to offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general sign-up may enroll at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office where their farm records are maintained.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Y80O

Climate Change Panel Says Expect More Extreme Weather

Over the last half-century, global warming has led to changes in climate extremes such as heat waves, record high temperatures and in many regions, heavy precipitation. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The group, founded by the United Nations in 1988, warns that nations across the globe must take steps to mitigate such disaster.

Extreme weather cut a swath across the world in 2011. For Bill Wing, it began a year ago on New Year’s Day as he surveyed the damage from a tornado that touched down in Cincinnati, Arkansas.


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April: One of the busiest months for gardeners

April is the time of year to prepare and plant flower and vegetable gardens so they produce throughout summer and early fall. All this activity makes April one of the busiest months for gardeners say experts at Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products made from organic material collected from more than 50 Southern California communities.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Y7ME

Nigeria: 'Erosion Control Requires Patience, a Lot of Funds'

The Ecological Fund is an intervention agency initiated by the Federal Government towards combating the ecological problems in the country. In this interview, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, the Permanent Secretary in charge of the fund speaks to our reporter on the operations and challenges facing the fund.

What is your assessment of the Ecological Fund in addressing the ecological challenges facing the country?

Someone recently asked me the question of how do I assess myself as the manager of the ecological fund. What I can say is that we want to do things differently. For instance, we want to see how the project we fund can be handled in the most efficient and professional manner. Secondly, we want to ensure that there is a linkage and collaboration between the Federal Government and states and the local governments because these projects are situated in the communities, so our wish is to ensure that synergy between the three tiers of government which is very important.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Y7GW

RIVERSIDE: Summer vegetable garden talk set

The summer vegetable garden, an event in the Woodcrest Gardening Series, is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at 16625 Krameria Ave. in Riverside. Master Gardener and lecturer at UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, Lucy Heyming, will answer questions about summer vegetable gardens. Receive tips and ideas for a more abundant yield this summer.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Y7cq

Growing an Environmentally Green Garden

Water-wise gardening is becoming more than just a trend among the green thumbed. Experts say it is good for the environment, good for the pocketbook and easy on the eyes - creating a lush and lovely outdoor oasis.

"Drought tolerant plants don’t just mean cactus. There is a huge number of plants you can grow that don’t take a lot of water – like foliage plants, succulents, blooming flowers that don’t take a lot of water," said Julia Chai, senior garden editor of Sunset Magazine.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9WJqV

Fundraising for UK In Bloom contest

MEMBERS of the St Issey in Bloom committee will be ensuring the village looks as pretty as a picture in July when they compete in the final of Britain in Bloom.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9WJfx

Trio of major North Lake Tahoe road construction projects begin next week

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Nope, it's not a joke. The orange cones will return en masse on Sunday, April Fool's Day, as a trio of major road projects designed to improve both safety and Lake Tahoe's famed clarity — while also snarling traffic to the tune of likely half-hour delays — get under way.

According to the Bauserman Group — a Reno-based communications firm hired to educate the public on the projects — planned erosion control work between Incline Village and Crystal Bay on Highway 28, and from the Mt. Rose Summit to Incline on Highway 431, is designed to capture storm water runoff and filter out sediment before it reaches Lake Tahoe. The roundabout at the 28/431 intersection is aimed at improving safety while easing congestion during peak traffic periods.

Read more : http://ow.ly/9WJ4d

Global warming linked to extreme weather

ONE of the Federal Government's leading climate change experts says a United Nations report is an early warning that the world will face more deadly extreme weather events unless it tackles global warming.

An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released overnight states that global warming is leading to such severe storms, droughts and heatwaves that nations should prepare for an unprecedented onslaught of dangerous and costly weather disasters.

In the past, the IPCC, founded in 1988 by the UN, has focused on the slow inexorable rise of temperatures and oceans as part of global warming.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9WJ01

Dutch Valley needs flood protection: residents

DUTCH VALLEY residents demanded an answer from the regional district tonight about flooding control in their area.

Fourteen people, plus several children, came out to the regional district monthly board meeting March 23 to support James Wold, who spoke to the board about the need for immediate flood protection in the valley.

“[We're] asking the board for some help before the flooding starts,” he said.

The situation in Dutch Valley is serious with its property and river bank erosion, he said.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9WIW1

Time to grow for it: Homegrown on your own

Who would have thought getting dirt under your fingernails would ever be considered one of the hottest trends going? According to Doug Jimerson, garden core director for Better Homes and Gardens, "growing your own fruits, veggies and herbs is something Americans are doing in record numbers this season."

"It's cheaper to grow your own produce than buy it - one $3 tomato plant will yield pounds of produce all season long," Jimerson says. "Plus, the produce you grow just tastes better than even your grocer's best. And while it's healthy to eat and grow your own, gardening is rapidly gaining popularity as a great way to get some exercise, relieve stress and spend healthful family bonding time."

Read more: http://ow.ly/9WIOU

Around Town: Vegetable-gardening class set

PERRY TWP. —

Stark County Court of Common Pleas Judge Lee Sinclair and fellow Master Gardener Fred Hanacek of Canton will be presenters at an upcoming vegetable-gardening class April 7 at the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake.

Reservations are recommended at www.StarkParks.com or 330-409-8096. The class will include planting tips for all types of vegetable gardens, including the popular community gardens that have been springing up around Stark County.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9WILz

Sky Tower turns off lights for Earth Hour

Auckland's tallest man made building and dominating landmark of Auckland skyline, the Sky Tower, will switch off its lights this Saturday night (31 March) at 8.30pm for an hour in support of the global environmental initiative, Earth Hour. The Sky Tower will be the one of the first major monuments to 'go dark' in the world being followed around the dateline by the likes of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Gateway of India in Mumbai, Berlin's Brandenberg Gate, Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, the Obelisk in Argentina and Pakistan's National Mausoleum.

Last year, across the entire country New Zealanders were amongst hundreds of millions of people across more than 5,200 cities in 135 countries who took part in Earth Hour, which since its inception in 2007 has grown to become the world's biggest voluntary action for the planet.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V9vp

Don't Let the Early Warm Weather Fool Your Garden

Mid-70's temperatures in March have put flowers and trees into full bloom - but one local gardening expert says that you shouldn't let the warm weather change your normal gardening routine.

Prepare your garden now as you normally would and hold off on planting vegetables and annual flowers until at least the middle of April, says Ray, manager of Alma's Garden Center in Lynbrook.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V9e8

Community garden project planned for So. Amboy YMCA

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Community garden project planned for So. Amboy YMCA
BY JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent

SOUTH AMBOY — Thanks to a grocery store grant, local gardeners will be able to share their talents with the city’s YMCA.

“It’s such a cool partnership,” Melissa Soules said of the arrangement between the South Amboy Community Garden, a civic group that launched about a year ago, and the YMCA.

A Stop & Shop Healthy Futures grant for $1,761 will be combined with donations from local businesses to create a rainbow vegetable garden, which is a garden that provides nutritional value across the color spectrum. For example, Soules said, zucchini for green, eggplant for purple. The garden will be located at the YMCA, 200 John T. O’Leary Blvd.

The effort will be a true community project, Soules said, adding that she hopes to get youngsters from the YMCA to participate, as well as seniors from the city’s Senior Center. Ideally, it will become a cross-generational project.

“Alot of those seniors grew up having a garden and now don’t have the opportunity,” Soules said .

Local businesses contributing include Holland Greenhouses of Monroe, which is donating vegetable plants, and Pride Landscaping of Parlin, which is donating soil. The group’s members are also donating hoses and a Monarch Waystation Seed Kit, said Amanda Rushnak, membership and marketing director of the South Amboy YMCA. A monarch way station is a botanical habitat designed to attract the butterflies.

Soules said the raised beds have been ordered, and the group will be doing plantings in the next couple of weeks.

“The South Amboy YMCA partners with local organizations to increase the quality of life in the communities it serves,” said YMCA branch Director Sherrill Rudy. “We are looking forward to working with the South Amboy Community Garden club to foster an interest in gardening in youth and families, to teach families how to create their own gardens, to grow produce for the local community, and to beautify the property around the YMCA.”

The SouthAmboy Community Garden, composed of about seven members, has been doing various projects throughout the city since its inception. These include a vegetable garden at Grace Church and various beautification efforts, such as the decorations for the city’s Christmas tree lighting. Members have also helped with YMCA initiatives.

The community group donates its bounty from existing vegetable gardens to senior residents at Robert Noble Manor.

“They were so appreciative, and they loved it,” Soules said of last year’s deliveries.

Also forthcoming for the community gardeners is a container garden project at the Sadie Pope Dowdell Library on Earth Day, April 22.

“It’s a kids’ program, but we’re hoping the parents will get involved, too,” Soules said.

The garden at the YMCA will officially launch on April 28, which is also the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day.

The South Amboy Community Garden has a Facebook page where residents can learn more about the organization.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V9bs

Public meetings to discuss flood protection

Managing the region’s flood and erosion risks is big business for Horizons Regional Council and residents are being encouraged to find out more during a series of public meetings.

Over half the region’s population lives on floodplains and Horizons manages 33 river and drainage schemes throughout the region to help protect lives and livelihoods during major flood events and to enhance economic activity.

This year’s meetings, held throughout April and the first week of May, will focus on work carried out on these schemes over the past 12 months as well as proposed river control, flood protection and drainage work for the next financial year. The level of scheme rates proposed to fund these works will be discussed and there will be a chance for people to ask questions of Horizons councillors and operations staff.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V98Z

Great Lakes residents clash over water levels

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) — Brian Ramler longs for the days when his marina on Lake Huron's Georgian Bay could handle 50 boats — before water levels began dropping steadily more than a decade ago. He can accommodate fewer than half as many now and wants the government to help bring the water back.

Forget it, says Philip Lunsford, who lives on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. He recalls beach homes being washed away by high water during the mid-1980s and fears it could happen again if authorities boost the level of Lake Huron, which is connected to Lake Michigan by a 5-mile-wide straits area.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V95x

San Francisco fights to keep the ocean at bay

The only thing more powerful than human will is Mother Nature. At San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, the two forces have done battle for years over wave erosion, but only the city has something to lose. With the safety of its wastewater treatment plant at stake on the one hand and a lawsuit on the other, San Francisco’s planners are attempting to find a solution that will placate Mother Nature and avoid the most expensive fix: retreat.

When Bill McLaughlin looks at Ocean Beach, he sees a war zone. Especially here at the end of Sloat Boulevard, where white-capped waves have eaten away large chunks of the parking lot.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V91K

Grow your own fruits and vegetables

There is something appealing about growing the food you're eating. It's nice to know exactly how it was grown and that no pesticides were used, and it's also rewarding see the fruits of your labor on your table. Here are a few tips to get you started creating your own garden farm.

Starting up:

According to Craig Jenkins-Sutton, owner of Topiarius Urban Garden and Floral Design (www.Topiarius.com), there are four steps to creating an urban vegetable garden:

* Choose the site: Make sure the spot gets at least six hours of sun each day. Preferably the location also will have easy access to water and be protected from strong wind.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9V8V7

United States: EPA's New Construction General Permit: Contractors Beware

On February 16, 2012, one day after the 2008 permit expired, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the new construction general permit (CGP) required for jurisdictions where there is no delegated state permitting agency governing stormwater and non-stormwater construction-related discharges to waters of the United States from construction sites with disturbance of one acre or more in size.

See http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/cgp.cfm

This new CGP implements the requirements from the effluent limitations guidelines and new source performance standards issued by EPA on December 1, 2009, to control the discharge of pollutants from construction sites known as the "Construction and Development Rule" or "C&D Rule." See 74 Fed. Reg. 62996 and 40 C.F.R. 450.21.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9UjHB

Chester's Stetser Elementary School students help first lady plant garden

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama planted vegetables and plants at the White House with children from across the country as part of her broader initiative to promote healthy eating Monday.

The first lady was helped by school children from Stetser Elementary School in Chester, among others, in planting potatoes, spinach, broccoli, carrots, radishes and onions at her fourth annual spring planting.

Children from Washington-area schools, who have helped in previous years, also joined students from New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina in the planting of the White House garden.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9UjsC

Storms damage Montegut Management Levee

Storms brought heavy wind and high seas to the Terrebonne Parish last week, prompting Wildlife and Fisheries officials to mobilize to prevent a Montegut levee from breaching again.

September’s Tropical Storm Lee washed out a 60-foot-wide, 15-foot-deep gap in the Montegut Marsh Management Levee that Terrebonne levee officials filled in with dirt earlier this year. But the levee is too small to bring out heavy equipment for repairs, and the material used to fill it wasn’t good quality. Without help, locals knew the levee would wash out again during last week’s storms.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Ujgk

Guiding your garden — by planning the plot

With spring comes everything new, tender, wet and green. Small wonder, then, that with the first glorious signs of the season, many of us rush to plant. We buy our packets of seeds and 2-inch-tall starts in a manic frenzy, and during the first truly sunny day of the growing season, we haphazardly toss those babies into the ground, believing that as long as they’re in, we’re set.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9TzPt

What’s wrong with the Minnesota River?

For years experts have addressed the water quality issues of the Minnesota River by stating it is not where it needs to be.

While one would consider much of that expertise anecdotal, the reality of the river’s water quality is closer to becoming officially determined. In 1972 when the federal clean water act was adopted, it mandated all states do what it could to clean up the bodies of water (lakes, streams and rivers), and since that time much research has been done to determin

Read more: http://ow.ly/9TzKL

Pennsylvania Issues General Permit For Stormwater Runoff Control Requirements At Construction Job Sites

Over the next three years, companies commencing new residential and commercial construction projects will become subject to increasingly stringent stormwater runoff management requirements and likely increased enforcement activity by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its state counterparts. As part of a multi-year regulatory rollout that began with the adoption of federally imposed requirements for reducing sediment and other pollutant runoff from construction sites, EPA in February adopted its new general permit (“CGP”) for stormwater management incorporating its 2010 rulemaking, adopting effluent limitations for construction and development sites. While EPA’s new CGP applies only in states that do not have authorized Clean Water Act regulatory programs, it is likely either to be adopted outright by states required to modify their existing CGPs over the next three years or at least used as a baseline reference point for the types of requirements that authorized state programs should contain.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9TzEh

Thinking About Growing Your Own Vegetables?

More people in Charlotte are showing their green thumb by growing their own produce. If you're thinking about growing your own vegetable garden. Right now is the timeto start preparing. In a matter of months you will be saving money plus enjoying the satisfaction of your own home grown vegetables that are healthy and oh so good.

Don Rosenburg is a Master Gardener and owner of Instant Organic Garden. He says, "My approach is to make gardening easy for busy people so they never have to dig, or till or weed all they have to do is plant their seeds once a season and then water twice a week and you're a gardener."

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Tzxy

That's one way to plant an idea... Michelle Obama invites schoolchildren to White House garden as part of Let's Move campaign

They were selected based on letters they had written about their own community activities.

Mrs Obama, who was dressed in a coral T-shirt, cropped trousers and plimsolls, told the assembled group this afternoon: 'Your letters were so wonderful, I thought, why not come and see me at the White House and help me plant my garden?'

Explaining the link between Let's Move and the White House Kitchen Garden, she continued: 'The garden is a good way to start the conversation, because vegetables and fruits are a big part of a healthy diet.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2120776/Michelle-Obama-invites-schoolchildren-White-House-garden-Lets-Move-campaign.html#ixzz1qHnDrA9r


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Free horticultural course for young people

Environmental charity Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire is offering a free horticulture training course for youngsters.

The course is open to 16 to 19- year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. It will last for 14 weeks and will teach them valuable skills, such as vegetable growing, horticulture and basic construction.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9RZ3o

Runaway climate change this century, scientists say

Even moderate emissions could warm the Earth by as much as 3C by 2050, leaders of a huge climate simulation project have warned.

Scientists who harnessed the power of thousands of volunteers’ home computers forecast a faster rate of warming than has been predicted before.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9RY8X

Both coasts watch closely as San Francisco faces erosion

SAN FRANCISCO >> The explosive waves of Ocean Beach, a 3.5-mile stretch separating the city from the gray edge of the Pacific Ocean, have long been a draw for tourists, local families and an international tribe of surfers.

But every few years, stormy surf driven by the weather pattern known as El Nino grinds away at a thinning section of beach, pulling sand out to sea. Some comes back, but two years ago, bluffs collapsed and massive amounts of sand disappeared for good.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9RXyp

On Gardening: Which tomato is right for me?

It is an extremely busy time of year in my garden, and I imagine in your own lawn and garden as well. While a lot of the cool weather vegetables are nearing the end of their time in the garden for now, a lot us are looking forward to the warm-weather vegetables. Vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, beans, peppers and eggplant come to mind. Most vegetable gardeners spend the most time on tomatoes. We spend the most time staking them, harvesting them, preserving them … and picking out which cultivar we want to purchase and plant. I make the decision on which ones to grow by past experience. There are a number of tomatoes that provide consistent harvests year after year. There are also a few that may lack in the number of fruit produced, but I like the taste so much that it doesn’t matter.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9RXh9

Community farms link people to food for all

ROYAL OAK - For years, Terri Garrett had been a steady customer of the farm vendors at Royal Oak Farmers Market — until, that is, she tried the produce from the Royal Oak Community Farm. This is the third year that the Royal Oak resident will purchase a half CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share of the farm's harvest.

“I'm looking forward to picking up my bag of (Community Farm) produce at Farmers Market every weekend, because it's the best vegetables that I've ever had,” said Garrett, a Community Farm volunteer since its inception two years ago. “The farm produce is better and it lasts longer. They pick it the night before or that morning.”

Read more: http://ow.ly/9RXce

Kids from 4 states, DC to help with 4th annual spring planting of White House vegetable patch

WASHINGTON — School kids from around the country will descend on Washington next week to help with spring planting at the White House kitchen garden.

Michelle Obama’s office says local school children will be joined Monday by kids from elementary schools in Ames, Iowa, Chester, Pa., and Greensboro, N.C. In addition, children from a Girl Scout troop in Fairport, N.Y. will help.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Pq54

Chicago Botanic Garden hosts World Environment Day

The Chicago Botanic Garden will celebrate World Environment Day, the United Nations World Environment Programme’s (UNEP) global day of positive environmental action, for the fifth year from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012. The theme this year is “Unite for a Sustainable Chicago,” reflecting the event’s purpose: to gather people of all ages together with fun, interactive and enriching programs and activities to engage them in protecting and preserving plants and the environment through awareness and action.

The day begins with the dedication and opening of the new Grunsfeld Children’s Growing Garden (GCGG) at 9 a.m. This 10,000-square-foot garden will provide a dedicated place for active, hands-on planting programs for children.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9PpUc

Garden seminar set March 31 in Willow Springs

Area individuals are invited to get growing with a free gardening class in Willow Springs.

Waggoner True Value Home Center will host the gardening class at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, featuring a panel of local gardening experts including Loretta Jones, Lou Wehmer, Phyllis Papp, Martha Stolba and B.J. Jones.

The event will include questions and answers with the panel, tips on growing and maintaining vegetable and flower gardens, recipes, soil and fertilizer tips and organic gardening tips.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9PpMb

Visit www.coirgreen.com to look at some amazing, natural, environmentally friendly Gardening products which can be used as growing medium, decorative products.

Nigeria: FG Re-Strategise On Erosion Control

The Federal Government is revaluating its strategy of tackling the menace of erosion in the country by ensuring that sites that constitute dangers to lives and properties are giving adequate attention and priority, an official of government has said.

Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, Minister of Environment stated government new drive while inspecting erosion sites in Anambra and Imo states.

Mailafia said that government was prepared to tackle the challenges of erosion in the South Eastern part of the country stressing that due to the increasing incidents of erosion in the area it was important priority be placed on sites that threatens lives.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9PpGe

Secure economical, 100% natural, environmentally friendly Erosion control products : www.coirgreen.com

Wilkesboro working to save a creek

WILKESBORO --

Heavy-equipment operators are moving massive amounts of earth along Cub Creek near Oakwoods Road, working to restore the creek to a more natural flow.

Agricultural practices over the years shoved the creek back to create a bigger field to gain more farmable land, but that damaged the creek.

"There were heavily eroding banks (and) a lack of riparian buffers," meaning the vegetation that helps hold the soil together, said Derek Goddard, vice president of Blue Ridge Environmental Consultants, the local company that did the design work and is managing the project.

Read more:http://ow.ly/9PpAr

Coir logs (Waterlogs & Biologs) are widely used for protection of creeks, visit www.coirgreen.com for more information.

Meeting next week on major North Lake Tahoe road construction projects

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Q&D Construction and the Nevada Department of Transportation will host a community meeting Thursday, March 29 at 5:30 p.m. at The Chateau to discuss road work projects scheduled to begin April 1, officials announced today.

The projects include erosion control improvements from the summit of Highway 431 to the intersection of Highway 28 — and from the same intersection northwest to Crystal Bay — along with construction of a roundabout at the intersection of highways 28 and 431.

Read More: http://ow.ly/9Ppuj

Nigeria: Climate Change May Kill 184 Million People by 25th Century - Nwangi

Nsukka — A Kenyan don has estimated that climate change problem would kill about 184 million people by the 25th century with Africa recording the highest victims.

Prof John Gowhan Nwangi of the Egertion University, Kenya disclosed this is an interview with Vanguard after delivering a key note address entitled "Agricultural extension strategies for effective mitigation against the effect of climate change," at the 17th annual conference of Agricultural Society of Nigeria, AESON, hosted by University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. He explained that the 184 million people would become victims of such changes through attendant disasters.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9NUUb

Ten Ways to Occupy Your Garden

1.Grow Your Own
I grew up in NYC in an apartment building, yet somehow I can now grow organic fruits and vegetables. And so can the 6th-graders I work with in school gardens. If we can do it, trust me, ANYONE can! It's not rocket science. All you need is sunshine for six to eight hours a day and healthy soil (full of life-compost). When you grow your own food organically you'll be eliminating pesticides and herbicides that are ubiquitously used in commercially grown food. Visit Pesticide Action Network's www.whatsonmyfood.org to see how many pesticides are used on your supermarket fruits and vegetables. That should scare you into growing your own. Bon appetite!

2.Choose Organic, Non-GMO, Heirloom Seeds

Read more: http://ow.ly/9NUyf

Yet another Chatham County permitting story

Pittsboro, NC - This snapshot represents a business improvement which has cost more than a reasonable person with options would invest if all factors were known in advance. It is an example of how the county has overstepped its bounds for business and homeowners building in Chatham.

It is added to another tale of a business which was told on final inspection that a new punch list was required for the certificate of occupancy. That additional work demanded $ 94,000 more than forecast at the start and a year delay for use of the facility which added over $ 500,000 to the tax base.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9NUvk

Conservation District receives funding, resumes activities

The Kalkaska County Board of Commissioners recently appropriated $35,000 to the Kalkaska County Soil Conservation District, which currently works on numerous projects around the county, as well as seeking ways to acquire more funding and cuts costs.

The board voted in early 2011 to cut funding to the conservation district, deciding later in the year to reinstate a little over $10,000, said Mark Randolph, conservation district executive director.

If funding from the county had not been restored, it would have been difficult for the conservation district to remain in operation, he said.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9NUqL

What is Organic Gardening?

What is Organic Gardening?

Interest in organic gardening is higher than ever but so is confusion over exactly how to accomplish it. How do you provide the nutrients plants need to survive? What can you do about insects and plant diseases? Are some plants too difficult to grow organically in our climate? The answers to some of these questions may surprise you.

The Organic Challenge
A basic definition of organic gardening is gardening without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. But organic gardening is much more than simply replacing manmade chemicals with those derived from natural sources. It is a philosophy of gardening that supports the health of the whole system. In an organically managed yard or vegetable garden the emphasis is on cultivating an ecosystem that sustains and nourishes plants, soil microbes and beneficial insects rather than simply making plants grow.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9NUgW

Start of Spring Marks Black Friday Type Sales for Vegetable Seeds

New Jersey based vegetable seeds retailer, Mike the Gardener Enteprises, is offering 50% off Seeds of the Month Club memberships to help gardeners kick off the 2012 spring growing season.

Burlington, NJ (PRWEB) March 20, 2012

New Jersey based vegetable seeds retailer, Mike the Gardener Enterprises, is offering 50% off Seeds of the Month Club memberships, to help vegetable gardeners kick off the 2012 spring growing season.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Mz04

Climate change damage to oceans to cost $2 trillion

Greenhouse gases are likely to result in annual costs of nearly $2 trillion in damage to the oceans by 2100, according to a new Swedish study

The estimate by the Stockholm Environment Institute is based on the assumption that climate-altering carbon emissions continue their upward spiral without a pause.

Warmer seas will lead to greater acidification and oxygen loss, hitting fisheries and coral reefs, it warns.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9MyY6

Long-time conservation authority chief retiring

Jim Coffey, the general manager of Saugeen Conservation, is retiring.

“It really is time. I’ve been on the job 35 years. We’ve been able to get some projects done. I hope the watershed is a little bit better than when I got here. I hope we’ve been able to do some good stuff,” Coffey said in an interview after Monday’s West Grey council meeting.

“I think the organization is in good shape. There are certainly some challenges coming down the pipe over the next couple of years. There comes a point where it’s time for somebody else to take over. It’s a tough decision. I’m happy with it.”

Coffey, 61, said his last day at work will be June 29. His retirement will mean more time to pursue his passion of golf. Other than that, he said he doesn’t have any plans in particular.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9MyVy

Commission clarifies regulations

OZARK — The Christian County Commission voted to clean up its erosion control and stormwater runoff regulations. The commission’s legislation helps consolidate a set of regulations strewn through 105 pages of code.

“We haven’t necessarily added anything new to the regulations. What we’ve simply done is try to clarify it with what’s going to be required, under what circumstances and what exceptions there are that can be met that can exempt a development from providing stormwater (calculations) and potentially stormwater retention,” Christian County Planning Administrator Todd Wiesehan said.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9MySw

Don't let the weather trick you into planting too soon

Don't be fooled into starting your garden too early. After a winter of above-normal temperatures, spring is following suit.

Vegetable-garden veterans call this "false spring" and will hold off planting any tender crops, knowing that cold weather, frost and maybe even snow could come at any time. But there are plenty of things you can plant now if you follow some simple guidelines.

The worst thing gardeners can do is turn over the soil while it's too wet. This will destroy the structure, forming giant clumps that will dry and turn into impenetrable bricks better suited for building walls than growing anything.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9MyKx

Garden plots pull residents together

LINCOLN —

The sharing of a gardening experience was the topic for about 20 people who participated Saturday at the Lincoln Community Gardens open house at the Lincoln Public Library.

Kathy Vineyard, who represented the City of Lincoln’s second year program, said she is happy to see interest in the program continue.

“It really is starting to grow,” she said.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9KUc6

Thomaston's Chapel Street landfill uncovered by erosion has been reburied

THOMASTON — Rubbish that was buried decades ago at the Chapel Street landfill and uncovered by erosion in recent months has been reburied.

“We put everything back in place, stabilized it and covered it with two feet of soil,” said First Selectman Ed Mone.

The rubbish, including old tires, was uncovered by natural erosion, the rains from Tropical Storm Irene and the Oct. 29, 2011 snowstorm.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recommended cleaning everything up, capping it with two feet of soil and compacting it down, Mone said.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9KU7o

Planting bug arrives early for Rock River Valley gardeners

ROCKFORD — Melissa Weiss is ready to bet on beets. She may gamble on carrots, too.

Record warmth has conjured up a powerful urge in Weiss to garden, even though conventional wisdom suggests we’re still about two months away from planting season.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9KU2z

SOIL Fund Raises over $1,500 at IECA's Environmental Connection 2012

Denver, Colo. – The International Erosion Control Association's charitable fund, Save Our International Land (SOIL), raised more than $1,500 at Environmental Connection 2012 through its third annual SOIL Fund Silent Auction. The auction, which was held on Tuesday, February 28th, featured items collected from countries around the world which were generously donated by SOIL Fund Committee members and active supporters.

"Once again, the generosity of IECA members helped to make the SOIL Fund Silent Auction at EC12 a success. Over $1,500 was raised through tough bidding on many items including: Disney Gift Cards, a 3-night stay at the Blue Moon Ranch B&B, and an authentic, hand-woven Tapete (rug) from Mexico," said SOIL Fund Committee Chair Tom Williams, MA, CPESC, of the fundraising endeavor. "Next year's Silent Auction at Environmental Connection 2013 in San Diego will be our best ever, so please plan now to donate a special item from your neck of the woods!"

Read more: http://ow.ly/9KTS4

Create An Heirloom Garden

As I wrote about last week, if you are planning your edible garden, you might want to make it a “themed” garden. One theme you can try is to plant an heirloom garden.

What is an heirloom garden? According to Rodale’s Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening heirloom plants are “cultivars of plants grown in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Were they not preserved in backyard plots by quietly dedicated heirloom gardeners, many of these old cultivars would not survive today.”

In fact, many have survived because they have been passed down for generations, a few seeds at time among family members and friends. Just how many have been lost? As I have written about before, it is estimated that farmers produced about 80,000 species of plants before the advent of industrialized agriculture, now they rely on about 150.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9KTMj

$350,000 Available in Grants for Missouri Farms

Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, maple syrup, honey, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

Jefferson City, MO - infoZine - The Missouri Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for funding to increase the production, processing and or distribution of Missouri's specialty crops. The Department anticipates receiving more than $350,000 in grant funding for fiscal year 2013 from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JQVq

Special tax has helped clean Missouri water

The main culprit behind Iowa’s filthy waterways can be summed up in two words: soil erosion. Topsoil naturally makes its way toward streams and rivers, but heavy rains in recent years have contributed to Iowa losing more of it. That soil carries with it farm fertilizers and pesticides.

This doesn’t only pollute Iowa’s water. It contributes to the vast “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico, an oxygen-depleted region where little or no sea life can exist.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JQsG

Lovethegarden Recipe Competition: Spring a leek!

Leeks are a popular ingredient of sausages, salads, stews and soups. Because the season to harvest winter leeks is approaching again, Lovethegarden has decided to make this unique vegetable the central theme of their first recipe blog competition of 2012. The online gardening experts are challenging all British bloggers to share their own leek recipes. Food blogger and Secret Garden Club host, Kerstin Rodgers, will judge the competition. The winner will get a restaurant voucher worth £200, and the three runners up will each receive a copy of Rodgers’ cookbook, Supper Club.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JQlq

Climate change: carbon war erupts in Europe

Australia should put its carbon tax plans on indefinite hold because of the growing doubts in Europe about carbon taxes and rationing. Australia has more to lose than any other country in the world from attacking its carbon fuels.

We have limited hydro potential, nuclear power is banned, and now Green extremists are trying to close coal and gas power. We should learn from Europe’s folly in energy policy.

A battle of world significance has started quietly in Europe. Like all battles it is about energy, resources and ideology.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Jn7J

The Root of It All: Community gardens grow in Racine

We are in the beginning stages of a community garden at our church. The garden will help benefit the church members, children, and the community. We hope to grow enough food to donate to our food pantry. We will also be inviting the neighborhood to help. It will be a great project to get the community together and to teach everyone how to garden, eat healthy, and help those in need.

I am not sure if the master gardener volunteers can help us, but we need help with:

• Some tips on gardening.

• Some education for the members who will be gardening.

• Some education for the children

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Jn5Z

Digested read: Gardening at Longmeadow by Monty Don

I first saw this garden on a dank autumnal day in 1991. It was piled high with rubble and weeds, and there was nothing to suggest that one day it would be filled with lustily growing plants, or that two million women from the shires would tune in to Gardeners' World each Friday to swoon at me running my fingers, scored with decades of Herefordshire loam, through my tangled, wayward curls.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Jn1v

Fiji Climate Change Policy Now in Place

Suva, Fiji - “Climate change constitutes some of the greatest barriers to sustainable development with widespread and cross-sector effects, putting the biodiversity and ecosystems of Pacific Islands at risk, especially marine and coastal.

“This has severe implications for Fiji’s economic development with the country’s dependence upon natural resources for its primary industries of fisheries, forestry and agriculture.”

So wrote the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in the forward to the document presenting Fiji National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) launched in Suva recently.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JmTi

Flood prep work continues

Forecasters who keep an eye on the Mississippi River were already worried by this time last year.

The winter had brought heavy snow farther north, and even if rainfall had been normal — which it wasn’t — there was a good potential for problems down south.

It might be a bit early to breathe a sigh of relief, but no unusually high water is expected this spring in south Louisiana, said Jeff Graschel, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service’s forecast center for the lower Mississippi River.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JmOU

Drought: a gardening survival guide for a dry season

It’s been a dry winter. I’d say an alarmingly dry winter, except that I’ve loved it: the soggy end of my garden hasn’t turned into a bog, I’ve only once been rained off at the allotment, and I’ve very seldom walked across the plot and had my wellies instantly transformed into mud-soled platform boots.

Delightful as this has been, there is always a price to pay for climate extremity. It bodes worryingly for the growing season, and water restrictions across southern and eastern England are a black cloud on the horizon – although not of the right kind. Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Anglian Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East have all announced restrictions, including a hosepipe ban, to come into effect on April 5.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JmJ7

Coir products has a higher water holding capacity, which is the ideal product for such situations. It is also considered as an organic growing medium. Coco peat, COir pots, Husk chips, Coir disk .... Visit www.coirgreen.com

Lawmakers move to rescue Ondo communities

The House of Representatives has described the plight of riverside communities in Ondo State as deplorable and has directed its Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to immediately investigate the state of the environmental degradation in the area caused by erosion.

This followed adoption of the motion sponsored by Akintoye Albert who noted that due to ecological factors and torrential rain experienced every year, communities of Akotogbo, Aye, Ajagba, Erinje and Oloto both in Irele and Okitipupa Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state have been separated by a gulf created by gully erosion.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9JmD5

Coir Erosion control products can be used to prevent soil erosion. Geotextiles, Coir blankets, COir logs,visit www.coirgreen.com for further details.

Flower people: Couple share joy of passing on knowledge ‎

Whenever there are lectures, classes, sales, tours and shows about gardening, June and Punk Davidson are probably in attendance.

When there's work to be done in the horticultural organizations they belong to, they show up.

While it's rare to see one without the other, they're not exactly joined at the hip.




Read more: ‎ http://ow.ly/9GQhh

Residents say erosion plaguing their backyard creek

A view of the Shoreacres creek bed behind Newport Street in Burlington’s north end reveals a small stream surrounded by tall trees, their roots almost fully exposed, some with withered tree trunks and an eroding creek bank.

It’s a sight that worries seven-year resident June Ennis-Smith, who lives on the street. She said she has seen the section behind and adjacent to her home worsen drastically since she moved in.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9GQ9G

Erosion and sediment control workshop March 29

Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District and Southern Tier West will host a DEC-Endorsed 4-hour Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop for construction site contractors and operators at the BOCES LoGuidice Educational Center, 9520 Fredonia-Stockton Road in Fredonia, on March 29 at 12:30 p.m.

All contractors and subcontractors working under the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's (NYSDEC) Permit GP-0-10-001 (SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity), must identify at least one trained contractor from their company that will be responsible for implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and have at least one trained contractor perform a daily site inspection when soil disturbance activities are being performed.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9GQ6o

Doctors Warn Climate Change May Lead to Spike in Asthma Cases

A group of lung doctors warned Thursday that climate change will likely lead to an increase in the rate and severity of a variety of respiratory diseases.

"We felt as though the medical community was not understanding how climate change might impact patients and their health," says Kent Pinkerton, director of the Center for Health & the Environment at the University of California-Davis. Pinkerton says the warning came out of a meeting of top climate change scientists and lung doctors that discussed the potential impacts of global warming on patient health.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9GQ3h

Environmental education regenerated

Eleven years ago, Chen Zhibiao, a student at the College of Geographical Sciences of Fujian Normal University, chose to stay in Changting to conduct his doctoral research.

Chen, who was 39 at the time, said the decision was inspired by the province's commitment to solving the soil erosion problem in the area.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9GPYT

Whatcom County workshop to offer home gardening tips

Whatcom County green thumbs who want to know the best time to grow their veggies can get tips at a Master Gardener workshop Sunday, March 18.

The vegetable gardener's planting calendar class starts at 2 p.m. at the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center House in Ferndale.

The class will discuss the best time to plant vegetables and share ideas for home gardening. It's one of a series of workshops put on by the WSU Whatcom County Master Gardener program that will run through August.

Read more here: http://ow.ly/9GPWn

The greatest show on Earth: the Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show is the world’s largest indoor flower show. It doesn’t get much attention in Britain, where Chelsea and Hampton Court trump all, but in the United States it’s a big deal. Growers, amateur and professional, travel in from all over the country to exhibit around a different theme each year, and attract more than 250,000 visitors. Last year the subject was “Springtime in Paris”. This year things took a more exotic turn, inspired by the 50th state, Hawaii.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9FwDy

IECA Announces Winners Of Awards Of Environmental Excellence

On Monday, February 27, 2012, at the annual conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), the presentation ceremony for the Awards of Environmental Excellence was held. For the past 21 years, IECA has recognized the industry's best by awarding persons and projects epitomizing the principles of environmental excellence.

The 2011 Environmental Achievement Award, IECA's premier award, was presented to the Banora Point Upgrade Alliance. This award recognizes an outstanding erosion and/or sediment control project, program or system that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Fw9q

Seminars to teach basics of growing veggies

If growing your own veggies this gardening season sounds enticing, two area experts are ready to help you get started.

Dwain Spillman, square-foot gardening expert and past president of the Ark-La-Tex Herb Society, will lead a seminar on square-foot gardening Saturday and Grace Peterson, LSU AgCenter Extension agent, will offer one on month-by-month gardening Sunday. Both will be held at Louisiana Nursery.

Square-foot gardening

Read more: http://ow.ly/9FvQi

EPA issues final construction general permit

On February 16, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued the Final 2012 Construction General Permit (“CGP”). The CGP was published in the Federal Register on February 29, 2012. The 2012 CGP replaces the 2008 CGP and includes new requirements to implement the Effluent Limitation Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the construction and development industry, which were issued by EPA on December 1, 2009.1 Construction projects of greater than one acre must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit for discharges of stormwater. EPA and most approved NPDES programs have adopted general permits for stormwater discharges from construction sites. The CGP applies only in states, territories or Indian lands which do not have an EPA-approved NPDES program2, and it is immediately effective in those jurisdictions. States and other jurisdictions with EPA-approved NPDES programs may implement the federal CGP, in whole or in part, in the course of renewing stormwater general permits for construction sites, but until or unless they do, the CGP is not binding in those jurisdictions.3 However, the CGP may provide a model in EPA-approved NPDES jurisdictions for their construction stormwater general permits.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9FvKU

Vegetable, fruit gardening topic of horticulture meeting

“Vegetable and Fruit Gardening” will be the topic discussed at the Thursday Master Gardener horticulture meeting to be held at the 4-H building starting at 7 p.m.
Everyone with a gardening interest should plan to attend.

Ward Upham, K- State’s renowned gardening specialist, will be the guest speaker covering issues such as fertility, planting dates, garden crops that can be grown, irrigating if necessary, insect and weed control, harvesting and general cultural practices. Upham can answer almost any gardening question from years of experience and doing research.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9FvCY

2012 General Assembly Actions Consolidate and Provide Credits for Stormwater Management

While social issues may have grabbed the headlines during 2012 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, some significant changes were also made on the environmental front – particularly with regard to stormwater regulation. In fact, once signed into law, these changes will alter the process through which water quality regulations are administered in Virginia at the state and local level. These changes will also broaden Virginia’s existing nutrient trading program, providing for the buying and selling of nutrient credits at a much greater scale than currently allowed.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Fv7d

Mississippi River creates its own diversion at Bohemia

The Mississippi River has broken through its eastern bank at the Bohemia Spillway, creating a natural diversion of freshwater and sediment that officials with the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation would like to see continue. The breach is 32 feet wide and 5 feet deep, according to John Lopez, executive director of the foundation, and first broke through on Mardi Gras, prompting the foundation to name the new waterway “Mardi Gras Pass.”

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DZd9

Classes to get in the gardening mood

Get a jump-start on planning your garden at University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Horticulture Day workshops scheduled statewide in March and April. Participants will learn about low-maintenance landscaping and environmentally friendly practices, how to grow healthy fruits and vegetables and tips for growing cold-hardy plants and trees.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DZ6S

National College Horticulture ‘Games’ To Be Held In Manhattan

HERNDON, Va., March 12, 2012 — College students from around the United States are currently preparing to compete in the nation’s only collegiate horticulture “games,” which will be held, at Kansas State University, March 22–25, 2012. The event, Student Career Days, is in its 36th year and is organized by the nation’s lawn and landscape association, the Professional Landcare Network, also known as PLANET.

Student Career Days is an annual three-day event designed to jumpstart horticultural careers for college students. Students from approximately 60 universities and colleges will compete in events directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the green industry, including tree climbing, hardscape installation, wood construction, sales presentation, skid steer operation, and plant identification. They will also participate in a career fair and networking events.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DYYK

Climate change study reveals massive loss of Great Lakes ice

Environmentalists say they hope a new study suggesting that the Great Lakes have lost 71 per cent of their ice cover over the past 40 years will move skeptics from steadfast "denial" of global warming to a robust scientific debate.

"Policy-makers say they won't take action because they can't prove it. I think we can prove it. It's getting warmer. We don't know why, but at least it's worth a discussion and worth a dialogue," said Mark Mattson, executive director of the Toronto-based Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DYKQ

Town Council approves Latham Park study

BARRINGTON — A project aimed at addressing shoreline erosion at Latham Park took a step forward Monday night when the Barrington Town Council unanimously approved a contract that will fund the completion of a feasibility study and alternatives analysis for the site.

#The decision comes about five months after the Town Council endorsed a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission that the town should develop a solution for the erosion issue before investing in any park improvements.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DYAM

Use a complete fertilizer to prevent yellowing of tomato plants

Q: I have 30 various tomato plants in three-gallon buckets outside and the new growth on top appears a little yellowish. What nutrient am I missing?

— Kevin, via email

A: Whether your garden is a few herbs growing in a container on the patio or a salad garden in a bag of potting soil, container veggie gardening is a hot trend and an easy way to provide fresh produce for the kitchen. Wherever there are six to eight hours of sun and a source of water, such gardens can be installed.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DY5q

Growbags are the ideal solution for your Vegetable Gardening. Many Tomato growers globally use Growbags as their growing medium. It helps strong, healthy root development, increase Air porosity, 100% natural product. Visit www.coirgreen.com to learn more.

Get going on the garden

TORONTO - Have you heard there’s a a food revolution going on?

More specifically there is a grow-your-own revolution happening around the world.In fact one of the top trends in gardening in 2012 is vegetable gardening, and with this mild start to March, many are thinking about popping out some peppers this summer.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9DXSd


Growbags, Coco peat, Husk Chips, Coir pots and weed control mats are widely used in Greenhouses, Nurseries, Gardens as a growing medium. Visit www.coirgreen.com to gather information on how to use these products and the benefit it draws to your vegetables!

Italy grants Euro 1.3m for horticulture uplift in Swat ‎

Islamabad—Italy will provide a grant assistance of Euro 1.3 million to Pakistan for the developpment of horticulture sector in the Swat valley. An agreement to this effect was signed here by Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Dr Waqar Masood Khan and Ambassador of Italy Vincenzo Prati.

Read more: ‎ http://ow.ly/9CnQK

Loss of Greenland ice could become irreversible, scientists say

The Greenland ice sheet has a lower melting point than previously thought, with scientists saying not only that it could melt completely at a lower temperature than once believed, but also that the melting process could soon become irreversible.

"Once the process of melting the ice begins, it is very hard for it to change course even if we can lower temperatures in the future," Alex Robertson, lead author of a new study, said in an interview by email with The Times on Monday.

"So even though melting the whole ice sheet could take a really long time, we will essentially decide the fate of Greenland within the next century."

Read more:

Climate change threatens Seychelles habitat

Bursts of torrential rain lash the idyllic white beaches of the Seychelles, where conservationists fear that rare species such as the giant tortoise are at severe risk from climate change.

As changing season patterns bring harsher storms and much longer dry spells, international organisations are helping fight climate change in the tiny nation, the only one in the world where 50 percent of the land is a nature reserve.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Cngv

Gardening arts taught to students on spring break

A spring-break camp held Monday at Lubbock Memorial Arboretum led to animated discussions between children and instructors.

Doug Aldridge, one of the instructors, told a group of young students sitting in a gazebo classroom he starts the gardening season this way:

“One of the things I always have to do to my garden in the spring is to start taking off the dead stuff.”

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Cn6l

Making your garden the land of the giants

I am a great one for telling people that ‘size isn’t everything’ but, looking through the various plant catalogues that regularly hit the door mat, it would appear that I am wrong for most of them seem to contain giant this, the biggest that and the tallest ever, how things have changed!

Years ago, dahlias were frowned upon by the gardening cognoscenti as being common; they were confined to allotments and cottagers’ vegetable gardens, today the reverse is true. This is largely thanks to the first of the dark-leaved varieties, Bishop of Llandaff being grown in the red borders at the National Trust garden at Hidcote in Gloucestershire.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9Cn3a

Applications due for conservation program

Farmers with environmentally sensitive cropland can apply for financial assistance from the U.S. Agriculture Department to deal with erosion and sedimentation.

Through the Conservation Reserve Program, the USDA gives farmers rental payments and cost-share assistance to put in plants that will improve water quality, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. The contract duration is between 10 and 15 years.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9CmZB

Summer veggies start with spring prep

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- When asked for her recommendation on how many servings of vegetables a person should consume on any given day, Staff Sgt. Vanessa Arthur doesn't hesitate to respond.

"When considering nutrition, we like to combine fruits and vegetables into one group," said Arthur, Schriever's Health and Wellness Center diet therapist. "People should consume eight servings of fruit and vegetables daily."

Read more: http://ow.ly/9CmTP

Cub Creek work is now in compliance

The Town of Wilkesboro’s work on Cub Creek was found to be in compliance with state erosion control regulations on Thursday following issuance of a notice of violation on Feb. 27, said Tim Latham, a spokesman for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Winston-Salem.

Latham, environmental senior specialist with DENR’s Land Quality Section, said the violations included failure to install a synthetic liner in the project’s bypass stream channel for Cub Creek and failure to properly install silt fencing.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9CmQs

Climate change devastating Great Lakes ice: Study

Climate change may be wielding its heavy hand of influence over the Great Lakes. According to a report from the American Meteorological Society, Great Lakes ice coverage has decreased by an average of 71 percent over the past 40 years.

The study, entitled “Temporal and Spatial Variability of Great Lakes Ice Cover, 1973–2010,” used historical satellite measurement from 1973 to 2010 to measure the temporal and spatial variability of ice cover in the Great Lakes.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9AJUu

Cut the mustard: Cool-season veggie offers harvest of flavorful leaves

I'm not into condiments, I confess.

But there's something about the pungent aroma of mustard, and how it can flavor and enrich foods. Mustard greens, too, also can be a flavorful addition to green salads.

Usually it is grown as a cool-season spring or fall vegetable. Ornamentally, mustard flowers prettily during warm summer months, but the leaves will turn bitter and tough for eating.

You'll find two new mustards on the market this spring, "Mizuna Red Streaked" and "Baby Mustard Mix."

Read More: http://ow.ly/9AJFj

‘The river is destroying itself’ (The Margaree River (Abhainn Mhargaraidh) is a river on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia)

MARGAREE — A group of residents living along the Margaree River want the province to implement a management plan for the waterway before its quality as a world-renowned Atlantic salmon sport fishing ground is lost.

The rainstorms that caused major flooding in December 2010 have deteriorated the banks of the river by as much as 30 metres in parts, said Earl Vickers, a local resident and former forestry and silviculture worker.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9AJCx

Why go organic?

Ever since humans first domesticated some plants and animals some 10,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, food was produced using only Nature’s processes. Our ancestors’ irrigation, crop rotation, fertilization, and pest control were all based on natural processes.

This changed about 70 years ago when two substances produced in enormous quantities for the war effort moved from being war materiel to agricultural inputs. Ammonium nitrate, used for making explosives, became a cheap source of Nitrogen for plants, and DDT, which was used to control mosquitoes and other insects around the troops, came into widespread use as a pesticide.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9AJn6

Coir products are 100% natural products and is considered organic. All coir products are categorised in to 2 sectors,

1. Erosion Control Products
a. Erosion control blankets (Coconut blankets)
b. Geotextiles (Coir netting)
c. Coir logs (Waterlogs)
d. Coir pallets (Coir pillows)

2. Horticultural / Agricultural products
a. Coco peat (Coir peat)
b. Husk chips (Coco chips)
c. Growbags (Coco slabs)
d. Coir pots
e. Coir disk (coco disk)

Visit http://ow.ly/9AJs2 and learn how you can secure these exciting organic products for your usage!

NDDC Opens Bids For 66 Mega Projects

In compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has opened bids for 66 mega projects lined up for implementation in the 2011 budget.

They include: 17 Shore Protection/Erosion control projects, 33 road projects, 5 electrification projects, and one technical college in each of the nine states of the region.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9AJil

Books to get your garden growing

Save money and grow your own vegetables. You know, the ones on the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. Spring is right around the corner, now is the time to start planning your garden. Prepare with books from your local library. Here are a few:

"Starter Vegetable Gardens," by Barbara Pleasant. In simple, straightforward language, learn how to start, maintain and expand a bountiful vegetable garden in small, manageable spaces.

"The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: Discover Ed's High-Yield W-O-R-D System for All North American Gardening Region," by Edward C. Smith. Vegetable gardening is reinvented, making it possible for everyone to have the best, most successful garden ever.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9AJ7y

Ideal growing medium for your garden is, Coco peat, Husk chips, Growbags, Coir pots and Coir disk, visit http://ow.ly/9AJ9L to learn how to secure these organic products.

Recovery from Bastrop fires faces many obstacles

BASTROP — Greg Creacy stops his Texas Parks and Wildlife pickup on the side of Park Road 1A and points to a gully clogged with black mud and ash. A nearly 5-inch January rain at Bastrop State Park had filled every low spot in sight with the thick muck.

“See all of that?” Creacy says. “That didn’t used to be here.”

What used to be here, before September’s fires swept through Bastrop County and blackened Bastrop State Park, is a mature forest of pines and hardwoods thick with deer and songbirds and the whoosh of breezes through treetops. Then the Labor Day fires consumed it, leaving behind an eerily silent cemetery of trees turned to charcoal and ground stripped to bare dirt.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9AIZV

Peel tomatoes the right way

(CBS News) I love cooking with tomatoes. Admittedly, I always have relied on the canned variety of unseasoned sauce and chopped tomatoes for my homemade pasta sauces, soups and chili.

But, now that I'm in culinary school, the can will have to stay in the cabinet. Week one, and my home cooking habits already have changed.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9zJBz

Lake Wendouree erosion fixed

EROSION on the Macarthur Street side of Lake Wendouree is under control.

It was identified in January that a 140-metre length of embankment had gone from three metres to just three quarters of a metre wide between the path and the water’s edge.

Ballarat City Council said the problem was caused by willow tree removal while the lake was dry. The trees roots had been holding the embankment together and, once the remaining roots decayed, the waves from the lake eroded the bank.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9zJwO

Restoration work progressing well along shoreline at River Canard Park: ERCA

RIVER CANARD — Work is progressing well on restoring the shoreline at River Canard Park.

Approximately 200 metres of shoreline is currently being restored at the park, located on Malden Road, and things are moving along nicely.

“We’re making good progress,” said Matthew Child, director of watershed restoration with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). “All work will be completed within ten weeks with the majority of the work being completed within one week.”

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Program for vegetable growers Monday at state Fairgrounds

Syracuse, NY -- A meeting for vegetable growers on pest management, marketing and season extension is scheduled for 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 12 in the Martha Eddy room in the Art and home Center at the state Fairgrounds in Geddes.

The meeting is free for those enrolled in the Cornell Vegetable Program. The cost to others is $10.

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What we know and don't know about climate change (1)

"It is difficult to imagine an issue with more global impacts on human societies and the natural environment than the greenhouse effect. The ultimate potential impacts of a greenhouse warming could be catastrophic. It is our considered judgment that is already very late to start the process of policy consideration. The process of heightening public awareness, of building support for national policies, and finally for developing multilateral efforts to slow the rate of emissions growth will take time to implement. The greenhouse issue is an opportunity as well as a challenge; not surprisingly, it provides another important reason to implement sustainable development strategies."

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Barry Fugatt: Veggie planting gets 'Boost' this spring

Sales have declined in virtually every category of gardening in recent years. But not veggie gardening. Consumers are planting veggies at a record pace.
What's driving the huge spike in urban veggie gardening?

I recently spoke with a big-time marketing guru who thinks that consumer fear over the shaky economy is the driving force behind the record sales of veggie seeds and plants.

I don't buy that explanation for one second, however. Long before our present economic downturn, consumers were showing renewed interest in home veggie gardening, farmers markets and organically grown produce.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9zIVd

Spring Yard and Garden Series

Rocky Ford, Colo. —

Warm weather finds local residents out in the garden and yard getting their fingers dirty. Colorado State University Extension in Otero County will be offering a series of three classes to assist you as you plan for the upcoming growing session. All sessions will be held at the Otero County Extension Office in Rocky Ford.

Vegetable gardening will be presented on March 22 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Wilma Trujillo, Southeast Area Extension Agronomist will discuss soil development, learning to compost, what to plant and fertilizing the garden.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9y2iU

Hess Road widening to begin in Parker this month

Parker will begin widening Hess Road from Motsenbocker to Great Plain Way from two to four lanes by the middle of the month.

Chris Hudson, the town’s streets, traffic and capital improvement program manager, said Hudick Excavating out of Castle Rock was the lowest bidder and will be completing the work, starting with erosion control in mid—March. The project will cost about $5 million.
Read more: http://ow.ly/9y2fH

Garden Tips: Get a jump on weeds early

Many homeowners who grow vegetables will be getting ready to work in their gardens soon, planting spring vegetables or getting the soil ready for planting summer vegetables.

Weed control is a common problem in vegetable gardens. Weeds compete with vegetable plants for water, nutrients and sunlight.

Begin controlling weeds early by preventing them from germinating.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9y1Xc

Using Coir disk or weed control mats help prevent weed growth.

• 100% biodegradable
• Acts by preventing weed
• Protects essential elements of the soil
• No effects on the natural environmental cycle
• Retain water
• Facilitate sample aeration (Air porosity)
• Easy to lay and handle

Visit www.coirgreen.com for more information on Weed control mats

FG Gets $508m World Bank Grant For Erosion Control

The Federal Government has received a $508.59 million World Bank grant for the control of erosion in worst hit areas across the country.

The grant financing LEADERSHIP gathered, would be used to address the problem of gully erosion particularly in Edo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Kano and Kaduna as well as Sokoto and Ogun States within an eight- year period.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9y1Ut

Vegetable gardening with cool crops workshop set

On Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. the Penn State Master Gardeners will be teaching an hour-long class on cool season crops.

This is the first class of a series of Wednesday evening workshops that will focus on topics for the vegetable garden. This is the time of year to plant cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and other cool season crops in your garden.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9y1Oc

Home & Garden: "The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener"

Just when you think you've read every word that's ever been printed about four-season gardening, a new book comes along and shakes things up a bit. Storey Publishing has just released such a book: The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener, by Niki Jabbour. Jabbour is a food gardener and garden writer who lives near Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her articles have appeared in Canadian Gardening, Garden Making, Gardens East, The Heirloom Gardener and other publications. Her new book covers a lot of the same information detailed in Eliot Coleman's publications, but Coleman tends to focus on market gardeners, while Jabbour targets the average home gardener.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9wyy4

Conservation Practices Impact Nutrient Losses in the Ohio-Tennessee River Basin

A recently released U.S. Department of Agriculture study shows that conservation practices applied to cultivated cropland in the Ohio-Tennessee River Basin are reducing losses of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus from farm fields and decreasing the movement of these materials into the Mississippi River and other waterways.

The Ohio-Tennessee River Basin Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) study examines nearly 204,000 square miles in the river basin, including parts of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9wyn0

Wondering what to plant? Grow what you love that will thrive in your space

What are you going to grow in your vegetable garden? I have three suggestions to guide planning for your garden.

The first step is simple: grow what you love.

Make a list of what you think you’d like to grow and eat. Think of your favorites and write them down. You may not be able to grow all of your best-loved vegetables in your Michigan garden, but we have the ideal climate for many plants, so you’ll likely be able to grow some of them.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9wyi8

New Conservation Reserve Sign-up beginning March 12

(Boise, Idaho March 2, 2012) n The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup, beginning on March 12 and ending on April 6. CRP has a 25-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation's natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States.

CRP is an important program for protecting our most environmentally sensitive lands from erosion and sedimentation, and for ensuring the sustainability of our groundwater, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9wy8M

Welcome Spring with Gardening Lectures and Workshops at Chalet

As the first blooms open and green color returns to the lawn, spring fever peaks with an urge to get outside and ready the garden for the season. Chalet, an award-winning landscape, nursery and garden center on Chicago’s North Shore, continues its popular lectures and workshops on seasonal gardening and garden design topics this March.

Lectures are held at the Chalet Education Center, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette, on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and often include slide presentations and how-to demonstrations. All lectures are free. A materials fee and pre-registration is required for the workshops.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9wxZD

Class to focus on vegetable gardening

SAN ANGELO, Texas — A monthly Lunch 'n' Learn Gardening Class will be from noon to 1 p.m. March 16 in the Commissioners' Court on the second floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building, 113 W. Beauregard Ave.

Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, will conduct the class on vegetable gardening.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9wxTA

Feed yourself from your garden

When times are tough and food prices are taking off faster and higher than a Nasa rocket, it makes financial sense to plant your own veggie garden.

Start by clearing a patch at least as big as a door in a position that gets good sun for most of the day. If you don't have garden space, there's a lot you can grow in pots, either in the garden or on a sunny balcony.

Vegetables need sun for healthy growth, so if your garden does not get sun all day, make sure you plant in an area where there is at least morning sun.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9v3pX

Can we grow it? Yes we can, together

Grow It Yourself helps people to grow their own food, in any garden big or box-sized, and after a while with these enthusiasts, there is a feeling they have a luxury that the rest of us are missing, writes ANN MARIE HOURIHANE

IN THE SOUTH Parish Community Centre in Cork city centre, the audience is rapt. Caroline Robinson, a commercial grower for 16 years, is talking about vegetables: bolting, whiterot, pheasants taking out whole lines of peas.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9v3lZ

David Suzuki: Climate-change denial isn’t about science

Let's suppose the world’s legitimate scientific institutions and academies, climate scientists, and most of the world’s governments are wrong.

Maybe, as some people have argued, they’re involved in a massive conspiracy to impose a socialist world order. Maybe the money’s just too damn good. It doesn’t matter. Let’s just imagine they’re wrong, and that the polar ice caps aren’t melting and the climate isn’t changing. Or, if you prefer, that it’s happening, but that it’s a natural occurrence—nothing to do with seven billion people spewing carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9v3jH

Green groups seek stream helpers

Spring is almost here, and green groups are recruiting volunteers to watchdog Maryland's river and stream health.

The Severn River Association is looking for help to protect the Chesapeake Bay tributary from mud washing off construction sites in spring rains. A recent audit by Community & Environmental Defense Services, a consulting firm, estimated that the Severn is being polluted with up to 1.4 million pounds of pollutants because storm-water runoff controls aren't working.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9v3gN

Gardening Seminar scheduled at NIACC

MASON CITY — The Gardening Seminar sponsored by North Iowa Area Community College will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 22.

Gardeners can attend workshops offered on different subjects ranging from spring lawn care and common plant diseases, how to start a vineyard, rain gardens, hostas and vegetable gardening.

Workshop presenters include Rick Pleggenkuhle, Cerro Gordo Extension Service; Vern Harper, Towns End Winery; Chantill Kahler-Royer, Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Joshua Spece, In the Country Garden and Gifts; and Tom Theesfeld, Albert Lea Seed House.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9v39E

100% Natural, growing medium, Coco peat, Husk chips, Growbags, Coir disk, Coir pots, visit www.coirgreen.com for more information

Gladwin County invaded

GLADWIN COUNTY – “Gladwin County Invaded!” is a headline that should strike fear in our hearts. In reality our home has been, and continues to be invaded each day. Some invaders make the news such as Asian Carp and feral swine. Time and money are spent to control their movements and eliminate the threat. Other plant, animal and insect invaders move in almost unnoticed; even worse we introduce some problem species ourselves. This week is National Invasive Species Week, an effort dedicated to raising awareness of the invasive species around us. Invasive species in our part of Michigan include plants like Autumn Olive, Spotted Knapweed, Phragmites, Garlic Mustard, and Japanese Knotweed. We are also affected by insects including: Emerald Ash Borers, Gypsy Moths, the Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle, and more recently the Asian Longhorn Beetle.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9v34S

Obi Seeks Support on Erosion Projects

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has appealed to the World Bank to fast track work on erosion sites in the South-east region of the country in the interest of the people of the states, who are the ultimate beneficiaries. He made this appeal yesterday, during a meeting between him and the World Bank team led by its Country Director, Marie Francaise Marie-Nelly.

Obi, who was accompanied to the meeting by the State Commissioner for Planning, (whose office oversees the relationship with International agencies), Prof. Stella Okunna and the Permanent Secretary in charge of Abuja office, Dr. Beatrice Okonkwo, said he remained grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for going beyond promises to actual tackling of the menace through the Federal Government and international organisations in collaboration with the governments of the South-east geo-political zones.

Read more: Obi Seeks Support on #Erosion Projects http://ow.ly/9tseR

Garden flashback: Hawk's tomatoes will grow on Main Street once more

The newest recruit for a garden plot at the River and Roots Community Garden has some unique street cred.

Hawk Woodson, 75, had his own downtown "community" garden, of sorts, some 35 years ago.

A lifelong downtown resident, Woodson once had a large vegetable garden growing behind a bait and tackle store on the south side of East Main Street.


Read more: http://ow.ly/9trZv

Conservation Reserve Program accepting signups

Signups for a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) have been announced and will be conducted from March 12 through April 6.

CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9trQP

Environmental Act has no sediment

A YANDINA-based contractor accused of allowing contaminated water into Sunshine Coast waterways is fighting the alleged breach of the Environmental Protection Act.

Palmgrove Holdings, which also operates as Carruthers Contracting, is accused of not complying with erosion and sediment controls on a development site in Ridgeview Drive at Peregian Springs on August 11, 2010.

The company is arguing Sunshine Coast Council, which brought the breach in Maroochydore Magistrates Court, approved the sediment basins which were always going to overflow in a large rain event.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9trJe

A few (humorous) points for the novice gardener

RICHMOND — Well, fellow garden enthusiasts, good news!

It’s spring again and after a long, torturous winter, those deer, rabbits and groundhogs (not to mention the insects) are mighty hungry and that means it’s time to put in the vegetable garden.

Here are a few pointers that will turn your thumbs green and will have you pleading the neighbors to take all that zucchini off your hands!

Preparing the soil

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'Purple Wonder' Strawberry Developed By Cornell Horticulturists

Scientists aren't content to let nature rest on its laurels when it comes to the strawberry.

Cornell University horticulturists have announced that they've bred a new type of strawberry called the Purple Wonder designed to stun with both its taste and its color — a deep burgundy.

"Purple Wonder is sweet and aromatic, with outstanding strawberry flavor," Courtney Weber, a small fruits breeder and associate professor of horticulture at Cornell, said in a statement. "But the color is something you won't be able to find in any grocery store."

Read more: http://ow.ly/9rVzT

Report: County flood control inadequate

A new report says many river levees and other flood control structures in Pierce County are inadequate and recommends more than $316 million in projects over the next 20 years.

The Pierce County plan, which took nearly three years to complete, examines flood risks and recommends solutions along the Puyallup, Nisqually, White and Carbon rivers.

The draft report, called the Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan, says the county “faces significant challenges in the years ahead.” “The aging system of flood management facilities, many of which were built in the 1960s or earlier, were built to a lower level of protection than what is now required to protect transportation, commercial and residential structures,” the document says.

Read more here: http://ow.ly/9rVtv

Proper soil is key for starting your seeds

If you're going to start your own seeds for the upcoming gardening season, this is the time of year to start planning. Not only is this a satisfying thing to do, it could save you quite a lot of money.

To begin to grow, seeds need moisture, warmth and aerated — not compacted — soil. A soil mix usually is better than garden soil for seed sprouting, as well as for transplanting seedlings when they outgrow the containers where they were started, because it is free from pests, diseases and weed seed. It also drains readily, holds some moisture and allows air to enter the mix. The texture is fine enough so there is good contact between the seeds and the seed-starting mix, which aids germination.

Several commercial mixes are on the market. They usually contain peat or coir for moisture-holding, sand or other "grit" for good drainage, and perlite or vermiculite to help with aeration. I prefer a mix using coir, which is a fiber from coconut husks, because it is sustainable, or renewable. Peat takes many years to form and must be mined; one of these days, we'll run out of it. You could make your own seed-starting mix using the ingredients listed.

These mixes, you will note, do not contain fertilizers, as everything a seed needs to begin to grow is contained within that seed. As the seedlings grow, they will need to be transplanted to containers that offer more food for the plants. The appearance of the seedlings' true leaves — the ones following the "seed leaves" — signals the time when transplanting can take place.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9rUQR

Coir products such as Coirpots, Growbags (coco slabs), Husk chips (coir chips) can be used with immerse benefits to your growing http://ow.ly/9rURn

Ecologist criticises scientists' Gully methods

A Conservation Department ecologist has criticised other scientists’ methods in determining Transmission Gully’s impact on the environment.

Ecologist Matt Baber appeared this morning as the board of inquiry resumed after a week off.

He told the board, which is tasked with deciding whether the 27km inland route can be built, that pest control had to be carried out for at least 10 years and should include possums, stoats and rats to make up for the loss in habitat.

“The only way to recover or mitigate adverse effects on these fauna rather than waiting 150 years or more for the forest to come back is pest control.”

Read more: http://ow.ly/9rUJA

Fight in Washington state over solutions for toxic runoff

SEATTLE — Environmentalists in Washington state are fighting last-minute legislative proposals they say will weaken rules aimed at keeping toxic pollution out of state waters.

One House measure would make it voluntary for dozens of cities and counties in Western Washington to adopt greener strategies to control stormwater runoff, considered the biggest threat to Puget Sound and other state waters. Another idea being floated would delay those rules by three years.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9rUzn

Gardeners learn how to attract butterflies with wildflowers

As a youngster, Hugh Merritt of Towaco was lucky to have grandmothers who wanted to pass on their love of gardening to him.

“I got my hands dirty very early. I may have been in diapers when they started me working in the garden,” Merritt said. “Both my grandmothers, Lena and Ethel, were gardeners. My maternal grandmother in Maryland had a large vegetable garden, and my paternal grandfather had a flower garden in Vermont. So I had the best of both types of gardens to learn from.”

Read more: http://ow.ly/9rUrA

Climate change threat to ice hockey

Man-made climate change is said to be threatening the future of ice hockey in Canada, where the sport is a cornerstone of national culture.

Top players have traditionally learned their skills on frozen lakes and backyard rinks but as winters get warmer, experts believe aspiring ice hockey stars in years to come will struggle to find suitable outdoor facilities.

Canadians are passionate about ice hockey. Last year, riots broke out in Vancouver after the home side, the Canucks, lost to rivals the Boston Bruins in the showpiece Stanley Cup final. Cars were set on fire, shop windows smashed, and police used tear gas and pepper spray to restore order.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9rUgW

Special students grow with their school garden

BASTROP, La. (WTW) — Collin LeBrun, a tow-headed 12-year-old, dove down with gusto, coaxed a carrot from the earth and proudly displayed his vegetable as the fertile soil fell from the orange root and his fingers.

Across the way, Darian Williams-Brown, a bit less confident but encouraged by a teacher, willed himself to gingerly harvest a radish. Quietly behind them, DeAvelon Battle carefully watched every move the boys made, engaged in their accomplishments.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9oZG7

Payments for watershed services: pilot projects for watershed protection

Forested watersheds of the southern United States provide numerous services to the region. At no cost, they purify water, control flooding and erosion, and provide places for people to relax and have fun. Yet despite their value, many watersheds are under threat from development and poor land management.

“Payments for Watershed Services” (PWS) programs are one strategy to keep watersheds healthy. Through a PWS program, landowners receive financial incentives to conserve, sustainably manage, and/or restore watersheds to yield the kinds of benefits described above.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9oZCH

Philadelphia International Flower Show takes a 'trip' to Hawaii

Love the sun-kissed beaches, rolling surf and majestic, volcanic landscapes of Hawaii? You only have to travel as far as Philadelphia to get a taste of the Pacific paradise.

The theme of the 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show, opening Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is "Hawaii: Islands of Aloha."

You'll enter the show beneath projections of crashing waves and one of the largest displays of white orchids and anthuriums ever assembled. Towering palms, bamboo, green walls and a canopy of tropical plants will immerse you in a Hawaiian rainforest.

Read more: http://ow.ly/9oZxW