To understand how soils work in conjunction with plants, you really need to understand cellular biology; however, in this article, we are going to take a much simpler look at how soil nutrients, plant function and soil biology work together to form a sustainable environment. As indicated in February’s article, most of us [...]
Read the rest of this article »Sustainable Soils – Part 1 Soil Basics
Jan. 06, 2013 |
In a series of articles that will be written throughout this years growing season, I will try to walk you through the process of converting a non-productive and/or chemical dependent lawn, garden, and/or farm into a safe, sustainable environment that requires less time, money and effort to achieve fantastic results. This month, however, we are [...]
Read the rest of this article »Scotts Miracle Gro Fined $12.5 Million in Pesticide Case
Sep. 07, 2012 |
CONTACT: Enesta Jones jones.enesta@epa.gov 202-564-7873 202-564-4355 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 7, 2012 Scotts Miracle-Gro Will Pay $12.5 Million in Criminal Fines and Civil Penalties for Violations of Federal Pesticide Laws WASHINGTON — The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, a producer of pesticides for commercial and consumer lawn and garden uses, was sentenced today in federal district court [...]
Read the rest of this article »Building Successful Homeowners through Education
Feb. 28, 2012 |
Providing low-income families with an affordable home addresses only part of the issue of poverty; in addition to building houses, Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity works to ensure that our first-time homebuyers become knowledgeable homeowners. Families that partner must demonstrate that they have a genuine need for decent, safe and affordable [...]
Read the rest of this article »Healthy Soils with help from Compost Tea
Feb. 09, 2012 |
For the past year you have read our articles that described what is happening in the soil and the potential problems that can occur if that “life cycle” is disrupted either chemically or through our own use of the land. Today I would like to talk to you about a tool that homeowners and gardeners [...]
Read the rest of this article »Do I Really Want Fungi in My Yard?
Dec. 08, 2011 |
Many consider “fungi” the distasteful evidence that last week’s leftovers are no longer safe to eat. The impressive work of this “green mold or white fuzz,” however, often goes unappreciated. Yet “breaking down and decomposing sugars, starches, cellulose and lignin” is the primary goal of fungi. As AgriEnergies resources explains, “Biological relatives of these food [...]
Read the rest of this article »Exciting Improvements For 2012
Dec. 01, 2011 |
Very little customization can be done with dry applications (early spring and winter applications), so they will remain the same for 2012. However, I have asked our agronomist to re-evaluate our wet applications in an effort to improve on the effectiveness of the application. The result of his findings and numerous conversations with professionals in [...]
Read the rest of this article »What They Are and A Few Interesting Facts Bacteria are minuscule, one-celled organisms that can only be seen with a powerful light (1000X) or electron microscope (we’re talking TINY). They can be so numerous that a pinch of soil can contain millions of organisms. Bacteria are tough—they occur everywhere on earth and have even been [...]
Read the rest of this article »Balancing Healthy Lawns with Healthy Lifestyles
Oct. 24, 2011 |
This month’s question: A concerned individual recently contacted me with this issue. “My dog lays in our yard all the time. Do I really want to expose her to this [chemical weed treatment]?” I was definitely comfortable offering this individual an emphatic “No.” We shouldn’t expose our family to any chemicals if we can avoid [...]
Read the rest of this article »Controlling Weeds Organically
Oct. 19, 2011 |
Traditional lawn care since the late 1940’s has feasted on a one-size-fits-all approach to weed control that paints every plant with the same broad stroke. However, the EPA estimates that only 2 percent of the active ingredients in synthetic weed killers, called herbicides, ever reach the target plant. The other 98 percent goes into the [...]
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