tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991498459546587842023-11-16T07:34:16.877-05:00Pool to PondWhile this site is mostly about the wonderful habitat created by turning a 32,000 gallon pool into a pond, complete with occasional tips and tricks for doing this, it will also explore any Eco-friendly ideas, methods, best practices and Earth saving, life-changing activities.HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-62068410228599148452012-03-24T17:25:00.001-04:002012-03-24T19:33:06.065-04:00Companion Planting and IPMFor my Conway community garden friends (and anyone else interested in organic vegetable gardening!) here are some links to sites with great info on Companion Planting and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques for sustainable vegetable gardening.<br />
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Followed by links about vermiculture (worm composting).<br />
And thank you for allowing me to participate in your great gardening adventure!<br />
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<a href="http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/community/home_gardening/natenemy.shtml" target="_blank">IFAS UFL Extension service documents</a><br />
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<a href="http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/AG/Organic_Veg_Gardening_Pest_%20Mngt.pdf" target="_blank">A great 75 page PDF of Organic Vegetable Gardening IPM</a><br />
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<a href="https://attra.ncat.org/index.php" target="_blank">National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service</a><br />
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<a href="http://eartheasy.com/search-results.html?q=Predator+Insects&cx=007739692577459459443%3Ak-sga7pekte&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&sa=Search" target="_blank">EarthEasy website direct to "Guides"</a><br />
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<a href="http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/maintenance_and_care/soil_fertilizer_and_nutrients/vermicomposting.html" target="_blank">Vermicomposting - worms!</a>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-15272182781707873392012-03-18T12:37:00.000-04:002012-03-24T17:27:25.882-04:00Vermicompost - The Harvest<span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6yCuX0t6WarYnLo7_-mmhmESGTkbBaYFiKTno0wGwmtbHOdaD3CZmsxRTgs0MKYREf60fTWu07oaJklYO6xrEefc5-9XfieP5pHGNLkj3qg7rA5zDMOSdffI9OUsFs8UIt-L9Y4HpH4/s1600-h/wormh7.JPG"></a><span xmlns=""></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcoa5sh-GUxLlhrxbOKsLCV2aKSZNG_CvkYoA06Gt9Y537wN_cut6ax-reQH8WnMjUEv-75MHTdE2QTnP6U1TqXMWcoHavr1Vk_pF5kzAd-rRorpG0sKqY-gxo65VdRDEp7RXDSZb4R8/s1600-h/wormh8.JPG"></a><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPnABevlSxRJqnQS1IZ2aFH8EBD6ph77dba6HG4fKW3LI13Qxu8pXoLDg4aU6yGTAiTaAUQNnW-kY8NkXVzC1w62b6C7GknWr3oGhccJRrwpdAZmpCsKQ8ALbIk1yQge37WeSKfhJYnk/s1600-h/wormh12.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368383354595875906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPnABevlSxRJqnQS1IZ2aFH8EBD6ph77dba6HG4fKW3LI13Qxu8pXoLDg4aU6yGTAiTaAUQNnW-kY8NkXVzC1w62b6C7GknWr3oGhccJRrwpdAZmpCsKQ8ALbIk1yQge37WeSKfhJYnk/s200/wormh12.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 160px; width: 200px;" /></a><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><span xmlns=""></span><br />
<span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 26pt;">Harvesting Worm Castings<br />
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Having a worm condo is a wonderful way to lower the landfill contributions as well as create a great addition to your soil and plants. I have a premade four-story "condo" that I bought, <a href="http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Easywormbin.htm">but worm bins can be made in many ways.</a> No matter what kind of vermiculture structure you choose, there will come a time when the castings have to be harvested. Here in the heat of Florida, I can harvest castings as often as every three months. article is all about the harvesting process.<br />
#1 Take the lid off <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzvQkUs30ntkxrcbBbZymBduD7M7KEhChlO4gvg6-lDqLPpRVz6j9x0FrARtqarD7SuqPLQ7TQoCpyFYisaqTcRe0JMby0qDyTTTe28hVfYkeI9bU7GCjwsvVZ0QFr-HZfD85lH-3nH0/s1600-h/wormh1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368381799493910562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzvQkUs30ntkxrcbBbZymBduD7M7KEhChlO4gvg6-lDqLPpRVz6j9x0FrARtqarD7SuqPLQ7TQoCpyFYisaqTcRe0JMby0qDyTTTe28hVfYkeI9bU7GCjwsvVZ0QFr-HZfD85lH-3nH0/s200/wormh1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 155px; width: 200px;" /></a>This is the upside down lid. Note the worms all along the edges. They just seem to like it there. But it does mean I have to be careful not to squish them when removing and replacing the lid!<br />
#2 Get the supplies ready<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZGqxwoKocXaCQzvowLhBucY1UXPxIK_NYszJiJok5nvE7XkY_IMOQmZhmk8SzeyrSrutbZuHIuBIzTGJ8SDQSYjXscnvKRlObeyHYRpXx3SXKDI1ZQcFDGy4SxAs-DQQeeafOHiEORs/s1600-h/wormh2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368382074063846450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZGqxwoKocXaCQzvowLhBucY1UXPxIK_NYszJiJok5nvE7XkY_IMOQmZhmk8SzeyrSrutbZuHIuBIzTGJ8SDQSYjXscnvKRlObeyHYRpXx3SXKDI1ZQcFDGy4SxAs-DQQeeafOHiEORs/s200/wormh2.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 152px; width: 200px;" /></a>You'll need a large bucket, new bedding, grit (optional) and newspaper or something else to spread the castings out onto for sorting. The bedding I use is coir. That's what is soaking in the water in the pitcher. Make sure to use de-chlorinated water. Also pictured in the lower left is a plant stand that will hold the top floors of the condo while I work the lower level. I have a bottle of frozen water, but that's only necessary in the 90+ degree summers.<br />
#3 Photo of frozen water in place to cool air.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLxoQSKBohlfbh3XGVNuvOJq38U82uaeG9U_hUA0L_E4FDlCEaUGxTtZBsspCDwgC8fn-ofZ4ic0CTAk8GZucpwxN6asXkPM4wc6ZbEA0zYxmFhu51vOpkDPuV_T5RzrELOjCrv3_Pdo/s1600-h/wormh3.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368382078968973090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLxoQSKBohlfbh3XGVNuvOJq38U82uaeG9U_hUA0L_E4FDlCEaUGxTtZBsspCDwgC8fn-ofZ4ic0CTAk8GZucpwxN6asXkPM4wc6ZbEA0zYxmFhu51vOpkDPuV_T5RzrELOjCrv3_Pdo/s200/wormh3.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 132px; width: 200px;" /></a>Because of the excessive heat here in Florida, (90+) I add a frozen bottle of water to cool air. (I find the worms all over it on hot days.)<br />
#4 Remove the top two layers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pWl1_CQcnWskLqbG0FrVqcK2R1Zu-c9tp1sOh2mPtnx_4O7B6U0tyCwUfTLreyQhXJbsm1zDYJxgN4rxVFQutBg0ixZj-2Z325RjqcbWJGcZ8nYb6PiQbet1j3wfcFzrNItrxtKiERg/s1600-h/wormh4.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368382081230446146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pWl1_CQcnWskLqbG0FrVqcK2R1Zu-c9tp1sOh2mPtnx_4O7B6U0tyCwUfTLreyQhXJbsm1zDYJxgN4rxVFQutBg0ixZj-2Z325RjqcbWJGcZ8nYb6PiQbet1j3wfcFzrNItrxtKiERg/s200/wormh4.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 128px; width: 200px;" /></a>I suggest adding some food scraps to the top the day before your start. The purpose is to coax as many worms as possible up to the top layers. Then, the next day, remove the top two layers and put them on the plant stand. (left) Exposing the good stuff you can see in the bottom layer.<br />
#5 Black gold!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOw3kys6fKYGpKgGBAtwz-DVRFrREsZg8f7LP-PYcZ0S6ln9tM3uUax1gYFyT75KorK0xfj8rGohXTkSZUQxqC8UbJuh9zqiHF6VZoKLzArpbd6u2hDDJbuMdSuAEP3h3wdVy20qc9W4/s1600-h/wormh5.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368382082059263874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOw3kys6fKYGpKgGBAtwz-DVRFrREsZg8f7LP-PYcZ0S6ln9tM3uUax1gYFyT75KorK0xfj8rGohXTkSZUQxqC8UbJuh9zqiHF6VZoKLzArpbd6u2hDDJbuMdSuAEP3h3wdVy20qc9W4/s200/wormh5.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /></a>Close up of worm castings - no odor at all, rich, dark fresh soil-like amendment for plants and yards.<br />
#6 Another shot for a little perspective<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6yCuX0t6WarYnLo7_-mmhmESGTkbBaYFiKTno0wGwmtbHOdaD3CZmsxRTgs0MKYREf60fTWu07oaJklYO6xrEefc5-9XfieP5pHGNLkj3qg7rA5zDMOSdffI9OUsFs8UIt-L9Y4HpH4/s1600-h/wormh7.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368382085508466530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6yCuX0t6WarYnLo7_-mmhmESGTkbBaYFiKTno0wGwmtbHOdaD3CZmsxRTgs0MKYREf60fTWu07oaJklYO6xrEefc5-9XfieP5pHGNLkj3qg7rA5zDMOSdffI9OUsFs8UIt-L9Y4HpH4/s200/wormh7.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 128px; width: 200px;" /></a>This is a better view; my hand is full of castings which in turn are full of worms!<br />
#7 scooping into pail<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcoa5sh-GUxLlhrxbOKsLCV2aKSZNG_CvkYoA06Gt9Y537wN_cut6ax-reQH8WnMjUEv-75MHTdE2QTnP6U1TqXMWcoHavr1Vk_pF5kzAd-rRorpG0sKqY-gxo65VdRDEp7RXDSZb4R8/s1600-h/wormh8.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368383340871662386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcoa5sh-GUxLlhrxbOKsLCV2aKSZNG_CvkYoA06Gt9Y537wN_cut6ax-reQH8WnMjUEv-75MHTdE2QTnP6U1TqXMWcoHavr1Vk_pF5kzAd-rRorpG0sKqY-gxo65VdRDEp7RXDSZb4R8/s200/wormh8.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 198px;" /></a>All the castings/worms are scooped out of the top level, view the bottom layer, aka the spa since there is a lot of moisture there. And the worms do seem to like to "hang out" there. There's a lot of reproducing going on down there too<br />
#8 Preparing to sift<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVk0YilO4GyGhd8gT-5NiePhee-om_6nxlJw5CGKXRMCd-xSyfSFoG6DlRWS9pUL82ep4lpTOClZkgIyMgV8jKwrrDUhM4df0XsR5iFjSpeAV9VJDDhguPG2a2cE8GHK6o6qNBC5ECZ8/s1600-h/wormh9.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368383346189191234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVk0YilO4GyGhd8gT-5NiePhee-om_6nxlJw5CGKXRMCd-xSyfSFoG6DlRWS9pUL82ep4lpTOClZkgIyMgV8jKwrrDUhM4df0XsR5iFjSpeAV9VJDDhguPG2a2cE8GHK6o6qNBC5ECZ8/s200/wormh9.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 140px; width: 200px;" /></a>Next step, sit for an hour and sift for worms. Get comfortable! Scoop out castings onto newspaper into tall mound, wait, then go to the bottom for the worms. While waiting for worms to migrate down, sift from pail. Then just keep repeating. Toss worms into new "top layer" (see below)<br />
#9 Former bottom layer waiting to become top layer<br />
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#10 Preparing bottom layer to become new top layer:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6M1MVOh0S1O_ztwVMWqoSGQbnJ_r-879E76HAQHmhsGMkT22JpEGOTGPRTEzYdhdHY_9gJpn5JlH_2lhtp7Yktwl2tmA3YdMrxFveDNo1X3_chs3A07hfq4PG6pCXMFxh30BJ41eTXyo/s1600-h/wormh10.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368383348855159266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6M1MVOh0S1O_ztwVMWqoSGQbnJ_r-879E76HAQHmhsGMkT22JpEGOTGPRTEzYdhdHY_9gJpn5JlH_2lhtp7Yktwl2tmA3YdMrxFveDNo1X3_chs3A07hfq4PG6pCXMFxh30BJ41eTXyo/s200/wormh10.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 128px; width: 200px;" /></a>Add moist newspaper to the empty layer and put on top to keep moisture in while you sort. Just toss the worms you find into this bin, keep a little of the casting matter with them. Later I'll add the wet coir and another layer of newsprint.<br />
#11 View of filled pail<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wDBR5xAItxZy1O7hzI_QgJyMNTkj9ooyfoJ-mT94kF5ZKoijkJOtWYT9HMSPXeLLR0GaT5z00uEUD98MbmCRDvFgu48efjtxadsGOMzs-3s3sOZ-Ej4HXZU3SEh5M2OOkoqs9W4U87E/s1600-h/wormh11.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368383354602739202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wDBR5xAItxZy1O7hzI_QgJyMNTkj9ooyfoJ-mT94kF5ZKoijkJOtWYT9HMSPXeLLR0GaT5z00uEUD98MbmCRDvFgu48efjtxadsGOMzs-3s3sOZ-Ej4HXZU3SEh5M2OOkoqs9W4U87E/s200/wormh11.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 135px; width: 200px;" /></a>Top off pail with damp newspaper to keep in moisture. In 30 days repeat the sifting for new worms that are about to hatch!<br />
#12 Bottom layer is now the top layer<br />
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<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1ozaaXS8-iquHtunqSc-zOLuFkmacvFQbGH9GFxfCTjKnKz4CVDRETPTv0p2uLT_Tw7_mnxmbvthD2lMiF_kt5xLTaRihSNPuz9guB_elvlC-kE1FAoLD4I-YIxTAYqDM8hlbNqHXHo/s1600-h/wormh13.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368384963705133442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1ozaaXS8-iquHtunqSc-zOLuFkmacvFQbGH9GFxfCTjKnKz4CVDRETPTv0p2uLT_Tw7_mnxmbvthD2lMiF_kt5xLTaRihSNPuz9guB_elvlC-kE1FAoLD4I-YIxTAYqDM8hlbNqHXHo/s200/wormh13.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /></a>Prepare the new top layer as you did in the beginning. Add soaked, damp coir, grit and top with more damp newsprint.<br />
#13 A little damp wipe, lid back on, floor swept and Voila! All done!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7Yo2NvLilrWYFDFcep-3xy2AeUBQjUEwK5tvaFu0Nuo2o8zPBiBktRV4SccQTzE8jWO1b3ICE63SfAECOuG3slD-eAp8NtafSrUVGbw5jCMEGIdIMAm669Qnk6nGLuLWhF2YopFf5m8/s1600-h/wormh14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368384965137762770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7Yo2NvLilrWYFDFcep-3xy2AeUBQjUEwK5tvaFu0Nuo2o8zPBiBktRV4SccQTzE8jWO1b3ICE63SfAECOuG3slD-eAp8NtafSrUVGbw5jCMEGIdIMAm669Qnk6nGLuLWhF2YopFf5m8/s200/wormh14.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 246px; width: 163px;" /></a>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-78782659278929024592011-09-01T07:11:00.000-04:002011-09-01T07:15:02.130-04:00Reasons to Abandon 1950's Style Grass LawnsSome interesting facts for parties! One-liners to help make the point that grass lawns are passé! <br />
• According the US Environmental Protection Association, a gas-powered push mower emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars (see Small Engine Rule to Bring Big Emissions Cuts).<br />
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• Lawn and garden equipment emits 5% of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the US, which cause health problems and contribute to ozone formation.<br />
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• A gas mower emits as much hydrocarbons in one hour as a car driven 100 miles. (see <a href="http://www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/garden/pdf/donahue.pdf">EPA pdf</a>)<br />
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• Mowers in the US use 580 million gallons of gas per year.<br />
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• 40-60% of nitrogen from fertilizer runs off or leaches away, ending up in ground or surface water, including wells.<br />
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• <strong>60-70 million birds die from pesticide poisoning each year in the US alone.</strong><br />
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• In the US, 30 percent of water consumed on the East Coast waters lawns, 60 percent on the West Coast. (go to this site for tips on saving water! <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/">http://www.epa.gov/watersense/</a> )<br />
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• A 2001 <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/leaf_blower.pdf">Toronto Staff Report</a> (PDF format), reported that using a commercial leaf-blower for one hour generated "498 times as much hydrocarbons, 49 times as much particulate matter and 26 times as much carbon monoxide" as a then newer-model car.<br />
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• Close to 70 million pounds of pesticides (including herbicides) are applied to US lawns each year. This is approximately ten times the amount applied to American farmland, acre for acre.<br />
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• As of 2004, about 70 million tons of fertilizers were used on US lawns a year.<br />
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• A <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/pdf/pesticides_lawnandgarden.pdf">Toronto Public Health Report</a> on lawn and garden pesticides (PDF format) claims that between 2004 and 2006, almost half the homeowners in Toronto used pesticides on their lawns.<br />
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• The Virginia Cooperative Extension in its publication <a href="http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-400/430-400.html">"Nutrient Management for Lawn Service Companies,"</a> states that some fungicides and pesticides can kill 60 to 90% -- or more -- of the earthworms where they are applied.<br />
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• Between 30 and 40 million acres of land in the U.S. are devoted to turf grass (see <a href="http://web.missouri.edu/~umcsnresiwww/news/July2004news.html">Curbing the Lawn</a>)<br />
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• Americans collectively spend big bucks -- about $40 billion annually -- on seed, sod and chemicals.<br />
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• The top four crops in terms of acreage in the United States today: Corn, Wheat, Soybeans and <strong>Grass Clippings.</strong><br />
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• And finally, this from me, mowing kills many beneficial caterpillars, spiders, lizards and other small creatures we are sharing our yards with.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://www.organiclawncare101.com/">Organic Lawn Care 101</a> website for more great info and tips on making your own yard more bird/bee friendly!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-3577985888004748412011-06-12T14:36:00.000-04:002011-06-12T16:38:10.066-04:005 Chem-Free Ways to Kill Fleas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMWbhdZjbui5Zc1-q9PBw_NnFZaug-_AVJlhqnpySyPDtvznAq147uNqv6KZUMy6ZLdyDg3bOD_bFou-PuqCs4nGfDUTcQ-ZdnN3TaiQpKGo6Weca1FurpLPyHfVWvN00mrQfAB95gTo/s1600-h/flea-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMWbhdZjbui5Zc1-q9PBw_NnFZaug-_AVJlhqnpySyPDtvznAq147uNqv6KZUMy6ZLdyDg3bOD_bFou-PuqCs4nGfDUTcQ-ZdnN3TaiQpKGo6Weca1FurpLPyHfVWvN00mrQfAB95gTo/s320/flea-large.jpg" /></a></div><i>Microscopic image of a flea. Scientists have determined that vacuuming kills fleas in all stages of their lives, with an average of 96 percent success in adult fleas and 100 percent destruction of younger fleas. (Credit: iStockphoto/Oliver Sun Kim)</i><br />
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<b>1) Vacuum</b><br />
Yes, as basic as this seems, according to an Ohio State article* simple vacuuming can kill up to 96% of the fleas living there. Considering that the toxic topical chemicals claim a 99% kill rate, this is pretty good. And at least vacuuming doesn't leave toxins in your pets' tissues. One additional step is to add some Diatomaceous Earth to the vacuum canister or bag. That will kill any that survive the brushes and whirlwind. Don't forget the pets' bedding and furniture. Quick note on the cited article, it was from 2007 and since then we've seen some issues with the topical that the older article was unaware of when it stated that the topicals were devastating the flea population. In fact the topicals have led to a super flea that is not succumbing to the topicals. But that shouldn't surprise anyone, when the topical packages state that they kill 99% that leaves 1% to carry on and it seems that their offspring are immune. <br />
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<b>2) Diatomaceous Earth</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaeN6hyphenhyphen5B2YBfMmsDu4NuUi6yO8xgSDsMENqq0UAkXtvO9rFPh9U6d1upVrGApNsjtlQrOA8AAQf5xwq-2WEIXtt69n6GVoeijfxeRy9iIbmfBsinExaWTZtyDujektN2m7z_PsGInEE/s1600/DEBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaeN6hyphenhyphen5B2YBfMmsDu4NuUi6yO8xgSDsMENqq0UAkXtvO9rFPh9U6d1upVrGApNsjtlQrOA8AAQf5xwq-2WEIXtt69n6GVoeijfxeRy9iIbmfBsinExaWTZtyDujektN2m7z_PsGInEE/s200/DEBox.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div>As a mechanical killing device this is great stuff. Known as DE and used as a filtering agent for pools, DE is finely ground skeletons of lichen that act as cut glass on an insect's exoskeleton making them die fairly fast of dehydration. This stuff is only dangerous if breathed in. So don't use it in front of a fan! It doesn't work once it gets wet, so it's not useful outside. Sprinkle it on the carpets, leave it for overnight or as long as practical and then vacuum it up. On wood floors, sprinkle around the parameter and sweep across the floor so it gets into cracks. Do this AFTER any mopping, since as I said before, it doesn't work once it's wet. I had a horrible outbreak in our detached garage, literally could see the fleas jumping, hundreds or thousands of them! I sprinkled the DE all around and throughout. Then I walked away for a week. When I stepped back into the garage, nothing. Not a single flea jumped on my legs. I swept it into a pile and vacuumed the pile. Amazing stuff!<br />
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<b>3) Combing pets</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGnTVQo2r_dblCBSMMmUE1TNXppXQdbdWVO4J5KlzqOB96Q3BinMUwTfz3SuUv2DJmRBPn1Zgtg__uO3BM1x3mAJhxjc78395ttgHiTDt0ttJf4VZFPdo0-zVMaI7DARKEclb8KPFpJ8/s1600/fleaComb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGnTVQo2r_dblCBSMMmUE1TNXppXQdbdWVO4J5KlzqOB96Q3BinMUwTfz3SuUv2DJmRBPn1Zgtg__uO3BM1x3mAJhxjc78395ttgHiTDt0ttJf4VZFPdo0-zVMaI7DARKEclb8KPFpJ8/s200/fleaComb.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div>The trick here is to find a great comb and place the captured fleas into soap water. The first part is hard. I am still using my great flea comb that I bought about 10 years ago for under a dollar. These cheap little plastic combs, when the tines are tight enough, get all the fleas, eggs and flea dirt off your pets. Personally the little plastic cheap combs work better for me than the more expensive steel ones. I have tried the more expensive ones with handles and they worked better on my American Eskimo dog with her super thick coat. But for my DSH cats and ferret, the little guys are better. Most how-to's say to dip the comb into the soap water. I find this a total mess. I comb then flick the tines to shoot the fleas into the water. You'll aways get some pet hair on the comb and when the comb gets wet it's just yukky, that's all I can say. Use a flat-bottomed container 1/3 filled with water and a dash of dish soap to dump the fleas into. I say flat-bottomed since pet grooming always has the chance of becoming messy and I'd rather not knock over a bowl of dead fleas and fur! I use old large yogurt containers. My cats love this time together and virtually line up at the couch for their turns! I do this while watching TV. I dump the water out by my compost pile after it has sat for at least 30 minutes.<br />
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<b>4) Garlic and Yeast Powders for Pets</b><br />
I have added garlic and yeast powders that were made for pets to my pets' food in the past. It seems to work, and there is the added benefit that these things are good for our pet in other ways too. It's primarily the garlic that repels the fleas. I found a pure garlic powder for horses at PetsMart once and sprinkled it on the food. Since I also do all the other things listed here, it's impossible to say how much this contributed. <br />
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<strong>5) Baths</strong><br />
For dogs and ferrets, a good bath is a good start. I would vacuum, DE and comb first. Then the bath will get the few remaining fleas and once gone, the carpets won't re-infest. Just remember when you bath the pet it is not the toxic chemicals that you need so much as the solid 5-10 minutes with the soap soak! Once the pet is wet, apply the shampoo and lather like crazy, touching on all the favorite flea points, the base of the tail, the ears, the under arms (legs), under the chin, etc. The hard part is keeping the pet still for at least 5 minutes and the more the better. It's the time that kills the fleas. When they get wet they "lock down" onto the pet. It takes that much time before they release some and can be washed off. Then make sure the pet is rinsed very thoroughly since any shampoo is drying on a pet. Dry time is always the pet's favorite and just like with the combing, it's a great bonding time. Use a large absorbent towel and have fun! I've heard that those large shamwows really do a good job.<br />
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I personally don't believe in bathing cats unless they have a skin condition that requires it and then only under the care of a Vet.<br />
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So there you have it. Flea eradication without chemicals. <a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/flea-tick.htm">I highly recommend reading the EPA's tips as well as their report on the toxicity of the topical flea treatments. </a><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
Notes:<br />
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*Ohio State University. "Cat Fleas' Journey Into The Vacuum Is A 'One-Way Trip'." ScienceDaily 22 December 2007. 24 January 2010 <http: 071217111010.htm="" 12="" 2007="" releases="" www.sciencedaily.com="">.<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217111010.htm">Cat Fleas' Journey Into The Vacuum Is A 'One-way Trip'</a></strong><br />
<br />
ScienceDaily (2007-12-22) -- Homeowners dogged by household fleas need look no farther than the broom closet to solve their problem. Scientists have determined that vacuuming kills fleas in all stages of their lives, with an average of 96 percent success in adult fleas and 100 percent destruction of younger fleas. In fact, the results were so surprisingly definitive that the lead scientist repeated the experiments several times to be sure the findings were correct. ... <em>> <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217111010.htm">read full article</a></em></http:>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-31217815439090674112011-05-13T15:59:00.000-04:002011-05-13T15:59:56.021-04:00FREE Landscape Classes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWY-aC1-V2G-TVz5JfNBgC5_jWSGdpI23ECwDmDPAleZ_VjStHGFsUrDCPkbIn7tLmJhWwCZSTW33ap2mWCzTdu6H3Ox0FIfEXEyVwLjCLKj35aPsOArZUSAS0juIiqw3PYfst6RqoQO4/s1600/FreeLandscapClass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWY-aC1-V2G-TVz5JfNBgC5_jWSGdpI23ECwDmDPAleZ_VjStHGFsUrDCPkbIn7tLmJhWwCZSTW33ap2mWCzTdu6H3Ox0FIfEXEyVwLjCLKj35aPsOArZUSAS0juIiqw3PYfst6RqoQO4/s1600/FreeLandscapClass.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a really great resource for the community. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Seminole County Extension </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Services are there for YOU! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Check out the FREE Classes listed in this flyer!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plus there’s a hotline to call for info about anything you find in your yard! Bugs, weird plants, critters! </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You name it! <span class="txtTopic">Call the Helpdesk 9-noon and 1-4 PM (407) 665-5550</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">PLUS you can bring your soil in to be tested so you know exactly what will grow best in your yard or how to amend your soil to grow plants you want!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">AND, you can bring in a troubled plant and one of the Master Gardeners </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">or Dr. Ferrer himself will diagnose the problem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All in all it’s a great service, staffed with volunteers and just waiting there for YOU!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/extensionservices/adults/gadennavi.aspx"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seminole County Extension Services </span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Check it out!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/fyn"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Florida Yards and Neighborhoods link</span></a></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-84945837736667658282011-02-06T09:15:00.003-05:002011-02-06T09:23:51.006-05:00The Most Invasive Species on EarthToday I read a wonderful blog by <span class="author vcard" sizcache="0" sizset="26"><a class="url fn" href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/author/meredith/" rel="nofollow">Meredith O'Reilly</a> </span>about invasive plants being aggressively sold in garden stores while volunteers break their backs digging them out! <a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/not-all-berries-are-created-equal.html">http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/not-all-berries-are-created-equal.html</a><br />
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Here's the final paragraph:<br />
"A side note: I met a woman once who told me that she wraps netting around her Yaupons and other native berrying plants in order to keep the birds from eating up the berries. She complained that the birds were eating the berries so fast that she couldn’t enjoy how pretty the berries looked in the fall. Personally, I find the sight of birds eating berries to be incredibly beautiful and entertaining – in fact, I garden for that purpose — but this woman was willing to cover her pretty shrubs with ugly netting in order to deny a native food to wildlife. I’m truly at a loss of words to explain that one."<br />
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I had one of my many OMG moments! How hateful of nature and the earth can humans get? We've all watched the videos of humans torturing animals in the name of feeding all of us, or killing the dolphins, poisoning all the pollinators, spilling the oil into animal breeding grounds so we all can drive our cars cheaply. The summer of 2010 wasn't pretty. But when it extends to a one to one relationship like this, I find myself baffled.<br />
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So I looked up the definition of "Invasive Species" and what do you think I saw? Judge for yourself. Here is the definition of invasive species from a couple sources.<br />
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From <a href="http://www.invasivespecies.org/resources/DefineIS.html">http://www.invasivespecies.org/resources/DefineIS.html</a><br />
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<u>""Invasive species</u>" means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."<br />
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From <a href="http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/whatis.shtml">http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/whatis.shtml</a><br />
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"An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is<br />
<br />
1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and <br />
2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112)."<br />
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Anyone else noticing a pattern here? Humans are and always have been very human-centric but this was a surprise to me. I have always thought of invasives as primarily bad for the native wildlife. As Ms. O'Reilly mentions in her blog, non-natives out compete natives and usually have less nutrition for the native wildlife, leaving the animals and insects without enough food and shelter. But as far as the officials are concerned, it's about human health and harm. Here we really have circular logic, since it doesn't seem most of our officials have figured out that what's good for wildlife IS conducive to human health and welfare! <br />
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In the meantime humans continue to over populate the planet. Digging into eco-systems they shouldn't even be in, such as the latest Russian exploration into an under-ice lake in the South Pole. <br />
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<a href="http://preview.tinyurl.com/4t28fxe">NPR Article 2/3/2011</a> <br />
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We humans spread disease, pollute, dump garbage, kill and destroy everything including our own children and fellow beings. We slice off the mountain tops, flood valleys large enough to shake the earth, and even throw debris up into space! Then we're surprise that gentle nature seems to turn against us! <br />
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There is only one answer from nature's point of view, lower the number of humans. From my point of view, as a human, I'd like to see us use our brains to wake up and change our ways. We might make some progress in the United States, but I don't know what we can do about dense populations like China. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1619413357"></a> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1888779912"><img height="416" src="http://www.moviemail-online.co.uk/images/large/24677_manufactured-10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China's Three Gorges Dam: An Environmental Catastrophe?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Nope, there's no doubt in my mind about it; humans ARE indeed the most invasive species on the earth.<br />
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Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/index.html">Edward Burtynsky</a>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-41545408422232260212011-02-06T07:49:00.000-05:002011-02-06T08:00:00.831-05:00Sinus Care – Nasal Irrigation How-ToNasal Irrigation has been a life saver for me. But as with all things medical, consult your own physician before trying anything that might affect your your health. Now a days most sinus specialists have at least heard of the Neti. Back when I started, I had to take the literature to them! I recommend printing out the University of Wisconsin study (link below) to take with you!<br />
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Nasal Irrigation How-To <br />
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Many people are reaping the benefits of the Neti Pot, also known as nasal irrigation. I have been infection free for nearly 10 years and I attribute it to a combination of things, but mainly the Neti.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh7DvE4p0sT13763YvLWjxOijw4c9x-r80i1CnW1nniOQaJXPnEncVnCK_M5ZOXZf2FSl24k63R-vGw6BHqa4DuvNEdSjO37vmGvTj5aEOr3JRCFmj600Koja5vn0tQLRKyR1dl0F48U/s1600-h/netiBlog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh7DvE4p0sT13763YvLWjxOijw4c9x-r80i1CnW1nniOQaJXPnEncVnCK_M5ZOXZf2FSl24k63R-vGw6BHqa4DuvNEdSjO37vmGvTj5aEOr3JRCFmj600Koja5vn0tQLRKyR1dl0F48U/s400/netiBlog.JPG" width="363" /></a></div>Basically it is moisturizing the sinus cavities using an isotonic solution. (Isotonic solution: A solution that has the same salt concentration as the normal cells of the body and the blood. As opposed to a hypertonic solution or a hypotonic solution. An isotonic beverage may be drunk to replace the fluid and minerals which the body uses during physical activity.) I create my own solution using Sea Salt and baking soda (NOT baking powder!) The purpose of the baking soda is one of pH. Sort of like a buffering agent. I used salt only for years, and I find the addition of the baking soda seems to mellow out the solution. It has less of a "bite". Basic recipes are a one to one ratio of salt to baking soda. I actually mix the salt and baking soda in the ratio of two parts salt/1 part baking soda and keep this ready for use. The extra salt makes the solution hypertonic. ( hypertonic: 1 adj, pertaining to a solution that causes cells to shrink. 2 n, a solution that increases the degree of osmotic pressure on a semipermeable membrane.) <br />
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I mix my solution fresh each time. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of the mixture and drop it into your neti pot. Put 8 ounces of filtered water into a microwave safe cup (I use a Pyrex 1-cup measuring cup) and microwave on high until it boils for at least one minute. I do this to get rid of as many of the by-products of chlorination as possible. Remember, this is going into you head! <br />
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Once the water is boiling take it out and pour it into your neti pot. Allow the mixture to cool down for several minutes. Most western medicine articles say use at “luke-warm” and most eastern or yoga articles say to use the mixture “as hot as you can stand it” being careful not to burn the delicate nasal membranes. This you will have to decide for yourself. I personally like it very warm, nearly hot. <br />
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When the neti pot is ready, put the spout into one nostril and tip your head slightly. The water will flow out the other nostril. Some say do this for 20 seconds on each side. I do one 8 oz. pot for each side. The next step is very important. Using breathing techniques, dry the sinuses of the extra water. Try bending at the waste with a clean paper towel and gently blowing out your nose to make a hissing sound. Breathing up through the sinuses as opposed to through the throat is what we’re aiming for. <br />
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Start this regimen daily about a week before you usually feel a sinus infection coming on. Do it at least ten days in a row. Most sinus sufferers are acutely aware of their sinuses. When I wake and feel that familiar pressure, I immediately neti and the pressure is gone. I’ve even seen bad sinus headaches disappear after performing the neti regimen. <br />
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Following are several links for your further study. If you suffer from chronic sinus issues it can change your life! Please let me know if you begin to or have practiced some form of nasal irrigation and how it works for you!<br />
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Websites for further study:<br />
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<a href="http://interneti.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://interneti.co.uk/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/reprint/49/2/168" target="_blank">http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/reprint/49/2/168</a><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/research/past-projects/nasal-irrigation" target="_blank">http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/research/past-projects/nasal-irrigation</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-74147143649875480402010-09-12T10:13:00.000-04:002010-09-12T10:13:29.238-04:00Right Plant, Right Place<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyone who has gardened for any length of time has heard the phrase "right plant, right place." it's a simple concept, place plants in areas that the plants are going to do best. Places with the right levels of sun, the right amount of natural water (called rain!) and the right soil conditions. Man, being a species of control-nuts, often wants to force plants to behave in places that are difficult. Take the former owners of our house. The house is a wonderful Georgian Colonial. That means it is symmetrical. The former owners wanted the landscape to be symmetrical as well. Unfortunately one side is under the shade of an old live oak tree and the other side has full sun during the summer for 12 hours! The Oak tree side has rich, dark black soil from all the oak leaves. The sunny side is mostly sand and it's pretty dry. So they planted their Azaleas on each side and watered like crazy. I'm sure they fertilized as well. They also cut the Azalea bushes as if they were boxwoods!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhxZdFgULubDOXYl2sZsL1wZGJywvSGTg-VZn90lnVftVVfIw4r8USCSC2clS60Wn4_lni2hsbQTG6bbufRwcnfhno4ev_7HCVLB60g2teeueoWifQiCAbGnNypYiSMLlpglPGaR0doc/s1600/__hr_Front1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhxZdFgULubDOXYl2sZsL1wZGJywvSGTg-VZn90lnVftVVfIw4r8USCSC2clS60Wn4_lni2hsbQTG6bbufRwcnfhno4ev_7HCVLB60g2teeueoWifQiCAbGnNypYiSMLlpglPGaR0doc/s320/__hr_Front1900.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It looks very neat doesn't it? We continued on in their footsteps using the 7-zone sprinkler system, three distinct pest control companies and a lawn care company that embodied the "mow-blow & go" mentality! They dumped fertilizer on the yard 4 times a year, charging us of course. It cost a small fortune to keep this yard looking this way. But it cost an immeasurable price to the environment. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing I noticed was that the bushes were actually Azaleas. No more clipping off the potential blooms. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwFkU_CMndPjFiVIvzcDHauWD0sdj8zcXvSsph-tio4nYInp5c9reMXpmCHTG5LXZQ0Y6HUL_44cyN4Y97qTN3tg_E4dw8Iyx1reAaj7g89k7WOloI2Nvsdj15elcilMQo_B4Og0tM8Q/s1600/azalea+bloom+2006020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwFkU_CMndPjFiVIvzcDHauWD0sdj8zcXvSsph-tio4nYInp5c9reMXpmCHTG5LXZQ0Y6HUL_44cyN4Y97qTN3tg_E4dw8Iyx1reAaj7g89k7WOloI2Nvsdj15elcilMQo_B4Og0tM8Q/s320/azalea+bloom+2006020.jpg" tt="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is in 2006</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">But the past few years have included prolonged periods of drought. And that has changed the whole thing.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROEBx-NIJGbkHq_YGIsCNKM2cZYuJuL47hfj4kaAHyU9ZfjB5wHaH2056sy9jn3hPAcUce0MQhaaLMDsvdJZ2T-a4mpTmk8YDgElyR4A945tb-UzYrdNf7CBOR8qQ_JteIdjZQDPLsi8/s1600/SunnySideAZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROEBx-NIJGbkHq_YGIsCNKM2cZYuJuL47hfj4kaAHyU9ZfjB5wHaH2056sy9jn3hPAcUce0MQhaaLMDsvdJZ2T-a4mpTmk8YDgElyR4A945tb-UzYrdNf7CBOR8qQ_JteIdjZQDPLsi8/s320/SunnySideAZ.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the sunny side in 2010</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And here is the shady side same year, 2010:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvnj1wKgoumZzJX7RQl649_1p0KaiDASSgO8FtZaoJqPhsd6duyeLD3crWf1AX-c8W2Ay1KKtcIqGhWCGQkP6b9CQEkvLlG2e9bNl02AQjUURc5YtkZdLOa5BsHBV-v7c2oyImCG2z9Y/s1600/ShadySideAZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvnj1wKgoumZzJX7RQl649_1p0KaiDASSgO8FtZaoJqPhsd6duyeLD3crWf1AX-c8W2Ay1KKtcIqGhWCGQkP6b9CQEkvLlG2e9bNl02AQjUURc5YtkZdLOa5BsHBV-v7c2oyImCG2z9Y/s320/ShadySideAZ.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Keep in mind that one of the MarshLand rules is no watering. Plants live by rain alone once they are established. Another rule is no artificial fertilizer. However, the shady side naturally gets a lot of oak leaf debris that gives the Azaleas some of that acid they need so much. For the sunny side I have to sweep large piles of leaves over to that side. It helped for a time, but with the multiple years of drought, it wasn't enough.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This year I'm going to transition that sunny side to a native "hedge" border. There are two lovely American Beauty Berry bushes volunteering right in the center of the Azaleas. I've encouraged these for a couple years now. This year I'll use some of their seeds to plant a line of Beauty Berry bushes and at the same time, I'll start to cut out the azaleas. With a little luck and planning maybe I'll have a great crop of the right plant in the right place! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">PS: For some great info on the Florida American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) <a href="http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/american-beautyberry-purple-now.html">click here!</a></div><br />
Note that there are great mosquito repellent qualities to this plant, scientifically proven. Something every gardener can appreciate!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-90753374040516004242010-08-18T17:29:00.000-04:002010-08-18T17:29:28.632-04:00Pool to Garden, chicken coop & fish farm!This is a wonderful pool conversion! It looks like it takes a bit more work than my pool to pond, but the food production is amazing! This is in Arizona and the pool statistics he sites are sad indeed. Think of the one billion people that cannot find potable water and are dying, then think of the 7000 gallons of evaporation per year PER POOL!! This pond conversion is a spark of sanity amidst the lunacy called "normal".<br />
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Check out their website: <a href="http://gardenpool.org/">http://gardenpool.org/</a>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-14073194508867435652010-08-04T12:23:00.001-04:002010-08-04T12:24:38.208-04:00Fiskars Ergonomic Reel MowerAbout six months ago I was thrilled to be chosen to evaluate the new Fiskars Ergonomic Reel Mower. That meant I got one delivered to my door to use, evaluate through a series of surveys and then KEEP! Yea! First, I love Fiskars products. They seem to last forever. I have a pair of scissors that must be 30 years old, no joke! They even made it though a house fire! So the thought of this was very exciting.<br />
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The mower was delivered in a box and I had to assemble. A mild wave of dread washed over me as I dragged the box into the foyer. But what a pleasant surprise! It had simple directions and almost IKEA-like snap together construction. I had it up and ready in 10 minutes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEVsuwigqjk_oLzElq0MOjRgTLnzXWUQoYeeLf4aesNU3qGIOXEMnaJaT4OrgQY4x3BWzhm1yU48aPzedC-YtnRDF4SpQAg7icKXozFmZJCKH6DDVy8Z7ziNj4ZApP126SBf6I6XsICc/s1600/102_2930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEVsuwigqjk_oLzElq0MOjRgTLnzXWUQoYeeLf4aesNU3qGIOXEMnaJaT4OrgQY4x3BWzhm1yU48aPzedC-YtnRDF4SpQAg7icKXozFmZJCKH6DDVy8Z7ziNj4ZApP126SBf6I6XsICc/s320/102_2930.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side by side, old mower on the left & Fiskars on right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then I carried it outside for its first trial run. It was light enough for me to carry easily. I can only carry up to 40 lbs. comfortably so this was nice. My old reel mower is like lead in comparison! The Fiskars is really ergonomic and it glides with ease over the landscape. And my landscape is pretty non-conventional. If you've ever read my blog you know I hate conventional grass lawns. So my "lawn" is mostly weeds with small groups of native plants! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One of the worst aspects of my old reel mower was mowing tall or flowering weeds. It would never get the stalk, just press it down. Fiskars reel mower handles this much better, but still not 100%. Where Fiskars reel mower really beats all others is in the frequency of the blades jamming. I gave up on my old reel mower since I use mulched oak branches and they blow all over the yard making any attempt at reel mowing a nightmare of jamming blades! I'd have to stop, bend down, turn the mower over and fight to pull out the stick. With Fiskars reel mower all you need to do when it jams is back it up a bit and voila, it's free! And it jams much less to begin with!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are still a couple more surveys to complete for the Fiskars engineers, but I have to admit I'm won over! I still use the small gas powered mower in the highest heat since it is faster. But now, I use it half as much as before! Every little bit counts and I thank Fiskars for creating a responsible and well-built solution!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am adding this link for info only! I do not endorse any specific way to purchase. There are good photos and information on this site: <a href="http://www.ecomowers.com/Fiskars_Momentum_Reel_Mower_p/6201.htm?gclid=CInJioOdoKMCFYlY2god6EZbqw">http://www.ecomowers.com/Fiskars_Momentum_Reel_Mower_p/6201.htm?gclid=CInJioOdoKMCFYlY2god6EZbqw</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-15695807273884020892010-07-08T10:47:00.001-04:002010-07-08T10:48:24.440-04:00BP Horizon Beachhead #1 - Grand Isle, Louisiana<object height="295" style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/CBmDXGuFcwE/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CBmDXGuFcwE&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CBmDXGuFcwE&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-27282503470617124902010-05-27T10:14:00.001-04:002010-05-27T10:16:10.751-04:00Oil Spill - Where to go in Florida to Help<div class="separator" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyFcImq1SVhCON32YQMFE_A010dIi6ePtsHulfc8zWDas-Ko6BZV_QG2IpKQa7qC7akbGIymT_nPtTQ0zKcDkIdRpOb-Gzfy0GOG_nis_QzcEcCOLGh_SvhGkFJu2nKuh1USETRg48PE/s320/index2_01.jpg" /></div><br />
If you're like me, this oil spill is gut wrenching. As anyone who has read any of my articles knows, water, clean water is my passion. And wildlife is also a huge priority to me. I didn't make my yard, pool and home a totally organic wildlife habitat for any other reason than my love for all life and firm commitment to clean, pure water for all life!<br />
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All that said, there are many great ways to get involved and volunteer to help clean up this oil mess! One of the best sites for Floridians is the official <a href="http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/">Volunteer Florida website</a><br />
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Scroll down that site to all the PDF and Doc files that are filled with great information.<br />
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To watch the "topkill" operation live, Huffington Post seems to have the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/26/bp-oil-spill-live-feed-vi_n_590635.html">best live feed.</a> Huffington keeps a <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5REHf2kQgoi59nSi_MYBODL-NK7xG46TgWCveEdkHhMtlfCZN_HM7OqVSeaT17xXoddeNoXUUzi0oC8CBDP3Kyei9NsyLB_NRYVqHMI7KHCkPJKc05rLHRL5LG4Ok3Pf30QPLN1Np4A/s1600/oilspill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5REHf2kQgoi59nSi_MYBODL-NK7xG46TgWCveEdkHhMtlfCZN_HM7OqVSeaT17xXoddeNoXUUzi0oC8CBDP3Kyei9NsyLB_NRYVqHMI7KHCkPJKc05rLHRL5LG4Ok3Pf30QPLN1Np4A/s320/oilspill.JPG" /></a></div> couple different feeds online so if any fails there will still be something up. This is a screen shot of the live feed as of 10:11 AM EST on 5/27/10. I'm no expert, but it looks worse to me. <br />
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The main thing is that we all stay involved on some level, whether giving a donation, our time and labor or being politically active. Whatever your strength is where you are needed!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-57794388841757577362010-04-14T10:09:00.002-04:002010-04-25T13:39:02.158-04:00May Day in Sanford<a href="http://www.ci.sanford.fl.us/wtmain.html">Sanford, Florida</a> is a historic place filled with historic homes and a historic downtown Main Street. This May Day Celebration has been going on a long time! This year the proceeds benefit the wonderful Student Museum - see: <a href="http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/curriculum/StudentMuseum/smuseum.cfm">Student Museum Website</a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoczaNrpFx8Zf735S_u2ZC5m0Zei39R6yrTTYGAwv7QmTg9KgX5xJKzuIhdgNN2NIAzz__mDYOz0-_XxNI_o4vnZpTYzMnJhAhELE7-vppc1x_nwLc-xmaYyq1slHQUv43iRMQDm4FWnI/s1600/MayDay5110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoczaNrpFx8Zf735S_u2ZC5m0Zei39R6yrTTYGAwv7QmTg9KgX5xJKzuIhdgNN2NIAzz__mDYOz0-_XxNI_o4vnZpTYzMnJhAhELE7-vppc1x_nwLc-xmaYyq1slHQUv43iRMQDm4FWnI/s640/MayDay5110.jpg" width="494" wt="true" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHcfEnLEw_a3X3fiQIZIGhOTZDPAW2oYd5umoUXdKVe08rvAZu06rDza3qJJpAE3rHquQoFKcFVsZbHwvhCg0GuMnaHi28drNpi2PG6cZOvqXIRpyu6S7SK5bKSaqGqTx67H3-JznPEk/s1600/MayDayGDNTour5110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHcfEnLEw_a3X3fiQIZIGhOTZDPAW2oYd5umoUXdKVe08rvAZu06rDza3qJJpAE3rHquQoFKcFVsZbHwvhCg0GuMnaHi28drNpi2PG6cZOvqXIRpyu6S7SK5bKSaqGqTx67H3-JznPEk/s640/MayDayGDNTour5110.jpg" width="480" wt="true" /></a></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-7628209335717890622010-04-12T12:44:00.001-04:002010-04-12T12:45:48.943-04:00Stop Buying Water in Plastic Bottles! Heck, Stop BUYING Drinking Water!I have a post called "I Hate Gas" where I discuss how much more important our water is to our auto fuel. It was back in the days of the great gas price increases. This is so much more important. Why? Why? Why? Seriously, why do we buy water in plastic bottles? Even environmental groups have these at their meetings sometimes! It must stop! Most the time our tap water is better tasting and safer than what profit-hungry corporations (unregulated for the most part) put into plastic bottles. This video is well done. Please watch. And stop buying bottled water!<br />
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<object height="505" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/padjQfPPCu4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/padjQfPPCu4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-35392466797923965862010-03-30T12:16:00.002-04:002010-03-30T12:22:52.589-04:00They're Ba-ack!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5wcodsFVI5mpwOuiRjOwlIdzYunAYpB8fJASPYyIGes9VVsW_Jrh75xtqhh9AIa2VaUwDOYgXq9twkZozGZh2oPjFGDwxOYfX74pxZwxsv4Z-GqSmEZuCn5YCGq6Lr87DpchMMpHFXM/s1600/800px-AmCockroach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5wcodsFVI5mpwOuiRjOwlIdzYunAYpB8fJASPYyIGes9VVsW_Jrh75xtqhh9AIa2VaUwDOYgXq9twkZozGZh2oPjFGDwxOYfX74pxZwxsv4Z-GqSmEZuCn5YCGq6Lr87DpchMMpHFXM/s320/800px-AmCockroach.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eYBzzE4B4bJkT9F7hm_aLjt09af4Lq2VAais2dcKkT7-U6v8rU3hJDOzAh14tGtx1Jx8X3-uQtkdaaYR0oW6lTI1YLUEYkbBk98_QBiivkkl7TydkPmQ5_xn54C63CkAXHNx9plXYFY/s1600/flea-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eYBzzE4B4bJkT9F7hm_aLjt09af4Lq2VAais2dcKkT7-U6v8rU3hJDOzAh14tGtx1Jx8X3-uQtkdaaYR0oW6lTI1YLUEYkbBk98_QBiivkkl7TydkPmQ5_xn54C63CkAXHNx9plXYFY/s200/flea-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Yep, it's as if the bugs know Spring has sprung! On the 23rd of March I saw my first palmetto bug in four months! And one flea turned up in the ritual cat-combing! It's a combination of sunlight time and warmth that alerts both the beautiful blooms and the not-so-beautiful bugs that it's time to wake up!<br />
<br />
So here are some time-tested eco-friendly tips for bug control in the home. <br />
<ol><li>Diatomaceous Earth kills fleas mechanically</li>
<ol><li>Basically it is microscopic broken glass, that's simplifying it, but that's how it works. We feel nothing but an almost talc-like fineness, but for the flea, it's like walking on shards of glass. It cuts their exoskeleton and they die by dehydration pretty fast. It only works when dry and is dangerous only if inhaled, so use appropriately. </li>
<li>I use it several ways. </li>
<ol><li>I put it on the carpet overnight and then vacuum in the morning. </li>
<li>I put it on the bottom of my ferret's cage where the litter box is and cover it with fluffy bedding. The ferret doesn't spend much time down there, but the eggs drop and it seems to help. </li>
<li>I also sweep it across my wood floors and let it sit there at least a few days - once I mop or vacuum it is gone.</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>Boric acid does wonders keeping the Palmetto bug population down</li>
<ol><li>I have cleaned out all my cupboards and put down boric acid around the perimeters. You can blow in a thin stream of it. I push it down into the spaces between the shelves and the sides as well as packing it into any holes.</li>
<li>Sprinkle it around the pipes under your sinks. Boric acid works wet as well as dry. The only precaution is to keep it away from food and pets. So keeping it in the hidden pipe areas is best.</li>
</ol>
<li>Containers with water and some dish-soap trap and kill both bugs.</li>
<ol><li>Now this is a fun experiment for kids over say 6 or 7: Put down a shallow dish with about an inch of water and a couple squirts of dish washing liquid in it. For palmettos, place it near a place you've seen them in the past for an over night. For fleas, place it in a spot on the floor where pets frequent, but keep the pets out of the room for the night. Add a small desk lamp over it for heat (so use incandescent light bulb, NOT florescent!). In the morning you'll find some dead bugs...but only if you have bugs. If you use chemicals, this is all moot.</li>
<li>I use a wide-mouth mug with water and dish soap when I comb my pets. That way I can flick the fleas right into the soap-water and they sink immediately.</li>
</ol>
<li>Try not to kill <em>all </em>your house spiders. Leave a couple in hidden spots and you'll be amazed at how many fleas and baby palmettos they catch!</li>
<ol><li>This has been a great learning tool for kids! I have picked fleas off my cats and dropped them into the tiny webs of the harmless house spider and we've watched the spider run right to the flea! </li>
</ol>
<li>If you have a bad flea infestation, judicious use of topical flea treatments on your pets might be the only way to get them under control. Use all chemicals strictly according to the label instructions and NEVER use dog products on cats!</li>
<ol><li>One tip, use one brand for two cycles and then switch to another brand for two cycles. These meds kill 99% of the fleas within 24 hours. This means 1% lives to breed "super fleas" that are immune to that chemical. In the decades that these products have been in use, there have evolved some fleas that are immune. By switching up the chemicals you have a better chance of stopping the immunity.</li>
</ol>
<li>Vacuuming every carpeted area every day. </li>
<ol><li>Vacuum the furniture weekly. </li>
<li>Use cheap throws on the furniture if pets get up there so they can be washed. </li>
<li>Put boric acid and D.E. in the vacuum bag or canister. </li>
<li>Sweep D.E. and Boric acid onto wooden floors so it gets between the slats. If your wood floor is sealed, this isn't necessary. </li>
<li>Empty the vacuum bags/canisters and take the garbage out of the house.</li>
</ol>
<li>Put stopper in sinks over night when not in use.</li>
<ol><li>I've found this very helpful. Most palmetto activity is at night. Sneak into your kitchen around 2 AM and flip on the light - if you have palmettos, you'll see 'em then! Mostly around the sink. There were many fewer in my traps when I started plugging the drains. </li>
<li>If you get an infestation in your dishwasher, pour about a galleon of water into the bottom when not in use. Most families won't have this issue. But if you're like me and only run the dishwasher once every other week or so, then this is another drain they can enter.</li>
</ol></ol>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-9682185102319988722010-03-22T14:05:00.000-04:002010-03-22T14:05:32.534-04:00Ten Water Saving Tips Beyond the OrdinaryOK, I admit it, I'm a water nut! And I'm not talking about going to the beach or a water park, in fact I rarely swim. I'm talking about the wasting of the most precious element next to air.<br />
<br />
<div><a href="http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/">http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/</a><br />
<a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3051/">http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3051/</a><br />
</div><div>In Florida 65% of the available potable water is used for irrigation! Some of that is for agriculture, but way too much is for watering lawns. Mismanaged sprinkler systems that go off in the rain, water concrete and go off in the peak heat of the day are just criminal.</div><a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2004/circ1268/">http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2004/circ1268/</a> <br />
<br />
<div>Here are a few things I do to lower my water use, beyond the basic 'turn off the faucet while brushing teeth' advice:</div><ol><li>No sprinkler system period! Water by hose only when establishing a new plant or in an extreme drought.</li>
<li>Plant only drought-tolerant or natives that work well in your area with no extra watering, just rain.</li>
<li>Use of <a href="http://www.tierrapath.com/index.php/Toilet-Lid-Sinks/Sink-Positive-Toilet-Sink.html">"Johnny Boy"</a> on toilets to save water when washing hands.</li>
<li>"If it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down!" </li>
<li>Low flow toilets and shower heads - easy and low cost fix for water use.</li>
<li>Have bricks/water bottles/ galleon jugs in toilet tanks to displace water.</li>
<li>Rain barrels to collect water for use instead of turning on hose.</li>
<li>5 minute shower timer to remind you to get out of the shower faster! (Free at a eco-festivals and your local water management district!)</li>
<li>Collect water from faucet while waiting for hot water, for showers, pet cleanings, dishes, whatever reason you wait for hot water. Save it to use for plants, cleaning hands, countertops, etc. as just a few ideas.</li>
<li>Use day-old pet water to water plants. </li>
</ol>These are just some of my personal ways to lower water use. I realize I can be a bit extreme since I don't have to worry about a lot of people in my household. Here are a couple even more extreme things I hope to have someday. Consider it my water conservation wish list! <br />
<br />
<div>Self-Contained Composting Toilet: <a href="http://letsgogreen.com/composting-toilet-desc.html">http://letsgogreen.com/composting-toilet-desc.html</a> </div><br />
<div>Smart Shower: <a href="http://bluelivingideas.com/topics/saving-water/smart-shower-james-dyson-award/#more-3586">http://bluelivingideas.com/topics/saving-water/smart-shower-james-dyson-award/#more-3586</a></div>Tankless water heater saves water since there's instant hot water instead of running out the cold water from the lines. <a href="http://tanklesswaterheaterguide.com/">http://tanklesswaterheaterguide.com/</a> It has the added benefit of saving energy costs too!<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-88298619984192484842010-03-16T12:06:00.006-04:002010-04-28T15:10:12.928-04:00The Mighty TabboulehI love tabbouleh. I make it using quinoa instead of bulgar for nutrient purposes, but the big ingredient, the thing that makes it taste so fresh, is parsley.<br />
<br />
I brought home some parsley the other day and it tasted terrible. Really bitter. Here's the cure: snip the stems and put into a mug of water. Just as if this were a bouquet of fresh flowers. Change out the water after you notice the parsley perk up. The fresh water will improve the taste as well as keep the parsley fresh for up to a week! Change out the water every 2 days to keep it clean.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqeUH852kc74USqBs5IJIknuny1Rj07pPDZSLkXbaQoZcRqbtmoqtfetRfIkCavhr0rdG1YhyphenhyphenmQi6_09VgoUeGgTGAHWY5O300vJBfkjI9_iVLn3rU0JuWDFOVom9IJTE-G_mtcLK5WY/s1600-h/ClearingMemory42709+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqeUH852kc74USqBs5IJIknuny1Rj07pPDZSLkXbaQoZcRqbtmoqtfetRfIkCavhr0rdG1YhyphenhyphenmQi6_09VgoUeGgTGAHWY5O300vJBfkjI9_iVLn3rU0JuWDFOVom9IJTE-G_mtcLK5WY/s320/ClearingMemory42709+067.jpg" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div>This also works for celery. Is it just me or do these veggies taste bad these days? I may just be getting old. My son says it's my "old taste buds", but I think something is up. Especially when the taste improves after putting the celery or parsley into water. For the celery, just do the same thing, cut the bottom off and put it into a tall jar of water. You can put the whole thing into the fridge if you want.<br />
And don't get me started on the lousy taste of tomatoes and bell peppers!! If I figure out how to make these taste fresher and less bitter or in the case of the tomatoes, less like cardboard!; I'll post it!<br />
<br />
Now go make up a batch of tabbouleh! It's so good and so good for you!<br />
<br />
<br />
Recipe: Tabbouleh<br />
Serves 4-6<br />
<br />
1 cup cooked quinoa -<br />
3/4 cup minced parsley*<br />
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion<br />
1 tomato, diced<br />
1 cucumber, seeded and diced<br />
3 tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste<br />
1 tsp. sea salt, or to taste<br />
Pinch allspice (really, add this! You'll be surprised at how good it is!)<br />
<br />
Combine the quinoa and the chopped vegetables and toss to mix. Combine oil, lemon juice, salt, and allspice. Add to quinoa mixture and mix well. Chill. Serve and enjoy.<br />
<br />
* Some recipes call for 1/4 c. mint and 1/2 c. parsley. I prefer the all parsley.<br />
I've also made this with millet and it's just as good. Millet is a great grain, but go easy if you are hypothyroid!<br />
Also, I often make the Tabbouleh without the grain. I store the grain separately and mix when ready to eat. This way I can use the Tabbouleh as a topping for a tofu burger or hummus sandwich!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-38648030401146146262010-03-03T11:33:00.003-05:002010-04-17T17:06:19.016-04:00Almond Milk - The Easiest Food I've Ever Made!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mHuH7vh8Jq2T3hotrMSD-F04KZG8huVA-ZqGarO09RHlOQIk2eudkEwfElK7PLw5tNiNDxss6NwfFHLXNHXsrmfabLIifASOyY9aI3lEcrcXcgSBiSeZ3r12lg9CmEnL-lfc-qBfmbo/s1600-h/banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mHuH7vh8Jq2T3hotrMSD-F04KZG8huVA-ZqGarO09RHlOQIk2eudkEwfElK7PLw5tNiNDxss6NwfFHLXNHXsrmfabLIifASOyY9aI3lEcrcXcgSBiSeZ3r12lg9CmEnL-lfc-qBfmbo/s200/banner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Surfing the web as I do, I came across a great blog: <a href="http://sogoodandtasty.blogspot.com/2010/02/homemade-almond-milk.html">http://sogoodandtasty.blogspot.com/2010/02/homemade-almond-milk.html</a> <br />
<br />
Basically it's this:<br />
1 cup almonds<br />
4-6 cups water (I used 4.5 C. since my blender is small)<br />
Soak almonds in water overnight.<br />
Pour it all into a blender and blend until pieces are as tiny as your blender will get them.<br />
Pour it all through a fine mesh strainer, using a spoon to get as much liquid out as possible.<br />
<br />
My twist, one teaspoon of vanilla and about 2 tablespoons of honey mixed in.<br />
I also saved the pulp, one small container with cinnamon and honey in it and one container plain.<br />
<br />
Place the milk into a clean, well sealed jar and refrigerate. <br />
<br />
The first thing I did was make my usual morning oatmeal. I cooked it in the almond milk instead of water and it was much richer, mellower tasting. Then I added about 4 spoonsful of the pulp and it was really good! I'm sure the extra almond pulp added a nice protein boost!<br />
<br />
The plain almond milk was good to drink. I like the extra oomph of the vanilla and honey, but taste it first! You might just prefer it plain! My next batch will be plain and I'll experiment with mashed potatoes. <br />
<br />
As much as I've always loved cow products, they do create mucus and if you have sinus issues or use your voice a lot, you know dairy products are not good for you. Many people love soy milk, as did I until I had some issues with it. Rice Milk is also good, but not nearly as many great benefits as almonds! The protein and B vitamins in almonds are much higher than in rice. Also, with 3 pounds (about 9.5 cups) of almonds costing under $10 at BJs, it's less expensive to make my own almond milk than to buy any other product. A huge plus is that the ingredients are known and controlled by you! So you know it's pure!<br />
<br />
I hope you try it! And stop by the So Good and Tasty blog! Jacqui has many more interesting recipes shared there!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-2713706671242949702010-02-28T11:13:00.003-05:002010-02-28T19:19:47.284-05:00We've All Been Brainwashed to Some Extent<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I just read something that made me a little sad. A couple had wanted to turn their toxic pool into a natural water garden/pond. They gave up. They took out the pool and filled in the spot and turned it into lawn. They were overwhelmed with the cost and heavy machinery required to create a pond! As my readers know, that is overkill for most people. If the only way to turn a pool into a pond was to hire backhoes and dig up the entire yard, then I wouldn't have done it. I simply let the pool revert naturally and helped it along with small fish and many plants.</span><br />
<br />
<div></div></font><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Companies that make money from us buying their products need us to buy into their marketing and have stifled us by doing so. When I first stopped all my pest control subscriptions I was very concerned that I would soon be overwhelmed with "natural Florida"! Bugs, snakes, poisonous spiders and more! EEK! I thought it would be awful! But to my surprise, instead of critters that would torment me, I got tons of new birds eating the new bugs! And several varieties of frogs eating more! Then I took the Florida Master Naturalist Program and learned that rarely are these critters, snakes, spiders, etc. ever poisonous! Moreover, I saw my first native black racer snake, famous for eating all those nasty Norwegian river rats that have always been an issue here. Now that I know my snakes, instead of being frightened, I can welcome him! With all the frogs, dragonflies, bats and birds, I have no mosquitoes! I don't want to kill all the mosquitoes, they are an important food source for these beneficial critters. </span><br />
<br />
<div></div></font><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">But the Chemical companies would have us believe we need all these toxins for our health! And the pond industry would have you believe you need to start from scratch to have a pond where you now have a pool! They also advocate regular water changes! How absurd is that! If you work to get all those beneficial microbes and insects into your pond, why would you destroy them all with powerful (and expensive) filters and water changes! Now I'm not saying there is no maintenance required. Just that the prudent stewardship that comes with actual knowledge will do the trick. And surprise! It doesn't require all the products that Madison Avenue would have you think it does!</span><br />
<br />
<div></div></font><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I wish I had seen this couple's post sooner. Taking the initiative to step out and learn something new is scary. But believing what the companies that want to sell you a product have to say is how the Earth got into this mess in the first place. I say step out, step up and learn the facts for yourself. There is no greater step in fulfillment of your own personal journey on this Earth.</span><br />
<br />
<div></div></font><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Some starting points: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Master Naturalist Programs</strong>, many states have them now! Google this: Master Naturalist Programs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><strong>Native Plant Societies</strong>: again, most states have them!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><strong>Master Gardener Programs</strong> - as mandated by the US Congress, each state has an Agricultural Extension Service associated with a major university and a Master Gardener Program! Find yours!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica"><strong>Yards and Neighborhoods</strong> programs are now in many states! Usually advocating friendly planting and water wise gardening.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Another good blogspot to read through: </span><a href="http://thecluelessgardeners.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> http://thecluelessgardeners.blogspot.com/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> Happy Ponding!</span><br />
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<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL6cszF660hHDjmUoqP1AyQVMq6tUBYqA5lNYzhR0SZRxx_UWx087uzsqJT0TyK39X1MkSxMeYyxFcPDPLsPJ0MgfXgWwnz91NoAY8CZifTyGEZJeUPi5pBg7acZ5a2DNf8XEzCJBWfE/s1600-h/pondVisitor21510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL6cszF660hHDjmUoqP1AyQVMq6tUBYqA5lNYzhR0SZRxx_UWx087uzsqJT0TyK39X1MkSxMeYyxFcPDPLsPJ0MgfXgWwnz91NoAY8CZifTyGEZJeUPi5pBg7acZ5a2DNf8XEzCJBWfE/s640/pondVisitor21510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-8895372432149986202010-02-22T21:24:00.001-05:002010-02-22T21:26:09.205-05:00Step 2 – Pool to Pea Soup?So, you’ve turned off your pool filter and stopped using the chemicals. You’re waiting for the chlorine to completely leach out of the pool walls. You’ll know this has happened when plant life begins to flourish. But that plant life isn’t exactly what you want. It’s a pea soup of algae. (For more about algae check out this site: <a href="http://botany.si.edu/projects/algae/">Smithsonian Institute Botany Projects</a> )<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznJZYUlkEzP89UpxyRXS82b4V3siXw5fKzxO7F2Lh8M3IiPTSd7T0m2SiQcOBQE95Ps-3SDPFiBjFdh2U3ZDQ6cY540tT5W8WsFe93UXBX5VBYFu24QtAJfT2BqGX4qKDr8jPpbj88tM/s1600-h/100_2545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznJZYUlkEzP89UpxyRXS82b4V3siXw5fKzxO7F2Lh8M3IiPTSd7T0m2SiQcOBQE95Ps-3SDPFiBjFdh2U3ZDQ6cY540tT5W8WsFe93UXBX5VBYFu24QtAJfT2BqGX4qKDr8jPpbj88tM/s320/100_2545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The first thing I did after I got the green soup bowl was start to add a couple small fish and a few plants. That process takes a long time to clean up the algae. Since then I’ve found that adding certain plants can clear the water within a couple weeks! In FL, there is an invasive plant called Elodea <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elodea">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elodea</a> (the native version of the highly invasive exotic hydrilla) Hydrilla is a plant on our exotic eradication list, so if you do use something like it and you’re unsure, just be sure not to release it into the waterways or sewers. I pull mine out when it gets to be too much and I bake it in the sun for a day and then use it as mulch.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>I purchased the elodea at a pet store in the aquarium department. This is why you can never be sure of what you’re getting. Submersed plants will clear up the algae the fastest. The potted plants are important for long term care since they compete for the nutrients. Algae are plants that need sunlight, oxygen and nutrients just like any other plant. So by covering your pond surface space with at least 65% vegetation, algae cannot survive. It will still grow on the sides, but so many things eat it that it hasn’t become an issue for me or any of the other ponds I work with. Photo on the right is elodea in bloom in April. Right after this I pull about half of it out to use as mulch.<br />
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One more tip for this soupy stage: hydrogen peroxide. You may have heard that barley straw can eliminate algae. The by-product of barley straw decomposing is hydrogen peroxide. It’s safe for all the good plants and all the critters, although at this stage you probably don’t have many to worry about. In the 22,000 gallon pool I used 16 32 oz. bottles. Get them at discount stores for about $1.50 or less per bottle. It really helps to jump-start the algae killing process. It’s good to have some small filter at this point as the algae dies off and leaves decaying plant material in its stead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx_niwl0YP3EotXw36aNka5ZzwiVcZdnDfH5QXmjW0zW1oltyIGiLNT4DZTBk9BHRHd_CLOlRA25wL4jcvMXKP6WpvnVmJrchvOvaMgEXnu1sVIAtsBUozk0QVPHRFOfJXJrwMaQeaSs/s1600-h/tetraFilter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx_niwl0YP3EotXw36aNka5ZzwiVcZdnDfH5QXmjW0zW1oltyIGiLNT4DZTBk9BHRHd_CLOlRA25wL4jcvMXKP6WpvnVmJrchvOvaMgEXnu1sVIAtsBUozk0QVPHRFOfJXJrwMaQeaSs/s320/tetraFilter.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now here’s my story about filtration. I was so afraid of it going wrong when I started that I purchased an inline bio filter made for ponds. It was way too strong and started to suck all the tadpoles and beneficial insects, dragonfly larva, etc. into the skimmers. So finally I turned it off and disconnected it. Lesson learned. There are lots of wonderful and inexpensive filters that worked just fine to clean out dead algae and other debris. This is one of my favorites. I also tried the UV filters that were recommended to me only to find that they kill the good stuff with the bad and now I reserve them for the day I have a pathogen or other issue. It’s been 8 years and I’ve never had any issues. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSGT4p-WPsXK5ph9WwiWfxttObvvycBdW_sw278_M4XDXu69W1ZlJC9__LLIFeA3NV_OnKjJhJaoPvgx6F-YQEKtrQNe_CQn1ugKFB4OSPkJvn6R7wU_0F5jjTso0jNz7e6XJ2622oYA/s1600-h/Pondmaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSGT4p-WPsXK5ph9WwiWfxttObvvycBdW_sw278_M4XDXu69W1ZlJC9__LLIFeA3NV_OnKjJhJaoPvgx6F-YQEKtrQNe_CQn1ugKFB4OSPkJvn6R7wU_0F5jjTso0jNz7e6XJ2622oYA/s320/Pondmaster.jpg" width="315" /></a>These little filters also are convenient since you can move them around. I like to use their fountains for oxygenation of the water, but not around lily pads since they don’t like water movement or too much water on their pads. They breathe through their pads. These have filter pads that are simple to clean and reuse.</div><br />
Fish and plants will keep the pond balanced. The fish eat mosquito larva as do the dragonfly larva and tadpoles and lots of other neat bugs. The adult dragonflies and frogs eat the adult mosquitoes! The filtration, minor, is to clean out dead algae. I turned the spa into a bio-filter by lining the seats with plants and using a submersed filter just like the one above, only attached to a hose (instead of the fountain piece) that comes up out of the main pond and into the spa, the water goes through the roots and out the waterfall, adding oxygen. I find you can never have too much oxygen. In the summer here (very hot) oxygen escapes faster so in the hot summer days, I turn the fountains off during the day and on all night. In the winter I do the opposite, and this year I only turned on the fountains during warm days for extra heat in this unusually cold winter.<br />
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Just toss in some elodea. You’ll be amazed at how fast it grows and takes down the algae. It doesn’t like the cold though, so up here I’d say wait until March 1 just to be safe. You might be warmer. Here's how to test the water quality , use very small, young fish since they adapt faster. The older the goldfish, the more difficult it is for them to adapt. (And I recommend goldfish since they are hardy and cheap) I let my pool go in August, so it got really bad with the high heat. I think I tired two or three small goldfish in September, but they didn’t survive until the spring. It may have had more to do with the lack of oxygen than the chlorine issue since I hadn’t found the elodea solution yet and that many algae leaves little oxygen for the fish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnwjzLKqrI3f96UKc9OaM8Df6gJmXq0QQ0YbVzZWu516F2rogR0JuC7LTVwxE7isibTDZ59Z0vonkSNGgpg0Y2HXMhj2zxxtzkyu0gEDFP18RL_f8NbJ8NKGzr_DGpmdzYGtknV77tZY/s1600-h/100_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnwjzLKqrI3f96UKc9OaM8Df6gJmXq0QQ0YbVzZWu516F2rogR0JuC7LTVwxE7isibTDZ59Z0vonkSNGgpg0Y2HXMhj2zxxtzkyu0gEDFP18RL_f8NbJ8NKGzr_DGpmdzYGtknV77tZY/s320/100_2531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So those tips should do it! The main thing is to trust nature. It’s amazing how brain-washed I had become by the whole pest control mentality. When I stopped using all chemicals in my yard and home I was sure I’d be overrun with critters! It has never happened. Lizards, frogs, birds, they all eat each other and they ALL eat bugs! I can’t wait to hear of your progress and see your photos! <br />
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Happy ponding!<br />
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Filter links: <br />
<a href="http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5163+5186+5225+5232&pcatid=5232">The Pondmaster Filter at Foster & Smith</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5163+5186+5332&pcatid=5332">Tetra above ground filter at Foster & Smith</a><br />
I am not endorsing any particular vendor, info only for information purposes.<br />
And special thanks to Janet for the questions that led to this article! Keep 'em coming!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-59412130717366178422010-02-13T16:50:00.000-05:002010-02-13T16:50:38.889-05:00Teach Every Child about Food: Jamie Oliver's TED Prize Wish!This is something every human, and especially every US human should consider. It reminds me a little of the UK television show "You Are What You Eat". But it all comes back to toxicity. Chemicals are ingested where they need not be. As one person put it, "If it came from a plant, eat it! If it's MADE in a plant DON'T!" We Americans need to use some form of chemical control on everything from our food to our yards to our medications. We really took the 1950's slogan "Better living through chemistry" to heart. And we are now an obese, heart & kidney disease-ridden population. The idea that our children will live lives 10 years shorter than ours just because we've drugged them with sugar, fat and salt is pathetic. We have brains! We can do better. <br />
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This video is 21 minutes long, but the time passes too fast. Please watch it and pass it on. Consider it every time you start to plan your grocery shopping or a meal.<br />
<object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/JamieOliver_2010-medium.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JamieOliver-2010.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=765&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=jamie_oliver;year=2010;theme=ted_prize_winners;theme=a_taste_of_ted2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED2010;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/JamieOliver_2010-medium.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JamieOliver-2010.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=765&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=jamie_oliver;year=2010;theme=ted_prize_winners;theme=a_taste_of_ted2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED2010;"></embed></object>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-77888024282789541392010-02-02T16:09:00.000-05:002010-02-02T16:09:33.469-05:00The Great Backyard Bird Count 2010February 12-15! Join in the counting! Great for kids and adults alike! <br />
<div id="__ss_3056375" style="text-align: left; width: 425px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/guestb3cef2/the-great-backyard-bird-count" style="display: block; font: 14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; margin: 12px 0px 3px; text-decoration: underline;" title="The Great Backyard Bird Count">The Great Backyard Bird Count</a><object height="355" style="margin: 0px;" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=bkydbrdcount10-100202141817-phpapp02&stripped_title=the-great-backyard-bird-count" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=bkydbrdcount10-100202141817-phpapp02&stripped_title=the-great-backyard-bird-count" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br />
<div style="font-family: tahoma,arial; font-size: 11px; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/" style="text-decoration: underline;">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/guestb3cef2" style="text-decoration: underline;">guestb3cef2</a>.</div></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-9070067907913480222010-01-28T19:30:00.001-05:002010-01-28T19:30:27.373-05:00Bio Economics Of Invasive SpeciesI have the honor of "meeting" Mr. Thompson via Twitter and learning so much more about invasive species. Here is a sample.<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_2461557"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/ipetrus1/bio-economics-of-invasive-species" title="Bio Economics Of Invasive Species">Bio Economics Of Invasive Species</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=bio-economicsofinvasivespecies-091109174801-phpapp02&stripped_title=bio-economics-of-invasive-species" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=bio-economicsofinvasivespecies-091109174801-phpapp02&stripped_title=bio-economics-of-invasive-species" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/ipetrus1">John Peter @InvasiveNotes Thompson</a>.</div></div>HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-61259709666563859492010-01-26T15:29:00.001-05:002010-01-27T00:39:45.032-05:00Master Gardener Garden Walk 2010 video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsLaN8aeBMXjtsYgqMKe1FLKV0o23KCc2CP0yULC1CLKymQd5JUCeS3OKZVxI0DujmXN2EuGLyLBp3fltrkwYgScm4LnArLLlcwCocxLoPO3eXkbPhZff-vBOkPBZU7TAzzsUUliuZmM/s1600-h/Maria11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsLaN8aeBMXjtsYgqMKe1FLKV0o23KCc2CP0yULC1CLKymQd5JUCeS3OKZVxI0DujmXN2EuGLyLBp3fltrkwYgScm4LnArLLlcwCocxLoPO3eXkbPhZff-vBOkPBZU7TAzzsUUliuZmM/s320/Maria11.JPG" /></a><br />
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The video is finally finished for the Master Gardener Garden Walk. It shows off some of the beautiful gardens of Seminole County Florida. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57YvisZ74DU">CLICK HERE to view the video</a>! If you're a Seminole County FL resident consider submitting your garden for the 2010 walk to be held on Sunday, May 16. Submission must be in by February 23. Anyone can come on the walk!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-599149845954658784.post-4054704219613078842010-01-24T20:23:00.001-05:002010-01-24T20:24:26.817-05:00Chai On The Fly!<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chai">Wiki article on Chai</a><br />
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I accidentally purchased condensed milk over the holidays. Being a raw/healthy eater, I'm not much of a baker and only make things like pumpkin pie over the holidays. So I looked at the can and was surprised to see the ingredients were simply milk and sugar. NOT corn syrup! So I tried a little experiment and the result was a really tasty fast version of Chai.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik4Xxfx-TdVHx6E47SbSwE08IH5HHdevTTBkVj1kcX5BAR-yIxgLq3a0Vl5YE2aedQJoA9h7fK0pnvBRANxy8BqIoAvmmOYvH5cJblIAYELmlkkNEeb8_YTqbwePCz9tGtc869QUTGaI/s1600-h/Chai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik4Xxfx-TdVHx6E47SbSwE08IH5HHdevTTBkVj1kcX5BAR-yIxgLq3a0Vl5YE2aedQJoA9h7fK0pnvBRANxy8BqIoAvmmOYvH5cJblIAYELmlkkNEeb8_YTqbwePCz9tGtc869QUTGaI/s320/Chai.JPG" /></a>First boil some water in a cup in the microwave as usual for a cup of tea. Next cut up a small slice of fresh ginger. When the water is ready add a tea bag or some loose tea in a strainer. I found a nice black tea with natural apply spice to be very good in this. Next add the chopped up fresh ginger and about 1 tablespoon of the condensed milk. Stir until it's time to take the tea ball or bag out. It's really tasty and in the end I chew up the fresh ginger since the brewing has mellowed it.<br />
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</div>Now I probably won't go out and buy more condensed milk, but it's sure been a nice warm beverage during an unusually cold winter!HD Marsh AKA Marshladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840291254305811194noreply@blogger.com0