Happy Independence Day July 5, 2008
I don’t know about my readers, but even July 4th, my town has a parade down my street.
It started out slow, but then, for 45 minutes straight, it was a load of walkers, riders, and candy throwers.
Cracking the code to the perfect plant July 4, 2008
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2004360712_pacificpbamboo20.html
Hydroponics Update! July 4, 2008
After a long wait, I have an update on my hydroponic progress.
I’ve just received the needed variable to get everything going-
Sure To Grow™
For those who don’t know, Sure to Grow is company dealing in a special seed starting/sprouting media, using food contact-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE), the same stuff you’ll find in Clamshell packing and beverage containers.
” STG products are inert, sterile, pH neutral, and harbor no harmful pathogens; they do not need to be pretreated like Perlite, Rockwool, and Coir.”
If you wish to see more about their product, visit http://suretogrow.com/
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Me and my dad spent a few hours yesterday making a setup to hold my waterfarm/anything else. We’ll soon be equipping it with pandafilm to save lumens, but for now it’s fine.
It’s made of recycled lumber, and features a peg system for adjusting the lighting.
I’m germinating tomatoes then choosing the best for the Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo.
I’m going to be growing a sample tomato for the Sure to Grow booth.
Expect to see more hydroponics-related posts in the future. It’s been a big wait, but the chain has been broken!
Mango Nectarine July 1, 2008
This is a gem.
Available from late June to early August, the mango nectarine has a short season.
My dad picked me one from the store, based on the amazingly sweet smell of the fruit.
Upon smelling, feeling, and tasting it, I found that even the one he picked me wasn’t ripe.
But wait! It was delicious. Combining the flavor or a mango and a nectarine, while having no relation to a mango, the mango nectarine is sweet smelling, great tasting, and a fun flavor that can be used for a variety of dishes.
I got this MN for the hefty price of $3.00/lb. Not exactly thrifty, but if you have the money, you have to try this one.
As for a rating, I believe this deserves an 8/10. It was sublime. It broke past the surly bonds of my expectations, and I plan to buy more in the future. The price was a little high, and it’s challenging to find a ripe fruit, but if you have the money, it’s a great buy.
Scotts Vs. Terracycle June 30, 2008
I recently read about the travesty that is Scotts lawsuit against Terracycle.
For those who don’t know, Terracycle is a small, New Jersey based company. It was started bye Tom Szaky and Jon Beyer, both freshmen at Princeton at the time. Their product is mainly liquified “worm poop” which is bottled in recycled plastic containers.
As taken from wikipedia:
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company recently sued TerraCycle for copyright infringement and false advertising. Scotts claims that TerraCycle’s packaging takes from designs and shapes from Scotts products. Scotts, in the 177-page lawsuit, also claims that TerraCycle falsely advertises the superiority of its products.
In response to the lawsuit, TerraCycle and affiliates launched an internet and media campaign to bring attention to the lawsuit. The central website, www.suedbyscotts.com, paints the lawsuit in David and Goliath terms, claiming that the lawsuit is simply the big company picking on the little guy.
I also have an article on the subject, which I found very powerful.
http://livingliberally.org/eating/story__how_not_to_grow_a_business_may_01_2007_id517
Because of the awful intentions of Scotts, I’ve decided to completely stop my use of the fertilizer.
I’ve also decided to try Terracycle fertilizer, to help support this small company.
I suggest you do the same.
In lighter subject, we’ve harvested our first cucumber. We plan on making cucumber and onion salad.
Gardenrific Picture Post June 29, 2008
Well, my garden is coming along well, it’s really changed! The peas are at the top of their trellis, the 5 tomatoes have filled their square cage.. It’s almost overwhelming.
Here are the peas, they’re producing, and heavily.
Here are the peas themselves.. I don’t think we have the patience to let them plump up!
To the left, we have.. CUKES!
This and one other are ready to pick.
Bee’s sting. June 26, 2008
I’m allergic to bees, no big deal. I have yet to go into anaphylactic shock even once, but when I get stung I get blood poisoning. Well, even though I’ve been really careful, a bee was sitting in the middle of the dirt, and it stung me. As soon as I stepped down, I remembered that pain, and it really hurt. I had to pull the bee out, and of course..
It stung me between the toes. I had my dad help me remove the stinger, and he then picked up a wet gob of mud, an old remedy to suck the poison from bee stings. We put it between my toes, because as the clay dries, a vaccuum sucks up all the poison. I honestly didn’t want to give myself an injection, and that was only in an anaphylactic emergency. I’m better now, and the clay-poultice took away the pain.
A possible emergency was averted today, and even after being careful I was stung. Be careful.
Prolific tomato June 25, 2008
Well. It sure has grown. Remember the picture I took of the tomato growing in a neighbor’s sidewalk crack? I took the photo on may 16.
Here’s a photo I took yesterday, June 24..
Amazing, no? I took a cutting from it yesterday, and I hope to have it root. This is an extremely hardy tomato, which I believe to be a cherry based on the size of the blossoms.
Growing nearby, there was a nightshade growing.
Does anybody have any explanation as to why a tomato is growing so well in a crack in the ground, let alone, without much human interaction? Thanks.
