The moment we opened our car doors, the most beautiful fragrance drifted to our nostrils. It was coming from the trees surrounding the entrance to the gardens...The moment we opened our car doors, the most beautiful fragrance drifted to our... more
Roses represent life and death. They adorn coffins and newborn's bedrooms. Snag a finger on a thorn and you bleed, but make it to the top and you get to the heart of the flower and benefit from its growth. But a rose without a scent? Why that's like a violin without strings! I think this world has become so mass-produced that it is even taking the most natural things away from nature.
"I went into a florist and saw the most delightful array of roses. Crimson reds with blackened borders. Blush pinks that looked the same shade as ballerina’s tutus. Yellow the color of custard. White’s purer than the fluffiest cloud. I touched their delicate petals and their texture was fragile but strong enough to withstand just enough pressure to let my fingertips glide along their ridges. Long green stems with glistening, emerald colored leaves were placed amongst yellowed thorns.
And, sticking my nose into this magnificent array of beauty—-I smelled nothing. I expected to be hit with glistening florals, sparkly citrus and mind-blowing musks. But all I smelled was an icy-wet odor of stale refrigeration and wet grass. What a horrible illusion these beautiful sirens were!......"
READ THE FULL STORY AT WWW.ONEOF365.COM*By Bette Midler--"The Rose"
It begins....
Roses represent life and death. They... more
As much as I would love to have one of these in my front yard, I don't think my neighbors will appreciate my aesthetic statement. The Yoda one would look just right in the corner though... :o)
It must be a slow news day at The Daily Telegraph, as this story was posted on their website today: Gardener discovers 'swan cucumber'.
Intrigued, I clicked on the link to find the photo above and sat here gobsmacked. Really?!REALLY?! That's what the story is about?!
Anyway, some gardener found a deformed cucumber in his garden and thought it looked like a swan. It kind of does, but it's sure as hell not national news.It must be a slow news day at The Daily Telegraph, as this story was posted on their... more
William Underwood, a 73 year-old gardener from Suffolk, found a rare multi-coloured chrysanthemum in his garden.
The pink and yellow flower might not seem all that special to us, but it's got the horticultural world very excited. Experts say the split in colour down the middle of the flower is caused by a very rare genetic mutation.
A botanist from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says the flower was a mutation only ever seen about five times a year in Britain.William Underwood, a 73 year-old gardener from Suffolk, found a rare multi-coloured... more
I will add one more to these: You hurt sales of Round Up and that is one thing we must do to get glyphosate banned to keep future generations healthier. People in Congress need to read these lists and realize their healthcare plans are only half done if they do not consider the effects of pesticides sprayed on food in the equation.
And if you live in a small apartment and don't have the room for a garden, get in touch with your city council or write a letter to your local paper and try to get a CSA started. You may be suprised at the good reaction you receive about it.I will add one more to these: You hurt sales of Round Up and that is one thing we must... more
Passage of the FSEA into law would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The bill proposes a substantial increase in power and resources for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and would significantly diminish existing judicial restraints on actions taken by the agency. Although the bill includes some provisions that could improve the mainstream food system, many of these are vaguely worded and do not clearly define the scope of the agency’s power, creating the potential for inappropriate application and enforcement. Small farms and local artisanal producers are part of the solution to the food safety problem in this country; the bill would impose on them a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme and would disproportionately impact their operations for the worse. A detailed analysis of some of the key provisions is below [the citations are to the relevant section and page number of the June 10 version of the bill].
The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is opposed to HR 2749 because it would adversely impact small farms and food producers, without providing significant reforms in the industrial food system. HR 2749 does not address the underlying causes of food safety problems, including industrial agriculture practices and the consolidation of our food supply.
I. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Under current law, all “food facilities” are required to register with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) [21 USC § 350d]. The registration requirement is for one time only and no fee is charged. The FSEA would amend the current law to add significant requirements.
A. ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE
The FSEA would require facilities to register annually [section 101(b)(1)–p. 3], rather than a one-time registration. Registrants would also be required to pay an annual fee of $500, to be adjusted for inflation [section 101, Part6, sec 743(b)(1)(A)–p. 10].
B. LIMITED EXCLUSION FROM REGISTRATION FOR FARMS
The term “facility” does not include “farms” for purposes of registration in either the current law or under the bill [21 USC § 350d(b)(1)]. But what exactly is a “farm”? The FDA’s current regulations take a very narrow view of what qualifies as a farm:
“…a facility in one general physical location devoted to the growing and harvesting of crops, the raising of animals (including seafood), or both. Washing, trimming of outer leaves of, and cooling produce are considered part of harvesting. The term “farm” includes:
“(i) Facilities that pack or hold food, provided that all food used in such activities is grown, raised, or consumed on that farm or another farm under the same ownership; and
“(ii) Facilities that manufacture/process food, provided that all food used in such activities is consumed on that farm or another farm under the same ownership.” [21 CFR § 1.227(3)] (emphasis added)
“Manufacturing/processing” is defined as “making food from one or more ingredients, or synthesizing, preparing, treating, modifying or manipulating food, including food crops or ingredients. Examples of manufacturing/processing activities are cutting, peeling, trimming, washing, waxing, eviscerating, rendering, cooking, baking, freezing, cooling, pasteurizing, homogenizing, mixing, formulating, bottling, milling, grinding, extracting juice, distilling, labeling, or packaging.” [21 CFR § 1.227(6)] In other words, any farm that makes jam, cans vegetables, or packages cut fruit would not be considered a “farm” under the regulation unless the food is consumed only on the farm!
much more at the link.Passage of the FSEA into law would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act... more
This summer, Tony Tomelden hopes to be making bloody marys at the Pug in Washington, D.C., with tomatoes and chilies grown above the bar, thanks to the city’s incentives for green roofs.
Mr. Tomelden, the Pug’s principal owner, says he’s planting a garden to take advantage of tax subsidies the city offers in his neighborhood if he covers his roof with plants.
“If I can do something in my corner for the environment, that seemed a reasonable thing to do,” he said. “Plus I can save money on the tomatoes.”
There won’t be bloody marys at P.S. 6 on New York’s Upper East Side, but one-third of its roof will be planted with vegetables and herbs next spring for the cafeteria. The school is using about $950,000 in city funds that it has put aside, and parents and alumni are providing almost a half-million dollars more.
“For the children, it’s exciting when you grow something edible,” said the school’s principal, Lauren Fontana.
Aeries are cropping up on America’s skylines, filled with the promise of juicy tomatoes, tiny Alpine strawberries and the heady perfume of basil and lavender. High above the noise and grime of urban streets, gardeners are raising fruits and vegetables. Some are simply finding the joys of backyard gardens several stories up, others are doing it for the environment and some because they know local food sells well.
City dwellers have long cultivated pots of tomatoes on top of their buildings. But farming in the sky is a fairly recent development in the green roof movement, in which owners have been encouraged to replace blacktop with plants, often just carpets of succulents, to cut down on storm runoff, insulate buildings and moderate urban heat.
A survey by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, which represents companies that create green roofs, found the number of projects its members had worked on in the United States grew by more than 35 percent last year. In total, the green roofs installed last year cover 6 million to 10 million square feet, the group said.
end of excerptThis summer, Tony Tomelden hopes to be making bloody marys at the Pug in Washington,... more
A land of rich culture and history, England is known for many things. English gardens being one of the most aesthetically pleasing of them all. But for many horticulture hobbyists, these famous gardens are more than just idyllic backdrops.
The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) has noted a trend in gardeners offering their gardens as Mother Nature’s safe haven for birds as well as insects. More than 25,000 gardens in England have initiated this plan by planting special plants and building homes for declining populations of birds such as sparrows and song thrushes. With these acts of ‘Green vigilante’, Ol’ Blighty will have soon have to change its nickname.
Photo by James.Full BBC article through link.
Green Air Filter:
A land of rich culture and... more
A Romanian garden gnome maker is using plastic prostitutes to attract attention to his business. He says that while he's gotten a lot of beeps from passing cars, and complaints about the figures being inappropriate for public display, all that attention has not transformed into customers and sales.A Romanian garden gnome maker is using plastic prostitutes to attract attention to his... more
This is the story of a young couple working towards a fully sustainable lifestyle in Philadelphia. That's no easy thing, especially when you're on a budget.This is the story of a young couple working towards a fully sustainable lifestyle in... more
The gardens of the Bahai faith - located in Haifa, Israel - have been added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Check out the photos of this beautiful place.The gardens of the Bahai faith - located in Haifa, Israel - have been added to the... more
Come Walk with Me in a Garden: The fifth in a series of personal tours by Steve Whysall of the best gardens in Metro Vancouver, featuring the University of B.C. Botanical Garden.Come Walk with Me in a Garden: The fifth in a series of personal tours by Steve... more
Worried about corporate control of the food supply? Resist and stop buying their products. Boycott corporate produce and Monsanto's control of seeds. Plant a kitchen or victory garden.
It's the New Moon now, and a good time now to plant more corn (every 2 weeks until June 20th in N.New Mexico) and you can plant cold weather plants like brachiads into July and August for autumn harvest. In our area, where the summer monsoons have started early, it is also a great time to plant fruit trees and berry bushes to feed your family for generations.
Americans, well into the mid- 1950s, planted kitchen gardens for fresh produce with no transportation costs. The Victory Gardens during World War III helped Americans be more self-sufficient.
You can grow lots of food on a very small area of earth, or even start with an empty coffee can, a few seeds and a bit of soil. A raised bed and intensive farming techniques can yield even more produce.
Nothing is more local.
There are no transportation costs or greenhouse gases used when you grow fresh greens, vegetables, berries and fruit outside your kitchen door like our grandmothers and early Americans did.
Kitchen gardens also eliminate the need for petroleum based plastic and other packaging that adds to the environmental impact and cost of store-bought food.
Check out this link to www.kitchengardeners.org for ideas, news and tips from Kitchen Garderners International - Promoting the "localest" food of all Globally. www.kitchengardeners.org
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com
in Santa Fe, New Mexico where the lavender flowers are purple, fragrant and
ready for harvest.
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Photo "Sunflowers in Carl Gawboy's Kitchen Garden Overlooking Lake Superior" by Charleen Touchette 2006.Worried about corporate control of the food supply? Resist and stop buying their... more
There is a moment in spring when you could be forgiven for thinking Vancouver had nothing but Japanese cherry trees on its streets.
All you see is a giant wave of pink blossoms sweeping through neigbourhood.
This tidal wave of pink reaches its peak from the end of March to the middle of April when all the 'Akebono' and Yoshino cherries are at their most glorious.There is a moment in spring when you could be forgiven for thinking Vancouver had... more
Heinz is hoping to replace corn syrup in its ketchup with tomatoes genetically modified to be sweeter...I wish it was because corn syrup is disgusting and bad for you. Heinz is hoping to replace corn syrup in its ketchup with tomatoes genetically... more
