More Proof Organic is the Way to Go

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Just came across this from my newsrunner:

Toxic chemicals used to kill voles kills two girls in Utah.

"Investigators say the gas may have entered into the family's home after an exterminator dropped Fumitoxin aluminum phosphide pellets in burrow holes in the lawn Friday to kill small rodents known as voles.

Meanwhile, a Sandy woman, Alice Pittman, said Wednesday that she now wonders if a September 2008 Fumitoxin application by the same exterminators - Bountiful-based Bugman Pest and Lawn - may be connected to the deaths of her two Basset hound puppies.

Pittman, 77, also recently had cancer-related surgery and said she worries the poison application could somehow be connected to her recent health problems as well. "Now, I wonder about that, too. It leaves a question in my mind," she said."

Man, oh, man. How sad is that? Think, of both your family and neighbors, before you let people throw chemicals will-nilly around your property. Cross your fingers that your neighbors don't do it either!

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She Just Keeps Going & Going & Going

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My thanksgiving Cactus started the first bloom in October.
She repeat bloomed, which is not all that abnormal, for Christmas.
But, she's on her third bloom!
This is today:



I've never had one do this before. Two bloom cycles, yes. Three, no.
Nothing has really changed in her environment.

Maybe it's because of the breeding I did. Though, I don't know why the others didn't respond in the same manner since they produced seed also. The rest are setting their second buds now, but that's normal.
Or maybe it's that she's being threatened daily with freezing to death in the window she's in - the heat in the house has been turned way down this year out of necessity. (trust me, it's freaking cold in here! Most of my tropicals are not looking too grand as they're a bit miffed that a cold front has apparently settled into their nice cozy domain.)

I'm not sure why she's decided to impersonate the energizer bunny this time, but I'm glad she is!
Hmm, I wonder if she'll see fit to do a fourth in April for my step-mom's birthday? Now, wouldn't that be something!

Happy (reblooming) Growing!
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Murder in the Garden

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Horticultural lecturer found murdered in the woods.

The 54-year-old had disappeared after meeting gardener Peter Ling for a drink.

Mrs. Casey had met Ling in 2000 when he was a student in her classes at Sutton College.

Whole story here: Horticultural lecturer murdered.

This boggles the mind - plant people are always such sweet people!

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Mommy Sells . . .

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The Tuesday Chuckle-

Some children were asked to draw pictures of their parents at work . . .


No, she's not a pole dancer.
This was a picture drawn of Mom working at the local Home Depot selling shovels.
;)

Happy (shovel acquiring) growing!

Psstttt - have you answered the seed poll yet?
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Lights, Camera, Grow!

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Yay! The plant stand is up!
:)
Of course, the only thing on there so far are the onions, but those 3 shelves will start filling up quickly in March.
I can't wait!
It'll be little green things everywhere. Winter doesn't get any better than that.



Since the light from window sills just won't cut it for healthy seedlings, we made this one from the plans at T's Flowers & Things three years ago. Very easy to set up and cheap, cheap, cheap.

The only problem we found with this design is that the upright sides should be much longer - there was very little room for plants as they got taller, like toms. We simply bought more PVC and cut longer pieces. Problem solved!
No matter how big or small the space you have, with a little measuring the plans can be changed to fit in just about any area, including closets. You could also add more levels if you have ceilings high enough.

The best thing about this design is that you can put it together so quickly (it took us all of 8 minutes to put up) and you can take the whole thing apart and store it in a very small space when not in use.
I labeled the parts, so assembly is a breeze.

What do you use for inside seed starting?

Happy (inside sowing) Growing!
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