Installing insulated tempered glass | Arctic Glass Outlet:
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Useful Plants Nursery Jiaogulan
Useful Plants Nursery Jiaogulan:
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Jiaogulan / Sweet Tea Vine (Gynostemma pentaphylum)
Exposure: Filtered sun to part shade. Zone
Soil:Average garden soil to sandy loam soils.
Growth habits: Jiaogulan is a vigorous perennial groundcover vine with attractive palmate compound leaves that will climb if given the opportunity. It spreads by underground stolons and should be given a location all its own, otherwise it might overcome less dynamic plants. Jiaogulan dies back to the ground every winter. Mulch jaogulan well for winter protection.
Landscape uses: Jiaogulan makes a beautiful groundcover or can be used in waste spaces where its rambunctious ways won’t be a problem.
Edible/Medicinal properties: This plant is one of the world’s most important tonic herbs, though barely known in the US, except by Chinese medicine people. Jaogulan contains twice as many ginsenoid saponins as ginseng. It strengthens the immune and nervous system, improves circulation, stimulates the liver, lowers cholesterol, is anti-aging, and is a valuable herb for both men and women.
$8.00/4" container
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forcing trees and bamboo to grow into boat-framing component shapes? - Page 2 - Boat Design Forums
forcing trees and bamboo to grow into boat-framing component shapes? - Page 2 - Boat Design Forums: "Surrounding the young sapling with cardboard or PVC pipe to force it into a straight up survival start, and the Japanese have a limb lopper machine that climbs up the trunks of cedars, taking off new horizontal branches that grow each year."
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Alternative Cultivation of Shiitake, Oyster, and Other Mushrooms | Mushroompeople
Alternative Cultivation of Shiitake, Oyster, and Other Mushrooms | Mushroompeople: "Temperate hardwood forests sustainably produce 1-2 cords of wood per acre per year, depending on location, soil fertility, climate and rainfall. A cord of freshly cut oak logs inoculated with shiitake can yield a profit of $2,000 to $3,000 over three years."
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Camellia sinensis
Camellia sinensis:
These varieties are the plants from which green, black, white, and oolong tea are produced. Each type (green vs. black) is made using different amounts of "fermenting" and processing before drying of the leaves. We have made tea from many of these varieties and found the taste to be very similar from one variety to the next if the same processing is used. I'm sure a professional tea taster could tell the difference between large leaf and small leaf tea, but I can't taste any difference.
Tea is harvested many times a year (as often as every 10 days), so a large plant can produce quite a bit of tea, but a hedge may be needed to supply a family with a daily supply. Freshly made tea is superior to tea which has been stored for even a few months.
Many of these are grown from open-pollinated seed and tea is known to hybridize freely with other types of tea, so these may bot be the pure and true varieties. These seedlings do have the general characteristics of each variety.
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Tea is harvested many times a year (as often as every 10 days), so a large plant can produce quite a bit of tea, but a hedge may be needed to supply a family with a daily supply. Freshly made tea is superior to tea which has been stored for even a few months.
Many of these are grown from open-pollinated seed and tea is known to hybridize freely with other types of tea, so these may bot be the pure and true varieties. These seedlings do have the general characteristics of each variety.
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Pol-e-cultures III: Coppice | Perennial Ideas
Pol-e-cultures III: Coppice | Perennial Ideas: "There are also yields from bees, animals in the woodland, fungi and increased biodiversity. Ben is actually managing his woodland in an area which must be managed to preserve the mosses and lichens growing on the coppice stands. Coppice management is very amenable to such "
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Premium Blueberry Plants for Sale - DiMeo Blueberry Farms & Nursery Blueberry Bushes for Sale
Premium Blueberry Plants for Sale - DiMeo Blueberry Farms & Nursery Blueberry Bushes for Sale:
Hammonton, NJ
Interesting note: Hammonton has about a 45 percent Italian American popluation.
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
Keys to the Kieffer Pear
Keys to the Kieffer Pear:
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2812930
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I cut out the top of my tree completely, leaving it about two-thirds of its former height. This made it possible for me to pick almost every pear by hand.
The owner of a Kieffer pear tree must remember that these pears do not ripen on the tree even when left until freezing weather. They may be picked at any time after they have reached one-half or two-thirds their mature size. Of course they may be left on the tree until they reach their full size, but when maturity is once reached remaining on the tree causes deterioration rather than ripening. Perhaps the ideal time to pick Kieffer pears is just before they have reached maturity, which is usually indicated by a slight yellowing of the pear frequently accompanied by a tinge of red.
At whatever stage of maturity Kieffer pears are picked, they must go through a ripening process. During this process they develop a soft texture and pleasing flavor if the temperature is kept between 60 and 65 degrees. After two or three weeks at this temperature, Kieffer pears become properly soft and greatly improved in both texture and flavor. Lower or higher temperatures than 60 to 65 degrees act much more slowly or bring less satisfactory results. The length of the ripening period is shortest when the temperature is kept at 60 degrees and varies from 16 to 20 days if the fruit has been left on the tree until nearly full grown.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2812930
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
P
P.A.Yeomans
The City Forest
THE KEYLINE PLAN
FOR THE
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
REVOLUTION
Thursday, November 3, 2011
How to Make and Use the Solar Funnel Cooker
How to Make and Use the Solar Funnel Cooker:
Cooking food in canning jars painted black. Claims evening refrigeration use. Ice made on a night with a low of only 47 degrees.
Cooking food in canning jars painted black. Claims evening refrigeration use. Ice made on a night with a low of only 47 degrees.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Edaphology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edaphology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
is one of two main divisions of soil science, the other being pedology.[1][2] Edaphology is concerned with the influence of soils on living things, particularly plants. The term is also applied to the study of how soil influences man's use of land for plant growth[3] as well as man's overall use of the land.[4] General subfields within edaphology are agricultural soil science (known by the term agrology in some regions) and environmental soil science. (Pedology deals with pedogenesis, soil morphology, and soil classification.)
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is one of two main divisions of soil science, the other being pedology.[1][2] Edaphology is concerned with the influence of soils on living things, particularly plants. The term is also applied to the study of how soil influences man's use of land for plant growth[3] as well as man's overall use of the land.[4] General subfields within edaphology are agricultural soil science (known by the term agrology in some regions) and environmental soil science. (Pedology deals with pedogenesis, soil morphology, and soil classification.)
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
Methow Valley Herbs: Bee balm - our native spice
Methow Valley Herbs: Bee balm - our native spice:
Used for: Colds and the flu symptoms (fevers, sore throats, coughs), UTIs, yeast infections, topical fungal infections, digestive woes, wounds, burns, as a culinary spice, toothaches, steam for congested sinuses, mouth wash, inflammation
Used for: Colds and the flu symptoms (fevers, sore throats, coughs), UTIs, yeast infections, topical fungal infections, digestive woes, wounds, burns, as a culinary spice, toothaches, steam for congested sinuses, mouth wash, inflammation
Horseradish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Horseradish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The intact horseradish root has hardly any aroma. When cut or grated, however, enzymes from the damaged plant cells break down sinigrin (aglucosinolate) to produce allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil), which irritates the sinuses and eyes. Once grated, if not used immediately or mixed in vinegar, the root darkens, loses its pungency, and becomes unpleasantly bitter when exposed to air and heat.
The intact horseradish root has hardly any aroma. When cut or grated, however, enzymes from the damaged plant cells break down sinigrin (aglucosinolate) to produce allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil), which irritates the sinuses and eyes. Once grated, if not used immediately or mixed in vinegar, the root darkens, loses its pungency, and becomes unpleasantly bitter when exposed to air and heat.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Pouteria caimito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pouteria caimito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Pouteria caimito, the abiu, is a tropical fruit tree originated in the Amazonian region of South America. It will grow an average of 33 feet (10 m) high, and can grow as high as 116 feet (35 m) under good conditions. Its fruit’s shape varies from round to oval with a point. When ripe, it has smooth bright yellow skin and will have one to four ovate seeds.[1]† The inside of the fruit is translucent and white. It has a creamy and jelly-like texture and its taste is similar to the sapodilla — a sweet caramel custard. The abiu tree is part of the Sapotaceae family and is very similar in appearance to the canistel.[2]
Pouteria caimito, the abiu, is a tropical fruit tree originated in the Amazonian region of South America. It will grow an average of 33 feet (10 m) high, and can grow as high as 116 feet (35 m) under good conditions. Its fruit’s shape varies from round to oval with a point. When ripe, it has smooth bright yellow skin and will have one to four ovate seeds.[1]† The inside of the fruit is translucent and white. It has a creamy and jelly-like texture and its taste is similar to the sapodilla — a sweet caramel custard. The abiu tree is part of the Sapotaceae family and is very similar in appearance to the canistel.[2]
Friday, October 14, 2011
The 100-year-old cactus (Book, 1983) [WorldCat.org]
The 100-year-old cactus (Book, 1983) [WorldCat.org]:
Describes the first 100 years of the saguaro cactus as it grows from seed to adult plant in the hot, dry desert of Arizona and provides food and shelter for the desert animals
Describes the first 100 years of the saguaro cactus as it grows from seed to adult plant in the hot, dry desert of Arizona and provides food and shelter for the desert animals
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Bison (American) :: Animal Facts :: Young People's Trust for the Environment
Bison (American) :: Animal Facts :: Young People's Trust for the Environment: "ton
"
"
The railways crossed not only Indian land - but bison ranges also, and the herds of bison, often numbering hundreds of thousands, had a nasty and all too frequent habit of trampling across the tracks and completely wrecking whole sections of the line. The railway owners did not react kindly to the costly damage caused by the bison. They decided that this animal would have to go!
The railway organised 'hunter specials' and ran them on a regular excursion basis whenever the bison herds were sure to be close to the line. The trains were packed with hunters who sat at the open windows of their carriages firing wildly into the herds grazing near the tracks.
Sometimes the trains paused for a while so that the hunters could cut out the lolling black tongues from some of the dead bison (the tongue was considered to be a delicacy) or perhaps take the head of a particularly fine specimen as a trophy. For the most part however, the bison were left to rot where they fell, and soon it was possible to spot the path of the railways from quite a long way off thanks to the double bank of decomposing bison remains - one on each side of the tracks. The stench of rotting carcasses was so dreadful that for a time the hunting specials had to be withdrawn during the hotter periods of the year. The less fastidious carrion eating animals gorged themselves sick along the grisly miles of rotting flesh.
Chief Joseph - Native American Indian Wisdom
Chief Joseph - Native American Indian Wisdom: "Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce (1840-1904)
"
"
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian...we can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike.... give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who is born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognised as men. Let me be a free man...free to travel... free to stop...free to work...free to choose my own teachers...free to follow the religion of my Fathers...free to think and talk and act for myself."
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Xeriscaping: Ground Cover Plants
Xeriscaping: Ground Cover Plants: A decent list of dry garden plants.
Colorado State University Extension
Colorado State University Extension
Monday, October 10, 2011
Pickled Garlic (Fermented)
The Coconut Mama:
- 12 heads garlic
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons whey, water kefir, or an additional 2 teaspoons of sea salt
- filtered water
Remove the outer skins on the garlic and bake garlic heads at 300 degrees until the heads open and cloves can be easily removed. Remove garlic cloves and place in a quart size jar. Mix oregano, salt and whey or kefir with a half cup of filtered water. Pour mixture over garlic cloves. The garlic cloves should be completely covered with water mixture. Add more water if needed. Make sure to leave an inch between top of garlic and lid. Cover tightly and leave at room temperature for 3 days. Store in refrigerator.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Pond building
http://n4bk.com/Pond.pdf
1982. Ponds-Planning, Design, Construction. USDA, Soil Conservation Service Agriculture Handbook No. 590. pp. 39.
http://aqua.ucdavis.edu/special_topics/Pond_construction.htm
1982. Ponds-Planning, Design, Construction. USDA, Soil Conservation Service Agriculture Handbook No. 590. pp. 39.
http://aqua.ucdavis.edu/special_topics/Pond_construction.htm
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Ceiba pentandra - Kapok Tree
Ceiba pentandra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The fibre is light, very buoyant, resilient and resistant to water. The process of harvesting and separating the fibre is labour-intensive and manual. It is difficult to spin but is used as an alternative to down as filling in mattresses, pillows, upholstery, zafus, and stuffed toys such as teddy bears, and for insulation. It was previously much used in life jackets and similar devices until synthetic materials largely replaced the fibre. The seeds produce an oil used locally in soap and that can be used as fertilizer.
Native tribes along the Amazon River harvest the kapok fibre to wrap around their blowgun darts. The fibres create a seal that allows the pressure to force the dart through the tube.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Meadow River Lumber Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Meadow River Lumber Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Meadow River Lumber Company, which operated in Rainelle, West Virginia from 1906 to 1975, was the largest hardwood sawmill in the world. It had three 9 feet (2.7 m) bandsaws under one roof. In 1928, during peak production, its 500 employees produced 31 million board feet (73 million cubic meters) of lumber, cutting 3,000 acres (12 km2) of virgin timber a year.
The Meadow River Lumber Company, which operated in Rainelle, West Virginia from 1906 to 1975, was the largest hardwood sawmill in the world. It had three 9 feet (2.7 m) bandsaws under one roof. In 1928, during peak production, its 500 employees produced 31 million board feet (73 million cubic meters) of lumber, cutting 3,000 acres (12 km2) of virgin timber a year.
Oxydendrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oxydendrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Sourwood
Sourwood
Tea, blossom Jelly?
young shoots used for arrows
Friday, September 30, 2011
Hobby Maple Syrup Production, Ohio State University
Hobby Maple Syrup Production
Homemade spouts can also be fabricated from a variety of materials, including some that are very traditional, such as elderberry stems which are easily carved and have a soft pith that can easily be pushed out forming the hollow center.
About Birch Syrup
About Birch Syrup:
It takes an average of 100 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of birch syrup. Maple syrup, by comparison, averages 40:1. The sap, containing only 1-1.5% sugar, looks and tastes much like water right out of the tree. Concentrating the sugar to 67%
It takes an average of 100 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of birch syrup. Maple syrup, by comparison, averages 40:1. The sap, containing only 1-1.5% sugar, looks and tastes much like water right out of the tree. Concentrating the sugar to 67%
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lippia graveolens Mexican Oregano
Lippia graveolens Mexican Oregano:
Mexican Oregano is a flavor filled culinary herb that is used extensively in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. It can be grown as an annual or containerized for indoor winter growing.
Mexican Oregano is a flavor filled culinary herb that is used extensively in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. It can be grown as an annual or containerized for indoor winter growing.
Herbal Teas, Tinctures, Infusions, Vinegars, Oils
Remedies: "Any scented geranium, lavender, mint, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, and pineapple sage make good beverage teas. And for a real treat, try combinations of flavors like pineapple sage and rosemary, lavender and nutmeg geranium, lemon verbena and peppermint (my favorite), and orange mint and pineapple sage."
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Dehydrating cucumbers - Discuss Cooking - Cooking Forums
Dehydrating cucumbers - Discuss Cooking - Cooking Forums:
http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f149/dehydrating-cucumbers-50057.html
http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f149/dehydrating-cucumbers-50057.html
Dehydrating cucumbers
I've had an abundance of cucumbers this year. When the neighbors started locking their mailboxes and pulling the blinds, I had to come up with some way to preserve them. This is after my wife refused to make any more pickles.
I knew how good tomatoes and cantaloupe were when dehydrated, so I started doing cucumbers. They are best when peeled first, and make a good chip to use with a dip. They have a surprisingly good taste. They will also be good this winter mixed in with dehydrated zucchini, y squash, tomatoes, and potatoes made into a soup.
Someone asked on one of the other threads what to do with your excess cucumbers.....well ck this out for one more thing to do with them.
Here is a couple pics of 20 after they came out of the dehydrator. Made 3 qt. size bags which I heat sealed.
I knew how good tomatoes and cantaloupe were when dehydrated, so I started doing cucumbers. They are best when peeled first, and make a good chip to use with a dip. They have a surprisingly good taste. They will also be good this winter mixed in with dehydrated zucchini, y squash, tomatoes, and potatoes made into a soup.
Someone asked on one of the other threads what to do with your excess cucumbers.....well ck this out for one more thing to do with them.
Here is a couple pics of 20 after they came out of the dehydrator. Made 3 qt. size bags which I heat sealed.
They make excellent chips to nibble on, same with zucchini, tomato and potato slices. Sprinkle on your favorite spice for added flavor.
Try dehydrating dill pickles or watermelon sometime.
I also can only make so many pickles, but I end up most of the time making relishes. Lots of varieties with ground cucumbers or zucchini as the base, especially if you also have peppers.
Try dehydrating dill pickles or watermelon sometime.
I also can only make so many pickles, but I end up most of the time making relishes. Lots of varieties with ground cucumbers or zucchini as the base, especially if you also have peppers.
__________________
Okra: Abelmoschus esculentus
Floridata: Abelmoschus esculentus:
Our favorite way to eat okra is to lightly sauté the fresh pods (including the caps and a short length of the stem) in olive oil, then eat all but the cap and stem. This way they are NEVER slimy. Our other favorite way to eat okra is cut up (without the caps) and cooked in a pot with sliced tomatoes and onions. Okra for gumbo is cut into sections (the caps discarded), and the sliminess acts as a thickener. Okra is also dried and powdered to use as a thickener. Many southerners like their okra dipped in batter and deep fried. This also eliminates the sliminess. Okra is also great pickled; use the recipe for cucumbers that comes with the supermarket pickling spice. Okra seeds removed from pods too mature and woody to eat can be boiled, baked, ground into meal for bread or tofu, or used as a coffee substitute. In India, the pods are dried, sliced into sections, and then fried for a crunchy, almost breadlike snack. We freeze okra whole, with the caps and a short length of stem, to use later in gumbos, soups and stir fry. Just keep adding more fresh pods to the freezer bag until it's full, then take 'em out as you need them.
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Usage
Okra should be picked every 2-3 days before the pods become tough and woody. This usually means before the pods exceed 5" in length, although size doesn't really matter: it's the age of the pods rather than their length that determines if they are too woody and stringy to eat. Use your thumbnail to test for tenderness. Even if you aren't going to use the okra, picking every other day encourages continued production. Cut the pods off on the stem with shears or a knife; don't cut off the caps as this will cause them to "bleed" and become slimy. Use okra as soon as possible after harvesting and do not store in the refrigerator. In tropical climates, it is common to cut back mature okra plants to the ground for a second flush of growth and pod production. Be sure to side dress with a balanced fertilizer.
 |
| Okra flowers resembles those of its close cousins the hibiscus and rose-of-sharon. Okra pods can be seen below and to the left of the blossom. |
Features
Okra is low in calories and high in vitamins A and C and in calcium, iron and protein. Properly prepared, it is delicious and not at all mucilaginous or "slimy." Americans rank okra as one of their least favorite vegetables. Apparently they haven't had whole okra sautéed in olive oil, or pickled okra, or a big pot of tomatoes, onions and okra stew, not to mention a New Orleans seafood gumbo!
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Saturday, September 24, 2011
The American Chestnut Foundation - Field Guide to the American chestnut tree
The American Chestnut Foundation - Field Guide to the American chestnut tree:
Field Guide for locating, pollinating, and harvesting
Pollen testing - It does you no good to pollinate your tree with dead pollen. It is best to test pollen if possible. It may be advisable to test it every day or so during the pollination season. Chestnut pollen is easily germinated if floated on drops of 1% table sugar (or glucose) in non-chlorinated water, and held at 85°-90° F for one hour. Examine under a microscope at 30-100x magnification. Good pollen should show 15-60% of the grains with tubes (as long as the grains) growing out of them.
Field Guide for locating, pollinating, and harvesting
nuts from flowering American Chestnut Trees
Teucrium marum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Teucrium marum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Some, but not all cats prefer it to catnip and will corkscrew themselves into the plant in ecstasy.
Some, but not all cats prefer it to catnip and will corkscrew themselves into the plant in ecstasy.
Mushrooms & Vitamin D2
Although mushrooms contain little or any vitamin D2
, they are abundant in
ergosterol which can be converted into vitamin D2
upon exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) irradiation.
Bioavailability of
vitamin D2 from
D2-enhanced button
mushrooms improved
vitamin D status
similar to a vitamin
D2 supplement.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Geocarpy
a method plants have of distributing fruit by injecting the ovary into the soil. Geocarpy is characteristic, for example, of peanuts and one species of clover. The fruit usually enters the soil as a result of the unique and complicated flexure of the fruit stalk. In the peanut a special organ—the gynophore—forms under the ovary and grows until the ovary enters the earth up to a depth of 10 cm. Then the gynophore’s growth ceases, and the ovary begins to grow, turning into a fruit. Some geocarpic plants, for example, the South American bitter cress, also have aerial fruits along with underground ones. Geocarpy is sometimes associated with cleistogamy.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Native American Ethnobotanicals
A Database of Foods, Drugs, Dyes and Fibers of Native American Peoples, Derived from Plants.
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