greenfeeder

The death of the supermarket and all that

2006-02-08T10:14:00.000+10:00

the point is that supermarkets are over. We cannot have such long supply lines between us and our food. Not any more. The very model of the supermarket is unsustainable, what with the packaging, transport distances and destruction of national farming sectors. Small, independent suppliers, processors and retailers or community-owned shops selling locally produced food provide a social glue and reduce carbon emissions.

Our consumerist culture is unsustainable and the world must find alternative ways, says Robert Newman in an opinion piece in The Age.

Does Australia's fledgling biofuels industry have a future

2006-02-06T11:06:00.000+10:00

With oil prices at historic highs and "peak oil" being the current buzzword alternative fuels are getting plenty of press even in the land of open cut coal (that's Australia to you). Today the Sydney Morning Herald ponders the future of biofuels in Australia.

Permaculture Top 3 Links

2005-08-18T11:35:00.000+10:00

Grassy's been doing a bit of research about permaculture over the last few days. Sure, its a seventies thing but so what? He's a seventies kinda guy. Anyway he thought he'd share his list with you - just three links, but when they're this good that's all you'll need!

The Permaculture Research Institute
The grandaddy of them all.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service: Introduction to Permaculture
Extensive, comprehensive, thorough...all those kinds of things.

Permaculture Magazine: Articles
What it says - a list of free articles.

Plant Amnesty

2005-08-17T11:11:00.000+10:00

Grassy sees a lot of gardener's engaged in acts of senseless slaughter - of trees that is! So he wants to recommend the Plant Amnesty web site. First, if you're not convinced that this is a problem then one look at their picture gallery will convince even the hardest pruner that its a worthwhile mission. Some people really have no idea. ZIP! So apart from pointing out the perils and ovbious no-no's (don't top your trees) the web site has lots of links to useful pruning information including free regional pruning guides. If you need some guidance with pruning this site will really help.

Real Garden Tools For Kids

2005-08-16T08:03:00.000+10:00

Grassy is always keen to plug anything that gets kids more involved in gardening. There's something about dirt under the finger nails that Grassy knows can change kids. And over the years Grassy's come up with three basic rules about kids and gardening Number one - catch them young. Number two catch them often. Number three never give a kid a plastic tool. They figure it out in about two seconds - it's not like the real one - not as useful and not as cool - its plastic not metal! So this kid's gardening kit fits the bill perfectly. Real tools - a mini hoe, mini trowel, mini rake, sprayer, 2 pots and saucers, a pair of gardening gloves, seeds and a gardening bag. All the essentials kids need to get started. Just add soil!

Protect it! Plug it!

2005-08-15T08:19:00.000+10:00

Grassy was reading about the problem of eye and ear protection in the garden over at SF Gate. The bit on hearing loss caught his eye - especially as he's going deaf. Grassy's noticed that in his neck of the woods more and more people are using those noisy petrol or electric blowers. Apparently more and more places are banning their use! So noise can be a real problem in the garden. The SF Gate article says that that hearing loss is cumulative. It also points out that a lawn mower gives off about 85 or 90 decibels; the top limit for noise exposure for an eight-hour period is 90 decibels, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration. So a noisy lawnmower won't send you deaf today, but over years it might! So Grassy's gonna start being a bit more sensible around the garden. Foam earplugs are perfect for occasional use around the garden. At the Ear Plug Super Store you can choose from a huge range of earplugs for all sorts of purposes. They'll sell you one pair or a hundred! Protect it! Plug it!

The Composting Warrior

2005-08-14T11:23:00.000+10:00

Grassy says composting should be a core business of any gardener. So Grassy was really impressed when he visited compost-bin.org. This is a simple no nonsense guide to composting, giving the basic information that anyone who wants to get started with composting needs to know. What's more there isn't an ad in sight which Grassy thinks is kinda refreshing in this age when its hard to escape those ubiquious Google ad boxes. The product of one Mario Lopez, Grassy was very impressed with his composting-as-way-of-warrior rationale. Go on, take a peek.

Drosera: Gardening with Natives

2005-08-13T08:34:00.000+10:00

Grassy stumbled on this web site somehow. He can't remember - bad sign normally but not in this case. Drosera is dedicated to celebrating New York City’s natural heritage and restoring New Yorkers sense of serenity and direct connection with the earth - basically helping people reconnect with nature. They encourage re-visoning – training our eyes to see the beauty in our local native flora which we often see as weeds. After all they are our natural heritage, the result of thousands of years of evolution. The brain behind this great project is Mariellé Anzelone – a lover of cities and all things green. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences and an M.S. in Ecology and Evolution, both from Rutgers University. She has inventoried flora abroad and closer to home. As New York City’s Botanist, her work focuses on conserving the floristic diversity of the five boroughs through management and restoration.
The web site has bucket loads of goodies and even though Grassy don't live in NY he still downloaded a fabulous pdf called Gardening with New York City Natives. It's got great plant lists for all types of gardening situations from shaded pot gardens to sunny window boxes. Grassy thinks there should be something like this for every major city. Let him know if you see more like this.

Leopoldo’s City Vegetable Garden

2005-08-12T19:47:00.000+10:00

Grassy's always singing that old Neil tune that starts out "home-grown's all right with me". He's always interested in better ways for city gardeners to garden. Round his way most folks live in the city. And we all know that cities have bloody gigantic ecological footprints. Bringing food to the city uses a bucket load of energy, and is one contributor to that footprint, so the more we grow our own the better. Hence Grassy is more than happy to plug Leopoldo’s City Vegetable Garden. This light but strong folding structure in aluminium, can be used both outdoors and indoors. Vegetables, herbs, fruits - all could be grown in this garden. Grassy says its obviously suited to filling up an otherwise unused small space like on terraces or balconies.
The product is distributed in a textile packaging that also contains: the assembly tool, the instructions and the "Let's cultivate" manual. Leopoldo's web site. Got this one via Treehugger.

Campania Expands Fountain Range

2005-08-11T07:44:00.000+10:00

Grassy's reckons its hard to beat the sound of running water in garden. As he doesn't have a river running through his, he's been on the lookout for a fountain of some type and he thinks he's found just the thing - this Oak Bluff Fountain (FT-65) from Campania International a company started in 1984 initially selling terra cotta planters which has since diversified into cast stone garden planters and ornaments for which they've established a well-deserved reputation. Grassy says the Oak Bluff Fountain is one of 12 new fountain designs they've added to their range giving you over fifty designs to choose from. Grassy is going to check them out on the garden show circuit cause he saw their schedule posted on their website.

Topsy Turvy Space Saver

2005-08-10T15:42:00.000+10:00

Some gardeners are lucky like Grassy. He's got a whole yard to fill with plants so he's not likely to buy one of these but if space is a factor limiting your growing exploits then grab yourself a Topsy Turvy Planter. You plant your seeds in the top of the Topsy Turvy and your plants grow down! As plants grow, all you do is water conveniently from the top with the included funnel. Grassy reckons the topsy turvy will be ideal for things like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and flowers. With the Topsy Turvey Planter there's no more digging, weeding, bending, stakes or cages needed. It instantly turns any space with ample sunlight into a garden — even patios and balconies.
I saw this one at Gaiam

Gardener's Bell from Harmony Hollow

2005-08-09T08:04:00.000+10:00

Grassy has a range of chimes hanging 'round his garden. His favourite ones are a set of bamboo ones from Bali but he's just found a these brass ones specially designed for gardeners. Produced by Harmony Hollow each bell comes with comes with a tag with the following message:

It is universally believed that bells have forever driven away bad spirits and called upon good ones, and this Gardener's Bell is no exception By attracting the spirits of air (a soft breeze), of fire (warm sunlight), of water (rain plus a little help from the watering can), and of earth (rich soil), its pleasant vibrations are conducive to growing healthy plants. Moreover; this bell's melodic ringing puts anyone aspiring to be a green thumb directly in touch with the natural rhythms of Mother Nature. May you dance in her beautiful garden, rejoice in a bountiful harvest, and in so doing, may you cultivate your soul.

Grassy says you can select from a range of bell shapes. The picture Grassy snapped shows the Gardener's Bell with a 731 bell.

Latest US Perennials

2005-08-08T15:11:00.000+10:00

Grassy's the sort of gardener who's always on the lookout for unusual perennials. Round his neck of the woods there's plenty to choose from. So Grassy thought that this tip was worth passing on - over at Green Beam the online home of Branch-Wilson Publishing (publisher of a range of garden trade publications) they've got a nifty set of pdf's you can download and print on the latest perennials available to nurserymen. So get in ahead of the pack and see what you'll soon be seeing in nurseries near you. Grassy says you can see the latest varieties of Amaryllis, Aquilegia, Aster, Astrantia, Calluna, Campanula, Caryopteris, Centaurea, Chiastophyllum, Christia, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Corydalis, Coreopsis, Delosperma. Delphinium, Dianthus, Echinacea, Erodium, Euphorbia, Gaillardia, Gaura, Gentiana, Geranium, Helenium, Helleborus, Helleborus, Heuchera, Heucherella, Hibiscus, Hosta, Lamium, Lavender, Leucanthemum, Lobelia. Lupinus, Lychnis, Mandevilla, Miscanthus, Nepeta, Papaver, Penstemon, Phlox, Platycodon, Podophyllum, Pulmonaria, Rose, Salvia, Scabiosa, Scabiosa, Sedum, Tiarella, Verbascum, Veronica and Viola.

Tomato Fest Rolls Round

2005-08-07T08:15:00.000+10:00

The Carmel TomatoFest will be held on September 11, 2005. If You Love Tomatoes...
don't miss America's most spectacular tomato event. Featuring a tasting of more than 300 tomato varieties from around the world, an extravagant outdoor BBQ, delicious tomato recipes created by 55 of America's best chefs, a tasting of 100 great wines from Monterey County, a "Salsa Showcase" tasting of 90 tomato salsas, "The International Olive Oil Tasting" featuring extra virgin olive oils from 8 countries and the best of California, live music and dancing. Bring the whole family! Net proceeds are donated to local youth charities. (Since 1999 the Carmel TomatoFest has donated more than $160,000.00 to local charities which has funded projects such organic gardens in schools and children's organic gardens.)
Tickets are limited to assure the best possible experience for our guests who travel here from around the nation. The event has sold out every year (as much as 2 months prior to the event).

Vacation Drip Watering Kit

2005-08-06T07:55:00.000+10:00

As I'm heading over to Europe for a few weeks latter in the year I've been thinking about how the garden'll survive. I do have an 18-year old son but I don't think it would be very wise to rely on him to water my plants. So I might have to pick up one of these. The Vacation Drip Watering Kit lets you automatically water your indoor house plants or outdoor plants while you're away on vacation. The kit comes with an adapter to attach to the shower arm in your bathroom. Disconnect the shower head, attach the adapter to the 1/2" shower arm. Screw on the timer, hook up water to all your house plants in the shower/bath while your on vacation! Outdoors, simply attach the timer to your faucet and hook up the the tubing to the plants. The system runs off a battery-operated timer and can water up to 22 planters, baskets & window boxes automatically (although it can be expanded to water up to 35 baskets & planters with additional standard drip fittings). No tools or glue required.

I saw this one at Mr Drip

Copper Orbs

2005-08-05T07:38:00.000+10:00

These perfectly-round, handcrafted copper spheres would complement any garden setting. The copper will gain patina with age. They would really great if they were in the garden contrasting with something taller like tall ornamental grasses or in my garden I'd put them beside clumps of ginger. I saw these ones at High Country Gardens where they are sold in a set of three with one 8", 10" and 14" diameter spheres included.

Swing With Your Sweetheart

2005-08-04T21:44:00.000+10:00

What's a garden without a tree? And what's a tree without a swing? And then, what's a swing if you're just swinging by yourself? Not much fun. So get one of these and you'll never have to swing alone. This wood seat & jute rope swing set is made for two. Called, aptly, the Americana Sweetheart Swing, its hand made and includes over 20 ft. of heavy-duty jute rope for hanging. So grab your sweetheart and head for the swing.

I saw this one over at flagandbanner.com

Maxicrop Seaweed Plant Food: Original and Best

2005-08-03T17:44:00.000+10:00

The original and the best. Its often said and, I find, often true - think Elvis, the Beatles, Coca-Cola, Maxicrop Plant Food. Yep, when it comes to liquid seaweed plant food Maxicrop claims to be the original - and the best. A pure seaweed extract containing 8% (W/W) soluble seaweed solids including a wide range of plant growth stimulants and trace elements Maxicrop Original is approved for organic growing by the Soil Association and Guild of Conservation Grade Producers Unlike a fertiliser, Maxicrop Original doesn’t provide a sudden flush, it works within the plant and soil to maintain and encourage plant growth and development. The 'Original' bio-stimulant was the first on the market and has stood the test of time- over 50 years. Check out their web site for links to the full range of Maxicrop products for gardeners as well as retail information.

Permaculture Pioneer's Principles and Pathways

2005-08-02T17:09:00.000+10:00

David Holmgren is one of the originators of permaculture. His classic Sustainable Living at "Melliodora" Hepburn Permaculture Gardens: A Case Study in Cool Climate Permaculture 1985-1995 is one of the few works that details the development of a significant permaculture experiment. These days as well as writing David maintains a very active teaching schedule, travelling the world spreading the seed as it were. He also maintains a nifty web site where you can buy his books (including the one pictured - Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability) as well as DVDs of two presentations David gave at the 2003 Woodford Folk Festival in S.E. Queensland - “Permaculture: Reclaiming Our Place in Nature” and “Permaculture Design Principles.”

Sprout Out

2005-08-01T20:15:00.000+10:00

Take your gardening to the next level - Sure, gardeners in the northern hemisphere are rolling through another summer but winter will be here before they know it so they'd best be prepared. When gardening outdoord starts getting a bit too tough turn your focus to indoor gardening - And don't just think decoration - think food, brain food. Yep, we're talking sprouts of course. Sprouts are baby plants at their prime. According to experts, at this stage of development they have a greater concentration of proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, bio-flavinoids, T-cells, etc. than at any other stage in the life of the plant. Interested? The FreshLife Sprouter makes sprouting indoors a no-brainer with an automatic sprinkling system. To produce fresh, nutritious and tender sprouts just put in the seeds and turn it on! Its also expandable allowing you to double output! Just purchase a second sprout barrel to double your sprouting area.

Available from Tribest Life

The Future of Wheelbarrows

2005-07-31T07:58:00.000+10:00

Gardening just got easier - especially getting around the garden. With Allsop’s Wheeleasy wheelbarrow gardeners can say goodbye to heavy, unwieldy metal barrows. Why push a big metal barrow around the garden when for most gardeners most of the time something a whole lot lighter would do? The lightweight WheelEasy uses fabric canvas instead of metal. Its design allows you to rake leaves or whatever straight from the ground into the barrow. Foam-rubber handles keep your hands comfortable and ensure a good grip. Allsop’s design also provides better balance and comfort than metal barrows. The WheelEasy’s single, pneumatic rubber tire makes wheeling it across lawns or paths easy. And at the end of the day it all folds up neatly and can be stored compatly out of the way.

The fabric is sturdy, 1000-point, denier nylon coated with vinyl which is easy to clean and UV-resistant. The industrial-strength seams will handle up to 150 pounds of material in the 3-cubic-foot basin.

Allsop offers replacements for defective products with receipt. When shipped, this wheelbarrow measures 52 by 5 by 11 inches and weighs 12 pounds.

Get it at Amazon

Chelsea Green's New Permaculture Classic

2005-07-30T07:14:00.000+10:00

Looks like my old and much-thumbed Mollison tomewill be getting some buddies. Edible Forest Gardens is a ground breaking work from publishers Chelsea Green that sets out and further explores the idea of "forest ecology" and applies them to the needs of natural gardeners in temperate climates. Written by Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier this is a two volume set. Volume I sets out their understanding of the forest garden the basic ecological principles that make it work. In Volume II, they get down ti tin tacks providing a heap of pratical ways to design, establish, and maintain your own forest garden. Plenty of case studies and examples are included in this book that's been 8 years in the making. Both authors and publisher have done a great job.

Cast Art Cast Iron

2005-07-19T09:10:00.000+10:00

Every gardener or garden designer knows that the secret to a great garden are the small touches. Gardening usually works best through subtle surprise. And the delicate patina of cast iron is hard to go by. Cast Art is a family business dedicated to the supply of beautiful cast iron pieces for the home and garden. These ornamental pieces which are copies of pieces from the Italian Renaissance will add elegance, rustic charm and timelessness to homes, gardens and courtyards.

Pictured is the #1(A)Large Jardiniere Dia50 x H50cm 68kg

For more see the Cast Art web site.

In the Gothic Mould

2005-07-18T20:25:00.000+10:00

Every good bed deserves a nice border! Especially garden beds. So if your gardening bent has you in the DIY mood and you're feeling a bit Goth to boot then you could get one of these garden edging molds and whip yourself up a whole bedding border. If Goths not your go then there are a whole bunch of other designs to choose from; Greek Key perhaps? or Fleur de Lys? Roman or Renaissance? - these two have a "lip" for riding the lawn mower over to make triming easier.

The manufacturer of these reusable molds History Stones also sell "raised bed/pond curbing" molds that allow you to create a cirlce or, by using straight & corner curbing, a free form shape to suite your own needs. (Deep enough to form a shallow pond)

From History Stones

Tumeric To Go

2005-07-17T10:53:00.000+10:00

The latest Oganic Consumers newsletter had an interesting link to a story claiming that tumeric reduces the risk of deadly melonoma skin cancers.

The compound that makes curry yellow could help fight skin cancer, U.S. researchers reported on Monday. They said curcumin, found in the spice turmeric, interferes with melanoma cells. Tests in laboratory dishes show that curcumin made melanoma skin cancer cells more likely to self-destruct in a process known as apoptosis. The same team has found that curcumin helped stop the spread of breast cancer tumor cells to the lungs of mice. Bharat Aggarwal of the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and colleagues treated three batches of melanoma cells, known as cell lines, with curcumin at different doses and for varying times. The curcumin suppressed two proteins that tumor cells use to keep themselves immortal, the researchers write in next month's issue of the journal Cancer. "Based on our studies, we conclude the curcumin is a potent suppressor of cell viability and inducer of apoptosis in melanoma cell lines," Aggarwal's team wrote.

This being the case, if you live in a warm enough climate perhaps you should grow some!

Real Lawn Furniture

2005-07-16T00:16:00.000+10:00

How much oxygen did your furniture produce today? In GreenFeeder's version of the future, the things we lounge about on indoors will be as beneficial as the stuff that grows out back. So we got real excited when we saw this over at Treehugger - lawn furniture sculpted from the lawn itself. Unlike your standard-issue sofa, this lush greenery is totally organic, requires no synthetic finishes, and can be brought to life, from salvaged dirt. St. Augustine tiles create a seamless, living upholstery, or try wheatgrass for a durable alternative. Ask your nursery about planting tips unique to your sod. Note: Couch may require mowing and clipping!
Find out how to make one at ReadyMade

Curtis's 2006 Calendar Ready to Roll

2005-07-15T21:15:00.000+10:00

The 2006 Curtis's Botanical Calendar which features 12 finely reproduced plates from the Curtis Botanical Magazine is ready to go. The 2006 calendar features illustrations by Stella Ross-Craig, Lilian Snelling, Matilda Smith, Walter Hood Fitch, Christabel King, Carol Woodin and Sydenham Edwards.

You can get it from Kew Books

Alachigh To Die For

2005-07-14T23:30:00.000+10:00

Looking for a tent to fill that lawn in mid-summer - Well the team at GreenFeeder think they've found the garden tent tot end all garden tents. Doesn't this one look absolutely fabulous! From the folks at Albion Canvas comes this Alachigh (pronounced A-la-cheeg)! What? You're not awaree that an alachigh is a traditional tent of the Shah Sevan from Northern Irana and a precursor to the yurt; the roof ribs are longer than a yurts and come right down to the ground but with a central guy rope much the same as a tipi. At 6.7m diameter (22ft) you get headroom across a 12ft diameter section of the tent. According to Albion Canvas it is quick to erect. The one shown in the picture has had a traditional paint finish to give it that little bit extra.

From Albion Canvas Co

Legumes of the World at Kew Books

2005-07-13T09:49:00.000+10:00

New from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is "Legumes of the World". This is the first comprehensive guide to world legumes, describing and illustrating all 727 genera.
Legumes contribute enormously to the world's economy - through food and drink, pharmaceuticals and medicine, biotechnology, building and construction, textiles, furniture, horticulture, paper and pulp, fertilizers, chemicals, pest control and ecotourism. This book spotlights as yet untapped economic potential and for the first time places genera in a modern systematic framework. The book is well-illustrated with over 1,000 illustrations, both colour photographs and line drawings. Described by the publisher as "a lavish yet much needed reference for botanists and other professionals involved with legumes".

You can get a copy from Kew Books

French Wasp Catchers

2005-07-12T15:30:00.000+10:00

This classic glass catcher traps unwanted insects such as wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and flies. Simply add sugar water, honey, or fruit juice as bait to lure them inside. Wasps and other insects will find their way into the trap through the open bottom. The jar measures approximately 5-1/2" at the widest point x 8" high with the feet. The opening measures 1-1/4" and comes with a cork stopper. The whole unit measures approximately 14-1/2" high with the handle extended.The trap can be placed on a table because it has feet to raise it up or hung from a tree or hook. Comes with full instructions.

From Limauge Boutique (only available on US mainland)

Potato Barrel = Bumper Crop

2005-07-11T14:20:00.000+10:00

I've grown my share of potatoes over the years and, as any gardener will tell you, the secret lies in being able to "earth them up" 2ft (60cm) high. Whilst this is feasible in a large garden its a bit impractical for your average courtyard or patio. Well think again because this potato barrel will put you on the road to a bumper crop. Forget growing potatoes in a carton or in a stack of tyres - this Victorian style potato barrel will give you a bumper crop and it looks pretty cool as well with its decorative terracotta finish. Made from frost resistant polypropylene for long life the potato barrel is approximately 60cm high by 43cm diameter. Assembly is a breeze.
So now you have no excuses! To grow an amazing crop of delicious new potatoes on your patio or balcony just follow the instructions provided. If you plant the first crop early enough in February, you can grow a second crop for harvesting in the autumn. All you need is one giant bag of good general purpose compost, 5 seed potatoes and a little patience.

I saw this one at Keen Gardener

Lazy Hill Gothic Bird House

2005-07-10T23:56:00.000+10:00

Every gardener should be doing their bit to encourage wildlife and that includes bird life (it even extends to those pesky crows that wake me each morning). And if you can help wildlife and make your garden look groovier at the same time so much the better. So take a look at these little beauties from Lazy Hill Farm Designs. These hand-crafted "Hideaway" houses are perfect for smaller nesters. Each house is about 7" wide x 13" tall x 8" deep and are Covered with a copper top and accents including a curly perch and two hanging discs. Each birdhouse is individually constructed and the cedar and cypress used in construction ensures they age beautifully - the rounded cedar shingles are protected with water seal and will weather to a lovely silver-gray. As shown they are available in two color "washes" Pumpkin or Sea stain. They are suppiled with with mounting hardware.

These are available from Garden Artisans

Classic Bow Rakes

2005-07-10T10:16:00.000+10:00

What a find! Check out these bow rakes - produced since 1841 by the Rugg Company of Greenfield, Mass. They're light and efficient - use a strong, steel ferrule to attach the head to the wooden handle with steel bows running from the ferrule to give added support and shock absorption for the head. The heads and handles are made from select hardwood. The teeth are ash. The Head, bows, and ferrule come as a unit that easily snaps onto the handle. With care, these rakes will last a lifetime. They are suited to all raking tasks - raking rocks from the garden, marking seed rows, smoothing garden beds and rows, working in seeds for large area plantings, breaking up light clods of dirt, raking leaves and brush. And of course gathering hay and grass.
There are four models to choose from - each comes with assembly instructions and four spare 3/8” diameter teeth and you can always buy more teeth in packages of 10 at $5 per kg!

I found them at scythesupply.com

Felco800 Maintaining The Rage

2005-07-09T21:51:00.000+10:00

Felco - mention the word to any gardener and a picture of a red handled pair of secateurs (probably their best selling number 2 model) flashes into mind. For Felco the problem must be - how do you do better than the best? Over the years , Felco, a Swiss company started in 1945 has improved on that best selling no. 2 model they launched way back in 1948! Rolling handles (no 7), smaller models (no 6), two-handed models (no 13) ergonomically designed (no 11 "classic new-generation")- and a host of other refinements expanded the range to over 12 types of secatuers including electric models over 12 years ago. Where do you go next? Well, if you're looking for a really tough tree trimming secateur you could have a look at the Felco800. This one handed electric secateur is the result of a complete redesign by Felco. Combining a more powerful motor delivering a maximum 185 watts for tougher performance, and unparalleled lightness thanks to the Li-Ion batteries, the Felco800 provids enhanced ergonomics and greater ease of use. Although designed for professionals it would be great for gardeners looking to reduce stress on arms and shoulder muscles. Felco can tell you where to buy one.

New Geranium Book from Timber Press

2005-07-08T20:42:00.000+10:00

The author of this book on geraniums, Birgitte Husted Bendtsen first became interested in geraniums as a young girl in her native Denmark. Once hooked, she resolved to learn more, and she now holds a comprehensive collection. A skilful photographer and gifted writer she has produced an excellent all round book on this very popular species.
Expert cultivation advice, including comments on soil preferences and hardiness, is followed by fascinating information on pollination, and failsafe propagation secrets. Captivating colour photographs display key characteristics of hardy geraniums including their legendary range of flower colour and intricate, often highly marked, foliage.
With over 400 species and hybrids of hardy geraniums and 450 beautiful colour photographs spread over 144 pages, this book is both rich in information and beautiful to browse. It is a long-awaited reference that will delight seasoned enthusiasts and introduce a whole new generation of gardeners to the charms of the hardy geranium.
From the wonderful folks at Timber Press.

Now that's a Sundial.

2005-07-06T14:10:00.000+10:00

Every garden needs a sundial. But frankly, I'm just a bit bored with the usual smiling sun-faces or "fancy and frilly" - fine for your cottage garden but what if you're after something a bit more "mnoderne", a bit funky? Something that is cool to look at. Hey, then check out Sundial Designs over in Sydney Australia for sundials that make a statement. The pictured sundial is one of the more traditonal ones they make. Uli Kagi, who owns Sundial designs makes a wide range of sundials. Kagi says that sundials in Australia are quite rare, which is surprising considering that it is one of the sunniest places on earth; it somehow seems to be a wasted opportunity. As a sundial maker, I hope to change this situation."

Desktop Carnivorous Plant Set

2005-07-05T22:54:00.000+10:00

Promising blood-curdling plant-on-insect action this 7-pack of carnivorous plants is designed to sit on your desk. Each kit comes with a Growing Dome, planting mixture and a Carnivorous Seed Pack: featuring a Venus Fly Trap, a Yellow Trumpet, a Hooded Pitcher Plant, a Purple Pitcher Plant, a Pale Trumpet, a Temperate Sundew Plant and a Cobra Lilly. The kit includes instructions and an information manual to get your palnts growing, 3 bog buddies and swamp rocks. Oh yeah, and did I mention the decals!

Get it at ThinkGeek

Charlie Carp fish fertiliser

2005-07-04T13:43:00.000+10:00

The arrival of Eurpeans in Australia saw the introduction of a wide range of new plant and animal species. Today Australia is paying the price. European carp was one species introduced with devastating effects - devouring native species like the Murray Cod, the Yellow Belly, the Catfish and the Yabbie. Basically in Australia there’s only one good European Carp and that’s a dead European Carp.

Now one company is turning this pest into a useful product- a rich fertiliser made from European carp. Each year Charlie Carp takes over one hundred tonnes of feral carp from Australia's vital Murray-Darling Rivers to make fish fertiliser. Because Charlie Carp is made from the whole fish and not scraps like other fish fertilisers its one of the richest fish fertilisers on the market.
You can get some on-line at Green Harvest (Australia).

Purple Romanesco Artichoke

2005-07-03T15:20:00.000+10:00

Artichokes look fantastic in the garden and its not hard to find a recipe for them. What looks even more fantastic are these purple artichokes. The Romanesco Artichoke comes all the way from Rome and is available for the first time in North America. The Romanesco has a very rich purple color with large round heads. Artichokes look great planted individually in a garden bed or in small clusters. They taste excellent. Seeds for these beauties can be got from Seeds from Italy

Garden Essentials: Tarred String

2005-07-02T13:04:00.000+10:00

With a big ball of string you can do anything! String is always handy in the garden. And if you're looking for string that's gonna last more than one wet summer then tarred stringis ideal. It lasts a lot longer than normal jute string, and unlike those horrible green platic twines, it weathers to a dull natural look. An added bonus is that it repels slugs. Its durability makes tarred string ideal for permanent garden features such as tying thatching to rafters, binding bamboo in Japanese Gardens and constructing willow and hazel poles in wigwams - anywhere where some heavy duty tying is needed.
This nifty dispenser and roll of tarred string is just the thing. You can find it at R.K. Alliston. If you just want a roll try The Essentials Company in the UK or Go2marine in the US.

Gold Leaf Gardening Gloves

2005-07-01T07:45:00.000+10:00

Finally, someone has thought through the gardening glove problem (what you've never heard of this major design challenge?) The Gold Leaf Gardening Glove range brings together some unique and innovative designs to come up with the the best set of gardening gloves you're going to find. This brand new range of gardening gloves received a prestigious Certificate of Merit for outstanding display at the RHS 2004 Chelsea Flower Show, and been awarded the top exhibit prize at the "BBC Gardeners World Live 2004" event. Gloves winning Garden Show awards?? Representing a departure from traditional glove design - made from exceptionally high quality leather, they are designed to fit better than other gloves and they also provide much improved "feel" which of course improves dexterity. The are available in both mens and ladies versions.

I saw these at Eurocosm.

Growing Orchids from Seed

2005-06-30T12:15:00.000+10:00

Written for the amateur and the professional without access to sophisticated laboratory equipment and chemicals, 'Growing Orchids from Seed' contains all you need to know to become an expert! Careful guidleines are given for buying and making equipment, pollinating orchid flowers, harvesting and storing seed, successful germination, transplant of seedlings and growing them on to healthy plants.
Published by Kew Books.

Moon and Stars Watermelon

2005-06-30T11:41:00.000+10:00

The Moon and Stars watermelon has got to be one of the most striking plants you can grow down in your vegie patch. Once feared lost, it was rediscovered in Missouri. It has large dark-skinned oval fruits splashed with bright yellow - hence its name. The flesh is red and very sweet; the leaves are also splashed with yellow.

Seeds of Change recommend direct sowing in the garden in rows 4-6 feet apart when danger of frost has passed. Moon and Stars likes to be planted in clusters with 3-4 plants per group. Deeply fertile soil produces optimum yield of fruits. Enrich soil with compost. Like most melons their stem turns brown and separates easily from the melon when the fruit is ripe.

Seeds of Change can sell you some seeds for this beauty.

Dibble (or dibber)

2005-06-29T19:20:00.000+10:00

Dibber? Dibble? One and the same? Apparently not. The difference between these two very similar garden hand tools is that the shaft of the dibble is somewhat narrower than that of the dibber. Have you got that straight?

The Bahco model P242-8008949 (pictured) comes all the way from Sweden - you may know the Bahco name as Sandvik. It features sturdy metal construction with a comfortable wooden grip. Being narrower than a dibber the Bahco P242-8008949 may be better suited at making holes for your young plants, bulbs and seedlings in more compacted soils.

Garden Gizmo saw this one at Rittenhouse

Rechargeable Electric Rose Pruner

2005-06-27T18:53:00.000+10:00

Hey rosebuds, feast your eyes on this beauty. Looks so good you could eat it, right?

Don't wait for pruning season to come around - get in now so you're dead-set ready to roll when summer ends. This pruner is cordless, electric and rechargeable with enough bite to buzz right through branches up to 3/4 of an inch thick! You'll wonder how you ever pruned using anything else. It's not just for roses either! It does a great job of pruning anything else around the yard.

We spied this one over at CleanAirGardening.

sharp garden - book review

2005-04-30T17:16:00.000+10:00

Not many garden writers tell you gardens don't have to look nice. But that's what Christopher Holliday argues in Sharp Gardening a "cook book" for those looking for something a bit different in their garden. The crisp, clean-lined planting style featured in the book full of swords, straps, and spikes is certainly a step away from delicate roses and dainty clematis. From xeriscapes to maritime gardens and everywhere in between, anyone looking for fresh ideas to add a little excitement to their garden will enjoy this book. Its organised recipe style and presents a selection of plants that are spiky, sharp, or brittle, whether in their stems, leaves, or flowers, providing plenty of ideas for new and exciting plants that work well in the landscape. Holliday's first -sharp garden- was featured on BBC Gardener's World. The book features the photography of Jerry Harpur.

new greenlife marketing strategies for endless summer

2005-04-29T00:13:00.000+10:00

The success of Endless Summer a hydrangea discovered by Michael Dirr and introduced in 2004 by Bailey Nurseries and which has sold more than 1.3 million plants points to the future of greenlife marketing according to this story in the Star Tribune.

One of the key factors driving the successful introduction of Endless Summer was a unique national marketing strategy. Rather than rely on recommendations from garden center staff members, write-ups in gardening magazines or word-of-mouth from garden enthusiasts to gradually boost a plant's standing Bailey used a small Minneapolis firm Initio to develop a unique marketing strategy. In 2002, two years before the plants introduction Bailey paraded the plant at industry trade shows, gave samples to garden editors and introduced a series of humorous ads that appeared in industry publications. Then, Initio launched a campaign to market directly to consumers. In an ominous sign for gardening magazines Initio used ads in lifestyle publications such as Better Homes and Gardens and Sunset instead of garden magazines. Heavy emphasis was plaaced on the plant's packaging: its pot hydrangea blue, its oversized plant tag boasting colorful photos and simple care instructions. Bailey even offered garden centers large point-of-purchase posters showcasing the soon-to-be famous blooms.

Geoff Needham of Plant Haven, a small company specialing in plant introductions, called the launch of Endless Summer "close to the best model that's evolved yet." Many see Bailey and a handful of other growers (Anthony Tesselaar and Monrovia, to name a few) as setting a new standard for the plant world. Targeted advertising, branded plants and plant lines (such as Flower Carpet and Proven Winners,) with splashy launches and in-store signs said to be the wave of the future.

Needham's company itself is currently partnered with several nurseries to create unique websites for two new plant releases Hydrangea 'Little Honey' and Gaillardia 'Fanfare'.

As well as a direct sales channel a unique web site can be used to provide "after sales service" and represents a relatively cheap way to provide information to consumers - surely a trend we will see a lot more of?

2005-04-28T15:30:00.000+10:00

Had a bit of a spin around the Organic Consumers web site today. Some interesting stories like this one about underground farming - now you know how to use old mines. Also one here on Indian farmers who are using using Coca-Cola and Pepsi as pesticides. Apparently one litre of highly concentrated Avant, Tracer and Nuvocron, three popular Indian pesticides, costs around 10,000 rupees (£120), but one-and-a-half litres of locally made Coca-Cola is 30 rupees Also reported is Monsanto response to a groundbreaking study showing the company's popular Roundup pesticide to be fatally toxic to frogs. Monsanto claims the study is irrelevant, because "there are no Roundup brand formulations approved in the US or Canada for application over water." The company fails to mention their widely-used pesticide has been detected in nearly every waterway in the U.S., due to runoff and leaching. Another interesting story reports on efforts by lobby groups to reduce chemical use by gardeners. Each year, homeowners apply at least 90 million pounds of pesticides to their lawns and gardens. Home use of pesticides has risen 42% between 1998 and 2001 and now represents the only growth sector of the U.S. pesticide market. The Organic Consumers web site is also carrying two on-line petitions. One is a petition in support of Dr. Ignacio Chapela, who published an article on corn contamination by GM corn which was published in the science journal "Nature." Dr Chapela was mysteriously denied his tenure, despite the fact the UC Berkeley tenure review panel had actually voted almost unanimously to approve his tenure. The former professor says the University removed him under pressure from Novartis, a multinational biotechnology corporation who had provided the school with $25 million in funding. The other is a petition aimed at the USDA who have withdrawn organic certification procedures for body care products effectively allowing unscrupulous producers to make false claims about the products.

how green is a garden zine?

2005-04-28T12:51:00.000+10:00

Recently, an interesting article at emagazine.com caught my eye. Jim Motavalli has written a solid piece looking at the state of environmental awareness of Americans. Motavilli basically calls for a stronger effort in the area of environmental literacy. Motavilli backs his case by citing statistics such as:
• Just 32 percent of Americans have basic awareness of environmental topics;
• All but 20 percent are heavily influenced by incorrect or outdated environmental myths;
• Just 12 percent can pass a basic quiz on awareness of energy topics

Given this ignorance Motavilli is not surprised at how organisations such as the Pacific Research Institute and writers such as Rush Limbaugh can get away with the environmental hokum they write. Nor is it surprising that people don’t see the nexus between their own actions and environmental problems – as Motavelli puts it “Childhood asthma related to my SUV driving habits? That’s propaganda.’

Whilst knowledge of environmental issues is weak the good news is that people want to know more. Here, Motavilli cites a 2002 Roper poll, which showed that 92 percent of respondents were either moderately or very interested in environmental topics, and a Gallup Tuesday Briefing poll taken in March 2005 indicating that 53 percent of Americans (rising to 58% for the 18-29 year age group) say that protecting the environment should be given priority over the economy. Contrary to assertions made by conservatives support for green priorities is actually rising.

Unfortunately, the Bush government, far from boosting funding to environmental education, has tried to “zero out” funding for the EPA’s Office of Environmental Education every year they've been in office. This at a time when a 2001 Roper Starch poll showed that 95 percent of respondents believe that environmental education should be taught in classrooms.

So how is this related to gardening media I hear you ask? Well, at the same time as I came across the Motavelli article, I came across a presentation to a group of garden writers and others in the “gardening” industry called “Lawns, Gardens and the Environment Teleconference - April 21, 2005”. One of the key aspects of this presentation was the research done by Scotts Miracle-Gro into attitudes of gardeners to the environment. It probably comes as no surprise that the survey found gardeners, on the whole, are environmentally conscious - most know that what they do in the garden can have an impact on the environment (although it’s a little worrying that 23% of gardeners claim that they never consider the impact of their gardening on the environment) and, by and large they are interested in reducing the impact of their gardening activities on the environment. When asked if they would change their garden practices to ensure a healthier environment only 3% of gardeners surveyed said “no”. However when it comes knowledge (as opposed to attitudes) it seems many American gardeners don’t know very much. For example 48% of those surveyed didn’t know that rainfall run off ends up in rivers, lakes and streams and around a quarter of those surveyed thought that storm water was treated before being released into rivers etc!
So where does this leave garden magazines, writers and publishers. Clearly there is a groundswell of environmental concern in the US. Just as clearly though many Americans lack accurate knowledge of the environment and fail on many occasions to see the link between their own behaviour and environmental problems. Just as clearly though, most Americans do want to “act” in a sustainable fashion. To me the whole garden publishing industry has a task ahead of itself. Gardeners are one group who can make a difference; who in fact want to make a difference. The real question is whether gardening and horticultural publications across the country are ready to lead the way – to provide the information that will make gardening a net contributor to US sustainability rather than a detractor from sustainability?

to blog or not to blog

2005-04-26T15:41:00.000+10:00

Business Week Online has a long feature article looking at blogs and their impact on business. The bottom line - blogs will turn the business world upside down. Even allowing for hyperbole blogs are starting to have a big impact on business just ask GM. Putting their money were their mouth is Business Week Online have started a new blog Blogspotting which takes as its target - surprise! surprise! blogging itself.

A sample:

My thought on this won't be half as clever, but one point that I think will be interesting to track is what happens to the costs for commercial blogs over time.
Clearly right now, if you're one of the big blog media companies such as Gawker Media ,Weblogs Inc, and Corante, it's cheaper on the Web to hit critical mass for a new title than it would be for a magazine.
I think that as more commercial blogs get started, the cost of marketing has to increase for the new companies trying to stand out from the crowd.

That last paragraph caught my eye and even though I don't necessarily agree with its something worth thinking about. If a million garden blogs do bloom how will you attract attention to yours?

flimp at enn

2005-04-26T13:34:00.000+10:00

Funny how you can use a site for years and still miss useful features. Sometime, I don't know when, the Environmental News Network introduced FLIMP - a flash interactive media player. This useful spot hosts short video clips on various environmental topics and news issues. Currently there are a number of clips including one on just which plastics are recycled (as opposed to recyclable). Don't forget ENN this month has a special feature on sustainable gardening - a collection of artilces and links to help you garden more sustainably.

google targets ads

2005-04-26T12:40:00.000+10:00

Google continues to grab the headlines. In a move that has implications for hundreds of gardening web sites Google's has made a decision to offer targeted ads. The Sydney Morning Herald reported:

Hoping to boost its already rapidly rising profits, online search engine leader Google is offering to place ads on specific websites instead of distributing them throughout its network.

The company is hoping the approach, announced today on a test basis, appeals to advertisers who are particular about where their brand appears or are aiming for a certain demographic."This is the first step toward meeting as many of our advertisers' needs as possible," said Tim Armstrong, Google's vice-president of advertising sales.

Google makes most of its money by placing text-based advertising links on its own home page and thousands of other websites in its marketing network. Last year, Google also started distributing banner ads to other sites. Until now, the participating advertisers had no control over where their commercial links or banner ads appeared. Google made all the decisions, based on how much revenue the ads would generate and their relevancy to the content on the rest of a web page.

An advertiser that designates a specific website can still be outbid by other advertisers bidding for random placement, Google said. In another experiment, Google also said it would begin distributing animated ads to websites. The company introduced banner ads last year. The online advertising market has been booming as businesses spend more money trying to reach consumers turning away from more-established media to spend more time on the internet.

the public garden

2005-04-26T10:40:00.000+10:00

The Public Garden, the quarterly journal published by the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, is an important information resource for those working in public horticulture and those interested in the subject. Each issue covers one topic in depth. The latest edition, which can be can be ordered from the AABGA web site , focuses on design in public gardens. Articles in this issue include, "Balancing the WOW with regionalism, conservation values, and cutting edge design" by Iain Robertson, "How has public garden design changed over the last 15 years?' by Scott Mehaffey, "Changing Horticultural Exhibitions: Fertile Territory for Public Gardens" by Scot Medbury, "Report Card Assessment: Measuring a Garden's Performance" by Scott C. Scarfone, "Circulation Design to Enhance the Visitor Experience" by Al Shacklett and "Organizational Ecosystems and Nature Based Design" by Claude Stephens and Dena Garvue. For a full contents list click here.

project magazine

2005-04-25T10:39:00.000+10:00

Project an interesting new magazines has hit the streets in the UK. Produced by a range of people from art, design, fashion and environmental backgrounds, the new quarterly is aimed
next wave of "consumers", people for whom aesthetics and ethics go hand in hand. Project covers environmentally and socially-responsible art, fashion, music, design, film, books, architecture, transport, food, technology… and "anything else we can find under the banner of right-on stuff". If you're in the UK you'll be able to pick up free issues at places like Fresh&Wild, Planet Organic and Aveda or free in iD mag. Elsewhere the first issue can also be downloaded as a 28 page pdf document right here! The first issue features green energy and green denim.

kathy laliberte a gardening mum

2005-04-25T10:07:00.000+10:00

Kathy LaLiberte, director of gardening for Gardener's Supply Co. gets to suggest gifts for the "gardening mum" in a feature on mother's day over at USA.com. Apparently she normally just asks for a pile of compost! One smart mum!

low carbon garden -- grass be gone

2005-04-22T17:05:00.000+10:00

Calls for low water gardens have been around for a long time now - after all water is becoming a very scarce commodity in most industrialised economies, if it isn't already. Maybe it's time for us to wake up to the need for a low carbon gardens as well. It's stabbing us in the heart is how one Californian professional gardener has described the impact of rising oil prices. I suppose its too silly to point out that if there wasn't acres of grass to mow in the first place there wouldn't be the problem. Get used to it or get rid of the grass. Currently, the way grass is often used means it consumes too much water and oil.

seed winners

2005-04-22T08:45:00.000+10:00

ENN today carries news of the winners of the UN's Supporting Entrepreneurs for Environment and Development (Seed) Initiative awards. Winners included a project establishing seathorn nurseries in Tibet:

Seabuckthorn is a deciduous shrub that is common in the Himalayas.

It has a highly developed root system that binds soils on fragile slopes. The presence of a natural seabuckthorn "forest" can decrease monsoon-related loss of topsoil by 30 percent.The plant also has a wide range of commercial applications which are beginning to be exploited by commercial companies in countries like India.

The berries are highly nutritious and yield juice, as well as oils for cosmetics and traditional medicines. The leaves are also used in traditional medicines, as well as for livestock fodder, and the branches can be used for firewood.

The international HimalAsia Foundation together with local Tibetan cooperatives and a family of traditional medical practitioners are developing a sustainable programme for cultivating and marketing seabuckthorn and other medicinal plants for the local and international market.In doing so, they are not only developing sustainable livelihoods for local people, but playing an important role in conserving biodiversity in this Himalayan mountain area.

Plans for the future include expanding on three existing seabuckthorn nurseries, training locals in the extraction and preparation of juice and helping to broker fair business relationships between international companies and local communities.

Teach a man to farm...

self published garden soul

2005-04-22T00:29:00.000+10:00

Not often do we hear of self publishing in the world of garden books so check out this one reviewed in the Seattle P-I.

goodman for martha - cast your vote now

2005-04-22T00:02:00.000+10:00

Oh yeah! Don't forget to pop over here and vote for your preferred actor to play Martha in the upcoming "unauthorised" (whhoooo!) TV movie. The survey was actually a no-brainer -- at least that's what I thought -- after all the choice was between Kathy Bates, Dame Judi Dench, Cybill Shepherd and John Goodman -- see! You're thinking and I'm thinking its bloody obvious. Seems not -- when I checked the results only 33.33% had voted for Mr Goodman! ! Strangely Cybil was winning with 49.24% -- but then I did notice that the default setting was on Cybil so that probably explains it.

i'm baaaack . . . . (oh no it's more martha!)

2005-04-21T23:35:00.000+10:00

Speaking of everywhere. . . The saturation coverage of Martha continues with Martha's deal with with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to create a 24-hour radio channel featuring cooking, gardening and entertaining programming for women just six weeks after being released from federal prison, getting heavy coverage in the media. Martha was quoted as saying "I don't know about you, but I was raised on the radio,I'm very excited about this." ... USA Today reported that predictably she's going to name the channel after herself: Martha Stewart Living Radio. Apparently Martha is boasting that she is again breaking new ground, "just as I pioneered lifestyle magazines and TV shows...This will be the first 'around the clock' channel devoted entirely to areas of interest for women...". I can only say thanks for the contribution to a better world Martha it was so nice without you. Apparently the channel can't start until later this year when a legal restriction on the big M's ability to work is lifted - so we're safe for a few months yet.

More coverage of Martha's radio deal.
Video at MSNBC
Business Week Report
ABC News
Forbes

fitness and gardening pearl among swine

2005-04-21T23:15:00.000+10:00

Articles on fitness and gardening are a bit predictable at this time of the year and there are plenty on the net as well. 91 in the last month according to google 's beta news search - most are boringingingly predictable in their content as well so its nice to see someone taking a different approach - interesting and useful content, well written, a nice layout with tips set out in a sidebar, nice zoomable pic that loads real quick - all good.

chelsea green blogs and reviews

2005-04-18T13:30:00.000+10:00

Greenish publisher Chelsea Green has now offically launched their blog called Flaming Grasshopper (that's at least one achievment of the blogosphere a whole bunch of interesting names for websites) a feed of which I have just added to my blogline account. As well Chelsea Green have added a cool feature to their web site that enables readers to add book reviews (of Chelsea Green Books obviously).

Some new releases from the Chelsea Green Stable:

enn goes gardening in april

2005-04-18T09:51:00.000+10:00

The Environmental News Network throughout April is running a number of features on gardening topics. You can find a summary article with links to some of the stories they've already run here.

clippings: top botanical garden and arboreta web sites

2005-04-16T12:37:00.000+10:00

mintel uk gardening media research

2005-04-16T00:20:00.000+10:00

Mintel have recently released a research report on the Impact of the Media on DIY and Gardening in the UK. The report points out that while it has been fifty years since the first DIY magazine appeared in the UK and sixty-six since BBC Home Service radio introduced its first gardening series, the current craze in the UK for DIY and gardening programmes can be traced back to the mid-90's when the BBC introduced a swag of new makeover programmes including Home Front, Changing Rooms and Ground Force. These programmes revolutionised DIY and gardening; convincing more people to take charge of their homes and to become actively involved with their environment. It has also resulted in a revitalised retail sector and introduced gardening and DIY to a wider audience."

Intriguing findings from the report include...
Mintel estimates that the market for DIY was worth some £12 billion in 2004, compared to £4.45 billion for gardening - TV programmes are the most popular DIY/gardening media and are watched by 61% of UK adults in total - Some 83.2% of UK adults have a garden, according to TGI data, with almost all containing the traditional grass and flowers.

seattle lovejoy raver

2005-04-15T22:00:00.000+10:00

One site I visit regularly is the the Seattle P-I Gardening web site. This site usually has interesting stuff - even for someone like me, who gardens in a completely different climate, there's always something that catches my interest - often it's by Ann Lovejoy who is one of the top on-line garden writers. In a pretty thin week text wise for me I had another look at the two interesting sets of pics in their -photogallery- section - both well worth a look. One is of the Seattle P-I and Seattle Tilth display garden at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show titled "Feel the Heat." Designed by Cameron Scott, the garden won a number of awards including People's Choice Award. The other set of pics are winners of a Photo comp. Also good to see the newspaper sponsoring a garden contest for earth-friendly gardens. Entrants email their entries with attached pics! Smart. But currently I can't really figure out their design of this page - with the author/columnist pics (not clickable?), taking up big chunks of screen space - all with no story information - you have to scroll below the fold to find that!

Speaking of slideshows worth a look, the NYTs' Ann Raver has an interesting feature this week on garden designer Edwina von Gal - accompanied by a cool slideshow. Bigger bandwith really is improving the quality of visual images on gardening web sites. So how long before magazines really start feeling the crunch?

trolleys napping

2005-04-11T21:15:00.000+10:00

tasty tendrils in the garden

2005-04-09T14:10:00.000+10:00

fancy a well written bouganvillea how-to

or a quick trip through cannas

or using cameras and scanners to capture garden art or making the coolest treehouses since I last looked.

A nifty bulb guide and some tips for a kid-friendly garden

heirloom bulbs anyone?

2005-04-03T09:55:00.000+10:00

Spotted this interesting article in the SouthBend Tribune. Written by Rita Henehan it tells the story of landscape historian Scott Kunst who works at saving heirloom bulb flowers such as tulips and crocus...

better eco labelling can help

2005-03-31T14:33:00.000+10:00

This interview with the Consumer Union's label watchdog Urvashi Rangan looks at eco-labelling. This is something the "green-life" industry needs to pay some serious attention to. Don't wait for the superstores - this is one area were small independents need to take up the running. Providing better labelling information is one source of competitive advantage.

garden industry thoughts

2005-03-30T16:39:00.000+10:00

A few quotes from the article

Earlier plant availability seems to be getting more common as competition heats up for the green goods market. The National Gardening Association estimates consumers spend $10 billion to $12 billion a year on trees, shrubs and other plants...

The Home Depot is the nation's top seller of garden plants, and this spring, 51 percent of consumers intend to buy their garden plants at mass merchandisers, according to a survey for the Garden Writers Association Foundation. By contrast, 40 percent of the 1,041 households surveyed said they'd buy at local garden centers or stores...

Gardening education becomes an issue because as the box stores expand their array of plants, they're reaching people who are just getting started in the hobby...

She buys plants at the Home Depot because it's close to her Harper Woods home and she appreciates the pricing"I don't have the time to go to all the individual nurseries and see what the prices are," she says...

Where does that leave the independent nurseries and garden centers? Ready with extra perks. Though they can't compete on price, the independents offer landscape design and planting services, seminars and a wider selection. According to Behe's research, consumers expect and get more sophisticated products and better service at traditional garden centers...

How can "independents" add value? How can read|write tools of the internet be used to tap into consumers? Save search time, get close, educate... sounds like all the things the internet's supposed to do.

home and gardener?

2005-03-30T14:17:00.000+10:00

Top home and garden sites: eBay Home, HGTV, Home Depot by ZDNet's IT Facts -- Nielsen//NetRatings named eBay Home, HGTV and Home Depot the top home and garden sites for the week ending February 13, 2005. The audience for these sites is 54.7% female, with the largest share of the visitors (28.03%) boasting $50-75K annual household income. Top home and garden sites Site Audience, 000 Reach, % eBay Home 4,174 3.33 HGTV 3,351 2.67 The Home Depot 2,139 1.7 Lowe's 1,620 1.29 eBay Crafts 1,047 0.83 Source: Nielsen//NetRatings NetView

Not sure that this data provides much wisdom, but...

the brisbane gardener - seedwiki

2005-03-30T12:56:00.000+10:00

Today I set up a wiki for Brisbane gardeners called The Brisbane Gardener. The wiki structure means anyone can contribute so maybe in a few years time there'll a nice set of resources about warm climate gardening and Brisbane gardening related stuff.

Seedwiki are offering 3 free wikis.
Seed Wiki

r a i n f o r e s t - m e d i c i n e

2004-10-22T09:42:00.000+10:00

Sydney Morning Herald reports that a botanist's relentless search of north Queensland's rainforests has paid off with the rediscovery of a fern species that could help in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The bluish-grey epiphyte grows at the tops of rainforest trees and was last recorded 26 years ago.It was widely believed to be extinct, with forest clearance seen as a major factor in its demise.Its rediscovery could lead to medicinal benefits.In China, another member of the species is cultivated to extract the compound Huperzine, believed to help in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

organic g-string

2004-10-19T07:54:00.000+10:00

Some monkeys opts for organic g-string
A new shop to add to your weekly list.

2004-10-19T07:48:00.000+10:00

Mad scientist number 328

One munkey in his laboratory trying to teach bacteria how to devour and destroy the caffeine contained in a coffee plant. What? Isn't there anything useful for smart people to do?

2004-10-19T07:41:00.000+10:00

Monkey got to Mojo - that's one damn expensive thirst

Monkey has trouble protecting his nut empire - but so does the nut have trouble with protecting his empire - the empire of oil. Blood for oil, oil for blood --- even a monkey can follow this (il)logic.

2004-10-15T13:19:00.000+10:00

Monkey's ignobel suicide

Monkey is very impressed that his favourite type of music - country - has been recognised in this years IGNOBEL prize - the anti-nobel prizes - for medicine. A paper that correlates suicide levels and country music airplay time had Monkey laughing crazy! Monkey never knows when humans are being serious.

"This article assesses the link between country music and metropolitan suicide rates. Country music is hypothesized to nurture a suicidal mood through its concerns with problems common in the suicidal population, such as marital discord, alcohol abuse, and alienation from work. The results of a multiple regression analysis of 49 metropolitan areas show that the greater the airtime devoted to country music, the greater the white suicide rate. The effect is independent of divorce, southernness, poverty, and gun availability. The existence of a country music subculture is thought to reinforce the link between country music and suicide. Our model explains 51% of the variance in urban white suicide rates."

Monkey thinks that this merely proves that "number" cultures can prove anything.

2004-10-14T13:47:00.000+10:00

Monkey to save agarwood

Monkey reads that the CITES conference being currently held in Bangkok has voted to regulate global trade in two species of agarwood, a fragrant wood highly coveted for perfumes in the Middle East and traditional medicines in Asia. The decision is seen as a key step against illegal harvesting of the high-demand wood found across Asia and commanding prices of up to $10,000 per kg. The decision made at Indonesia's request will not ban outright trade in agarwood but it will strictly regulate it.

2004-10-13T15:00:00.000+10:00

Monkey and carbon

Monkey read this cool article on the likely impact of the Kyoto Protocol (now highly likley to come in to implementation now Russia has climbed on board) on the USA. Given that monkey lives in another country that won't sign up to Kyoto he found it interesting. Monkey also thinks that businesses in Australia will eventually push "pants-on-fire" Howard to change his mind. Monkey can't wait for the day that the BCA backs down on this... waiting...waiting... (while monkey was waiting he went to the BCA website to check the latest media releases on sustainability . Check them ALL out. Clearly sustainability is a major concern for BCA. Monkey laughs at Hugh Morgan - silly monkey Hugh says such funny things).

2004-10-13T14:39:00.000+10:00

Monkey rememories water

Nature muses on the legacy of "memory of water" and life and work of Jacques Benveniste.

2004-10-13T13:43:00.000+10:00

Monkey reads a free-trade-doubting-farmer

Eldis Agriculture and Development Reporter sent monkey running for this paper (pdf)by David Fredrickson, President of National Farmers Union (USA) delivered on 6 June this year in Oslo. Monkey reckons he can spy the real deal when he sees it. Here's some top quotes from Mr Fredrickson:

"While official U.S. statements concerning agricultural trade and trade negotiations say suggest otherwise, I don’t believe there is any question but that farmers and ranchers is the U.S. are more concerned about the impact of globalization, trade agreements and market concentration on their operations and production agriculture in general that at any time in recent memory. The reason for this heightened level of skepticism is that the results associated with this
new global economic paradigm in agriculture have failed to match the promises and rhetoric of those, predominantly multinational processors, merchandisers and retailers as well as free trade academics, who advocate for this new global economy."

"We estimate that on a net, or trade surplus basis, U.S. agricultural trade represents less than 6 percent of the over $200 billion in U.S. crop and livestock sales by producers. The balance of the trade returns reported by our government is made up of the processing and merchandising margins received by the companies who buy and sell agricultural products in the U.S. and throughout the world."

"In the U.S., four firms currently control over 80 percent of the cattle slaughter business, 60 percent of the pork packing industry and 50 percent of broiler chicken processing. In grains the largest four firms process nearly 75 percent of all U.S. corn, 62 percent of our wheat and over 80 percent of our soybean crop. It doesn’t stop with processing. Four companies maintain about 70 percent of the North American seed corn market and 50 percent of the market for soybean feed. Monsanto sold 87 percent of the cottonseed planted in the U.S. in 1998. Three companies dominate the agricultural equipment market in the U.S."

"The U.S. is the largest contributor in the world to development and food assistance programs; however, compared to the consistent level of commitment made by the Norwegian people relative to the size of your economy, we are truly small players."

This last quote reminds monkey of research cited by Peter Singer - that most Americans believed their government gave about 10% of their GDP away as foreign aid rather than the 0.2% of GDP they actually give.

2004-10-13T10:19:00.000+10:00

Monkey says just eat less

A United Nations conference approved a proposal by African countries to control trade in the rare hoodia cactus plant which is sought by drug companies for its appetite-suppressing properties. The hoodia cactus has been used for thousands of years by southern Africa's San Bushmen to dampen their appetites during long treks through the harsh Kalahari desert and holds the key to potentially lucrative anti-obesity drugs.

2004-10-10T09:36:00.000+10:00

Green flesh

Monkey says lets mate for the environment.

2004-10-10T09:09:00.000+10:00

Spying for chocolate slaves

Monkey might be able to start eating chocolate again soon. As the industry finally bites the bullet on monitoring conditions of child workers in cocoa plantations in Africa - an issue that has gained some traction internationally. The focus will initally be on the Ivory Coast where well documented cases of child slavery exist.

2004-10-08T07:18:00.000+10:00

No mullah left behind . Oh, Thomas - you make monkey laugh! Best description of Shrub's energy policy yet.

2004-10-08T06:56:00.000+10:00

Organic farming increases biodiversity at every level of the food chain – all the way from lowly bacteria to mammals. This is the conclusion of the largest review ever done of studies from around the world comparing organic and conventional agriculture. In fact the studies might even have underestimated the benefits to wildlife...Can we move on now?

2004-10-07T21:31:00.000+10:00

Calls for a New Green Revolution in Africa -- whoa - hang on there -- its a real green revolution.

Interesting op-ed piece in NY Times calling for a new green revolution and a shift in US policy in Africa

Last year the United States generously gave $500 million of emergency food aid to Ethiopia to help people survive the drought year. And how much did we provide to African farmers to help them be more productive over the long run? A small fraction of that amount - $4 million...

Unlike the Green Revolution of the 60's, an African Green Revolution doesn't have to be based on technologies and practices that hurt the environment...

Given the possible rewards of African renewal, the price tag is small. Key investments on the order of $50 per person per year in tropical African villages would put the continent on the path to long-term sustainable development.

2004-10-07T11:06:00.000+10:00

Labour and Liberals Tasmanian Forest plans

It took until the last few days of the campaign but eventually we've got a policy from both major parties on Tasmania's old-growth forest. Howard promises to stop logging in 170 000 hectares of forest - but you have to read well into the fine print to find that 140 000 ha. of that would never have been logged anyway - so really he's offering to protect an additional 30 000 ha. Maybe Howard's glasses enable him to miss the fine print - we all know he has trouble interpreting photos, and "never, ever" just means "next time round", and can't really tell a WMD from a 4WD so I guess 30 000 looks like 170 000 to him. And anyway is this policy a "core" or "non-core" promise - always hard to tell with Pants-on-Fire Howard. The Sydney Morning Herald has a nice little graphic comparison of the two polices.

2004-10-06T08:32:00.000+10:00

Truman vs Bush -

Stumbled on this story in the NY Times - a call by Harry Truman (in his first TV address to the nation, and the first ever TV address by a US president to Americans) for Americans to sacrifice eating meat two days a week to help out a starving Europe. Can you imagine Bush asking Americans to make sacrifices for others - hardly! He wouldn't even sign up to Kyoto - too much of a sacrifice of Americans standard of living having to give up driving SUV trucks. So one President asks us to give up food from the table to help the international community, the other President says stuff them, we'll do it our way, when and how we feel like it. You can judge which of these two is the real leader.

2004-10-04T15:39:00.000+10:00

Hemp, whole grains and flashy corn -

A three year US DEA ban on hemp cultivation has ended.

General Mills, the US No 2 in breakfast cereals - which gave the world Wheaties and Cheerios - will only produce whole grain cereals from now on. Even mountains move! But slowly, very slowly!

Flashy corn for the kids.

2004-09-23T14:56:00.000+10:00

Oh yeah - by the way- the US Dept of Agriculture can confirm that superweeds are on the way - just in case you aren't already growing your own. - And we're not talking the not-so-super-weed weed . Seems GM grasses like to hybridise with non-GM types creating the potential for super weeds. Hell, but that's ok - we'll just send in the superinsects ! What GM creates, GM can taketh away. Just ask Schmeiser .

This short article on the true cost of food is worth a read - if not for the interesting data alone. Until we get some rational pricing Canadians will keep eating NZ apples.

Monsanto cuts and runs! We have no-GM wheat today. . . Meanwhile they're not quite there in Europe either.

2004-09-17T14:49:00.000+10:00

It seems that Europe is about to bite deep into GM crops - thank god for that, after all, the world's starving, right! and we need GM to produce more, right! Well that's the GM advocates first line of argument anyway- all that GM research improving productivity right -- well actually - no - not from what I see - here's a good example of the GM research that is actually occuring (as opposed to the theoretical research that will help the the starving) - yes, you guessed it a low-calorie potato - now that's gonna make a big dent on the starving millions! Sure iron-boosted rice would be nice but can I suggest that no-one is gonna invest in it! Well not unless some government provides a subsidy for the research!

One of the big issues here is the absolute naiviety of the scientist involved in GM research. Can I suggest they actually read some economics or history. It reminds me a bit of young sodiers heading off to war - full of optimism and bravado. But talk to any old soldier who has actually experienced war - no optimism , no bravado and a deep hatred of war. Will we be watching documentaries in 20 years time in which scientist express amazement about how the whole GM thing went awry?

2004-09-17T14:37:00.000+10:00

So many GM trees have been planted in China (more than a million) no one knows where they are. (Ask "And then what?" 10 times to see where this might end up) Maybe some nations have the information infrastructure to monitor and track GM organisms but most don't.

2004-09-14T16:15:00.000+10:00

Its not often gardens become an election issue, but water is the biggest environmental issue facing Australians. For people who live on the driest continent on earth Australians rate pretty poorly (or is that pourly) when it comes to water use in their gardens.

2004-09-10T10:46:00.000+10:00

Tumeric may protect children from leukemia?

And what pesticide will you be spraying this year? Tabasco sauce or chemical cocktail ?

2004-09-07T15:27:00.000+10:00

An Australian species of pine rediscovered in 1994 is to be comercially available shortly. The Wollemi pine was known from fossil records prior to its rediscovery. Two trees were a hit at a recent botanical exhibition in Japan and specimens bound for the USA are leaving Australia shortly. 500 plants will be available in October.

2004-09-03T14:13:00.000+10:00

If you buy flowers you might want to check if they come from Colombia - unless you're happy with crushing worker's basic human rights. In which case buy Colombian flowers by the tonne!

2004-09-02T17:01:00.000+10:00

Tree munching moose. Irresistable!

2004-09-01T13:44:00.000+10:00

Having trouble with the kids. Well you should probably send them out for a little greenery - seems green open spaces has a beneficial effect on ADHD kids. Not surprising really. And I thought this research, done by the Human -Environment Research Laboratory was well known - Check out all their research here - as well girls do better if they can see greenery out a window! Trees reduce crime! Green spaces reduce ADHD! Neighbourhoods with trees are friendlier! To sum it up trees in our neighbourhoods have lots of up sides and few down sides. So go and plant one. Surely your not waiting for a cost benefit analysis?