Green Thumbs: Coping with the consequences of perpetual dampness Jun 27, 2009
Diatomaceous earth, wood ashes, coarse sand, and crushed egg shells are irritants and will often deter slugs and snails when used to encircle valued plants and are particularly effective early in the growing season. For small gardens, the placement of wooden shingles among plants will serve as a haven for slugs and snails during the day and the slimy pests can be scooped up with an old spoon and deposited in a jar of soapy water. (Hanover Mariner, MA)
How to Grow Roses in Trees Jun 27, 2009
And it is possible to be very creative with roses around the base of those trees, finding ways to have a succession of color throughout the growing season. This idea exemplifies the wild and romantic garden, especially suitable for larger spaces. (Suite101.com)
Nigeria pipeline attack pushes crude higher Jun 27, 2009
Coffee prices, meanwhile, plunged further as Brazils growing season avoided frost damage. ICE July Arabica coffee hit a low of 115. (FT.com -- Markets)
Bill would hurt farms in N.Y. Jun 27, 2009
Pawel makes the comparison to California, but California with its year-round growing season is not comparable to New York. She then mockingly states, "The agricultural industry has framed the Albany debate with doomsday scenarios.... Paying farmworkers overtime after 40 hours a week would bankrupt growers.". (Albany Times Union)
ODDBALL ITEMS: More 'proof' that sex & sports don't mix Jun 25, 2009
Some fun facts to know and tell: Asparagus has been used since ancient times as a vegetable and medicine, due io its diuretic properties and strange propensity to, as literary big wig (or former Canadiens defenseman) Marcel Proust put it, "transform my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume." Its growing season runs from April to June, but its fragrance, firmness and flavor can't be beat in May. Spears should be straight and green, stems shiny, plump, and smooth. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Corn catch-up: Crop planted late after wet spring Jun 25, 2009
But a shorter growing season could mean a smaller crop and higher prices that eventually trickle down to consumers. The region accounts for somewhere between a quarter and a third of the country's crop of corn, an ingredient in a vast number of foods. (Anchorage Daily News)
Excessive moisture crimps corn, beans in Lee County Jun 24, 2009
However difficult planting and growing conditions have been, Dodds still hasnt written off an average yield if the rain slows down and a normal growing season follows. But the thing thats different this year, weve had so much rain, weve lost stand, he said. (Keokuk Daily Gate City, IO)
Experts offer tips to manage for higher yields in soybeans (17) Jun 23, 2009
Variety selection, seed treatment and scouting are all important factors in boosting yields, and as the growing season progresses there are actions growers can take to maximize yields ... In certain regions, particularly in the South, scouting takes on a high priority quickly in the growing season, says Hughes ... Other important growing season factors include drainage and irrigation. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Gay pride goes on parade in Kalispell Jun 23, 2009
Linda Gryczan wrote on Jun 22, 2009 6:46 AM:" Some ask why there is no straight pride march. There is. It is called Home Coming, St Patrick's Day, Nordic Fest & Indian Days. We celebrate the beginning of the growing season, and its end; cowboy poetry, accordion music & the running of the sheep. We come together to celebrate who we are and what makes us unique. There is room under the Big Sky for all of us. Let's all celebrate. ". DrHAhH wrote on Jun 22, 2009 8:52 AM:" WOW I have lived in MT my... (Missoulian, MT)
Wedding attire debate need not keep guest away Jun 21, 2009
If your mothers asthma is triggered by flowers, shes going to have a hard time visiting the cemetery at any time during the growing season, but surely you can find a relatively quiet time to visit to avoid a migraine. Send questions to askamy@tribune. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Laser technology cuts down on corn and soybean breeding time (2) Jun 21, 2009
We can go back to that specific kernel and plant it the next growing season, Arthur said. In soybeans, scientists may be looking for seed that has molecular markers for diseases such as frogeye leaf spot, brown stem rot, Asian soybean rust and yield. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Weather no deterrent to north Wyo crops (32) Jun 21, 2009
POWELL -- Despite snow, hail and cold temperatures during the spring, crops in northern Wyoming's Big Horn Basin seem to be progressing well so far this growing season. "I don't have any major concerns at this point," said Mike Moore, coordinator of the University of Wyoming Seed Certification Service. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Sawflies can cause a lot of damage Jun 21, 2009
This is because most evergreens keep their needles or leaves for more than one season, so losing a large portion of them will affect their health beyond the current growing season. Several sawfly species occur in Connecticut. (Westerly Sun, RI)
Researchers monitor mountain environment Jun 21, 2009
In mid-May, the forest was on the cusp of entering the summer growing season. When the tower was built several years ago, scientists situated it in the midst of healthy stand of spruce trees. (North County Times)
Roslyn market begins fifth year Jun 21, 2009
Since it's early in the growing season, they didn't have a lot of vegetables to sell. But they did have organic-grown eggs -- and garlic. (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)
Soybeans as forage: New varieties rival alfalfa for quality (1) Jun 21, 2009
Depending on location, forage soybeans need between a 90-day and 120-day growing season. Beef producers using them for forage would have to balance soybean forage with pasture or other types of hay to prevent nitrates from reaching dangerous levels. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
* Urban farming: a bit closer to the sun Jun 20, 2009
One of the things that got me interested, he said, was that between global warming and the thermal bubble of cities you can start things much earlier so you have a much longer growing season. . (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Video crew to drop by Farmer's Market Jun 20, 2009
The Farmington Farmers Market is open during the growing season on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., and on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Doug Smith is a reporter for the Daily Journal. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
North country pest migrated from Oswego port Jun 20, 2009
Today, it can be found on 13 percent of New York state s alfalfa crops and has been known to kill off entire alfalfa stands in one growing season. Until recently, however, it has gone virtually undetected. (Oswego Palladium-Times, NY)
Plant Fall Bulbs for a Spring Garde... Jun 19, 2009
Once the rest of the growing season has begun, the crocus flowers will be gone and the small leaves will easily blend in with the rest of the greens. Crocus bulbs are susceptible to rodent damage. (Suite101.com)
Farmers market to open Saturday Jun 19, 2009
The market has grown from seven to nine vendors to a peak of 25 to 30 vendors during the main growing season ... Although the Northwoods has had a cold, dry growing season, there will still be a good selection of early season veggies at this Saturdays market. (Forest Republican, WI)
Chelmsford is rich in farming history Jun 18, 2009
At the beginning of the growing season, Parlee lost 10,000 out of 15,000 strawberry plants to deer an interloper we have not yet had to deal with in the community garden. They also have 700 blueberry bushes, some raspberries, and a variety of veggies (including corn expected two weeks early), and pumpkins that will be sold at the stand when harvested. (Chelmsford Independent, MA)
Mulch to be considered Jun 18, 2009
We're not having to weed and re-weed beds through the growing season. It also conserves moisture in the soil, reducing water requirements, and minimizes soil erosion. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
Solving tomato problems Jun 18, 2009
"They are probably one of the easiest vegetables to grow, but no vegetable is problem proof, said Ron Wolford. Here are some of the common tomato problems you may encounter during the growing season. Fluctuating spring temperatures can be a problem for newly planted tomato transplants. To help get your tomatoes off to a good start, mulch tomato transplants with black plastic. Soil under plastic is around 10 degrees F warmer than uncovered soil. The mulch also conserves moisture and protects the... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Green thumbs up: Still time to prune, plant and sow seeds Jun 18, 2009
Throughout the growing season, I rarely venture into the yard without my trusty pruning shears ... Liquid soluble fertilizers that are mixed in watering cans or applied with hoses provide a quick fix but should be repeated multiple times during the growing season. (Marshfield Mariner, MA)
Golden Triangle organic fruit growers celebrate the Valley's stone-fruit bounty Jun 17, 2009
California has a long growing season (between April and October), and is the nations leading producer for tree fruit. Gaarde estimates that the state grows about 98% of nectarines and plums, and at least 95% of pluots, apriums and plumcots (all fruits that blend plums and apricots). (Fresno Bee)
The Real World/Road Rules Challenge Jun 17, 2009
The sleeper hit of MTV, RW/RR: The Duel 2 has been winning its time slot among its 12-to-34 target demographic on cable and broadcast, with its audience growing season to season (unlike The Hills, which has seen its numbers drop). Each season, around two dozen cast members from the two parent showsequal numbers male and femaleare jetted to an exotic locale and bunked up together in a Real World-style luxury pad. (Slate)
Climate change is already having an impact in the midwest and across the US Jun 17, 2009
The growing season has been extended by one week. Heavy downpours are now twice as frequent as they were a century ago, he said, and the Midwest has experienced two, record-breaking floods in the past 15 years. (EurekAlert!)
Green thumbs up: Plant versatile vines for colorful flowers that attract hummingbirds Jun 17, 2009
Perennial sweet peas (L. latifolius) develop distinctive winged stems and blue-green foliage and produce single or double flowers in a wide range of colors that bloom sporadically throughout the growing season. Their annual counterparts (L. odoratus) offer an even broader diversity of colorful cultivars with many deliciously fragrant hybrids. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
The baffling potato, the pesky beetle and the pine surprise Jun 16, 2009
Every Tuesday and Thursday during the growing season, volunteers like Koontz and Thompson take calls from concerned gardeners for three hours at the University of Idaho's Twin Falls County Extension Office. The volunteers are certified Master Gardeners and, most of the time, can successfully answer problems that plague southern Idaho gardeners. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
St. Jude's open garden plots Jun 16, 2009
The Village of New Auburn and University of Wisconsin have community garden plots available in New Auburn for the 2009 growing season. Garden plots of 12' x 24' at St. Jude's Church are available for lease by individuals, households or organizations. (Chetek Alert, WI)
Season of the sun Jun 16, 2009
There's also fresh local bread and baked goods, and as the growing season progresses, there will be plenty of fresh local produce (lettuce and basil are already headed to market) ... "It's still early for an Alaskan growing season," Arians said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Southern Minnesota gains needed moisture, central region still waiting (22) Jun 16, 2009
Although the 2009 growing season isn't very old, rain is needed across most of Minnesota ... 5-inches precipitation below normal for the current growing season. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
American Society of Mining and Reclamation Honors Peabody's Roy Karo for Environmental Leadership in Colorado Jun 6, 2009
Achieving success was particularly challenging given the region's high elevation, mountainous terrain and brief growing season. Karo collaborated with engineers, academics, regulators and erosion control experts to advance soil handling, fencing and irrigation techniques to reestablish native woody plants and aspen trees in the region. (PR Newswire)
I have been noticing more often now that they have been burning fields without having a fire department truck on stand by.'>Reader wants to know about field burning. Jun 5, 2009
It is used to minimize pests and weeds, to remove residue after harvest, and to prepare the field for the next growing season. When used as a management tool for growing certain crops, it rejuvenates the plant and helps it grow healthy and strong, the site said. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Little change noted in barley markets Jun 5, 2009
Usually during the growing season, there is always talk about a weather market, but Brag doesn't feel that will play too big of a role this year, at least the way things look now, despite the fact that barley acres may be down in the state. You just have to go back to the old saying rain makes grain', he said. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Farmer's market set for Friday return Jun 5, 2009
However, it was limited because it didn't open until mid-July, which was late in the growing season. Between the earlier opening date and the creation of officers and a board to build a more organized market, Bates expects this year's market to offer many more vendors and their wares. (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
Tasty summer dishes sizzle with sweet Vidalia onions Jun 5, 2009
"These onions are also great in soups, salads, sandwiches, salsas, sauces -- the list goes on and on. Just be sure not to miss them as the growing season is short.". Share your own pleasant memory of cooking with Vidalia onions and your favorite family recipe with the famous sweet treat and you could win some cash. (South County Chronicle, VA)
YOUR ENVIRONMENT: Growing locally is good for the environment Jun 5, 2009
Not only does the greenhouse greatly extend the growing season for The Food Project and the students, but the warm, light filled space with a porous floor offers the students a new space where they can learn and enjoy some messy science experiments. Science teachers Jen Mallette and Cecily Vaughn look forward to many new hands on learning activities using the greenhouse. (Beverly Citizen, MA)
Irrigators begin working Jun 5, 2009
May 6th, 2009West Central Minnesota continues as a garden spot during the 2009 growing season. A temperature of 73 degrees allows growers to continue to plant the 2009 corn and soybeans today. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Abraham Makano Jun 5, 2009
Camelina has a compound that discourages weed growth during the crop's growing season. Currently, there are no herbicides approved for camelina, but we are working on something for kochia and cheatgrass control. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Weather, supply/demand and economy factor into soybean market Jun 4, 2009
The reports of drought during the 2008-2009 growing season were inconsistent, and that apparently caught traders off guard. Reports also suggested that the smaller soybean crop in Argentina and Brazil had already been figured into the market. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Market Remains Bullish Jun 4, 2009
In the big picture, if the market believes that acreage will actually be down 2 million then our new crop balance sheet carryover is going into the growing season lower than 1 billion bushels leaving no margin for production problems. On the charts, the trend is still up; key contracts saw closes above the 200-day moving average which should promote further fund buying during the first several business days of June. (Agri-View, WI)
Africa: Camel Farming Could Be the Answer Jun 4, 2009
The authors focused on the arid and semi-arid regions of West, East and southern Africa, where poor rainfall routinely causes crops to fail in one out of every six or even fewer growing seasons. Various climate projections have indicated that the length of the reliable growing season on the affected land would drop below 90 days, making it impossible to cultivate maize - the staple food in much of Africa - and in some places even "drought-tolerant crops, such as millet" would be difficult to... (allAfrica.com)
Particular about produce Jun 3, 2009
Most produce sees only two or three applications of a pesticide during the growing season. Still, for consumers who choose to avoid pesticides but can't afford all-organic, the list can help make the decision easier. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Urban gardens ease bills, brighten cityscape Jun 3, 2009
So on a recent sunny Saturday, White, 48, enlisted two of her kids Katherine White, 9, and David Smith, 13 and her grandson Robert Puritan, 8, to start planting for this year's growing season. White says the garden helps ease her grocery bill and "helps the community and makes it look better.". (USA Today -- News)
Blueberries: State's research efforts bear fruit Jun 3, 2009
Mississippi's berries ripen earlier than Northern states' berries and after South America's growing season has ended, she said. Horticulturist James Spiers, the laboratory's research leader, began cultivating blueberries at the lab in 1971. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Flea Beetle Pests in Organic Vegeta... Jun 2, 2009
Flea beetles are most active early in the growing season, when they emerge from winter hibernation from plant debris. Although flea beetles make tiny holes, their large numbers can quickly cause enough damage to lead to plant death. (Suite101.com)
Global cooling, warming alarms overdone Jun 2, 2009
We were told by numbers of "scientists" that there was to be a catastrophic cooling of our climate, and that by the year 2000 our growing season would be so short we would not be able to grow enough food to feed our people. This was reported in the media a number of times. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Market Forecaster Jun 2, 2009
The market will want to be bullish because of the long term fundamental picture; including smaller seeded acres compared to last year and a poor start to the growing season ... June brings the end to the growing season for the winter wheat crop, as harvest will progress quickly from Texas northward ... The spring wheat crop move from a leader to a followers role as it is the beginning of the spring wheat growing season. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
How to Make Toad Houses from Flower... Jun 2, 2009
Invite them into your yard at the right time and enjoy them and their insect-eating abilities throughout the growing season. Homemade toad houses are a simple, inexpensive, and fun addition to any garden or yard. (Suite101.com)
SF Ballpark: Buy Me Some Peanuts, Grapes Jun 2, 2009
Howard said that a growing season that begins in May in the Coachella Valley and extends through the fall in Fresno County just about mimics the baseball season. Howard hopes to expand sales to parks across the country. (KSBW 8, CA)
Headline: Be Aware of 2,4-D Drift Onto Grapes (48) Jun 1, 2009
Headline: Be Aware of 2,4-D Drift Onto Grapes Agri-View: Crop News. Wisconsin ag business directory. (Agri-View, WI)
Red Clover Frost Seeding Into Wheat Can Grow’ Nitrogen For Corn Crop (3) May 31, 2009
Interseeded red clover, they report, captures the entire growing season, maximizing N credit. Seeding Berseem clover or other forage legumes after wheat harvest is riskier, due to the ever-present potential for dry weather, not to mention the shorter growing season. (Agri-View, WI)
YWCA GardenFest: How does your garden grow? With propagation May 31, 2009
For DiDonato, that s just one more way to extend the growing season around here. The way I prefer to do my propagation is to start in January when I have the winter blahs. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Grommersch crew finishes up planting in Nicollet County (1) May 31, 2009
will offer reports about their pork and crop operation during the 2009 growing season. NICOLLET, Minn. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
How will Marqusee fare? May 31, 2009
Burright said Marqusee picked an opportune month to undertake the endeavor, since it might not go so well in an off growing season month like November. "It might be kind of eye opening to see what he comes up with," Burright said. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Now's the time to plant trees May 31, 2009
-- After the first growing season the tree should be rooted down and regular yard watering should be sufficient, Kluver said ... Staking for one growing season should be enough, Kluver said. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Iowa Learning Farm to host Woodbury County Field Day May 31, 2009
Cover crops are plants that cover the soil and supplement the growing season of annual grain crops. Adding a cover crop to a rotation has several long-term benefits such as reduction in nutrient losses, reduced soil erosion and improved soil structure. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Swan Lake Iris Gardens May 31, 2009
They can be grown in full sun or partial shade as well as dry soil as long as they are watered well in the growing season. It so happens that the thick tall clumps of ribbed leaves planted in drifts are spectacular around the perimeter of a pond or lake. (Suite101.com)
Wisconsin chef teaches cooking in forests, fields May 30, 2009
The farmers sell shares of their crop in the spring, often for $500 or $600, and then deliver boxes of produce weekly during the growing season. INTERACTIVE. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Produce, flowers, baked goods and more at farmers markets starting next week May 30, 2009
The Charleston Farmers Market is on Wednesdays through the growing season, from about 6 to 10:30 a.m. on the courthouse square. In Mattoon, the first Farmers Market is on Friday along Broadway Avenue at peterson Park. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Corn Trade Higher May 29, 2009
In the big picture, if the market believes the lower usage numbers and that acreage will actually be down 2 million then our new crop balance sheet is going into the growing season lower than 1 billion bushels leaving no margin for production problems. Corn price should remain somewhat fixed to the ethanol profitability argument, which should promote a range bound market. (Agri-View, WI)
Motivated to produce May 29, 2009
Because farms up here cannot plant April 1, this method allows the farm to pick up another five weeks of growing season. It is a very controlled system, minute changes can maximize the quality of the plants and the seeds that don t grow are not planted. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Get Planting May 29, 2009
They can be split any time of the growing season. They produce flowers. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
