Mother Earth News
Know When to Plant What: Find Your Average Last Spring Frost Date
Find out when to sow which seeds and how to determine when the danger of frost has passed.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Monday, March 08, 2010
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: Help Mother test this new squash bug control technique
Greetings, Troy.
I'm writing today to invite you to try out a technique this summer for squash bug control. If this bug causes problems in your garden, read on.
Some years ago, I wrote a report about research done at Texas A&M that found trap crops of early plantings of squash could attract "up to 90 percent of squash bugs in the area." The key is to plant a few pots of squash indoors, earlier than your usual timing (the bugs are reportedly most attracted to winter squash varieties), then move the plants into the garden as soon as you can. Overwintering squash bugs will make a beeline for them (who knows how they find these plants—bugs are so amazing). The researchers suggested laying a few boards on the ground around the trap crop, and then turning the boards over and squishing the bugs, which like to hide on the undersides. Delay sowing your main squash crops as long as you can, continuing to squish any bugs that show up at the trap crop.
Now, we've come up with what we think might be an improvement on that technique: a "Squash-Bug Squisher"! Instead of just using whatever is handy to squish the bugs on each board, we expect it would be quicker and more effective if you connected two boards together with hinges, so you could pick up the Squisher, flip it over and slam the two boards against each other. The boards will have to be very flat—we're thinking that fiber cement siding, which is highly resistant to warping and heavier than wood, might work well.
So, what do you say—if squash bugs are a challenge in your garden, why not pop a few squash seeds into some pots this week, and give this technique a try this season? We've posted a Squash-Bug Squisher page, http://www.motherearthnews.com/Squash-Bug-Control-Squisher-Trap-Crop.aspx, where you can post your ideas and questions, and eventually, report your results.
Happy Gardening,
Cheryl Long
Editor in Chief
P.S. The Texas researchers also mention that the squash trap crop will attract cucumber beetles, and that you can drown many of your spring cuke beetles by placing pans painted yellow and filled with soapy water beside the squash trap crop. (The beetles are attracted to the yellow color.)
P.P.S. We're hoping to announce more "citizen science" projects like this, so if you have any suggestions, let us know. And if you are a long-time gardener, we would love to have you sign up for our Garden Advisory Group, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/N3QBZKD.MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Ogden Publications,1503 SW 42nd Street, Topeka, KS, 66609
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Trinity Habitat
http://www.trinityhabitat.org/
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Phone: 817-307-0804
Website: http://troy1of2.eaglemountainpg.org
Make Magazine local DIY groups.
http://makezine.com/groups/index.csp
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Phone: 817-307-0804
Website: http://troy1of2.eaglemountainpg.org
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Free Food
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/foodsavings/tp/Get_Free_Food.htm
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Phone: 817-307-0804
Website: http://troy1of2.eaglemountainpg.org
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Okay folks, Friday night is the big night for Winter Solstice Celebration 2009 and for those who may not be familiar with my character "The Boogeyman" and what he's all about I thought I might provide some background. The Boogeyman is a "scapegoat" like character or rather the cloak of rags he wears is the actual scapegoat and he's just a cranky old man who is annoyed by all the people pestering him wanting to touch his cloak and unload all of their negativity, bad deeds or sins of the year. Sometimes he might even chase you a little bit. Touch the cloak if you dare but not The Boogeyman himself lest some of that negativity might bounce back on you.
History is full of scapegoat characters which absolved people of their misdoings be it the Pharmakos of ancient Greek religion, the original "scapegoat" of the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur which was symbolically burdened with the sins of the Jewish people then cast out to rid the nation of its iniquities or the Roman Lupercalia in which priests (Luperci) cut thongs from the sacrificial animals (goats and a dog), then raced around the walls of the old Palatine city, striking women (especially) as they passed with the thongs. A blow from the hide of the scapegoat was said to cure sterility. In early Roman law an innocent person was allowed to take upon himself the penalty of another who had confessed his own guilt. (Source Britannica Online)
There's even a wildly popular story of a dude that was made into a scapegoat to absolve a whole lot of people of their sins. They nailed him to a cross or something I hear. NONE OF THAT FOR ME THANKS! Who knows, maybe that's why The Boogeyman is so cranky. Maybe he's afraid somebody is going to do that to him. In any event, like I said, just transfer your negativity to the cloak, but watch out for The Boogeyman, he might get ya!
Boogey Boogey Boogey!
See you at Winter Solstice Celebration at Cathedral Of Hope!
History is full of scapegoat characters which absolved people of their misdoings be it the Pharmakos of ancient Greek religion, the original "scapegoat" of the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur which was symbolically burdened with the sins of the Jewish people then cast out to rid the nation of its iniquities or the Roman Lupercalia in which priests (Luperci) cut thongs from the sacrificial animals (goats and a dog), then raced around the walls of the old Palatine city, striking women (especially) as they passed with the thongs. A blow from the hide of the scapegoat was said to cure sterility. In early Roman law an innocent person was allowed to take upon himself the penalty of another who had confessed his own guilt. (Source Britannica Online)
There's even a wildly popular story of a dude that was made into a scapegoat to absolve a whole lot of people of their sins. They nailed him to a cross or something I hear. NONE OF THAT FOR ME THANKS! Who knows, maybe that's why The Boogeyman is so cranky. Maybe he's afraid somebody is going to do that to him. In any event, like I said, just transfer your negativity to the cloak, but watch out for The Boogeyman, he might get ya!
Boogey Boogey Boogey!
See you at Winter Solstice Celebration at Cathedral Of Hope!
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