Natural Pest and Insect Control in your Garden: Organic is Effective

Regrettably, our gardens abound with pests as often as they abound with flowers and vegetables. Even So, you don’t have to resort to chemical means to get rid of the little insect beasties that want to dine on your plants. For every pest, there’s a natural pest control solution, one that doesn’t require filling your garden environment with poisonous pesticides. And there’s more good news: natural pest control costs less than pesticides and is much healthier for your garden, your pets, children, wildlife and the environment.

Did you know that each year, North Americans use approximately 136 million pounds of pesticides on lawns and gardens, and inside the home? North American homeowners actually use almost three times the amount of pesticides that farmers use. Most of the wildlife pest poisonings that occur—and most of the surface water contamination from pesticides—come from single family homes.

Food Insecurity - 2008 Ground Beef

In addition to the ongoing contaminated tomato crisis, now comes word that there is a widening ground beef E. coli contamination outbreak.

The outbreak of E. coli was initially tied to ground beef made from beef from Nebraska Beef Ltd. The beef was sold in Kroger stores in Michigan and Ohio. Nebraska Beef initially recalled 531,707 pounds of ground beef as a result of the outbreak, but expanded its recall July 3 to approximately 5.3 million pounds.

The outbreak is now in five states: Kentucky, Indiana and New York each confirmed one case of E. coli infections shown to be identical to the strain which already sickened 41 people in Ohio and Michigan.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the E. coli-related illnesses began showing up between May 30 and June 24. No deaths have been reported, but 21 people have been hospitalized and one person developed kidney failure.

Energy Projections vs. Energy Realities

The federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released a report projecting that "World marketed energy consumption is projected to increase by 57 percent from 2004 to 2030. Total energy demand in the non-OECD countries increases by 95 percent, compared with an increase of 24 percent in the OECD countries."

What's an OECD country?

Great Reasons to Grow Sprouts

Here is a list of ten great reasons to grow sprouts for eating, written by Sproutman® Steve Meyerowitz.

"Sprouts? Are they garnish, or are they food? Many who don't know much about sprouts put them in the same category as parsley, a garnish that you put on your food but not much of a food in itself. That's not my view."

How to Eat Safe After Beef, Tomato Scares and Recalls

The Associated Press - Ways to Eat Safe After Beef, Tomato Scares.

Some tips for safely preparing some outdoor favorites this Fourth of July. The National Consumers League says it's up to consumers to ensure the safety of foods they eat.

Playlist: Container Gardening

If you do not have a lot of space available to use for gardening an excellent alternative is to containers for your garden. A lot of plants can be grown in container gardens with great results. Container gardens are not just for houseplants, you can use them to grow vegetables and fruits.

Food Insecurity - 2008 Tomato Recall the Largest from Salmonella

The Associated Press is reporting today that "The official toll from salmonella-tainted tomatoes continues to rise: The government counted 756 confirmed illnesses Thursday.

That's roughly 200 more illnesses than health officials had counted a week ago, in what has become the nation's largest outbreak of salmonella from tomatoes.

The continuing rise in cases is due mostly to state laboratories finishing backlogs of tests, not lots of new infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The latest known illness occurred June 13.

The outbreak's source remains a mystery."

Biodiesel Fuel Alternative

For several years in the United States, typically in summer, there would be complaints and concerns with the price of oil and its effects on the price of gasoline. It has all finally come to a head this year (2008) and it affects countries world wide, leading to food riots and protests in some places. Not only do we have to deal with high oil prices but there is also a food crisis caused by a push to use food (such as corn for ethanol) as a source of alternative fuel.

The debate and issues raised by climate change, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, peak oil and geopolitical risks relating to energy dependence and the environmental risks associated with oil and gas exploration, drilling, refining a distribution, governments have begun supporting biodiesel production in a HUGE way.

Sprouting: How to Grow Sprouts

Sprouting: A Brief Overview on How to Sprout
by Thomas E. Billings

Hydroponics can be organic - the Bioponics Method

From the July/August 1999 issue of Texas Gardener:

Bioponics: Organics Marry Hydroponics - Jody Bates

Would you like to have succulent, juicy tomatoes and an Italian herb garden ready for your next salad? Chris Freeman, a recent Masters of Agriculture graduate of Texas A&M University, has devised a unique system called "bioponics" that has all the advantages of hydroponics, yet is certified organic by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

If you are a commercial gardener, the organic stamp of approval can command higher prices in the marketplace, and bioponics assure crops with high aesthetic value and consumer appeal.

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