fao.org -- keeping the land alive

fao.org -- see the U.N.F.A.O. soil links for conservation, erosion, management

fao.org -- example: using this form, enter soil, then click the search button

swcs.org -- the state of the soil (and thus of the "Union" as well?)

uwsp.edu -- take a virtual tour of the composition of soil's horizons and layers

iastate.edu -- understanding the designations for horizons and layers

iastate.edu -- what exactly is meant by soil quality

iastate.edu -- the state of the soil in your state

iastate.edu -- participate in your state's soil survey efforts

ncsu.edu -- careful soil sampling is key to reliable test results

osu.edu -- soil quality in vegetable and small fruit production

forestsoils.org -- soil health and composting

smartgardening.com -- soil types and soil testing

homeharvest.com -- vegetable & herb preferred pH ranges

which.net -- even more vegetable & herb preferred pH ranges

primalseeds.org -- composting, mulching, and building soil nutrients

vitech1.com -- soil: bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa, and enzymes

Plant Bulbs in the Fall (for Springtime color):

As the Summer gardening activity comes to an end, we typically turn to our Fall crops for nourishment. But we also should be thinking about the nourishment of our spirit (following a long and bleak Winter). Now is the time to plan & plant, for springtime color throughout our landscape. Planting a diverse crop of bulbs can not only bring brilliant color in the Spring, but it can also result in blossoms from January through the coming Fall as well (if we take the time to plan, and make some good selections).

But when and where should you plant these bulbs? How deep should you plant them? When and how should you feed them? How do you protect them from burrowing pests? Which varieties do best in your locale? For these (and other such questions); your State Extension Services, or local greenhouse/gardening centers would best be able to advise you on these matters. But there are lots of tips and general info (about bulbs), which having knowledge thereof can help to ensure a pleasant and successful outcome to your quest!

Listed below are some Internet resources, which are related to this quest:

bulb.com -- where you live determines when you should plant

busfin.unl.edu -- a variety of bulbs to welcome springtime

aginfo.psu.edu -- bulbs for January through June blossoms

hgic.clemson.edu -- bulbs for summer and fall blossoms

ca.uky.edu -- good charts and tips for a variety of bulbs

ces.uga.edu -- more good charts and tips for a variety of bulbs

hgic.clemson.edu -- more tips on springtime flowering bulbs

urbanext.uiuc.edu -- where one might use bulbs, in their landscape

garden.org -- some 90+ articles on bulb planting and care

ext-colostate.custhelp.com -- some 270+ questions, asked & answered

Saving Seeds (and our natural seed supply):

Imagine a world, where you are forced to purchase all of your seeds! Impossible you say? Well, not really, especially if the genetic engineers and a few greedy suppliers are allowed to have their way! Intentional and specific genetic engineering [GE] can result in having the harvested seeds to be infertile (when gathered from those genetically altered plants). Oh, but what a neat way to be in total control the world's supply of seeds? NOT!

If the above scenario is not cause enough for you to gather your own seeds NOW, then perhaps the necessity of having variety is? Imagine a world with only one kind of apple, tomato, or rose! That would be a pretty dull world, right? Well not only would it be boring, it could also cause thousands of insect and wildlife species (perhaps even humankind itself) to rapidly become extinct. Think about it? Insects, birds, and all else in the food chain, fill a specific niche, right? Begin tampering with the natural evolvement and diversity within the plant kingdom, and all else follows (i.e., not only would we be reaping these promised yet unproven benefits, but also there's the possibility for becoming victims of unforeseen and perhaps dire consequences as well)!

Our seeds are our future plants, and our future food supply as well! It might interest you to know that despite many countries having already acted against the uncertain and uncontrolled effects of genetically engineering our food supply (and seed supply), that the United States government actually endorses keeping its citizens in the dark!

To be sure; we may reap some marginal benefits; such as, pest/disease resistant varieties of fruits and vegetables, or perhaps even longer-term storage of unprocessed crops (on their way to market). But once released into the wild (and eventually into our bodies), such genetically engineered plants (and seeds therein) will have what effect? The answer to that question is a great big unknown -- and is the reason behind other countries having already taken their decisive course of action!

So why --despite other U.S. entities being interested in doing so-- is there not a U.S. government-led effort in following the lead of other world governments? In my consideration, that question might be answered with a single word: greed!

What's the ultimate solution, to obtaining a balance been nature as it is and the science which seeks to change it? I do not know that there is one! But I can suggest that we all act cautiously, and seek-out seeds (and foods) which have not been genetically altered. And as a bare and uncompromising minimum, we must also insist upon the clear labeling of anything which has been genetically engineered!

So, where do we begin? I think the best place to start, is by gathering our own seeds from nature herself (or from seed suppliers who do likewise). In addition to a few (select links) below, you can use any good search engine to locate a plethora of seed suppliers. But I suggest that you ALWAYS ASK your seed supplier if they can certify whether (or not) that which you are about to purchase is genetically engineered! At least that way, you can make an informed decision (or else seek alternative suppliers who can certify their products' status)!

Listed below are some Internet resources, which are related to this quest:

rainyside.com -- begin your quest with this FAQ about "seeds" in general

abundantlifeseed.org -- seeds which are not genetically modified

victoryseeds.com -- more seeds which are not genetically modified

rareseeds.com -- even more seeds which are not genetically modified

seedsofchange.com -- yet more seeds which are not genetically modified

seedsavers.org -- seed suppliers & contact info, see this page

nativeseeds.org -- seeds for traditional Native American crops

attra.org -- still more organic seed resources, see tables:  1,  2, and  3

seedstrust.com -- seed saving instructions for common vegetables

organicconsumers.org -- news and activism in support of GE labeling

gardeners.com -- about agricultural GMO (genetically modified organisms)

ipcb.org -- help dispel the common myths about the safety of GE and GMO

gene-watch.org -- read this FAQ about genetically engineered food

gene-watch.org -- books for those concerned about GE and GMO

Water Gardening (for diversity):

Some of you might be interested in just a plain, simple, small pond... in order to attract beneficial birds, frogs, skinks, and snakes, to your backyard. Others might be interested in creating an elaborate water-plant habitat. And some might even have bigger plans in mind (a miniature, but sizeable and diverse wildlife habitat)? Whatever your plans, I suggest that you consider all of your alternatives, and do ample research and planning, before you begin to dig (or pay someone else to do so). Pursuant to your in-depth research objectives; here are several helpful links which might be of interest, just to get you started:

nwf.org -- starting simple, with a backyard frog pond

nwf.org -- some ideas for creating a mini-wetlands

windstar.org -- attracting wildlife, with a backyard pond

wildaboutgardening.org -- for those more into the creepy critters

mwhf.org -- gather even more ideas for your wildlife habitat

garf.org -- geothermal aquaculture research, an interesting read

iaswcd.org -- to view this document, you might need the Acrobat Reader

chicagowildernessmag.org -- an inspirational article, to say the least

gardenclub.org -- another inspiring, albeit a bit dated, article

valleyk.com -- which plants, and at what depths they belong

diynetwork.com -- good stuff, from the Do-it-Yourself Network

scda.state.sc.us -- not fancy, but full of good info (also look here)

pondusa.com -- helpful hints and ideas, for your backyard project

ourbackyard.com -- even more tips and ideas, for your backyard

hgtv.com -- backyard water garden secrets, from HGTV.com

cbsnews.com -- perhaps of interest, a recent CBS News article

doityourself.master.com -- 20 (or so) pertinent links, for Do-it-Yourselfers

journeytoforever.org -- and here are even more garden pond resources

Reaping benefits from SBC Yahoo!

For those who have already made the "transition" (i.e., migrated from SBC Prodigy Dial to SBC Yahoo! Dial); and in some cases even for those who have not migrated (such as those who might already be using a Yahoo! ID for e-mail purposes) -- here are some helpful links which might be of interest:

SBC Yahoo! Dial: Software/CD Installation
-- it's here that SBC Prodigy Members can walk through a "dry run", and see the installation process... without actually installing the software. (beware: this page approaches 1 MB because it is image intensive, but is thought by some to be helpful and well worth the wait for their browser to completely load it)

SBC Yahoo! Dial: Setup Options
-- it's here that Bob Henry (a Prodigy Member Help BB Moderator) provides notes which might prove to be useful to those who "got stuck" at some point during the installation process.

SBC Yahoo! Home Page
-- dial.sbc.yahoo.com replaces myhome.prodigy.net as one's "default" browser start page, and it is more customizable than was/is the SBC Prodigy home/start page.

SBC Yahoo! Web-based Mail
-- mail.yahoo.com replaces maillink.prodigy.net as one's "default" online mailbox... which features, among other things, a Spamguard^™ and 25 MB of storage for the Primary account (each of the 10 optional sub-accounts has 10 MB of storage).

SBC Yahoo! Help
-- provides insight to using the SBC Yahoo! Browser, Messenger, and Portal features.

SBC Yahoo! Support Center
-- provides more technically oriented insight to such things as:

• info about Access Numbers
• info about Dialup MODEMs
• setting up a Windows DUN
• ...and much more!

Do you have questions about migrating from SBC Prodigy (as your ISP) to SBC Yahoo!? Then first see the Transition FAQ:
http://sbcglobal.prodigy.net/sbcyahoodial/prodigy/faq.html

Are you hesitant about migrating? These tips might help:
http://sbcglobal.prodigy.net/sbcyahoodial/tips.html

If you have questions (before or after) about migrating, then visit the:
Member Help BB: SBC Yahoo Forum

If you want to see a preview of SBC Yahoo!, then visit:
http://sbcglobal.prodigy.net/sbcyahoodial/tour.html

You can learn more about the benefits of SBC Yahoo!, here:
http://sbcglobal.prodigy.net/sbcyahoodial/prodigy/benefits.html

If you're curious about the SBC Yahoo! Privacy Policy, look here:
http://r2.sbc.dcx.yahoo.com/privacy/

If you activate your SBC Yahoo! account, automatically you'll be eligible to win:
http://sbcglobal.prodigy.net/sbcyahoodial/prizes.html

And just for the record; no purchase, payment, or migration of your account from SBC Prodigy to SBC Yahoo!, is necessary for you to win:
http://sbcglobal.prodigy.net/sbcyahoodial/prizerules.html

08-21-02

Cooperative Extension Services (your friend, in time of need):

Have you ever had pesky (insects, critters, or foliage) problems which drove you nuts? Are you unsure as to; when and what to plant, or when and how much to water? Are you aware of and try to properly maintain your soil's health-condition? Do you seem to have a never-ending batch of gardening related questions? My observations (over the years) have been, as luck would have it, that you are not alone! When you do have questions, to whom do you turn for advice?

Whether you have a sprawling ranch, operate a small farm, tend plants on an urban-rooftop, or even just keep a small patio or houseplant haven... have you ever looked-to cooperative extension services to help resolve your problems? And just where might you find such services? You may be surprised, when you discover that these excellent resources are more abundant, helpful, and much closer than you thought!

Listed below are links to the U.S.D.A. CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) state partners/programs. Take the time to visit them online (and perhaps offline as well), I think that you'll be glad that you did. And because plant diseases, pests, soil types, and all other environmental considerations, are not artificially bound by your city/county/state lines... you might want to pay a visit your bordering state(s) web sites as well:

AK   AL   AR   AZ   CA   CO   CT   DE   FL   GA

HI   IA   ID   IL   IN   KS   KY   LA   MA   MD

ME   MI   MN   MO   MS   MT   NC   ND   NE   NH

NJ   NM   NV   NY   OH   OK   OR   PA   RI   SC

SD   TN   TX   UT   VA   VT   WA   WI   WV   WY

08-14-02

Dealing with Drought:

I don't know about your particular area, but here in my neck of the woods drought conditions have been severe! Voluntary water restrictions have been escalated to the mandatory level by many local cities, and there doesn't appear to be any relief in sight. In fact; some experts are predicting that it could be years, before conditions return to normal!

And unfortunately, these same things can be said of many areas across the USA! If drought has already arrived in your locale, there are things which can be done to cope with it. And even if it has not yet arrived, there are plans which can implemented to minimize its impact (should it spread in your direction). With these things in mind; the links presented below will be focused on drought:

Management of Water Resources
-- perhaps there's been poor planning by State & Federal governments

Country Market Nursery Tips
-- good ideas for coping with drought, and also for drought-proofing

Drought Monitor: Current Conditions
-- excellent site; check out imagery such as the NOAA drought-severity index

USDA: Plants Database: advanced search
-- if you're looking for drought-tolerant plants, be sure to check here

Here are some (archives, prior to 8-11-02) generally useful links, for you to enjoy:

Storm Damage to Trees and Landscape Plants
Extensive info about Cold Damage, Flood Damage, General Storm Damage, Ice Damage... even Hurricane, Lightning, Snow, Tornado and Wind Damage is covered!

Holiday Activities at Missouri Botanical Gardens
Take a nostalgic stroll down memory lane to a time before battery-operated toys and computer games. The 2001 Holiday Floral Display glimpses an era when shoelace climbers and ladder tumblers appeared to work by magic. See behind the scenes and the show is created!

Seasonal Festivities at Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pa
Verdant lawns, colorful plants, and fragrant flowers blooming in the midst of winter are the true magic of the holidays at Longwood. The idealized image of the northeastern winter landscape inspired Longwood’s Planning and Design Specialist Tres Fromme when planning this year’s display: "I wanted to evoke the crisp, clean affect of icy snow falling on dark evergreens within the lush warmth of the greenhouses."

Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids MI
This year's Christmas Around the World and Holiday Traditions will highlight holiday customs from around the world with more traditions and trees than ever-40-decked out with 150,000 lights, and elaborate, handmade ornaments. New to the exhibit this year is a tree representing the culture and traditions of Peru.

Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden becomes a winter wonderland during Celebrations! A Festival of Lights, Flowers & Music. Experience the magic of acres of lights, vibrant indoor gardens and an array of family programs.

Denver Botanic Gardens
Nightly Entertainment, Kissing Spots and Thousands of Lights To Delight Guests. The splendor of the ultimate backyard comes in the form of of Denver's Botanic Gardens.

Winter Garden Delights
It's here that Fran shares her ideas and ways to get through a long cold winter; which as she indicates, doesn't have to be bloomless or without fragrance. Thanks, Fran!

Winter Care for Garden Ponds
Are below-freezing temperatures threatening your outdoor aquatic plants? Should you move things indoors, cover the pond, use heating accessories, or what?

Indian Meal Moths
Is this really the most common household food pest? Will it affect your plants? And just from where does it come? And how can one rid themselves of it? So many questions to be answered, and so little time!

Cigarette and Drugstore Beetles
Where are they commonly found? What sort of damage can they do? How easy are they to get rid of, and what lifecycle stages are they most vulnerable? Do you know?!

Recognizing and Dealing with Termites
Colonies of soldiers, workers, and procreators, oh my! These pests are rarely observed out in the open. Their presence can be detected, but do you know the telltale signs of an infestation. And for that matter, would you recognize a termite if you saw one?

Fungus Gnats
... and other assorted household-plant pests (such as; shore flies, moth flies, and March flies) may be damaging your plants. Then again; maybe not, but they're still considered by some to be quite the unwanted-guests!

U.S. Forest Service 2001 Fall Colors
In many areas of the US, October is peak season for foliage viewing. The 2001 Fall Colors site has links to geographical regions and states.

Fall in PA
Driving tours, hiking, biking, and birding in the fall foliage.

ID it
Have a leaf or twig specimen that you can't ID? Check out Virginia Tech Extension Service's Leaf ID Key.

Pumpkin Nook
Everything from growing to cooking, as well as the Giant Pumpkin awards...who won...and of course.....how big?

Fall Planted Bulbs & Corms
Now is the time to plant bulbs. To help you get started here's a factsheet for selecting, planting, and growing fall-planted bulbs.

PlantCare.com
PlantCare is a database of over 1,300 species of House and Greenhouse Plants which provides 18 categories of care, from watering to lighting. Search a plant by either its Latin or common name. If you don't know the name, Search by Plant Type, such as Shrub, Fern or Perennial.

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