World's Best Compost

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Are you having trouble getting your plants to bloom out in all their glory? If so, you may want to read this review. If you are into gardening, then you are more than aware of the importance of good compost. For it is the compost that provides your plants with the essential nutrients, of course, you could go the 'toxic route' or anything similar. But if you need your plants to bloom naturally, it is always better to do it with good compost than with a chemical fertilizer hot out of a chemical plant. Natural is in and everything else is out, especially if you expect your plants to grow naturally. No good comes out of artificial stuff and sooner than later, you will be bound to come across a whole range of problems if chemical fertilizers are your stuff. Try out the e-book, the world's best compost as it shows you how to get the best out of your plants the natural way.

The world's best compost is all about developing your own compost, without having to hold your breath in. Yeah, as hard as it may seem to believe, this compost method does not stink to the high heavens and you do not need to turn it over either. Every greenhouse needs a good compost to get the best out of the plants, be it roses or orchids. If you are an orchid buff, you probably would not mind splurging a bit on the latest chemical fertilizer. However, before you do so, you may want to consider the long term effects on your orchids due to large scale use of the fertilizer on your part. It is better to stick with natural products and world's best compost, for with the compost method listed here; your plants will start to shine in no time at all.

This book comes packed with all the information that you need in order to develop /make your own colloidal humus compost. The humus compost is the better version of the traditional compost in the sense that it does not stink or does it require to be turned over once in a while. I guess, it is the easy take on the traditional compost methods and this e-book should show you just how to go about it as it comes packed with information, diagrams and photographs to show you exactly how to make your own.

This book is written in an easy-to-understand format so you should have no issues in making sense of it. The process is fairly easy and the only requirement is that you have some basic gardening know-how. So, if you are looking for natural ways to get your plants to bloom, you may want to give this book a second look.

Reuben Wallis has reviewed Rod Turner's e-book the worlds best compost. For a detailed take on growing plants naturally, do click on worlds best compost reviews.

Squash Vine Borer Controlling

Recently a grower from the UK sent us a photo of damage to a pumpkin janick plant and wanted to know what it was and whether it could be controlled. This pest had apparently been a problem for a long time, to the extent that it was questionable whether it was worthwhile planting pumpkins or squashes Kiwi.

Like all vegetables, pumpkins and squashes are no strangers to disease and bugs. Squash Vine Borer (Melittia cucurbitae), which is what was preventing our pumpkins, grower's is only one of the range of pests that affects members of the cucurbit family (members of which include pumpkins, squashes, zucchinis, cucumbers, melons etc). Besides the Squash vine borer lives UK in most temperate areas of North America, although not on the Pacific Coast. This pest is renowned for the fact that you cannot see it until it is too late (when the plant is wilted and does not recover when watered). Close examinations will reveal that the stem has been severed just above ground level.

Symptoms

When you examine the base of affected plants, you will notice a small hole and some frass (sawdust-like droppings). The hole is a sign of the presence of the Squash Vine Borer. If there are multiple numbers of borers, these pests can actually cause the stem to break-especially if it is colder-or to rot, depending on the weather. The injury will also prevent the plant from taking up water and nutrients, which will ultimately cause it to die.

The Squash Vine Borer is the larvae of a species of black moth that attacks both wild and cultivated varieties of squash. The moth looks like a bee or wasp because of its movements, and the bright orange scales on its hind legs. It has a wing span or around 25 to 37 mm (1-11/2). The females usually reddish-brown lay eggs on the leaves, and when they hatch the larvae bore their way into the base of the stem? the larvae feed on and inside the stalk, eventually killing the leaf. From the leaf, the caterpillars migrate to the main stem, and with enough feeding damage to the stem, the entire plant may die.

Squash Vine Borers can affect hubbard squash, gourds, pumpkins, zucchinis and other squashes. It is not common to find them on cucumbers or melons. Control Squash Vine Borer Gardeners find a difficult pest to combat. Some try to avoid it by timing the production season to harvest before the pests can build up, or after they have peaked. However, there are cultural control measures that can be implemented.

Squash Vine Borers As overwinter in the soil as larvae in cocoons, removing and destroying old vines after harvesting will help. Tilling the soil will also help to destroy any cocoons that may be there. Birds will also assist you with this job once the soil is tilled.

Once your crop is planted, if you are vigilant, you may be able to remove eggs when they appear. As the larvae bore into the stem usually close to ground level, a paper or other wrapping at the base of the stem may assist as a barrier. If you notice the plant wilting or a hole at the base of the stem, it is possible (if you are very careful) to slit open the stem and remove the larvae, and then cover the stem with dry soil so that it can grow more roots. In fact if you notice a hole, you can even just pile some dry soil over the affected area to try and promote new root growth so that the plant will not die.

An old trick for growing pumpkins and squash is to cover the vine with earth at various points along its length, inducing rooting at several points, thereby continuing to feed the developing fruit despite the loss of the original stem. After the vine has taken root at multiple points, the infected portion of the plant can be cut off, along with another inch where the larvae is eating into healthy tissue, without significant damage to the plant. Row covers are another option that can be used up until bloom.

Some gardeners use pesticides, but these are ineffective after the larvae are inside the plant. It is also not recommended as these pesticides used to kill the adult moth may contaminate the flowers and the East kill pollinators through poisoned nectar or pollen.

Lucia Grimmer is the main author of best selling books How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes and How to Grow Good Potatoes.

Lucia Grimmer is a world renowned expert in plant disease and nutrition who trains horticulturists, agronomists and professional growers. She has won awards for her technical papers and regularly conducts trials on a range of crops with the objective of improving yield and reducing disease.

Co-author Annette Welsford also has a horticultural background, however her true skills like with taking complex technical information and representing it so that even novice gardeners find it easy to understand.

Their books are considered to be the authoritative "bibles" on Growing Tomatoes and Growing Potatoes and have sold to thousands of novice and professional gardeners in 85 countries, and have been featured on TV, radio and leading gardening publications in 4 continents.

Save Water on Your Landscaping Outside Your Southwestern Home

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What if you live in the Southwest and are worried about water usage outside your home? You know that typically 55% of your water use will be outside your home, but water is in short supply in the desert regions where you live, worse, the authorities are calling for voluntarily water conservation. If this does not work, there will be a level II drought, maybe even a level three in the future.

Imagine, trying to plant a lawn and keep it green in this environment. Not all types of plants can grow well in the desert regions of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California. And what about Mexico, you think it's dry in the US in these regions, what about our neighbors in Mexico? You see, if we are going to work together to save water, then we must start paying attention to our landscapes outside our homes.

May I be so blunt to recommend a very good book to you on this subject? A book, which can help you do your part to help, because if we all do a little, we will collectively accomplish a lot:

"Plants for Dry Climates; How to Select, Grow and Enjoy" by Mary Rose Duffield and Warren D. Jones. 2001 (upgraded and re-edited edition).

The book explains the annual rainfall rates, winds, weather, high heat, low humidity, and yes, it all matters. In fact, areas within the regions have micro-climates that can significantly change which plants will grow best. The direction that you house faces and where the shade is and for how long during the day maybe ideal for some plants and bad for others.

Over 600 plant species are in this book with graphs, charts and information is inside. Learn about the different species of lawns, cacti, sage brush, flowers, and what suits your fancy. You will not believe the incredible choices and opportunity for your xeriscape landscape to save water. Please consider doing your part to save water.

"Lance Winslow" - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Compost - Rodale Press - A Book Review

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Coming in at slightly less than 100 pages Rodale's Compost is a "black gold" mine of information on composting.

Rodale's Compost is organized as six chapters. It covers topics ranging from the basics all the way up to of commercial compost.

It opens with a chapter on the reasons for composting, and its benefits for your garden and the overall ecosystem.

Chapter 2 is a review of composting tools and supplies It recommends seven basic tools for the gardener for composting. After reviewing the types of composting piles and containers, it notes a few of the advantages of the different types. Also covered are some unusual techniques for gathering waste materials that are broken out by region of the country.

The next chapter goes into a review of the how compost is made. From this they introduce techniques which are useful for improving the speed and efficiency of your composting. This includes a look at the creatures that may inhabit your bin, and their individual roles in breaking down your waste materials.

Chapter 4 gives the basic process for making compost, including a good list of things to not try composting. This chapter discusses the carbon to nitrogen ratio charts that can be the bane of some gardeners, and includes a sample chart. But it's presented in a clear and understandable way that helps get the makeup of your waste pile right for rapid composting. There is a section on troubleshooting problems that may be seen in a compost pile as well.

The next chapter details ways to use compost After determining that it is properly finished, they go into how and when to sift it, and basic spreading and application techniques.

The final chapter has an overview of commercially available compost, with recommendations on what to look for and especially those things that gardeners should avoid when buying compost.

The final section of the book has a seasonal guide to composting, with a comprehensive glossary, along with a list of recommended reading and web sites as well.

If there were one area that I would like to have seen improved, is would be to have a more comprehensive review of some of the more popular compost bins and tumblers. The book does have a general overview of the various types, but it does not have enough detail that it can serve as a buying guide. Aside from that observation, this book packs a lot of useful information into a compact, clearly illustrated guide.

Editor: Vicki Mattern

Publisher: Rodale Press

ISBN: 0-87596-856-2

How2Compost features information and tools to Jump Start your Composting, including Compost Bins and a review of Compost Tumblers.

What's A Disorganized Person To Do? By Stacey Platt

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"What's A Disorganized Person To Do?" by Stacey Platt has a subtitle of "317 Ideas, Tips, Projects, and Lists to Unclutter Your Home and Streamline Your Life." That's pretty much exactly what this book is, a book of tips, ideas and strategies to organize your home, and thus your life. The book is easy to read and is well organized (I would hope so!) to find the areas you need help with. It can be a good book to quickly read through once, and then use as a reference when you need help with certain areas of your home.

There is a short introduction to the book, and then a section on general principles. These principles are shared, like everything in this book, with short tips or lessons. Things such as Three habits of highly organized people (Consume consciously, spend your clutter, and live within your space means), lessons from the silverware drawer (forks kept with forks, single consistent home, etc.), and ten steps to organizing anything, which I won't list here.

The book then goes into sections regarding each area of a person's home. These include: The entry, kitchen, bedrooms and closets, bathrooms, living rooms and dens, home office, utility and storage areas, kid clutter, and finally a section on trips and moving. None of the tips are that long or complicated, and the book has many photographs of well organized areas of the home to motivate you with your organizing. Some tips, like how to fold a fitted sheet are accompanied by photographs to teach you the method.

There are 267 topics in the book. I'm guessing the 317 from the title is because some of the tips contain more than one. Such as topic 4 mentioned above that includes ten steps to organizing anything. Regardless of the number, the book is packed full of tips, suggestions and ideas on organizing. Most likely, you won't like or use them all. However, I bet you do find things in this book that can help you become more organized. It's an easy to read book and an attractive one with the layout and quality photographs. (Even though some remind me of some model home in some showcase and not one that is actually lived in)

There are many books on organizing and getting rid of clutter. Some of my favorites are those by Don Aslett, just because I like his style of writing and attitude about the topic. I think this book by Stacey Platt is good for those that need some tips and suggestions on getting organized. It does not have the motivation that Aslett's books have, but that is his style. I'd recommend this as a good reference for organizational tips and suggestions.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results, as well as resolve conflict and negotiate. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

Composting For All - Book Review

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Nicki Scott released the second edition of Composting For All in 2004; obviously this is a popular publication within the UK, and it is certainly affordable. Here is one booklet that practices what it preaches - the cover is printed on 80% recycled material and the inside pages are printed on 100% recycled paper. I thought the front cover's image of mom, dad and young girl happily tending to a compost bin near their bountiful garden and lush yard was quite cute.

Thirty-two pages and seventeen chapters (including the introduction and resource sections) are filled with sketches and illustrations by Bob Gale. This short booklet explains what composting involves in a simple way and terms like vermiculture and aerobic bacteria become less confusing. Learn how to begin composting safely wit little hassle. Discover old and new composting methods from hot and cold composts, fermentation methods and vermiculture. He even discusses compost activators (those that increase decomposition process) and how to reuse an old chest freezer to make a worm bin. The booklet closes with a very small reference section for readers to contact eleven associations and publications to further their journey in waste reduction.

I enjoyed his discussion about the amazing array of life forms are supported by composting activities, and the final product that encourages healthier green spaces, gardens, balcony and roof gardens and flowerboxes in our communities. This results in a wonderful bio-support system to help the other critters that share our world, and healthy plants that clean our air.

The suggestion that most appealed to me was substituting leaf compost for peat requirements in our gardens. I had no idea that many commercially bagged compost actually contain peat. Environmentalists will tell you how important it is to avoid using peat-based products, and alternatives such as ground coconut husk have been around for some time.

Cities concerned with stressed landfills offer compost bins or worm bins to help people handle organic waste. Unfortunately the training available for citizens to use is not always readily available. This is what makes books like these so valuable to our society.

Nicki Scott has authored two booklets, one book and a video on composting and other methods we can all employ reduce waste. He has served as the chairperson for the Community Compost Network in the UK.

Author: Nicki Scott
Illustrator: Bob Gale
Publisher: Green books (UK)
ISBN: 1-903998-23-9

~ Lillian Brummet: co-author of the books Trash Talk and Purple Snowflake Marketing, author of Towards Understanding; host of the Conscious Discussions radio show (http://www.brummet.ca/)

Feng Shui For Architecture - Book Review

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Feng Shui for Architecture: How to Design, Build and Remodel to Create a Healthy and Serene Home
By Simona F. Mainini, Dr. Arch.
Founder and President of Feng Shui Architecture, Inc. Beverly Hills, CA

Feng Shui for Architecture by Simona Mainini is a handbook for builders, homeowners, professional designers, and architects. There is valuable advice for each group to be found within its covers, not the least of which is her desires to "assist homeowners and professionals in designing houses with 'good' Feng Shui from the start instead of trying to put a bandage on problems or make patchwork corrections after the fact."

Ms. Mainini is a graduate of Milan, Italy's Polytechnic School of Architecture and interned with Eric Lloyd Wright in Los Angeles, CA. She studied with Master Larry Sang founder of the American Feng Shui Institute, where she also became a teacher. This book can be used as a reference for home/office design and furniture or as a check list for those of you who are planning to build or buy.

After an interesting discussion on the history and development of feng shui the subject turns to what feng shui can and cannot do, how to choose a consultant and a short discussion on western styles of feng shui that have become popular of late. The relationship between architect and feng shui practitioner can be fraught with misunderstanding. The author provides some valuable insights on this relationship. After all, both professionals want the same result, a beautiful building that functions well and provides an environment conducive to productivity and health.

In the following chapters the applications of feng shui to architecture are outlined. From the beginning step of selecting the site through designing the interiors, the building energy, customizing the building, to construction and timing are covered. Qi, the basic life force practitioners work with, is often difficult to explain. Here it discussed in terms that are easy to understand and connections are made to other culture and even modern physics. Yin and Yang, the forces that we balance in the environment, and the 5 element transformations, one of the ways we accomplish this balancing and the 8 trigrams/lo shu are also covered.

Concepts presented in the book are illustrated with photos and real case studies. This format makes it easier for the reader to relate to the information. You are not just told to do this or not to do that, but what might happen if you do. After covering topics such as land elevations, soils, plantings, water features, the different types of shas (negative energy), building shapes, doors, square footage, various rooms in the house, and more, Ms. Mainini gives a quick peak into more advanced theories such a 8 mansions, which matches occupants with specific buildings and flying stars, which take into consideration the element of time.

This is a handy and well written book for anyone interested in traditional feng shui and its application. If I had to make a criticism it would be that the black and white photos were not as sharp as I wished for. But that is indeed a very small thing. Go find this book and read it today.

Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from Masters to student via an apprenticeship of extensive study and practical field experience. Ms. Kern was included in a small group of students selected by her Master for advanced training. She is a member of an international team of experts, Alliance Feng Shui, whose resources can be called upon to accomplish your goals.

Ms. Kern assures the privacy and confidentiality of clients. Your name will not be used for advertising or referrals. The culture of integrity, respect and discipline instilled by her Master ensures you a productive working relationship and attention towards successful completion of your goals.

http://dianekern.com/