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Houseplants combat indoor air pollution
Researchers at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia, have found that houseplants such as Janet Craig (a.k.a. green corn plant) and peace lily can reduce the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by as much as 75%. VOCs are toxic chemicals emitted into the air in buildings by paint and cleaning supplies, for example. Houseplants also have been found to reduce dust by increasing indoor humitiy.
Stengler, D. M. (2011, June). Houseplants combat indoor air pollution. Bottom Line: Natural Healing , 7 (6), p. 1.
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For 2013 we are growing 27 species of herbs from Basil to Thyme and everything in |
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between.In addition,we also growing multiple varieties of many items bringing our |
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total herb collection to 46 species and varieties. We will be growing some new |
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ornamental grasses - new varieties of pennisetum called prince, princess,princess as |
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molly, and princess caroline.These are very colorful and two of them will work well |
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center pieces incontainers.We have a selection of fruit trees & bushes recommended |
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for our area.Also new this spring are red,white,and yellow varieties of climbing |
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roses. |
by Cindy McNatt
The Orange County Register
Anyone who has been gardening for a while knows that peeing in the compost is the thing to do.
Uric acid speeds up the compost process and gets you to the end product faster. Even the National Trust in England provides "pee bales" in strategic places in public gardens and parks for the male horticulture stuff to use.
While it is a great compost activator, urinating in the actual garden is still being explored. PopScience says urine is a high-quality plant food rich with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate, much like any all-around organic fertilizer is. And it's free.
Scientists in Finland reported a four-fold increase in tomato crops fed with urine and wood ash.
Anecdotal reports in the rose-growing community say urine does wonders for these beauties.
The National Geographic says, "Researchers estimate a single person could supply enough urine to fertilize roughly 6,300 tomato plants a year - yielding some 2.4 tons of tomatos."
The key, as always with fertilizer, is not using too much. As far as compost goes, urine serves as the green component in the green-to-brown ratio. The ideal mix for fast compost is 50 percent brown to 50 percent green. You have to watch the pile. If you've got too much nitrogen, you'll know because it will smell.
Urinating directly in the garden is different. Goveganic.net says once or twice a month per plant is plenty. And keep moving. Avoid the front yard, though, or you may wind up in the slammer on indecency charges.
....See ladies, men are good for something ~ Phil Custis
