#Soil Amendments Service

[experigreenlawncare]

Soil Amendments Service

At ExperiGreen we offer a comprehensive list of soil amendments and lawn services. We also offer Perimeter Pest Control and Mosquito Control services. In some markets, we are proud to offer Professional Tree & Shrub Care Service as well. A key beneficial service that we often recommend is a soil amendment. In most cases, this would be an application of lime, but sulfur may be used in areas of high pH or alkaline soils. Soil amendments work to modify the soil pH slightly, which improves nutrient uptake. If soils are too acidic or alkaline, they tend to “tie up” the nutrients applied to the lawn. Your lawn is then better able to utilize the nutrients from our professional fertilizers.

[landscapedesignfirm]

The Benefits of Fall Amendment and Fertilization Services

As the vibrant colors of summer foliage begin to fade and the first cool breeze of autumn sweeps through, it's time to turn our attention to preparing our lawns for the changing seasons. One essential aspect of fall lawn care is fertilization. Many homeowners associate fertilization with spring and summer, but fall is equally critical for providing your soil with the nutrients it needs to live and thrive. 

Importance and Advantages of Soil Amendments and Fertilization Services

Enhanced Root Development

Fall soil amendment and fertilization promotes robust root development in your grass. During this season, grass plants focus less on top growth and more on building powerful, healthy root systems. Applying the right balance of nutrients encourages more profound root growth, enhancing your lawn's ability to withstand drought and extreme temperatures.

Improved Nutrient Uptake

Cooler temperatures in the fall create an ideal environment for nutrient uptake. Fertilizing during this time ensures that the grass absorbs nutrients efficiently. This uptake provides essential reserves to help your lawn endure winter and emerge vigorously in spring.

Disease Resistance

Fall fertilization bolsters your lawn's resistance to diseases. The nutrients supplied during this period contribute to stronger grass blades, making them less susceptible to diseases that may become problematic in colder and wetter conditions.

Weed Suppression

A well-fertilized lawn in the fall can naturally suppress weed growth. Thick, healthy grass shades the soil, making it difficult for weeds to germinate and establish themselves. By investing in fall fertilization, you're proactively preventing weed infestations in the following growing seasons.

Enhanced Winter Hardiness

Lawns that receive proper fall fertilization are better equipped to endure the harsh winter conditions. The added nutrients fortify the grass and ensure it enters dormancy in a vital state. This helps your lawn survive winter and encourages an earlier and healthier green-up when spring arrives.

Reduced Soil Erosion

By promoting robust root growth and healthier grass cover, fall fertilization reduces soil erosion during heavy rains or snowmelt. This helps protect the integrity of your landscape and prevents soil from being washed away.

Engaging a professional lawn care service for fall fertilization ensures that your lawn receives the proper nutrients in the correct proportions. Experts can tailor the treatment to your specific grass type and local climate conditions, maximizing the benefits for your lawn.

Fall soil amendment and fertilization services are a vital component of responsible lawn care and maintenance. By nourishing your lawn during this critical period, you're ensuring its current health and fortifying it for the challenges of the coming seasons. The benefits extend beyond aesthetics, encompassing disease resistance, weed suppression, and environmental sustainability. To reap the rewards of a lush, resilient lawn, consider investing in fall fertilization and entrust the care of your green spaces to professionals who understand the unique needs of your landscape.

[lawndoctorusa]

There Are Total 5 Types Of Garden Soil     

Enhance your soil with organic and garden soil amendments from Lawn Doctor USA. Our comprehensive soil amendment services will improve the health and fertility of your soil. Schedule an appointment today for expert soil amendments tailored to your specific needs.

Formore information:-  https://www.lawndoctorusa.com/soil-amendment/    

[fdelopera]

Musings on the Moon Knight System for the High Holidays

BROKE: Moon Knight System in the comics are Jewish in name only. They’re basically pagan idolaters.

WOKE: Jake is MK System’s spiritual protector in the comics (especially MacKay), and connects the most with their Jewish identity.

BESPOKE: The Moon Knight System are very Jewish, but Marc, Steven, and Jake have a lot of specific religious trauma, and they each connect to their Jewishness in different ways and at different times ... just as most Jews do. Their Jewishness is an intrinsic part of who they are.

At the Rosh Hashanah 2nd day service yesterday, the Rabbi said something that brought Moon Knight System to mind.

During the Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot prayers, she said this before the Zichronot prayer:

“Jews are all about memory. We tell and retell the stories of our ancestors to link our generations together. We tell the story of the Exodus and redemption, and these are human memories. Here in the Zichronot section, we consider G-d's memory. What we are asking in Zichronot is, "Am I remembered? Is my life in G-d's memory?" And the answer is, yes. Adonai remembers each one of us, every single creature created in G-d's image is seen and noticed.”

And yet, what about those of us who are dissociative? What about those of us whose memory is scattered, fragmented, and traumatized, just like the Jewish people have been throughout our history?

What about those of us whose memory stops at a certain point, just as our family tree goes back only a few generations to those who escaped the pogroms and the Holocaust? Yes, we can trace some of our ancestors across the ocean to the shtetls, and we can search for the deep root systems that our people have grown from, but we know that if we do, we will only find tragedy and death.

For every one of our ancestors who has a gravestone in an intact Jewish cemetery in the Old Country, there are countless others whose roots were cut, who were murdered by Romans and Inquisitors and Cossacks and Nazis, whose bodies were desecrated, and who were never buried in Jewish soil. And yet, even as the Nazis and the Russians and the Spanish and the Romans and so many others tried to erase us from living memory, still we persevered. There are still some branches left. Our cultural memory endures, even though it is fragmented.

And yet, what of us who strain to remember? What of those of us who have high walls instead of doorways, keeping us out? Perhaps we can even see trees growing on the other side, but we cannot enter, not yet. How then can we connect to our past? Must we wander for another 40 years? And on Yom Kippur, how can we atone if remembrance is scattered and hidden like the Lost Tribes of Israel?

I imagine that Marc has wondered thoughts like these from time to time, especially around the High Holidays. Marc wants to think of himself as an apostate. If he’s being particularly edgy, he might even describe himself as an idolater. But I don’t think he is. Marc has a Jewish soul. So does Jake and so does Steven.

And as much as Marc might want to think that he is beyond atonement for the things he’s done, perhaps in quiet moments, he still hopes to atone as best he can. Perhaps some nights, Marc and Jake and Steven share dreams of teshuvah, of repentance, of making amends. With Gena. With Crawley. With Frenchie. And yet, how to even begin?

Perhaps Elias Spector, the Orthodox rabbi, might once have read the following passage on Rosh Hashanah as he spoke to the congregation from the bimah. And even if Marc was dissociating into the ether when he heard these words, sitting as far away from his father as possible, halfway to hiding deep within, the duty of being the Rabbi's son weighing heavy on his shoulders ... perhaps Jake and Steven listened, and they remembered for all of them:

“When a person commits a sin and does not turn in repentance, when that person forgets the sin, Hakadosh Baruch Hu remembers. When a person fulfills a commandment by doing a good deed, but forgets about it, Hakadosh Baruch Hu remembers. When a person commits a sin and later turns in repentance by remembering that sin, Hakadosh Baruch Hu grants atonement, and forgets the sin. But when a person fulfills a commandment and is constantly filled with self-praise because of it, Hakadosh Baruch Hu forgets it. What a person forgets, G-d remembers, and what a person remembers, G-d forgets.” -- The Hasidic Master Shmelke of Nikolsberg

Shana tovah and g’mar chatima tovah to the Moon Knight System. May they be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.

[mariacallous]

Editor's note:This is the first blog in our series that examines how social determinants influence gender biases in public health research, menstrual hygiene product development, and women’s health outcomes. 

Worldwide, over 100 million women use tampons every day as they are the most popular form of menstrual products. U.S. women spent approximately $1 billion from 2016 to 2021 on tampons, and 22% to 86% of those who menstruate use them during their cycles, with adolescent girls and young adults preferring them. Tampons and pads are the most practical and common option for those who are working and have limited funds. Yet, a recent pilot study exposed concerning amounts of lead, arsenic, and toxic chemicals in tampons: 30 different tampons from 14 brands were evaluated for 16 different metal(loid)s, and tests indicated that all 16 metal(loid)s were detected in all different samples. This news comes as quite a shock to women who use these products. It raises many concerns and questions for those who do not have other viable options when they menstruate. We explore some of the major questions and concerns regarding the products on the market and their potential to increase the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants. It is clear that beyond this pilot study, further research is required to understand the potential health challenges. 

Unpacking the potential risks for those who use menstrual products  

Measurable concentrations of lead and arsenic in tampons are deeply concerning given how toxic they are. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies lead as a major public health concern with no known safe exposure level. Arsenic can lead to several health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. There are three ways in which these metal(loid)s can be introduced into the product: 1) from the raw materials that absorbed the soil and air, like the cotton used in the absorbent core; 2) contamination from water during the manufacturing process; and 3) intentionally being added during the manufacturing process for certain purposes. No matter how these metal(loid)s are introduced into the product, the pilot study stresses that further research must be done to explore the consequences of vaginally absorbed chemicals given the direct line to the circulatory system.   

On an institutional level, the public health system has historically been biased toward the male perspective, essentially excluding research related to women’s health. In 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that women of childbearing age should be excluded from clinical research. Because of this gendered bias, many women now experience delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and suffer more adverse drug effects; eight out of 10 of the drugs removed from U.S. markets from 1997 to 2000 were almost exclusively due to the risk to women. In 1989, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) amended its policy to include women and minorities in research studies, but it wasn’t until 1993 that this policy became federal law in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993. Then, in 2016, the NIH implemented a policy requiring the consideration of sex as a biological variable in research.  

Historically, women haven’t been in control of the various industries that support their unique health needs and develop products that allow them to manage their health in safe ways. In spite of this, women-owned businesses have increased over time, with many of them supporting a range of products, services, and health and child care needs. Changes in these industries can lead to a better understanding of how certain products aid or impede women’s health trajectories.  

Racialized and gendered bias in health research  

The life expectancy of women continues to be higher than men’s. That does not suggest there has been universal nor equitable support for women’s health issues and women’s health care. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues. They also experience racism and differential treatment in health care and social service settings. This reality becomes starker when stigma and bias influence negative behaviors toward Black women and other women of color, and socioeconomic status limits access to preventative care, follow-up care, and other services and resources.   

Toxic menstrual products are just the tip of the iceberg for gender bias in health research. Gendered bias extends into how health care professionals evaluate men and women differently based on the stereotypical ideas of the gender binary. This results in those who are perceived as women receiving fewer diagnoses and treatments than men with similar conditions, as well as doctors interpreting women’s pain as stemming from emotional challenges rather than anything physical. In a study comparing a patient’s pain rating with an observer’s rating, women’s pain was consistently underestimated while men’s pain was overestimated. Women’s pain is often disregarded or minimized by health care professionals, as they often view it as nothing more than an emotional exaggeration or are quick to blame any physical pain on stress. This has led to a pain gap in which women with true medical emergencies are pushed aside. For instance, the Journal of the American Heart Association reported that women with chest pain waited 29% longer to see a doctor in emergency rooms than men.  

For people of color, especially Black women, the pain gap, as well as the gap in diagnoses and treatment, is exacerbated due to the intersectionality of gender, race, and the historical contexts of Black women’s health in America. Any analysis must consider the unique systemic levels of sexism and racism they face as being both Black and women. They face a multifaceted front of discrimination, sexism, and racism, in which doctors don’t believe their pain due to implicit biases against Black people—a dynamic that stems from slavery, during which it was common belief that Black people had a higher pain tolerance—and women. A study found that white medical students and residents believed at least one false biological difference between white and Black people and were thus more likely to underestimate a Black patient’s pain level.  

Intersectionality, as well as sexism, further explains why medical students that believe in racial differences in pain tolerance are less likely to accurately provide treatment recommendations or pain medications. A Pew study found that 55% of Black people say they’ve had at least one negative experience with doctors, where they felt like they were treated with less respect than others and had to advocate for themselves to get proper care. Comparatively, 52% of younger Black women and 40% of older Black women felt the need to speak up to receive care, while only 29% of younger Black men and 36% of older Black men felt similarly. Particularly among Black women, 34% said their women’s health concerns or symptoms weren’t taken seriously by their health care providers. This even happened to Serena Williams! 

Restructuring the health system  

On Tuesday, September 11, 2024, the FDA announced they would investigate the toxic chemicals and metals in tampons as a result of the pilot study. This comes after public outcry and Senator Patty Murray’s (D-Wash.) letter to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf asking the agency to evaluate next steps to ensure the safety of tampons and menstrual products. In her letter, she specifically asks what the FDA has done so far in their evaluations and what requirements they have for testing these products, ensuring a modicum of accountability within this market. As of July 2024, the FDA classifies tampons as medical devices and does regulate their safety but only to an extent, with no requirements to test menstrual products for chemical contaminants (aside from making sure they do not contain pesticides or dioxin). The pilot study on tampons containing harmful metals was the first of its kind, which sheds light on how long women’s health has been neglected. Regulations requiring manufacturers to test metals in tampons need to be implemented, and future studies on the adverse health impacts of metals entering the bloodstream must be prioritized. The FDA investigation will hopefully be a step in the right direction toward implementing stricter regulations.  

For too long, the health field has been saturated with studies by and for men. Women’s health, on the other hand, faces inadequate funding, a lack of consideration for women’s lived experiences, and the need for more women leading research teams investigating women’s health. Women, especially those who face economic and social disparities, have the capacity to break barriers and address real issues that impact millions of women each day but only if they are brought to the table. With structural change, we can address how women’s concerns are undermined and put forth efforts to determine new and effective measures for women’s health.  

[readyforevolution]

Burkina Faso renounces its Non-Double neocolonial Taxation Treaty with France, a pact that has been in place since 1967.

Burkina Faso under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré has withdrawn from the Non-Double neocolonial Taxation Treaty with France that was established in 1967.

The Burkina Faso government announced the termination of the double taxation agreement, signed on August 11, 1965, which had been in effect since February 15, 1967, along with its subsequent amendment signed on June 3, 1971, which took effect on October 1, 1974.

The decision comes as a result of France's refusal to renegotiate the terms of the agreement. Olivia Rouamba, head of Burkina Faso’s diplomatic service, explained that this action is necessary due to France's lack of response to requests for negotiations made in January 2020 and late 2021. The denunciation will become effective within three months from the date of notification.

This move is seen as significant, as it will impact French multinationals in Burkina Faso, who previously benefited from tax exemptions under the treaty.

A “huge blow” for France

Phillipe Traoré, a tax expert from Burkina Faso, explained that the double taxation treaty, among other things, allows individuals and companies to avoid paying taxes on the same income in two different countries.

He believes that this measure is “very serious for French multinationals” established in Burkina, adding that “all French income derived from activities carried out on Burkinabe soil will now be taxed.”

“In fact, with the convention signed, the Burkinabè did not deduct any withholding tax on income from services provided by French people (individuals and/or companies) in Burkina,” he said.

The tax expert pointed out that French companies, in particular, are exempt from many taxes in Burkina by virtue of the double taxation treaty.

In his opinion, this gives them a competitive advantage over all other companies operating in Burkina Faso.

“It is a real blow for France and a financial windfall for Burkina,” insisted Phillipe Traoré.

This denunciation comes 48 hours after France suspended all development aid and budgetary support to Burkina following the support given by the Burkinabe military junta to the National Committee for the Defence of the Homeland (CNSP), which overthrew Mohamed Bazoum in Niger on July 26.

[eaglesnick]

“He is fiddling while Rome is burning, and, unlike the enormous majority of people who do this, fiddling with his face toward the flames.”― George Orwell

Two days ago many media outlets posted similar headlines to this in the Washington Post

“Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say. The historic day comes on the heels of 13 straight months of unprecedented temperatures and the hottest year scientists have ever seen.”  (23/07/24)

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said:

“… it will not be the last record-breaker, as planet-warming fossil fuel pollution drives temperatures to shocking new highs.”

Paradoxically, record heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and flooding go together. For every 1 c rise in temperature the atmosphere holds 7% more moisture. This causes heavier raindrops, often falling over a shorter space of time, leading to localised flash flooding. At the same time, small differences in average temperatures leads to big differences in heat extremes. The change in weather patterns also leads to longer droughts, not least because as the soil dries out greater demands are put on existing water supplies, which are often themselves depleted, and the drier the conditions the more likelihood there is of wildfires.

In January this year “hundreds of (UK) homes were evacuated after heavy rain.” (BBC News: 05/01/24) In July 2024 the Government paper  “ Water situations: May 2024” informed us that England received 141% of the long-term average rainfall for the time of year. In other words we were close to having nearly 50% more rain as was historically usual. At the same time groundwater levels “had decreased at almost all the sites" used as measuring points.

We have more rainfall but less ground water because the increased intensity of the rainfall means much of it runs off the land into rivers and out to sea before it has time to soak into the soil.

Many scientists and naturalist believe climate change is the “biggest threat modern humans have ever faced". Yet what do we do about it? In this country we lock up those who try to bring the enormity of the situation to our attention.

Priti Patel and the last Conservative government wanted members of environmentally concerned groups to be put on a terrorist list and sent to jail if they dared raise awareness to the threat we face. The Tory government  under Sunak passed the  ‘The Police. Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, whereby anyone “conspiring to cause a public nuisance" can be jailed for up to 10 years.

Last week 5 peaceful environmentalist protestors were jailed for a total of 21 years.  Yesterday, one day after we were told that last Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, six more environmental protesters were arrested by the police under the new “conspiring to cause a public disorder" offence”.

The world record for the hottest day on Sunday was broken the very next day.  April saw “significant flooding” in the UK, with 44 flood warnings  being issued together with 201 flood alerts. A new heatwave map shows a 224-mile heat dome about to hit Britain, and we decide to lock up environmental protestors who are trying to alert us to the dangers we face if we do not drastically decrease our reliance on fossil fuels

Some might expect Starmer - once described as "a green activist to his core"- to amend or even repeal the draconian anti-democratic ‘Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act’ but that is highly unlikely. Starmer’s emphasis on “growing the economy” means he cannot do without the oil and gas companies. The oil and gas sector is worth £20bn to the UK economy and supports 200,000 jobs across its supply chain.

So even though Starmer knows the existential threat climate change and fossil fuel consumption means for our planet, he isn’t going to do anything to upset the fossil fuel industry. Couple this to Starmer’s authoritarianism and his total abhorrence of dissent, and you can expect many more peaceful protesters to be sent to our already overflowing prisons. 

[resonette]

the concept of harmonic strings is defined in the harmony hymns — they are the multiple embodiments of XIPE THE GREAT ONE, the down-to-earth virtues that enable harmony. regardless of whether you place yourself under the family's rule, the AEON will look favorably upon you as long as you carry out these good deeds. ━━ introducing SEREN THE DEFIER OF ETERNAL FATE.

from a young age, seren had always had the ability of perfect pitch, the neurological phenomenon ( and a type of SYNESTHESIA ) that allows an individual to perfectly identify the pitch of a note upon hearing it. that perfect pitch, however, did not stop at the sound of music, or notes, but instead the wavelength of the hearts of others. with this synesthesia of sorts, seren was able to identify the pitch at which one's heart SANG to her, allowing her to tune in to what others might need or want. once this was identified, those around her began to use her for this skill; with her sickly state preventing her from leaving a penthouse apartment in the moment of morning dew, many citizens and visitors of penacony petitioned her grandmother, josephine, to see her, to 'prophecize' in a way the locked-away emotions that they carried with him. rather than turning a key, or a dial, seren used tuning forks and the sound of her voice to locate that which was bothering her guests, informing them of their DISHARMONY, advising them on what to do to amend this emotional duress. she refused to tune the hearts of others, for it was their responsibility to do good unto others  (  the first sign of the good deeds declared by THEM  )   and fix that which granted them that disharmony.  in her free time, when she did not have guests or suitors climbing the stairs of the de facto high tower, guarded over by her closest companion, caleb , she tended to flowers that bloomed year-round, bringing them to the morning sun when it rose and offering only the best water, soil, and fertilizers for them - more often than not, she would ask these things of her visitors as equivalent exchange for her services.  these flowers growing all over the room she   WAS TRAPPED   resided in earned her the moniker FLOWER MAIDEN.

the events of penacony , and the TRAILBLAZE , was not something seren would forget, however. an exchange occured, as all business does, and when the ivy-bound door of her great tower opened , she pursued its exit , a horrifying news befalling her ears. JOSEPHINE & CALEB BOTH were awakened , or died - to this day, she is still unsure - in the rubble and violence of the trailblazers' confrontation with the IPC STONEHEARTS' AVENTURINE , the horror and gore her last memory before the claiming. before the beginning of the end.

on her knees before the destroyed grand stage, she took to her knees and wailed a maiden's wail, hands gripping the only thing she could find - a necklace that she had purchased for caleb as a token of her appreciation for YEARS OF DUTIFUL COMPANIONSHIP . no one had ever appreciated him, despite his talent with vehicles , weapons, and secrets ; when she released him from his duties years after her blossom into adulthood, she wanted him to remember her. to remember their friendship. the silver and gold in her bloodied, bruised palms from HOURS of searching for their bodies, for even evidence that they had woken in the waking world. 

she prayed to anything that would answer. and something did. but as all things, the harmony demanded equivalent exchange.

the memories of her past - of the time spent in the land of dreams - was taken from her, the life she held as the flower maiden ripped from her as she woke from the dreaming pool in the waking world. having entered as a child, seren was surprised to find a new form, like a rebirth from the land of dreams' eternal womb, her body naked, her hair long and unkempt. she rose from the waters, taking her first breath in the land of freedom, and her resonance held ethereal shape: pink ribbons, visible only to her. guides to friends, to allies. THE REVERIE provided what she needed: THE FAMILY always provides.

for what it was worth , the family DID attempt to reclaim their flower maiden, dangling answers and freedom above her head, but seren knew better. when they told her her name, she was aware that there was no surname. when they gave her a pair of pistols, she noted that they were unloaded. when they invited her into their family, she saw the halos like collars, the coats like chains. and so, she left, but not without evidence that they have touched her.

xipe shares a facet of THEMSELF with each member of the family named an emanator, and SEREN was no different. SEREN did not represent collaboration by way of organization; she represented the good deeds done by those who walk a lonesome road, defying fate in exchange for personal morals. a TUNER of the harmonic strings, her existence SLOWS the existence of the family's grand plans, and when the ORDER intervened in the HARMONY'S trials, seren was compelled to assist the trailblaze, despite the ANGER AND MALICE she held for the astral express for taking away her family. it was the ORDER that named her then, the forebearer to the HARMONY, and they named her DISHARMONIOUS. they named her THE DEFIER OF ETERNAL FATE. 

and so, seren walks the path of the harmony backwards, turning her back to the AEON that which blessed her, turning her back even to the FINALITY. a silent, quiet road she walks, seren wants to know only one thing: how much of her life has been predestined?

how else can she defy her fate?

[maplegardenfarm]

Chemical Free Farming Tips

Chemical-free farming, also known as organic farming, focuses on cultivating crops and raising livestock without the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Here are some tips for chemical-free farming:

Crop rotation: Implement a crop rotation system where different crops are grown in a sequence over multiple seasons. This helps prevent the buildup of pests and diseases specific to certain crops, reducing the need for chemical interventions.

Composting: Create and utilize compost from organic waste, such as vegetable scraps, plant trimmings, and manure. Compost enriches the soil with nutrients, improves soil structure, and enhances its ability to retain moisture, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Natural fertilizers: Use natural fertilizers like compost, manure, and organic amendments (e.g., bone meal, blood meal) to provide essential nutrients to the soil and promote healthy plant growth.

#RenewableEnergyNB#RenewableEnergyNBCanada #humbleOrganicFarmhttps://t.co/j07I3jqoNX

— Maple Garden Farm (@MapleGardenFarm) May 19, 2023

Mulching: Apply organic mulch, such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings, around the base of plants. Mulching helps suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and improve soil quality, reducing the need for herbicides and frequent watering.

Biological pest control: Encourage natural predators and beneficial insects that control pests. Planting diverse crops and creating habitats for beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory wasps can help keep pest populations in check.

Integrated pest management (IPM): Implement IPM strategies, which involve monitoring pest populations, using physical barriers, employing trap crops, and employing cultural practices to minimize pest damage. Only resort to approved organic pesticides or insecticidal soaps when absolutely necessary.

Water management: Optimize irrigation practices by using techniques such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses, which deliver water directly to plant roots. This minimizes water waste and reduces the likelihood of fungal diseases caused by excessive moisture.

Weed control: Utilize manual methods like hand-weeding, hoeing, or mulching to control weeds instead of chemical herbicides. Regularly remove weeds before they mature and spread their seeds.

Disease-resistant varieties: Select and grow plant varieties that are naturally resistant to common diseases and pests in your area. Disease-resistant plants are less likely to require chemical treatments.

Soil conservation: Practice soil conservation techniques, including maintaining adequate ground cover, preventing erosion, and avoiding over-tilling. Healthy soil with good structure and organic matter content is less susceptible to pests and diseases.

Remember that transitioning to chemical-free farming may take time and experimentation. Local organic farming associations, agricultural extension services, and experienced organic farmers can provide valuable guidance and resources specific to your region.

Joint blog Post by Chrystale Henry and Zilu Zhang at Maple Garden Farm – a off the grid humble Organic Farm (permaculture ) located on a 10 acre farm producing varieties of vegetables and other farm produce. Joint us on twitter, Facebook and follow our LinkedIn company page to learn more and get great tips on farming strategy and permaculture and alternative energy design ideas.

[revlyncox]

Falling Leaves 2024

This homily was written for the annual Remembrance service and was delivered on October 27, 2024, by Rev. Lyn Cox.

In this morning’s story, the narrator remembers:

Barney was brave. 

And smart and funny and clean.

Also cuddly and handsome, and he only once ate a bird.

It was sweet to hear him purr in my ear.

And sometimes he slept on my belly and kept it warm. 

And, in the end, the narrator remembers one other thing:

Barney is in the ground and he’s helping grow flowers.

You know, that’s a pretty nice job for a cat. 

[From The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst, with illustrations by Erik Blegvad]

Each of us carries something forward that we remember from loved ones who have died, be they human or more than human. Sometimes we carry memories of comfort, of being held in a love that gives us the courage to grow. Our departed loved ones may have seen the best in us, and helped us to acknowledge our own belovedness. Sometimes our loved ones who have died gave us life lessons, or important information, or a sense of heritage. Our beloved dead may leave behind legacies of love, riches of memory and hope that we can then share in their honor. 

It’s also true that sometimes we carry counter-examples, complex relationships that demonstrate to us how we do NOT want to behave toward others. Sometimes we carry unresolved hurts that lead us to commit to making amends to the harm we ourselves have done. Sometimes we carry doubts that support our humility or our curiosity. Sometimes we carry the memories of drawing boundaries, declarations of love for ourselves and for the people in our care. Grief can be evidence of love left behind, and it can also be a more multi-layered sense of absence. There is space for all kinds of grief in this circle. 

As the leaves reveal the colors of their grand finale and fall to the earth to rejoin the soil from which they came, our thoughts turn to the circle of life. We may be processing a recent loss, or coming back around to a memory that returns to us every so often. We may be opening our hearts to what is revealed as a loved one prepares for their final journey, or perhaps contemplating our own mortality. In these autumn days, perhaps the wisdom or the smile or the courage of someone who has gone beyond this life catches our minds eye and holds our attention. Like the flash of a red maple leaf, there is beauty in paying attention to these memories, and there is wisdom in letting go as the spiral of life keeps moving. 

The height of autumn might remind us of ancestors we never knew personally, those of our family or culture or those we choose as role models. In this season, I am reminded of those who never gave up on human rights, who advocated for voting rights, racial justice, LGBTQ inclusion, gender justice, or access to healthcare. Some of these ancestors died for what they believed, bequeathing to us a legacy of justice to celebrate and to defend. We honor their memories and take up the work that is ours to do. Some of us remember ancestors who struggled and found a way forward, ancestors whose lives or humanity were actively repressed in their own times, and for whom our thriving and our ability to help one another thrive is their victory. 

All living things are bound together in a tapestry of breath, of water, of soil, of life finding a way forward. The lives of those who have gone before impact us, maybe not always for the better, but the world is different for their having arrived and departed. Knowing this, let us commit to being good ancestors. To me, being a good ancestor means being mindful of our impact, but not being so frozen in consideration that we forget to live with joy and kindness. Being a good ancestor does not have to mean accomplishing something, or racking up fame or wealth or prestige. Living and loving creates a legacy already. We prepare a way for the beings of the future by collaborating with the Spirit of Life, and that includes being spirited about the life within us and among us and around us. That’s part of what our ancestors did to make a way for us to be here. Certainly, be kind, channel your talents, resist oppression, try to help others, but you don’t need to be recognized as a hero in order to be a good ancestor. Your life matters just for you having lived it. Perhaps you can think of people from the past who shared one or more of your identities, and how their joy and celebration and pride supported their survival and your ability to persist unto this moment. Let’s be thankful for that joy and return it to the world as part of our love. 

Another aspect of being in right relationship with the past, present, and future is to let go when it is time to let go. We can release what is past, what we or the world have outgrown, what no longer serves life, or simply what is out of season for the moment. Like leaves that fall to the earth, the things we release can compost and transform to feed the future. Allowing ourselves to feel our feelings and to process our losses is a form of letting go. Giving up on the possibility of having had a different past is a form of letting go. Holding the memories of our beloved dead close to us, celebrating their legacies, and then releasing them to the mystery is a form of letting go. We honor the past by building on it, not by preserving it unchanged. We become good ancestors by caring for each other, ourselves, and the world just as we are. I hope it is the case that today’s ritual helps us to let go. 

The falling leaves, the cycle of the seasons, and the ritual of remembering our beloved dead may bring up many complex feelings. May we hold one another in our grief, in our hope, in our challenges, and in our transformation. May these memories inspire us to grow and to learn, creating space for thriving for all the life that follows ours. 

May it be so. 

[hydrofarm]

Soil pH

What is the Meaning of pH? The term pH refers to the level of acidity or alkalinity of a substance. It’s based on a scale that ranges from 0 to 14, where a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Values below 7 signify acidity, while values above 7 indicate alkalinity. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold difference in acidity or alkalinity. In simpler terms, a soil pH of 5 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 6.

Healthy soil pH is the foundation of a thriving garden. Find the balance, and your plants will flourish.

Understanding pH is important in soil science because it influences many soil properties, including nutrient availability, microbial activity, and plant growth. A proper balance of pH levels helps plants access nutrients more efficiently, making it an essential factor in successful gardening and farming.

What is the Best pH for Soil? The ideal pH range for most plants is between 6.0 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Within this range, most nutrients are readily available to plants. However, some plants have specific pH preferences. For instance, blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons thrive in more acidic soils with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, while some ornamental plants and vegetables can tolerate slightly alkaline soils up to a pH of 7.5 or even 8.0.

How to Check pH in Soil? There are several ways to measure soil pH, ranging from simple DIY methods to professional testing:

pH Test Strips: You can purchase these at most garden centers. Simply mix a soil sample with distilled water, dip the test strip, and compare the color change to a pH chart.

Soil pH Meters: These electronic devices are quick and easy to use. Insert the probe into the soil, and the meter will display the pH reading.

Professional Soil Testing Kits: These kits usually come with detailed instructions and provide more accurate results than DIY methods. Some local agricultural extension offices and labs also offer soil testing services for a fee, which can give you a complete analysis of soil pH and nutrient levels.

What pH is Rich Soil? Rich soil typically has a balanced pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. At this level, soil can retain essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for plant health and growth. Rich soil with an optimal pH level supports a diverse range of plants, from vegetables to flowering perennials, as it creates a favorable environment for beneficial bacteria and earthworms that break down organic matter and enrich the soil structure.

What is High pH in Soil? When soil has a pH above 7.5, it’s considered alkaline. High pH soils can pose challenges, as they may limit the availability of essential nutrients like iron, manganese, and phosphorus. Alkaline soils often appear in areas with low rainfall or where the bedrock contains limestone or other alkaline minerals. Plants in high pH soils can sometimes show signs of nutrient deficiencies, such as yellowing leaves (chlorosis) due to iron deficiency. While some plants, like lavender and certain succulents, can tolerate or even prefer alkaline soils, most garden plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral conditions.

What pH Level is Healthy for Soil? A healthy soil pH typically falls between 6.0 and 7.5, though this can vary depending on the type of plants you’re growing. Maintaining a balanced pH level ensures that your plants can efficiently absorb nutrients, promoting healthy growth and resistance to diseases. Soil pH can fluctuate over time due to factors like rainfall, fertilizer use, and plant root activity. Testing your soil pH regularly can help you stay on top of any changes and adjust your soil management practices accordingly.

You can use soil amendments to adjust the pH level of the soil. For example, lime can raise pH for overly acidic soils, while sulfur can lower pH in alkaline soils. However, changing soil pH is a gradual process, and it’s best to make adjustments in small increments and monitor the results.

Conclusion Soil pH is a critical factor for plant health, as it affects nutrient availability, soil structure, and microbial activity. Aiming for a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0 can support the growth of a wide variety of plants and contribute to a thriving garden or farm. Regular soil testing can help you monitor pH levels and make informed decisions to maintain a healthy balance. By understanding and managing your soil's pH, you can create an environment where your plants can truly flourish.

[lotus-flower-writes-history]

The Unofficial Black History Book

Juneteenth (June 19th, 1865)

Everyone knows Juneteenth as the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

But not everyone knows that the slaves weren't officially free.

This is the story.

Juneteenth National Independence Day, also known as Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day, is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, observed annually on June 19th.

Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African-American holiday.

Juneteenth, short for "June Nineteenth," marks the day in 1895 that Federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all slaves were freed. The troops' arrival came almost two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Two months earlier, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas -- Until U.S. General Gordon stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

The Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1st, 1863, The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. It established that all enslaved people in the Confederate state in rebellion against the Union "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." 

However, The Emancipation did not immediately set the slaves free.

The Proclamation only applied to places under Confederate control and not to slave-holding border states or rebel areas already under Union control. But when Northern troops advanced into the Confederate South, many slaves fled behind Union lines.

In Texas, slavery continued as the state experienced no large-scale fighting or a significant presence of Union troops. Many slave masters from outside of Texas had moved there, as they viewed it as a safe haven for slavery.

After the war ended in the spring of 1865, General Granger's arrival in Galveston the following June signaled freedom for the 250,000 slaves in Texas. Although emancipation didn't happen for everyone, slave masters withheld the information until after harvest season.

Celebrations broke out among newly freed African-Americans, and that was the beginning of Juneteenth. The following December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

On June 19th, 1865, freedmen in Texas organized the first annual "Jubilee Day". In the following decades, Juneteenth celebrations featured barbecues, music, prayer services, and other activities, and as African Americans migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, so did the Juneteenth tradition.

In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday, other states followed over the years. In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. On June 17th, 2021, President Biden officially signed it into law. 160 years later, it officially became a federal holiday.

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[landscapedesignfirm]

What Are Soil Amendments?

Soil amendments are products added to the soil to improve soil’s physical, chemical, or biological properties. Some of these properties that amendments are used for include increasing soil fertility or water-holding capacity and decreasing compaction or erosion. Soil amendment differs from fertilizer by modifying the condition of the soil itself, whereas fertilizer adds nutrients to the soil.

There are also 2 general categories that soil amendments fall under: organic and inorganic.

Organic soil amendments are composed of materials that were previously living matter. In contrast, inorganic amendments are made of mined or artificially created materials.

Some organic materials used in soil amendments include:

Wood chips

Grass clippings

Compost

Manure

Sawdust

A few examples of inorganic materials include:

Lime

Gypsum

Rock powders

When Should Soil Amendment Be Used?

One reason to use soil amendments is to alter the soil’s pH. The soil’s pH level needs to be within a specific range to give plants adequate access to nutrients. For example, some plants prefer more acidic soil, while others thrive in more alkaline soil. You will need to have a plant health care specialist test your soil to determine its current pH and what treatment is required to help your plants’ health.

Regarding the time of year, soil amendments can be applied at any time, but the ideal times are early spring or late fall. This is because soil amendments are more easily incorporated when the soil is bare and dry. If you apply them in the spring, they will be more effective at helping your plants grow because you will be fertilizing your plants and improving the soil. When soil amendments are applied in the fall, they will have time over winter to break down and become part of the soil before you plant again in spring. The types of soil amendments used also differ depending on the season.

Spring Soil Amendment

During spring, we recommend a potassium-only fertilizer with the necessary nutrients. This helps improve the plant’s resistance to stress factors such as disease pressure, extreme temperature fluctuations, and drought conditions. In addition, this systemic nutrient formulation stimulates health and vigor without triggering excess physical growth.

Fall Soil Amendment

During the fall, plants absorb and store nutrients for the initial spring growth period. As a result, supplying the nutrients often lacking in landscape soils is vital. We fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer to ensure the availability of essential macro and micronutrients. This amendment also gives plants and trees the sustenance necessary for healthy growth and resistance to insects, disease, and harsh environmental conditions.

Benefits of Soil Amendment

One of the benefits is restoring your soil’s pH balance. If the pH balance of the soil is too high or low, certain nutrients (potassium, nitrogen, and other elements) become more difficult or less available for plants to absorb, which can negatively impact the health of the plants. As a result, plant health care experts will use soil amendments to modify the soil’s pH balance.

Some of the other benefits of soil amendments include the following:

Organic materials in soil amendments help encourage plant growth.

Soil amendments help improve aeration, prevent soil compaction, allow air to flow more freely, and improve the soil’s drainage.

Organic soil amendments can improve certain soils by improving the soil’s ability to store nutrients and water.

Contact Burkholder PHC for Soil Care Services

If you want to keep your plants and trees healthy with soil amendments, contact Burkholder PHC. We offer many plant health care services in addition to soil care, such as plant growth regulators, plant pest control, and more. In addition, our team of specialists has years of experience maintaining the health and vibrancy of landscapes in the Main Line area. For more information about our services, request a free consultation today.

Blog is originally published at: https://www.burkholderphc.com/what-are-soil-amendments/

It is republished with the permission from the author.

[wedelivergravel01]

What are the uses of stone slinger?

A stone slinger, also known as a stone shooter or rock slinger, is a specialized truck-mounted equipment that is used for precise and efficient placement of various materials, particularly aggregates, in construction, landscaping, and other projects. Here are some common uses of a stone slinger:

1. Landscaping: Stone slingers are frequently used in landscaping projects to place materials such as decorative stones, mulch, soil, or gravel. They can accurately distribute these materials in gardens, flower beds, around trees, or other designated areas.

2. Construction: Stone slingers are valuable in construction projects for placing materials like gravel, sand, or crushed stone. They can quickly distribute these materials for creating foundations, backfilling trenches, or preparing surfaces.

3. Erosion control: Stone slingers are used for erosion control measures, such as placing riprap or large stones along shorelines, embankments, or areas prone to erosion. This helps to stabilize the soil and protect against erosion caused by water flow.

4. Pipe bedding: Stone slingers are efficient for placing crushed stone or gravel as a bedding material for underground pipes. This ensures proper support and drainage around the pipes, preventing damage and facilitating water flow.

5. Access to difficult areas: Stone slingers are beneficial in projects where materials need to be placed in hard-to-reach or inaccessible areas. Their long reach and precise placement capabilities allow materials to be distributed over obstacles, walls, or uneven terrain.

6. Soil remediation: Stone slingers can be utilized for spreading topsoil or soil amendments in remediation projects. This helps to improve soil quality or restore areas affected by contamination or construction activities.

7. Sports fields and golf courses: Stone slingers are often used to distribute materials like sand or soil for leveling and preparing sports fields, golf courses, or other recreational areas. They can provide even coverage and accuracy, ensuring optimal playing surfaces.

The versatility and efficiency of stone slingers make them valuable in various applications where precise placement of materials is required. By using a stone slinger, projects can be completed faster, with reduced manual labor and increased accuracy.

Contact WeDeliverGravel.com today for the best stone slinger service in Toronto.

[rauthschild]

"Tribe" is a word related to "Tribute" and once upon a time referred to all those who owed tribute -- money, taxes, allegiance -- to Rome.  

It still does. 

"Tribal sovereignty" is another oxymoron like "sovereign citizen", because you can't be a tribe and a sovereign nation at the same time. 

I was recently asked where in US CODE or Geneva Convention, etc., are "indigenous people" defined? 

My first response is that we are all indigenous.  

Please hear me: all labels are traps, so please don't trap yourself or anyone else.

My second response is that living people are never defined in US CODE because US CODE is about corporations.

So far as the Geneva Conventions go, we are all civilians living in a militarily occupied country, so that's the only definition -- civilian or military? There is no special "other" status for Indians.

Tribal members get lumped into the Municipal citizenry as wards of the Pope and are civilians of that kind, called "citizens of the United States" within the meaning of the corporate 14th Amendment.  

Members of Tribal Nations get lumped into the U.S. Citizenry as wards of the King and are civilians of that kind--- U.S. Citizen dependents and wards of the State (of State).  

What about the rest of us, who aren't "citizens" or "tribal members"? 

We belong to non-Tribal, non-citizen nations.  

We don't owe any allegiance to Rome (non-Tribal) and we don't owe any service to the government (non-citizen). 

That defines what are aren't.  We are not any closer to defining what we are. 

Which is? 

Americans. 

All these other characters are attached to the Pope or the King. We're not. 

We are attached to our States of the Union, established 1776.  

So what is the optimum political status for American Indians in the middle of this confusing morass of names, labels, and political allegiances? 

Dual National status.  

Not Dual Citizen status. 

Many nations can occupy the same land and soil and live happily together. 

As Dual Nationals, American Indians can enjoy the benefit of their State sovereignty and their national sovereignty, too.  

Thus, a Lakota Sioux born in South Dakota is best served by claiming Dual National status, both as a South Dakotan and as a Lakota --- not as a tribe, but as a nation on the land and soil.  

So, can someone claim "benefits" from the Tribe and act as Federal citizens at the same time they claim sovereign status via their State?  

Yes, this is possible, because Federal Employees and Dependents can also be American State Nationals.  

Just as someone can work for the Post Office, and at the same time be owed their Constitutional Guarantees, an American Indian can be a member of a Federally-recognized Tribe and through their State National status can also claim their Constitutional Guarantees. 

In that case, they would be Municipal citizens of the United States and also State Nationals.

What if a Tribal member went to work for the United States Military?  

Then they would be acting as Dual Citizens and would have no access to Constitutional Guarantees.

For most people who have made the transition to living off the Reservation successfully, the ideal choice is Dual National: member of the Lakota nation and a South Dakotan, as per the example.   

For those still on the Reservation and/or still dependent on Federal benefits, the next best choice is: citizen of the United States / State National.  

The citizenship status lacks sovereignty, but is protected by the sovereign State, as in our American Postal worker example. 

[recyclemaxseo]

Become a Sustainability Leader with RecycleMax's Industrial Waste Recycling

At RecycleMax, we understand the complex waste management needs facing industrial facilities today. That's why we offer a customized Total Waste Management Program to help you properly dispose of manufacturing and distribution waste of all types while integrating eco-friendly recycling solutions.

Our services include providing roll-off containers for simple collection of your scrap metal, paper, food waste and other industrial refuse. We safely transport these materials to ethical disposal and recycling sites, diverting waste from landfills. Our secure paper shredding and mixed paper recycling services help you meet your sustainability goals.

We also operate as a scrap metal recycling center, allowing you to generate revenue from metal waste. Additionally, our organics composting and waste-to-energy programs convert food and other organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments or clean electricity to power your operations.

Partnering with RecycleMax for your customized industrial waste recycling and disposal needs shows your commitment to environmental responsibility. It also helps you comply with regulations in a cost-effective manner while supporting the circular economy. Contact us today to learn how our innovative services can help establish your company as a leader in sustainability.