Archive for the ‘nature’ Category

Tips on how to sustain Yard Bird Feeders

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

As back garden bird feeder a constant unit placed out to provide bird meals and the success of the bird feeder to attract birds that depends upon its placement as well as the kinds of seeds presented various species and to possess distinct tastes.

Lawn bird feeders is usually a season round that is not only pleasurable but additionally beneficial to some feathered pals who may well need a small guide throughout specific occasions from the calendar year though that is a hard-pressed with nesting advantage from feeding as do their youthful who often come on the feeders.

Mostly garden bird feeders is usually to provide seeds for example Millet, Sunflower with oil and striped, Safflower, Thistle and rapeseed or canola seed to seed-eating birds.

Bird feeders are often used for home as bird wathcing and many people keep web scams trained on feeders where birds often congregate and bird feeders are actually hung from a bird tables but there are other options, for some way it may be suspended from brackets or hooks that fit over tree branches and others may be attached to windows using suckers.

All Birdhouses Are Safe Aren’t They?

Monday, March 29th, 2010

If you’re reading this article you’re probably looking online for your first birdhouse, are replacing one that’s been used for years and now needs replacing, or are looking for an additional birdhouse or two. You see so many one the web to choose from. Some are quite cute, some plain, some fancy. You’re probably looking in a specific price range and will pick one to meet your decorating tastes or your landscaping. Before you buy please do your feathered friends a favor and look a little deeper into how the birdhouse was constructed. It may just be that the home you’re buying for your birds may just be the last thing they ever live in.

In 1962 Rachel Carson wrote a book titled “Silent Spring”. It was a book that opened people’s eyes about the dangers of pesticides and chemicals in our environment. The book is credited with the banning of DDT in the US because of the impact it had on birds driving some species to near extinction. DDT had the effect of thinning the shells of the eggs and the parents actually crushed the eggs trying to incubate them. Some of the species affected severely were eagles, ospreys, and falcons. Since the elimination of DDT as a common pesticide in the US impacted bird populations have recovered. Well, this is a great history lesson and your happy for the birds but what does this have to do with your birdhouse? Plenty.

Indoor Flowering Plants? Three Reasons Why They Make A Perfect Gift

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Loads of nice-looking plants can be kept at home the entire year. So what is the grounds for us purchasing so many cut flowers?One of the most amorous flowers is considered to be the rose, yet each day we cut down millions of them and even more so about Valentines day. Many nursery promote great ranges of little roses in pots that can be kept at home around the year and if you are fortunate they might blossom several times a year.Then of course there is the orchid

This is a vast genus of flowers and though they can be hard to care for there are loads of types currently easily obtainable which are undemanding to care for, needing minimum watering with plenty of bright but not direct daylight.So with a number of of the most amazing flowers available to keep at home why are we not really utilizing them? Below are three reasons why indoor flowering plants make a better present than a bouquet of flowers.

Below there are 3 excellent points why indoor flowering plants will make a longer lasting and better present than a bunch of flowers.

Paul Stamets’ Mycelium Running

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Paul Stamets’ Mycelium Running is a must have reference book for anyone working the land in any form, whether it be farming, forest management or environmental cleanup. But also for people who, like me, enjoy growing things, especially delectable edibles.

The book is a treasure trove of useful practical information on what Stamets refers to as mycofiltration (of water), mycoremediation (of toxic waste), and tips on how mushroom mycelium can help improve soils and boost productivity in farming and forestry with less use of pesticides and fertilizers.

A detailed description of Mycofiltration, the use of mushrooms to filter waste water, is given in one section of the book. It lists recommended mushroom species and materials to use in creating the mycofiltration bed, as well as dimensions, depth, layers, etc. Mycofiltration beds like this can be effectively used for both industrial waste water and farm runoff.

Not only does it solve the problem of farm runoff and E. coli contamination of nearby streams, it can also yield highly palatable food mushrooms, and the bed itself can be dug out every 2-3 years and then used as an excellent fertilizer for the farm.

Get To Know The Black Koi!

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

If you already have a pond on your property, or you are looking to build one, one way to make it extra special is to add some Black Koi. Black Koi are as versatile as they are beautiful, and make a great addition to any pond.

However, before getting any type of live animal, it is a good idea to do a little background research. This is to ensure you will be able to handle the care and maintenance of the animal, and that you will be a good fit for each other.

If you didn’t already know, Koi is just another name for carp, which is a large species of fish that originated somewhere around Asia and Central Europe. There were several species of carp even in the beginning, and this led them to be easily domesticated throughout South East Asia and China. They were even used as a food source in and around Asia. By the time the fish made it to Japan, they became known as Koi. This creature is extremely hardy, and can withstand many different climates and water types and conditions. This hardiness is what allowed Koi to spread throughout Japan and many other new locations.

How to Feed Your Koi throughout the Seasons

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

The season is going to determine how you feed your Koi. Since Koi are cold blooded, their metabolism changes based on the temperature of the water where they reside. Feeding Koi too much food during cold weather and not enough during hot weather can be quite hazardous to them. Luckily, though, Koi feeding is not a science, but does require that you use some care. As long as you follow the correct Koi feeding instructions, there should be no issues with having healthy Koi for years to come.

One really great way to ensure that you are feeding your Koi in the right way is to have a pond thermometer provide you an accurate temperature reading of your pond water all year round. When the weather is cold, their metabolism slows down, so you definitely don?t want to overfeed. They will not be able to process the food they eat and it is important to realize that fish don?t really know when to stop eating. That is why they are easily overfed. In the summer, their metabolism speeds up and this is when they tend to grow, so daily feedings are a good idea.

Keep Your Koi Pond or Garden Spic and Span with a Koi Filter

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

When you have a Koi garden or pond, it is important that it stays clean and the best way to do that is by using a Koi filter. But there are various types of filters that you can purchase, so it is very important that you understand what is available. Having the right filter means that you will have a system that works for you when it comes to your budget and the size of your pond.

The filter you want to look at is the biological filter. This is a filter that is made to get rid of particulate and organic substances. These filters use what is called anaerobic bacteria-laden filter media. A biological filter breaks down the harmful substances that can damage your fish and your pond. It removes decaying pond creatures, fish waste, leaves, and other decaying debris that sits at the bottom of the pond.

Bacteria is used in the breakdown process because it is a special bacteria that can take substances that are harmful and break them down into something that is not as harmful. For example, ammonia is broken down in two stages. Each stage also involves a different type of bacteria. The first stage is the nitrifying of the bacteria and the second stage involves converting the nitrite to nitrate.

Gardening In Dimensions

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

Square foot gardening is a wonderful way to introduce anyone to the first time gardening experience. It requires so little work! Once you have the right soil, there is no tilling, no weeding, and no backaches! You can also be assured of greater success in growing those delicious vegetables. Square foot gardening requires a box that can be made in many different sizes according to your needs and desires. A 4×4 size can hold enough food for one adult for the season. The soil for your box must be carefully mixed with the right ingredients. It should be a mix of three equal parts of vermiculite, peat moss, and several composts. Once you have these components for your box garden, all you have to do is water! The common mistake of novice gardeners is over watering. This will be avoided because the soil mix has natural moisture retainers. The excess water will simply run off. You can place your box garden just about anywhere as long as it has a lot of direct sunlight.

It is much more convenient than a large plot located way out in the back of the yard that seems to attract every weed imaginable. A box garden will have very few weeds because the soil consists of specific clean ingredients.

The Black Orchid

Saturday, February 2nd, 2008

Orchids are a very popular flower most likely because of its exotic look. Even more unique is the the black orchid, whose genus name is bulbophyllum, this specific orchid accompanies many species in its class that can vary greatly in its appearance.

The name bulbophyllum originates from both the Latin and the Greek. The latin “bulbus” means bulb-like and the greek, “phyllon” meaning leaf are descriptive of its form. This exotic plant is the largest genus in the Orchidaceae or Orchid family, as well as being one of the the largest in the entire plant kingdom. Numbering at about 1805 species, the study of the black orchid is no small feat.

There are many different species of the bulbphyllum, and they can greatly vary in their form, look, smell, environment, and growth pattern. Identifying this plant can be diffucult, and most of the time is done by looking at the specifics and the structure of the flowers of the plant.

This orchid can range from anything like a winding root climber, to an erect plant. Again, this is why it’s so important to know the specifics of identifying a true bublophyllum. This is the reason it can be very difficult for even the most experience taxonomist, and makes it even more interesting because it is such a challenge.