Garden Tweets
4/01/2008
Colleen at In The Garden Online recently put up a quick post asking if anyone was on Twitter. For those of you who don't know, Twitter is a micro blog where you post short little updates of what your doing or working on. Lots of people also use Twitter as a form of instant messaging. Unfortunately because of this, they have blocked it's use from within the office of my 9-5. But it's a good thing that I have an iPhone. Yes, the man won't be keeping me from my Tweets.
I've added a badge over there on the right that displays my last few Tweets.
Now thanks to Colleen there's an explosion of Garden Bloggers on Twitter. Nice work. I was getting lonely on there by myself.
Posted by Anthony 7:20 AM 4 comments
Blog Action Day Is October 15th
10/09/2007
Posted by Anthony 6:41 AM 0 comments
Labels: misc
Blog Action Day
9/11/2007
Blog Action Day seems like a good idea to me, so I signed up a few weeks ago. If you haven't heard of Blog Action Day, it's a day when bloggers from all over the world who usually write about tons of different topics, blog about one very important issue, the environment.
Not really a big stretch for a garden blog about compost to post about the environment but it'll be fun to come up with something. Most likely, my post will still be about compost but it's okay because composting is becoming very in style amongst the green living crowd.
Here's what they have to say about it on the Blog Action Day website:
On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.
So if you aren't doing anything on the 15th, why not join the rest of us while we try to get people talking about a better future.
Posted by Anthony 10:14 PM 1 comments
Labels: misc
Happy Anniversary
8/26/2007
Happy Anniversary to me and my blog about compost. This is my 200th post and according to my archive, it seems that I've been doing this since August 9th, 2005. Yikes, I must be one of them internet old timers. Back in my day we didn't need blogs, if you wanted to tell everyone what was on your mind you just yelled it out the window. And get off of my lawn you young whipper snappers!
I may not be the most consistent blogger (I would think that after two years, a good blogger would have about 500 posts) but I make up for it by spreading myself as thin as possible and starting new sites all the time. In fact I'm going to use this 200th post to talk about my two latest blogs, PokemonToday and WebkinzToday.
Being a Dad is great if you like keeping up with the latest toys. And who doesn't love toys? I get to learn all about what's interesting to 5 and 3 year olds and Pokemon and Webkinz are definitely interesting to my kids. Sometimes I'll get a call at work from my son that goes something like this:
Son: Daddy, how do I keep my Pikachu from evolving into a Raichu?
Me: Can't you ask Mommy?
Son: Mommy calls them PokeMAN, she can't help me.
I thought to myself, since I have to learn this stuff why not share it on a new blog? And by the way, if you don't want your Pokemon to evolve you need to hold down the "B" button.
So if you want to know the lyrics to the Pokemon Theme Song or need to know how to get to Webkinz World, feel free to check out my new sites. Perhaps 200 post will come a lot quicker on one of these new blogs.
Posted by Anthony 11:07 PM 9 comments
Labels: misc
Glowing Tomato
8/15/2007
This isn't really gardening related but with all the tomato talk in the Garden Blogosphere at this time of year, I'm sure someone will find this interesting.
DIYLife has posted an article on how to make a glowing tomato.
The mad scientist in me finds this pretty amusing and the first thing I thought about after seeing it was could I do it with a watermelon? :)
Posted by Anthony 11:06 AM 2 comments
Pressure Treated Wood And Gardening
5/23/2007
I received a really interesting comment the other day on an old post about building raised garden beds. The commenter works in the pressure treated wood industry and really provided a great explanation of the types of wood that are available and what's in store for pressure treated wood in the future.
Here's his comment in full. I feel that it deserves a new post instead of just remaining buried with that old post.
To add to the pressure treated question.
Pressure treated is my family business, and I would like to offer a fair opinion backed with research and personal experience. I am a fourth generation wood preserver.
For many years, the choice of pressure treated lumber was wood treated with CCA, Chromated Copper Arsenate. However, CCA has become a thing of the past except for in certain specific commercial and industrial markets. Let me assure you, it would not be easy for the average consumer to get their hands on it since the voluntary transition to newer, and safer chemicals.
Which brought us ACQ and Copper Azole. ACQ stands for Alkaline Copper Quaternary. The Alkaline holds the copper in a liquid form, and the quaternary is basically an anti-bacterial soap. Much better in many ways. However, as the author has pointed out, there is a flaw in this chemical. It corrodes aluminum as well as other metals. CCA and the other two choices have always recommended using stainless steel or other approved fasteners, however, the new guys on the block seem to have the predominant problem of corrosion.
Why does it really corrode? Copper doesn't get along with aluminum. Simple chemistry. The nature of this treatment allows a tiny amount of copper to leach out, which causes surface contact with any fastener. If that fastener happens to be aluminum, a chemical reaction occurs, and in a short time, maybe a couple years, no more fastener. But do not become discouraged. There is an even newer kid on the block.
You will see it as a few different names: MCQ, Smart Sense, MicroPro, MicroShades, or Micronized Copper Quaternary. ACQ is held in solution, a liquid. MCQ is chemically different. It is made of tiny (micro) particles of copper. These particles are forced into the wood cells or pores during the pressure cycle. Once in, they stay in, also forming a barrier keeping in the quaternary. The leaching of chemicals out of MCQ is practically non-existent. So much so that aluminum is actually approved for use on this type of treated wood.
It just started going into production the end of 2006, and is becoming available in almost all states. If you can not find it, request it, or shop somewhere they do carry it. Most of the independent lumber yards will carry it, and Home Depot has it available in some stores as well.
To add a side note, I purchase organic and/or natural produce when available. I did not want to use ACQ in my organic raised bed garden, if I had to, I would have use a liner. However, I am building raised beds this year, and dragging my feet paid off this time, because MCQ became available, and I trust the research behind this product. ACQ was the step away from CCA, MCQ is the step up to a new level of safer treated products. I hope this helps answer any questions. Thank you,
John Bumby
The Maine Wood Treaters
Thanks for your insight John.
Posted by Anthony 6:22 AM 4 comments
Labels: garden projects, misc
Seed Thief
4/02/2007
Hey, you're not a song bird! The bag of seeds that I bought said it was great for song birds.
Well at least he's not a turkey.
Posted by Anthony 8:52 PM 6 comments
Labels: misc
Mouse And Trowel Awards
3/25/2007
The Bloggies come and go every year and all I have to say is where are the garden blogs? Yes, I know that gardening is a small niche compared to topics like Tech or Entertainment but being completely shut out of the bloggies isn't fair.
Well Colleen at In The Garden Online obviously feels the same way because she is now holding the first ever Mouse And Trowel Awards.
Sorry Boing Boing and Gizmodo but you need to be a Garden Blog to qualify for the Mouse and Trowel Awards.
You can get the details of how to nominate your favorite Garden Blogs in many different categories at the Mouse And Trowel site. Hey Colleen, why not a Best Pictures of Compost category for next year. :)
Posted by Anthony 9:31 AM 1 comments
6 Gardening Lies
3/01/2007
Does your spouse ever say things like, "We need to buy more plants" or "Why don’t we build a greenhouse?" Well if you do, then I’m happy for you. You’ll have many great years in the dirt together. But if your more like me and often hear things like, "The garden is big enough", "You are not a farmer" and "Bring this garbage out to your crapbox", then this list of 6 Gardening Lies is just for you.
The vegetable garden will save us money
Sounds like a truthful statement doesn’t it? Yes, honey we won’t have to buy that $1.99 bag of salad at the supermarket because I can buy a packet of seeds for the same price. Please ignore the cost of the potting soil, the self watering seed starting trays, the electricity from the lights used to start these seeds in the basement, the water bill, the cost of lumber to build those raised beds, the fencing…
There’s a discount when you buy more than 18 yards of mulch
Who wants a few bags of mulch when you can have a dump truck unload a gigantic pile in your driveway. It's like a giant billboard that says, "Neighbors of NJ, behold my mighty pile of mulch!"
No, I didn’t just buy that plant, it was already there
Don’t you remember last year, we went to the nursery together, I think you picked that one out. What’s that? No, I don’t know where that receipt came from. Why am I holding a shovel?
But they’re perennials so we’re saving money in the long run
It’s like putting money in the bank. They’ll keep blooming for years.
We really do need 5 types of tomatoes
Nuff said.
I’m going out to the garden, I’ll be back in a minute
I’ll just water these plants and then I’ll be right in. Maybe a little weeding too. Hmm, these vines needs a trellis, I think I have some extra wood in the garage…
If you’ve ever told a gardening lie, please share it in the comment section. I'm always on the look out for new material.
Posted by Anthony 12:18 AM 18 comments
Labels: misc, vegetable garden
The Ultimate Water Feature
1/02/2007
Posted by Anthony 11:46 PM 2 comments
Labels: misc, niagra falls
Rustle The Leaf
12/11/2006
I just discovered this cool little web comic about a leaf. It's called Rustle the Leaf and it's creators say they started it "to facilitate the sharing of environmental views in an engaging, nonconfrontational manner, and to introduce and reinforce environmental education with people ages 6 to 106."
It's a cute idea. Sort of a Smokey The Bear for the 2000s. I know a lot of people between the ages of 6 and 106, so I plan on spreading the word.
Posted by Anthony 9:57 PM 0 comments
Labels: misc
Zombie Chickens
12/07/2006
As a blogger who writes about composting, I have set up a Google news alert to notify me of any compost related news. Yes, it's sad but it's true. In the news today is an interesting article about zombie chickens.
It reports that when egg laying hens reach an age where they aren't as productive, the hens are being euthanized and then composted. Yikes! But the even scarier part is that the euthanizing process doesn't seem to be 100% effective because some "zombie chickens" rise up out of the compost piles.
Maybe it's time for me to get rid of the compost news alerts, but I definitely plan to keep a close watch on my compost bin.
Posted by Anthony 9:45 AM 2 comments
Gifts For Gardeners - Weather Station
11/29/2006
What gardener doesn't want a neat weather station gadget? This one even shows the phase of the moon for all of you moon phase gardeners out there. I've been put on gadget probation by my wife so I don't think Santa will leave me one of these this year.
Posted by Anthony 11:07 PM 0 comments
Labels: misc
Apple Picking
10/28/2006
Just recently took the kids apple picking. We packed up the minivan, picked up Grandma and drove up to New Paltz, NY. We have local apple picking about 5 minutes from my house but we decided to make a day out of it.
My daughter eats more apples out in the orchard than she picks to take home, but we still got enough for a few pies and maybe some apple turnovers. The best part of apple picking is the snacks. Who can resist the apple cider doughnuts that these places always offer. They also had roasted corn on the cob. That's something I wouldn't associate with apple picking but it was delicious none the less. I'm a big fan of apple butter too. Unfortunately they didn't have any at that day. But that's okay because like I said, there's a place near my house where I can get it.
This other apple picking place that we go to has hot apple cider doughnuts that they serve with a scoop of ice cream on top. Delicious!
Nothing beats a brisk autumn day, hot apple cider and apple cider doughnuts with the family. Oh yeah, apple picking is fun too.
Posted by Anthony 11:52 AM 0 comments
Labels: misc
Garden Battle II
7/11/2006
Round two in the Garden Battle Series. Who will win this time, Garden Art Dragonfly or Real Dragonfly. 
Posted by Anthony 9:34 AM 4 comments
Labels: misc
Garden Art Battle
7/01/2006
In the battle for Garden Art dominance, who do you think would win?
Terra Cotta Turtle or Metal Turtle?
Posted by Anthony 2:14 PM 6 comments
Labels: misc
I just love the smell of mulch in the morning
6/21/2006
I've got 10 yards of mulch in my driveway and I just bought a new wheel barrel.
Time me. Ready GO!!!
Posted by Anthony 9:03 AM 3 comments
Labels: misc
Compost vs. Bird Flu
2/21/2006
We know that composting is great for you garden but did you know that it can help stop the spread of avian flu? When the disease is detected in a single chicken on a farm, the entire flock must be disposed of. That's where composting comes to the rescue.
Maryland Scientists Dig Up a Response to Bird Flu. It seems that the heat of a hot compost pile is enough to stop the spread of the bird flu.
So composting the dead birds is a better way to deal with the disposal problem.
Posted by Anthony 10:02 AM 0 comments
Fun facts about vermicomposting
2/02/2006
Here are some fun facts about vermicomposting
"The IKEA store in Schaumburg, Ill., has plans to pilot the use of worm units to compost food wastes from its in-store cafeterias. The worms work inside two trucks outside the store, so they can be driven away as needed or if problems develop,'' reads the article on wormwoman site. Worm beds in trucks are designed so castings drop into drawers below for removal..."
Sounds like a good idea to me.
Posted by Anthony 10:33 AM 0 comments
Labels: misc
You know you're a compost freak when....
1/25/2006
Another You know you're a compost freak when.... thread over at GardenWeb. Have you ever read one of these? I always find them pretty amusing. The people in the Soil, Compost & Mulch Forum at Gardenweb are true lovers of all things compost. If you were embarassed to go to Starbucks and ask for used coffee grinds they you'll get a kick out of these "compost wackos" as they call themselves. They steal people's leaves and pumpkins that are put to the curb, dig through dumpsters, pee in the compost pile and probably anything else that will help keep their piles hot.
Next time I go to Starbucks, I won't be so embarrassed.
Posted by Anthony 9:41 AM 0 comments
Labels: misc
