Aquaponics Integrated Systems of Agriculture and Aquaculture (AQUAPONICS) Active link to Camera and data collection in Aquaponics Greenhouse at University of Arizona Link to video of AquaponicsAquaponics PowerPoint Presentation A variety of plants grown in Tilapia effluent (University of Arizona) Another use of aquaculture in the classroom that is gaining in popularity is the use of aquaculture in systems where a secondary crop of plants is grown using the effluent from the aquaculture facility. An experimental aquaculture/hydroponic system (U of A) There are several ways of creating integrated systems as a part of recirculating systems. An A frame system of lettuce grown with fish effluent. nitrogen available as a waste in aquaculture systems but don't need phosphorus (which is not present in aquaculture systems) as many fruiting plants do. Dr. This aquaponic system is one of the many worthwhile projects being developed at The Cabbage Hill Farm (found in their aquaponics section on the home page).
Permaculture Magazine - Inspiration for Sustainable Living | Permaculture Magazine Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes Home Page This interactive web site provides practical, accurate information on growing hydroponic tomatoes for students, hobbyists, and beginning growers. Hydroponic culture is one of the most exacting and intensive methods of crop production used in agriculture today. Over the last 20 years, great advances in hydroponic technology have been made through extensive research and development programs in the United States and Europe. And although hydroponics may be technology and capital intensive, it is also extremely productive and efficient in its water and land use. Whether your interest in hydroponics is as a hobby, an additional source of income, or you want to get into the commercial market, the future and opportunities in soilless culture are more favorable today than ever before. We hope this introduction to hydroponic tomato growing will spark your interest, provide information, and lead you other resources available in print and on the web.
Grow Your Own Chocolate By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter Around Valentine’s Day the worry of what to give that special person is throbbing in ones head. A nice dinner is always a great start to that special day dedicated to couples. Commercials show giving diamonds as a way of expressing ones love but I have another way that may take time but shows true commitment, love, and can address those cravings that we all have had some time in our lives. One may ask what could that be. Growing your own hyper-local chocolate is one way of showing how much you care for an individual. Chocolate mint is one plant that any individual can grow that smells and tastes like the name states, chocolate mint. The cocoa plant is a challenge to grow for even the seasoned gardener. To start this project of love, either purchase cocoa plants from a reputable tropical plant dealer or start with the beans. Before placing the lid on this second container make sure to add water to the bottom. Move the tree to a warm room away from direct sunlight.
Hydroponics NASA researcher checking hydroponic onions with Bibb lettuce to his left and radishes to the right Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, the method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.[1] Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the mineral solution, or the roots may be supported by an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel. The nutrients in hydroponics can be from fish waste, duck manure, or normal nutrients. History[edit] In 1929, William Frederick Gericke of the University of California at Berkeley began publicly promoting that solution culture be used for agricultural crop production.[3][4] He first termed it aquaculture but later found that aquaculture was already applied to culture of aquatic organisms. Reports of Gericke's work and his claims that hydroponics would revolutionize plant agriculture prompted a huge number of requests for further information. Techniques[edit] Static solution culture[edit]
The Field Guide to Fleece: Wool Characteristics - Homesteading and Livestock With this compact, portable reference in hand, crafters can quickly and easily look up any of 100 sheep breeds, the characteristics of their fleece, and the kinds of projects for which their fleece is best suited. Each breed profile includes a photo of the animal and information about its origin and conservation status, as well as the weight, staple length, fiber diameter, and natural colors of its fleece. The Field Guide to Fleece (Storey Publishing, 2013), by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius, is a great primer for beginners, and a handy guide for anyone who loves working with fleece! The excerpt below comes from the introduction, “A Love Affair with Wool.” You can purchase this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: The Field Guide to Fleece. We love wool. Why are we so fond of wool? Not all wools are created equal! Fiber characteristics vary widely not only between breeds but also within breeds, and sometimes even throughout an individual fleece. Crimp Fiber Length Fiber Diameter
Blue Planet Biomes - Plants The Importance of Plants Close to 2.5 billion years ago, the earth's surface and atmosphere were stable enough to support primitive life. Single-cell organisms began to develop in the seas that covered the planet. A simple organism known as blue-green algae appeared and spread across the seas. Blue-green algae used sunlight and water to make food, and in the process, created oxygen. Plants play the most important part in the cycle of nature. The oxygen we breathe comes from plants. Leaves are the main food-making part of most plants. Plant Facts Scientists believe there are over 260,000 species of plants. Certain characteristics of plants set them apart from other living things. Plants and Their Environment Plants require a reasonable level of heat to grow. A plant's environment is made up of many factors. No two natural communities are exactly alike, but many resemble one another more than they differ. Medicine Plants provide many useful drugs.
How to Cut and Cure Pork - Sustainable Farming Click on the Image Gallery for the referenced step-by-step photos. OK, homesteaders . . . here's another installment of Morton Salt's superior booklet, A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HOME MEAT CURING. How to Butcher a Pig told you how to butcher, halve and chill a hog. Again, our special thanks to Murray J. It pays to do a neat job of butchering and trimming The black guide lines in the picture show where the different cuts should be made for cutting up the carcass. There is both pride and pleasure in unwrapping a neatly trimmed ham, shoulder, or bacon side months after the meat is cured. Meat should not be cut up and put in cure until it is thoroughly chilled. When salt is applied on warm meat it helps hold the animal heat in and this heat, along with moisture, gases, and a little blood that is usually in the joints, makes an ideal combination to start bone taint which in a short time may cause souring and spoilage. Remove the neck bone from the shoulder, leaving very little meat on the bone. 1.
How to Find Free Compost Ingredients 1Ask your local coffee shop if they throw out used coffee grinds. Coffee grinds are an excellent acidic amendment to soil, so use ash or lime to balance the pH. Ad 2Inquire with local lumberyards and home improvement stores for free sawdust. Be sure to use sawdust only from untreated wood. 3Collect newspapers. Separate the newspaper from the glossy inserts, and shred the paper to make it compost more quickly. 4Contact local dairies, feedlots, or cattle operations for composted cow manure. The ideal manure has been composting for at least 2 years. 5Call a local food processing plant to inquire if they have any left over organic material.6Visit your local zoo and ask about retrieving compost from the exhibit animals. Sea and lake vegetation is remarkably nutrient rich and makes a great addition to your compost, but it is also unsustainable as the tidelands and shores need those nutrients for their own ecosystems.
How to Make a Self-Watering Greenhouse - In-Depth Tutorial How to Make a Self-Watering Greenhouse (In-Depth Tutorial) I know it seems a little redundant to post this when I've already posted a video, but it is kind of hard to get more than a vague idea from the video alone. I hope this sheds a little more light on the subject. I'm sure it also seems like I'm beating this idea to death, but this one concept opens doors to further innovation. After I finish this article, I'm going to put another one up that shows a hinged, raised bed house and talk about some amazing things you can do from there. Once the foundation of principles is laid, and with input from the community, I'll shed more light on the whole concept that I'm trying to push here. Yes, that is done in the shop, and yes, that's a weird environment to build a greenhouse. Tools You Will Need Something to cut the pipe: Ratcheting pipe cutter, hand saw, band saw, compound miter saw, etc.Measuring TapeMarker for cut linesSomething to bend the pipe. (optional) Mallet Materials You Will Need
A Pile of Comments About Compost | Articles | Woodworker's Journal eZine Talkin' Trash...Heaps After you read the Q&A in last issue's eZine, we discovered that many of you are interested in talking trash...heaps, that is, when it comes to compost piles. Several readers shared further information about the process of making compost, including one who has taught university level composting. - Editor "I compost all my wood waste. It doesn't compost fast, but with the right mixture of grass or other green waste and adequate amounts of water, it will make a dandy product. How do I know? "So, how is composting done? "Second, make sure the mixture is wet enough. "Third, make sure the pile or bin is large enough to retain heat. "Expect this process to require a year or maybe two to really get good usable compost. "All this said, recognize that compost happens. "Caution, don't use treated wood. Other readers also had piles of things to say about making compost with wood. - Editor "Tim is correct about sawdust being carbon. Kickback Followup: the Splitter?