Monday, 19 December 2011

Global Warming isn't just about warming!

Taken from an article by:
Matt Miller 
Director of communications for the Conservancy’s Idaho program.
As I traveled around the islands of Micronesia, I repeatedly heard people voice the same words: Moving is not an option.
The often-tiny islands of Micronesia—and other other Pacific chains—are populated by people with diverse cultures, cultures shaped by the land and water over the centuries and even millennia.
Today, with ocean levels rising and fish stocks disappearing, they are facing the most serious threat to their cultures, their traditions and, indeed, their lives. And moving is not an option.

Water Is Rising

I visited two islands in the Federated States of Micronesia, Yap and Pohnpei. On Yap, large stone “money”—huge limestone disks larger than I am—are still used for ceremonial transactions. Village life remains the central part of Yapese culture, and they still rely on reefs for their livelihood and sustenance.
On Pohnpei, I hiked around huge ruins—rivaling what I saw at more famous sites like Machu Picchu and Tikal—built on top of artificially constructed islands that extend a mile onto the reef. Nan Madol, as this area is known, began construction in 500 BC. Today, Pohnpeians practice a rich and traditional form of agriculture that incorporates seamlessly into the forest.
Thousands of islands in the Pacific are still home to thriving human communities. People have worked out ways to balance the reef and the forest. But forces beyond their communities could shape the future of these islands.
There’s an old cliché that there are no atheists in foxholesIn that same spirit, perhaps it could be said that there are no climate change deniers on islands.
As people in the United States seem intent on arguing whether or not climate change is real, islanders are seeing sea levels rise and land disappear.
A group of performing artists from Pacific Island nations recently toured the United States with their show, Water is Rising, telling stories of climate change as faced by their communities.
But the threats to islands don’t end with climate change: Coral reefs put fish on the plate for millions of people. But around Micronesia and other islands, fish stocks are being depleted.
No food. No land. No place to go.
The islanders deserve better.

Traditional Knowledge, Cutting-Edge Science

Fortunately, many communities are leading efforts to ensure that they will continue to have fish on their plates, viable jobs and places to live.
They value self-sufficiency. Willy Kostka, director of the Micronesia Conservation Trust, put it this way: “If I can keep the food relief agencies out of this region, then I’ve succeeded. If the Red Cross is here, we’ve lost. To me, conservationists are in the front line of self-sufficiency.”
Communities recognize the importance of protecting marine areas to sustain fisheries. A locally-led initiative called theMicronesia Challenge–which includes the five governments, local communities, and local and global organizations (including the Conservancy)—has a goal to protect to protect 30 percent of the near-shore marine resources across Micronesia by 2020.
These are the reefs that keep fish on the table.
Such local efforts are complemented by cutting-edge science, such as sophisticated models of climate change impacts that can direct conservation efforts and help communities plan for the future.
“We don’t take our islands for granted,” says Kostka. “Every day I feel so lucky I was born here on Pohnpei. I feel very privileged to live here.”
The people of Micronesia are hopeful. They believe they can shape their own future.
A difficult truth is that some factors—climate change, depletion of fisheries—are generated by countries far from the Pacific islands. The Micronesians are doing their part. Can we do ours?
There is much hope, but the water is rising. And moving is not an option.
(Image: Villagers on the Pacific island of Yap perform the stick dance. Image credit: ©Matt Miller.)

Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Sykes Monkeys Photo Update




Two out of three were kind enough to take a break from snacking on some bananas to allow me to take their picture!

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Ardastra- A Proud Sponsor of Bahamas Speedweek Revival!

The original Nassau Speed Weeks took place from 1954 to 1966 and featured  many of the great racing drivers of the period. Following a gruelling European season they took the opportunity to combine racing and relaxation in the sun. With today’s historic racers following the same pattern isn’t it time we went back ?

Iconic race cars such as Ferrari GTO, Birdcage Maserati, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, Chaparral, AC Cobra and Ford GT40 were driven by stars including Roger Penske, Dan Gurney, Bruce McLaren, Innes Ireland, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mark Donohue and Stirling Moss. 
Evoking the era of the world famous Nassau Speed Weeks in the 1950s and 60s, the 2011 Bahamas Speed Week is a totally new and unique event offering luxurious experiences, exclusive hospitality and endless opportunities to have fun in the sun while the northern hemisphere is in the depths of winter.
With the support of the local Bahamian Ministry of Tourism, the BSWR team have put together a package for two people which includes: the shipping of your car, airport transfers, all accommodation, all lunches, evening buffets and dinners – including the amazing Graycliff, Lyford Cay and Charity Gala Ball, entry to the Fort Charlotte Hillclimb and Arawak Cay Sprint, all passes and VIP paddock hospitality plus a special 007 island tour and Heritage Nassau Car Licence Plate. 
Entry is open to Sports and GT cars of the period capable of running in a Tour Auto type road event plus classic road cars from 1954 to the present day and modern-day supercars.  All will participate in the competitive sections of the event with timing being optional for the latter two categories.  One of the unique elements of this week-long event is that it provides owners the opportunity to drive their race cars on public roads without fear of prosecution, as the local government is arranging for them to be temporarily road-registered whilst on the island and is providing special heritage number plates to mark the event.  Plate number 007 will be signed by racing legend Sir Stirling Moss and none other than 007 himself, Sir Sean Connery and will be auctioned for charity at the event’s Gala Banquet.







Monday, 14 November 2011

Some Energy Education

What exactly are these carbon footprints that I hear and read so much about recently?






Whether you are making a cup of coffee, driving to the grocery store, mowing the yard, taking a shower or even opening the refrigerator door, you are leaving a trail that tells a lot about your life.
Just about all activities that use energy to almost any degree are creating individual carbon footprints.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere as people go about their daily activities.

By making small and seemingly insignificant changes in their daily routines people can not only reduce the size of their carbon footprint, but also realize significant savings in their energy costs.

There are a number of web sites that have calculators that enable people to determine how much energy they consume and suggestions on how to reduce the size of their carbon footprint. Some suggestions involve significant lifestyle changes ranging from trading in an SUV for a hybrid or riding a bicycle to work. Others are more practical and simple such as turning the home thermostat down a degree or two.

Easy to follow tips that most people can follow without too much effort include:
  • Air conditioning and heating: By simply turning the air conditioning up a couple of degrees in the summer and the heating systems down in the winter, a consumer can save several hundred dollars.
  • Clothes dryer, oven and dishwasher: Wait until the sun goes down in the summer months to run these appliances so they don’t put more strain on the air conditioner. In the winter months, run them when the house is the coolest. 
  • Shower: Install a low flow shower head and take shorter showers to reduce the amount of water used. Taking a shower instead of a bath saves considerable amounts of water.
  • Refrigerator: Place the refrigerator in a cool place and always let hot food cool off before placing it inside. For greater efficiency keep coils clean and defrost it on a regular basis if necessary.
  • Electronic devices: Unplug those that aren’t being used such as cell phone chargers, hair dryers, coffee pots, computers, etc. as they use electricity just by being plugged in.
  • Hot water heater: Reducing the temperature of a hot water heater from 140 degrees F to 120 degrees F not only saves money but may prevent scalding. Insulate the hot water heater to save even more.

  • Clothes washer: Wash clothes in cold water. Many detergents are designed for this purpose. Hot water is only necessary for extremely dirty or greasy items.

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Before you call me a Tree Hugger-

Hello Friends,
Those who know me well understand that I am all about peace and love and getting along with our neighbours, and the general societal rules you will find posted in any kindergarten classroom. But far be it from me to suggest that I am a Hippie by any stretch of the imagination, I think that the requisite attraction to patchouli scent bypassed me, but who am I to judge? Having said all of this, I am a lover of trees.
I've never actually hugged a tree, hence my initial invective, as I can already hear you taunting me with the obvious nickname.I love my trees here in the Gardens. I often like to sit and reflect upon life under the Lignum Vitae. I even have a favourite tree that I roost in, which I will not disclose for security purposes.

But I stand on terra firma on this matter friends, here's why:
  • Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
  • In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.
  • Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.
  • Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.
  • The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years!
  • A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years.
  • Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
  • Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
  • Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.
  • Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding,
  • Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
  • Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
  • The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
Here's a quote from the man I agree to disagree with (who told us that ketchup counted as a vegetable in the 80s).:

A tree's a tree. How many more do you need to look at?
Ronald Reagan


Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Garbage to Gold (or Green at least)

Here at Ardastra, we like to recycle as much as possible! Composting, using old containers as pots for seedlings, we even use old branches as perches for parrots! But for you kind folk at home, here's an idea of what to do with your yard waste.

Quick Facts...

  • Composting yard waste recycles nutrients back into the yard and saves landfill space.
  • Composting reduces yard waste volume by 50 to 75 percent.
  • Compost made with manure is questionable for use in food Gardens due to newer strains of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses.
  • The microorganisms that break down plant wastes require favorable temperatures, moisture and oxygen.
  • Compost can be used as a soil amendment and a mulch.
All yards produce waste from pruning, lawn mowing and other routine plant care activities. Composting is a way to reduce the volume of organic wastes and return them to the soil to benefit growing plants.
Organic matter improves the drainage and aeration of clay soil. Compost can be thought of as a separator that "shoulders apart" tightly packed clay particles to allow water and air to enter. Composting helps sandy soil hold water and nutrients. Compost holds moisture "like a sponge" and releases fertilizer nutrients slowly. It also increases the activity of earthworms and other natural soil organisms that are beneficial to plant growth. Note: Compost is a soil amendment, not a fertilizer. It contains limited plant nutrients.

Making Compost

To make traditional compost, alternate different types of shredded plant materials in 6- to 8-inch layers. Layering helps compost reach the correct nitrogen balance. Use equal parts by volume of dry and green plant materials in the overall mix. Use caution when you add layers of fine green plant wastes such as grass clippings. Grass mats easily and prevents water from moving through the mass. Use 2-inch layers of fine materials or process them through a machine shredder. Alternate fine materials with woody plant prunings to prevent clogging the machine and to create an equal balance of dry and green materials.
Traditional composting includes soil as one of the layers. While soil can serve as a source of microbes to "inoculate" plant wastes, research has found that the microorganisms that break down plants also are present on the surface of the leaves and stems. It's natural for some soil to cling to pulled weeds and uprooted vegetable and flower plants. When you add large amounts of soil, you increase the weight, which makes composting difficult and less efficient. Large amounts of soil also can suffocate microorganisms. Soilless composting is often practiced.
Add water to the compost after every few layers of material. If the plant materials are dry and no green material is available, add a small quantity of blood meal or a commercial nitrogen fertilizer free of weed killers. One-half cup of ammonium sulfate per bushel of material is sufficient. Livestock manure also can be added and supplies some nitrogen. Like soil, manure adds weight and bulk. The space devoted to manure could be used to compost yard wastes.
There is no advantage in adding compost starters or inoculum to the compost. The microbes that cause decomposition multiply just as rapidly from those that are naturally found on the plant waste.
Many materials can be composted
Figure 1: Many materials can be composted.

Materials to Use and Avoid

A variety of materials can be composted, but most Gardeners want to recycle collected yard waste. Plants lose between 50 and 75 percent of their volume in composting, so a lot of plant material can be processed effectively.
Composting can be effective on most yard wastes such as leaves, vegetable and flower plant parts, straw, and a limited amount of woody prunings, grass clippings and weeds. Woody twigs and branches that are greater than 1/4 inch in diameter should first be put through a shredder-chipper. Avoid highly resinous wood and leaf prunings from plants such as junipers, pine, spruce and arborvitae. The resins protect these materials from decomposition and extend the time needed for composting in comparison with other plant materials. High tannin-containing leaves (oak and cottonwood) have similar problems but can be used in small quantities if chopped well and mixed with other materials. The easiest way to handle grass clippings is to leave them on the lawn. Research shows that they return valuable nutrients back to the soil. Some grass clippings can be used for compost if other green plant material isn't available.
Many, but not all, plant disease organisms are killed if the compost reaches 122 degrees F. Temperatures will vary throughout the compost. Outer layers stay cooler than the center and cause uneven kill of disease organisms. If a plant is severely diseased, it is better to dispose of it in the trash.
In general, avoid plants treated with weed killers. Small amounts of herbicide-treated plants may be mixed in the pile as long as you allow for thorough decomposition. Weed killers and other pesticides break down at various rates. If you use treated grass clippings, the breakdown of these chemicals should be at least as fast as breakdown in the soil. Plants killed with weed killers that are soil inactive (glyphosate products such as Roundup or Kleenup) should present no problem when composted in small quantities.
In addition to yard wastes, many people compost kitchen wastes, such as vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells. These materials compost well and usually are not produced in large enough quantities to displace yard wastes. Animal wastes (meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy products) may cause odors and attract rodents; they are not recommended. Human, cat or dog feces may transmit diseases and should not be used. Some animal products that can be used as organic sources of nitrogen include blood and steamed bone meal and livestock manures from plant-eating animals (cows, sheep, rabbits and chickens).
Manures may contain new strains of E. coli and other bacteria that cause human illness. The use of manures added directly to the food Garden is questionable, although use on ornamental plantings is still recommended. Research shows that 2 to 10 percent of bacterial pathogens survive the composting process. If manure is composted for food Gardens, a two- to four-month curing process following composting is necessary to reduce pathogens. Favorable moisture and temperature conditions during curing allow microorganisms to develop and outcompete the pathogens. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables and peel according to safe food handling practices to minimize the possibility of bacteria-contaminated soil being carried into food prepared for human consumption.
Black and white newsprint is best recycled through recycling collection operations rather than converted to compost. If paper is composted due to a shortage of dry materials, add no more than 10 percent of the total weight of the material being composted. Do not use wood ashes or lime for composting in Colorado. Both increase salt and alkalinity, which leads to a loss of nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas.
Catching and bagging grass clippings is not worth the effort when they are easily recycled right on the lawn. For details, see fact sheet 7.007, Eliminate Grass Clipping Collection. If clippings are too long to leave on a lawn, composting is a better alternative than disposal in the trash. Some weeds can be composted, particularly if they are pulled before they produce seed. Compost mainly serves to reduce the volume of yard wastes and convert plant materials into a usable soil amendment. Adding excessive amounts of other materials, such as animal manures, defeats the purpose.
Wood slat and wire mesh bins.
Figure 2: Wood slat and wire mesh composting bins.
Three-bin and plastic composters.
Figure 3: Three-bin and plastic composters.

Location and Structures

Choose a composting site carefully. Partial shade avoids baking and drying in summer but provides some solar heat to start the composting action. A site protected from drying winds prevents too much moisture loss. Another consideration is convenience for moving volumes of plant materials in and out of the area. Choose a site close to where material will be used, but not highly visible or that interferes with yard activities.
Structures aren't necessary for composting but do prevent wind and marauding animals from carrying away plant wastes. Open compost piles can be used in less-populated rural locales, but structures are a near-must in urban areas. Many composting structures can be purchased or built (Figure 2). They vary in how well they can be managed to meet the requirements for effective decomposition under Colorado environmental conditions. Many people cover their compost with plastic to prevent the outer layers from drying too much. Remove the covers periodically to add more water and plant material and to aerate the mass.
In-ground pit composting presents problems with turning or aerating the plant material and also can pool water, which leads to undesirable low oxygen conditions.
A minimum volume of material is necessary to build up the heat necessary for efficient composting. This volume is generally around 36 inches by 36 inches by 36 inches. Well-insulated wood or plastic structures can be smaller and still hold enough heat to compost well. Wastes should heat up within two days if the compost is put together correctly.
Structures built of wire also may have drying problems. This depends on how many sides are exposed and whether exposure is on the windward side. Plastic covers or tarps often must be used with wire bins. Wood structures do not dry as much but are generally more expensive to purchase or build. An efficient wood structure is the three-chambered bin system that allows plant material to be aerated by turning it from one bin to the next as it decomposes (Figure 3).
Compact plastic composters are available through Garden centers and catalogs (Figure 3). They work well for small yards that produce few plant wastes. Some of these use a vertical composting system where fresh materials are added to the top and finished compost is removed from a drawer in the bottom. This system requires an aeration tool to reach in and stir plant materials on a regular basis. If you use metal barrels for composting, drill holes to allow air to enter. Turn the barrel on its side and roll it to mix and aerate the compost.

Requirements for Effective Composting

The breakdown of organic yard wastes is a biological process dependent on microorganism activity. Like most living things, these microbes require favorable temperatures, moisture, oxygen and nutrients. (See Table 1.)
Temperature. Plant-digesting microbes operate in a temperature range of 70 to 140 degrees, but breakdown occurs slowly at the lower temperatures. Well-managed compost rapidly breaks down in summer when compost temperatures quickly reach 120 to 130 degrees. If summer heat plus the heat produced by active microorganisms causes the temperature of the plant mass to exceed 160 degrees, the microbes will die. Colorado winter temperatures cool compost and greatly extend the time required to produce a finished product.
Moisture and oxygen. Moisture and oxygen are essential to microbial activity. In a region of limited rainfall such as Colorado, add moisture regularly to maintain composting. If parts of the composting material dry out, many microorganisms in the dry areas die. Even when moisture is added, the microbes that remain require time to multiply and resume plant digestion. The net result is slower composting. However, excess moisture displaces air and slows breakdown. Surplus water creates low oxygen conditions where certain microbes multiply and produce foul odors. The best description of the proper moisture level is moist or damp but not soggy. The entire mass of plant wastes should be moistened uniformly to the point where only a few drops of water can be squeezed from a fistful of plant material.
The size of plant particles that go into the compost also affects aeration. Large particles allow a lot of air to circulate around the plant chunks, but breakdown is slow because microbes can act only on the outside, not on the inside of the large chunks. Particles chopped into smaller chunks increase the surface area for microbes to operate. Particles chopped too small will compact and restrict air flow. Moderate-sized plant pieces of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches are the best size to use and can be produced by hand or machine shredding. Chop woody materials into a smaller size. Leave soft plant parts in larger pieces for effective composting. Fluff or turn the material with a pitchfork or aerator tool at regular intervals to provide additional aeration and distribute microbes throughout the compost.
Nutrients. The microbes that break down plants use the plants for food. Nitrogen is the most important food nutrient, because a nitrogen shortage drastically slows the composting process. Woody and dried plant materials tend to contain little nitrogen in comparison to the total mass of the material. Green plant material, however, contains a high percentage of nitrogen. A mix of equal parts by volume of green and dry plant material generally gives the best nitrogen balance. Add a plant fertilizer high in nitrogen when green materials are scarce.

Maintenance

  • If compost is properly mixed and maintained, a final product may be obtained in one to two months under optimum summer conditions. It should be about half its original size with an earthy smell.
  • Proper moisture and air levels are especially important. Dry plant wastes quickly stop composting. Plant materials often dry on the outside while the center remains moist.
  • Water consistently to keep compost uniformly moist but not wet.
  • Use an aeration tool to reach into the compost to lift and move plant materials. Turn the entire mass occasionally to provide uniform aeration.
  • Small amounts of fresh materials may be added to compost, particularly if a vertical composting system is used.
  • In other systems, too much fresh material results in a mixture of fully-decomposed and fresh materials.
  • If enough material is available, make a new pile instead of combining fresh materials with nearly finished compost.

Compost as Soil Amendment and Mulch

Mix soil amendments well with the soil to separate clay particles or hold water in sand. For this reason, prepare soil before planting lawns or trees. Areas planted every year, such as vegetable or annual flower Gardens, can accept frequent applications of compost. Indoor potted plants and outdoor container plants benefit from compost as an ingredient in potting soils. As with peat-based mixes, potting soils that use compost require a material such as perlite to avoid waterlogging. Some weed seeds can survive composting, but weed plants can be easily pulled.
Mulches suppress Garden weeds, cool soil, conserve moisture and reduce soil erosion. To mulch, apply a 4- to 5-inch layer of organic material on top of the soil instead of mixing it into the soil as with amendments.
Compost can be used as a mulch. It has the disadvantage of being light and easily blown away in the wind, unlike bark or rock mulch that stays in place. Like any organic mulch, compost supports weed growth, which can cause problems if weed seeds blow into the area. While mulches eventually become incorporated into the soil, amending the soil directly with compost is a better solution where soil conditions limit plant growth.
Table 1: A troubleshooting guide for effective composting.
SymptomCauseSolution
Compost has a bad odor.Lack of air.Turn or use a tool to aerate it.
The center of the mass is dry.Lack of water, not watering regularly.Moisten materials while stirring or turning the pile.
The outside couple of inches are dry.Dry Colorado air.Water regularly or cover with a plastic sheet or tarp.
The center is damp and warm.Too small a plant mass overall.Collect more plant materials; mix with the old to form a new mass.
Outside is cool and slightly dry. Plant wastes are damp and sweet smelling but mass will not heat up.Lack of nitrogen.Mix in a nitrogen source: fresh grass, granular fertilizer, bloodmeal or manure.

Thursday, 27 October 2011

Happy Halloween Ghouls and Boogeymen!

In the spirit of happy haunting, I would like to share with you some friends from the animal kingdom who may have a frightening appearance but are actually as harmless as a...well, basking shark?

Basking Shark

Goliath Birdeater

Gharial


Milksnake

Giant African Millipede

Vulture

Manta Ray, or Devilfish (how apropos!)

Giant Arachnid

and last but certainly not least, the Aye Aye from Madagascar.


For further reading about these creative looking creatures,

Safe and Happy Haunting to you all.

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Something shocking has come to my attention lovies. Now brace yourself, especially if you are used to the maddening traffic of Nassau. 
There are places, not so secret, not even magical places, in this world that are....wait for it....Car Free.


That's right dears, you're eyes deceive you not. 


On the island of Zlarin, Croatia, only service vehicles and tractors are allowed, along with approximately 20 electrically powered golf carts. This island: 8.19 km, population 276.


Entire town centres all over Europe; car free zones. Children and Peacocks may run free. 
In Buenos Aires, an area called Tren de la Costa has dedicated a unique suburban modern leisure tramway artery that stretches for 15 kilometres by the River Plate from Olivos to the village of Tigre, each of its eleven "turn of the century" picturesque stations have a charm of its own with its plazas, cafes, antique shops, movie theatres, boutiques, restaurants and regional product markets. You can get on and off during the day as many times as you wish. Oh yes and by the way the population here is 12.4 million. That is nothing to shake a tailfeather at.


The list goes on.


The Bahamas has another election coming up soon. My vote will be given to the political party who can solve- or at least help alleviate - our desperate and growing traffic problem. The jitneys emit foul smoke on a daily basis. Some days I overhear people saying it takes them an hour and a half to drive 6 miles. At night time on less windy days, as I hop up onto my favourite tree to roost at sunset, I recall my acting days in Los Angeles as I gaze at the band of yellow smog hovering over Paradise Island. We need not reinvent the wheel, lets take a page from the book of our bold nations who recognize the beauty of less vehicular traffic.
Dare to dream my children, dare to dream.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_car-free_places



Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Lending Library


We are still collecting books for our Lending Library my friends. Please drop off your gently used books at our front gate between 9am and 5pm. I realize most of you have a kindle or some such device with which to read by, however some of us prefer the old school method of  "holding the book and turning the page".

"To waste, to destroy, our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them."
— Theodore Roosevelt

Tuesday, 27 September 2011


Hello my dears,
I learned the most interesting thing today. I was taking my usual morning stroll through the petting zoo, and doing my usual close, general inspection when I noticed the most curious thing in the goat pen. You see, I thought the goats had donned their Halloween costumes early,  costumes featuring those special frightful contact lenses that the kids wear nowadays to look extra spooky, but they weren't wearing any costume at all! Or contact lenses for that matter, you see, unlike most creatures, goats have rectangular pupils
We all imagine pupils to be round – as they are the type we see most often (on humans) – but goats (and most other animals with hooves) have horizontal slits which are nearly rectangular when dilated. This gives goats vision covering 320 – 340 degrees; this means they can see virtually all around them without having to move (humans have vision covering 160 – 210 degrees). Consequently, animals with rectangular eyes can see better at night due to having larger pupils that can be closed more tightly during the day to restrict light. Interestingly, octopuses also have rectangular pupils.


Now my only question is, what will the goats be for Halloween?


One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.  William Shakespeare





Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Ever seen a plant that was frightened of a thunderstorm?



Of course not sillies, but I have seen a plant that needed proper nutrients. And here is something I learned that I  thought I'd share with you:
Did you know that lightning keeps plants alive? The intense heat of lightning forces nitrogen in the air to mix with oxygen, forming nitrogen oxides that are soluble in water and fall to the ground in rain. Plants need nitrates to survive, so without lightning, plants could not live. Just trying to keep you, my dear friends enlightened.
Love,


Freddy



"Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations."
— Jean Paul Richter

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Excuse me, what time is it?

That's right my dears, it is almost here again, it is very nearly time for......wait for it......its almost time for the Ardastra Farmers Markets to resume! Watch this space so you can mark on your calendar when we announce the date and schedule.

In the meantime, here's why you shouldn't miss it:



Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables.  They probably get jet-lagged, just like people.  ~Elizabeth Berry



Ten reasons to Buy Local Food
1. Locally grown food tastes better.
Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It's crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. Produce flown or trucked in from California, Florida, Chile or Holland is, quite understandably, much older. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality.
2. Local produce is better for you.
A recent study showed that fresh produce loses nutrients quickly. Food that is frozen or canned soon after harvest is actually more nutritious than some "fresh" produce that has been on the truck or supermarket shelf for a week. Locally grown food, purchased soon after harvest, retains its nutrients.
3. Local food preserves genetic diversity.
In the modern industrial agricultural system, varieties are chosen for their ability to ripen simultaneously and withstand harvesting equipment; for a tough skin that can survive packing and shipping; and for an ability to have a long shelf life in the store. Only a handful of hybrid varieties of each fruit and vegetable meet those rigorous demands, so there is little genetic diversity in the plants grown. Local farms, in contrast, grow a huge number of varieties to provide a long season of harvest, an array of eye-catching colors, and the best flavors. Many varieties are heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation, because they taste good. These old varieties contain genetic material from hundreds or even thousands of years of human selection; they may someday provide the genes needed to create varieties that will thrive in a changing climate.
4. Local food is GMO-free.
Although biotechnology companies have been trying to commercialize genetically modified fruits and vegetables, they are currently licensing them only to large factory-style farms. Local farmers don't have access to genetically modified seed, and most of them wouldn't use it even if they could. A June 2001 survey by ABC News showed that 93% of Americans want labels on genetically modified food - most so that they can avoid it. If you are opposed to eating bioengineered food, you can rest assured that locally grown produce was bred the old-fashioned way, as nature intended.
5. Local food supports local farm families.
With fewer than 1 million Americans now claiming farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. And no wonder - commodity prices are at historic lows, often below the cost of production. The farmer now gets less than 10 cents of the retail food dollar. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middleman and get full retail price for their food - which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.
6. Local food builds community.
When you buy direct from the farmer, you are re-establishing a time-honored connection between the eater and the grower. Knowing the farmers gives you insight into the seasons, the weather, and the miracle of raising food. In many cases, it gives you access to a farm where your children and grandchildren can go to learn about nature and agriculture. Relationships built on understanding and trust can thrive.
7. Local food preserves open space.
As the value of direct-marketed fruits and vegetables increases, selling farmland for development becomes less likely. You have probably enjoyed driving out into the country and appreciated the lush fields of crops, the meadows full of wildflowers, the picturesque red barns. That landscape will survive only as long as farms are financially viable. When you buy locally grown food, you are doing something proactive about preserving the agricultural landscape.
8. Local food keeps your taxes in check.
Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes, according to several studies. On average, for every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, governments must spend $1.17 on services, thus requiring higher taxes of all taxpayers. For each dollar of revenue raised by farm, forest, or open space, governments spend 34 cents on services.
9. Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife.
A well-managed family farm is a place where the resources of fertile soil and clean water are valued. Good stewards of the land grow cover crops to prevent erosion and replace nutrients used by their crops. Cover crops also capture carbon emissions and help combat global warming. According to some estimates, farmers who practice conservation tillage could sequester 12-14% of the carbon emitted by vehicles and industry. In addition, the habitat of a farm - the patchwork of fields, meadows, woods, ponds and buildings - is the perfect environment for many beloved species of wildlife, including bluebirds, killdeer, herons, bats, and rabbits.
10. Local food is about the future.
By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food.


We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.  ~Alfred E. Newman