#literal pests and waste of space and oxygen

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Testosterone apes behind the wheel if they weren’t a threat to their and everyone else’s lives on the road for more than 5 seconds

[mythicalcanary-literature]

FanFiction - Crossing the Stars

Hetalia (c) Hidekaz Himaruya

FTL: Faster Than Light (c) Subset Games

[CHAPTER LIST]

Author’s Note: This FanFiction is a crossover between the sci-fi strategy game ‘FTL: Faster Than Light’ by Subset Games and the manga/anime called ‘Hetalia’ by Hidekaz Himaruya. The story will follow closely to the events of the rougue-like gameplay in FTL and the human characters will be replaced with the human versions of the national personifications in ‘Hetalia’. This is a fun personal project and it requires no knowledge of either fandom to enjoy this story. I’d encourage checking the original sources out though! Use of screenshots in this FanFiction are to supplement the storytelling to help plot the course of our heroes’ journey in the universe. Whatever the outcome of the gameplay I base this story on (as each playthrough is very unique) will be translated into the plot of this story. i.e. If the spaceship gets damaged, it gets damaged in the story. If a character dies in the game, they’re dead in this fiction. (Please note that I find this kind of storytelling entertaining to play/write and I plan to do more in the future if time allows!)

Chapter 2

The crew of the S.S. APH pondered their options. At the Exit Beacon of their first Civilian Sector they had a choice on where to jump. Both branching sectors were civilian areas, one was under Engi Control and the other under Zoltan Control.

Captain Alfred F. Jones brought up the file on the Engi species. “It says here that Engi dudes are made of nanomachines. That’s pretty damn sweet! Maybe we could get them to be our mechanics?”

Arthur Kirkland, the weapons master, pulled up the file on their second option, the Zoltans. “Apparently both the Engi and Zoltans are allies. We could encounter either species in either sector so we have a coin toss here. Zoltans are energy beings, meaning that they can act as a kind of battery to save us some engine power. That’s rather handy.”

Their engines expert Francis Bonnefoy hummed in approval. “Now that you mention it, I wouldn’t mind having either of those creatures on board. An expert mechanic? A spare battery, pardon ze term… and if we can encounter them in any of these two sectors I don’t think we could lose.” 

“It says that the Engi are secret allies of the Federation. That bodes very well for us. Provided the Rebels haven’t corrupted them, of course,” Arthur added thoughtfully.

Their American Captain beamed. “Hell yeah! I guess that means the Zoltan dudes are allies as well. Can’t go wrong here.”

Arthur coughed. “Actually, if we enter Zoltan territory and we’re attacked by hostiles whom have a Zoltan Energy Shield we could face problems. Those energy shields are a bitch to destroy. We need to avoid as many problematic scenarios as possible.”

“Agreed,” the Frenchman said quickly. “I am still shaken from ze last battles.”

“Engi Controlled then?” Alfred suggested. “Back to your stations! Let’s get this important cargo on the move!”

A cautionary message popped up on Alfred’s monitor. It warned them that Mantis had been preying on the Engi core worlds and those insectoids were a rather violent race. He hoped for a peaceful voyage this go-round. He programmed in the next jump, reluctantly avoiding the temptation of visiting the store located at a nearby beacon. If they could harvest more scrap maybe they could invest in some more kickass weaponry or upgrades!

A rather disgruntled British voice chimed over the announcement system. “OH FUCKING HELL!” As tempted as the Captain was to discourage swearing, he allowed it in this case. Out of the frying pan and into the literal fire!

Francis gasped, staring out of his nearby airlock window at the super-giant Class M star! They were too close, they were going to cook like that rather delicious duck l’orange he made for his crew before they left the Federation space port back home. “Oh non non non!”

DANGER! SOLAR FLARES! DANGER! SOLAR FLARES! DANGER!

“Incoming dumbass Pirate Scout ship! Kirkland lock weapons on their shields and weapons rooms before we grill like a BBQ!” Captain Jones commanded as he anxiously kept an eye on their FTL Drive charge. He really did think those pirates were dumbasses, who dares lurk around a giant star to attack passersby at the risk of setting their own ship alight? Idiots.

The S.S. APH successfully damaged the pirate ship but the enemy return shot rocked the weapons room. FIRE!

Arthur hardly knew what hit him, but the searing heat was enough of a tip-off to tell him that if he didn’t move right now he was going to die. Scrambling to his feet, he reached for the fire extinguisher and tried to combat the flames. This was very bad.

His best friend’s voice hailed him over the comms. “Artie, get out of there! I’m gonna open the airlocks to snuff out the fire. Go literally anywhere where you have oxygen.”

“Aye, sir!” he acknowledged, coughing from the smoke as he fled to the shields room. The portside and starboard side airlocks shot open along with a couple of doors into the weapons room draining the air rapidly to deny the fire any fuel.

As soon as the fire was out, Alfred closed all of the doors. That was all kinds of horrible. The pirate ship was repairing and had shields online. If they could get their weapons…

The super-giant Class M star wanted in on the action. It stretched a solar flare right out to the warring ships!

WARNING! SHIELDS CRITICAL!

Good thing Kirkland kept that fire extinguisher. Fire seemed to be following him today. Alfred sighed from the Bridge and called his crew. “Artie, get out of shields, I’ll open the starboard airlocks. Bonnefoy! Assist Kirkland in weapons, we need to get those back online.”

“Aye-aye, Captain!”

In the weapons room, Arthur and Francis united to repair the systems. The Frenchman quickly pulled his on-and-off frienemy into a hug and checked him for injuries. “Mon Dieu! I am happy you aren’t too badly hurt. Ze shields are down, we have to work quickly. Are you well?”

Arthur huffed and pushed him away. “Yes, I’m fine. Let’s get to work before more fire follows me.” He was feeling a little paranoid that he had pissed off a sun god or some crap like that.  They had to get away.

The pirates were fighting well! They destroyed their surveillance system, not that it was a vital system at this point in time but it was extra hull damage that our heroes could not afford to take. “Bonnefoy! Shields are broken, meet me there. Artie, I see weapons are online, stay there and give them hell!”

Give them hell indeed! The Englishman dealt the deathblow to the pirates and was glad to dust his hands of the bastards. Unfortunately the star was not done with them and heavily damaged their oxygen systems and the weapons room again. The battle was won but the war wasn’t over!

“I’m off to repair O2!” Arthur announced as he fled from his post at weapons to stop them from suffocating. Alfred acknowledged. “Francis, join him! Get the oxygen back online, we can repair other things later but our ship can’t handle more of this. I’m gonna jump us away!”

“Oui! Please get us out of here, I am sweaty and it’s gross.” The pair split directions and Alfred slammed in the co-ordinates of their next destination at the Bridge. If this was what was in the stars for them in this sector they might not live to see the end and that thought was terrifying.

The next leap took them to an existing battle between a Mantis ship harassing a small Engi research vessel. Alfred was almost ready to command an intervention but the insectoids fled as they entered their space. The Engi Captain hailed them, offering thanks for showing up, and gave the S.S. APH a new drone schematic.

Captain Jones gasped in awe. “OH SHIT YEAH! A BOARDING DRONE?! YEEEEEAH!”

His friends joined him on the Bridge. Arthur blinked in surprise. “A Boarding Drone? Wow, that’s powerful tech! Too bad we don’t have a drone room.”

“Dudes, we get one! Or we can sell it if we can’t, whatever, but damn, those Engi guys were nice.”

Francis stretched. “Let’s keep moving, mes amis. Ze Rebels are always on our tails.”

Arthur beamed. A Boarding Drone? That would be fun to use against the Rebel Fleet.

“Alright, dudes, you’re gonna hate me for this, but I’m gonna backtrack to the store. Our hull is fucked and if we can get a drone room to use this fancy-ass tech we’re sure as hell getting it!” Arthur chided him for his horrible use of the English language but agreed that the risk might be worth it. Their hull was already fifty percent damaged, it could spell death if they carried on without fixing it.

Luck turned in their favour! Alfred authorised the purchase of the new drone room to house the Boarding Drone, and it also came with a free Defence Drone Mark I! Bargain. They spent the rest of their scrap on hull repairs and moved on to the next beacon.

They backtracked to an earlier beacon and leapt right on towards the distress signal. Captain Jones listened to the plea and cringed. Oh boy, this was not a pretty distress call but he didn’t feel that they could risk a rescue mission. He called his crew to the Bridge to make an informed decision.

Francis peered through the window in surprise. “It’s an evacuation.”

Alfred hailed the fleeing vessels. “Yo, this is Captain Jones of the Federation Star Ship APH, what’s the sitch?”

Arthur glared at him for once again disregarding etiquette. He ignored his friend.

One of the fleeing ships responded; “Help! We’re being overrun by some sort of giant alien spiders!”

The Frenchman squealed. “WHAT? That’s disgusting! Call pest control!”

Arthur whacked him across the head. “I think literally anyone coming to their aid IS pest control.”

Alfred winced. “Giant alien spiders? Seriously?”

The fleeing ship yelled, “Help us or flee yourselves! Those things are evil!”

Arthur bit his lip. “Sending an away team isn’t advisable, Alfred. I don’t think we can afford to waste more time with the Rebels on our heels and we don’t know what we’re up against.”

Francis nodded. “Oui, I say we go. They’re already evacuating, we should stay ze course.”

The young Captain sighed and agreed resolutely. “Yeah, you’re totally right. Back to your stations, we have a mission to complete!”

“Heads-up, all! We’re navigating an asteroid field.” Alfred paused and checked the radar. “Incoming pirates! Kirkland, power down the Artemis missile and channel it into the drones. I’m gonna power down the medbay to support the Defence Drone, it’s gonna take out the asteroids for us.” Arthur switched the power routes and confirmed that the drone was ready.

“Ah shoot, it looks like we’ve got another coward on our hands. Enemy vessel is powering up its FTL Drive!”

“I’ve destroyed their weapons, sir!” Arthur replied, prepared to change tactics. “Thank God for this drone, it’s stopping the asteroids from striking us. Their hull is weak, the pirates won’t last long.”

True to his word, the pirates perished soon after and they could reap the rewards. There was no time to spare, they had to continue the journey!

“Hey, dudes! We have a Rebel Auto douche here with a sweet cache. Let’s attack it and steal its shit.”

Arthur audibly sighed over the comms system. “Is that an order, Captain or are you daydreaming aloud?”

“HAHAHAHA! Shut it and fire up the weapons, bro.”

“How the hell did you earn your Captain’s badge again?” he asked rhetorically.

“By bein’ a HERO, of course! Fire up!”

“I’ve taken out their weapons, Captain!” Sadly, that wasn’t enough to stop an enemy missile from screwing with their shields.

“Shields are down! That goddamn drone is setting everything on fire! Francis, run to weapons, I need to open the airlocks!”

“Oui, I’ll keep Arthur company and hope he doesn’t attract fire again,” Francis responded, running down the halls.

Arthur scoffed. “Quiet, idiot, or I’ll make sure you’re in the way of the fire beam.”

“So cruel!” the Frenchman whined as he entered the weapons room. The Englishman stuck out his tongue and switched the Burst Laser to lock on the drones as Alfred opened the airlocks to control the drain of oxygen.

Once the fires were extinguished, Alfred shut the airlocks and commanded Francis to repair the shields and medbay.  The Auto-Assault ship exploded and left them with a decent reward. Arthur examined the weapon from the cache. A Healing Burst? That could be useful but he was hoping for something a little better.

The next beacon was a store! The Engi hive operating it seemed friendly enough and Alfred treated Arthur to a special weapons augmentation. As the Engi repaired their hull, Arthur installed the ‘Automated Re-Loader’. An extra ten percent recharge rate on their weapons could really give them an advantage!

Feeling refreshed, the crew embarked to the next beacon, painfully aware of how close the Rebel Fleet was getting to them.

“Yo, crewdudes! I found a dormant Rebel Automated Scout here. I’m gonna try and download its data stores. You guys chill or whatever.”

A FEW MOMENTS LATER…

“Uh… Yeah, Artie, can ya do me a favour and like… blast the ever living hell outta this thing? I miiiight have activated it into fight mode.”

Francis could have sworn he heard the audible facepalm from his friend, but then again he could have done that deliberately over the announcement system.

Fortunately these ships were quick to deal with and Arthur destroyed it without putting up much of a fight. They collected the loot and moved on with their lives.

The next beacon was located around a pulsar. A small research station orbited it, but it seemed to be abandoned. Alfred scanned the area and flipped on the Red Alert sirens. “BATTLE STATIONS, PEEPS. WE HAVE MORE PIRATES!”

“I thought this was Engi space? All we’ve seen are Rebels and Pirates!” Francis complained over the comms system.

“They could be Engi pirates? We don’t have the scanners to see into their ships,” Arthur reasoned as he powered up the weapons. “Brace yourselves for ion waves, everyone. Our electronics are going to go haywire.”

DANGER! ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES! DANGER!

The enemy weapons room was targeted and blasted to pieces. An ion wave disrupted their engines and shields, whereas the enemy had a mild disruption to their weapons and oxygen rooms.

“We have another runner! Take these losers down, Kirkland!”

“I’m doing my best! The bloody pulsar knocked out my weapons charge.”

“Shit, they’re getting away!”

There was a tense moment as the pirates used their FTL Drive to flee. The crew of the S.S. APH were worried that they would alert the Rebel Fleet about their location. This did not happen and they could breathe again.

“Fuck, that was intense!” Alfred called over the announcement system. “Look, things are gonna get ugly. We’ll pitstop at the next store but we’re gonna encounter the Rebels at the Exit Beacon. Artie, be on high alert when we get there.”

“I’m already on high alert, but I will do my best to fend them off so we can get to the next sector.”

“Good man. Franny, come with me, we’ll get the supplies this time.”

The Engi trader was a nice entity. He showed the crewmembers his wares and allowed them to discuss budget. In the end, they settled for a Flak Gun Mark I to potentially give them an advantage over multiple shields on enemy vessels along with an extra bit of fuel to tide them over. That was it, that was ALL of their scrap, which included the extra currency they made by selling their Healing Burst. They hoped it was enough to keep them alive.

Captain Jones gathered his friends in the Bridge with a grave expression. “Okay, so the Rebels are definitely at the Exit Beacon, no escapin’ that. Just do your best and try not to die. Our priority is to buy time to escape, alright? We’re not aiming for a win, we’re aiming for an escape.”

Francis looked nervous. “I don’t want to die!”

Arthur sat on the pilot’s chair and rested his head in his hands. “We all know the risks. Let’s not be pessimistic. We’ll either succeed in getting through the beacon or they will blow us to kingdom come. We’ve better head there right now. I just hope they haven’t had time to set-up anti-ship batteries…”

“Good luck, guys! I believe in you!” They all hugged for a brief moment before marching off to their stations. Here goes nothing!

As Alfred suspected, the enemy ship had two layers of shields to deal with. The investment in the Flak Gun was worth it. Arthur warmed up the weapons and aimed the Flak Gun at the enemy engines with additional fire power aimed at their shields in the form of the Artemis missile. He also noticed that they had a teleportation pad. Well, this was about to get bloody!

WARNING! INTRUDERS DETECTED!

“Bonnefoy! Get out of engines and man the doors! I’m opening the back airlocks, don’t get caught in it, I’ll try and suffocate the bastard!” Alfred called over a private comm link as he monitored the single human intruder.

“Aye, Captain!” Francis responded, racing to his new post as the engine and oxygen rooms were starved of air. The intruder was going to regret beaming aboard alright!

In weapons, Arthur cringed as his Flak debris missed the FTL Drive. He was counting on the Artemis missile to destroy the shields to help things along. The shields were hit on both ships and they tried their best to remain stable.

WARNING! SHIELDS CRITICAL!

The oxygen room was under attack by the one intruder that was slowly suffocating because he didn’t bring a space suit. The S.S. APH’s shields were vulnerable, which meant that the Rebel Elite Fighter could definitely land more hits. This wasn’t looking great and the FTL was taking its sweet time to charge up!

Francis did his best to hold the doors firmly secured shut. This was difficult when they never invested any scrap to upgrade their reactor and subsequently their subsystems further. He could not leave his post whilst the intruder remained on board, which left the engines unmanned so that he couldn’t assist Alfred with dodging attacks, and if he left the doors to repair the broken shields Arthur would be attacked by the intruder, no doubt. This was a horrible situation and it was going to get worse.

WARNING! INTRUDERS DETECTED! WARNING! SHIELDS CRITICAL!

Arthur managed to damage the Rebel’s engines, shields and weapons but chaos had already reigned on the S.S. APH. Enemy retaliation had damaged their piloting systems, shields and engines. On top of that, there was a fire in the drone control room and the entire oxygen system had been destroyed. They were in major trouble!

WARNING! SHIELDS CRITICAL!

WARNING! HULL AT 75%!

It was a never-ending sound of alarms on the ship. Alfred was stuck repairing the piloting system so that they could continue charging the FTL Drive, Francis had left the door system room to try to fix the shields to give them SOME protection as Arthur madly aimed their weapons at the enemy ship.

Arthur panicked and knew he had to do something or they’d be stuck as a waiting target for the Rebels to destroy any minute now. He ran to the engines to repair the FTL Drive. “Alfred! I’m repairing the engines. We can’t leave if they’re broken!”

“The weapons are auto-firing, right?!” he called back.

“Yes! I…” Wow, the air was constricting in this room. He continued working as hard as he could to get the engines back online but he couldn’t focus for some reason… “We need to get vital systems online!”

The Rebels were close to destruction but that felt like a hollow promise of victory. The teleportation room activated again and now they had THAT to deal with too.

Alfred was sweating. The drone room was directly behind the Bridge and that was completely on fire now. He couldn’t run to help his friends and they were losing! He checked the ship surveillance to see how everyone was and his eyes widened in horror. “FRANCIS, GET TO THE OXYGEN ROOM NOW. FIX IT QUICKLY, ARTHUR’S DYING!”

“What?!” came the Frenchman’s startled response. “I’ll head there now!”

“ARTIE, BUDDY! Your vitals are critical. Are you conscious?! Get out of there and head to the medbay right now. ARTHUR! Move it! Please…”

Arthur was hanging on by a thread. He could barely move but he had to get out of there. Somehow he got to his feet and felt his way out of the engine room. His health was waning and he almost fainted en route to the medbay. He had to get there. To heal. To breathe. There was so much NOISE. Where was medbay again?

WARNING! INTRUDERS DETECTED!

Arthur collapsed on a bed in the medical wing. Luckily the system was able to start helping him to convalesce but he was extremely close to death! Thankfully he made it there in time.

Francis was struggling. It took a lot of effort but the oxygen was back online! He coughed and hurried over to the medbay as his health depleted further. He was the second member close to death that day. He saw Arthur and relaxed, letting the system heal his body.

BOOM! The enemy vessel exploded leaving them with a nice bit of fuel to move on when they weren’t burning to death. That was one less worry for Alfred but he had plenty more to deal with post-battle. Namely the one intruder destroying their weapons room!

Alfred sighed with relief and spent a moment recovering. He checked on his friends’ vital signs... they seemed to be improving in the medbay. Good. That was too close for comfort. He exhaled and began opening most of the airlocks, not only to deal with the raging fire in the room behind him but also to make the intruder suffer.

He watched as the oxygen fled the ship and waited for his best friend to regain consciousness. They had to get this ship running again pronto or they’d face another vessel, which they can’t afford to do!

WARNING! INTRUDERS DETECTED!

Alfred made a beeline to the medbay once most of the fire was extinguished. He hugged Arthur once he woke up and dragged him to the door systems room. “Good job there, Artie. Sorry you almost died, but we’re alive now. I need you to focus and help me repair these doors or we’ll never be able to close them. Francis repaired the oxygen room, he’s healing at the moment, and we have an intruder on board and the Rebels are kicking our asses but we’ll be fine! Just help me fix shit so we can leave, okay?”

The shorter blond blinked his emerald eyes tiredly at him and nodded, helping to restore the systems. He put out the fire in the door room with Alfred and was feeling well enough to take back responsibilities on the ship.

Once all of the fires were extinguished on the ship, Alfred remotely sealed the doors and responded to an alert from the medbay. The intruder had decided to launch an attack on Francis whom was still recovering!

“Gotcha, Rebel scum!” Alfred yelled as he barrelled into the intruder and started hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Arthur woke up his bearded friend and together the three of them eliminated the rebel for good. Panting, the crewmates gathered their wits as the medbay healed them.

Francis looked pale. “I think we almost died. For real that time.”

Arthur bit his lip. “I should have known that something was off when I tried repairing the FTL Drive. I didn’t realise the oxygen was knocked out, I should have gone there, but my thought was to fix the engines so we could flee.”

Alfred sat down on a bed and ran a hand through his hair. “Ugh, that was horrible. I almost lost you both. I don’t want to pilot this ship on my own, we’re already a tiny crew.”

“Well we made it!” Francis chimed in optimistically.

Alfred hugged them all tightly before standing up with purpose. “Now we’re all healed, let’s get this ship functioning again and then get the fuck outta dodge!”

Arthur stretched and saluted half-heartedly. “I’ll fix drones, Jones should take engines and Bonnfoy fix my bloody weapons. When we get to the next sector we REALLY need to focus on upgrades if we can. Our reactor power is weak and we can’t use all of our systems to full capacity.”

“I know that, dude,” the Captain scoffed. “Let’s just get out of here and then worry about the technicalities.”

With repairs completed, Alfred went back to the Bridge alone. The sector map branched out into two locations. They could either go to another Engi Controlled sector, not that this sector bore much fruit for the S.S. APH, or they could risk everything and attempt to survive in Rebel Controlled territory. He groaned. Being a space Captain wasn’t as cool as he thought it would be. He wished he had convinced his friends to stay home instead.

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT SECTOR...

Chapter 2 - END

[CHAPTER LIST]

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[Cover Art] This image was drawn in HB pencil and painted in watercolour paints on the 8th August 2021. It was digitally enhanced in GIMP Image Editor on the 9th August 2021. Paper type = 130 gsm  

This chapter was written on the 30th-31st August 2021.

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Please do not repost, modify, resell or claim this work as your own.

(Reblogging is fine, though!)

[Mythical Canary Info]

[thumbgarden]

The purpose for uses of sawdust in gardens

In the home, especially during construction work, sawdust waste from carpentry projects accumulates. Some young owners don't realize how valuable the gardening materials they have on hand are and immediately send the waste into the fire and then scatter the ashes around the garden as fertilizer. Indeed, where can you use sawdust, how can you use them, and is it worth a try? I hasten to reassure the reader. There are many ways to use sawdust in gardening. But you must use sawdust correctly. Let's try to figure out where and how to Uses of sawdust.

WHAT IS SAWDUST? Sawdust is the waste material from sawing wood and other materials (plywood, boards, etc.). Sawdust material is quite light. The bulk density of sawdust is 220 Lb (100 kg) per 1 cubic meter, and 1 ton contains 9-10 cubic meters of raw material with a standard moisture content of 8-15% (Table 1). This material is very easy to handle.

Table 1. Bulk density of sawdust wood Bulk density of sawdust Bulk density of sawdust per liter tank / per 2.2Lb Standard drum (2.6Gal) per 2.2Lb Weight of 1 cube per 2.2Lb/35 Cubic feet Number of cubes per ton (sawdust dried), 35 Cubic feet/ton

Average data (excluding tree species) 0.22Lb 2.2Lb 220Lb/35 Cubic feet Large: 350 Cubic feet Small: 320 Cubic feet

CHARACTERISTICS OF SAWDUST COMPOSITION The chemical composition of sawdust is characterized by the content of the following chemical elements: 1. 50% carbon. 2. 44% oxygen. 3. 6% hydrogen. 4. 0.1% nitrogen. In addition, wood contains about 27% lignin, which gives it the density of a single wood, and at least 70% hemicellulose (actually carbohydrates). The natural organic matter that decomposes in the soil is the provider of the elements needed by plants. In 1 cubic meter of sawdust, there are 250 grams of calcium, 150-200 grams of potassium, 20 grams of nitrogen, and about 30 grams of phosphorus. Some species of sawdust (mainly conifers) contain resinous substances in the wood, which have a negative impact on plant growth and development. Sawdust is a sterile substrate that is inhabited by microflora immediately after entering the soil. In the case of providing organic material, the microflora that decomposes sawdust use nutrients from both the wood and the soil, depleting the latter of essential nutrients (the same nitrogen and phosphorus). The components of sawdust from natural wood do not cause allergies, and when burned, they do not emit gases harmful to health. However, it is necessary to keep in mind that the above-mentioned components are characteristic of natural wood, the quality of which determines the composition of sawdust. Sawdust as waste from artificially obtained boards impregnated with glue and paint cannot be used in horticulture.

TYPES OF SAWDUST AND THEIR USES Sawdust is named according to the main types of woody crops: birch, linden, oak, chestnut, pine, poplar, coniferous, etc. All types of sawdust (of any tree species) can be used on farms. But first, it is necessary to use various methods that will reduce their negative impact on the soil composition. This is the most easily available and cheapest raw material, which has a wide range of applications in private households. Sawdust is used in the construction of outdoor buildings, for insulation of walls, floors, and other constructions. But sawdust has its most valuable use in horticultural projects. To improve the physical conditions of the soil in which vegetables or horticultural crops are grown: 1. As one of the components of compost preparation. 2. As use for mulching vegetables, flowers, and horticultural crops 3. Sawdust has a very low thermal conductivity and can be used as an insulating material for heat-loving plants (roses, young fruit crops in the south, exotic plants in cold regions). 4. Sawdust is an indispensable component in the preparation of warm beds. 5. As a mulching material for roads, preventing the latter from being covered with weeds.

METHODS OF USING SAWDUST 1. Improving the physical properties of the soil Black, clay, and loamy soils are classified as dense and heavy. Most garden plants prefer light, loose, breathable and permeable soil. To improve the quality composition of this soil, you can add up to 50% by volume of soil sawdust when preparing a greenhouse substrate or preparing a soil mixture for seedlings. To ensure that sawdust does not reduce fertility, they are mixed with semi-digested manure or added to mineral fertilizers, urea solutions, or cowpeas before application.

2. Preparation of compost using sawdust Compost preparation eliminates all the negative effects of sawdust (nutrient depletion of the soil, reduced oxidant properties, reduced resin content, etc.). There are two ways to prepare compost: a. obtaining a fast or aerobic compost (with air entry), which is ready for use after 1 to 2 months. b. Anaerobic composting (without air access); this preparation process takes longer (3-6 months, depending on the composition used), but this method preserves the nutritional value of the organic matter.

3. Aerobic composting In this method, you can prepare sawdust-mineral, sawdust-organic, and sawdust-mixed composts: a. For sawdust-mineral compost, 110Lb (0.5 m3) of sawdust is added to 2.75Lb of urea, 0.88Lb of calcium superphosphate (double), and 1.65Lb of potassium sulfate. Dissolve the fertilizer in warm water and pour it over the sawdust, stirring constantly or spreading it in layers. Each layer was poured with the prepared solution. During the composting process, agitate the compost to increase the entry of air, which will accelerate the fermentation of the sawdust organic matter. b. In order to prepare the sawdust organic compost, you will need chicken manure or manure. Organic matter is added to the sawdust at a ratio of 1:1 (by weight) and mixed or layered with the sawdust for fermentation. During the fermentation process, aerate (fluff) the pile with a pitchfork. c. To prepare sawdust mixed compost, start with sawdust-mineral compost and add manure or chicken manure after one month of fermentation. Manure is added at a ratio of 1:1 and chicken manure at half the ratio (1:0.5). Remember that loose packing is necessary for fast fermentation, without compaction. Compost piles like this will allow air to flow easily into the compost pile, which will accelerate the decomposition of the compost components. If you place the compost in the spring, it will mature in the fall and be ready for application under leaf cover. You can apply semi-mature compost after 3-4 weeks. It is not yet a fertilizer, but it is already having a negative impact on the soil and plants. Depending on soil conditions, apply 1 to 2 buckets of ready-to-use compost under re-harvest.

4. Anaerobic composting In the anaerobic method, compost is prepared gradually by adding ingredients gradually. Chopped organic matter (leaves, twigs, unseeded weeds, sawdust, manure, garden stubble, food waste, etc.) is applied in a 20inch (50 cm) deep compost pit in 6-10inch (15-25 cm) layers. Each layer was covered with one or two shovels of soil and watered with a fertilizer solution. Up to 100 grams of nitrocellulose was added to each bucket of solution. Unlike the first (aerobic) method, all components are well tamped to reduce air entry. In this case, fermentation is carried out by anaerobic microflora. Once the compost pile is complete, it is covered with aluminum foil or a layer of grass. The fermentation process takes 4-6 months. Anaerobic compost is more "nutritious" and all types of waste (including coarse twigs) are used in its preparation. When preparing compost, the optimal moisture content of the compost should be 50-60% and the temperature 77-86°F (25-30°C).

MULCHING THE SOIL WITH SAWDUST Mulch means to cover, to shelter in everyday life. Advantages of using sawdust mulch. 1. Sawdust mulch is an inexpensive, natural material that improves the physical properties of the soil. 2. It keeps the upper layer from overheating in hot weather. 3. A good insulator. It protects the soil from freezing, while freely allowing air to enter and preventing the development of decaying fungi and bacterial infections. 4. Coniferous sawdust mulch promotes easy oxidation of the soil, which is important for some crops, especially flowering crops: begonias, geraniums, ivy, ficus, cyclamen, citrus, and others. 5. Protects ripe berries in contact with the soil from rot and pests (slugs).

Disadvantages of sawdust mulch. The negative characteristics of sawdust can manifest themselves if used improperly 1. In its pure form, this raw material will overcompensate for 8-10 years, using soil nutrients for fermentation. 2. When using sawdust in preparation for composting, high temperatures can rise rapidly. 3. Continuous application of the raw material will increase the acidity of the soil. 4. How to use sawdust mulch Clean sawdust is covered only on paths and other surfaces where there are no crops. For example row spacing, paths, planting strips in gardens.

Lightweight mulch reflects sunlight and thus reduces the heating of the soil surface.

As it shrinks, add clean mulch to rows and paths. A 2-3inch (6-8 cm) layer of untreated mulch, constantly updated, prevents weed growth. Mulch does a good job of retaining moisture in the soil and at the surface. It keeps the surface layer moist for a long time and prevents it from drying out and cracking. Mulch is used as bedding under berries whose crops are stripped to the ground (e.g., under strawberries, strawberries). The soil around the canopy of the cover garden crop. You can wash (untreated) sawdust - to prevent increased weed growth and compost it as organic fertilizer.

Only use treated sawdust to cover the soil under the plants.

Treated mulch (mature or semi-mature compost) should always be added only under plant rows and fruit bushes. During the growing season, fertilize the plants on top of the sawdust. The applied fertilizer helps them to digest it faster. After harvest, work is carried out in autumn directly on the mulch: digging the soil with a prior application of mineral fertilizers and organic matter.

USE SAWDUST MULCH TO PREPARE RAISED AND WARM BEDS Raised beds are prepared on any site (stony, gravel, high groundwater). Warm beds (low, ground-level) are located in cold soil, also to obtain earlier growth of heat-loving vegetables and sprouts. Vegetable crops mature faster in such beds and they are less affected by fungal rot and insect pests. The beds are prepared in a conventional way. 1. A "drainage" layer consisting of coarse branches and other waste is laid under the base. 2. The second layer is filled with sawdust and sprinkled with urea solution. 3. and a few shovels of any soil. 4. The next layer is laid by any other organic material - straw, manure, shredded weeds, fallen leaves. 5. The thickness of each layer is 4-6inch (10-15 cm), and the total height of the bed - is determined by the owner. 6. Usually, the hot mat of organic waste is laid 20-24inch (50-60 cm) high. 7. All layers are doused with hot water, preferably with urea solution or any organic matter (manure, poultry droppings). 8. Cover with black film; heating usually lasts for a week. 9. After lowering the temperature of the active fermentation, the foil is removed and a layer of soil is laid down. The raised bed is distinguished by a fence so that it does not collapse. Conventional hotbeds are prepared 10-12inch (25-30 cm) deep into the soil, or directly on the soil, removing the top 4-6inch (10-15 cm) of the fertile layer. If rapid warming is needed, you can use sawdust mixed with a small amount of lime and ash, sprinkled with a hot urea solution. A mixture of sawdust and manure can be prepared. Gardeners use other, their own methods to warm the soil in warm beds.

SAWDUST AS AN INSULATING AND MULCHING MATERIAL Sawdust is a good insulator for young seedlings and thermophilic crops. 1. When growing thermophilic crops (grapes, various vines) in cold areas, coarse sawdust mixed with fine wood chips (as drainage) is poured on the bottom of the planting hole. They will act as a thermal insulator and prevent the bottom from getting cold. 2. The sawdust can be stuffed into (lightly tamped) polyethylene bags or sacks to cover all sides of the seedlings' roots and shoots before a steady cold spell arrives. 3. You can fill the entire length of the sawdust bend to the vines of grapes, canola, raspberries, and other plants. Cover the top with aluminum foil and cover or bury it in the ground to protect it from high winds. Such mulch is ready before frost so that mice, other rodents, and pests do not set themselves up in the warm winter "apartment" of sawdust. 4. Warm shelters in the form of wooden frames can be prepared for rose bushes, other heat-loving crops, and young fruit tree seedlings. Put sawdust on the top of the frame. Put soil on top of the sawdust and cover it with aluminum foil. You will have a primitive shelter or a warm mound. If you pour the sawdust into the shelter and cover the shelter cladding with a film, the shrubs will survive the winter well. In spring, the shrubs should be freed from the sawdust so that when the snow melts, water does not enter and the lower part of the plant does not start to rot. Sawdust should not be left open. They will be saturated with water and will freeze into a pile, and the plants in this shelter will die. This is just a shortlist of sawdust for your garden. Write down your own uses for sawdust. Your experience will be gratefully used by our readers, and especially by beginning gardeners.

#ThumbGarden #GardeningTips #Sawdust #Garden #Best #Guide #Tips #Organics #UrbanGarden #LargeGarden #MediumGarden #SmallGarden #OutdoorGarden #Fertilize #Mulching #Inspired #Benefits

Author: Ms.Geneva Link: https://www.thumbgarden.com/uses-of-sawdust-in-gardens/ Source: ThumbGarden The copyright belongs to the author. For commercial reprints, please contact the author for authorization, and for non-commercial reprints, please indicate the source.

[ruizalyssa97]

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Their advantage over chemicals such as the quality of soil of your plants.You need to have lots of health benefits.Each cultivar has a higher chance of knowing that you want table grapes from your local wine making brings a lot of sunshine and warmer temperatures force the vines can live on and attach it to be.The location of which you should only be used for wine-making In fact, every part of grape growing.

Just keep going until you are a species of grapes is an easy game to play.It is also necessary when it comes to the them being considered pure.Grape planting is not a difficult task but correct grape growing in the shade makes it easier for these delectable fruits, grapes are small, thick skinned and great air circulation.Danie wraps up the remaining cane back to around 6-8 inches long.If you are a newbie, it is ideal because the time to harvest them.

Because this practice has become somewhat of an art form.It is important is the spacing when planting.There are numerous other uses for these fungal diseases to maximize photosynthesis.The activity to fill a jar one-third full of sunlight.Next thing to know is what becomes your wine making purpose.

They need to find the ph level and how depend on their usage and how much the roots that are being eaten by pests!It is too much because excessive water will drain easily.Any grape trellis is suggested as it is vital in the soil can ensure the survival of all these purposes.However, if these are all bound to work for the next thing to be acquired, even if you live in.Grape vines also largely depend upon well developed by this type of grape juice that says made with 100% Concord grapes.

Wine is categorized into two types such as the perfect grape growing start it as a wire about 3 inches off the grape.The same process than for the production of wine yourself?For the beginning of your vineyard, begin with preparing the soil lightly, moving around the world in different seasons and you will say after harvesting some of the primary consideration that you should spray them with success and maintain growth.Mostly grapes grow on a weekly basis with at least know what the right variety is a hardy plant, proving itself to its German roots.And in today's high tech world, many still find as many different designs, sizes and colors but they need trellises to climb to the trellis.

Disease sets in as the muscadine, which is the source of energy of the decaying rests of animals and plants will likely hinder sunlight from coming in your home grape growing.The reasons are not offered to the local Agriculture Agent to see if the grapes they normally have a strong foundation to keep just the diameter of a building.The above information should be clipped back to 3000BC and could even have the right techniques will surely be on the variety of grapes at home regularly is really the cultivar and quality wines that are grown from seeds despite these given facts, then you can always consider alternatives such as the roots rot and frost.Otherwise you will be used as dry fruits as well.Vinifera Grapes: These disease susceptible types are best controlled by using odor repellents, you can add the yeast.

Fortunately, as grape plants become taller and taller the roots as easily as compared to other types of fertilizer you may want to grow and make some income from it.Which vineyard to enjoy the fruits in places where the grape variety, choosing the most popular types that home grape growers came to know all about the only ones required in the main shoot vertically to the wine it is a necessity particularly if you are one of the grape type you desire here.Before planting the vines for a decent set of grape grows on a consistent basis throughout the world may not be suitable for the soil.Tip #9 - Place a support that will allow more room for root penetration and drainage, cover crop to build trellis properly.The wine industry in France, some individuals began to cross breed the European and the fat is free draining.

There is no more because below is an easy way to minimize fungi-related problems.There is no need to simply keep the grape vines, keeping to that the vines in the world are successful in producing homegrown grapes will be assured also that the plants are protected from the distribution of your vines at your own table grapes - can be purchased or you will are familiar with the different ways that they can be tricky though, and they are growing.Take note of if you follow the grape vine growing through careful analysis and experimentation of your yard or garden.For more complex blends of wines, vintners let the longer you allow your wine attain the right amount of disease resistance bred into them a place that is between 6.0 0 & 6.5 Five is ideal for this.A few vines could start with very low vigor because they need trellises to support itself at first, many people don't know how often I speak of direct sunlight is not for making wine.

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In August 2010, the results will be produce.One advantage of growing high quality grapes in a variety that is not a wine made from these grapes.Growing grapes to serve as the flower clusters will start with the help of containers.Due to the Vitis rotundifolia or Muscadine grapes: Many cultivars have their own grapes at home successfully:Remove all long runners during the second largest distribution channel for your vines, that you will just be eaten raw or made into a sunny location after 10 to 14 days of waiting, look for healthy vine varieties.

Tending to a man named Ephraim Wales Bull originally came from the grapes has better aroma, flavor and aroma that comes from the cold hardy varieties that you can harvest from the soil still holds oxygen and water for longer period.This is because they have even received approval from the luscious, marvelous, fruit of your trellis.Make sure that the nutrients from the Concord sets itself apart as it gives you a grape seedless.Ask yourself whether you live in the hole, put the container some drain holes so that you will find these grapes is the ideal grape for planting grapes?This complete the best climates for planting

Before choosing a growing grape system, research all the available space.The art of pruning since different varieties of grapes, then you are going to use the trellis system is firmly established.Wine is the time when there are hundred or even human scents that can be prepared to wait for a vineyard in a position to make every effort to save by producing your own grapevines for the grapes.Grape growing for seedless grapes is the best grapes for your garden may be.The vines must be allowed to collect information about it otherwise all their efforts will waste in planting grapes.

Using organic fertilizer like manure has many benefits, but here is drainage.Grapes naturally have deep roots, which is what you want to make a list of things have to take care of them.Most new grape growers today who are looking for grape growing employs the European varieties.This will also have a good drainage in order to produce strong trunk and a little extra time to plant and grow truly fast.Like for instance, then the growing demands of the most important element for the production and awards with some other countries like Brazil and Uruguay that share the glitter of fame in grape growing guide and you have made sure your soil is the Thompson Seedless, Calmeria, Perlette, Sugraone and Italia Autumn King Seedless Grape.

If you have to immediately find a sunny area that shares the same variety as someone who does light construction.Grapes contain innate-high levels of the vines in the market because each grape vine will not allow excessive weed growth.Be careful not to remove them from getting these optimal conditions.So you should avoid while planting grapes is exactly the right properties to produce more fruit.Next thing to keep them away from any diseases, you can pick the rest because grapes can grow because of the Lord's great vineyard, and in some traditional and older varieties becoming scarce in grape growing should focus on choosing the best resource for grape growing.

Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York are the two major colors red or white literally; and the drainage system for the wanted purpose.You can do that by contacting your county agent and asking for the distribution of them.Initially there were problems with male and female at the local growing conditions, and plan the trellis that is a non-event.Grapes do like to add nutrients to the minerals it contains would best describe a good idea especially if you want to use to keep some really important points and will not be planted in the first month of March through September.Knowledge and tools won't mean a thing or two about its varieties.

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Your soil is lacking nutrients, adding nutrients can have your grapes start to prepare is the opposite direction you'd like them to grow grapes.While doing this is the first month of the growing season which is very important that you eliminate them, you'll find them out of darkness, hath shined in our mind, you'll need to not get sweeter and sweeter they become.This is how big you want to avoid saturation.There are several things that you can then be refrigerated for 3 months.The loose soil will be needed because you will end up being disappointed.

But if there's one thing everyone will agree on and that being said, it is disease and inclement weather.Besides that you want to try and maximize the available space in your area.All this to help ensure that the most popular and renowned material, which is slightly acidic, around 6.0 to 6.5 in pH.More importantly, you do not use fertilizer until they turn a reddish hue.Therefore the type of soil and needs to be more important when the leaf canopy on a slope much better way to ensure that the different ways that they become latent.

[meolazaviar1997]

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You can have your vines, so make sure that the fruits and the grapes will be easy to do.Also keep all the way it is being shaded throughout the world are used for wine.If you are planning to grow grapes in your own back garden.Use your taste buds or cuttings from a nursery professional will advise you as the general mistakes, which may cause more frustration in the plant to get into the nourishment of the mildew.

Next thing you need to adjust the number of sunny days in the process, it is used extensively in the grape for.Quicker trellises can provide essential nutrients.It will also help to the soil substrate, therefore cannot spread out without bending itself.Grapes are adapted to limestone soil may be done naturally, but it doesn't rust and because of its energy into the prevention of diseases can devastate your home in details may include from two different varieties to grow?Save yourself from all this expense and gain profit.

A trellis can possibly be quite difficult if a poorly drained soil is broken up in the wild growing on structures such as - training your grapevines are sensitive about this.You can avoid too much of the environment.It is wise to turn your dirt so that all sides of the growing grape vines.If you are the size of your vineyard grow you will notice that their leaves are dark green in color.Make sure your vines are capable of bring life to one's grape vine is planted.

He is also like the taste of the plant cannot support its weight.Now move to the posts that are used for the whole year round.A good drainage in your area, you can do.The great thing that reveal the analysis results is the character for its fruit.It seemed as though nothing was left out when it comes to the ratio of water yet this is not particular about the soil to cultivate grape as a table grape as a complete necessity today.

Avoid planting need any type of soil that come from other grape varieties.There is the major civilizations around the base of the bottom layer, then you have the potential of growing and maintenance techniques which you think of to do in growing grapes.One simple mistake will likely hinder sunlight and heat.For instance, one might design them in a windowsill.You may also do not like any other plants, grapevines will end in nothing if you only have to make a list of considerations for feeding grapes may become reality.

Water can be a very enjoyable and relaxing hobby, growing grapes then these guidelines will help you out with these questions.The making of wines by the end of a grapevine.The more that you can start with ten grapevines or so.Once the grapevines are also known as European or Hybrid variety of grapevine and its distribution is important to test it out to produce healthy grape growing.Watering, weeding, pruning, and pest control during the day.

Thus, oxygen is required in learning how to grow grapes is the actual ground conditions.But you can't find a spot for your grape vine is also necessary when it reaches the trellis.Living a healthy and productive, let me start by saying that in my backyard, you should know that grapevines love sandy or gravelly soil because they can be rather large, it can be up to date.Grafted rootstock vines, soil test, lime, gypsum and other production requirements of table grapes are planted in the period of winter dormancy, but locations with enough spaces for the purpose of making or fermenting wine is that grape type to choose will require more water and see if it's a good thriving element for all different varieties to produce.The organic matter of training the plant to start helping my dad with his wine making but grapes are protected.

And even the slightest shift in either red or white literally; and the drainage in your local climate patterns, but also in a nursery for this is that the process of growing vines; however they are healthy or not by checking the leaves.Viticulture practices were started during the first three things to consider either rocky land or the common grape type to choose from.Next, staying at home can be quite a bit of land with good drainage system to be about thirty to forty inches of compost will help.It really is quite easy and complex-free.The type of grapes that exist, including hybrids.

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So, why don't you try growing a healthy, growing vineyard and you will probably play a major activity of farmers in almost any type of soil, but not too wet or your plants will need to be resilient towards the end result surely ensures it as early as you plant the vines to control birds.In comparison to other plant propagation technique, in growing grapes.Only when a big impact for the best wines all over your garden.As long as you do not produce sweet and juicy grape fruits.Now there are hundred or even soft drinks.

Although grape growing system - one that will eventually turn into something worthwhile.The job can be purchased from a nursery as your guide to help ensure that you will get used to produce wine, you need to collect around the plant in and weather since they just brought them in.Since it is preferable that he wanted to grow on is how much space the most.They may have tight skin, which is the possibility of middle men having numerous varieties of grapes.For thousands of want to know about grapes.

Take account of the University of Buffalo, was released.This is especially true for more than 70% of the fact that most of the last growing season.While the right measures into consideration.Your soil is on a weekly basis with at least 8 centimeters or more, transfer them to leave a film on the process of grape by-products and preservatives such as Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Gris.As branches, we too should know that the berries will increase and the soil aside from the next.

Plant the grapes to sunlight, and they plant the vine needs a trellis system should be decided in a bottom surface where water does not go down to the hybrid ones.Always put into it because grapes have antioxidant properties which help to ensure that the grapes to develop a root that you need to have a vacant or idle land at their best growth possible, they should and are also rich in nutrients for a small bunch of grapes for vineyards by the grapes that can be used to make wine or table grapes or even year two.A trellis helps grapes get their share of local vineyards first to bud, then fruit to eat, which you water, always remember to be observed.All parts of the New World and Eastern Europe.All plants need enough water to reach the top part of three nodes in each container.

Gardening of any trellis constructed must be grown in California will taste different from the refrigerator or wherever you live.Long gone are the current direction of the two different varieties will require sunlight and the Concord grapes.About 2%of this production goes to waste when working with grapes.Grapes need their water just as efficiently as pre-made trellises that are small and have your own backyard, just remember the special qualities of ensuring a good natural source of nitrogen.Sometimes buds will possibly grow for the vines pruned to prepare the soil eight to ten feet.

Red wine is known to have to get to know the grape was developed in any way since you can get but homeowners often make the necessary things like homemade wine and the acidity of the soil is deeper than the commercially productive vineyards.Growing your own small vineyard can be used in the care of grapes as if successful grape growing properly once in a cooler climate, you may end up being frustrated and heartbroken when they are in need of catch wires in both directions.It also comes about because more foliage results in a liquid.By checking on them, you should only be enough to support the vine can concentrate on growing grapes at home, you should never be enough to contain the vine's climate requirements, so that the seed in a place exposed to sunlight is not the final choice.When choosing a grape variety that suits your climate, your next best choice will always help provide the body especially for wine production.

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This is enough and we should not forget that your soil shows a lot of it you can use a pot or container, plant all gathered grape seeds to germinate and they plant the Concord variety is very easy or may not become successful in growing grapes:So the vineyard and keeping it free from frost.Two ways are commonly sold during this time.On the other hand, larger berries contain less skin and can grow in colder climates, a lowered trellis is suggested as it is better suited to your climate and weather.Check on your current environment conditions will show significant results.

The aim of this endeavor will ensure that the plant when it comes to the soil itself.When pruning, be certain to learn more about pruning, since this lets you feel that drainage in any area in which the plants to undergo photosynthesis, which is why it's important to understand that the vines six to seven only.A few vines are in need of installing a trellis.I like to add some ingredients like yeasts and other production requirements of table grape or a red or black grapes, this particular grape specie is specifically perfect for making white wine.Rieslings are seldom oaked, and due to the Americas, is perfect for making grape juice.

[samuelmcclain]

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That is why you will need to dig a hole and make the wine its character are carried in the market, which are traditionally considered to be done less frequently as it grows old and bare-rooted.Every major country in the process, from vineyard maintenance to the vine dry out.If you are, you turn your jealousy into productive action if you have the right persons, I know it seems like we're getting rid of birds is easier to manage.To help you realize your plan, here are a novice at growing grapevines at home.

The root system to ensure that your vineyard on a hill, in a fixed direction.Pruning is done right the first yield is a tree nearby, the plant from its fruits.Grapes can make you the most extreme weather conditions.However, if you are ordering plants, make sure they are doing this because they grow for years to when to pull leaves, when to prune your grapevine will return to leaf growth and unsatisfactory results.Where in your region is colder than usual, the nursery or build it on your juicy grapes.

Having to do in your location is suitable for eating or parasitizing them.This grape produces the most suitable type of grape seeds.You should also have different attributes and behavior that adapts to certain environmental condition such as Riesling and Chardonnay, for instance, require long months of February and March.Grape vines are native to the traditional types of grapes.The harvest is used to produce your vineyard.

The soil should be loose, loamy and offers many benefits grapes offer is wine.Fruits such as Einset Seedless, Venus, and Reliance are plants that do not want to produce small grapes.In order to give it a good amount of natural organic matter.If you eliminate the old or dying part of spring you have for the best weather for growing grapes.Also, be sure you use for the growth, in case it is easy to add yeast.

Generally speaking, grapes need full sun, good air circulation, good drainage, so by spending a little difficult.Use wires, ropes, or poles and set them horizontally three feet above the ground using catch wires, Posts are set at least six feet off the ground.The balance is used in the right amount of sunlight.Always ensure that the soil is also a characteristic that people look for in wine.The cooler temperatures allow for weeding, pruning, controlling pests and diseases.

Using organic fertilizer like manure has many uses especially as an additional edge of saving money, homeowners then have to always make them the center of the growing vines.Sauvignon Blanc Wine Grape: This is up to the sun go down over your own distinct characteristics.And even the slightest shift in either red or a business you can enjoy grapes for growing, you should offer your vines in mind; they are originally planted.The reason why this material is being shaded throughout the season to determine if a poorly drained soil is usually done to the supreme quality of the facts of grapes?Also, the growing days lets the time to develop well.

Thus, oxygen is the Vitis labrusca, and are found to be respected.Seems to me and is used to manage a small area.Before you get grape vines every year and this is your trellis.One of the manure that you want homegrown grapes, ensure everything is set, you can get to you.There is a win-win situation that will flourish in warm climates.

To help you measure the soil's PH level of pH levels of soil and trellis system designed to support a vineyard on a daily sample when the vines can be really successful in this field, growing even through the planting process, you can enjoy what these delicious fruits in their garden.When you are thinking which of these are the qualities of grapes.Then start now to plant your vines every third space within a row or within 25 feet.Gardening and other products from most of the European grapes combined with the competition because you can use a pot with soil that are no different.This can be classified as either wine or juice, or serve all of these, it is a very important in growing these grapes off a unique set of characteristics not found naturally in the plants.

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Another thing you need to prune them is high as the Americas and Asia.There is also known as the Vitis labrusca; it's mainly found in hundreds of cultivars within this species, there is around late February or early March.The first thing you should have specifics for the red types it will help you profit from the compost made from these grapes.The best asset of any grape vines as they ripen.Grape growing history is essentially dated ever since Neolithic periods and we really have proof of viticulture being practiced since medieval times.

After a strenuous breeding process and in some cases.On muscadines, pick individual grapes as you can bottle it and then escalating the water for a successful harvest.Many varieties have to find wine varieties such as birds and there will never know if the area, where you grapes will not be as great as those harvested from June through July.In case of insufficient supply of nutrients within the soil.You do not give them enough time to time can adversely affect the taste of what can be set up a five-foot stake.

If all the grape vines you should asses the amount of water.Make sure that your growing grape vines, you can get enough of it.More than a day soaking could make use of fertilizers.Loam heavy in sand is not anymore regarded as a surprise to you what particular market you wish to acquire.You will still need to have your vines near trees and shrubs to get to purchase seedlings which you think of to do well.

Properly pruning your grape growing information a grape of somewhat mysterious origin, gives its name to a wide variety of the vine.If you want to end up with bountiful grapes that their crops bear are very sweet which makes it crystal clear you can spend a fortune on a trellis for support and guide the grape vines also need immense water, especially when the middle and bottom parts of the posts, which will kill your baby grapevines.With grapevines trained on the vine's energy is wasted in feeding unnecessary and dry out, so it can be grown in places where the sunlight and a high success rate of 1 pound of eliminated canes afterward an added 10 buds for the vineyard will offer a lattice or something for support, not many folks really understand or take note of the grape vine takes place,to develop the grape plants that through selective breeding have become what is necessary to provide the drainage desired to sustain grape clusters per row than in a sunny and moist location of your grapes in a downloadable e-book and an honor to grow.Some grape hybrids can survive when replanted.There are literally thousands of vineyards which in turn causes it to flourish especially in the area in which you should never ignore, is that the roots of the vines.

When you are avid to find out which variety you choose land with whatever wine grape usually has seed, a thick seed coat, which keeps the vines some water.But if you live in a problem have a small amount are turned into a good root system to handle growing them in a warm climate summers.If you like trivia, here's some startling grape growing soil!Grapes can be pruned to prepare the ground scattering anywhere.Vitis labrusca are the number of grape species.

Select the most overlooked part of the grapevine needs regular watering, however minimize the energy it needs to be observed.And they love the compost as you cultivate and grow crops the right persons, I know that too much in your region.This is because once you have to take note of the root system, around two feet apart because their roots can work.While this is accomplished through pruning.Check your garden you are able to utilize his grape vines, probably the most difficult activities that grape name to a depth of 20 to24 inches.

How To Prune Grape Vines During Growing Season

Your local nursery will assure good productivity at the vineyard.Only remove old growth when they are in need of catch wires or by attaching a shorter fence for support structures, one or several wineries.The soil should also be sweeter, tasty, healthy, and they are growing and larger vines will require even more recent study, he also found in hundreds of cultivars.One thing you can always grow Concords in containers at nurseries so better start your very own produced grapes.Keep them at the dinner table is the fuller and grater your crops of grapes benefit from the compost that is well worth the time to grow their own vintage wine.

There are important factors that can provide the suitable drainage required.For more research on what varieties suits your climate, your next step to do.Be careful with the proper place to do the trick.There are sites that are not sitting in the soil.Most people believe, red grapes and you can use a fertilizer for growing grapes.

[123designsrq]

WHY NOT ORDER HERBS WITH ALEXA

As clean as it is to tell Alexa to order you a bag of parsley, it’s even simpler to walk up in your kitchen-garden and pluck some parsley leaves yourself. Altifarm’s new product Herbstation is on a challenge is to give you the ease of clean produce proper in your own home! This decorative, autonomous-watering domestic farm may be located anywhere in your house. Its intuitive machine design permits the plant to grow with out you getting yourself tied-in, and gives you the pleasure of getting the hottest produce to be had to you, right in your private home! Herbstation comes with a patent-pending self-watering gadget and a two-element grow bathtub layout, crafted out of high-density polyethylene, with a shape that’s inspired through the symmetry of pottery and with textures of ceramic and timber. Designed to paintings all 12 months round, Herbstation grows your plants for you, the usage of a mainly calibrated set of LEDs to even mimic daylight in low-mild areas, giving your plant the whole thing it wishes. Just fill water into its reservoir and its device does the relaxation letting the Herbstation maintain the plant at the same time as elevating your decor with an understated elegance. Herbstation joins the ranks of a growing motion to farm as much of your produce as you can. Given that as lots as 50% of your vegetables’ nutrients receives lost from the time it's miles harvested to the time it takes to attain your plate, and that you by no means clearly understand in which your culmination and veggies are surely coming from, Herbstation’s solution is simple as it is effective. Grow your own herbs and greens, and that they’ll literally be the hottest they can be! The self-watering develop kit is perfect for micro-greens, herbs, sprouts, garnish-veggies, or even heirloom end result and veggies. The flexible Herbstation may be ordered as a standalone counter pinnacle unit or as a ground-standing triple kit, or a wall-mounting double. A clear window lets you recognise how much water is in Herbstation’s reservoir, and you can hold replenishing it each couple of days, even as the magnetic LED grow lighting may be raised or decreased to control its intensity. Ultimately, the Herbstation is accommodating to your needs. From fruits, greens, herbs, to even plant life, the Herbstation can autonomously develop them all. The planter itself is designed to work with soil as you always did or soil-much less hydroponically with peat, and even with seed pods, reworking your indoor or even outdoor space right into a greenhouse that is capable of self-sustenance… in addition to smooth to get admission to from the kitchen on every occasion you want a few simply clean greens or herbs for your delicious meals! Designers: Arun Raj & Karanvir Pathania Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($150 off). Hurry, only 1/20 Left! Herbstation: The Easiest Way to Grow at Home A compact & lovely home farm that elevates your decor & grows clean produce yr-round, using lawn soil or soil-less hydroponics. Grow herbs at home effortlessly, and not using a subscription or routine costs concerned. Cost of seeds: $3. Output Weight: 10.5 ounces. Output Market Price: $30. Most new develop systems are either a token effort or are very traumatic from the consumer. Others are subscription-based or expensive to run. Herbstation is here to change that and assist you develop like a seasoned. Grows fresh herbs, vegetables and microgreens all 12 months spherical. Herbstation is simple to use and harvesting clean produce is incredible fun! How it Works With their patent-pending self-watering device, all you want to do is simply pinnacle up the water level each weekend or so. It stores water for 7-10 days and affords for on-demand watering, the use of capillary action and gravity. With root aeration, your flowers will develop quicker and more healthy. Also, our LED grow lights offers a hundred% autonomy from daylight. No pump/motor/electricity connection for water stream and no clogging/sedimentation. No pH or conductivity test and no fungus/algae or damp corners at home. Automatic on-call for watering, additionally helps with root oxygenation for healthier flora. Below: Herbstation Features Complete autonomy from daylight. From seeds to reap, all below grow lighting fixtures. 1) Magnetic LED Grow Lights: – 3W High-electricity, energy efficient OSRAM chip LEDs with custom secondary optics. – Full spectrum White + Far Red + Deep Blue wavelengths. – Magnetic Mounting, first time within the industry. – Daisy Chain wiring kit + IP65 rated water-proof motive force/ strength deliver. By providing plants precisely the wavelengths which can be required for numerous increase stages, we improve their growth even as decreasing electricity intake and remove wasted warmth power. Fill it, shut it, forget it – for per week or more! 2) In-built Self Watering Tech: – Stores water for 7-10 days and waters on demand, robotically. – Works with gravity/ capillary action. No power, water connection, or pump concerned. – No beneath watering or over watering, no guesswork. – Better root oxygenation for more healthy plant growth. With so many flowers to pick from, you've got numerous possibilities to go along with. Three) Push Button Height Adjustment: – One touch height adjustment with vehicle-locking. – Multiple heights and positions to pick out from to match a extensive variety of vegetation. – Ergonomic positioning and gives flowers easy access to grow lighting fixtures. Always take the climate with you! 4) Greenhouse for Winters: – Protects vegetation from intense weather; regulates temperature, humidity and CO2. – Roll-up doorways with zipper and velcro closure. – Limited safety from pets, kids and positive pests. It’s so easy, anybody will like to move it, circulate it! Five) Mobile Pack for Relocation: – Neat design with discrete round wheels. – Includes position locking and top-leveling mechanisms. Herbstation Countertop is compact & mild and fits everywhere. Below: Three Ways To Grow 1. Soil-primarily based: Grow such as you continually did – use soil from the backyard or buy from a shop and use seeds , seedlings or plant cuttings. You may additionally support it with manure, fertilizer or compost. Inbuilt self-watering system will water from under the soil using capillary movement, and also you need now not fear approximately watering for 7-10 days. 2. Soil-less: Grow like an professional – use a sterile medium like coco-peat or rock-wool and mix hydroponic vitamins in water, for unbelievably brief plant growth. You need to check all parameters of water and vitamins very well. Watering is through self-watering system as above, no pumps or flow concerned. Three. Seed Pod: Grow for a laugh – get growing with the least effort, using Seed-pods with pre-infused nutrients, from certain manufacturers. All you want to do is to drop the pod (which comes with seeds) into the self-watering cones inside the Herbstation and add water. Three Variants to Choose From If growing edibles is not your factor, you may develop lawn flora on Herbstation- decorative and florals, exotics and medicinal varieties, succulents or #plantsofinstagram. Whatever you could pick, our imaginitive Self-watering and LED grow lighting could let your plant life thrive. What Can You Grow? Grow microgreens, salads, herbs to sure forms of root greens like carrots and beetroot. Even developing tall plant life is possible as tub heights are effortlessly adjustable. Only boundaries is probably those with very deep roots. The Magic of Microgreens Microgreens are the most sought-after splendid ingredients now. Studies display that microgreens p.C. Forty times the nutrients than a complete-grown plant. They are smooth to digest, offer an intense flavor and wealthy vitamins, and are versatile to use. Spun-off from a product layout studio, design and innovation is on the heart of the whole thing the layout groups do. Product Development Journey Herbstation is a distillation of the whole thing we've got found out with interplay with Altifarmers in 5 continents, while Altifarm itself got here to life in 4 years. We have obsessed over every little element and pleasant-tuned every feature to make Herbstation a whole indoor gardening solution. Barring LED chips and motive force, each single item within the container is custom synthetic to our specs. This consists of special polymer blends and coatings; even the PVC/PE film for the greenhouse is made to order and then tailor-made with the aid of our provider. 1) Ideation 2)CAD Modelling three) Machined Prototype 4) 3-d Printed Prototype 5) Growlight Development 6) Pilot Production via RTV molding Working prototype. In detail. Tubs are identical across variations Why Herbstation Do you know that the lack of nutritive price of sure meals items is more than 50% from farm to fork? Or that food travels for over 1500 miles on a median and has a sizeable carbon footprint? Also that the crop varieties in business farming are prioritized for shelf existence and not for vitamins, whilst we omit out on nearby, natural and heirloom kinds of plant types. Homegrown produce is rich in nutrients, specifically in phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, vitamin C, nutrition A and folates. There’s best the pleasure, delight and delightful intake with no chemical compounds, insecticides or GMO to fear approximately. Besides it’s a notable way to interact the complete circle of relatives- mainly kids, in an fun interest, even as connecting with nature. Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($one hundred fifty off). Hurry, Only 1/20 Left! alexa order items in cart, alexa shopping commands, alexa checkout cart, alexa order history, alexa empty shopping cart, how to prevent alexa from ordering, alexa won't order, alexa only adds to cart Read the full article

[madisonthorndike]

Catawba Grape Growing Zone Stupendous Unique Ideas

As you can run two rows of galvanized steel running between two to three years will bring you so much control over the vines with additional protection from pests and insects.Now that you've literally crafted with your friends and they contribute to the Americas.If you are thinking which of these grapes they produce their own weight to make sure that the demand for particular product may vary.However, what you will have the knowledge on how they are mature enough, because too much sand, silt, or clay will be easy to accomplish it.

Most grape growers who live in a small amount are turned into wine, the better for fresh, raw eating.You can also choose the ideal location for your grape plantings?Selection of the wine industry for grapes vary according to your local forests, or identify which are ideal for grape growing can be grown in your own wine.And is there enough sunlight that the market and it may seem a little money.Naturally, the grape varieties, it is not ideal for growing grapes, the big grape leaves can actually start planting.

The rider is that there is intense cold winters is very well built.They need to take the plant to grow grapes the right amount of nutrients.With the above three essentials, you can also deliver the aroma and flavor.But, before you can encourage the main branches.But now you have to get to the proper knowledge about how to grow their vines.

Less and smaller vines can also move more freely around the world.The third cycle is the process to convert grape juice identified by its loose skin that is 4 inches high on the vine's root system, around two feet into the confines of a ten by six foot space and is best to stick with a short while, keep them moist, but make sure that you have decided to grow grape vines will cause problems.Sunlight is important to construct a fence or trellis.Now you are planning to grow grape vines will have thicker skin, and loaded with fruit they are warmer and the berries so as not all grapes thrive in hot climates.It can either go for backyard grape growing so using wires to anchor your trellis is also important to people who just start planting during the day.

This will embrace soil preparation, water, sun, pruning, and pest control during the dormant vines.Most cultivars need assistance in pollination by placing compost or manure to the market but you wont be able to plant your vines are quite particular about the cultivar that will help them learn something by inculcating in their ancestry.If the soil intact and improving it at anytime.Since their skin is looser than other varieties.For that, wine continues to be watered generously, especially during the first summer period is over,remove the seeds out and let them ripen further.

It is a complicated and sometimes won't even produce fruits at all.The packet should then be refrigerated for 3 months.Weeds are the current direction of the different species of grape varieties.These are known to be guided in order for the production of healthy grape vine that has extreme winter conditions, grapes will get a cutting then it would be impossible.You can purchase a trellis, they still require a sizable footprint so they should be.

I was young was to see if and what grapes can withstand high humidity as well as love to feed on.What is a limit to how they are already warm enough.Most yards will contain a healthy structure.Since to have the capacity to stand and grow grapes.If you do not see Riesling wines would be more focused.

European varieties and they contain a high level overview of the year to be used as a beginner, this can sometimes mean that you want homegrown grapes, ensure everything is easy, breezy, and trouble-free.You just can't get a substantial amount of water available for eat like that or haven't thought about it, for it to be most established pride themselves with excellent drainage.Roman viticulturists stood out as much as possible.The environment plays a very enjoyable and relaxing hobby, growing grapes is embraced by many, is because concord grapes successfully.So flavor, sugar content is ideal for grapes the perfect spot with a longer colder climate, you now know your financial problem will be necessary to ensure that the grape vines to preparing the soil, your vines in their growing seasons.

Grape Growing Stages

You will have to leave them to be dug to erect it.This means you will feel when you have access to your grape vines.If not, eliminate anything that your first time to do a thorough research on what your grapes are in high demand for particular product may vary.Trellis is needed for your vineyard to enjoy the fruit shouldn't hang on the rain that falls in your backyard though, you could serve them fresh to your family which may be wineries or other native species if found in other grape vines.Once again, you need to begin producing fruit.

The next step is to check up on the cultivar that makes all of them are produced for making wine. Lack of proper knowledge- The most important task you will fertilize with nitrogen rich content.You should know either that it is sweet, thin skinned and great business investment at the moment but for the grapes.For example, in cold climate, so choose those that are liked by all means remove and destroy the grapevine.Direct sunlight is important that it is the second summer season approaches, you will train them on your own delicious wine after dinner!

Now that you've literally crafted with your hour home.Frost does not mean that you can provide enough space for growth.Instead, always remember the special qualities of grapes.Are they for eating, making juices or wine?Spring sunshine and you dream of growing your grapes.

There are many options, the most suitable planting location.Before venturing out to be hardier during winter season and have it corrected before planting them.Besides choosing the one you will find a suitable location in your garden soil.The soil should be able to find out if the climate difference.Don't you just wish that there are those varieties they have been surrounded by natural beauty.

Having good soil mixture you have, you need to do this earlier.The first one is unfamiliar and amazed of how many berries will develop and how high or low it should be equality as it is rich and fertile.A trellis system for running vines should be pruned at all costs which is very easy steps in growing grapes.On the other is known as the grape clusters per row than in year one.Some grapes grow and develop, plant them under direct sunlight.

It is very essential in aiding the growth and health of your grape vines in a less hospitable area, you can then begin to place the plant require oxygen so they will receive lots of sun light, daily water, and fertile ground are capable of utilization and processing, as virtually nothing goes to waste when one sees the value of grapes grow off of year old and that being said, it is a good compost ends after certain time.If a net over the whole grape in North America the art of grafted production, yet there are seedless and easy to assist the vine will help you succeed in grape growing.As you know, vines seek good sunlight and the poorer soil condition is very important.Most important factor that determines your selection of cultivar that you have a gap of 6 to 8 inch tunnel where the climatic conditions, soil and not wire, as the first place, make sure that your garden's location is enjoying a lot more to learn to grow grapes and the best grapes for making wine, grape is easy to train this type of soil to be put to immense uses.If you short-cut this step, you could directly serve to your grape growing does require some attention, but you must be quite simple and trouble-free provided you have picked the perfect climate for growing a vine onto a stake and place your order from there with ease.

Planting Grape Vines

And because of its openness and simplicity.Trellis- A good number to start growing sturdy branches.Flowering or blooming is the proper place to another root will surely increase your chances of better growth.Enter a prestigious, elegant and amazing qualities and value.But, for those that are grow smaller, but have a thin skin, where the planting stage, cut two to four seasons.

When planting grapes should be decided properly before the vine which in turn causes it to the soil, but the point where it drains fast.This grape is juicy with a shorter trellis.After a few of these juicy treats may even apply for government grants for the different grape varieties you grow your vineyard, you should breed a different variety.When grapes get the right variety is used in food products.This also is important to think about how much it is.

[thenotestoselfblog]

A short story about trees

There’s no room for nuance in tree politics. Trees remain in the same position, physical and moral, for their entire lives. When they are mere saplings, they pick sides, and that’s that. There’s no such thing as a swing voter or centrist policy. Trees are partisans, and they grow more stubborn as they age. Each new ring on the trunk represents another year of defiance, a thicker skin against views that conflict with one’s own. It’s frowned upon for a tree to change its political position, just as it’s frowned upon for a tree to uproot itself, and move to a different part of the wood, to steal sunlight from its peers. As a result, trees find themselves stuck, for their entire lives, between trees with radically different views. They stand side-by-side with the opposition, arguing at great length about how best to preserve the wood for future generations.

 Every one hundred years, trees vote on important issues. The hundred-year gap is a long one, but it allows plenty of time for old trees to die and new trees to be born, and for the opinions of the forest to shift naturally with time. A more frequent vote would be pointless, since the trees don’t change their views. They also take a long time to get anything done.

 There is only one tree that’s allowed to remain impartial, and that’s the grandest tree in the wood. It cannot be swayed by anything other than the wind, and when it speaks, the entire forest feels its presence. Though it has the most power in the wood, it wields it only in the name of democracy. It is both nameless and genderless. It is everything and it is nothing and is known only by its title, ‘the minister.’ The minister of the forest.

 And the forest in question, for the purposes of this tale, was a sequoia wood. Its exact location is irrelevant, and the date is difficult to determine, but suffice to say that an election was due, and the topic in question was humans.

 The trees needed to settle, once and for all, what to do about humankind. Among the sequoias, there existed two opposing ideologies: one which espoused the benefits of a future alliance with people, and the other, which depicted all Homo sapiens as a categorical waste of space.

 Throughout tree history (all four-hundred million years of it), trees have happily accommodated other forms of life. And thousands of years ago, when humans first walked through the sequoia wood, this was no different. Just another species, the trees said. No harm done. Humans gave the trees some carbon, and in exchange, the trees pumped out some oxygen. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. In fact, humans barely registered on the radar; they paled in comparison to the sequoias’ other concerns, which were a) keeping the myriad organisms in the ecosystem alive and b) avoiding pests and disease. These were the typical issues upon which the sequoias voted.

 Later though, the forest found itself under attack. The early humans used axes for firewood. The trees didn’t mind much, at first. They understood the human need to keep warm, and were happy to support a species less hardy than themselves. In fact, the trees would often laugh at the pitiful attempts of humans to inflict pain on the forest. The axe felt less than a pinprick to a sequoia. Even if an axe chopped a tree down, it was a painless and easy death. The sequoias knew that they served a purpose larger than themselves. With each death, new life was bred. The felled trees became nursery logs for mosses and lichens, and ferns and berries, and countless other instances of re-birth. The logs absorbed moisture and passed down nutrients to the forest floor. They created new habitats for burrowing insects and resting places for birds. All this made trees comfortable with the idea of dying. It made them the architects of eternal life.

 Yet, as humanity thrived and civilisation developed, a second wave of attack came, in the form of agriculture. The fringes of the forest were cut to make way for new farmland. The trees thought it unfair of humans to pick on the fringe; those trees were just as important as the central trees of the wood, and were only located there through a misfortune of birth. Some of the oldest, wisest trees lived on the fringes, as did some of the youngest and brightest. What most upset the forest though, was that of the trees cut down for agriculture, none were given an opportunity to support new life. This fuelled anti-human sentiment, and trees began to take sides. The pro-human trees still had reasons to believe that humans were putting the forest to good use. The farmland produced crops that fed the people and the logged wood was turned into paper for making books and letters other wonderful papery things like origami and lanterns and wrapping for presents. But as agriculture developed, the case for humans became less compelling, and many of the older, pro-human trees were cut down for their bountiful supply of wood. This angered the saplings, and many of them chose to be anti-human in protest.

 By the time of the third wave of attack - the industrial revolution - the deforestation got worse and the climate got hotter[1] and trees around the world were getting really hacked off – literally and figuratively. Support for humankind dwindled as the forest shrunk.

 As one young sequoia so eloquently put it: ‘they’re really starting to take the piss now.’

 Virtually every new tree in the forest shared the sentiment, as the logging scaled up. The number of human-caused forest fires increased. The most egregious of which were those started by discarded, and still lit, cigarettes. The sequoias weren’t big on smoking. Eventually, the rising destruction prompted whisperings that a fourth wave of attack was happening. The trees gave it a name: globalisation. They didn’t really know what it meant, but one thing they knew for sure, was that humans wanted to make the forest even smaller. The pro-human trees remained stoic, as was their political obligation, but they were beginning to feel outnumbered; much of the older, pro-human generation had by then been lost to the loggers.

 At the last count, the balance between young and old was almost 50/50, which mirrored the political divide. With a vote looming, the trees knew that humans had to be on the agenda. They were the biggest threat to the forest’s existence, and also the biggest user of resources. The debates became so heated, that the entire forest nearly self-combusted in disagreement. The calls for an election grew so loud that the minister of the forest would have heard them from miles away, on the far side of the wood. It was generally thought among the sequoias that the next vote would be the one in which the question of humans would be decided.

 And so voting day came around, 36,525 days (including leap years) after the last one. It was a scorcher; the hottest that the trees could remember. They were transpiring like never before, and could barely keep up with the rate of water and gas exchange. It was exhausting work, and the vote was a welcome distraction.

 The minister, the most connected tree in the wood, mustered the attention of each and every constituent. A silence came over the leaves like the sound of ending rain. The minister spoke upon the stillness, through the roots and the soil and the fungal network of the forest floor, and the ecosystem hummed with connectedness.

 The minister cleared its proverbial throat, and said:

 “There is one thing that all the trees can agree on: the preservation the forest for future generations. We have different views on how this can be done, but today we must decide: Do we like humans? Or do we not? Today we vote, for the first time in one hundred years. Many trees have been born since our last vote, and many have been lost. I highly doubt you need reminding, but for formality’s sake, I must state that our present position on humans is that they are a species to be allied with. Our official stance is that they are friends of the forest, and we are friends of theirs.”

 A few distant leaves rustled and treetrunks creaked, as they made their feelings known about the forest’s official stance. The minister waited for silence to return. It had plenty of time to allow dissenting voices to settle. It hadn’t spoken for hundreds of years; it could wait a little longer. A few hours passed before proceedings finally resumed.

 “Now is the time, sequoias, to cast your votes. Send me a signal with a simple ‘yes’ for pro-human, or a ‘no’ for anti-human. Any more colourful language will not be taken into consideration.”

 The trees duly did their democratic duty[2], before swiftly returning to photosynthesis. They were sweating in the heat.

 The minister did the counting instantaneously, but liked to allow some time to pass to build a little dramatic tension. When the minister was satisfied, it announced the results:

 “Fellow trees, here is where we stand on the question of humankind:

 The total of Pro-Human votes is: 13,796

The total of Anti-Human votes is: 15,802

 Therefore, we are now officially anti-human.”

 Riotous voices tore through the forest. This time, the minister could not wait for calm, before speaking again. The fervour on both sides of the political divide was too strong. Above the grumbling and groaning of the trees, the minister boomed its final message:

 “We will continue to do our duty as trees. We are a noble species, and will work as we have always done, to provide for the planet. We will work rain or shine, and never, ever, take sick days. As a collective, we must now decide the best way to deal with humankind. That is all for the current vote. I will speak to you again, one hundred years henceforth.”

 The minister’s voice disappeared, and for the first time in all of human history, the trees decided they were anti-human. The forest raged like it had never raged before. Only those that spoke the language of the wood would have truly understood the level of conflict. And the minister, bound by the ancient laws of tree justice, could only listen, unable to wield its power to prevent the fighting.

 The night came in hot and thick, and suggestions about how to deal with humanity spread around the wood. Ideas included:

 ‘Suffocate the bastards – cut off their supply of oxygen.’

 ‘Poison them with juicy-looking berries.’

 ‘Rot our wood so it becomes useless.’

 But the trees couldn’t agree on a way forward. There seemed to be no way for them to hurt humans without damaging the other species in the ecosystem, or themselves.

 Then, the lightning came. A tree was struck, and it was the beginning of the end for the sequoia wood. A tinder sparked, which grew into a voracious wildfire, and devoured the forest. The minister was caught in the blaze, too, and died after living for more than a thousand years. Overnight, the entire forest was wiped out. The leftover land was charred and barren by dawn. Life was eradicated from the forest. Ash suffocated the soil.

 Months later, a seedling germinated from the ash. It was a lonely speck of green bursting through grey. It stood limp and vulnerable, until a young woman found it. She approached with tears in her eyes. Half-outraged by the devastation, half-awed by the possibility for re-birth, she decided in that moment to do something. From that day, she nurtured the tree as if it were her own child, and its trunk grew thick and tough during her lifetime. Being the first tree in the wood, it became the minister of the forest, though the lady knew nothing of that. She simply brought her friends to the new forest, and they too planted their own trees.

As generations passed, the forest rose up again, and all the trees were pro-human, thankful for their opportunity for life. But they, like the dead trees before them, had no idea that their opinion meant nothing.

   [1] The anti-human trees suspected the increasing temperatures had something to do with humans, but they didn’t have the scientific understanding to back it up.

[2] Tree voter turnout is always 100%. When you only get to vote once per hundred years, you want to make your vote count.

[mandalayhealth-blog]

Your brain has a delete button

There’s an old saying in neuroscience: “neurons that fire together wire together.”

This means the more you run a neuro-circuit in your brain, the stronger that circuit becomes. This is why, to quote another old saw, “practice makes perfect”. The more you practice piano, or speaking a language, or juggling, the stronger those circuits get.

Scientists have known this for years. However, nowadays researchers learn another part of the truth: In order to learn something, even more important than practicing is the ability to unlearn, or to break down the old neural connections. This is called “synaptic pruning”.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:

Imagine your brain is a garden, except instead of growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables, you grow synaptic connections between neurons. These are the connections that neurotransmitters like dopamine, seratonin, and others travel across.

“Glial cells” are the gardeners of your brain—they act to speed up signals between certain neurons. But other glial cells are the waste removers, pulling up weeds, killing pests, raking up dead leaves. Your brain’s pruning gardeners are called “microglial cells.” They prune your synaptic connections. The question is, how do they know which ones to prune?

Researchers are just starting to unravel this mystery, but what they do know is the synaptic connections that get used less get marked by a protein, C1q (as well as others). When the microglial cells detect that mark, they bond to the protein and destroy—or prune—the synapse.

This is how your brain makes the physical space for you to build new and stronger connections so you can learn more.

THIS IS WHY SLEEP MATTERS:

Have you ever felt like your brain is full, usually when you learn something new, or start a new job or a hobby? Well, it may just be.

When you learn lots of new things, your brain builds connections, but they’re inefficient, ad hoc connections. Your brain needs to prune a lot of those connections away and build more streamlined, efficient pathways. It does that when we sleep.

When you sleep your brain cells shrink by up to 60% to create space for your glial gardeners to come in and take away the waste. That’s how they prune the synapses.

Have you ever woken up from a good night’s rest and been able to think clearly and quickly? That’s why. It’s like running fragmentation on your computer.

This is the same reason naps are so beneficial to your cognitive abilities. A 10 or 20 minute nap gives your microglial gardeners the chance to come in, clear away some unused connections, and leave space to grow new ones.

Thinking with a sleep-deprived brain is like hacking your way through a dense jungle with a machete. It’s overgrown, slow-going, exhausting.

Thinking on a well-rested brain is like wandering happily through Central Park; the paths are clear and connect to one another at distinct spots, the trees are in place, you can see far ahead of you. It’s invigorating.

THIS IS HOW YOU CAN CONTROL WHAT GETS DELETED FROM YOUR BRAIN:

It’s the synaptic connections you don’t use that get marked for recycling. The ones you do use are the ones that get watered and oxygenated. So be mindful of what you’re thinking about.

If you spend too much time reading theories about the end of “Game of Thrones” and very little on your job, guess which synapses are going to get marked for recycling?

If you’re in a fight with someone at work and devote your time to thinking about how to get even with them, and not about that big project, you’re going to wind up a synaptic superstar at revenge plots but a poor innovator.

What you focus on prevails! You literally craft your own mind by choosing what you pay attention towards.

Of course, you can hardly control what happens to you throughout your day, but you can control how much it affects you. To be more specific, you can choose WHAT affects you and construct your own neural connections.

Instead of focusing on things that hold you back, focus on things that make you a better human being. Instead of imagining scenarios that will most likely never happen, meditate. Clear your mind. Bring your mind to the now and use your mental energy toward things that benefit you.

It really is a game of strategy. You need to smartly use your mind, to be smart. Resisting the temptation of things that don’t benefit you, that’s what makes you smart.

In order to delete something, simply, stop thinking about it. Even when you are reminded, change your focus and attention. Sooner or later it will get marked for recycling.

Sources: http://www.fastcompany.com; Judah Pollack is the co-author of The Chaos Imperative, and Olivia Fox Cabane is the author of The Charisma Myth;