What Is Castor

One way to minimize the damage that naturally occurs when animals forage is to use castor oil as pest control.It may sound silly but this out of fashion medicinal is a common part of natural commercial pesticides.

Aren't we happiest when we're comfortable in our own skin, busy doing the things we love and doing them in a way that reflects our values? However, as most of the country experienced this year, the tough winter left many of her established plants dead...

Christmas cactus seem like something out of a fantasy tale. The plant should not get air drafts, either cold or hot. Then, as the Christmas holiday season arrives, it bursts into pink, red, orange, or yellow blossoms.

We call ourselves gleaners ( maybe you've heard the term ), and in the past four years, the leaders of this group have created a network of farmers and hunger organizations working to divert fruits and vegetables from the waste stream and into the bellies...

Logs, branches, tree-trimmings, root balls and similar materials make the ideal base for a huegel, but work with what you have. In fact, many huegels are built in a wide, open bowl-shape to capture the most energy and warmth from the sun.

Spring will give way to summer, which will blossom into autumn and eventually return to winter. As I headed out to my car Monday morning, head ducked against the wind, coffee mug trembling in my shivering, gloved hand, the realization that I had to scrape...

Send me your question! Please keep in mind that I receive a lot of questions, so I won't always be able to answer each one immediately. This procedure is called “potentizing.” The more potent, the longer and deeper the remedy acts and the fewer doses...

Animals that show symptoms of winterberry poisoning should be seen by their veterinarian. Despite the beauty of its tempting fruit, eating winterberries should be avoided -- especially by children.

I'll be the first to admit it: I'm definitely a dreamer. We're always thinking of ways to better our gardens or brainstorming new recipes to try out in the kitchen, and unlike other daydreams—I'm looking at you, Three Arms—we have the power to make...

Sphl/Wikimedia Commons It seems like every day there is a new and exciting development in the realm of natural health. Ashitaba is an angelica species, which are members of the carrot family and tend to be biannuals.

While the immature nymphs of assassin bugs and leaf-footed bugs look quite similar, several clues helped pinpoint the proper identification. Lean On Your Cooperative Extension Most gardeners can easily ID adult insects that they encounter either through...

No matter how anxious you are to plant your garden, it's essential that you wait to dig until your soil is ready. Test your soil first by walking on it or patting it in several locations.

Also,thoroughly before reuse and discard contaminated soil.Now that you know the answers to what is damping off and what does damping off look like, you can successfully keep it from happening to your seedlings.

More and more cities and townships are initiating municipal composting programs. Beware of dusty white patches, as they are a sign that dangerous spores are present. If you make your own compost you will know exactly what goes in and the finished product...

The turkey needs to be covered during cooking with oiled or buttered parchment paper, not foil, except for a brief period near the end to brown the bird. Truman's presidency. Add all the ingredients and stir for a minute or two until the sugar and salt...

That's what happened with the laurel dry leaves: he got a large box, with forty bags, each containingOf course, we wondered whether we would ever sell all those bags, but since they were already there, nothing could be done.

Lucky bamboo is not, in fact, related to true bamboo plants. The leaves often have silver or white strips through the center. Three stalked plants are given for luck, five stalks are said to represent wishes of wealth and seven stalks are thought to bring...

Almost every time a species has been wiped out in large numbers, it grew in exclusive stands, such as the American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata, U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8), largely eliminated by a host-specific...

Agriculture can deplete the soil, especially when the same crop is planted year after year. The same philosophy used by farmers applies to home gardens as well.Allowing land to stand fallow has been practiced by farmers for centuries.

Imports to the United States are mainly in the form of veneer and plywood, especially for use in decorative paneling, hollow-core doors and furniture. Within its native range, Okoume is considered widespread and relatively common.

When we informed our neighbors about our new family members, we kindly mentioned that they shouldn't worry about noise because “there will be no roosters.” So now we are trying desperately to find another venue for our gent.

I can only imagine the frustration I caused my poor mother. (Clearly I was destined for a career involving reading and writing.) Thankfully, these character traits have mellowed in my transition to adulthood, especially my palate: My tastes have broadened...

If you have a deer problem and want to make sure your bougainvillea is left alone, consider planting it in a hanging basket and hanging it high enough so that deer can't reach it.Keep your bougainvillea healthy and it will survive the occasional feeding...

This method works well but takes time to have its affect. Hydroxide ions are left with one more electron than proton, giving rise to the negative charge. Acids have a pH from 0-7, while bases have a pH from 7-14.

At the time of planting, I pull back the mulch to direct seed, then cover the seeding with a light layer of shredded leaves or straw. Keep this in mind as you work your garden. Mulch Insulates and Protects: It insulates soil to protect soil organisms...

This has been, by far, one of our fastest projects on the house to date. After spraying the walls, the foam is left to dry before the excess is sawed off flush with the wall studs, using a big saw that reminds me of an electric turkey-carving knife.

One of my friends picked up five female Red Stars (a sex link) at a feed store—or so she was told. If not, the reader probably doesn't have the breeds he thought. After determining that the chicks have arrived safely, inspecting for pasty butt, and...