Bacillus thuringiensis

by | Jul 25, 2012 | Talk Dirt to Me

In a recent blog post (https://valleyadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?uid=96) I wrote about some of the ferocious worms who compete with me for my corn. I can’t really blame them. All of that biomass must be irresistible. My plants are well over 7 feet tall now and...

Tubers

by | May 4, 2012 | Talk Dirt to Me

The potato originated in the Andes where thousands of varieties are still cultivated. According to John Roach in “Saving the Potato in its Andean Birthplace” individual farmers may plant hundreds of varieties. This serves as a sort of insurance against...

Food security

by | Jul 27, 2012 | Talk Dirt to Me

Like most people I have lots of bad habits. Also like most people I find my own bad habits entirely understandable whereas everyone else’s are deplorable. I don’t make my bed (sorry mom). I’ve always thought it was stupid and continue to. I also am...

Ivy, Oak and Jewelweed

by | Jul 30, 2012 | Talk Dirt to Me

A year ago I wrote a blog post arguing that poison ivy should be declared the state plant of Massachusetts. I still feel that way. Poison ivy owes a lot to the big biped invasives. It doesn’t grow very well in shade, though it’s pretty happy with any type...

Yardivore

by | Aug 3, 2012 | Talk Dirt to Me

I had a boss several years back who liked to establish arbitrary goals: “let’s have this project all wrapped up by the third week in July.” I imagine he was just trying to motivate me, but he had a tendency to forget assignments once given. Most...