Proof that the mind of Gaia has a crude sense of humor–something along the lines of, “Let’s find another design context for that dog reproductive appendage, only this time we’ll make it slimy and smell like carrion.” I guess you gotta do whatever it takes to get those spores around even if it means pandering to blow flies.
Extra points to the mycologist out there who pins down the scientific name of this fly attractin’ stinkhorn mushroom. Comments!
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| Cheerful Seeming but Oh So Depressing Infographic* |
National Geographic has an article about seed saving and the importance of biodiversity in the food supply: Food Ark. I know many of our readers are seriously savvy on such subjects, so the material may be too basic for some of you. But for those of you who are new to the subject, or want to share with others, this is a good overview.
And as always, National Geographic is best at the pictures. Attached to the article are several photo galleries. These are my favorites:
*If you can’t read the infographic labels, it is comparing the number of seed varieties found in seed catalogs in 1903 (upper register) with the current number of varieties in the National Seed Storage Laboratory in 1983 (lower register). An astonishing loss of biodiversity over an 80 year period. This is one of the ways in which the 20th century really sucked.
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| New Zealand spinach in partial shade |
Inspired by Scott Kleinrock’s work at the Huntington Ranch, I’ve been experimenting with growing vegetables in partial shade. Two of our vegetable beds sit under two large deciduous trees. In the winter these beds get full sun, but in the summer they might get as a little as four or five hours of direct sun.
Now my shade gardening experiment may not be applicable to northern climates. In fact, the sun is so harsh here that partial shade can be a good thing, in that it keeps more delicate veggies from drying up and blowing away.
What has worked in our partially shaded beds:
Growing but struggling:
For more information on growing in the shade, check out this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Best Edibles to Grow in Shade in the Bay Area“
Also, follow Scott Kleinrock’s research on the Huntington Ranch blog.
And I’m interested in hearing other people’s experiences growing vegetables in the shade so please leave some comments noting where you live.
From Morocco, sixteen goats in a tree. More info on the phenomenon here.
Thanks to Gloria and Steve for the tip on this bit of goat magic. Do any of you Root Simple readers have goats? Leave a comment.
A slightly belated update: The kittens I blogged about a while ago have found a great home with a Root Simple reader. Go team! Thank you so much, Reader, for making a place for them in your home. May you have many, many happy years with your new kitties.
