Gardeners have been using fish bone to help their plants grow for years. Research from Birkbeck, University of London and the University of Leeds has shown for the first time that fish bone is helping to keep the Amazon rainforest alive - and it has been carried by winds all the way from Africa.

The team of researchers looked at dust created in a region known as the Bodélé Depression in Chad, in north central Africa, which is the world's largest single source of dust. The area used to be a mega-lake, but over the last 6,000 years it has dried out. Previous research had shown that dust created by the high winds in the area was being carried across the equatorial Atlantic and deposited in the Amazon rainforest. The latest study has shown that the reason that the dust is so beneficial to the growth of the rainforest is that it contains phosphorous in the bone and scales of the fish that used to live in the mega-lake. This supply of phosphorous dust is limited, however.

Dr. Karen Hudson-Edwards of Birkbeck, who led the study, said: "Scientists are interested in dust for several reasons. It can cause pollution and affect climate change, but we also know that it can act as a fertilizer. Our study showed for the first time that the Bodélé Depression's previous existence as a lake is key to its current role as a source of fertilizer for the Amazon. The top layer of the Bodélé Depression contains phosphorous from fish and other organisms whose skeletons were baked into the hard surface of the dried-out lake."

The source of the phosphorous is important as it affects how easily plants in the Amazon can use it. Phosphorous from fish bone will dissolve relatively easily in water and soils, making it easy for the plants to utilize it, whereas phosphorous from rock will take a longer time to be dissolved.

The study also highlights that the fertilizing phosphorous contained in the African dust is a finite resource. As the winds erode the top layers of the dried out lake bed, the phosphorous available to the Amazon will be depleted. Dr. Hudson-Edwards says: "At the moment we don't know how long the Bodélé Depression will continue to provide phosphorous to the Amazon. With the rainforest already under threat from human activity, we now hope to conduct further research to ascertain when this important source of fertilizer will run out."  

wildlife and the environment

EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new voluntary Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) program to encourage the use of verified, safer pesticide spray products to reduce exposure and pesticide movement while saving farmers money in pesticide loss.

"Every year state and local agencies receive thousands of complaints about the impacts of pesticide drift on people, wildlife and plants," said Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Our new star-rating system of products and technologies will help farmers reduce drift, protect neighbors and reduce costs by keeping more of the pesticide on the crop. We hope the new voluntary DRT will encourage the manufacture, marketing and use of safer spray technology and equipment scientifically proven to reduce pesticide drift."

One to 10 percent of agricultural pesticide sprays drift or move from the intended target crop. Every year about 70 million pounds of pesticides valued up to $640 million are lost to pesticide drift. And, state agencies use substantial resources each year investigating drift complaints. Farmers have long been concerned about reducing pesticide product loss during and after application to crops and minimizing drift to neighbors.

DRT is a voluntary program that encourages manufacturers to test their technologies (such as nozzles, spray shields and drift reduction chemicals) for drift reduction potential. EPA encourages pesticide manufacturers to label their products for use with DRT technologies. The four DRT ratings represented by one, two, three or four stars are awarded for technologies that demonstrate at least 25 percent reduction in potential spray drift compared to the standard.

Spray technology manufacturers interested in participating in EPA's DRT program may now submit data verifying their technology reduces pesticide movement. EPA will evaluate each data submission and, if appropriate, assign a drift-reduction star rating to the product based on its ability to reduce spray drift. EPA will post these ratings at: http://www2.epa.gov/reducing-pesticide-drift.

A pesticide manufacturer can choose to label a product for use with a DRT of a particular rating after receiving approval from EPA.

Over time, the program will move the agricultural sector toward the widespread use of low-drift technologies. Drift-reduction ratings could appear on pesticide labels as early as fall 2015.

Additional information on EPA's DRT Program, including how to test technologies, is available at: http://www2.epa.gov/reducing-pesticide-drift. 

Humble: The 3rd Annual Sustainable Landscape Conference will be held Friday, October 31, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. Learn from industry leaders about sustainable parking design and development during this year's conference at Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park. For additional information or to make reservations, call Mercer Botanic Gardens at 281-443-8731.

Rosenberg: Saturday with the Master Gardeners - "Fall Vegetable Gardening" Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m. in the Vegetable Garden. Learn about the crops that can be grown in the fall in a talk presented by Fort Bend Master Gardeners Vegetable Specialists. Visit the Demonstration Gardens before or after the Garden Talk while Master Gardeners are working in the gardens and available to answer questions. Join us at the Agriculture Center at 1402 Band Road, Rosenberg. Call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com for more information.

San Antonio: San Antonio Garden Center Clubs will meet Wednesday, November 5 at 10 a.m. at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston. Program will feature John R. Thomas, owner and founder of Wildseed Farms, the nationally-known wildflower farm and nursery in Fredericksburg.He will share the story of Wildseed's success and offer tips on planting and growing wildflowers in your own yard. Coffee at 9:30. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.sanantoniogardencenter.org/ or call 210-824-9981.

Round Rock: The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock, presents "The Best Trees for the Texas Landscape," from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6. One of the most valuable plants of the urban landscape, trees add value, create shade, impart seasonal beauty and provide a habitat for our native wildlife. Join a discussion of how to select, plant and care for the best tree choices for Central Texas. The program will be conducted by Jeff Ferris, a gardener in Austin for more than 25 years, staff horticulturist and diagnostician at The Natural Gardener, certified Permaculturist, and instructor in the ACC Landscape and Horticulture program since 2008. Through Neighborhood Harvest Project, he co-founded the first public community garden in Round Rock - Unity Park Community Garden. Jeff is a frequent guest and occasional host of "John Dromgoole's Gardening Naturally" program on KLBJ radio, the longest running organic gardening show in the country. For more information, please contact Julie Chapa, 512-218-7014.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners present their brown bag luncheon at the Seguin Public Library, 707 E. College, Seguin, on Friday, November 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m. featuring Nancy Masterson, Master Gardener and member of the Guadalupe Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. She will be recommending plants with outstanding blooms and berries for Seguin. This program about native plants will provide free handouts.According to Nancy Masterson, "The program is NICE: Natives Instead of Common Exotics. Learn how to save money, save water and save the natural legacy of our beautiful state. Fall is a great time to add new plants to the landscape and some native plants put on their best show in autumn. Admission is free and feel free to bring your lunch.

Hempstead: Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359 Rd, Hempstead, offers Fall 2014 Open Weekends, November 8 and 9 - First tour 10 a.m., Second tour 1 p.m.., Plant sale hours 10-3 p.m.., and November 22 and 23 - First tour 10 a.m., Second tour 1 p.m.., Plant sale hours 10-3 pm. Tour admission is $10 per person, members free. No advanced reservation required. Pay at the gate (cash, check, credit cards). Students (12 and older) admitted free to the garden. Unfortunately, small children, baby strollers, and pets are not allowed in the garden due to the delicate and sharp plants. We also offer private tours of the garden." Visit www.peckerwoodgarden.org for more information.  

Rosenberg: Saturday, November 8 - "Jams & Jellies," presented by Anne Ondrusek, Owner, Honeys Homemade Jams & Jellies, for the Fort Bend Master Gardeners' "Backyard Basics" series. Demonstration included. 9 a.m. Agriculture Center, 1402 Band Rd, Rosenberg. $15 ($25 couple). Details: Call 281-342-3034 or visit www.fbmg.com.

Austin: David Kraemer will demonstrate seed starting for spring veggies and Tim Miller of Millberg Farm will discuss growing tomatoes in the winter at the Austin Organic Gardeners' Club meeting on November 10. The club meets at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, in Zilker Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the opportunity to meet and mingle with local gardeners; club business begins at 7 p.m., followed by the guest speakers' presentation. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Austin: A lecture presentation on the "Science of Soil" by Chuck Ware of the Austin Bonsai Society will be presented at 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, at the Zilker Garden Center, 2200 Barton Springs Road, Austin. Free presentation, guests are welcome. Visit www.austinbonsaisociety.com for further information or call Deborah Van Cleaf at 512-694-6590.  

Humble: Herb Gardening for Home Use will be presented Wednesday, November 12, noon-2 p.m. at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. Join Marilyn O'Conner, "The Herb Lady," to learn about the wide variety of herbs and their uses in homes and gardens. For additional information or to make reservations, call Mercer Botanic Gardens at 281-443-8731.

Pearland: Michael Mayfield will present "Daylilies & Amaryllises," at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 13. at Busy Bee Café, 4009 W. Broadway, Pearland. Free. Brazoria County Master Gardeners. For more details, call John at 713-818-8806.  

San Antonio: Cris Goloby, Adjunct Professor at St. Phillip's College Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, and Continued Education Instructor will speak on herbs for holiday cooking and when to use dry/wet form the San Antonio Herb Society's November meeting. Demonstration and tasting. Meeting will be Thursday, November 13 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. Free and open to the public. For additional information, call 210-826-6860 or email mbelisle@satx.rr.com.

Genoa: Monday, November 17, is Open Garden Day with Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Genoa. 9:30 a.m.: Educational Programs and Master Gardeners Q&A. Note: Gardens open and plants available for purchase every Monday, May-October. Free, children welcome. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.  

San Antonio: Numa Laiche and Jamie Daily will discuss Heritage, Heirloom and Passalong Plants at the November 20 meeting of the Bexar County Master Gardeners. The meeting begins with a social at 6 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m.-8 p.m. presentation, at Colonies House Meeting Room, 3511 Colony Dr., San Antonio. For additional information, call 210-467-6575.

Seguin: The Guadalupe Master Gardeners will meet on Thursday, November 20, at the Justice Center on 211 Court Street in Seguin. Dr. Kelly Lyons, assistant professor of biology at Trinity University, will be the guest speaker. Her research was on and she will be talking about native species plants, invasive plants and their impact on ecosystems. As new additions to ecosystems, many of these species become invasive, dramatically altering natural and managed ecosystems and homogenizing communities. Recently she was awarded a USDA grant to study links between invasive weeds and diverse native grasslands. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. after a social function starting at 6:30. For further information, visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call 830-303-3889.  

Round Rock: The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock, presents "Seed Starting for Those with a Brown Thumb," from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4. Many people are intimidated by the thought of having to start their own seeds for the garden or the landscape. Learn why starting your own seeds is easier, less costly and provides you with a wider choice of plants. The program will be conducted by Jeff Ferris, a gardener in Austin for more than 25 years, staff horticulturist and diagnostician at The Natural Gardener, certified Permaculturist, and instructor in the ACC Landscape and Horticulture program since 2008. Through Neighborhood Harvest Project, he co-founded the first public community garden in Round Rock - Unity Park Community Garden. Jeff is a frequent guest and occasional host of "John Dromgoole's Gardening Naturally" program on KLBJ radio, the longest running organic gardening show in the country. For more information, please contact Julie Chapa, 512-218-7014.  

Bryan: Future use of water and its impact on agriculture will be the focus of the 2014 Texas Plant Protection Association conference scheduled Dec. 10-11 at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan. Dr. Travis Miller, interim director for state operations with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be one of the featured speakers during the opening general session Dec. 10. Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist, and Carlos Rubinstein, chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, will also be general session featured speakers. Nielsen-Gammon will discuss climate variability and Rubinstein will give a Texas water outlook. Other presentations during the general session will focus on water conservation, comparative irrigation methods, agricultural innovations from industry in dealing with climate change, and a Texas farmer's perspective on dealing with water management. Afternoon sessions on Dec. 10 will include a look at the Texas drought's impact on wildlife, unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture, and decision and precision applications of nitrogen. The second day of the conference will feature sessions on grain, cotton, horticulture/turf, and pasture and rangeland. A student poster contest will be held as well as an awards luncheon. For registration information, visit http://bit.ly/ZwpjOD.

Humble: Succulentarriums will be presented Wednesday, December 10, noon-2 p.m.

at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble.

Learn how to combine remarkable succulents, moss, and cacti with recycled glassware to create fun and fanciful display items for your home or office. These unique items also make great holiday gifts! For additional information or to make reservations, call Mercer Botanic Gardens at 281-443-8731.

Pearland: Ed Barrios will present "Gardening & Insects" at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 11 at Busy Bee Café, 4009 W. Broadway, Pearland. Free. Brazoria County Master Gardeners. For more details, call John at 713-818-8806.

• Many, many practical and timely garden tips that are for Texas - not Maine or California!
• Organic, earth friendly tips to make your garden grow and prosper
• Lots of space to record your own activities for future reference
• Planting dates and tips for vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit and lawns

The Vegetable Book

By Dr. Sam Cotner

Finally, back by popular demand and in its fourth printing, the most informative and comprehensive "how-to" book on vegetable gardening in Texas (also, suitable for most other areas of the South) written by the late, great Dr. Sam Cotner, former head of horticulture at Texas A&M University and lifelong gardener. This interesting read has over 370 pages of detailed information on every crop, from Asparagus to Watermelon including problem/solving sections for each vegetable. If you want to maximize your enjoyment and success growing vegetables in Texas, this book is a "must have," whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener. Price $34.02

By William D. Adams

The best thing for tomato enthusiasts since the tomato itself! Adams draws on more than thirty years of experience to provide a complete, step-by-step guide to success in the tomato patch. Learn everything from soil preparation, planting, feeding, caging and watering. Liberally sprinkled with the author's easy humor and illustrated with his own excellent photographs, this must-have book has everything you'll need to assure a bumper crop! 189 pages. Lots of color photographs! Price: $31.94

($15.82 if ordered separately)

Remit payment to:

TG Books * PO Box 9005 * Waco, TX 76714

or call Toll-Free 1-800-727-9020

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