October 2008 and the kitchen table was filled with squash, several with blue pieces of tape on their stems. All the hand pollinated squash retained the piece of blue masking tape that I had used to tape the blossoms closed. These were to be the parents for the next squash generation. As each squash was [...]
Seneca power plant could be a step in the right direction
By Gary Rondeau (Update: 6/28/10 -- The Seneca co-generation plant is presently under construction. As far as I know, they have no plans to make biochar. This is too bad. I wrote the following article about a year ago when their plans were less fixed in concrete. GR) Future energy needs should be met with an [...]
The Big Freeze
We often have quite mild winters in Eugene. People complain when it gets below freezing, and many winters it never gets below 20F. So last week, when the morning temperatures approached the single digits and stayed there most of the week, winter gardeners suffered some losses. Taking stock after such an event can help us [...]
Squash Practice – 2008 – The Beginning
(Written 9/08 - the first installment in a continuing series) I love my squash. The vigorous vines completely cover the garden area set aside for them, and then they embark on travels into the lawn, over the fence, and into the other vegetables. The fact that they are ready to occupy any bit of free [...]
The Practice of Practice
As a rule of thumb, I expect to do a design project three times before I am satisfied. The prototype always has a few bugs and may not even work at all, but you learn a lot and can expect success with the second version. The practice you had with the first two attempts finally [...]
Squash Practice 