News – Italy: Floating Greenhouse uses Solar Power and Seawater

This is my favorite news item this year !

http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Floating-Greenhouse-uses-Solar-Power-and-Seawater-2014-11-22

Breed Your Own Hybrid Tomato

Source Wikimedia Commons Photo by André Karwath

Time to start thinking about interesting gardening projects for next season. How about coming up with your own custom tomato variety ?
Tomatoes are really good self pollinators, however special techniques are required if you want to try to cross different varieties to create a hybrid. Wouldn’t it be fun to come up with your own hybrid tomato ?…..if it works out you could name your own Tomato Variety, after yourself or maybe your Favorite Aunt !

At any rate, here is an excellent article on the subject !

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1248

News Article – A closer Look at Aphids

A wonderful article on this common garden pest with amazing microscopic photography.
I was always curious about why over fertilizing with Nitrogen attracts aphids, the section on the feeding habits of aphids sheds some light on this situation.

http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202390/taking-a-closer-look-at-insects#.VE_kKiLF8vx

News – Aquarium of the Future uses Aquaponics to Grow Fresh Herbs

This picture says it all…..

http://www.ecobird.eu/

Traditional Medicinal Uses of Black Hellebore and a List of Popular Black Flowers

Not too much happening in the farm greenhouse or gardens these days, so here is another fall picture from the Physic Garden at UBC and an interesting link to popular black flowers.
http://blog.interflora.co.uk/top-10-black-flowers/

News Article – 5 Big Ideas Transforming Agriculture

Wikimedia Commons : Lufa Farms in sunlight, the world’s first commercial rooftop greenhouses. Montreal neighborhood of Ahuntsic-Cartierville.

http://seedstock.com/2014/11/06/precisely-sustainable-5-big-ideas-transforming-agriculture/

The Final Word ( at least for now ) on Herbs and Deer

Another ( possibly drastic ! ) herbal solution to controlling deer…..
http://www.localharvest.org/blog/39774/entry/herbs_that_go_with_game

Another Interesting Article on Herbs and Deer

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/herbs-rescue-fend-deer-aromatic-plants

Interesting New Vegetable from Johnny’s Seeds – Kalettes – November Update

I bumped into this article in a greenhouse grower’s magazine….. Kalettes,  I can’t wait to grow these !

http://www.hortidaily.com/article/11454/Johnny%E2%80%99s-Offers-Kalettes;-a-non-GMO-cross-between-kale-and-Brussels-sprouts

NOV. 2014 Update -Kalette seeds are now listed for sale at Johnny’s – but they are pricey ! Maybe this is what we have to expect for Trade Marked plants ? Yikes !

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-1066-kalettes.aspx