Earthworm Moon

We've all heard of the Hunter's Moon and Harvest Moon but very people know about the Full Worm Moon named after the earthworm.

The Native Americans who lived close to the Earth had a name for every full moon of the year. The full moon of March was given the honor of being called the earthworm moon because earthworms are so beneficial for the soil.

March brings a thawing of the frozen ground and the robins who herald spring. Spring is the beginning of the growing season for both backyard gardeners and farmers. Soil that is healthy is abundant with earthworms and will produce strong healthy plants which means a plentiful food supply for the harsh winter.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Control Slugs With Toads

Toads love slugs. Attract and keep toads in the garden and there will be many less slugs.

Toads eat a huge amount of insects every day. Besides slugs they love flea beetles, bean and cucumber beetles, cutworms, cabbage loopers and many more.

To attract toads to the garden mulch beds heavily with straw. Put rocks and stones in places for them to sit on and warm up. Place broken flower pots in areas where the toads can crawl under them for a home.

Have a small water feature. Toads needs the water to lay their eggs in and drink.

Maintain a garden free of poisonous pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals kill toads.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Antibacterials Harm Earthworms

Antibacterial soaps, detergents, floor cleaners, fragrances, pharmaceuticals and other household chemicals are harming earthworms. Whatever harms earthworms, harms humans.

Studies conducted by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Colorado State University have found that chemicals in everyday products used in households and businesses across the country are absorbed by earthworms when introduced to the land as biosolids.

Biosolids is the product produced by the treatment of sewage at wastewater treatment plants. One of the worst offenders, tricolsan, was found in earthworms in fields where biosolids had been applied, but not in the fields where livestock manure had been used.

Triclosan is used in numerous products as an antibacterial and is partly to blame for the production of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Magic Fertilizer For Tomatoes

Want to grow huge tomatoes? Here is the magic, natural fertilizer that will produce tomatoes as large as pumpkins. Tomatoes weighing four pounds is possible with this secret formula.

Tomatoes are America's most loved vegetable and is grown in more home gardens than any other vegetable. If not for eating, then for the competition of growing the earliest, or largest tomato on the block.

Tomatoes are extremely healthful. Studies reveal that eating these products also show reduced risks of prostate cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and high cholesterol. New studies show that tomatoes may also be a future cure for AIDS.

Tomatoes are easy to grow. The magic fertilizer is the herb comfrey. A New Zealand gardener has discovered that by soaking comfrey leaves in water and then using the comfrey tea to water the tomato plants, the tomato plants grow faster, larger, and produce larger fruit.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Protect Hedgehogs From Slug Bait

Slugs are a nuisance in the home garden. Hedgehogs eat slugs. In fact, hedgehogs are so good at eating slugs that near Ilminster, at Barrington Court's walled garden, nine hedgehogs are employed to keep the garden free of slugs.

In order to protect pets, including hedgehogs, it is best not to use commercial slug baits, but to use any of several safe, natural methods.

Metaldehyde baits are the most commonly used poison baits in the garden for slugs and snails. But this bait is poisonous to all mammals including dogs, cats, birds, children and is toxic for the environment. While it doesn't kill fish it does poison the water. It also kills hedgehogs.

Statistics for poisoned pets aren't kept in the United States but they are in the Great Britain. In 2000 a study reported that ten dogs had been poisoned by the slug bait. It is also impossible for veterinarians to always know what kind of poison an animal has ingested when it's brought in for treatment so the statistics are probably higher.

There are many natural ways to kill and control slugs which are safe for all pets, wildlife and children.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Good Tires For Better Mileage

With the cost of gas going up more and coming down less good tire care is a must. In the cold temperatures of winter driving it's even more important for good gas mileage. Cold, under-inflated tires cost more to move your vehicle down the road.

Just like the engine and oil need to warm up before driving in cold temperatures tires also need to warm up to become more flexible. Rubber gets stiff in the cold. It takes more gas to roll a hard, cold tire than it does a warmed up tire.

Also, consulting the manual and keeping the tires properly inflated maintains better gas mileage as well. Under-inflated tires, just like cold tires, need more gas to move the vehicle.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Chamomile For Colic

Nature provides a remedy for every ailment. Herbs are healthful and taste good as well.

Many babies are afflicted with colic. No matter what the cause, chamomile can be helpful in soothing the suffering infant.

Chamomile tea is easily brewed from dried chamomile flowers or seeds or readymade teabags. When the mother drinks the tea the calming chamomile will be available to the nursing infant. For slightly older infants and toddlers, one or two teaspoons can be given directly to the child.

Chamomile tea is a soothing and delicious tea which can be enjoyed by adults anytime and is also easily grown in home gardens.

Chamomile can also be given as a homeopathic remedy.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Tomatoes Cure AIDS

A genetically modified tomato may be the cure AIDS patients are waiting for.

At the Center for Research and Advanced Studies at Irapuato, Mexico scientists have successfully grown transgenic tomato plants that produce a key HIV protein called Tat.

In experiments with mice extracts with the Tat protein brought a strong immune system response. The scientists concluded that the Tat protein won't only be a good intramuscular vaccine but that it also will be become a good oral vaccine.

For those fearing that the genetically modified tomato plants could spread throughout the world contaminating food crops, the scientists added that the genetically modified plants produced tomatoes that produced seeds that were not viable and others were highly underdeveloped.

Gardeners and farmers can continue to grow and eat nature's tomato for good health.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Exercise Delays Aging

If exercise for good health doesn't sound interesting then maybe exercise to help keep one young will.

Studies done at the genetic epidemiology department at King's College in London show that exercise helps protect the body against aging.

The studies revealed that aging occurs on a cellular level on structures called telomeres which are at the ends of chromosomes. People who do about two hours of exercise a week have telomeres that resemble someone about five to six years younger than their physical age; and those that did three hours of exercise a week had telomeres of healthy people nine years younger in age.

Swimming, running, and other activities are all good but jumping rope and walking at the best exercises for almost everyone of every age. Walking is especially good for the elderly.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************

Pacific Ocean Is A Plastic Dump

Plastic is overtaking the Earth and its legacy will last forever.

Scientists are already alarmed over the amount of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. There is an area the size of two continental United States of plastic debris in the Pacific. The Hawaiian islands are situated in the middle of it. It is expected to double in size in the next 10 years.

One oceanographer says that the plastic dump contains 2.5 percent of all plastic items made since 1950.

The plastic is photodegrading meaning it is breaking down into smaller pieces with time and birds and sea life eat it thinking it is food. Many marine animals die from ingesting plastic every year.

Recycling plastic is one way to help reduce the amount of plastic tossed into the environment. Another way is to stop using plastic shopping bags. Many countries and cities are now banning plastic bags in favor of reusable bags. High fines are also being used to deter the use of plastic in favor of more earth friendly materials.

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
Email: Current address on website
*****************************************