Where Oh Where have all the Fridays gone

Before I retired I used to look forward all week for Friday. This was the big goal in my life and Friday was always the longest day of the week. Now all that has gone. Now every day could be almost the same as every other day. So we need to be careful. Making sure that there is enough variety in our week so we can always differentiate between them. You know, when you think about it, Possibly its things like lost Fridays that could be a contributing factor in elderly illnesses and maybe depression. Golleeee Maybe Ive just had a medical breakthrough.
Shut up and get to work:

Aquaponics as an Energy Source
Aha!  I prbably got lots of you with that title!  Hehe.  You are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about.  I know it is a bit deceiving, but its what came to mind as I wanted to blog some more about my aquaponics experience.  Aquaponics has certainly been a personal energy source for me, hence the...

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Aquaponics for Beginners
By Michael Harradine


Aquaponics is a great way for beginners to get into organic food growth. A system is very easy to set up and can be as big or as small as you want.

If you are a total beginner and this is your first crack at aquaponics then I suggest you start small. This is because when you are new to something mistakes are easily made and...

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fish / vegetables through aquaponics
By brent | Published: February 7, 2011

Nelson and Pade, Inc. has begun construction on a Living Food BankTM aquaponic system at the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. The system is complete with a tropical greenhouse and stand-alone energy system. The aquaponic system is designed to grow tilapia, a fresh water fish and a variety of vegetables. This is the first phase of a large-scale project.
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Aquaponics Online Classes
For everyones convenience, we now offer our Introduction to Aquaponics course online. This course covers all of the material normally covered in our Denver based class.  The course is split into two sessions with each session being approximately two hours in length.

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Aquaponics using Recycled Materials
An Improved Small Scale Aquaponics System Design for Fish and Vegetable Cultivation Using Recycled Materials

This project was done by my students in Muntinlupa National High School, with me as their research adviser.
(Researchers: Picardal, Regalario, Granada, Mendoza)
Through the course of the study of...


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Six Great Midwestern Farmers
GOOD EARTH: By this time of year, one of the advantages of living in the Midwest is abundantly clear: farmers’ markets in every corner of Chicago brim with the season’s freshest offerings. Meet six dedicated land lovers who make summer delicious
By Karin Horgan Sullivan

Growing Power: Will Allen

Most of us don’t expect that performing a simple act of kindness will someday lead to recognition as a genius (by the MacArthur Foundation), showers of money (more than $1 million in grant funds), and working relationships with a former president (Bill Clinton) and a current First Lady (Michelle Obama). But that’s what happened to Will Allen, former professional basketball player and...
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Growing Future Farmers
Ag tourism, marketing leaders are planting, watering seeds of interest with isle students
February 13, 2011 - By KEHAULANI CERIZO, Staff Writer
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KAHULUI - At first glance, its hard to recognize the plot of land in Kahului filled with weeds, grass and natural debris. On second look, a couple picnic benches come into view and the nearby area, which was once a thriving banana plantation, becomes slightly more discernible.

However - the only thing Pomai and Lani Weigert see at the Maui High School farmland - is potential, acres and acres of it.

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Fishing for jobs
Aquaculture could hold potential for growth
Americans consume an average of just under 16 pounds of seafood per person a year, making the United States the worlds third largest consumer of fish and shell fish - behind China and Japan.

Yet 84 percent of our seafood is imported, according to the U.S. Commerce Departments National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Ten years ago, only about....
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Advantages Of Aquaponics Over Hydroponics
By Allen M Wilson Platinum Quality Author
Hydroponics has become a popular way to grow plants and it has its advantages. But there are also some disadvantages that have turned many people off from hydroponics. Aquaponics is quickly becoming an an alternative to conventional hydroponics for growing truly organic food and...
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Aquaponics 101 Part Three: The System, Continued
Via American Preppers Network
Post by:  AquaponicsUSA

This is the third in a series of posts that are...
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    Aquaponic Trainings
Green Acre Organics offers trainings from micro systems to commercial systems. As a Friendly Aquaponics affiliate, Green Acre Organics teaches the same courses in Florida as offered in Hawaii.
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And now one or two Associated items
Ideas for a Sustainable World: Envisioning Beauty and Abundance
The following is an excerpt from Beautiful and Abundant: Building the World We Want by Bryan Welch (B&A Books, 2010). Through telling the stories of farmers, gardeners, inventors and entrepreneurs, Beautiful and Abundant cuts through the pessimism and denial that tend to pervade today’s discussions of sustainability, and...

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Ginger: A Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness
Ginger is a great remedy for motion sickness and troubled tummies. Cultivated for millennia in the Far East, this useful root was approved by the German Commission E to prevent motion sickness and dyspepsia.[MORE]

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Soon My Friends
Take Care
O Z Z I E

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The Weekend is near and I Need the Rest

This has been a huge week that everyone here in South East Queensland will be glad to put to bed as soon as we can. There is so much heartache and in some areas the smell is sickening. But I need to not dwell on this and deal with what is at hand.

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This is unbelievable news about aquaponics. Here is the system for anyone: poor and rich alike.
Saves you your quality of life, your time, your resources, and many more.
Enter aquaponics, the whole of food gardening which has a small but growing group of followers, not least because its advantages seem almost too good for being true. An aquaponics installation requires no soil, scant water (two-ten percent of what’s employed in usual vegetable garden), a modest financial outlay and minimal maintenance. There’s no coping with pesticides, and also the system is sustainable and straightforward to set up. For gardeners alert to..... 

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How Aquaponics Changes the Game
- Waist-high aquaponic gardening eliminates weeds, back strain and animal access to your garden.
- Reuse resources currently considered “waste”. There is no more toxic run-off from either hydroponics or aquaculture.
- Uses only 1/10th of the water of soil-based gardening, and even less water than recirculating aquaculture.
- Watering is integral to the system. You can’t under-water or over-water.
- Fertilizing is also integral to the system. You can’t over-fertilize or under-fertilize.
- Gardening chores are cut down dramatically or eliminated. The aquaponic grower only does 

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Aquaponics system is the most sustainable food production system in our world today. Aquaponics in a dynamic, natural, pond-type eco-system, produces both fish and organic vegetables; thus producing 2 streams of income. Aquaponics systems provide controlled environment where aquaculture (fish breeding/growing) and hydroponics (soil less plant growing) is integrated together in a symbiotic habitat. It is composed of a water re-circulating environment where the fish and plants live symbiotically. Both light and temperature are carefully controlled in an aquaponic system....

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Send in the clones: Popular scion exchange could produce hundreds of fruit trees

By nadia drake

Posted: 01/08/2011 01:30:17 AM PST

APTOS -- Some of the tastiest fruits cant be bought. Not because theyre too expensive, but because they dont exist in stores. However, they can be grown -- cloned, actually -- by the average backyard gardener.
On Jan. 16, the Monterey Bay chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers will host a scion exchange, where cuttings from fruit trees -- called scions -- will be available to buy and graft onto root stocks. There also will be a short grafting workshop, and custom trees can be created on the spot.
Fusing a scion to a root stock produces a clone of the scions donor tree, with the same tasty fruit -- like, for example, the funny-looking, scrumptious Allens Everlasting apple, which is not available at the neighborhood Safeway...

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By Catherine Porter Columnist

CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, HAITI—By the time he was 4, Carlos Desir’s parents had died. His uncle and aunt, who adopted him, said only that they fell ill.
Then, late on the afternoon of Jan. 12, the earthquake that cleaved Port-au-Prince brought down his second home. His aunt, uncle and three cousins were crushed to death.
Next week marks the anniversary of the earthquake and, for 13-year-old Carlos, better times with families Nos. 3 and 4. The third is a group of orphaned and abandoned kids in an idyllic new children’s home on the city’s edge. The fourth — and most unlikely of all his families — is that of Air Canada’s chief operating officer, Duncan Dee, two plane rides away in Ottawa....

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Why is there very little take up of Aquaponics in the commercial arena around the world? Is it lack of knowledge, too new and unknown or just too hard to make it work profitably?

Its not to do with making it work properly; it has been put to bed by now that this technology works and works well. My work at University and in New Zealand shows categorically that you can match, and even sometimes better, hydroponic plant growth rates and the harvest quality of the plants. Its more about whether it is financially viable or not. All commercial entities need to...

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Aquaponics update. Added a strawberry tube to the big aquaponics system and a new 200L bed to the small greenhouse system. Both systems running well with plant growth that is amazing. A few pics. Posted by Richard at 10:15 AM ...

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What kind of aquaponics supplies do you need to get started?....Trying to find out what kind of Aquaponics Supplies you need in order to make your very first aquaponics garden?  Im going to go over a few of the supplies that are needed below, and I will help you to get started by recommending a step by step guide that will allow you to start gardening with aquaponics by tomorrow.  I hope this article helps, lets get started below...

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I want to know if aquaponics can be made into a profitable business model to replace or change "agrabusiness". I am for the decentralization of food, but will aquaponics be compatible with our modern world. Or would it be better suited towards home use...

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This is a short one for the weekend. Ill try to make it up to you on Monday.

Please take care and Be Safe

OZZIE  

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THE DIGEST COVERING AQUAPONIC NEWS

WELCOME TO ANY NEW READERS AND WELCOME BACK TO MY REGULARS.

Wisconsin Aquaculture Day Planned for July 16
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/30/2011

The Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, along with member fish farms, is celebrating the Fourth Annual State Wide Open House on July 16. With the increase in public awareness of their food sources, the fish farmers of Wisconsin are opening their doors to the public, promoting Wisconsin aquaculture and explaining the importance of locally grown, fresh and safe fish.[more]

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http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=9183&view=next
Aquaponics, growing fish and vegetables in your own backyard. ... News & Information, International, Australian, Aquaponics in Schools, Links & Downloads


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MyReviews Now Online Shopping Introduces a Variation in Gardening with "Aquaponics 4 You" on Sale Now

  Los Angeles, CA, June 29, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Aquaponics is essentially the controlled establishment of a natural, mutually beneficial ecosystem between fish and plants. As it concerns growing plants, it is the most efficient hybrid of aqua culture and hydroponics.[MORE]
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To answer the dire need surrounding global food shortages, New Unified Realty will invest in hydroponics and Aquaponics. By becoming a front runner in Hydroponic growing systems, eMax Worldwide will experiment and manufacture hydroponics and Aquaponics systems to maximize potential yields of produce and fish. This produce and fish will then be sold to the wholesale and retail markets.[MORE]
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Employment and internship opportunities at the Cape Eleuthera Island School  
ELEUTHERA, Bahamas -- The Cape Eleuthera Island School is an organization that promotes place-based education, scientific research, community leadership, and scientific technologies. Our students and staff share ecologically sustainable campus as we live and work together to solve problems surrounding our immediate local. [MORE]

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Offering up the inside story of a mentorship program

Three years of facilitating Muskoka Futures’ Innovation Muskoka mentorship project has given me a heartfelt respect for our community’s business professionals, who came forward to lend their time, thought, and compassion to entrepreneurs facing the challenges of establishing and building a business.
Mentors help shape their partners’ marketing plans, administrative techniques, financial management, technological applications – as well as being the supportive shoulder that builds confidence.
The following portrait of one mentoring partnership echoes many similar experiences.
In April 2010, Steve and Sharon Bacon built an aquaponics system (integrating fish culture with hydroponic gardening) in their backyard greenhouse in Port Sydney. [MORE]

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Going Green: Aquaponics
Terry talks aquaponics in this edition of Going Green.
Michael Amadori is working on a project that involves fish, leftovers and several heads of lettuce. No, hes not preparing a meal. Using aquaponics, Amadori is testing the use of food waste to grow fish and food. Hes using the leftovers to feed the fish. The leftovers are dried and molded into pellets. The idea is to utilize food scraps that would normally go to waste. [MORE]

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2011-06-24: Louis Primavera, Ph.D., Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the utilization of fish culture water as a source of nutrients for the growth of greens and vegetables in a closed-loop system.
It is well known that aquaponic cultivation of greens and vegetables makes the best use of limited resources (land and water) which would be a most appropriate practice on our Island of Oahu.[MORE]

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Eye on Unemployment: Milwaukee

In the first of a new series on how unemployment is affecting African-Americans, BET.com looks at Milwaukee and what’s being done to get people working.
By Danielle Wright

As of two months ago the taskforce has been able to secure and disperse funding for its first jobs initiative through a resolution proposed by Zielinski and passed by the federal government. The initiative was a partnership with Will Allen, an urban agricultural farmer and MacArthur genius grant recipient. Allen, an agronomic and aquaponics pioneer and founder of Growing Power, Inc., built a farm in the middle of a Milwaukee residential neighborhood in 1993.[MORE]

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YouTube - Aquaponics and Container Gardening in JeddahThis is an updated video on my Aquaponics and Gardening journey while in Saudi Arabia. I now have 3 AP systems, some plants have died ... [MORE]
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Types of Fish for Aquaponics
By Kyla Chele Cambrooke, eHow Contributor

Types of Fish for Aquaponicsthumbnail Growers can grow trout in an aquaponic system.

Aquaponics is a bio-integrated system that connects circulating aquaculture with producing hydroponic flowers, fish, herbs and vegetables, according to the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas. [MORE]
 
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 MORE GREAT ARTICLES, REPORTS AND SITES SOON
HAVE A GREAT DAY
O Z Z I E

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End of the year resolution

So my new years resolution was to find someone that would love me as much as Id love them...to actually learn to trust someone I could spend forever with. I found that...but now I have a new goal...

I have come to the conclusion that this year isnt going to get any better. Usually the year doesnt crap out on me till around November but its pretty bleh right now. I cant just wait around for January. I have to be stronger especially since its likely Christmas will come around and just shit on me like a sick elephant that took a ton of laxatives.

So first thing is first. First on my list

1) get a job. The most important thing. I have applied from Citrus Heights to Natomas. This is a tough one...but one of my issues is lack of money and lack of places to vent and spend alone time...due to lack of money. A lot of my issues would be solved if I could take care of myself.

2) create a "to do" list where I list everything Id need to survive on my own and everything I want. I have very few wants but...hey. So far it includes
-Getting freeway groomed
-getting spyro neutered
-get a job
-buy my own printer/paper
-buy detergent free laundry soap so my skin can stop killing itself
-buy a bicycle
-learn to drive (this will very much not even happen till the end)

3) Convince grandparents they dont need the mac or the wireless router. In general it has only created problems for them. If I took the Mac they could put the printer where it stands...thus making me able to connect it via USB. This printer is terribly slow via wireless...no joke. And with no need for a wireless router...

4) Do something Adam would totally enjoy and could brag about later...just because I love him

5) Pass school so I can get financial aid next year


And my other list of things I want to do for the community.

1) Spay at least two litters of kittens

2) Donate to a church that feeds the hungry/helps the community (likely Thim/Kings)

3) Volunteer at a hospital/shelter (in progress)

=]

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THE WONDER THAT IS AQUAPONICS

Wonderful WEDNESDAY

When I started playing with Aquaponics I thought it was something that simply provided a means of producing greens a bit quicker and considerably easier. By now we all know the details, far less water, no need for fertilizers etc. etc. What a shock was about to unfold when I began to realise the incredible powers that had suddenly become available through A/P. Powers that are still being unravelled before my eyes.

Things like when growing tomatoes, you need to remove side shoots from the plant as it climbs up its stringy home. Every one of those removed shoots will grow into another Tomato plant simply by poking them into my gravel bed. Each plant providing another ten to twenty new clones that can produce ten to twenty more that can produce...  Each one of them an identical copy of the original.

If I go down to my local nursery I find tomato seedlings in a pot for something like six babies for $2.95 and up to $5 or more for a large seedling in its own pot.

And incredibly this applies across many plants that are still amazing me. An insect chewed off the top of a cucumber plant So I did the same thing. BINGO the chewd off head of the cucumber is growing fine as is the parent. The same thing happened to a Zuccini, with the same happy result. The A/P garden really is my personal, magical wonderland. I hope you get to play like me, to see just how far you too can stretch its ability.

Now lets get to work....

Building Deeply Sustainable Food and Energy Systems Through Integration
- Don McCormick, president of Carbon Harvest Energy. The president of Carbon Harvest Energy will discuss his companys landfill gas-to-energy project in Brattleboro as a practical model of sustainable and responsible resource use. The central principle of this project is to replace a linear model of resource extraction => consumption => waste with a circular model based on nature, where waste/outputs are recovered to become new inputs for further processes--until no waste remains.

UPDATE ON TILAPIA AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN THE UVI AQUAPONIC SYSTEM. James E. Rakocy, Donald S ... Aquaponics has several advantages over other recirculating aquaculture systems and ...

Aquaponics and Tilapia Aquaculture Field work will include fish handling, vegetable production and system operation. Facilities UVI is ... Fingerling production Nutrition and Feeding Tilapia Production Systems Aquaponics ...

Do It Yourself Aquaponics. The knowledge to feed the multitudes

Aquaponic Equipment, supplies, books, information and more!

Aquaponic Equipment
Aquaponic equipment available for all aquaponic applications 

Fishy Farm - Polyculture & Aquaponic Equipment For Family Food ...

Aquaponics

Commercial Hydroponics

AngleseyPonics - Aquaponics

Practical Aquaponics. Grow Vegetables and Fish in your own ...

An Aquaponic farm located on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas.
Owned and operated by Jermaine A. Black AKA THE BOSS. Dont Miss this one - and Turn up the VOLUME


Ok that one will have you glued for quite a while....Enjoy
So, till Friday....


Best Wishes
OZZIE

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The art of being human

Im sure when the slave ant looks to us, they look to us and ask the world why they cant be human?  Being human means making your own decisions and stepping on animals nowhere near as "great" and changing the world.

What the ant doesnt understand is that great power leads to great destruction, not only to the world but oneself.

Im not being pessimistic today...really.  I have been destroying myself lately.  Not physically...just mentally.

I think it is safe to say that most women pull themselves out of their own mental trouble eventually.  I can say that my mind is emotionally scrambled and deteriorating but I will get on a platform and fix it eventually.  That is who I am but until then....

Its the fact that, there was something I had very dear to me, a flower.  It wilted not because of any natural cause but because I, as a human, forced it to.  I didnt want to but the people around me convinced me that it was the best thing to do.  I didnt regret it till now really...now when everyone is getting flowers and all will get to see them bloom.  I feel like I should feel happy especially since one of those flowers belongs to a dear friend of mine.  Deep down inside, I am happy ecstatic for her!  But on top of all that happiness is jealousy.

I have been a sour person to her in some points of life.  I have always been jealous to be honest.  Im not as sincere, nice, pretty or smart which turned into me not being as laid back as I used to be...


...as laid back as her....


But dear world, I have never tried to be like her honestly.  It is a mere coincidence that we like a lot of the same things.  I can safely say that I love many things that she hates and were ok with that.  After all, were two different people!
Who am I to make the flowers of life wait for me when they have nothing to do with me?  It isnt really her.  In fact, I think that I can easily say this is jealousy overload.  EVERYONE around me is doing it...except me.  Heck I even get to watch as another best friend pair does it together.
I hate the fact that I can be so honest with myself about things like this.

Dearest loving friend you know who you are.  I cant say this to your face because...well youve known me long enough to know how that goes.  Im sorry for all those horrible things I have done and I truly am happy for you guys.  I hope all goes well.


and that is truly from the bottom of my heart?



Whew that feels better.  

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AN ADDITION TO THE AMONIA NOTE

I went through my compiled data for the water readings just after I put that last blog out and realised that Garth had given it a dressing of lime. So there are now two factors that could be responsible for the amonia starting to kick on again. By the way it is still moving the nitrites so the plants are eating again, thats nice to know hey...

Right! Where were we.....

Yes of course Aquaponics. Aquaponics created by Rob Maslin is the embodiment of a sustainable system.  Well thats what the page says(Editor)

A couple of interesting Videos on Aquaponics at Home

Now, Heres a bit of High Tech

Welcome to New Aquaponics! We have just added a social bookmarking feature that

And just for a LAFF  Its called Utopia Aquaponics.

WARNING WARNING From Australia, Oh yes Via Strain Guide

Just last week in the lowlands of Scotland, within the town of Moffat an old fire station has been converted into an aquaponics farm.

 Do you live near AUSTIN?

Torrent downloads for Aquaponics

Heres a School Project for you.

Here is a Very, Very Special Video on Uganda

And on that note I think Ill close the notebook again...
Soon
O Z Z I E

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The Wet Weekend Here Again

Yes the eastern seaboard of Australia is still recieving more than its share of water and I thought I might show a photo or two to give you some idea:

We have roughly a half a kilometer of winding road from the front gate to the house and the last 60 metres includes a bridge over a "CREEK". This creek normally has a trickle of water at most two metres wide by a few centimetres deep as it passes the house and that trickle is five metres below the bridge.

So......Here it is at 4.00pm today....:
The patch just behind the dog in the first image, is the far end of the bridge with water just passing over it.






Fortunately we can get to the Aquaponics area so work goes on, as it does here as well:

Aquaponics – The Basics of Aquaponic GardeningGardening by the use of an aquaponic system will enable you to cultivate plants along with aquatic life, and starting out at a small scale will allow you to get started without the need for significant amount of expense or maintenance...

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SO close to done! So far this weekend, Ive gotten the rain-barrel connector pipe glued in, the standpipe glued in, the growbed full of 400 pounds of clay pellets, the overflow pipe drilled and installed, the fish tank drained about 3/4...

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When it comes to food, greater Milwaukee is doing it right. The growing emphasis on locally produced meats and vegetables, their creative preparation and manageable price points are making a difference in kitchens, both at home and at area restaurants. Best of all...

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Lynchburg Grows has no shortage of New Year’s resolutions.
On its list for the coming year? Chasing down self-sufficiency, protecting its property from the developer’s bulldozer and creating an entire ecosystem.
“We’re feeling good,” said executive director Michael Van Ness....
 

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From Murray Hallam and Ecofilms, Aquaponic systems run pretty well for the most part, with minimal supervision needed once all the plumbing is connected and the fish are happy and the seedlings are all planted out. As a food production system, they work exceptionally well. Occasionally however...

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To shatter the myth of artificial food scarcity, enabling worldwide food abundance and prosperity. This goal will be achieved by using aquaponics, utilizing fish waste as fertilizer, to grow an abundance of food. A little goes a long way with aquaponics. My effort is to build aquaponics systems worldwide. If you want to donate to my cause, or have questions, send me a message . Abundant, Organic Food with minimal effort...

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Aquaponics has been revolutionizing the way many gardeners are growing their own food, as well as some commercial food producers. What is aquaponics? Aquaponincs combines growing fish (aquaculture), with growing plants without soil (hydroponics).
This creates a mutually beneficial system that closely mimics natural cycles. The fish waste provides rich nutrients to the plants, while the plants remove the fish wastes from the water to create a healthy environment for the fish...

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Whether we are talking about plans for industrial-scale warehouse aquaponics, Growing Powers community-focused urban aquaponics, or the wealth of DIY backyard aquaponics enthusiasts, there is no shortage of people dreaming big about the potential of aquaponics (the marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics) to help feed the world sustainably. Nevertheless, most practitioners Ive come across still seem to be figuring out how to make it work—and how to make money doing it. One Colorado outfit, however, looks further along the line than most...

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In an old industrial building on Milwaukees south side, five college students are developing something they hope can provide fish, vegetables and business opportunities for people in Haiti.
In theory, its not complicated: Fish, raised in a tank, would produce plant food through the waste they excrete in the water. The plants would filter the water for the fish, creating a mini-eco system.
The five Milwaukee School of Engineering seniors want to create a small-business opportunity for an orphanage in Haiti that could sell the tilapia to nearby restaurants and hotels. The orphanage also could produce vegetables for its residents and local markets...

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Starting with a perlite bed from my mini aquaponics system rather with lots of bell pepper seedlings now with their 2nd set of leaves and a mint cutting taken 3 weeks ago now with quite a bit of a root system having developed already. In my Mini Garden, all in containers, many still seedlings but now they have formed additional leaves finally on tomatoe plants...

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Aquaponics Starting Tips Hey Guys!

Here are some Beginners Startup Tips i came across while surfing the net.

Its very informative and would probably save us a lot of valuable time as well.
1) System type – Media bed is recommended for new, Hobby growers.
Why not NFT or Deep Water Culture (AKA raft or DWC)?
A media bed performs three (3) filtering functions;
1 mechanical (solids removal)
2 mineralisation (solids breakdown and return to the water)
3 bio-filtration
Because the media bed also acts as the place for plant growth...

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Already, almost half of the fish we eat comes from farms rather than the wild ocean.

And with the human population set to expand by about two billion people between now and the middle of the century, and with yields from fishing flat-lining as stocks decline, that proportion is set to increase dramatically...

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Aquaponics: Saving Haiti one aquapon at a time.

Posted by Nick G on Wednesday, December 29th 2010     

Just to be clear, there’s no such thing as an aquapon. (But there should be.)
I read an article about some college students in Wisconsin designing an aquaponics system for an orphanage in Haiti, to help with relief and rebuilding efforts after the big earthquake about a year ago. I’ve heard of hydroponics, and wondered if they were related...

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 How To Create an Aquapoics System
  Welcome! Ive put together this page to help you find the best information on Aquaponics, a great organics gardening system that produces fantastic results using fish. Ive basically just listed all of the best resources that I could find to help you in your quest to set up your first aquaponics system, and start reaping the best quality vegetables faster. Ive included aquaponics how to guides, aquapon...

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How to grow Tomatoes in Aquaponics
Aquaponic systems grow fish in a water tank and use crops such as tomatoes to filter the tank water before it returns to the fish. The crop gets its nutrients from the tank water. Due to the somewhat experimental status of aquaponics, as of 2010, and the initial expense and the wide variety of set-ups being used both for research and for commercial production, you should have aquaponic systems...

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The Hawaiian Islands are often called paradise. But living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean comes at a price. Supermarket chain “Wholefoods” is known locally as “Whole Paycheck.” And with a cost of living 30% higher than places like New York, the island is jokingly called “the palmed prison” because some people simply can’t afford to leave.

To break this dependence, some residents are looking to aquaponics – a system that combines aquatic farming with hydroponics.
and attached is video of one such system....

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What Is Aquaponics? And How Is It Revolutionizing the Way We Grow Food?

Author: AM Wilson

Many home hobbyists, gardeners, and commercial food producers are starting to discover the advantages of aquaponics. This revolutionary system is a way of producing both fish and vegetables, using a fraction of the water, and eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, and virtually eliminates harmful wastes.
What is aquaponics? It is the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants with their roots directly in water without soil. Aquaculture is the process of growing fish. Both of these types of systems can be very efficient, but there are disadvantages associated with both.

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Aquaponics entrepreneurs looking to turn a big idea into an even bigger business

Written and photographed by Duncan Kinney
With their array of exotic ingredients, spices and sauces, not to mention the take-no-prisoners approach that their regular customers sometimes deploy in the aisles, Asian supermarkets offer a stimulating sensory experience that the big box stores and national chains can’t match. But it’s the Asian supermarket’s fish section, and its visceral blend of sights, sounds and smells, that truly sets it apart from its more sterile peers. That’s why, when a hair-netted employee brings a heavy white plastic mallet down on the head of a live tilapia and starts scaling and gutting it, you’re....

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Growing Power

By TCLynx,

Sorry no pictures on this one, Growing Power doesn’t allow it.
First let me say that I think Growing Power is a wonderful organization and I love what they are doing in general. However, I don’t think people new to aquaponics should attempt their Aquaponics System design methods of growing fish.
It isn’t that their methods don’t work, because they are obviously working for Growing Power. However, when one without much experience with Aquaponics tries to mimic their methods and doesn’t get it exactly right, the results tend to be tragic.
Now I did not take one of their Aquaponics Workshops so I don’t know exactly...

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So endeth the 83rd lesson. I hope you guys and Gals are learning as much as me....
Well there will be more real soon
Take care and be good to yourself
O Z Z I E

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thoughts on vegan vegetarian pets

Anyone that personally knows me knows that I am always up to something.  Sometimes that something is harmless while other times, it leads up to something bigger.  Im not going to say what led me to this but in short, I was wondering what would happen if one of my dogs acquired a severe oral problem and they couldnt rip/chew/gnaw their raw meaty bones.  Maybe Id grind it up.  Maybe, Id feed them vegetarian!  While reading about vegetarian dogs, I noticed a few things.  Some vets are total quacks that believe any animal willing to chew on something like grass can be a vegetarian.  Some vets even suggested having a vegan (yes vegan) cat!  After sorting out the quacks, I came across people claiming to have dogs in the double digit age that have lived their entire life vegan/vegetarian.  I noticed that all of them had a lengthy amount of supplements given to them and so on.  They needed their teeth brushed and such.  Here is what I think about that.

1. Supplements?  Whats that?  My dogs dont need them because protein is easy to digest and vitamins are easily acquired from them.
2. Teeth.  Wolves in the wild dont brush their teeth and neither do prey model dogs.  Vegetarian dogs do though....
3. Fiber is really hard to digest and nearly impossible for even true omnivores like people (thank you college nutrition class!)  low and behold, it also makes some vitamins harder to obtain from plants which is why vegans should consume supplements.
4. poop.  I almost forgot what that looked like till dearest loving Adam gave Loki an apple.  My dogs poop more when they sneak plums and like fruits that have fallen on the ground.
5. Dogs dont eat fruit because it is good for them.  They eat fruit the same reason why a small child would eat chocolate.  Who cares about the health benefits?

In other words, I believe that a proper diet doesnt involve supplements and that, if one is eating correctly, nothing else is needed.  This doesnt mean I reject alternatives or anything, however.  Im allergic to fish for example.  Hemp is an awesome alternative for omega 3.



Now now pro vegan/vegetarian owners, dont go getting your panties in a bunch but hear me out.  Two dogs that died recently on the longest living dog record were either vegetarian or meatatarian (I guess you could say.)  My answer to this is that dogs now have access to what they didnt have years ago, supplements.

Before you vegetarian/vegans get super pissed at me, I think we could both agree one one thing, COMMERCIAL FOOD IS KILLING OUR PETS!!!  Most companies dont give a flying flip about our babies!  And Id never shoot down anyone that didnt feed meat to a special needs dog by the way.  I understand that dogs nowadays are being born faster than weeds are growing in unkempt lawns.

Cats...now that is completely unacceptable.  Im sure vegan cats do exist but its more like eating Soylent foods...just all multivitamin without actually being food.

Id also like to note that Im extremely shocked in how stupid vets can be.  There was a test done where cats were fed rabbits to see if theyd survive.  All of them got sick.  Lets say vets were required to take a nutrition class.  Rabbit starvation much?  Too much lean meat will kill anything!

Anyway, I still think vegan/vegetarian dog diets are a little on the iffy side (unless you have one of those cases where your dog is allergic to a crap ton of common meats out there.)  However, as a person into science and into medicine, I can say maybe I will try it someday with the whole supplements and lack of meat.  Will it be like feeding a filler with supplements or would the food be fine by itself?

Also Id like to note that I applaud human vegetarians.  Good work!  Im working towards being one myself!  However not everything is like a human.  Not for ethical reasons however (if it lived, it has a soul to me) but just simply for land management and a better me.

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The cleanup crew

Ok Ok Ok so I havent been posting often. I am starting two new blogs based off other things and have decided to keep this one open because...I have quite a bit of web traffic (most of you looking for Portal cake ingredients.)

Two new blogs are specific. One will be tips and tricks about HOW Im going to eventually own a house like the one above after graduating from UC Davis Veterinary school. These will probably be weekly posts.

The next one will be a test. I have given myself a $150 food budget for two people. Trick is that I have to buy ONLY locally grown organics and environmentally friendly stuff. Any time I dont (including gas) I will donate $1 to an organization. At the end of the month, my selected organization will get money.

All former posts will be locked with the exception of ones with recipes. This blog will continue to be my life blog.

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CABBAGE BRAIN!!!

So today...little crappy. Lack of job...wait listed....bleh

so I did the emac egg on my Mac. Not sure what exactly it does but....here is what the computer had to say.

Yow! Legally-imposed CULTURE-reduction is CABBAGE-BRAINED!

Is it because of any hobbies you have that you say legally imposed
culture reduction is cabbage brained?

I have no friggin idea what this means XD

and after one of the lines...out of like...1000 it said

Perhaps this has something to do with your inhibitions?

smart ass.

so if you have a mac...here is what you do

1. Open A Terminal
2. type "emacs"; hit return (or enter)
3. Press ESC + X at the same time
4. You should see "M-x" appear
5. Type "psychoanalyze-pinhead" after the "M-x"
6. To stop press Ctrl-G

nice to know what this computer is thinking.


EDIT

I did it again and this is what I got

Yow! Legally-imposed CULTURE-reduction is CABBAGE-BRAINED!

Do you really think legally imposed culture reduction is cabbage
brained?

Yow! Legally-imposed CULTURE-reduction is CABBAGE-BRAINED!

Is it because of hangups you have that you say legally imposed culture
reduction is cabbage brained?

Yow! Legally-imposed CULTURE-reduction is CABBAGE-BRAINED!

How do you reconcile your inhibitions?

Yow! Legally-imposed CULTURE-reduction is CABBAGE-BRAINED!

What makes you think legally imposed culture reduction is cabbage
brained?

Yow! Legally-imposed CULTURE-reduction is CABBAGE-BRAINED!

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More Of The Best in AQUAPONICS

Feature Photo: Aquaponics Tomatoes

February 22, 2012 By Glenn Meyers Leave a Comment

Tomatoes from Deb & Wayne Dorbands aquaponics garden west of Loveland, CO. Vegetables year-round that grow without soil in reclaimed containers. Good sustainability practice.

Photo: Deb Dorband

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Aquaponics: Getting More Out of Less

February 21st, 2012

Charlie Price from the social enterprise Aquaponics UK, explores the role aquaponics can play in the future of our collective food supply. He provides an insight into both the applications for aquaponics but more specifically a new approach to urban agriculture, turning wastes into resources and transforming disused urban spaces to provide not only food, but resilient communities.

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Rust Belt Cities and the New Urban Agrarianism

Milwaukees Growing Power has led the way in demonstrating that community-based food production is much more than beautification or an effort to latch on to sustainability fads. Founded in 1993 by Will Allen, the farm now feeds 10,000 people annually, grows 25,000 pots of vegetables in six greenhouses scattered across three urban acres and runs a food co-operative. Growing Powers greenhouses also feature an aquaponics system growing 10,000 fish at a time. The full article is well worth a READ

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Construction on the PortFish Model 3 aquaponics system is moving along well.  The mild winter weather has been conducive for our work.


More photos are available in our Facebook gallery.

Check out the aquaponics page to see the floor plan and other details about the project.
Want to learn more about aquaponics and have some spare time to lend a hand? Volunteers are always welcome! You can also support the project by sending a donation. PortFish Ltd is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donations are tax deductible.

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Basics of Aquaponics Workshop

• Who: Davis Johnson, Matt Kip, and Eric McClam (City Roots Farm Manager)
• What: Basics of Aquaponics Workshop

          

The Sustainable Carolina Food Team will be offering a “Basics of Aquaponics” workshop as part of our series of garden workshops. Aquaponics is an alternative form of agriculture that combines hydroponics (growing plants in water rather than soil) and aquaculture (raising fish in ponds/tanks or a controlled environment, i.e. fish farming).
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Sustainable Passive Solar Greenhouse – Aquaponics.

Posted on 18/02/2012 by Murray

Murray Hallam. Good morning, my name is Murray Hallam of Practical Aquaponics and I’m here this morning talking to Cord and Penn Parmenter from  Wycliff in Colorado. Now I’ve been told that you pair are going to be at the … Continue reading ?

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Students in FDL go back to basics

Moraine Park Technical College

Updated: Monday, 20 Feb 2012, 8:25 AM CST
Published : Monday, 20 Feb 2012, 5:24 AM CST

• Emily Deem, FOX 11 News

FOND DU LAC - Students apart of the Culinary Arts Department at Moraine Park Technical College are going back to basics.  FOX 11s Emily Deem stopped by the college in Fond du Lac to see what students are learning.
The schools Culinary Arts Department is doing some pretty awesome things with hydroponics, aquaponics and gardening.

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HD Aquaponics Ep.30 - Advanced Barrel Aquaponics, swirl filter, floating raft, u-siphon, indoor

Video.....

1,790

Uploaded by edpozek on 16 Feb 2012

This is the new Barrel Aquaponics system equipped with three stages of filtration, a floating raft or DWC system, along with two, five gallon grow beds. These five gallon grow beds use an external u-siphon to drain the bed
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Canadian aquaponics greenhouse to employ biomass CHP system

By Luke Geiver | February 17, 2012

• 
  Seattle-based ecoTECH Energy Group has begun site work for a 5 MW biomass facility that will supply heat and power to an aquaponics greenhouse project near McBride, British Columbia.

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..........and thats a wrap.
Hope I have fed you enough fishy stories and planted a couple of new ideas.
Back Soon

O Z Z I E

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dealing with the devil

well not really.

So I finally got almost all the operating systems I wanted.

I put in one called Wolvix into my laptop. Yes I chose it cause of the name...I like wolves. They are my favorite animal =]

big mistake? Maybe haha.

SO it has a generic boot like this


minus all the nice colors haha...and a lot more words.

then it took me to a screen like this



Then took me to this



Then took me to a very plain grey screen that just said Wolvix.

-_-

yeah I couldnt shut it down. All it hat was the time and ways to get to different work stations

so I searched the internet...found a command...but didnt know how to get to command prompt. I found that by accident and finally

shutdown -h now

aaahhh

then my computer turned off =]

wonder what the - means. I know in BASH command lines you also use - letters to kill other things. haha

ie my most used one in ubuntu

killall -q firefox

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sleep is for the weak

Almost forgot about today...probably cause I didnt do much. Camera is still MIA and the phone is still an ass. I mean...why arent the pictures in DCIM or whatever? Or the photo folder???

But man am I sleepy. Guess I can make up for it all with two posts tomorrow.

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Friday the 10 th December 2010

Aquaponics is a farming method inspired by ancient farming systems from the Aztecs to Egypt, based on the recycling of nutrients in nature. In the aquaponic fish tank, the fish consume food and excrete manure, algea grows in the nutrient-rich water, and uneaten fish food falls to the bottom. These unused nutrients would....(This is from a site that seemingly has not been updated for two years UNFORTUNATELY.But maybe the drive toward A/P is still strong there. Lets hope so...) Aquaponics for Kids. At The Kids Culinary Academy of Vermont ... Vermont summer camp instruction for kids (ages 10-17) at The Kids CulinarY....
 (This next one might be a bit unsettling but needs to be addressed)

You know whats cool? Aquaponics.

This may seem like a random post, considering that this blog focuses on my fight with Crohns disease and my decision to use hookworms as my drug of choice.  But, if you consider that it was my interest in better gardening methods that opened my mind to trying helminthic therapy, methinks this post makes sense.

While talking to a college student the other day about his major in Environmental Studies, the conversation turned to the topic of aquaponics - a new word for me.

 How Much Seaweed Extract... Who Do You Call.........

Aquaponics - Duckweed. Duckweed! I finally got hold of some. Ive been looking around for it for ages, but all the plant stores stock a plant that isnt really duckweed. Every single nursery...

aquaponics philippines feb 2009 | Hydroponic Gardening Review
fish,rabbit, chicken ,duck and veg system, Aquaponics is the symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment. Alternate definition:

NorCal Aquaponics is one of the first in the world to offer systems, trainings, knowledge and experience in a Permaculture based Aquaponics design methodology, we call "the Meyers System"!

HOW TO... Set Up Aquaponics, from Videomanic 

First Pick Affnans Aquaponics They are ripening, those Tomatoes are ripening and I pick a few.

This is a little demo system that I have built outside of my house and an explaination as to what the hell Aquaponics is.. Also my project will...

Aquaponics Student shows aquaponics sustainable hydroponics aquaculture.

From GREENANSWERS

Nitrosamines are found in fish as well many other animals, and they break down Ammonia into nitrates that plants love.  The bacterium cultivates in the gravel, so a smart move to make in any aquaponics set up is to run the water cycle through several times and check the flow.  A completely self-rotating.....

Aquaponics: How to eat healthy and support the environment

Friendly Aquaponics Tim Mann and Susanne Friend share the results of their work developing efficient and sustainable

55 GAL indoor aquaponics My 55 Gal planted/fish aquarium converted to aquaponics. I have a 10 Gal tote above with pea gravel and a bell autosiphon.

Course Description
This bilingual Aquaponics and Permaculture 10-day intensive December includes 10 days of outdoor classroom instruction, and hands-on experience at the Aquaponics mini-farm located at the beautiful Ecovillage Resort of Finca Las Nubes. Students will learn about Aquaponics, Permaculture, experience luxurious eco-village living, and much more from experienced trainers & professionals sharing their knowledge and experience in Aquaponics, Permaculture, land restoration, tropical food forest, social justice and self sufficiency. You will learn the skills needed to,,,

We are loaded to deliver another School Kit.
This particular kit has 3 x 1250 ltr tanks with viewing windows, 4 x 585 ltr gravel beds and 2 x floating raft, three x 230 ltr fingerling tanks.
Plus all plumbing , pumps and so on.
Aquaponics is a wonderful educational tool that is for sure.
We decided to fill one of the tanks a few days back and throw a few fish in for some photos. See attached photos.

Please can I stop? I actually went to sleep in front of T.V. Then had to try and sharpen myself up for this. Now my eyes are saying ENOUGH ALREADY.
So I think I had better heed the warning. Hope you get a lot out of this one
Soon Guys & Gals,
OZZIE

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Time is a great teacher if only it didnt kill all the pupils

This morning started out pretty homosexual.

Woke up....shower took a few long minutes to actually get warm water...cool. But then it went out shortly after

-_-

So then I was walking down the street and then *BAM*

Yeah some douche bag obviously had their water on last night because there was ice running from their lawn....onto the sidewalk.

In the middle of class I realized my elbow was bleeding and was in mega pain...along with a pulled muscle in my leg.

ugh

So I waddled back to the cafe....and felt a little bleh...really sick. Thim enrolled in classes. Turns out the English class I want is already full and I cant even enroll till the 11th.

I went with Taylor to wal mart. Felt waaay better to get some sun...but went home and died. He bought me a burger from McDonalds...possible contributer?

Then I walked back tot he bus stop...where some asian dude was yelling random things at me and took food from this guy.

ugh...now Im back and I think people are gonna make me move. =[

Well Justin P. brought doughnuts and they were yummy. Thanks Justin!!!!

And now Im here

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The Controversy Bulb GARLIC

When youre like me and have a small A/P system that is used as a test unit, and its laying idle....

Anyhow I tossed a couple of Garlic cloves at the gravel Growbed last week. So yesterday when I was checking it...Damn, will you look at that. One of them has a 1 1/2" shoot...

Now what do I do...?

They are three quarters covered by 3/4"gravel so I dug in and the roots look really good and thick. Covered it again. lets see what transpires. Ill keep you posted.

But back to the Notebook and a sad tale(tail)

Now I am pretty geeky and have never grown a thing in my life. I am much more comfortable with silicon and solder than dirt and water

We have harvested some Pak Choi, Watercress, Snow Peas, Beetroot, Zucchinis, Celery, Potatoes, Lettuce,Tomatoes, Basil, Parsley,Garlic, Tang O and Vietnamese Coriander and Goji leaves. We have experimented with...

Root crops?

What about root crops? No problem, although you are probably better off growing potatoes in the ground, they will...

Click for video clip on Garlic harvesting.Here....http://www.autopot.com.au/

I am a fan of aquaponics . My solution is a hybrid of classic ... Beetroot, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Garlic, Capsicum, Spinach, Leek, ..More...

Aquaponics is a hybrid of hydroponics and fish farming. ... tomatoes, silver beet, herbs and garlic as well as water plants like taro and water chestnuts. ...

Many different varieties of crops can be grown in the
aquaponics system including: lettuce, endive, broccoli,
cabbage, cauli?ower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy,
cucumber, squash, melon, mint, basil, lavender, thyme,
dill, watermelon, spinach, chard, arugula, tomato,
pepper, onion, leek, garlic, chives, corn, beans, peas and
?owering plants.DONT MISS THIS ONE...

I hope that will take care of your enthusiasm for Aquaponics for a couple of days.
Be Back Real Soon

Ozzie

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the make me happy with pictures blog

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Check out more pix at uberpix.net!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Epic Fails

see more Epic Fails

see more Epic Fails

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