Hella Celluloid

Cycle of Life – Toads

The annual toad orgy which produces tons of eggs and later turns the shallow waters near the shore of the pond black with the swimming bodies of thousands upon thousands of tadpoles. A few weeks later there are hundreds upon hundreds of miniature toads heading off in every direction from the pond. Nature is indeed incredible. Check out this cool…

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Deer in the Catskills

This slideshow takes us through the whole cycle of life including the birth in spring of twin bambis. We even get a look at deer droppings as well as deer eating. These cycles of life are unavoidable, death is as inevitable as birth, it is ultimately counter-productive to try to sterilize this reality. Check out this video of two cute…

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Pests in the Balcony Garden 09

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We had a serious attack of spider mites. They started in the catnip and yarrow and somehow got to the choko and beans. They took the choko down in no time, fortunately it is a hardy plant and it has now grown back to where it was when the spider mites devoured it.

This was my first real run-in with spider mites, which are quite a common especially in container and greenhouse gardeing. I tried neem oil and washing the leaves off, but I think my problem was too advanced by the time I used these measures. I finally found a recipe for a light glue that is sprayed on the back of the leaves and smothers the mites. This has to be done every so often as the eggs will keep hatching. It seems to have finally put a stop to them and my beans are looking a bit better. I also gave them a dandelion tea because I thought it might help add some potassium to the soil and that is another thing beans can easily become deficient in if they are in containers.

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Guerrilla Garden Slideshow I

The revenge of the Bean Bandits and Pirate Tomatoes is upon us! I finally found a good spot on one of the Greenways of Vancouver BC. No one was using it, it got good sun and was just by a sky-train and rail-road tracks so it seemed a perfect spot. There is a lot more space available in this area,…

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Vancouver Community Gardens I

Vancouver City Council passed a motion in 2006 to encourage 2,010 new gardens by 2010. Now there are more than 40 community or resident-shared gardens with more than 1,700 garden plots and more on the way. There is a great brochure that the City of Vancouver has put out with a good map that shows great walking and bicycle tours…

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Myanmar Farmer Markets Slideshow

"The Burmese have been forced to maintain their traditional methods of farming and subsistence living, which may in the long run be a blessing in disguise for them and the rest of the world." More... Click here to see images from various markets in Yangon (Rangoon).

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Yangon Markets Slideshow

My favorite market in Yangon is the Indian Spice market which is on 26th St and Anawratha, and there I love to buy thick honey-rich sandalwood oil, turmeric, fragrant sandalwood beads, freshly ground whole wheat flour and blocks of beeswax. An old friend hangs around his buddies spice stall, and always is excited to see me. (pictured) More information here.…

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Urban Flowers 02 – Vancouver BC

The gardeners of Vancouver BC create stunning gardens full of color. Gardens in this city have become a synthesis of the many cultures that have come together and now live side by side, sharing seeds and garden tips. These are a selection of some of my favorite flowers.

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Views of Wellington

Wellington really feels like the end of the world in many ways, being at the tip of the North Island of New Zealand. With the wind and waves of all of the mighty Pacific Ocean rushing through the narrow Cook Straight, it gets the most changeable weather and wild winds of any place I have ever lived. If you are…

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