guildfordcycads

In the hills of Italy, wolves returned from the brink. Then the poisonings began

In the hills of Italy, wolves returned from the brink. Then the poisonings began

Strict laws saved the country’s wolves from extinction. Now conservationists believe their relaxation could embolden vigilantes

High on a mountain pass near the town of Cocullo in central Italy lay six black sacks. Inside were nine wolves, including a pregnant female and seven youngsters – an entire pack. They had eaten slabs of poisoned veal left out a few days earlier, dying over the hours that followed, snarls of pain fixed on their faces.

Three griffon vultures and two ravens were also killed, probably alongside more animals that went into hiding, dying out of sight. Poison creates a succession of death, spreading through entire food chains and contaminating land and water for years.

Continue reading…

In the hills of Italy, wolves returned from the brink. Then the poisonings began Read More »

Tithonia Diversifolia seeds?

Tithonia Diversifolia seeds?

Hey, I’m trying to buy some Tithonia Diversifolia seeds for my upcoming permaculture project. I’m having a really hard time finding seeds and I’m wondering if any of you guys know a good place to buy them in Canada. I ordered seeds from a company and they were basically 90% husks. A lot of places also seem to mislabel Tithonia Rotundifolia as Tithonia Diversifolia.

Both are Mexican Sunflower. Diversifolia mines nutrients, Rotundifolia doesn’t. Diversifolia has yellow flower and Rotundifolia has orange flowers. You go to a website and it says Tithonia Diversifolia but all the pictures have plants with orange flowers on them… It’s driving me crazy.

I need seeds and cuttings are not a viable option for me as I’ll be traveling.

Help ♥

submitted by /u/ostropolos
[link] [comments]

Tithonia Diversifolia seeds? Read More »

Looking for something to plant on this will-be lattice

Looking for something to plant on this will-be lattice

Hi all. I’m looking for something to plant on this lattice I’m throwing together out of random wood I had left over for privacy. I’m thinking about putting a raised bed planter beneath it with some kind of vine, but not sure. Crossvine maybe? I’m in zone 9a. The tree you see to the right is my plum tree and the bush in the bottom left is 1 of 2 blueberries. I would like something that puts off berries like raspberries or something but I’m not sure.

Sorry if this question comes across as basic, just looking for ideas.

submitted by /u/shmoozygoozy
[link] [comments]

Looking for something to plant on this will-be lattice Read More »

A No Lawn Lawn? (Hear me out)

A No Lawn Lawn? (Hear me out)

Hello! I live in Charleston SC and my partner and I just bought land!! Woohoo! We are still planning our build and I am not only a first time home buyer but this is really only the second home I will have with any landscaping needs. The first being the townhouse we currently rent where most of the landscaping is done by a contracted company but I did need to reseed our lawn due to erosion. Obviously our current lawn is governed by our HOA and it’s tiny so I have very little experience with gardens and landscaping. Despite this gardening indoors and on my parents and friends property is a hobby of mine and I can’t wait to do it on my own land.

Please no hate I am trying my best to come up with a solution that can be good for my land and for functionality.

We have chosen a blueprint and are currently working with the land surveyor, town etc. to determine where the build will take place on the land and all of that. I am told that the soil is dense wet clay soil which will erode without grass, plants and trees stabilizing it. (We also live in a flood zone fyi but our property is slightly elevated so the ground will take on a lot of water without literally flooding usually. 🤞🏻

Right now I am considering what our landscaping will look like, the back of my house will have a 1,000 sq foot vegetable garden and a cottage garden which I hope to fill with native plant species. Among other things we will have a separate growing patch for sunflowers and grains as well as chickens.

Here’s the thing, I want to do right by the land but I am also told that the land has extremely wet clay soil (which is also what we have in our current townhome which erodes every year).

My understanding is that without something growing ie plants or grass the erosion and mud will take over. The other side of this is that I have three dogs that we want to finally have an area to safely run around and play in without it becoming a muddy mess. My thinking is that we have the front yard fenced in specifically for them to have their own play area that isn’t in the back with all of the gardens.

I have attached an article I found regarding native grass species which was written by the SC Native Plant Society. Regarding short and long grasses or alternative lawns.

The shorter grasses probably won’t grow in my full sun and heat or they are taller varieties which can be mowed down regularly but need to grow to a certain height in order to be healthy and reseed.

Anyway, in terms of permaculture how bad is it to go ahead and grow a traditional lawn like Bermuda Grass or Zoysia if I also plant native grasses and perennial plants in the lawn alongside it? I am thinking line the tree line with taller native grasses that prefer the shade and then do some borders along the fences with more native plants. The back will be mainly plants with borders and growing space so this would only be in the front yard.

Help. I want to do the right thing but I need the space to function properly.

submitted by /u/Flat_Kaleidoscopes
[link] [comments]

A No Lawn Lawn? (Hear me out) Read More »