Q&A On Controlling Brome.

On Apr 27, 2009, at 9:46 AM, David Gossman wrote: > >> I have a number of artificial prairie native grass plantings in CRP >> areas on my farm. They have been there just over 10 years and most >> have been burned once or twice over that period. Generally they look >> real good and have an abundance of both native grasses and forbs >> that were part of the original seeding. I spot mow each year to >> control thistles. That said they are largely bordered by brome grass >> and that grass is invading them to a growing extent. I was wondering >> if anyone has tried using roundup early in the season - like right >> now - to kill the brome without impacting the native plants? Is this >> also a viable method for controlling brome in native prairie >> remnants? - of which I have a number. >> >>
David Gossman >> Hidden Bluffs Farm

David-you can try using Round-up, but I would not do so as it may kill > any emerging forbs, I have done this myself and it was not a good > thing. What I have used is Select, it is a soybean herbicide which is > selective for grasses only and will set back brome, reed canary, or > fescue to ground level and give natives a competitive advantage. We > have done this many times and it has worked very well. You want to be > sure to use the rate specified for perennial grasses. It does not > actually kill the grasses, since it was primarily designed for annuals > such as foxtail, but will stop perennial grasses from flowering and > setting seed for the year. > > Come mid-October, mow these areas, and let these non native grasses > green up, then you can spray them with Round-up in early to mid- > November and you will take them out of the planting as it will kill > the root systems. We have used this method many times and it really > works well. Because the natives are dormant, it does not touch them. > > Caution-do not use Round-up on a young plantings as many emerging > plants, which have not yet flowered, do not go dormant in October. The same effect occurs with older plants if you mow them.
Carl Kurtz

Earth Day

Get inspired to show your support for the Earth! A lot has changed since the inaugural Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Presidents have come and gone, some leaving much greener legacies than others. Human population has exploded; China passed the U.S. in global warming emissions; the ozone layer was protected; species have gone extinct and been discovered; nuclear power peaked and declined; cars got smaller, then bigger, then smaller; a generation grew up. But the spirit of care for our planet, for clean water, healthy forests and abundant biodiversity is still very much alive—and has spread throughout the globe. The worldwide dimming of lights during March's Earth Hour is but one symbol of the increasingly interconnected world we all share, from every country to every species. We hope everyone will find some ideas of ways you can pitch in, and help celebrate our Mother Earth too.

Lloyd Van Denies Charges Of Steroid Use

Costa Rica’s Strong Man of the Year, Lloyd Vann, denies charges of using steroids to win title. Van stated, “I won the title because. . . I BE THE MAN”.
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44GAlDSNMWk

Costa Rican Floating Islands

I was reminded of our floating islands back home when I watched several floating islands moving up the Sierpe River with the incoming tide here in Costa Rica. You can see how to create your own floating island by going to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E15-_4_1kyM
http://www.gogreentube.com/watch.php?mode=edit&v=NTk3OTg1
http://www.biofloatingislands.com

P.S. Floating Islands come in all sizes from large ones like the one in the video to small ones.

Costa Rica Earthquakes

While on vacation in Costa Rica, Donna and I experienced 4 tremors as we felt the house wobble and another time in the swimming pool. Nearby earthquakes echoed their strength as we felt their vibes. Some people that don't live in California or in an area stricken by earthquakes believe that they might die in the first earthquake that they experience in a seismically-active country like Costa Rica. Of course that terrible tragedies have occurred in any country where the forces of nature are extremely active, but tourists must realize that even in regions like these, natural occurrences rarely turn out to be catastrophes.Costa Rica is a natural bridge between North and South America. The natural forces that created it are still at work, especially since the country is geologically speaking, only three million years old (very young for geological standards). The frequent earthquakes are caused by the collision and movement of the two main tectonic plates around Costa Rica: the Cocos plate (Pacific) and the Atlantic plate. Seismic waves are caused when the friction between plates can't accumulate further and must be released. Small-scale tremors and earthquakes are common and extremely harmless, but srong earthquakes occur less often. -- Howard Bright, President Ion Exchange, Inc.http://www.ionxchange.com/ 800-291-2143
“Helping you create your own natural beauty”
View our “New” Bird and Butterfly Attractor Station http://www.ionxchange.com/bird_and_butterfly_attractor_sta.htm

Lloyd Vann named Costa Rica Strong Man of 2009

As an employee of Ion Exchange, Inc. where my wages were doubled every week, I was still depressed. My employers were going to give me one last chance to come around. In desperation, they sent me to the jungle of Costa Rica where I became a real man and now I'm pumped and ready to go with both feet on the ground. I’m Lloyd Vann, nominated as Costa Rica’s Strong Man of the Year 2009. Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B1eJprNUew

Mr Toucan

Howard & I watch the Toucans outside the house we’re renting in Costa Rica every day. They are very beautiful and inquisitive birds. The sunsets here everyday are incredible.
Check out our videos we took yesterday, we need say no more – just watch & listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HlZau0igzk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg9OPg9Ilx0

Donna Bright