May 2, 2013: The USDA and EPA conclude that colony collapse disorder in honeybees is due to multiple onslaughts from pesticides, parasites, poor nutrition and lack of genetic diversity. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/science/earth/government-study-cites-mix-of-factors-in-death-of-honeybees.html
Related link: Show Me the Honey
Oct 22, 2012: Wow, it’s no longer enough to avoid first- and second-hand smoke. Now we’ve got to dodge third-hand smoke too (in upholstery, on clothing …). Another reason to spend more time in the garden! http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2012/10/2/Thirdhand-Smoke-Leaves-Permanent-Health-Traces/
Oct 18, 2012: OK, this isn’t gardening, but I have to note the demise of Newsweek, where I worked for many years. RIP. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/18/a-turn-of-the-page-for-newsweek.html
Oct 17, 2012: What do you do if you want a garden, but you don’t even have room for a few pots? “Fairy gardening.” (Think dollhouse sized gardens.)
http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/shopping/Miniature-Fairy-Gardens-Redefine-Having-a-Green-Thumb-174255681.html
Oct 14, 2012: Today is National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day. Who knew? http://thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp
Oct 10, 2012: Love this idea–a day off work each week to grow your own food. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/10/growing-appeal-national-gardening-leave
Oct 8, 2012: Why I won’t be raising chickens–lead in NYC eggs. (Not much of a surprise, actually. The city’s soil is contaminated from years of car exhaust. If hens are scratching around in it, no wonder they’re being exposed.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/dining/worries-about-lead-for-new-yorks-garden-fresh-eggs.html
Sept 20, 2012: Why arsenic is in our rice–and what to do about it. (Apparently California-grown rice doesn’t contain as much of the poison, because it’s not raised on land once used for cotton growing. I’m sticking with Lundberg, a California-based organic rice company.) http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/20/why-rice-contains-detectable-levels-of-arsenic.html
Sept 12, 2012: Scott’s Miracle-Gro is fined for putting insecticides in wild bird food. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/September/12-enrd-1088.html