Oh boy. Plastics? Well, we need less of those anyways (and maybe actually recycle them?). Pharmaceuticals? Yeah, that's a BIG problem! Maybe manufacture them in smaller factories locally. As for fertilizer? Let's see... #Urea, #nitrogen and #ammonia -- all can come from urine! And sulphur? Grow more garlic and onions rather than use oil production byproducts. WTF!

"Around 30% of fertilizer products go through the Strait of Hormuz. Quatar is the world’s biggest producer of urea, a key input to fertiliser manufacture. The region also produces around 35% of the urea and 23% of the ammonia, another feedstock for nitrogenous fertiliser, which is exported globally. Sulphur, another component of fertiliser manufacture, is also produced in the region as a by-product of oil production."

https://northwestbylines.co.uk/news/war/the-hormuz-dry-run-life-without-oil-and-petrochemicals/

#USPol #WorldPol #PeakOil #LimitsToGrowth #Petrochemicals #LifeBeyondOil #BeyondOil #BigAg #RegenerativeAgriculture #SolarPunkSunday #LtG

The Hormuz ‘dry run’: life without oil and petrochemicals

With transport through the Strait of Hormuz at a virtual standstill, we get a picture of how oil and petrochemicals are part of our life

North West Bylines | Powerful Citizen Journalism

Well, I finally got around to sharing the #MaineAudubon #NatureExplorerBackpacks info with the #LibraryOfThings group. It seems to be a big hit! Good!

"This is a great resource!

Thanks for sharing,

Chris"

#SolarPunkSunday #LibraryOfThings #SpendTimeOutdoors #SpendTimeInNature #LibrariesRule #Audubon #NatureBasedLearning #CitizenScience #NatureObservations

I just came across this article here. Wow! Definitely going to give this method a try!

How to build a #mosquito kill bucket

Setting up a #LarvaTrap at home is an effective #MosquitoControl method.

by Debbie Wolfe
Published Jun 18, 2024

Materials

- Container: A five-gallon bucket or a similar-sized container
- Water: Preferably from a rain barrel to avoid chlorinated water
- Organic Material: Straw, hay, or even grass clippings to attract mosquitoes
- Mosquito Dunk: Contains Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bt-i), a bacterium harmful only to mosquito larvae

Directions

Prepare the container
Place the bucket in a sunny spot to keep it warm, accelerating the fermentation process.

Add organic material
Add a handful of organic matter, like leaves, grass clippings or hay to the bucket. This organic material begins to ferment, producing a scent that attracts female mosquitoes.

Add Water
Fill the bucket with water. If using tap water, let it sit for 24-48 hours to allow chlorine to evaporate, or use rainwater.

Let it ferment
Allow the mixture to sit for a few days until it starts to ferment, creating an irresistible breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Add Mosquito Dunk
Once mosquitoes have laid their eggs in the water, add a Mosquito Dunk to the mix. The Bt-i in the dunk will kill the mosquito larvae but leave other insects unharmed.

Place in a shady area
The bucket should be placed in a shady area, or any area where there are frequent issues with mosquitoes.

Maintenance
Regularly check the trap and add fresh water as needed to maintain the level. Replace the dunk every 30 days or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Optional enhancements

Covering: To prevent pets or wildlife from drinking from the mosquito kill bucket, cover it with chicken wire or a similar mesh.
Camouflage: If the bucket’s appearance is a concern, consider using a decorative cover or placing it discreetly under bushes.

Source:
https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-build-a-mosquito-kill-bucket/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalPesticides #NaturalPestControl #MosquitoControl #BtDunks

How to build a mosquito kill bucket

Setting up a larva trap at home is an effective mosquito control method. This step-by-step guide will keep you itch-free all summer.

Popular Science

@Quasit Great idea! And apparently, garlic helps to keep marigold pests at bay!

"Garlic will deter insects that go after Marigolds, like spider mites and snails, and its strong smell will also ward off deer and rabbits that like to feast on these flowers. Geraniums also benefit from being planted with garlic for the same reasons."

Garlic also deters #JapaneseBeetles as well!

https://www.gardeningchores.com/garlic-companion-plants/

#SolarPunkSunday #HomeGardening #CompanionPlanting

14 Ideal Companion Plants for Garlic and 6 Dastardly Neighbors to Keep Away!

Companion planting is a traditional gardening technique where crops that can mutually benefit one another are planted close together. It is a non-invasive way of controlling pests, nutrient availability in the soil, and attracting pollinators.

Gardening Chores

So, pro-tip from the local farmstand (where I buy produce and some seedlings from) -- when growing #Tomatoes, plant #Basil and #Marigolds with them -- even if growing container tomatoes (which is what I do). I love my local growers! They rock! 💚 🌿 🍅 🌻

#SolarPunkSunday #HomeGardening #CompanionPlanting #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #BuyLocal #SupportLocalFarms

Cornell Hawks Hatch Three Nestlings In 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tveeiZRM8r4 Watch Big Red serve up a meal to her three nestlings on May 11. Big news for Big Red and her family! The Red-tailed Hawks nesting above Cornell University’s main campus welcomed three fluffy hatchlings on May 3, 4, and 8. Despite persistent rain during

Cornell Lab Bird Cams

Got a bunch of onion seed starters planted this evening. I've had varying luck with onions in the past, but hopefully I get a good haul this year.

#onions #SolarPunkSunday

So, that'll be that then, this time round, a glimpse of the outcomes of another volunteer session.
(And just another #SolarpunkSunday perhaps)
🧵
#ReNatureLdn

Alrighty then... Boosting some #SolarPunkSunday related posts from Friday and Saturday, then calling it a day. I decided to not plant much more until after Wednesday's possible hailstorm (but one bean plant could *not* wait).

It looks like next weekend will be the weekend. But traditionally, a lot of folks don't plant until after Memorial Day (at least here in Maine).

Thanks to everyone who participated!