Hydro-gel crystals .....

Was at my local nursery today and saw some hydro-gel crystals (polymors)
Are these good to use or should one stay clear of them....?
Not sure what they are but sound like they would help hold water.

Ayesha

Farming Revolution

Check out the July 2008 new issue of Scientific American. Great piece on the concept of no till agriculture and its importance to major environmental problem solving. Another example of the scientific community recognizing, not the old timers like Faulkner (Plowman's Folly), Howard (Earth's Green Carpet), or Fukuoka (One Straw Revolution), but, at least, their ideas. See you guys in July. Finally a bit cooler here after a week of too hot weather slowing us down. Basic New Mexican smarts say to take it easy while its hot knowing it'll get cooler next week. Problem is it sets you back a bit. Have room at my house if anyone needs a place to stay during class.
Mike
505-753-3174

Bullocks Brothers farm on Orcas Island

You can read more about the Intro to Permaculture course I took here last weekend on my blog, On Purpose.

Remember the keyhole lesson.....

Check out this post from BBC ........
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7432972.stm
Unfortunately no reference to Mollison or permaculture practice.

Also recently read a post on how carbon traders are paying ranchers to manage their cattle range with the, basically permacultural method, of intense grazing followed by long rest and recovery for carbon sequestering. Increases production and like Toby describes stores huge amounts of carbon in the below ground dead roots. Will dig that article out and post that also.