Claude Thompson

WADENA — Taking advantage of the nice spring weather, Wadena Garden Club members Lora and Sam Foust alongside Rick and Annette Greenwaldt spent some time at the Wadena Public Cemetery and the Calvary Cemetery to clean out flower beds in preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day program held on Monday, May 27 at 8 a.m.

Submitted photo / Lora Foust

“Wadena Garden Club voluntarily tends to many public gardens in Wadena, including the Veteran’s Park, High School, and St. John’s Lutheran Church,” said Foust. Foust also said club members are very thankful for the generous donation of mulch from Merickel Ace Hardware.

The Wadena Garden Club’s mission: To Learn; To Grow; To Share. The club meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, March through November, at 6:30 p.m. at St John’s Lutheran Church in Wadena.

Source: wadenapj.com

The two public universities that have held exclusive rights over medical marijuana farming in Louisiana could soon lose their duopoly after the Legislature approved a bill that will fully privatize cultivation in the state.

Senate Bill 228, sponsored by Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, sailed through the Legislature with little opposition and now awaits Gov. Jeff Landry’s signature.

Louisiana issues only two medical marijuana grower licenses each year. They are currently held by LSU and Southern University. That’s been required by law since the state enacted its medical marijuana program in 2015.

“They are the only two higher education systems in the country that are in the pot business right now,” McMath said, “and it is my belief that it’s time we get them out of that business and let them focus on higher education.”

To get their cannabis farms up and running, the colleges partnered with private contractors Good Day Farm and Ilera Holistic Healthcare. McMath’s bill will transfer the cultivator licenses to those companies and allow them to keep them as long as they file for renewal each year.

Good Day Farm, which has a much larger operation than Ilera, has close ties to the lawmakers who have given it a near-exclusive grip on a lucrative niche market. The company’s primary shareholder is shipbuilding magnate Donald “Boysie” Bollinger, one of the wealthiest persons in Louisiana and a major Republican donor. The company’s president is John Davis, husband of state Rep. Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge.

Good Day Farm did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

Former state Rep. Joe Marino, who played an instrumental role in helping shape much of Louisiana’s medical marijuana policy, criticized the legislation, saying lawmakers are helping a single company dominate the market.

“It’s a monopoly,” Marino said in a phone interview.

Louisiana on track to dismantle consumable hemp industry after accidentally legalizing it

No other companies will get a chance to apply for a grower’s license unless either Good Day Farm or Ilera relinquishes theirs.

While in office, Marino tried unsuccessfully to pass legislation that would have expanded the number of cultivation licenses, arguing that allowing more growers into the industry would help meet the high demand for medical marijuana and make it more affordable for patients at the state’s 10 licensed dispensaries.

Good Day Farm, which has produced far more product than Ilera, will be well-positioned to corner the market by the time the federal government reclassifies marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.

Schedule I drugs are those with the highest potential to create dependency issues and are considered to have “no currently accepted medical use.” As it stands, marijuana is a Schedule I drug, along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy. The Biden administration has proposed moving it down to Schedule III, which includes drugs such as ketamine, testosterone and Tylenol with codeine.

The U.S. Department of Justice has recently proposed the rescheduling plan, which is currently pending public review under a 60-day commenting period.

During a March 20 committee hearing on his bill, McMath said the medical marijuana program was always supposed to be a private industry. The idea to involve the universities was attached to the 2015 legislation in a late-hour floor amendment, he said.

“It was never really their intention to be put into this bill,” McMath said.

A previous version of the bill would have allowed the universities to still receive a percentage of the companies’ gross sales from the medical marijuana program, but that provision was removed from the final version.

While the bill awaits the governor’s signature, state lawmakers are also on track to dismantle a consumable hemp industry they created two years ago after unwittingly legalizing recreational THC products that can get people high. That legislation, Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, is pending final consideration on the House floor.

Correction: The universities will no longer profit from the medical marijuana program. A previous version of this article reported on provisions that were removed from the final version of the legislation. 

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Source: lailluminator.com

A gardening fan has shared her ‘lazy’ trick to using a vegetable scrap as a cleaning tool to have your pots and pans sparkling.

Cleaning around the house has never been easier with many DIY solutions that use the likes of white vinegar, baking soda and more. But, what if you could grow your own cleaning materials?

Rhubarb is a solid vegetable that can be used in a variety of different dishes including pies, desserts and even as a flavouring in gin. However, the vegetable can be grown in your own backyard and its leaves are a perfect item to use for cleaning your dishes.

@thecottagepeach, in a video that has garnered an impressive 478,500 views on her page.

The green-thumbed individual captioned the video: “Growing your own rhubarb is easy – edible perennials make the best lazy gardening hack. But what to do with all the leaves? Here’s some ideas.”

The woman started the video by warning gardeners of the dangers of rhubarb leaves. She said: “It’s not everyday you grow something poisonous in your garden with the intention of eating it. You can’t eat rhubarb leaves because they’re high in oxalic acid but they’re still useful and if you’re harvesting stalks for dessert, you may want to try these tricks to use up your leaves.”

She continued: “You can use them to shine pots and pans and also create a pest repellent to spray on your non-edible plants. Use them as slug traps or even make them into a natural dye.”

The expert concluded: “Most importantly, oxalic acid is not absorbed by plant roots and breaks down fast so you won’t create poisonous compost if you decide to just chuck them straight in the bin – leaving you free to focus on turning those ruby red stems into a tart.”

Viewers headed to the comments section to share their thoughts on these tips as one person asked: “How do you use them as slug traps? Just by planting lots of rhubarb or making a rhubarb leaf tea that you spray on problem areas?”

The woman replied: “You can just place a leaf on the ground. They will gather under it and then you can dispose of the leaf and slugs at the same time.”

Top Life Hack Stories Today

Another asked: “What colour dye do they make?”

The woman replied: “It depends on the temperature and mordant but can range from yellow to brown or pink.”

Others shared their expertise as one noted: “It can also be used in beekeeping if you make it in to a powder!”

A second added: “Use the leave as forms to make concrete decorative bowels – paint them to look live real leaves.”

And a third said: “Oxalic acid.. in woodworking we use that to bleach wood and remove stains! Crazy.”

Would you use any of these rhubarb hacks in your garden or kitchen? Let us know in the comments below.

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Source: dailyrecord.co.uk

KING Charles and Queen Camilla were all smiles as they arrived at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

His Majesty, an avid gardener and Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, soaked up the sun as he greeted growers and designers.

Queen Camilla, also a keen horticulturist, appeared just as pleased to be in West London as she looked resplendent in a blue dress.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are accompanying the King and Queen on this evening’s tour of the 111th Chelsea Flower Show.

During their visit, the Royals were shown the No Adults Allowed Garden, the first in the history of the show to be designed by kids.

The patch, which features woodland, meadows and wetland, aims to inspire youngsters to get into eco-gardening whilst having fun.

The King then spoke with TV gardening supremo Alan Titchmarsh, who once described Charles as “the best royal gardener in history”.

The Royals also visited the Moroto no IE Japanese garden and the tropical Addleshaw Goddard Junglette Garden.

Both The King and Queen have spoken of their joint love of gardening at Highgrove House, with Camilla viewing it as a form of therapy.

While on a visit to a care home in Bath in February, Her Majesty said of her beloved passtime: “It gets everybody outside.

“I find it the most relaxing thing in the world, you come in and everything starts stiffening up.

“It’s worth it.”

She noted how tending to the 18-year-old vegetable patch at the King’s private Gloucestershire home is “a wonderful way to pass the time”.

The world-famous 15-acre garden at Highgrove has been heavily documented and attracts 40,000 visitors a year.

The King, and later Camilla, have spent 35 years developing it into one of the most inspiring gardens in Britain.

His Majesty once said his green-fingered efforts were “one very small attempt to heal the appalling short-sighted damage done to the soil, the landscape and our own souls”.

In 2013, Charles, then Prince of Wales, launched the Coronation Meadows Project to create 60 meadows, in honour of the 60th year of The late Queen’s accession to the throne.

The project now boasts 100 fields across Britain.

I find it the most relaxing thing in the world, you come in and everything starts stiffening up

Queen Camilla discussing gardening earlier this year

Queen Elizabeth II was Patron of the RHS for 70 years and visited the Chelsea Flower Show nearly every year of her reign.

Keith Weed CBE, President of the RHS, said: “As an advocate for the planet and champion for environmental issues, we are thrilled and honoured that His Majesty The King is our Royal Patron.

“We look forward to furthering our work to reach more people of all ages, backgrounds and gardening abilities with the joy of growing plants and gardening to create wonderful gardens, combat the effects of climate change and build a better future for generations to come.”

Clare Matterson CBE, RHS Director General, said: “It means the world to the RHS and our wider horticultural family of growers, nurseries, gardeners, designers and plantspeople that Their Majesties The King and Queen, accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are visiting RHS Chelsea again this year.

“We are all hugely looking forward to welcoming them to the world famous event to enjoy the spectacular displays that everyone has worked tirelessly to create…

“To meet the many wonderful charities involved with the event, and hopefully, as us gardeners love to do, sharing some top gardening tips and getting lots of inspiration along the way.”

Source: thesun.co.uk

London in the spring is elite. It’s officially time for pints in beer gardens, lounging in the park and almost getting knocked into the canal by wayward cyclists.

Spring is also when all the city’s gorgeous flowers come into bloom, which can only mean one thing: The Chelsea Flower Show. The gardening event of the year is back and blooming better than ever in 2024 – here’s everything you need to know. 

When is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show?

RHS Chelsea Flower Show kicks off on Tuesday May 21 and wraps up on Saturday May 25. 

What’s 2024’s theme?

Chelsea Flower Show doesn’t have a specific theme, but this year the environment is expected to take front and centre in the horticulture extravaganza, which is set to be the most sustainable one to date. 

Where is the Chelsea Flower Show held?

You’ve guessed it, Chelsea Flower Show takes place in west London’s Chelsea. Specifically, the show is held at the Royal Hospital Grounds. 

How much are tickets for the Flower Show?

Ticket prices for RHS members start at £47.85 and rise to £100.85. For non-members, tickets range from £55.85 to £120.85. You can still buy tickets online here. 

And if that’s out of your price range, check out Chelsea in Bloom, a free flower display along the King’s Road. 

2024 Chelsea Flower Show highlights

Every year the flower show collaborates with charities to create gardens that focus on health, water conservation or architectural beauty. Some of this year’s must-see installations include the National Garden Scheme Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith, the WaterAid Garden by Tom Massey and Je Ahn and the National Autistic Society Garden by Sophie Parmenter and Dido Milne. 

What are this year’s opening hours?

The gardening show opens from 8am-8pm on Tuesday-Friday, then 8am-5.30pm on Saturday. 

How to get to the Chelsea Flower Show

The closest tube station to the show is Sloane Square, which is on the District and Circle line. By bus, numbers 11, 137, 211, 360, 170, 44 and 452 stop closest to the showground, while bus numbers 19, 22, 319 and C1 stop at Sloane Square.

How to watch on TV

The flower show will be broadcast on BBC One and Two and streamed on BBC iPlayer. 

Here’s the full programme:

• Monday May 20 – Friday May 24, 3.45pm on BBC One and iPlayer – 60 minutes a day presented by Nicki Chapman and Angellica Bell.
• Monday May 20 – Friday May 24, 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer – 60 minutes a day presented by Monty Don and Joe Swift,
• Wednesday May 22 from 7pm and Friday May 24 from 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer – Two 30 minute programmes featuring the BBC RHS People’s Choice Award.
• Saturday May 25, 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer – A 60 minute highlights show presented by Monty Don and Joe Swift
• Sunday May 26, 6pm on BBC One and iPlayer – Sophie Raworth and Joe Swift look back on the highlights of the week in a 60 minute programme.

Did you see that eight London steakhouses are officially the best in the world?

Source: timeout.com