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The garden in a time of pandemic

The garden in a time of pandemic

Now more than ever we can understand that The Garden is very close to being Heaven on Earth, as it was believed by the  Muslims in the old times.  ‘To heighten pleasure in our senses’ The movement of water in fountains and canals, the aroma of jasmine and orange blossom, delicious fruits to feel alive while they could hear the birds fluttering around freely. What better setting or  environment than having a garden? We are re-examining and facing our situation, our environment, how and where we live and how do these affect us.   ‘Shinrin Yoku’ – to walk through nature with our five senses,  to immerse ourselves in it! The japanese feel healthier and creative.  They recognise and define it as part of their Happiness. The next time we rent or purchase a home it will certainly have a terrace, views and if possible even a garden;  it will be near a park, the countryside or woods; we will demand that  our street has trees to give us shade  and to protect those birds that we can perceive so clearly these days. Let’s change for the better! Let’s take the time to make decisions about the things that are really important. LIGHT, VIEWS, BALCONIES, GREEN ROOFTOPS, GARDENS, TREES ON THE ROADS, PARKS, COUNTRYSIDE, FORESTS,  NATURE...

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Xerojardineria presentation

Xerojardineria presentation

On Wednesday 12/05/2018 the day on Mediterranean gardening took place in the desalination plant. Ángel, from Jardín de l'Albarda and Jan de BIO JARDINSOSTENIBLE SLU , told us about the benefits < / span> of using native species and they showed us examples of how beautiful a Mediterranean garden can be. Then the link to the Amjasa website: http://amjasa.com/amjasa-ofrece-un-taller-de-jardineria-mediterranea/?fbclid=IwAR1mLtyRqtLnkYUUJ6JyTmVG5Ossh24iq5koxtn4SI8sf3eHd2T8XJaXdLs ...

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Invasive species: Red-eared Sliders

Invasive species: Red-eared Sliders

Recently, a client told us that the aquatic turtles (Red eared sliders) in the pond in his garden devoured the fish and that he no longer wanted them. A scene that is repeated every day. For many years, it was easy to find an aquarium with Red-eared slider hatchlings in pet stores. They were small, easy to maintain, they did not bother and above all they were cheap to get. During the last decades, hundreds of thousands of these water turtles have been sold in Spain. And what once could be kept in a bowl on a cupboard, in a few years has become a 30 centimetres long turtle, which is now impossible to keep inside the house. At best, the turtle ends up in the garden pond of a family member or acquaintance, but most of the time, it ends up in the nearest river or lake. And because of this, the Red-eared slider is included in the list of the 100 most harmful invasive exotic species in the world, ruled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and is banned from being commercialized in Spain, as in many other countries. In Spain, it is a true pest and is an important factor in the imminent extinction of the European Pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and the Mediterranean turtle (Mauremys leprosa), both native species in our country. In addition to pollution and destruction of its natural habitat, the native turtle has to compete with the Red-eared slider, which is larger in size and more aggressive. This greater aggressiveness allows them to enjoy the best areas of sunbathing, to defend themselves better against possible predators and especially to take better advantage of the food available.   Returning to our client's water turtles: To prevent them from ending up in the ecosystem like many others, we have brought them to our offices. Not being able to take care of them we have contacted the local animal protection centre, the City Council and the Local Police to request more information. The Local Police has indicated that SEPRONA (SERVICIO DE PROTECCIÓN DE LA NATURALEZA) of the Civil Guard is responsible for handling these cases. After explaining the situation they have offered to stop by at our offices to pick up the turtles and take them to the Fauna Recovery Center of Santa Faz (Alicante). We are very grateful for the collaboration of SEPRONA, since they came by in a very short time to collect the turtles.   The protection of the environment against invasive species is everyone’s job. In addition to the Red-eared sliders, there is an endless list of plants and exotic insects introduced in Spain that are gradually taking over the ecosystem. For this reason, Jardin Sostenible is always looking for the best way to create your garden in harmony with nature using native plants and avoiding the colonization of invasive species. If you are interested in a design for your new garden or you want to remodel your existing garden do not hesitate to contact us... info@jardinsostenible.eu Tel: +34 965 875 045...

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The Kestrel or Soliguer: An unexpected ally in the fight against the red weevil.

The Kestrel or Soliguer: An unexpected ally in the fight against the red weevil.

It turns out that the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) consumes a large amount of these insects that so much damage have caused. This is confirmed by a pending research project of Researchers in the Ecology Department of the Department of Applied Biology of the University Miguel Hernández (UMH) of Elche and students in Environmental Sciences practices of the University in collaboration with the City of Elche. The Kestrel is a small bird of prey that is found throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Their usual diet consists of small mammals, mainly rodents, small birds, reptiles, large insects, worms and frogs. The results of the research are especially promising as the Kestrel easily adapts to the urban environment. The aim of the research project is to use the kestrel as some sort of an indicator for the health of the palm trees and as a possible ally in pest control. The best way to protect the palm trees against the Red Weevil is the preventive fumigation with Nematodes. A totally harmless alternative nontoxic for humans being or the eco-system.   Those interested in collaborating in the research project can contact the researchers by sending an email to cernicaloselche@gmail.com...

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When predictions comes true; Xylella Fastidiosa

When predictions comes true; Xylella Fastidiosa

There will be a before and after. After causing havoc in the cultivation of olive trees in Italy and infecting numerous almond trees in the Balearic Islands, the bacterial infection Xylella Fastidiosa has reached the Iberian Peninsula and is very likely to have arrived to stay forever. A few days ago the first outbreak of this infection was confirmed in the town of Guadalest, in the province of Alicante. Although not contagious for humans, it causes serious damage to some very important cultivations in our country, such as: olive trees, citrus trees, grapevines, almond trees, peach trees, as well as numerous ornamental plants. Xylella Fastidiosa is a bacteria that is transmitted by insects known as Chicharritas or Saltahojas (Cicadélidos). These feed on the Xylem - the plant tissue that drives the sap and holds the plant - infecting the tree. The bacteria produces the drying of leaves and branches, and if the necessary measures are not taken on time, finally, the tree will die. Although there is no preventive treatment or known cure, promising news comes from Italy, where a treatment is being developed in conjunction with the University of Foggia and the Council of Research in Agriculture and analysis of agrarian economy in Caserta, Italy. Infections are often latent and have no symptoms, making it difficult to detect the pest in the area. Once the infection is detected and confirmed, the eradication protocol is activated or the containment measures are applied instead. The eradication program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Health requires the elimination and destruction of all infected plants as well as those with symptoms and host plants in the area. Where eradication is no longer possible because of the extent of the infection, the competent official body may apply containment measures in that area. Below you can find the link to the list of host plants of the strains of Xylella fastidiosa present in Europe: Http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_health_biosecurity/legislation/emergency_measures/xylella-fastidiosa/susceptible_en.htm. In the fight against Xylella fastidiosa it is necessary to promote collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, the different Autonomous Communities and the working groups of experts at national and international level to reinforce the strategy to combat the spreading of the infection. If you detect signs of infection with Xylella fastidiosa in plants or trees in your area do not hesitate and contact the Department of Plant Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture or notify our company, Jardin Sostenible, by sending an email to info@jardinsostenible.eu or call +34 965 875 045.  One of our specialists will come and check the affected plant on site....

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