Missouri is one of the only states in the nation – if not the only – without a law on the books prohibiting humans from copulating with farm animals. While the absence of certain laws on the books can be forgiven as presumable oversight and presumed default to common sense, the existence of certain other laws on the books which also subvert common sense and weight of scientific authority are less forgivable.
Epoch Weekend recently reported that a fine in Chicago for city dwellers with weeds on their property jumped in 2010 from $100 to $600, and it’s being enforced with full force and absurd effect. The winner of a first-place prize in the Mayor’s Landscape Awards Program for her native landscaped yard was slapped last year by the city with a $600 fine for the very same prize-winning yard. Kathy Cummings fought the fine, along with letters of support (while the Epoch Times didn’t specify, one would hope they included scientific evidence debunking the erroneous bases for the law, including that weeds attract rodents).
The judge in Cummings’ case apparently disregarded the letters and instead applied his/her own presumptions and (il)logic, stating “In my experience, those are weeds,” in reference to milkweed, which is needed by monarch butterflies who won’t lay their eggs on any other plant.
Not only was the judge’s comment based on questionable grounds (since when is it okay for a judge to replace scientific evidence with their “own experience” and what precisely is their experience – is it as a gardener or farmer or as a judge spending more time on the bench than learning about the earth?), but it also suggests there is a dangerous dearth of education among the general public (and especially those in positions of power and authority) regarding the environmental damage overly processed lawns wreak, the current bee and butterfly crisis, and the value of simply getting back on the weed.
revelgardener 
Another case of govt acting without knowing facts. Maybe a year ago a similar, or maybe the same case of garden guardians fining someone and was brought to the attention of a podcast host. The audience flooded the city hall with calls from all over the country. The host noted how the town didnt have the money to keep their offices open a full week, but had the money to harass a tax payer about a garden. I am seeing that most of our problems are due to politicians.
On another note, a recent episode of The Survival Podcast discussed climate change. The host was experimenting with growing things normally not thought to grow in his climate, both hotter and cooler. Using trees and bushes to reduce sun, lining beds with rocks to absorb heat during the day for release st night, and planting different varieties were among the methods he used. I think some of my plants are suffering from too much sun, and being in containers makes them easy to move around. They seem to be slowly recovering.
I ordered some comfrey plants online. Briefly, they are medicinal, great animal feed, good fertilizer, and get compost piles going. If buying do some research. Once in the ground they are near impossible to get rid of. There are a few varieties, only one produces viable seeds, all are easily propigated from root cuttings. Another herb with a 2000+ year history of medicinal use the govt says not to take internally.
While my basil seems to be suffering from too much sun/ heat, my oregano is enjoying and thriving in it. 2 attempts at bok choy resulted in them being eaten by little worm like bugs. They also went too seed way to fast. Although in a place with not too much sun I think it is just too hot now. Scallions, string beans, mini strawberries, and spearmint seem to be doing well, as is my stevia.
Aside from use in salad, I’ve been making herb teas. I pick some fresh leaves and put them in a thermos of boiling water. I drink it a couple hours later, still quite hot. Spearmint, and an oregano/ stevia combo are my favorites. I tried comfrey tea twice (dont tell big bro) and it tasted pretty good as well. Although the comfrey testing that determined we shouldn’t use it internally was scientifically flawed, I approach it with caution. Unlike fluoride in my water which IS toxic (check your toothpaste tube, call poison control if a child swallows it) and used as rat poison, I can control if, when, and how much of an herb I use. I tend to think that a 2000+ year history of actual human use would have figured out if it’s dangerous or not. Remember, all drugs recalled by the FDA were first found to be safe and effective- by the FDA.
I heard about and bought a bottle of Miracle Grow Organic Choice all purpose plant food. It’s a 9-0-0 fertalizer made from fermented sugar beets. The description of it on the podcast started with using it when plant leaves were turning yellow. The interesting part that followed described how in soil it also fed microbes which began a building of healthy soil. The high nitrogen is good for heavy nitrogen feeders- grass, corn, bamboo, and probably more I don’t know about. It hasnt seemed to ‘cure’ my yellowing basil, but I am pretty certain that is an environmental problem, not a soil issue. I still have to mix a large batch to put into the ground, so far I’ve only used it in containers.