Grow your own when prices go bananas

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Grow your own when prices go bananas

20/05/2012 : During my last visit to the Philippines in November last year, I bought bananas for 100 pesos (73 baht) a hand or bunch. I thought those were the most expensive bananas I had ever bought. I told my sister, who simply loves the fruit, that they would have cost me only about 20-25 baht in Bangkok. I never dreamed that only six months later, I would see bananas of the kluay hom variety selling for 75 baht a hand at Klong Toey market, and 80 baht at Pak Klong market.
EARTHALERT 'All clear' was premature

17/05/2012 : Environmentalists have criticised the authorities for their handling of a recent explosion and fire at BST Elastomers Co Ltd in Map Ta Phut industrial estate and for deliberately downplaying the fact that residents of 18 nearby communities are still being exposed on a daily basis to toxic levels of a noxious substance.

All Stories

It's easy being green
17/05/2012 : All it takes is a small blip in the system to remind us of our dependence on nature.
SMARTCHOICE
Cool ways to cut electric costs
14/05/2012 : Even though the rainy season has officially started, the hot weather persists. This lingering heat is particularly irksome for householders trying to make ends meet, especially in the wake of a recent announcement that there's to be another hike in the cost of electricity.
Moving times: pulling off a tree transplant
13/05/2012 : Terry Crossley wrote from Chiang Mai to say that he had a citrus plant about 40cm tall, which he grew from a pip of a large yellow lemon. ''I also have a date palm that I have grown from a date stone and it is now 45cm tall. As this comes from Saudi Arabia, do you think the watering requirements are the same as the citrus plants?'' he asked. ''When do you think I should plant the lemon and date palm in my garden?''
Making a difference now
10/05/2012 : While often seen as nothing more than victims when a disaster occurs, children in Asia actually have a vital role to play in community disaster-risk reduction activities, according to a new climate-change report by global child-focused organisations launched last week in Asia.
Temple demolition raises dilemma
07/05/2012 : When Phra Ratwachiramolee, the abbot of Wat Suan Phlu, wanted to renovate his temple last year, he felt he didn't have much choice but to demolish old wooden buildings to pave way for a new multi-purpose concrete building. But his plan was opposed by groups of conservationists.
Plant yourself at chatuchak
06/05/2012 : Areader wrote to ask where she could purchase seeds of the vegetable and herbs mentioned in ''Grow your own'' (''Green Fingers'', April 1). The article was about a couple, Rawat and Orawan Chomsri, who now grow herbs like holy basil, sweet basil and hairy basil as well as a green leafy vegetable called kwang toong in their backyard after finding these in short supply during the floods. To ensure I gave the right answer, I went to the Chatuchak plant market _ and found more than just vegetable and herb seeds.
Building our future
03/05/2012 : !The immense heat is still bringing more discomfort to Bangkok with daytime temperatures staying above 35C for more than a month, while the seasonal rain has yet to come to cool down the city. The Songkran festival has already been and gone but many would welcome it back again right now. Currently many of us are realising that air-conditioners can't bring enough cool air for our houses as the outdoor temperatures might be reaching a point where the units are incapable of functioning.
ON THE WILD SIDE
The lonely crane incident
30/04/2012 : Some 10 years ago, tremendous excitement prevailed when a common crane (Grus grus) showed up at Nong Bong Khai Non-hunting Area (otherwise known as Chiang Saen Lake) located in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is responsible for the area and its management, and the bird sanctuary is a year-round attraction for nature lovers.
Family's roots grow strong on farm
29/04/2012 : Our farm is small, but it is the only place where my whole family can indulge in our favourite activity, gardening, to our hearts' desire. It is a seven-hour drive from Bangkok or six if we don't stop for petrol and lunch or dinner, but we take every chance we can to go there and the long Songkran weekend was no exception. Once there, I immerse myself in my own world, forgetting everything but the people I hold near and dear to my heart, as I spend most of the day and put all my energy into repotting and propagating bromeliads, and planting shrubs and trees.
Tree Talk, Tour and Ordination
26/04/2012 : "Living Trees in Khlong San" is a green activity organised by the Big Trees Project, a group advocating for urban tree conservation, and its network, starting tomorrow.