FROM HOBBY TO MONEY
As a son of hobbyists and gardeners, Mel Steven Fortaleza was asked by his parents to transform their idle lot into a garden so they can use it as a place for relaxation. They started establishing the garden that measures about 800 square meters last November 2019 and was able to get their first harvest by January 2020. Fortaleza and his father, both graduates of civil engineering, planned the garden themselves and named it Forever Organic Garden. The garden’s name ‘Forever’ is a wordplay from the family’s surname, ‘Fortaleza’.
They grow vegetables like cabbage, eggplant, siling labuyo, red pepper, okra, upo, ampalaya, malunggay, calamansi, lemon, alugbati, and different varieties of lettuce including iceberg, romaine, Parris island, and red leaf. They also plant fruits such as dragon fruit, guapple, grapes, and papaya. Presently, they have one gardener who takes care of the garden. Fortaleza’s parents also enjoy gardening as a form of exercise and hobby hence, they help in maintaining it.
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HOW NOT TO OVERPAY FOR YOUR PLANT BABY
OVERPRICED ORNAMENTALS
FARMING FAMILY LIVES THEIR LIVES AROUND NATURE AND AGRICULTURE
THE PHILIPPINES used to be largely agricultural, with most couples raising their family in the fields. Nowadays, it’s the opposite, with many families opting to live in towns and cities. The Hospitals are backing this trend, however, choosing to live as close to the land as possible, be it in a bahay kubo in Taguig, or in the field of whatever province their work takes them to.
DISPLACED EVENTS PROFESSIONAL TURNS TO FARMING AFTER THE CLOSURE OF HIS BUSINESS
SINCE COVID-19 has put face-to-face gatherings to a halt, the events industry has continuously been suffering from the effects of the crisis, adding to the rising unemployment rate in the country.
GRADE THREE TEACHER IS ALSO A WEEKEND FARMER WHO EARNS FROM GROWING PINEAPPLES
THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXPERIENCES that we are exposed to are commonly where our passion and interests rise from.
FAMILY FARM IS ALSO A TREE SANCTUARY AND A HOME FOR RESCUED TAAL HORSES
SOMETIMES, a farm isn’t just a place where crops grow. Sometimes, it can be a place of conservation and rejuvenation.
ORCHARD IN WESTERN MINDANAO GROWS FIGS AND OTHER EXOTIC FRUIT-BEARING TREES
FIGS IN THE PHILIPPINES
BUSINESSMAN BUILT AN URBAN FARM BY UPCYCLING OVER 1000 PLASTIC BOTTLES
CREATIVE UPCYCLING
PERMACULTURIST SHARES SPACE-SAVING TIPS FOR A SMALL GARDEN
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
EASY RECIPE FOR SAUERKRAUT
FERMENTATION is the process of converting carbohydrates into alcohol or organic acids with the use of microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria, in unaerated conditions. This is used in creating wine, cheese, and more.
AIRLINE PROFESSIONAL TURNED HER PARENTS' IDLE LAND INTO A FARM TOURISM DESTINATION
FARMING has always been a lifelong dream for many Filipinos because of the Philippines’ background as an agricultural country. That is why from a young age to twilight years, people have dreamed of living on or owning a farm where they can grow fresh produce and enjoy nature while earning a good income.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CURRENT 212 OLYMPIA CHAMPION KAMAL ELGARGNI - GOING OUT THE CHAMP
Lee Haney did it in 1991. Dorian Yates did it in 1997. Flex Lewis did it in 2017. “What exactly?” you might ask. They all went out on top, retired from their respective divisions as winners on their terms, when they chose to. Current 212 Olympia champion Kamal Elgargni, originally from Libya— now living in my country of the U.K.— I decided to catch up with to find out more on perhaps one of the most unusual career paths of any IFBB pro competing today. It was only March 2018 that the then 46-year-old Kamal was making his long-overdue 212 pro debut shocking us all (not me, though; I’ll explain more later) and winning the Arnold Classic, beating out a-lister 212 names such as Jose Raymond (5th), Dave Henry (4th) and Charles Dixon (2nd). So many questions were thrown around after this surprise win and even more surprising pro debut at age 46. Naturally, this was not the typical series of events that would lead to a pro debut and yet here we were just 21 months later (at time of writing) sitting in Kamal’s front room discussing his competitive retirement.
Good aftercut fertiliser management essential in 2020
Careful management of aftercut fertiliser applications will be essential in building vital stocks of high quality forage to provide insulation against market volatility and uncertainty in 2020, says Dr. George Fisher of CF Fertilisers.
Death Stranding
Sony said we couldn’t review Hideo Kojima’s latest game unless we finished it. Fine, we said. Then we played it
THE CREEKMAN
Kevin Creekman is a prime example of the massive impact tattoos can have on someone’s life. Following a struggle with weight and self acceptance that saw him drop to nearly half his size in just one year, Creekman embarked on an epic tattoo journey that involved getting a full bodysuit. During the process, which was completed two years ago, the ink not only changed him on the outside, but it also helped him find strength and self-love, impacting him at his very core
Welsh Dragon
Welsh winger George North leaves an Italian defender for dust during this year's Six Nations Championship. MF caught up with North as he prepares to travel to Japan for his third World Cup, to discuss the strength and conditioning principles that have allowed him to succeed in a sport of such intensity.
Audi R8 Performance Detalles Que Cuentan
No ha cambiado mucho respecto a su antecesor… ni falta que le hacía. El antiguo R8 Plus ahora da paso al R8 Performance con algunos caballos extra y kilos de más, pero con las mismas prestaciones y sensaciones escalofriantes.
Bokkeveld Back Roads
If strenuous hikes, Quiver Tree forests and unspoiled mountain vistas get you going, then a tour to the Bokkeveld is a must – especially now that local farmers have put together a scenic 125km circular back-road route…
Are You Going Yet?
Whether you’re a racer, wave sailor, trickster or a strong wind ‘newbie’, the ability to get planing and strapped in early and without fuss remains the most potent of all the skills. Harty sheds much light.