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In today’s news, Morocco sends medical aid to support Ebola response in Democratic Republic of the Congo. US study shows recent California wildfires burn 30 times more land than those in 1980s, international research team develops clay-based material to slow fruit ripening and reduce waste, innovative emergency response app connects citizens in Türkiye to lifesaving assistance, Indian student saves stranded dog-person from reservoir during flashfloods, new vegan protein and probiotic smoothies for digestive support debut in US, and animal-people rescue center in Spain unites community residents and pet companions. We have a useful gardening tip. Pine flakes make an excellent natural mulch because they are lightweight, affordable, and easy to spread. The curled flakes interlock, helping them stay in place even during windy or rainy weather. They allow good airflow around plant stems while helping the soil retain moisture, and they don’t become compacted after heavy rain, reducing the chance of a hard soil crust forming. Their light texture also allows young seedlings to push through more easily. Since pine flakes are generally free of weed seeds, they can help suppress weeds while keeping vegetables cleaner by reducing soil splashing onto leaves and fruit during watering or rain. Another bonus is that the mulch dries quickly on the surface after rain, making it less inviting for slug-folk to hide beneath. When used as a surface mulch, pine flakes also do not rob established plants of nitrogen from the soil.
