Gardeners are ditching plastic containers and embracing soil blocking, an eco-friendly method for seedling preparation. This technique, gaining popularity among sustainability-conscious gardeners, involves compacting a mixture of peat moss, dirt, lime, and perlite into blocks using special tools. By minimizing the use of plastic and peat, soil blocking offers a greener alternative for growing seedlings. Enthusiasts like Donna Kolojeskie and Osprey Elliott appreciate the sustainable and cost-effective nature of soil blocking tools, which cater to various plant sizes. Aspiring gardeners are eager to reduce their reliance on disposable containers and nurture a more self-sufficient lifestyle, especially in an increasingly unpredictable world. Soil blocking isn't just a gardening trend; it's a step towards a more sustainable and hands-on approach to growing your own food. So, get your hands dirty and start blocking that soil!

Gardeners are ditching plastic containers and turning to soil blocking, an eco-friendly method for growing seedlings. Soil blocking involves packing a mix of peat moss, dirt, lime, and perlite into metal boxes to create soil blocks. This technique, favored by serious gardeners like Christopher Hallett at Growing Hope Urban Farm, reduces the need for plastic and disposable containers. Participants, like retiree Donna Kolojeskie, appreciate the sustainable aspect and cost-effectiveness of soil blocking tools, which can last up to 20 years. Enthusiasts, including apartment dwellers like Osprey Elliott, are eager to adopt soil blocking for their gardening needs. The trend towards sustainable gardening has individuals like Amorita Oliver aiming for self-sufficiency by growing their own food. Soil blocking offers a practical and environmentally conscious alternative for those looking to nurture their green thumbs.

In a record-breaking deal, William Chisholm, along with private equity firm Sixth Street, has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics for a whopping $6.1 billion, marking the most expensive NBA team sale to date. The purchase will occur in two stages as per the Celtics' current ownership's plan, led by the Grousbeck family. Chisholm, a Massachusetts native and managing partner of Symphony Technology Group, will lead the acquisition with Sixth Street contributing over $1 billion to the deal. Despite intense interest from various bidders, Chisholm's group emerged with the top bid. This sale not only sets a new benchmark for NBA valuations but also underscores the Celtics' prominent status in the league. The deal's total value stands at approximately $6.6 billion, surpassing previous records in NBA team acquisitions. Chisholm's background in finance and investments, coupled with Sixth Street's significant assets under management, positions them well for this landmark purchase. With the Celtics' ownership transition in progress, the NBA landscape witnesses another significant shift in team ownership dynamics.

In a world where crypto dreams come true, a new star is born – Solaxy, the Solana layer-2 coin that's got everyone buzzing. With a presale that rocked the crypto world by raising over $25 million, Solaxy is the talk of the town. Whales and smart investors are diving in headfirst, seeing potential for massive returns. This coin isn't just a pretty face; it's solving real-world problems by offering a Layer-2 solution for Solana's network congestion issues. With a multi-chain bridge in the works and partnerships blooming, Solaxy is gearing up to be the next big thing. Experts are whispering that this could be the elusive 100x crypto everyone's been searching for. So, if you're looking to ride the Solaxy wave, better act fast – the presale is heating up, and the prices are climbing. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of the Solaxy saga; it might just be your ticket to crypto stardom.

Two top congressional Democrats have pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio for answers regarding a now-canceled plan to purchase $400 million of armored electric vehicles from Tesla, as reported by NPR. The Democrats highlighted concerns about potential violations of federal procurement laws and enrichment of Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk. While a State Department spokesperson mentioned that there are no current plans to proceed with the purchase, questions remain about the origins of the procurement plans and potential document alterations. The Biden administration document showed a significantly lower budget for electric vehicle acquisition, raising suspicions about the exaggerated $400 million estimation. Rubio was asked to clarify if the purchase amount was intentionally changed and to provide evidence of definitively abandoning the contract. Despite the canceled plan, uncertainties persist about the initiation of the $400 million Tesla procurement under the Trump administration. The State Department and Musk have not responded to requests for comment.

Mistral AI, a French tech startup, known for its AI assistant Le Chat and various models, is seen as a strong competitor to OpenAI. Despite a $6 billion valuation, its global market presence is relatively low. Recently, its chat assistant Le Chat gained attention, especially in France. Mistral AI offers models like Mistral Large 2, Pixtral Large, Codestral, and more. The company also launched Mistral OCR, an optical character recognition API. Mistral AI's founders have backgrounds in major U.S. tech companies. While some of Mistral AI's models are open source, it generates revenue through paid tiers for Le Chat and API usage. The company has secured partnerships with Microsoft, AFP, the French army, and others. With over €1 billion in funding and plans for an IPO, Mistral AI aims to solidify its position in the AI market.

President Donald Trump has granted a one-month tariff reprieve to automakers like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, delaying tariffs on automobile imports from Canada and Mexico. The automakers are expected to move their offshore operations to the United States by April 2 to comply with the USMCA agreement. The tariffs could potentially increase car prices by up to $12,000, impacting demand and leaving dealers with unsold inventory. Trump's administration is pushing for automakers to shift production to the U.S. before the tariffs take effect. Ford, for instance, has invested billions in the U.S. and plans further investments to align with USMCA requirements.

The golf score tracking app market is teeing up for success with the rise of smartphone use and a growing interest in golf. These apps, like 18Birdies, Arccos Caddie, Golfshot, GolfLogix, TheGrint, and SwingU, offer various features from GPS distances to shot tracking, appealing to golfers of all levels. A competitor analysis dives into each app's company size, estimated revenue, and unique features, providing insight into the iOS app store's top contenders. Pricing varies, with some apps offering free basic features before users opt for paid subscriptions. So, if you're looking to up your golf game or just keep track of your progress, these apps have you covered—fore sure!

Retailers like Trader Joe's and Kroger have started limiting egg purchases due to ongoing bird flu outbreaks decimating the chicken supply. Prices have soared over 15% since January as farmers had to cull millions of hens. Trader Joe's restricts customers to buying one or two dozen eggs per day, while Kroger imposes a two-dozen limit per customer per trip in some divisions. The bird flu outbreak has affected nearly 160 million birds, leading to a scarcity of eggs and rising prices. Experts are uncertain about how long it will take for the situation to improve. Retailers hope to prevent hoarding by implementing these limits. The hoarding behavior may be short-lived due to the perishability of eggs. So, grab your eggs while you can, but don't chicken out on sharing!

Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has emerged as a strong contender against U.S. AI companies by showcasing breakthrough models that promise top-notch performance at a fraction of the cost. Despite the success of their mobile app in major markets like the U.S., UK, and China, doubts linger about the validity of their claims. Founded by Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek's open-source models with reasoning features have caught the attention of Wall Street. Analysts have mixed reactions, with Jefferies warning about impacting capex plans of tech giants, Citi questioning the lack of advanced GPUs in DeepSeek's achievements, and Goldman Sachs foreseeing a potential shift in tech competition dynamics. Other firms like Bernstein and Morgan Stanley also weighed in on DeepSeek's impact, emphasizing potential changes in AI landscape and market demands. The analysts' diverse viewpoints reflect the industry's intrigue and skepticism towards DeepSeek's disruptive entry into the AI domain.

In a potential groundbreaking move, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders is on the verge of making Super Bowl history by leading his team to the big game. This feat would mark him as the first rookie quarterback to achieve such a milestone. Doug Williams, a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback and now a senior adviser for the Commanders, highlights the progress for Black quarterbacks in the league, emphasizing the overdue recognition of their talent. Williams acknowledges the challenges faced by Black quarterbacks in the past due to racial biases but celebrates the current shift towards merit-based opportunities. He commends Daniels' work ethic and determination, underscoring the dedication that has propelled him towards success. As the Commanders gear up for the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, all eyes are on Daniels as he aims to make history and continue the legacy of talented Black quarterbacks in the NFL.