Grow Organic!'s topics - tribe.net

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08/26/04--11:32: menstrual blood as fertilizer? (chan 2137765)

can you use menstrual blood as fertilizer? how is it applied (directly or diluted?) and how often should it be given to plants? i've read that plants love it, but is there any sort of evidence backing this up? has anyone grown plants that were given menstrual blood vs. no fertilizer side by side to see which one does better? how potent of a fertilizer is it? what exact nutrients does it give to a plant? there seems to be no information on this sort anywhere online.

posted in Grow Organic! - 60 replies




06/12/05--21:16: neem oil (chan 2137765)

Anyone know what dilution is necessary for this to be an effective bug deterrant? My eggplants are getting CHOMPED!!!! I used this stuff called AGRISYNTHESIS on everything else though and totally rocked. Peppers tomatoes melons etc. are fine..pretty amazing considering my area..Mahalos!!!

posted in Grow Organic! - 11 replies




05/16/06--08:40: Planting in the rain? (chan 2137765)

It's time for me to start planting my early crops. But it's supposed to rain all week. Is there a danger to me preparing the soil and planting in the rain? (to the plants...obviously the danger to me is getting wet ;-)

Note: I will be planting seeds, not seedlings...my only seedling plants are tomatoes and its not time to put them in the ground yet.

thanks.

Antoine

posted in Grow Organic! - 14 replies




06/02/06--21:03: gardening in HOT west texas (chan 2137765)

hello, i'm new to gardening though I've been devouring all available information for a while.

I'm spending the summer in west texas and am going to dive in with a few vegetables. does anyone with experience gardening in very hot climates have advice to share? An obvious drawback is that I'm getting started quite late...

thanks for your help!

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




06/29/06--10:06: Stupid f#@*ing aphids on my kale! (chan 2137765)

OK, I know the soapy water thing. It doesn't work on my aphids. Thing is I don't have an aphid problem with most of my gardening. Just a couple plants that seem to attract TONS of them in my garden. Lupine, they are nasty on the Lupine, but won't touch anything else in the garden. I hose them off every other day or so, but I don't really care about them on those flowers.
Brussels Sprouts- i grew beautiful brussels sprouts last summer only to have th e covered in aphids. It was so frustrating.
AND NOW! My dinosaur kale is attracting the aphids! They are pissing me off. I grew that kale special for a lasagna recipe. I didn't see them on the first two bunches I harvested but I think that's cause it was raining so much at the time. Now my new bunches have them. Yesterday I sprayed them with hot pepper spray to make them go away in pain! Any other brilliant ideas? I have to check on them tonight.

posted in Grow Organic! - 12 replies




06/30/06--13:00: Growing Rapini/ Broccoli Rabe help? (chan 2137765)

I love broccoli rabe. So ofcourse I try to grow some. For the last two summers I tried. The first time they never sprouted. The second time this spring I planted them from seed and most sprouted, but they didn't really grow into full bushy rapini like I like thought they would? They flowered too soon I think, and then they were just spindly and weedy looking!
I keep reading this easy to grow and I never have this hard of time with other veggies. What am I doing wrong? I can't find this already in seedlings around here, no one sells it that way and only one grocery store sells it so I would really like to grow my own. Should I just try it in the winter?

posted in Grow Organic! - 14 replies




08/17/06--07:45: Squirrels vs watermelon (chan 2137765)


The squirrels are eating my watermelon!!! I just ate the first ripe melon last weekend and it was wonderful, apparently the squirrels think so too. I put some buckets over the fruit just to keep them away for today, but the squirrels could knock over the buckets pretty easily. I will probably stop at the store and get some chicken wire after work to stake up around the fruit, but this is going to be difficult where the plant dense. Any other suggestions? There was a thread a few months ago about keeping cats away that mentioned a motion sensor that sprayed water. Do you think something like this would work with squirrels?

Thanks

posted in Grow Organic! - 11 replies




09/02/06--14:20: Jalapenos turning black (chan 2137765)

My jalapenos are turning black. I looked it up and all I found was something about sun scorch but it has not been very hot or sunny here in a while. Also the entire pepper is turning black. Does anyone know what this is??

posted in Grow Organic! - 10 replies




02/26/07--14:59: Raccoon deterrent (chan 2137765)

I need a fairly inexpensive way to deter a raccoon from my yard. It's illegal to trap and relocate raccoons where I live, so I can't do that. I, of course, don't want to kill it either. Last year we didn't have any problems with them, but this year I want to nip it in the bud before it gets bad. Plus I'm planning on growing corn and other veggies a raccoon will undoubtedly find rather tasty.

Now I have two large dogs. They mostly live inside though, esp. when the weather isn't nice and they sleep inside at night. The way my yard is set up there is a fence that divides it in half so that the dogs can't access the garden area. The last time they got back there they dug up an entire raised bed, so I don't really want them back there. However, I'm open to the idea of occasionally letting them back there supervised to mark if anyone thinks their scent will help. Last year our gate didn't lock so they got back there quite often to do their "business" much to my chagrin. However, now I'm thinking that may have not been such a bad thing because we had NO raccoon issue then.

Anyways, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with raccoons?

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies




11/24/07--05:57: decomp oak leaves (chan 2137765)

i have way too many oak leaves piled up. i know they're acidic and take forever to decompose. any organic way to speed up the decomp?
many just pines and oaks around me. also i assume these are good for the blueberry's and any thing else that likes acid

posted in Grow Organic! - 19 replies




01/15/08--12:40: fireplace ash (chan 2137765)

What is it good for?

posted in Grow Organic! - 14 replies




02/23/08--09:53: Non plastic freezer containers...? (chan 2137765)

Hello All...I've been trying to convert all my dishware over to stainless steel, glass, and wood or bamboo. Anyways sometimes we like to freeze stuff but we hate plastic. Uggg...it really disrupts the integrity of our wonderful organic food. Anyways sometimes we buy bulk meat and split it into several meals. We have been using plastic to wrap it because we're not sure what else to keep it from freezer burning. Anyways sometimes we recycle containers(plastic) and put leftovers in it, but I don't like plastic at all. My friend says glass can break in the freezer. Of course I know when they're hot it's dangerous. Any suggestions as to an alternative to use...?

posted in Grow Organic! - 15 replies




08/21/08--14:16: Winter Garden in South Texas (chan 2137765)

Anyone have any recommendations for me on what I can plant in a winter garden here in San Antonio? I have planted lots of summer gardens but have never done a winter garden and have no clue as to what to plant.

Thanks for any advise in advance!

Terry

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




12/16/08--07:41: Favorite Seed Catalogs (chan 2137765)

Here are a couple of my favorites. What are yours?

Pinetree Seeds specializes in very small packages of a wide variety of veggies and flowers.
http://www.superseeds.com/

Wild Garden Seeds specializes in greens and lettuces. Great ccompany.
http://www.wildgardenseed.com/index.php

posted in Grow Organic! - 19 replies




08/21/09--17:15: Site for organic folks living rurally (chan 2137765)

Not long ago a friend sent me the URL for a new on-line forum (whole bunch of forums at one site) about "homesteading". Site is attracting more people.

Here's the addy. I recommend checking it out.

www.theruralindependent.com/

Pass it on........

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




09/01/09--07:08: harvest moon (chan 2137765)

we have two harvest moons this month--now and the end of september--
peaches are coming off now--i just picked 500 pounds of bartlett pears--my gala apples are just about there--and honeycrisp
tomatoes are hanging heavy--pepper abundance--
Salsa~

posted in Grow Organic! - 8 replies




09/13/09--08:03: Organic Heirloom Tomatoes Don't Transport Well... (chan 2137765)

Does anyone have any tips for transporting heirloom tomatoes. I've got 3 different varieties and all of them aren't very hardy.

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




09/13/09--19:52: Legalize Hemp and Cannabis in California (chan 2137765)

Hi Family,

I hope you all realize that organic vegetables are not a threat to society...

Right now there are two competing signature drives to put Cannabis legalization initiatives on the ballot in California in

November 2010.

One is found at www.taxcannabis2010.org

The other is found at www.CaliforniaCannabisInitiative.org

Please look carefully at the text of both laws (the text of each is finalized) and make up your own mind which one you support.

I am supporting www.CaliforniaCannabisInitiative.org because our law will protect Cannabis users from discrimination in

healthcare, employment, and housing. It is a full legalization measure for industrial hemp and recreational cannabis which will restore full human rights to Hemp farmers and Cannabis users all across California. Of course supplying Cannabis to children will remain illegal just as it is today. Driving vehicles under the influence will remain illegal just as it is today. Cannabis users will still be fired from their jobs if they show up to work impaired.

There are two parts to our plan. The first part is to publicly post and personally distribute our "Freedom Lover's Call to Arms" in order to recruit volunteers. This document is available here-

www.imgur.com/dbU83

The second part of our plan is to ask everyone who volunteers to make a pledge for how many signatures they can collect in

the next 30 days or so. 15-30 signatures is a good number. If enough volunteers show this level of commitment we can succeed. You can probably get that number from your family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors without having to solicit in public too much. This is an "out of the closet" movement. We will have to proudly advocate human rights for responsible, honest, hard-working Cannabis smokers in order to convince legitimate people to support us. I can supply stickers equivalent to each persons pledge number. These stickers can be used to generate interest and be given to voters who sign the petition. Here is the sticker design-

www.imgur.com/2cjvb

Feel free to distribute and use these images. Just don't copyright them.

We have 145 days in order to get the number of signatures that we need. Our petition is hot off the press on 9/11 and we

have started collecting the first signatures yesterday 9/12.

We are polling 56% public support for Cannabis legalization in California which menas that this is an initiative which is not doomed. Its time has finally arrived; we are at the tipping point right now. Now is the time to do this and to do it right. We may only get one chance. If a law which is not exactly what we want is implemented then we may lose our critical mass and our ability to set it right.

I believe that less adults will smoke cannabis after it is legal. This is the case in the Netherlands where it has been

available over-the-counter for 30 years yet only half as many citizens (percentage-wise) smoke as do citizens here. My economics professor has taught for years that prohibition has not succeeded in decreasing usage by increasing penalties. Instead it has destroyed lives and families without substantial benefit to society. After legalization hard-drug usage will decrease due to a "separation of the markets," a decline in the price of Cannabis relative to hard-drugs, and the restoration of honesty and common sense in drug education. Violence, thievery, and the incarceration of honest people will decrease as well. I also believe that a well regulated market will decrease the availability and appeal of cannabis to children. In fact teenage Cannabis use in California has fallen steadily since the passage of Proposition 215. Furthermore the adults who smoke Cannabis after legalization will be better able appreciate the majesty of nature in peace and unity without learning to fear and disrespect authority figures. This will be better for their spirits and better for society. Finally the human rights of legitimate medical Cannabis patients will be better protected than they are today. Legalizing Cannabis will create a safer, healthier, and more humane California for us all to live in.

If you want to help us in any way please contact the CCI campaign at www.CaliforniaCannabisInitiative.org or write me at

deep_space_underground@yahoo.com I give you my encouragement to modify this message if necessary and distribute it to anyone who might help on any forum or by any mechanism.

Love,
-Fully Committed

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




09/23/09--10:08: The Mouth Revolution (chan 2137765)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nicOP2NLC0

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




09/24/09--20:47: Young Farmers Greening the Thumb. . . (chan 2137765)

http://www.mnn.com/food/farms-gardens/stories/40-farmers-under-40-readers-choice

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




09/29/09--14:25: Does anyone know about growing Quinoa in a container? (chan 2137765)

A local nusery had seeds on sale and I bought a bunch for this year's winter garden and also for next spring (they're all packed for 2010). One of the seeds I bought is Quinoa. As some of you may know my space is very limited and I mostly have to grow in containers. I do have a very small raised bed but it doesn't get much light in the winter time. Does anyone know about growing Quinoa in a container, or even growing it at all?

Thanks,

Sara

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




10/05/09--06:11: star thistle (chan 2137765)

This stuff is from the depths of hell. Anyone have ideas on how to get rid of it without chemicals (or napalm)?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




10/09/09--20:06: natures promise broke it's promise (chan 2137765)

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=4756

I got that article through the Organic Consumers Association website. And if that's how they do business, I don't I trust them for anything else. Not that it ever made sense to begin with, large corporation like Stop & Shop actually caring...or finding a vast number of organic farms to supply them with low cost organics on most aisles of all their stores.... I dunno, i don't like bearing bad news but this was too much for me.

Their page on the stop and shop (aka giant food) web site :
http://www.giantfood.com/our_stores/offerings/brands/index.htm?brnd=NATURE_PROMISE

Remember, this stuff is labeled "USDA organic" don't trust the label, and remember the revolving door principle: People who regulate, are the people being regulated... which is pretty well documented now days in many industries. Grow Your Own! and make sure those seeds can breed more seeds at the end of your season!

posted in Grow Organic! - 20 replies




10/14/09--02:48: HELP! fall is here and i have a multitude of green tomatoes (chan 2137765)

I hate to just throw them away, but i really dont know what to do with them. In addition to the few plants in the garden, there are also two large volunteer plants that took over the compost pile. a few years ago, I hung the plants in the basement before the first freeze and they did ripen and turn red. They were good enough to freeze and put in stews and chili. I was hoping someone could share their recipes for green tomatoes. I've heard of fried tomatoes of course, and pickles......i'm not a pickle fan, but i will try the fried maters for the first time this year. Any other ideas?

posted in Grow Organic! - 10 replies




10/17/09--14:24: Powdery Mildew (chan 2137765)

Even though I'm concentrating on growing vegetables right now, I still have one little patch of flowers. The bed was used as a parking space so I didn't think it wise to grow food there. Anyway, I have some pink scabiosa which is a perennial in CA. The largest of the tree plants has developed powdery mildew. I know this disease is catchy and I'm concerned because close by I've planted peas along the fence. (15 feet of sugar snap peas - three different varieties, 5 feet of snow peas, and five feet of shell peas.) I 'd like to keep the scabiosa if I can because the pink ones are hard to come by. These were bought at a Mom-and-Pop nusery that has now gone out of business. (Actually, both mom and pop were deceased, and it was the daughter that was trying valiently to keep the family business going.) What can I do? I have been dousing the plant with a baking soda solution for three days now, but I don't see any improvement.

Thanks,

Sara

posted in Grow Organic! - 9 replies




10/23/09--14:44: Oh Yum! (chan 2137765)

I live in a place where spring is brief and summer's heat has spoiled many a broccoli crop. This year I tried growing a fall crop and the weather has been very cooperative. Today we harvested the first of the broccoli and had it with our supper. Oh my goodness was it delicious! Just like every other veggie, homegrown has much more flavor and color. And I know without a doubt that it's organically grown with no surprises.

Did you all try a new thing in the garden this year? I'd love to hear your experiences.

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




10/31/09--10:34: Covering weeds (chan 2137765)

I have managed to pull up nearly all the HUGE weeds in the front garden. Now, I'd like to cover it so the buggers will die (or at least remain dormant) until I'm ready to landscape (= have enough funds to have someone else do it). So, do I use plastic? Polyester landscape fabric? Newspaper? It may be a year or so before I can have work done on the very large area.
Another issue: I'd like to possibly plant wildflowers for spring and then in spring plant a whole field of sunflowers in front. Do I do that on top of plastic, if I use plastic? Was just going to throw down some potting soil and use that...but that's probably not enough for roots...
Ideas, please???
Thanks!

posted in Grow Organic! - 9 replies




11/01/09--16:18: Oxalis (chan 2137765)

To kill or not to kill? My yard gets COVERED in the stuff year after year, but it eventually goes away as it heats up. Should I just let it do its thing? Any harm in that? Yeah, I know it's a non-native...but I'd have to sift through quite a lot of yard to get rid of it. What do YOU do?

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies




11/11/09--01:37: Poison Found in Canned Foods... especially Campbells. (chan 2137765)


http://food.change.org/blog/view/tests_reveal_poison_in_nearly_all_campbells_soup

posted in Grow Organic! - 46 replies




11/15/09--07:39: Pollination of Veggies indoors? (chan 2137765)


Hey peeps!

I'm going to grow some tomatoes and peppers, (not to mention herbs) in my apartment with artificial light this winter.

I am wondering if I have to hand-pollinate the flowers? Or will the pollen spread in the air w/o bugs or help? Thanks!

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




11/23/09--11:31: Strawberries (chan 2137765)

So I have been trying to grow strawberries with little success for a couple of years now...I live in the PNW and mulch them with goat manure in the early spring. I have to thin them like crazy because every year they grow lots of foliage, send out runners, but the berries are small, contorted, and not the sweet juicy goodness I expect. They are not in rows, but are the ground layer in an orchard. I have a few vareities and they are all doing about the same, some just have a fuller flavor. Not sure if they have a disease, or if they just aren't getting all the nutrients they need. any advice would be appreciated. How do you grow luscious strawberries organically? Thanks all...

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies




11/27/09--08:53: Canadians - open-pollinated seeds sources? (chan 2137765)

Hi. I'm in B.C. Just wondering if any of the people from Canada, in this tribe, can recommend good catalogue sources for open-pollinated seeds. I want to expand my seed saving.

Seed saving and trading in my region tapered off some years ago, so it'e been hard to get new things fro locals.

I'm interested in corn varieties that mature in short-season climate. Also in veggies of all sorts.

Tahnks.

posted in Grow Organic! - 10 replies




11/27/09--18:31: homemade bone meal? (chan 2137765)

Have y'all tried making your own bone meal? I don't often have a lot of bones in one place at one time but I just cooked this really big bird....

The parts we'll eat are in the freezer, the cats have feasted on the parts we won't eat, I've made a big ol' wad of broth, now I have this pile of bones. Can I make my own bone meal out of them?

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies




11/28/09--13:25: Cooking with Whole Foods (chan 2137765)

I've begun nutrition school and want to really focus on growing my knowledge cooking with whole foods, and organic vegetables. I am sure there are plenty of cooking tribes, but wondered if anyone here could recommend one that focuses upon whole foods and organic plant usage? I'm far more discerning today on what I will try... If there isn't one, maybe we could start such a group...

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




12/22/09--13:38: FOOD INc (chan 2137765)

What I gathered from watching this must see movie..is that organic soybeans will soon be a thing of the past. If over 80% of the crop is controlled by Monsato and they are sueing the pants off of everyone that is still saving seed and not using this round-up chemically created seed that they own and have a patent on thanks to former employee and now supreme court justice Clarence . Why was this issue never mentioned in here?

posted in Grow Organic! - 54 replies




12/30/09--10:29: Wellcome On Dragonmill. (chan 2137765)

http://dragonmill.net

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies




01/01/10--08:18: Earth Fare (chan 2137765)

I am now in nutrition school and a fellow classmate told me about a great grocery store. This company is based in the southeast and has strict requirements about what foods it will sell. All produce must be organically grown and meat grass-fed, among other requirements. So sad we've gotten to this point, but I'm glad at least one company is doing something proactive. Here's the site: www.earthfare.com.
It seems they're popular in the south and in college towns.

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies




01/24/10--09:34: High Moutain Sustainable Project (chan 2137765)

I wanted to tell all of you about this new idea for bringing in a new way of working this system. We are making a non profit to build greenhouses coldframes compost and seed saving. we work from grants and donations. We network farms and small town to keep our work home. What we are doing is taking the profit out of food and community. We can no loner let the system charge us for basic living needs. This not welfare there is no shame in being a human being. I want this slavery to end. The more we work the more food there is, the more food there is the less we need to give our souls to profit. we will build greenhouses every where we will put a garden anywhere, we will compost anything. I will give it all way. I have sat under the tree of life, I stayed there until I knew why it is I breath. And why it is that I move in the way I do. Save your seeds they are true wealth. Love your dirt, feed it like it's your children.

Love, Dakotta.
HMSP

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




01/29/10--17:35: Score! (chan 2137765)

Just got off the phone with a farmer just down the road from me. They keep a pastured jersey cow and free range chickens. I set up a weekly pick up to supply all our milk and eggs. Woo Hoo!

posted in Grow Organic! - 21 replies




02/01/10--18:16: Raw Food... (chan 2137765)

Yummy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3zHxpqR-rE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-dlHOmwk4 &lt;&lt;< The Protein Myth

posted in Grow Organic! - 29 replies




02/03/10--14:53: Genetically Modified Alfalfa being released (chan 2137765)

(My work just released the below news with a call to action against Monsanto's GM Alfalfa - yikes! Potential harm for organics. Thought you folks would want to know. Food and Water watch has (honestly) an easier method of submitting comments than we do, but here you go! please pass it on - deadline is February 16)

Send Your Comments to USDA on Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Late last year, the USDA released a court-ordered Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Monsanto’s new genetically engineered Round-up Ready Alfalfa. A federal lawsuit, led by the Center for Food Safety and joined by The Cornucopia Institute and other plaintiffs, was won in 2007 compelling the USDA to conduct their first-ever environmental impact statement on a genetically engineered (GE) crop, alfalfa.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the USDA’s assessment approves of releasing a new genetically modified crop into the environment, despite the known risks this version of alfalfa poses to organic livestock agriculture.

Public comments are being accepted until February 16. Please let the USDA hear your voice. A broad coalition, composed of both organic and conventional farmers, is opposing Monsanto’s RR Alfalfa and the USDA particularly needs to hear from those involved with organic agriculture.

Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the U.S. and as a farmer, you know it is a fundamental source of livestock forage. Here are some key observations, based on reviewing the 1400 page EIS.

• This would be the first perennial crop to be approved for genetic modification and release. Alfalfa is open-pollinated by bees. With bees traveling 4-6 miles, they can potentially spread the patented, foreign DNA to distant conventional and organic crops. The potential for biological contamination from a neighbor’s field, even miles away, threatens the livelihood of organic farmers, dairies and other livestock producers. U.S. organic standards prohibit genetic engineering. Buffer strips and other devices required with other GE crops are essentially useless.

• As a perennial, it is very likely that genetically engineered volunteers will escape from farm fields and/or be scattered along roadsides from harvest and transport equipment. Escaped or feral plants will live on for years producing GE pollen to contaminate non-GE alfalfa.

• The USDA’s EIS maintains that avoiding GE contamination would be your responsibility as an organic producer. They say that all you have to do is change your planting and harvest schedules to “avoid simultaneous flowering” with RR alfalfa in your neighbor’s field, and “disallow or remove commercial beekeepers’ hives anywhere near your alfalfa field.” Is this feasible? Tell the USDA that they need to protect all farmers and the livelihoods of those who choose not to grow RR alfalfa.

• Ninety percent of all the alfalfa seed sold in the US comes from 5-6 compact geographic areas ideal for growing the seed in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Yet the USDA’s EIS fails to recommend significant isolation zones where the planting of GE alfalfa would be illegal, and help to protect the vital nature of uncontaminated alfalfa seedstock.

• The vitality of the $25 billion organic industry is at risk. Our partners, the consumer, support organics because they want healthy foods, sustainability and economic opportunity for family farmers. How will they react to contamination of the organic dairy and beef sector by genetically modified crops? Genetic engineering is prohibited in organics and organic consumers, as well as organic farmers, don’t want it.

• The USDA’s EIS concludes that RR alfalfa will cause production to shift to larger farms, but they say this is “not significant.” Let them know that this is significant to you as a family-scale farm operator (you could very well become collateral damage under their forecast).

• The EIS predicts that export markets for alfalfa will be lost, but again does not consider this impact “significant” nor offer any possible means to prevent it. The majority of alfalfa seed exports go to Saudi Arabia and the majority of alfalfa hay exports go to Japan and South Korea, all of which will reject GE-contaminated seed and hay, causing significant harm to the export industry. How does this help American farmers?

• During our discussions with many seed and plant experts, not associated with Monsanto, they all said in a few short years, all alfalfa seed will contain considerable GE contamination. This is what has happened with canola seed, as an example. Should the USDA proceed with introducing alfalfa, as suggested in the EIS, there will soon be no organic seed available from the US. Then the patent holders can, if they wish, push all non-GE seed growers out of business the same way they have hurt soybean seed savers; Monsanto will end up having a monopoly on all alfalfa seed grown in the US. Organic producers will have two choices: switch to other legumes or buy organic seed from foreign sources. Tell the USDA you want your chosen form of agriculture protected, not taken from you by the development of RR alfalfa.

The USDA’s stated basic mission is “protecting American agriculture.” They say they support the “coexistence” of all types of agriculture. Let them know that they must include a future that protects organic and alfalfa farmers and conventional exporters from contamination by RR alfalfa.


SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO THE USDA BY FEBRUARY 16.

Comments can be filed online at: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a6b7a1

Written and mailed comments (please send two copies) should be sent to:

Docket No. APHIS-2007-0044,
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Please state at the top of your written or electronic comments that they refer to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0044.

If you would like more information, you can review the draft EIS here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/downloads/alfalfa/gealfalfa_deis.pdf

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies




02/07/10--12:49: Grow Organic (chan 2137765)


Hey, has anybody watched the movie "The Real Dirt on Farmer John"? Its about a farmer, John Peterson who started Angelic Organics http://www.angelicorganics.com/. Some great information on how he started farming that way and on Community Supported Agriculture..

The netflix info on the movie is this
Filmmaker Taggart Siegel paints a fascinating portrait of a man who refused to yield. By transforming his farm into an experimental haven in the late 1960s, John Peterson attracted hundreds of artists, hippies and other political radicals. But when the agriculture crisis of the late 1980s led to the farm's eventual collapse -- and his neighbors publicly branded him a devil worshipper -- most locals thought he'd call it quits. They were wrong.

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




02/09/10--18:47: An Idea Who's Time Has Come,... (chan 2137765)

Ok People. Ive thought of an idea that I'm sure all of You would support wholeheartedly. I call it the "Cryogenic Seed Storage Plan".We can take classic Herloom Friut and Vegetable Seeds from an Organically grown sourse,make sure there compleatly dehydrated,seal them up in air-tight packages,and store them in Liquid Nitrogen for about,ohhh,350 to 400 Years so that Future Generations could enjoy growing them on there own Organic Farms and prevent the classic breeds or strains from becoming Extinct. At the temperature of Liquid Nitrogen,all Biochemical Reactions stop.And cold Temperatures are Nature's way of preserving things,thus the frozen Animal Carcases under the Permafrost of Siberia(tens of thousands of Years old by the way). Of course this would be for Seeds only Ya understand. If You want You'reselves or You're beloved Pets to possibly be brought back to Life around that Time,take it to the Cryonics Institute. With all that said,I do realize that Liquid Nitrogen is an Artificially produced substance,but at least Cold Temperatures are Natural and We would be saving the types of Organic Fruits and Vegetables Our Great,Great,Grandparents grew for Future Generations and that's special enough as it is.

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




02/10/10--10:26: Favorite Varieties (chan 2137765)

I live in an area that gets hotter than blazes in the summer and the soil is a sandy loam. Roma and other Italian plum tomatoes do great here. I also like Blue Lake and Kentucky Wonder pole beans.

Everything else I grow is an experiment, I don't have any other favorites yet.

Do you have varieties that are reliable producers? Old favorites that you save the seeds and do well for you year after year?

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




02/12/10--11:49: Our Forager finds us a wild winter salad.... (chan 2137765)

Perfect to go with the wild pigeon breast he cooks up on an open fire in the great Cornish outdoors!
Click the link to watch:

http://www.myCornwall.tv?bcpid=27761084001&bclid=27613408001&bctid=66071781001

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




02/14/10--21:50: mexico organic vs green giant... (chan 2137765)

can't trust either
but seeing i am too old or too lazy...

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies




02/15/10--06:53: WATCH OUR FORAGER FEATURE!! (chan 2137765)

He cooks up some wild pigeon on an open fire in the great Cornish outdoors...perfect to accompany his wild winter salad! Click the link to watch.......

http://www.myCornwall.tv?bcpid=27761084001&bclid=27610387001&bctid=66071781001

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




02/16/10--07:14: Stupid Poppy Question (chan 2137765)

I have been wanting to grow poppies for a very long time and most of my friends know this. Recently, my friend's grandmother died and she would harvest her own seeds for the next spring. I somehow got the poppy seeds is the short of the long and was curious if there is any possible way of using one of the old dried pods as an identification tool. It is all tiny black seeds, and two pods. I will grab pictures later, but really all I know is there they were big, and salmon colored.

Reason it is important: I live in the middle of nowhere and I don't want opium poppy seeds making it into my pasture where my animals are. They are poisonous to livestock. If there is a way to identify poppies by their pods, I would appreciate learning.

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




02/28/10--06:52: Chicken Manure (chan 2137765)

I finally got my chickens, yay! Some folks I know put the chicken litter directly on the garden and some swear it must be composted first. We always tilled it under in the Fall but I met a family last week who puts it on the garden now for Spring planting. My girls will be living in a portable chicken tractor so I won't have a huge amount of litter.

I garden under row covers most of the winter so I'm thinking I should compost it. Any recommendations?

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies




03/08/10--05:27: If you LOVE Eden, you'll LOVE this..... (chan 2137765)

HELLOOO from myCornwall.tv! Hope you all had a fantastic time celebrating St.Pirans in this Cornish sunshine.

Here's the latest on our EDEN PROJECT TV CHANNEL.....

-WHAT'S ON AT EDEN THIS MONTH See "What's on Eden Project TV" this March by Anna Meneer.

-WHAT'S EATING TIM SMIT? Tim Smit discusses the debate over whether climate change is happening or not. Also, Tim tells us why he loves Eden so much! Do you share the same reasons as Tim?

-THE FUTURE OF CORNWALL What's in store for our Duchy? Anna Meneer talks to Kevin Lavery, Chief Executive of Cornwall Council about his vision for Cornwall's future

-TEA WITH A GARDENER Go backstage at Eden for a cuppa Eden's Gardeners invite you to have "Tea with a gardener" until 1st April. Green fingered enthusiasts will be able to go backstage at the Eden Project for a cup of tea and some advice on a whole range of gardening subjects.

-BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS Celebrating young Cornish talent. Bright Young Things was a celebration of young talent in the South West held at Eden. It showcased the skills of young people in the famous biomes. Check out the best entries in the music, art, creative writing, performance and building design categories.

-CLAY COUNTRY ECO TOWN Chairman of St Austell Eco-town shares his thoughts. See an insightful interview with Tim Smit and Samih Sawaris about the development of St Austell clay country Eco-town. With 5 channels on myCornwall.tv we've got a whole load of awesome programmes to keep you entertained!

Go to www.mycornwall.tv to check them out! All the best

myCornwall.tv crew

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




03/10/10--11:30: An Interesting Question,... (chan 2137765)

Here's an interestin question. Doese Human Poop make good Fertilizer?

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies




03/11/10--16:51: Help! Black speckles on my potatoes plants! (chan 2137765)

Today when I was out inspecting my container potatoes I noticed one of the plants has black speckles on the leaves. The yukon golds in another bin just put out small flower buds last week. ( I planted them last fall) Should I dig up the infected plant? and keep the others? Should I dig up all the plants and harvest whatever potatoes I can on the non-infected ones? I know that I can't re-use the potting soil if the potato plants did indeed get a disease, but what about the containers. I'm assuming I'll have to sterilize them some how. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Sara

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




03/15/10--21:12: cutting winter rye cover crop by hand- how to prevent regrowth? (chan 2137765)

I used winter rye as a cover crop last fall for a new plot that's pretty small- maybe 102x6". It did a fantastic job supressing weeds, but now I see its potential to completely take over. I've read that I need to wait until it starts to flower, and cut it at the time when the pollen starts falling when you shake it. ( I think that might be mid-May in my zone 5 area)

So if I hand-cut it at that time, will new growth be suppressed? If so, how? It seems a bit counter-intuitive to wait until flowering, but I see that advice over and over. Is it more vulnerable then?

I probably will choose a winter-killed crop next time, but for now, need to deal with the issue I've created. And I don't have one of those nifty, expensive european scythes yet, so I'll either use a grass whip or grab bunches and use any scissor-like tool I can find. Any advice on that part too?

Thanks in advance!

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




03/22/10--13:00: 2012 Time for a Change, Screenings (chan 2137765)

Hello everyone,

We are having the debut screenings of 2012 Time for a Change next month in San Francisco, the same weekend as Greenfest. We will also have a booth at Greenfest. We would love to see all of your awesome (r)evolutionary faces out there. Here is a link to the trailer and a little bit about the film, plus the links to buy your tickets and make sure you get a seat.

www.realitysandwich.com/video/..._teaser

Daniel, It's out world to change
www.evolver.net
www.realitysandwich.com

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




03/22/10--13:57: The Evolver Social Movement! (chan 2137765)

Hello Friends,

I am delighted to invite you to join the Evolver Social Movement today. As most of you know, I am the co-founder of Evolver, which publishes www.realitysandwich.com , the leading web magazine for transformational culture, and runs www.evolver.net , the social network for conscious collaboration. Through our Evolver Regionals program, we have over 30 local groups in the US and abroad (Sydney, South Africa, Vancouver), creating a nascent community network that can grow into a major social movement, with your help.

We are now proposing a new model of "interdependent media," a collaborative effort in producing media that changes people's consciousness and a participatory social movement with regular face-to-face meetings and campaigns on current social issues and sustainability initiatives. We are asking that people who understand the value in what we are doing become members of the Evolver Social Movement and support us with a monthly contribution. We ask asking for $10 monthly contribution but will accept less, or more.

How our membership program works and what it supports is explained here: http://www.realitysandwich.com/esm/join-evolver-social-movement-esm

We are committed to transparency as an organization, and have presented a breakdown of how we will use all membership contributions here: http://www.realitysandwich.com/esm/evolver-mission-transparency

In our last three years, we have raised investment in the traditional manner through angel investors. Unfortunately we have discovered that even socially progressive investors tend to want quick, high yield returns. In the past at least a small pool of investors recognized that independent media presenting alternative visions and viewpoints was necessary, even if these companies took many years to break even or make a profit. Today, the mindset of investors has been reshaped by the hit-and-run mentality of finance capitalism. At the same time, advertising revenues have dried up on the Web, except for massive presences such as Google and Facebook.

I am continuing an on-going dialogue with the Facebook community on the Evolver Social Movement page, and on Reality Sandwich under my article on the movement.

I really hope you will take the time to read this, consider what I am saying, and support the Evolver Social Movement, because you believe that it is in your best interests to see this grow and flourish.

If you decide to support the ESM, I also hope you will circulate this Event message to your friends and networks.

Today it is a beautiful calm spring day. However, there are many dark clouds on our horizon - a further economic collapse is inevitable, climate change is intensifying, and resources are being depleted. I firmly believe that our society has reached a state of political gridlock and we can no longer expect our government or leading institutions to bring solutions to the problems we face. To do this, we need a citizen-led movement that brings accountability to corporations and brings a stop to the rampant power of our military industrial complex. In order to contribute to this process, we have created the Evolver Social Movement.

Below I am offering a few testimonials from Evolver Regional organizers, who have worked as volunteers to develop Evolver communities in their area.

Thank you so much for reading this and hopefully joining with us.

Please feel free to message me with questions, though hopefully most of them are answered on www.realitysandwich.com .

With peace,
Daniel


Stephen Thomas
Regional Coordinator
Evolver Atlanta

Evolver Atlanta started as a personal vision, a burning desire within myself to "find the others" and effect positive change in the world. As a contributing editor at Reality Sandwich, I'd been intimately involved with building this global tribe of evolutionaries since the magazine's inception almost three years ago. While watching the RS community grow has been an immensely inspirational experience, the mediated universe of blog posts and online debates wasn’t enough to get me through my days. I needed to find my people, here, where I live. With a couple of like-minded friends and local RS cohorts, I put together a few consciousness-raising events around town. Little did we know, the model we were setting would soon be followed by some 40 cities around the world.

As a coordinator for one of the first Evolver Regionals, it's been incredible to see the network spread so wide and touch so many lives and communities. There's something remarkable happening here -- a global movement is springing up in our own backyards. My own life has been completely transformed in the year and a half since Evolver Atlanta began. And over time, the purpose of our work has become clear. We’ve met all of these collectives of inspired and tireless people, from bicycle co-ops and yoga studios to organic farms and off-the-grid homesteads. Though their interests are diverse, these groups all share a guiding vision of empowering local communities and co-creating a more beautiful world. Through the Evolver Social Movement, we are linking up these transformative tribes, to recognize our common dreams and make them a reality. I'm endlessly grateful to be a part of it all.


Marisa Smith
Regional Coordinator,
Evolver Boise

I joined Evolver.net barely a year ago as a way to connect with individuals on a collective level who share an active interest in conscious evolution. When I moved to Boise a few months later I noticed we lacked a local Spore in the area so decided to spearhead one, anchoring the voice of Evolver in the region. By becoming the Regional Coordinator for the Evolver Boise Spores I immediately plugged into the local tribe of expansive thinkers and celebrators of life. Not only have I connected to likeminded souls, but through hosting the Spores I have witnessed dozens of individuals and groups come together for the sharing of ideas, inspiration, and transformational collaboration. Evolver.net and the Evolver Spores are vital tools for instigating growth and renewal through uniting efforts and vision under a shared mission - We are the change we want to see in the world.


Tony Damico
Regional Coordinator,
Evolver Long Beach

I started off as a contributor to Reality Sandwich, the website that aided my transition toward a positive alchemical understanding of the crazy world we were born into. I started an Evolver spore in Long Beach, CA, in order to explore these topics with stakeholders in the community. In the past 8 months, Evolver spores have aided in the transformation of our city, inspiring our community to launch creative projects and enriching our knowledge of topics not privileged in the mainstream. These events have built alliances and relationships with experts, professionals, and leaders in the community, as well as having the opportunity to practice the art of communication. At each Spore, Evolvers step up to present, perform, and enlighten through their arts. Ultimately, having some revenue behind the Evolver movement would allow us to expand the vision and reach more people, and connect them with a more streamlined, cutting-edge Evolver.net.


Robert Garvan Snyder
Regional Coordinator
Evolver Philadelphia

For several years, I have found unique contributions on Reality Sandwich, and felt a kinship with others drawn to that site. It was refreshing to know that a growing number of souls also included a helping of open-mindedness, visionary creativity, and unbranded hope in their daily diet of media. When I learned that the creators of that site were launching a new project, Evolver, to ignite the organization of local communities to gather and share, I knew I would play a part. Philadelphia did not yet have a Evolver Spore, as these gatherings are known, and I offered to host it myself. Each month, we have forged connection with local authors, reporters, activists, therapists, artists, event planners, and organizers. Collaborative relationships continue to evolve at a fearsome pace between each Spore. In a few short months, seeds planted in the Spore have grown into film screenings, an epic rave, a healing circle, employment opportunities, a women’s new moon circle, and more. And we are just getting started. From our first gathering last July, I have been astounded again and again by the openness, creativity, gifts and vision that participants bring to the table. After each Spore, I leave as a more hopeful person, knowing that communities in cities around the globe are having similar conversations.


Chris Hopkins
Regional Coordinator
Evolver Sacramento

I’ve learned a lot through starting this spore. I’ve met some amazing people through Evolver, including my fiancé, who I now live with and we are having a child together. Evolver has been a catalyst for a lot of really positive amazing change in my life. The spore in Sacramento has mostly been an uphill battle, but also amazing. You see there really isn’t any kind of transformational culture in Sacramento. So where as the spore in most cities has been bringing like minded groups and people from the alternative culture together, in Sacramento it has been starting an alternative culture. It’s tough to start from scratch, but I’m learning it can be done. For those of you that have wanted to start a spore in your town, or city, but fear that you wouldn’t get the support there, don’t worry, it will come if you put your heart into it. You might not have an alternative culture in your town, but that’s even more of a reason to start a spore. This information we are spreading needs to be heard everywhere, especially in the places that are less exposed to it. So while it’s been an uphill battle starting a community from scratch in Sacramento, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.


Baza Novic
Regional Coordinator
Evolver LA

In Los Angeles I personally had been asking the city for community. I found it in the painted rocks of Utah where Evolver LA emerged, and with time I went from the lone warrior wolf, to the community adventuring crow integrating all spheres of context in our monthly Spores. Together here we’ve began, again, pioneering these budding desert landscapes with transformational direct action. Fostering a loving connection to a spider-webbed community of artists, activists, new rock star scientists, urban witches and techno shamans, the cross-pollinating culture jamming new gods and old goddesses as well as those ordinary Jane’s and Dicks who give a hoot about people and the process of growth. The Evolver Social Movement (E+sm) isn’t about the people in the community alone, it is it’s own evolving entity, with it’s own nascent desires and self-organizing agenda, seeking to find and express its own purpose in the world. The Evolver Social Movement shows us that an abstract understanding of the paradigm shift isn’t enough. We have to actively participate and put our resources where our blogs are and step up to the proverbial plate. I am fortunate I’ve found a way to allocate my personal and spiritual capital with something I value. Good looking out Evolver. It’s your move.


posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




03/28/10--00:14: New herbal medicine tribe (chan 2137765)

A new departure from the usual forums:

http://tribes.tribe.net/flintsherbalmedicine

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




04/02/10--09:02: to make natural food coloring dye (chan 2137765)

Only 7 food dyes remain on the shelves, the rest have been proven to be harmful for health over the past years. Even the ones remaining are questionable, many studies say.

So you make them for yourself, here's how:

http://www.simplesteps.org/articles/diy-diva-natural-food-dyes

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




04/07/10--04:16: SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT THE EDEN PROJECT! (chan 2137765)

Spring has finally sprung... especially at The Eden Project! See what springtime delights are happening at our Eden Project TV Channel this week....

-WASSON AT EDEN?- Anna Meneer tells us what's going on behind the scenes at The Eden Project this month!

-WHATS EATING TIM SMIT?- This month, Tim Smit joins Chief Executive of Fifteen Cornwall, Dave Meneer on the stunning Isles of Scilly to discuss some of the green challenges the Islands face.

-21st CENTURY LIVING PROJECT- See how a hundred households across England try to reduce their carbon footprint over a year! Can your household do any better?

-DAISY ROOTS- Cornwall's first eco-florist! See our delightful film on Cornwall's unique green eco florist specialising in Cornish grown, fairtrade and organic flowers! -Don't forget to tune into our daily WASSON?! brought to you by me, Lena Martin. I'm out and about stunning Cornwall everyday to let you know what exciting activities you can get up to around Cornwall and also what new programmes to check out on myCornwall.tv. So, with 5 different channels to choose from....

BEST OF CORNWALL- Showing the best highlights from all our channels here, including Cornish events

ADRENALINE JUNKIE CHANNEL- Showcasing Surfer profiles, extreme sports and events around Cornwall MYKERNOW- Emlyn Glanmor Harris explores our cornish history and culture

GASTRONOME- Perfect for all you foodie fans! As well as covering foodie events, we show cocktails of the month made by our cocktail connoisseur, Ricky from Fifteen Cornwall. Also, Fifteen Cornwall's Head Chef, Neil Haydock cooks us up a monthly recipe and we visit a cornish Restaurant every month in 'Patron to Patron'

EDEN PROJECT TV- What goes on behind the scenes at the infamous Eden Project? We show it all here! ....There are a wealth of things to watch, see and do at myCornwall.tv every day of the week so come on over!

And remember that we're always keen to hear from our viewers, so if there's something you think we should cover then please get in touch to info@mycornwall.tv

All the very best from myCornwall.tv

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




04/21/10--08:33: oregano woes.. (chan 2137765)

Every single time i've tried to grow this herb, it never comes up!I've tried different types of soil, even barely covering them to just putting them on top of the dirt.Does anyone else have this problem?I'm in Texas - zone 9.

posted in Grow Organic! - 8 replies




04/26/10--16:56: Currants (chan 2137765)

I've posted this over at the Permaculture tribe but I'd really like the input of experienced gardeners like y'all.

I've ordered some pink currants and I can't make up my mind where to put them. Out back I have a big oak tree that would provide afternoon shade. In the side yard I have two Asian pear trees that would make nice companion plants but they aren't big enough yet to provide any shade. There is a space on the east side of the house that might work but I'm concerned they won't get good air circulation.

Have any of y'all ever tried to grow currants?
Any suggestions for where to put them and what sort of conditions in which they'll do best? Yes, I've done lots of research but there are some things that you just can't learn from a book.

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




05/02/10--21:16: I am starting a community garden (chan 2137765)

in a small town in utah, of course it will be organic

ANY TIPS WOULD HELP

nameste

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




05/11/10--23:47: BROCCOLI RABE HELP ! (chan 2137765)

I just started growing broccoli rabe a few weeks ago, its growin nicely here in naples where the weather has been colder than expected. since it is my first time growing can someone tell me if i need trim all these growing leaves or leave them be ?

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




05/12/10--15:44: check this out (chan 2137765)

http://vernal.com/detail/243023.html

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies




05/14/10--17:56: horticultural vinegar? (chan 2137765)

Anyone have experience with this as a weed killer? How soon can you plants something there after you've used it?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




05/19/10--11:32: Snails! (chan 2137765)

I got 'em and they are eating up everything. What can I do to get rid of them?

posted in Grow Organic! - 18 replies




05/29/10--19:43: 'Seedless' watermelons?? (chan 2137765)

If I have a 'seedless' watermelon and it has 1 or 2 'regular' seeds in it, can I plant those and grow 'seedless' watermelons?? Not that I am trying to, but the question came up and now I am fully wondering. Anyone??

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




05/31/10--14:11: grape growing question (chan 2137765)

Can I grow cultivated grapes near where wild grapes are growing?

The variety I have to plant is "King of the North", which is a very vigorous grower.

Thanks!

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




06/03/10--12:45: organic ant removal techniques (chan 2137765)

Ant Genocide
Method A: AARDVARKSM

Application: Sprinkle Aardvarks liberally around ant nests and known ant hang-outs (seedy ant-bars, and the like).


Pros: 100% Natural, little supervision required.


Cons: Once having consumed their fill of ants aardvarks tend to lose motivation. Should they gain control of the TV remote they will waste entire afternoons idly lounging on your furniture, flicking between game shows and forgetting to close the fridge door when they've raided it for yet another six-pack.


Method B: LARGE BOOTS


Application: Obtain a large pair of boots (hobnailed preferably), obtain a friend and arm him with the boots. Apply boots vigorously to the ants.


Pros: Cheap, 100% natural, good course of exercise for boot operator.


Cons: Requires continual application, this necessitates the instilling of a "Holy War Against Ants" attitude in your boot wielding friend. Show him videos of "Them" and "The Hellstrom Chronicles".


Method C: NAPALM


Application: Low level saturation bombing runs by F-111's or similar fighter-bomber military aircraft.


Pros: Immense emotional satisfaction, guaranteed ant genocide, visually spectacular.


Cons: Low level saturation bombing runs tend to lower local property values. Misses can instil ill-feeling in your neighbours should you incinerate schools or houses.


Method D: TECHNO


Application: Arrange Net access for the ants, ensure that they subscribe to Alt.Ant and Soc.Insect. Infiltrate these newsgroups and make frequent posts along the lines of: "My pheromone operating system is better than yours", "Evil drug companies are withholding antennae rot cures" and "Green Cards for Worker Ants Spam" - encourage flamewars to erupt.


After a few days ant society will collapse in a sea of internecine warfare, ant neuroses and mass hysteria.


Pros: Emotional satisfaction of toying with their little minds.


Cons: Expense and difficulty of obtaining thousands of teeny-tiny-terminals.

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




06/10/10--12:41: Trading Organics in Emeryville? (chan 2137765)

I just read a blog post from someone who lives in Emeryville (CA) about trading foods, and it sounded like a great idea. I am growing a ton of stuff in my garden and can never keep up with the yeild. It would be great to organize a once a week, 30 min -1 hour trading venue. Last year, I set a table out on the end of my driveway and just kept a basket loaded with stuff from the garden for my neighbors to grab as they passed by. I could make a bigger table and just have a running free organics distribution center where people could come by and deposit and pick up food.

Anyone interested in this? Either a once a week thing or just an on-going exchange?

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




06/13/10--19:18: EASY TO MAKE ORGANIC PESTICIDE? (chan 2137765)

what do you think folks any ideas? what about teatree oil in some sort of immulsion?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




06/14/10--07:15: Hooray for Pollinators (chan 2137765)

This is our fourth year on this little bit of land. Each year I've seen the insect population recover a little more. Last year we had plenty of pollinators but still very few honey bees. This morning I went out to check the garden and the cucumbers are covered in honeybees. Yippie!

I'm sure the neighbors thought I was nuts but it made me happy.

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




06/17/10--11:48: Organic solution for leaf miners? (chan 2137765)

Hi you knowledgeable people... I have had leaf miners trashing my chard for the last couple of years. They ruin two or three leaves for every one I get to eat. (I suppose I could eat the leaves that are full of them but I'm a vegetarian... :-) ) I'm just about ready to put chemicals on the plants. I even bought some stuff but I just can't bring myself to use it. Please stop me and suggest something that will get rid of these things. Thanks!!!

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies




06/23/10--07:37: Running a CSA? (chan 2137765)

Does anyone here have experience running a CSA? I have a small core group who is interested in receiving a weekly delivery.


posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




06/25/10--08:11: Planting Fresh Dandelion Root (chan 2137765)

Has anyone done this successfully? I just received my plants a few days ago, and don't want to do this incorrectly. Are they better off kept indoors, or can they handle intense sunlight out-of-doors? Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




07/01/10--06:52: A Call To Heal the Waters (chan 2137765)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iSoQ72U-Xg

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




07/05/10--04:40: A question to oregon coast tribers. (chan 2137765)

My wife and I are thinking about moving to siletz, oregon, or somewhere near there.
How is the growing climate?
What knowledge can you impart to me?

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




07/05/10--12:35: Permaculture Design Course in Thailand (chan 2137765)

Permaculture Design Certificate
Tacomepai, Pai, Northern Thailand
www.tacomepai.com

Come join us at Tacomepai this October for our unique and creative Permaculture Design Course. Led by Australian permaculture designer Eileen Kaufman, an experienced representative of sustainable agriculture, organic farming and social enterprises. In addition the inspiring founder of Tacomepai, Sandot Sukkaew, will share his extensive expertise and knowledge in local traditional skills, methods and real farming experience.


Tacomepai is an organic farm run by a local Yon family, who strive to maintain a sustainable and environmentally caring way of life. We offer guesthouse accommodation and the opportunity to work and learn with us, and the local community.
Part of the Permaculture Course cost will directly help preserve the local forest and culture through the Tacomepai Foundation. Together we will develop permaculture practices within Pai and raise awareness about environmental sustainability around Thailand.

7th - 20th October 2010 Intensive residential over 14 days with one rest day

US$550
Inclusive of accommodation, all meals, tuition, trips, processing fees and education support material provided to each student.



How do I apply and reserve my place!!
We accept applications on a rolling basis and preference will be given to those applying early. We are limiting class size to 20 people so get your deposit in ASAP.
For more information or to receive an application form see our website
www.tacomepai.com
Or contact us on…
tacomepai@gmail.com or eileen_kaufman@yahoo.com.au
Mobile: +66 861123504 (Sandot Sukkaew)


Tacomepai 101 Moo 9, Baan Tin That, Tambol Tung Yao, Amphur Pai
Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




07/10/10--22:35: Trimming a fruit tree (chan 2137765)

I got my first fruit tree about a month or so ago!! I am quite excited. It is a Lapin Cherry tree. The new growth is starting and I know trimming the tree is important. I believe one of the main goals to trimming is to encourage one strong central trunk. When I got the tree it was forked at the top forming a V and I am not sure how to trim it. Should I cut off all the buds except one to try to get it back to one central trunk – even though that may mean the trunk does a zig-zag? I uploaded a pic with the spots I think could be trimmed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




07/13/10--13:18: Egads!!! Zucchini out the WAH-wah-wah-ZOO! (chan 2137765)

I find myself at this time of the season absolutely inundated with zucchini. They loom in my kitchen, waiting for some extraordinary culinary transformation and though I consider myself somewhat savvy in the realms of cooking, I find myself fresh out of good ideas. It would be a great injustice to see this lively zukes hit the compost, so I'm summoning the great imaginations of my fellow tribers to save me the walk of shame. Any canning recipes are more than welcome, too. My zukes are eternally grateful.

posted in Grow Organic! - 11 replies




07/24/10--13:48: Grow For ALL - Let's grow organic, free food in public spaces! (chan 2137765)

Greetings!

I have just completed the first draft of a website whose purpose is to spread awareness of the idea that we can grow healthy organic food in public places instead of the non food bearing plants that are usually selected. - www.growforall.co.uk.

The text needs simplifying (I wrote it in one go without revision late at night! hehe) .. But the idea is there ....

Initially I aim to use the site just to spread the message/idea, receive feedback and to build petitions, globally and targeted in specific countries. I'd appreciate if you like the idea if you would register a signature in it's support..

The global petition is currently here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/growforall

The USA specific petition is at: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/grow_for_all_-_lets_grow_free_organic_food_in_public_spaces

Feel free also to post in the forum on the website if you like with ideas and comments.

peace and thanks,
nick

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




08/03/10--15:26: I need some edible Ginger Rhizomes that will sprout! (chan 2137765)

I have been trying quite for some time to sprout some edible ginger rhizomes, but haven't been able.

i know this should happen naturally like the eyes in the potato, or onion or garlic.

my theory is that some kind of growth retardant is sprayed in the rhizomes.

so.... anybody has some edible ginger rhizomes that i could continue growing at home?

Many thanks to all of you!

posted in Grow Organic! - 8 replies




11/02/10--13:47: Growing Quinoa (chan 2137765)

Anyone have any experience in growing quinoa (or amaranth for you southern folks) ? What was your experience? Seed spacing?

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




11/07/10--04:54: I can't disconnect my garden hose from the spigot (chan 2137765)

Hi all! I was wondering if anyone knows what to do with this. Winter's on it's way and I want to take the garden hose in, but it seems to be stuck onto the spigot. I live in New England, if that matters, as to what might be making it stuck. I assume it's some sort of calcium crud or something, like what builds up on shower heads? Do any of you all know how to fix this? Thanks!

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies




11/11/10--21:26: Thoughts on SB510 ? (Korporate Dictatorship in your GARDEN???) (chan 2137765)

I don't see any postings on Senate Bill 510.
Perhaps this has already been discussed?

The bill supposedly has passed the House and is now in the Senate.
It makes it against the law to grown an organic garden IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD and sell the veges at a Farmer's Market.
The bill is ironically called "The Food Safety" Bill.
Yep ... Monsanto.

Further, the Bill is written so broadly that it can be a crime for you to even sell those same vegetables to your neighbor OR GIVE THEM AWAY to your neighbor.

Seen, "Food, Inc"?
Well, the New World Order's Korporate Dictatorship seems to be testing it's flexing of muscles.

I curious about your thoughts.

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies




12/15/10--13:05: Favorite Temperate Climate Edible? (chan 2137765)

What is your favorite Favorite Temperate Climate Edible? What Fruit or Vegetable do you love so much you couldn't be without it?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




01/26/11--16:43: Techniques for growing plants in Warmer climates? (chan 2137765)

Lets say a plants Hardiness is zone 3-7 and I want to grow it in zone 9, are there any good techniques to allow this to be possible?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




02/09/11--17:50: GREENHOUSES AND COLDFRAMES TRIBE (chan 2137765)

Should you have the desire or need for one stop in to : GREENHOUSES AND COLDFRAMES TRIBE . It is open for knowledge .

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




02/10/11--03:10: mobile chicken coops (chan 2137765)

i am getting ready to pasture meat birds this year and i was wondering if anyone has had any experience in pasturing birds or designing mobile coops?

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




02/10/11--21:21: Organic Draven People (chan 2137765)

http://www.cracked.com/article_18979_10-creepy-plants-that-shouldnt-exist.html

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies




02/17/11--18:01: buying seeds in bulk (chan 2137765)

any suggestions?

wish list:
honeysuckle
rose (wild)
dogwood
blackberry

realistic list:
perennial rye
wheat
chuck peas

goal is to bring over pastured lands back into some sort of balance
location ~ No. CA Hot summers, mild winters/no snow

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




02/21/11--09:45: An Open Letter from Maria Rodale to President Obama (chan 2137765)

http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/an-open-letter-to-president-obama/

An Open Letter to President Obama
February 21, 2011
129Share

Dear President Obama,

I have been a devoted supporter of your presidency up until now. But by allowing the complete deregulation of GMO/GE alfalfa, and now sugar beets, you have unleashed another wave of UNCONTAINABLE contamination on this planet. These toxic crops not only exist so that companies like Monsanto can make more money by selling more toxic chemicals that destroy our environment and our climate, but also the human diseases that these chemicals cause are at the root of the health issues you claim are so important to you and your family, including: cancer, diabetes, obesity, autism, ADHD, childhood leukemia, organ failure, infertility, birth defects, and reduced intelligence.

I am extremely disappointed that you gave in to the bullying of Monsanto and its legion of lobbyists, all paid for by the corrupt subsidies of the American Farm Bill.

If you really want to create jobs, support organic farmers. If you really want to lower taxes, support organic farmers. If you really want to improve the health of people and the planet, support organic farmers. If you really care about developing a healthy, smart, and educated future American population, you MUST support organic farmers. If you really want to stop climate change, support organic farmers.

What on earth were you thinking? You are obviously an intelligent man. Please develop the courage and strength that the American people require of you and make the right decisions for all of us for the long term. Ultimately, your most important job is to protect America and the American people. By deregulating GE/GMO alfalfa and sugar beets, you have failed.

Most sincerely,
Maria Rodale
CEO and Chairman of Rodale Inc.
author of Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies




02/26/11--16:03: tomato skins are tough (chan 2137765)

I have planted several different varieties of tomatoes and yet I still seem to be having a problem with their skins being very tough and chewy. What would cause this and what can I do to prevent it befor planting them this year?

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies




04/08/11--06:43: suggestions for elderberries (chan 2137765)

I scored a bunch of elderberry bushes on freecycle. Any advice on how to grow them?

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies




05/07/11--15:06: Spring onions (chan 2137765)

I volunteer at a local butterfly garden in wich has a tendency to grow spring onions in the wild. Since this park is about 99.5% organic due to the butterfly population, I decided to harvest a few spring onions and try it in a batch of chili. Talk about delicious! I will try to get more of this since at times they are abundant.

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




06/24/11--20:27: Plants and seeds for sale including Salvia divinorum live plants! (chan 2137765)

Please help me fund my 2012 ethnobotanical expedition to South America by purchasing plants, seeds and other items. The focus of the expedition is to record plant knowledge, connect with native peoples, collect seeds and herbaria specimens, etc.; Pictures, indigenous arts/crafts, collection notes and seeds from the expedition will all be available in the future. At this point in time I will accept both U.S. dollars and Peruvian nuevo soles. All cash proceeds will be used to directly fund the expedition.

LIVE Salvia divinorum plants for sale for a $35 flat rate; two rooted plants for $60, this includes shipping cost for anywhere in the USA. All plants are either the "Luna", "Owens" or "Paradox" clone. Large plants plants and the "Luna" strain are $50 per plant. These plants are for ornamental purposes only and are in no way intended for human consumption.

I also have other plants, seeds and items for sale or trade.

[u][b]*Trade List* - [/b][/u]


[u]Seeds-[/u]

"Bhut Jolokia" Hot Pepper seeds ~ 10
Trichocereus "True Blue" seeds ~ 5
Coryphantha compacta ~ 5
Toothache plant seeds ~ 3
Yopo (viable) ~ 5
Tomato ~ 2
Salvia hispanica "Chia" seed ~ 3
Myrica cerifera ~ "Wax-Myrtle"
Prunus japonica ~ "Korean cherry" or "Oriental Bush cherry"
Datura spp.
Sweet Pepper
Ilex vomitora
Lactuca virosa
Lemon Balm
Psychotria viridis ~ "Chachruna"
Salvia officinalis, pineapple sage, "Dan Shen", etc.
burdock
pumpkin
eggplant
kohlrabi
Loofah


[u]Plants-[/u]



Mentha species ~ "Peppermint" ~ $5
Salvia divinorum "Diviner's Sage" (8-12inch plants) ~ $35 flat within the USA for $35; 2 for $60
Rosemary Plant ~ $10
Wormwood plant ~ $10
Fig tree ~ $10
Passiflora incarnata ~ "Passion-Flower" plants - $10
Psychotria plant ~ $20
Sassafrass plant ~ $10
Salvia divinorum (LARGE) plant ~ $50
Japanese Maple ~ $50
Toothache Plant ~ $10
Urtica dioica ~ "Stinging Nettle"
Taragets lucida ~ "Mexican Tarragon"
Ipomoea tricolor/violacea ~ "Morning Glory "
Raspberry
Silver Thorn Berry
Stevia ~ "sweetleaf"
pokeweed
Dandelion
purple potato
Horehound
Albizia julibrissin ~ "Happiness Tree" or "Silk Tree"
Patchouli
Salvia hispanica ~ "Chia"
Datura




[u]Cacti-[/u]


Trichcoereus bridgesii var. monstrose (Clone B) (LARGE) ~ $50
Opuntia drummondii
Trichocereus terscheckii ~ $25
Gymnocalycium cactus ~ $15
Trichocereus "True Blue" peruvianus ~ $45
Myrtillocactus geometrizans ~ "Blue Myrtle" cactus ~ $5
Trichocereus pachanoi "of the jungle"
Trichocereus pachanoi "Torres and Torres"
Other Trichocereus available as well, just ask





[u]Dried Botanicals-[/u]


Piper methysticum ~ "Kava Kava" whole & ground root
Toothache Buds
Tobacco (Organic, home grown)
Yerba Mate leafs
Neem Oil
Bhut Jolokia (both sundried & smoked)
mint (bulk)




[u]Incense-[/u]

Cedar
"Insensio" Peruvianus Golden Resin incense
Patchouli




[u]Other Items-[/u]

Shaman Stones
Staff (wizard or shaman staff)
Original Painting by Teotzlcoatl - $100-500



In order to receive your plant you MUST email me at Farfromhere001@aol.com! I prefer cash payment, but money orders are acceptable. Those who send cash payment will receive a bonus gift or a discount! With your cash please include your email address, your full shipping address, your first name and the items which you wish to receive, as well as your cash payment in U.S. dollars. If you wish to pay with a money order then leave the name portion of the money order blank. The minimum order is $25 (before shipping), in other words, you must spend at least $25 dollars excluding shipping.

Orders are normally shipped within 10 days of when payment is received, but some orders may take up to a month to be shipped depending on the condition of the plants and the weather. Since most plants are prepared specifically for each customer it may take some time because extra care is put into each plant, people must realize that plants are living creatures that don't always cooperate, I will only ship plants when I feel that they will arrive healthy and happy! Cold sensitive plants are NOT shipped from December 1st through March 1st. Seeds, cold hardy plants and other items will still be shipped normally.

All plants are NOT intended for human consumption. These rare botanicals should be grown for their ornamental/atheistic beauty and their culture and historical significance and are not intended for any purpose other than cultivation, propagation and dissemination. Check your local laws before ordering, the legality of some plants varies from country to country and even state to state, knowing the laws and regulations of where you reside is YOUR responsibility.

If you have any questions you can always email me at Farfromhere001@aol.com, please include your first name, your state/country, and the botanical names of the plants your are inquiring about.


I am selling live Salvia divinorum plants.

I have far too many "Paradox" Salvia divinorum plants! I'm doing a special price for a limited time... $30 per plant; two for $50 or five for $100!

"Luna" plants are $50 per plant!

Email me at farfromhere001@aol.com

See my site at - http://ethnobotany.ecrater.com/

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




07/07/11--14:03: tomatos (chan 2137765)

I have quite a few tomato plants and have been eagerly awaiting REAL tomatos. Unfortunately the plants seem to be growing very slowly. Most are not much bigger than when I planted them a couple of months ago. One in particular, an heirloom variety, is getting alot of flowers but the dry up and fall off.

Do I need to water more? It seems like the ground is moist. Is is a nutrient problem? This is the first garden in this particular patch of desert sand. it was pretty much all stickery weeds before. Is it too hot? We have had temps in the 100's with a few mild overcast days thrown in.

The eggplants don't seem to be growing either, however the cabbage is really growing!

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies




07/12/11--14:02: “Dragon’s Breath” (chan 2137765)

From April 10th until April 12th, a new Biomeiler was built at ‘Nature Reserve Dragonmill”. It is a ecological and economical method of utilising wood chips. The method was developed by French forestry officer Jean Pain in the 70s. He had been looking for a way of thinning out the dry mediterranean forests to protect them from forest fires. Being left with large amounts of wood chips, he was then looking for a sustainable and economical way of making use of these chips.

The Biomeiler is a simple device that utilizes the energy which is stored in biomass. Heat, as well as biogas get generated. To build a Biomeiler, about 80 cubic meters of wood chip get piled into a mound of about 3 meters height. Over a period of 18 to 24 months, micro organsims get to work and aerobically ferment the material into highly potent compost. During this process, the temperature reaches and remains at about 70 degrees C. Inside the Biomeiler run tubes which function as heat exchangers. Depending on the intended use, tubes can circulate hot air or hot water. This hot air or water can then be used for hot water, or to heat buildings and greenhouses. It is also possible to produce biogas if a large container with composting material has been put into the Biomeiler. After about 24 months, when the composting process is completed, the compost made from wood can be used for reforestation or for biological agriculture.

The Biomeiler is not for industrial use. Instead, it is used for locally, in a decentralized way. With little technical effort a Biomeiler can be built and used, surely a great advantage compared to modern indunstrial wood-burning plants. Another advantage is, that not all the carbon oxidizes to CO2 (heat generation). Some of the carbon gets stored in the valuable humus in the composed material. This way, the other nutrients which were in the wood chip remain in the the bio mass after composting. It is also possible to extract these nutrients with fire, but the ash usually gets washed out quickly. If the compost is used as mulch, however, new, carbon rich soil is created. Additionally, less CO2 gets released into the atmosphere.

Two weekend workshops, entitled ‘Breath of the Dragon’, attracted 25 people each, aged between 4 and 65. Among the participants were students and teachers from the Montessori School in Dietramszell; a representative of Pfinztal community; a student of soil science from Freiburg; an architect and a member of the city council from Leibzig; as well as studends of the Permaculture Academy. Culinary delights during the second weekend were provided by environment- and peace activist Wam Kat.

The workshops were run by Christian Sven Schembritzki, whose “Naturinsel” has been awarded a UNESCO ‘sustainable education’ award in two consecutive years. During the first weekend, the old Biomeiler was cleared away, and two weeks later, the new Biomeiler 2.0 was erected. “It’s wonderful to experience, during these workshops, the sense of community, how the group dynamics within the group develops and embraces all participants.” says Schembritzki. For two years, the previous Biomeiler was heating a green house and could be used to heat a large bathtub with a 2000 liter capacity. Under the motto ‘Biomeiler 1.0 meets Biomeiler 2.0’, the compost from the former could be distributed in 20 cm thickness across the beds, shrubs and trees of the permaculture garden. According to Jean Pain, this mulch has a very good effect on vitality, yield, as well as quality of the crop, due to the micro organisms and nutrients which are contained in it. Pain also describes how this method eliminated the need to water the plants, even in the dry climate of the Provence.

Two weekends later it was time for ‘Action Biomeiler 2.0’, the construction of the new Biomeiler. The whole process was documented thoroughly by Tom Ruediger with his camera. (soon to be found on our website and on YouTube). A variation to the previous Biomeiler is, that this time the tubes are laid out in spirals, instead of in a cylindrical pattern, with the aim of accessing a larger area inside of the Biomeiler. Additionally, a perforated tube has been included in the Biomeiler to enable the necessary watering process. And finally, a small container has been included to enable research experiments regarding gas production. And another experiment has been included in Biomeiler 2.0: Inside the meiler, a “Terra-Preta” experiment is taking place. Coal particles have been added with the intention of reducing the ‘washing out’ of nutrients. This should also improve air circulation, water absorbtion, and water storage. Additionally, better nutrient and mineral absorbtion by plants can take place, enabling micro organisms a perfect place to live and retreat to.

Various measurements will be taken during the next 2 years, to collect data about the energetic yield and the process of composting. Only very limited information is so far available about this technique. Thus, this experimental installation will primarily be used to collect data and experience regarding mechanisms, structure, and potential uses. For example, a sample of the matured compost has been sent to a laboratory for analysis. In order to have a truly sustainable Biomeiler which can produce high quality compost, it is also relevant to take into account the source of the wood chip. Wood that has been trimmed from the embankments of motor ways and busy roads is not suitable due to its high levels of heavy metals. In our latitudes it is also not necessary to reduce undergrowth, as there is no immediate threat of wild fires. In addition, the habitat for forest animals is already scarce due to the low coverage with forests. However, it would be sensible to make use of garden cut which is usually collected and removed by regional communities. It is also worth noting, that the wood chip should be fresh and not older than 3 weeks.

Those who would like to see the Biomeiler for themselves should consider visiting over Pfingsten (Pentecost). Alternative, you can register for one of the info days by contacting “Naturinsel Drachenmuehle”:

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply




07/19/11--12:46: Do you give up once Broccoli Rabe plants bolt? (chan 2137765)

I am new to growing Broccoli Rabe and bought some plants at a plant sale in May. They were already 6" tall and some had started to flower. I planted them and they seem just to be spindly and although I cut off all the flowers, they just come back. I assume this means the plants bolted and should I now abandon them? They are forming seed pods... should I save those and is it too late to try planting some now? I live in Connecticut and the season is still perhaps long enough to try another pass?

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies




08/22/11--00:35: Wood ash uses and dangers (chan 2137765)

Hi all. I don't want to waste the wood ash from my fire but it is so fine I'm affraid it will block up the pores in the soil. What do you all suggest? Cheers Max Australia

posted in Grow Organic! - 9 replies




12/04/11--21:42: Butter Making (chan 2137765)

I recently started a blog on farming and homesteading, and in one of the first articles I did a piece on how to make butter.

Please feel free to check itout if you are interested:

http://thehappyhomesteader.weebly.com/2/post/2011/11/shake-your-butter.html

Cheers,

Jayson

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies