Grow It

Growing Groceries

Last modified on 2010-06-29 18:51:44 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

It just wouldn’t be summer without pasta salad.  Can’t wait to pick some of the ingredients straight from the garden.

Waaaah Hooo!  We have cucumbers….

….and tomatoes!

Now if I can just keep the critters and insects from enjoying the salad before I can. 

Gardening is not all ROSES!

Last modified on 2010-06-24 02:35:51 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

The cold, hard truth?  Vegetable gardening isn’t simple and glamorous…it’s a constant learning curve.  As the reality gardener, I’m here to share both my triumps and pains.

My cukes, zukes, and squash starting showing signs of trouble.  The leaves had white spots and the plants seemed to be struggling.  I researched the problem and decided that powdery mildew was the culprit!    (Oh, by the way, “PM” is the cool, hip term that veteran veggie gardeners use.)  I even noticed that the PM appeared to be spreading to the marigolds.  Dang it, I’m an experienced ornamental gardener and I want everything to be perfect.

Ok, so what does an organic gardener do now?  I discovered that a milk and water solution would at least control the PM from spreading.  I read about all kinds of crazy antidotes, but decided that non- fat milk made the most sense (regular milk straight on the plants?  Yuck!  That can’t be good for anything).  I also decided that a solution of 1 part non-fat milk to 9 parts water would a safe place to start.

I sprayed all of the plants with the solution and of course we experienced hair-raising thunderstorms for several days in a row.  I read that the solution should be applied every 5-7 days, but the rain kept washing it away.  Great, now what?  So, I just reapplied the solution each time it rained. 

The squash and zucchini really seemed to suffer.  I cut off all of the sad looking leaves to see what would happen, the poor plants looked pathetic.  Shoot me.  But good news…after 1 1/2 weeks I am seeing growth and blossoms.  Even better news, the cucumber seems very happy and the plant has grown like crazy.

I’m still concerned that the garden is not getting enough sun due to the huge sycamore tree in the backyard.  I’m sure that doesn’t help the PM situation.  Next year I will move the garden to FULL sun and potentially avoid the evil PM. 

I’m still having fun, this drama is better than prime-time TV.  I’ll keep you posted.

Asparagus Luvs Tomato xoxo

Last modified on 2010-06-12 02:33:41 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I must confess…I have become obsessed with companion planting!  I recently invested quite a bit of time researching the appropriate layout for the plants that are growing in my kitchen garden, and have subsequently moved some plants and added plants to my original layout.

Here is my updated Plangarden layout: 

 

Changes include:

• Strawberries have been omitted (couldn’t find an organic option)
• Sweet potato, borage, and nasturtium have been added
• Asparagus and sage have been relocated

I relocated the asparagus and sage because through my companion planting research I discovered that asparagus does not like onion, garlic, and potato (duh, that’s exactly where I had it!), but loves basil and tomato.  I learned that sage deters cabbage moths, so I moved the sage over near the brassicas. 

How do companion plants work? 

Every plant releases different chemical agents, either above ground through its leaves, or below ground from its roots.  Every plant has special characteristics and growing habits.  Companion plants provide one or some of the following benefits:

• Produce a chemical that deters pests that are attracted to its companion
• Produce a scent that reduces the pest’s ability to find its companion
• Attract the same pest as its companion (a.k.a trap crop)
• Provide food and shelter for beneficial natural pest predators
• Reduce weed seedling numbers, by shading or choking weeds
• Produce nutrients or growth stimulants for companion
• Provide support for climbing plants
• Provide shade for its companion
• Change or enhance companion plants flavor

 

I would like to highlight two of my favorite new companion plants.  Using these two beautiful plants is making my life a lot easier in the garden.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a gardener’s best friend because they fend off garden pests from neighboring plants. I’m growing them near my cucumbers, summer squash, and zucchini to help repel cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.  This interesting annual also repel many different kinds of aphids. Though they do attract one species of aphid, the black aphid, you can use this to your advantage. If black aphids are already a problem, grow nasturtiums to keep aphids from destroying other plants. Then when the nasturtiums are covered in aphids, pull those plants up and destroy them, aphids and all.

In addition, nasturtiums produce decorative foliage, provide an ocean of brightly colored blossoms, and the entire plant is a tasty addition to salads!  I’m anxiously awaiting the first blooms.

 

Borage

Borage is an annual plant with gorgeous blue flowers and leaves with the flavor of cucumbers.  It is considered an herb, but is often grown in vegetable gardens because the plant attracts bees and is considered a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash and strawberries.  I planted borage near my tomato plant because it’s even supposed to deter my arch enemy…tomato hornworm. If that’s not enough, borage is said to enhance the flavor of tomatoes growing nearby.

 

Here’s the garden on June 6, 2010.

There’s nothing better than witnessing nature’s wonder.  Mother nature sure knows what she’s doing.  Happy gardening!

Kitchen Garden Move-in Day

Last modified on 2010-05-27 14:56:25 GMT. 2 comments. Top.

The excitement of move-in day…fresh soil, room to grow, and TLC! 

I had a grand time shopping for all of my organic edibles at Marvin’s Organic Gardens.  So far I’ve planted:

• Asparagus crown
• Shallots
• Onions
• Certified seed potato
• Rosemary
• Cilantro
• Sage
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Stevia
• Basil
• Tomato
• Cukes
• Zukes
• Summer squash
• Green pepper
• Kale
• Swiss chard
• Leaf lettuce
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrot seeds
• Beet seeds

I planted everything according to the Plangarden layout that I prepared.  I still need to find and plant strawberries, garlic, and marigolds.

The Backyard Botanical Oasis Garden kit came with a rubber soaker hose.  I was concerned that the rubber hose would leach lead into the garden, so I purchased a Gilmour flat soaker hose.  This hose is 100% lead free and has black and green plastic ends, no brass.  The actual hose is black nylon.  The flat hose is actually easier to handle and fits better around the plants. 

I had to travel for work last week and checked in on the baby plants every day as if I was calling the babysitter.  I think I scared the ONE, he was nervous that something was going to happen to the plants while I was away.  It was easy for him because it rained for several days.  The tomato and cucumber plants doubled in size while I was gone, I was thrilled to see the plants so happy.

I was also delighted to see the potatoes poking through, yippee!  I sowed the carrot and beet seeds directly into the soil and crossed my fingers.  I thought it was too late, but I see several seedlings popping up.  I’ll take it.

I’ve been spending about 10 minutes a day in the kitchen garden just checking on the plants and plucking a few random weeds.  Off to get the rest of the plants.

Ready, Set…Kitchen Garden!

Last modified on 2010-05-19 04:08:59 GMT. 2 comments. Top.

This will be my first growing season in the new garden, and I can’t wait to get my hands dirty!  The zone and the soil are very different here, I know it is going to be a summer of new discoveries.

I decided that my first project would definitely be a kitchen garden.  I’m an experienced gardener, although there is still so much to learn about veggie gardening, and there are so many new edible plants that I want to grow (a.k.a. try to keep alive).  As I learn more about growing in the new space, I definitely think a raised bed for veggies would make it easier for me to get growing.  I got to work on the plans and I realized that I was facing several challenges:

• Irrigation woes-I travel for work often, and frequently at the last minute.  The ONE also travels for work, and I‘m still getting to know peeps.  I don’t want to bother my new friends and neighbors for help with the watering…at least not quite yet. 
• The backyard is uneven, make that extremely uneven
• The gray squirrels are thriving in this area, and there have already been several bunny sightings

I spent a few days researching and was so excited when I found the Backyard Botanical Oasis Garden.   This system is exactly what I need!  Bigger than the square foot gardens I have built in the past, enclosed and critter proof, convenient, complete with an automatic watering system.  Now we’re talking.

With Christmas morning excitement, we unloaded two large boxes with about 5,000 pieces in each and one encylopedia sized instruction booklet.  Okay, not quite that bad, it was actually very straight forward.  Although you know how fun kits can be, we just took our time and had a great day together.

We originally planned on building the garden in the side yard, although the terrain is too uneven as well as a bit out of the way.  We decided it would be better to build it on the patio, it’s in a central area plus it will be closer to the rain barrel and composter.

The garden requires 40 cubic feet of soil.  I choose a mixture of Organic Choice garden soil and Organic Valley compost plus manure.  I did not use the compost from my composter yet because I was concerned that the previous home owner may have used chemicals on the lawn and the grass clippings would be contaminated.

I was thrilled with the finished product and couldn’t wait to pick out the plants.  I immediately went to the Plangarden website, a virtual garden planning tool, to design my kitchen garden layout.

Now I’m on the hunt for all the organic plants, I’ll post updates on my progress.  This simple system will give me more time to focus on the other landscape debacles, I’m definitely going to be Fit to Garden this summer!

Cultivate a Change

Last modified on 2010-05-01 19:10:18 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

It’s official; a staggering one out of three children in America is identified as obese or overweight.  For the first time in American history, children may be facing a shorter lifespan expectancy than their parents.    Our nation’s culture of convenience has plagued the adult population with unhealthy habits, and is now infecting our children.   The Rx?  Nutrient-dense fresh food + exercise and outdoor recreation = medicine.  Let’s figure out how to get there.

The first obstacle is nutrient deficiencies. 

Families are busy, kids are overscheduled, and parents are constantly on the go.   There is no time to plan meals, scurry to the grocery store, and prepare fresh food.  Eating is just another item on the checklist. It is more convenient to hit the drive-through or reach for readily available processed foods.  Urban communities often face an even bigger challenge due to a rise in food deserts.  Grocery stores cannot survive in urban neighborhoods.  Backyard vegetable gardening has vanished and our children cannot even identify common fruits and vegetables.

The second obstacle is sedentary indoor routines.

Advanced technology has changed the way we move our bodies, interact with nature, and function overall.  Author Richard Louve pinpointed this epidemic when he coined the term “nature-deficit disorder”.  Children spend the majority of their time indoors in front of the television, surfing the web, and playing video games. There is minimal genuine outdoor play and recreation.

At long last, there is a national action plan demanding attention.

First lady Michelle Obama has pledged to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity with the recent kickoff of the Let’s Move campaign and the 2009 White House Organic Garden project.  These two crusades combined serve as the vehicle necessary to acknowledge and address the issue.  Thanks to White House Organic Garden bang, edible gardens are now identified as the new “trend”.  It certainly is a disturbing sign of the times when victory gardening is considered trendy, but it’s a welcomed spotlight nonetheless.

I’m convinced we can take this one step further.  Gardening ultimately addresses every aspect of the epidemic discussed thus far.  It’s inexpensive and easy, we can grow our own organic nutrient-dense food, we can connect with nature, and it’s great exercise.  It’s time to cultivate a change, let’s get growing! 

The White House efforts alone will not be enough.  Each of us can make a local impact by introducing children to the profound physical, nutritional, mental, social, and environmental benefits of gardening with these three tips.

1.  Enjoy the Physical Benefits

• Lawn and garden care facilitates weight loss*
• Gardening provides an adequate and challenging workout, but is not as stressful on the body as other exercise options, like jogging or aerobics.
• Gardening could well be viewed as cross-training for all fitness levels

2.  Enjoy nature; discuss environmental stewardship and the nutritional benefits of gardening.

3.   Get Active in School and Community Gardens

• Volunteer locally
• Have fun! 

           -Children can’t wait to get their hands dirty.  Be sure to include a gardening warm-up and cool-down. 

           -Consider incorporating a seed-spreader race or garden obstacle course challenge.

The fight against childhood obesity can begin in your own backyard.

Commit to teaching the children where salad comes from.

Companies “Grow” Green

Last modified on 2010-05-01 19:11:42 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

In this difficult economy many of us are challenged with increased demands at work with fewer resources in addition to hectic family commitments. Our stress levels increase and we find ourselves exercising less and making poor food choices.   Planting a garden can be a wonderful form of recreation. It’s a great physical activity, helps us relax and connect with nature, and can be an exciting way to learn about organic nutrition!  

How do we share the environmental, physical, and mental benefits of gardening with our friends and colleagues?  A great way to get people involved is to start a Corporate Garden at your business or organization. 

 

  So, let’s Get Growing…it’s as easy as 1-2-3! 

1.      Contact someone in your corporate facilities or benefits department for approval.  Simply discuss the benefits employee participants will experience:

• Educational-General education for new and experienced gardeners (flowers, vegetables and herbs).  Beginner gardeners have a wonderful first gardening experience and have their co-workers  as mentors!

• Mental-Horticultural Therapeutic Effect including decreased stress and anxiety levels, increased patience, increased creativity, increased self-esteem, improved sense of well-being, improved confidence and focus, and an improved connection with nature and environmental stewardship awareness.

• Physical-Ergonomic break from work station, increases calorie expenditure, increases blood flow, and vitamin D production.

Employees will experience even greater benefits when they begin gardening at home!  Studies show that physical activity associated with backyard gardening helps prevent heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, adult onset diabetes. Additional benefits include increases muscle mass, flexibility, coordination, and balance.There are also many nutritional benefits as a result of home gardening.  Employees grow fresh vegetables and actually have the interest to eat them, cook more at home and eat less fast food, eat produce exposed to fewer chemicals, and use herbs in recipes resulting in less salt and sugar intake. 

2.      Design the Square Foot Garden and Get Planting!  I recommend Mel Bartholomew’s square foot gardening method!

        

Mel Bartholomew, Square Foot Gardening Creator

      It is easy and inexpensive.  The method benefits include: 

• Very little water is required-only 20% compared to conventional gardening
• 4×4 garden boxes can accommodate 16 co-workers each-very little space is needed
• Produces five times the harvest compared to conventional gardening in rows
• No weeding, no thinning, no heavy digging
• My personal favorite-no fertilizers or pesticides, it’s all natural

    Visit www.squarefootgardening.com for more details  

       

Corporate Garden BEFORE                       Corporate Garden AFTER

 

3.      Harvest the Vegetables and Enjoy!  Some creative ideas include:  

• Your corporate chef can whip up café dishes using the fresh vegetables and herbs  
• Create a corporate garden cookbook
• Support the greater good and donate produce to a program such as Plant a Row for the Hungry/Give Back to Gro  



 

Ready to start a corporate garden?  Feel free to contact me and I will be happy to offer suggestions and help get you started.  Happy growing!         

   

1.     

Spring Clean-up

Last modified on 2010-05-06 17:46:31 GMT. 2 comments. Top.

I am very fond of ornamental grass.  I like to experiment and cultivate the grass as a ground cover, border, screen, accent, and have even used it in my container garden.  Ornamental grasses cover a broad palette of colors, textures, blooms, and heights.  Every variety that I have planted has been beautiful and extremely low-maintenance.

Ornamental grass provides wonderful winter interest so I prefer to cut it back in the Spring.  The weather has been beautiful in Kentucky and I knew I needed to get out there and cut it back before the new growth popped up!

The more full and beautiful an ornamental grass is, the more difficult it is to cut back.  I recommend bundling sections of the grass then securing the sections with rope.   This makes cutting the grass back 4-6″ with pruning shears much easier.

   

Then after I clean up the random blades, all I’m left with a neat bundle of grass ready to compost!

All set, the new growth is welcome to shine through.  Happy Spring!

 

Square Foot Gardening

Last modified on 2010-04-26 13:47:30 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

New to vegetable gardening?  Start out simple this Spring with a Square Foot Garden! 

This method was developed by Mel Bartholomew and involves building a manageable 4×4 box and filling it with organic mix resulting in ultimate yield.  Benefits include:

• Easy
• Inexpensive
• Space saver
• No weeding
• Less water
• All natural, NO CHEMICALS needed

Gather the materials and build the box.  I attached wheels so that I could move my garden around the patio as needed.

 (Or purchase your box here.)

 

Fill with Mel’s mix:  I/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite

 

 

Paint your Square Foot Garden, then you are ready for the fun…planting and harvesting!

 

 

 

Details on all of the steps mentioned above can be found on www.squarefootgardening.com.

Enjoy!

Grow Organic Goodness…No Green Thumb Required

Last modified on 2010-03-31 15:06:16 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Interested in growing organic goods but have no time, no space, no experience, no money, no chemicals?

NO PROBLEM!

EarthBox-a MUST try!

Maintenance-free, award-winning, high-tech growing system that controls soil conditions, eliminates guesswork and more than doubles the yield of a conventional garden-with less organic fertilizer, less water, and virtually no effort.

The kit includes:                                 

• Water tube & reservoir (this is a life saver, literally!)
• Organic potting mix
• Organic fertilizer
• Dolomite

Visit the EarthBox website for a list of easy instructions and detailed instructional videos.