tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54668344576578092962024-03-19T06:56:54.942-07:00"Sharing Gardens"Chris Burns and Llyn Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12154520226709029188noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-86175823725425569262022-02-10T14:25:00.001-08:002022-02-10T14:25:07.798-08:00Onions and Lettuce and Peas, "Oh My!"<p><b>Reprinted from February 2021 and linked to <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><u>our new site</u></a>:</b> It's early Spring in the
Sharing Gardens. Oh sure, we could still get plenty more freezing nights
and even some significant snowfall before Spring is fully here but the
first crocuses and daffodils are budding, the days are noticeably longer
and the air carries hints of the earth's slow warming. Since we have
several greenhouses, February is the time for starting the cool-loving
crops like lettuce, cabbage, kale, broccoli, collards, celery, parsley,
onions and peas. We have also seeded beets and carrots directly in the
ground in greenhouse beds. <b>Here are some previously written posts about how to start some of these crops in your own garden.</b></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcV2Wv56fiN9qy-P606n5Uh-PEsM2stsJBX-dvs23HM42v-h2I3iAVO1GY2lVGOy7WGBMOCK2Y8euxR6TKL4FM_VWGFfJTiZI4cXK1SMQ34c7A6-gpAXFwzsJvKCcr4b7T8Bw_9bIDLDY/s2048/GP-GH-grass+in+paths-Chris-lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcV2Wv56fiN9qy-P606n5Uh-PEsM2stsJBX-dvs23HM42v-h2I3iAVO1GY2lVGOy7WGBMOCK2Y8euxR6TKL4FM_VWGFfJTiZI4cXK1SMQ34c7A6-gpAXFwzsJvKCcr4b7T8Bw_9bIDLDY/w400-h300/GP-GH-grass+in+paths-Chris-lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early crop of red and green lettuce grown in our greenhouse.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFwkRYqsyMJXAwKRBT0kSnzxlY414KOF0NiAxBIBkOU7XnBJ2e_MLd2NzrnH_ocHWssuWDKFifeR6ouEDB3iDS4C85Cu4mF5G66H9NUec1r1RQ9PVARM3S70jmJZl-OpEt6bW1whe3Lm5/s1600/lettuce+starts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFwkRYqsyMJXAwKRBT0kSnzxlY414KOF0NiAxBIBkOU7XnBJ2e_MLd2NzrnH_ocHWssuWDKFifeR6ouEDB3iDS4C85Cu4mF5G66H9NUec1r1RQ9PVARM3S70jmJZl-OpEt6bW1whe3Lm5/s400/lettuce+starts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce and other seedlings, Spring 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZvzP-C4kB9RS3vREgFpovVKGIaEJV25ouNQRZKXijG4eiLYs5grAXXJqmFdDKWkWA5d1wkHt8eebekJzZNOrqJMmH2XmtKn6KaEg3CgM6T4SZ5RgHzO5cFTL_RYGODChayFvT1Ub4K8t/s1600/CSA-week+1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZvzP-C4kB9RS3vREgFpovVKGIaEJV25ouNQRZKXijG4eiLYs5grAXXJqmFdDKWkWA5d1wkHt8eebekJzZNOrqJMmH2XmtKn6KaEg3CgM6T4SZ5RgHzO5cFTL_RYGODChayFvT1Ub4K8t/s320/CSA-week+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_18.html" target="_blank">CSA </a>box-2018.</td></tr>
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Please note that, while we do our best to update our posts to reflect
our current methods, gardening is a dynamic art-form which we're always
developing and these posts may not reflect our current practices. Happy
gardening!<br />
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<b>Valentines Day: Time for Pea Planting:</b> Since our soil outside the
greenhouses doesn't really warm up enough to germinate peas till later
in the Spring, we've developed a method for starting the peas in pots,
in the greenhouse which we then transplant outside once the soil warms
up and the plants can outgrow slugs and snails. <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-time-for-pea-planting.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day: Time for Pea Planting LINK</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLFP5G5JGK4o4xBdhO6F3BeeL2X0kQe-r_Iu10FFARI5s8tJX7l-dmG_6wo1lNMWLDMg7n3A4xjEsRZFTqEi2m7aiHTOEHsJqk4Gvv-Mzz9NJlUJpUn1t3NZlwUmQysiuJOGWVYCvM1Ue/s1600/john-llyn-peas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLFP5G5JGK4o4xBdhO6F3BeeL2X0kQe-r_Iu10FFARI5s8tJX7l-dmG_6wo1lNMWLDMg7n3A4xjEsRZFTqEi2m7aiHTOEHsJqk4Gvv-Mzz9NJlUJpUn1t3NZlwUmQysiuJOGWVYCvM1Ue/s400/john-llyn-peas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Llyn transplanting peas grown in pots, in our greenhouse.</td></tr>
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<b>Lettuce: Growing from Seed:</b> Lettuce is fairly easy to grow in our
climate. You won't believe how sweet and delicious home-grown lettuce
is compared to lettuce bought from the store! <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/07/lettuce-from-seed-to-feed-part-1.html" target="_blank">LINK</a><br />
<br />
<b>Lettuce: Saving Your Own Seed:</b> If you leave a lettuce plant in
the ground, very often it will "bolt" and go to seed (especially in the
heat of summer). Lettuce-seed is easy to save and one plant can produce
enough seed to grow lettuce for a whole neighborhood for years to come!
That's "nature's economy" at its best! <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/07/lettuce-from-seed-to-feed-part-2-saving.html" target="_blank">LINK</a><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMmtgxR2qf1EBQcvOMjYg7nY62yY0G6UBHh2nOxpoR6w6PbuB-f0erjA8-rXbKRgVMDn3F6Q1CPtYaKFhzC5taNJOmOEXDedNhBiPWW4bdqMlFHP05GKUKSqw6FSMXJCBjNtM2np49Pdb/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMmtgxR2qf1EBQcvOMjYg7nY62yY0G6UBHh2nOxpoR6w6PbuB-f0erjA8-rXbKRgVMDn3F6Q1CPtYaKFhzC5taNJOmOEXDedNhBiPWW4bdqMlFHP05GKUKSqw6FSMXJCBjNtM2np49Pdb/s400/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious, home-grown lettuce.</td></tr>
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<b>Onions: Growing from Seed:</b> Here's a method of growing onions from seed that will also produce copious amounts of onion-greens as well. <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2018/12/onions-growing-from-seed.html" target="_blank">LINK</a> and <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-garden-of-givers.html" target="_blank">LINK</a><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEnPPt_t8sksbMH-BacJkyVcWa9gdtiKpUm8xGZCAllcOogAin9eQOqmDQkaDavEhzfQ-7vA8vUnzbDU3v8-Dg36CyoqnAu6CP1feZQTS4Fr-Odey0zC39XFHITiAiX7v3lHaB4eRHA7W/s1600/burgandy+globes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1284" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEnPPt_t8sksbMH-BacJkyVcWa9gdtiKpUm8xGZCAllcOogAin9eQOqmDQkaDavEhzfQ-7vA8vUnzbDU3v8-Dg36CyoqnAu6CP1feZQTS4Fr-Odey0zC39XFHITiAiX7v3lHaB4eRHA7W/s400/burgandy+globes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions, grown from seed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Carrots: growing from seed: </b>This post includes instructions for preparing the ground for carrots to grow and a short video-clip about planting carrots. <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2009/05/tips-for-carrot-planting.html" target="_blank">LINK</a><b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2009/05/tips-for-carrot-planting.html" target="_blank"> </a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Wish List: </b>Spring is a time for cleaning out one's sheds and
closets to make room for the new. Here's an updated wish-list of items
that we can use in the Sharing Gardens or pass along to other gardeners
in the area. Let us know if <i>you</i> can use anything and we'll see if we can help you out. <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/wish-list.html" target="_blank">Wish List</a><br />
<br />
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-69022496861039741802022-02-10T14:19:00.000-08:002022-02-10T14:19:19.113-08:00Onions - Growing From Seed<p></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUq9YshyCBIO2GATXODRyqmlK4s9B0lU2g692HdZKRAE_EnpsJSJLgoCH3tqoqC-j9MjMVClBmNPGz9ax3UABTCbmnu6U58dCmaQvPk8S142eR7Huv6iOWFDLXuWuixidBPkKMtZE4V0l/s1600/onion+varieties.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUq9YshyCBIO2GATXODRyqmlK4s9B0lU2g692HdZKRAE_EnpsJSJLgoCH3tqoqC-j9MjMVClBmNPGz9ax3UABTCbmnu6U58dCmaQvPk8S142eR7Huv6iOWFDLXuWuixidBPkKMtZE4V0l/s320/onion+varieties.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There are literally hundreds
of varieties of onions grown in this world, but unless you grow your own you usually have
access to only a handful of varieties from the grocery store. If you rely on growing onions from ‘sets’,
(the little onions available from nurseries with about a hundred per bag) your options
are often still quite limited. Growing from 'sets' has other disadvantages too; often they will produce a significant number of
‘doubles’ (meaning smaller onions at harvest-time) or they go to seed, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">which makes them
tough and unpalatable. </span></div>
H<span style="font-size: 14pt;">ere is a guide you can follow that will ensure your success at
growing onions from seed. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UCmvmdRYlAoiV6lBcsPPciky33K6BbgohBNlzuYM-MdUyj4DBWLZYis_zi7PEmdRk7LeiE1X_5_9qK73th0sk3nq2tTbketnsR_0tESpOsdEgjx-__CpTgjaS2YiMetMg9myeMOY23mO/s1600/DSC00921.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UCmvmdRYlAoiV6lBcsPPciky33K6BbgohBNlzuYM-MdUyj4DBWLZYis_zi7PEmdRk7LeiE1X_5_9qK73th0sk3nq2tTbketnsR_0tESpOsdEgjx-__CpTgjaS2YiMetMg9myeMOY23mO/s320/DSC00921.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions going to seed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here in the Willamette
Valley of Oregon (USDA Zone 7b - <a href="http://www.plantmaps.com/usda_hardiness_zone_map.php" target="_blank">Link to finding what zone you are in</a>), we do best to grow what are called ‘long day’ varieties which
include Cipollini (chip-o-leenie) both red and yellow varieties, Southport White
Globe, or White and Yellow Sweet
Spanish. There are many more varieties
to choose from; check your seed catalogs or go online to see
a greater selection. (Be aware that, if you wish to save your own seed, you must choose Heirloom/Open Pollinated <i>non</i>-hybrid seeds. Those listed above are all Heirloom varieties.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You will need:</span></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Sifted</i> potting mix</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sand (optional) </span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pots: 4"-wide x 6"-deep (1 pot per 25 seeds)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Seeds; start with fresh seeds each year; onion seeds lose viability within one or two years.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Greenhouse or grow-lights, or the ability to bring seedlings indoors if in danger of frost.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Plant-mister </span></li></ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <b>When to start:</b>
About eight-to-ten weeks from the time you wish to transplant them into
your garden. We always get the seeds
started around the middle of February. By late April the
seedlings will be ready to set out into the
garden. They are ready when you can see a clearly defined "bulb", 1/8"
to 1/4" pushing above the soil-surface in the pot. At this stage, the
sooner they get into the
ground the larger your onion bulbs will be at harvest time. It’s always
a good idea to have a bed in mind
that you’ve prepared during the previous fall since it’s difficult to
prepare
beds in the spring if you have a long rainy season like we often
experience here in </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Oregon</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.
The seedlings can handle a touch of frost at this stage but its no fun
transplanting them in really muddy garden beds. Some people wait until
early or mid-March to start seeds and still have plenty of time for the
onions to ripen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Pots</b>: We've found that starting
the seeds in pots that are 4" - 6" deep is best. Any shallower and the
seedlings become root-bound before it's time to transplant them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Soil/Sand: </b>Start with a good organic seed-starting
mix. It doesn’t need to be a premium
potting blend, in fact, if you start with too rich of a soil blend you can
experience a condition referred to as ‘damping off’ which looks like mold growing
on the surface and which causes the young seedlings to rot as they emerge from
the soil. One way to help eliminate this
condition is to sprinkle a thin layer of sand over the seeds. By keeping the soil damp but not too wet
and having good ventilation you shouldn’t have this problem. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzY-70YZg_Leyujhj6aD6jNipjfCT2F1i0ytL9qvjcYXUx5rCm4ks6HvMgIuRx1bpO-hRVlFEXYRYTHFXWKHMkSRT28_TSI5DCxIJCwrXj3QstRsdtP4rs6vVlznXXWL9x2XGVc3UhgQ8/s1600/onion-tofu2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzY-70YZg_Leyujhj6aD6jNipjfCT2F1i0ytL9qvjcYXUx5rCm4ks6HvMgIuRx1bpO-hRVlFEXYRYTHFXWKHMkSRT28_TSI5DCxIJCwrXj3QstRsdtP4rs6vVlznXXWL9x2XGVc3UhgQ8/s320/onion-tofu2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion seeds can be started in a variety of containers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Fill the pots with a <i>sifted soil</i>
to about 1/2" from the top (tiny seeds find it difficult to germinate
in soil with large chunks of material). Level out the soil, tamping them
down with
the <i>bottom</i> of another pot to create a level surface so that all of the seeds will be sewn at
the same depth (otherwise they germinate unevenly). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Seeds: </b>You may want to actually count
out the seeds the first time so that you can have an idea of what 25 - 35 seeds
looks like because that is about how many would be optimal to sew in 4" pots. You can adjust up or down
depending on the size container you choose.
The idea is to not have an overcrowded condition that would produce weak
and unhealthy seedlings. Place the seeds
in the palm of your hand and pinch out a few at a time. Gently drop them on
the surface of the soil, distributing them as evenly as you can without
becoming too concerned about accuracy.
It’s OK if some seeds are touching each other. Spr</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">inkle a sifted layer of starting mix or sand over the seeds at a depth of
about an eighth to a quarter inch. Tamp
it down again and water gently (a planter mist-er works great at this stage). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Watering:</b> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
Keep the soil moist using either a small spray bottle or water them
from below by putting water in trays and setting pots in them. </span>Tiny
seeds, until established can be washed away with more aggressive
watering techniques. Make sure you label them with the name of the
variety and the date you
started them. Then it’s time to be
patient, and let Nature do her work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
seeds will not require sunlight until
they have emerged from the soil, usually about two weeks from the time
they are
sewn, so you can keep them indoors where they will not freeze, on a
window sill
or in a greenhouse if you have one. Once the greens are up, they will
require full sun. If you don't have grow-lights or a greenhouse, be sure
to bring them inside at night if it looks like you may have freezing
temps.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkazBXA5-Oc3Qsjo_OZJZuugO_7yOG_lRkirDG4DsfdhNgusykO9maahCkL7zqzV84fHOuBf37xJoIQuK5E-dHbHNvKkZVc-jP6EPwUZqIuNMlL-cPW6M_I0DtGOGWFKc3aKNZHjIMmsS/s1600/DSC00589.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkazBXA5-Oc3Qsjo_OZJZuugO_7yOG_lRkirDG4DsfdhNgusykO9maahCkL7zqzV84fHOuBf37xJoIQuK5E-dHbHNvKkZVc-jP6EPwUZqIuNMlL-cPW6M_I0DtGOGWFKc3aKNZHjIMmsS/s320/DSC00589.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teasing onion-roots apart before trimming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Transplanting: </b>Each pot of seedlings must be teased apart. <span style="font-size: 14pt;">You
will need to trim
back both the tops and the roots before trying to stick these tiny
seedlings
into the ground. You trim the roots so they're easier to slip into the
holes and you trim the tops so that the pruned roots can support the
greens above.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">First,
dump the whole pot into the palm of your hand. Next,
separate the clump into several sections (maybe 10-12 seedlings in each
clump). Hold one clump by its 'greens' and gently tap the root
ball until most of the soil has fallen away.
Tease the seedlings apart and lay them back in your hand so that the
small bulbs are in a line (see picture below). Using a scissors or hand
pruner, cut away all but about 2 inches of
the roots. Trim the tops to about the
same length as the roots. Now set the clump into another shallow
container with
a little water in the bottom to keep them from drying out while you
prepare the
rest for transplanting. <i>Prepare only as
many as you are able to set out in one session.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZl8PChYUYweX1TMVuBV4XHRO3T3L4oclhVaIoUr74RvodhAphmXCxhL3e8sUN7BqXEODNDZ1bCugA99oL_lDoJS032ZC1vDWRXP3om8cC4eVWlrkuTZQHxc9Aa8DHrM2BEAa887Tfeee/s1600/onion-trim6.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZl8PChYUYweX1TMVuBV4XHRO3T3L4oclhVaIoUr74RvodhAphmXCxhL3e8sUN7BqXEODNDZ1bCugA99oL_lDoJS032ZC1vDWRXP3om8cC4eVWlrkuTZQHxc9Aa8DHrM2BEAa887Tfeee/s320/onion-trim6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim roots and greens to same length. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In
the bed that you’ve already
prepared you open up small holes about 4-5 inches apart. Our onions are
usually planted in beds two to three feet wide, with several rows in
each bed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Make holes:</b> To make the holes you can
fashion a planting stick called a ‘dibble’ from a smooth branch or a ¾ in dowel
with a point, or, just use a ‘Sharpie pen’ to make the hole. Make a number of holes and then go back and
drop a single onion in each hole. Gently press the roots into the hole and pinch the soil around each
one, making sure the part that was under the soil in the pot is covered when
you transplant leaving only the green top showing. You’ll get the hang of it after a few and
will be able to transplant hundreds in no time at all!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTOlZexPzHscDSfBy9FihLUAfZA3WrrDvrmikkwpIni-8nEfzFtKVlDGG12hsOCj5t9Qjo0tuyPzPzI65rSOTZQ_hwkf4BV-US9pf1DoWUbry6cpqdNIJP7AU3Df1OpTjf37rGtC7uSy_/s1600/onion+rows.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTOlZexPzHscDSfBy9FihLUAfZA3WrrDvrmikkwpIni-8nEfzFtKVlDGG12hsOCj5t9Qjo0tuyPzPzI65rSOTZQ_hwkf4BV-US9pf1DoWUbry6cpqdNIJP7AU3Df1OpTjf37rGtC7uSy_/s320/onion+rows.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions in a wide bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Now the focus becomes keeping
the bed weed-free and well watered. Once
the plants have become established and the warmer, sunny weather settles in
you’ll be amazed at how fast everything grows.
Feel free to thin out your onions when they are immature and be sure to
use the whole thing, greens and all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you have planted non-hybrid seeds, hold back a few onions to replant <i>next </i>spring to save seed. Onions are <i>biennial</i>
meaning they don't produce seed till their second year. By collecting
your own seeds you can begin the process all over again, and
saving seeds, dear friends, is one big step toward greater food
security!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-garden-of-givers.html" target="_blank"><b>Link</b></a> to another post we wrote about onion-growing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div>
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-50448425013908683102022-02-10T14:15:00.000-08:002022-02-10T14:15:19.347-08:00No-Fail Kale: Growing Kale and Saving Seed <p>"The King of Vegetables; 'Kale' to the Chief!"<br /></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPKEmUYZV-7DvgS6pSiFQfVv39zt0JXdpXXfqXcl2oZunMB7GbsTyVuqYdpaapcDJtJXrOD5k52B3n1_0PWZC79ZBUN-UCLtegh4W6xXxw6Zgwz4j4SQJvdd-dK7Fgsah4gsPGRA7-L_H/s1600/fdbnkhar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1076" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPKEmUYZV-7DvgS6pSiFQfVv39zt0JXdpXXfqXcl2oZunMB7GbsTyVuqYdpaapcDJtJXrOD5k52B3n1_0PWZC79ZBUN-UCLtegh4W6xXxw6Zgwz4j4SQJvdd-dK7Fgsah4gsPGRA7-L_H/s400/fdbnkhar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy, Danielle and Llyn with "bouquets" of Red Russian kale to share at the Food Pantry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Early spring in the Pacific NW
is a time of joyful anticipation of the coming growing season. We
already have hundreds of seedlings started in our greenhouses and, in a
few short weeks we'll be able to transplant many early-season crops
outdoors. But one of the great culinary pleasures of this time of year
is the kale that wintered over from last season. Kale is one of those
plants that when touched by a kiss of frost, becomes more sweet and
tender than when growing at the height of summer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j_33v8NUdhOW7FUjjZhVqWfgud3OXhRLcaNWDwYTyYcG23EbmRtwR1v09yk2bv755Bxp0MhEKjPo9Jg5EH8IBfrY6exF8lfrRHiTw7Ep9vRd8b5gvd-dPIfVPXe20IzMXj7exoatbx9J/s1600/OSU-2-7-15-Garden+Goddess.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j_33v8NUdhOW7FUjjZhVqWfgud3OXhRLcaNWDwYTyYcG23EbmRtwR1v09yk2bv755Bxp0MhEKjPo9Jg5EH8IBfrY6exF8lfrRHiTw7Ep9vRd8b5gvd-dPIfVPXe20IzMXj7exoatbx9J/s400/OSU-2-7-15-Garden+Goddess.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat your kale for healthy skin, hair, bones and teeth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are many articles on-line about the nutritional benefits of kale and recipes for its preparation. You will <i>not</i> find as many articles on-line about <i>growing</i> kale, using it as a cover crop, or saving your own seed which is what this article is focused on. (See also our post: <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2019/04/kale-joins-dirty-dozen-list-and-how-to.html" target="_blank">Kale joins the "Dirty-Dozen' list: and How to Grow Your Own Kale</a>) <br />
<br />
But, before we get into growing kale and saving seeds, in researching this post I discovered two important facts: <b>Kale has the densest concentration of nutrients, <i>per calorie,</i> of a wide range of foods tested.</b> (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/content-image.ashx?id=73gjzcgyvqi9qywfg7055r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PDF of 72 tested foods</a>) (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/128/andi-food-scores-rating-the-nutrient-density-of-foods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">explanation of chart</a>).<br />
<br />
And secondly, it is <b>extremely important that, the source of the kale you eat is organically grown.</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The health benefits of kale greatly depend on the source you buy it
from. Whenever you shop for kale, make sure to get organic kale, as it’s
one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops. Two-thirds of produce
sampled in recent evaluations were poisoned with pesticides and <b><i>non-organic kale ranks among the world’s most heavily polluted crops."</i></b>(<a href="https://draxe.com/health-benefits-of-kale/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>source</b></a>)</blockquote>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><br /></td><td class="lbRight"><b>How to grow it:</b> Kale won't grow well in the tropics or arid regions but it's
perfectly suited to a moist, temperate climate such as the Willamette
Valley of Oregon where we live. There are several varieties available.
The main two we grow are <b>Toscana (or dinosaur) kale </b>and <b>Winter Red/Russian kale</b>. With its
greyish-green leaves (without many frilly edges) and mild-flavored
tenderness, <b>Toscana</b> is perfectly suited to make roasted kale chips (recipe below). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><br /></td><td class="lbRight"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xc65DfP1WpGa25aCp1VYIe-vtijl1fFWkIB-9pevNMcB3KY-5oLDay4oaPIjTwVHYRIxScFielLiN-trKJPYfqnZjdCLz_MNAnhth2eglRTZCtTlcO4Py1khafj0d3DM6Xgw7tuUoshF/s1600/Toscana+kale.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xc65DfP1WpGa25aCp1VYIe-vtijl1fFWkIB-9pevNMcB3KY-5oLDay4oaPIjTwVHYRIxScFielLiN-trKJPYfqnZjdCLz_MNAnhth2eglRTZCtTlcO4Py1khafj0d3DM6Xgw7tuUoshF/s400/Toscana+kale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toscana (or dinosaur) kale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But for ease of growing and hardiness through the winter, our favorite kale is <b>Winter Red/Russian kale</b>.
This kale actually has the nickname 'hungry gap', after the period in
winter in traditional agriculture when little else can be harvested.
We've had stands of it survive, outside and unsheltered through the
winter - through all but the most sustained snow and cold.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQPMf5VLqXvvqaom1UCmmpilH8Q7B_RUMT2PbMcPDNXV_w-2MJGb8KDoDpA-gMo9vw4dlN9TfcuxnrpVtuf8IKkCwUZjuncPrlc5BHiKwOsFfZIuYvvmkSjMdbdLef97ATzUFuDTLCHRf/s1600/Kale+to+share.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQPMf5VLqXvvqaom1UCmmpilH8Q7B_RUMT2PbMcPDNXV_w-2MJGb8KDoDpA-gMo9vw4dlN9TfcuxnrpVtuf8IKkCwUZjuncPrlc5BHiKwOsFfZIuYvvmkSjMdbdLef97ATzUFuDTLCHRf/s400/Kale+to+share.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toscana
kale is darker green and its leaves are less frilly (far left). Red
Winter kale, hardier and more vigorous (easier to grow through the
winter) is on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQPCzixw8cgZwR3rWHvL86yavdHOxYDFvwEGNuARt0ZEjR5G2k_iWFY6FAylHMB-ocbUACPnaFNAFLBcRtv2Q3A5bT-wP5BV1P2l4JEUkcxDYf7v3usYdDyp6qLlCnqj5aZpBIM8fkgi/s1600/kale+sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1123" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQPCzixw8cgZwR3rWHvL86yavdHOxYDFvwEGNuARt0ZEjR5G2k_iWFY6FAylHMB-ocbUACPnaFNAFLBcRtv2Q3A5bT-wP5BV1P2l4JEUkcxDYf7v3usYdDyp6qLlCnqj5aZpBIM8fkgi/s400/kale+sign.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign, we put with kale at the Food Pantry as many people were unfamiliar with eating it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Typically we grow two main crops of kale per year.</b> The <b>first</b>
we start in early/mid-February. We either start them in pots/six packs
and transplant them outside (late March/early April) or we start them
directly in beds in the greenhouse. We pick from both these plantings
all the way until mid-July when a) the leaves become bigger and less
tender and b) there is so much else coming ripe that we prefer to eat!
In the heat of summer they often also become infested with aphids and
become inedible for this reason. This is then the perfect time to sow
the <i>second</i> crop of the season (more on this below).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmceNdww-wm0_nt88rBq4pA9JAKod8jEFSHn566MPTzm1F6exZBlB1pcxcfsclLeAkbCiGe-dQYxbQWvW2LjGVZMx8Y5Xw7HztWXGSHzj2-saxV-w0p6IePxEOfq7bPwYkcNCUAeyVRxC/s1600/tofu+container-seed+start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmceNdww-wm0_nt88rBq4pA9JAKod8jEFSHn566MPTzm1F6exZBlB1pcxcfsclLeAkbCiGe-dQYxbQWvW2LjGVZMx8Y5Xw7HztWXGSHzj2-saxV-w0p6IePxEOfq7bPwYkcNCUAeyVRxC/s400/tofu+container-seed+start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We
start seeds in plastic tofu-containers with holes drilled in the
bottom. We fill the containers mostly full of soil and press the soil
down evenly with the bottom of another container. After sowing seeds,
cover with scant, even layer of soil. Keep moist but don't over-water.
These seedlings above are lettuce plants (to show spacing of seeds). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41V2nHikeUFhjROu7XtkCzBKPBmipyj3H6pOsUzz2PMonStlVPvoqGcx72KMHCCzF2SGZNlW7w_01wwKztxdY6Xfd7y6aegRfcjJuYncpHamKnJMDDMNgqWav2ulY-V7_J0gacb_Lx0R2/s1600/hands-seedlings.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41V2nHikeUFhjROu7XtkCzBKPBmipyj3H6pOsUzz2PMonStlVPvoqGcx72KMHCCzF2SGZNlW7w_01wwKztxdY6Xfd7y6aegRfcjJuYncpHamKnJMDDMNgqWav2ulY-V7_J0gacb_Lx0R2/s400/hands-seedlings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once
seedlings are large enough to handle easily and they have
well-developed roots, but before they are root-bound, gently dump out
the batch of seedlings and tease them apart, placing one in each cell of
a six-pack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcCyZs2_-WOCXrb2vRcpZa2Te7kRuBxAc8kaJC6hWqx-FzAhqqvv7pn9goPFtKJqBNBWHCFlAPiccVrewMa2NbewaEb71SDZdXl314i-mbeMnC8oxoyQMbkr3mmS9drf5AWKB9KS_-PZL/s1600/kale+starts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcCyZs2_-WOCXrb2vRcpZa2Te7kRuBxAc8kaJC6hWqx-FzAhqqvv7pn9goPFtKJqBNBWHCFlAPiccVrewMa2NbewaEb71SDZdXl314i-mbeMnC8oxoyQMbkr3mmS9drf5AWKB9KS_-PZL/s400/kale+starts.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In
a few weeks, seedlings will grow and their roots fill the six-pack
cells. They are then ready to transplant into garden-beds (18" apart).
(Red Russian kale seedlings shown)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have also<b> sowed the seed loosely over a whole greenhouse bed</b>
in February (ideally the seeds are about 2" apart) and cover them
lightly with topsoil. The kale comes up thickly filling the whole bed
and grows rapidly in the protected climate of the greenhouse. It is easy
to harvest whole clumps at a time with a sharp knife or scissors and,
as long as you don't cut below where the leaves generate from, the kale
will keep growing back all spring until a) you want to use the bed for
something else or b) the greenhouse gets too warm for the cool-loving
kale and it succumbs to aphids, or mold or gets too tough to enjoy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oE8kiRRAg89nQPYZUg5yk0_Hv7ktzRTi4sgwes0UwzLnTq0wmXQTbb44LNIifhetaev8otsnL-FxB9mBNbDYLmHQCIKyi8ZefdsBJze_Yqe5SZgWWgfVhUjppGdxMUU2V6wg9OUNgKmq/s1600/kale-ark-chris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oE8kiRRAg89nQPYZUg5yk0_Hv7ktzRTi4sgwes0UwzLnTq0wmXQTbb44LNIifhetaev8otsnL-FxB9mBNbDYLmHQCIKyi8ZefdsBJze_Yqe5SZgWWgfVhUjppGdxMUU2V6wg9OUNgKmq/s400/kale-ark-chris.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here,
Chris is harvesting kale that was sown directly in a greenhouse bed.
Using a sharp knife, he cuts off whole handfuls of kale leaving the node
where new leaves sprout untouched for future harvests. The leaves will
continue to re-grow for many, many months.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The second main crop</b> of kale (for fall and winter eating) is sown
in late July. It can be done in pots and transplanted, or loosely
scattered as a thick crop (either inside or outside a greenhouse). It's
counter-intuitive that you start these 'winter crops' in the peak of the
summer heat but the seeds need enough time to germinate, and the leaves
need long enough days to gain some height and volume as they will not
gain much in size once the day-length shortens after autumn-equinox
(Sept. 21 or so). We usually find it challenging to have enough room in
our greenhouses at the peak of summer to grow a large kale crop indoors
but, since kale does well outside, except in all but the harshest
winters, we've had good luck with growing it outside.<br />
<br />
<b>Kale as a cover-crop:</b> Below are some pictures of an experiment we
did one year with kale as a cover crop. We sowed it thickly along with
fava beans (tried to space plants about 2" apart). This was done by
scattering the two varieties of seed and <i>very</i> lightly tilling
them in with tiller at shallowest depth-setting. The kale did very well
and lasted all through the winter. The fava beans succumbed to a
sustained hard-frost and didn't survive till spring. After eating kale
all winter-long, we tilled the rest in as a source for 'green manure'.
This worked fine but we are now moving away from using the roto-tiller
in the spring as it really compacts our clay-dense soil but, if you're
still tilling in cover-crops and have a lot of kale-seed, it's a great
way to go!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ01h5CUEOmazDAzZmcL4AcRJxM6H6mbRJSCtRQDbwUn3-avDrbW_5ECvBilfFvfhlBF30-7bPUbD88FPOctmY3vppV_yLOIpwIZDBdhs6JWBocUEQKrLQ5Ulg-wjOrTVdwvVf1yrHNBI/s1600/GP-Kale+cover-cropE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ01h5CUEOmazDAzZmcL4AcRJxM6H6mbRJSCtRQDbwUn3-avDrbW_5ECvBilfFvfhlBF30-7bPUbD88FPOctmY3vppV_yLOIpwIZDBdhs6JWBocUEQKrLQ5Ulg-wjOrTVdwvVf1yrHNBI/s400/GP-Kale+cover-cropE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale
and fava beans as a cover crop (planted in Sept., pictured in late
October). Kale survived the winter; favas did not (froze). We ate kale
all winter and tilled the kale into the soil in the spring as a 'green
manure' (for fertility).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM2LlJ63JIR2WfWFgVbtGJlEbr2LQpm5BE2jQf7Q0MnskpgcBH0nbcW2IEDSI1S9SFzaTfGYo_ROl4KAmA1FsatJBJHbtL5cv9T6g4uomfsB1w1Shhe8koE_NyRWZOX-xpC8bWKdiSjTk/s1600/OSU-2-7-15-Group-Kale-B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM2LlJ63JIR2WfWFgVbtGJlEbr2LQpm5BE2jQf7Q0MnskpgcBH0nbcW2IEDSI1S9SFzaTfGYo_ROl4KAmA1FsatJBJHbtL5cv9T6g4uomfsB1w1Shhe8koE_NyRWZOX-xpC8bWKdiSjTk/s400/OSU-2-7-15-Group-Kale-B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same field of kale in February. OSU students harvesting a tub-full to take home and enjoy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Springtime bonus: Kale 'raab'</b><br />
Though there are some <i>annual</i> varieties of kale, most are <i>biennial</i> and set seed in their second season, after wintering over.<b> </b>If
you have some kale that has survived the winter, look for the start of
flowers forming. The best time to catch them is before the flowers begin
to open (below). These kale flowers, called 'raab' (pronounced 'rob')
are very tender and have a slight 'sweet' taste. They are <i>loaded</i> with vitamins and minerals. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7OT4Yj1ceKqh7GwfzwKTJwI3ZWtBG2jkpm4uA33MnTGuN2r-0VLY_zkTFJeynY3JLw7ZGw8KmCG8FaxSnpnJsFcozdvPo-3Nk9LE7JGML4aLu5BtlV-nR_4j7IWM_4Ecu5Txks5hCDPV/s1600/a-kale+raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1212" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7OT4Yj1ceKqh7GwfzwKTJwI3ZWtBG2jkpm4uA33MnTGuN2r-0VLY_zkTFJeynY3JLw7ZGw8KmCG8FaxSnpnJsFcozdvPo-3Nk9LE7JGML4aLu5BtlV-nR_4j7IWM_4Ecu5Txks5hCDPV/s400/a-kale+raab.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale
'raab' (pronounced 'rob') is the flowers of the plant before they fully
open. Tender, sweet and densely nutritious; a springtime treat!
(pictured: Red Russian kale-raab) Note: Pick some leaves and stems along
with the flowers; they'll still be tender at this time of year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC1jClekWsgI6w07SrvA2NJuNmficP_1KcvclXjCqZNE8gU4SdJn_Upf2iZejh1N9ULmVX-rduItimVGPIEBILyzT8opVLCI3rSTgpSQFbyPKqJMdwak_KTwBv4CCDA4HcGziDhzgWoHO/s1600/Kale+raab-Llyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC1jClekWsgI6w07SrvA2NJuNmficP_1KcvclXjCqZNE8gU4SdJn_Upf2iZejh1N9ULmVX-rduItimVGPIEBILyzT8opVLCI3rSTgpSQFbyPKqJMdwak_KTwBv4CCDA4HcGziDhzgWoHO/s400/Kale+raab-Llyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Llyn picking raab off a Toscana kale plant in March or April.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunS8WisMEQ_3i8_MsCSewxv46Ggb379lmUB8Ta-TfHEOGkTt9wg_9R9v0SDv3D6Q9VSdFWOK7ZlAK_WjcJxvRfiqlmtonWuHdm4tDza3uRrjpTWeqXjvejgjblnwfqsPoMP8cm8ifNKhA/s1600/Bella-kale+raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunS8WisMEQ_3i8_MsCSewxv46Ggb379lmUB8Ta-TfHEOGkTt9wg_9R9v0SDv3D6Q9VSdFWOK7ZlAK_WjcJxvRfiqlmtonWuHdm4tDza3uRrjpTWeqXjvejgjblnwfqsPoMP8cm8ifNKhA/s400/Bella-kale+raab.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella
loves kale, raw from the garden! We prefer to steam it for about 7-min.
and eat it with apple-cider vinegar or a splash of lemon-juice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Saving seed:</b> One of the pleasures of growing your own food from seeds is to begin to <i>save</i>
your own seeds. With most varieties, it's not difficult and the seeds
you save yourself will naturally select/adapt to be more perfectly
suited to your local climate and conditions. It also contributes to
having a greater sense of local food-security in case there ever comes a
time when seeds are not distributed over long distances, or there is a
seed-crop failure in another part of the country.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IKuXETDj7dFipg_0SM-dbOMExdkzcpNtmXYDWAYWJRJ1e9IQw-LAgyTh8PBWzUqqU7VU0pHtKlC_d2YCsGpe7knZGf2yR8_LkX5CgxHUTOJaIFqc5rNlY-fuJYAXs4vqG_3AtoeTQDdS/s1600/kale+flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IKuXETDj7dFipg_0SM-dbOMExdkzcpNtmXYDWAYWJRJ1e9IQw-LAgyTh8PBWzUqqU7VU0pHtKlC_d2YCsGpe7knZGf2yR8_LkX5CgxHUTOJaIFqc5rNlY-fuJYAXs4vqG_3AtoeTQDdS/s400/kale+flowers.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If
left to mature, the raab opens up into yellow flowers. Once the flowers
open, the plants become more woody and less pleasant to eat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-j-iKRNzYZdGdk7Wcv4qUHbJRTAkKU_40hBq8yGhrizol4806PUMrakPfiKO5f_thrkuFNDGuTI45yVrAlyOL24J3poyxX7zk-l7UJ7MhPMFTMbZVoo8VAtHL23hr6QeReoKbw-4WQw-/s1600/Kale+seed-Chris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-j-iKRNzYZdGdk7Wcv4qUHbJRTAkKU_40hBq8yGhrizol4806PUMrakPfiKO5f_thrkuFNDGuTI45yVrAlyOL24J3poyxX7zk-l7UJ7MhPMFTMbZVoo8VAtHL23hr6QeReoKbw-4WQw-/s400/Kale+seed-Chris.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The
flowers are pollinated and become seed-pods. Each plant can produce
thousands of seeds! Wait to harvest the seed-pods till they are <i>mostly </i>turning purplish/tan and the pods are drying out (see above).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzqR_DfgyjCz8TCMXNuJS4u3mVqpxW3pvEreURHD0U0lNY4I2W830AFJtU6Tg7zMQSGww1uzgigtXC06js40WooDN2fOK0HKUUWd1UZ388fY15vMtyfZjHEBuzuAR9h0MI1CGuueOQjK/s1600/Kale+seed-hand.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzqR_DfgyjCz8TCMXNuJS4u3mVqpxW3pvEreURHD0U0lNY4I2W830AFJtU6Tg7zMQSGww1uzgigtXC06js40WooDN2fOK0HKUUWd1UZ388fY15vMtyfZjHEBuzuAR9h0MI1CGuueOQjK/s400/Kale+seed-hand.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When ripe, the pods will easily open by rubbing them between your fingers yielding multiple seeds in each.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's important to find the right time to harvest seed. You want to <b>be sure the seeds are ripe enough</b> that they are <b>fully black and pop easily out of the pods</b>, but <b>don't wait so long that the birds eat your seed, or the pods shatter and spread the seed onto the ground below</b>. Regardless of your best intentions, there are always <i>some</i>
seeds that shatter out of the pods so you can anticipate 'volunteer'
seedlings to germinate in places you've let kale plants go-to-seed. We
have one place in a greenhouse that has germinated kale plants for a
third season in a row since we last let plants go to seed in that spot.
That's what we call a 'high-quality problem'!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ37305KQ1tPb-dnvF3wAlMGsHCqsGZ9IMh-xlWnUy4xtvqacb_ow86unUKI57GVzfJuCz_1uC6aDP_qFF7Cj7m7h_qkWSuBzRP_p2LXD8vZr8TfyRk1ECPltvbFkR9Wqcopiul1s76yI/s1600/kale+seed-hands+CU.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1381" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ37305KQ1tPb-dnvF3wAlMGsHCqsGZ9IMh-xlWnUy4xtvqacb_ow86unUKI57GVzfJuCz_1uC6aDP_qFF7Cj7m7h_qkWSuBzRP_p2LXD8vZr8TfyRk1ECPltvbFkR9Wqcopiul1s76yI/s400/kale+seed-hands+CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature kale seeds. Each plant is capable of producing <i>thousands</i> of seeds. This is just a small fraction of those saved from one plant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>You need to have some way of catching the seeds as the pods dry and open</b>.
After clipping the ripe seed-stalks, slip them gently in a paper-sack
and hang in a dry place where birds and other animals can't reach them
until the pods are all dry. You can also put them upside-down in a
plastic tub or bucket. We have hung them from the rafters of our
garden-shed, or on a shelf above our wood-stove, or put them in the
greenhouse in a tub, on a shelf, covered by screens (to keep animals
from eating them).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Seeds are ready for <b>winnowing</b> (separating seeds and chaff) when
the pods are crisp and dry and crush easily by rubbing them between your
hands. If it isn't in a tub already, carefully place the stalks of
seed-heads into a tub and rub the pods between your hands to shatter
them and release the seeds. As each stalk is cleaned, remove it from the
tub. In the end you will have a mixture of seeds and dried leaves/pods
(chaff). Winnowing is described in the caption below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-kBZcOoDVB9M7h5ACzPJzO23ZV14sUNc5ESMgQwAwk3ugXwwT8VZ3skY2PzL_TUz5OUF0uaLdkj9QefYGLcR8Ubv78xICoE7LfHCPh-j16ya-2D4hHSCs8AJS0ikLg3eo9UbOltpSsi2/s1600/Rook-chris-cindy-winnowing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-kBZcOoDVB9M7h5ACzPJzO23ZV14sUNc5ESMgQwAwk3ugXwwT8VZ3skY2PzL_TUz5OUF0uaLdkj9QefYGLcR8Ubv78xICoE7LfHCPh-j16ya-2D4hHSCs8AJS0ikLg3eo9UbOltpSsi2/s400/Rook-chris-cindy-winnowing.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, Chris is giving a demonstration to Rook and Cindy of winnowing bean seeds (separating the seeds from the chaff).<b>
On a lightly breezy day, or in front of an electric fan, slowly pour
seeds from one container into the other so the breeze blows the chaff
away and the seeds fall into the lower container.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Storing seeds</b>: Often, after winnowing, we continue to dry the seeds on a shelf above our woodstove. It is very important that they be <i>totally</i>
dry or they can develop mold during storage. Heat can also destroy
seeds so don't dry them any more than is necessary. Store seeds in a
cool, dark place (or in your freezer, in an airtight container if you
have the room). If you are new to saving seeds, check the plastic bags,
jars or bottles a week or two after you store them to check there's no
mold growing. We've lost a few batches due to mold which is always a sad
thing when you go to check your seeds at the beginning of the next
growing season.<br />
<br />
Here's a <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2018/07/family-heirlooms-saving-your-own-seed.html" target="_blank">LINK</a> listing <b>all our other posts about saving your own seed</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEZ7h_oaHKIpQF-iI15uT7H4gaDjYg4G4OdXbs1yNOoPFJK0SFuqk687n9YgTP4Va90vqpm9vNMizm_cZwO7i0BIG1ETusPXlvGLO0XLpFDnm4dxFYlVEGRZ0bZTnQh0EFAwXhfeOvRsL/s1600/kale-lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEZ7h_oaHKIpQF-iI15uT7H4gaDjYg4G4OdXbs1yNOoPFJK0SFuqk687n9YgTP4Va90vqpm9vNMizm_cZwO7i0BIG1ETusPXlvGLO0XLpFDnm4dxFYlVEGRZ0bZTnQh0EFAwXhfeOvRsL/s400/kale-lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious and nutritious, spring "greens": Toscana and Red Russian kale flanked by "Red Sails" lettuce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Kale is easy to prepare and eat</b>. We mainly use it steamed with a
little apple-cider vinegar or lemon juice sprinkled on top, or a little butter but it it also good in
smoothies (<a href="https://draxe.com/green-smoothie-recipes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>recipes</b></a>), fresh in a tossed salad (<a href="https://cookieandkate.com/2014/12-favorite-kale-salads/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>recipe</b></a>)
or baked into chips (<a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2014/03/12/6-tips-for-flawless-kale-chips-all-dressed-kale-chips-recipe/" target="_blank"><b>recipe</b></a>). There are many great recipes on line. Always rinse
well before using.<br />
<br />
In the spring, when plants are small, the ribs will
be tender and can be chopped right in with the rest of the leaves. As
the plants mature, the ribs become more woody so best to slice them out
and compost them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Kale is incredibly nutritious.</b> A 3.5 oz. serving (100g) gives
you 7% of an adult's protein needs for the day as well as 5%- 15% of
several vitamins and minerals. It is also very high in fiber.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://draxe.com/health-benefits-of-kale/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>(LINK: Health Benefits of Kale</b></a>)<br />
<br />
This <b>'ANDI' </b>chart (below) lists 72 foods, rating them by their
concentration of nutrients per calorie. Kale is #1! They're not
suggesting that you rule out the foods that are higher in calories and
less dense in nutrients (healthy bodies <i>need</i> high-quality fats, carbohydrates and protein) but most of us are deficient in the <i>micro-</i>nutrients (vitamins, minerals etc) and fiber, that are essential for all our metabolic processes and optimal health. (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/128/andi-food-scores-rating-the-nutrient-density-of-foods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK: Aggregate Nutritional Density Index</b></a> - note, kale is #1) (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/content-image.ashx?id=73gjzcgyvqi9qywfg7055r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a> to one-page, printable ANDI chart).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6uFotKzxEaTa2TSJE57XgSHee984YXltJFlEtDF2GXQiTwkaignzn9dRWoOT6EUsY8uaXn57BOP7tOR6wixPiuO0J2a2GHRo658xIYPiiI623uNsvdRBiCnzh_zSFeU67Bcm4QIMlCtu/s1600/Rob+with+Raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1278" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6uFotKzxEaTa2TSJE57XgSHee984YXltJFlEtDF2GXQiTwkaignzn9dRWoOT6EUsY8uaXn57BOP7tOR6wixPiuO0J2a2GHRo658xIYPiiI623uNsvdRBiCnzh_zSFeU67Bcm4QIMlCtu/s400/Rob+with+Raab.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rob' with kale 'raab'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here's another post we wrote about the health benefits of Kale:<br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2019/04/kale-joins-dirty-dozen-list-and-how-to.html" target="_blank">Kale joins the "Dirty-Dozen' list: and How to Grow Your Own Kale </a></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b> </b><br />
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-32192329633742926472022-02-04T15:59:00.003-08:002022-02-04T16:03:26.561-08:00Visit our new site!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-82280410958073518272022-02-04T15:59:00.000-08:002022-02-04T15:59:00.553-08:00Valentines Day - Time for Pea Planting!<p></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAAr7_6O7tvdJUPaaSm2xRGuDG5AJLPkN48sspKVdBToalek3kiN-4iKGixl5JOFD9vMJPOGE8QtVQbe0SXvCEMpqUjXb0Pbo3xmyUM7xCsKC10CK46Q0V4w1Oz7xwDeewuv8Rg9MMxHA/s1600/new+peas1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAAr7_6O7tvdJUPaaSm2xRGuDG5AJLPkN48sspKVdBToalek3kiN-4iKGixl5JOFD9vMJPOGE8QtVQbe0SXvCEMpqUjXb0Pbo3xmyUM7xCsKC10CK46Q0V4w1Oz7xwDeewuv8Rg9MMxHA/s320/new+peas1.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy pea seedlings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Garden tips for Peas:</b>
In our region (Zone 8a - <b><a href="http://www.plantmaps.com/usda_hardiness_zone_map.php" target="_blank">USDA Hardiness Map</a></b>),
its ideal to plant peas around Valentine's Day. This
gives them the best head start for blooming in time for the longest
possible harvest season. The problem is that, here in Alpine/Monroe,
Oregon, the soil is often very wet
and cold this time of year and, even if you get a good start sowing
seeds directly in the
soil, the March and April rains can significantly retard their growth,
the seedlings can rot off at soil-level, or slugs can decimate your
starts.<br />
<br />
If you have raised beds, direct sowing shouldn't be an issue but if,
like us, you don't have that luxury, here's a method we've used
successfully for several years to deal with these challenges: <br />
<br />
You'll need:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Seeds <b>(<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/give-peas-chance.html" target="_blank">link </a></b>to article on saving your own pea-seeds)</li><li>Soil</li><li>4" pots (6" deep) - the deeper pots give more time before plants become root-bound.</li></ul>
Fill pots to within a half-inch of the top. Gently tamp down soil so it doesn't settle too far when you water it. <br />
<br />
Poke two seeds, in opposite corners, about the depth of one knuckle
(3/4" or so).
That's two seeds per pot. This gives each plant enough soil to
germinate and grow to
several inches in height before you transplant. Cover the seeds with
soil so they're not exposed to sun. Water them gently. Do not
over-water. Seedlings can rot if soil is too damp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSB07tlKzBzpLFVbI3Pl_Fn8QNSJVklFCr4DDQNu3poPTRgzCNG1XPWe1vAVHwhLNE9fpinND8bqyijMtytaZJk5uN2x9_9fp3HOhnwa4Ib_kDnogGnvDA5brB4WnH01n7D2_5ABctYf0/s1600/four+to+a+pot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSB07tlKzBzpLFVbI3Pl_Fn8QNSJVklFCr4DDQNu3poPTRgzCNG1XPWe1vAVHwhLNE9fpinND8bqyijMtytaZJk5uN2x9_9fp3HOhnwa4Ib_kDnogGnvDA5brB4WnH01n7D2_5ABctYf0/s400/four+to+a+pot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note: Since having written this article, <i><b>we have now shifted to planting two seeds per pot</b></i> but do not have photos to reflect this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you're planting earlier than mid-February, you'll need a greenhouse to protect them
and keep soil in pots warm enough for germination. If you wait until
mid-February, pots can often be outside in a sunny place, protected from north
winds.<b> </b><br />
<br />
When they are <i>at least</i>
6", and no longer than 12", you can put them in your garden, or greenhouse beds. Best to
wait until their root-systems are quite dense in the pots -- almost
"root-bound". They will be easier to transplant without damaging the
plants. On the other-hand, if you wait until the stems are too long, you
risk breaking stems during transplanting so it's a matter of finding
the right balance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp1huHcYCtNvxHxiubfJQUZ1OgXzIT7G_IH4DPZ3SO2jPglPmIbYojt2cXgFVBF4brRfQ8o4t_Y5Huh7TlBhY9FMFkzgtW6H2dhSY0YliPpTAVU0-HMZ1D4kxa5V3m27y-ea28fPuPNrn/s1600/NRS-peas-C.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp1huHcYCtNvxHxiubfJQUZ1OgXzIT7G_IH4DPZ3SO2jPglPmIbYojt2cXgFVBF4brRfQ8o4t_Y5Huh7TlBhY9FMFkzgtW6H2dhSY0YliPpTAVU0-HMZ1D4kxa5V3m27y-ea28fPuPNrn/s400/NRS-peas-C.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pea-seedlings in pots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Transplanting:</b> Plant each 4" pot (with its two seedlings) about 8"- 10" apart with bamboo stakes or
other climbing trellis in between each clump of starts. Pea-plants are
not typically transplanted but sowed directly in place. They are very
susceptible to shock so be gentle with the roots and stems. Best to have
your trellis in place <i>before</i> you transplant so you don't injure
roots driving in the stakes. If slugs, bunnies or birds are a big issue in your area (they all love to nibble pea-seedlings!),
planting them in the milk-carton collars can make a big difference <b>(<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/re-purposing-things.html" target="_blank">Link</a> </b>to post on Re-Purposing Things - including milk-cartons as collars). We
also typically sprinkle about a teaspoon of iron-phosphate ("Sluggo")
around each bunch of plants. This is an organically-approved way of
dealing with slug/snail infestations in your garden. <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/06/organic-solution-to-slugs-iron.html" target="_blank"><b>(LINK</b></a> to article about iron phosphate).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DT2B_HCje37ZsxRbYcclOUFNyu9j87v1bLF1X8ZYfTRNtXZNeCwyWdaRbYt1hoFYWuYWzXNe_BVbiGHIJ-7myves4F2NQPpW1CyUtPZluApkI3H1rusCJGQP31bcID-OeuZKIYeOl_nH/s1600/OSU-5-9-15-Group-beans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DT2B_HCje37ZsxRbYcclOUFNyu9j87v1bLF1X8ZYfTRNtXZNeCwyWdaRbYt1hoFYWuYWzXNe_BVbiGHIJ-7myves4F2NQPpW1CyUtPZluApkI3H1rusCJGQP31bcID-OeuZKIYeOl_nH/s400/OSU-5-9-15-Group-beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good idea to have trellis in place <i>before</i> you transplant peas (so you're less likely to damage roots).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The plants will
go through a little stress from transplanting but once they acclimatize
to their new environment they'll be well along the way to yielding a
bounteous and long-term harvest!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #990000;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LGAhuxkkjTwpdSR3xFAQefzOKiIDackkP47rdNYreM4JVBch9MniHjwhFS-BxzUe76YckIubo79YTsww-R_GejpGPbnsobcP3lQFThC8oJZ8me4vvCM3qiH-94BeGC86orZgDJg088bQ/s1600/Chris-Jesse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LGAhuxkkjTwpdSR3xFAQefzOKiIDackkP47rdNYreM4JVBch9MniHjwhFS-BxzUe76YckIubo79YTsww-R_GejpGPbnsobcP3lQFThC8oJZ8me4vvCM3qiH-94BeGC86orZgDJg088bQ/s400/Chris-Jesse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Chris and Jesse transplanting in the Alpine Garden - 2010.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs9UtGfv_XgNIpKrLkdb51umc7INgKxpTrfikHuuK7RFF6fz2IA_V546WF52sOzMlrwihy9UuBGwmTtP0l-fnJtBOF8fqNiYsEH1yhpkxpW26Yv89XiD4Rcq1PwpBAtVEjIXndKXK2vHj/s1600/OSU-May-23-15+Cameron-Hasan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs9UtGfv_XgNIpKrLkdb51umc7INgKxpTrfikHuuK7RFF6fz2IA_V546WF52sOzMlrwihy9UuBGwmTtP0l-fnJtBOF8fqNiYsEH1yhpkxpW26Yv89XiD4Rcq1PwpBAtVEjIXndKXK2vHj/s400/OSU-May-23-15+Cameron-Hasan.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pea-vines
headed for the compost pile. Peas, being legumes are able to add
nitrogen to your soil through a symbiotic relationship with organisms
that grow on their roots. This will help improve your soil, particularly
if you leave the roots in the ground when you cut down the "greens" to
add to your compost pile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Other relevant posts for early-spring gardening:</b></div>
<div style="color: #990000;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #990000;">
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/02/can-i-speed-up-potato-sprouting.html" target="_blank">Can I Speed Up Potato Sprouting?</a></b></div>
<div style="color: #990000;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #990000;">
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/04/do-i-need-to-buy-seed-potatoes-or-can-i.html" target="_blank">Do I Need to Buy Seed Potatoes or Can I Just Grow Potatoes from the Grocery Store?</a></b></div>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #990000; font-weight: normal;">
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/06/sprouting-potatoes-what-to-do.html" target="_blank">Sprouting potatoes? What to do.</a></b></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #990000; font-weight: normal;">
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2018/12/onions-growing-from-seed.html" target="_blank">Onions - Growing From Seed</a></b>
</h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font-weight: normal;">
</h3>
</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-80363124595158479492019-11-13T14:30:00.000-08:002021-06-18T08:53:38.196-07:00Lettuce: From Seed to Feed - Part 2: Saving Seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="gmail_quote">By Llyn Peabody <div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If
you grow your own lettuce, as the weather warms, it's not uncommon to
have some of it "bolt" (try to go to seed). Saving lettuce seed is
fairly easy and a good entry-point for those new to the process. Here is
a re-publishing of a post we wrote back in 2011 but the information is
just as relevant today. Happy seed-saving :-).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Saving your own seed is an important aspect
of developing local food self-reliance. Relying on commercial seed
farmers may become increasingly unreliable as climate change disrupts
weather patterns and seed crops falter. Growing your own seed slowly
modifies your plants to be uniquely suited to your micro-climate and
growing conditions. Networking with other seed-savers in your area
builds a sense of community. <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2020/05/locally-sustainable-gardening-in-face.html" target="_blank">LINK: Locally Sustainable Gardening in the Face of Supply-Chain Shortages </a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyJUtw5jxJJXRonaxu4wmJolfPTTA1fr7v6A1ICmwuqUSzJ-hLuiW3zbzleKLSAo67xIc-StbWpS9Fbq1krV5_YueQH6Aa9IEt_YOjwNRWO55pkylHlOPeRnxhUi-KLxiaRZhyVdSozLl/s1600/lettuce-close+up.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyJUtw5jxJJXRonaxu4wmJolfPTTA1fr7v6A1ICmwuqUSzJ-hLuiW3zbzleKLSAo67xIc-StbWpS9Fbq1krV5_YueQH6Aa9IEt_YOjwNRWO55pkylHlOPeRnxhUi-KLxiaRZhyVdSozLl/s320/lettuce-close+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce flowers - close-up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seed-saving
can seem intimidating at first. I know I felt that way. Many
vegetables will cross with their neighbors yielding inconsistent
results. There are many questions that must be answered before moving
forward. For this reason I definitely recommend Suzanne Ashworth's "Seed
to Seed". It is a comprehensive manual that covers all aspects of
seed-saving. I am also grateful to my husband, Chris, for all he has
taught me from his 40+ years of gardening. He's helped me translate the
book knowledge into experiential learning. Saving seed appeals to the
outlaw in me, I guess. Like treating illness with herbs I grew myself,
there is something empowering about developing skills usually left to
"the experts". As it turns out, it's not really that difficult at all.</div><div class="gmail_quote"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBvRwLrXOXjhkNMYbprFi5mXzEGQBqTlil04iPXyk2JLbYR_p9U6_ogI8i8vrAqGH38ydgM9-Fhj_SYDosMCSXQomN91YHxHql-Piur94b_Xtqq5JJigcMweM0UAukHUDpWrr-_m_c1gp/s1600/lettuce-blooming.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBvRwLrXOXjhkNMYbprFi5mXzEGQBqTlil04iPXyk2JLbYR_p9U6_ogI8i8vrAqGH38ydgM9-Fhj_SYDosMCSXQomN91YHxHql-Piur94b_Xtqq5JJigcMweM0UAukHUDpWrr-_m_c1gp/s320/lettuce-blooming.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">"Red Sails" lettuce - blooming.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Saving Lettuce Seed:</b>
Like most things in gardening, a bit of forethought goes a long way.
Ashworth recommends 12' - 25' separation between types of lettuce to
prevent cross-pollination (the farther the better). Plan your plantings
(and harvesting) to leave sufficient distance between the flowering
plants. <b>Though you may have enough time to bring a Fall crop of
lettuce to seed, we usually do our seed-saving with the lettuce we
plant in the Spring.</b></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b> </b></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFpcilDG4GC_IPgWZHbHgFo56NcbjoHEwvXxxDpebxiDlDTCk-7p5SvYvJSOOxhXCdRpI1jeSwD-ryoZ7241zplA3kG2G-a6zSrH8wu05L-dfphDwMWbXQmkURxm6XJPLDi0igleABFUp/s1588/HV-wild+lettuce+seed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1588" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFpcilDG4GC_IPgWZHbHgFo56NcbjoHEwvXxxDpebxiDlDTCk-7p5SvYvJSOOxhXCdRpI1jeSwD-ryoZ7241zplA3kG2G-a6zSrH8wu05L-dfphDwMWbXQmkURxm6XJPLDi0igleABFUp/w400-h270/HV-wild+lettuce+seed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note:
Be sure there is no wild lettuce that is forming seed near the
varieties of domesticated lettuce you are saving seed from as it can
cross. The plants that grow from these crossed seeds tend to be more
bitter and course. There are several varieties of wild lettuce; this one
is named Lactuca Serriola <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/537242307/prickly-lettuce-seeds-lactuca-serriola" target="_blank">LINK</a>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNqkRwP4ih87J0LcPOSYll7_u3EoU6gu-dhA37K81ogpxUtlsYyqv_iov19cVbp_9U9YFU1qTsl9r8A2VTX1l7wQ88ZUtzdKNEi0M4JMfJ-N_QYuzMFfY7cflNVAcEBPcTLCFVw-veVTR/s1600/lettuce-bolting.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNqkRwP4ih87J0LcPOSYll7_u3EoU6gu-dhA37K81ogpxUtlsYyqv_iov19cVbp_9U9YFU1qTsl9r8A2VTX1l7wQ88ZUtzdKNEi0M4JMfJ-N_QYuzMFfY7cflNVAcEBPcTLCFVw-veVTR/s320/lettuce-bolting.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Lettuce bolting - Black-Seeded Simpson</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lettuce
is an "annual" crop. This means that the plants will produce seed in
one season (without over-wintering). As the weather gets hotter and
drier you will notice on romaine or "leaf" lettuce a definite
lengthening of the plant. ("Leaf" types form a loose rosette of leaves
but not a tight "head). When it lengthens, it is starting to "bolt".
Lettuce that is bolting gets noticeably more bitter (probably nature's
way of protecting the plant in this important phase of its
reproduction). On "head" lettuce (such as Iceberg), Ashworth says it can
be helpful to slit the head, forming a cross-cut with a sharp knife,
making it easier for the flower-stalk to emerge. She says some gardeners
strike the head of the lettuce with the palm of their hand thus
breaking the leaves away from the stalk. Without some effort to free the
flower-stalk, head-rot from heat and humidity may kill the plant
before it can go to seed. So far we have saved seed mainly from "leaf"
lettuce. This summer we will experiment with our red and green "head"
lettuces to see what works best for us and report back.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbyCFL_T96lQZMF6yu47t0sbzwRnvf_zC4H0cKZsedlqBQuOowD1b7Hk0A0GEhtmmX3rsY6fBLNyxkgm_tiY8GpJxFvg8AjwqU0zHuxUH4aSRhwCc7Hlqq9YBQw3-oFLO-JY7Ba00wJuI/s1600/lettuce1.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbyCFL_T96lQZMF6yu47t0sbzwRnvf_zC4H0cKZsedlqBQuOowD1b7Hk0A0GEhtmmX3rsY6fBLNyxkgm_tiY8GpJxFvg8AjwqU0zHuxUH4aSRhwCc7Hlqq9YBQw3-oFLO-JY7Ba00wJuI/s320/lettuce1.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Lettuce marked for seed with bamboo.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we are gardening with a group of
people, we have found it essential to clearly mark the plants that we
are saving for seed, so they are not harvested by accident. We have
made small tipi's with bamboo sticks, tied a red ribbon around the
plant or put a small sign on a stake and driven it in nearby. Even a
plant that is obviously past an edible stage for harvest is not safe as
a well-meaning fellow-gardener may assume the responsible thing to do
is weed out your seedy lettuce plant and toss it on the compost pile!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrTtGY_4kb8Iqhy2zF2y4EMpVCN4EE466EARJ9_92gfYXoEJTUUhdByPmomvNI5GVgFlgqa5ZQraOs54rwLQFLop21cKBFCapKL-hkjEUJ-zymQXKAZYqZJp_-u6UM6V4iiZYno9TMajf/s1600/lettuce-staked.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrTtGY_4kb8Iqhy2zF2y4EMpVCN4EE466EARJ9_92gfYXoEJTUUhdByPmomvNI5GVgFlgqa5ZQraOs54rwLQFLop21cKBFCapKL-hkjEUJ-zymQXKAZYqZJp_-u6UM6V4iiZYno9TMajf/s320/lettuce-staked.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Staked lettuce - the flowers get heavy.</td></tr>
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As the flower stalk grows it will produce a
big head of flowers. You may need to tie it to a stake so it doesn't
fall over. Seed production occurs 12 - 24 days after flowering.
Ashworth says you can harvest seeds daily by shaking the stalk over a
large paper sack. The ripe seeds will fall into the bag. The method we
have used is to wait until the majority of seeds are ripe and to cut
off the whole flower head and place that in a paper sack. Leave the
sack open in a warm, dry place (like the top shelf your tool shed)
until the flowers are thoroughly dry. Be sure to label the bag with the
name of the lettuce variety. If mice are a problem and you have the
space, try hanging the open bag from rafters.<br />
<br />
To
winnow the seeds, roll the flowers between your fingers and the palms
of your hands to free them . Lettuce seed is challenging to separate
because the seeds are not much heavier than the chaff. Patiently drop
small amounts of the seed/chaff over a tray, from a height of a foot or
two while blowing gently. The seed should drop and the fluff blow away.
Some people run the seed through screens but we have not tried this
method. Commercially available seed-sifting screens are another option.
They have different sized holes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcuWnOS_XO2rV4O2CdWr0E76B7S4Epwx3BB1MDZKE3D9PXl3JvknByhU91_y0xoKUhURaB51WCW94kvJbEY_DM9Z74sWmcdmBA6XzmjPwzCISc70LRiDJtTPMSF_ay3-Jy0X2iCusRGn2/s1600/lettuce-bagged.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcuWnOS_XO2rV4O2CdWr0E76B7S4Epwx3BB1MDZKE3D9PXl3JvknByhU91_y0xoKUhURaB51WCW94kvJbEY_DM9Z74sWmcdmBA6XzmjPwzCISc70LRiDJtTPMSF_ay3-Jy0X2iCusRGn2/s320/lettuce-bagged.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Put ripened lettuce flowers into a paper bag to finish drying.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lettuce seed will remain viable for 2-3 years if kept in a cool, dark place, in an air-tight container. <br />
<br /></div>
</div>
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Chris Burns and Llyn Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12154520226709029188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-32634262371836483372019-10-26T10:04:00.000-07:002019-10-29T10:47:28.246-07:00Making Your Own "Veganic" Potting Soil in Your Greenhouse Paths - Using Worms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>October 2019: </b>Here is a timely re-post of an article we wrote
earlier this year about harvesting worm-castings out of our greenhouse
paths. We're proud to announce that for the 2019 season we didn't purchase <i>any</i>
fertilizers and were able to grow close to 8,000 pounds of fruits and
vegetables using locally available resources to feed our worms: leaves
and grass clippings. We supplemented with wood-ash from heating our
house, and coffee-grounds that volunteers bring us from coffee shops.
We're almost done harvesting the worm-compost from our paths <i>this year </i>and it looks like we'll have almost double from <i>last year's </i>harvest. Enjoy!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ7XmNPCh9srn2hbNQNsssSge_mQuM1ieQuTqMkNb4CQnWHjkNqTJHNev2Tg99EKfXALpJux8t-JG60KRtKTEOKtO3SDzFFqy_PEEY5tFXBvc7q4HpyCp8zL0tPoE1DyK3gcpjr_nWi0/s1600/soil-A1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1465" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ7XmNPCh9srn2hbNQNsssSge_mQuM1ieQuTqMkNb4CQnWHjkNqTJHNev2Tg99EKfXALpJux8t-JG60KRtKTEOKtO3SDzFFqy_PEEY5tFXBvc7q4HpyCp8zL0tPoE1DyK3gcpjr_nWi0/s400/soil-A1.jpg" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is one of our greenhouses in mid-Spring. Note how the paths are
filled deep with straw and other "organic-matter". As we water the
plants and walk over the beds, we help the worms and micro-organisms
turn this dead plant-material into nutrient-dense compost for <i>next</i> year's soil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For
those of us with greenhouses in which we plant directly in the ground
(as opposed to using the GH to protect seedlings in pots, on tables) the
necessary pathways between planting beds can seem like a lot of wasted
space. Over the years, we've developed a method of composting right in
the paths, creating habitat for worms and micro-organisms so that, over
the course of the growing season we generate (and then harvest) large
amounts of fine, high-quality worm-compost using locally available
materials often considered "waste" products. We describe our methods
below.<br />
<br />
<b>"Veganic" method for creating soil-fertility:</b> Over the last few years we have become increasingly convinced
that moving toward a veganic method of farming makes a whole
lot of sense from several perspectives. Veganic agriculture is defined as:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
...an approach to growing plant-foods that
encompasses a respect for animals, the environment, and human health.
Also known as "stockfree" "vegan organic" and "plant-based," this is a
form of agriculture that goes further than organic standards, by
eliminating the use of products that are derived from confined animals
and by encouraging the presence of wild native animals on the farmland. (LINK:<a href="http://www.goveganic.net/article19.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Intro to Veganics</a>)</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For
many organic farmers\gardeners, if
not most, fertilizing the soil means adding some type of manure and\or
other animal-based products such as bone meal, fish meal, blood meal,
feather meal, etc. Here at the Sharing Gardens, being vegetarians
ourselves and wanting to grow food in a way that aligns with our values,
we are interested in
developing, and demonstrating ways of growing food that uses local
materials, gathered in a sustainable way with a gentle impact on the
environment.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cLFsSq8NJbZbTe09mICamA0o5F6y3xN7mrR7FRHOYZ6b9RKjtzdownQNsDfed1NGyAiMaEbvb-HhmOvyFLws-15vjm2Z4d6muI3KM9C7aekccplvy9mPTfI9A5Q5IEIoEb9t591RW7Q/s1600/carrots-harvest+2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cLFsSq8NJbZbTe09mICamA0o5F6y3xN7mrR7FRHOYZ6b9RKjtzdownQNsDfed1NGyAiMaEbvb-HhmOvyFLws-15vjm2Z4d6muI3KM9C7aekccplvy9mPTfI9A5Q5IEIoEb9t591RW7Q/s400/carrots-harvest+2017.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Veganic" agriculture: good for the Earth, good for our health.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Here is our current method of building our soil-fertility - right in the paths of our greenhouses!</b></div>
<br />
<b>Gathering Materials:</b>
Our method of gardening requires massive amounts of "organic matter"
(leaves, straw, grass-clippings etc). In the many years since we started
the Sharing Gardens (2009) we have developed relationships with the
people in, and around our small town encouraging them to bring us these
materials instead of burning them or sending them to the land-fill.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDz6BHA_r0ZhqDYgPALvH-mGnZqhBhAjyie7p41-x-0Vc9LVRjT_30mLxpEv0d7G0mvc-8u14XXvsdUGcPMLI64MvmbZsOW9awvsODMfDw3FXJfZRnAnP4Py6uX3s5KM51IKxv5R9C-Q/s1600/crosby-brandon-leaves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDz6BHA_r0ZhqDYgPALvH-mGnZqhBhAjyie7p41-x-0Vc9LVRjT_30mLxpEv0d7G0mvc-8u14XXvsdUGcPMLI64MvmbZsOW9awvsODMfDw3FXJfZRnAnP4Py6uX3s5KM51IKxv5R9C-Q/s400/crosby-brandon-leaves.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our neighbors brings us many trailers full of leaves each Fall. He used to burn them. Now he uses some to mulch his <i>own </i>garden-beds but still has plenty of surplus to share with us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkSG_x-9df9dVetvf4qL_LXsSaiP8oguuFE22NcPmDExJddP13_HR1LaFFrdSYoFENEDvevfFScFxScjSLbdFbE9Wthyphenhyphen5xAhVzZY1t00M9kiirSbjXk_85ET9Dkt-ubHBIuxtWUis04E/s1600/soil-A7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkSG_x-9df9dVetvf4qL_LXsSaiP8oguuFE22NcPmDExJddP13_HR1LaFFrdSYoFENEDvevfFScFxScjSLbdFbE9Wthyphenhyphen5xAhVzZY1t00M9kiirSbjXk_85ET9Dkt-ubHBIuxtWUis04E/s400/soil-A7.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our land is over three-acres. We have left much of it as grass so that we can harvest this valuable resource. (<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/03/grass-clippings-and-leaves-for.html" target="_blank">LINK-Grass Clippings and Leaves for Soil Fertility</a>). When we have surplus from mulching our plants, we spread it in the greenhouse-paths to feed the worms and micro-organisms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>A System for Collection:</b> For many years, the
only people who brought us leaves and grass-clippings were those we had
made a personal connection with. In 2017, a teacher from our town's
Grade School approached us about doing a volunteer project with her
students to help the Sharing Gardens. We spent a morning with the
students and raked up over 35 big bags of leaves around town! (<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/12/yes-money-really-does-grow-on-trees.html" target="_blank">LINK: Yes, Money Really Does Grow On Trees!</a>)
In the Fall of 2018, our city-hall contacted us about inserting a
notice in people's water-bills encouraging them to bring their leaves to
our garden. We estimate this yielded another close to 50 bags of
leaves. We imagine that in future years that number will grow as people
hear about the program.<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-great-monroe-leaf-drive.html" target="_blank"> LINK: Monroe Leaf Drive</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivxcp379aUAxhhPsv1CDMve1jybWo52Qw0Q40QzP2IB4wlQ7AHWW-qS0zPj84KD5BJkY1-URVqX93A1qvIwwtObwSyz2OcL7hAOwh7MvobYZFURoj7BKHmuVBqdBLJQvwuTeDdNpLsD4/s1600/soil-A5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1103" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivxcp379aUAxhhPsv1CDMve1jybWo52Qw0Q40QzP2IB4wlQ7AHWW-qS0zPj84KD5BJkY1-URVqX93A1qvIwwtObwSyz2OcL7hAOwh7MvobYZFURoj7BKHmuVBqdBLJQvwuTeDdNpLsD4/s400/soil-A5.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the sign we painted and set up along the road in front of our house for the 2018 leaf-drive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PSL18cfNMeukslfdYumwzfEk4FaO4-5iW9mNDljh5g_DdYlLxcnjextg7bSkEffjapw3yXIkwJAoFQzzq61EC3TZjp2ruuR9hfBnO071_B_s_IjtZxUrejD8LvLMHUaHJp9BuIhCE0w/s1600/soil-A5-drying+bags.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PSL18cfNMeukslfdYumwzfEk4FaO4-5iW9mNDljh5g_DdYlLxcnjextg7bSkEffjapw3yXIkwJAoFQzzq61EC3TZjp2ruuR9hfBnO071_B_s_IjtZxUrejD8LvLMHUaHJp9BuIhCE0w/s400/soil-A5-drying+bags.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As
people donate their leaves, we hang the bags out to dry on a
clothes-line in our greenhouse and roll them into bundles of 5-6. We
feel strongly about minimizing the use of plastics so any time a bag can
be re-used is a real bonus!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qARTxHZOMK8tEzbEpRKwSXTp3jAdF3j-VJJJSa8KXzA_ceeZI4tPdwK-46nc-crys6Y0DlKY8EQY3TXd05GB3XOPhLrNIcBIfHBSwdoRTqwP2VIo9miI-0i2qYrJ5Hy0L4SjA-MBjXM/s1600/sign-leaves-grass-SG-GP-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1361" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qARTxHZOMK8tEzbEpRKwSXTp3jAdF3j-VJJJSa8KXzA_ceeZI4tPdwK-46nc-crys6Y0DlKY8EQY3TXd05GB3XOPhLrNIcBIfHBSwdoRTqwP2VIo9miI-0i2qYrJ5Hy0L4SjA-MBjXM/s400/sign-leaves-grass-SG-GP-.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We set up this station in our front yard. The trash-can has bundles of leaf-bags for re-use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the flier that was mailed to our town, we included these important guidelines:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please no animal waste, trash or sticks/branches, no holly or roses (too sharp), or black walnut leaves (they can kill plants - <a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/jul/070701.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LINK</a>). Just leaves and grass 😊.</div>
</blockquote>
<b>The need for sides on your beds:</b>
With this method, it is important that your paths and beds be separated
with sides so your soil doesn't mix with the materials in the paths.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOrapNRo9gZFdoT79SQo-su7kmJR4AjXhaiyYzo5Y4sUoguCsrIgqX8hq8UHAE6hYXmDjCoa8tyV8_bTGkDbLu2fZA9Tgoucrhl_CmJEvLr0xFacNOdQhwFXjW3-20z37xJhid9rE_os/s1600/soil-B1-building+raised+beds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOrapNRo9gZFdoT79SQo-su7kmJR4AjXhaiyYzo5Y4sUoguCsrIgqX8hq8UHAE6hYXmDjCoa8tyV8_bTGkDbLu2fZA9Tgoucrhl_CmJEvLr0xFacNOdQhwFXjW3-20z37xJhid9rE_os/s400/soil-B1-building+raised+beds.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris
has made many of our greenhouse beds with recycled fence-boards held in
place with stakes driven into the ground. We have used plywood ripped
into four-inch strips too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Spreading materials:</b>
Since our method of creating soil is cyclic, we could begin at any
point in the process but if you are just getting started, the first step
is to spread the materials. We begin this process at the end of Autumn
as we are dismantling the tomato-cages, pulling up pepper-plants and
weeding the beds in preparation for the following Spring.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBcVVRbZvrP36K4zb8Zfuie2FsZSSGjQ4BUCxvKubJa02u8La1cVfOW5LjX-x4is1T9jkH5eResf9OGqHasv4SUo0cdPDp56-K8FrcxKIIDkVDMjc65ibPSWm9yb7Q8V95109ZkOHaiE/s1600/soil-A2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBcVVRbZvrP36K4zb8Zfuie2FsZSSGjQ4BUCxvKubJa02u8La1cVfOW5LjX-x4is1T9jkH5eResf9OGqHasv4SUo0cdPDp56-K8FrcxKIIDkVDMjc65ibPSWm9yb7Q8V95109ZkOHaiE/s400/soil-A2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a greenhouse path that has been "harvested" of its worm-compost. It is ready for new materials to be added.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oUSaDq7sE3PJ3kokX2wEPYID05qraj4MQLVvwld9JyJpVDBYX98zndAUmb73Fx3oxW-_hHcbKy76CAWj81T26uMVjCZ-AImksDBQbIxIdCyeEOEfLYkgok2QAJUlN91ADqUTSUt-Rd8/s1600/soil-A3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oUSaDq7sE3PJ3kokX2wEPYID05qraj4MQLVvwld9JyJpVDBYX98zndAUmb73Fx3oxW-_hHcbKy76CAWj81T26uMVjCZ-AImksDBQbIxIdCyeEOEfLYkgok2QAJUlN91ADqUTSUt-Rd8/s400/soil-A3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After cleaning all of <i>last season's</i>
plant material out of the beds, cutting it into small pieces and laying
it in the paths, we cover it with layers of leaves or straw, or
whatever we have available.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFP3vCcRg0sMyQISwKNg_HcbT9Ih_2phAHRcHMBW1as10zfx-hzjYVEjfGWEb2O1Z1HwjJeZfNt_8ACqvFH42JvQoUwIHfMQJbLg7M2lILUL3cim6va-n-QVHRjPHX9N0XJew3E4bI0I/s1600/soil-A-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFP3vCcRg0sMyQISwKNg_HcbT9Ih_2phAHRcHMBW1as10zfx-hzjYVEjfGWEb2O1Z1HwjJeZfNt_8ACqvFH42JvQoUwIHfMQJbLg7M2lILUL3cim6va-n-QVHRjPHX9N0XJew3E4bI0I/s400/soil-A-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One
of our neighbors thatched his lawn and brought all that wonderful grass
"hay" for us to use. Here is a college student/volunteer spreading it
by the tub-full. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsC-rIb2HBxLkIeFBk86BFDZx6-eGeP-WssFHRaJmSLKNg8jyd7M6zsKLySKviGj7yoAfSS_nlv6uQZKFLvgvgsTtX5xtjur_qqIGGKsgFsb2_DC-ZwR4TaSdEHcMgSzfeahQ15xCtNA/s1600/GH+grass-mulch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1600" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsC-rIb2HBxLkIeFBk86BFDZx6-eGeP-WssFHRaJmSLKNg8jyd7M6zsKLySKviGj7yoAfSS_nlv6uQZKFLvgvgsTtX5xtjur_qqIGGKsgFsb2_DC-ZwR4TaSdEHcMgSzfeahQ15xCtNA/s400/GH+grass-mulch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn, spreading fresh grass-clippings on top of straw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Creating worm-compost all season-long: </b>From
Spring through late Summer we continue to add organic-matter as it
becomes available. By watering and walking on the paths we help
the worms and other "micro-livestock" to break down the materials and
turn them into soil.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2FHOzYN5Aijmhasv8lGzTjP1sGqHz0KvuUgAPO2ETcQlZACKl50_VIQ8PWFvXvXJ4uFrX007jqj2PRoPdfGtRLxVC2WoaZY7WtjtUjhtQM3RJZZIvKEX_XH2x0VvqPmn4Yae3BS8tK0/s1600/soil-H2-GH-Ark+April.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2FHOzYN5Aijmhasv8lGzTjP1sGqHz0KvuUgAPO2ETcQlZACKl50_VIQ8PWFvXvXJ4uFrX007jqj2PRoPdfGtRLxVC2WoaZY7WtjtUjhtQM3RJZZIvKEX_XH2x0VvqPmn4Yae3BS8tK0/s400/soil-H2-GH-Ark+April.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
picture was taken in April. Note fresh grass-clippings in center and
right pathways. Straw has yet to be covered with grass on left-pathway.
Llyn is watering the bed of lettuce and waters the paths too, to help in
the decomposition process.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the growing season, the worms and
micro-organisms are 'digesting' all this material from below. On tours
of the greenhouses we often pull back the mulch to show people the
thriving colonies of red-wiggler worms that live in our paths. Many
times we can show them worm-eggs as well and little worm tunnels they
have formed down into the rich, black compost.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLWI6FCsNbuWhmVob8dZduP_mx9yx84kUtFE7ZodnqFNR1y4CCS0BW4gVrZdC7i83w7pUw7KBKRznfShFiVcaaOddl0vSpTJudOx7CYr0bId3CDIm1i8jdAa7EuWO99AEKt47kvr_-Gw/s1600/Bella-Adri-potato.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLWI6FCsNbuWhmVob8dZduP_mx9yx84kUtFE7ZodnqFNR1y4CCS0BW4gVrZdC7i83w7pUw7KBKRznfShFiVcaaOddl0vSpTJudOx7CYr0bId3CDIm1i8jdAa7EuWO99AEKt47kvr_-Gw/s400/Bella-Adri-potato.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another
benefit of this style of greenhouse gardening is that the mulched paths
are so pleasant to kneel on. Also, many plant roots (figs pictured
here) will reach their roots out into the paths and be fed by this
'living compost' through the growing season. (Pictured: Bella and Adri
harvesting potatoes).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Harvesting worm-castings:</b> We stop adding
organic matter by late summer. This means there is less material to move
out of the way when it's time to harvest our worm-compost. This
'undigested' material is temporarily gathered in tubs, or piles and then
returned to the paths after the worm-compost has been gathered.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-py-9nxU8865l8ni83pSIw8Sq04qRgqayghGQr7AXT_cS7KirMFMgbVHhAy4PGrMF80uiRStI3IfE-7jGCmpxvs-KP5KE1gnodu2gybSpPAzjoXtTuiy_QoI0Q7S8ESUj-QFgioQMJHE/s1600/soil-C1-worm-mulch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-py-9nxU8865l8ni83pSIw8Sq04qRgqayghGQr7AXT_cS7KirMFMgbVHhAy4PGrMF80uiRStI3IfE-7jGCmpxvs-KP5KE1gnodu2gybSpPAzjoXtTuiy_QoI0Q7S8ESUj-QFgioQMJHE/s400/soil-C1-worm-mulch.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here,
Chris scoops up the compost with a flat, hand-trowel. We collected
fourteen, five-gallon buckets from this one, forty-foot x two-foot path!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWC4n-Z99AKJ3gVMfeQUE84BgCKC2Vl51q3TW9y4Bx2VoDccKA6nr8K6sxNYSx8_7EaRocHWkcifPyvKDTmXiXB-3NPZ48RIk6hJ3XqnrsanJN7b6yJeWjxztLnpdS0KfsbqCQolvCB8/s1600/Compost-in-paths.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWC4n-Z99AKJ3gVMfeQUE84BgCKC2Vl51q3TW9y4Bx2VoDccKA6nr8K6sxNYSx8_7EaRocHWkcifPyvKDTmXiXB-3NPZ48RIk6hJ3XqnrsanJN7b6yJeWjxztLnpdS0KfsbqCQolvCB8/s400/Compost-in-paths.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flat shovel works well too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Sifting and storing worm-compost:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs7kYl5VUzMyweJGORjbK3aW9c6JRu3AfVHjKIMhyphenhyphenfLo0tLFEt87OOeYAxWE7ov7kSloMbw4eVSXQi6YR42LQVDRMO38rD2HgF5GJ8lL7DFm-qq0132a8VA4RxeT64E0YTfcMr5sT3R4/s1600/soil-D1-soil-sifting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs7kYl5VUzMyweJGORjbK3aW9c6JRu3AfVHjKIMhyphenhyphenfLo0tLFEt87OOeYAxWE7ov7kSloMbw4eVSXQi6YR42LQVDRMO38rD2HgF5GJ8lL7DFm-qq0132a8VA4RxeT64E0YTfcMr5sT3R4/s400/soil-D1-soil-sifting.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
homemade sifter works well to remove large material and give the
finished product a uniform texture. The screen is made with "hardware
cloth", a wire-mesh with 1/2" holes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVBnR733MQh2QI111i88gcE4RxiEuw32S3AA70xKhWDBsQTMPdxFMFyb6ug1VIv_xCfpwwJNkMelJe4BZcB2e5D3IsQJ-vhCtO0J7ozWR8hV4JtJp556atqfebcoLA1_DwZ-tNYJ7jR8/s1600/soil-D2-cast+in+bags.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVBnR733MQh2QI111i88gcE4RxiEuw32S3AA70xKhWDBsQTMPdxFMFyb6ug1VIv_xCfpwwJNkMelJe4BZcB2e5D3IsQJ-vhCtO0J7ozWR8hV4JtJp556atqfebcoLA1_DwZ-tNYJ7jR8/s400/soil-D2-cast+in+bags.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After
sifting, we often store the worm compost in re-purposed pellet-stove
plastic bags. Storing them in this way preserves the material's
moisture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Mixing soil and starting seedlings:</b> In the
past we have been fortunate to have pre-used-soil donated from
two-different nurseries at the end of their growing seasons. Though the
nutrient-content of the soil was mostly depleted, the<i> structure</i> of
the soil was still excellent as it was high in organic-matter, perlite
and other substances to keep the soil light and fluffy. We are careful
to only accept soil-donations from 'organic' growers (no
herbicides/pesticides). Our mix-ratio was 'one-part' worm compost to
'two-parts' depleted soil.<br />
<br />
If you don't have access to
previously-used soil, there are many recipes on-line for making your
own. Typically they include coconut coir (a more-renewable resource than
peat-moss) and sand or perlite - so the soil drains well, and compost
for fertility. Use the worm-compost outlined in this article in place of
the regular compost.<br />
<br />
<u>Always mix soil thoroughly</u> so the different materials are evenly mixed
and do a few tests with fast-germinating seeds (like radishes) to make
sure you have a good mixture. <br />
<br />
<b>Update October 2019:</b> This year we have not had any <i>used</i> soil donated <i>and</i>
our worm-compost harvest has greatly increased from last year so we
will probably be starting our seedlings next Spring in pure worm-compost. Chris
has done this before in previous nurseries, with great results. The only
reason we didn't do it last year was that we had the pre-used soil
donated and we didn't have as much worm-compost.<br />
<br />
Pure
worm-compost has great drainage due to all the organic-matter within.
It's just that it contains more nutrients than young seedlings
require so, if you have other material to mix it with, that doesn't
cost you anything, it's a good idea to mix it and stretch it out. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ3Rn0bJ0ml0WFpf8ALtluOjAxADqPZJ7En6ZLfNtQJ7cPaXxDdzUPZEsSPB8MyR_-lzZPzjp6tnnQzl2h1acvvUTX97fqwJruEwYW_Z0n7OprxMawZDiZEQVJ6pmPSQfdkjRKUHSwow/s1600/Llyn-veggie+starts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ3Rn0bJ0ml0WFpf8ALtluOjAxADqPZJ7En6ZLfNtQJ7cPaXxDdzUPZEsSPB8MyR_-lzZPzjp6tnnQzl2h1acvvUTX97fqwJruEwYW_Z0n7OprxMawZDiZEQVJ6pmPSQfdkjRKUHSwow/s400/Llyn-veggie+starts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seedlings in our home-grown soil, Spring 2019.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Preparing beds:</b> We also use the worm compost to fertilize our raised beds.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLbwEjWqK_MAG8kOX3nAIW2mTGYwLEaGFVo9V5Iu65H2ef0LXMvGOQG-2ALKt8q-unI3wxomW89VwV-36W7SG5HAG6arSXNhOzIyKRmynNOh7W4Tb8atHeEF3Jd3u7ffCNyBpyofLjg4/s1600/soil-F1-spread+castings.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLbwEjWqK_MAG8kOX3nAIW2mTGYwLEaGFVo9V5Iu65H2ef0LXMvGOQG-2ALKt8q-unI3wxomW89VwV-36W7SG5HAG6arSXNhOzIyKRmynNOh7W4Tb8atHeEF3Jd3u7ffCNyBpyofLjg4/s400/soil-F1-spread+castings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris spreading a layer of worm-compost in greenhouse beds. Note <i>last year's</i> tomatoes and other plant material in pathways (before we've added leaves on top). Excellent worm food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Soil fertility is improved by adding wood-ash and coffee grounds: </b>For some reason, worms <i>love </i>coffee
grounds! By sprinkling grounds in your garden beds, you will attract
worms to come into your soil. Coffee grounds also contain many nutrients
on their own so, we also recommend adding them to your greenhouse paths
and compost bins. They will attract worms and speed up the process of
decomposition. (<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/09/coffee-grounds-and-wood-ash-for-soil.html" target="_blank">LINK: Coffee and Ashes for Fertility</a>) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqb_T5nNpUAqu4HEgCue8njlMsVKXuKsjwIiGG04LAFoJKgPqRm0LAkDBxn2-zNLAGZm69q0snPhnt80CIT7UKye6x9DbXU-IDO8D6W4m69hlNLAx2jJPa0u1ZEyint50nGjWapZjP-Y/s1600/soil-F4-spreading+coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqb_T5nNpUAqu4HEgCue8njlMsVKXuKsjwIiGG04LAFoJKgPqRm0LAkDBxn2-zNLAGZm69q0snPhnt80CIT7UKye6x9DbXU-IDO8D6W4m69hlNLAx2jJPa0u1ZEyint50nGjWapZjP-Y/s400/soil-F4-spreading+coffee.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spreading coffee-grounds:</b>
We have a friend who regularly stops by a local coffee shop and
collects coffee grounds for us. Ideally, when we have enough, we
sprinkle them about 1/4" deep over the beds. <b>Note:</b> Though
coffee-grounds are neither a local or sustainable resource, currently
the are free and by using them, we keep them out of the waste-stream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ZHrr4D52cLRmMrq76usyshPCwQDt9XXz1sP503nhMsWuWp2dRmw5t_22meTTkLNdCEHjbiyDIAKOxDvMplDOldVwy4iUa2jmZ7KMpfarBIiZ62W8xCNfZ6q_AXdPC63ml2v8NFg7co/s1600/soil-F3-ashes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ZHrr4D52cLRmMrq76usyshPCwQDt9XXz1sP503nhMsWuWp2dRmw5t_22meTTkLNdCEHjbiyDIAKOxDvMplDOldVwy4iUa2jmZ7KMpfarBIiZ62W8xCNfZ6q_AXdPC63ml2v8NFg7co/s400/soil-F3-ashes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spreading wood-ashes: </b>After coffee we add a <i>very</i>
light sprinkling of wood-ashes (they are very concentrated and can
'burn' sensitive micro-organisms and the worms' skin and change soil
pH). We only use ash collected from natural wood that has no paint or
other chemical treatments. Since we heat our house exclusively with
wood, this is another 'free' resource.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcV8npY6fTgWHmzsbYPOjxK1Cxkw2xgsLS2vHp-XVi0eBBGgenc6jagxbXIlgtKJ-mO0_vuEVG1t5U5SD3xZiY5cp2GhoMWPNY0LLN_xSy5QY5rsMU7AN0T0XmKZ7o2qR4RCXv8dmegeA/s1600/soil-F5-prep+soil-rook-chris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcV8npY6fTgWHmzsbYPOjxK1Cxkw2xgsLS2vHp-XVi0eBBGgenc6jagxbXIlgtKJ-mO0_vuEVG1t5U5SD3xZiY5cp2GhoMWPNY0LLN_xSy5QY5rsMU7AN0T0XmKZ7o2qR4RCXv8dmegeA/s400/soil-F5-prep+soil-rook-chris.jpg" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through
the early winter months, we hand-dig these amendments into the soil.
This provides a pleasant activity during inclement weather...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2NwS6_blLNfO2aGs3Z9-G1DTBtmkhyA0lXwlJc8kjVuXA7EW1GCn1Mf1D9MZ8dR0_vH1qBZ4tu8WGQ-vjKIR0zhIEUtRLzfb1vFD59QdOjzhOMsqSQ8WbDTNa6a0zux9Y0p90nDyCzk/s1600/soil-F6-GH-soil+prep.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2NwS6_blLNfO2aGs3Z9-G1DTBtmkhyA0lXwlJc8kjVuXA7EW1GCn1Mf1D9MZ8dR0_vH1qBZ4tu8WGQ-vjKIR0zhIEUtRLzfb1vFD59QdOjzhOMsqSQ8WbDTNa6a0zux9Y0p90nDyCzk/s400/soil-F6-GH-soil+prep.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a nice time for socializing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhWLbJvUvKwcX2SBB0aHVyIVbph7So2o4tboFF8GIsY_rmq_vhyphenhyphenltA9wv4cAGo2YlSooXbG4mtYS6SBNkXK_Hp9USK8CFb7CE373qhDwIYZgfWFTHbPz8fNWUUbITX5DmVynK9sWaQ-c/s1600/soil-F7-mulch-GH-2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1142" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhWLbJvUvKwcX2SBB0aHVyIVbph7So2o4tboFF8GIsY_rmq_vhyphenhyphenltA9wv4cAGo2YlSooXbG4mtYS6SBNkXK_Hp9USK8CFb7CE373qhDwIYZgfWFTHbPz8fNWUUbITX5DmVynK9sWaQ-c/s400/soil-F7-mulch-GH-2017.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In early Spring, once we begin mowing the grass again, it makes a nutrient-dense mulch directly on the beds. Worms <i>love</i> fresh grass-clippings and will migrate to beds where it has been added.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The cycle starts again - Spreading materials in paths</b>: Once we have harvested the worm-compost, it's time to start the cycle all over again!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe-57akjo_hitnPwPqR7pBF-q6JlC4ibiuvqLeBdtjYcRCCeYU8F-NBqMXYr0bYrN24tauZvq87fkMX3lLfbJh8Anm2B2qfC-0assFfIt6nXCElsOX2Za8EpZVDHzm_KpwlZ2wweYDyA/s1600/soil-G1--greenhouse+dismantle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe-57akjo_hitnPwPqR7pBF-q6JlC4ibiuvqLeBdtjYcRCCeYU8F-NBqMXYr0bYrN24tauZvq87fkMX3lLfbJh8Anm2B2qfC-0assFfIt6nXCElsOX2Za8EpZVDHzm_KpwlZ2wweYDyA/s400/soil-G1--greenhouse+dismantle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato-plants
systematically being cut-up into the paths. The fallen tomatoes and
weeds in the bed to the left of Llyn will also be scooped out/dug up and
put into the path to feed the worms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-yHwfVXRSoloT0GNZrxw0Q49zgYm0XmHtCuWiGHSnESe423rL4Uj9K66CED6ijNmoq1XnAtNbHGFWVR7VlPLqIvG7xEz4xnDO3Euga9mzw326NgQ6zE6xOMK2ZO6B4GQp7-vPKNOkMI/s1600/soil-G3-spreading+leaves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-yHwfVXRSoloT0GNZrxw0Q49zgYm0XmHtCuWiGHSnESe423rL4Uj9K66CED6ijNmoq1XnAtNbHGFWVR7VlPLqIvG7xEz4xnDO3Euga9mzw326NgQ6zE6xOMK2ZO6B4GQp7-vPKNOkMI/s400/soil-G3-spreading+leaves.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layer, after layer, we build up the organic-matter in the paths.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FRppBZ950F7j-OhvGb6tHw2C_L6jt8H1BqNCgzPyuybI83hL_JsvdkIkhk0dlAx4aNtkHssQYQPI9HRWyI9xzhFY3xL4zBs6MgoFv-52CYGNa8CHpZAaq1TPflkNrXxFDjeQvVDWXlY/s1600/soil-G2-grass+carpet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FRppBZ950F7j-OhvGb6tHw2C_L6jt8H1BqNCgzPyuybI83hL_JsvdkIkhk0dlAx4aNtkHssQYQPI9HRWyI9xzhFY3xL4zBs6MgoFv-52CYGNa8CHpZAaq1TPflkNrXxFDjeQvVDWXlY/s400/soil-G2-grass+carpet.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This includes straw (if we have it) and grass-clippings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Planting in beds and continuing to add organic-matter to the paths:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf7qwKJRKgNb4MOnnX0OgzXyc9Qz6YM1dQrh865H40xWJGJzB6zb9M2xg9WbtX6PwaBiNM4prQ-JMlvrFGkrrKt19mcUBhq3U8V2fGz-_mkd8EA2ZV3JgK2m45uZ1FRqhoko5V27Lu2c/s1600/soil-H1-GH-3-15-2018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf7qwKJRKgNb4MOnnX0OgzXyc9Qz6YM1dQrh865H40xWJGJzB6zb9M2xg9WbtX6PwaBiNM4prQ-JMlvrFGkrrKt19mcUBhq3U8V2fGz-_mkd8EA2ZV3JgK2m45uZ1FRqhoko5V27Lu2c/s400/soil-H1-GH-3-15-2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The process is an endless cycle, creating soil-fertility from local and veganic materials.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Harvest!</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsvq_nyHkalXJTSOV5lpKHdob3RnBPs4WwQmFaqH3YP_szBg-OKWzh60Rb9f-o5NlA3u93MVCT9KzJrTU7R-d82HIi968wh5O5a682jCSqfQT6NK_HY5yC5s6uRdTA5aRIw_UobxIgfs/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsvq_nyHkalXJTSOV5lpKHdob3RnBPs4WwQmFaqH3YP_szBg-OKWzh60Rb9f-o5NlA3u93MVCT9KzJrTU7R-d82HIi968wh5O5a682jCSqfQT6NK_HY5yC5s6uRdTA5aRIw_UobxIgfs/s400/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This method of growing, yields nutrient-dense, delicious food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-23369195152587713202019-10-23T14:52:00.001-07:002019-10-26T13:58:42.223-07:00Amazing Quince! Sugar-free Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi folks - We've just made an amazing discovery. We love quince! When prepared as the recipe outlines
below, quince tastes like a pear/lemon fruit with a hint of peach and
rose-oil! Ambrosia!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_25uN3qv8Em2oWShXHqNBrgOs0EBm7HH6sa6uFVMcO-IX_qb_CBi-9gZBqr95Rya6RQZydg34Vzrawuo1u-t5JEe1XEySpjQf_81HQqSAhMDQlk17BNxhcv09NiEm5GYF5pK9PcwxSqg/s1600/GP-OCT-2019-Hickory-rainbow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_25uN3qv8Em2oWShXHqNBrgOs0EBm7HH6sa6uFVMcO-IX_qb_CBi-9gZBqr95Rya6RQZydg34Vzrawuo1u-t5JEe1XEySpjQf_81HQqSAhMDQlk17BNxhcv09NiEm5GYF5pK9PcwxSqg/s640/GP-OCT-2019-Hickory-rainbow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has been one of our most beautiful autumn seasons on memory!
Pictured is the back of our 1875 Farmhouse, the yellow, shag-bark
hickory tree (on the right) and a rainbow in-between.( October 2019 - 7:15 a.m.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every year, about this time, one of the Monroe
"locals" drops off two or three HUGE boxes of quince at our local Food
Pantry. The quince usually sit on the shelves, for a month or more, with
a sign that says "Take as many as you as you can use," but very few
people take any, including us. Eventually the Pantry folks get tired of
looking at them and they end up in the Sharing Gardens compost pile.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGM6Nbs1MNXLDYpvfVJEAuJtwEIaJG7U0J4BRbRQbvRIZarstnoRhxXcZcGaPonsMH4CYYyIZhxGPG8yI9ydFdcBw6w5GSBVS_j2rYngv_UspgX_Hih_cjTLidehGki0UV6TCk0I-oEdY/s1600/harv-quince-modernfarmer-dot-com.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1200" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGM6Nbs1MNXLDYpvfVJEAuJtwEIaJG7U0J4BRbRQbvRIZarstnoRhxXcZcGaPonsMH4CYYyIZhxGPG8yI9ydFdcBw6w5GSBVS_j2rYngv_UspgX_Hih_cjTLidehGki0UV6TCk0I-oEdY/s400/harv-quince-modernfarmer-dot-com.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quince after harvest. Photo credit: <a href="https://modernfarmer.com/2013/11/season-quince/" target="_blank">LINK</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've been reluctant to try them because they're so darn <i>hard</i> <i>to cut open</i>
which makes them seem like a real pain to prepare. Also, they are very
tart when they're raw and every recipe we'd heard of called for lots of
sugar. We're always trying to find ways to <i>limit</i> our sugar
intake, not add to it! So, until we discovered the joys of quince, we
just figured our compost piles were going to have a nice big influx of
worm-food in a month or two.<br />
<br />
That is, until I (Llyn) looked up their nutritional content and Chris and I were pretty impressed - particularly as <b>a good source of zinc and copper</b>.
Minerals are often the most difficult nutrients to get enough of in our
modern diets. Most farm soils are increasingly depleted and, unless
you're getting your food from an organic farmer who replenishes those
minerals in natural ways that the plants can absorb, (like wood ash - <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/09/coffee-grounds-and-wood-ash-for-soil.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>) it may be difficult to get enough minerals from your diet without taking any vitamin supplements (which we don't). <b>Quince are also low-calorie, high in anti-oxidants and great for digestion (their natural pectin is soothing to the gut!).</b> Who knew? <b><a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-quince-fruit" target="_blank">LINK</a> </b><br />
<br />
While
I was browsing for more general info about the quince, I found a recipe
that suggested boiling them for 8-10 min before baking them and then my
cooking creativity kicked in and I came up with the recipe below. I've
made it twice so I'm still fine-tuning it (so check back for updates!)
But the best thing is, this recipe calls for no refined cane sugar (just
maple-syrup, and not much of that) and is easy to prepare.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh32D0aW6KiSUKN5sI-6Gx3kRcxLebQLfQJCHS-Lcp7iBgvh95Fvf0JmAWP9XElDaHjbROBz_lQbzZ8YaL-uWU9TJ7OT2_Cr3fKa0TFQ5eqfbZLt25jq6B5H5tnNOt2aruCqxy0C7gLs/s1600/harv-quince-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh32D0aW6KiSUKN5sI-6Gx3kRcxLebQLfQJCHS-Lcp7iBgvh95Fvf0JmAWP9XElDaHjbROBz_lQbzZ8YaL-uWU9TJ7OT2_Cr3fKa0TFQ5eqfbZLt25jq6B5H5tnNOt2aruCqxy0C7gLs/s400/harv-quince-.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pears
(on left). Whole, boiled quince (in bowl). Quartered quince (below) -
this picture was taken before I figured out how to cut fruit away from
core (see below).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>The Recipe:</b></u><br />
<br />
4-6 medium-sized quince (about 5 cups)<br />
4-5 medium yellow pears (about 3 cups) (or sweet apples)<br />
1/3 cup maple syrup (about 1 TBSP maple syrup per cup of quince)<br />
1 TBSP lemon juice (don't over-do the lemon, as quince is plenty tart already!)<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
<br />
Choose
uniformly yellow, fully ripe fruit without bruises or other damage. It
helps if they are a uniform size (for boiling phase).<br />
<br />
Bring a pan of water to boil - deep enough to mostly cover the quince.<br />
Using your bare hands, run the quince under water and rub as much of the fuzz off as you can (don't worry if you miss some).<br />
<br />
Place
in boiling water for 8-10 minutes, depending on size. I think I
over-did it the second time I made this. I was trying to soften the
fruit all the way through but the core remained quite hard, even with
longer boiling and the second time the outer fruit got rather mushy.<br />
<br />
Lift the quince out of the boiling water and allow to cool. <br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a baking dish with coconut oil or butter.<br />
Combine ingredients for sauce in a measuring cup with a lip for pouring.<br />
<br />
Once cool, using a cutting board, cut off any brown spots or other blemishes on the fruit. <br />
Slice
the remaining fruit away from the core in as big pieces as possible
(see picture). Your knife won't want to go through the core at all. It's
super-hard! Just keep shaving off pieces all the way around the core
till you've gotten as much as is easy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLsnhREfLB1hWVuNm7RUfa8pVaNVj970LLYa1-K_Z1GL9HDv2j-JsPFxCt_kRR_9wFF7HJPQyNY0quTiW7qUpBy6b0JYOP86JhR5KchoSRUPJe6HuuSUybc8QqD4GfKFnIkdSAppn_1w/s1600/harv-quince-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLsnhREfLB1hWVuNm7RUfa8pVaNVj970LLYa1-K_Z1GL9HDv2j-JsPFxCt_kRR_9wFF7HJPQyNY0quTiW7qUpBy6b0JYOP86JhR5KchoSRUPJe6HuuSUybc8QqD4GfKFnIkdSAppn_1w/s400/harv-quince-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut fruit away from the hard core.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces.<br />
Wash and core the pears. Cut into bite-sized pieces.<br />
Mix the fruit together by layering it into the baking pan.<br />
Drizzle the sauce over top of the fruit. Gently stir the fruit and sauce together to spread sauce evenly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4gZKY7YPo4JEoe6TK4LfIptVwYU8RdkRfq68J44F12_1q3QAdpYsCuhog1I0IUyqy1s4_RVrd4fw0TrdGUvrHcyPck8mcrgbZvCqsI_svcxRwrT8CvtK9KRgHEVpWBYQg_0Z8BnhuBY/s1600/harv-quince-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4gZKY7YPo4JEoe6TK4LfIptVwYU8RdkRfq68J44F12_1q3QAdpYsCuhog1I0IUyqy1s4_RVrd4fw0TrdGUvrHcyPck8mcrgbZvCqsI_svcxRwrT8CvtK9KRgHEVpWBYQg_0Z8BnhuBY/s400/harv-quince-5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quince, pears and sauce - before baking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Use a pan with a lid, or cover with aluminum-foil.<br />
Bake for forty-minutes covered (or until juices are boiling). <br />
Take out, gently fold the fruit and sauce together so the fruit at the top gets re-sauced.<br />
Leave cover off and bake for 10 more minutes to lightly caramelize the top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uSgPJpxvPvt1foY4ooz20ghr8xul_AkEDtRD1wI01ejF6Lv0oMc1g8Hd1nn5sIY2q5VK0-sVR1BEDCeDCZcrF-zunG57prBM946SSZGiSLzugE9wc9bK7yUQ6rj4w2ph-9lWvsq28zc/s1600/harv-quince-6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uSgPJpxvPvt1foY4ooz20ghr8xul_AkEDtRD1wI01ejF6Lv0oMc1g8Hd1nn5sIY2q5VK0-sVR1BEDCeDCZcrF-zunG57prBM946SSZGiSLzugE9wc9bK7yUQ6rj4w2ph-9lWvsq28zc/s400/harv-quince-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After baking. Yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We like ours chilled with a scoop of organic low-fat,
plain yogurt and some organic, lightly sweetened shredded-wheat cereal
crushed on top.<br />
We'll keep experimenting...seems like raisins or
date-pieces would be good raw or cooked in with the fruit. Also, some
crushed walnuts or granola might be good too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.growveg.com/guides/a-quince-essential-fruit-how-to-grow-quince-trees/" target="_blank"><b>A Quince Essential Fruit</b></a> - here's a fun post that gives more details about this unique fruit including growing tips.<br />
<br />
Let us know of your discoveries/variations in the comments below.<br />
<br /></div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-29114119442524019382019-09-17T14:39:00.002-07:002019-09-17T14:39:14.537-07:00Can We Create Social Change Without Money?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here is a video and transcript of a Ted-Talk by Nipun Mehta, a pioneer in 'sharing' and the <i>true</i>
gift-economy (giving without thought of receiving). Nipun beautifully
articulates the community-building, healing power of generosity. We
decided to post this on our Sharing Gardens site because our project is
deeply founded in the principles outlined in this video. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Can We Create Social Change Without Money?</h4>
<i>--by <a href="http://www.dailygood.org/search.php?op=auth&name=Nipun%20Mehta">Nipun Mehta</a>, Oct 28, 2015</i><br />
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BoV23TJe4UM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BoV23TJe4UM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<i>Can we create social change without money? I don't have a conclusive
answer but just holding that question can raise some very interesting
insights.<br />
<br />
Since we're talking about money, I thought I'd start with a story on
Wall Street. One of my friends was running a venture fund on Wall
Street. They had a great year, and his boss calls him in to congratulate
him and offers the proverbial blank check, "What would you like?" He
looks his boss in the eye and says, "What I'd love is a minute of
silence before all our group meetings."<br />
<br />
Wow. The boss is thinking, "In a context where people are billing every
three minutes, a minute of silence to do nothing? That's like wasting
time." He refuses. "No. Anything else?" he asks. No. After sleeping on
it, though, the boss comes back to say, "Look, if you really want that
minute of silence, fine, I'll give it to you." They start meetings with a
minute of silence. That minute turned into two to three to five
minutes. Today, they do thirty minutes once a week, and even have their
own meditation bell.<br />
<br />
What was my friend thinking? On one side he could've asked for a
monetary raise, but on the other side was very different kind of capital
— mental quiet, connection, trust. He is thinking, "I don't want to
meet people in a space of rush. I'd rather meet them with a bit more
peace." It changed his relationship to himself, it changed his
relationship to other people and certainly with his boss. And it didn't
just stop there. It changed how everyone related to each other. It
changed the whole culture of their office space. And that was something
he valued more than the financial capital.<br />
<br />
<b>How do we broaden our lens to include alternative forms of capital? </b>This
is a question, this is a possibility, that we all have access to but in
our current world today, we're very biased towards financial capital.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" src="https://www.servicespace.org/inc/ckfinder/userfiles/images/dgood/fargo_sharing2.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; float: right; height: 378px; margin: 0 0 4px 4px; padding: 2px; width: 300px;" />In
theory, our society is supposed to balance all these biases. We have
three big sectors. The private sector is rooted in extrinsic motivations
like money, power, fame. On the other end, we have the voluntary sector
that is rooted in very intrinsic sort of motivations. Compassion,
knowledge, purpose. And then there's the public sector that is supposed
to regulate between the two and work on both sides of the aisle.<br />
<br />
This is how it's supposed to work in theory. In practice, though, the
private sector starts to take over. In fact, it starts to dominate. We
do have a public sector, but the public sector is increasingly being
controlled by the private sector. There is a small voluntary sector, but
these days, in the name of the sharing economy, even that is being
commoditized. Courtesy of the "<a href="http://www.servicespace.org/blog/view.php?id=14918">sharing economy</a>",
your lawn mower can get you six bucks a day, and you can rent out your
Hermès purse for a hundred dollars a party and your dog for five dollars
a walk.<br />
<br />
When we have a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail. If money
is the only metric we have, we start to put a price tag on everything.<br />
<br />
<b>The problem with price tags is that we start to lose connection with
the priceless. We start to lose connection with our intrinsic
motivation.</b><br />
<br />
What does science say about all this? Edward Deci at the University of
Rochester has been studying incentives for over forty years. After
thousands of experiments, he categorically asserts that the carrot and
stick model doesn't work. This idea of a contingent reward — if you do
this, you will get this — doesn't actually work.<br />
<br />
For example, he <a href="http://www.selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/1971_Deci.pdf">studied people</a>
who loved to solve puzzles. Initially, they would solve puzzles just
for the love of it, just for its intrinsic enjoyment. Then he started to
pay them to do the same thing. So far so good. Then, at a later point,
he stopped paying them. As soon as he stopped paying them, you would
think they would return to that original state, right? It turns out,
though, that they were no longer interested in solving puzzles at all!<br />
<br />
<b>What his research shows is that money desensitizes us. </b>What
science is actually telling us is this: Don't show me the money. When
you're working with intrinsic motivations, financial rewards can
backfire.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" src="https://www.servicespace.org/inc/ckfinder/userfiles/images/dgood/fargo_toddler.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; float: right; height: 301px; margin: 0 0 4px 4px; padding: 2px; width: 300px;" />At the Max Planck Institute, researchers have been <a href="https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/news/radcliffe-magazine/child-good">studying 18-month olds</a>.
These toddlers are just playing and all of a sudden they see a bunch of
strangers who are putting clothes out for drying. In the process, they
drop a clothespin and need help getting to it. The toddlers see that a
person is in need, and immediately go out to help. They pick up the
clothespin and hand it to the strangers. Now, at that age, they haven't
yet been taught kindness or compassion but they're still moved to help.
They're still moved to cooperate.<br />
<br />
What science is telling us is that it's natural to give, that we're
wired to care. In fact, not only is it guiding us to "don't show me the
money", but it's saying to not offer any rewards at all. It's just not
necessary.<br />
<br />
<b>The question we are left with is this — what designs emerge when we don't lead with money?</b>
What designs emerge when we lead with something subtler or something
internal? We have many examples that offer insight into this inquiry.<br />
<br />
Mother Teresa, of course, is an example that all of us know about.
Someone purely motivated by intrinsic motivations. One of my friends, <a href="http://www.lynnetwist.com/about-lynne-twist/">Lynne Twist</a>, is a world-renowned fundraiser and author of a book titled, <i>Soul of Money</i>.
She knows money. Many years ago, she had a very interesting
conversation with Mother Teresa, whom she knew personally. "Mother
Teresa, what's your fund raising strategy?" she asked. And Mother
Teresa, with her big-hearted compassion, simply replied, "Oh, I just
pray. Whatever I get is what I need."<br />
<br />
It was simple. Here was a woman who had 400 centers in 102 countries and
she's kind of like the CEO of this whole operation and she is saying,
"I have no fundraising strategy." Or rather she is saying, "My
fundraising strategy is to be rooted so deeply in intrinsic motivation
that external security is not even a concern."<br />
<br />
We have many modern examples as well. Linux rivaled Microsoft Windows
purely with a distributed army of volunteers. Wikipedia did that with
Encyclopedia Britannica. On Wikipedia alone, through those micro-edits
that volunteers made, hundred million volunteer hours have been donated.
CouchSurfing, similarly, allowed strangers to stay on each other's
couches and disrupted the hotel industry.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" src="https://www.servicespace.org/inc/ckfinder/userfiles/images/dgood/fargo_spectrum.JPG" style="border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; float: right; height: 168px; margin: 0 0 4px 4px; padding: 2px; width: 300px;" /><b>As we look closely, we see an entire spectrum of motivations. </b>It
starts with extrinsic motivations on one side and goes all the way to
intrinsic motivations. On the extrinsic side, there's money, power,
fame; somewhere in between you have things like fun, learning, growth
and purpose. Then on the intrinsic end of the spectrum, you have these
very profound motivations like healing, forgiveness,
inner-transformation and ultimately compassion.<br />
<br />
<b>On that extrinsic end, we have thousands and thousands of examples,
but on the other side, on the side of intrinsic motivations, we don't
have too many.</b> Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, is a completely
decentralized, distributed, and a never-monetized effort. It points
towards the other end of the spectrum, but we have an opportunity to
create a lot more examples here.<br />
<br />
Back in 1999, we started <a href="http://www.servicespace.org/">ServiceSpace</a>
that rested squarely on the intrinsic end of this spectrum. It started
with four of us, building websites for non-profits. Underneath the work,
though, what we wanted to do was to anchor ourselves purely in the
spirit of service. Over the last sixteen years, we've organized around
three core principles that have kept us rooted in that intrinsic
motivation.<br />
<br />
The first one is that we are volunteer run. Many people look at that as
scarcity of paid staff and ask, "How will you scale?" What we noticed
was that we actually had an abundance of social capital. Imagine that
you're trying to raise a million bucks. You could get it from one or two
people, or a dollar from a million people. Which is stronger? A million
people saying, "Yes, I believe in what you're doing. Yes, I care." The
cumulative energy of that is profound. It's powerful. That's what we
were experiencing with small contributions of time from many volunteers.<br />
<br />
Similarly, our second principle is to not fundraise. When you don't ask
for resources, you naturally feel a lot of gratitude for all that ends
up in your lap. You learn to creatively work with what you've got, and
you start to cooperate. Incredible synergies emerge, particularly when
working with non-financial capital.<br />
<br />
Lastly, our third principle is to focus on small. It wasn't about big
things outside, but rather it was about the subtle on the inside. Being
in the change you wish to see in the world starts to attune us to the
subtle. The resulting awareness, in a very profound way, ignites our
deepening understanding of interconnection.<br />
<br />
With these three principles, ServiceSpace manages to create lot of
impact in the world. We started by building websites for non-profits and
we ended up helping thousands of efforts come online. Then we started
building portals like <a href="http://www.dailygood.org/">DailyGood</a> and <a href="http://www.karmatube.org/">KarmaTube</a>.
Every year we send seventy million emails, and not a single one of them
has an ad -- or even a reference to buying something. It is purely
non-financial.<br />
<br />
Still, how far can we push ourselves while still operating solely on the strength of these intrinsic motivations?<br />
<br />
We started this game of kindness called <a href="http://kindspring.org/smilecards">Smile Cards</a>
and it spread to over a hundred countries. In local communities we
started these gift-economy experiments like Karma Kitchen where people
are redefining what it means to engage in transaction. In living rooms
around the world, <a href="http://www.awakin.org/local">Awakin Circles</a>
started. In all, more than half a million members were co-creating
something that was engaging the attention of millions -- all without
ever raising a single penny, and moved by love, service and our innate
connection to each other.<br />
<br />
It's not just that you can do a lot with this. We often take metrics
from the extrinsic side of the spectrum to measure the impact on the
intrinsic end. That puts a very low ceiling on its potential.<br />
<br />
<b>Operating with the power of intrinsic motivation alone fundamentally
changes the way in which we relate to each other. It gives birth to a
whole new realm of possibilities.</b><br />
<br />
<img alt="" src="https://www.servicespace.org/inc/ckfinder/userfiles/images/dgood/fargo_kk.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; float: right; height: 176px; margin: 0 0 4px 4px; padding: 2px; width: 300px;" /><a href="http://www.karmakitchen.org/">Karma Kitchen</a>
is like a regular restaurant, except that at the end of the meal, your
check reads zero. It's zero because someone before you has paid for you
and you get to pay forward for somebody after you. You are trusted to
pay forward whenever you want. When people are just giving for the love
of it, it changes the way they interact in that collective space. It's a
profound idea that has worked wonders in seventeen places around the
world.<br />
<br />
What works, though, isn't the intellectual idea -- it's actually the
experience. It's actually realizing that when you walk in, the greeter
is a volunteer. The person who is waiting on your table, the person who
plates your food, the person who's bussing your tables, they're all
volunteers. That guy doing dishes in the back, who signed up to be on
his feet for six hours, to just do dishes so you can have an experience
of generosity, is also a volunteer. When you realize this, it begets a
very different kind of generosity in you. A flow of deep compassion
emerges. It's very natural.<br />
<br />
Minah Jung was a student at UC Berkeley when she first volunteered at
Karma Kitchen. She was so moved by the concept that she decided to study
it. In fact, her research on Karma Kitchen and other gift economies
became her PhD thesis. With eight different experiments, she poured
through data with academic rigor, and came out with a seminal paper
titled, "<a href="http://givingandappreciating.com/jung-m-h-nelson-l-d-gneezy-a-gneezy-u-in-press-paying-more-when-paying-for-others-journal-of-personality-and-social-psychology/">Paying More When Paying For Others</a>." If you create a strong context, people respond to generosity with even greater generosity.<br />
<br />
Richard Whitaker runs his <a href="http://www.conversations.org/">art magazine</a>
in the same way. He was running it for fifteen years with the
traditional subscriber model, and then he ran across ServiceSpace and
said, "Wow, this is great. This is how I want show up in the world." He
offered refunds to all his current subscribers and said, "From now on,
the magazine will operate only offerings of gratitude."<br />
<br />
Similarly, <a href="http://www.awakin.org/calls/167/thuy-nguyen/">Thuy Nguyen</a> is experimenting with this pay-forward model at her acupuncture clinic.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" src="https://www.servicespace.org/inc/ckfinder/userfiles/images/dgood/fargo_uday.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; float: right; height: 225px; margin: 0 0 4px 4px; padding: 2px; width: 300px;" />I want to end with this story of one of my friends, <a href="http://www.movedbylove.org/projects/rickshaw/">Uday-bhai</a>.
He's a rickshaw driver. By all traditional metrics, he would probably
be a UN statistic on one of those poverty charts. He's a humble rickshaw
driver but he has another kind of resource. He believes in love, he
believes in people. Uday-bhai decided to run his rickshaw on a
pay-it-forward basis. You sit in his rickshaw and there is no money
meter. Someone before you has paid for you and you get to pay forward
for people after you, whatever you moved to offer. He trusted that
goodness in people, in the sixth largest city in India. Naturally, many
asked him, "Is it working?" He says, "Here's my ledger. Point A to point
B, point B to point C. Yes, some paid more, some paid less. On the
whole, it evens out."<br />
<br />
Then he adds, "Let me also show you this other notebook. This is where I
ask people to write down how they felt sitting in my rickshaw." Imagine
sitting in Uday-bhai's rickshaw and being completely caught off guard
by the generosity of his process. This is not a billionaire doing
philanthropy, but an everyday hero putting his entire livelihood on the
line -- for love. It moves people to tears, people take vows for life.
It's just deeply transformative and you can see that in all the notes.<br />
<br />
Uday-bhai didn't have money, but he had a deeper kind of resource.
Through that resource, through his belief in our innate generosity, he
created a massive ripple that is certainly changing the world. He is
redefining what it means to have capital. He's diversifying that
portfolio of wealth. When you do that, when you really start saying yes
to that idea, you are essentially saying, "It's no longer about the CEO,
it's about the everyday Joe. It's no longer about fundraising, it's
about friend-raising. It's no longer about price tags, it's about the
priceless."<br />
<br />
<b>All of this sits on a single idea — what we will do for love will always be greater than what we do for money.</b> May we all lead with love and change the world. Thank you.
</i><br />
<hr noshade="noshade" />
<span style="font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;"><i>Nipun Mehta is the founder of<a href="http://www.servicespace.org/">ServiceSpace.org</a>, a nonprofit that works at the intersection of gift-economy, technology and volunteerism. You can read more of <a href="http://nipun.servicespace.org/write/index.php?op=speech">his talks online</a>.</i> </span><br />
This
video and article were copied from the Daily Good site, a free service
that sends out emails featuring inspiring, uplifting news from the world
free of charge and with no advertising. <a href="http://www.dailygood.org/story/1143/can-we-create-social-change-without-money-nipun-mehta/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKMmkWRwPK_CMG5p-Q3lmb7SapcKUe6nQTljXgyEKSCv3m28iGxTDWyttQ3bdrpQETF-iTAe2XF54Y9Pfy4L0sPs3eFw3qDLuGyu_7uOk3B-rYUfDmN7b1fPhrF3UQZ17X8s_jxYWu-3v/s1600/Heart-Hands.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKMmkWRwPK_CMG5p-Q3lmb7SapcKUe6nQTljXgyEKSCv3m28iGxTDWyttQ3bdrpQETF-iTAe2XF54Y9Pfy4L0sPs3eFw3qDLuGyu_7uOk3B-rYUfDmN7b1fPhrF3UQZ17X8s_jxYWu-3v/s320/Heart-Hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-53424514511811478862019-08-11T13:00:00.000-07:002019-08-11T13:27:59.017-07:00Saving Tomato Seeds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoCfBpab0FM1PxdQJ8WBj4bvV0SqKi9ItRluihGPUemcCdPT-7lyPNb_VbonHTckO73DrmbPHo-CvtvvrBKlF9_2caTexXuipX-FmGo7091bckB9OVzPpJzxdKc7wkr9Et_7C6C6E2So/s1600/100_1365.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoCfBpab0FM1PxdQJ8WBj4bvV0SqKi9ItRluihGPUemcCdPT-7lyPNb_VbonHTckO73DrmbPHo-CvtvvrBKlF9_2caTexXuipX-FmGo7091bckB9OVzPpJzxdKc7wkr9Et_7C6C6E2So/s400/100_1365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped German - Heirloom tomato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One
of the missions of the Sharing Gardens is to educate people about the
importance of seed-saving and to offer techniques to demystify this
process. <b>Today's blog covers the practical steps necessary for saving one of the home-gardener's favorite fruits: the tomato!</b> If you're new to seed-saving tomatoes are good to start with because of their relative simplicity.<br />
<br />
In
order to save seeds that will "grow true" and produce fruit similar to
the one you saved seeds from, you must start with an "heirloom" or
"open-pollinated" (OP) variety (<i>not hybrid</i>). Hybrid seeds are
artificially created by seed companies to produce plants with unique
qualities (early ripening, bug resistance etc). The problem is that they
don't "breed true". If you save seed from hybrids, next year's plants
may or may not be what you want. <b>If you wish to save seeds, choose seeds or starts that say "open pollinated", OP, heirloom or non-hybrid.</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBBje9Eio58Xfrz4dqLOTQsu32L3Y3aV6msp3S4dq-yFVFvQVVbiP1t7iaboMhy_a5xguLLfJ27sUdUYnks7Ha8Kz1MpI0nydWioMUiDUrgOtFlUE3g_2EA315RanpxsH6xO0vftLLxQ/s1600/long+toms-hands3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBBje9Eio58Xfrz4dqLOTQsu32L3Y3aV6msp3S4dq-yFVFvQVVbiP1t7iaboMhy_a5xguLLfJ27sUdUYnks7Ha8Kz1MpI0nydWioMUiDUrgOtFlUE3g_2EA315RanpxsH6xO0vftLLxQ/s400/long+toms-hands3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Heirloom" tomatoes come in all types: here are large paste-tomatoes called "Long Toms"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK,
so lets say you have grown some beautiful heirloom tomatoes and you're
ready to save seeds. If you have more than one plant to pick from, <b>choose the plant that is healthiest, most robust, earliest to ripen and with the largest and/or best-tasting fruit.</b> Then, <b>pick one or two fruits that are the best examples of these same qualities.</b>.
If there are other people who harvest from your garden, put a
twist-tie, or in some other way mark the fruit so no one picks it
prematurely. We often use onion or citrus bags (plastic, stretchy
netting) so we can actually cover the fruit, making it clear that it's <i>not to be picked</i>. <b>Let the fruit come to fullest maturity possible</b>. It's OK
even if it starts to rot a little.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1YPm8Y1GI/AAAAAAAAAT8/zgf2FEyYOZs/s1600-h/DSC01095.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376550555325355106" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1YPm8Y1GI/AAAAAAAAAT8/zgf2FEyYOZs/s320/DSC01095.JPG" style="float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Krim (below) and Striped German</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here
are two heirloom tomato varieties we saved for seed this year (right).
We saved them as beautiful examples of color, juiciness and size. That's
a Black Krim on the bottom and a Striped German on the top.<br />
<br />
<b>In saving seed, you wish to mimic nature's process.</b>
Have you ever noticed what happens to the tomatoes left in the garden
after the first frost? They turn to a slimy mush, with the fruit
eventually dissolving away from the seed. In the following year, robust
little volunteers emerge from where the tomato rotted. <b>The way we mimic this process:</b>
Remove the stem from your chosen tomato and put it in the blender with
enough water to fill a quart jar. Whiz it in the blender, at a low
speed, just long enough to separate seeds from fruit. Don't worry about
the
seeds. They have a protective gel that keeps the blades from harming
them. Pour them into a wide-mouth glass jar. Be sure to swirl the
blender as you pour the last liquid out so no seeds are left in the
bottom. If you're processing more than one tomato variety in a row,
rinse the blender well so you don't mix seed varieties. <b>Label the jar</b> so
you remember the variety of seeds you're saving.<br />
<br />
The
next step is to leave them to "rot". To minimize fruit-flies secure a
piece of cheese cloth over the opening with a rubber-band or canning-jar
ring. Leave them in the open jar for 4-7
days. When it's warm outside, the process will go faster. Stir them once
or twice a day with a chopstick to help separate the seed from the
pulp. The pulp and non-viable seeds
will form a layer at the top. The healthy seeds will sink to the bottom.
Look for a nice scum to form on the top. Mold is OK. The picture on the
left is of two varieties of tomato seeds in process. The ones on the
right were just blended so no layers have formed. The ones on the left
have been sitting a few days. The other picture shows the quality of the
scum that has formed on the tomatoes once they are ready for the next
step. Notice the bubbles which indicate a mild fermentation process.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1bt6JmCGI/AAAAAAAAAUM/-pXCvkoOMPU/s1600-h/DSC01126.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376554374411978850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1bt6JmCGI/AAAAAAAAAUM/-pXCvkoOMPU/s320/DSC01126.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1cF-P5UmI/AAAAAAAAAUU/P12YuJtRXNQ/s1600-h/DSC01139.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376554787829011042" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1cF-P5UmI/AAAAAAAAAUU/P12YuJtRXNQ/s320/DSC01139.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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The
last step is to dry the seeds. Spoon out the scum and pour off most of
the water. The viable seeds will have sunk to the bottom but be careful
not to pour them out with the pulp/water. Add more water, allow to
settle and continue to pour off excess flesh. Repeat this process till
you've removed the majority of the flesh. Then pour the seeds through a
fine-mesh strainer and rinse them in the strainer. Let them drip-dry
and then tap them onto a piece of tin-foil, a jar-lid or other <i>non-porous surface</i>.
We find that the lid to a plastic tub (like a yogurt container) works
best as it's flexible and we can "pop" off the seeds after they've
dried. Seeds will stick to paper towel or napkins. Transfer your label
to the drying seeds and leave them to dry for a week or so. Be sure they
are thoroughly dry before storage so they don't mold in the bag,
envelope or jar.<br />
<br />
Each seed-saver has his or her
preference for containers to store seeds in. We use clean, small plastic
bags or recycled plastic pill-bottles or other small jars. The most
important thing is to keep your whole seed collection in a dry, dark
environment with moderate temperatures, in air-tight containers. Avoid freezing or excessive
heat. Stored well, tomato seeds can remain viable for many years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1ecFFKscI/AAAAAAAAAUc/e2RBAB8p3jw/s1600-h/DSC01124.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376557366643438018" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gVVqIQ04uw0/Sp1ecFFKscI/AAAAAAAAAUc/e2RBAB8p3jw/s320/DSC01124.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato seeds drying.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Chris Burns and Llyn Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12154520226709029188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-54956906902647586862019-08-05T15:50:00.000-07:002019-12-07T10:25:42.178-08:00Enough and to Spare, To Give and to Share!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjwKxFBTX-pIcShiENidnXP0gVHzJApxrEE8BUgPj-i13UzE42A78mAbMmdIs1A2GzeI8J0Lm7shJpChcAkKrBh6u-YnV7VISinadxHBKaj8b5Mwt9vzxflRtMWdL4XIEsAi0ZeFegbE/s1600/v-Cindy+beet+greens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjwKxFBTX-pIcShiENidnXP0gVHzJApxrEE8BUgPj-i13UzE42A78mAbMmdIs1A2GzeI8J0Lm7shJpChcAkKrBh6u-YnV7VISinadxHBKaj8b5Mwt9vzxflRtMWdL4XIEsAi0ZeFegbE/s320/v-Cindy+beet+greens.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy sorting beets and carrots. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Harvest totals and garden update: </h3>
Hi folks - We had a beautiful post almost finished when we lost it to a computer glitch. Arrgh...We'll recreate it soon but the gardens have really kicked into high gear in the last couple of weeks and we've been harvesting and weeding and watering like crazy! Here are the harvest totals so far this year, some pictures of many of the wonderful people who help to grow the food and some recent pictures of the gardens so you can enjoy the beauty and abundance. Much love, Llyn and Chris<br />
<br />
So far, we've been sharing produce out of the gardens for 18 weeks. Depending on when the first major frost hits, we could be past the half-way mark of garden productivity but the next 15 - 20 weeks will also be <i>way</i> more productive in terms of how many<i> pounds </i>the gardens will yield. So, we could be looking at a record year! (For those of you who are new to the Sharing Gardens, <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_6.html" target="_blank">here's a quick overview of our project</a>.)<br />
<br />
Donated to <a href="https://southbentonfoodpantry.org/" target="_blank">S. Benton Food Pantry</a>: 507#<br />
Donated to <a href="https://junctioncitylocalaid.org/" target="_blank">Local Aid</a> Food Pantry: 455#<br />
Donated to THIP class being led by our local Health Clinic (<a href="https://drkyle.com/thip/" target="_blank">"Total Health Improvement Program"</a>): 268#<br />
Shared with Share-givers (volunteers): 284#<br />
Used in canning projects so far: 36#<br />
Potatoes harvested so far (that weren't counted in other totals): 94#<br />
CSA member-boxes: 408<br />
<br />
<b>Grand total so far: 2,052 pounds!</b><br />
<br />
Huge thanks to all the contributors who are helping to make this, our 11th season, such a success!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SC94lWhTJ8ODKdtmAlCGESUfmWQ8b23YeMV2JJZ6PS2GdggjPeciPqAIMyUYv6pXcj5LdOs3jqSqE93HP_FnzW5WFc-oEbnvGln99pghDF0K4QZsqysRpZZJ_nuWbMnKY80NDakMFO0/s1600/v-Adri-Kaylynn-Jace-Llyn-cukes-best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SC94lWhTJ8ODKdtmAlCGESUfmWQ8b23YeMV2JJZ6PS2GdggjPeciPqAIMyUYv6pXcj5LdOs3jqSqE93HP_FnzW5WFc-oEbnvGln99pghDF0K4QZsqysRpZZJ_nuWbMnKY80NDakMFO0/s400/v-Adri-Kaylynn-Jace-Llyn-cukes-best.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love it when Cindy and Jim's grand-kids come to The Gardens. Here are Adri, Kaylynn and Jace helping Llyn harvest cucumbers, one of their favorite snacks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQba0lnIXNI0YjTo0-ZwCCad5PO0wtghcSWJ187I7mxKf0ir1byADVfqvn5v8kBOW7GPuaYtuXOyGJJXf4BKmS8XneKgPpNIJa4OucXfqZ6a77_TSu-QTQnyg6vmdg_FVQcUQc99vwo4E/s1600/v-Cindy-Rook-John+Welk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQba0lnIXNI0YjTo0-ZwCCad5PO0wtghcSWJ187I7mxKf0ir1byADVfqvn5v8kBOW7GPuaYtuXOyGJJXf4BKmS8XneKgPpNIJa4OucXfqZ6a77_TSu-QTQnyg6vmdg_FVQcUQc99vwo4E/s320/v-Cindy-Rook-John+Welk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy, Rook and John, weeding. On our volunteer days, we often team up and swarm a whole quadrant of the gardens together leaving no weeds behind! This massive amount of weeds is put in our compost bins where the heat of their decomposition kills a majority of the weed-seeds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDGd7vHEhja_gnkYHk3XR4tLEYRsPVtnq3WihuhxiPD4DGjFFFifYreu86D97w8haNQ0Y_EFwdMR4gJ1Iq7dtbYJC86Z-Lggq5i4buTNVtPDSnULrNHL0DWcimS2GECJ-JbWOrCGGIaU/s1600/GP-7-31-meadow+quad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDGd7vHEhja_gnkYHk3XR4tLEYRsPVtnq3WihuhxiPD4DGjFFFifYreu86D97w8haNQ0Y_EFwdMR4gJ1Iq7dtbYJC86Z-Lggq5i4buTNVtPDSnULrNHL0DWcimS2GECJ-JbWOrCGGIaU/s400/GP-7-31-meadow+quad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken July 31st. The gardens are in full bloom!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe2g5oUFnvCzAk8KQNBcks9FtCtRnsyezSt5h0k8jBA6z_q5MdR6F8szZXpdzoF-BE0Hpqr_use-a3grYL5yWNsL5mGHT9hhBFu_S0iKSz8NUgnaiIksqO-k4RiNQZn9chNiU1Xpu1VM/s1600/v-Becky-beets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="1352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe2g5oUFnvCzAk8KQNBcks9FtCtRnsyezSt5h0k8jBA6z_q5MdR6F8szZXpdzoF-BE0Hpqr_use-a3grYL5yWNsL5mGHT9hhBFu_S0iKSz8NUgnaiIksqO-k4RiNQZn9chNiU1Xpu1VM/s400/v-Becky-beets.jpg" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Becky, weeding beets. Becky is one of our newest 'share-givers' (volunteers). She brings a friendly and playful spirit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcttiTGsQC8nkmhX5xKqA8OFkKQxWEiY1aTUiGjwh5AHyYy14t4V0DFNL-QNj9UVVtjupaw54IPKiP90LZyeNNomMKUApXVh2medRy_mbQuUBMoLH767cDlPxIHSNWP23t0geg7kfk0PA/s1600/v-Jace-Chris--potato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcttiTGsQC8nkmhX5xKqA8OFkKQxWEiY1aTUiGjwh5AHyYy14t4V0DFNL-QNj9UVVtjupaw54IPKiP90LZyeNNomMKUApXVh2medRy_mbQuUBMoLH767cDlPxIHSNWP23t0geg7kfk0PA/s400/v-Jace-Chris--potato.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jace (left) munching on a carrot, to keep up his strength for the potato harvest. We harvested 30 pounds that day off of six plants and they're looking beautiful. Our best year for potatoes yet (and we still have many more plants to harvest, well into the Fall).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiCfslMEdkUIwNXuxkq-h2k2itP6DKUrBJbnFBlxxPUXaBFuLRoEnYDJs4dcTnPdgouh14XmE_AYvkX_3JV3hDLu_M5v2Pfa6OvG7YErnenHx6QGRzmd_eRVmdQcov_3kPQND0zTp-HM/s1600/GP-7-31-squash-corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiCfslMEdkUIwNXuxkq-h2k2itP6DKUrBJbnFBlxxPUXaBFuLRoEnYDJs4dcTnPdgouh14XmE_AYvkX_3JV3hDLu_M5v2Pfa6OvG7YErnenHx6QGRzmd_eRVmdQcov_3kPQND0zTp-HM/s400/GP-7-31-squash-corn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's one quadrant of the garden in late July. Provence squash, cabbage, Delicata squash and four rows of blue corn. All but the cabbage will provide storage-food to get us (and the Food Pantry) much of the way through the winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOHaqyCQwUz_e-GGOehHygdD7coQV3oGPVR0gGtdMoximBlNMxWmCne92qkb-O-Ja5lMgxHMoqT4ckFnIC356EJFpPvSD_xJCGUGvcu4-VLbFCkhqfZ-dWg-Agz7rA1YsSDM5yGa_kuU/s1600/v-Megan-Jim-onions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOHaqyCQwUz_e-GGOehHygdD7coQV3oGPVR0gGtdMoximBlNMxWmCne92qkb-O-Ja5lMgxHMoqT4ckFnIC356EJFpPvSD_xJCGUGvcu4-VLbFCkhqfZ-dWg-Agz7rA1YsSDM5yGa_kuU/s400/v-Megan-Jim-onions.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan, our youngest 'share-giver' (who also started this year), teamed up with 'young-at-heart' Jim - who's been coming since 2011. Here they are trimming the tops off onions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn0DpoUNRb7fypCuNNFN1H3m9hPa2FQTqeEGsGOmRAa78DxOHcV_N_qPG3zU1nzElfLNjTAcB5ZjYjfXbTCH8UB7s9ARZIHZCQJiY4aiOztRaS6-CDZ3dD082S_BKFdCNv_kyTbJyg08/s1600/v-Rook-Chris-Jim-beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn0DpoUNRb7fypCuNNFN1H3m9hPa2FQTqeEGsGOmRAa78DxOHcV_N_qPG3zU1nzElfLNjTAcB5ZjYjfXbTCH8UB7s9ARZIHZCQJiY4aiOztRaS6-CDZ3dD082S_BKFdCNv_kyTbJyg08/s400/v-Rook-Chris-Jim-beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With this team of guys, weeds don't stand a chance! Our motto is: "Weed 'em and reap!"</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBmJ-7NCtn6a3vyWLMUrICrVO6-1mAgFT0jYE_lqf07X9IYbW4Ndc925aM37bRCMJhHoU0WCVu3u_AURTCPFuFx2worV8Hsczcz930Zy2VgdtL80uZDrGzPlGFag7EEezVFUy8gyth_8/s1600/sign-weed+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBmJ-7NCtn6a3vyWLMUrICrVO6-1mAgFT0jYE_lqf07X9IYbW4Ndc925aM37bRCMJhHoU0WCVu3u_AURTCPFuFx2worV8Hsczcz930Zy2VgdtL80uZDrGzPlGFag7EEezVFUy8gyth_8/s400/sign-weed+em.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaJqXICN0kMJk8T7_yXXUWjvZWAzhLFuFgldrchjaDvmuJyFtQpUwOf3yVgE-QYVYCqRwWpcqAjLwd6-Ga4FvLn0aQhleG63PzjY1K6-rBLwiJ3RKWDz3b0obUx4fH3aA_3cX34Bx78k/s1600/GP-7-30+fecundity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaJqXICN0kMJk8T7_yXXUWjvZWAzhLFuFgldrchjaDvmuJyFtQpUwOf3yVgE-QYVYCqRwWpcqAjLwd6-Ga4FvLn0aQhleG63PzjY1K6-rBLwiJ3RKWDz3b0obUx4fH3aA_3cX34Bx78k/s400/GP-7-30+fecundity.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A late-July photo taken of the NE garden-quadrant. From top-left to bottom-right: Blue-corn (dried and ground for cereal and baking), red potatoes, a mixed row of celery/collards/kale, a row of cucumbers and a row of kidney beans which we dry for soups and chili. (Marigolds and Cosmos flowers in the foreground.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9f3loCZ8hUgWuD03nyCDHdXCzAMWGJ_2WZE893fPhCjC4h_d8fsBkOSb7atBxtSgixX_qZKMu8QUNBH_n_ojoieKf9T5BMa0UbNlDDZpUDAOF4UaR8QtFTT_LKKOOM8AX4p_5_3fsbE/s1600/v-Jim-garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="1546" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9f3loCZ8hUgWuD03nyCDHdXCzAMWGJ_2WZE893fPhCjC4h_d8fsBkOSb7atBxtSgixX_qZKMu8QUNBH_n_ojoieKf9T5BMa0UbNlDDZpUDAOF4UaR8QtFTT_LKKOOM8AX4p_5_3fsbE/s400/v-Jim-garlic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim harvesting soft-ball sized Elephant garlic. We filled that wheel-barrow, mounded high, twice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMkuFVFmg4sXF-aGNiTJSM0_5Uhsr8DkqwQQlLzOTmW7AOxyjT8dekd6Lbp7AUps-NesyJji7y3abbUs2bVKSPTcDRoU5OV49TY-tQFwPr90pENGqQFc_D0CnKHt-zngwkFnO6niP0-w/s1600/v-Adri-Jim-Chris-potato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMkuFVFmg4sXF-aGNiTJSM0_5Uhsr8DkqwQQlLzOTmW7AOxyjT8dekd6Lbp7AUps-NesyJji7y3abbUs2bVKSPTcDRoU5OV49TY-tQFwPr90pENGqQFc_D0CnKHt-zngwkFnO6niP0-w/s400/v-Adri-Jim-Chris-potato.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adri helps Grandpa Jim and Chris with a potato harvest. Kids love this job because it's like hunting for eggs on Easter; you never know how many you're going to find!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYgi_Au68xf5sIhJ15HoHBMtrDx6Fsr7-9soF84eV2k2qrC0-Ey9Vtu5pcWRIJzbSYfaEml5u2vVXz1uc54CTppeS33i_Rq10IGCBEWEH_VoKRElgBvq7q1J2o1cZoXumnfsf2ouSADk/s1600/GP-bean+tipi-sunship+GH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYgi_Au68xf5sIhJ15HoHBMtrDx6Fsr7-9soF84eV2k2qrC0-Ey9Vtu5pcWRIJzbSYfaEml5u2vVXz1uc54CTppeS33i_Rq10IGCBEWEH_VoKRElgBvq7q1J2o1cZoXumnfsf2ouSADk/s400/GP-bean+tipi-sunship+GH.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bean tipi at entrance to garden and Sunship greenhouse. The beans are called Giant Greek White beans and we got the seed for them out of the bulk-food section at our local natural foods store. They had made the beans into a salad for their deli and were delicious! We like them as much as Scarlet Runner beans for flavor and grow to be 2-3 times the size! (<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/05/grow-your-own-protein-scarlet-runner.html" target="_blank">LINK</a> to Scarlet Runner Bean post)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDsjTBRGn-ABUZhCx_auMgk_1Dd6E_x5L1nSGoDfYbzFPoxXDPeO3iNu2xC4p3Y4aakNXXYIzfsc-gs4uWUOeCwQ2gxrnmsU8aXsJkTxdD6-82On9qubs3gWZ98AnpCfY_RUKZd8tA7Q/s1600/v-Cindy-onion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1438" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDsjTBRGn-ABUZhCx_auMgk_1Dd6E_x5L1nSGoDfYbzFPoxXDPeO3iNu2xC4p3Y4aakNXXYIzfsc-gs4uWUOeCwQ2gxrnmsU8aXsJkTxdD6-82On9qubs3gWZ98AnpCfY_RUKZd8tA7Q/s400/v-Cindy-onion.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy with an early crop of onions and greens. Cindy's been coming since 2010 and never misses a garden-day if she can help it. We love her cheerful, 'can-do' spirit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirODNuZcpPiJwkBsZVDvP_Dh-2CAbl7fnA_PIZ7Prj0AuF_cVYS-P8__R1tgImY4C-LzkbHUxwuoCILHvzHMuvTs239cxr6cxTFUhiCx6Org6t1uSWyJQUdgFZtLg8M1vB0SX5KUpPEjU/s1600/v-Rook-happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1297" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirODNuZcpPiJwkBsZVDvP_Dh-2CAbl7fnA_PIZ7Prj0AuF_cVYS-P8__R1tgImY4C-LzkbHUxwuoCILHvzHMuvTs239cxr6cxTFUhiCx6Org6t1uSWyJQUdgFZtLg8M1vB0SX5KUpPEjU/s400/v-Rook-happy.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Rook, in his third season, has fallen in love with being in the garden (and we've fallen in love with him)! He loves to help people and to serve, and has come to embody the spirit of the Sharing Gardens. "Gee, it's great to be alive!"</td></tr>
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-28176580297597391992019-05-01T15:56:00.000-07:002019-05-01T15:56:22.718-07:00Why growing sunflowers is great for bees...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
...and how to grow and process sunflowers for birdseed and sprouts.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitmtWAraU3Gx0nuSFkB4IO6gtBWF-M580DqFtVAPdF-Qra1mm7M3OVesnFmnQmwbM-s0TVY3b0EYeKF1BBOHVBjVfuLBG5c0ehOBqxhkiawU_rjoXd1__Zx428O-LkBtVhIzMvfUVSbk/s1600/autumn+beauty.squarejpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="950" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitmtWAraU3Gx0nuSFkB4IO6gtBWF-M580DqFtVAPdF-Qra1mm7M3OVesnFmnQmwbM-s0TVY3b0EYeKF1BBOHVBjVfuLBG5c0ehOBqxhkiawU_rjoXd1__Zx428O-LkBtVhIzMvfUVSbk/s320/autumn+beauty.squarejpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflower Pollen - Pro-"bee"-otics for Bees!.</td></tr>
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<b>This is a post about the varieties of sunflowers we choose to grow, how we grow them and process them for winter use.</b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
In reading an issue of National Wildlife recently, we came across an article about the health benefits to bees of sunflower pollen. With populations of many bees on the decline, they need all the help they can get! Apparently sunflower pollen reduces the infections of some varieties of bees from two widespread parasites. Previous research had "linked both types of parasites with slower colony growth and greater mortality rates". Scientists compared the effects of sunflower pollen with other "monofloral" pollens, from different types of flowers - (sunflowers are "multi-floral") and "none of the other pollens had the same effect".<br />
<br />
But, "while sunflower pollen may provide (the above mentioned) medicinal
benefits, it is low in protein and some amino acids," say researchers
in <i>Scientific Reports. </i>They conclude that <b>sunflowers should be
<i>supplements</i> rather than the main source of the insect's diet.</b> <b>"Bees do
best," the scientists point out, "when they have access to a variety of
flowers".</b> *Source below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL9VFL8UWJ4DBZ0JsJUTfPyblTV3oFD6HS8ZICjpLQmX3A10Mke7FaGqK-lZKu-3ad2ciRZ9w-344WmIxe95YoFW8ommmV-JISc_62ymC_61GEW6j9lOB_8Is57iNLxi1nRO6lxs-Gak/s1600/Sunflowers+for+Sprout+Seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1439" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL9VFL8UWJ4DBZ0JsJUTfPyblTV3oFD6HS8ZICjpLQmX3A10Mke7FaGqK-lZKu-3ad2ciRZ9w-344WmIxe95YoFW8ommmV-JISc_62ymC_61GEW6j9lOB_8Is57iNLxi1nRO6lxs-Gak/s400/Sunflowers+for+Sprout+Seeds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A border-row of Mammoth Russian sunflowers.</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sunflowers are one of our favorites. They're beautiful and easy to grow. They provide wonderful pollen for insects and home-grown bird-seed for our feathered friends. And, the seeds can be used to grow delicious, nutritious sprouts for winter greens. </blockquote>
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<b>Planting Sunflowers - direct seeding:</b> Sunflowers can be directly sown, a few weeks before the expected last hard freeze (a light frost won't bother them). Push them into soil about 1/2" - 1" deep. If you have jays or crows in your neighborhood, you might need to cover the starts with row-cloth or some other protector until they're rooted as birds do love the seeds and, if they watch you planting, they may wait till you're not looking and dig them up (we've had this happen to us in the past). In order to avoid this problem, <b>we usually start our sunflowers in pots and transplant later.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU84aigKyUUVIDK75-6OpRo7YRMu9GRAS077siJSSMLO8Wibuk_mErWJOdrsOHDtbPONB6b3raVUYNEGLuxe2dywrMvjxS_CAKVjFtVOiHxLfyKNXnPD6Im4Lfegl0lhyuEm9atJTSG80/s1600/a-sunflower+planter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="955" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU84aigKyUUVIDK75-6OpRo7YRMu9GRAS077siJSSMLO8Wibuk_mErWJOdrsOHDtbPONB6b3raVUYNEGLuxe2dywrMvjxS_CAKVjFtVOiHxLfyKNXnPD6Im4Lfegl0lhyuEm9atJTSG80/s320/a-sunflower+planter1.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've had young children help us plant large patches of sunflowers. It's a fun garden activity that's hard to get wrong. You may need to thin out your patch after they germinate so each plant has enough room to grow (3'- 4' between each plant on the tall varieties!).</td></tr>
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<b>Planting Sunflowers - transplanting from pots:</b> We usually start our sunflowers in pots and transplant them out. This way they can have a strong head start. We plant <i>two seeds</i> in each 3" pot, <i>at opposite corners</i> and, after they germinate, either pinch one off, or carefully re-pot them so there's just one plant in each pot. Plant seeds about 1/2" deep. If you're going to divide and re-pot, don't wait too long as sunflowers have extensive root-systems and you risk damaging the plant if the two starts' roots become intertwined. Keep plants in a place protected from wind and full sun for a few days while they adjust to their new pots.<br />
<br />
<b>When you are ready to transplant outside</b>, put plants outside your greenhouse for 5-10 days so plants are "hardened-off by exposure to wind and cooler nights before you put them in the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOytnl-nHrAG7fwGacnfVeAc8IJR-227NJUzyPjLytPbeH6WXE3dQHrypUM8Krhhj0yN5XqC1K5g_r6p9kWKK72GqkEHpq8up59yaBdLJ1hp4BJYhOdQtN5UL22wLPb3c2Dvwe298RhE/s1600/GH-summer+starts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOytnl-nHrAG7fwGacnfVeAc8IJR-227NJUzyPjLytPbeH6WXE3dQHrypUM8Krhhj0yN5XqC1K5g_r6p9kWKK72GqkEHpq8up59yaBdLJ1hp4BJYhOdQtN5UL22wLPb3c2Dvwe298RhE/s400/GH-summer+starts.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant 'starts' in the greenhouse. Zucchini plants in foreground.</td></tr>
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The tall varieties of sunflowers we grow need <i>full-sun, wide spacing</i> (3'-4' between each plant!) <i>strong staking - </i>so they don't fall over and <i>shouldn't be over-watered.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Placement: </b>If you plant a whole row of
them, keep in mind that they will shade smaller plants, and block
overhead sprinklers for watering. We almost always plant ours along the
edges of garden beds so they get watered along with our other crops.<br />
<br />
<b>Watering: </b>Sunflowers, if planted early enough that they
can follow the water-table downwards through the summer, they can do
well without much supplemental watering. Beware of over-watering as they can grow too fast, get top-heavy and fall over.<br />
<br />
<b>Staking: </b>The tall varieties of sunflowers will almost certainly need staking.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we'll <b>drive an individual stake</b> in the ground next to them; a 4'-6' metal stake is best. Drive it deep into the ground. Tie sunflowers to stakes with cotton strips.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we'll <b>erect a bamboo tri-pod</b> and tie two, to three sunflowers
to each one.<br />
<br />
We've also grown sunflowers in <b>long rows between tall stakes with heavy wire run between them</b>. Attach wires at 3' and 6' heights and tie sunflowers to them with cotton strips.<br />
<br />
Sunflowers can also be <b>tied to fences with cotton strips</b> to keep them from toppling. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx-7SzlDHjasz9DrTWLUbDLPBBX35oYDKptca8cJUZ-wj-Ftl42EFXHSRPI_mgSaxK6s9A0rJv8GlPb2BZ-k2NqU-GB0GmmK1nga7p7MTrOpY3ujxBlkgt1ANZ9JHMG6lxTMlQyD2Mwc/s1600/cindy--bean+trellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx-7SzlDHjasz9DrTWLUbDLPBBX35oYDKptca8cJUZ-wj-Ftl42EFXHSRPI_mgSaxK6s9A0rJv8GlPb2BZ-k2NqU-GB0GmmK1nga7p7MTrOpY3ujxBlkgt1ANZ9JHMG6lxTMlQyD2Mwc/s400/cindy--bean+trellis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a trellis we made by stretching strong wire between two fence posts. Here, Cindy is tying up bamboo poles to trellis bean-plants but this same kind of trellis would work for a row of sunflowers.<u> For sunflowers, stretch the wire about three-feet above the ground. </u>Once sunflowers reach this height, tie them to the wire with strips of cotton-cloth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHY0_HDjJAmIu6soeuZDTrLvxN8izEEllxxAGtJ0j4FyKOfF28Q-21msOngsj9bJx5YPfzSkMHi4KrhPLM7OqRpMVS6Co9fhBWsYjosCOdXeub_mWAt7m1kqAyTzWmuwKvGM_-y_Ixmo/s1600/GP-tipi-mammoth-russian+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHY0_HDjJAmIu6soeuZDTrLvxN8izEEllxxAGtJ0j4FyKOfF28Q-21msOngsj9bJx5YPfzSkMHi4KrhPLM7OqRpMVS6Co9fhBWsYjosCOdXeub_mWAt7m1kqAyTzWmuwKvGM_-y_Ixmo/s400/GP-tipi-mammoth-russian+sunflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bean-tipi (with scarlet-runner beans) and Mammoth Russian sunflowers growing beside it. They are each tied to a separate 4-foot wooden stake.</td></tr>
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<b>Varieties of sunflowers we like:</b> Most years we just grow two varieties of sunflowers:<b> Mammoth Russians and Autumn Beauties.</b> The <b>Mammoth Russians</b> make good bird-seed for bluejays and other large seed-eating birds, and they are also great for growing sprouts, a delicious and nutritious source of winter "greens" (<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/growing-sunflower-sprouts.html" target="_blank">LINK</a> to post on growing sunflowers sprouts). They can get extremely large (10' or higher) and will usually require staking so they don't topple in the wind when their heads are heavy with seed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K3uDaxwmymnZ9xSVy3P157W3sDUAcJbsELIM8nwNRRs3EYG8m7uDOkLAQDYiHhq5VdSy5UBiM1f8wigFbS-1PCtraLS8wzj8LsQXulFVX2NYA8bIdsSd-_oebgKDxpfbPGMJVj4BeCA/s1600/v-Chris-sunflower-CU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K3uDaxwmymnZ9xSVy3P157W3sDUAcJbsELIM8nwNRRs3EYG8m7uDOkLAQDYiHhq5VdSy5UBiM1f8wigFbS-1PCtraLS8wzj8LsQXulFVX2NYA8bIdsSd-_oebgKDxpfbPGMJVj4BeCA/s400/v-Chris-sunflower-CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mammoth Russian sunflowers can grow <i>huge</i>! You can see why it's important to stake them so the don't fall over when they're heads are full of ripe seeds.</td></tr>
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<b>Autumn Beauties</b> also make great bird-seed for smaller seed-eaters and their range of colors from yellow through orange to a russet-brown make a beautiful border "hedge". They have many heads on one plant that ripen over the course of the season and though their individual flower-heads are quite a bit smaller than Mammoth Russians (6" vs 12" - or more) the plants themselves can get as tall as the Mammoths and will also require staking. They too need three to four feet between each plant. Autumn Beauties also <i>make great cut flowers</i> if you have a heavy, deep vase but beware, they drop a lot of yellow pollen on whatever surface they rest upon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8hrxF70UdUIRMSyv6hv3xs1p8xBypRb_NaO-GjmHNtV1VBGpLjYo3_F9URNppknCHmSyiC08XOk6xG-QsXgcMZJYxKc5QDiUsdaBpbzxPOOrsURxi_f2eub2viRPLHtyyN96T_vVmBk/s1600/autumn+beaty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8hrxF70UdUIRMSyv6hv3xs1p8xBypRb_NaO-GjmHNtV1VBGpLjYo3_F9URNppknCHmSyiC08XOk6xG-QsXgcMZJYxKc5QDiUsdaBpbzxPOOrsURxi_f2eub2viRPLHtyyN96T_vVmBk/s400/autumn+beaty1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Beauty sunflowers...So beautiful against a blue, autumn sky! A favorite for bees and birds alike.</td></tr>
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<b>Saving seed: </b><b>Sunflowers easily cross pollinate.</b> If you want to save seed to
plant <i>next year's </i>sunflowers, be aware that they are quite prone to
cross-pollinating with other varieties. So, if you were to grow both
Mammoth Russians and Autumn Beauties nearby to each other, the seed you
save would have a high probability of being a mix of the two varieties.
Though we've had good luck with growing pure Mammoth Russian seed, the
Autumn Beauties (even if they don't cross with other varieties) tend to
become less colorful with each generation. For these reasons, <b>we usually
just buy fresh seed each year.</b><br />
<br />
<b>When to harvest seed:</b> If you're just growing the flowers for their beauty and you don't care about saving the seed, you can leave them standing for as long as you like, well into the winter. Birds enjoy them for winter perches and will happily eat the seeds right off the heads. But, if you wish to save seed to feed them later in the winter when natural forage is harder to find, here's how to do it:<br />
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<b>Processing the seed</b>: As autumn approaches, it is important to regularly monitor the ripeness of the seed. Sunflowers ripen from the edges in towards the center. Periodically pull a seed out and crack it open to see if the seed inside is fully formed. Notice if the birds are starting to eat them. If the birds are starting to eat them but they're still not ripe most of the way to the center, we sometimes cover the heads with a paper sack or a mesh onion-bag.The onion-bag is preferable because it allows the pollinators to continue to have access to the less-ripe seeds and more of them will be pollinated. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVmTL5egyGm-Rsyl6K2tqIuN7-1KsAdyha9Qj4WuYgB6DNCdPyxMKs8Lt_IiLQ55mqGHeFPxvBqhn43Z_tFFMPtbhBikQ1neeLYtead2gIuv8hP7JS8JGz-2urbRAQ4EZ2b40p2v6IsU/s1600/IMG_0486+save+seed+plant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVmTL5egyGm-Rsyl6K2tqIuN7-1KsAdyha9Qj4WuYgB6DNCdPyxMKs8Lt_IiLQ55mqGHeFPxvBqhn43Z_tFFMPtbhBikQ1neeLYtead2gIuv8hP7JS8JGz-2urbRAQ4EZ2b40p2v6IsU/s400/IMG_0486+save+seed+plant.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion-bags are great to protect seeds you're saving from being eaten by wild-life, or fruit from being harvested before the seeds are ripe. (Pictured: green-peppers ripening for seed).</td></tr>
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<b>Processing Autumn Beauties:</b> Once the seeds are ripe, we cut the heads off and lay them on shelves in our greenhouse and turn them up-side-down or cover them with screens (to keep the birds from getting to them). We leave the Autumn Beauty heads to dry completely without removing the seeds. Then, over the course of the winter we place the dried heads outside for the birds to enjoy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDpu-bzyXWY_bXHwneGt0JonUwYZA_SS0m1l8mRl5Q0xy1lJVjYumOECt9-ygH9dyqZyJYx7Jdb8uYb7Rtx3JKw9q4RN0E8078S63BEUM8rtX2lMZaAp6pdbDIMsVbpF4ff4LmHtuEgs/s1600/Jim-Llyn-sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDpu-bzyXWY_bXHwneGt0JonUwYZA_SS0m1l8mRl5Q0xy1lJVjYumOECt9-ygH9dyqZyJYx7Jdb8uYb7Rtx3JKw9q4RN0E8078S63BEUM8rtX2lMZaAp6pdbDIMsVbpF4ff4LmHtuEgs/s400/Jim-Llyn-sunflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn, laying Autumn Beauty sunflower heads face-down (to protect from birds) to dry.</td></tr>
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<b>Processing </b><b>Mammoth Russians: </b>The Mammoth Russian seeds we remove right away. This is easier to do before the heads dry. Remove the ripe seeds by rubbing them free with your thumbs. We usually use gloves as it can be a bit rough on the thumbs!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3h346PZps3QoFQkdY4NO_OO5wKFIF8GD-Cs2nQZ76aPI3mLOqqDFtWh7852j4Z7iKk7fKbAeR2ZolDc-SMpIKJ8jzNtzxhy4GE3EpGAgMGOOuaf42YR4lnEbAZwSR2vvMecbac3gYhA/s1600/sun-hands1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3h346PZps3QoFQkdY4NO_OO5wKFIF8GD-Cs2nQZ76aPI3mLOqqDFtWh7852j4Z7iKk7fKbAeR2ZolDc-SMpIKJ8jzNtzxhy4GE3EpGAgMGOOuaf42YR4lnEbAZwSR2vvMecbac3gYhA/s320/sun-hands1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To remove seeds from head, use your thumbs to rub them into a tray.</td></tr>
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Another reason to process the seed soon after harvest is that the <b>seeds can mold </b>due to the high moisture content of the flower heads. If it will be awhile before we can process them, we often cut off the fleshy backs of the flowers heads. By the way, this is a very relaxing process and a favorite autumn task for share-givers (volunteers) to enjoy while sitting around in the shade at the end of a busy morning out in the gardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGc4QqdjWMjARQhuWsqt-mYqeCdnGkIw5ioZc1bjnuoTFeAD4QcQDy1QtAd0608Toc9ZWUpAYSW81oqHCVp6UEsq5bv6wDTA8cCBISdeJ5h7Cl_a0Z2LQC5-6z9ahZkG5ihxE8-OZ1dAg/s1600/v-rook-eliza-sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGc4QqdjWMjARQhuWsqt-mYqeCdnGkIw5ioZc1bjnuoTFeAD4QcQDy1QtAd0608Toc9ZWUpAYSW81oqHCVp6UEsq5bv6wDTA8cCBISdeJ5h7Cl_a0Z2LQC5-6z9ahZkG5ihxE8-OZ1dAg/s400/v-rook-eliza-sunflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Processing sunflower seeds is a favorite autumn task. (Crates of Delicata squash in the background.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSACLe1VLrixGRbwJlzPfdkpAt5apPWldUOPCjzlnoba6dukNACvcqKhEsAEEtgJfqqoqUPAHmfg9x7m1YTp1fFnGbr8R8iWTRKVxfzXIWdkTexe-mrLDgFX1m68iXJN4pOHqsDioVvck/s1600/A-dustin-seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1405" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSACLe1VLrixGRbwJlzPfdkpAt5apPWldUOPCjzlnoba6dukNACvcqKhEsAEEtgJfqqoqUPAHmfg9x7m1YTp1fFnGbr8R8iWTRKVxfzXIWdkTexe-mrLDgFX1m68iXJN4pOHqsDioVvck/s400/A-dustin-seeds.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even young people enjoy this quiet meditative task.</td></tr>
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The Mammoth Russian seeds <b>will almost certainly need more drying</b> after they've been removed from the flower head. <b>Be sure they are thoroughly dry before storage or they will mold and be ruined. </b>Small quantities can be dried in a food-dehydrator. If the air is not too humid in your greenhouse at time of harvest, spread the seeds on screens or in shallow card-board boxes but be sure to protect them from birds and rodents while they dry with screens on top too. We've also put the seeds into <i>shallow</i> baskets and dried them on shelves above our wood-stove. <br />
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<b>Feeding the birds: Autumn Beauties: </b>Just put whole heads out on your table-feeders, or string them on a wire between two posts or trees.<br />
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<b>Mammoth Russians:</b> We buy millet in the bulk-food section and mix it with the sunflower seeds and put it on a table-feeder or directly on the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WcUCVngbeQpTQCzGpghZkkLveYe7kpxGQjBQpI-oHzcL_f-zWEdpxl7E2BsnSh7isdoJdKO0Trqtk8OwZ9GWF1X7fmAkurQRM8TPlVhNUr23UQK1VJnc9wh5EcGDD_-CKq49cce1GKA/s1600/sunflowers_1920x1200_wallpaper_Animals_Birds_HD_1920x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1284" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WcUCVngbeQpTQCzGpghZkkLveYe7kpxGQjBQpI-oHzcL_f-zWEdpxl7E2BsnSh7isdoJdKO0Trqtk8OwZ9GWF1X7fmAkurQRM8TPlVhNUr23UQK1VJnc9wh5EcGDD_-CKq49cce1GKA/s400/sunflowers_1920x1200_wallpaper_Animals_Birds_HD_1920x1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickadees <i>love</i> sunflower seeds! <br />
(Photo credit: www.wallpaperup.com/45606/sunflowers_1920x1200_wallpaper_Animals_Birds)</td></tr>
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<b>Growing your own sprouts:</b> <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/growing-sunflower-sprouts.html" target="_blank">Here is a post</a> we wrote about growing your own sunflower sprouts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9hdE84uXESlXi9UejnCD9hhkPS1DNNN4WjwTB0luT321QVGLk3uue3QNaWoCzczUCLs2g8RgQNzNtYZ8_UN1q1duX0MbHFnoEa5k4wOnRs1a53zLhFQYvBzyFiSmYkWrIPS2rokkW6E/s1600/a-sprout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="240" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9hdE84uXESlXi9UejnCD9hhkPS1DNNN4WjwTB0luT321QVGLk3uue3QNaWoCzczUCLs2g8RgQNzNtYZ8_UN1q1duX0MbHFnoEa5k4wOnRs1a53zLhFQYvBzyFiSmYkWrIPS2rokkW6E/s400/a-sprout.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflower sprouts for winter "greens". You'll need a sunny window or greenhouse but their delicious, sweet, nutty taste and high nutrient-content are worth it!</td></tr>
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<b>Herbicide contamination:</b> Sunflowers are very susceptible to certain herbicides (<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/06/herbicide-contamination.html" target="_blank">see our post</a> </b>about herbicide contamination from un-composted horse manure).<br />
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<b>Hopefully this post will inspire you to add some sunflowers to your summer garden.</b> These glorious plants have given us much pleasure and they're sure to please you too! <br />
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* Source: National Wildlife - Feb/March 2019, p 8.</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-61015933580458612182019-04-26T17:36:00.001-07:002019-04-26T17:36:22.424-07:00"Sharing Gardens" for Local, 'Plant-Based' Food Security<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>A unique and viable approach to establishing local food self-reliance while building stronger communities.</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgg-wtVKYnZsvoj5EItjAZM3YmNEpLquxT-tXWMu-tUSUU3vGsuKmmaw79f-K4kYLdC1iTCar-2cdwRL1fqRjmuXJhnr1vGmNLm4MsKPztNM6Ex2-vtpQlGjAitl2BeV9MaaSA9iV1Pw/s1600/GP-GH-grass+in+paths-Chris-lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgg-wtVKYnZsvoj5EItjAZM3YmNEpLquxT-tXWMu-tUSUU3vGsuKmmaw79f-K4kYLdC1iTCar-2cdwRL1fqRjmuXJhnr1vGmNLm4MsKPztNM6Ex2-vtpQlGjAitl2BeV9MaaSA9iV1Pw/s400/GP-GH-grass+in+paths-Chris-lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing creates abundance! Greenhouse full of plants in mid-April. Chris spreading grass-mulch in paths.</td></tr>
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We've been watching the dramatic weather world-wide:
floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and record snows! In
recent years, every country that grows food has experienced repeated
significant crop-failures. Pests, weather and super-weeds are all taking
their toll. It seems more important than ever for people to learn to
grow, at least <i>some,</i> of their own food. At the Sharing Gardens <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/664+Orchard+St,+Monroe,+OR+97456/@44.312958,-123.3021997,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x54c0546c57ee00e7:0x2e78b0f9d8140a0!8m2!3d44.312958!4d-123.300011" target="_blank"><b>(MAP)</b></a>,
we demonstrate a style of gardening that builds soil fertility using
locally-generated, renewable and sustainable materials - like leaves and
grass-clippings - that are commonly considered waste products. This
model also fosters trust and a sense of community at the neighborhood
level; relationships that can be called upon in times of social, or
environmental stress. It by-passes "business-as-usual" in that it
generates a bounty of "organic" fruits and vegetables feeding far more
people than it takes to run it and no money ever changes hands. We call
it a "Sharing Garden".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg8NOEvo4ow3myEAt8wQNsPerHBavZuUpCVteHwIeWNww86NYRb9izc-7V4b1bHaTjlsPkT21MWsWwT-7c3JXHyt0rRCxoB1CqTnGUwE2We1As135SWyzHpG-eRMcAvImzuZjqzzPfGQE/s1600/v-group-august5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg8NOEvo4ow3myEAt8wQNsPerHBavZuUpCVteHwIeWNww86NYRb9izc-7V4b1bHaTjlsPkT21MWsWwT-7c3JXHyt0rRCxoB1CqTnGUwE2We1As135SWyzHpG-eRMcAvImzuZjqzzPfGQE/s400/v-group-august5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing the bounty - garden helpers "shop" for their week's vegetables. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What
makes these Sharing Gardens unique is that, instead of many separate
plots, that are rented by individuals, we all garden together. All
materials and labor are donated. The food we grow is shared by all who
have contributed in some way. All surplus is donated to local
food-charities (like Food Banks and Soup Kitchens). </blockquote>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexoqnxX1EsFcie4t-E4iFinlUFf2BXY5NrIuzSb-H6E8u3aj7CPqjQIPpN5jnhzGux0tlSkyzF1ehN2l6dtSKCB8QvLI_gJqFwka5I1xPAvUfcPrm0Og-KetC_4af0o8T_Gj7-92lurCK/s1600/Local+Aid-+donation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexoqnxX1EsFcie4t-E4iFinlUFf2BXY5NrIuzSb-H6E8u3aj7CPqjQIPpN5jnhzGux0tlSkyzF1ehN2l6dtSKCB8QvLI_gJqFwka5I1xPAvUfcPrm0Og-KetC_4af0o8T_Gj7-92lurCK/s400/Local+Aid-+donation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce and other vegetables being donated to a local food-charity.</td></tr>
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This model is easily replicated anywhere there are
vacant lots with a water-source, and people with enough gardening
experience to oversee the project and does not require a large input of
money to make it work. It can be adapted to many different scales of
gardening; from a few families who live and garden on the same block, to
a multi-acre production farm. "Sharing Gardens" help keep materials out
of burn-piles and the land-fill (garbage dumps) through re-using,
re-purposing and encouraging people to share their surplus.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_6.html" target="_blank"><b>Overview of the Sharing Gardens</b></a><br />
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/benefits-of-sharing-gaeden.html" target="_blank">Benefits of a Sharing Garden </a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/09/real-people-doing-real-things.html" target="_blank">Harvest Totals - 2012 </a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/03/grass-clippings-and-leaves-for.html" target="_blank">Using Leaves and Grass-Clippings to Create Soil-Fertility</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-to-make-your-own-potting-soil-in.html" target="_blank">Making your own potting soil in greenhouse paths </a></b><br />
<div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/05/grow-your-own-protein-scarlet-runner.html" target="_blank"><b>Grow Your Own Protein - Scarlet Runner Beans</b></a></div>
<div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/10/grow-your-own-blue-corn.html" target="_blank"><b>Grow Your Own 'Blue Corn'</b></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/wish-list.html" target="_blank"> <b>Wish List - To Donate</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>To view videos</b> about the project, <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/videos-and-articles-about-s.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a> including the the Peak Moment video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIDDvj4RxYM" target="_blank"><b><i>The Giving is Growing</i></b></a>.<br />
<b>To read articles</b> about the project: <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/articles-and-videos-about-sharing.html" target="_blank"><b>Click Here</b></a><br />
<b> </b> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstzXfBLtL7-tdNpaH6Srt0q4NWk1MSsaOjGHCPAr1D_dE1U-xkUoh0UH8Ftz1yKpHciq2AXQYsSlk2haU-pEH_1Z1Zh9GUVkckmcSW1OGLVJCwKg7Sfh9lJiCVOshYhkhN0b6vTpC11c/s1600/OSU-4-19-Jaelyn-Kaleigh-Valerie-Kelsey-Danny-Taylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstzXfBLtL7-tdNpaH6Srt0q4NWk1MSsaOjGHCPAr1D_dE1U-xkUoh0UH8Ftz1yKpHciq2AXQYsSlk2haU-pEH_1Z1Zh9GUVkckmcSW1OGLVJCwKg7Sfh9lJiCVOshYhkhN0b6vTpC11c/s400/OSU-4-19-Jaelyn-Kaleigh-Valerie-Kelsey-Danny-Taylor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers from our local university help the gardens thrive!</td></tr>
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-46638160088959887612019-04-10T14:42:00.001-07:002019-04-10T15:22:59.182-07:00Kale joins the "Dirty-Dozen' list: and How to Grow Your Own Kale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6a61SLWe2kikH0V_XYimyUqs2mG6lMtuiSLtlFRI91KtaAg1g-MdkwLYptzaYo0QF5CSa2NoPRKeq-17NTEcX3jfdJ_by3hFZWmRXzbOHLtam292SdIc6KG_HiKTtAOumFrdiC4lxA4/s1600/give-till-it-feels-good-kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6a61SLWe2kikH0V_XYimyUqs2mG6lMtuiSLtlFRI91KtaAg1g-MdkwLYptzaYo0QF5CSa2NoPRKeq-17NTEcX3jfdJ_by3hFZWmRXzbOHLtam292SdIc6KG_HiKTtAOumFrdiC4lxA4/s400/give-till-it-feels-good-kale.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale - a generous plant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In recent weeks we've seen several headlines announcing that kale has
made it onto the "Dirty Dozen" list for the first time in
ten years. The "Dirty Dozen" list is compiled each year by testing thousands of samples of fruits and vegetables from different sources to
see which have highest concentrations of herbicides and pesticides <a href="https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LINK</a>.
And the farm chemicals are not just showing up on the vegetables
themselves, studies have shown that, people being tested have
increasingly been found to have these chemicals show up in fluid samples
such as blood and urine (see links below). It is unfortunate that kale has returned
to the "Dirty Dozen" list as, in the past few years, it has shown a surge in
popularity. Its recent following is not surprising as it tastes similar to
broccoli (<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/americas-favorite-vegetable-is-broccoli-survey-says" rel="" target="_blank">a favorite on American plates</a>)
and it is at the top of another, more favorable list - The Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI), that rates foods by
their nutrient density. <b>Kale has the densest concentration of nutrients, <i>per calorie,</i> of a wide range of foods tested.</b> (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/content-image.ashx?id=73gjzcgyvqi9qywfg7055r" rel="" target="_blank">PDF of 72 tested foods</a>) (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/128/andi-food-scores-rating-the-nutrient-density-of-foods" rel="" target="_blank">explanation of chart</a>). <b>On the positive side of things, </b>
people who have switched to an all-organic diet have been able to reduce
these chemical residues in their bodies by as much as 90% in as little as two weeks <a href="https://www.powerofpositivity.com/researchers-reveal-organic-diet-can-lower-pesticide-levels-in-the-body-by-60-in-just-one-week/" rel="" target="_blank">LINK</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS69qXqU2AIeVwBbqGo6ODA54DFEX6myJI5pIyn1rjo8qEAOXC1yUTIOMgjx4pCZTGbv6e3M0HYXW3OTzyMgV_q0T3a0Vn4-N515oMwFSCAz4KwDhZPuWs8yCJDKiXesj3nyUF5p2wO0/s1600/greens-CU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS69qXqU2AIeVwBbqGo6ODA54DFEX6myJI5pIyn1rjo8qEAOXC1yUTIOMgjx4pCZTGbv6e3M0HYXW3OTzyMgV_q0T3a0Vn4-N515oMwFSCAz4KwDhZPuWs8yCJDKiXesj3nyUF5p2wO0/s400/greens-CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale is the most nutrient-dense plant tested! (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/content-image.ashx?id=73gjzcgyvqi9qywfg7055r" rel="" target="_blank">PDF of 72 tested foods</a>)(<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/128/andi-food-scores-rating-the-nutrient-density-of-foods" rel="" target="_blank">explanation of chart</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>So, if you'd like to incorporate more <i>organically grown</i> kale into your diet and you're on a budget </b>(we've noticed that prices for organic kale have really risen in the past few years...) <b>perhaps you'd like to try and grow your own!</b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHVG8_m7r0Gd_Frmoc4nMTHlQBjzXB9zlwQkk6XISWsVY0Wzu3nfjZTGoq9n0T6HNCxJB05PP-qBezSe_n_UuuG0kVsjqPeE3098LUN20mPzMQV4WAzvO2XDUadn7vz0ZZ2pzz_BGW3E/s1600/kale-chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1138" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHVG8_m7r0Gd_Frmoc4nMTHlQBjzXB9zlwQkk6XISWsVY0Wzu3nfjZTGoq9n0T6HNCxJB05PP-qBezSe_n_UuuG0kVsjqPeE3098LUN20mPzMQV4WAzvO2XDUadn7vz0ZZ2pzz_BGW3E/s400/kale-chris.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale is very easy to grow! <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2018/03/no-fail-kale-growing-kale-and-saving.html" target="_blank"><b>Here's our POST </b>on growing kale.</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Grow your own kale</b>: Kale is super-easy to grow and 2-4 plants
will easily keep a family fed over the course of the summer. If your
climate isn't too harsh you can grow a second crop that will produce
food through the fall and winter too (though at a much slower rate).
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2018/03/no-fail-kale-growing-kale-and-saving.html" target="_blank"><b>Here's our POST</b></a> <b>on growing kale.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmBBYlvO7J76E5w76b7nw9DdFo_6fBXbOnw-o4rgNNDIKMDJEiQkg-4YWs4d1MOM_QE236g-xBI8I6TJKi4dBUDAKppUP_hEP8sJwTSD4Z8mToj0fHLqXQgc8ED3AVOzYQ7A272mOHTM/s1600/Willow-Adri-harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1425" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmBBYlvO7J76E5w76b7nw9DdFo_6fBXbOnw-o4rgNNDIKMDJEiQkg-4YWs4d1MOM_QE236g-xBI8I6TJKi4dBUDAKppUP_hEP8sJwTSD4Z8mToj0fHLqXQgc8ED3AVOzYQ7A272mOHTM/s320/Willow-Adri-harvest.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our CSA provides delicious, nutritious food May to November.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Or, </b><b><b>if you live in our area, </b>you can join our CSA</b> and receive a large box of delicious organic produce on a weekly basis - including copious amounts of green-leafy vegetables. We still have some CSA "shares" to offer. Over six-months of vegetables
and fruits for $700. More info <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_18.html" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>How we grow our food at the Sharing Gardens: </b>Because we are not a
commercial farm, all our labor is provided by volunteers and we are
under no pressure to produce food on a forced timeline to get it to
market ahead of the other farmers in our area, our food is <b>slow-grown</b>,
with less water-weight and hence <b>more nutrient-dense</b>. We fertilize
primarily with compost derived from leaves, grass, weeds and food
scraps, wood-ash from our wood-burning stove and with worm castings we
harvest from the paths of our greenhouses <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-to-make-your-own-potting-soil-in.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>. We do not use
commercial fertilizers. The wood-ash and the composted tree-leaves both
provide re-mineralization of our soils because the tree-roots pull up
minerals from deep within the soil. Without forcing our plants to grow
fast with high-nitrogen fertilizers, or animal manures, they are
more resistant to diseases and insect infestations that are caused, in
part, by the thinner cell-walls of plants forced to grow unnaturally
quickly.</blockquote>
<br />
<b>Or, if you live in our area</b> and would like to <b>eat the kale we donate to
Monroe's Food Pantry</b>, you can shop weekly for free at the <a href="https://southbentonfoodpantry.org/" target="_blank"><b>South Benton Food Pantry</b></a> (some income-criteria required).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqs-vIT-cntPGDXI6JULmBUeBhECnowEH6IpUUCtlqAs25XJDNW_c3o4-hO2PoagNmhpGB2wfhazr_yxg36k47I_zWQE7YZkRSfiOKmtrbjsNye3JHWS41gbxUUGC374eol4DDPlCwss/s1600/Kale-collage-CU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqs-vIT-cntPGDXI6JULmBUeBhECnowEH6IpUUCtlqAs25XJDNW_c3o4-hO2PoagNmhpGB2wfhazr_yxg36k47I_zWQE7YZkRSfiOKmtrbjsNye3JHWS41gbxUUGC374eol4DDPlCwss/s400/Kale-collage-CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign posted at the Food Pantry to encourage more kale-eating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Related links:</b> <br />
<a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/kale-joins-dirty-dozen-list-as-one-of-the-most-contaminated-with-pesticides" target="_blank">Kale rejoins the list of Dirty-Dozen list as one of the most contaminated with pesticides:</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-03-21/not-so-superfood-pesticide-residue-found-70-us-produce-92-kale?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29" target="_blank">Not-So-Superfood! Pesticide residue found in 70% of U.S. produce & 92% of kale</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/15/what-the-pesticides-in-our-urine-tell-us-about-organic-food" rel="" target="_blank">What the pesticides in our urine tell us about organic food - The Guardian</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935119300246" rel="" target="_blank">Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary pesticide levels in U.S. children and adults - Science Direct </a> <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SKZjcGs9kKHsevMM0KJztG08aXGFfT5fpIm3M1Tf__EZJIccAwzgRx3qalHyFbNfi5WOnmrU4VRR1LEgmn4ZpO1-8B_lfQ_AaJFh0CbOh8lEx4uy0j0Wl-oCB0IOJZZmmY8XWLcnU8M/s1600/kale-Llyn-square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SKZjcGs9kKHsevMM0KJztG08aXGFfT5fpIm3M1Tf__EZJIccAwzgRx3qalHyFbNfi5WOnmrU4VRR1LEgmn4ZpO1-8B_lfQ_AaJFh0CbOh8lEx4uy0j0Wl-oCB0IOJZZmmY8XWLcnU8M/s320/kale-Llyn-square.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, doesn't that look yummy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-2648492199568932062019-04-09T10:00:00.000-07:002019-04-10T10:50:43.664-07:00No-Fail Kale: Growing Kale and Saving Seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"The King of Vegetables; 'Kale' to the Chief!"<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPKEmUYZV-7DvgS6pSiFQfVv39zt0JXdpXXfqXcl2oZunMB7GbsTyVuqYdpaapcDJtJXrOD5k52B3n1_0PWZC79ZBUN-UCLtegh4W6xXxw6Zgwz4j4SQJvdd-dK7Fgsah4gsPGRA7-L_H/s1600/fdbnkhar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1076" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPKEmUYZV-7DvgS6pSiFQfVv39zt0JXdpXXfqXcl2oZunMB7GbsTyVuqYdpaapcDJtJXrOD5k52B3n1_0PWZC79ZBUN-UCLtegh4W6xXxw6Zgwz4j4SQJvdd-dK7Fgsah4gsPGRA7-L_H/s400/fdbnkhar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy, Danielle and Llyn with "bouquets" of Red Russian kale to share at the Food Pantry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Early spring in the Pacific NW
is a time of joyful anticipation of the coming growing season. We
already have hundreds of seedlings started in our greenhouses and, in a
few short weeks we'll be able to transplant many early-season crops
outdoors. But one of the great culinary pleasures of this time of year
is the kale that wintered over from last season. Kale is one of those
plants that when touched by a kiss of frost, becomes more sweet and
tender than when growing at the height of summer.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j_33v8NUdhOW7FUjjZhVqWfgud3OXhRLcaNWDwYTyYcG23EbmRtwR1v09yk2bv755Bxp0MhEKjPo9Jg5EH8IBfrY6exF8lfrRHiTw7Ep9vRd8b5gvd-dPIfVPXe20IzMXj7exoatbx9J/s1600/OSU-2-7-15-Garden+Goddess.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j_33v8NUdhOW7FUjjZhVqWfgud3OXhRLcaNWDwYTyYcG23EbmRtwR1v09yk2bv755Bxp0MhEKjPo9Jg5EH8IBfrY6exF8lfrRHiTw7Ep9vRd8b5gvd-dPIfVPXe20IzMXj7exoatbx9J/s400/OSU-2-7-15-Garden+Goddess.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat your kale for healthy skin, hair, bones and teeth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are many articles on-line about the nutritional benefits of kale and recipes for its preparation. You will <i>not</i> find as many articles on-line about <i>growing</i> kale, using it as a cover crop, or saving your own seed which is what this article is focused on.<br />
<br />
But, before we get into growing kale and saving seeds, in researching this post I discovered two important facts: <b>Kale has the densest concentration of nutrients, <i>per calorie,</i> of a wide range of foods tested.</b> (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/content-image.ashx?id=73gjzcgyvqi9qywfg7055r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PDF of 72 tested foods</a>) (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/128/andi-food-scores-rating-the-nutrient-density-of-foods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">explanation of chart</a>).<br />
<br />
And secondly, it is <b>extremely important that, the source of the kale you eat is organically grown.</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The
health benefits of kale greatly depend on the source you buy it
from. Whenever you shop for kale, make sure to get organic kale, as it’s
one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops. Two-thirds of produce
sampled in recent evaluations were poisoned with pesticides and <b><i>non-organic kale ranks among the world’s most heavily polluted crops."</i></b>(<a href="https://draxe.com/health-benefits-of-kale/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>source</b></a>)</blockquote>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><br /></td><td class="lbRight"><b>How to grow it:</b> Kale won't grow well in the tropics or arid regions but it's
perfectly suited to a moist, temperate climate such as the Willamette
Valley of Oregon where we live. There are several varieties available.
The main two we grow are <b>Toscana (or dinosaur) kale</b>. With its
greyish-green leaves (without many frilly edges) and mild-flavored
tenderness, it is perfectly suited to make roasted kale chips (recipe below). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><br /></td><td class="lbRight"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xc65DfP1WpGa25aCp1VYIe-vtijl1fFWkIB-9pevNMcB3KY-5oLDay4oaPIjTwVHYRIxScFielLiN-trKJPYfqnZjdCLz_MNAnhth2eglRTZCtTlcO4Py1khafj0d3DM6Xgw7tuUoshF/s1600/Toscana+kale.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xc65DfP1WpGa25aCp1VYIe-vtijl1fFWkIB-9pevNMcB3KY-5oLDay4oaPIjTwVHYRIxScFielLiN-trKJPYfqnZjdCLz_MNAnhth2eglRTZCtTlcO4Py1khafj0d3DM6Xgw7tuUoshF/s400/Toscana+kale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toscana (or dinosaur) kale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But for ease of growing and hardiness through the winter, our favorite kale is <b>Winter Red/Russian kale</b>.
This kale actually has the nickname 'hungry gap', after the period in
winter in traditional agriculture when little else can be harvested.
We've had stands of it survive through all but the most sustained snow
and cold, outside and unsheltered through the winter.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQPMf5VLqXvvqaom1UCmmpilH8Q7B_RUMT2PbMcPDNXV_w-2MJGb8KDoDpA-gMo9vw4dlN9TfcuxnrpVtuf8IKkCwUZjuncPrlc5BHiKwOsFfZIuYvvmkSjMdbdLef97ATzUFuDTLCHRf/s1600/Kale+to+share.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQPMf5VLqXvvqaom1UCmmpilH8Q7B_RUMT2PbMcPDNXV_w-2MJGb8KDoDpA-gMo9vw4dlN9TfcuxnrpVtuf8IKkCwUZjuncPrlc5BHiKwOsFfZIuYvvmkSjMdbdLef97ATzUFuDTLCHRf/s400/Kale+to+share.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toscana
kale is darker green and its leaves are less frilly (far left). Red
Winter kale, hardier and more vigorous (easier to grow through the
winter) is on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQPCzixw8cgZwR3rWHvL86yavdHOxYDFvwEGNuARt0ZEjR5G2k_iWFY6FAylHMB-ocbUACPnaFNAFLBcRtv2Q3A5bT-wP5BV1P2l4JEUkcxDYf7v3usYdDyp6qLlCnqj5aZpBIM8fkgi/s1600/kale+sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1123" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQPCzixw8cgZwR3rWHvL86yavdHOxYDFvwEGNuARt0ZEjR5G2k_iWFY6FAylHMB-ocbUACPnaFNAFLBcRtv2Q3A5bT-wP5BV1P2l4JEUkcxDYf7v3usYdDyp6qLlCnqj5aZpBIM8fkgi/s400/kale+sign.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign, we put with kale at the Food Pantry as many people were unfamiliar with eating it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Typically we grow two main crops of kale per year.</b> The <b>first</b>
we start in early/mid-February. We either start them in pots/six packs
and transplant them outside (late March/early April) or we start them
directly in beds in the greenhouse. We pick from both these plantings
all the way until mid-July when a) the leaves become bigger and less
tender and b) there is so much else coming ripe that we prefer to eat!
In the heat of summer they also usually become infested with aphids and
become inedible for this reason. This is also the perfect time to sow
the second crop of the season (more on this below).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmceNdww-wm0_nt88rBq4pA9JAKod8jEFSHn566MPTzm1F6exZBlB1pcxcfsclLeAkbCiGe-dQYxbQWvW2LjGVZMx8Y5Xw7HztWXGSHzj2-saxV-w0p6IePxEOfq7bPwYkcNCUAeyVRxC/s1600/tofu+container-seed+start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmceNdww-wm0_nt88rBq4pA9JAKod8jEFSHn566MPTzm1F6exZBlB1pcxcfsclLeAkbCiGe-dQYxbQWvW2LjGVZMx8Y5Xw7HztWXGSHzj2-saxV-w0p6IePxEOfq7bPwYkcNCUAeyVRxC/s400/tofu+container-seed+start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We
start seeds in plastic tofu-containers with holes drilled in the
bottom. We fill the containers mostly full of soil and press the soil
down evenly with the bottom of another container. After sowing seeds,
cover with scant, even layer of soil. Keep moist but don't over-water.
These seedlings above are lettuce plants (to show spacing of seeds). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41V2nHikeUFhjROu7XtkCzBKPBmipyj3H6pOsUzz2PMonStlVPvoqGcx72KMHCCzF2SGZNlW7w_01wwKztxdY6Xfd7y6aegRfcjJuYncpHamKnJMDDMNgqWav2ulY-V7_J0gacb_Lx0R2/s1600/hands-seedlings.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41V2nHikeUFhjROu7XtkCzBKPBmipyj3H6pOsUzz2PMonStlVPvoqGcx72KMHCCzF2SGZNlW7w_01wwKztxdY6Xfd7y6aegRfcjJuYncpHamKnJMDDMNgqWav2ulY-V7_J0gacb_Lx0R2/s400/hands-seedlings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once
seedlings are large enough to handle easily and they have
well-developed roots, but before they are root-bound, gently dump out
the batch of seedlings and tease them apart, placing one in each cell of
a six-pack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcCyZs2_-WOCXrb2vRcpZa2Te7kRuBxAc8kaJC6hWqx-FzAhqqvv7pn9goPFtKJqBNBWHCFlAPiccVrewMa2NbewaEb71SDZdXl314i-mbeMnC8oxoyQMbkr3mmS9drf5AWKB9KS_-PZL/s1600/kale+starts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcCyZs2_-WOCXrb2vRcpZa2Te7kRuBxAc8kaJC6hWqx-FzAhqqvv7pn9goPFtKJqBNBWHCFlAPiccVrewMa2NbewaEb71SDZdXl314i-mbeMnC8oxoyQMbkr3mmS9drf5AWKB9KS_-PZL/s400/kale+starts.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In
a few weeks, seedlings will grow and their roots fill the six-pack
cells. They are then ready to transplant into garden-beds (18" apart).
(Red Russian kale seedlings shown)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have also<b> sowed the seed loosely over a whole greenhouse bed</b>
in February (ideally the seeds are about 2" apart) and cover them
lightly with topsoil. The kale comes up thickly filling the whole bed
and grows rapidly in the protected climate of the greenhouse. It is easy
to harvest whole clumps at a time with a sharp knife or scissors and,
as long as you don't cut below where the leaves generate from, the kale
will keep growing back all spring until a) you want to use the bed for
something else or b) the greenhouse gets too warm for the cool-loving
kale and it succumbs to aphids, or mold or gets too tough to enjoy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oE8kiRRAg89nQPYZUg5yk0_Hv7ktzRTi4sgwes0UwzLnTq0wmXQTbb44LNIifhetaev8otsnL-FxB9mBNbDYLmHQCIKyi8ZefdsBJze_Yqe5SZgWWgfVhUjppGdxMUU2V6wg9OUNgKmq/s1600/kale-ark-chris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oE8kiRRAg89nQPYZUg5yk0_Hv7ktzRTi4sgwes0UwzLnTq0wmXQTbb44LNIifhetaev8otsnL-FxB9mBNbDYLmHQCIKyi8ZefdsBJze_Yqe5SZgWWgfVhUjppGdxMUU2V6wg9OUNgKmq/s400/kale-ark-chris.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here,
Chris is harvesting kale that was sown directly in a greenhouse bed.
Using a sharp knife, he cuts off whole handfuls of kale leaving the node
where new leaves sprout untouched for future harvests. The leaves will
continue to re-grow for many, many months.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The second main crop</b> of kale (for fall and
winter eating) is sown in late July. It can be done in pots and
transplanted, or loosely scattered as a thick crop (either inside or
outside a greenhouse). It's counter-intuitive that you start these
'winter crops' in the peak of the summer heat but the seeds need enough
time to germinate, and the leaves need long enough days to gain some
height and volume as they will not gain much in size once the day-length
shortens after autumn-equinox (Sept. 21 or so). We usually find it
challenging to have enough room in our greenhouses at the peak of summer
to grow a large kale crop indoors but, since kale does well outside,
except in all but the harshest winters, we've had good luck with growing
it outside.<br />
<br />
<b>Kale as a cover-crop:</b> Below are
some pictures of an experiment we did one year with kale as a cover
crop. We sowed it thickly along with fava beans (tried to space plants
about 2" apart). This was done by scattering the two varieties of seed
and <i>very</i> lightly tilling them in with tiller at shallowest
depth-setting. The kale did very well and lasted all through the winter.
The fava beans succumbed to a sustained hard-frost and didn't survive
till spring. After eating kale all winter-long, we tilled the rest in as
a source for 'green manure'. This worked fine but we are now moving
away from using the roto-tiller in the spring as it really compacts our
clay-dense soil but, if you're still tilling in cover-crops and have a
lot of kale-seed, it's a great way to go!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ01h5CUEOmazDAzZmcL4AcRJxM6H6mbRJSCtRQDbwUn3-avDrbW_5ECvBilfFvfhlBF30-7bPUbD88FPOctmY3vppV_yLOIpwIZDBdhs6JWBocUEQKrLQ5Ulg-wjOrTVdwvVf1yrHNBI/s1600/GP-Kale+cover-cropE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ01h5CUEOmazDAzZmcL4AcRJxM6H6mbRJSCtRQDbwUn3-avDrbW_5ECvBilfFvfhlBF30-7bPUbD88FPOctmY3vppV_yLOIpwIZDBdhs6JWBocUEQKrLQ5Ulg-wjOrTVdwvVf1yrHNBI/s400/GP-Kale+cover-cropE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale
and fava beans as a cover crop (planted in Sept., pictured in late
October). Kale survived the winter; favas did not (froze). We ate kale
all winter and tilled the kale into the soil in the spring as a 'green
manure' (for fertility).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM2LlJ63JIR2WfWFgVbtGJlEbr2LQpm5BE2jQf7Q0MnskpgcBH0nbcW2IEDSI1S9SFzaTfGYo_ROl4KAmA1FsatJBJHbtL5cv9T6g4uomfsB1w1Shhe8koE_NyRWZOX-xpC8bWKdiSjTk/s1600/OSU-2-7-15-Group-Kale-B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM2LlJ63JIR2WfWFgVbtGJlEbr2LQpm5BE2jQf7Q0MnskpgcBH0nbcW2IEDSI1S9SFzaTfGYo_ROl4KAmA1FsatJBJHbtL5cv9T6g4uomfsB1w1Shhe8koE_NyRWZOX-xpC8bWKdiSjTk/s400/OSU-2-7-15-Group-Kale-B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same field of kale in February. OSU students harvesting a tub-full to take home and enjoy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Springtime bonus: Kale 'raab'</b><br />
Though there are some <i>annual</i> varieties of kale, most are <i>biennial</i> and set seed in their second season, after wintering over.<b> </b>If
you have some kale that has survived the winter, look for the start of
flowers forming. The best time to catch them is before the flowers begin
to open (below). These kale flowers, called 'raab' (pronounced 'rob')
are very tender and have a slight 'sweet' taste. They are <i>loaded</i> with vitamins and minerals. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7OT4Yj1ceKqh7GwfzwKTJwI3ZWtBG2jkpm4uA33MnTGuN2r-0VLY_zkTFJeynY3JLw7ZGw8KmCG8FaxSnpnJsFcozdvPo-3Nk9LE7JGML4aLu5BtlV-nR_4j7IWM_4Ecu5Txks5hCDPV/s1600/a-kale+raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1212" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7OT4Yj1ceKqh7GwfzwKTJwI3ZWtBG2jkpm4uA33MnTGuN2r-0VLY_zkTFJeynY3JLw7ZGw8KmCG8FaxSnpnJsFcozdvPo-3Nk9LE7JGML4aLu5BtlV-nR_4j7IWM_4Ecu5Txks5hCDPV/s400/a-kale+raab.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale
'raab' (pronounced 'rob') is the flowers of the plant before they fully
open. Tender, sweet and densely nutritious; a springtime treat!
(pictured: Red Russian kale-raab) Note: Pick some leaves and stem along
with the flowers; they'll still be tender at this time of year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC1jClekWsgI6w07SrvA2NJuNmficP_1KcvclXjCqZNE8gU4SdJn_Upf2iZejh1N9ULmVX-rduItimVGPIEBILyzT8opVLCI3rSTgpSQFbyPKqJMdwak_KTwBv4CCDA4HcGziDhzgWoHO/s1600/Kale+raab-Llyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC1jClekWsgI6w07SrvA2NJuNmficP_1KcvclXjCqZNE8gU4SdJn_Upf2iZejh1N9ULmVX-rduItimVGPIEBILyzT8opVLCI3rSTgpSQFbyPKqJMdwak_KTwBv4CCDA4HcGziDhzgWoHO/s400/Kale+raab-Llyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Llyn picking raab off a Toscana kale plant in March or April.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunS8WisMEQ_3i8_MsCSewxv46Ggb379lmUB8Ta-TfHEOGkTt9wg_9R9v0SDv3D6Q9VSdFWOK7ZlAK_WjcJxvRfiqlmtonWuHdm4tDza3uRrjpTWeqXjvejgjblnwfqsPoMP8cm8ifNKhA/s1600/Bella-kale+raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunS8WisMEQ_3i8_MsCSewxv46Ggb379lmUB8Ta-TfHEOGkTt9wg_9R9v0SDv3D6Q9VSdFWOK7ZlAK_WjcJxvRfiqlmtonWuHdm4tDza3uRrjpTWeqXjvejgjblnwfqsPoMP8cm8ifNKhA/s400/Bella-kale+raab.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella
loves kale, raw from the garden! We prefer to steam it for about 7-min.
and eat it with apple-cider vinegar or a touch of butter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Saving seed:</b> One of the pleasures of growing your own food from seeds is to begin to <i>save</i>
your own seeds. With most varieties, it's not difficult and the seeds
you save yourself will naturally select/adapt to be more perfectly
suited to your local climate and conditions. It also contributes to
having a greater sense of local food-security in case there ever comes a
time when seeds are not distributed over long distances, or there is a
seed-crop failure in another part of the country.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IKuXETDj7dFipg_0SM-dbOMExdkzcpNtmXYDWAYWJRJ1e9IQw-LAgyTh8PBWzUqqU7VU0pHtKlC_d2YCsGpe7knZGf2yR8_LkX5CgxHUTOJaIFqc5rNlY-fuJYAXs4vqG_3AtoeTQDdS/s1600/kale+flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IKuXETDj7dFipg_0SM-dbOMExdkzcpNtmXYDWAYWJRJ1e9IQw-LAgyTh8PBWzUqqU7VU0pHtKlC_d2YCsGpe7knZGf2yR8_LkX5CgxHUTOJaIFqc5rNlY-fuJYAXs4vqG_3AtoeTQDdS/s400/kale+flowers.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If
left to mature, the raab opens up into yellow flowers. Once the flowers
open, the plants become more woody and less pleasant to eat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-j-iKRNzYZdGdk7Wcv4qUHbJRTAkKU_40hBq8yGhrizol4806PUMrakPfiKO5f_thrkuFNDGuTI45yVrAlyOL24J3poyxX7zk-l7UJ7MhPMFTMbZVoo8VAtHL23hr6QeReoKbw-4WQw-/s1600/Kale+seed-Chris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-j-iKRNzYZdGdk7Wcv4qUHbJRTAkKU_40hBq8yGhrizol4806PUMrakPfiKO5f_thrkuFNDGuTI45yVrAlyOL24J3poyxX7zk-l7UJ7MhPMFTMbZVoo8VAtHL23hr6QeReoKbw-4WQw-/s400/Kale+seed-Chris.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The
flowers are pollinated and become seed-pods. Each plant can produce
thousands of seeds! Wait to harvest the seed-pods till they are <i>mostly </i>turning purplish/tan and the pods are drying out (see above).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzqR_DfgyjCz8TCMXNuJS4u3mVqpxW3pvEreURHD0U0lNY4I2W830AFJtU6Tg7zMQSGww1uzgigtXC06js40WooDN2fOK0HKUUWd1UZ388fY15vMtyfZjHEBuzuAR9h0MI1CGuueOQjK/s1600/Kale+seed-hand.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzqR_DfgyjCz8TCMXNuJS4u3mVqpxW3pvEreURHD0U0lNY4I2W830AFJtU6Tg7zMQSGww1uzgigtXC06js40WooDN2fOK0HKUUWd1UZ388fY15vMtyfZjHEBuzuAR9h0MI1CGuueOQjK/s400/Kale+seed-hand.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When ripe, the pods will easily open by rubbing them between your fingers yielding multiple seeds in each.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's important to find the right time to harvest seed. You want to <b>be sure the seeds are ripe enough</b> that they are <b>fully black and pop easily out of the pods</b>, but <b>don't wait so long that the birds eat your seed, or the pods shatter and spread the seed onto the ground below</b>. Regardless of your best intentions, there are always <i>some</i>
seeds that shatter out of the pods so you can anticipate 'volunteer'
seedlings to germinate in places you've let kale plants go-to-seed. We
have one place in a greenhouse that has germinated kale plants for a
third season in a row since we last let plants go to seed in that spot.
That's what we call a 'high-quality problem'!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ37305KQ1tPb-dnvF3wAlMGsHCqsGZ9IMh-xlWnUy4xtvqacb_ow86unUKI57GVzfJuCz_1uC6aDP_qFF7Cj7m7h_qkWSuBzRP_p2LXD8vZr8TfyRk1ECPltvbFkR9Wqcopiul1s76yI/s1600/kale+seed-hands+CU.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1381" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ37305KQ1tPb-dnvF3wAlMGsHCqsGZ9IMh-xlWnUy4xtvqacb_ow86unUKI57GVzfJuCz_1uC6aDP_qFF7Cj7m7h_qkWSuBzRP_p2LXD8vZr8TfyRk1ECPltvbFkR9Wqcopiul1s76yI/s400/kale+seed-hands+CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature kale seeds. Each plant is capable of producing <i>thousands</i> of seeds. This is just a small fraction of those saved from one plant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>You need to have some way of catching the seeds as the pods dry and open</b>.
After clipping the ripe seed-stalks, slip them gently in a paper-sack
and hang in a dry place where birds and other animals can't reach them
until the pods are all dry. You can also put them upside-down in a
plastic tub or bucket. We have hung them from the rafters of our
garden-shed, or on a shelf above our wood-stove, or put them in the
greenhouse in a tub, on a shelf, covered by screens (to keep animals
from eating them).<br />
<br />
Seeds are ready for <b>winnowing</b>
(separating seeds and chaff) when the pods are crisp and dry and crush
easily by rubbing them between your hands. If it isn't in a tub already,
carefully place the stalks of seed-heads into a tub and rub the pods
between your hands to shatter them and release the seeds. As each stalk
is cleaned, remove it from the tub. In the end you will have a mixture
of seeds and dried leaves/pods (chaff). Winnowing is described in the
caption below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-kBZcOoDVB9M7h5ACzPJzO23ZV14sUNc5ESMgQwAwk3ugXwwT8VZ3skY2PzL_TUz5OUF0uaLdkj9QefYGLcR8Ubv78xICoE7LfHCPh-j16ya-2D4hHSCs8AJS0ikLg3eo9UbOltpSsi2/s1600/Rook-chris-cindy-winnowing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-kBZcOoDVB9M7h5ACzPJzO23ZV14sUNc5ESMgQwAwk3ugXwwT8VZ3skY2PzL_TUz5OUF0uaLdkj9QefYGLcR8Ubv78xICoE7LfHCPh-j16ya-2D4hHSCs8AJS0ikLg3eo9UbOltpSsi2/s400/Rook-chris-cindy-winnowing.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, Chris is giving a demonstration to Rook and Cindy of winnowing bean seeds (separating the seeds from the chaff).<b>
On a lightly breezy day, or in front of an electric fan, slowly pour
seeds from one container into the other so the breeze blows the chaff
away and the seeds fall into the lower container.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Storing seeds</b>: Often, after winnowing, we
continue to dry the seeds on a shelf above our woodstove. It is very
important that they be totally dry or they can develop mold during
storage. Heat can also destroy seeds so don't dry them any more than is
necessary. Store seeds in a cool, dark place (or in your freezer, in an
airtight container if you have the room). If you are new to saving
seeds, check the plastic bags, jars or bottles a week or two after you
store them to check there's no mold growing. We've lost a few batches
due to mold which is always a sad thing when you go to check your seeds
at the beginning of the next growing season.<br />
<br />
Here's a <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/07/family-heirlooms-saving-your-own-seed.html" target="_blank">LINK</a> listing <b>all our other posts about saving your own seed</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEZ7h_oaHKIpQF-iI15uT7H4gaDjYg4G4OdXbs1yNOoPFJK0SFuqk687n9YgTP4Va90vqpm9vNMizm_cZwO7i0BIG1ETusPXlvGLO0XLpFDnm4dxFYlVEGRZ0bZTnQh0EFAwXhfeOvRsL/s1600/kale-lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEZ7h_oaHKIpQF-iI15uT7H4gaDjYg4G4OdXbs1yNOoPFJK0SFuqk687n9YgTP4Va90vqpm9vNMizm_cZwO7i0BIG1ETusPXlvGLO0XLpFDnm4dxFYlVEGRZ0bZTnQh0EFAwXhfeOvRsL/s400/kale-lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious and nutritious, spring "greens": Toscana and Red Russian kale flanked by "Red Sails" lettuce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Kale is easy to prepare and eat</b>. We mainly use it steamed with a
little apple-cider vinegar or lemon juice sprinkled on top, or a little butter but it it also good in
smoothies (<a href="https://draxe.com/green-smoothie-recipes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>recipes</b></a>), fresh in a tossed salad (<a href="https://cookieandkate.com/2014/12-favorite-kale-salads/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>recipe</b></a>)
or baked into chips (<a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2014/03/12/6-tips-for-flawless-kale-chips-all-dressed-kale-chips-recipe/" target="_blank"><b>recipe</b></a>). There are many great recipes on line. Always rinse
well before using.<br />
<br />
In the spring, when plants are small, the ribs will
be tender and can be chopped right in with the rest of the leaves. As
the plants mature, the ribs become more woody so best to slice them out
and compost them.<br />
<br />
<b>Kale is incredibly nutritious.</b> A 3.5 oz. serving (100g) gives
you 7% of an adult's protein needs for the day as well as 5%- 15% of
several vitamins and minerals. It is also very high in fiber.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://draxe.com/health-benefits-of-kale/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>(LINK: Health Benefits of Kale</b></a>)<br />
<br />
This <b>'ANDI' </b>chart
(below) lists 72 foods, rating them by their concentration of nutrients
per calorie. Kale is #1! They're not suggesting that you rule out the
foods that are higher in calories and less dense in nutrients (healthy
bodies <i>need</i> high-quality fats, carbohydrates and protein) but most of us are deficient in the <i>micro-</i>nutrients (vitamins, minerals etc) and fiber, that are essential for all our metabolic processes and optimal health. (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/128/andi-food-scores-rating-the-nutrient-density-of-foods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK: Aggregate Nutritional Density Index</b></a> - note, kale is #1) (<a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/content-image.ashx?id=73gjzcgyvqi9qywfg7055r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a> to one-page, printable ANDI chart).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6uFotKzxEaTa2TSJE57XgSHee984YXltJFlEtDF2GXQiTwkaignzn9dRWoOT6EUsY8uaXn57BOP7tOR6wixPiuO0J2a2GHRo658xIYPiiI623uNsvdRBiCnzh_zSFeU67Bcm4QIMlCtu/s1600/Rob+with+Raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1278" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6uFotKzxEaTa2TSJE57XgSHee984YXltJFlEtDF2GXQiTwkaignzn9dRWoOT6EUsY8uaXn57BOP7tOR6wixPiuO0J2a2GHRo658xIYPiiI623uNsvdRBiCnzh_zSFeU67Bcm4QIMlCtu/s400/Rob+with+Raab.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rob' with kale 'raab'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-84616798200451140832019-02-15T13:13:00.000-08:002019-02-15T16:38:08.966-08:00Crumb-free Whole-Grain Corn Bread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04pM1NKkC4ysZ4utdj8tkr8jt0cmRyv59IjT2PcHRHEmlpPE8JosOop09cQ1-1nVdhP8k3kvoj5fe9H0xcIUqorUeFICSnSexmEJejKcC9HyjDZfMilGX7UobY2jkfeIQP9w9XUhHPMo/s1600/cornbread.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04pM1NKkC4ysZ4utdj8tkr8jt0cmRyv59IjT2PcHRHEmlpPE8JosOop09cQ1-1nVdhP8k3kvoj5fe9H0xcIUqorUeFICSnSexmEJejKcC9HyjDZfMilGX7UobY2jkfeIQP9w9XUhHPMo/s320/cornbread.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here
is a recipe I developed over the years for a delicious, whole-grain
corn-bread mix. I make it in bulk, pre-mixing all the dry ingredients
so, if we want a loaf for breakfast or guests, or potlucks, it's a
simple matter of adding the wet ingredients and popping it in the oven.<br />
<br />
<b>For best results</b>, <b>use all 'organic' ingredients</b>. Most corn grown in the United States that is <i>not</i>-organic,
is GM (genetically modified) and both corn and wheat, even if not GM is
often grown with heavy pesticide use. "Organically grown" means: good
for your health; good for the health of the planet!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF8RyyAi4oroI5zKz9ccsxHNOgq1QUvI2eDnmgGWbp3Bl8k7kr9Imp0TvsV_ND6jG7qgxF9t3r4Xcm0_cfBp-TG7RmKjFnVLL0FuXJpDDgRhJyM2OrIH0whUOIsVwTRUOi7XUIlxcZyM/s1600/Jim-corn+husking.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF8RyyAi4oroI5zKz9ccsxHNOgq1QUvI2eDnmgGWbp3Bl8k7kr9Imp0TvsV_ND6jG7qgxF9t3r4Xcm0_cfBp-TG7RmKjFnVLL0FuXJpDDgRhJyM2OrIH0whUOIsVwTRUOi7XUIlxcZyM/s400/Jim-corn+husking.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/10/grow-your-own-blue-corn.html" target="_blank">We grow our own blue-corn</a> for meal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<u><b>Corn Bread Mix</b> </u>(makes enough for about 13 loaves).</h3>
<b> </b>In a<b> <u>large</u> bowl, measure</b> and<b> <b>mix thoroughly</b>:</b><br />
<br />
3 cups All Purpose Flour<br />
2.5 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour<br />
2 cups Corn Flour<br />
3/4 cup Yellow Corn Meal<br />
3/4 cup Blue Corn Meal <br />
<br />
<b>Mix all the flours and meals together thoroughly.</b> I like to use my hands!<br />
<br />
In a <b><u>smaller</u> bowl, measure</b> and <b>mix thoroughly</b>:<br />
<br />
2.5 cups Brown Sugar<br />
3/4 cup Coconut Flour<br />
1/2 cup Baking Powder<br />
2.5 teaspoons Salt<br />
1.5 cups Ground-Seed Mix (1/3 cup Poppy seeds, 1/3 cup Chia seeds, 2/3 cups (and a bit) of Flax seeds - See note below.)<br />
<br />
<b>Mix the two bowls of dry ingredients together.</b> <b>Take extra-care to be very thorough</b>
in this mixing process, otherwise you may have some loaves that don't
have enough baking powder to rise well, or a loaf might be too salty (or
not salty enough). <b>Store in an airtight container,</b> <b>in a cool place out of direct sunlight.</b> Corn products are especially susceptible to rancidity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZDwHyui0SjvXsUp3H79QxjzcIitWTsE2hhiiMJXPwK9XcNCmy367zg2h6w23zVV-SwvqzTWje9GhGI7Ws8MwsrHB_W5w4dfwbk21SyID_9hwvLqpE3xQhF89TAKvfNap1_IQkxUVXWU/s1600/corn+cake-pan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZDwHyui0SjvXsUp3H79QxjzcIitWTsE2hhiiMJXPwK9XcNCmy367zg2h6w23zVV-SwvqzTWje9GhGI7Ws8MwsrHB_W5w4dfwbk21SyID_9hwvLqpE3xQhF89TAKvfNap1_IQkxUVXWU/s400/corn+cake-pan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recipe uses a 7.5" x 4" mini-bread pan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Recipe for Individual Loaves:</u> </b>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil 7.5 " x 4" mini-bread pan (see picture).</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Measure wet ingredients, whip briskly - thoroughly mixing. For best results, bring wet ingredients to room temperature.</li>
<li>Add dried fruit/nuts, or savory ingredients (see notes below). Mix well.</li>
<li>Add bread-mix. Gently fold together so all flours are moistened. <b>Don't over-mix </b>because the baking powder works by creating air-bubbles. Mixing too briskly causes them all to pop, making a flat loaf.</li>
<li>Let batter stand in bread-pan for five minutes before putting into pre-heated oven so baking powder can begin to rise.</li>
<li>Bake for 30-35 min. (till top is brown and toothpick inserted comes out dry).</li>
</ul>
<b>Wet ingredients:</b><br />
2 eggs<br />
1/3 cup <i>not</i>-milk (soy, almond, oat milk...)<br />
1 tablespoon light oil - we use sunflower or safflower as they don't have strong flavors<br />
<br />
<b>Fruits/Nuts etc.</b><br />
1/4
- 1/2 cup - This recipe is nice because it can be made sweet or savory
depending on what meal it's accompanying. Be creative! (See
variation-notes below).<br />
<br />
<b>Dry mix:</b><br />
1 cup <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Notes-Mix:</b></h3>
<b>Blue Corn Meal: </b>Blue corn meal is higher in protein than yellow corn meal (by as much as 30%). We like to grow and grind our own - <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/10/grow-your-own-blue-corn.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>.<br />
<b>Coconut Flour: </b>We
recently discovered coconut flour and love using it for many purposes:
we sprinkle about a tablespoon on our bowls of hot cereal, we use it in
pie crusts and sometimes use it to thicken smoothies. <b>Important:</b> if you experiment with substituting it for regular flours, it is highly fibrous so use it in place of an other <i>whole</i> grain at a rate of 3/4:1 (if receipe calls for 1 cup WW flour, use 3/4 cup coconut flour instead).<br />
<b>Baking Powder:</b>
Baking powder, especially if exposed to air and moisture will lose its
potency over time. So, don't buy more than you can use in 6-9 months and
store it in an air-tight container.<br />
<b>Ground seeds:</b> Using a 2-cup measuring cup, fill to 2/3 cup with chia and
poppy and then top it off with flax-seeds up to 1.5 cups. Grind the mixture of seeds using an
electric coffee-grinder that is dedicated to non-coffee grinding-- or
cleaned very well.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Variations-Notes: </b></h3>
Here are some of our favorite <b>sweet combo</b>s:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Banana/dried
date-pieces/walnuts </li>
<li>Dried apricot pieces/date pieces/dried lemon peel (soak well in wet ingredients for
30 min.)</li>
<li>Raisins/sunflower seeds, </li>
</ul>
OR <b>savory option</b>s:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>chopped red-peppers/green onions/small cubes of cheese. </li>
</ul>
<b>Pancakes - </b>thin the batter with a splash of soy-milk, milk or water.<b> </b>Great with homemade apple butter, yogurt and honey<b> </b>or your own favorite topping!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhyphenhyphenOGO0DSHTmJKA2P61aE3MRmeJUcl0pOBkII7SjLjq33Igy7tc-U5MOjZxnj0O_YRex-LOpFpgyogIVE08D93W4VY_5N2Eljn9kP-R_NQck5RtxkzHXDtFORAK0Ro2ZNVV2NjdldXGg/s1600/corn+pancakes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhyphenhyphenOGO0DSHTmJKA2P61aE3MRmeJUcl0pOBkII7SjLjq33Igy7tc-U5MOjZxnj0O_YRex-LOpFpgyogIVE08D93W4VY_5N2Eljn9kP-R_NQck5RtxkzHXDtFORAK0Ro2ZNVV2NjdldXGg/s400/corn+pancakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin the batter for pancakes and add your favorite toppings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Llyn Peabody and 'Full Circle' Clutter Clearinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204763474237426888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-46284599724322780262018-10-29T11:36:00.003-07:002018-10-29T11:36:59.347-07:00The Great Monroe Leaf Drive!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjc0aFrxaPipUOuB3lkt-2LAAxByLxP-F-y4C9G-CMJKsw76mvHO8usu4e38rOBCHp3EfuL02B1ieV6VvOc3FePOuoycqzUtTOd9VwTU4t2-poZKHQY_Zj2sMvvZh6gn1L4e2VwnDQog9/s1600/GP-hickory+2018.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjc0aFrxaPipUOuB3lkt-2LAAxByLxP-F-y4C9G-CMJKsw76mvHO8usu4e38rOBCHp3EfuL02B1ieV6VvOc3FePOuoycqzUtTOd9VwTU4t2-poZKHQY_Zj2sMvvZh6gn1L4e2VwnDQog9/s320/GP-hickory+2018.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful hickory tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Sharing Gardens is now accepting autumn leaves to
help build up our compost piles in preparation for next year's growing
season.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD0kT-spW8jUQ5u-i8OkJ8StrL7SnWBK4IkcRV2ZVsAxm5qjLRLlJ9xv-CnWGTOecAGG9sEmsTffrRtCciXdnfpSTQbwbu9VEMMqIR1Jt-yuNBnhQCMa4PIQ6Dy0TR6y_z4dEM0qo2QAw/s1600/crosby-brandon-leaves.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD0kT-spW8jUQ5u-i8OkJ8StrL7SnWBK4IkcRV2ZVsAxm5qjLRLlJ9xv-CnWGTOecAGG9sEmsTffrRtCciXdnfpSTQbwbu9VEMMqIR1Jt-yuNBnhQCMa4PIQ6Dy0TR6y_z4dEM0qo2QAw/s320/crosby-brandon-leaves.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbors bringing leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We
are blessed to have two "neighbors" who bring us leaves from their oak
and maple trees that amount to ten or more trailer-loads full each year.
We use them to cover large areas of our gardens so they have time over
the winter to compost and feed the worms and other soil-organisms and
suppress weeds.<br />
<br />
This year, we are very happy to announce that <b>Monroe's City Hall is including a flier about our need for leaves in this month's newsletter</b> which is mailed to all the town's residents in their water bills.<br />
<br />
<b>Here is the text of the mailing:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1vYOGjdex7XwYWwqrvggwCVAWfYCUIDa6wKyLPTF64QQq4c-_hh3BQ1W7APeCATQMDPSx7pOE4Qb9gSPJvjIanN2puJy01xPLAYs1EbYU8zxk_Q7sb0mUyF5QOtpebU20OGT29RwYVv0/s1600/sign-leaf-grass.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1vYOGjdex7XwYWwqrvggwCVAWfYCUIDa6wKyLPTF64QQq4c-_hh3BQ1W7APeCATQMDPSx7pOE4Qb9gSPJvjIanN2puJy01xPLAYs1EbYU8zxk_Q7sb0mUyF5QOtpebU20OGT29RwYVv0/s200/sign-leaf-grass.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please bring bagged leaves and
grass to: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">664 Orchard St., Monroe</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (bright yellow house behind the
big, white Methodist Church) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">leave
the bags</b> in a pile under the big, hickory tree at the back of the church
parking lot. </span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Please
no animal waste, trash or sticks/branches, no holly or roses (too
sharp), or walnut leaves (they can kill plants). Just leaves and grass
😊.</b></div>
</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC-XfBozTDlTD5_euYx1CWo2512elAELek9kZPR9Js_E36zCV5LHTfkWhawV6x1FZoIZEP_lvczzRwWCbIr537kEIEAmwOB8NkyCxRRSbX9L39TRffGz2yhpNNl03gBZ9ZNhFKeaw-j4y/s1600/sign-leaves-grass-SG-GP-.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1361" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC-XfBozTDlTD5_euYx1CWo2512elAELek9kZPR9Js_E36zCV5LHTfkWhawV6x1FZoIZEP_lvczzRwWCbIr537kEIEAmwOB8NkyCxRRSbX9L39TRffGz2yhpNNl03gBZ9ZNhFKeaw-j4y/s200/sign-leaves-grass-SG-GP-.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free bags to share...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have plenty of
previously-used lawn/leaf bags to share. </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They are available in a trash-can underneath the hickory
tree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please take what you can use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please don’t fill
bags too full</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tie them <u>lightly</u></i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (so we can re-use them).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ66LZN2JzwnkwbAkmYexAsodFpF7lq7FVaQtH9F0J1ehMiZ4Ptfs148a2NzCBDzbG59k8CgSyza-hhcjYXfWsKeB8LET4lFOLun5titDqjdLiEeUMO69BasoI7V8QMImH-fbNz5XJeGq3/s1600/leaves-+crosby2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1244" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ66LZN2JzwnkwbAkmYexAsodFpF7lq7FVaQtH9F0J1ehMiZ4Ptfs148a2NzCBDzbG59k8CgSyza-hhcjYXfWsKeB8LET4lFOLun5titDqjdLiEeUMO69BasoI7V8QMImH-fbNz5XJeGq3/s320/leaves-+crosby2.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We would prefer</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that you bring the filled bags to the Sharing Gardens</b> but if you
have more bags than you can bring in your own vehicle, please save up enough
bags to make it worth our trip to come get them. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Place them on the curb,</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">up-side-down
</b>(so no rain gets in) and give us a call for pick-up. Chris and Llyn
(541) 847-8797 (Before noon or after 2:00, please. We take a rest
mid-day).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Since we began weening ourselves off the use of animal manures as a
source of soil fertility, we have turned increasingly to
leaves, grass-clippings, wood-ash and coffee grounds as a replacement.
There is a saying that, "for every calorie you harvest out of a farm or
garden, you must put <i>at least</i> a calorie back in". In a typical
year we harvest and share over four-thousand pounds of produce. We have
to replenish a huge amount of organic-matter so our soils
don't get depleted! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDY7wzL1Z5dePdBIGt6i-kJ8QVUZS-7yj2RwStr8dd_sYEopOSPgYN3cUizECfDhQAfs_gqtSa7zLvJH6Pjull3ox0nk6LSJR-XQnj91AT16jOXkFML1_48kUtV24ouCtI1uJmbhmnP4s/s1600/GP-leaves-mulch-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDY7wzL1Z5dePdBIGt6i-kJ8QVUZS-7yj2RwStr8dd_sYEopOSPgYN3cUizECfDhQAfs_gqtSa7zLvJH6Pjull3ox0nk6LSJR-XQnj91AT16jOXkFML1_48kUtV24ouCtI1uJmbhmnP4s/s400/GP-leaves-mulch-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each year we must replenish the organic-material to keep our gardens fertile. That's a lot of leaves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoMTeS2VeqTfuKLg7PlvtM7P-iiVwLmREDlkiEA0BF_scL6E_FyCTB0cZPD-fGYTvjyIaGa0Jcg2lVlj2OIiJ_E3sIrIF_gysO4JLKvNqBbOqyOBZTjPGdP6fUlqIbR9U5Ur7JW7Zm8St/s1600/GP-leaves-mulch-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoMTeS2VeqTfuKLg7PlvtM7P-iiVwLmREDlkiEA0BF_scL6E_FyCTB0cZPD-fGYTvjyIaGa0Jcg2lVlj2OIiJ_E3sIrIF_gysO4JLKvNqBbOqyOBZTjPGdP6fUlqIbR9U5Ur7JW7Zm8St/s400/GP-leaves-mulch-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn spreading leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We tarp the leaves with various recycled materials to
keep them from blowing away. This is called "sheet-composting" or
"solarizing" and it has the added benefit of killing many weed-seeds
that germinate in early spring which means far less weeding for us later
in the season.<br />
<br />
There are many materials that work well
for solarizing: carpet-scraps, old pieces of green-house plastic
(greenhouse plastic is specially coated so it's protected from UV-rays
and won't break-down as fast - beware of using regular plastic sheeting
because, as it disintegrates it breaks-up into many little pieces which
are then polluting for the environment). Black plastic works too.<br />
<br />
Another
great source of solarizing material comes from lumber-yards. Much of
their lumber comes wrapped in a woven plastic "paper". They give this
plastic-wrap away for free and it appears that it holds up fine for at
least two seasons.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKMkfSkZLs8gP63fWAGzFhB7g06t8geU8wOTtqXMcfpmxdfTba76pHqEKkQKKDJyhNRJTUNDgiWJuQECPfMKTjydG_lKlgAEe2EnXO2KV8DGqDpDJzDdyjt9jka1ZbF0P-G-ACeZG1uLz/s1600/GP-tarp+mulch-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKMkfSkZLs8gP63fWAGzFhB7g06t8geU8wOTtqXMcfpmxdfTba76pHqEKkQKKDJyhNRJTUNDgiWJuQECPfMKTjydG_lKlgAEe2EnXO2KV8DGqDpDJzDdyjt9jka1ZbF0P-G-ACeZG1uLz/s400/GP-tarp+mulch-.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarping the leaves keeps them from blowing away and kills many weed-seeds that germinate in early spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0hRxpf75Ogc1R7BbW4lKo0y6IYawU1E_os5BsxEbwQ8sXF4ooKnEH_zRusHBR4kKyuhkzVnJcd-xZ6fHX6HIDP-_AWFfXqKbbKVUPoZYv3RSrCCduUKjS6uXyrD6p2I8OA1Qeu4Twgv9/s1600/GP-tarp+mulch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0hRxpf75Ogc1R7BbW4lKo0y6IYawU1E_os5BsxEbwQ8sXF4ooKnEH_zRusHBR4kKyuhkzVnJcd-xZ6fHX6HIDP-_AWFfXqKbbKVUPoZYv3RSrCCduUKjS6uXyrD6p2I8OA1Qeu4Twgv9/s400/GP-tarp+mulch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We use metal fence-posts and pieces of pipe to weight down the tarps/plastic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Please note that <i>all</i> of these materials we use are <i>re-purposed</i>; most of them were headed for the land-fills and by finding uses for them we extend their life-times.<br />
<br />
We
weight down the edges of these materials with fence-posts, metal piping
or whatever we have on-hand to keep the tarps from blowing away.<br />
<br />
Another neighbor collects used-coffee-grounds from a local coffee-shop
and brings them to us. We now have over 150 gallons of them stock-piled
for the spring! We heat our home exclusively with wood and use the ashes
as another source of soil-fertility. Here's a post about the <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/09/coffee-grounds-and-wood-ash-for-soil.html" target="_blank"><b>"Benefits of Coffee-grounds and Wood Ashes in the Garden".</b></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdSXGg2_ul8OH0okkDtjIhoav6OCz0jV0tKRbN2wLRMzkaZ_ADs7QQ5ZwNrjHavTz2TCRiJ4ihyphenhyphenTbUrIA_9gWW7Z9Sb0CLC5nAQOiPPyl027Js0PZ5UXNTC3rFn4JwzHsPfv3Hkqs3iIb/s1600/OSU-2-18+Taylor-Cody-mulch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdSXGg2_ul8OH0okkDtjIhoav6OCz0jV0tKRbN2wLRMzkaZ_ADs7QQ5ZwNrjHavTz2TCRiJ4ihyphenhyphenTbUrIA_9gWW7Z9Sb0CLC5nAQOiPPyl027Js0PZ5UXNTC3rFn4JwzHsPfv3Hkqs3iIb/s400/OSU-2-18+Taylor-Cody-mulch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves make excellent mulch for trees...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe3mwMvO02MDuKzJEMfhaTgeTk_AYqUbmRQXqDUS7oxvoTXffKKo1IA3kiBcpxqjiT8OMSh-2kG77n-5KHGSrtDTGnwQbfEO0DKa2RHhZ5-v2VYKU20VwBabIkDQ7vc6FyaAFs5PogmXq/s1600/Mulch-Chris-Rook+potato+-+Copy-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1231" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe3mwMvO02MDuKzJEMfhaTgeTk_AYqUbmRQXqDUS7oxvoTXffKKo1IA3kiBcpxqjiT8OMSh-2kG77n-5KHGSrtDTGnwQbfEO0DKa2RHhZ5-v2VYKU20VwBabIkDQ7vc6FyaAFs5PogmXq/s400/Mulch-Chris-Rook+potato+-+Copy-001.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We add leaves to the raised-beds in our greenhouses too...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here are some links explaining this style of
deep-mulch gardening that we practice:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-benefits-of-deep-mulching.html" target="_blank"><b>Benefits of Deep-Mulch Gardening</b></a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYThBFL9A8RE4qIVSwK-8kjexzvDAOjMEko1SqsjblO_fUWq5VFjwL_E9qme3jQhyphenhyphennZgGqzWJQ4p42AOn-3smhgSIzFIUslUax4qOItL5BrcGGe0WJmf8uOh1CWjZW7zfD_zXIktHDaPp0/s1600/Jim-harvest+grass.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYThBFL9A8RE4qIVSwK-8kjexzvDAOjMEko1SqsjblO_fUWq5VFjwL_E9qme3jQhyphenhyphennZgGqzWJQ4p42AOn-3smhgSIzFIUslUax4qOItL5BrcGGe0WJmf8uOh1CWjZW7zfD_zXIktHDaPp0/s320/Jim-harvest+grass.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass-clippings for soil-fertility!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/03/grass-clippings-and-leaves-for.html" target="_blank">Grass-Clippings and Leaves for Fertilizer</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/07/mulch-we-love-and-why.html" target="_blank">Mulch We Love, and Why</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/more-on-mulch.html" target="_blank">More on Mulch</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Something to be aware of when you're using donated mulch
materials...Some materials - particularly un-composted horse manure can
contain high levels of herbicides and can pollute your soil and compost
piles if you are not careful. Here is a post we wrote about our
experience with this:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/06/herbicide-contamination.html" target="_blank"><b>Herbicide Contamination?</b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S3aznA0d6WJSlJjnVyCPrtAeV4ZQV3U09ZeHgxl6K2gti-wgH6IP53Ab5vbS9csLqUiS-oSBrmV1UkL5uYxbs9u_SI-O3t-2IghLQG1aGE8x_5nHF7oS0ZHsP4nnBiV02gUcEwZcAYHy/s1600/v-Eliza-Rod-compost.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S3aznA0d6WJSlJjnVyCPrtAeV4ZQV3U09ZeHgxl6K2gti-wgH6IP53Ab5vbS9csLqUiS-oSBrmV1UkL5uYxbs9u_SI-O3t-2IghLQG1aGE8x_5nHF7oS0ZHsP4nnBiV02gUcEwZcAYHy/s400/v-Eliza-Rod-compost.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This compost pile was made entirely from leaves and grass-clippings...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS-kHErbYvBNesO9Qaq9x8C3pmJifozLT5L_VWkZ0L2zotY2TBkvZKjiBzKSqKVmL2jX33lRNxVyFYWFEW6rQsLWJLOJl4ojRqsOVy5NOUl5MTc0nkL55TMMtcz5rMu_alnxD5CuT_hVQ/s1600/a-vermi-comp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="947" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS-kHErbYvBNesO9Qaq9x8C3pmJifozLT5L_VWkZ0L2zotY2TBkvZKjiBzKSqKVmL2jX33lRNxVyFYWFEW6rQsLWJLOJl4ojRqsOVy5NOUl5MTc0nkL55TMMtcz5rMu_alnxD5CuT_hVQ/s400/a-vermi-comp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...beautiful compost leads to...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0XK_ByxuQL_u076HWhgZzfAuCWiQhMnwl0lTluGnlC9MYSXaehH_lKXbKOqFx622LUf1Tx_TC1OzzjxLgvZZJmZTlUYtU8h-H6KtNM9oQCEOZYSZIe_JTQnbl6pfiAvj7SD2fEyqIk2P/s1600/squash-mixed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0XK_ByxuQL_u076HWhgZzfAuCWiQhMnwl0lTluGnlC9MYSXaehH_lKXbKOqFx622LUf1Tx_TC1OzzjxLgvZZJmZTlUYtU8h-H6KtNM9oQCEOZYSZIe_JTQnbl6pfiAvj7SD2fEyqIk2P/s320/squash-mixed.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...bountiful harvests. Buttercup (green) and Delicata (white) squash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdvi2B43iANn418fHYxWz7aWnZV7bryP3BiVuZ42pN3g0b-dfUqR96-OxtJWWucuXX0atAN6PZbnWDUiKt3hiR_cnHMvhCPC1Cchfnns8_lzDqcvxD6QpwkCn5CdA1IVXO7eXxRhAME8i/s1600/v-Robin-leaf+pile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdvi2B43iANn418fHYxWz7aWnZV7bryP3BiVuZ42pN3g0b-dfUqR96-OxtJWWucuXX0atAN6PZbnWDUiKt3hiR_cnHMvhCPC1Cchfnns8_lzDqcvxD6QpwkCn5CdA1IVXO7eXxRhAME8i/s400/v-Robin-leaf+pile.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and playing in the leaves is just good fun too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-53935832255561924422018-09-30T15:38:00.001-07:002018-09-30T15:38:13.078-07:00Thanks Giving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hi friends - Last week we featured our many share-givers (volunteers) in our gratitude post. <b>This post is about expressing gratitude to the folks who support the Sharing Gardens in a variety of other ways. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Jessie</b> is new to our garden "family". We met her when she was making a
donation of diapers to the Food Pantry that her one-year old
baby had outgrown. She brings a ray of sunshine wherever she goes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1452" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidST8bPPuv-XWA77aklno0JUs9jrsLrdVS3W9KxLwK-vntGGXnsTcykz5adejZTBuR3MAWThVrX5piBqDE-QVkMKkIGx2F7wd_VdG_xmtTOWj8YmRqXwLaBpxPkSmwbZuOWOl5-uZBS6y2/s400/v-Jessie-corn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="362" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie - such a beautifully generous spirit!</td></tr>
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Over the summer she has volunteered at the gardens many times on the weekends, and
helped with planting and weeding tasks. A few weeks ago,
she came bounding into the gardens with her big smile and a bigger
envelope with these words on it:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
New Glove Fund-Raiser from Pegasus Farms </div>
<br />
Jessie
had noticed that we'd had "gloves" on our wish-list all summer and
decided to do "crowd-funding" at her partner's farm. She put an envelope
up on the company bulletin board that she seeded with $20 from Sean
("cause he's a big softy, and I knew he'd contribute") and left town for
a long weekend. When she got back, everyone else on the farm had added
to the envelope for a total of $160.00! Thanks to Q, Dan-the Solar Man -
Twan, Sean, Dom and Andrew. That will provide us with a great selection
of gloves heading into next year's season (and more).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1600" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsca2UGZsH6pz4YODsFrXQdinJsyus6QzYT8iZdeHt-HB01C217uObUFbYEwOxDbveFEusqZZcVHyw5oD7Y6qNfDuXLnjP598FdCmT5wLVO9Tge2QE-vXOesZXqzapy-JjnJoBkGWc5jz4/s400/Janeece-Dave-Local+Aid.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janeece and Dave Cook - generosity personified.</td></tr>
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<b>Janeece</b> wears many hats in our small town of Monroe, Oregon. She is the director of the South Benton Food Pantry (<a href="https://southbentonfoodpantry.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>)
that is located directly next-door to the Sharing Gardens; she serves
on several boards, works for Strengthening Rural Families and seems to
go to every meeting in town that relates to community-issues! She is
also cooking vegan recipes for the free, weekly class on Healthy
Life-style Choices offered by the Monroe Health Clinic and Dr. Kyle
Homertgen - our local, vegan doctor (<a href="https://drkyle.com/author/kylehomertgen/" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>). <b>Dave</b>
is an amazing support for all that Janeece does and also helps a lot
with our local Gleaners group, picking up donated baked goods and other
groceries when the Gleaners need help.<br />
<br />
They fostered
two young girls for over a year and bought a swingset for them to enjoy.
When the girls were able to return to live with their Mom, <b>the Cooks donated the swing-set to the Sharing Gardens.</b>
We have it set up right next to our main garden-shed so that, when
people bring their children to our volunteer-sessions, the kids have
something to play on. <b>Much thanks!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWrhabkBlplHuHSdF3gvQ5RBmZC2o0qL6Bag_u3YiAHs3XTe9yx7iSSIpLHUuD_IyPl0llhp4TcpLoN9YflwwOd939l0t8IiaLlB6Tcvz7lAf_kN1_UBlwxyNqCescZOEr9IhRc9KwwBM/s1600/v-Bella-kale+raab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWrhabkBlplHuHSdF3gvQ5RBmZC2o0qL6Bag_u3YiAHs3XTe9yx7iSSIpLHUuD_IyPl0llhp4TcpLoN9YflwwOd939l0t8IiaLlB6Tcvz7lAf_kN1_UBlwxyNqCescZOEr9IhRc9KwwBM/s400/v-Bella-kale+raab.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Bella - one of the foster children, helping us with the kale harvest.</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>John Kinsey:</b> "Kinsey" has been
coming to the gardens since 2011; he lives just a few blocks away. He's
been a great contributor over the years. Here's a list of some of his
contributions:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>volunteering in the gardens</li>
<li>donating Elephant garlic bulbs to get our patch started</li>
<li>donating worm-castings and worm-castings-tea from his worm farm</li>
<li>collecting lawn-clippings and leaves from his neighbors to build our compost piles</li>
<li>building produce-display-boxes out of scrap lumber - both for us and for the South Benton Food Pantry</li>
<li>volunteering at the Food Pantry</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsidk69IgLxWb6SlyIZt5TSbQGp9-jMOvmR8G6JHVAsVZ_6eCsQdeA-Pvw76noX5XUBM_WxMilDd-aMSHqUu4CsMe607X_aOWYhPravsLWfdc4XfPKANM_zzHVAr7y0qox_0vu8jqMlaX/s1600/john+kinsey-garlic+seed+-+CU.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1230" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsidk69IgLxWb6SlyIZt5TSbQGp9-jMOvmR8G6JHVAsVZ_6eCsQdeA-Pvw76noX5XUBM_WxMilDd-aMSHqUu4CsMe607X_aOWYhPravsLWfdc4XfPKANM_zzHVAr7y0qox_0vu8jqMlaX/s400/john+kinsey-garlic+seed+-+CU.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John
Kinsey with garlic 'seeds'. His contribution of garlic 'bulbs' has
grown to our current patch with over 200 plants planted for the June
2019 harvest. One of his early nicknames was 'Garlic John'. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpYIPvb_v0JicdHmTSIOb8c2_0M0MaNQa0UeQUP3ElfRqWpb8IEs0YsBCtTOZDy8RwR8H5BWdGaLXCwCNps0NxUhI37QQxuOyzRBb-s5iIQmHM8fTqW_BvAGUYj7_kD2ewHgeKkh9__DH/s1600/v-john+mulch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpYIPvb_v0JicdHmTSIOb8c2_0M0MaNQa0UeQUP3ElfRqWpb8IEs0YsBCtTOZDy8RwR8H5BWdGaLXCwCNps0NxUhI37QQxuOyzRBb-s5iIQmHM8fTqW_BvAGUYj7_kD2ewHgeKkh9__DH/s400/v-john+mulch.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our
deep-mulch method of gardening uses tons of leaves and grass-clippings.
John, who's now retired, gathers these materials wherever he can and
donates them to the project. Here's a <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-benefits-of-deep-mulching.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a> to our post about using leaves and grass-clippings for soil fertility.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX4MD-Y3x5k55Gt8ldjo489a_Br9tcOE-S3RDDszxUsNAUTY418Zg6qXBacIveGmeKtyyRCfpmIWDyhLUiGRwoMZ3syFsZo-uLAG1TqfcslhSge6LbKEB5JXZeHCgHB_Dbx4Kq6nt3l5L/s1600/v-john-garden+clean-up.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX4MD-Y3x5k55Gt8ldjo489a_Br9tcOE-S3RDDszxUsNAUTY418Zg6qXBacIveGmeKtyyRCfpmIWDyhLUiGRwoMZ3syFsZo-uLAG1TqfcslhSge6LbKEB5JXZeHCgHB_Dbx4Kq6nt3l5L/s400/v-john-garden+clean-up.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, with a big load of squash-vines for the compost pile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQK_Ke1XOfiLZ2UCK_p4zagpm_1gG243Xbe7UP_UXOScAXMNH1UE5mRK6QNr0hXYf6tjXTm9o2eOgbhCqDJREjiR6LCKdIiiHfbvXnW6NxDCENXCoagmWAP1EN1yuW-cMUtFiYj3CgJs_/s1600/coffee-trash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1172" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQK_Ke1XOfiLZ2UCK_p4zagpm_1gG243Xbe7UP_UXOScAXMNH1UE5mRK6QNr0hXYf6tjXTm9o2eOgbhCqDJREjiR6LCKdIiiHfbvXnW6NxDCENXCoagmWAP1EN1yuW-cMUtFiYj3CgJs_/s400/coffee-trash.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee-grounds
that John picked up from a local coffee-shop. Since coffee is not a
local product and must be shipped in from thousands of miles away, it is
not a sustainable resource. But since the grounds are currently
considered a waste-product, we feel good knowing that we are keeping
them out of the garbage. (<a href="https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/coffee-grounds-composting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK to coffee-grounds as fertilizer</b></a>).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilnUiIg8VO6TFWsM06Qz20MyWgDlXZY_AcB2yhjRKsNFf6PA-1RVdacAyqduRdEXDNM_z0ZNa4p8Is15r2VEODT07e23amtVL2ttaK6cLehSRjbiwu9PQDu1ycjzsYsfAF_z3i9l0W9bk/s1600/v-OSU-11-17+sift-coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilnUiIg8VO6TFWsM06Qz20MyWgDlXZY_AcB2yhjRKsNFf6PA-1RVdacAyqduRdEXDNM_z0ZNa4p8Is15r2VEODT07e23amtVL2ttaK6cLehSRjbiwu9PQDu1ycjzsYsfAF_z3i9l0W9bk/s400/v-OSU-11-17+sift-coffee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sifting
the coffee-grounds and removing trash that's mixed in is one of the
favorite jobs of our OSU student-volunteers. The grounds sure make our
greenhouses smell nice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamG0GYcgMiGnN0KZX2_sCc2AIK43j7ZLfVwm1htTEky09FLUCqlQIFQhAKwQprBxHuyzw0WFS9IeHDnPA_IxmwE6-KNUYb8ZPBwWoY7e0oYh4lrv316fZ72UqfUhl4mSF0AH5umysb-D8/s400/chris-John-compost+bin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and John - building a compost bin. He sure is a big help!</td></tr>
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<b>There are a few donors we don't have pictures of:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Fay and Erik</b> - donated <b>plastic tubs</b> that are great for weeding, and storing or displaying produce.<br />
<br />
<b>Becky Lynn</b> - donated <b>carpet, seed potatoes</b><br />
<br />
<b>Valerie P.</b>
- For the last two months, Valerie has been making a $10 donation to
the project. We've never met Valerie but are grateful for her support.
You too can make a donation through PayPal by clicking on this link:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/WEBSCR-640-20110401-1/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/WEBSCR-640-20110401-1/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
</div>
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<b>Drivers:</b>
Though some of our CSA members pick up their own boxes, we have members
in Eugene and Corvallis who rely on the services of our
delivery-people.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy Rose delivers to Eugene. Cathy has been with the gardens since 2010 and been a huge supporter. We love you Cathy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyS6FyEOMOzWVFGZsIAv-Q7I17TeUZw2XKhdF3TytesLs8LDT9eA569pgiTICYTAgZA9_U0fvTDPKRtSC_tEl-HUI7GFYZZe81ZplizhCxYp99Rx5iUFJgx7NOqTFh1Nv7YwrrrUCxbij/s1600/Sabine-walnuts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyS6FyEOMOzWVFGZsIAv-Q7I17TeUZw2XKhdF3TytesLs8LDT9eA569pgiTICYTAgZA9_U0fvTDPKRtSC_tEl-HUI7GFYZZe81ZplizhCxYp99Rx5iUFJgx7NOqTFh1Nv7YwrrrUCxbij/s400/Sabine-walnuts.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Sabine shelling walnuts. She was our delivery-person to Philomath this summer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Kitchen...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5M7XKfrF_2pQmSmPcVXROQD5wEjhrV2qSqlXkfjDSTP_LLfQzwptOo4TAE0i4mV9htCqwP5JtCTg5GujQg7RwnlRqrQLVVuMdCIBtJAa7TBxiXgdLw35ess2jNmo8LSK3FXR0NNgkRtM/s400/v-Adri-Cindy-beans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="386" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Adri and Cindy Kitchen deliver our Corvallis boxes after spending Wednesday mornings helping in the gardens.</td></tr>
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-22916622185009781882018-09-25T16:48:00.001-07:002018-09-25T16:48:05.485-07:00Many Hands, Many Thanks, Much Love!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFWRyqFErRqCQWZXO1aWRMRfgz5CLigRcPOqZwR4IcatfOz_09GC8W42vwbfugR85GHO_V51ASrpzRiocLWEaX_RZ0EtBXZ6i1AKws3ii15WXapV08tZWXWs_xLw0ip4aqCX3VZyz7aOz/s1600/v-llyn-sunflower-harv-5x7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1139" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFWRyqFErRqCQWZXO1aWRMRfgz5CLigRcPOqZwR4IcatfOz_09GC8W42vwbfugR85GHO_V51ASrpzRiocLWEaX_RZ0EtBXZ6i1AKws3ii15WXapV08tZWXWs_xLw0ip4aqCX3VZyz7aOz/s320/v-llyn-sunflower-harv-5x7.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn with biggest sunflower yet!</td></tr>
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Hello
dear people, It's been another summer of bounty at the Sharing Gardens
and we hope this finds you thriving as well. Though things are still
going strong, the first autumn rains and cooler nights have begun and
it's clear that we're past the peak of garden production. This has been a
wonderful season with our Share-givers (<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/garden-location-volunteer-times-and.html" target="_blank">volunteers</a>),
many who are multi-year participants with some beautiful new faces as
well. Often, after a morning session with our garden "family", Chris and
I just lay on our bed feeling full of smiles and gratitude for the
richness of community that has developed around the project.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJBA6EwOSDwhgfXDfmJ5U8jZROAAm0DVIbP-FUek9dwm_myLrwc_UIebZNdhLy8TPAHeOwsQEZFQeZOEcEHHNrEhNOM1vWBJDbXWUABvBzOhQcONtCLrN65vMCiRIsZnhXxG7_MdSAXP3/s1600/GP-4-27-2018.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJBA6EwOSDwhgfXDfmJ5U8jZROAAm0DVIbP-FUek9dwm_myLrwc_UIebZNdhLy8TPAHeOwsQEZFQeZOEcEHHNrEhNOM1vWBJDbXWUABvBzOhQcONtCLrN65vMCiRIsZnhXxG7_MdSAXP3/s320/GP-4-27-2018.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, early in the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year has been our first year offering <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_26.html" target="_blank">CSA/memberships</a>
as a fund-raiser. We've had seven "share-holders" who each receive a
weekly box of produce. Though at times we've felt a bit stressed to keep
up with planting, weeding and harvesting, the excellent support of our
share-givers has made it - mostly- a real pleasure. Our help has been so
good that, for two seasons in a row (summer and autumn) we've declined
receiving volunteer students from OSU's service-learning programs. We
just don't have enough to do to keep six students busy for four hours.
Now that's what we call a "high-quality problem"!<br />
<br />
Here is a photo gallery of many of this summer's share-givers. Thanks so much,
friends; we couldn't do it without you. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu8VzyrajfA3moTailoHRvY_p35h2HaGKEf-wyLoujOZsTRdfc2NaEYM9kt_IG98qgAyaocKoMDfIA15IxWWtp7sWQFDnATskAXH0V2FowuRof4wfewfL4OccWRSSHedqQndm4SbBst8Q/s1600/v-Sabine-Cindy-beans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu8VzyrajfA3moTailoHRvY_p35h2HaGKEf-wyLoujOZsTRdfc2NaEYM9kt_IG98qgAyaocKoMDfIA15IxWWtp7sWQFDnATskAXH0V2FowuRof4wfewfL4OccWRSSHedqQndm4SbBst8Q/s400/v-Sabine-Cindy-beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabine
and Cindy - our champion bean-pickers. We grew green beans on a trellis
this year (instead of as bushes) and it worked great. High productivity
and we only had to pick once per week.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We
had some great group-sessions; several weeks with ten or eleven adults.
It's challenging to keep everyone busy but we sure get a lot done and
have fun in the process!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuHtIx7Puaja9F27tZ1yY2wBPJ8nqEqm_HO_awVITxrGMfp96Ppjxt3S7E0Zx-VUy6uTMyjxWytlXDS-us0OR0g1VP4gLqzuckOV2rFue7fRSm0CPRGO7IGLNsxGTd4ON4DkUhGTDxIBS/s1600/v-thorin-Eliza-Adri-cabbage-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuHtIx7Puaja9F27tZ1yY2wBPJ8nqEqm_HO_awVITxrGMfp96Ppjxt3S7E0Zx-VUy6uTMyjxWytlXDS-us0OR0g1VP4gLqzuckOV2rFue7fRSm0CPRGO7IGLNsxGTd4ON4DkUhGTDxIBS/s400/v-thorin-Eliza-Adri-cabbage-.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorin, Eliza and Adri harvesting cabbage. Adri's been coming to the gardens since she was born and is a great help!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB56t0TmB0V97rbLJnoqaY08O2WwsfUbk12jRROn3ehqGjJciftFJmir2F6-eo6Y11MoKNHRKNfEA2C00etizji_iTBa99FGVhnNz9w2lWYe1dC6zXfOsoZ1oIt8uZD0x_evXv-t7uAUB/s1600/v-kidney+bean+harvest.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB56t0TmB0V97rbLJnoqaY08O2WwsfUbk12jRROn3ehqGjJciftFJmir2F6-eo6Y11MoKNHRKNfEA2C00etizji_iTBa99FGVhnNz9w2lWYe1dC6zXfOsoZ1oIt8uZD0x_evXv-t7uAUB/s400/v-kidney+bean+harvest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eliza, Rook and Thorin harvesting kidney beans which we dried in the greenhouse and shelled for winter-use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfgjcTinHxsgi-c19qmUciGDXyvHo2VNxo7qid4bpnmDw6N3VMq3e6lBIKW0iTgmR4WSTSYStC-uMqtB3SV0NNz0VbY5dHoSJBWi5SM1ErrvA8DUwCMq5WMWxRgQhbT7MJuLM84L16-Fo/s1600/v-Thorin-Eliza-Rook-blackberries.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="1443" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfgjcTinHxsgi-c19qmUciGDXyvHo2VNxo7qid4bpnmDw6N3VMq3e6lBIKW0iTgmR4WSTSYStC-uMqtB3SV0NNz0VbY5dHoSJBWi5SM1ErrvA8DUwCMq5WMWxRgQhbT7MJuLM84L16-Fo/s400/v-Thorin-Eliza-Rook-blackberries.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our
blackberry patches were wonderfully productive this year. We picked
enough berries to make several large cobblers, about a gallon of juice
and sent baskets of them home in the CSA boxes too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A
great year for potatoes! We keep experimenting with different methods.
We have heavy, clay soil which is hard for potatoes to grow in.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZtYAjjHL40eIUMsilTqzc2wx5uBNDoAmm_o59QeZvlzYf3HKw8gppq2GgnQaG2q7tUPoahyphenhyphena_nkkphKkDqtoA7hsI80zJK1jaYe7aKTxDFibmNxEUD5Tf1JtyTxhmN9MoOeg7a-uX3R9/s1600/Mulch-Chris-Rook+potato-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1231" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZtYAjjHL40eIUMsilTqzc2wx5uBNDoAmm_o59QeZvlzYf3HKw8gppq2GgnQaG2q7tUPoahyphenhyphena_nkkphKkDqtoA7hsI80zJK1jaYe7aKTxDFibmNxEUD5Tf1JtyTxhmN9MoOeg7a-uX3R9/s400/Mulch-Chris-Rook+potato-.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To extend our season we tried growing potatoes in our greenhouses with fair results. Here are Chris and Rook, mixing compost into a potato-patch early in the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the soil warmed, we began planting potatoes outside. We planted the potatoes about 6" in the ground with a bulb-planting tool
and then covered with soil, compost, grass-clippings and straw (whatever mulch we had a lot of). This method worked <i>very</i> well!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTMUQzzN1AKGPZfleoST7xT_d29tIfDQpk9KWNIgZZIsuCd05AtNnTcitWON8Tt5oWVxRlOiBoZmhylufMtLWWkljWGa5z3ldg6v0CHrvk_E03In7zWnMBbgvr4g30CM9FCIHff4bpCrl/s1600/v-Rook-potatoes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTMUQzzN1AKGPZfleoST7xT_d29tIfDQpk9KWNIgZZIsuCd05AtNnTcitWON8Tt5oWVxRlOiBoZmhylufMtLWWkljWGa5z3ldg6v0CHrvk_E03In7zWnMBbgvr4g30CM9FCIHff4bpCrl/s400/v-Rook-potatoes.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rook, planting potatoes with a bulb-planter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvkwzJ_NVz_PUPEgZ5VIKKV-IjEZ2sPiMrwSPIvlybryGgaF9LFij-vSDsJ4AtLkdeA11Y4TGEB4KfAZacQxBKTOVzkY2NKc2GbDAEaciPMxEe83F8xR81RegpxNVZUnvkorwx6b_cO4M/s1600/v-group-potato+planting+5x7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1556" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvkwzJ_NVz_PUPEgZ5VIKKV-IjEZ2sPiMrwSPIvlybryGgaF9LFij-vSDsJ4AtLkdeA11Y4TGEB4KfAZacQxBKTOVzkY2NKc2GbDAEaciPMxEe83F8xR81RegpxNVZUnvkorwx6b_cO4M/s400/v-group-potato+planting+5x7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a group of potato-planters. That's Caleb and Tyrell (Caleb's Dad) at the cart. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2LRkFm0ox4-c5-WB7839BIDXR2wV7lNMOc1wjYDcedj8mdtYR2mCHDD6cOSSUGU0UNd1axUbYGjm_Ii6YzWDVEpdA63Wp-jnaweJjmzouMIZyE36YU_1HoqA6-Jdwo6dRU0NX34QuFCO/s1600/v-group-potato+dig--.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2LRkFm0ox4-c5-WB7839BIDXR2wV7lNMOc1wjYDcedj8mdtYR2mCHDD6cOSSUGU0UNd1axUbYGjm_Ii6YzWDVEpdA63Wp-jnaweJjmzouMIZyE36YU_1HoqA6-Jdwo6dRU0NX34QuFCO/s400/v-group-potato+dig--.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and here's the other end of the process - <i>harvesting</i> potatoes. Kids love to help with this as finding the potatoes is a bit like hunting for eggs on Easter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR983FyoxyqCl-ogZZuJHtsE99hTxExTFt_v3w7j8mdTwFrEru-RIif8gambrH2QLXMKkEJYVZzgIuYIce6Q7NL5OimBwVBVBd9H1WNGGDt-3EtOJr9l4MEpPs39ri-w9aXvONQX_xqee/s1600/v-Chris-sunflower-CU.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR983FyoxyqCl-ogZZuJHtsE99hTxExTFt_v3w7j8mdTwFrEru-RIif8gambrH2QLXMKkEJYVZzgIuYIce6Q7NL5OimBwVBVBd9H1WNGGDt-3EtOJr9l4MEpPs39ri-w9aXvONQX_xqee/s400/v-Chris-sunflower-CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Chris with a Mammoth Russian sunflower. We dry and save the seeds to feed to the birds and <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/growing-sunflower-sprouts.html" target="_blank"><b>grow sprouts for winter-greens. LINK</b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlWdF6dpWOF__e0CFpFHCXMItYwq7M62Ye8_rB1jXYmf8GaukaMM_1BvYd_9cbwAkMLY6a_C2QyJ8_BDiza2ng5npQ_HmxWU-eiSrxaei3yhBQVjOn1zN6UrLe6J2dtAKEUVl6Kb7egLk/s1600/v-Rod-weeding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlWdF6dpWOF__e0CFpFHCXMItYwq7M62Ye8_rB1jXYmf8GaukaMM_1BvYd_9cbwAkMLY6a_C2QyJ8_BDiza2ng5npQ_HmxWU-eiSrxaei3yhBQVjOn1zN6UrLe6J2dtAKEUVl6Kb7egLk/s400/v-Rod-weeding.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rod, a man of many talents, "logging" the sunflower stalks after harvesting the heads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garlic provides opportunities for group efforts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7CNFAlwpeduMfccie_fgKfejfYxwvTLAihIEtOblod4bG8hFAFQzTVsmI_UL7EyjuvkCEOp-AUKEjXLXi2xZES8zm0M1pLTKmTSXd1syLAoC9atJskSrHSMTVIjvFtkbRrX9nVoTUsfv/s1600/Garlic-rook-sabine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7CNFAlwpeduMfccie_fgKfejfYxwvTLAihIEtOblod4bG8hFAFQzTVsmI_UL7EyjuvkCEOp-AUKEjXLXi2xZES8zm0M1pLTKmTSXd1syLAoC9atJskSrHSMTVIjvFtkbRrX9nVoTUsfv/s400/Garlic-rook-sabine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are Rook and Sabine separating the garlic bulbs for this year's planting. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgzHAwKMGi_jIJutbHbyrJHvK_2nzurkq0K3AxeKWQM6VsmOYa0_PpUQyOAvauAdcqKhZLm0hVLOCIE8uZ0igK_NYRoO9UkfGDNbIn-ctyC8G-JiN_E6tyI3UDvnJvVJibaztnbvLmv82/s1600/v-Wayne-LiHung-SongYu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgzHAwKMGi_jIJutbHbyrJHvK_2nzurkq0K3AxeKWQM6VsmOYa0_PpUQyOAvauAdcqKhZLm0hVLOCIE8uZ0igK_NYRoO9UkfGDNbIn-ctyC8G-JiN_E6tyI3UDvnJvVJibaztnbvLmv82/s400/v-Wayne-LiHung-SongYu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For two sessions we had these wonderful Taiwanese young men come help.
Wayne, Li Hung and Song Yu. Here they are planting garlic in September
for next year's harvest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Llyn spent much of the time on share-giver days in the garden-shed bagging produce and filling boxes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW808JHcEggMCO_ZWbt8bLHRzVt7fylqkAKJtHuAQx0FbVjivfkwB225KSzqOIOlT9uIeZZYUGBZylQlOTV-vaj4rk2E5ZFCJXUy9m8y8z-W1Ul9XtQx3Q6iBlClztNEZx0-W7Q4L7f1Vo/s1600/v-Llyn-Kailyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW808JHcEggMCO_ZWbt8bLHRzVt7fylqkAKJtHuAQx0FbVjivfkwB225KSzqOIOlT9uIeZZYUGBZylQlOTV-vaj4rk2E5ZFCJXUy9m8y8z-W1Ul9XtQx3Q6iBlClztNEZx0-W7Q4L7f1Vo/s400/v-Llyn-Kailyn.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here
she is with Kailyn bagging kale. Kailyn is another of Cindy's many
grand-kids and jumps at the chance to be helpful. What a delight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aside from catalyzing Chris and me to a new level of focus and
productivity with the farm, an added bonus of having the CSA has been
the loving feedback and support we receive from our members. Though we
know that our donations to the Food Pantries are very much appreciated
(and we continue to supply Local Aid and the South Benton Food Pantry
with our surplus), the comments from our members are nice to hear
because we know they especially value the high quality of the food we're
growing and want to be supportive of the project's charitable work. Here are a few samples: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"I've been enjoying delicious salads and soups made with these fresh ingredients! Everything is delightful!
Made a brown rice cabbage casserole with our remaining cabbage a few days ago and it was such a big hit with the family ~yum!
Thank you!" Diane</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"Sending
deep appreciation for this bounty, it has been most wonderful! Thanks
Llyn and Chris, you are keeping us so healthy and nourished, love
it!!!!" Cordy and Bodhi</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">" Everything looks lovely. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Thanks so much to Llyn and Chris and all the workers.</span></span>" Karen and Peter</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"What
a nice variety of things we have gotten from our CSA boxes and we feel
privileged to have helped you launch your first year. Thank you for all
the communication about our boxes each week; that is a nice added
feature we didn't have when we got CSA boxes a few years back." Marilyn
and Don</span></span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"We have loved the weekly bounty, a variety of nutrients
& colors. How nice to not have to shop for produce weekly! We love
supporting our local <a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/03/veganic-farming.html" target="_blank"><b>veganic</b></a> farmers who serve this community, who
bring us hope! Dr. Kyle (<a href="https://drkyle.com/handouts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>LINK to his fantastic site</b></a>)</span></span></blockquote>
And
lastly, we must bid a fond fare-the-well to dear Sabine. Sabine has
been volunteering at the Sharing Gardens for three seasons but is moving
back to Germany (her home) with her husband Tyrell and son, Caleb. (We'll also miss seeing her wonderful parents Yvonne and Manfred since
they won't be coming to visit her but we know they are so happy to have her moving back close to home.)
Sabine's soft, warm and generous nature will be missed but we wish her
well. Maybe she'll start a new Sharing Garden in Kressbronn am Bodensee!
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyUx-jsxQw7mFQ3n3uQ7f_X7F3PkDOz5hAogidJ6mBjOB1rg-ucDqVN8bfc4Bq2UJpOn5wcBK7e6-bdP9xxson0kzX4VNZQzTKcvP1rscPRQ1Z-7LxAMXHCRYIjGMgQAX7oCwLZke1vSG/s1600/v-Sabine-chard.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1277" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyUx-jsxQw7mFQ3n3uQ7f_X7F3PkDOz5hAogidJ6mBjOB1rg-ucDqVN8bfc4Bq2UJpOn5wcBK7e6-bdP9xxson0kzX4VNZQzTKcvP1rscPRQ1Z-7LxAMXHCRYIjGMgQAX7oCwLZke1vSG/s400/v-Sabine-chard.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love you, Sabine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUUadjXtzrEn33S-986Nu3vZZawfhjEGWlrY1JAlCGKz408Bc5jL-mi5DMipkbVSS4fe6ysjMFQiNJNA2FmCGcAuvvEARk3TtHUPsho_jx2BlziLZ-TlpHL-bIYUX3hzBWLGphoLtvPw5/s1600/v-caleb-coffee-square.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUUadjXtzrEn33S-986Nu3vZZawfhjEGWlrY1JAlCGKz408Bc5jL-mi5DMipkbVSS4fe6ysjMFQiNJNA2FmCGcAuvvEARk3TtHUPsho_jx2BlziLZ-TlpHL-bIYUX3hzBWLGphoLtvPw5/s400/v-caleb-coffee-square.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and your beautiful boy Caleb. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And to you, our fine readers, we also bid a fond farewell. Give Long and Prosper!</div>
<br /></div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-40962137636530141782018-07-16T14:46:00.000-07:002018-07-16T15:26:12.369-07:00Children In the Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53NNfyzNEpGeZU3BY2Dw2Dtzl2hms6tnO6p-otV8tkxi-K4qyqxcIp2o72P3RAKIkYBKgr3ZBZo7-mACqEHXUANsHxOksF5_CegfVcjkyRhAw6URJOBXehxqpqx2HDUP-p5obOB24L3A/s1600/Caleb+loves+radishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1146" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53NNfyzNEpGeZU3BY2Dw2Dtzl2hms6tnO6p-otV8tkxi-K4qyqxcIp2o72P3RAKIkYBKgr3ZBZo7-mACqEHXUANsHxOksF5_CegfVcjkyRhAw6URJOBXehxqpqx2HDUP-p5obOB24L3A/s400/Caleb+loves+radishes.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb loves radishes. We find that kids who help in the garden are more likely to enjoy eating vegetables.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our dear friend Cathy Rose came by this morning to pick up two CSA boxes that she delivers for us in Eugene and said, in no uncertain terms, "Post more pictures!". I've also become aware that few people have time to read through our longer posts so here's a quickie to introduce our youngest gardener, Caleb and show how we are finding ways to integrate him into garden-time. Much fun!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcScBXBr1qucREUB5cRHuvPDioJIfZ4gNPLPaGZWTDbaPqRLja7eKzkAa6Aa6QVcuMFDUpV_fVqgEJuH61H4U-XoBk30JQqsRtH6P1lXWS7cPoAzUEdpXygLLtcWE9bO_xJsMYCPApYQ/s1600/v-compost+tea-Sabine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcScBXBr1qucREUB5cRHuvPDioJIfZ4gNPLPaGZWTDbaPqRLja7eKzkAa6Aa6QVcuMFDUpV_fVqgEJuH61H4U-XoBk30JQqsRtH6P1lXWS7cPoAzUEdpXygLLtcWE9bO_xJsMYCPApYQ/s400/v-compost+tea-Sabine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early in the season, Caleb still sometimes needed a morning nap upon arrival at the gardens. Here's his Mom, Sabine, pouring 'compost tea' on the cabbage while Caleb snoozes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCboe7cKGBHMN09b9l4PDUwIOE3I55U4IjL0M405Ks45TK509jfbcPGhCcWZb3RiV6dBIXmU9WhuvACrYmUztn7gIVUVUR8ijgmOXEykuvNPBmqTTvTazYsBqQ8_rTQAeHaMHHfSLAVf0/s1600/GH+group+4-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1207" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCboe7cKGBHMN09b9l4PDUwIOE3I55U4IjL0M405Ks45TK509jfbcPGhCcWZb3RiV6dBIXmU9WhuvACrYmUztn7gIVUVUR8ijgmOXEykuvNPBmqTTvTazYsBqQ8_rTQAeHaMHHfSLAVf0/s400/GH+group+4-2018.jpg" width="337" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At first, it took one of us full-time to entertain Caleb while everyone else harvested and weeded and planted. (Sabine in the front - harvesting beets, Cindy with Caleb and Chris).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fFraP-HG5TcjVOqyoyOWJHzQ278nAN5ltlaCBK3laLYlIXL4NeDGWVJF78pQJ_giY_0-oFLSIPqcAeXINehW22aLa4iZ8v9Pslqu9hm1EBJCBbkmovHsrs4yUgYPuJxZ5cmKQRRILUE/s1600/v-caleb-sabine-jim+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fFraP-HG5TcjVOqyoyOWJHzQ278nAN5ltlaCBK3laLYlIXL4NeDGWVJF78pQJ_giY_0-oFLSIPqcAeXINehW22aLa4iZ8v9Pslqu9hm1EBJCBbkmovHsrs4yUgYPuJxZ5cmKQRRILUE/s400/v-caleb-sabine-jim+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next we tried a portable play pen but he seemed a bit lonely and...</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-aT2kWlO0glJkVV5pI7lgKs4imXri84IDsXDXQH54gFWyUl3MebVJZcF_3vYcyszg2bWzgUWgVl-Dx_PPXN1S7yTNKMgJDfqn45n_UcSPBwvqTaq0rZ2-meyL9Nrp1T1l3W-k4Gnv_s/s1600/potato+planting-group-straw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-aT2kWlO0glJkVV5pI7lgKs4imXri84IDsXDXQH54gFWyUl3MebVJZcF_3vYcyszg2bWzgUWgVl-Dx_PPXN1S7yTNKMgJDfqn45n_UcSPBwvqTaq0rZ2-meyL9Nrp1T1l3W-k4Gnv_s/s400/potato+planting-group-straw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...we wanted to help Caleb be involved<i> in</i> the gardens, not off somewhere entertaining himself. Here we are planting and mulching potatoes. That's his Dad, Tye with his hand in the garden-cart picking up mulch.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hqqkdc0jwEAYetArhRQpvg0nagtetxc-4bQsoZSILJ5GseigEPk1plmR1RWafYFparBeVpK4yTiL9GheKhYBVLnOnO44mBkk_cCnqeXm0A0yVE0R5ybioPvhodyPhVPmy3l9q2zZ3HI/s1600/v-caleb-Adri-Joey-nuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hqqkdc0jwEAYetArhRQpvg0nagtetxc-4bQsoZSILJ5GseigEPk1plmR1RWafYFparBeVpK4yTiL9GheKhYBVLnOnO44mBkk_cCnqeXm0A0yVE0R5ybioPvhodyPhVPmy3l9q2zZ3HI/s400/v-caleb-Adri-Joey-nuts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb is beginning to show interest in what the "big" kids are doing. Here he is with Adri (who's been coming since <i>she</i> was a baby, and Chris' grandson - Joey - who enjoyed shelling walnuts from our tree while he visited last week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik2xK7LS89BlfZUXzECx84bKmO2c_431Fg4QN3uFik_w01gmo_0jYfmOsLmE1v5B8CiDaQV9jENwTEfd1Rm1XOSeNugxl6VCoww8OmDyBhLMgq1i9nn2yNiO_xNWAXGu234hmNSjXSQs/s1600/Adri-Sabine-planting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1308" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik2xK7LS89BlfZUXzECx84bKmO2c_431Fg4QN3uFik_w01gmo_0jYfmOsLmE1v5B8CiDaQV9jENwTEfd1Rm1XOSeNugxl6VCoww8OmDyBhLMgq1i9nn2yNiO_xNWAXGu234hmNSjXSQs/s400/Adri-Sabine-planting.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're careful never to use the term "work" in the garden so the children think of helping out as "playing". We also always <i>invite</i> them to participate but don't <i>require</i> it. (Adri and Sabine "playing" in the gardens - 2015).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DS_3D4Z_VAZlDfjdyiEHarK52HyJfOjy5QYFq3SdyJEh9oFBKUdrIbPVGxgLD8Q0ZUeqTBrFhror4o8vnsIlOVn1pTfndRvvFBDUkP7IJw2-Jr4j13oa6xL3oKrVviJmuRJn8ffzvJ8/s1600/Jim-Adri-beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1298" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DS_3D4Z_VAZlDfjdyiEHarK52HyJfOjy5QYFq3SdyJEh9oFBKUdrIbPVGxgLD8Q0ZUeqTBrFhror4o8vnsIlOVn1pTfndRvvFBDUkP7IJw2-Jr4j13oa6xL3oKrVviJmuRJn8ffzvJ8/s400/Jim-Adri-beans.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Usually, if the adults seem to be having fun, then the kids want to join in too. (Adri and her Grandpa Jim shelling kidney beans. 2015)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qYSuw_JBG2XwKPhPImQytVKQmUOzf_lru3Otbu32EXQrQKcarnbzwTS3dRV6PIQXfrrzDWkv8veYyIqMGF4YpYo0fXeJQP0PsxiBme2ewk6bVl1tBFR8aqtCSGOn1WsL65bTj6S0ih4/s1600/Caleb-Chris-mower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="704" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qYSuw_JBG2XwKPhPImQytVKQmUOzf_lru3Otbu32EXQrQKcarnbzwTS3dRV6PIQXfrrzDWkv8veYyIqMGF4YpYo0fXeJQP0PsxiBme2ewk6bVl1tBFR8aqtCSGOn1WsL65bTj6S0ih4/s400/Caleb-Chris-mower.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before you know it, we'll have Caleb harvesting grass-clippings with our riding-mower for use in mulching the garden!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcudxwa0-N-iPEyzKGPqAzLMcueIJrTXP3Nq9lj7Yca3Ey3PhKBle1Ycw83cn-2fJ9zdeqHf3nZfa2qt9x0wzFNoVqunKiUVHn5jCvv7VSm3woc5znd8z268e5p3mo6AXEEqHMDBK7ZaE/s1600/Caleb-sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1293" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcudxwa0-N-iPEyzKGPqAzLMcueIJrTXP3Nq9lj7Yca3Ey3PhKBle1Ycw83cn-2fJ9zdeqHf3nZfa2qt9x0wzFNoVqunKiUVHn5jCvv7VSm3woc5znd8z268e5p3mo6AXEEqHMDBK7ZaE/s400/Caleb-sticks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But for now we're happy that he's finding ways, through 'play' to become part of our gardening family. Here is he "sorting" sticks.</td></tr>
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</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-69070451904666055412018-07-15T18:14:00.003-07:002018-07-16T15:22:25.769-07:00Family Heirlooms - Saving Your Own Seed <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEOq4xI_RStEoYFr1EPzqZluErN4e76yaHjrwphy7dbPpnY6n07OgQO0t7U-zAR603c2XlWpISxRa5C9eC8lhNXGuByr7hugbB_azbRdSeZ0KGcvkhE6KtJIpTqFQ3kUG9gvz0gyzfXeH/s1600/seeds-hands.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEOq4xI_RStEoYFr1EPzqZluErN4e76yaHjrwphy7dbPpnY6n07OgQO0t7U-zAR603c2XlWpISxRa5C9eC8lhNXGuByr7hugbB_azbRdSeZ0KGcvkhE6KtJIpTqFQ3kUG9gvz0gyzfXeH/s400/seeds-hands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn, with a variety of bean seeds</td></tr>
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In the <i>Sharing Gardens</i> we probably save about
80 - 90% of our own seeds. It really isn't that difficult to do and it
is very gratifying to experience this deeper level of "local food
self-reliance". If you have a garden plot that is separated from other
gardens by at least 500 feet (to prevent unwanted cross-pollination) you
can save your own seed. Even if there are other gardens nearby, there
are many crops you can grow that will <i>not</i> cross (tomatoes, beans and onions, for example) so don't let that stop you.<br />
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<b>There are many good reasons to save your own seed:</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>It will be more adapted to your local growing-conditions</li>
<li>You can "select" for certain qualities/characteristics (early ripening, sweetness, cold-tolerance etc)</li>
<li>The flowering plants provide food for pollinators</li>
<li>You have better control over the quality of your seed</li>
<li>You are not as dependent on supplies being available from outside sources</li>
<li>It's fun!</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrmE1AtG9xJl5ChjYv9ewOxd821-ateolSEheEUe3yHnKtNkx8d6kMJ6VCG48MEzOZN_Kou-kjx6-SmcV6QLOZiCP7v0opGp6TU__s2S8SWr3rchkd6LuOgbMk-Gw1fBbkJ5FrqlEGF_3/s1600/winnowing.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrmE1AtG9xJl5ChjYv9ewOxd821-ateolSEheEUe3yHnKtNkx8d6kMJ6VCG48MEzOZN_Kou-kjx6-SmcV6QLOZiCP7v0opGp6TU__s2S8SWr3rchkd6LuOgbMk-Gw1fBbkJ5FrqlEGF_3/s320/winnowing.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, winnowing lettuce-seed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Always start with</b> <b>Heirloom (or "open-pollinated") seed</b>.
"Hybrid" seed is developed in a carefully controlled environment that
crosses unique qualities between parent-plants to yield consistent,
specific results (like early-ripening "Early Girl" tomatoes). If you
save seed from a hybrid plant, it is likely that it will revert back to
one, or the other's parent-qualities and not give you the desired
outcome. Many seed-companies will label their packets, or inform you in
their catalog descriptions so you know what you are starting with; or
you can do an on-line search and have your "shopping list" handy next
time you pick out seeds, or starts. Of course, once you start saving
your own, you always know you've got "heirloom" seed. <br />
<br />
<b>Some plants easily cross-pollinate</b> with other plants of the <i>same family</i> (see below)<i>. </i>It is difficult to control the outcome of these crosses and, you won't know the results until you grow out the seed <i>the following year.</i>
For example, many gardeners have had the experience of having a squash
seed germinate in their compost pile, grow to gigantic proportions and
discover at harvest time that their "zucchini" is funny shaped, or has a
woody skin or poor flavor. These variations are due to <a href="http://science.yourdictionary.com/cross-pollination" target="_blank"><i>cross-pollination</i></a>.
Peppers also cross easily so, if you grow hot- and sweet-peppers close
to each other, the seed you save may either have "sweetened" your hot
peppers, or "heated" up the sweet. <br />
Sometimes these crosses are beneficial, creating a variety that is an
improvement over either of its "parents" but beneficial "crosses" are
rare. Often (unless you know what you're doing) you'll end up with
something that isn't quite as good as either of its parents.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrTRxjfkPLBTwmHe3WklkSYn1sF5HfacSEoK6FnCCymBSSlAlW8OlYi6tjfnaDex7XMLMumTuz837GKNSC6Da7uEgGGF7hOnZP62DDtWCdCk885ovpVjDJTaC3pbT9UjcG-Qq-5gJhA_A/s1600/squash+blossom+with+bees2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrTRxjfkPLBTwmHe3WklkSYn1sF5HfacSEoK6FnCCymBSSlAlW8OlYi6tjfnaDex7XMLMumTuz837GKNSC6Da7uEgGGF7hOnZP62DDtWCdCk885ovpVjDJTaC3pbT9UjcG-Qq-5gJhA_A/s200/squash+blossom+with+bees2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squash-blossom with bees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Examples of plants that easily cross-pollinate: </b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Squash - with other squashes (some varieties<i> won't</i> cross with each other but for specifics, do more research <a href="https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/5-tips-for-avoiding-squash-cross-pollination" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>)</li>
<li>Cucumbers - with other varieties of cukes</li>
<li>Melons - with other varieties of melons</li>
<li>Peppers - with other peppers</li>
<li>Lettuce - with other lettuce</li>
<li>Broccoli/Cabbage/Kale/Cauliflower - with each other</li>
<li>Chard/Beets - with each other</li>
</ul>
<b>If you wish to save seed from the plants listed above</b> you either need to
learn which varieties cross and keep them far away from each other when
they're going to seed, or grow them on alternate years. <br />
<br />
<b>Some plants won't easily cross</b>,
even with other plants in the same family. Tomatoes are a good example:
you can grow two, five or ten varieties in close proximity with each
other and the seed you save will <i>almost always </i>have the same
characteristics as the plant you picked it from. On rare occasions we've
had tomatoes that were a 'cross' from two varieties of plants we grew
the year before. (Though we haven't experienced it ourselves, we've
heard that 'potato-leaf' varieties such as <b>Stupice</b> or <b>Brandywine</b> are especially susceptible to crossing.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0N2bH0EwdGQawVWPPLNHxKEFpOo7qeNxtmZJfUoDHb1bCTxZhQg1-cdUV9WYEpK4CID80ctY9oYmn03HeItgKJGrb_DILL8R0lJy_Eq2pMAMoh-FedvagShFPR-NrEtO9aI7xpgA-wBG/s1600/toms-CU.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0N2bH0EwdGQawVWPPLNHxKEFpOo7qeNxtmZJfUoDHb1bCTxZhQg1-cdUV9WYEpK4CID80ctY9oYmn03HeItgKJGrb_DILL8R0lJy_Eq2pMAMoh-FedvagShFPR-NrEtO9aI7xpgA-wBG/s200/toms-CU.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandywine Heirloom tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Examples of plants that won't easily cross-pollinate:</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Tomatoes</li>
<li>Beans</li>
<li>Peas </li>
<li>Onion family (includes garlic, shallots, leeks)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Can my garden seed cross with "weed" seed?</b>
Yes! There are wild relatives of domestic vegetables that, if flowering
at the same time, can 'cross' making your seed produce fruit that is
woody, or bitter or has other undesirable characteristics. Learn to
identify your local weeds (especially if there are big, open fields of
them nearby). Consult expert sources to learn of techniques to avoid
this problem (i.e. hand pollinating, bagging the flowers, timing your
bloom to avoid the wild varieties' blooming. etc). Examples: Wild
lettuce can cross with domestic lettuce; Queen Anne's Lace is a wild
variety of carrot.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt6ccNrn7ZMysh0mjzbJYeqaTxS4sNY8v3OgWFBldGYjbFwx5q8mJVS9bU6Py1wa9Ickfe32eNR4w03u76mqK_RCR8cExSwwJ31tbdWlz3Hs2SfQVWuF7Wm0BqZWhny4b6w2wflpVDwRO/s1600/dustin-seeds.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt6ccNrn7ZMysh0mjzbJYeqaTxS4sNY8v3OgWFBldGYjbFwx5q8mJVS9bU6Py1wa9Ickfe32eNR4w03u76mqK_RCR8cExSwwJ31tbdWlz3Hs2SfQVWuF7Wm0BqZWhny4b6w2wflpVDwRO/s320/dustin-seeds.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dustin saving sunflower seed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Can I "save seed" from produce I buy from the store?</b> Sometimes, but not always. Tomatoes are often hybridized (and being "organic" does <i>not</i>
mean they grew it from heirloom-seed). Melons are often from hybrid
seed, and they may have been grown in a field next to other melons that
they could have crossed with (true with squash as well). On the other
hand, we have gotten excellent bean seeds at the bulk-food section of
the grocery, and grown fantastic sunflowers from bulk-seed (raw and
unsalted, and still in the shell -- of course.) See the article below,
if you want to grow potatoes from grocery-store "seed".<br />
<br />
This
post just covers some of the most basic aspects of seed-saving. For
more detailed info, read our posts below and/or consult other sources
through books or the internet.<br />
<br />
<b>Please leave us comments about your own experiences of saving seed below. </b>It's great when we can all learn from each other! <br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
Here are several posts we've written that include information on saving seed: (click on the <b>bolded text.)</b> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59xEsxC2pDMuylybAaJqP5nzPf30FDPzzepn1CaLrlMRLwwuzlmXGVVQDNtOPLGZ7Jr1z2Oh3un9bNfjr9gTfxJ68WWSzVdhpQ-9GjZjYZehhTVS7qERYYJAGq4LAmvCFI1E1ycEcsZuh/s1600/100_1365.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59xEsxC2pDMuylybAaJqP5nzPf30FDPzzepn1CaLrlMRLwwuzlmXGVVQDNtOPLGZ7Jr1z2Oh3un9bNfjr9gTfxJ68WWSzVdhpQ-9GjZjYZehhTVS7qERYYJAGq4LAmvCFI1E1ycEcsZuh/s200/100_1365.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/06/saving-tomato-seeds.html" target="_blank"><b>Tomato Seeds</b></a>:
Tomatoes are a good plant to start with if you're learning to save
seed. As long as you know that the plant you're saving from is not
hybrid (see above) you are bound to be successful!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLG0ppN5BkZarPu0bnQK8w-gxkdhsY0zh0NOFYuVQ92b9XOVRCdh8uuf4SrADuF4gj3nzjQ6nDPHiqUxUL8jp_iGBYws40ZdfhXbuE8DNYyqlpwJT1b5A2gHMhAMxLLlF7n0muMo7Y5NW/s1600/100_2419.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLG0ppN5BkZarPu0bnQK8w-gxkdhsY0zh0NOFYuVQ92b9XOVRCdh8uuf4SrADuF4gj3nzjQ6nDPHiqUxUL8jp_iGBYws40ZdfhXbuE8DNYyqlpwJT1b5A2gHMhAMxLLlF7n0muMo7Y5NW/s200/100_2419.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/07/lettuce-from-seed-to-feed-part-2-saving.html" target="_blank"><b>Lettuce</b></a>: Just be sure you save seed from <i>only one variety</i>
of lettuce at a time (it crosses easily if plants are closer than
50-feet apart). With one plant you can save enough seed to keep you, and
your whole neighborhood (!) supplied with seed for several seasons to
come.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVPTEUW34BPw-pKw3zAkJqm-SAcU9HPmSPKZjBQFD798gZCx9g6NhXQQ03WJ5fSq_yC0Auggvh-rbJnJ4Nzo_3kPnZMyuqPdZ4HwcxKSVc-5L9DI-Xz5937_fRUiWu-6GH-GIvlLQu3m_/s1600/peas-cropped.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVPTEUW34BPw-pKw3zAkJqm-SAcU9HPmSPKZjBQFD798gZCx9g6NhXQQ03WJ5fSq_yC0Auggvh-rbJnJ4Nzo_3kPnZMyuqPdZ4HwcxKSVc-5L9DI-Xz5937_fRUiWu-6GH-GIvlLQu3m_/s200/peas-cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/give-peas-chance.html" target="_blank"><b>Peas</b></a>:
are easy (if you can restrain yourself from picking every last ripe
pea-pod <smile>). Be sure to follow the instructions in the post
and, once the seed is fully ripened and dry, freeze the seed to prevent
pea-weevil larvae from ruining your batch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOiKxeK7KblkoXfWhkJAAmXeqV-4lfkppmAD1CVGBIVXNUfsJWHQcjdWoUIgnqRgUW9qlFtOUqF0QPOSerOusDrCuiQo554IE2GbpqYT2UiPCeXS31VjOvOYe3UBwZTJOo9HlG9wZekZw/s1600/scrun+bean.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOiKxeK7KblkoXfWhkJAAmXeqV-4lfkppmAD1CVGBIVXNUfsJWHQcjdWoUIgnqRgUW9qlFtOUqF0QPOSerOusDrCuiQo554IE2GbpqYT2UiPCeXS31VjOvOYe3UBwZTJOo9HlG9wZekZw/s200/scrun+bean.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/05/grow-your-own-protein-scarlet-runner.html" target="_blank"><b>Scarlet Runner Beans</b></a>: Beautiful red blossoms, big seeds (easy to harvest and dry) and the most delicious bean we know of...what's not to like!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNavbxRhpjrkbuXk31j9bK229_a9QeWbbnfVSjhukEEEAmZxkLT0SNC8uDliIpAakUY3t-Sbh3mpgRfUrQMEep3fljzn6oPR1iOQz16TywT4g30QWZ4Vi7Mhg0sBH1pH_bQcxgYNemwp5n/s1600/giant+spud.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNavbxRhpjrkbuXk31j9bK229_a9QeWbbnfVSjhukEEEAmZxkLT0SNC8uDliIpAakUY3t-Sbh3mpgRfUrQMEep3fljzn6oPR1iOQz16TywT4g30QWZ4Vi7Mhg0sBH1pH_bQcxgYNemwp5n/s200/giant+spud.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2011/06/do-i-need-to-buy-seed-potatoes-or-can-i.html" target="_blank"><b>Potatoes</b></a>:
If you're already growing potatoes, saving seed is as simple as sorting
out the smaller egg-sized ones and storing them till next season. You
can also find seed-potatoes in the organic section of your grocer's in
the spring.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Saving your own seed is only <i>one of the many benefits</i> of a <i>sharing</i>-type</b> <b>garden</b> (one big garden, instead of many separate plots). To read about how a sharing garden works, and many of its other benefits, <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_6.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE- Overview of the Sharing Gardens</a>).<br />
(<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/benefits-of-sharing-gaeden.html" target="_blank">BENEFITS of a Sharing Garden</a>). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXCFIEELHowcPX-oXC0IA_3sOJrFtODSAuBCRCiCTO1j96UGkg-wt8jTNrMPkAy_HJTvtTtW0MB6060uUs5SRV145xbTlw0hahDIV22Ai7GNNkJeeyBhLUIAsyCxEwE_Zt_9anN5bc5Sb/s1600/My-dill+and+lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXCFIEELHowcPX-oXC0IA_3sOJrFtODSAuBCRCiCTO1j96UGkg-wt8jTNrMPkAy_HJTvtTtW0MB6060uUs5SRV145xbTlw0hahDIV22Ai7GNNkJeeyBhLUIAsyCxEwE_Zt_9anN5bc5Sb/s400/My-dill+and+lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ismael trimming dill seed-heads; lettuce going to seed in lower-left corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-5862878645253984872018-06-25T14:47:00.002-07:002018-07-01T14:20:48.894-07:00"Work is Love Made Visible"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX88xN3k09D-OHXt_EXKHkRbeb1otzlTKX_xETtNwAENP4ZZ-FsSwAkTAnlg2LYg1E3Cutr40x1W8aDz-MFbd4JLvkqmrpl099oqQczM5TS2xxEB5fh-ci4yenNMaf2HWc8y_lhTJ6iPc/s320/Spock-sharing.jpg" width="320" /></div>
Hi
folks - The coolest thing happened the other day! We were puttering in
the gardens on Food Pantry day when our friend Dave Cook (who's wife,
Janeece runs the Monroe Food Pantry) drove up with a trailer-load full
of firewood to donate. No sooner did we get finished unloading and
stacking it when another guy, Jimmy Templeton - who runs the Monroe Food
and Firewood Gleaners - pulled up with <i>another</i> load to donate. He and his crew then brought <i>another</i>
trailer and truck-load to us the following morning and have promised us
one more load before the summer's through. That's five cords of
firewood; probably enough to get us through two and a half winters, if
they're not too harsh.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR2mBDTSJRTgyvlsXXvMapbBTNfvRXWeAGKhfVe9eEwPi19_xEpsPt7iP4Lfr6nlk6ykiMiyc4v8Yv9pmTP5ihQtmxbNZ_s1I18O2jvj03uKnJEGEMJ2AI1wDuTDNf5PgI_Kvp9T9My3h/s1600/v-Dave+Cook-Rook-wood+delivery.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1367" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR2mBDTSJRTgyvlsXXvMapbBTNfvRXWeAGKhfVe9eEwPi19_xEpsPt7iP4Lfr6nlk6ykiMiyc4v8Yv9pmTP5ihQtmxbNZ_s1I18O2jvj03uKnJEGEMJ2AI1wDuTDNf5PgI_Kvp9T9My3h/s400/v-Dave+Cook-Rook-wood+delivery.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unloading firewood donation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Gleaners is an organization that "gleans" a
community's surplus - whether from farmer's fields, grocery stores,
restaurants or, in this case, trees for firewood - and provides them to
members of the community who are in need and can't afford it for
themselves. Though we're not officially members of the gleaners, the
Sharing Gardens has been supportive of their organization. In the peak
of summer, when we have more vegetables than the two Food Pantries we
serve can handle, the surplus has often gone to the Gleaners. We have
also let them use our flat-bed trailer for over a year to pick up large
donations on a bi-weekly basis and donated a large chain saw that the
firewood gleaners have used for several years. I guess they felt that
they wanted to give back to us in some way.<br />
<br />
Their
donation is a huge help to us. We heat exclusively with firewood and,
cook most of our stove-top meals on our flat wood-stove through the
coldest part of the winter. Then, since we don't burn any treated or
painted woods, all the ashes are clean and pure enough to use as
fertilizer in the gardens. Wood-ash contains most of what's needed for
plant growth except nitrogen and sulfur so it's a great resource. <a href="https://extension.oregonstate.edu/node/81951" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LINK to article about Wood Ash Use for Lawn and Garden</a>.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N3taieAOvNwF0nL31v84gOmbcIpR01Lv6YiZNGpAAN9rrOwtgEbWOYqZplS9V-3Cb_uovaCFt9tiFsGpAuEEzVJ8HNDtwvvkyEfXablwhxBcWg_8wCI-apNzOT2erF7UsKoB_R8MyACN/s1600/v-Jimmy+Templeton-beans.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N3taieAOvNwF0nL31v84gOmbcIpR01Lv6YiZNGpAAN9rrOwtgEbWOYqZplS9V-3Cb_uovaCFt9tiFsGpAuEEzVJ8HNDtwvvkyEfXablwhxBcWg_8wCI-apNzOT2erF7UsKoB_R8MyACN/s400/v-Jimmy+Templeton-beans.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy Templeton-a man of generosity!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Note: Just as I was writing this post, who should
drive up but Jimmy - head of the gleaners, with a donation of surplus
organic vegetables gleaned from the local Farmer's Market. He receives
more donations than he can distribute through his networks so, by
bringing them to us, he knows we'll get them into the hands of people
who will appreciate them.<br />
<br />
<b>This post is about gratitude.</b>
This year feels like a real turning point. After having given away
everything we grew for the first nine seasons, many members of the
community who appreciate the services we provide have begun looking for
ways to give back. The Sharing Gardens is beginning to fulfill its dream
of becoming (as it says in our banner) "a common-ground gathering place
dedicated to the cultivation of<i> mutual </i>generosity".<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWiub6XkVcC7kyohzJyu4fgbbJGOo7rAuVR61MME_ar7OsF3l3FdyRvxG7hvNJjL6h2ObjxesHodMvjXEBu_k9z59P2nxAtpQ_A_Wzes81sNrMaTwybLEfotYWEMSmkGDyP39xS87zsCt/s400/GP-rainbow-6-2018.jpg" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow over the Sharing Gardens - June 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our first expression of gratitude goes to our <b>sharegivers - the volunteers who come on a weekly basis</b> during the growing season and join in the myriad of tasks involved in keeping the gardens thriving.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><b>Cathy, </b>Cindy, Jim, Sabine, Rook, Kat, and Jessie</b>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJb24EXPtIkAu8DUoV7tWHt3-6IreYvjYn-AmKHnSUm2wTJM_H0AzmZDaUz2UvVzqlLMMV3w5ms-74W32tboY4RGwSSGFIi73qDJ_Ox7Am1nx3_a6p3OKeIeajAN8PX8ZJZnFfACMblEz/s1600/v-group-meal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJb24EXPtIkAu8DUoV7tWHt3-6IreYvjYn-AmKHnSUm2wTJM_H0AzmZDaUz2UvVzqlLMMV3w5ms-74W32tboY4RGwSSGFIi73qDJ_Ox7Am1nx3_a6p3OKeIeajAN8PX8ZJZnFfACMblEz/s400/v-group-meal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Share-givers enjoying homemade soup after a garden-session.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApb_MP0930jrC8u1ScZ0hIyurxMlwzYxbpVQdzbxuzOnDgGazhEytOcpcvJMKy9oJhlDfkcg9rnMZf0iqvb8Y6CCKJkRyIczfYg1v6UZ72p4fvTx_wssyQsdtlbwweRzAD6F05yHldY_x/s1600/Seeds-Cathy-Chris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApb_MP0930jrC8u1ScZ0hIyurxMlwzYxbpVQdzbxuzOnDgGazhEytOcpcvJMKy9oJhlDfkcg9rnMZf0iqvb8Y6CCKJkRyIczfYg1v6UZ72p4fvTx_wssyQsdtlbwweRzAD6F05yHldY_x/s400/Seeds-Cathy-Chris.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy
Rose - (left) helping us sort a huge donation of seeds. She is also
being our delivery person for CSA members in Eugene. We love you Cathy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also continue to feel gratitude to <b>Oregon State University for its dedication to "service-learning"</b>
(students receive college-credit for volunteering in the community). We
have been hosting 4-8 groups of students per year since 2012. We
estimate that's about 180 students who have spent three - four hours
each at the Sharing Gardens learning about sustainable living and how to
grow food. Here are some highlights from the four groups we've hosted
so far in 2018.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWc6LuEnsQc2GKg2jzMushsEMOAq74LzWewE7M6_GILZOQk2e8-303n7PtAdJOqekAG8EOuM5UZxD7sL_aaCUcNzFrQEb6uaD7H-wsqJ-PieM0jalEM_fBGr71S-BVrckSaGCrZlX4bB3/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+group-snack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWc6LuEnsQc2GKg2jzMushsEMOAq74LzWewE7M6_GILZOQk2e8-303n7PtAdJOqekAG8EOuM5UZxD7sL_aaCUcNzFrQEb6uaD7H-wsqJ-PieM0jalEM_fBGr71S-BVrckSaGCrZlX4bB3/s400/OSU-4-14-18+group-snack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We
always share a snack with the OSU students. This provides a great time
for conversations about organic gardening and sustainable-living.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXccgWxHg9rcQXTNic6QVkNzWW5Zs1tX34xt-_vHg_twiJ0JIQxvIktOYrMYlrPmPfb-yQp45alp9CZ32GeLyVQsK9ROSoXCVWXb9NFxQTrlkDGNiWCjzXrH-qkISMxCrP330-ktWwMcJo/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXccgWxHg9rcQXTNic6QVkNzWW5Zs1tX34xt-_vHg_twiJ0JIQxvIktOYrMYlrPmPfb-yQp45alp9CZ32GeLyVQsK9ROSoXCVWXb9NFxQTrlkDGNiWCjzXrH-qkISMxCrP330-ktWwMcJo/s400/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had an abundance of lettuce in March so OSU students helped us harvest it and...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpd1I8TY3QcHnTb6kbXanb3QU3tWAuYDlUQ3rSv2Vfeng8FUUFLxenPrTdzW5M51_xkdKoUj35X4e3hxSqhacNse0UHNpqz8oHAGm7uc1dnMJeWpZOLQvA2n3JyJkvHaio-9VmpZgER7U/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+group-lettuce+harvest-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpd1I8TY3QcHnTb6kbXanb3QU3tWAuYDlUQ3rSv2Vfeng8FUUFLxenPrTdzW5M51_xkdKoUj35X4e3hxSqhacNse0UHNpqz8oHAGm7uc1dnMJeWpZOLQvA2n3JyJkvHaio-9VmpZgER7U/s400/OSU-4-14-18+group-lettuce+harvest-.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...here they are displaying the lettuce we donated that week to Local Aid Food Pantry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have a number of<b> "neighbors" who support the project</b>
by bringing us leaves and grass-clippings on a regular basis or make
other donations of time and materials to keep the project thriving. John
Kinsey, Victor Stone and David Crosby bring us many <b>trailer-loads each, full of compostable materials </b>each year. Keep 'em coming, guys!<br />
<br />
Bob Nelson - <b>refrigerator repair and re-wiring of an electrical outlet</b> that kept 'shorting out'.<br />
St Vincent de Paul - <b>honored a warranty for a defective refrigerator</b>
we bought from them last Fall. The warranty had expired but, because of
what we do, they let us come and pick out another refrigerator to
replace the one that 'died'.<br />
George and Irene (<b>leaves and zucchini plants</b>) - they've been donating leaves for many years.<br />
Sally and Gary Smith - <b>donated a miniature greenhouse</b>, still new in its box that we will pass along to a family in-need.<br />
Uncle Craig Erken - <b>computer help</b>. <br />
Pete Alford -<b> pick up for Local Aid</b>. Pete drives several miles out of his way to come pick up our donations.<br />
Chris' Dad, Pete Burns, for being a <b>role model for community-service</b> and teaching Chris so much about using tools.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEYGgjcEc6jwHCY7XZSOgXWVe1xLh0mwP0Ouq9XvuMfuXUXnppkPru6mphZbvAB3FaYQiRCV4fUUfgANGF47_gTl69IZ2tfMvZo8QL5r7S76AsAYEvIGTGF3Hqe0Ajgujc9sE3k515BYA/s1600/Pete+Alford.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1339" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEYGgjcEc6jwHCY7XZSOgXWVe1xLh0mwP0Ouq9XvuMfuXUXnppkPru6mphZbvAB3FaYQiRCV4fUUfgANGF47_gTl69IZ2tfMvZo8QL5r7S76AsAYEvIGTGF3Hqe0Ajgujc9sE3k515BYA/s400/Pete+Alford.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete Alford - picking up a vegetable donation to take to Local Aid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoweJU4YiX7XUyBSTe_Idr69oFXjHlkTvSZttFTjnPkRECfOXW4iu8v9409p3UARpsjDhp7jONVlqwAWoZkkLsKNECnGZjqLq41tk8XCpbIT4Eqydmpn6VvwlfKjPLoOU1lIIS7qlE2gIJ/s1600/101_0678.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoweJU4YiX7XUyBSTe_Idr69oFXjHlkTvSZttFTjnPkRECfOXW4iu8v9409p3UARpsjDhp7jONVlqwAWoZkkLsKNECnGZjqLq41tk8XCpbIT4Eqydmpn6VvwlfKjPLoOU1lIIS7qlE2gIJ/s400/101_0678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa
Burns - Chris' Dad - chief of his town's volunteer fire department for
many years; he built their brick station-house by hand. Chris' Mom, Rene
drove the ambulance and taught first aid classes through the Red Cross
for decades. True community-servants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
New for us this year is <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_26.html" target="_blank">our membership-farming</a> (<b>CSA - Community Supported Agriculture)</b>.
We have seven members/share-holders. Two in Corvallis, two in Eugene
and the rest are more local. Special thanks to Dr Kyle Homertgen for his
<b>strong encouragement to move forward with our idea</b> and for being <b>our first subscriber</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rFKeKYAGt8Ic3_CEBTI35Lpd9lRGvK2zq3RtEXfwAHfPYOxawHSWECLRkQ_FNDo1sboiCFl1WiVyUu5V92XMxeY_2KXdhmu3rberzhvk4zD2bHVCWo8FFJLk-9oLZ8gnxXdIeaQakzUR/s1600/CSA-week+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1600" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rFKeKYAGt8Ic3_CEBTI35Lpd9lRGvK2zq3RtEXfwAHfPYOxawHSWECLRkQ_FNDo1sboiCFl1WiVyUu5V92XMxeY_2KXdhmu3rberzhvk4zD2bHVCWo8FFJLk-9oLZ8gnxXdIeaQakzUR/s400/CSA-week+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first subscription food-box. April, 2018.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And last, but not least, we wish to extend gratitude to all those who have made<b> cash donations. </b>Though
we do our best to live simply and keep costs of the project low, there
are just some things that only money will get you (just try trading a
case of ripe tomatoes for a tankful of gas...).<br />
<br />
<b>Our largest donor by far is the South Benton Food Pantry</b>-<a href="https://southbentonfoodpantry.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LINK</a>.
They invited us to make a presentation to their Board at the beginning
of the year, outlining the Gardens' income and expenses.They granted us a
<i>very</i> generous <b>annual grant of $1800</b> with no strings
attached so we can spend it on whatever the project needs to continue.
They also continue to allow us to add the Garden's trash in with their
weekly pick-up service. We don't generate a lot of garbage but this
saves us from accumulating enough to warrant a trip to the dump.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgrma5AImuyte7v5fzqf4du9tslWRkwgTAL09Zvsohe_vitRJFnhxduSCLaTePfX95g_Hj7VJljM26PQAtCMNuFrgpV07j8Pw2cM9ZBwQktmIRj4YA26qI66XW1PXL8yofaksboFse40e/s1600/sign-give+thanks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1600" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgrma5AImuyte7v5fzqf4du9tslWRkwgTAL09Zvsohe_vitRJFnhxduSCLaTePfX95g_Hj7VJljM26PQAtCMNuFrgpV07j8Pw2cM9ZBwQktmIRj4YA26qI66XW1PXL8yofaksboFse40e/s400/sign-give+thanks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalk-sign, Llyn made for the Food Pantry in our town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since January of 2018, we have received <b>cash donations from several other individuals</b>, ranging from $100 to $500 each, for <b>a total of $1,100</b>. Thank you so much!<br />
<br />
<b>John and Donna Dillard</b> - our neighbors - who have <b>also donated paint and fencing material</b> to the project and <b>tolerate our lackadaisical approach to weeding our common fence-line</b>. Much thanks!<br />
<b>Rich Locus</b> - <b>a stranger we met at a restauran</b>t who, after talking
with us through breakfast, pulled out his check-book and <b>wrote us a
check, right on the spot</b>!<br />
<b>Judith Peabody</b>- Llyn's Mom who <b>gives generously, each year</b>.<br />
<b>Rob Wiseman</b> - a <b>local friend, former share-giver and repeated donor</b>. We love you Rob!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ0KkqZJNiADjYY41y0tCWZl7ObAdvN3FhfF4vQW__VZoLE0hC_DdNjZgusEWKNTb4QYWk4WILzPNOKQ5QuyAlpAWF1cUmcKsQ2-wJXsRRmHDJ5wVjFbCRF0jSLTLY_9v26CRse9RyJpX/s1600/Giving.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ0KkqZJNiADjYY41y0tCWZl7ObAdvN3FhfF4vQW__VZoLE0hC_DdNjZgusEWKNTb4QYWk4WILzPNOKQ5QuyAlpAWF1cUmcKsQ2-wJXsRRmHDJ5wVjFbCRF0jSLTLY_9v26CRse9RyJpX/s1600/Giving.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/wish-list.html" target="_blank">LINK to wishlist</a></b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
We got a nice comment on this post from a friend of ours and guest-blogger to our site. She wrote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div>
Llyn & Chris -- </div>
Well, this post just begs a big THANK YOU
in return -- both for the work you do, and for faithfully reporting
back on your progress. This project is social experiment that I SO enjoy
watching unfold (better than anything on Netflix, let me tell you!) <div>
Happy summer gardening!!<br />Tuula</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Here's the post she wrote about the SG back in 2012:<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/11/conscious-cultivation-community-food.html" target="_blank">Conscious Cultivation: A community food solution flourishes in rural Oregon</a>
</h3>
<br />
<br />
<br /><br /> </div>
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</form>
</div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-32683333787710242552018-04-20T17:55:00.001-07:002018-04-20T17:55:22.073-07:00Happy Birthday Sharing Gardens!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi Folks! On April 15th, 2009, our friend Steve Rose broke ground
with his tractor at Alpine park marking the birth of the Sharing
Gardens. We're nine years old this week!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q8VqPBuRfUSVbvLe_oPe6h5-Bemy0xlw9Y6JoIA_oJMq2M2oQ_X8p1HQVDeFQcmFPly05lKUQ-b-1pgNDC5MVTch8dWiAWx5aQgFcpxe4RyRCp1b4eL8Uxb1EZ2a8Q4XCaZaYrBS8ldm/s1600/DSC00455.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q8VqPBuRfUSVbvLe_oPe6h5-Bemy0xlw9Y6JoIA_oJMq2M2oQ_X8p1HQVDeFQcmFPly05lKUQ-b-1pgNDC5MVTch8dWiAWx5aQgFcpxe4RyRCp1b4eL8Uxb1EZ2a8Q4XCaZaYrBS8ldm/s400/DSC00455.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's
Chris, forming 'raised beds' with our little 1947 Farmall Cub tractor
in Alpine, after Steve Rose had plowed it (April, 2009).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmwWaZUutSNpw4tgMqgGHLiIAGMmjTosCItOBgvgLaShuvdqlrwMtal7_mWHpDDHx062Y7ttxjItiWFI4Z0KxXeQ96DFrvQiM-iPBriyjj2G5X7xcKeJxuiScXBPJ6p9slHUOKL9-IDJw/s1600/DSC00915.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmwWaZUutSNpw4tgMqgGHLiIAGMmjTosCItOBgvgLaShuvdqlrwMtal7_mWHpDDHx062Y7ttxjItiWFI4Z0KxXeQ96DFrvQiM-iPBriyjj2G5X7xcKeJxuiScXBPJ6p9slHUOKL9-IDJw/s400/DSC00915.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Llyn with the Sharing Gardens' first harvest taken to the Food Pantry, July 2009 - (some of the produce was donated by neighbors with established gardens).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Here are a few highlights from the 2018 season so far. Enjoy!</b><br />
<br />
We've had two service-learning groups from Oregon State University. We have two more scheduled for later this spring. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5ec8IX0j8sGIX08NrFcDpJwduAqzdtDLybivD_OUJD9bTTm7jEN_II8u4spO2WqmNM9Jo3-7JD7u3jJyzQXVIkXYHHKdwBKaLrbb6EZAxPoIjp67Sf5pSQ5ShJokUtYQBbLKvaQs9kRR/s1600/OSU-2-18+Taylor-Cody-mulch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5ec8IX0j8sGIX08NrFcDpJwduAqzdtDLybivD_OUJD9bTTm7jEN_II8u4spO2WqmNM9Jo3-7JD7u3jJyzQXVIkXYHHKdwBKaLrbb6EZAxPoIjp67Sf5pSQ5ShJokUtYQBbLKvaQs9kRR/s400/OSU-2-18+Taylor-Cody-mulch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The February group helped us mulch trees...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-NEdGvmq07xiUQZIWRQmX5TcwXyoiJdxGkzl3AHDdH6mxSKgPaHcN2Pgsassl6vkIea_mCJfKzTPAkNvj-HRbIO-t3Ja2NKfCYfO1bwB15oniNC_e8qi_7nbI4HB7j_e9hxddj_iyPDR/s1600/OSU-2-18+Cody-Graham-compost.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-NEdGvmq07xiUQZIWRQmX5TcwXyoiJdxGkzl3AHDdH6mxSKgPaHcN2Pgsassl6vkIea_mCJfKzTPAkNvj-HRbIO-t3Ja2NKfCYfO1bwB15oniNC_e8qi_7nbI4HB7j_e9hxddj_iyPDR/s400/OSU-2-18+Cody-Graham-compost.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...empty our compost bins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI5W3GXIQSGNSzccl54c74_VhNAd4hpjUdCCr5_q_x0c_S3f_NoJQm4pkvZFdsfNR9ojEEX6BfJA7Rq9VnNI5dNhBchsLzgdyVxQBQ5174ySJoQmL5xhHGW2odM9xs8MqEJv3Bw5u4VQy/s1600/OSU-2-18+Olivia-cedar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI5W3GXIQSGNSzccl54c74_VhNAd4hpjUdCCr5_q_x0c_S3f_NoJQm4pkvZFdsfNR9ojEEX6BfJA7Rq9VnNI5dNhBchsLzgdyVxQBQ5174ySJoQmL5xhHGW2odM9xs8MqEJv3Bw5u4VQy/s400/OSU-2-18+Olivia-cedar.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...mulch our blueberries...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznRasIGtKqywEvnDjstnBModvGKOmQytcPG01A03_dDHAVS0lxCKqmbxNvI7IrGBZHQWEqkrm0r4_U39XO0wcSywI-QZ6XIub9MV7oejNEswEEY4yU-KyVA5gCDYMK5D7walm5LEh-5zC/s1600/OSU-2-18+Shaelyn-Olivia-sifting+soil.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznRasIGtKqywEvnDjstnBModvGKOmQytcPG01A03_dDHAVS0lxCKqmbxNvI7IrGBZHQWEqkrm0r4_U39XO0wcSywI-QZ6XIub9MV7oejNEswEEY4yU-KyVA5gCDYMK5D7walm5LEh-5zC/s400/OSU-2-18+Shaelyn-Olivia-sifting+soil.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and mix and sift soil in preparation for starting seedlings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our
second group of OSU students came on April 14th. The ground was too wet
to do anything outside so they helped us in the greenhouses:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwvj_vvqVHXSufZqkA0-Qn40fciDFRpitnKEUsGF1Mm_RkTWBhIwTOPJ-_AKAfX-rKPvxoA9shzj0FUbSl4IEIiZCEj07L3cTCijay_ScgAKLAnm40f1Ib5BWPoBkWcxFJWRSOYbONomC/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+April-Anna+Ema-radishes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwvj_vvqVHXSufZqkA0-Qn40fciDFRpitnKEUsGF1Mm_RkTWBhIwTOPJ-_AKAfX-rKPvxoA9shzj0FUbSl4IEIiZCEj07L3cTCijay_ScgAKLAnm40f1Ib5BWPoBkWcxFJWRSOYbONomC/s400/OSU-4-14-18+April-Anna+Ema-radishes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April, Ema and Anna harvest radishes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLc5J2KspfJwgyLGZA7B1dHK9fmRVZooXhV_aa-DBM-iDCBbu7z0t9hMSm2vJ_W1dgYf5KI2qfCOBourPNKPp5Rswg7bwU-rYdmSYc8KFrNSuh2AUd5mBlvbe4B42qEbngD_A896pc_VWr/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+Chris-Ema-transplant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1297" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLc5J2KspfJwgyLGZA7B1dHK9fmRVZooXhV_aa-DBM-iDCBbu7z0t9hMSm2vJ_W1dgYf5KI2qfCOBourPNKPp5Rswg7bwU-rYdmSYc8KFrNSuh2AUd5mBlvbe4B42qEbngD_A896pc_VWr/s400/OSU-4-14-18+Chris-Ema-transplant.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They helped us transplant tomatoes too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjE2Duug1BM4W3p_PScQBA_DpDa1anyrqlI8zQ-Wnpa2xJaiIHIpwwunys1rFF9u-4z3xnySlr9iQsNv7sSfl1xNFS8waHDxnMS5GVOfdKU7Sy6aX8sAr7k30a6ReO3AJv7vHD6TZR5GI/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjE2Duug1BM4W3p_PScQBA_DpDa1anyrqlI8zQ-Wnpa2xJaiIHIpwwunys1rFF9u-4z3xnySlr9iQsNv7sSfl1xNFS8waHDxnMS5GVOfdKU7Sy6aX8sAr7k30a6ReO3AJv7vHD6TZR5GI/s400/OSU-4-14-18+Cody+lettuce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Cody harvesting lettuce in the Sun Ship greenhouse...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6zrDHhaqa4o-IdDus9JT6Sl8q8YvUHBXIFrbmXQ3QL10_Gdk4gKnBRMb50zbmH1LMYhz8pZQK20x87wIPTyVdrMWC_T9eaH2kQALZ93q7jdn4tMrYR-O50yGudKBf0s9uWgQ-QxVX1Ui/s1600/OSU-4-14-18+Cody-onions.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6zrDHhaqa4o-IdDus9JT6Sl8q8YvUHBXIFrbmXQ3QL10_Gdk4gKnBRMb50zbmH1LMYhz8pZQK20x87wIPTyVdrMWC_T9eaH2kQALZ93q7jdn4tMrYR-O50yGudKBf0s9uWgQ-QxVX1Ui/s400/OSU-4-14-18+Cody-onions.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and potting onions to be transplanted outdoors once the ground dries out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've managed to host a few volunteer sessions with our local Share-givers:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQJyVjIYj0BNrigFGJkrfdZi4p264qgeUF5KoCpafaqml2HizbtZxbNqaVxxCyCdI-ZGgO0jkjMVD_o4KJnmkgzTu3CZ2dlpLwCXS0WWxCdYuHeImJnyZbGRn1veE5qx33eV3pBttF1LV/s1600/Mulch-Chris-Rook+potato.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1231" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQJyVjIYj0BNrigFGJkrfdZi4p264qgeUF5KoCpafaqml2HizbtZxbNqaVxxCyCdI-ZGgO0jkjMVD_o4KJnmkgzTu3CZ2dlpLwCXS0WWxCdYuHeImJnyZbGRn1veE5qx33eV3pBttF1LV/s400/Mulch-Chris-Rook+potato.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Rook mulching potatoes with leaves in the Sun Ship greenhouse (Feb 15).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMZ668EjgpZ8cSQAwVnAV4mwFZVp-xDqSHp8h_FHtgh32mDxVgplTmHXq2wZFMEnPKfo2LqYlrW6jldY5OcChzPzH6MkwAEjWqpEf3UcDePgaa_1NB05VYKwaZtLSuO31G1jayJFnhCic/s1600/V-Rook-Kat-llyn+cabbage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMZ668EjgpZ8cSQAwVnAV4mwFZVp-xDqSHp8h_FHtgh32mDxVgplTmHXq2wZFMEnPKfo2LqYlrW6jldY5OcChzPzH6MkwAEjWqpEf3UcDePgaa_1NB05VYKwaZtLSuO31G1jayJFnhCic/s400/V-Rook-Kat-llyn+cabbage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rook, Kat and Llyn planting cabbage before the big rains came (March 20).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNLgCz8bu3ZpP0iBH-dcwVeqzqqJp4guuv41DgrECccDJ-gzWrZa3L7V0YL63Fkbs2PEfkiroQH6u60CkhO9uWvXhniG5GIg1tdodcLT9OMH5gaLpdzJE1ayC4vWW5kTs9A3-ViMmO52I/s1600/Kat-weeding+SS+April.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNLgCz8bu3ZpP0iBH-dcwVeqzqqJp4guuv41DgrECccDJ-gzWrZa3L7V0YL63Fkbs2PEfkiroQH6u60CkhO9uWvXhniG5GIg1tdodcLT9OMH5gaLpdzJE1ayC4vWW5kTs9A3-ViMmO52I/s400/Kat-weeding+SS+April.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Kat on April 5th. Even on cool, wet days outside, it's always more pleasant in the greenhouses!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We
are so grateful for our two big greenhouses. They allow us to plant
many cold-weather crops directly in the ground much earlier than we
could outside. Also we can start all the heat-loving seedlings and grow
them big indoors so they're ready for outside planting as soon as the
last likely frost-date has passed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wosF-M3rVaGvJ0rf5ThywL65tFSd_3c4w8hhMTHab5hLjPThzlpHOPzY-sWKncgrANOsWRoOI7QG1JcAH5awuCe4WeDja3kNQMTqEvxW1B1Bhpnr5wkRrnJ-DQtMT9TBwffF283MXD2h/s1600/GH-3-15-2018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wosF-M3rVaGvJ0rf5ThywL65tFSd_3c4w8hhMTHab5hLjPThzlpHOPzY-sWKncgrANOsWRoOI7QG1JcAH5awuCe4WeDja3kNQMTqEvxW1B1Bhpnr5wkRrnJ-DQtMT9TBwffF283MXD2h/s400/GH-3-15-2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a view of the Ark greenhouse on March 15.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8edZWTN3BcMzBrrLk1hj5xmGkzQjOj8yvW8GWPNiaqw2aamQOUJtlv7s3Mk8nYcShcuOr_qVsmGMCmWqvLdp98VJDBLo88HGUn_7m4lJfJjflPhpOvVT7ytyHGXz55omefeEhRe8g1v_/s1600/GH-Ark+April.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8edZWTN3BcMzBrrLk1hj5xmGkzQjOj8yvW8GWPNiaqw2aamQOUJtlv7s3Mk8nYcShcuOr_qVsmGMCmWqvLdp98VJDBLo88HGUn_7m4lJfJjflPhpOvVT7ytyHGXz55omefeEhRe8g1v_/s400/GH-Ark+April.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's that same view in mid-April. Left bed has radishes, and two
patches of lettuce. Right bed has radishes, beets and red lettuce in the
background. Note fresh grass-clippings in the path. These are very
pleasant to walk and kneel on, smell great, and provide food for the
worms and other "micro-livestock" living below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd90d7MMyxkfVh1W7bHZrkaPYEG027OYKW0Suj-uqPUKzxThYAHYQy6xRVFtyuXjzk709PChLAadcQjPsaunVvCiZ3g6Kr_JPpXR_8h631nmRw-A5Ut7RvziN4MfXKtx-AmwVPiIoR3KpS/s1600/Peas-SS+April.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd90d7MMyxkfVh1W7bHZrkaPYEG027OYKW0Suj-uqPUKzxThYAHYQy6xRVFtyuXjzk709PChLAadcQjPsaunVvCiZ3g6Kr_JPpXR_8h631nmRw-A5Ut7RvziN4MfXKtx-AmwVPiIoR3KpS/s400/Peas-SS+April.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I
didn't take many early pics of the Sun Ship greenhouse for comparison,
but here's Chris, on April 18th examining our pea-patch, started in
mid-December! It looks like we're going to have a fantastic harvest this
year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifAuSgeewnGWrcxCGjguA7F89YESSS0xExXW7hjHBj8LuU8RZVjjLlirJXfS4KmuTfxvQfZrZIjVJfGBBkeZnmw6a-Kmr4J8U3Q4isKVhqkeqc8XpULs7DFNGshiLuF3MhRe2MEo-e1om/s1600/seedlings-heat+mat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifAuSgeewnGWrcxCGjguA7F89YESSS0xExXW7hjHBj8LuU8RZVjjLlirJXfS4KmuTfxvQfZrZIjVJfGBBkeZnmw6a-Kmr4J8U3Q4isKVhqkeqc8XpULs7DFNGshiLuF3MhRe2MEo-e1om/s400/seedlings-heat+mat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We
experimented with starting tomatoes and peppers in early/mid February
on heat mats with excellent results (late Feb. start is more typical
for our region). We had only a few freezing nights once they had
sprouted, but
the seedlings did fine under plastic tray covers and/or '<a href="https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/row-covers/5111.html" target="_blank">floating row cover fabric</a>' with the heat mats left on. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTB0Ud7sCVS5DungeyolA1hpAnzlVx3P87gl1P2f1ODsTHGeeSxhm2kkqDDQkcBP4GGcPwZJVf0zWrkHE0RkspmJ3AQy_iqsvM0xg2IkbxfD3uiYEQObJWL20bTagsFSVsLsMp_H_htKj/s1600/tomato+starts-2018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTB0Ud7sCVS5DungeyolA1hpAnzlVx3P87gl1P2f1ODsTHGeeSxhm2kkqDDQkcBP4GGcPwZJVf0zWrkHE0RkspmJ3AQy_iqsvM0xg2IkbxfD3uiYEQObJWL20bTagsFSVsLsMp_H_htKj/s400/tomato+starts-2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some of those same tomato 'starts' on April 17. Some are beginning to flower already!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As some of you recall, we had a terrible problem last year when <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/06/herbicide-contamination.html" target="_blank">our potting soil was contaminated with herbicides</a>
(from un-composted horse manure) which killed many of our tomato-,
pepper -, and flower-seedlings. No sign of that problem this year; all
our seedlings look great! <br />
<br />
Great, spring weather is in the forecast and we expect everything will really begin to grow much faster now. Hurray!<br />
<br /></div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-80732407377799895812018-01-03T11:21:00.003-08:002018-01-03T11:21:55.324-08:00"Sharing Gardens" for Local, 'Plant-Based' Food Security<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A unique and viable approach to establishing local food self-reliance while building stronger communities.</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYutrdaWginrV49z0a1jhrBYW1EUXTR-VnBBI4sLkjtdzsNii1QgykcxnrYP8nM1M3BYsHgXDpBf6B6l0Y8VwaGwINt6nUP_uurJAwGTtUL61293c8fmmdyFYTFVtYb1hXWj0I_cMlFFtG/s1600/v-f2f+group.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYutrdaWginrV49z0a1jhrBYW1EUXTR-VnBBI4sLkjtdzsNii1QgykcxnrYP8nM1M3BYsHgXDpBf6B6l0Y8VwaGwINt6nUP_uurJAwGTtUL61293c8fmmdyFYTFVtYb1hXWj0I_cMlFFtG/s400/v-f2f+group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing creates abundance!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've been watching the dramatic weather world-wide:
floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and record snows! In
recent years, every country that grows food has experienced repeated
significant crop-failures. Pests, weather and super-weeds are all taking
their toll. It seems more important than ever for people to learn to
grow, at least <i>some,</i> of their own food. At the Sharing Gardens <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/664+Orchard+St,+Monroe,+OR+97456/@44.312958,-123.3021997,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x54c0546c57ee00e7:0x2e78b0f9d8140a0!8m2!3d44.312958!4d-123.300011" target="_blank"><b>(MAP)</b></a>,
we demonstrate a style of gardening that builds soil fertility using
locally-generated, renewable and sustainable materials - like leaves and
grass-clippings - that are commonly considered waste products. This
model also fosters trust and a sense of community at the neighborhood
level; relationships that can be called upon in times of social, or
environmental stress. It by-passes "business-as-usual" in that it
generates a bounty of "organic" fruits and vegetables feeding far more
people than it takes to run it and no money ever changes hands. We call
it a "Sharing Garden".<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg8NOEvo4ow3myEAt8wQNsPerHBavZuUpCVteHwIeWNww86NYRb9izc-7V4b1bHaTjlsPkT21MWsWwT-7c3JXHyt0rRCxoB1CqTnGUwE2We1As135SWyzHpG-eRMcAvImzuZjqzzPfGQE/s1600/v-group-august5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg8NOEvo4ow3myEAt8wQNsPerHBavZuUpCVteHwIeWNww86NYRb9izc-7V4b1bHaTjlsPkT21MWsWwT-7c3JXHyt0rRCxoB1CqTnGUwE2We1As135SWyzHpG-eRMcAvImzuZjqzzPfGQE/s400/v-group-august5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing the bounty - garden helpers "shop" for their week's vegetables. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What
makes these Sharing Gardens unique is that, instead of many separate
plots, that are rented by individuals, we all garden together. All
materials and labor are donated. The food we grow is shared by all who
have contributed in some way. All surplus is donated to local
food-charities (like Food Banks and Soup Kitchens). No one is ever
charged money for the food that is grown.</blockquote>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexoqnxX1EsFcie4t-E4iFinlUFf2BXY5NrIuzSb-H6E8u3aj7CPqjQIPpN5jnhzGux0tlSkyzF1ehN2l6dtSKCB8QvLI_gJqFwka5I1xPAvUfcPrm0Og-KetC_4af0o8T_Gj7-92lurCK/s1600/Local+Aid-+donation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexoqnxX1EsFcie4t-E4iFinlUFf2BXY5NrIuzSb-H6E8u3aj7CPqjQIPpN5jnhzGux0tlSkyzF1ehN2l6dtSKCB8QvLI_gJqFwka5I1xPAvUfcPrm0Og-KetC_4af0o8T_Gj7-92lurCK/s400/Local+Aid-+donation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce and other vegetables being donated to a local food-charity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This model is easily replicated anywhere there are
vacant lots with a water-source, and people with enough gardening
experience to oversee the project and does not require a large input of
money to make it work. It can be adapted to many different scales of
gardening; from a few families who live and garden on the same block, to
a multi-acre production farm. "Sharing Gardens" help keep materials out
of burn-piles and the land-fill (garbage dumps) through re-using,
re-purposing and encouraging people to share their surplus.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_6.html" target="_blank"><b>Overview of the Sharing Gardens</b></a><br />
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/benefits-of-sharing-gaeden.html" target="_blank">Benefits of a Sharing Garden </a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2012/09/real-people-doing-real-things.html" target="_blank">Harvest Totals - 2012 </a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/03/grass-clippings-and-leaves-for.html" target="_blank">Using Leaves and Grass-Clippings to Create Soil-Fertility</a></b><br />
<div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/05/grow-your-own-protein-scarlet-runner.html" target="_blank"><b>Grow Your Own Protein - Scarlet Runner Beans</b></a></div>
<div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2017/10/grow-your-own-blue-corn.html" target="_blank"><b>Grow Your Own 'Blue Corn'</b></a></div>
<a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/wish-list.html" target="_blank"> <b>Wish List - To Donate</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>To view videos</b> about the project, <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/videos-and-articles-about-s.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a> including the the Peak Moment video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIDDvj4RxYM" target="_blank"><b><i>The Giving is Growing</i></b></a>.<br />
<b>To read articles</b> about the project: <a href="http://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/articles-and-videos-about-sharing.html" target="_blank"><b>Click Here</b></a><br />
<b> </b> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5M0h4YkXUciHdMYjz1TsSTJAY9f-lGqXe2aZZ6YV8bp5YqbBuufqK30HhbCne2Ofm_Ex0y7L5b9N7byZUWu6TJ7JwfvnkEQrzmsPYNDn206TeHwaXq86_xaRY6IsEvmtYpPlu-DQ5YnB/s1600/OSU-1-27-15+Ryan-Heather-Aubree-Ross-Amy-Nash-Llyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5M0h4YkXUciHdMYjz1TsSTJAY9f-lGqXe2aZZ6YV8bp5YqbBuufqK30HhbCne2Ofm_Ex0y7L5b9N7byZUWu6TJ7JwfvnkEQrzmsPYNDn206TeHwaXq86_xaRY6IsEvmtYpPlu-DQ5YnB/s400/OSU-1-27-15+Ryan-Heather-Aubree-Ross-Amy-Nash-Llyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers from our local university help the gardens thrive!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466834457657809296.post-53854751732310870452017-12-03T13:18:00.003-08:002017-12-03T13:18:21.451-08:00"Yes, money really DOES grow on trees!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOPzymwGi6nIivnwKltvvuDffP3XP_LSW5RB9afYS1VEtY-Dxyj_a_rqRkSGMyAAn3vSYaorJbAxE_yBKV_H9Pqsw0fBMdA9gVWWH0h-yWZb1p9ZFl0rZg5V2vuWBxrOSo_0QklOu0lq8/s1600/autumn-leaves.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOPzymwGi6nIivnwKltvvuDffP3XP_LSW5RB9afYS1VEtY-Dxyj_a_rqRkSGMyAAn3vSYaorJbAxE_yBKV_H9Pqsw0fBMdA9gVWWH0h-yWZb1p9ZFl0rZg5V2vuWBxrOSo_0QklOu0lq8/s400/autumn-leaves.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Did you know that the average-sized deciduous tree can provide fertilizer for your garden worth about $50.00?</b> <a href="http://compostguide.com/using-leaves-for-composting/" target="_blank"><b>This article</b></a> outlines a few ways to utilize this mineral-rich resource, primarily through composting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Greetings friends, here in our part of the world,
we're headed into winter; the Gardens have (mostly) been put to sleep
and we have time to reflect on this past season and share with you in a
deeper way. Here's a post about our new "budding" relationship with our
local Grade School, and their help in gathering leaves for the Sharing
Gardens.<br />
<br />
Early
in autumn, we were approached by the science teacher for 12-13 year-old
students at the school that shares our back fence-line - Monroe Grade
School. Marie-Louise has a classroom window that looks out on our
gardens and had been curious for many years about a way to partner with
the Sharing Gardens on a mutually-beneficial project. Her class was
doing a unit on "Sustainability" and needed to find a way to perform
"community service" (volunteering) that was related to living a
sustainable lifestyle. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQFPrtMD0Mls2hspRhSGOmSfQXcq_p4ZX3gqtQrPkX04bLkU-Igh4TpgT5yV8Z9VNXDW_8qc_kVcSm-jrVxxYsN8smEI4ORUPyU8XRRnjpMXGdp0eCh6gjcwAeKpk2YWKff_1yUSA-7Sw/s1600/OSU-4-23-17+Group-mulch-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQFPrtMD0Mls2hspRhSGOmSfQXcq_p4ZX3gqtQrPkX04bLkU-Igh4TpgT5yV8Z9VNXDW_8qc_kVcSm-jrVxxYsN8smEI4ORUPyU8XRRnjpMXGdp0eCh6gjcwAeKpk2YWKff_1yUSA-7Sw/s400/OSU-4-23-17+Group-mulch-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's challenging enough to keep a small group of <i>college-age</i> students focused and busy so we needed a project appropriate to a large group of 12-13 year-olds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We knew, from our experience coordinating "community
service" projects with Oregon State University that it can be a
challenge to focus the attention of even a small group of <i>college-age</i>
students for an extended period of time so we had some concerns about
bringing much larger groups of 7th-graders to help us directly in the
gardens. After brainstorming for a few minutes, Chris had a great idea
when he suggested we coordinate a leaf-raking project in our small town
of <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/updated-june-6-2014-volunteer-times.html" target="_blank"><b>Monroe, Oregon. </b></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjFukRl8z7hyjoybXWu9iIdl9d07UCs5902iz4z95YmCpDxzCUWPcIjZCU8V5-u0jfl14pzc-r1lGoMTsyORymd0U6jHHFpSjR53CGnPp_-UEm1A4ct3Z_8XsMk37oILkuaGsy9YFQ3NJ/s1600/MGS-class3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjFukRl8z7hyjoybXWu9iIdl9d07UCs5902iz4z95YmCpDxzCUWPcIjZCU8V5-u0jfl14pzc-r1lGoMTsyORymd0U6jHHFpSjR53CGnPp_-UEm1A4ct3Z_8XsMk37oILkuaGsy9YFQ3NJ/s400/MGS-class3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn and Chris presenting info about mulching and compost.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In order to provide a <i>context</i> for the leaf-raking, Chris and I visited Marie-Louise's<b> </b>classroom
with some samples of leaves and grass-clippings in various stages of
decay to show the students how the leaves turn into soil-fertilizer. We
explained that, at the Sharing Gardens, we no longer <i>buy</i> fertilizer from stores but <i>create soil-fertility </i>primarily
by feeding the worms and micro-organisms in our soil. (We also use
wood-ash from heating our house). The fertile soil then grows the
nutrient-packed vegetables that we share in the community with those in
need. (If you want to know more about how the Sharing Gardens work,
click this <a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_6.html" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>.)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCUxkRPk9651JGjdc-PnoiI7K5NHrECfS9eoT_ZEt_rKipf3Gf-VCZpR0_pNuEheBkkWnlmeFO1SwQolObU5ZH_YCMF-VVGtXh3is4yZqxWgICRc-RW9FfAlYTvJhb7Ljp00YJgKJ8U_f/s1600/MGS-hands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCUxkRPk9651JGjdc-PnoiI7K5NHrECfS9eoT_ZEt_rKipf3Gf-VCZpR0_pNuEheBkkWnlmeFO1SwQolObU5ZH_YCMF-VVGtXh3is4yZqxWgICRc-RW9FfAlYTvJhb7Ljp00YJgKJ8U_f/s400/MGS-hands.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought compost in various stages of decay...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A week later, the two classes of 16-18 students each,
took a short, walking 'field-trip' to the Sharing Gardens. We toured
the grounds in two <i>smaller</i> groups so they could continue to make
the connection between raking leaves, and growing food, and living more
sustainably. We were happy to see some of the young people show a real
interest in what we do and how we live. One girl asked, "What's it like
to be a vegetarian?". Another asked sincerely, "How do you cook<i> anything</i>
without a microwave oven?". One young man found a moth that had landed
on a plant and wondered if it would be alright if he picked it up.
"Sure," I said, "as long as you're gentle. The insects are our friends
in the garden." I watched him gingerly pick up the moth and shepherd it
around for the rest of the tour, placing it gently on another plant as
he left. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGkOPsynfA3PmIs8FjaenWQwHB06X_yN6nmaEVWGqyk2oLfON0m1d9MwHtQlw_srOolRJ9pOqx1n8YRqROvfmIpKZUXYsQbduwl-tNfJR-vucqc2DLvUxeAyMEs6dny6rywBd1NvGV9-Z/s1600/MGS-compost.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGkOPsynfA3PmIs8FjaenWQwHB06X_yN6nmaEVWGqyk2oLfON0m1d9MwHtQlw_srOolRJ9pOqx1n8YRqROvfmIpKZUXYsQbduwl-tNfJR-vucqc2DLvUxeAyMEs6dny6rywBd1NvGV9-Z/s400/MGS-compost.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden tour: "Wow, compost!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxmAURoexwIWUOSBXC7pg2_Exdbek6eXdVSeRnQ7Ihy2SfcPGgh843aHDe2upuyCwtHj99te5geZoUiMbTAQHGQK39YJfODaJCSMMYT9iBDpO9YwHMXBEEwyIl-lC7Ly_-L8SpKva-vlX/s1600/MGS-beans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxmAURoexwIWUOSBXC7pg2_Exdbek6eXdVSeRnQ7Ihy2SfcPGgh843aHDe2upuyCwtHj99te5geZoUiMbTAQHGQK39YJfODaJCSMMYT9iBDpO9YwHMXBEEwyIl-lC7Ly_-L8SpKva-vlX/s400/MGS-beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden tour: Everybody <i>loves</i> shelling beans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We decided to make the leaf-raking itself -<i> truly voluntary</i> - so we wouldn't have a lot
of students dragging their feet and resenting being <i>required</i> to do it. We set aside two Saturday mornings (and later picked <i>one</i>)
in hopes of having good weather, and to assure that enough leaves would
have fallen to make it worth everyone's time. Chris and I rode our
bikes around town the afternoon before the Leaf-Raking Day in order to
map out the route to rake the most leaves. Marie-Louise had her students
make a few posters which they hung on community bulletin-boards so
people would know we were coming. We also made fliers to distribute on
the day of the raking that explained the project and told people how to
donate <i>more</i> leaves, if they were interested.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21RUbw2mDfPuYM7Kbo4q32dPjuXDOxXzEsvQHqfUNfn8eE8gW4WMUO4bAKW-f047QGcCQt3OHCd_Gege2tTTtg-x4zB7TBO5SelahY-hOdS670ffVEkZ69PyQLbNe431OivoSvkdS_iWC/s1600/MGS-group1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21RUbw2mDfPuYM7Kbo4q32dPjuXDOxXzEsvQHqfUNfn8eE8gW4WMUO4bAKW-f047QGcCQt3OHCd_Gege2tTTtg-x4zB7TBO5SelahY-hOdS670ffVEkZ69PyQLbNe431OivoSvkdS_iWC/s400/MGS-group1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's easier to fill bags if you work as a team.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVskEqIzIzJhEQkNvNatIfN6UFwTzebFdXS_rczt3XJg8uJVcPDmJUsrN4dQSczfbJsedQ5eZA9IXXjM4ZJrSDDK9S3UfDzUcRSVldoxNbzKq5mGnDwy3sNqnF1NFC0oGDHx8KqavxO5oO/s1600/MGS-group3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVskEqIzIzJhEQkNvNatIfN6UFwTzebFdXS_rczt3XJg8uJVcPDmJUsrN4dQSczfbJsedQ5eZA9IXXjM4ZJrSDDK9S3UfDzUcRSVldoxNbzKq5mGnDwy3sNqnF1NFC0oGDHx8KqavxO5oO/s400/MGS-group3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We picked a day after the leaves had really begun to fall in quantity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We
had a beautiful day to do the raking with crisp, sunny weather. We had
eight or nine students come help with the raking along with four
parents. We raked for about two hours and collected 37 <i>giant </i>bags of leaves. One of the parents had also done some raking with her two children at home and brought another nine bags!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe2SJFwI2q3KvxmGaCPNBbBZGSPmNNWZx6ugbZZL1oT_b1ADbR0UHXEyb1bF6EC59sjBaQoTOZ0yv7ulP1LSxv10iM74cWU9mYa_tlI_YbpGxMnUShKdWK8QG62cPkTgT04n4Rg5rQSSm/s1600/MGS-grp2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe2SJFwI2q3KvxmGaCPNBbBZGSPmNNWZx6ugbZZL1oT_b1ADbR0UHXEyb1bF6EC59sjBaQoTOZ0yv7ulP1LSxv10iM74cWU9mYa_tlI_YbpGxMnUShKdWK8QG62cPkTgT04n4Rg5rQSSm/s400/MGS-grp2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone had heard we were coming and piled up all her leaves so all we had to do was bag them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ68hOuPfdmcppgQsQGsfeRLrISHhJBIpWMZraQnEsezqMq07AuE16McCnTV6uwsvJB399vFoU8YmNAWPnItUVm5INMZdeugiroZBU1RwEcUrzUE6PJzjAtTaRIMwbB2EcyuS__TqWcxSR/s1600/MGS-group2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ68hOuPfdmcppgQsQGsfeRLrISHhJBIpWMZraQnEsezqMq07AuE16McCnTV6uwsvJB399vFoU8YmNAWPnItUVm5INMZdeugiroZBU1RwEcUrzUE6PJzjAtTaRIMwbB2EcyuS__TqWcxSR/s320/MGS-group2.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>It
takes a lot of leaves to mulch our entire garden, the orchards and
greenhouses! So far, we've never had too many leaves but this year, we
just might get close! </b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJH2xYyJREnMCYVNuBECjXpCDKtXh2XZhsgvQ-JXdw8Vi4E9k1TGrEifiYDGfPVqA3oXnCru8Mrtard3EX5AcycLbEIZ_30pcJA3i7GXnepYL82dnIABApKv5DqTJGSm2Pdm3qXkPS8v0/s1600/MGS-grp-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1479" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJH2xYyJREnMCYVNuBECjXpCDKtXh2XZhsgvQ-JXdw8Vi4E9k1TGrEifiYDGfPVqA3oXnCru8Mrtard3EX5AcycLbEIZ_30pcJA3i7GXnepYL82dnIABApKv5DqTJGSm2Pdm3qXkPS8v0/s400/MGS-grp-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf-raking isn't <i>all</i> work; here's one girl jumping in the raked pile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Special thanks go to:</b><br />
<b>First Alternative Food Co-op</b> - $30 gift certificate to buy organic apple juice and popcorn for snacks<br />
<b>Monroe's United Methodist Church</b> (our neighbor) - who provided bathrooms for the rakers to use before and after the project<br />
The <b>parents</b> who chaperoned <br />
The <b>students</b> who helped with the raking and <b>especially to Marie-Louise</b>
for reaching out to us and for doing all the extra work of getting
permission-slips signed, buying the snacks and all the other steps that
made this a successful project. We look forward to continued
collaborations in the future!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmjeM2tftudcDW9ZzpdhCVnU-HBT8x7Lirf69T0ciEFg_BHrnLDxXtY_FYJWzKhosU6MkU0M5JkWR9bRHnUnyUL0_lqY9Zms1USw3rvVua_yWQ5_dAhxpKuJprWAknUk59wbYTjZ5Pqz9/s1600/john+mulch+worms1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmjeM2tftudcDW9ZzpdhCVnU-HBT8x7Lirf69T0ciEFg_BHrnLDxXtY_FYJWzKhosU6MkU0M5JkWR9bRHnUnyUL0_lqY9Zms1USw3rvVua_yWQ5_dAhxpKuJprWAknUk59wbYTjZ5Pqz9/s400/john+mulch+worms1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/2013/03/grass-clippings-and-leaves-for.html" target="_blank"><b>Here is an article</b></a> that we wrote about using grass-clippings and leaves as fertilizer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Feel free to pass this post along to the
teachers in your life. Raking leaves can be a fun and meaningful way for
students to be of service in your community. We'd be glad to share our
experience and provide templates for permission-slips and fliers.<br />
<br />
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ShareInJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141816776100943894noreply@blogger.com0