Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Peggy Rush <peg6012@yahoo.com>]

Paul, do you have a picture of the hotboxes inside a hoop greenhouse? They claim that you can grow all winter in these in Maine.

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Today's Topics:

1. GO NOFA Forum News from The Organic Center (TradingPostPaul)
2. succession planting - advice and benefits! (TradingPostPaul)
3. season extension (TradingPostPaul)
4. Re: season extension (E. E. Mitchamore Jr)
5. Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast (TradingPostPaul)
6. Why Organic is Better For You (TradingPostPaul)
7. In US Midwest, young farmers priced out of land (TradingPostPaul)
8. Re: season extension (S. Follette)
9. Re: Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast (Jeanne Driese)
10. succession/ was season extension (TradingPostPaul)
11. Re: Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast (mtncats)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:01:04 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] GO NOFA Forum News from The Organic Center
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704131001040245.02EF7E81@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

Taste the Difference
Science proves what celebrity chef has known for years

Chefs like Akasha Richmond, who creates A-list menus for celebrities
like Billy Bob Thornton, Pierce Brosnan and Barbra Streisand, have known
instinctively for years that organic produce can add flavor to their
menus. Now a new Organic Center State of Science Review reveals why
organic fruits and vegetables often taste better.

Organic fruits and vegetables tend to score higher in taste because they
are sweeter than conventionally grown foods. Why? Because organic
produce is smaller in size and higher in nutrient density. Conventional
farming methods are designed to produce bigger fruits and vegetables,
but increasing cell size generally adds more water, diluting the
concentrations of both vitamins and natural flavors. Organic apples,
strawberries and tomatoes showed some of the most significant
differences in taste, according to the report.

Click here to download the complete report:
http://organic-center.org/reportfiles/Taste_SSR_October_final.pdf


Toast to Good Health
Study shows organic wine can help reduce risk of heart disease & cancer

Evidence has suggested that because of antioxidant levels in red wine,
moderate consumption can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Given that organic farming systems produce grapes with properties that
vintners prize?smaller size, slower growth, deeper color?both
scientists
and growers have wondered whether organic production might reliably
produce prize-winning wines.

A recent study examined levels of polyphenolic compounds and resveratrol
(antioxidants known to reduce cardiovascular and cancer risks) in 15
organic and conventional red wines. This study found that among the
varieties of red wine tested, organic wines had the greatest
concentrations of health-promoting antioxidants?as well as the key
antioxidant resveratrol. An organic wine also was found to have the
highest level of total polyphenols.

Click here to learn more:
http://www.organic-center.org/science.latest.php?action="view&report_id=85


Organic Farming Improves Soil Quality

Long-term research has documented the extent to which organic farming
improves key indicators of soil quality, including soil organic carbon
content and particulate organic matter.

Click here to learn more:
http://www.organic-center.com/science.hot.php?action="view&report_id=73

New Core Truths Book Selling Fast
A compilation of research from The Organic Center

More than 1,000 copies of Core Truths, the Center?s groundbreaking
compilation of the most current research on organic agriculture has
flown out the door since it was released just two weeks ago. This highly
readable and graphically stunning 108-page coffee table book documents
the verifiable health and environmental benefits of organic products.
This collector?s edition was a limited print run of just 2,500?be sure
to order yours now while they last.

Includes fascinating research about why:

* Organic tastes better
* Organic produce contains 30 percent higher levels of antioxidants
* Organic farming can cut mycotoxin risk by over 50 percent
* Organic food reduces pesticide exposure
* Organic farms typically use less energy

Also includes sections on:

* Better tools for building soil quality
* Preventing future outbreaks of E. coli 0157
* Mission Organic 2010?what you can do to help grow the organic
market

Perfect in your reception area, or as a vital resource near your desk,
Core Truths explores the organic benefit like never before. Order yours
now! Only $30 (plus $5 shipping & handling in US).

Click here for a preview of the book:
http://www.organic-center.org/res.coretruths.html



About The Organic Center...

Backed by the world?s leading scientists, physicians and scholars, The
Organic Center is passionately committed to two goals.

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the health and environmental benefits of organic agriculture.

2) EDUCATION: reaching and activating millions through Mission Organic
2010?a national campaign to increase the amount of organic food
purchased from three to 10% by 2010.

To access free downloads of the latest in organic science or to join
Mission Organic 2010, go to: www.organic-center.org

The Organic Center | 46 East Killingly Road | Foster | RI | 02825




------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:35:02 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] succession planting - advice and benefits!
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704131235020698.037C7637@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


Here's one site on succession planting

http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/planning/successi.asp
"Some vegetables take up their space in the garden all summer, while
others need only a short time to ripen. Careful planning can allow you to
plant a succession of crops in the same space. If your garden space is
small, you will want to take advantage of this technique.

"First, plant crops that mature early. As soon as these have been
harvested, pull them up and have a second crop ready to go in the ground.
It helps to start as many plants as you can in peat pots to give them a
head start. After your second crop is harvested, you can often have another
planting of cool weather crops. Choose early-maturing varieties so they can
be harvested before winter sets in."

They list:
Crops that occupy the ground only the first part of the season
Crops that occupy the ground the major portion of the season
Crops to be planted in July or later for fall and winter gardens

They have a page on raised beds
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/planning/raisedb.asp
and wide row growing
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/planning/widerow.asp
and the advantages of each over single row planting.

That's just one website, and probably not the best on the subject. I'm
finding that some of this we have to learn by doing and guessing. Weather
gets in the way. Things don't always mature or germinate when the seed
packets say to. Or we don't have time when things need seeding in pots or
transplanting out, and lose a few. When one thing is harvested, empty
spaces need transplants right away. I'm learning it this year. Can't stand
wasting good organic beds 3/4 of the year as in the past.

It may not be for first time gardeners. BUT once you try succession or
interplanting, you find your production can easily double for the same
garden space. And of course, if you're doing raised beds or wide rows, you
hit the jackpot. You're getting twice the plants in the same garden, and
doubling production again by getting early, summer, and late crops from it.


Four times your neighbor's yield ain't bad either.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net






------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:41:24 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] season extension
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704131241240433.0382495D@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


We could go into season extension ideas - how do folks get a jump on the
warm weather, start seedlings for transplant, cold frames, hot beds,
greenhouses, row covers, etc. etc.? What's your pleasure?

paul tradingpost@lobo.net
listowner

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
--Henry David Thoreau




------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:34:59 -0500
From: "E. E. Mitchamore Jr"
Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] season extension
To: "Healthy soil and sustainable growing"

Message-ID: <003301c77e35$219a1120$0601a8c0@NOTHERE>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

My vote would be some discussion of (the use of space for) early vegetables, followed by late (i.e. succession planting) before going into artificial methods. To do the best, the "late" has to be started early (so it's ready for transplanting), making it a bit confusing.

E. E. "Mitch" Mitchamore
www.hillcountrynatives.biz
----- Original Message -----
From: TradingPostPaul
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 1:41 PM
Subject: [Livingontheland] season extension



We could go into season extension ideas - how do folks get a jump on the
warm weather, start seedlings for transplant, cold frames, hot beds,
greenhouses, row covers, etc. etc.? What's your pleasure?

paul tradingpost@lobo.net
listowner

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
--Henry David Thoreau


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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:20:46 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704140720460037.078317C4@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast
By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 12, 3:36 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070412/ap_on_bi_ge/farm_scene_2

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Heavy crop losses have been reported throughout the
Southeast after last weekend's frigid temperatures, and farmers are bracing
for another expected cold snap next week.




------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:27:11 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] Why Organic is Better For You
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704140727110943.0788FB36@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Why Organic is Better For You Than Conventionally Grown Foods - Did you
ever wonder if there is any scientific evidence supporting the superiority
of organic food?
http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Why-Organic-is-Better-For-You-Than-Co
nventionally-Grown-Foods-8774.aspx

One of the most comprehensive and definitive studies of its kind has
demonstrated that organically grown kiwi fruit contain more
health-promoting factors than conventionally grown fruit.

The study achieved high precision by comparing kiwis grown next to each
other on the same farm, at the same time, under the same environmental
conditions. It was also the first study to examine phenolic compounds.

The organically grown kiwi fruit had increased levels of polyphenols,
higher antioxidant activity, and higher levels of vitamin C and important
minerals. The scientists conducting the study attributed the differences to
the organic fruits surviving against pests in the absence of pesticides.
Higher antioxidant activity, for example, is thought to be a natural
reaction to stress.

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture March 27, 2007
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114202162/ABSTRACT

EurekAlert March 25, 2007
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/soci-oih032107.php

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I've written a great deal about the value of organic whole foods to your
health versus conventionally grown foods, but some of you may still not be
convinced there's any real difference.

Well you simply cannot use that excuse anymore. Organically grown foods
have now been definitively shown to contain more nutrients and healthy
compounds.

I know this is not rocket science and there has been prevoius research
supporting this, but, on average, conventional produce has only 83 percent
of the nutrients of organic produce. Previous studies have found
significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium
and phosphorus, and significantly less nitrates (a toxin) in organic crops.

But more importantly, conventionally grown food is often tainted with
chemical residues and is genetically modified. Both of these can be harmful
to you. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of
herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides to be
carcinogenic.

Pesticides can have many negative influences on your health, including
neurotoxicity, disruption of your endocrine system, carcinogenicity and
immune system suppression. Pesticide exposure may also affect male
reproductive function and has been linked to miscarriages in women.

By the way, kiwis are among the list of the dozen "consistently clean"
foods cited in the Environmental Working Group's Shoppers' Guide. If you're
having a tough time finding a local source of organic foods, I urge you to
check out this page of solid resources that may be near you.

Related Articles:

Is Organic Good Enough?

How to Get Inexpensive Organic, Locally-Grown Vegetables

You Are Being Ripped Off by Much of the ''Organic'' Food You Are Buying




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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:29:00 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] In US Midwest, young farmers priced out of
land
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704140729000615.078AA3B6@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



In US Midwest, young farmers priced out of land
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0322/p01s01-usec.html
Ethanol demand has pushed Midwest farmland prices through the roof.
By Amanda Paulson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor






------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 10:22:57 -0400
From: "S. Follette"
Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] season extension
To: "Healthy soil and sustainable growing"

Message-ID: <004c01c77ea0$685bc3e0$6401a8c0@Family>

I'm a grower from Maine. We have about 100 frost free days in my area.


> We could go into season extension ideas - how do folks get a jump on the
> warm weather, start seedlings for transplant, cold frames, hot beds,
> greenhouses, row covers, etc. etc.? What's your pleasure?

I start spring seeds in 1020's in the house. Some seeds, like tomatoes and
peppers, are set on heat mats to be sure they stay warm. After germination
the seedlings are moved to the greenhouse and potted up into six packs when
they have their first true leaves. We start transplanting out into the
garden in early to mid May, though that won't happen this year. The ground
will still be frozen or muddy at this rate.

We use cold frames and row cover inside three hoop houses for winter
growing. They're 14' x 40' (1) and 14' x 25' (2). We've done this for two
winters and have been lucky thanks to mild winters. This spring's heavy
snow has been hard on the hoops. They're staying off the greens and peas
but only barely. I realize now I can't depend on them for another winter.
We're ordering 20' x 48' steel frame high tunnels this spring and fall.

We use plastic milk jugs over some seeds to give them a warm start. We use
regular and slotted row cover over wire hoops for some crops in spring and
fall.

Learning to use cold weather crops that don't need extra protection has done
a lot for our productivity.

Robin




------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 10:52:31 -0400
From: "Jeanne Driese"
Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast
To: "Healthy soil and sustainable growing"

Message-ID: <012401c77ea4$882486e0$8d4f8104@homepc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

All 95 counties in Tennessee have been declared disasters for agrcultural crops so that farmers may apply for loans to start over . It looks very bad here just from the point of looking at trees, bushes, even weeds that instead of looking a beautiful spring green color are all brown and black. This June I will be 72 and do not remember ever seeing anything like this before.
This coming week I will be replanting my veggie garden. Not even the peas survived. So glad I have enough seeds to start over and am thankful we have such a long growing season!
Jeanne
----- Original Message -----
From: TradingPostPaul
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:20 AM
Subject: [Livingontheland] Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast



Heavy crop losses reported in Southeast
By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 12, 3:36 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070412/ap_on_bi_ge/farm_scene_2

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Heavy crop losses have been reported throughout the
Southeast after last weekend's frigid temperatures, and farmers are bracing
for another expected cold snap next week.


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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:56:16 -0600
From: "TradingPostPaul"
Subject: [Livingontheland] succession/ was season extension
To: emitch@att.net, livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID: <200704140856160607.002D1F83@mail.lobo.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"


Well, Mitch, if I try to do it in my head it certainly gets confusing.
Anyone working on this themselves should jump in here. As I said, this is
my first shot at double or triple cropping, and it does take planning. And
yes, it does take more work but you can get several times as much produce
from the same garden. Price of land being what it is, and most city folks
being limited in space, it's a practical answer to the problem. I'm finding
out you don't get it just right the first time, and it's a very individual
thing. No book will tell you exactly what's right for you in your area.

I shouldn't try to explain this without going through at least one season
of it myself.

Graph paper helps to make a rough scale drawing of the garden area. It's a
good cheat sheet. Note which crops are planted in which beds and date. Keep

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