Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Liz <liz@allslash.org>]

At 01:08 PM 1/28/2008, you wrote:

> Some spices and condiments, tea and coffee and
> others items aren't ever going to be produced in our own area. No doubt
> their prices are headed up. But they're used in very small quantities and
> lose little in storage and shipping.

For anyone who wants to play around with growing tea, it is possible 
across most of the US. In colder climates, you'll need to take the 
plants in during the winter, but the tropical states should do fine. 
Anywhere you can grow citrus, you should be able to grow tea (it's a 
camellia). I grew it in Florida without taking it in during the 
winter, and in Virginia Beach (took it in briefly during cold snaps). 
I don't have any now, but I'm thinking about starting another couple 
of pots. Pinetree Seeds has both seeds and plants, I believe.

Coffee is more problematic, not so much because of climate problems 
but because it takes a long time to come to maturity and produce anything.

I solved the coffee problem by buying a large amount of green coffee 
beans. They keep for several years at room temperature. I just roast 
up what I want, half a pound or so at a time. If you think freshly 
ground coffee tastes better than the other stuff, try freshly roasted coffee!

Liz in SW VA
http://life-as-a-spectator-sport.com