Intercropping and Polyculture or Relay Cropping in the vegetable Garden. Intercropping is in! Whether you call it relay cropping, polyculture, double crop or multiple cropping... it’s a specifc form of companion planting and a fine way to increase the harvest from your garden. Bare soil is a no no. Nature... if left to be natural... rarely allows nudity and likes to cover up exposed bits. This stops the soil drying out or being washed away and keeps the soil organisms happy and protected from the elements. So growing several or multiple crops of different plants in the same area, each allowing for their own growth patterns and needs, gives you greater returns and less work. Intercropping/Polyculture Benefits No doubt you’ve heard of monoculture? Monoculture — Mono means one. Now can you see the specific corn pest or virus go giddy with excitement? The same thing can happen in a mini way to your garden if you grow all one sort of plant, or large blocks of one variety. Intercropping Examples Let’s take a large plant such as a cabbage. Intercropping Tips
Companion Planting Charts: Complete List Companion planting charts are called "voodoo"' by some and "essential" by others. Regardless of which side you're on, there are two undeniable facts supporting them: (1) symbiotic relationships exist for all life forms, including plants and (2) if nothing else, practicing companion planting won't hurt your garden... Symbiotic Relationships in Nature Support the Use of Companion Planting Charts Symbiotic relationships occur when separate life forms interact with each other and either one or both species benefit in some way. Symbiosis occurs for virtually every living thing at one time or another. Oxpeckers ride the back of rhinos and eat parasites (mutualism) Mosquitoes suck the blood of mammals (parasitism) Clownfish hide among sea anemones for protection (commensalism) Similarly, symbiosis occurs everywhere in the plant world, including your garden. And on a less scientific level... Long story short, companion planting charts make sense on some level. - What crops do you keep together?
A Better Way To Check Soil Moisture Testing soil moisture of container plants by probing with a finger is tricky for most people to learn. The results are often inaccurate. Do your plants and fingers a favor and use a soil probe. The red one in the photo is called a Soil Sleuth. This soil probe is in widespread use in the interior plantscaping business. The 12” durable plastic Soil Sleuth will work well for pot sizes up to 10”. The most important zone of a container plant soil system is down at the bottom rather than the top. Push the probe down to the bottom of the planter. It’s time to water when the soil particles do not stick together. The probe will not harm the root system. Probing also has the beneficial effect of aerating the soil each time you use it.
Companion Planting For Top 10 Veggies Grown in US - Farmers' Almanac Pin It! Companion planting is a great way to maximize the efficiency of your garden. For almost every vegetable you grow, there is likely to be a beneficial companion plant that will help increase soil nutrients, chase away pests, or provide some other benefit. Companion Planting For These Top 10 Veggies: 1. Basil and tomatoes were made to go together, not only in sauces but in the garden, too. 2. Basil is a good friend to peppers, helping repel aphids, spider mites, mosquitoes, and flies. 3. Corn and beans grow well together because beans will grow up the cornstalks, which means you won’t have to build them a trellis. 4. To repel aphids and beetles, plant marigolds and nasturtiums among your cucumbers. 5. Carrots should be planted near onions because onions will repel the carrot fly. Carrots should be planted near onions because onions will repel the carrot fly 6. 7. Corn and squash make good garden friends since the cornstalks give squash vines a place to grow. 8. 9. 10.
Read This and Your Indoor Plants Will Thrive this Winter Those of us here in colder climates are moving from outdoor urban agriculture season to indoor plant time. If you haven’t experienced using sub-irrigation (widely and erroneously called “self-watering”) to maintain your indoor houseplants I would highly recommend making some pop bottle planters to house your smaller tabletop plants. You'll be helping both your houseplants and the environment. That's a double green win. You may think that clay pots and saucers are the way to go. Once you understand how it works, you will save plants, water and time by using measured sub-irrigation. Of all the methods I’ve used over the past 30+ years, pop bottle planters are the most informative because you can see everything that is happening. One thing that I can’t stress enough is to measure the amount of water you add to the bottom “water transfer” section. You want to add water to the planter when the soil moisture calls for it rather than the level of water in the reservoir.
Communalism (5) (Rexroth) 12. Early Communes in America 13. 14. 12. A seldom mentioned, but very important, chapter in the growth of religious communalism was the degeneration and decline of Roman Catholic monasticism and the consequent disappearance of many social services. This development was more or less conscious or deliberate. Almost all the pre-Reformation advocates of the return to the apostolic life, such as the Anabaptists and the Pietists, believed at least in the ideal of the devotional community — contemplative communism — at least for those of their members who felt a special calling, a religious vocation, to what was in reality a new and reformed monasticism. The earliest colonization of America offered even less opportunity for the establishment of community than did Europe. The first Communist colony was established by the followers of Jean de Labadie more or less independent of Penn’s settlement of Pennsylvania but under his influence and at exactly the same time.
Milkweed for dinner Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Pale pinky-burgundy flowers. NOT butterfly milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, which is orange-flowered and poisonous to humans. When I met Ellen Zachos for another DUMBO picnic last week I had no idea I'd go home with foraged vegetables for dinner. She had spotted the milkweed in bloom beside the East River, and had noticed that there were buds left on some of the stalks, and generously allowed me to take those home, so that I could have a new taste for dinner. Resembling loose broccoli flowers, the buds were blanched in boiling water, and then tossed in olive oil and a little lemon with salt and pepper.
Agriculture in Transition - an Auroville view Contrasting Perceptions Organic farming is defined as a system of practices inspired by ecological processes in nature. It is a method of learning from and working in harmonious cooperation with natural processes and natural wealth. Beyond this a deeper philosophical and spiritual dimension can be stipulated – and this is where organic farming finds itself diametrically opposed to current conventional agriculture – expressing itself in an attitude of care and respect for all life on earth or a perception that Nature is Sacred. Most of the variants of organic farming such as nature farming, natural farming, biological agriculture, permaculture, bio-intensive and bio-dynamic agriculture can, if not entirely then largely, be covered by this definition. Conventional agriculture, also referred to as chemical, intensive, or modern farming, on the other hand ends up coercing and exploiting nature in the name of maximizing food production. Both portrayals need a closer look. • Hybrids and HYV's
Moringa, More Than You Can Handle Moringa wood is extremely brittle Moringa oleifera ….Monster…. Almost If you have a warm back yard, think twice before you plant a Moringa tree. Is it edible? Leaves eaten raw or cooked I live in central Florida exactly — and I mean exactly — on the line between temperate and subtropical. It is an understatement to say the Moringa grows more than 10 feet a year. The easy-breaking branches also lend themselves to a common-heard phrase in India when someone is being a little too demanding: “Don’t push me up a Moringa tree.” I want to impress upon you that my reference as to how fast this tree grows is a gross understatement, no matter how overstated it might seem. This tree is one of the world’s most useful plants. Dry moringa seeds There is only one family of Moringa trees, and only 13 members, making it one of the smallest groups. From a food point of view, Moringa leaves can be used like spinach, though they are far more nutritious. Immature moringa pods
Actinidia deliciosa Actinidia deliciosa, Fuzzy Kiwifruit or mangüeyo is a fruiting vine native to southern China, the fruit of which has been declared the national fruit of that country. Other species of Actinidia are also found in China and range east to Japan and north into southeastern Siberia. This species grows naturally at altitudes between 600 and 2,000 m. Description and ecology[edit] Actinidia deliciosa is a vigorous, woody, twining vine or climbing shrub reaching 9 m.[1] Leaves[edit] Foliage Its leaves are alternate, long-petioled, deciduous, oval to nearly circular, cordate at the base, and 7.5–12.5 cm long. Young leaves are coated with red hairs; mature leaves are dark-green and hairless on the upper surface, and downy-white with prominent, light-colored veins beneath.[1] Flowers[edit] Flower Male and female flowers appear on different plants (dioecious), and both sexes have to be planted in close proximity for fruit set. Fruits[edit] A kiwifruit cut in cross-section Varieties and cultivars[edit]
History of Fruit Growing in Oregon In the 1860's, Seth Lewelling (Henderson's Brother) introduced the 'Black Republican' and 'Bing' cherries, the latter named for the foreman of his Chinese work crew. A neighbor and former employee, J.H. Lambert, introduced the 'Lambert' cherry in 1876. Seth Lewelling also originated the 'Lincoln' cherry, the 'Wilamette' cherry, the 'Lewelling' grape, the 'Golden' prune, the 'Sweet Alice' apple and the 'Lewelling' almond. References: Charles H. More about Henderson Luelling More about Seth Lewelling Luellings Begin Oregon's Sweet Cherry Industry Luelling House in Iowa and theUnderground Railroad
Circular Hakka Houses Create Self-Sustaining Communities Settled in the mountainous southwest of the Fujian province, these communities are known as Tulou and are essentially fortresses built in either square or round shapes. Structures typically had only one entrance way and no windows at ground level, and a building could withstand a protracted siege by being well-equipped with food and an internal source of water; they also often had their own sophisticated sewage systems. Built from either stone bricks or more commonly rammed earth, these spectacular structures have walls up to six feet thick and measure three to four stories in height. The Tulou are a true testament to the richness that can be found in China, and an example of the efficiency, value and benefit that can be derived from a collective style of habitation. Via Global Post
Hakka walled village A Hakka walled village is a large multi-family communal living structure that is designed to be easily defensible. This building style is unique to the Hakka people found in southern China (Hakka is "Kè-jiā" 客家 in Mandarin Chinese). Walled villages are typically designed for defensive purposes and consist of one entrance and no windows at the ground level. History[edit] The Hakka were originally immigrants from northern China who settled in the southern provinces. From the 17th century onwards, population pressures drove them more and more into conflict with their neighbours (called punti in Cantonese). Features[edit] An interior view Hakka walled villages can be constructed from brick, stone, or rammed earth, with the last being the most common. The architectural style of Hakka forts is unique in China and around the world. Tu lou[edit] Guangdong[edit] A hakka complex of houses Jiangxi[edit] See also[edit] Notes[edit] References[edit] External links[edit]
Russia to become an eco-village nation From the February 2008 Idaho Observer: Russia to become an eco-village nation? By William Klotke Putin has indicated full support of Dimitri Medvedev for the post of President of the Russian Federation. Medvedev, who is presently First Deputy Prime Minister has indicated enthusiastic support for the concept of eco-villages. Medvedev expressed his support of the concept of eco-villages in a March 5, 2007 online conference organized by the newspaper Izvestia and the internet portal Yandex and broadcast by TV channel "Vesti-24." The host stated that the question of eco-villages was brought up because he had received 5,000 emails from supporters of the "Kin Domains" concept before the show asking about the plan to give each Russian family a hectare of public land to create a Kin Domain and the allowance for them to be organized into eco-villages. Land offered "Thus the idea of Kin’s Domains in this regard is absolutely positive and it is related to the idea of low-rise construction. William H.