Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick

Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.

At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."

Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.

A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."

She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.

"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."

Prudent Survival Preparation
PalmBeachPost.com: Before the Storm

NC Cooperative Extension Disaster Factsheet: Meal Preparation and Food Safety
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/factsheets/html/60.html

How do you live without electricity by Anita Evangelista
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/evangelista73.html

Lehman’s - Products for Simple, Self-sufficient Living
http://www.lehmans.com/

SURVIVE THE NEXT DISASTER, Be Prepared To Survive
http://www.lacetoleather.com/dis.html

Preparedness Nuggets Pages
http://www.justpeace.org/nuggetsindex.htm

Food Storage and Provident Living
http://www.hashworks.com/foodstorage.htm

The Big List — Contents
http://www.survival-center.com/dl-list/dl1-toc.htm

Alpha Disaster Contingencies
http://www.alpharubicon.com/index2.html

Food For Self reliance
http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/7731/food.html

Gentle Survivalist- Native Spirituality, wisdom and Natural SustainABILITY
http://www.infowest.com/business/g/gentle/

Survival Guidebook Emergency Preparedness Checklists
http://www.survival-guidebook.com/

Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Survival: Manmade, natural threats
http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/survival.htm

Peggy Layton - Author of Cookin’ With Home Storage - food storage cookbook
http://www.peggylayton.com/

Emergency Preparedness Insight Articles
http://beprepared.com/article.asp?ai=6

Welcome to Walton Feed, home of your dehydrated food storage needs
http://waltonfeed.com/

Walton’s Self Reliance/Information Area
http://waltonfeed.com/self/index.html

Provident Living Home
http://www.providentliving.org/

Survival
http://www.geocities.com/mark_l_anderson/faqs/tapp.txt

Preparedness Calendar
http://www.arctacoma.org/emprog/TWP/PreparednessCalendar.pdf

Instructions on Desert Survival Preparation
http://globalcrisis.info/desert.html

SURVIVAL AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY LINKS
http://www.greatdreams.com/survival.htm

SAFE SURVIVAL
http://ambilac-uk.tripod.com/safesurvival/

Kitchen Disaster Preparedness - Survival Food Recipes
http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa091399.htm

Emergency preparedness and survival information
http://www.tincher.to/survival.htm

BlueWolf Survival and Preparedness - Articles

Hurricane Survival: A thorough study of Storm Preparedness
http://www.stormsurvival.homestead.com/

Food Tips
http://www.freetechsupport.com/csr/food.htm

Food Storage - Utah Extension Disaster Education Network
http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/ueden/index.cfm/text.yes/cid.330/

Survival Resources
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/s/Survival%20Resources.html

Survival Guide
http://jrnyquist.com/survival_guide.htm

Off The Grid - Self Reliance & Survival
http://www.pathtofreedom.com/links/offthegrid/selfreliance&survival.shtml

Survival Methods
http://www.constitution.org/survival.htm

FROM: [ALL LINKS MAY NOT WORK]

http://peaceandcarrots.homestead.com/PrudentSurvivalPreparation.html

[I could never find this, when I wanted it:]

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/herbbugcompanion.htm

Plant Herbs to Attract and Repel Insects

Please also view these related pages.

Quick Reference Bug Charts | Make your own Natural Sprays | Safe animal repellents |

Angelica- Angelica Archangelica
Grow as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Lacewings, lady beetles, parasitic wasps.

Anise - Pimpinella anisum Interplant in your rows.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Parasitic wasps.
Repels these Harmful Insects Slightly repels imported cabbage worm.

Asters - Aster spp. Grow as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Honeybees, Ichneumonid wasps

Borage - Borago officinalis Grow as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Honeybees

Caraway - Carum carvi Grow as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Parasitic Wasps

Catnip - Nepeta cataria Grow as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Bees, imported cabbage worms, parasitic wasps.
Repels these Harmful Insects Green peach aphids, flea beetles, squash bugs, cucumber beetles.

Corn spurry - Spergula arvensis Interplant in your rows.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Predators and parasites of cabbage pests.
Repels these Harmful Insects Caterpillars, aphids, rootworms.

Dandelion - Taraxacum offininale Grow as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Pollen for lacewings, lady beetles and other predators.
Repels these Harmful Insects Colorado Potatoe Beetle

Dill - Anethum graveolens Grow as a border and interplant.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Aphids predators and parasites.

Fennel - Foeniculum vulgare Interplant in your rows.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Hover flies, parasitic wasps,tachinid flies.

Goldenrod - Solidago spp. Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Honeybees,lacewings, minute pirate bugs, soldier beetles, spiders, other predators, and many parasites.

Hawthorn - Crataegus spp. Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Winter host of parasite of diamond-back moth.

Ivy - Hedera spp. Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Hover flies,tachinid flies.

Marigolds - Tagetes spp. Plant as a border and interplant.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Hover flies.
Repels these Harmful Insects Colorado Potatoe Beetles, Root nematodes, Mexican bean beetles, aphids.

Mustards - Brassica spp. Plant as a border and interplant.
Attracts these beneficial insects. flowers attract parasites, especially of cabbageworms.
Repels these Harmful Insects Aphids from neighbouring brussel sprouts and collards.

Nasturtium - Tropaeolum majus Interplant amongst your rows.
Repels these Harmful Insects Slightly repels Colorado Potatoe Beetle

Queen-Anne’s Lace - Daucus carota var. Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Many parasitic wasps and flies, hover flies, Japanese beetle parasites, lady beetles, minute pirate bugs.

Radish - Raphanus sativus Interplant in your rows.
Repels these Harmful Insects Striped Cucumber Beetle
Repels these Harmful Insects Root-knot nematodes.

Rye - Secale cereale Interplant in your rows.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Rove Beetles

Scorpion Weeds - Phacelia spp. Plant as a border and interplant.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Honeybees, numerous parasitic wasps, tachnid flies.

Southernwood - Artemisia abrotanum Plant as a border.
Repels these Harmful Insects Moths, flea beetles from cabbage.

Spiny amaranth - Amaranthus spinosus Interplant in your rows.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Black cutworms.

Stinging nettle - Urtica dioica Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Numerous predators, parasites, alternate hosts of aphid predators.

Sweet Clover Melilotus alba Plant as a border and interplant.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Honeybees, tachinid fly parasites of many catapillars.

Tansy - Tanacetum vulgare Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Imported cabbageworms
Repels these Harmful Insects Slightly repels green peach aphids, squash bugs, Colorado Potatoe beetle.

Tomatoe - Lycopersicon esculentum Interplant in your rows.
Repels these Harmful Insects Flea beetles on cabbage.

White clover - Trifolium repens Plant as a border and interplant.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Parasites of aphids and cabbageworms, shelters ground beetles and spiders.
Repels these Harmful Insects Cabbage root flies.

Wormwood - Artemisia spp. Plant as a border.
Repels these Harmful Insects Flea beetles on cabbage.

Yarrow - Achiliea spp. Plant as a border.
Attracts these beneficial insects. Hover flies, lady beetles, parasitic wasps.

Resources: Rodale’s Chemical-Free Yard and Garden

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/herbs/tansy.htm

[photos]

Tansy

Latin Name:
Tanacetum Vulgare

Family: Compositae

Climate range..................................
Aspect range....................................
Mature height...................................
Mature width....................................
Special purpose...............................
Foliage type.....................................
Soil Type..........................................
Propagation.....................................
Sow-Plant........................................
Space Apart.....................................
Flowering Season............................
Flower Color....................................
Tropical, Warm, Temperate, Cool
Full sun, Half sun, Shade
4’
2’
Medicinal, Insecticide
Perennial
Dry soil
Seed, Plant
Summer
1’
Summer
Yellow

COMMENTS:
Tansy has an invasive root stock, erect stems and pungent pinnately lobed leaves. Has a Rosemary scented undertone. has clusters of flat mustard yellow flower heads in summer.

Uses: The bitter spicy leaves are used sparingly in “Tansy” a custard pudding. Before refrigeration, meat was wrapped in Tansy leaves to flavor it and repel flies. They are a powerful insect repellent, placed in pets beds to ward off fleas and in doorways against ants and mice. The aerial parts give a facial steam and a poultice for bruises, rheumatism, and varicose veins. It is used in homeopathy to expel worms. Tansy may be poisonous internally. For best results to repel bugs plant Tansy as a border around your garden. Attracts the beneficial insect, Imported cabbageworms. Tansy repels harmful insects like green peach aphids, squash bugs and Colorado potatoe beetle.

NOTE: The linked words above will take you to more products for that condition. Other pages you may find of interest are: Herb Bug Companions, make your own Insect Repellent, Bug ID Charts, and Praying Mantis

Grow & Make your own Insect Repelling Wreath

Taken from Organic Gardening magazine, now known as OG. Please see link below to subscibe to this informative magazine

Don’t subject yourself to the unpleasant odor (and medical dangers) of mothballs- protect your clothes with herbs instead! Create an attractive looking “swag” for your closet from the herbs — such as pennyroyal, tansy, and wormwood — that are reputed to have insect repelling properties. The bugs will stay away, and the fragrance that lingers on your clothes or blankets will be mild and pleasant, remininscent of summer harvest.

STEP 1: Gather a small bunch each of as many bug-repelling herbs—including wormwood, southernwood, yarrow, pennyroyal, tansy, lavender and sage - as you have available. Lay them out on a work table.

STEP 2: The finished swag will be flat-backed to hang against a door or wall, so start with the wormwood or another large herb, such as the southernwood, but move the second bunch down slightly so that the ends of the first herb can be seen.

STEP 3: Continue layering the other bunches in the same way. Add a few stems of cockscomb for color, if you like. finish with the sage, or whichever is the smallest herb you have available.

STEP 4: Grasp the entire swag in one hand and use pruning shears or heavy-duty scissors to trim the stems evenly on the bottom.

STEP 5: Secure the stems by wrapping the bottom tightly with a rubber band, for extra security, add a second rubber band.

STEP 6: Wrap ribbon ( about 1 1/2 yards ) around the swag to hide the rubber bands, tie the ribbon tightly in a knot, then finish with a flourish by making a bow. Trim off any excess ribbon with the scissors. Hang the swag upside down inside your closet or door.

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/herbs/mugwort.htm

Mugwort

Latin: Artemisia vulgaris
Family: Compositae

Climate range..................................
Aspect range....................................
Mature height...................................
Mature width....................................
Special purpose...............................
Foliage type.....................................
Soil Type..........................................
Propagation.....................................
Sow-Plant........................................
Space Apart.....................................
Flowering Season............................
Flower Color....................................
Temperate, Cool
Full sun, Half sun,
8”
2”
Medicinal, Culinary, Insect Repellent
Perennial
average
Root Division, Seed
Spring
1’
Summer, Autumn
Red-Brown

COMMENTS:
This aromatic perennial has medium green leaves with silver, downy undersides and red-brown florets.

Uses: An important herb in Asian and European folklore, the leaves are used in stuffing, in rice cakes in Asia, and rolled into cones for Chinese moxibustion (heat treatment). It is used to aid digestion and regulate menstruation. It is generally avoided when pregnant, but in China is given for excessive fetal activity and postpartum cramps. It helps with skin problems and is also an insect repellent. Mugwort is used to make dream pillows. For instructions on how to make herbal pillows please visit Comfy Country Creations.

Infusion Dosage: 1 OZ. whole herb to a pint of boiling water.

Insect Repellent Recipe

* 1 cup each of Mugwort, Santolina, Sage, Rose Geranium, and Lavender
* 1 tsp. Thyme oil dropped onto the mix with 1/2 cup salt
* 1 handful of Bay Leaves and Cloves

Mix all ingredients together. this combo is excellent for drawers, cupboards or anywhere bugs like to come.
For more Bug Repelling Recipes & Companion Planting

Dreamtime Salve

* 2 part Mugwort
* 1 part Rosemary
* 1/2 part Spearmint
* 1/2 part Calendula
* 1/2 part Sage
* 1/4 part Lavender
* Olive Oil
* Beeswax
* Tincture of Benzoin or Vitamin E

Apply Dreamtime Salve to your temples at bedtime to encourage imaginative dreams.
Please see How To Herbs for instructions on salves, tinctures and oils.

Edible weeds you can eat:

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/weeds.htm

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/weeds5.htm

Fiddleheads Asian style
# Boil or steam fiddleheads for 2-3 minutes until tender. 4 cups fiddleheads
# 4 Tbls. roasted sesame seeds
# 4 Tbls. soya sauce
# 2 Tbls. water
# 1 Tbls. sesame oil
# 1 Tbls vegetable oil
# 1 Tbls. lemon juice
# 1 tsp. fresh ginger juice ( press ginger root through a garlic press)
# 1 tsp. sugar

Clean and cook fiddleheads. Grind sesame seeds in a mortar. Combine all ingredients of the dressing and mix well. Pour over fiddleheads and serve warm or cold.

Chickweed Salad
# 2 cups chickweed
# 1 cup orpine, or dandelion, arugula, chicory
# 1 cup parsley
# 1 cup watercress
# 1 cup chervil

Combine all ingredients and pour your favorite dressing over.

Spring Salad
# 2 cups oxeye daisy sprigs
# 2 cups dandelion leaves
# 1 cup violet leaves and flowers
# 1 cup sheep sorrel

Combine all ingredients and pour your favorite dressing over.

Milkweed Gratin
# 4 cups milkweed flower buds
# 4 Tbls. butter
# 3 Tbls. flour
# 1 1/2 cup milk
# 1 cup grated cheese, cheddar or gruyere
# salt and pepper to taste

Cook milkweed buds in boiling water for 1 minute. Strain. Preheat oven to 375 F. Arrange Milkweed buds in a buttered baking dish. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring then gradually whick in milk. Continue cooking and stirring until sauce is thickened and smooth. Pour white sauce over milkweed. Sprinkle cheese over. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Broil a few seconds until top is crisp and golden.

Curried Cattail Soup
# 3 Tbls. butter
# 1 onion, minced
# 1 Tbls. curry powder
# 3 Tbls flour
# 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
# 12 cattail shoots, minced
# salt, pepper

In a saucepan, melt butter and cook onion over medium heat until soft. Sprinkle with curry powder and flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring. Add chicken stock and cattails. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Cream of Sorrel Soup
# 2 Tbls. butter
# 1 cup tightly packed sheep sorrel
# 2 cups chicken stock
# 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
# 1 Tbls. heavy cream or sour cream

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add sorrel and stir 30 seconds. Add chicken stock and potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are cooked. Puree in blender. Serve with a swirl of cream.

Cattail Pollen Muffins
# 1/4 cup butter
# 1/2 cup brown sugar
# 1/4 cup honey
# 2 eggs
# 1 tsp. vanilla
# 1 1/2 cups flour
# 1 cup cattail pollen
# 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
# 1/2 tsp. baking soda
# pinch of salt
# 1 cup milk
# garnishes optional, 1 cup elderberry flowers, or 1/2 cup bunchberries, or 1/2 cup raisins or dates.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Beat butter and sugar together until creamy and light in color. Add honey, eggs and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Sift together dry ingredients and add to butter mixture, alternating with milk until all is moistened and combined. Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full. Bake for 25 minutes or until well risen and golden.

Cooked Stinging Nettles
# 2 to 3 cups boiling water
# 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh chopped onion
# 1 pinch sea salt and pepper or lemon pepper
# 3 cups chopped stinging nettles
# butter
# fresh lemon or lime juice or vinegar

Bring water to boil. Put in chopped onion and salt. Add chopped nettles, pick the top 4-6 inches of young spring nettles for best results. Boil the greens until they no longer have their stinging qualities, about 5 minutes. Drain off liquid. Serve hot and onions topped with butter, several drops of lemon juice, and season to taste.

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/weeds2.htm

[I buy Purslane seeds at Nichols Nursery..granny]

Kudzu
Pueraria lobata

Yes, even Kudzu can be used. A bit more difficult as is made into a starch but the southerners will admit there is no shortage of the weed. Asian shops sell Kudzu starch from the roots of this weed. Contains isoflavones which are being studied for the prevention of breast cancer.
To make Kudzu starch: dig up the root, pound them, and then add them to water. Let the starch settle to the bottom and then repeat the process. The resulting flour should be used like arrowroot or cornstarch and added as a thickener to sauces and gravies.
The leaves can also be eaten. Batter and deep fry for Tempura Kudzu.

Purslane
Portulaca oleracea

Purslane is one of the richest of our weeds in nutrients. Loaded with Vit.C and E and Beta carotene ( Vit.A). The glutathione it contains is a well known anti-oxidant that can even detoxify some pesticides. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce cholesterol.
Purslane tastes a bit like spinach and like spinach can be eaten raw in salads or cooked.

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/weeds3.htm

Lamb’s Quarter
Chenopodium album

Lamb’s Quarter is one of our earliest weeds to show itself in Spring. Pick the fresh new shoots as they come up. Very rich in iron.
Can be eaten raw or cooked.
Recipes

Lamb’s Quarters Rolls
# 2 cups cooked Lamb’s quarters, chopped
# 1 cup cottage or ricotta cheese
# 1 egg
# 1/2 cup mixed chopped tarragon, parsley or sheep sorrel
# 12 sheets of filo pastry
# olive oil
Preheat oven to 375 C. Combine lamb’s qaurters, cheese , egg and herbs. work with 2 sheets of pastry at a time, keeping remaining pastry covered with a damp towel to prevent drying. Brush one sheet with olive oil, place other on top and divide sheets in 2 lengthwise. Place 2 tbls. of filling at one end of each strip, tuck in sides and roll up. Brush ends of rolls with oil and press lightly to seal. Repeat with remaining sheets of pastry to make 12 rolls. Place rolls, seam side down on baking sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.

# Lamb’s Quarters Lasagne 2 cups cooked lamb’s quarters, chopped
# 2 cups cooked spinach or rapini(Italian brocoli)
# 1 medium onion
# oil, salt, pepper
# 2 cups cottage or ricotta cheese
# 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
# 2 cups tomato sauce
# lasagna sheets, oven ready
Preheat oven to 350 C. Saute onion in a small amount of oil until transparent. Combine lamb’s qaurters and spinach with onion , cheese, salt and pepper. Pour some tomatoe sauce in bottom of oven proof dish. spread of layer of lasagne, cover with filling. Peat until all ingredients are used. Finish with tomatoe sauce. Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake 30 to 40 minutes. Serves 4

Lamb’s Quarters Quiche
# Pie Pastry 2 cups flour
# 1/3 cup butter
# 1/3 cup shortening
# cold water
Filling
# 2 cups cooked lamb’s quarter, chopped
# 3 eggs
# 1 cup cottage cheese
# pinch nutmeg, salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375 C. sift flour. cut or rub in butter and shortening until mixture resembles bread crumbs. Add enough cold water to form a soft but not sticky dough. Wrap and chill for 15 minutes. Roll out dough and line pie dish. Combine the filling ingredients, mixing well. pour filling into pie pastry and bake 30 to 40 minutes.

Test on growing Basil vertically:

http://www.imok.ufl.edu/LIV/groups/cultural/trial/basil.htm

Vertical Gardening and Hydroponics are our specialty!

http://vertigro.com/

http://www.actahort.org/books/491/491_64.htm

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 491: International Symposium Greenhouse Management for Better Yield & Quality in Mild Winter Climates
INVESTIGATIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRIES GROWN IN VERTICAL BAGS
Authors: E. Özeker, R.Z. Eltez, Y. Tüzel, A. Gül, K. Önal, A. Tanrisever
Keywords: Strawberry, soilless culture, vertical bags, growing media
Abstract:
Strawberry plants were grown in vertical bags, 200 cm in length and 20 cm in diameter in 1997. The bags were located at a distances of 80 cm in and 120 cm between rows at the north-south direction. Each bag contained 32 litres of substrate and 36 plants. Growing media which were compared in the trial were: (1) pumice, (2): perlite, (3): 1:1 perlite-pumice (v/v) and (4): 1:1 perlite-peat (v/v). Tioga and Cruz varieties were used as plant material to test the above mentioned media, and plantings were made on 5 August and 3 September, 1997 (Summer planting system). Higher yield was obtained with planting on 3 September compared to 5 August. Tioga variety gave better results than Cruz both in early and total yields. There were no significant differences among the growing media in respect to yield and quality.

* Full Text (PDF format, 233434 bytes)
* Citation

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files)

http://www.actahort.org/books/779/779_5.htm

MICRO-ORGANISMS OF HUMAN HEALTH IMPORTANCE IN GROWING MEDIA
Authors: W.R. Carlile, S.J. Hammonds
Keywords: peat, bark, Legionella, coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, antagonism
Abstract:
During the last decade, pressure from environmental lobbies to restrict the use of peat in the UK has led to an increase in the use of alternative materials such as timber wastes, green composts and composted bark. Epidemiological studies conducted in Australia in the late 1980s and early 1990s demonstrated a link between illness among elderly gardeners and the use of growing media based on composted bark, although the species from which bark is derived are very different in Australia compared to those in Western Europe. Pathological effects were attributed to elevated levels of human pathogens including species of Legionella, notably L. longbeachae. The legionella bacteria have also been detected in growing media in California, New Zealand and Japan. In view of the detection of micro-organisms such as Legionella spp. noted above, media from the UK have been investigated for the presence and levels of human pathogens. The incidence and survival of micro-organisms that may cause problems to public health has formed part of studies into microbial activity in growing media at Nottingham Trent University from 1995 to the present. Investigations have included studies on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Legionella spp. in a range of peat-based and non-peat based media. The presence of Legionella spp. has not been conclusively demonstrated in any media examined over the period of study. Coliforms have often been isolated from media, but at levels that constitute a very low risk to public health. These organisms, and another pathogen, Salmonella typhimurium, were able to survive for a month or more in heat-sterilised, inoculated media. Patterns of survival differed in inoculated unsterilised media: in most cases populations of the bacteria declined. This decline was far more marked in composted materials than in peat-based media. The antagonistic properties of some composted materials to plant pathogens are well known, and it appears that this antagonism may also extend to micro-organisms that have the capacity to cause disease in human beings.

Links to a collection of short reports on tests run, many subjects:

http://www.actahort.org/books/779/

Articles on food and health, using certain plants:

http://www.actahort.org/books/765/

Medical tests using plants: [very interesting]

http://www.actahort.org/books/756/

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS OBTAINED FROM FRESH AND DRIED LEAVES OF OCIMUM SANCTUM (L.) AGAINST ENTERIC BACTERIA AND YEAST

http://www.actahort.org/books/756/756_28.htm

[Basil is interesting, I have not used it, but do use several essential oils, and know that Oregano will knock a sinus infection, in a day or less, all you need to do is take the lid off the bottle, ‘smell it’ pull it into your nose/sinus and repeat as needed. You do not ‘apply the oil’, just the fumes.

sure beats a trip to the doctor........
granny]

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY COMPOUNDS FROM MEDICINAL PLANT RUTA GRAVEOLENS

http://www.actahort.org/books/756/756_41.htm

http://www.google.com/search?q=Ruta+graveolens&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[This site would like to sell you a book, but the mini reports are interesting enough to take time to read the ones that might interest you..]

http://www.actahort.org/index.htm

Each link in the index, leads to a page of links to the articles.

[An interesting page with lots of photos, links and knowledge]

http://ecosyn.us/ecocity/Ecosyn/writings/MarketGarden.html

Grow Serious Profits Market Gardening in Intensive Raised Beds

The most important reasons to grow market fruits and vegetables in intensive beds are (1) Simplifies permanent planning of what areas may be compacted and which areas are protected from crushing field traffic, (2) contributes to overall strategy to boost yields to four to sixteen times conventional yields per equal-sized areas, (3) improves efficiency of labor, fertilizers, materials, (4) improves plant growth and health, (5) makes major savings of irrigation water, (6) extends growing season length.

1. Beds (with frequent pathways) discourage “shortcuts” through the plants, keeping feet and vehicles on the clearly defined pathways.
2. Close plantings, rapid rotations, vertical efficiency, season extension, reduced costs all focus on how much you get for how little you use with less work and less investment.
3. Fertilize only the plants, not the empty 60% of groundspace between rows. Reduce labor time (costs) by easier sowing, weeding, thining, amendment applications, inspections and harvesting techniques. Reinvest these cost savings into permanent drip irrigation, and reap more savings in water, power, and time (costs) of watering.
4. Raised beds improve drainage and oxygenation of soil, reducing threat of weak diseased plants from root rots. Well drained aerated lush feeder rootsystems grow plants rapidly to race to harvest before pests accumulate. Companion planting reduces diseases spread by pests and restricts insect damage directly.
5. Close plant spacing makes a living mulch which shades roots and reduces evaporation losses. Water the roots, not the empty spaces in rows. Permanent beds allow permanent water lines. Drip irrigation does not need to be taken out of field at end of season, making it less labor intensive than row-cultivated fields. Wise decisions become easier to make when they are substantially more profitable. Savings of up to five-sixths of the normal water wasted in row-cropping have been established. Become drought resistant.
6. Raised beds drain faster in spring allowing earlier planting because the soil is never too soggy to work with. Adding row covers, cloches, cold-frame accessories is more practical and economical with compact plantings instead of widespread rows. (For example: it takes 11 feet by 7 feet (77 sq.ft.) of row cover to protect one bed of 38 plants of lettuce, but it requires 4 feet by 41 feet (164 sq.ft.) to protect the same number of plants in a row. Materials cost savings equal better than 50%.)

There are many advantages to raised beds:

* Perfect drainage; Raised beds cannot waterlog - ever.
* Cannot erode topsoil if walled or bordered.
* Warms faster than flat soil; Raised Beds retain soil heat for more even day/night temperatures; Plant earlier in spring.
* More Efficient use of growing space; Intensive planting creates living mulch which conserves water while detering weeds.
* Never gets walked on, Never gets compacted, so never needs digging again!

There are many proven methods to increase productiveness:

* Staggered rows (Diamond pattern) instead of rectangular order (Square pattern) gives 20% more plants without any plants actually being closer than the recommended spacing.
* Rapid Rotations, replanting immediately with nursery transplants can increase production 50% to 150% more than replanting harvested spots with direct seeding.
* Vertical Efficiency; using highrise techniques can give four to sixteen the production per square foot of ground space. See these websites for photos of extraordinary highrise:

1. Missouri strawberry grower gets extra early crop in unheated plastic tunnel (10 feet by 50 feet) for premium value of early crop. Estimated production of 1,000 pounds in 500 sq.ft. using raised beds to warm soil for April-May harvest season extension.

2. Acres of strawberries: Florida farmer grows 36 plants each on towers which occupy one square foot of groundspace per tower. Average production half to three-quarter pound per plant.

3. Strawberries in perlite: 80,784 pounds per crop per acre (4000 square meters).

4. INVESTIGATIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRIES GROWN IN VERTICAL BAGS.

5. High-Rise Basil.

Walled beds provide a place to sit your ass while planting seeds, weeding, thinning, harvesting, or inspecting. Bed size means you are never more than an arm’s length from the center of the bed. Wall allow raised soil to higher levels, making everything easier with less “stooping”. Wall provides firm base for accessories, keeping them up out of the dirt, and increasing their useful lifespan. Walls can be made out of a wide variety of materials, new, recycled and scavenged, including: plywood, boards, bricks, blocks, stone, “earthcrete”, “papercrete”, concrete, stucco, FRP, fiberglass, metal sheeting and woodlot thinnings small diameter logs, to name some choices. From the extra profits of increased production from unwalled beds, one can reinvest in walled raised beds, and still pocket the same income as a neighbor row-cropper in one year, building plywood beds from new material.

A large variety of economical accessories can be devised to control micro-climate, provide insect-barrier protection, improve harvest access. Low cost items can be fabricated from poly tarps, plastic waterpipe, home-grown bamboo ( saplings or sunflower/corn stalks). A-Frame Cloches can be stacked in very small storage area if designed with removable end pieces. Bed size makes one-person handling of lightweight accessories more possible.

More durable materials at higher cost can provide long-term cost savings at the trade-off of short term higher investment

Last updated 24.8.2001

Author: Lion Kuntz

Earthworms, Rabbits and much more, articles and links:

http://h2-pv.us/ecocity/Ecosyn/IBS_Rabbits_Worms_Poultry.html

I have too many pages open to really check this page of all kinds of container plants, good for ideas as it is, but there are links of some kind:

http://h2-pv.us/ecocity/Ecosyn/Container_Plants/index.html

Ideas on worms:

http://ecosyn.us/ecocity/Ecosyn/writings/intro1.html

Gardening articles:

http://www.humeseeds.com/qa_ndx.htm

Pages from Companion Planting sites:

[[world wide sites]]

http://h2-pv.us/ecocity/Links/Visual_Pages/CompanionPlanting/CompanionPlanting_01.html

Over 10 years of garden questions and answers:

http://www.humeseeds.com/qa_ndx.htm

House Plants that help purify the air:

http://www.humeseeds.com/purify.htm

http://www.humeseeds.com/comp1.htm

COMPANION VEGETABLE GARDENING

It’s said that vegetables are like people, they thrive on companionship. It is believed that vegetables will yield up to twice as much when they are surrounded with companion plants. So in this article we will discuss the top 12 vegetables and their best friends.

If you’re getting ready to plant your vegetable garden you may want to try placing the various vegetable crops so you can take advantage of their natural friends. If you have already planted your vegetable garden you may want to make some changes in subsequent plantings later this summer.

The following are a list of the top 12 vegetables and their ideal plantingcompanions.

Beans—they like celery and cucumbers but dislike onions and fennel.

Beets—Bush beans, lettuce, onions, kohlrabi, and most members of the cabbage family are companion plants. Keep the pole beans and mustard away from them.

Cabbage—Celery, dill, onions and potatoes are good companion plants They dislike strawberries, tomatoes, and pole beans.

Carrots—Leaf lettuce, radish, onions and tomatoes are their friends, Plant dill at the opposite end of the garden.

Corn—Pumpkins, peas, beans, cucumbers and potatoes are nice companion plants, Keep the tomatoes away from them.

Cucumbers—They like corn, peas, radishes, beans and sunflowers. Cucumbers dislike aromatic herbs and potatoes so keep them away.

Lettuce—It grows especially well with onions. Strawberries carrots, radishes and cucumbers also are friends and good companion plants.

Onions—Plant them near lettuce, beets, strawberries and tomatoes but keep them away from peas and beans.

Peas—Carrots, cucumbers, corn, turnips and radishes plus beans, potatoes and aromatic herbs are their friends. Keep the peas away from onions, garlic, leek, and shallots.

Radishes—This is one vegetable that has a lot of friends, they are excellent companion plants with beets, carrots, spinach and parsnips. Radishes grow well with cucumbers and beans. It’s said that summer planting near leaf lettuce makes the radishes more tender. Avoid planting radishes near cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kohlrabi or turnips.

Squash—Icicle radishes, cucumbers and corn are among their friends.

Tomatoes—Carrots, onions and parsley are good companion plants. Keep the cabbage and cauliflower away from them.

Sometimes plant friendships are one-sided. Carrots are said to help beans, but beans don’t reciprocate. Though beans will help nearby cucumbers.

Other plants have bad companions and you’ll be doing them a favor to keep them apart. Beans and onions are natural enemies so keep them at opposite sides of the garden.

If you have a patio you might try mint to repel ants, and basil to keep the flies and mosquitoes away. Both herbs have pretty flowers and are fragrant too. Besides, they’re nice to harvest and use in the kitchen. In her book, “Carrots Love Tomatoes” Louise Riotte, says getting to know good and bad companions can double the bounty of your garden. The only required work is to plan your garden planting properly.

“Carrots Love Tomatoes”, Garden Way is an informative, well-illustrated guide to the subject of companion planting. The book recently reprinted was originally published under the title “Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening”.

If you would like more information on the various plants to use for companion planting and natural insect and disease control, you’ll find “Carrots Love Tomatoes” is available in bookstores that carry the Garden Way books.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.