I wonder if you put soaked, charred pieces of apple or mesquite in a foil packet in an oven with your food, would that give you a smoky flavor? hmmmm, interesting question... <<<
I don’t think that I would like the charred wood, as it tends to stink when wet.
But I would soak the fresh chips in water, make a foil packet, with slits and let the steam give added taste......LOL, might even be re=usable.
If the wood was high resin or oil containing, there would be a fire hazard. I think/fear.
http://www.cbs8.com/stories/story.148272.html
In Lean Times, SoCal Residents Trade Guns For Food
Last Updated:
12-08-08 at 8:52AM
LOS ANGELES — A program to exchange guns for gifts brought in a record number of weapons this year as residents hit hard by the economy look under the bed and in closets to find items to trade for groceries.
continued........a must read.
Feds probing manipulation of food prices
Federal prosecutors in Sacramento announced today major breakthrough in a probe of food industry corruption with the agreement of a key figure to cooperate and plead guilty to conspiracies involving racketeering, money laundering and antitrust violations.
Read More
http://www.sacbee.com/1089/story/1464099.html
HEPATITIS B & C, HIV, NOSOCOMIAL (05): USA (NEVADA)
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 8 Dec 2008
Source: JusticeNewsFlash.com [abbreviated & edited]
http://www.justicenewsflash.com/2008/12/08/san-francisco-medical-injury-lawyerm-alexander-alerts-nevada-hep-outbreak_20081208430.html
Nevada doctors responsible for [hepatitis] C outbreak
Dr Clifford Carrol, a Las Vegas gastroenterologist, faces 4 allegations
relating to the care he provided to patients at the endoscopy center.
Carrol’s negligent care and lack of treatment resulted in infecting
innocent patients with the life threatening virus, hepatitis C. Malpractice
complaints by the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners have already been filed
against the clinic’s majority owner, Dr Dipak Desai, and Dr Eladio Carrera.
Both have had their licenses suspended pending an investigation. The
medical board and many injured patients are claiming the health care
providers are responsible for exposing and transmitting hepatitis C virus
infection.
Bay Area medical injury attorneys reveal the following regarding the Nevada
Board of Medical Examiners’ investigation into this awful tragedy:
- federal and local health officials have urged more than 53 000 former
patients of the Shadow Lane and Burnham Avenue facilities to get tested for
hepatitis B and C, and HIV [human immunodeficiency virus];
- Carrol performed a colonoscopy on a known hepatitis C patient early in
the day;
- Carrol treated a patient later that day who contracted hepatitis C;
- Desai and Carrera performed procedures on 6 people who were infected with
hepatitis C the same day;
- unsafe injection practices (reuse of syringes on different patients) by
nurse anesthetists led to transmission of hepatitis C;
- Southern Nevada Health District has definitively linked 8 hepatitis C
transmissions to the Shadow Lane facility;
- one hepatitis C case is linked to a sister facility (Desert Shadow
Endoscopy Center).
Legal government health and law informers for Justice in San Francisco,
California, discovered since the outbreak, federal and local health
officials have urged more than 53 000 former patients from the Shadow Lane
and Burnham Avenue facilities be tested for hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
Health officials say 105 hepatitis cases are “possibly associated” with one
of the clinics and health care providers. Contracting hepatitis or HIV
because a doctor, hospital, or health care provider has been negligent is a
civil injustice.
—
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[Since the previous report of this incident posted on ProMED-mail on Fri 6
Sep 2008, the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis C virus infection
remains at 8, and the number of ‘possibly associated’ cases has increased
fro 100 to 105. The number of recalled patients has risen from 50 000 to 53
000 making this now the largest patient recall in US history. Curiously no
case of transmission of hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus
has been identified so far. It is not stated how many former patients of
the Las Vegas endoscopy clinics have responded to the recall.
The state of Nevada and the city of Las Vegas can be located on the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the United States at
http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=5509151&v=39.25,-116.751,5
- Mod.CP]
[see also:
Hepatitis B & C, HIV, nosocomial (04): USA (NV) 20080928.3073
Hepatitis B & C, HIV, nosocomial (03): USA (NV) 20080302.0854
Hepatitis B & C, HIV, nosocomial (02): USA (NV) 20080228.0809
Hepatitis B & C, HIV, nosocomial - USA: (NV), alert, RFI 20080228.0802
2002
.................cp/mj/sh
DIOXIN CONTAMINATION, PIG MEAT - IRELAND, EUROPE (03)
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1]
Date: Wed 10 Dec 2008
Source: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Journal (2008) 911, 1-15
[edited]
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902210863.htm
Statement of EFSA on the risks for public health due to the presence of
dioxins in pork from Ireland, issued 10 Dec 2008
During routine monitoring of Irish pork, elevated levels of polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) were found in pork. Further investigations revealed the
presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs at levels up to 200 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat.
The toxic responses to dioxins include dermal toxicity, immunotoxicity,
carcinogenicity, reproductive, and developmental toxicity. The toxicity of
dioxins is related to the amount accumulated in the body during a lifetime,
the so-called body burden. A tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 14 pg
WHO-TEQ/kg body weight (bw) has been established by the Scientific
Committee on Food (SCF) in 2001.
EFSA has based this statement on a limited data set, assuming that the
average person has an exposure at the TWI corresponding to a body burden of
4000 pg/kg body weight. EFSA also assumed that exposure at these high
levels only began in September 2008 and that effective measures have now
been taken to remove this excessive dietary exposure from Irish pork and
pork products.
EFSA calculated several exposure scenarios for both average and high
consumers assuming 3 different dioxin concentrations in the pork (50, 100,
200 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat), and 3 different proportions of contaminated meat
(100, 10, and 1 per cent).
In very extreme cases, assuming a daily consumption of 100 per cent
contaminated Irish pork, for a high consumer of pork fat during the
respective period of the incidence (90 days), at the highest recorded
concentration of dioxins (200 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat), EFSA concludes that the
uncertainty factor embedded in the TWI is considerably eroded. Given that
the TWI has a 10-fold built-in uncertainty factor, EFSA considers that this
unlikely scenario would reduce protection, but not necessarily lead to
adverse health effects.
In a more likely scenario with a daily consumption of 10 per cent
contaminated Irish pork for a mean consumer of pork fat for the respective
period of the incidence (90 days), at the highest recorded concentration of
dioxins (200 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat), the body burden would increase by
approximately 10 per cent. EFSA considers this increase in body burden of
no concern for this single event.
—
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[See the full Statement (15 pages) at
http://www.efsa.europa.eu:80/cs/BlobServer/Statement/contam_ej_911_dioxins%20rev1.pdf?ssbinary=true
A corresponding press release is available at
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902210953.htm
- Mod.AS]
******
[2]
Date: Tue 9 Dec 2008
Source: Food Safety Authority of Ireland: Beef Alert [edited]
http://www.fsai.ie/industry/hottopics/industry_topics_beef_withdrawal.asp
Beef alert
Q & A
Is beef being recalled?
No, beef is not being recalled.
What has been done?
All animals in herds shown to be above the proposed legal limit will be
taken out of the food chain.
Any products from these herds will not be released onto the market.
The European Commission is being informed of the results.
Why is there not a recall, as was the case with pork and bacon?
Beef is not being recalled as it is considered that there is no public
health concern. The reason for this is as follows:
- only 45 farms were supplied with potentially contaminated feed out of
approximately 110 000 beef farms in the Republic of Ireland. The total
number of cattle slaughtered from these herds from 1 Sep 2008 amounts to
some 3000 out of a total annual slaughter of approximately 1.5 million.
This represents 0.2 per cent of total annual beef production in the
Republic of Ireland;
- results from 11 of the 45 farms have become available. Of these, 8 were
clear and 3 were just above the proposed legislative limits for marker PCBs
in beef. Tests are being carried out in the remaining farms, which remain
under restriction until cleared;
- the samples are technically non-compliant with proposed EC limits for
marker PCBs but not at a level that would pose any public health concern.
This is a different situation compared to pork products, where dioxin
contamination was confirmed and the levels of dioxins were 80 to 200 times
the legal limit;
- cattle consume a wider variety of feeds and the way their bodies process
the feed is different, which makes the risk of contamination significantly
lower than in pork;
- there is a very robust traceability system in place for beef.
What about beef and beef products?
We are not advising that consumers destroy or return beef or beef products.
It is unlikely that they are contaminated, and any possible contamination
would be so low as not to cause any concern.
What about dairy products?
We have no information to suggest that there has been contamination of
dairy cattle, therefore we can assume that milk and dairy products are not
affected. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will inform us
if this situation changes.
What precautions were taken while waiting for these results to come back?
Since the authorities became aware that contaminated feed may have gone to
these cattle farms, restrictions were put in place. These restrictions will
only be lifted when clear test results are reported.
What are PCBs?
PCBs are a similar set of compounds to the group of chemicals known as
dioxins. Like dioxins, their toxicity depends on the chemical structure of
each chemical in the group. Some PCBs have similar toxicity to dioxins and
these are called the dioxin-like PCBs. Other PCBs are sometimes referred to
as marker-PCBs or non-dioxin-like PCBs and these are much less toxic than
dioxins or dioxin-like PCBs.
If a food contains Marker PCBs will it always contain dioxins or
dioxin-like PCBs?
Contamination of food with marker PCBs indicates that there is a potential
contamination of the food with dioxin-like PCBs or even dioxins. Usually
the level of dioxin-like PCBs or dioxins, if present at all, will be very
much lower that the marker PCBs. It is difficult to determine whether the
presence of marker PCBs in food will be predictive of dioxin contamination
and therefore it is always prudent to test also for dioxins and dioxin-like
PCBs. Sometimes marker PCBs can be present but dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs
can be well below legal limits for the food. The presence of marker-PCBs
are not considered to be a direct health concern unless you were exposed to
a very high dose, much higher than you would get from eating beef
contaminated with marker PCBs.
—
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
******
[3]
Date: Tue 9 Dec 2008
From: Conor Kretsch conor@cohabnet.org
The following pages from the Irish Times’ website report that some cattle
herds in the Irish Republic that were given feed from the same source as
the feed behind the current pork scare, have now tested positive for
elevated levels of dioxin
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1209/breaking21.htm and
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1209/breaking64.htm
I note that both the Irish minister for agriculture and the Irish prime
minister (Taoiseach) state that the detection of dioxin in these cattle, at
“2 to 3 times proposed legal levels”, is merely a “technical
non-compliance” and therefore all Irish cattle products (beef and dairy)
are considered to be safe and there will be no related recall (although
there as yet has been no confirmation as to the period of time over which
these herds may have been exposed to dioxin-tainted feed, whether any
potentially tainted Irish cattle products have reached the market, or
indeed if such products have been or will be tested). In the light of the
current scare over Irish pork, this has unfortunately sent a confusing
message to the public and added to media hysteria. It is worth noting that
Ireland has a comprehensive “farm to fork” food tracing system, so a
limited recall should be possible in any event. In that light, the decision
to include all organic pork in the recent pork recall is unfortunate and
adds to the confusion over the cattle results.
While the Irish authorities are certainly correct in seeking to avoid a
public panic, and are dealing with a particularly delicate situation given
Ireland’s current economic woes, it seems some less ambiguous messages, and
more definitive guidance on risks from short term exposure to certain
dioxins, are needed. Even if only to avoid horrific (but amusing) headlines
like this one
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/12/08/poison-pigs-fed-on-plastic-bags-115875-20954761/
—
Conor Kretsch
Director
COHAB Initiative Secretariat
PO Box 16
Tuam
Co. Galway
Ireland
http://www.cohabnet.org
conor@cohabnet.org
[The COHAB Initiative (”Co-Operation On Health And Biodiversity”) is “an
international programme of work on human well-being and sustainable
development”, which “works to establish an international,
inter-disciplinary collaborative framework to support activities on
community health, international development and biodiversity conservation,
and to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on
Biological Diversity and the Millennium Development Goals”. - Mod.AS]
******
[4]
Date: Wed 10 Dec 2008
Source: The Guardian, Reuters report [edited]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8142415
Used oil may have caused Irish food crisis - paper
Earlier this week, more than 20 countries cleared their shelves of Irish
pork after dioxins up to 200 times the legal levels were found on 10 pig farms.
The Irish Times, without citing sources, said the contamination may have
been caused by waste oil originating in Northern Ireland that should have
been stored or destroyed.
The farm ministry said it was not in a position to comment on its
investigations into the contamination. Ireland’s Environmental Protection
Agency, which is assisting the ministry in the probe, also declined to comment.
The crisis escalated further on Tuesday [9 Dec 2008], when authorities said
3 cattle herds in Ireland were contaminated with dioxins.
[Article snipped for posting on F.R.]
—
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[The consumer’s concern at the background of this — still unfolding —
food safety scare is just one more manifestation of the public’s lost
confidence, the roots of which dating back to the last 2 decades of the
previous century, particularly (but not solely) due to BSE (bovine
spongiform encephalitis). The 16-volume Phillips BSE Inquiry Report, issued
in London in October 2000 after 33 months of hearings, included, among its
13 key conclusions, the following points:
“- at times officials showed a lack of rigour in considering how policy
should be turned into practice, to the detriment of the efficacy of the
measures taken;
- at times bureaucratic processes resulted in unacceptable delay in giving
effect to policy;
- the possibility of a risk to humans was not communicated to the public or
to those whose job it was to implement and enforce the precautionary measures;
- the Government did not lie to the public about BSE. It believed that the
risks posed by BSE to humans were remote. The Government was preoccupied
with preventing an alarmist over-reaction to BSE because it believed that
the risk was remote. It is now clear that this campaign of reassurance was
a mistake. When on 20 Mar 1996 the Government announced that BSE had
probably been transmitted to humans, the public felt that they had been
betrayed. Confidence in government pronouncements about risk was a further
casualty of BSE.”
It is indeed this loss of confidence, which continues haunting authorities,
all over the globe. This time, as twice before in Europe, it is dioxin. The
real risk to public health is, probably, rather negligible but the
economical impact is most serious. Clearly, the Irish authorities are aware
of the points raised in the Phillips report: to rigorously apply measures,
to prevent delays, to communicate risks, to tell the truth, and to maintain
maximal transparency. But all those virtues still seem to fall short of
fully regaining the lost confidence. It remains to hope, however, that this
scare will be shorter than previous ones. - Mod.AS]
[see also:
Dioxin contamination, pig meat - Ireland, Europe (02) 20081208.3857
Dioxin contamination, pig meat - Ireland, Europe 20081207.3842
Dioxin, buffalo mozzarella cheese - Italy: (Campania) 20080327.1146
2006
.................arn/mj/sh
Pandemic Information News
A daily chronicle of ongoing events pertaining to infectious diseases
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2008/12/explosion-of-model-farm-of-200-chickens.html
This page tells why she created this fudge recipe:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/fantasyish-fudge-recipe.html
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/print/fantasyish-fudge-recipe.html
Fantasy-ish Fudge Recipe
I used Ricemellow Creme here. If you can’t find Ricemellow Crème in your natural food store, you can still use regular marshmallow creme with good results. Vegans, I almost did this with coconut oil - I think it would be a reasonable (and tasty) substitute for the butter here.
1 9.7-ounce bar of good-quality semi-sweet chocolate (62% Scharffen Berger)
3 cups organic cane sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup lite coconut milk (regular is fine too)
7 ounces Ricemellow Crème (or the marshmallow creme of your choice)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Butter a 13x9 baking dish. Alternately, you can line it with parchment paper. Finely chop the chocolate bar and set aside.
Combine the sugar, butter, and coconut milk in a thick-bottomed medium-large saucepan. Bring the mixture to an active boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling for five minutes over medium heat - if you are using a candy thermometer it should reach about 235F degrees. Remove from heat, stir in the chopped chocolate. Continue stirring until the chocolate is melted, add then add the Ricemellow Creme, vanilla, and nuts (if you are using them).
Pour the fudge into the prepared baking dish, and let cool. After 5 minutes or so, I use a spatula to make a swirl texture on the top of the fudge (optional). You can let it set at room temperature, but I like to let it cool in the refrigerator overnight, where it sets up nicely, making it simple to slice into 1/2-inch cubes. Tip: A thin knife is best for cutting, or (even better) a large pizza cutting wheel.
Makes a couple hundred tiny fudge bites.
101 Cookbooks http://www.101cookbooks.com/
#
Birds of the Great Basin: A Natural History - Google Books Result
by Fred A. Ryser, Jennifer Dewey - 1985 - Science - 604 pages
Some of the unreclaimed seeds will germinate to produce new pinyon pine trees. Consequently, pinyon pine trees employ Pinyon Jays to do their seed dispersal ...
books.google.com/books?isbn=087417080X...
#
WDNR Weekly News Article - White Pine tree seed needed at the ...
Jul 17, 2007 ... White Pine tree seed is needed at state tree nurseries to replenish nursery ... People can collect tree seed from their own private forests, ...
dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Article_Lookup.asp?id=444 -
10k - Cached - Similar pages
Note:
Check with your state agricultural and the forestry department for trees that land owners can get to plant, you would need the land owners signature, they are cheap and must be ordered ahead of time, will be delivered to central points in the areas that they have orders.
I have seen many on the lists, that bore fruits that were edible.
I grew pine seeds in an old aquarium, we got them out of pine cones that were found on a trip.
granny
10.
Pine Tree Seed - Propagate Pine Tree Seed
Pine Tree Seed - Propagate Pine Tree Seed. ... Seeds of most pines germinate without treatment, but germination rates and amounts are greatly increased by ...
forestry.about.com/od/treeplanting/qt/seed_pine.htm - 19k - Cached - Similar pages
Initially self-published 20 years ago, The Encyclopedia of Country Living has become the trusted guidebook to sustainable, self-sufficient living. Filled with memorable anecdotes, crucial advice, and a generous helping of good humor, this compendium provides detailed information about food production — growing, processing, cooking, and preserving — together with hundreds of illustrations and recipes. With updates of over 1,100 mail order sources, including websites and email addresses, this revised edition is the definitive classic text for living off the land. “Carla Emery is certifiably one of the craziest, warmest, ... funniest, wisest, most lovable, and idealistic zanies now walking the earth.” — Mother Earth News
More details
The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book
By Carla Emery
Published by Sasquatch Books, 2003
ISBN 157061377X, 9781570613777
864 pages
Popular passages
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. - Page 62
Appears in 660 books from 1865-2008
OUT IN THE FIELDS WITH GOD The little cares that fretted me I lost them yesterday, Among the fields, above the sea, Among the winds at play; Among the lowing of the herds, The rustling of the trees, Among the singing of the birds, The humming of the bees. The foolish fears of what may... - Page vi
Appears in 18 books from 1907-2007
Mama’s mama, on a winter’s day, Milked the cows and fed them hay, Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule, And got the children off to school. Did a washing, mopped the floors. Washed the windows and did some chores. Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit, Pressed her husband’s Sunday suit. - Page vi
Appears in 35 books from 1948-2006
more »
Split some firewood and lugged it in, Enough to fill the kitchen bin. Cleaned the lamps and put in oil, Stewed some apples she thought might spoil, Churned the butter, baked a cake, Then exclaimed: “For mercy’s sake, The calves have got out of the pen !” Went out and chased them in again. - Page vi
Appears in 25 books from 1949-2006
A VISION WITHOUT A TASK IS A DREAM. A TASK WITHOUT A VISION IS DRUDGERY. A VISION AND A TASK IS THE HOPE OF THE WORLD. - Page 445
Appears in 36 books from 1920-2007
Cooked a dish of home dried fruit, Pressed her husband’s Sunday suit, Swept the parlor, made the bed, Baked a dozen loaves of bread, Split some firewood and lugged it in Enough to fill the kitchen bin. Cleaned the lamps and put in oil, Stewed some apples she thought would spoil; Churned the butter, baked a cake, Then exclaimed, “For Heaven’s sake! The calves have got out of the pen”— Went out and chased them in again. - Page vi
Appears in 19 books from 1949-2006
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty, a» A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. - Page 136
Appears in 38 books from 1899-2008
Mended a basket full of hose, Then opened the organ and began to play: “When you come to the end of a perfect day. - Page vi
Appears in 38 books from 1948-2006
... gathered it is laid on scaffolds about four feet high, eight wide, and twenty to fifty long, covered with reeds and grass, and a slow fire is maintained beneath for thirty-six hours, so as to parch slightly the husk, that it may be removed easily. Its beard is tougher than that of rye. To separate it from the chaff or husk, a hole is made in the ground a foot wide and one deep, and lined with skins; about a peck of rice is put in at a time; an Indian steps in, with a half jump, on one foot, then... - Page 189
Appears in 5 books from 1871-2003
It is a constant article of food with the northern Indians of the lakes and rivers between the Mississippi and Lake Superior. This plant delights in mud and water five to twenty feet deep. When ripe the slightest wind shakes off the grains. After being gathered it is laid on scaffolds about four feet high, eight wide, and twenty to fifty long, covered with reeds and grass, and a slow fire is maintained beneath for thirty-six hours, so as to parch slightly the husk, that it may be removed easily. - Page 189
Appears in 5 books from 1871-2003
« less
http://horticulture.unh.edu/ggg/usefulTables/plantsAndTheirUses.html
Plants and Their Uses
Plants for the senses
Various mint plants: Come in all smells from lemon to chocolate.
Scented Geraniums: Come in all smells from nutmeg to roses.
Plants from the primrose family: Their seed pods make rattles.
Thistles have various prickles some not too sharp but good for learning about.
Nasturtiums are brightly colored and edible; they have a peppery taste.
Hares tail grass (Lagurus ovatus): Very soft to the touch and non invasive. It forms a clump.
Snap dragons have a dragon mouth when you squeeze the flower.
Chives smell like onions.
Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana): Sweeter than sugar and can be used as a substitute.
Spilanthes oleacea (Toothache plant): Looks like an eye ball and if you put it in your mouth, it will numb your gums and tongue.
Dye sources
Hopi Red Dye Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) - red dye
Woad (Isatis Tinctoria) - blue dye
Bulls Blood Beet(Beta Vulgaris v cruenta) - Deep red dye
Indigo (Indigofera Tinctoria) - Blue dye
Black Holly hock (Althea rosea) - Lavender/Mauve dye
Golden Marguerite (Anthemis Tinctoria) - Yellow, Buff, or Orange dye depending on the mordant used. Is also a nice cut flower
Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) - yellow or red dye from the flowers.
Weld (Reseda Luteola) - green dye.
Onions (white) - brown dye.
Gallium - pink dye.
Elderberries - beautiful purple dye.
Cut flowers to use fresh or dry for future projects
Gomphrenas make a nice dried flower.
Strawflowers ( Helichrysum -tall mix) Colors from red to cream make a nice display in the garden - 3 feet tall. Heads dry on stems.
Sweet Annie ( Artemisia annua ) make a nice wreath and smells wonderful; Grows up to 3 feet.
Statice is easy to grow and dry. It comes in a wide variety of vivid colors.
Cocks comb comes in two sizes and is great for drying.
Garden curiosity
Balsam, Touch me Not plant (Impatiens balsamina): Seed pods explode!
Woods sorrel: The seed pods explode!
Blue potatoes: The entire potato inside and out is blue. Stays blue color even when cooked.
Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica): When you touch it, it closes up its leave. You can blow on it and get the same effect. Good to use to show kids some plants do move!
Luffa Gord (Luffa cylindrical ): Is the source of luffa sponges!
Bird house gourds: Grow in different shapes and sizes to make rattles or bird houses.
Vines
Annelino Pole beans: The vines grow 6 feet or more and the beans are crescent shaped.
Yard Long Beans: the vines grow 5 feet with beans at least a yard long!
Scarlet Runner Beans: Beautiful vines grow 6 feet or more and bear beautiful deep red flowers!
Morning Glories: Come in several colors. (Our favorite are the Heavenly Blue.) They can grow to 12 feet or more. They open in the morning and close at night. Flying saucer morning glories bear flowers 6” across!
Long vine cucumbers: Amira, its a spineless cucumber! Boothby’s Blonde cucumber is yellow with black spines. It’s a Maine heirloom cuke! Diva is a nice short day cuke that requires no pollination so is good for a greenhouse or indoor use and is resistant to powdery mildew.
Various Vegetables
Popcorns: Early Pink has a nice pink color for a change of pace.
Broomcorn: Comes in several varieties. Choose the shortest day possible to grow it successfully in New Hampshire.
Sweet Corn: The super sweet varieties keep their sugar levels in the refrigerator for several days.
Multicolored Corn: Also known as Indian corn comes in many shapes and sizes. Great for harvest projects and the birds love them too.
Purple beans: Purple Trionfo Violetto is a bush type bean with purple pods. Royal Burgundy is another nice purple bean that turns deep green when cooked.
Thumbelina carrots: Golf ball size carrots are great for little people!
Graffiti: A neon purple cauliflower that keeps its color when cooked.
Bright Lights: Swiss Chard adds a nice rainbow to the garden and is delicious too!
Gourds: Are a fun thing to grow and are many times more successful in a garden than pumpkins. They come in all shapes and sizes and lend themselves to many art projects from rattles to mini jack o’ lanterns.
Leaf Lettuces: Go to seed quite readily and are a good way to show a plants life cycle. Replant the seeds and watch the cycle go again! Romain varieties work very well for this.
Peas: All types are a big hit in any child’s garden. They come in bush varieties or longer vine types. None of the vines are usually more than 3 feet tall.
Bell Peppers: Come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Try kaleidoscope mix to get most of the colors of the rainbow!
All of the above selections can be found in the Pinetree Garden Seeds 2004 Seed Catalog. (See the Resource Page for further details.)
Copyright 2008, University of New Hampshire, Sustainable Horticulture.
All rights reserved. Spaulding Life Sciences Building, Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Large list of gardening and home questions and answers:
http://extension.unh.edu/FHGEC/QOTWeek2.htm
Healthy Eating · Active Living · New Hampshire
Eat right and get moving!
Online support for Granite Staters and their communities.
Vegetable Garden
Nutrition & You
10 Steps to Success with Your Vegetable Garden
1) Pick a good site. Try to choose a site near the house that receives full sun all or most of the day, has good air circulation, is sheltered from strong winds, is close to a water source, and contains no large rocks, perennial weeds or grasses.
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http://quod.lib.umich.edu/n/nal/
The Organic Agriculture Information Access is an electronic collection of historic United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) publications related to organic agriculture. In this collection, there are almost 200 documents published before 1942 (before synthetic chemicals became widely used) that contain state-of-the-art information and data that is still very pertinent for today’s agriculture. Access to this data is intended to provide growers with new ideas on crop production without chemicals, as well as help researchers conserve scarce resources by avoiding unintended duplication. This collection is provided by the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC), a part of the National Agricultural Library (NAL), with funding from the USDA National Organic Program and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. This effort is part of the AFSIC “Organic Roots” project.
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Browse the reports
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?page=browse;c=nal
Go to UMDL Texts to search multiple collections.
From the browse link:
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=nal;cc=nal;view=toc;idno=17038117.0075.001
Flint, Lewis Herrick
Title: Crop-Plant Stimulation With Paper Mulch.
Publication Info: Beltsville, MD: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
2004
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