Grow Organic!'s topics - tribe.net

Codex Alimentarius - Control of all Food globally by 2009

2008-07-08T20:42:42Z

Codex Alimentarius” means “food rules” in Latin. The organization was born in 1962 when the UN established the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) as a “Trade Commission”. It was created to regulate, and thus control, every aspect of how food and nutritional supplements are produced and sold to the consumer. It is solely about trade and the profits of multi-national corporations.

The more natural health products people use, the fewer drugs they use. Millions are turning to natural health. Big Pharma fears this as it would diminish profits. Codex is designed to protect Big Pharma profits by eliminating natural health products and treatments. Health food stores and wellness companies would be hit hard.

Codex is unscientific because it classifies nutrients as toxins and uses “Risk Assessment” to set ultra low so-called “safe upper limits” for them. Risk Assessment is a branch of Toxicology, the science for assessing toxins. The proper science for assessing nutrients is Biochemistry. Codex does not use Biochemistry.

Codex is based on the Napoleonic Code, dating back to Bonaparte. Under this code, anything not explicitly permitted is automatically forbidden. Under Common Law (our system), something does not have to be explicitly permitted to be legal. The tyrannical Napoleonic Code allows the banning of natural health options by default.

Codex will go into global effect on December 31, 2009, unless we, the People, take action and avert it. Right now, we are like a frog boiled slowly, the heat raised gradually so we won’t jump out of the water. The media is used to make us believe that Codex is about “consumer protection”. Part of the media strategy is to tarnish the image of natural health options, through for-hire studies.

One-time defenders of supplements and nutritional products, such as the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) and Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), have fallen prey to new pharmaceutical members and are spreading disinformation saying that Codex is “consumer protection”. Their boards used to be run by health freedom fighters.

The U.S. has a powerful legal tool for health freedom: the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), passed in 1994 after massive grass-roots action. DSHEA scientifically classifies nutritional supplements as food and prevents dosage restrictions; Codex unscientifically classifies them as toxins and sets ultra-low doses. The VMG violates U.S. law because it violates DSHEA. We must unite to protect DSHEA, our best legal defense against Codex.

The pharmaceutical industry works through irresponsible/corrupt politicians to do their bidding. The path to institute Codex in America is to “influence” Congress to pass laws friendly to drugs and unfriendly to nutritional supplements, so that slowly everyone comes to believe that nutrients are “dangerous”, and drugs are “proper medicine”. Susan Davis (D, CA) and other politicians are helping Big Pharma by supporting bills designed to destroy DSHEA.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has two committees which impact nutrition.

One of them, the “Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses” (CCNFSDU), is chaired by Dr. Rolf Grossklaus, a physician who believes that nutrition has no role in health. This is the “top-guy” for Codex nutritional policy, and he has stated that “nutrition is not relevant to health”.

As unbelievable as it may sound, Dr. Grossklaus actually declared nutrients to be toxins in 1994 and instituted the use of toxicology (Risk Assessment) to prevent nutrients from having any impact on humans who take supplements! It is worth mentioning that Dr. Grossklaus happens to own the Risk Assessment company advising CCNFSDU and Codex on this issue. This company makes money when its toxicology services are used for the “assessment” of nutrients. Here in the U.S. we call that a “conflict of interest”.

Codex is made up of thousands of standards and guidelines. One of them, the Vitamin and Mineral Guideline (VMG), is designed to permit only ultra low doses of vitamins and minerals (and make clinically effective nutrients illegal). How can the VMG restrict dosages of vitamins and minerals? By using Risk Assessment (toxicology) to assess nutrients.

While Risk Assessment is a legitimate science (it is a branch of toxicology), it is the wrong science for assessing nutrients! In fact, in this context, it is actually junk science. Biochemistry, the science of life processes, is the correct science for assessing nutrients. Codex Alimentarius treats nutrients as toxins, which is literally insane.

Nutrients are not toxins - they are essential for life!!

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php?page_id=157

Start saving Seeds!!!

posted in Grow Organic! - 36 replies

coffee grounds

2008-07-08T13:52:12Z

does anyone have experience using coffee grounds? someone told me to collect them but i don't know what they are good for.

posted in Grow Organic! - 15 replies

powdery mildew on my maples

2008-07-08T03:57:05Z

my huge maple trees are all covered in white stuff :-((( gotta do something about it!i think last year there was a discussion on it and several people were going to try baking soda, milk and neem oil i believe... what were the outcomes?

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

evil darn catapillars

2008-07-06T12:56:48Z

my little herb garden(seedlings) are being munched away on by creatures. I found one fat catapillar this morning and picked it off. Not sure if that is the only one or there are families deciding to vacation for the summer.

I was using a powder version of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) but it did not seem to slow them down. What do you all of you recommend?

I've looked up suggestions on line at GARDENERS.com http://www.gardeners.com/Pest%20and%20Disease%20Finder/5285,default,pg.html Looks like some stuff can not be shipped to CA

thanks for your help!

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies

Blossom End Rot

2008-07-04T21:52:03Z

I am feeling a little saddened, as the tomatoes I have been waiting to ripen are showing signs of blossom end rot. It is my first time growing tomatoes, and after doing some research on the problem, am still unsure if I should just pluck the unlucky tomatoes off right away or wait and see if the problem will stay superficial. If I wait and see, will this bad tomato end up using the plant's energy to no good purpose, when instead it could use that energy towards producing new healthier (hopefully) fruits?

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

growing wheat

2008-07-04T03:36:48Z

Have any of y'all tried growing wheat? Around here farmers grow lots of winter wheat and I'm wondering if I can grow some for myself out in the garden.
I like bread flour with a coarser texture anyway so it seems like a good fit.

What do you all think?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies

New Bay Area Locavores tribe

2008-06-29T23:42:04Z

http://tribes.tribe.net/sflocavoreexchange

Please join if you are inclined!

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

Need planter box liner that won't leach chemicals

2008-06-27T02:35:25Z

I have built some large planter boxes out of redwood in which I'll plant organic vegetables and flowers. I want to line the inside of the boxes so they last longer (ie less soil to wood contact), but need to use a liner material that won't break down and leach chemicals. This is on an organic farm that will soon undergo certification so I need a materiel that won't hurt our veges nor compromise our organic certification process.

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Grasshoppers and NOLO BAIT

2008-06-24T20:12:12Z

Its been very hot and dry here and the grasshopper population is insane. I have hundreds of babies munching every thing in site. I put some DE around the tender greens a few days ago and it seems to be working, The only problem with it is that it has to be replaced daily because the water washes it away every time I feed the plants. One of my gardener friends gave me some NOLO Bait to try. I understand the gist of what it does. Has anyone had luck with it. Does it actually work??

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

Parrot Poop -- Fertilizer?

2008-06-20T14:19:30Z

Hey, all -- I have two conures that produce copious amounts of shit. I've just been tossing it but suddenly occurred to me: Can some of this avian guano be used for fertilizer? They eat seeds and "special mix" processed bird food. (Rainbow colored stuff.)

Input?

TT

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

raspberry plants

2008-06-17T01:30:07Z

so,

the boyscouts group was selling raspberry plants; my friend brought two pots home. Each pot (I think) has three canes. one of them is flowering... what would you suggest is the best way to transplant them?

thanks :)

nadia

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

Unhappy apple trees

2008-06-16T03:04:22Z

A friend overpruned her apple trees winter before last. For the second year in a row there are very few blooms. Is there anything I can do to help these trees? Will they recover?

posted in Grow Organic! - 11 replies

bokashi

2008-06-12T21:33:38Z

I am making bokashi with coffee grounds to add to my compost.

It is very simple to make and is anaerobic, so it will thrive inside a pile filled with chicken manure.

The recipe for 5 gallon bucket:

1) Make a 1:1 ration of EM and molasses. 4 Tbsp. Put into 4 cups of water and let sit overnight.

2) Procure enough substrate to fill your container. I use dried coffee grounds. Wheat bran is popular to use. Wood shavings, food scraps,
etc.
The most important thing is to make sure that the end product has around 30% moisture. This can be determined by a strong man
squeeze. A nice hard squeeze should produce a few drops of water.
3) Mix the EM mixture into the substrate in a container. Wheelbarrows work well. Mix thoroughly. Add water until desired moisture level.
4) Fill into the bucket packing down firmly every few inches till full.
5) Cap the lid on airtight and wait three weeks for fermentation.
6) After three weeks spread the bokashi out to dry.

The bokashi is now ready to use. It contains millions of beneficial organisms and can be applied under mulch layers, mixed in with planting soil, or thrown in with compost. It will store dry in a cool shaded spot for a long time. If left wet and exposed to air, it will funk up pretty quick so drying is very important.

Any thoughts?

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Flea Beetle control

2008-06-11T17:12:53Z

I have a wicked bad time with flea beetles last year. Only one eggplant outgrew them well enough to produce a lot of fruits. I think I finally ended up using spinosad and deciding it didn't work very well. Same with diatomaceous earth, though maybe if I apply it earlier this year. Has anyone had much luck in controlling serious infestations of them? I'm leaning toward remay as a barrier, but I hate to buy that crap. It's landfill waiting to happen and doesn't last very long. I know they are supposed to prefer dry hot conditions which I have, but that's a little hard to control consistently here. I noticed today that they're starting in again.

posted in Grow Organic! - 9 replies

How to shade when no shade?

2008-06-11T15:09:04Z

My lettuce will be happily shaded by my cuc arches, but I see that my kale and my spinach may need some shading - how does one shade when there's no shade (and the beds are all planted)? Thanks - Lynn

posted in Grow Organic! - 12 replies

Slugs and snails update......

2008-06-10T05:42:24Z

My friend has just told me about the nematode: Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.!!It needs to be applied (in uk) between march and october, although she reckons about now is the best time.Aparrently you' water it in ' and £20 will do about ten square metres, and so although expensive, if you keep it up annually , it should at least deter them a little....HOORAY!

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Brown Spots on Leafy Plants

2008-06-10T03:14:06Z

My backyard has a couple of Rose bushes in barrels that had signs of mildew, black-spot, scale/rust. I think this is where the disease started. There was also signs of ear-wigs and some aphids.

I attempted the 3 teirred plan to address the disease and insect problem.

1) Apply Beneficial Nematodes to the lawn/soil area to deal with the earwigs and other crawling leaf sucking bugs and fleas.

2) Apply 70% Neeme Oil to plant leaves and especially the undersides of leaves to deal with various diseases and pest ( rust/black spot/scales/apphids/mildew/fungisides/mites/etc).

3) Dust the patio/brick area with Concern Diatomaceous Earth as an additional way of dealing with crawling bugs/fleas/ants/etc.

After Items 1 and 3, I started spraying all my leafy plants with 70% Neem Oil. This is my 2nd dose of Neem Oil in 10 days. Now I am noticing a light-rust colored small dots starting to spread on some of the leaves. I have also found some small black dots that I can wipe off if I rub the leaf between my fingers, or use a finger nail to scrap the spot off.

I am thinking of using a damp washcloth to apply a bit more Neem Oil and to physical clean off the leaves. Is there anything else anyone can recommend? or suggest as to what this might be and how to combat it?

Ms.Kai

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

canteloupe

2008-06-09T11:28:18Z

So my little cantaloupes are sprouted out on their hills. I used black landscape plastic, like the book said. It gets very hot here, do the plants really do well just laying on top of the plastic or should I put down a layer of straw to cushion them?

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies

slugs and snails

2008-06-09T06:05:43Z

because we get a lot of rain in the uk, we have to compete with these creatures to produce a crop! a really horrid tip a friend swears by, is too use 'beer traps' so drowning them, then...brace yourselves!...put them in a blender(especially for this purpose!!) and spread the contents where you don't want them to munch. She absolutly swears by it!

posted in Grow Organic! - 22 replies

how do you protect seedlings?

2008-06-07T20:41:22Z

does anybody have any tips on how to protect seedlings as they come up? so far the bugs ( earwigs and possibly sowbugs, though i thought they were harmless but we sure have a lot!) have eaten all the cukes, all the squash, all the sunflowers, all the runner beans, and all the zinnias. pretty much anything that's direct seeded. the plants will sprout, live for a day or two, and then be eaten to nothing. it is SO frustrating as you can imagine! we have done row covers but they haven't done any good since the critters are in the soil, not coming from above. we put the chicken tractor on the beds prior to planting but that didn't help either.

please please please help!!!!!!

posted in Grow Organic! - 15 replies

Food Not Lawns SF

2008-06-06T16:04:45Z

I just found out about this event and would like to share it here.

FOOD NOT LAWNS!
How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a
Community
Date: Sunday, June 1st | 10AM – 3:30PM
Location: Garden for the Environment, 7th Ave at Lawton Street, San
Francisco. Cost: $15 - $30 Sliding Scale
Join Heather Flores, author of Food Not Lawns, at Garden for the
Environment for an all-day workshop of permaculture instruction and
community food gardening conversation. The morning focuses on the
basics of permaculture ethics and principles, as applied in the
small-scale urban garden. The afternoon focuses on multilevel garden
design, and closing resource loops in areas such as water, waste,
labor, and community interaction. Using classic permaculture
principles such as relative location, stacking functions, and
recycling, we will identify and address recurrent design challenges.
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share for a potluck lunch at noon.
The book Food Not Lawns will be available for purchase at the
workshop.
To Pre-Register, please call (415) 731-5627 or email
info@gardenfortheen vironment. org.

posted in Grow Organic! - 12 replies

Young veggie ID help pleease!

2008-06-04T13:28:53Z

I have lots of volunteers this year, which is great, but I'm moving in august (and have to dismantle my garden and reseed the lawn in its place) so I have to hoist and pot up the pumpkins, gourds and zucchini now and plant them in the new location (first planter box should be complete and filled this weekend). Among the mystery plants are summer squash and cucumbers also. How the heck do I tell what is what? At this point the leaves all look the same, and a google search only brought up pictures of large, fully mature leaves which does not help. Is there a way to ID them at this point, or should I just transplant all of them and hope for the best?

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Soil question...

2008-06-03T03:54:03Z

I feel like this is a ridiculous question, but what does alcohol do to soil in terms of composting or viability? I have lots of bottles of old tinctures that I made in an herbal course about 5 years ago, and I'm pretty sure they're never going to get used. But it feels kinda sacreligious to pour them down the sink. So will alcohol just evaporate and leave the plant materials in the soil? Or will the soil chemistry be ruined or burned?

I've never learned about scientific soil composition or chemistry, I've always just intuited it. So now that my gardening ignorance is exposed, does anyone have any suggestions?

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

Mark Bittman

2008-06-02T13:05:14Z

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/263
TED | Talks | Mark Bittman: What's wrong with what we eat (video)

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

quinoa??

2008-05-31T22:01:15Z

hi!!

is it possible to grow quinoa (organic)we buy from the store??

i've noticed it sprouts but i'd like to know if it'll grow more than that.

something that i know is that it grows well on the gulf islands (canadian west coast)
where i live.

merci

posted in Grow Organic! - 12 replies

Permaculture video

2008-05-29T05:24:30Z

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=495ntje2mt

:)

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

taken by storm...

2008-05-29T00:25:48Z

help! my recently planted soil beds (all still at seed) were slightly eroded and seriously packed-down by a heavy rain - I think my seeds are okay, but my soil is all compacted - what do I do?

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

San Diego Garden Co-op

2008-05-28T17:01:31Z

We are starting a garden Co-op in San Diego County. At this time we are all planting in our back yards but are going to help each other out, help others get started, and share the proceeds of our labor. If you are in San Diego County, please join us!

http://tribes.tribe.net/sdgardencoop

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Peppers

2008-05-25T10:02:14Z

I have grown peppers (I notice you call them bell peppers) in the uk under glass, although they are edible, the skins are a little tough.Any suggestions? perhaps i'm watering too little?

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

canning strawberries

2008-05-25T02:35:41Z

i've been canning for some time now.

I have a whole flat of organic strawberries
and i've always done the boiling water method.

what about freezer jam?

is the taste/texture really any different?

i just love seeing jars of beautiful summer

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

Not really a growing querie......

2008-05-24T18:53:19Z

But how easy would it be to convert my battery strimmer to a solar one? I only know it can be done, but need some technical advice...please!!

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies

new tribe

2008-05-24T18:11:37Z

Hey everyone.

i decided to make a new tribe today. maybe it will take off. maybe it won't.
i am just ready for some more input that is positive. it seems to be getting
rather scarce lately. this is not just some kind of wah wah feel good tribe.
it is a feel good tribe, but not in the form of lazy self satisfaction- inaction. no no
it is more like the kind of tribe for us to share accomplishments and insights
from around the globe and become EMPOWERED ourselves to either start
making a difference, or to know that there are many more of us out there.
it is also a place for networking with like minded people that are into other
kinds of cool stuff. like the kind of stuff that you hear about and say, "whoa...
that's cool"

share what you like. i would really like to see this work.

i check tribe a lot during lunch. it would be great to get some inspiration to marinate on while i finish out the day.

peace
m

tribes.tribe.net/positivehappenings

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

organic farm apprentice needed in miane

2008-05-23T15:10:33Z

if anyone needs a place to live this summer and learn how to organic farm. im looking for an apprentice that can work 10 hr a week in trade for place to camp and learn to farm..... call me up if interested........... 207 812 0901.. im located on the beautiful blue hill peninsula in maine... the farm has a 300* veiw of the atlantic ocean... peace and love

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

as i grow my own ...

2008-05-21T13:53:42Z

i would like to know more about organic vegetable growing, as i am new to this tribe, and have little knowledge on the subject,Any tips would be greatfully received.

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

Best time to plant?

2008-05-21T02:22:25Z

So whens the best time/day to plant? early in the day? late afternoon? overcast/sunny? the day before its suppose to rain? the day after rain?

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Companion planting FOR herbs

2008-05-20T03:33:00Z

Hey there! I've read plenty about herbs AS companion plants, i.e. herbs that repel insects that munch on carrots/tomatoes/apples, etc. or that makes the flavor better or the fruit bigger. But I haven't found anything about companion planting designed to enhance, protect, and help herbs as opposed to edibles.

Anyone know anything?

posted in Grow Organic! - 10 replies

cantaloupes and watermelons

2008-05-18T00:32:43Z

Can you plant these 2 next to one another or do they cross-pollinate?
If I really shouldn't plant these close, how far apart do they need to be?
I'm planting close and going vertical with them but I'm wondering if I need to create somewhere else for one to live this summer.
Thanks~

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

early tomato flowers

2008-05-17T22:32:20Z

first i just have to say that i really appreciate the wisdom and generosity of this tribe. it seems like every other day i have some simple little question that i really should know, and that i feel silly asking about, and yet i ask, and you all answer, and don't make me feel like an idiot. so thank you!

so my question of the day is, how big do tomatoes need to get before you let them flower? mine are about a foot tall and it seems like i pick the flower buds off every single day. they're actually twice that tall, i trench planted them, they've been growing since mid-february. and they really want to bloom! i've only grown starts from the nursery before, and i remember them being at least 3 feet tall before they even started to think about flowering. so maybe mine are happier? or maybe they're more stressed? they've been in the ground a whole 3 weeks or so. what would you say is a minimum height? and if i do let them start fruiting, will they really slow down their vegetative growth, or will they keep growing since it's so early in the season?

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

companion versus rows - seeding instructions

2008-05-16T00:36:48Z

So my companion plant book has very different instructions for row spacing than my seed packets. Is this just common old-school rules on the seed packets and companion planting has a different approach? Any suggestions? In particular my peas packet says 3 feet between rows, but if I'm companion planting my book says 1-2 feet. And what if I'm throwing in something like borage for ground cover - can I put that inbetween the pea rows? .... I'm not sure I'm very clear with my questions :) but I'd appreciate input. THanks! Happy Garden Time!

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

Canada's Police State Bill C51 Camouflaged as a Health Bill

2008-05-15T14:27:01Z

Canada's Police State Bill C51 Camouflaged as a Health Bill

On April 8th 2008 The Health Minister of Canada introduced a totally unnecessary bill, that is quickly being forced through Parliament to attack the Natural health products and services industry on behalf of big Pharma. The public is being deceived and not informed of the police state provisions written into this bill.

read it here
http://www.mychurch.org/blog/185640/Canadas-Police-State-Bill-C51-Camouflaged-as-a-Health-Bill

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

planting kitchen potatoes - disease free?

2008-05-12T22:48:29Z

My family and I have quite a few potatoes that have sprouted because we forgot about them and didn't get them eaten. Techinically I can cut seed pieces from them and plant them, rather than throw them out, but from what I've been reading kitchen potatoes may not be disease free. Does anyone know more about this or know of ways to (like sulfur) ensure that I can use these disease free? Or is it, in your experience, not a good idea... or a worry-free good idea?

Thanks!

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

want to distill some mint and lavender?

2008-05-12T17:15:51Z

I've got a huge trashbag of freshly harvested mint. The lavender will be ready in about 3 weeks.

Is anyone interested in making essential oils? Has a distiller and wants to split the harvest?

The best massage oil I've ever had was from these ingredients and homemade.

I think it would be fun to do this not only for the oil, but just learning to do something new and interesting.

I can do this during the week or a weekend before Memorial day. I have a super sweet place to do this with lots of wildlife around.... Just like going camping.... except I live here!

PM me for details.

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Purple coneflower

2008-05-11T04:20:35Z

My neighbor just dropped by with a bucket of purple coneflowers. Any suggestions on how and where to grow them?

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Has anyone info on copper fungicides?

2008-05-11T00:31:55Z

I was told it is organic and i have some white mold patches on my greenhouse tomatoes.
i sprayed one today and would like to get more information before i spray any more.
i really do need to act quick though, one can only prune so much before there is nothing left...

thanks in advance

m

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Tips for germinating and growing hot peppers

2008-05-10T21:59:22Z

A couple of years ago I start growing my own hot pepper plants after our local source for unusual plants went out of business. With a little investigation a have managed to come up with methods to quickly germinate and grow peppers. Here's what I've found. I hope it will answer some of the questions and solve some of the problems I've been reading from other members.
Seed starter trays work very well. Use the clear plastic dome until the most of the seeds have come up then remove it. Do not use peat pellets or peat to germinate. Pepper seeds don't like the pH. I use a starter plug called Rapid Rooter. It is made from recycled bark. They look funny but work great. Use distllled water to moisten the seeds until they germinate then it's ok to switch to tap water if you like. At this point you should start adding a fertilizer to the water. Use a seedling heating mat. They aren't too expensive and they help speed up germination. I also use grow lights. To prevent seedlings from being wimpy. Apply a gentle breeze from a fan for about 30 minutes a day. The wiggling stimulates the stems to strengthen. If you don't have a fan you can gently run your hand over the tops of the plants to get the same effect. You just have to do it more often. I've had impressive luck following these tips. The tepin seeds I bought said they can take up to 100 days to germinate. Mine were up in 7 days!
Good luck pepper lovers.

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

i am wondering if plant out date is now.....

2008-05-10T03:05:45Z

global warming, what ever...i live in wv....all our volunteers from the compost: tomatoes and sunflowers, cosmos, calendula have started to grow vigorously we have had a few cool knights, but nothing has stopped the growth....
i am not going to rush out and plant, but i am wondering of any folk signs or whatever.....i really think i could plant seeds outside
any thoughts from you all?

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies

menstrual blood as fertilizer?

2008-05-09T11:45:58Z

can you use menstrual blood as fertilizer? how is it applied (directly or diluted?) and how often should it be given to plants? i've read that plants love it, but is there any sort of evidence backing this up? has anyone grown plants that were given menstrual blood vs. no fertilizer side by side to see which one does better? how potent of a fertilizer is it? what exact nutrients does it give to a plant? there seems to be no information on this sort anywhere online.

posted in Grow Organic! - 56 replies

planting out peppers

2008-05-08T19:45:44Z

so we have a ton of pepper babies that have outgrown their little 6-pack homes and a new place to live. i'm wondering which is a better option- to transplant them to bigger pots and keep them in the house for another month or so, or to plant them out into the garden in their permanent bed, which just happens to have a hoop house over it at this time. we're in the sierra foothills, zone 8, and it's been 85 or so for the last few days, so it feels like time to plant all the summer stuff, but i know it's not. it's only april and we can and usually will get a late april/early may cold spell. it might not freeze because out little microclimate is fairly protected but it will probably get cold (i would guess high 30's). so can peppers deal with that in an unheated hoop house? or should i just keep 'em inside? i could really use the extra space... thanks!

posted in Grow Organic! - 10 replies

Herb guilds

2008-05-08T16:50:54Z

I am planting a lot right now as we are heading into the rainy season. I would like to have
some herb guilds but unfortunately this requires cooking knowledge, which i am working
on expanding. I have an example of what i am talking about that i am planting now.

THAI GUILD

Tomato
Basil
Chili Peppers
Lemon grass
Garlic
Ginger
Chives
Mung Bean Sprouts

Does anyone have any other ideas for plant groupings that can all be used for specific dishes?
Or... any additions to this Thai guild?
Of course dwarf coconuts but i am working on that.

thank ya'll
m

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

first garden in a decade

2008-05-06T16:29:54Z

For the first time since i was in grad school, i have a garden! A friend in the berkeley hills asked me if i could take over the food part of his garden from what was already growing in the house his family bought as well as plant more food.
There are already lemon, apple, apricot, pluot and orange trees in decent shape and getting better. Abundant fruit setting on the apples, apricot and pluot. Not great yields from the lemons.
There were beds of strawberries, artichokes, blackberries, raspberries, and asparagus in really bad shape but i have weeded, fertilized, added comcpost, mulched, watered them back to good shape and the artichokes are about to start offering some delights to my kitchen.

And into the ground i have been planting:
daikon
radish
turnip
choy sum
burdock
carrot
4 types of tomatos
3 types of chilis
mizuna
raddichio
red oak lettuce
a green leaf lettuce
peas
pea pods
long beans
3 varieties of cucumbers
zucchini
yellow squash
kabocha
coriander
basil
chrysanthemum
gold beets
red beets
cioga beets
tomatillo
blue lake beans

and in the green house are coming up
more chilis, squashes, pumpkins, thai basil, parsley, cilantro, basil, various asian greens and more

This is fun :)

phil

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

PLEASE WATCH = "IN LIES WE TRUST" = IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE

2008-05-05T10:04:13Z

PLEASE WATCH = "IN LIES WE TRUST" = IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE
Join the "TRUTH REVOLUTION"..

http://www.restoretherepublic.com/component/option,com_seyret/task,video\
directlink/Itemid,40/id,559/

TORRENT WITH extras
http://www.mininova.org/tor/1375455

PLEASE READ "A Truth Soldier"
http://danieltowsey.blogspot.com/2008/02/truth-soldier.html

Make copies and share them with people you care about, make some and write
"PORN" and leave copies in malls and other places...

Only the truely informed will have any chance..

Please join "conspiraciesclub' It's loaded with thousands of Articles,links,Videos, Documents and more.. http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/conspiraciesclub/

and for Canadians please go to "canadianconspiraciesclub" to learn about Bill C-51 before it's to late http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/canadianconspiraciesclub/

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Stop the Spray

2008-05-03T18:21:13Z

Tens of thousands California residents are being sprayed under the cover of night with pesticides containing partly unknown chemicals. These sprayings, conducted inadequate health studies, are done not to protect residents from a clear and present public health danger, but rather to protect special interests worried about eradicating the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM).

The LBAM spray operations in Central Coast counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz resulted in over 600 reports of health illnesses. State authorities have not only failed to respond, but now plan new LBAM aerial spray operations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Californians have a right to refuse aerial fumigation without proof of a clear and present public health danger. Any mandatory aerial spraying of chemicals must be shown to address a clear and present public health danger, and must be voted on and supported by the people in the area to be sprayed.

More Information:

The LBAM aerial spraying has been ordered by the Secretary of Agriculture, and due to a declared "state of emergency," representatives and residents are currently legally powerless to stop this. The legitimacy of this so-called "emergency" is uncertain; the LBAM poses no risk to human health but rather a contested threat to certain crops and plants.

Yet, government agencies approving the LBAM plan admit that the pesticide could pose a threat to some people, stating "not all health effects can be predicted and because the general population includes susceptible (people), such as children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, we cannot provide a definitive cause for their symptoms [experienced after the spraying in Santa Cruz and Monterey]."

Read the following letter from Assemblymember John Laird of the 27th district to the Secretary of Agriculture demanding explanation. In his letter on September 24, 2007 you will see a dialog between the Assemblymember and the Secretary on this issue: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a27/moth.htm

The bottom line is that the Secretary of Agriculture secured power to conduct LBAM aerial spraying of chemicals which at least in part were of unknown composition over urban areas of California against public outcry and concern.

We need laws that protect us and our environment, not special interests, and to ensure that we are not subjected to chemicals against our individual rights without an immediate health danger, due process, and a public vote.

Additional information is available at http://www.stopthespray.org/

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

Insecticidal soap sprays

2008-05-03T00:47:55Z

Anybody have a good recipe for insecticidal soap I can spray on my cucs and other plants? I have bought it in the past, but they really want way too much for it at the garden centers around here...

posted in Grow Organic! - 4 replies

skunks!

2008-05-01T14:31:13Z

i cannot believe i used to love skunks! this morning i found 3 foxgloves and 2 freshly planted tomatoes dug up. oh the carnage and the sadness. the intrepid watchdog, after having been sprayed 3 or 4 times, has decided that she will have nothing to do with a skunk (she is smart, i can't blame her!). so i have ordered the mountain lion noisemaker that supposedly will keep them away, hopefully that will work. for the week or so until it gets here, does anyone have any suggestions for how to keep those cute and furry and oh so destructive skunks away??!!

posted in Grow Organic! - 8 replies

tips for moss removal from the roof?

2008-04-29T19:38:42Z

Hi!

I've heard of some sort of copper strip technique, but I'm not sure of the effectiveness. Can anyone provide any info or alternative suggestions?

I'm afraid if I get up there with the powerwasher I will destroy my shingles!

Thanks,
Jean

posted in Grow Organic! - 9 replies

Fennel woes

2008-04-29T17:19:30Z

Every year I try to grow fennel, and every year I get weak, spindly plants that just won't grow... or if they do, they are incredibly tough when I try to eat them. This is maddening, because fennel grows so freely along the highways around town! Why won't it grow in my garden?!

I have tried growing from seed and starts.

I have the same problem with dill, to some extent.

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Tien Tsin chili seeds?

2008-04-29T07:55:45Z

does anyone have any tien tsin chili seeds they can spare or trade? This is the chili from sichuan province. The seeds from the chilis i have are now sprouting and i would like to grow this incredibly tasty pepper

phil

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

New Tribe "Scythe Users"

2008-04-28T21:41:57Z

I've started a tribe for people who currently use or are interested in using, scythes to mow plants.

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies

mulch for excess water?

2008-04-28T13:49:24Z

My garden plot has a tendency to hold water, simply because my yard is low lying. In case I can't afford the soil for raised beds, does mulching help with this at all? Or hinder?

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

Growing Potted Tomatoes...

2008-04-28T13:47:55Z

Hello...I'm looking to pot some tomatoes. How do I do this? when is a good time to start?

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

I spy growing in my garden.....................

2008-04-28T13:17:55Z

Spinach
Broccoli

posted in Grow Organic! - 21 replies

Pineapples, pineapples, pineapples!

2008-04-28T01:59:55Z

Hi everyone!
I want to begin planting pineapple trees in my yard in st. pete, florida.
I am in a perfect location for them and I have access to tons of pineapple tops on a regular basis, all organic.
I plan to start them in pots then move to the yard.
I want to know how long to let them dry and heel over before potting them. Some people say a day some say at least 7 days.
I have one in a pot and it does not look very good, its been about a week.
I have 3 more tops, with about 1 inch of core and the rest of the fruit trimmed away, I plucked the bottom leaves and now I've been letting them rest, out of the sun in my kitchen for about a day.
I don't want them to over dry, and I don't want them too moist, (one person told me to get them into water right away, i have not done this)
I've been reading and I just wondered if anyone wanted to toss me some tips or advice.
Thanks much.
peace

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

How hot is too hot?

2008-04-28T01:45:02Z

While turning my compost, I noticed steam coming off of it. Just how hot should my pile get and how hot is too hot?

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

Poison Oak in spring

2008-04-26T18:30:14Z

What does poison oak look like when it sprouts in spring?
Anyone have instructive photo's?
I would like to know how to eradicate it when it reemerges so I don't
risk suffering like I did from repeted outbreaks last season, my first w poison oak,
which became systemic. I live in a rainy Marin county area.

posted in Grow Organic! - 15 replies

volunteer tomatoes

2008-04-25T23:10:20Z

While weeding the broccolis, I noticed some seedlings that appear to be tomatoes. Last year I grew Roma tomatoes in that spot and I think these are volunteers. I rotate what I grow so I've never grown the same thing in the same spot two years in a row. Will letting these volunteers grow in the same spot make them more suceptible to disease?

posted in Grow Organic! - 3 replies

favorite seed companies?

2008-04-25T04:44:45Z

What's your favorite seed company? I personally like companies that sell heirloom seeds. My personal fave is Seed Savers Exchange, but I'm interested if there are any similar companies out there. I have a Territorial Seed Company Catalog and a Burpee catalog, but they don't have the rare/hard to find seeds that SSE has.

posted in Grow Organic! - 41 replies

My rocotos are growing...

2008-04-24T22:39:42Z

...and while they're not big enough for fruit yet, these are some of the most interesting leaves I've ever seen. They almost look like miniature grape leaves. I hope these things take because it's gonna be a beautiful plant when it gets big...

TT

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

I want your advise/suggestions on crabgrass removal...

2008-04-22T19:32:07Z

We are overwhelmed but the crabgrass in our yard, and my husband's attitude is to just embrace the stuff, but I think its awful, and would love to know if there is a solution that doesn't involve poison...we have lived here already three years, and have planted all over the whole yard already, so that takes away options like landscape plastic, and removing four feet of soil...altough neither one of those options was ever an option for us...I just about drove myself crazy yesterday trying to pull the stuff out by the roots to give some established plants some breathing space...I worked on it for hours, and made hardly a dent in the enormity of this situation(and, according to my husband, it will all be back with a vengence in a month, so why bother)...any advice would be well appreciated...thanks so much, Aura

posted in Grow Organic! - 6 replies

mystery wood chips for a weed free garden path

2008-04-21T07:57:17Z

http://www.paganpath.com/witch/woodmulch.shtml

A neighbor gave me a chipped tree last year and I have used it
to smother a weedy problem area in my garden and it is really
a nice refuge now. I put down multiple layers of newspaper and then
covered it with @5" of the chips. Now a year later, some interesting
mushrooms have been sprouting out of the chips. I don't plan on
growing much in this area, it defines the area and is soft underfoot.

Any experience with mushrooms out of wood chip mulch?

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies

potted tomatoes

2008-04-21T01:56:21Z

how large of pots do potted tomatoes need? i have these plastic salad containers i've been using for seedlings; about a foot and half long by six-eight inches height and width. is that big enough for them or will they demand more? i can put compost in their buckets, so that'd be okay... i'm more worried about the amount of root mass they demand.

also, i could put them in the ground, but i'd really rather save most of that for the corn, plus i'm not sure they'd get enough sunlight. probably get watered more often if they're in pots (where people see them).

Would the plastic cook the roots? Should I put the buckets in something, like cardboard containers so the sun isn't touching the plastic except for at the surface?

sorry if this has been covered before; i dont have the itme right now to shuffle through all of 800 entries here...

thanks,

nadia

posted in Grow Organic! - 7 replies

bunny

2008-04-20T17:38:54Z

There's a baby bunny living in my woodpile. He's so cute, I can't bear to harm him. Will chicken wire keep him out of my garden?

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Plastic Bottle Ban

2008-04-20T05:01:04Z

Seen this and thought i would post it since plastic finds it ways in alot of areas in growing .

Plastic Bottle Ban?
Manufacturers, retailers, and regulatory agencies consider eliminating a potentially harmful chemical from plastic sport and baby bottles.
By Lisa Farino

Responding to growing consumer concern, sports-bottle maker Nalgene announced today that it will be phasing out the use of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in its plastic containers over the coming months.

BPA is a common building block of hard polycarbonate plastics (such as sports bottles, baby bottles, and eye glasses) and is also found in the resin lining of metal food and beverage cans.

Because BPA mimics estrogen, there has been increasing concern that exposure, especially by fetuses, newborns, and infants, may cause long-term health impacts such as early puberty in girls, reproductive problems, and cancers later in life.

Nalgene currently makes about a half-dozen different sports bottles, including ones made from stainless steel and also BPA-free plastics. Only one of its six bottle types includes BPA. Customers who wish to buy BPA-free sports bottles before Nalgene’s phase-out is complete can visit the Nalgene Choice website to learn more about Nalgene’s current BPA-free options.

Canada Plans BPA Ban

Across the border, retailers throughout Canada have been releasing plans to remove BPA-containing sports and baby bottles from their shelves. On Wednesday, Wal-Mart Canada announced that it would immediately stop selling baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers, and water bottles that contain BPA.

Many of these retail changes followed an anonymous media leak earlier this week that Health Canada would declare BPA to be toxic.

The official announcement came today as Canada’s Minister of Health, Tony Clement, declared that the Canadian government is taking action to reduce BPA exposure, especially in newborns and infants.

“We have immediately taken action on bisphenol-A (BPA) because we believe it is our responsibility to ensure families, Canadians and our environment are not exposed to a potentially harmful chemical,” said Clement.

The Government of Canada is proposing a ban on polycarbonate baby bottles and strict limits on BPA in infant formula cans. The government is also seeking to work with industry to develop alternative food packaging. A 60-day public comment period on the proposal will begin tomorrow.

Will the US Follow Suit?

On Tuesday, the National Institute of Health’s National Toxicology Program (NTP) released its draft brief on BPA, which found that current levels of exposure to the chemical did pose “some concern” for fetuses, infants, and children. The main concerns were that exposures in these groups could potentially cause neural and behavioral problems, impact the prostate and mammary glands, and contribute to earlier onset of puberty in girls.

There are no immediate plans in the U.S. to regulate BPA in food and beverage containers.

The report wasn’t intended to make recommendations, says John Bucher, Associate Director of the National Toxicology Program. Rather, the goal was to pull together the literature on the subject, conduct a thorough scientific analysis, and make that information available to regulatory agencies.

“All we can do is point out where the exposures are coming from,” said Bucher. The two biggest culprits he identified were polycarbonate baby bottles and the linings of infant formula cans.

On Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that congressional Democrats were pushing for the FDA to regulate the presence of BPA in food containers and beverage bottles.

Although no regulatory agencies are required to take the report’s findings into account, Bucher says that some agencies—such as the FDA, the EPA, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission—could choose to use the NTP’s findings on BPA. Most likely, these agencies will, at the very least, wait until the draft report has been through a peer review process, which is scheduled for June 11, 2008.

Meanwhile, the NTP is accepting public comments about the BPA report.

What Should I Do?

While the NTP does not make specific recommendations about how other agencies should regulate BPA, they did offer the public some tips for reducing personal exposure if they were concerned. These included:

Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from over use at high temperatures.
Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom.
Reduce your use of canned foods.
When possible, opt for glass, porcelain, or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
Use baby bottles that are BPA free.

In Love and Light

Pritam

posted in Grow Organic! - 2 replies

New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Foods

2008-04-18T16:59:16Z

Organic veggies have more nutrients
from the Union of Concerned Scientists Food & Environment newsletter
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/feed/feed-april-2008.html#4
A review of nearly 100 scientific studies has concluded that, on average, organic fruits and vegetables have more vitamins, minerals, and beneficial antioxidants than their conventionally grown counterparts. In the new report, scientists from The Organic Center (a nonprofit that promotes organic farming), examined carefully matched measurements of selected nutrients in specific organic and conventionally grown foods. The scientists found that the organic produce had higher levels of tested nutrients in 61 percent of the cases. Furthermore, the organic foods tended to have higher levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, nutrients that are often in short supply in U.S. diets. By contrast, conventional produce had higher levels of potassium, phosphorus, and total protein, which most people already have in their diets in sufficient amounts. The Organic Center will update its findings online as new studies comparing organic and conventional foods are published.
Read the report:
"New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Foods,"
State of Science Review, March 2008
http://www.organic-center.org/science.nutri.php?action=view&report_id=126

posted in Grow Organic! - 1 reply

Harlequin beetles

2008-04-17T19:17:32Z

I got them, they are sucking the life out of my turnip greens, and attacking my parsley. I better do something before they get to my other brassica beds.

I looked in the internet a bit (google university you know...) and saw a couple of statements:

"Rotenone Pyrethrins It is a totally organic pesticide that works wonders on almost all garden pests". Is this true? no pesticide residue on my brassicas? any of you have used this?

Also, other advice I saw is to use insecticidal soap, but that does not sound organic. Insecticide residue on my leaves? no thanks.

What I will do, unless I find out it would be detrimental; is to spray the concoction I made: deadly pepper paste (blend of tepin, chiltepin, thai peppers and habaneros - it did not go bad in 1 1/2 years left outside because nothing can live in it), baby shampoo and white vinegar. Dilute with a lot of water. I sprayed aphids with this, is did not phase the kale but got rid of the aphids, it shocked the baby beets a little but got rid of the aphids on them, and the baby beets recovered. I know it is a bit hard on the plants but i will dilute. Of course I know it works for aphids, but will it work for Harlequin beetles?

Any of you have experience with Harlequins? any advice? much appreciated!

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

Improper "Big Pharma" Influence in Medicine is VERIFIED!

2008-04-17T17:49:51Z

Improper "Big Pharma" Influence in Medicine is VERIFIED!

This is a BIG step in the right direction for health care in the USA! It has been no secret, but no one was talking about it since the monetary benefits that many doctors are receiving from these companies made this unlikely. I mean - if you were the type to only care about money (which is why many become doctors in the first place), wouldn't you want a free trip to Cancun by putting other people on basically unproven and even harmful chemical substances?

Catherine D. De Angelis, MD, MPH and Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA have submitted this timely (and likely unwelcome) article into the April 16, 2008 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), entitled "Impugning the Integrity of Medical Science - the Adverse Effects of Industry Influence."

What is even more awesome is that this was broadcast on the same day on the morning edition of Talk Radio's "Paul Harvey" show, so this information has come to the attention of many Americans today!

I am happy to see that some doctors do in fact have some integrity. This may also be an opening for safer alternative methods to be approved by the AMA for doctors to use and not feel like they will have their medical licensing taken away if they recommend a proven herbal remedy (as an example) instead of the new designer drugs of the day. I hope this allows them the courage to step forward now that the door has been opened!

We can help by showing this to our medical providers (if you have those) this article, and telling them about this, they can maybe take additional steps as doctors to become more able to practice alternative and natural techniques without risking their careers. Also, tell your friends in any way you can, so that they can demand alternative therapies be implemented or they will go elsewhere now that this article ought to free up other practitioners to use these methods. This also provides some validation for Alternative practitioners who have known about these dangers all along. Health care freedom (and responsibility) is up to all of us - please spread the message!

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/299/15/1833 (download in case they remove!)
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/282/17/1609

posted in Grow Organic! - 0 replies

compost tea & seedlings

2008-04-16T02:57:23Z

my seedlings started looking weak, so I made some compost tea & watered them, they look much better. however now I wonder if the compost tea can spread bacteria or fungus or something? how long do you let yours steep, should I make it milder for the babies? have you ever had problems from using it on seedlings? I always seem to kill my baby vegetable plants somehow & they are almost ready to harden off, i'm almost there....

posted in Grow Organic! - 5 replies