Gardening with Soil Blocks

Gardening with Soil Blocks

CC flickr photo by hightech malibu

Soil blocks have been around for at least 2,000 years, first used by the Aztecs to build the so-called “Floating Gardens” of Mexico City, which were long strips of land surrounded by water used for growing plants and vegetables. The Chinampas system of farming utilized a seeding technique whereby chunks of harder soil were cut from bogs and used for sprouting seeds.

The Aztec idea still resonates in modern soil blocks, which are essentially free-standing, slightly compressed blocks of soil that are used for germinating and starting seedlings, eliminating the need for pots or seed trays. In the process, a tool of some sort is used to cut the blocks.

Reduce Gardening Expenses by Using Soil Blocks

Many gardeners use soil blocks for the simple reason that they save money. You don’t need pots or any plastic containers. Beyond the initial investment of the soil blocker tool itself, there is little expense, and the blocker usually pays for itself within just a couple of years. Blockers are usually made of zinc or some other sturdy, non-corrosive material and last for years. [click to continue…]

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Where To Find Composting Worms

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Worms aren’t just for fishing bait anymore. The art of vermicomposting (using worms to produce compost) and vermiculture (raising and breeding worms) has reached new heights of popularity in recent times. Both environmentalists and gardeners (or anyone who is both) are finding them to be the cheapest, simplest, and space-efficient way to reduce garbage and create excellent gardening soil.

Of course, the worms you use for composting aren’t the same ones you can likely dig up in your yard or garden. Earthworms or night crawlers (lumbricus terrestrius) are not usually used for vermiculture or composting because they do not breed or do well in captivity. Instead, the two major types of worms used are eisenia foetida and lumbricus rubellis. The two are commonly called red worms, red wigglers, or manure worms. They are smaller than most night crawlers, have a red color (often very bright), and do very well in captivity, breeding quickly.

These worms are widely available and easy to come by. Most purchase them from a vermi-supplier for composting or similar use, but you can also often find them in some bait shops and fishing stores.

Where to Buy Composting Worms

The surest way to get the best quality vermicomposting worms is to purchase them from professional breeders. There are literally thousands of them selling online and off, so finding a local breeder may be possible and save you some postage. You don’t need too many worms to start, so postage is not usually too much regardless. Most sites sell worms by weight. Remember that one pound of worms is about 1,000 wigglers.

Red Worm Composting has a lot of information about vermicomposting on their site and worms available in various packages to suit your needs.

Garden Worms is a professional outfit that sells the worms you’ll need plus a lot of books, kits, and gardening items as well.

Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm is a more country-style, laid back site with a lot of vermicomposting and breeding information as well as, of course, worms for sale.

Acme Worm Farm is a semi-professional outfit whose website does not have a ton of information, but whose prices are often better than others.

Worm Man’s Worm Farm has every type of worm you can imagine and for every purpose. This is not a specialty vermicomposting outlet, but a worm warehouse.

The Worm Dude has a website that might be hard to navigate, but his products and resources are great.

Urban Worm Girl is the site for two girls that specialize in vermiculture for the urban lifestyle.

Mother Earth’s Farm is a vermiculture site and club based in Idaho and serving the northwest.

Clean Air Gardening is an environmentally friendly lawn & garden online supply store. Find vermicomposting supplies, including composting worms, as well as any other composting or vermicomposting need.

And, don’t miss Find Worms. It is a site to go to if all else fails. It’s a worm locator with a catalog of worm sellers and sources for many parts of the globe.

Acquiring and caring for worms in a home composting setup is easy, fun, and saves a lot of money, landfill space, and even time. Every gardener should look into vermicomposting.

Want to learn more about worm composting?

Check out these helpful websites:
Worm Composting Tips
Guide to Composting with Worms from California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Worm Composting from Clemson Cooperative Extension

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Exploring Health Benefits of Soybeans

CC flickr photo by brendan-c

Soybeans are a widely grown crop for the food industry, but also deliver some great health benefits to your family when grown straight out of the garden. Soybeans are actually legumes and grow in a pod similar to peas. The seeds are used to make soybean oil, tofu, miso and even soy sauce.

Growing Soybeans

Soybeans thrive in full sun with soil that is moderately rich in organics. Plant the seeds in early spring and evenly water your soybean crop as it grows. Too much rain, watering, and nitrogen in the soil can lead to bacterial blight. Also, be careful not to handle the soybean plants if they are damp, so that disease is not easily spread.

Harvesting begins when the soybean is about three to four inches long. If you harvest too late your soybean plant will stop producing, so watch the bean growth. Sayamusume is a popular variety to grow, as is the Envy soybean plant.

Store your fresh soybeans in the refrigerator and eat within a few days. If you buy dried soybeans from the store, keep them in an airtight container tucked away in a dark, cool place for up to a year. Blanching and freezing fresh soybeans is also a good idea.

Nutritional Values of Soybeans

Nutrient Unit Value per 1 cup, cooked (172g)
Energy/Calories 298 Kcal
Protein 28g
Fat (total) 15.4g
Fiber 10.3g
Sugar (total) 5g
Vitamin C 2.9mg
Vitamin A 15.4IU
Calcium 175mg
Magnesium 148mg
Potassium 885mg
Beta Carotene 9.98mcg

Soybean Health Benefits

The list of health benefits that soybeans deliver is lengthy. It is especially important however, to eat soy products that are fresh instead of those that are processed. The nutritional benefits are much more concentrated and pure, although even the processed varieties are healthy for you.

The protein found in soybeans is unique and has enormous health benefits. It has been shown to reduce the risk of cancers, including colon, breast and prostate cancer. Soy protein also helps those with diabetes. It allows them to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol, protecting their kidneys and even helping with blood sugar levels.

Soybeans, especially in the form of soy nuts, are highly beneficial to post-menopausal women. Eating soy nuts can reduce the menopausal symptoms, lower blood pressure, help maintain good cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Soybeans are an excellent source of protein, iron, fiber and potassium. All of these nutrients are essential for good overall health and abundant energy.

Getting the Most Nutrition Out of Your Soybeans

Soybeans can come in many different forms – from oil to nuts, flour to fresh beans. This legume can make its way easily into your diet in one form or another. Aim for a balanced amount of soybean in your diet and experiment with different ways of including it.

Besides tofu and soy sauce, which are both commonly found in Oriental cooking, soybeans can be added to your diet in a number of simple ways:

Soy Milk
Try this milk instead of traditional cow’s milk. It works in cereal, in tea or coffee, and in baking.
Stews, Soups and Casseroles
Add steamed soybeans to recipes for a flavor and nutrient boost. Freeze the soybeans as you harvest for convenient additions all throughout the year or throw in some dried soybeans after soaking them for ten minutes.
Salads
Soybean sprouts are excellent in salads or as a replacement for lettuce in sandwiches.
Edamame
Boil in the shell and enjoy as a snack or appetizer. Most add a little salt in the boiling water or sprinkle on top of the beans once drained.
Soy Nuts
Dried soy nuts are perfect for travel or a snack on the go.

Soybean Concerns and Cautions

Soybeans may cause allergies and can be especially dangerous to those with legume allergies (peanut and tree nut). Also, soybeans contain oxalates meaning they should be avoided by those who are living with kidney or gallbladder difficulties.

Look for organically grown soybeans in processed foods, as they will be free of GMOs (genetic modified organisms). Also, recent research is addressing the concerns of too much soy in a diet. While soybeans are easy to incorporate into a meal plan, make sure to eat a balanced diet.

Want to learn more about the health benefits of soybeans?

Check out these websites:
Soy Protein, Isoflavones, and Cardiovascular Health: A study published here by the American Heart Association discussing the benefits of soybeans in fighting heart disease.
Soybean Nutrition
Edamame: The Vegetable Soybean from Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension

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Grow a Kitchen Garden in a Window

CC flickr photo by tillwe

Many people with limited space or who like quick accessibility keep a small herb or kitchen garden in their window. Specialized windows, called kitchen garden windows or just garden windows, are available to facilitate this and give more space to the kitchen gardener.

These windows are small bay windows (also called kitchen greenhouse windows) that maximize both shelf space for plants and light coming in. They are not required for kitchen garden growing, but are popular because of their benefits.

Growing herbs and kitchen plants in the window of the kitchen has been popular for a very long time. Many home kitchens as far back as the Victorian Era would have small pots of herbs or a garden box just outside the window, making for easy reach and clip access to things needed for the pot or pan.

Today, kitchen garden windows are grown for that very same reason: quick access to fresh, healthy and useful herbs and vegetables.

Growing a Window Kitchen Garden

Whether you have a kitchen greenhouse window or not, you can grow many useful things there. Many kitchen windows include herbs, spices, sprouts, small salad plants, and even small vegetable varieties.

To grow your own garden in a window, all you need is the space to do it and a simple plan. First, think about the location of the window. Is it south-facing? How much sunlight does it get? Most windows that are not on the north side of the house should be capable of at least six hours of sunlight daily. If your kitchen window gets less than that, you may need to consider using a window on another wall or in another room instead. Adding a grow light might also be a good idea to assist growing in a window if it is not south-facing.

Considering the space you have, think about your cooking style and what types of herbs you tend to use most often. Most successful kitchen window gardens begin with herbs. Growing three or four or even half a dozen herbs in the window is a good start on your kitchen garden. If you have a lot of kitchen window space, then you can add other plants such as cherry tomatoes, sprout growers, and more.

Next you’ll need to plant, organize, and care for those plants. Be sure to label the pots you’re growing the plants in so that you can easily identify what you need when the time comes for a quick cutting. Also be sure to know the details of your plant choices so you can harvest, replant, etc. Nothing is worse than ruining a good dish with herbs that have outgrown their flavor.

Use Proper Gardening Containers

The last and most often ignored advice is to use the right container. Many first-time kitchen gardeners choose containers based entirely on aesthetics. Your kitchen garden containers need to be of the right type for what you’re growing, have proper drainage, and functional enough for everyday use.

Small herb and spice plants can be grown in small terracotta or ceramic containers (assuming proper drainage) whereas larger plants, such as cherry tomatoes, will need larger containers. Each container will have space requirements to go with the plant itself and will also need to be considered for the type of soil and the longevity of the soil it keeps. Some containers, such as ceramics, will have a tendency to encourage mold in the soil, limiting its lifespan.

Putting it all together, you’ll find that choosing and planting kitchen garden plants is fairly easy and, once you get the hang of it, can offer year-round nutrition and joy to your cooking.

Want to learn more about growing a kitchen garden in a window?

See these helpful websites:
Kitchen Garden Tips
Do It Yourself: Install a Garden Window

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Pruning Herbs

CC flickr photo by izik


Nearly all plants can benefit from pruning. While normally associated with trees, this process can improve both vigor and production for many herbs as well. Pruning naturally stimulates plant growth and gives the gardener the chance to control production, plant growth, and shape.

Most gardeners prune new plants in mid- to late-spring and often naturally prune while harvesting throughout the year for leafy herbs.

How And Which Herbs to Prune

Almost all herbs can benefit from pruning. Most ground cover type herbs will generally be pruned as they are harvested. Any herb with stems and tall plant size, especially those meant for seed harvest, will benefit the most from early pruning.

In the early spring, control plant growth in an upward direction by pinching off the new shoots as they appear on the lower portions of the plant. This encourages top foliage and taller growth, which in turn usually leads to a larger, fuller plant later in the year. By controlling the lower stems, you stop the plant from growing outwards in the beginning and force it instead to go up before it goes out.

Thicker plants and plants that are being pruned later in the spring may require cutting rather than pinching. All unwanted growth should be removed, but leave at least half of the plant intact so you do not harm it before it really gets going. Additionally, plants should never to pruned heavily after the summer if they are to overwinter intact. Doing so may cause early shoots to appear and then be killed with the frost, harming the plant and possibly killing it as well.

In mid-spring, if the plant is being grown for seeds (e.g. dill), pruning can direct the plant’s energy towards specific seed stalks and pods. Do not prune away many leaves. This can distract the plant into growing more to replace them, reducing seed growth. Instead, focus on pruning away late-emerging seed shoots so the plant focuses on those it began earlier, making them larger and with more seed.

Dead heading is a common term for this sort of seed and flower control. Pinching or cutting off seed stalks and buds that are emerging late is recommended for all seed-bearing plants.

Perennials that are harvested at the end of the season can usually be cut all the way down. This “mowing” of the plant allows it to stay dormant over winter and re-sprout in the spring. Cover the leftover exposed stalk with mulch at 3-4 inches to keep it insulated. This practice is most common with heavy wooded herbs rather than softer plants.

Using the Pinched Herb Tips

Some herb tips and branches that are pinched off can be dried or incorporated into cooking. They will have a much milder flavor than the full-grown herb, but need not be wasted just for being taken early. If the stem pinched off is long enough, it may also be rooted to grow a new plant. Cuttings are better suited for this than those pinched off, however.

Herb tips that have been pinched can also, of course, be composted or even dropped to the soil beneath the plant as additive to the mulch and soil already there. So long as they are not diseased, these tips will add to the soil.

Want to learn more about pruning herbs?

Growing Herbs: PDF from Alabama Cooperative Extension
Winterizing the Herb Garden from North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

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Community Supported Agriculture

CC flickr photo by busbeytheelder

Today, in “green circles,” the term “community supported agriculture” (CSA) is a common phrase. More people are attending farmer’s markets or local food fairs and have probably heard the term used. But, some are unaware of what it really is or how it can benefit them and their community. So check out the basics on community supported agriculture and see the benefits of supporting local farms.

What Is Community Supported Agriculture?

CSA is just what its name implies: farming with the support of the community. Customers purchase shares of the farm, usually as bundles of food types, and take delivery of the food as it is produced. This gives the farmer a guaranteed income and the consumer a rich, wholesome, more sustainable, fresh food source.

Both of these mean better food, better, more sustainable farming, and often a total savings all the way around. In addition, a CSA gives the farmer and the consumer a direct connection and gives the consumer the chance to know where their food is grown.

How to Get Involved and Find a CSA Program

There are many ways to find a CSA near you. The most common is to visit local farmer’s markets and run into the CSA sellers (usually selling surplus) at their booths. They can also be found by looking through a database of them from various sources, including Local Harvest, NewFarm Locator, etc. (all available from the USDA’s website, linked below).

Finally, word of mouth is another common way for people to learn about CSA farms in their area. The best promoters of a CSA are usually those who participate in it!

Benefits of Using a CSA

The greatest benefit for the consumer is the ultra-fresh, very local, very nutritious and (usually) organic foods that become available. Consumers also often find that they are exposed to new foods they may not have tried and many CSAs have consumer clubs that include recipes, gathering events (cooking fairs, harvest festivals), etc.

Most CSA farms are happy to have their customers come visit to see where their food comes from and to meet the people who produce it. Often, an end of year “post harvest” event will be held wherein CSA members can go into the fields and look for plants that were missed by the harvesters.

Children enjoy visiting the farm and often consider it theirs and will favor food that comes from it. It becomes a hands on connection with their food source to understand food production beyond the produce aisle.

Best of all, though, the consumer and the farmer come together in a direct relationship, eliminating the disconnect present in today’s society around food because of large grocery stores. This builds a trust between the two and gives the farmer extra incentive to produce better foods and the consumer incentive to be more involved in the process.

There are community supported agriculture programs all over the nation. Most include all types of fruits and vegetables, but also other farm products such as milk, cheeses, meats, eggs, and other products. Most CSAs have a tiered buy in structure for consumers to choose from, each with a different level of food totals and types involved.

The lowest level might have vegetables at so many pounds per week and be suitable for one or two people while the highest level might have several pounds of vegetables, beef, chicken, eggs, and a gallon of milk every week, suitable for a family of six. Most consumers find that their overall grocery costs go down with the purchase of a CSA membership while their health and nutrition levels rise.

Want to learn more about community supported agriculture or find one in your area?

See these helpful websites:
Introduction to CSA and Find a CSA Farm from United States Department of Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture: Local Harvest

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Freezing Basil

A relatively non-traditional way to preserve basil is to freeze it. In fact, this works with several herbs. The trick is to keep the leaves from getting frostbitten in the freezer, which industry has accomplished through vacuum sealed freeze drying. In the home kitchen, however, that kind of equipment isn’t available. You can still freeze [...]

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No Soil Gardening

When most people hear “no-soil gardening,” they immediately think of hydroponics. Yet that is only one of several ways that gardens can be grown without the use of soil. No-soil gardening (or soil-less gardening) is used throughout the world to grow many things. From the American space program at NASA, to the basement tomato aficionado, soil-less gardening [...]

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Easy Month by Month Gardening Calendar

Gardening involves tasks that can be done routinely at the same time every year. This keeps you going and keeps you gardening, no matter the season. The following monthly guide is loosely based on a Zone 6 region, so you may need to adjust the timing to fit your specific plant hardiness zone. This is [...]

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Types of Greenhouse Coverings

One of the main components of any type of greenhouse construction — be it for home or commercial use — is the covering, also called glazing. There are four main types of glazing: Plastic Films, Polycarbonate, Glass, and Fiberglass. What you select depends ultimately on budget, climate and what you plan to grow in the greenhouse. [...]

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