Straw Bale Gardening 101

“Straw Bale Gardening provides many advantages over traditional soil gardening, some of which have already been alluded to: no weed seeds, no disease or insect carry over, and a neutral pH which allow you to grow essentially anything with roots. ”

“The raised height of the bales is a big advantage, eliminating the need to get down on the ground level to plant and harvest.  Soil is heavy and moving it around is labor intensive, while straw bales once in place eliminate much of the physical requirements of traditional gardening.”

Read the complete article and FULL DIRECTIONS on “How to Grow a Straw Bale Garden” at: “GardeningChannel.com“

SF Recommits to Urban Agriculture During Housing Crisis

“With the loss of the Little City Gardens commercial farm last year and a fast-paced development boom, San Francisco’s commitment to urban agriculture is being put to the test.

But the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday recommitting The City to urban agriculture and calling on city departments to evaluate parcels of land that could be well-suited for growing fruits and vegetables.”

Read the ENTIRE ARTICLE at: “http://ift.tt/2plxcGA“

Natural Pest Control Methods

Read the FULL ARTICLE at: www.SeedsNow.com

A Seed Club That’s Completely Customized For You!

When you join Urban Organic Gardener (UOG) you will be assigned a dedicated Garden Guru. Each month he/she will ship you a customized package for your garden.

We include everything you need. Your seeds and garden supplies are delivered to you at just the right time of the year to plant the seeds. Your package is customized based on your USDA Hardiness Grow Zone – growing medium – location – sunlight specs – and more.

Ready to JOIN? http://ift.tt/1Su1g8E

Urban Gardening 17 Stories High in Zagreb

“Urban gardening is a growing trend throughout Europe. In the Croatian capital Zagreb, Marijan Butkovic grows microgreens like cress, arugula and cilantro in a highrise. He even delivers his produce to 20 restaurants.”

Watch the Video HERE

Delaware Volunteers Get their Hands Dirty on Earth Day

“The trees had waited a whole year for this. First potted as seedlings last spring, hundreds of them on Saturday got shucked from their small homes and upgraded to roomier accommodations thanks to the efforts of some 25 volunteers celebrating Earth Day. The effort was only the next step, however, in preparing those trees to reforest an overused Delaware campground — they’ll wait out summer in those new pots before getting into the ground in September.”

“I love doing Earth Day activities, and I especially love getting my hands in the soil and working with plants,” said Kristy Northrup, an agriculture graduate student at the University of Delaware.

Read the whole story at: “DelawareOnline.com“

Tampa Man Finds Future in Urban Farming

“Urban farming, the name alone may sound a little strange but this unique way of cultivating produce may be the way of the future. Using warehouses and artificial light instead of farmland and the sun an urban farm allows the farmer to control the environment. This can result lower water usage, eliminate the need for herbicides or pesticides and increase the crop yield per square foot.”

Read the original article at: “WTSP.com“

2 East Bay Companies Redefine Urban Farming

“One hundred miles, give or take, from farm to table, is the ideal maximum distance for produce to be considered local. But there are some companies that are greatly improving on that goal — instead of triple-digit mileage, they’re offering produce that’s grown within just a few miles. Even better, when there’s a short distance involved, delivery happens by bicycle or on foot, eliminating any reliance on fossil fuels.

Traditionally, this type of urban farming takes place in abandoned lots, backyards or parks. But two new East Bay companies are changing up that paradigm.”

Read the rest of the article at: “BerkeleySide.com“

Educating and Uplifting East Oakland Kids Through Urban Farming

“It started with a lemon tree. Kelly Carlisle didn’t grow up gardening. She didn’t have a windowsill herb garden. She knew about farming, of course, but in her mind there was a disconnect: food just sort of showed up at the grocery store. She worked a corporate job, wearing fancy clothes and heels to work. But she had gotten laid off during the recession, and one day a few years ago, she ended up at a Bay Area nursery with her daughter. They bought a lemon tree, and as it slowly started to flourish, so did Carlisle’s interest in gardening.”

Read the REST of the ARTICLE at: “WWW.KQED.org“

How to Dye Eggs, Naturally!

“Dying eggs this time of year is a tradition for many families.  Instead of purchasing kits at the store, try using natural ingredients you may already have growing in your own garden or stored in your kitchen pantry.   You’ll feel better about dying your eggs using organic and natural products that you already have at home.”

Read the FULL SET OF INSTRUCTIONS at: “SeedsNow.com“

One Woman Rescues Fruit and Feeds The Hungry

“Meet Nita Kurmins Gilson, the woman bringing fresh fruit to thousands of San Diegans in need. In 2009, Nita learned that 1 in 6 people in her county were going to bed hungry. She also saw an abundance of fresh produce going to waste all over the city. So, she connected the dots to be part of the solution for both food waste and hunger. She began by picking excess fruit from neighborhood trees and hand-delivered it to local food pantries. What started with “one woman, one box, and one car” has expanded to 300 volunteers, and they have harvested over 100,000 pounds of fresh fruit! Besides fruit trees, they also harvest excess crops from local small farms, and collect unsold produce from weekly farmers markets…all to feed children, families, seniors, veterans, and the homeless in need. Nita also speaks to and educates the community about sustainability and food justice. She co-founded ProduceGood with partners Jari and Alex White with the mission to feed the hungry and reduce waste, and she’s doing an amazing job!”

To learn more about Produce Good, go to:
http://ift.tt/2o51V6x

Video via: Rob Greenfield

All About Planting Tomatoes! [INFO-GRAPHIC]

Sun, Soil, Light, Pests & Timing

• Sun: Tomatoes need lots of sun, so be sure to pick a spot without too much shade.
• Water: Give your tomatoes about two inches of water every week all season, and give them extra water in the first few weeks.
• Soil: Tomatoes do best in loamy, acidic soil, and it’s a great idea to plant them in soil that can be well-drained.
• Timing: Shoot to start seeds six weeks before the Spring’s last frost
• Fertilizing: Two weeks after your first picking, is prime time for fertilizing. 
• Pests: Plant some basil to ward off common tomato pests.

If you want a handy reference, check out this infographic from Sproutabl’s article on growing tomatoes.

Meet Brian Blum, The Sustainable Dad in San Diego

“Meet Brian Blum, a busy dad with a full time corporate job, who still makes time to create a sustainable paradise in San Diego. He has a small house on a small lot, but manages to do a lot with it. He grows healthy, organic food for his family and has planted close to 20 fruit trees, which are part of his permaculture food forest. In his aquaponics system, he raises fish and plants in a symbiotic relationship. Southern California suffers from drought, so he uses water wisely by harvesting rainwater, and reuses it by sending the water from his washing machine and sinks to his garden. His house is run 100% by the solar panels on his roof, and he composts everything he can to increase the fertility of his land and keep waste from the landfill. Almost everything he makes is out of reused materials. There’s even an off grid tiny house made from mostly recycled materials, and an outdoor compost toilet to turn his own waste into nutritious soil. He wants a world where his daughter can grow up and experience the same beauty he has, and he’s leading the way towards a happy, healthy earth through his simple daily actions.”

To learn more about Brian Blum go to:
http://ift.tt/2pmEPJG

Roasted Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Roasted grapes could make an old shoe taste amazing!  If you have never tried roasting grapes before I hope that this recipe will inspire you to give it a try.  Roasting fruits and vegetables (for that matter) helps concentrate the sugars and brings out the sweetness.  Making them taste like candy.  They are so delicious!  One of my husbands favorite places to go eat has a roasted grape salad on their menu and we always get it when we visit.  Grape season is just beginning to start so this salad is the perfect addition to any seasonal menu rotation.  I hope that Roasted Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette will be your go to, especially now that the weather is warming up.

There really isn’t much to this salad but it doesn’t need to be complicated to taste good now does it?  In fact I find that most of my clients prefer recipes that are simple and to the point.  I don’t know anyone that has the time to spend hours and hours in the kitchen making complex dishes with lots of ingredients.  Here I took a little extra time to season and toast my own nut and seed mixture but you could save that time by purchasing your favorite mixture already done for you.  Save even more time by roasting a whole chicken over the weekend and use the leftovers to add protein to this salad.  If you can find a quality rotisserie chicken in the store or even sliced chicken lunch meat done for you already then go for it.

The star of the show here is the roasted grapes so I do encourage you to make those yourself.  You might even want to make extra and use them in different ways.  Top your toast for a sweet homemade jam, mix into yogurt, or serve with cheese and crackers.  My absolute favorite way to use them, if you can’t guess, is to toss them into salads.  I served this salad to my husband last night and got his seal of approval!  I see many more Roasted Grape Salads in my future.

Getting in a salad rut?  Here are more ideas you might enjoy…

Massaged Mexican Kale Salad

Seared Ahi Tuna Salad with Sesame Dressing

Summer Salad with Ginger Dressing

Tuna Power Salad with Peanut Dressing

Roasted Grape Salad

 

Print

Roasted Grape Salad Author: Sara Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Serves: 4

Author: Sara

Ingredients

• 1 pound red seedless grapes
• ½ cup your choice raw nuts and seeds (I used cashews, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds)
• ½ tablespoon coconut oil
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• pinch salt
• 8 cups spring mix lettuce
• 1 pound cooked chicken *see note
• Citrus Vinaigrette
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
• 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Roast the grapes in a 425 degree F oven on a lined baking sheet until softened (they will look wrinkled) about 30 minutes, tossing on the pan every 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile mix the nuts and seeds with coconut oil and spices to coat.
3. Spread out on a lined baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Make the salad dressing by adding the dressing ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
5. Add the dressing to a large bowl and coat the spring mix in the dressing.
6. Top with roasted grapes, toasted nuts, and roasted chicken if desired.
7. Serve immediately.

Notes

**to cook chicken. I take 1 pound chicken breast, add it to a baking dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven with the grapes until firm to the touch, about 20-25 minutes.
3.4.3177

3.4.3177

 

The post Roasted Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette appeared first on The Organic Dietitian.

Tips for Growing Both HOT & SWEET Peppers!

When to Plant
Pepper roots don’t like to be disturbed, so plant them indoors in Seed Starting Soil Pods about two months before your last frost date, usually three or four seeds to a pod.

How to Plant
Peppers love full sun, but don’t plant peppers where tomatoes or eggplants grew previously, because all three are members of the nightshade family and are subject to similar diseases.

Read the full article at: “www.SeedsNow.com“

Fight Stress with Plants & Start Your Own Urban Garden

“It’s therapeutic in a way,” Sioco explained. “Psychiatrists recommend this type of hobby to depressed patients, kasi looking at green things make you more calm.”

“…maintaining even just a small garden for people with more hectic schedules. Watering and sunlight, he said, are the usual problems. “Usually they don’t have time to water every day.”

Read the FULL STORY at: “GMANetwork.com“

JOIN THE SEED CLUB! Tell Us About Your Garden NOW…

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We will guide you and your family on your way to living a healthier and more self-sufficient lifestyle. Join UOG today and let’s grow something together.