From One Yard Revolution:
9 tips for growing more food in a small garden:
1) Grow in Beds, not Rows
2) Optimize Spacing between Beds and Plants
3) Grow Vertically
4) Succession Planting
5) Interplanting
6) Grow in the Shade
7) Grow Edible Plants in the Front Yard
8) Grow Microgreens
9) Grow in Pots & Containers
Ideas from viewers
1) Interplant sweet peas with sunchokes. The sweet peas fix nitrogen, the sunchokes act as trellises for the peas, and both attract beneficial insects.
2) 3 sisters garden
3) Grow dwarf trees and plant shade tolerant crops underneath
4) Grow in window boxes
5) Optimize use of space by growing food you like the most
Only one activity combines the Big Three: gentle exercise, relaxation, healthy eating. Live Better - Garden! Learn how at LiveBetterGarden.com
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What to grow in Tropical South Florida Summer Garden
John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ goes on a field trip to the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach, Florida. In this episode you will learn about some tropical fruits and vegetables you can do well in the summer in South Florida and other tropical locations. John will take you on a quick tour of some of the edible areas of the Mounts botanical garden and then give you a tour of the vendors who have many common and uncommon edible food crops. After watching this nearly 1 hour long episode which took all day to film, you will be sure to expand your knowledge about growing food and be inspired to start growing no matter where you live!
Here is the list of some of the plants mentioned in the video:
tomatoes (FLA 91, heatwave 2, solar fire, super sioux, sweetie, arkansas traveler, abe lincoln, chocolate cherokee, equinox, everglades)
banana
barbados cherry
chufa nuts
june plum
jakfruit
mango
avocado
loquat
custard apple
costa rican mint
okinawa spinach
cuban oregano
epizote
ackee
arrowroot
vanilla orchid
peppers
pigeon pea
mysore raspberry
muscadine grapes
References:
Tropical Perennial Vegetables and Fruits - Growing Your Greens - YouTube http://bit.ly/1woC8qs
Here is the list of some of the plants mentioned in the video:
tomatoes (FLA 91, heatwave 2, solar fire, super sioux, sweetie, arkansas traveler, abe lincoln, chocolate cherokee, equinox, everglades)
banana
barbados cherry
chufa nuts
june plum
jakfruit
mango
avocado
loquat
custard apple
costa rican mint
okinawa spinach
cuban oregano
epizote
ackee
arrowroot
vanilla orchid
peppers
pigeon pea
mysore raspberry
muscadine grapes
References:
Tropical Perennial Vegetables and Fruits - Growing Your Greens - YouTube http://bit.ly/1woC8qs
Aquaponics greenhouse kit
Good idea, but at $25,000 it's too expensive.
From Kirsten Dirksen: "After working for years in Afghanistan, Jim Frasche began developing an aquaponics greenhouse in Colorado for communities in both Denver and Kabul (similar high altitude, cold climate regions) where local food wasn't always readily accessible. He sells his 500-square-foot aquaponics greenhouse for $25,000 (via Turnkey Aquaponics), but this is an income-producing garden. "Based on allocating a certain square footage of productivity to growing cash crops which you would sell to restaurants or food wholesalers you can cash flow a structure like this in about 2 years while still feeding a family of four." The price may be steep, but Frasche explains the idea is to qualify for a loan based on the payback period of the greenhouse."
Turnkey Aquaponics: http://www.fishngreens.com/
Related:
Cage Culture Of Tilapia http://bit.ly/1Df4dVW
From Kirsten Dirksen: "After working for years in Afghanistan, Jim Frasche began developing an aquaponics greenhouse in Colorado for communities in both Denver and Kabul (similar high altitude, cold climate regions) where local food wasn't always readily accessible. He sells his 500-square-foot aquaponics greenhouse for $25,000 (via Turnkey Aquaponics), but this is an income-producing garden. "Based on allocating a certain square footage of productivity to growing cash crops which you would sell to restaurants or food wholesalers you can cash flow a structure like this in about 2 years while still feeding a family of four." The price may be steep, but Frasche explains the idea is to qualify for a loan based on the payback period of the greenhouse."
Turnkey Aquaponics: http://www.fishngreens.com/
Related:
Cage Culture Of Tilapia http://bit.ly/1Df4dVW
What vegetables to grow in tropical heat during summer in Texas and Florida? Peppers and okra
From Executive Gardener: "In this episode I provide an update of what will grow in the heat and humidity of Houston in the middle of the summer. Very few crops can grow and prosper in this brutal heat, but some really do well. Please look into building a community garden in your area."
Growing peppers in the heat is fine and dandy, however, once the night temperatures stay above 80 F, peppers will not produce fruit. They will flower but the flowers will fall off. Peppers, like tomatoes, need night temperatures around 70 F for optimal fruit production.
Jeff Bernhard from the Executive Gardener channel thinks he has found a solution. He waters peppers with cold water in the evening and he thinks this tricks the plants to perceive the soil temperature as lower than 80-90 F and thus to keep producing fruit. Watch him explain this approach in the video below:
"If you live in Zone 8, 9 or 10, you know that it is very difficult to grow sweet and bell Peppers in the middle of the summer with temperatures around 100 degrees every day. During the nights, the temperature gets to a low of 87 degrees. In these conditions flower buds drop off the plant, leaves wilt and fruit will certainly not set if temperatures do not get below 75 degree at night. I have found a way to grow bell peppers in these conditions all summer long in these hot, hot conditions and also get tons of peppers to set."
Vegetables to grow in the summer heat in Florida, Texas, Nevada, etc:
- eggplant
- okra
- peppers
- chard
- parsley
- green onions
Also, Seascape Strawberries are heat tolerant.
Related: How to grow Hot Peppers, from PepperJoes PennysTomatoes:
Growing peppers in the heat is fine and dandy, however, once the night temperatures stay above 80 F, peppers will not produce fruit. They will flower but the flowers will fall off. Peppers, like tomatoes, need night temperatures around 70 F for optimal fruit production.
Jeff Bernhard from the Executive Gardener channel thinks he has found a solution. He waters peppers with cold water in the evening and he thinks this tricks the plants to perceive the soil temperature as lower than 80-90 F and thus to keep producing fruit. Watch him explain this approach in the video below:
"If you live in Zone 8, 9 or 10, you know that it is very difficult to grow sweet and bell Peppers in the middle of the summer with temperatures around 100 degrees every day. During the nights, the temperature gets to a low of 87 degrees. In these conditions flower buds drop off the plant, leaves wilt and fruit will certainly not set if temperatures do not get below 75 degree at night. I have found a way to grow bell peppers in these conditions all summer long in these hot, hot conditions and also get tons of peppers to set."
Vegetables to grow in the summer heat in Florida, Texas, Nevada, etc:
- eggplant
- okra
- peppers
- chard
- parsley
- green onions
Also, Seascape Strawberries are heat tolerant.
Related: How to grow Hot Peppers, from PepperJoes PennysTomatoes:
Solar powered computer fan
To operate a single CPU fan, use one or two small solar panels designed for small electronics. Silica material collects solar energy and converts it into direct current, or DC electricity. The voltage is sent through a series of output wires and can be connected directly to the CPU fan or to a toggle switch for added convenience.
Parts:
- Solar Panel - 6 Watt, 12 volt solar panel, Amazon or Ebay, $40
- Fan - 12 Volt, 0.25A CPU fan, $2-3
- Wires, from Walmart
See an example here: Solar Powered Chickie House Improvements - YouTube http://buff.ly/U94fua
References:
Solar powered 12v computer fan in hoophouse - YouTube http://buff.ly/U93YHL
Attaching a Solar Panel to a CPU's Fan | Home Guides | SF Gate http://buff.ly/W2jSVA
How to Make A Solar Powered Fan - Instructables http://buff.ly/W2k1IG
From Amazon:
Parts:
- Solar Panel - 6 Watt, 12 volt solar panel, Amazon or Ebay, $40
- Fan - 12 Volt, 0.25A CPU fan, $2-3
- Wires, from Walmart
See an example here: Solar Powered Chickie House Improvements - YouTube http://buff.ly/U94fua
References:
Solar powered 12v computer fan in hoophouse - YouTube http://buff.ly/U93YHL
Attaching a Solar Panel to a CPU's Fan | Home Guides | SF Gate http://buff.ly/W2jSVA
How to Make A Solar Powered Fan - Instructables http://buff.ly/W2k1IG
From Amazon:
Landlust - top gardening magazine in Germany
From DW: The growing importance of gardens in the urban environment. DW visits the editorial offices one of Germany's best-selling magazines, "Landlust" - a publication devoted to country-living - to find out more about why the nation is so enamored with nature.
http://www.landlust.de
http://www.landlust.de
Organic Crops Have Fewer Pesticides and More Antioxidants (analysis of 343 studies)
In this meta-analysis of 343 peer-reviewed publications, organic crops contained 17-69% percent more antioxidants than conventionally grown crops. For some classes of antioxidants, the difference was larger. A group of compounds known as flavanones, for example, were 69 percent higher in the organic produce. (At very high quantities, as in some supplements, some antioxidants have been shown to be harmful, but the levels in organic produce were not nearly that high.)
Concentrations of a range of antioxidants such as polyphenolics were found to be substantially higher in organic crops/crop-based foods, with those of phenolic acids, flavanones, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols and anthocyanins being an estimated 19%, 69%, 28%, 26%, 50% and 51% higher, respectively.
The frequency of occurrence of pesticide residues was found to be 4 times higher in conventional crops.
The findings fit with the expectation that without pesticides, plants would produce more antioxidants, many of which serve as defenses against pests and disease.
References:
Study of Organic Crops Finds Fewer Pesticides and More Antioxidants. NYTimes http://buff.ly/1tCdl2Q
Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. Br J Nutr. 2014 Jun 26:1-18. [Epub ahead of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24968103
Concentrations of a range of antioxidants such as polyphenolics were found to be substantially higher in organic crops/crop-based foods, with those of phenolic acids, flavanones, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols and anthocyanins being an estimated 19%, 69%, 28%, 26%, 50% and 51% higher, respectively.
The frequency of occurrence of pesticide residues was found to be 4 times higher in conventional crops.
The findings fit with the expectation that without pesticides, plants would produce more antioxidants, many of which serve as defenses against pests and disease.
References:
Study of Organic Crops Finds Fewer Pesticides and More Antioxidants. NYTimes http://buff.ly/1tCdl2Q
Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. Br J Nutr. 2014 Jun 26:1-18. [Epub ahead of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24968103
"Grow the Planet" Gardening Website and Community
From DW: Italy has a social network called "Grow the Planet", published in English. "It provides tips for amateur gardeners worldwide. If your homegrown basil never survives long or your lettuce doesn't even make it out of the surface, fret not. Grow the Planet is on hand to help. As well as exchanging ideas, users also have access to detailed guides on sowing, planting, watering and harvesting their vegetables. Many display the successful results online."
Since launch, the website has expanded into cooking with the vegetables grown by the members to the extent that now recipes far outnumber growing guides.
Grow the Planet - Vegetables fact sheets http://buff.ly/U7PYht
Herbs are called "Aromatic" - Grow the Planet - Vegetables fact sheets http://buff.ly/U7Q0Wo
Under each vegetable in the growing guide, there are plenty or recipes, see an example for sage: http://www.growtheplanet.com/en/learn/plant_fact_sheets/aromatic/50/sage
Since launch, the website has expanded into cooking with the vegetables grown by the members to the extent that now recipes far outnumber growing guides.
Grow the Planet - Vegetables fact sheets http://buff.ly/U7PYht
Herbs are called "Aromatic" - Grow the Planet - Vegetables fact sheets http://buff.ly/U7Q0Wo
Under each vegetable in the growing guide, there are plenty or recipes, see an example for sage: http://www.growtheplanet.com/en/learn/plant_fact_sheets/aromatic/50/sage
Leeks
Leeks can be eaten raw instead of onion, or can be used as an aromatic underpinning to a sauté, soup, or stew.
History
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) originate in the Mediterranean. Dried specimens and drawings found in Egyptian archeological sites suggest they were part of the diet since 2 B.C. Leeks are mentioned in the Bible (Numbers 11:5, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic”). The Emperor Nero apparently ate so many to improve his singing voice that he was nicknamed Porophagus, or Leek Eater. By 640 A.D. leeks had migrated from the Mediterranean to Britain: Welsh warriors under the command of King Cadwallader stuck leeks in their hats to distinguish themselves from the Saxons in battle. If you suffering from nasal congestion in the Middle Ages, leeks stewed with honey were a remedy for a stuffy nose.
How to grow
Leeks are easy to propagate from seed. Leeks have a long growing season, ranging from 70 to 120 days, so you have to start early.
Leeks have an undeserved reputation for being difficult to grow. They are tough, but they do not tolerate neglect. They are heavy feeders (no problem if you amend your soil with compost to a depth of about 12 inches and feed with compost tea or fish emulsion throughout the season) and need regular watering.
For blanching the stalks, you can try "hilling" them with potting mix, or place the lower part of leek seedlings into cardboard tubes (e.g., from toilet paper), burying the tubes slightly into the soil to keep them upright. The tubes make them "think" it’s dark.
Leek cultivars are two distinct categories:
- summer or autumn leeks are harvested in late summer or early autumn of the year in which they are planted
- the more hardy overwintering leeks, can be harvested any time, as long as winters are mild
Leeks have few enemies which is one of the reasons leeks are a joy to grow.
Personal experience
I have successfully grown leeks in sub-irrigated planters (SIPs, self-watering planters) with a regular application of liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks (MiracleGro from Costco, or liquid fish from Home Depot). Leeks need a long growing season, approximately 4 months for the classic look with long, white stalks.
Leeks are grown from seeds. Seeds and young seedlings look the same as green onions. Older seedlings are distinguished from onions by the the triangular profile of the leaves on crosscut (onion leaves are oval on crosscut). I plant the seeds in red Solo-type cups from Costco and transplant them in the final SIPs when they have a few leaves.
References
Growing Leeks: OrganicGardening.com http://buff.ly/1r0yL59
History
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) originate in the Mediterranean. Dried specimens and drawings found in Egyptian archeological sites suggest they were part of the diet since 2 B.C. Leeks are mentioned in the Bible (Numbers 11:5, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic”). The Emperor Nero apparently ate so many to improve his singing voice that he was nicknamed Porophagus, or Leek Eater. By 640 A.D. leeks had migrated from the Mediterranean to Britain: Welsh warriors under the command of King Cadwallader stuck leeks in their hats to distinguish themselves from the Saxons in battle. If you suffering from nasal congestion in the Middle Ages, leeks stewed with honey were a remedy for a stuffy nose.
How to grow
Leeks are easy to propagate from seed. Leeks have a long growing season, ranging from 70 to 120 days, so you have to start early.
Leeks have an undeserved reputation for being difficult to grow. They are tough, but they do not tolerate neglect. They are heavy feeders (no problem if you amend your soil with compost to a depth of about 12 inches and feed with compost tea or fish emulsion throughout the season) and need regular watering.
For blanching the stalks, you can try "hilling" them with potting mix, or place the lower part of leek seedlings into cardboard tubes (e.g., from toilet paper), burying the tubes slightly into the soil to keep them upright. The tubes make them "think" it’s dark.
Leek cultivars are two distinct categories:
- summer or autumn leeks are harvested in late summer or early autumn of the year in which they are planted
- the more hardy overwintering leeks, can be harvested any time, as long as winters are mild
Leeks have few enemies which is one of the reasons leeks are a joy to grow.
Personal experience
I have successfully grown leeks in sub-irrigated planters (SIPs, self-watering planters) with a regular application of liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks (MiracleGro from Costco, or liquid fish from Home Depot). Leeks need a long growing season, approximately 4 months for the classic look with long, white stalks.
Leeks are grown from seeds. Seeds and young seedlings look the same as green onions. Older seedlings are distinguished from onions by the the triangular profile of the leaves on crosscut (onion leaves are oval on crosscut). I plant the seeds in red Solo-type cups from Costco and transplant them in the final SIPs when they have a few leaves.
References
Growing Leeks: OrganicGardening.com http://buff.ly/1r0yL59
How to Keep Your Garden ALIVE While on Vacation (video)
From Reaganite71 YouTube channel:
Click on the video for links to multipart drip irrigation series starts here:
Part 1 Components & layout
Part 2 Trenching/Connecting supply lines
Part 3 Drip Tubing, Fittings, & Emitters
Programing an Electric Water Timer
Click on the video for links to multipart drip irrigation series starts here:
Part 1 Components & layout
Part 2 Trenching/Connecting supply lines
Part 3 Drip Tubing, Fittings, & Emitters
Programing an Electric Water Timer
Backyard aeroponics: self-sustaining farm in Wisconsin cold (video)
From Kirsten Dirksen YouTube channel: "Benjamin Staffeldt grew up on a farm and works in a garden center so when he and his wife Sara moved into a rental home (a duplex), it was only natural he'd want to start farming his (shared) backyard. They began with containers and then bought a kit greenhouse to extend the growing season and were selling to local supermarkets and restaurants, but the heating bills to farm during Wisconsin winters (with temperatures as low as -70°F) was cutting sharply into their profits.
They knew they had to maximize greenhouse space so they decided to grow vertical and to grow differently. They experimented with hydroponics and finally settled on aeroponics. "So aeroponics is similar to hydroponics using water rather than soil, but it's mist," explains Benjamin. "It's a mist that comes on inside the growing chamber, and it comes on every 3 minutes for 10 seconds, it's a really high oxygen water that's hitting that root. The method was actually developed and is being used by NASA because it uses so much less water and the speed of growth is much faster."
They're hoping to commercialize their hybrid system - what they call Art Garden- and have posted to kickstarter for funding. It's geared toward those looking to grow in a cold climate and in a small space (one unit fits into 4 square feet). This is all part of an increasingly customized growing world that Ben hopes might make farmers out of more of us.
Art Garden - "Revolutionary Vertical Gardening System" by Benjamin Staffeldt — Kickstarter http://buff.ly/1qYyBeN
Art Garden: artgardenllc.wix.com
They knew they had to maximize greenhouse space so they decided to grow vertical and to grow differently. They experimented with hydroponics and finally settled on aeroponics. "So aeroponics is similar to hydroponics using water rather than soil, but it's mist," explains Benjamin. "It's a mist that comes on inside the growing chamber, and it comes on every 3 minutes for 10 seconds, it's a really high oxygen water that's hitting that root. The method was actually developed and is being used by NASA because it uses so much less water and the speed of growth is much faster."
They're hoping to commercialize their hybrid system - what they call Art Garden- and have posted to kickstarter for funding. It's geared toward those looking to grow in a cold climate and in a small space (one unit fits into 4 square feet). This is all part of an increasingly customized growing world that Ben hopes might make farmers out of more of us.
Art Garden - "Revolutionary Vertical Gardening System" by Benjamin Staffeldt — Kickstarter http://buff.ly/1qYyBeN
Art Garden: artgardenllc.wix.com
Why grow vegetables: From Garden to Table video
From CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY YouTube channel:
"Wandering through the garden to find veggies to put in a meal is fun and its so rewarding when you get to eat what you find in your own backyard!"
"Wandering through the garden to find veggies to put in a meal is fun and its so rewarding when you get to eat what you find in your own backyard!"
How to compost in a trash can
From MI Gardener: "Live in an urban environment? Can't have a compost pile? Let the power of the sun, and the efficiency of a trash can help you make great organic compost for your garden without the fuss!"
Don't forget to drill holes near to bottom for aeration. Alternatively, you can use black buckets from the Dollar store. Flip the compost matter from one bucket into another. Some people spray the contents with a mix of beer, soda, and ammonia. It accelerates the decomposition so that after turning it every couple of days, there could be a usable compost within 2 weeks time. o use!
Don't forget to drill holes near to bottom for aeration. Alternatively, you can use black buckets from the Dollar store. Flip the compost matter from one bucket into another. Some people spray the contents with a mix of beer, soda, and ammonia. It accelerates the decomposition so that after turning it every couple of days, there could be a usable compost within 2 weeks time. o use!
How To Prune and Hand Pollinate Eggplant (video)
The author answers the quintessential question "Why bother"?
"Pruning any plant properly will increase production, reduce stress on the plant, allow more air and light to get through for a healthier, disease free plant.
Hand pollinating is also important in case the insect pollinators can't get out and do the job because of bad weather."
"Pruning any plant properly will increase production, reduce stress on the plant, allow more air and light to get through for a healthier, disease free plant.
Hand pollinating is also important in case the insect pollinators can't get out and do the job because of bad weather."