Escolar Documentos
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Cultura Documentos
The Whys of Organic Gardening The Wheres of Organic Gardening Backyard Gardens Other Gardens Eau Claire Community Gardens The Whens of Organic Gardening When to Begin Planting Guide Watering Harvesting The Hows of Organic Gardening Tools How to Plant Weeding Fertilizing Managing Pests Recipes Salsa Eggplant Parmesan Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes Resources
Youve decided you want to garden and try to live a more sustainable, healthier life. So why choose organic gardening? Organic gardening is gardening without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals that may contaminate soil, water, and air. But is it really worth the extra work? Before you decide to bypass the little extra work it takes, here are some great reasons why you should make your garden organic!
It is an overall healthier way of life o Organic produce contains*: 63% more calcium to promote strong bone growth and prevent osteoporosis 138% more magnesium which reduces chance of a heart attack 70% more chromium to prevent adult diabetes 9 times more salicylic acid to help prevent colon cancer o Organic gardens eliminate the use of pesticides, so the produce you eat wont have the harsh chemicals that the produce from the store may have o You have the benefit of knowing that your produce is safe to eat and you wont be putting harsh chemicals in your body You also help reduce your environmental impact o By not using harsh chemicals on your garden, you will be reducing air, water, and soil pollution o Chemicals such as pesticides may harm beneficial organisms such as bees and butterflies, as well as harming other animals o Organic gardens are better adapted to environmental and climatic stress because of high levels of organic matter in the soil o Organic soil matter increases beneficial soil microorganisms that maintain soil fertility and keep away harmful pests Overall, organic produce is better for the environment AND you!
*From a recent article in the Journal of Applied Nutrition; source: Organic Vegetable Gardening 101, Slippery Rock University 2
So youre interested in your own garden! Where should you start? Start with your own backyard or even one of the community gardens right here in Eau Claire!
prevent water from draining down and making the soil too wet
You can also use these indoors such as windowsill and balcony gardens.
Windowsill gardens are great for carrots, cress, lettuce, mustard, radishes, spinach, tomatoes and zucchini.
Balcony gardens are great for beets, carrots, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, spinach, onions, radishes and watercress.
Raised Bed Gardens are a good choice if you have unhealthy soil and bending over is difficult. You can make them from stones, untreated lumber or you can even buy an easy-to-assemble bed You can easily control variables such as soil, water intake and exposure
Dont forget about your herbs! They need loose, well-drained soil They dont require lots of attention for those of you that are on the go You can interplant different herbs but keep perennial herbs in their own bed (Chives, lavender, mints, oregano, etc.)
You can find all the information on the community gardens through the Eau Claire Extension Page. http://www.eauclairecommunitygardens.com/
As the winter months start melting into the beginnings of spring, the beginner gardener may wonder when to begin the gardening process, such as working the soil. And considering the unpredictable weather of Wisconsin, the When do I garden? question becomes even more puzzling.
When to begin:
The first step begins with the soil. The soil needs to be dried out enough from the melting winter snow and the spring rain because plant roots grow best where there is air space between soil particles. Here are some steps to testing the readiness of the soil. Take a handful of soil (about a half a cup) Squeeze the soil together so it forms a ball Press your fingers into the ball of dirt If the ball of dirt crumbled when you pressed your fingers into it, it is dry enough to start the gardening process. If the ball keeps it shape or breaks into large chunks rather than loose soil, it still contains too much water. If the soil is deemed ready, it is time to begin working the soil to prepare it for planting.
When to plant:
The table on the following page is courtesy of Erin LaFaive of the Eau Claire Master Gardeners. It will tell you when the appropriate time is for planting vegetables, herbs, and fruit based on the northern Wisconsin climate.
Photo from: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/9/4/1252075735785/Soil-Association--hands-o-002.jpg
Vegetable Asparagus Bean, bush lima Bean, bush snap Bean, pole snap Beet Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage, early Cabbage, late Carrot Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Chard Chinese cabbage Collards Corn Cucumber Eggplant Endive Kale Kohlrabi lettuce, head lettuce, leaf Muskmelon Mustard Okra Onion Onion, sets Parsley (plants) Parsnip Pea Pepper Potato, early Potato, midseason Potato, late Pumpkin Radish Rhubarb Rutabaga Salsify Spinach Squash, summer Squash, fall Tomato Turnip Watermelon
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Indoors
March 29 March 29
March 15
April 15
Outdoors April 29 June 8 May 24 May 24 April 29 May 15 (plants) May 29 (seeds) May 15 (plants) May 29 (seeds) April 29 May 15 (plants) June 3 (plants) June 3 (plants) April 29 July 4 (seeds) July 4 (seeds) e May 24, June 8 June 15 (seeds) June 15 (plants) July 8 July 8 April 29 May 15 (plants) April 29 June 3 (plants) April 29 June 15 (plants) May 15 (plants) April 29 May 15 (plants) April 29 April 29 June 15 (plants) April 29 April 29 April 29 June 3 (plants) May 24 (seeds) April 29 April 29 June 29 April 29 April 29 June 3 June 3 (plants) June 3 (plants) April 29 June 3
for 100 feet of row 50 crowns 8 oz 8 oz 6 oz 1-1 1/4 oz 40-50 plants 1/8 oz 50-70 plants 1/8 oz 1/4 oz 50-70 plants 200-300 plants 200 plants 1-1 1/4 oz 1/8 oz 1/3 oz 100-150 1/3 oz 50-60 plants 1 oz 1/3 oz 8 oz 100 plants 1/4 oz 34-50 plants 1/3 oz 50-75 plants 300-400 3-4 lb 100 plants 1/2 oz 1 lb 50-60 plants 12-15 lb 12-15 lb 12-15 lb 34-50 plants 1/2 oz 1 oz 35 crowns 1/8 oz 1/2 oz 1 oz 1/2 oz 34-50 plants 34-60 plants 1/4 oz 1/2 oz
2 1/2-3/4 1 3-4 3-4 3-4 1-1 1/2 1/2-3/4 3-4 3/4 1/2 1/2-3/4 1-1 1/2 1-1 1/2 1/2-3/4 1
May 15
May 15 April 29
Cultivars vary greatly in time need to reach harvest stage; extend the harvest season by planting cultivars of different maturity dates or by making C successive plantings of the same cultivar. Estimated yields under less than ideal growing conditions; actual yields will vary widely with weather, soil d e fertility, and cultural practices. Two inches of soil covering at planting. Gradually fill trench 6-8 inches with soil as plants grow. May 25 for sugary 9 enhancers and supersweets. From publication A1653 "Vegetable cultivars and planting guide for Wisconsin gardens-2008" by A.J. Bussan, Judy ReithRozelle, and Karen Delahaut. UW Coop Extension.
When to Water:
Moist soil is essential for seed germination and plant growth. Here are some basic tips for watering your plants.
To see if your plants need watering, check the soil. o Dig down 4 to 12 inches o Grab a handful of soil o Squeeze the soil into a ball o If the soil will not form into a ball, it is time to water Water in the morning or in the evening to avoid the heat of the day. This also reduces water waste, because a lot of the water will evaporate instead of getting used by the plants Water down to about one foot deep into the soil to encourage deep roots, or until the soil stops soaking in the water Water the roots of the plants, not the leaves or stems
Specific plants also need a good watering at essential times during the growing period. Here are the critical watering periods for five basic garden vegetables.
Lettuce-when the second set of leaves formsm Tomatoes- from flowering until harvest Beans- when flowering and forming pods Carrots- when forming roots Potatoes- when tubers set and enlarge
10 Follow this link to a chart with more specific critical watering periods http://www.garden.org/ediblelandsc aping/?page=201008-wateringveggies
When to Harvest:
There is no harvesting rule that applies for all vegetables. Learning the appropriate time to harvest vegetables takes time and is specific to each vegetable. Harvest for many vegetables is determined by the freezing temperatures of autumn. Some vegetables also need to be cured, which means they need to be exposed to warm, dry air in order to harden the outside of the vegetable but keep the inside from rotting. Here are some tips on what to look for in order to harvest these five garden vegetables.
Potatoes-Harvest first potato crop 2 weeks after blooming and place the rest of the plant back in the earth so more potatoes will grow. Harvest second crop after tops have withered and turned yellow and when ground is dry. Dig carefully to avoid bruising and allow to surface dry. Cure for 10 to 14 days in a dark, well-ventilated location at 45 degrees F to 60 degrees F. The picture on the right is what a blooming potato plant looks like. The blooms indicate the tubers are forming in the ground.
Lettuce (leaf)- Harvest outer leaves as they attain suitable size by preference of the gardener. Timely picking increases length of harvest.
Carrots- Harvest at 1-2 thickness. Harvest spring carrots before hot weather (July). Fall planted carrots should be harvested before ground freezes.
Top photo from: http://bonnieplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/potato-flowers-pas-lo-199x300.jpg Bottom left photo from: http://bonnieplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/lettuce-broccoli-horz.jpg Bottom right photo from: http://www.bigleaffarm.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/carrot-on-the-hoof.jpg
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Beans- Bean pods will be the most tender when the small seed inside is one-fourth normal size. From this stage on, the pods become more fibrous and the beans more starchy. Harvest when crisp and tender.
Tomatoes- Harvest when fruits are uniformly red, but before end softens. Ripe fruit sinks in water. Vine-ripened tomatoes are sweetest, but tomatoes will ripen off the vine if picked green. Green tomatoes, harvested before frost, should be wrapped in newspaper and kept at 55 degrees F to 70 degrees F. Tomatoes stored in this manner should last 3 to 5 weeks. Be sure to inspect each week for ripeness.
Follow this link to an alphabetized list of vegetables and when to harvest them. http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/vegeta bles/harvestguide.pdf
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Alright, youve decided where and when you want to build your garden. So here are some simple steps to get you on your way! But before you start any gardening, here are some basic tools that youre going to need.
Tool
Trowel/Hand Spade
Description
Use
good for breaking up soil, digging small holes (for planting), weeding, and transferring plants to soil
a small, handheld tool with a short handle and a flat, usually pointed blade
Soil Fork a long-handled tool with four metal prongs prep new beds, turn soil in old beds, cultivate between rows during growing season
Hand Weeding Tool resembles a soil fork, but small and handheld great for weeding and breaking up soil
Top photo from: http://www.gardenbargains.com/yeoman-stainless-steel-hand-trowel.html Middle photo from: http://www.gardeninginfozone.com/best-tools-for-gardening-gardening-weeding-tools Bottom photo from: http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Hand_Fork/
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Tool
Hoe
Description
a tool with a thin, flat blade set across the end of a long handle
Use
good for removing grasses, turning soil, weeding, and digging trenches
Bypass Pruners
hand pruners with sharp, curved, scissors-type blades that overlap each other
for cutting branches and weeds, harvesting vegetables, and cutting flowers
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**First off, be sure to read any planting instructions that may be provided with the seeds, as they may have specific needs. These are general steps of how to plant any kind of seed.**
2. Dig a Furrow
Dig a shallow furrow/hole for your seeds
5. Keep Moist
Sprinkle water on your seeds whenever the surface soil gets dry, until all your seeds have sprouted
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Mulching
Since weeds (and your crops) need sunlight and air to grow, laying 2-4 of mulch on top of your soil once your crops have germinated will help to prevent pesky weeds from growing in your garden. Mulching has other benefits, too: o The decomposition of organic mulch fertilizes soil o Mulch makes your garden more water-efficient and droughttolerant o Mulch acts as an insulatione when it gets cold and prevents frost in your garden o Mulching prevents soil compaction caused by rainfall The best kind of mulch is anything you have available! Just be sure what you use is free of synthetic chemicals. Materials that work great as mulch include: o Shredded newspaper o Leaves o Grass clippings o Wood chips o Sawdust (partially rotted) o Straw
Photo: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/growing-zucchini-from-plug-plants/index.html
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Hoeing
Use your garden hoe for easy weeding. Make sure the hoe is sharp, and avoid hoeing too deeply into the soil around your crops, so you dont damage their root systems. Dont bend over while you hoeotherwise your back will hurt later. Grip the hoe with both hands, as you would a broom. Pull the hoe towards you while cutting through the top half inch of soil.
Hand Pulling
Pulling weeds by hand may be necessary, especially in the spaces too small for hoeing. Weeding is easiest when the soil is damp, so weeding after a rainfall or after watering is an optimal time. When you pull out a weed, be sure to pull out its root, so it doesnt grow back!
Compost is made of decayed organic material such as leaves, vegetable and fruit trimmings, or lawn clippings. You can either make your own or go to Just Local Foods on 1117 S. Farwell Street. Just Local sells a 25 lb. bag of compost for $9.99 and a 50 lb. bag for $14.99.
http://www.veggiegardener.com/how-to-make-your-own-compost/
Other ways to manage pests: Row Cover: A row cover is a white, opaque fabric to put over your vegetables that
protects them from too much sun, rain, and pests. While allowing light and rain to penetrate, row covers keep out harmful bugs, birds, and animals.
If you plant only a few types of vegetables, there is more food supply for a specialist pest and you will have more of those pests in your garden. good bugs like ladybugs, honey bees, and hover flies that eat pests such as aphids.
Plant Flowers: An assortment of flowers planted in your garden will help attract Bird Houses: Birds are another great and natural way to fight garden pests.
this link to learn more about making your backyard a home for birds!
http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/best-birds-your-garden?page=0,0 18
Follow
Now that you have your own organic garden and have hopefully managed to yield some produce, here are some recipes to try!
Salsa
Ingredients
5-7 tomatoes (peeled and cut up) 2 large onions (chopped) 1 green pepper 1 tbsp sugar cup tomato paste cup white vinegar 1 tbsp salt 2-3 tsp red pepper seed 1 cup chopped jalapenos
Directions
1. Cook on the stove on low-medium heat until thick 2. Stir occasionally
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Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients
3 eggplants (peeled and thinly sliced) 2 eggs (beaten) 4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs 6 cups spaghetti sauce 16 oz packaged shredded mozzarella cheese cup grated Parmesan cheese teaspoon dried basil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Dip eggplant slices into the egg and then in the bread crumbs. Place a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9X13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top. 4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until golden brown.
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Directions
1. Line mini muffin pan with cupcake liners. 2. Combine all ingredients and put in mini muffin pan. 3. Cook at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. 4. For frosting, combine all ingredients and 3 tbsp. of water and whip on high speed for 3 minutes to create a fluffy and smooth frosting.
Resources
The Wheres of Organic Gardening http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag-06.html http://www.cleanairgardening.com/vegetablegardening101.html The Whens of Organic Gardening http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-andwhenwater?page=0,3 http://www.garden.org/ediblelandscaping/?page=201008-wateringveggies http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/preparing-soil-spring The Hows of Organic Gardening http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmh&AN=370407 15&site=chc-live http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners/get-started http://www.wcsv.org/education/gardening-for-wildlife/beneficial-insects/ Other Sources *http://bloomiq.com/edibles http://www.sru.edu/academics/colleges/ches/macoskey/Documents/Org anic%20Vegetable%20Gardening%20101%20Manual%20(web).pdf http://www.garden.org/
*Fantastic source for more information on how to garden different vegetables
Many thanks to Breana Meyer, Dr. Karen Mumford, and the Honors Campus Ecology Class of Fall 2013 for all the help with this project.
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