Earth Gauge » Agriculture

Plan for Winter in Your Summer Garden

espinoza — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:04:51 +0000

Winter might be the last thing you think of when you’re enjoying fresh summer produce, but with a little planning now you can enjoy fresh food from your own garden all year long. The key to a fall or winter harvest is to seed crop in July and August to achieve adequate growth by the end of October. This way, your crops can take advantage of the long hours of light to get a head start before cooler temperatures hit. Due to the seasonal lack of light and growth, vegetables harvested from November through March must be mature by the end of October.

Viewer Tip: Start planning and planting now and you can eat a winter’s worth of harvest later in the year. Find a warm and sheltered spot in your garden and plant in the middle of summer (July and August). Crop possibilities vary widely with climate, but generally there are crops that are well suited to winter production in most cold climates, such as the cabbage family, roots and greens. Check with your local Extension agent or garden center for ideas about will work in your area.

Season: Summer

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about at http://attra.ncat.org.

Lakes Appreciation (Southern Plains Region)

espinoza — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:37:24 +0000

As part of the National Lakes Assessment, the U.S. EPA selected and sampled 128 lakes in the Southern Plains Region (covering central and northern Texas, western Kansas and Oklahoma, and parts of Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico) to characterize the condition of more than 3,100 lakes throughout the area. What did researchers find?

Only 34 percent of lakes in the Southern Plains Region are in good biological condition, meaning they are able to support healthy aquatic plant and animal communities.
57 percent of lakes show low risk of exposure to blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which produce toxins that can make humans sick.
90 percent of lakes show moderate or high levels of lakeshore disturbance due to human activities from things like agricultural activities and removing trees to add paved areas, sandy beaches or lawns.

Viewer Tip: July is Lakes Appreciation Month. As you enjoy boating, fishing and swimming in local lakes, remember that you can help keep our lakes healthy.

If you live near a lake: Go Wild. Let natural vegetation grow near the lake shoreline to filter water pollutants and protect the shoreline from erosion.

If you visit a lake: Avoid hitchhikers. Non-native species (animals and plants that are not originally from a certain lake) can invade a lake and take over the habitat. If you are a recreational boater, don’t give non-native species a free ride: remove any visible mud and plants from equipment that was in the water, including your boat and trailer. And never put any plants, fish or other animals into a body of water – unless they came out of that same water!

Season: Summer

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. National Lakes Assessment: A Collaborative Survey of the Nation’s Lakes. EPA 841-R-09-001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water and Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC; Trout Unlimited, www.tu.org)

Lakes Appreciation (Temperate Plains Region)

espinoza — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:30:40 +0000

As part of the National Lakes Assessment, the U.S. EPA selected and sampled 137 lakes in the Temperate Plains Region (covering eastern North and South Dakota, Iowa, western Minnesota, parts of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, western Ohio, central Indiana, Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin) to characterize the condition of more than 6,300 lakes throughout the area. What did researchers find?

Only 25 percent of lakes in the Temperate Plains Region are in good biological condition, meaning they are able to support healthy aquatic plant and animal communities.
48 percent of lakes show low risk of exposure to blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which produce toxins that can make humans sick.
60 percent of lakes show moderate or high levels of lakeshore disturbance due to human activities from things like agricultural activities and removing trees to add paved areas, sandy beaches or lawns.

Viewer Tip: July is Lakes Appreciation Month. As you enjoy boating, fishing and swimming in local lakes, remember that you can help keep our lakes healthy.

If you live near a lake: Go Wild. Let natural vegetation grow near the lake shoreline to filter water pollutants and protect the shoreline from erosion.

Season: Summer

Ag Erosion

espinoza — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:41:39 +0000

Did you know there are about 2,000,000 farms in the United States? Soil erosion, which can be a problem on farmlands, occurs in three different ways: wind, water and tillage – the agricultural preparation of soil by plowing or turning the land. When soil is carried away from farmlands, phosphorus and nitrogen can be carried away, too. If these nutrients make it into rivers, streams and lakes, they can degrade water quality.

Viewer Tip: Soil erosion on farmlands and related water quality impacts can be reduced with conservation management practices. No-till and grassed waterways (considered “Best Management Practices” for agriculture) can deliver a one-two punch in controlling soil erosion. No-till is a method of growing crops that improves soil quality without disturbing the land through tillage. Grassed waterways are natural or constructed channels that help trap sediments and pesticides and reduce the speed of water by providing a grass cushion.

Learn more about agricultural Best Management Practices from the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service: www.nrcs.usda.gov

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall

(Sources: USDA-NRCS, www.nrcs.usda.gov; University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, http://www2.ca.uky.edu/)

Too Much Sun?

espinoza — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:57:56 +0000

You might think the vegetables growing in your garden can’t get enough of the sun’s rays and warmth. But did you know that too much sun can hurt certain plans? Heat-sensitive crops like lettuce and spinach are susceptible to bolting, which can cause vegetables to taste bitter. Shade over a garden bed can create a cool microclimate that will help prevent bolting and bitterness, make it possible to grow warm-weather crops in areas with very hot summers and hasten germination of cool-weather fall crops.

Viewer Tip: Some growers provide cooling shade by growing vines such as gourds on frames placed over vegetable beds. Shade fabrics, available from greenhouse and garden supply stores, can be fastened over hoops in summer to lower soil temperatures and protect crops from wind damage, sun scald and drying. Placing plants under 30 to 50 percent shade in mid-summer can lower a plant’s leaf temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

Season: Summer

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners,” http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/seasonext.html/.

Helping the Gulf (Texas)

espinoza — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:47:38 +0000

Did you know that you can help the Gulf of Mexico without traveling beyond your driveway? Our region is part of the Texas Gulf Coast watershed, an area of land that drains rain water and river water into the Gulf of Mexico. When it storms here, rainwater carries pollutants like fertilizer from farms and lawns, motor oil from driveways and litter from streets into our local waterways, which lead to the Gulf.

Viewer Tip: With millions of gallons of crude oil and chemical dispersants already in Gulf waters, marine life and biodiversity are more vulnerable than ever to other pollutants. No matter where you live in along the Texas Coast, you can help protect water quality in the Gulf with these tips:

Participate in a wetland, river or beach cleanup in your area. Check with your local watershed group or organize your own!
Never dump oil or other household chemicals in the street or in a storm drain. If you change your own motor oil, make sure to collect it in a clean can with a lid and take it to a service station or household hazardous waste collection site for recycling.
Use as little fertilizer and pesticide as possible. Most farmers and gardeners can use less fertilizer and still obtain the same amount of crop yield.
Prevent erosion by mulching and seeding areas where bare soil can be washed away in your yard. Adding mulch or vegetation to bare areas allows water to soak slowly into the ground, rather than running off quickly.
Instead of sweeping yard waste into the street or storm drain, use it for composting or mulching in your own backyard. You’ll protect your soil, prevent erosion, control weeds…and protect water quality.

( Sources: GulfBase. General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php; Frankenberger, Jane and Ron Turco. Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico: A Reason to Improve Nitrogen. Purdue Animal Issues Briefing AI-6; U.S. EPA National Estuary Program. June 2007. “National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report.” Available from: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/index.html; Dybas, Cheryl l., Dead Zones Spreading in World Oceans, Bioscience 552-557; US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. www.epa.gov/owow;
Gulf Base: General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php;
US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. Www.epa.gov/owow)

Helping the Gulf

espinoza — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:08:23 +0000

Did you know that you can help the Gulf of Mexico without traveling beyond your driveway? Our region is part of the Mississippi River watershed, an area of land that drains rain water and river water into the Gulf of Mexico. When it storms here, rainwater carries pollutants like fertilizer from farms and lawns, motor oil from driveways and litter from streets into our local waterways, which lead to the Mississippi River. Each summer, excess nitrogen from this polluted runoff causes a low-oxygen area – also known as a ‘dead zone’ – in the Gulf of Mexico that impacts marine life.

Viewer Tip: With millions of gallons of crude oil and chemical dispersants already in Gulf waters, marine life and biodiversity are more vulnerable than ever to other pollutants. No matter where you live in the Mississippi River watershed, you can help protect water quality in the Gulf with these tips:

Participate in a wetland, river or beach cleanup in your area. Check with your local watershed group or organize your own!
Never dump oil or other household chemicals in the street or in a storm drain. If you change your own motor oil, make sure to collect it in a clean can with a lid and take it to a service station or household hazardous waste collection site for recycling.
Use as little fertilizer and pesticide as possible. Most farmers and gardeners can use less fertilizer and still obtain the same amount of crop yield.
Prevent erosion by mulching and seeding areas where bare soil can be washed away in your yard. Adding mulch or vegetation to bare areas allows water to soak slowly into the ground, rather than running off quickly.
Instead of sweeping yard waste into the street or storm drain, use it for composting or mulching in your own backyard. You’ll protect your soil, prevent erosion, control weeds…and protect water quality.

Check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mississippi River Basin map to find your location in the watershed: www.epa.gov/msbasin/marb.htm.

( Sources: GulfBase. General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php; National Park Service: A Profile of the Mississippi River. http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/profmiss.htm; Frankenberger, Jane and Ron Turco. Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico: A Reason to Improve Nitrogen. Purdue Animal Issues Briefing AI-6; U.S. EPA National Estuary Program. June 2007. “National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report.” Available from: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/index.html; Dybas, Cheryl l., Dead Zones Spreading in World Oceans, Bioscience 552-557; US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. www.epa.gov/owow;
Gulf Base: General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php;
US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. Www.epa.gov/owow)

More Peas, Please!

espinoza — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:44:10 +0000

Did you know that weather has a large influence on seedling establishment and crop growth? If you enjoy eating peas from your garden, you can plant peas early in the spring, plant another batch of peas a few weeks later, and both batches will be ready to harvest at almost the same time. That’s because weather conditions will slow germination for the first batch of peas and speed them up for the second. The younger second batch of plants will grow faster as the days lengthen, slowly catching up with the first crop.

Viewer Tip: You can start planting peas in soil temperatures of 40–75 degrees Fahrenheit. Try putting a crop in as soon as the soil reaches the lower end of the temperature range, and then add another set of seeds in a few weeks. Then wait until summer and you’ll have an abundance of peas to enjoy.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA– National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about continuous crop harvest at http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/continuousharvest.html#succession

Hop Along, Young Grasshopper

espinoza — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:20:25 +0000

Grasshoppers are an all-too-common invader of gardens across the country. They’re difficult to control because they are highly mobile and can do large amounts of damage in a very short period of time. You might think grasshoppers are just a summer problem, but there’s plenty you can do this spring to gauge what this year’s grasshopper levels will be like and maybe even prevent an infestation.

Viewer Tip: Grasshopper outbreaks are determined by a complex interaction of several factors, of which weather is the most important. Warm and dry spring conditions encourage nymphal growth. An early spring followed by cloudy, damp weather encourages diseases that sicken and kill grasshoppers. Although grasshoppers are difficult to control, their effects can be minimized by preventive management. Turning or tilling your soil in the spring can eliminate food sources for the newly hatched nymphs.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in Grasshopper Management: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/grasshopper.html.

Part Lawnmower, Part Livestock

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:12:58 +0000

Looking for small, gentle livestock to raise on your farm this fall? Consider goats! Goats are the multifaceted livestock of today. There is a booming demand in the United States for goat meat and goat milk and also an interest in using goats as an ecologically safe form of vegetation control.

Viewer Tip: If you want to raise goats, be sure to research the many aspects of goat production before jumping into business. Fencing, housing, breed selection and feed sources are all things to consider. Goats are a source of meat, milk and cheese. Some goat owners even lease their goats to nearby urban areas, where they graze noxious weeds on public land.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Meat Goats: Sustainable Production.”

Season: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Enjoy Your Produce Months After Harvest

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:11:02 +0000

Fall is the time to reap the rewards of your hard-earned fruit and vegetable crops. However, you can enjoy your produce for months after the harvest through good production practices, harvest handling and postharvest handling and storage. Harvesting fruits and vegetables at their proper stage, size and at peak quality will ensure the best quality produce for storage.

Viewer Tip: Packaging for produce should be designed to prevent physical damage to produce and be easy to handle. Package wilting crops in bags that minimize water loss. Storing produce at its proper temperature and humidity levels will prevent the product from aging and spoiling. Some crops, such as potatoes, carrots, onions and squash, are better suited for storage than other crops.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Postharvest Handling of Fruits and Vegetables.”

Season: Fall

Hammer Away at Powdery Mildew

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:08:35 +0000

As fall sets in with its cool, wet weather, a fungus called powdery mildew can impact your garden, flowers, and lawn. Powdery mildew and other fungal plant diseases leave produce inedible. The disease can remain dormant in the ground between seasons and crops, so vigilant management practices are essential to keeping your crops free of powdery mildew.

Viewer Tip: Baking soda is an effective fungicide against powdery mildew. It can be used on many types of produce, such as cucumbers, eggplants, strawberries, grapes, potatoes and wheat, and also on roses and turf. Controlling the disease involves eliminating conditions favorable to the fungus. In fields, crop rotation with non-host plants is another way to keep infection to a minimum.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Use of Baking Soda as a Fungicide.”

Seasons: Fall, Spring

Greenhouses Powered by the Sun

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:44:13 +0000

Plants already harness the power of the sun for food. Now you can harness that power to help your plants grow. All greenhouses collect solar energy, but solar greenhouses are designed not only to collect solar energy during sunny days but also to store heat for use at night or during periods when it is cloudy.

Viewer Tip: Use of solar electric heating systems for greenhouses is not cost-effective unless you are producing high-value crops. Wall and floor insulation is used to retain more solar energy. Remember that a building designed to collect heat when temperatures are cold also needs to be able to vent heat when temperatures are warm, so proper ventilation is necessary.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Solar Greenhouse Resources.”

Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

From Product to Compost…And Back Again

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:42:05 +0000

A greenhouse in the fall can give you fresh food beyond the typical growing season. To maintain this growing environment, the greenhouse must be warm enough to protect the produce. There are many ways to provide heat to a greenhouse, but one of the most economical and easy option is heating with compost.

Viewer Tip: When constructing a compost-heated greenhouse, it is important to realize that conventional greenhouse films are transparent and have rapid radiant heat loss. Switching to an inflated pillow of a newer greenhouse plastic can reduce your heat demands by as much as 40 percent. The compost that you use to heat your greenhouse can be of the same composition as your regular compost pile.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Compost Heated Greenhouses.”

Season: Fall, Winter

A Roof Over Your Head…of Lettuce

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:40:09 +0000

You don’t want to say goodbye to your fresh flowers and produce just because the frost has hit. Hoop houses, which are inexpensive plastic-covered greenhouses, are a great way to extend your growing season at a lower cost than green houses. Hoop houses reduce risks and enhance the quality of your harvest, and also typically produce a higher yield.

Viewer Tip: Hoop houses are low cost, easy technology. You can use them to protect fruits, vegetables, flowers and even as animal housing. Hoop houses can be built low to the ground, directly over the plant, or as high tunnel structures around seven or eight feet.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more: http://attra.ncat.org/video/FINAL.webinar.05.07.09.pdf.

Season: Fall

More Produce, More Profit

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:38:11 +0000

Extending the length of time you grow your vegetables and other crops can extend the profits you earn in a year while also giving you more fresh produce for your family. Season extension techniques help both hobby gardeners and commercial farmers prolong their growing season.

Viewer Tip: Site selection, soil, windbreaks and plastic structures can all contribute to the length of your growing season. Hoop houses, which are inexpensive greenhouses, can be constructed over crop rows to protect plants from frosts and inclement weather. Fall planted crops, such as small grains and perennial grasses, can serve as windbreaks for the following spring.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners.”

Season: Fall

Plant Companions for Profit

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:36:03 +0000

Planting two or more vegetables in close proximity to each other is an easy way to get the most out of your crops. Plants that complement each other, such as carrots and lettuce or beets and onions, can provide cultural benefits to your garden. For example, companion planting can provide protection for sensitive plants, attract pests away from vulnerable crops and add crop security for the grower.

Viewer Tip: Some vegetables and their companions should be planted in the fall for early harvest the following year. Your regional climate and the variety of crops you want to grow will determine what plants are best together and when to plant them. There are charts detailing which plants work the best together.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/complant.pdf " target="_blank">Companion Planting: Basic Concepts and Resources.”

Seasons: Fall and SpringSource:

Just Lettuce Plant!

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:31:55 +0000

While most crops are planted in the spring, some important produce waits until fall to go into the ground. Due to the sensitivity of the plant, lettuce grows best in the moist, cool fall. And since it only takes 30 days to mature, there is enough time to produce the plant before the weather becomes too cold.

Viewer Tip: Plant lettuce starting in September, sowing every two to three days. Lettuce is mature and ready to harvest in approximately 30 days. Lettuce needs moist conditions and moderate sunlight. Lettuce grows best in sandy-loam soils with low acidity.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Specialty Lettuce and Greens: Organic Production.”

Season: Fall

Covering Soil Uncovers Benefits

administrator — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:28:35 +0000

Increase the health of your fields by planting a crop and leaving it for an entire season. The benefits of cover crops have been publicized for years. Although they are grown primarily to prevent soil erosion, cover crops can also contribute to nitrogen production, increase soil microbial activity, reduce insect pests and suppress weeds.

Viewer Tip: Plant a winter cover crop in late summer or fall to provide soil cover during the winter. Legumes are often planted for the additional benefit of nitrogen fixation. The climate of your area should be taken into consideration when deciding which cover crop is best for you. You could also plant a catch crop after harvest to reduce nutrient leaching from the soil.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in “Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures.”

Season: Fall

Saving Soils

administrator — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Did you know that it takes 500 to 1,000 years to build just one-inch of soil? Soils form slowly and continuously, thanks to a number of factors, including:

Climate: Temperature, wind and water “weather” or break down rocks and minerals that form soils.
Life: Burrowing animals, plant roots, tiny bacteria and fungi mix soils and chemically change them.
Topography: The slope and position of land determines how much light soil receives, how water travels over the land, and how much erosion takes place.

Viewer Tip: Scientists estimate that we are losing soils 10 to 40 times faster than they can be replaced – 60 percent of soils are washed into our rivers, streams and lakes where they can decrease channel depth, increase potential for flooding and smother aquatic wildlife habitat. You can control erosion at home by using mulch to cover garden beds and other areas of exposed soil. Planting groundcover plants or small shrubs will also help stabilize soil.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall

(Sources: The Environmental Literacy Council. “Soil.” http://www.enviroliteracy.org/subcategory.php/36.html; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil.” http://forces.si.edu/soils/index.html; EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. “Watershed Tips.” epa.gov/owow)