Earth Gauge » NCAT

Pump Water with the Power of the Sun

espinoza — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:19:13 +0000

Farmers and ranchers throughout the United States are using solar power to pump water for their livestock and irrigation. Solar pumping works anywhere the sun shines and most parts of the United States have plenty of sunlight to run these pumping systems. Solar pumping is a natural match for summer grazing applications, since the solar energy produces the greatest volumes of water in sunny weather and during long summer days—exactly when animals need water the most.

Viewer Tip: The economics of using solar power for water pumping depends on several factors. Your distance from power lines and the current cost of power are two important factors. To learn more and find out if switching to a solar powered livestock watering system is right for your farm, visit http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/solarlswater.pdf.

This information is provided by ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

Healthy Earthworms for Healthy Soil

espinoza — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:09:55 +0000

Want to have great soil and save money in the process? The good news is that the natural process for making good soil has little or no cost. Good soil management produces crops and animals that are healthier, less susceptible to disease and more productive. Earthworms are a sign of good soil health – and they significantly contribute to that health by enhancing the soil’s water infiltration and soil aeration. Fields that have been “tilled” by earthworm burrows can absorb water at a rate four to 10 times that of fields lacking worm tunnels. When humans till the ground, however, it reduces earthworm populations by drying the soil, burying the plant residue they feed on and making the soil more likely to freeze. Worms are dormant in the hot part of the summer and in the cold of winter. Young worms emerge in spring and fall – just when farmers are likely to be tilling their soil.

Viewer Tip: As a rule, earthworm numbers can be increased by reducing or eliminating tillage (especially fall tillage), not using a moldboard plow, reducing residue particle size (using a straw chopper on the combine), adding animal manure and growing green manure crops. It is beneficial to leave as much surface residue as possible year round. Earthworms prefer a near-neutral soil pH, moist soil conditions and plenty of plant residue on the soil surface. They are sensitive to certain pesticides and some incorporated fertilizers.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about Sustainable Soil Management at attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/soilmgmt.pdf.

Give Your Pruning Shears a Winter Workout

espinoza — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:12:39 +0000

Just because winter is here doesn’t mean you can’t shape up your trees for the coming growing season. Pruning your fruit trees in winter can lead to healthier trees and higher-quality fruit production. Winter pruning can also reduce the amount of chemicals used for promoting a better harvest.

Viewer Tip: Prune dense fruit tree branches to improve air circulation. This helps prevent fruit rots, mildew and some other plant diseases from developing. Pruning diseased branches from fruit trees and removing them from your yard or orchard during cold weather can help prevent diseases from spreading to other branches or other trees.

Season: Winter

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information service. Learn more about organic care for fruit trees: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/fruitover.pdf.

Planting Garlic

espinoza — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:26:21 +0000

Bulb growth in garlic is dependent on the warmth and the length of the day. In northern part of the United States, most growers plant garlic in October before the ground freezes. This gives the garlic plant time to develop good roots but not enough time to encourage leaf growth before coolder weather hits. Where winter sets in earlier, growers are recommended to plant garlic two to three weeks after the first frost (below 32 degrees Fahrenheit). Where winters are milder, garlic can be planted as late as mid-December. In some parts of California, garlic can be planted as late as February or March.

Viewer Tip: Crack each garlic bulb into individual cloves (referred to as “popping”). Plant cloves with the root end down. Where winters are mild, plant cloves one inch deep; where winters are severe, plant them two to four inches deep.

Season: Winter

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about organic garlic production at http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/garlic.html.

Don’t Freeze in the Fall

espinoza — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:04:16 +0000

The end of pumping season for livestock watering systems usually occurs in the fall, before temperatures reach freezing. At the end of the pumping season, and long before freezing weather occurs, turning off your pump and closing the hydrant provides basic freeze protection.

Viewer Tip: For a watering system with a surface pump, any above-ground piping that will be exposed to freezing temperatures must be completely drained. The pump and suction line must also be completely drained and the pump should be covered with freeze resistant materials to ensure complete freeze protection.

Season: Fall

This information is provided by ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about Freeze Protection for Livestock Watering Systems: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/freeze.pdf.

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.

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/.

Blue-Green Algae

espinoza — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:04:41 +0000

Summer makes for nice hiking weather and many of us head into the great outdoors with our pet companions. With many summer activities taking place near streams and ponds, you may think you don’t need to worry about drinking water for your animals. But on warm, sunny days, you need to be careful to avoid water sources with toxic blue-green algae. These algae, which are actually bacteria, can kill cattle and other animals that drink contaminated water. Risk conditions include warm and sunny days, stagnant ponds and low water flow in streams, all conditions that occur during the summer.

Viewer Tip: To help keep your pets healthy and avoid blue-green algae, fence off any stagnant ponds or low-flowing water around your home. When you’re out recreating, monitor your pet’s drinking habits and always be sure to pack clean, fresh water for you and your furry companions.

Season: Summer

This information is provided by ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more at www.attra.ncat.org.

Heat Got Your Pets Stressed?

espinoza — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:00:02 +0000

Warmer temperatures are a welcome thing for those of us without fur, but your house pets often suffer in summer. Animals are susceptible to heat stress in the summer and need lots of extra water to make sure they stay healthy in the heat. Did you know that younger animals need more water than adults? That’s because a greater percentage of their body is made up of water. Young animals also need to drink more often because they take in less water at a time and have a higher metabolism.

Viewer Tip: Keep all your pets healthy this summer by making sure clean water is available. Clean water improves an animal’s metabolism, decreases disease and parasite risk, and promotes good health. Leave water partially covered to prevent evaporation and make sure shade is available if your pet stays outdoors.

Season: Summer

This information is provided by ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about Water, Heat Stress and Drought at http://attra.ncat.org/downloads/water_quality/water_mgmt.pdf.

Don’t Stress (Your Lawn) Out

espinoza — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:59:39 +0000

Mowing the lawn is a typical summer activity. Did you know that when you mow, you can actually “stress out” your grass? This can lead to a brown, weedy and patchy lawn. But, by increasing your mower height, you can reduce stress on turf species as well as the incidence of some common turf weeds. Increasing the height of your mower blades is particularly important when turf is under stress from heat, drought or shade.

Viewer Tip: Don’t leave your mower set at the same cutting height all year. Instead, increase the mower height to reduce stress on turf that is in the shade or exposed to extreme heat. Since turf species grow more slowly when they are under stress, allow enough time between cutting for the turf to regrow sufficiently before it is mowed again. This may mean mowing shady sections of your lawn at intervals different from those used in sunny areas.

This information is provided by ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn moreat www.attra.ncat.org.

Know Your Plant Hardiness Zone

espinoza — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:52:37 +0000

For home gardeners, weather is a major variable in determining the success of crops. Spring planting dates are commonly scheduled around the first frost-free day. Weather has a large influence on timing because of its effect on seedling establishment and crop growth. For example, peas planted at the first possible planting date in the spring and then again two weeks later will usually mature only one week apart. Germination conditions at the time of the second planting will likely be much better, and the young plants will grow faster as the days lengthen, slowly catching up with the first crop.

Viewer Tip: If you know your U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone number, you can find the average annual frost-free date for your area. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides the United States into 11 zones. Knowing your zone means you can look up the first day in your area without frost. To find your zone, visit your local extension agent, ask at an area nursery or check with your local librarian.

You can also visit http://www.garden.org/zipzone/ and use your zip code to learn more about your hardiness zone and get suggestions for plants that will fare well in your area.

This information is provided by ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in ”Scheduling Vegetable Plantings for Continuous Harvest” – http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/continuousharvest.html.

Spring Compost for Lush Summer Grass

espinoza — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:51:43 +0000

Early spring might be the season for heavy rain or even a white blanket of snow, but it’s not too early to start thinking about using compost to help grow a lush green lawn. Did you know the best time to apply compost is in the spring? According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, compost applied in the spring provides nutrients during the main growing season. Cool-season grasses do most of their growing during the spring and root growth for cool-season grasses peaks during the two months prior to maximum shoot growth in the spring.

Viewer Tip: For uniform turf growth throughout the growing season, apply the majority of your compost in the spring – about 50 percent of the nutrients your lawn needs. For an eco-friendly fertilizer, try mature compost, which provides turf plants with a balanced source of nutrients that are released slowly into the soil. To get grass to turn green early in the spring, you may want to supplement compost with other natural nitrogen sources, like alfalfa meal.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about sustainable turf care: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/turfcare.html.

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

If it’s Falling…

espinoza — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:45:08 +0000

You may as well collect! The upcoming dry summer months are probably the last thing on your mind during heavy late winter and spring rains. At this time of year, it may seem like it will never dry out, but it’s important to remember that a hot summer is just around the corner. So why not collect that extra spring rainwater for the summer, when your yard seems to always need a drink? Buildings can play a role in capturing rainwater for irrigation. Rooftop water-catchment systems vary in complexity from simple rain barrels placed at the bottom of gutters to systems that collect runoff that is stored in a cistern and treated for vegetable irrigation.

Viewer Tip: Water collection and re-use systems play an important role in conserving water. A properly placed rain barrel can collect rain runoff from your roof this spring and save it for use in the summer. Just remember that birds and other animals also visit your roof, so water from a rain barrel is best used on non-food plants, like your flowers and lawn.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about efficient agricultural buildings: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/agbuildings.html

Turn Tree Trunks White

espinoza — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:23:50 +0000

Ever wonder why some trees have their trunks painted white? Did you know that too much sun in the winter can damage young trees? According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, sunscald can occur on cold winter days when the afternoon sun is high in the sky. Heat given off by the sun can “confuse” young trees, causing cells to become active during the day. After the sun sets and the temperatures drop, these cells die, causing bark to fall off the trunk. Painting tree trunks white or covering trunks with white material reflects sunlight, keeping the tree trunk from warming up on cold winter days.

Viewer Tip: Use crepe paper tree wrap sold in garden centers and nurseries to protect and insulate young trees on your property. Wrap the tree trunks with the paper, fasten with tape and remove in the spring.

Season: Winter

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more: www.attra.ncat.org.

Save Your Fuel

espinoza — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:35:38 +0000

Don’t let a drop in the outdoor temperatures mean a drop in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as the temperatures cool off outside, your car may use more fuel than it does during the summer months. Cold temperatures can recue tire pressure and force engines to work harder, but there are a few simple things you can do to help your car stay efficient all winter long.

Viewer tip: Check tire pressure regularly during cold weather and keep your tires properly inflated. Having just one tire under-inflated by six pounds per square inch (psi) can increase fuel consumption by three percent and reduce the tire’s life. Check your owner’s manual for information on correct inflation pressure.

In very cold climates, you may want to install an electric block heater on your car. It is less expensive to warm engines with electricity for a controlled period of time than it is to use liquid fuel. Three hours on an electric block heater is generally sufficient to warm an engine.

Season: Winter

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about soil management: www.attra.ncat.org.

It’s your dirt – Why not hold onto it?

espinoza — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:05:19 +0000

Soil erosion isn’t just a cosmetic problem in your yard. According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, soil removed by wind and rain erosion typically contains the “good stuff” – three times more nutrients and five times more organic matter than the soil left behind. Erosion is also a source of water pollution. Protecting soil from the impact of raindrops can decrease erosion and increase the amount of rainwater soaking into the soil. Mulches, groundcover plants and cover crops all protect our soils.

Viewer Tip: Try this fun and simple experiment at home to demonstrate the value of mulches and groundcover plants:

Lay a piece of white paper on a bare soil surface that slopes downhill. Pour a pint of water onto the bare soil just above the paper. You will observe some eroding soil sticking to the paper as the water passes underneath.
Now, with a fresh piece of paper, do the same thing in an area with ample groundcover. Compare the two pieces of paper to see how effective mulches and groundcover plants can be at preventing soil erosion!

At this time of year, you have ample free mulch available in your own backyard – spread fallen leaves around garden beds, bushes and trees to protect soil from erosion. This is also a great time to research native groundcover plants you may want to add in your yard. Check out the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Native Plants Database: www.wildflower.org/plants.

Season: Fall

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about soil management: www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/soilmgmt.htm.

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