by Catherine Haug, with David Brown, July 15, 2011
Dave Brown: Sifting compost
(all photos by David Brown unless noted otherwise)
Kalispell gardener and composter David Brown has been conducting composting experiments in his yard for years. From using a simple hole in the ground which he fills with kitchen and yard waste, to a sophisticated separating toilet, David is a wealth of ideas.
See also his earlier article, originally published in the Daily InterLake: Composting: Yard Waste (11).
Test peas affected by herbicide in mulch (yellowing leaves)
[Cat’s NOTE: This post, by ESP gardening presenter Don Bates, concerns herbicide damage to garden crops including tomatoes, peas, beans, lettuce and several other crops. The herbicide can be lurking in compost, manure and wheat straw, as well as airborne from sprays. See also my earlier post: Alert: Poisoned Soil, Compost, Manure]
by Don Bates, July 11
(all photos by Don Bates)
Given that many of our ESP community are gardeners, I thought this to be worth posting. It concerns an herbicide which is nearly ubiquitous, and so, probably off people’s radar.
by Catherine Haug, June 27, 2011
During the discussion at our very first ESP gathering, we talked about helping needy people in our community by providing fresh food from our gardens to the food bank. Perhaps some of us are already doing this.
But according to the June AARP Bulletin, non-profit groups around the country, have taken this idea further:
by Catherine Haug, June 10, 2011
Shortly after becoming First Lady, Michelle Obama started a mostly-Organic kitchen garden on the White House grounds, with help from local school kids (see my post: Victory Garden 2009). Each year this project has been a great success, not only in providing the White House with fresh, healthful produce, but also in raising awareness with children around the country, on the importance – and fun – of growing your own.
What would America’s Garden look like if it instead represented the crops supported by our subsidy dollars? And how does government ag policy affect small scale producers? (more…)
Summary by Catherine Haug, May 13, 2011
Julian ran his Swallow Crest Farm as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for 14 years, but now is changing the way he markets. As a CSA, he started with 5 subscribing families, and had 160 members the last 4 years. This format pays the bills, but his children are teens now, with new needs, and he wants to develop the art, beauty and pleasure of gardening at his farm.
Despite the changes in format, several features will continue:
This is just a short synopsis; you can find more detail in the complete, printable Gathering Summary: Gardening in NW Montana and handout: Julian’s Produce Distribution Timelines (2010 Season) (pdf files). (more…)
by Catherine Haug
(originally published April 8, 2010; updated April 10, 2011 with new information).
It’s spring and we are planning our summer gardens. One of the veggies sure to be included is cabbage, both for its nutritional value and its ability to grow in the cool seasons, plus keep well in winter storage.
As summer approaches, we long for leisurely summer picnics or camp-outs, and all the wonderful food treats that are staples of such events, including coleslaw. And during the fall and winter we make sauerkraut from fall, or late cabbage, as a tasty and nutritious food, and also as a way to preserve the cabbage. (more…)