Celebrate “culture” in agriculture & share skills like growing, cooking, canning

July 2009 Blog Posts (13)

Update on my gutter garden

I've got tomatoes! Whoo hoo! After our landlord-induced drought a few weeks back, I wasn't sure if my garden was going to make it. But after careful and vigilant watering, pruning and fretting, it looks like I'll still have a respectable crop of heirloom tomatoes.…

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Added by Cornelia on July 31, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Tomato Tip Rooting

One of my favorite ways to grow fall tomatoes is by tip rooting my summer tomato plants.

To tip root, you bend, or tip, a branch from existing tomato plants and bury it in the ground. Give it a little extra water to help out, and in a week or so the buried branch should start rooting. Once it appears that the new plant is growing on its own, you can cut it, detaching it from the old plant.

The same concept works great for suckers on your tomato plants as well. To start a… Continue

Added by michael on July 29, 2009 at 10:46am — 2 Comments

Transforming a money bank into an heirloom seed bank in Petaluma, CA

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is one of those companies that inspires growers to grow more and grow better. Their 2009 catalog offers 1279 unique heirloom varieties. Founder Jere Gettle was inspired to turn a closed financial institution into a house of worship for non-GMO, open-pollenated seeds.

From Civil Eats:

With the economy in shambles and banks closing across the country, a… Continue

Added by Cornelia on July 23, 2009 at 3:22pm — No Comments

Cluck Cluck Cluck

This semester has been rough on our family. Intense classes, with lots of homework, and big papers. For a minute there, I didn't think we would survive. I say we, because my soon-to-be husband takes care of things at home when I'm fully engrossed in classwork, and working my job.

Last night was the final night of class before a nice 3 week break. Before leaving town to head home I got a text "We have a surpise for you." Its from my fuhbubs and his dog, they have gotten something for… Continue

Added by Margo Rehm on July 23, 2009 at 11:17am — No Comments

Tomato buds!!!

So, today I decided to count how many Heirloom tomato buds I have and I think I've counted about 50 of them!!! I'm shocked!! This is the first time I've grown these plants from seeds and they're doing better in planters than the ones my Dad planted in the garden!! My plants are dark green and fresh looking, sturdy and healthy and the ones in the garden are starting to wilt although, they do have 3 green tomatoes on the plants, while mine are still buds. I'm still so happy about what I've been… Continue

Added by Erika on July 21, 2009 at 6:41pm — No Comments

Fog catchers - a beautiful way of finding water for drier climates

From National Geographic:

"When dense fog sweeps in from the Pacific Ocean, special nets on a hillside near Lima, Peru, catch the moisture and provide precious water to an area that gets very little rainfall--about half an inch (1.5 centimeters) a year. "

More… Continue

Added by Cornelia on July 21, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Canning Pro or Novice? Have a look at Cans Across America and join the fun!

Please see my post, Tasting All Life Has to Offer which gives links and details.

Also, there's a Boston chapter under the guidance of a couple friends. See you at a canning event soon?

Here's the Facebook page: Canning Across America

Added by Jacqueline Church on July 21, 2009 at 3:00pm — 2 Comments

A busy week at Farm Aid comes to a close

When I tell people that I work at Farm Aid, I never know quite how people will react. Will they say, "Oh you guys are still around? Remember Live Aid?!" or, "Nice! Can you get me on the bus with Willie, I got some killer homegrown stuff to share with him!" Or will they say, "That's awesome - here, come see my compost bin!" (OK, it's not often I'm shown something so personal as someone's compost bin when they first meet me, but you get the idea.) What I'm trying to say is, some people think of… Continue

Added by matt on July 17, 2009 at 4:43pm — No Comments

HOMEGROWN Weddings - been to any?

I have - mine! It was a magical day, complete with a canine bridesmaid, sliced watermelon and a whopping late-night rainstorm that had us all dancing on water. We set up a big tent in the yard, sourced much of the food and drink locally, we enlisted the help of some of our food superstars for potluck salads and sides, filled a canoe with ice for drinks (an idea from Laura and Vance's HOMEGROWN wedding in 2008), there were games on the grass for kids (big and little ones), and a kickin'… Continue

Added by Cornelia on July 16, 2009 at 2:21pm — 1 Comment

Gear for fellow food preservers

I can't help it. And I welcome my other fellow food preservers to come out of the closet and proclaim your mad skillz to the world.

And I don't know about you but I've been singing Jam On It when I'm making jam. And perhaps also doing the cabbage patch. So here have a tote.

If you want one, I've put them up in… Continue

Added by Lelo in Nopo on July 12, 2009 at 6:50pm — No Comments

Vertical Vegetables

VERTICAL VEGETABLES: "Grow up" in a small garden and confound the cats! - More DIY How To… Continue

Added by michael on July 10, 2009 at 10:04pm — No Comments

Flexible CSA shares now available! -organic vegetables, beef & chicken (Maine farmers markets: Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Freeport, Portland)

Looking for delicious organic food? Want more local food in your diet? Would you like the money you spend on food to go back into Maine's economy? Check out:

Perfect Place Farm

North Yarmouth, Maine

Farmer Tim:

207-441-8790

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This revolutionary farming model allows people to pay for a share of the harvest up front. By doing so, this allows me to purchase seeds and soil amendments. From then on, either meet… Continue

Added by Peter Hazen on July 8, 2009 at 2:53pm — No Comments

Terms for Sustainability

Hello Everyone,
I am a research assistant looking for terms on sustainability, does anyone have any terms that relate to economics, lifestyle, water, or waste?
Thank you
Compostlady

Added by Compostlady on July 6, 2009 at 9:48pm — No Comments