Archive for the ‘Gardening’ Category

6 May

Garlic Mustard: Tempting

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Creation Care, Food, Gardening, Spirituality in Nature, Wildflowers and Plants. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Garlic mustard I spotted on my noon hour walk.

Garlic mustard I spotted on my noon hour walk.

Some year’s ago, I read a book titled, “The Myth of the Greener Grass”. In addressing the problem of marital infidelity, the author, J. Allan Petersen, made the argument that, “The appeal of temptation is always to satisfy a legitimate need in a wrong way or at a wrong time.

These words have stuck with me over the years and have been applied to more than just my marriage. We are often tempted to manipulate all sorts of circumstances to appeal to our needs, legitimate and otherwise. Such actions tend to result in all sorts of unintended consequences.

So we find that we’re also tempted to manipulate nature to satisfy a legitimate needs whether on a macro or micro-biological level.  As pointed out in an earlier post, settlers brought dandelions with them to the New World in order to attract pollinators to their crops and thus ensure more productive harvests. However, introducing non-native species resulted in a case of – the wrong plant in the wrong place.

Another such nuisance, garlic mustard (alliaria petiolata), originating in Europe, was first recorded in the United States on Long Island, New York in 1868. The leaves do make a nice addition to a salad if harvested early in the growing season. But it’s there that they cease to be of any value.

As with all invasives, the problem is not so much their presence as it is their dominance over native plants. Garlic mustard displaces native spring wildflowers like spring beauty, wild ginger, bloodroot, trilliums, and toothwort. In inhibiting the growth of other plants, wildflowers, even trees, they  impact the survival of native animal and insect species that rely on them for food and habitat.

Each season one mustard garlic weed produces hundreds of fine seeds which are carried nearby and multiply the following spring. Although they are the most prevalent in the Northeastern US, they are also found in the Midwest, Southeast, western states and Alaska.

Eradication is particularly difficult as seeds can survive for five or more years before germinating. This means that repeated hand removal, along with the roots, must take place over multiple years before the seed matures and is scattered.

Wrong way, wrong time, wrong place. We need to ask ourselves just how much we ought to manipulate nature to meet our needs. Temptation can be a powerful force, but there is always a price to be paid.

 

1 May

“Eh Mon, What Are Those Pretty Flowers?”

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Crops, Eco-Friendly Products, Food, Gardening, Native Plants and Flowers, Wildflowers and Plants. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The ubiquitous dandelion - blessing or curse?

The ubiquitous dandelion – blessing or curse?

A couple of years ago, some Jamaicans were visiting a friend in Illinois. It was the month of May and as they traveled down a country road, one of the Caribbean guests spotted the endless masses of yellow dandelions (taraxacum officinale) and asked, “Eh Mon, what are those pretty flowers?” My friend, who grew up in the Midwest could hardly believe his ears. Pretty flowers? To avid gardeners “pretty” has nothing to do with it. They are simply a curse.

Whether or not they are in fact a curse is a matter of perspective. To the pilgrims, who brought them with them to the New World, they were a help in attracting pollinators to their orchards and gardens. That’s right, dandelions are not native to North America. As is the case with numerous botanical species, they were imported from elsewhere. But in addition to attracting pollinators, dandelions serve a number of other functions.

According to an article posted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, dandelion leaves act as a diuretic, increasing the amount of urine the body produces. The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

North American Indians understood this and boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to support kidney function. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wines.

Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.

Should you decide to head outside and harvest some dandelions, let me make one precaution – don’t harvest dandelions from an area that has been sprayed with herbicides. Look for the ones growing in an open meadow. They’ll be strong and healthy, measuring as tall as 12 inches in some cases.

So if that doesn’t change your perspective, take it from the herbicide companies – dandelions may just be one of the most beautiful flowers in the whole world.

 

 

20 Apr

Early Wildflowers

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Gardening, Native Plants and Flowers, Wildflowers and Plants. Tagged: , , , , .

Dutchman's Breeches at Fox Island Park - Fort Wayne

Dutchman’s Breeches at Fox Island Park – Fort Wayne

It seems the wildflowers are running just a little behind this year. Perhaps it’s my impatience, or perhaps it’s been the cold weather, overcast days and only recent arrival of that “magic potion” – rain.

Whatever the reason for the seeming delay, it was great to see from Dutchman’s Breeches out at Fox Island Park in Fort Wayne this afternoon.

Dutchman’s Breeches (dicentra cucullaria) is an herbaceous perennial of the Fumariaceae family. This species has many common names depending on which part of the country you come from. One of its common names, Little Blue Staggers, is derived from its ability to induce drunken staggering if cattle graze on it, due to narcotic and toxic substances in the poppy-related genus. Bleeding heart is another common name.

This native wildflower is common throughout the eastern United States though rarer in the Pacific Northwest. The western populations of Dicentra cucullaria appear to have been separated from the eastern ones for at least one thousand years according to the Flora of North America. According the the US Forest Service, the western plants are somewhat coarser in appearance but generally indistinguishable from their eastern counterparts. In Idaho, the species often grows along stream corridors in gravely banks well above the waterline. It is also occurs in Washington and Oregon.

Dutchman’s Breeches blooms in the early spring from March to April. Flowers are white to pink and resemble a pair of pantaloons hanging upside down (whence the common name).

As is true with many wildflower, the flowers wilt almost immediately upon picking so they should not be collected in the wild. The one or more finely compound leaves make the plant appear fern-like. This perennial species has rice-like seed bulbs and is an attractive addition to any garden in moist shady areas.

What is perhaps most amazing about native wildflowers is rather short period of time during which which they flower and are pollinated. Biologist would call them “ephemerals”, which simply means to last a short time. Some wildflowers have just three days to attract pollinators before their flower falls and they shrink back into waiting for another 362 days.

So before the trees leaf out and shade the forest floor for the rest of the season, be watching for these patient wildflowers. Though their moment in the sun is but a few days, they shine nonetheless and bring hope to all those who have endured yet another winter.

14 Apr

Earth Day at Eagle Marsh

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Birds, Botany, Children and Nature, Climate Change, Corporate Ecology, Creation Care, Ecology, Education, Environmentalism, Gardening, Politics, Recreation, Reptiles, Water Conservation, Wetlands, Wildlife. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Earth-day-image

Earth Day is just around the corner and will be celebrated around the world. But how did it all begin and how can you become involved?

Origins

The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media; persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the land.

As a result, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. “It was a gamble,” Gaylord recalled, “but it worked.”

Earth Day at Eagle Marsh

Screen Shot 2013-04-14 at 8.15.53 PMHere in Fort Wayne Indiana, Earth Day will be celebrated at Eagle Marsh (Little Rivers Wetland Project) on Engle Road from 1-5pm. To say that it will take place on “Engle Road” is in fact the truth. After the success of last year’s event, executive director Sean Nolan requested permission to have Engle Road closed between West Jefferson and Smith Road from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Many area nature groups and businesses will be part of this free event, which will feature numerous fun activities for the whole family. These include volunteer opportunities to plant native milkweed plants at Eagle Marsh , interactive nature education stations along the preserve’s trails, a new nature photography exhibit, face painting, and more.

The Education Stations will provide lots of “hands-on” activities and will include:

  • Building a Better Bug – insect parts and the opportunity to build your own bug
  • Bee a Pollinator – pollination and the life cycle of a bee
  • Why Wetlands – three experiments to demonstrate wetlands clean water
  • Everything Poops in the Marsh – scats and tracks (hosted by yours truly)
  • Whoo Eats That – what owls eat
  • Salamanders – environmental barometers
  • Frogs and Toads of Eagle Marsh – a hopping good time guaranteed
  • Life Cycle of a Leopard Frog – actually build the four stages
  • Pond Dipping – swimmers, wigglers and things that go hop
  • Bird Observation Station – spot birds and make your own binoculars
  • Coloring with AEP – sponsors for the educational stations

A Earth Day 5K Walk presented by OmniSource will begin at 2:00 pm on April 21 during Earth Day Fort Wayne. Register now at www.firstgiving.com/lrwp/EarthDayWalk ($20 for adults, $10 for ages 7-17) to help us raise funds for LRWP’s important work of wetland restoration and nature education, including the care of Eagle Marsh and other LRWP preserves.

Visit www.Facebook.com/EarthDayFortWayne for details.

 

 

 

 

27 Feb

What Place Does “Ecology” Have at the Home and Garden Show?

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Climate Change, Corporate Ecology, Creation Care, Ecology, Environmental Missions, Environmentalism, Gardening, Housing, Wetlands. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

earth-moonThis weekend I look forward to working the booth at the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show for two of my favorite environmental care groups – Little River Wetlands Project and Acres Land Trust. But some may wonder what place these two organizations have at a Home and Garden Show. Was there simply booth space leftover?

The truth is that both, and others like it, ought to be the centerpiece of any home show. The origin of the current term ecology finds it’s place in the late 19th century (originally as oecology): and comes from the  Greek oikos ‘house’ + -logy. So ecology has to do with the study or care of our home.

It’s unfortunate we limit our concept of home to the four walls that surround us or the survey markers that define our property. Home is the place we share together.

While in West Africa last week, I was chatting with local leaders about the concept of community. I think North Americans have a pretty good concept of relationship, but we’re really weak when it comes to living in community. We emphasize ownership, privacy and establishing contractual relationships. We like to know about each other, but we don’t really do life together very well. In essence, we live in isolation from one another in our individual homes and therefore have little understanding of what it means to share in the care of our greater home. The garden, so to speak, in which we live.

Nothing happens in isolation. The water I pollute may not affect me, but it will impact those who live downstream. Likewise, recent announcements by China to restrict future carbon emissions will not simply improve conditions around Beijing, but will ultimately lower carbon emissions around the world. Ecology is a global concept. We can never think of creation care in local terms alone. The entire earth, and universe that surrounds us, is our home – a place we share in community with one another.

 

 

27 Dec

Urban Farming

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Crops, Eco-Friendly Products, Education, Food, Gardening, Podcasts, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Greg Willerer (right) has a business that provides produce to 27 families through his community supported agriculture co-op in Detroit. Photo by Jon Kalish

Greg Willerer (right) has a business that provides produce to 27 families through his community supported agriculture co-op in Detroit. Photo by Jon Kalish

About a year ago, I was visiting with friends in Hamtramck Michigan on the outskirts of the Rouge Valley near Detroit. Hamtramck was once a thriving community consisting primarily of Polish immigrants (90% in 1970) who found work in the nearby automotive factories of the Dodge Brothers. With the decline of the industry, these early immigrants have moved away and assimilated into the broader American social landscape while new immigrants have found their way in. Today, Hamtramck consists primarily of new immigrants from the Middle East, and South Asia, particularly from Yemen and Bangladesh.

Cities in transition abound throughout the United States, and with this transition properties are being left vacant due to urban decay or arson. Many of these properties are maintained by the city or municipality using the very limited taxes of the rate-payers who may be the only household occupying an entire city block. Aside from the ongoing provision of utilities to these vacant lots, including fire hydrants to protect non-existant buildings, city crews cut grass and remove construction waste often dumped on these properties on a regular basis.

According to Jon Kalish, an NPR contributor, Detroit is becoming greener all the time. In his article entitled “The Gift of Detroit: Tilling Urban Terrain”, he points out that serious farming operations are beginning to spring up. One example he provides is that of Paul Weertz.

“I farm about 10 acres in the city, and alfalfa’s my thing. I bale about a thousand bales a year,” he says. That’s alfalfa grown within Detroit city limits. The 58-year-old public school teacher lives alone in a single-family house in the Farnsworth neighborhood. There are a dozen chickens and 10 beehives on Weertz’s property that belong to a neighborhood honey co-op. An acre of land behind his house used to be occupied by other single-family homes but is now covered with fruit trees, vegetables and a pungent patch of basil.

Weertz has been buying abandoned homes and vacant parcels in his neighborhood, where lots go for as little as $300. He’s been encouraging young people who want to farm to move into the neighborhood. Weertz’s neighbor, Carolyn Leadley, runs Rising Pheasant Farms when she’s not caring for her 10-month-old son. ”We’re definitely micro-farming, but we’re making a living off a sixth of an acre,” Leadley says. “I’ve been very pleased — pleasantly surprised at how much I’ve been able to pay myself per hour. We took on an employee. I’m like, ‘OK, We’re a real business now. We have to pay taxes and do things right.’ “

Of course there are precautions that need to be taken before farming vacant lots. Soils samples to test for contaminants such as lead or other industrial wastes is a must.

In many cases, non-profit cooperatives have been established that allow for local families to raise their own crops. In one neighborhood in Dearborn Michigan, I visited a community garden run by a resettlement agency. Most of their neighbors are Iraqis or Yemenis and appreciate the opportunity to grow there own produce just as they did in their homelands. In addition to a low cost food source, the opportunity to work cooperatively with other ethnic groups, including American families, assists in helping them feel more established in their new homeland. It also works to increase tolerance and appreciation of others among all participants. The community garden becomes to social “glue” so to speak, and a place of common ground.

18 Jul

A Bad Year for Trees in Indiana

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Education, Forestry Conservation, Gardening, Native Plants and Flowers, Reforestration, Spirituality in Nature, Trees. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

It all began when March seemed more like July with temperatures in the mid-eighties. Then came the seasonally appropriate cold nights with killer frosts. The frost took out all the apple blossoms on my Cortland and MacIntosh trees. So no fruit this year. Maybe next year. The frost also wiped out nearly all the tender leaves that had appeared earlier than expected on the Bloodgood Japanese Maple in my front yard. Now I know they are not native to Zone 5/6 and it’s my own fault, but no amount of covering the tree was enough to protect it. Now it just looks sick with some poor excuse for leaves in the midst of this summer’s drought.

Speaking of drought, my Eastern White Pine is about “cooked”. White Pines were once native to Indiana but with climate change, we have now been designated as Zone 6 instead of 5. White Pines just really can’t handle Arizona temperatures. So first it was hit with weevils which became evident when the new growth at the top of the tree simply browned-out and dropped. I pruned carefully and destroyed the branches, but despite my best efforts the tree is slowly turning a rust color and I’m afraid is on it’s way out. Eastern White Pines are pretty particular about the amount of water they get. They don’t like too much or too little. So ten years of growth and about 40 feet of lovely whispering melodies on the wind are about to come to an end.

Oh, then there are the Red Maples. I planted them about ten years ago as well and they had been doing fine until the unusually warm springs led to a surge of xylem up the trunks in early spring that literally burst the trees open. Although I did everything I could to seal the wounds to keep the ants out, the “skeleton” of the trees had been compromised and the 90 per hour winds a few weeks ago snapped two of them off near the ground even though they were ten and four inches in diameter.

The damage around town was quite extensive and revealed an awful lot about the health of some trees that appeared strong and healthy, that is until the winds came through. I’ve been amazed to see some massive oaks and maples downed by the storm, but the truth can often be quickly seen as the hollowed out cores of these massive hulks is made plain to passers by. Although they appeared to be symbols of strength and permanence, inwardly the heartwood of these iconic trees had been deteriorating over the years.

As you can tell, I’m pretty “bummed” about my trees. Trees are some of my best friends and they have a lot to teach us about life, growth and integrity.

For most of my life, the truth of who I am and what I’ve built around myself can be seen only at a surface level. At times a few brown leaves may appear or some signs of stress. But the core of who and what I am remains undetected to the human eye.

Psalm 51:6 puts it this way:

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

I guess I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what’s happening below the surface, the stuff that when the heat is on, or when the pressures of life come, will show to me and others, just who I really am.

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;

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8 Jun

Lake and River Water Quality: Shoreline Plantings (Part 2)

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Creation Care, Ecology, Environmentalism, Gardening, Native Plants and Flowers, Water Conservation, Wetlands, Wildflowers and Plants. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Natural shoreline in Michigan

Lake and river shorelines covered with a rich layer of native vegetation provide a multitude of benefits for the lake. Deep-rooted native woody plants and grasses hold soil in place to prevent shoreline erosion. Kentucky bluegrass and other turf grasses have shallow roots that do not help stabilize shoreline soils. Furthermore, shoreline edge plants intercept runoff from lakefront properties that could contain nutrients and chemicals that would otherwise flow into the lake. Un-mowed native grasses and herbaceous plants along the shoreline discourage Canada geese from moving onto lakefront properties – and we all know what a mess they can make! One other thing many do not realize is that natural shorelines absorb wave action, hence reducing the “choppy” conditions experienced on many small lakes.

Some of the most common reasons folks give for not maintaining a natural, sustainable shoreline are:

1. They like the neat, clean appearance.
2. They see shoreline erosion problems and conclude that only a bulkhead seawall can correct it.
3. They want to match what their neighbor has.
4. They are afraid of snakes in a natural shoreline.

First of all, the neat, clean appearance requires some thought. After all, what first attracted you to owning a lake or riverfront property? Was it the fact that you would have a concrete wall lining your property? A house on a cul-du-sac with a curbed street would have been more than sufficient. What attracted you was probably finding a place with natural beauty – something unlike the suburbs.

Brome Hummock Sedge

Second, the low-cost and most effective solution to shoreline erosion is not a seawall. However, planting the right species is very important. As mentioned, regular turf grasses do little more than attract geese, and their roots do not go deep enough to add stability to your shoreline. However, sedges have roots that penetrate several feet into the soil and yet are neat and clean. Remember sedges are like grass, but have edges and consist of single blades. Grass has blades that stem out at various points along the stalk.

I’ll admit that matching what the neighbor has can be a concern. However, once some begin the lose the walls and barriers, buck the trend and restore beautiful shoreline plantings in front of their properties, the neighbors may just want to follow your lead.

And as far as snake are concerned, the only Midwest snakes you might find at the shoreline are far more afraid of you than you are of them. Northern water snakes, the most common water snake in Indiana, is not venomous and quite reluctant to spend any time around humans.

Jeff Schloss of the University of New Hampshire identifies ten design principles to protect and improve shoreland property. Consider
these principles as you make plans to create an ecologically sustainable shoreline zone at your waterfront property.

1. Protect and improve soil quality
2. Include as many vegetative layers as possible
3. Select the right plant for the right place for the right reason
4. Use plants to reduce the force and slow the flow of water
5. Maximize the amount of vegetative buffers
6. Minimize areas of impermeable surface (eg. cement, stone, wood)
7. Rethink the size (and location) of your lawn
8. Design for low input (eg. fertilizers, herbicides, etc)
9. Design a low-maintenance landscape (remember, you came here to relax)
10. Remember your actions on land directly affect the water body

There are a number of great native species depending on conditions and placements, but here are a few ideas:

Blue Flag Iris

Waters Edge:

Marsh Marigold, Bottlebrush Sedge, Common Arrowhead, Brome Hummock Sedge, Seedbox (yellow flower).

Above the Shoreline:

Black-eyed Susan, Foxglove, Spiderwort, Prairie Dropseed, Bergamot, Swamp Milkweed (habitat for Monarch Butterflies), Blue Flag Iris

Taller Species:

Dark Green Rush (3-5′), Great Bulrush (4-8′)

Some might suggest cattails, but unless you have a lot of muskrats to keep them under control (muskrats feed extensively on cattail), I would not advise planting it as it can become somewhat invasive. And remember, keep it native. They’ll not only perform well, but they will actually be beneficial to the environment by providing habitat and food for local animal species.

 

 

 

30 May

Composting – Key to Good Soil and Human Health

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Crops, Food, Gardening, Organic Living. Tagged: , , , .

It has been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to much in the way of blogging. I’ve been completing my certification as an Indiana Master Naturalist and the weeks have really been jam-packed. However, the course was fantastic and helped me to organize so much of what I’ve been learning over the years, and what I hope to learn in the years to come.

The last time I wrote, I said my next blog would cover the subject of composting, and so hear it is.

Picking up on where I left off – soil scientist, Andre Voisin of the University of Missouri wrote, “The only means of determining whether a soil is truly healthy is the examine the health of the plants in the soil. Furthermore, the only way to determine the health of plants is to examine the health of animals, including humans, who eat the plants.” It’s fascinating to see the links between soil, plants and the health of those who consume them. Indeed, good soil is essential to human health.

The magic of “Miracle Grow” is not sufficient to add to soil the nutrients necessary to sustain human health as it ought. In addition, these artificial sources of nutrients often carry with them negative elements such as manganese which builds up in soils and cannot be removed except as they are picked up plants. In fact, Canada has a serious problem selling it’s durum wheat beyond its borders because of the high levels of manganese durum wheat has a proclivity to take up from the soil. Chemical fertilizers not only fail to provide the nutrients essential to good health, they can actually do harm. To quote Sir Albert Howard, who transformed much of subcontinental India farming – primarily through the use of composting, wrote, ”Artificial manures lead inevitably to artificial nutrition, artificial food, artificial animals, and finally to artificial men and women.”

Compost serves to improve soil health by adding organic matter, which improves the structure of soil. It also provides slow release fertility and numerous micro-organisms, encourages the activity of earthworms and encourages mycorrhizae (the fungus that allows plants to obtain otherwise unavailable mineral nutrients via the fungal hyphae, or threads, which extend the effective absorptive area of the root system).

The “Indore” method developed by Howard in the 1920s and 30s required heaps of at least 60 cubic feet – 4′x4′x4′. The heap was to face south, protected from the wind and be prepared in layers as follows:

  • Thin Layer Soil – 1/8 inch
  • 2 Inches Fresh Manure
  • 6 Inches Material (leaves, stalks, animal bedding, plant residue)
  • Keep Layering to a Height of 4 Feet

The heap was to be kept moist but not wet, turned after 2-3 weeks, again after 5-6 weeks and would be done in 3 months.

Modern compost follows the same basic heaping method (4′x4′x4′) but avoids the use of manure (unless you can be assured the animals have been raised organically). The composition of the heap ought to be of approximately 1/3 green to 2/3 brown. It would be turned regularly and remain moist. Some would recommend the addition of small amounts of wood ash, but lime should never be added as it will interfere to the composting process. Piles can and should heat up to 150 F. When the pile is finished it will cool and should be used quickly.

One of the things my wife and I have been doing recently is making up compost tea – not to drink of course. Rather we dig out an couple of good trowel-fulls of fresh compost from the heap and add it to a panty hose. We tie a knot and dunk the tea bag in a 5 gallon pail for 3-5 days. When it’s ready we use it to give our plants a nourishing drink.

Finally, I few things that ought to be avoided. Don’t add seed-bearing weeds to your heap, neither should you use walnut leaves at they are far too toxic.

Happy composting!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 Apr

The “Dirt” on Soil Nutrition

Posted by midwestnaturalist in Botany, Creation Care, Ecology, Food, Gardening, Organic Living. Tagged: , , , , .

If you have ever purchased a bag of chemical fertilizer for your lawn or garden, you will probably have notice the package displays three numbers like 12-12-12 or some other combination. The three numbers refer to the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contained in the fertilizer. While these three are essential to plant growth and development, they are not the only nutrients required for plant health. In fact, plants need seventeen nutrients for growth and reproduction. Fourteen come from the soil, and three come from the air and water.

LIST OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

From the air and water:

  • Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen

From the soil:

  • Phosphorus, Potassium, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Boron, Manganese, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Molybedum, Chlorine

The first seven soil nutrients are used in larger amounts and are called the macronutrients. The latter seven are the micronutrients. These are rarely limiting in plant development and may not even be available to the plant unless the pH is below 6.0 (more acidic) but they can be readily identified in healthy plants.

The problem we face as we consume produce that has been feed a meager diet of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is that our bodies are denied there same essential nutrients and others that can only be absorbed by the plant first, and then our bodies ensuring proper health.

SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

The solution is in composting. Good nutrition for both plant and human organisms begins in the soil.

In my next blog, I’ll talk more about composting, building a compost bin and how it improves the quality of your soil.

 

 

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