Organic vegetable gardening

Organic Landcare for Homeowners

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Theresa LamMarket GardenerLonicera Farm

Organic Vegetable GardeningSeed and plant selection, garden design, companion planting, beneficial insects, amendments, crop rotations, irrigation, mulching, weed suppression, harvesting and seed saving.

USDA Certified OrganicPromotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.Methods are used to minimize pollution to air, soil and water.http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/sustainable-agriculture-definitions-and-terms-related-terms&num=1&strip=0&vwsrc=0

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Why start from seed? Greater selection!Organic choiceGrow LOTS of plants$ave moneyIts fun!

Seed and Plant Selection

Seed and Plant Selection

Baker Creek:Watermelon radish/Red Meat

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Baker Creek:Pusa Gulabi radish

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Baker Creek:Chinese Green Luobo Radish

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Baker Creek:Japanese Minowase Daikon

Baker Creek: Pusa Asita Carrot

Microgreenshttp://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-48-micro-greens.aspx

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Garlic!

Starting Seeds Indoors

Indoors: 20-row trayThen transplant when true leaves appearFor any plants to get a head start.

When is the right time to start seeds?

Starting Seeds

Soil Blocks

Soil Block Tools

Seed StarterOrganic Mechanics

Vermont Compost

Rice Hulls

Lighting

Shop lightsWide spectrum bulbs

Wide spectrum bulbs @ 16 hours/day

http://tinyurl.com/znrzqa3

SeedingFollow Directions on seed packets. Depth and distance is important. Hardening-offHarden off gradually, so that seedlings become accustomed to strong sunlight, cool nights and less-frequent watering over a 7-10 day period.On a mild day, start with 2-3 hours of sun in a sheltered location. Then increase exposure every day. Protect seedlings from strong sun, wind, hard rain and cool temperatures.

Choosing a siteSouth facing

Choosing a siteSouth or east facing slopeWell drained soil

Choosing a siteSouth facingWell drained soilLevel or slightly slopes toward the sunTerrace the rows with hills

Permanent raised beds

Fencing

Preparing the soil in a new gardenTurn or remove grass (or cover in fall)Build permanent raised bedsAdd organic matter, restSoil test adjust pH & nutrients

http://www.nofamass.org/sites/default/files/scaudio/Specific%20Approaches%20NOFA%202014.pdf





Soil Food WebOne teaspoon of healthy soil may contain a billion bacteria, several yards of fungal hyphae, thousands of protozoa and dozens of nematodes.In one acre of topsoil, the top 4" may contain:2000 lb of bacteria2400 lb of fungi900 lb of algae900 lb of earthworms133 lb of protozoa.

Organism Build Healthy Soil Plants feed bacteria and fungi through root exudatesBacteria and fungi solubilize mineral nutrients from rocks, sand, silt and clay. Bacteria and fungi are eaten by protozoa, nematodes, microarthropods, and earthworms (predators), contribute to the organic matter with their wastes, & the end of their life cycle. Plant-available, soluble nutrients are released Soil regeneration occurs with carbon capture and sequestration

Microbes make compost. Compost makes soil.

Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizers Organic is slower acting but safe for soil organisms. Well-made compost is ideal but it takes time to repopulate eroded, non-living soils (aka dirt) with life.

$642,000 federal grant to investigate how soil erosion may be threatening climate mitigation policieshttp://iowaenvironmentalfocus.org/2010/11/18/ui-engineer-gets-grant-to-study-iowa-soil-erosion/

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Effects of Ideal Healthy SoilSoil structure improved; roots grow deeper Water holding increased; dont need to irrigate Balanced nutrients in plant material, healthy plants, not susceptible to diseases No need to rotate cropsHealthier, nutrient dense foodhttp://www.nofamass.org/sites/default/files/scaudio/Specific%20Approaches%20NOFA%202014.pdf

Soil Compositon25% water25% AIR45% mineral5% organic

Transition to OrganicFor soils in transition (per soil test)Phosphorus: Rock Phosphate Nitrogen: Blood mealPotassium (K) Greensand, Sul-Po-Mag Micronutrients fish fertilizer / kelp mealAged cow, horse manure (herbicide-free), aged chicken litter, rabbit litterAerate mechanically until organisms take over

http://rci.rutgers.edu/~soilslab/FertProducts/fertproddisplay.php

Sul-Po-MagLangbeinite (not Epsom salt)It contains 22% Sulfur, 22% Potash and 11% Magnesium, without the salinity of Epsom salt. Sul-Po-Mag breaks down slowly so plants will get a regular supply of these nutrients, and it is completely soluble in water.Add with organic matter to help stablize pH

GreensandSlow release of PotassiumLocally mined

Maintaining the Soil Structure

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/breaking-down-the-broadfork-zbcz1601.aspx

The broadfork traces its origins back to the grelinette, a tool invented in France by Andr Grelinin the 1960s.

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Building organic matter CompostAlways keep the ground covered Cover crops Leaves, especially oak leaves

Till in spring or during growing season. Wait 3 weeks. Test soil.

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Building organic matter Cover cropsLegumes: ground peas, alfalfa, vetch, oats, barley, winter wheat, buckwheatRye is for farmers!Clover

Till in spring or during growing season. Wait 3 weeks. Test soil.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_repensClover is your Friend!

Go to Rutgers Gardens, the soccer fields70

This is wood sorrel

http://covercrops.cals.cornell.edu/

LegumesFix Nitrogen Can be turned into the soil to provide carbon organic matter to the soil.Nitrogen is channeled to the fruit during pod formation.

http://www.fedcoseeds.com/ogs/microbes.htm

Legume nodulesClover74

Cover crop mix: field peas, oats, clover

Design your garden: Growveg.com plannerEnter garden dimensionsChoose plants from list & enter Gives spacing and amountStraight rows for irrigationSeeding & harvest datesInterplant with companion and plants that attract pollinatorsUse vertical plantings

https://www.growveg.com/gardenplanner/gardenplanner.html#

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Crop RotationsSet up garden plots for seasonal rotations among plant familiesReduce pest problemsAid in fertility for next seasons crops

Crop RotationsLegumesFix N beans, peas, soybeans, peanutsCucurbitsHigh N feeders cucumbers, squashRoots & Shootsbrassicas & Root cropsRoot crops require low NSolanaceaeHigh N Feeders

Crop RotationsVegetable families follow 4 year rotations on 4 sections of landLegume vegetables may add N to the soil so follow withSolanacea or cucurbits which require soils with high nutrient levels so follow withRoot crops which need low N levels

Mulch & Cover Crop in Vegetable Gardens Water conservation and to block weedsMulch: Salt hay, clover, chopped leavesIntensive planting/InterplantGreen mulchGreen manuresOver wintering with cover crops: oats, etc.

Intensive Planting & InterplantMix shallow and deep rooted plantsTomatoes & carrotsCabbage & radish Beans & cornTall climbers & ground coversCucumbers & pumpkinsLegumes (provide N) and squash

http://www.richsoil.com/lawn-care.jspOur Goal

Mow high Grow grass good for our climateWater only with signs of stressUse organic fertilizer when needed88

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Pest & Disease ControlScouting & removal, spraying soap solutionCrop RotationCompanion plantingAttract beneficial insectsKeep well irrigated and stress free

Companion PlantingCalendula, Mexican tarragon, basil, nasturtiums, deter pestsSweet Yellow Clover, Anise hyssop for beesDaises, chamomile, and phacelia attract pollinatorsMarigolds deter aphidsComfrey is good to use as a mulch or in compost or to make compost tea.

http://www.my-garden-school.com/10-flowers-to-grow-with-vegetables/

Attracting PollinatorsBeeline Pollinator MixSunflowersThymeCatnipSquash, pumpkins, gourds

http://www.highmowingseeds.com/blog/our-top-5-flowers-for-pollinators/

USDA Bee Basicshttp://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5306468.pdf

Beneficial InsectsAllow for a GREAT diversity of insects in the garden!Rutgers Fact Sheet FS 295UC Davis Natural Enemies Gallery

http://snyderfarm.rutgers.edu/pdfs/beneficial-insects-home-garden-fs295.pdfhttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/index.html

Beneficial InsectsGround Beetle

Beneficial InsectsLadybug larvae

Beneficial Insects

http://snyderfarm.rutgers.edu/pdfs/beneficial-insects-home-garden-fs295.pdf

Beneficial InsectsAphidius colemani

Beneficial InsectsGreen Lacewing

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/green_lacewing.html

Irrigation

Harvesting Seeds'Dry' seeds include beans, okra, peppers, basil and members of theOnionandCarrot Families.Wet' seeds are found in such plants as tomatoes, eggplants and many squashes.Cleaning wet seeds requires washing to clean the seeds and to separate them from the surrounding pulp.In addition,in some cases wet seeds (such as tomatoes) are best fermented for several days

Seed Savers ExchangeHow to assess seed maturityShort term seed storageWebinars on seed saving topicsMuch more information!

Take Away for Organic GardensCompoststrengthens the soil food web; grow stronger pest and disease resistant plantsMulch & green manures to conserve water & block weedsNo till gardening to conserve organic matter. Beneficial plants to attract pollinators, predators of pests, plants that deter pests.

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