This document provides information from Theresa Lam of Lonicera Farm on organic vegetable gardening. It discusses selecting seeds and plants, garden design with companion planting and crop rotations. Theresa explains how her farm is USDA certified organic and promotes biodiversity and soil health through minimal off-farm inputs and management practices. The document then gives guidance on starting seeds indoors, preparing garden beds with compost and cover crops, and maintaining the soil food web and structure. Overall it provides a comprehensive overview of Theresa's organic techniques for seed starting, soil building, companion planting and pest management.

1. Theresa Lam
Market Gardener
Lonicera Farm

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

3. USDA Certified Organic
 Promotes 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

4. Why start from seed?
 Greater
selection!
 Organic
choice
 Grow
LOTS of
plants
 $ave
money
 Its fun!

5. Seed and Plant Selection

6. Seed and Plant Selection

7. Baker Creek:
Watermelon radish/Red Meat

10. Baker Creek:Pusa Gulabi radish

11. Baker Creek:
Chinese Green Luobo Radish

12. Baker Creek:
Japanese Minowase Daikon

13. Baker Creek: Pusa Asita Carrot

15. Microgreens
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-48-micro-greens.aspx

19. Garlic!

20. Starting Seeds Indoors
•Indoors:
•20-row tray
•Then transplant
when true leaves
appear
For any plants to
get a head start.

21. When is the right time to start
seeds?

24. Starting Seeds

25. Soil Blocks

26. Soil Block Tools

27. Seed Starter
 Organic Mechanics

28. Vermont
Compost

29. Rice Hulls

30. Lighting
•Shop lights
•Wide spectrum
bulbs

31. Wide spectrum bulbs @ 16
hours/day

33. http://tinyurl.com/znrzqa3

35. Seeding
 Follow Directions on seed packets.
 Depth and distance is important.
 Hardening-off
 Harden 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.

36. Choosing a site
South facing

37. Choosing a site
South or east facing
slope
Well drained soil

38. Choosing a site
South facing
Well drained soil
Level or slightly
slopes toward the sun
Terrace the rows with
hills

41. Permanent
raised beds

42. Fencing

48. Preparing the soil in a new
garden
 Turn or remove grass (or cover in fall)
 Build permanent raised beds
 Add organic matter, rest
 Soil test – adjust pH & nutrients

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

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

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

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

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

55. Soil Food Web
 One 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 bacteria
 2400 lb of fungi
 900 lb of algae
 900 lb of earthworms
 133 lb of protozoa.

57. Organism Build Healthy Soil
 Plants feed bacteria and fungi through root exudates
 Bacteria 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

59. 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 policies
http://iowaenvironmentalfocus.org/2010/11/18/ui-engineer-gets-grant-to-study-iowa-soil-erosion/

60. Effects of Ideal Healthy Soil
 Soil structure improved; roots grow deeper
 Water holding increased; don’t need to irrigate
 Balanced nutrients in plant material, healthy
plants, not susceptible to diseases
 No need to rotate crops
 Healthier, nutrient dense food
http://www.nofamass.org/sites/default/files/scaudio/Specific%20Approaches%20NOFA%202014.p

61. Soil Compositon
25%
water
25%
AIR
45%
mineral
5%
organic

63. Transition to Organic
 For soils in transition (per soil test)
 Phosphorus: Rock Phosphate
 Nitrogen: Blood meal
 Potassium (K) Greensand, Sul-Po-Mag
 Micronutrients fish fertilizer / kelp meal
 Aged cow, horse manure (herbicide-
free), aged chicken litter, rabbit litter
 Aerate mechanically until organisms
take over

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

65. Sul-Po-Mag
 Langbeinite (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

66. Greensand
 Slow release of Potassium
 Locally mined

67. 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 André Grelinin
the 1960s.

68. Building organic matter
Compost
Always keep the ground
covered
Cover crops
Leaves, especially oak leaves

69. Building organic matter
Cover crops
Legumes: ground peas, alfalfa, vetch,
oats, barley, winter wheat, buckwheat
Rye is for farmers!
Clover

70. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_repens
Clover is your Friend!

71. This is wood sorrel

72. tp://covercrops.cals.cornell.edu/

73. Legumes
 Fix Nitrogen
 Can be turned into the
soil to provide carbon
organic matter to the
soil.
 Nitrogen is channeled
to the fruit during pod
formation.

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

75. Cover crop mix: field peas, oats, clover

76. Design your garden:
Growveg.com planner
 Enter garden dimensions
 Choose plants from list &
enter
 Gives spacing and amount
 Straight rows for irrigation
 Seeding & harvest dates
 Interplant with companion
and plants that attract
pollinators
 Use vertical plantings
https://www.growveg.com/gardenplanner/gardenplanner.html#

83. Crop Rotations
 Set up garden plots for seasonal rotations among
plant families
 Reduce pest problems
 Aid in fertility for next seasons crops

84. Crop Rotations
 Legumes—Fix N beans, peas, soybeans,
peanuts
 Cucurbits—High N feeders cucumbers, squash
 Roots & Shoots—brassicas & Root crops—
Root crops require low N
 Solanaceae—High N Feeders

85. Crop Rotations
 Vegetable families follow 4 year rotations on 4
sections of land
 Legume vegetables may add N to the soil so
follow with…
 Solanacea or cucurbits which require soils with
high nutrient levels so follow with…
 Root crops which need low N levels

86. Mulch & Cover Crop in
Vegetable Gardens
Water conservation and to block weeds
 Mulch: Salt hay, clover, chopped leaves
 Intensive planting/Interplant
 Green mulch
 Green manures
 Over wintering with cover crops: oats, etc.

87. Intensive Planting & Interplant
 Mix shallow and deep rooted plants
 Tomatoes & carrots
 Cabbage & radish
 Beans & corn
 Tall climbers & ground covers
 Cucumbers & pumpkins
 Legumes (provide N) and squash

88. http://www.richsoil.com/lawn-care.jsp
Our Goal

92. Pest & Disease Control
 Scouting & removal, spraying soap solution
 Crop Rotation
 Companion planting
 Attract beneficial insects
 Keep well irrigated and stress free

93. Companion Planting
 Calendula, Mexican tarragon, basil, nasturtiums, deter
pests
 Sweet Yellow Clover, Anise hyssop for bees
 Daises, chamomile, and phacelia attract pollinators
 Marigolds deter aphids
 Comfrey 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/

94. Attracting Pollinators
 Beeline Pollinator Mix
 Sunflowers
 Thyme
 Catnip
 Squash, pumpkins,
gourds
http://www.highmowingseeds.com/blog/our-top-5-flowers-for-pollinators/

95. USDA
Bee Basics
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5306468.pdf

96. Beneficial Insects
 Allow for a
GREAT diversity
of insects in the
garden!
 Rutgers Fact
Sheet FS 295
 UC Davis Natural
Enemies Gallery
http://snyderfarm.rutgers.edu/pdfs/beneficial-insects-home-garden-fs295.pdf
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/index.html

97. Beneficial Insects
 Ground Beetle

98. Beneficial Insects
 Ladybug larvae

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

100. Beneficial
Insects
 Aphidius colemani

101. Beneficial Insects
 Green Lacewing
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/green_l
acewing.html

103. Irrigation

104. Harvesting Seeds
 'Dry' seeds include beans, okra, peppers, basil and
members of the Onion and Carrot 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

105. Seed Savers Exchange
 How to assess seed maturity
 Short term seed storage
 Webinars on seed saving topics
 Much more information!

109. Take Away for Organic Gardens
 Compost—strengthens the soil food web; grow
stronger pest and disease resistant plants
 Mulch & green manures to conserve water &
block weeds
 No till gardening to conserve organic matter.
 Beneficial plants to attract pollinators,
predators of pests, plants that deter pests.

110. Thank you for joining us!
 Leave email address for links to presentation