Organic vegetable gardening
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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.
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Organic vegetable gardening
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 31. Wide spectrum bulbs @ 16 hours/day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 71. This is wood sorrel
- 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.
- 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
- 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/
- 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
- 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
Editor's Notes
- Till in spring or during growing season. Wait 3 weeks. Test soil.
- Till in spring or during growing season. Wait 3 weeks. Test soil.
- Go to Rutgers Gardens, the soccer fields
- Legume nodules Clover
- Mow high Grow grass good for our climate Water only with signs of stress Use organic fertilizer when needed