1) Compost methods. Either you compost in batches, or adding to it continuously. Buy a composter based on what it's designed for - some might be designed specifically for batches only.
2) Content. Compost should consist of a good mix consists of three parts "brown" materials (such as dead leaves that are high in carbon) and one part "green" materials (such as fresh grass clippings and garden prunings that are high in nitrogen).
Compost should be warm (except in winter cold months), and moist but not soggy. Turn regularly to keep oxygen flowing through, and it won't smell as bad as when materials decompose without oxygen.
There is a chemistry to composting. If you have the correct balance you can throw it all in, in a batch, and let it process at once. Otherwise you're adding to it over a course of time, but must still work to achieve a balance in the composition of the compost contents.
3) Materials.
DO COMPOST:
Grass clippings
shredded leaves
garden debris
straw
plant residues from garden clean up
kitchen items:
paper coffee filters
old fruits and vegetables
Manure - Waste and bedding from non-carnivorous pets should be fine.
wood ash
unused cat litter
sawdust can be composted, but it is VERY carbon rich, and should be limited 30:1 to nitrogen content. It just takes a long time to break down.
DO NOT COMPOST:
weed seeds
diseased plant materials
fats
oils
bones
leftover salad if it has dressing on it
potato salad and other similar foods
bread products
heavily coated or printed paper
human or animal feces
meat products
milk products
rice
stubborn garden plants (Dandelions, ivy and kudzu - etc)
Used personal products
walnuts
napkins and paper towels if they contain content that should not be composted
wet paper - not preferred to dry
coal or charcoal ashes
lime peels
lime
non-biodegradable materials
toxic materials
colored paper
bird droppings - may contain disease or weed seeds
COMPOSTABLE, BUT ONLY WITH CAUTION:
Milk, yogurt, cheese - see here for more http://www.cleanairgardening.com/how-to-compost-meat.html
Weeds - let dry out first
Diseased plants - if your compost gets to over 135 degrees F for a few days to kill the diseases
Sod - again only if the pile gets hot, to keep the grass from growing in the compost
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
iPhone Apps
Apps. They're great. Everybody has them, and everybody wants them. I have plenty myself, though not as many as I used to have. Here is a list of some really excellent apps that you may want. I find that the apps which wow me the most are the ones that turn my phone into more than just a phone. Because we all know that smart phones ARE more than just a phone these days, I think it's a great idea to utilize the device the best way you can for your individual needs. Here are some of my favorites.
Everyone who's into social networking can benefit from putting the apps to connect to it at the touch of your fingertips. No more having to wait until you get home just to see who likes what today.
Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, OR -- you can use ONE simple app to combine all your social networking into 1 button. Update them all at once to tell your world what you've been up to! The one I used to use was Seesmic, but now it's Hootsuite. You can even use it over the web. There are also other apps out there which aggregate multiple feeds this way.
Find Stuff. Foursquare, Yelp, Urbanspoon, White&Yellow Pages. They make use of the GPS function of your phone to find relevant stuff currently near you.
iMapWeather Radio Now it's more than a phone, it's a weather radio, too! Alerts go off at the time of important events, which you can select, to keep you informed in case of inclement weather.
Yes of course it's already a PDA. But why not sync your documents between your phone and the web? Then you can get to them from any PC too and only bother with 1 copy. Evernote is one great app to allow you to do just that. Microsoft OneNote isn't as good because you can't paste in images.
Music player. Of course, the iPhone comes with the build in iPod app. You can also listen to live streaming internet radio like Pandora. No more are the days of toting around a CD sized player. Of course, back in my day it was the cassette wielding walkman. But that's only after I got tired of lugging my Boom Box around the yard. Man, those were the days.
I know this was a post about app downloads, but let's not forget what things it comes with, too. Thanks to the built in Clock app you now have a reminder timer you can set to remind yourself of things. It's also an alarm clock, so knock yourself out. It'll wake you up when it's time to come to.
Maps. The built in Maps app is sufficient but did you know you can download Mapquest and turn your iPhone into an actual talking GPS? Also try Waze which can even interact with your calendar and Facebook events to help you find stuff.
Like to run? Map your route and share updates with others for motivation. Because you know we all need it when it comes to exercise.
Photography. The iPhone has a Camera so why not make use of those Photos more easily? Upload them to storage websites like Flickr and Photobucket, or send them straight to printing locations like Walgreens. Postagram will even let you put your photo onto a postcard that actually gets mailed to people, physically. Imagine that concept: non-digital mail DOES still exist!
Your phone is a Calculator. But even better, you can use it as a tip calculator through apps like AppBox. (I use lite). No more trying to do restaurant math at the last minute when your friends or loved ones are waiting on you but you have to decide how much to tip before you sign and walk away.
Everyone who's into social networking can benefit from putting the apps to connect to it at the touch of your fingertips. No more having to wait until you get home just to see who likes what today.
Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, OR -- you can use ONE simple app to combine all your social networking into 1 button. Update them all at once to tell your world what you've been up to! The one I used to use was Seesmic, but now it's Hootsuite. You can even use it over the web. There are also other apps out there which aggregate multiple feeds this way.
Find Stuff. Foursquare, Yelp, Urbanspoon, White&Yellow Pages. They make use of the GPS function of your phone to find relevant stuff currently near you.
iMapWeather Radio Now it's more than a phone, it's a weather radio, too! Alerts go off at the time of important events, which you can select, to keep you informed in case of inclement weather.
Yes of course it's already a PDA. But why not sync your documents between your phone and the web? Then you can get to them from any PC too and only bother with 1 copy. Evernote is one great app to allow you to do just that. Microsoft OneNote isn't as good because you can't paste in images.
Music player. Of course, the iPhone comes with the build in iPod app. You can also listen to live streaming internet radio like Pandora. No more are the days of toting around a CD sized player. Of course, back in my day it was the cassette wielding walkman. But that's only after I got tired of lugging my Boom Box around the yard. Man, those were the days.
I know this was a post about app downloads, but let's not forget what things it comes with, too. Thanks to the built in Clock app you now have a reminder timer you can set to remind yourself of things. It's also an alarm clock, so knock yourself out. It'll wake you up when it's time to come to.
Maps. The built in Maps app is sufficient but did you know you can download Mapquest and turn your iPhone into an actual talking GPS? Also try Waze which can even interact with your calendar and Facebook events to help you find stuff.
Like to run? Map your route and share updates with others for motivation. Because you know we all need it when it comes to exercise.
Photography. The iPhone has a Camera so why not make use of those Photos more easily? Upload them to storage websites like Flickr and Photobucket, or send them straight to printing locations like Walgreens. Postagram will even let you put your photo onto a postcard that actually gets mailed to people, physically. Imagine that concept: non-digital mail DOES still exist!
Your phone is a Calculator. But even better, you can use it as a tip calculator through apps like AppBox. (I use lite). No more trying to do restaurant math at the last minute when your friends or loved ones are waiting on you but you have to decide how much to tip before you sign and walk away.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
How to Save Money Using Cashback Apps & Rewards
Ok, here are the apps and other shopping “secrets” I've been using and think are GREAT!
But please, do me the favor of using me as your referral. It takes nothing away from you but gives me additional bonus. Share the wealth since I'm sharing with you! ;-) Please? I mean hey, if they're giving back money, let's make the most of it. Share your own links with your friends, too!
1) These are apps you can put on your smartphone. Get cash back after your purchases.You select offers, and if you buy these items in-stores, you just scan the receipt in to your phone, and they give you money back! EASY!
- First is Walmart’s app; it’s called Savings Catcher. Download to phone to just scan your receipt, OR you can use it on the web.
- Next is iBotta. It has been my second best yet! https://ibotta.com/register?friend=hhsxpyu Phone app
(It’s really the best, in my opinion. It has team-based additional bonuses, too.) - Checkout51 This one is good http://www.checkout51.com Phone app
They have weekly Freebies - you get 100% of your money back for the special items! - Snap (by Gropon) another phone app https://snap.groupon.com/app?ref=90b704bf4ec6dbab
- Shrink http://goo.gl/MufaEC If you use my "referral code" it gives you a signup bonus! SWAIKM
- Another is SavingStar https://savingstar.com/
- And the last receipt app is Receipt Hog. No matter where you shop for groceries or retail, you can scan your receipt in to it to earn points. Earn enough and get cash back :)
http://app.receipthog.com/download You get a “bonus spin” on your first receipt, if you enter my code at signup. Net98959
2) Also – just for added bonus…….
Don’t do any shopping online without using a cashback service!
- eBates is definitely the best http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=qQmegOBEQ0P8aEQjT7jhnQ%3D%3D&eeid=26471 It loads a browser plugin to remind you to activate cash-back offers. Then it tracks your shopping trip. For all qualified purchases, they give you money back!
- MyPoints is another one. You can build a team, and you earn even more bonus points through your referrals' activity! Why just buy stuff online when you can earn free rewards (sorta like how your credit cards give you reward points for shopping w/ their sponsors!) https://www.mypoints.com/rf?refCode=PdzJ6TeHT_kkE--_k&arr=s4&afsrc=1&src=EXTERNAL_PUBLICATION
- Active all your Regions Rewards before shopping (some offers have referral links, others work just by using your card)
- The Discover Card has a similar program but you must activate the deals BEFORE you buy with the card
- And always use Target’s Cartwheel app on your phone if you shop at Target. Here too you must load the deals before you checkout. Just show them the barcode on the app for instant register discounts!
- The uPromise service (by Sallie Mae) is like eBates. (Optional - you can load their RewardU browser plugin to track sites where they’ll give you money back for your purchases from online retailers.) You must activate the tracking link before you shop to get the money. https://shop.upromise.com/e/index.php This includes many retailers like Sears but also online stores like Amazon.
- uPromise also gives you cash back for buying things at their partner stores, when using a registered card. So for example you can register your Regions or other credit card with them, and if you buy gas at Exxon with that card, they give you money back! Includes restaurants like Wing Zone, Shipley’s, Hamburger Heaven..
*So for example, if I shopped at Sears online, I could get cash back from up to 4 places at once for a single purchase……. Shop Your Way, eBates, uPromise, and Discover!!!
Last thing. When shopping at retail stores, always check for the coupon deals before shopping! Save money up front.
- Before buying anything at Sears/Kmart, load ShopYourWay coupons off their website to your member account! You can rack up some great reward bucks! And some of the coupons stack.
http://www.shopyourway.com/app/10041/l (not a referral link, should take you straight to Coupons) - Load any uPromise e-coupons to your store loyalty cards for participating stores before shopping. You have to register your Publix, CVS, etc cards with them first.
- Coupon Cabin and Retail Me Not are two reliable websites to find codes for other stores
- Find N Save is another good app to use for this purpose! http://www.findnsave.com/apps/ If you use the app, they don’t just show you the sales ads; they also have money-back deals where you scan the coupon and get cash back from them directly!!! So this is both a source to find coupon codes, but also to get cash-back after purchases.
HANDY TIP –
If you’re sick of carrying around store loyalty cards for all these different stores like drugstores, restaurants, etc – there’s an awesome app called mobile-pocket where you can enter your info for ALL the cards, and then you don't need the cards! Just pull up the app at the register, tap the card, and let the cashier scan your phone instead!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Life Tips
People have often remarked that I get a lot of things done, or that I am very active. In truth, it comes down to self management, determination, and perseverence. Anyone can get more things done if they put their mind to it. Instead of wasting time on the couch, or sinking many a long hour into gaming -- yes, I went there -- you could be taking care of things. And to be honest, you really won't miss the time you used to waste because you'll feel more accomplished and positive about your life. One good turn deserves another, they say. I know, we all need our decompression time. Nothing should replace that. If you come home from work and need time to "drain your brain," by all means - you can, and should. But don't spend all night parking on the couch. Don't spend the whole weekend locked in your room at the computer. Trust me, I do know from experience how hard it sounds to get out of that groove. I have been there! But this is how I know how possible it actually is, and how beneficially it actually becomes. The key is to get more done by not just spending ALL your time "goofing off" but to reward yourself with some "you" time once you've made some accomplishments (even if small, like: take out the trash, or, whatever tasks need completion!).
So, I decided to write up my tips. I guess these are really more like life skills.
Ironically enough, I never finished this post. But I'm going to go ahead and post it. It may just remain as a work-in-progress as life goes on. ;-)
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Set reasonable, achievable goals. Pursue them. If goals become unreachable, adjust your list from time to time. Review your goals periodically, but always work on pursuing them.
Make daily goals. Set out to accomplish something, even small tasks, every day. You will feel more productive and start to find you get a lot more done as you get into the practice.
Make lists when you are busy and feeling hectic. If you can't remember what you meant to do, it can be frustrating. Making notes helps you organize your thoughts, as well as recall them later. Just jot down things you want to do but can't at the moment, and review it later at home or whenever you have downtime.
Think out your thoughts before sending emails. Don't just send off the first thought that pops into your head. The same should go for your spoken words. Think before you open your mouth, and choose your words deliberately to mean what you want to say. It's impossible to wipe out a wrong impression given off by words, whether verbal or written, in today's speedy day and age of rapid data. Don't blow your reputation or others' perception of you by saying things you may regret or wish you'd said differently. This does not just apply in the heat of a "moment." :)
Worry about the "big rocks" first. This is a method I learned in a training course at work which was designed for personal development. If you worry about the big topics, the smaller things will fall into place, just like if you had a big barrel of rocks and shook it around. You would notice that the larger ones would rise to the surface. The smaller ones can easily fall around them, and fill in the cracks. Thoughts, problems, situations, and whatever you encounter in life can work from this basis.
Form long and short term goals. You can never reach a destination unless you plan it. Life is not all by chance. The power is in your own hands to make things happen. If you just teeter along blindly without taking the wheel, your car will swerve all over the place, and aimlessly go fourth, landing who knows where. Remember that YOU are the only person who has the power to be in control of you, and what goes on in your path. Take control, and choose a direction. When you set achievable goals, you can reach your destination in due time. If your goal is to pay off debts, for example, you need to set the goals of reducing spending, increasing income, etc. Eventually, if you stick to your goals, you will clear your debts. Worrying about the "big rocks" of what needs to be addressed, in this case paying off debts, helps the other day-to-day "small rocks" of how to get there fall into place better after you set your goals. You will find that with this example goal, you will have the long-term goal in mind while you set out to do short term tasks, like shopping or paying your bills. You will then make better choices about where to allocate your money to help you meet your goal. This principle can apply in other scenarios as well, though this is a good example.
So, I decided to write up my tips. I guess these are really more like life skills.
Ironically enough, I never finished this post. But I'm going to go ahead and post it. It may just remain as a work-in-progress as life goes on. ;-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set reasonable, achievable goals. Pursue them. If goals become unreachable, adjust your list from time to time. Review your goals periodically, but always work on pursuing them.
Make daily goals. Set out to accomplish something, even small tasks, every day. You will feel more productive and start to find you get a lot more done as you get into the practice.
Make lists when you are busy and feeling hectic. If you can't remember what you meant to do, it can be frustrating. Making notes helps you organize your thoughts, as well as recall them later. Just jot down things you want to do but can't at the moment, and review it later at home or whenever you have downtime.
Think out your thoughts before sending emails. Don't just send off the first thought that pops into your head. The same should go for your spoken words. Think before you open your mouth, and choose your words deliberately to mean what you want to say. It's impossible to wipe out a wrong impression given off by words, whether verbal or written, in today's speedy day and age of rapid data. Don't blow your reputation or others' perception of you by saying things you may regret or wish you'd said differently. This does not just apply in the heat of a "moment." :)
Worry about the "big rocks" first. This is a method I learned in a training course at work which was designed for personal development. If you worry about the big topics, the smaller things will fall into place, just like if you had a big barrel of rocks and shook it around. You would notice that the larger ones would rise to the surface. The smaller ones can easily fall around them, and fill in the cracks. Thoughts, problems, situations, and whatever you encounter in life can work from this basis.
Form long and short term goals. You can never reach a destination unless you plan it. Life is not all by chance. The power is in your own hands to make things happen. If you just teeter along blindly without taking the wheel, your car will swerve all over the place, and aimlessly go fourth, landing who knows where. Remember that YOU are the only person who has the power to be in control of you, and what goes on in your path. Take control, and choose a direction. When you set achievable goals, you can reach your destination in due time. If your goal is to pay off debts, for example, you need to set the goals of reducing spending, increasing income, etc. Eventually, if you stick to your goals, you will clear your debts. Worrying about the "big rocks" of what needs to be addressed, in this case paying off debts, helps the other day-to-day "small rocks" of how to get there fall into place better after you set your goals. You will find that with this example goal, you will have the long-term goal in mind while you set out to do short term tasks, like shopping or paying your bills. You will then make better choices about where to allocate your money to help you meet your goal. This principle can apply in other scenarios as well, though this is a good example.
Tips For Writing
If you ever update your status on Facebook, you're a writer. If post response comments on other people's posts (Facebook or anywhere online), you're a writer. If you email people, blog, tweet, or use any other form of social media to add any kind of content or response at all, yep - you're a writer. Hey, there are a lot of other forms of written communications these days than writing papers, folks. Welcome to the modern times!
What, didn't you think other people read those things that came out of your mouth (hands)? That's basically the point of this blog. Whether you realize it or not, every little comment, post, or tweet you make says something about you. Sometimes it pays to think twice (or even just once) before hitting the button to save your quip.
1. Don't be a Debbie Downer.
It's ok, we all need to vent once in a while, but seriously: no one likes to see a stream of nothing but negativity. Most online-savvy users these days understand that online writing often lacks the human element that's present in verbal conversations. If you really want to vent, again, that's fine. Just remember to temper it with some more upbeat things once in a while so you don't sound like Debbie Downer.
Think about it -- Do you share all of your complaints out loud? Just take a moment and do online whatever you might do in public. Sometimes you might be like me, and find that once you've written that message, it's really best deleted instead.
2, Filter Out the Noise.
Does this message serve a purpose? Are you just complaining? Is there a point to what you're sending? Try to filter out some of the "noise." If you post a conscious thoughtstream, does this make you sound scatterbrained? Overly critical? Indecisive? Whatever the case, if you post it, it's a guarantee that at least somebody is looking at it. So consider how you come across in the long term scheme of things.
3. Take a Moment.
When we head to online communities, we fire off quick comments on other people's content. While the expression is all fine and good (no, really - it's great!) we sometimes forget that this online world of media is instantaneous. The second you click that "post" button, numerous other people may be reading what you've said immediately afterwards. When writing more formally, you learn more critical ways of thinking and consider your words carefully. Try to incorporate the essence of this in your daily writing, as well.
Remember that it's even OK to edit or delete a comment and re-post it if you mess up. Put the yellow caution light on and slow down in the first place and you'll warrant fewer word pileups. :) If you're too busy to do that right now, then maybe you're too busy to be on Facebook. Sit down with it later when you can be less distracted!
What, didn't you think other people read those things that came out of your mouth (hands)? That's basically the point of this blog. Whether you realize it or not, every little comment, post, or tweet you make says something about you. Sometimes it pays to think twice (or even just once) before hitting the button to save your quip.
1. Don't be a Debbie Downer.
It's ok, we all need to vent once in a while, but seriously: no one likes to see a stream of nothing but negativity. Most online-savvy users these days understand that online writing often lacks the human element that's present in verbal conversations. If you really want to vent, again, that's fine. Just remember to temper it with some more upbeat things once in a while so you don't sound like Debbie Downer.
Think about it -- Do you share all of your complaints out loud? Just take a moment and do online whatever you might do in public. Sometimes you might be like me, and find that once you've written that message, it's really best deleted instead.
2, Filter Out the Noise.
Does this message serve a purpose? Are you just complaining? Is there a point to what you're sending? Try to filter out some of the "noise." If you post a conscious thoughtstream, does this make you sound scatterbrained? Overly critical? Indecisive? Whatever the case, if you post it, it's a guarantee that at least somebody is looking at it. So consider how you come across in the long term scheme of things.
3. Take a Moment.
When we head to online communities, we fire off quick comments on other people's content. While the expression is all fine and good (no, really - it's great!) we sometimes forget that this online world of media is instantaneous. The second you click that "post" button, numerous other people may be reading what you've said immediately afterwards. When writing more formally, you learn more critical ways of thinking and consider your words carefully. Try to incorporate the essence of this in your daily writing, as well.
Remember that it's even OK to edit or delete a comment and re-post it if you mess up. Put the yellow caution light on and slow down in the first place and you'll warrant fewer word pileups. :) If you're too busy to do that right now, then maybe you're too busy to be on Facebook. Sit down with it later when you can be less distracted!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Spring Growing Notes
Spring Planting
I took some notes during a nice little Lunch & Learn session my officeplace hosted last week. I wanted to write them down to remember, and also to share. Some of the info below was generated from the presentation iteself, and some was from the class's Q&A during and afterwards.
I'm adding in a few carefully researched side-notes here and there as well. We touched upon some nice, deep topics I wanted to explore further for this blog entry.
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The more we work indoors, as a society, the sicker we get. People used to get out and work with their hands in the dirt. They were exposed to more. Now we take probiotics because we don't do these things. It's good for you to get out and experience nature once in a while.
You can learn from, and experience the joy of, growing something. Just try something. Pick you up a tomato plant and plant it. Or plant some seeds and watch them grow. (Always pay attention to the seed needs - for example, some of them need to be planted in the fall so they get cold, and can germinate in the spring. Some are ready to plant in the spring. Just do a little research, or read the labels.) Growing your own food is rewarding, and better for your health. Just try it, and learn as you go. You could grow a tomato plant, or try some herbs. There are many herbs you can grow indoors even, just by sitting the pots in a sunny windowsill. Try chives, parsley, basil, thyme, mint, or oregano. Another good, easy plant you can try is squash. A watermelon might be a tempting start but they really need a LOT of space, so this isn't something to start off with lightly. Planning the amount of space your plants need is VERY important when planting. They will become crowded and not produce well, or at all, without enough room to stretch out and grow.
Growing a tomato is pretty easy, so you could start there. Some varieties grow better in containers than others, though - celebrity is one that does well in a container. There are a few things to know that can help your tomato grow even more successfully. Add some calcium pellets (for plants, special time release) or some lime in with the roots when you plant it. This will prevent bottom rot on the tomato after it forms. What happens is the tomato plant draws calcium up from the roots when the fruit forms, but the bottom of the tomato will turn brown and rot if there's not enough calcium present. So the plant likes to have some lime added to the soil when planted to help with this.
Another thing you can do to help a tomato, or other plants, is add some magnesium sulfate... aka epsom salts to the water (or the top of the soil directly). This adds back valuable nutrients. It's also good for YOU! You should soak in some in your bathwater from time to time to replenish yourself, as well.
Tomatoes should have at least 2 planted though, for cross pollination. Many plants do require a pair (including apple trees; blueberry bushes don't have to, but will do better in pairs too).
(Dioecious = plant need a "mate." Monoecious (hermaphrodite) = plant has both parts needed on the same plant for pollination, in order to produce berries/fruit/seed.)
http://www.saylorplants.com/SaylorPlants/Ref_Info/Dioecious2w.htm
Old folks used to believe you shouldn't water plants during the heat of the day or you'd scorch them. Actually, the opposite of this is true. Water it during the heat of the day when it is thirsty, and it will do better.
Roundup is bad stuff. Miracle Grow isn't; it's just a boost for plants. There are some natural pesticides that work very well like pyrethrum, marigold extract. You can also use diluted Dawn dish soap - this smothers the bugs, and isn't toxic to the plant at all. Basil tea makes a great insecticide. Soak a stem of it in a bucket of water out in the sun all day to infuse the water. Garlic juice is great too - bugs hate it. Ironite really makes stuff grow! (It can make a lawn look fake it's so healthy!)
Where can you get seeds, and what about GMO seeds?
Well for one option, you can gather your own seeds. For example, you can save the seeds out of a tomato to plant. Float them in water to get the slimy sack off, then let them dry. Now you have your own seeds to grow later.
When buying seeds, if you want to avoid genetically-modified seeds, you can get good quality seeds from private owners. It's no secret that Monsanto has been buying up non-GMO seed companies left and right. What can you look for as an alternative? Heirloom, or non-GMO seeds. Try http://www.johnnyseeds.com for one good source. You can find some more here.... http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_21049.cfm
*In reality, there are very few actual GM seeds out there.
What are Heirloom seeds?
Heirloom seeds are passed down from generations because of their genetic value in production, flavor, etc. They are carefully cultivated over time and are hardy. Wise farmers farm a variety of strains so that a single predator cannot wipe out the entire population (such as during the great potato famine where blight wiped out the potato in Ireland). Some modification in a strain may be helpful for strengthening it, but these are done nature's way, not man-made changes to the strains.
(Author's note. Will *I* aim to buy heirloom seeds? Yes, absolutely - wherever possible. I feel this helps keep me from putting all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.)
What about Organic?
"Is it organic?" This is a common question people ask of those they're buying from. This is a tricky word. What does it mean? Essentially, it means more natural. Well, more or less, depending on what standards you're going by. It doesn't necessarily mean that something is safe to eat, just because it's "organic!" But, you might grow your plants "organically." To do so, you might not use any non natural-chemicals, pesticides, or any synthetic fertilizers on it. There is an official "Certified Organic" standard that a seller can be certified at meeting, which the USDA sets. And for that stamp, there are different categories....
I took some notes during a nice little Lunch & Learn session my officeplace hosted last week. I wanted to write them down to remember, and also to share. Some of the info below was generated from the presentation iteself, and some was from the class's Q&A during and afterwards.
I'm adding in a few carefully researched side-notes here and there as well. We touched upon some nice, deep topics I wanted to explore further for this blog entry.
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The more we work indoors, as a society, the sicker we get. People used to get out and work with their hands in the dirt. They were exposed to more. Now we take probiotics because we don't do these things. It's good for you to get out and experience nature once in a while.
You can learn from, and experience the joy of, growing something. Just try something. Pick you up a tomato plant and plant it. Or plant some seeds and watch them grow. (Always pay attention to the seed needs - for example, some of them need to be planted in the fall so they get cold, and can germinate in the spring. Some are ready to plant in the spring. Just do a little research, or read the labels.) Growing your own food is rewarding, and better for your health. Just try it, and learn as you go. You could grow a tomato plant, or try some herbs. There are many herbs you can grow indoors even, just by sitting the pots in a sunny windowsill. Try chives, parsley, basil, thyme, mint, or oregano. Another good, easy plant you can try is squash. A watermelon might be a tempting start but they really need a LOT of space, so this isn't something to start off with lightly. Planning the amount of space your plants need is VERY important when planting. They will become crowded and not produce well, or at all, without enough room to stretch out and grow.
Growing a tomato is pretty easy, so you could start there. Some varieties grow better in containers than others, though - celebrity is one that does well in a container. There are a few things to know that can help your tomato grow even more successfully. Add some calcium pellets (for plants, special time release) or some lime in with the roots when you plant it. This will prevent bottom rot on the tomato after it forms. What happens is the tomato plant draws calcium up from the roots when the fruit forms, but the bottom of the tomato will turn brown and rot if there's not enough calcium present. So the plant likes to have some lime added to the soil when planted to help with this.
Another thing you can do to help a tomato, or other plants, is add some magnesium sulfate... aka epsom salts to the water (or the top of the soil directly). This adds back valuable nutrients. It's also good for YOU! You should soak in some in your bathwater from time to time to replenish yourself, as well.
Tomatoes should have at least 2 planted though, for cross pollination. Many plants do require a pair (including apple trees; blueberry bushes don't have to, but will do better in pairs too).
(Dioecious = plant need a "mate." Monoecious (hermaphrodite) = plant has both parts needed on the same plant for pollination, in order to produce berries/fruit/seed.)
http://www.saylorplants.com/SaylorPlants/Ref_Info/Dioecious2w.htm
Old folks used to believe you shouldn't water plants during the heat of the day or you'd scorch them. Actually, the opposite of this is true. Water it during the heat of the day when it is thirsty, and it will do better.
Roundup is bad stuff. Miracle Grow isn't; it's just a boost for plants. There are some natural pesticides that work very well like pyrethrum, marigold extract. You can also use diluted Dawn dish soap - this smothers the bugs, and isn't toxic to the plant at all. Basil tea makes a great insecticide. Soak a stem of it in a bucket of water out in the sun all day to infuse the water. Garlic juice is great too - bugs hate it. Ironite really makes stuff grow! (It can make a lawn look fake it's so healthy!)
Where can you get seeds, and what about GMO seeds?
Well for one option, you can gather your own seeds. For example, you can save the seeds out of a tomato to plant. Float them in water to get the slimy sack off, then let them dry. Now you have your own seeds to grow later.
When buying seeds, if you want to avoid genetically-modified seeds, you can get good quality seeds from private owners. It's no secret that Monsanto has been buying up non-GMO seed companies left and right. What can you look for as an alternative? Heirloom, or non-GMO seeds. Try http://www.johnnyseeds.com for one good source. You can find some more here.... http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_21049.cfm
*In reality, there are very few actual GM seeds out there.
Myth 5: Most seeds these days are genetically modified.
"Actually, surprisingly few are. Here's the full list of food crops for which you can find GMO varieties: Corn, soybeans, cotton (for oil), canola (also a source of oil), squash, and papaya. You could also include sugar beets, which aren't eaten directly, but refined into sugar. There's also GMO alfalfa, but that goes to feed animals, not for sprouts that people eat. That leaves quite a lot of your garden untouched."
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/10/18/163034053/top-five-myths-of-genetically-modified-seeds-busted (info from source http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/)
What are Heirloom seeds?
Heirloom seeds are passed down from generations because of their genetic value in production, flavor, etc. They are carefully cultivated over time and are hardy. Wise farmers farm a variety of strains so that a single predator cannot wipe out the entire population (such as during the great potato famine where blight wiped out the potato in Ireland). Some modification in a strain may be helpful for strengthening it, but these are done nature's way, not man-made changes to the strains.
(Author's note. Will *I* aim to buy heirloom seeds? Yes, absolutely - wherever possible. I feel this helps keep me from putting all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.)
What about Organic?
"Is it organic?" This is a common question people ask of those they're buying from. This is a tricky word. What does it mean? Essentially, it means more natural. Well, more or less, depending on what standards you're going by. It doesn't necessarily mean that something is safe to eat, just because it's "organic!" But, you might grow your plants "organically." To do so, you might not use any non natural-chemicals, pesticides, or any synthetic fertilizers on it. There is an official "Certified Organic" standard that a seller can be certified at meeting, which the USDA sets. And for that stamp, there are different categories....
100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients
Made With Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package.
So you really have to be more specific when you just want to know if something is "organic." Also, it helps to understand what product labels are telling you. Now you know.
And, final topic. What farmers used to do was to create a sustainable field. We don't do this at home anymore. The sheep would eat the grass from the field, while fertilizing it. The chickens would come along and eat the bugs, causing the need for less pesticides (also while fertilizing it). Your field would be ready to plant on. And if you rotate crops, your plants will grow better. Growing pea crops adds a lot of nitrogen to the soil. In the next year if you plant something different in that spot, now it has this benefit to gain. (You can grow peas for this benefit even if you don't intend to harvest and eat them....)
Get out there and grow something. It's not too late this Spring, but almost, so don't wait around!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
More soaps
Has it been that long since I made soaps? Surely not... I imagine I forgot to post about my last expedition. Anyway, I decided to make up a few bars for Christmas gifts this year. Here's what I did:
Two types.
First - in a round mold with a snowflake on top, I made a pecan pie scented soap, with a bit of bronze mica powdered coloring, and it contains coconut milk and kaolin clay.
Second - in a poinsettia shaped mold, I made some soaps with red soap dye, collodial oatmeal, powdered chamomile, and peppermint with vanilla scent.
Of course doing this set me off onto quite a few thought tangents, as is typical for me. For one, I came up with a list of some additive combinations with a purpose that would go well together. Some of these were not necessarily great for soap so this could expand over into balms or lotions.
The second is a class. I wrote up my notes and am in the process of building these steps into what could be a soapmaking class. It is still an ongoing work in progress. Eventually there will be a shorter class set of notes along with a longer supplement available for additional information, because this sheet is pretty long right now and I'm not even done with it! I still need to go find some actual medieval recipes to tie in with the information on the history and making of soap.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ppoycrs2zjgngpb/Soapmaking.docx
Two types.
First - in a round mold with a snowflake on top, I made a pecan pie scented soap, with a bit of bronze mica powdered coloring, and it contains coconut milk and kaolin clay.
Second - in a poinsettia shaped mold, I made some soaps with red soap dye, collodial oatmeal, powdered chamomile, and peppermint with vanilla scent.
Of course doing this set me off onto quite a few thought tangents, as is typical for me. For one, I came up with a list of some additive combinations with a purpose that would go well together. Some of these were not necessarily great for soap so this could expand over into balms or lotions.
The second is a class. I wrote up my notes and am in the process of building these steps into what could be a soapmaking class. It is still an ongoing work in progress. Eventually there will be a shorter class set of notes along with a longer supplement available for additional information, because this sheet is pretty long right now and I'm not even done with it! I still need to go find some actual medieval recipes to tie in with the information on the history and making of soap.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ppoycrs2zjgngpb/Soapmaking.docx
