COLLECTOR SERIES DOUBLE

MOTHER EARTH NEWS • COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MOTHER
MOT
MOTHER
ISSUE!

EARTH NEWS
ORGANIC GARDENING
Maximize Garden Yield • Grow a Green Roof • Prepare the Soil
Save Seeds, Save Cultures • Climate Change Gardening
Attract Pollinators • Grow From Asparagus to Tomatoes!

Spring 2022 • $14.99 • Display until May 2, 2022

2022:1

C1 Organic Gardening.indd 1 11/22/21 8:30 AM

 EARTHWORDS
EarthWords

“The sun, with all those

planets revolving around
it and dependent upon it,
‘BOBAL’ GRAPES: ISTOCK/LUNAMARINA

can still ripen a bunch of

grapes as if it had nothing
else in the universe to do.”
— Galileo Galilei
2 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

C2 Earthwords.indd 2 11/18/21 3:24 PM

 Table of Contents Organic Gardening • Collector Series

Even when in the same

Zone, one garden
may do better than 10
another. Depends on
the microclimate!

TECHNIQUES & METHODS DIY PROJECTS

6 Cover Crops on Urban Farms 27 Rig Up a Rainwater Catchment System
Cover cropping isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Profit from rainy days with a system that’ll collect
These city farmers have adapted the practice to suit and store your rainwater for future use.
their unique challenges.
32 Hanging Herb Plant
10 Manipulate Your Microclimate Grow parsley, basil and more in small spaces
Shrug off those Zone limitations and find areas in your with this vertical plant hanger.
garden where traditional growing advice doesn’t apply.
34 Hill Farm’s High Tunnels
16 Garden with Success in a Changing Climate These shelters offer year-round protection to
Prepare for increasingly variable weather patterns Hill Farm’s ‘vintage vegetables,’ defending them
with resilient garden plans. from record rainfalls and bitter winds.

20 ‘Container’ Gardening 36 DIY Two-Wheel Garden Cart

From the confined space of a shipping container, Build this one-sheet wonder for hauling, planting,
COVER PHOTOGRAPH: STEVE TERRILL

military college cadets grow and harvest hundreds and cleaning up, and enjoy the stability a garden cart
of heads of lettuce per week for staff and students. offers over a wheelbarrow.

22 Life Cycle Gardening 40 Grow a Green Roof

From colorful cut flowers to edible shoots, roots, and Turn your roof into a canopy of lovely plants
more, maximize your garden’s yield by harvesting during that will keep your house comfortable year-round.
different stages of the plants’ lives.

22 27 40

1-3 TOC.indd 1 11/22/21 8:14 AM

 44 58 64

44 Build a Garden Fence on a Budget 74 Start a Quick and Easy Food Garden
Add beauty and functionality to your growing space This season-by-season planting plan for a no-dig,
with a durable wooden fence that won’t break the bank. easy-care bag garden features 25 favorite crops.

47 DIY Produce Storage Bins PLANTING & SAVING SEEDS

Make a set of stackable vegetable crates out of cedar
fence boards to create storage containers that move easily 78 Plant Breeding for Gardeners
from garden to pantry or basement. Use proper hybridization to preserve the unique traits
found in your favorite garden plants.
PREPARING THE SOIL
84 Saving Our Seeds, Saving Ourselves
50 The Secret to Healthy Soil One gardener reflects on the importance of saving
Clever gardeners work in concert with billions of seeds, and how closely connected humankind’s
microscopic helpers to improve the health of their soil. existence is with the plants we cultivate.

54 Build a Backyard Edible Ecosystem 88 Saving Seeds, Saving Cultures

Use compost, yard waste, and recycled paper to This seed-keeping company doesn’t just keep
construct a small permaculture ecosystem that supports heirloom plants safe from hybridization, it brings
your food garden. ancestral crops back to the people whose cultures
kept them alive.
58 Homegrown Garden Amendments
Use these amendment strategies throughout your plant’s 94 Start Seeds with Soil Blocks
growth cycle to promote healthy development. Skip the seed-starting pots this spring, and instead
plant your seeds directly in compressed blocks of soil
64 Grow a Bee-Friendly Organic Garden that you can move easily from grow lights to garden.
Learn four ways to attract pollinators to your garden
and help them flourish. CULTIVARS
68 Soil Analysis for Gardeners 99 Delightful Dill
From simple DIY tests to more extensive soil analysis, A versatile, aromatic herb for the garden and kitchen.
a multitude of resources exist that will boost your
vegetable garden’s bounty from one year to the next.

78 88 94

1-3 TOC.indd 2 11/22/21 8:14 AM

 102 106 110

102 Grow Great Carrots 124 Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening

Simple soil amendments and careful cultivar selection Use this unique technique to grow greens
will boost your roots to their finest form. in a limited space, even in winter.

106 Asparagus: Early, Easy, & Excellent 128 All About Growing Cucumbers
Seven steps to growing superior spears, year after year. Cucumbers were likely one of the first vegetables
to be preserved by pickling.
110 The Tips You Need to Grow Great Garlic
Use this season-by-season guide to cultivate a treasure 130 Grow Squash and Pumpkins
trove of fat, flavor-packed cloves. Tips and techniques to prevent the dropping of fruit
on your favorite vine crops.
112 Fall in Love with Spinach
Had little luck with spring-sown spinach? Bust the 133 Cool Kohlrabi
slump by instead planting this brilliantly green, Cabbage’s crazy cousin is a fun and tasty addition
nutrition-packed vegetable at summer’s end. to your fall vegetable garden.

115 Heat-Tolerant Eggplant Trials 136 5 Short-Season Tomatoes

Years of experimenting have shown Gardeners burdened with less than 90 frost-free days,
an experienced gardener the best cultivars take note: These productive cultivars offer up the fruit
to grow in her steaming climate. and flavor you crave.

118 All About Growing Melons HARVEST

Delicious and packed with nutrition, melons have
delighted gardeners for about 2,500 years. 139 Drying the Harvest
Keep your pantry well-stocked with a variety
120 Purple Sweet Potatoes: of dehydrated fruits and vegetables.
The Ancient Superfood
These richly colored tubers shouldn’t be 142 Harvest Like a Pro:
underestimated. Learn about their growing More Produce, Longer Storage
reputation, health benefits, and global history. Make the most of these summer garden favorites
with expert tips for harvesting, storing, and preserving.

124 130 142

1-3 TOC.indd 3 11/22/21 8:14 AM

 MOTHER EARTH NEWS DIGITAL

Mother Earth News Videos

Visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/videos or YouTube.com/motherearthnewsmag to find
more sustainable lifestyle videos to help you on your homesteading journey, and be sure to
THE ORIGINAL GUIDE TO LIVING WISELY
subscribe to receive updates on additions to the channel.
COLLECTOR SERIES • SPRING 2022
Fall Gardening ORGANIC GARDENING

It may be early to be planning a garden Special Content Team

for the fall, particularly in the humidity Group Editor J T
and heat of mid-summer. Using burlap Assistant Editor K J S
and row covers, Rebecca has some Convergent Media
tips to help you prepare the soil and B E
planting seedlings in time for an autumn 785-274-4404; [email protected]
harvest. Watch the video at www.
Art Direction and Pre-Press
MotherEarthNews.com/Fall-Garden. 68C 100Y 24K Pantone 363C
Art Director M T. S

Seed Saving 101 Web and Digital Content

Digital Content Manager T O
Thinking of next year’s garden? Join Bevin
Cohen as he gives us the details of harvesting, Display Advertising
processing, and drying seeds to save for 800-678-5779; [email protected]

future gardens in his online Seed Saving 101 Newsstand

Course. You’ll find this course and more at Newsstand Manager M L
www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com. For a preview
Customer Service
video of this particular course, click on www. 800-234-3368;
MotherEarthNews.com/Saving-Seeds-101. [email protected]

What is Soil Health?

From the Real Organic Project
Symposium and MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Publisher B U
catch a glimpse of ways that farmers Circulation & Marketing Director C O
can mimic nature and avoid harmful Newsstand & Production Director B C
additives and chemicals in the soil. Your Sales Director B L
Director of Events & Business Development A P
crops and your customers will thank
Information Technology Director T S
you. Watch a preview video at www. Finance & Accounting Director R H
MotherEarthNews.com/Soil-Health.
M E N (ISSN -)
Seed Starting is published bimonthly by Ogden Publications Inc.,
FROM TOP: ADOBE STOCK (5)/DUNCANANDISON, JIMMY C, ELENA, 682A_IA, MAKSIM SHEBEKO

1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609.

Caitlin demonstrates her methods of starting
For subscription inquiries call 800-234-3368.
seeds for her vegetable and flower gardens. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 785-274-4365;
Seedlings that may be touchy about repotting fax 785-274-4305.
are started in toilet paper rolls, egg cartons are
perfect for seeds that need a higher temperature © 2022 Ogden Publications Inc. Printed in the U.S.A.

of soil to germinate, and reusing pots is just

common sense. Check the video at www.
MotherEarthNews.com/Starting-Seeds.

Gardening in Containers
If you don’t have much space for a garden,
consider gardening in containers. Jessica
provides some insights on what to do and
what to avoid. Place the containers at a
front window, on a balcony, or on a patio.
Then sit back and enjoy the beauty and
bounty of your garden. Watch at www.
MotherEarthNews.com/Small-Spaces.

4 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

04 Videos-Masthead.indd 4 11/22/21 8:11 AM

 Unlock
True
Flower
P O W E R

From the publishers of

Item #11283 | $17.99

L earn how to grow and use flowers in natural skin and

body care products, add them to culinary treats, or
create crafts with the colorful blossoms. The garden
is the ultimate health spa, and author Janice Cox
hopes you will find yourself happier, healthier, and
less stressed when surrounded by plants.

Call 800-234-3368 or visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Store | Promo code: MMEPAMZ3

MEN_BEAUTIFUL
5 FLOWERS_FULL.indd
73 83 C4 Ads.indd 5 1 11/17/2021 10:28:50
11/22/21 8:26 AM
 Cover Crops
on Urban Farms
Cover cropping isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. “I’ve laid down 20 to 30 yards of it a
year,” he says. “But you look a couple
These city farmers have adapted the practice to years later, and it hardly looks like you
put anything down.”
suit their unique challenges. Miller’s predicament — desperately
needing to improve his soil, but being
unable to incorporate cover crops into
By Brian Allnutt for harvest, but instead for a number of a highly intensive system — is common
other benefits, including fixing nitrogen, on urban farms. Growers struggle with

J on Miller is a retired union repre-

sentative for city workers who’s in
controlling weeds, adding organic mat-
ter, attracting pollinators, and feeding
space constraints, lack of large equip-
ment to efficiently manage covers, and

TOP RIGHT: ANDY CHAE; BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT: BRIAN ALLNUT
his second career as an urban farmer soil organisms, which, along with plant the need to grow crops, such as salad
in Detroit. Like a lot of growers, he’s roots, emit various substances that help mix and spinach, that aren’t easy to
excited about the possibilities of cover bind soil particles together to build good grow with cover crops. However, cov-
crops for regenerating soil and reduc- structure. Miller’s primary attempt at ers offer obvious benefits for urban
ing his reliance on more cumbersome using them in his own growing spaces— farmers. Naim Edwards, a Michigan
off-farm inputs, such as compost and which are 4,000 and 11,000 square feet State University researcher beginning a
fertilizer. However, as Miller says, “This in size — involved seeding low-growing project on urban soils in Detroit, says
whole field of cover crops doesn’t address white clovers in the pathways between urban farmers are dealing with compact-
urban farming,” and he’s had trouble de- beds. Unfortunately, the clover invaded ed soils that contain high levels of debris
livering on the promise of cover crops his planting beds and turned into a weed and low organic matter. There’s also the
on his farm. problem. And yet, compost has been expense — sometimes thousands of dol-
Cover crops — also known as “green unable to provide the soil improvement lars a year — and the logistical difficulty
manures” — are plants that aren’t grown he needs on degraded urban soil. of bringing in compost or manure.

Bee-friendly nitrogen-
fixing clover grows in
the pathways of Fisheye
Farms’ garden beds.

6 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 6 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 Cover crop management can include
irrigating, mowing, weeding plants
from areas where they’re not wanted,
and then killing and incorporating
them into the soil. “For some folks, it’s
just too daunting of a mental task to try
to coordinate any energy around that,”
Edwards says. “And for others, there’s
some skepticism around scale.” Many
of these farmers handle complex opera-
tions that may also involve a second job.
No wonder some decide cover crops
aren’t worth the trouble and instead call
in another load of compost.
Andy Chae has both delivered pizzas
and washed dishes in addition to run-
ning Fisheye Farms with his partner,
Amy Eckert, who works a side job as
a waitress. Like Miller, they’re trying
to use clover in the pathways of their
main field, which measures about
TOP RIGHT: ANDY CHAE; BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT: BRIAN ALLNUT

7,600 square feet. Using low-growing

Dutch or New Zealand white clovers
in pathways is an entry point for many
growers. These bee-friendly, nitrogen- Amy Eckert of Fisheye Farms pulls weeds out of salad beds. The pathways are cover cropped in
fixing plants can provide a reservoir clover and ryegrass, but the former overcame the latter after repeated cuttings.
of moisture, nitrogen-enriched soil,
fungi, and other soil biota that crops Originally, Chae and Eckert tried us- nitrogen-rich material could be great for
can potentially tap into from the sur- ing a mix of clover and ryegrass, but the other applications. However, like many
rounding beds. Farmers can also un- rye simply lost out to the clover after re- urban farms, Fisheye grows a lot of high-
der-sow them beneath taller plants, peated cuttings. Cutting the clover down value salad mix that’s in demand at both
such as brassicas and solanums, or with a weed wacker was also a problem, farmers markets and restaurants. “It does
simply allow them to invade beds because it broadcast the trimmings onto slow down the washing of the salad, be-
where it’s not a problem. the surrounding beds. This addition of cause of all the clover in there,” Chae says.

Inside the Fisheye

Farms’ hoop house,
peas and oats prepare
the soil for spring

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 7

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 7 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 FROM LEFT: Fast-growing buckwheat is great for breaks in a growing schedule. Under-sown hairy vetch provides organic matter to the plants above it.

TOP FROM LEFT: GAP PHOTOS/THOMAS ALAMY; ADOBE STOCK/TAMU

Undeterred, Fisheye plans to experi- carbon in the soil. Although cover crops weed management easier in the future,
ment with a narrow reel mower that can suppress weeds, Chae and Eckert even if it doesn’t kill the bindweed.”
will drop the clover debris directly back first put down a black tarp for a year to Patrick Crouch, the program manager
down into the aisles. They’ve also been kill the bindweed growing there. Along at Earthworks Urban Farm, Detroit’s
paying a neighbor to weed the clover out with quackgrass, bindweed is one of the first Certified Organic farm, has also
from the beds, which takes about eight most persistent weeds Detroit growers struggled with making cover crops work.
hours a year. face. The peas and oats will smother He tried low-growing white clover for
Inside the farm’s hoop house, Chae the remaining bindweed, enriching years, even going so far as to allow it to
and Eckert use peas and oats to prepare what will be a high-production space. take over beds, where he planted bras-
for spring production. This combina- Chae acknowledges that the bindweed sicas directly into cover using a bulb
tion of legumes and grasses is popular, might survive, but he believes in “put- planter. He mowed down the cover
because both plants fix nitrogen and ting down organic matter that will make beforehand, weeded around the trans-

The timing of cover crop

planting is crucial on urban
farms; growers can’t afford to
let valuable growing space lie
idle under cover for a season.

TIM HINKLE; BOTTOM LEFT: JOHN GALLAGHER/DETROIT FREE PRESS VIA ZUMA WIRE

8 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 8 11/18/21 2:29 PM

TOP FROM LEFT: GAP PHOTOS/THOMAS ALAMY; ADOBE STOCK/TAMU

Earthworks’ greenhouse (above), hoop house, and cover crop timing allow it to grow food year-round.

plants for several weeks until they were out disturbing the soil, and the vetch in which they’re talked about is this
established, and then let the clover go. takes over in the cooler weather. “Come idea of being ‘smother crops,’ ” Crouch
“It worked well for the first season,” next spring, it starts flowering, at which says. “And they’ll work on some things,
Crouch says. “The plants seemed really point I cut it down and incorporate it.” but I certainly don’t think they’ll get
healthy, and we were reducing our till- The timing is crucial. Crouch waits the nastiest of the nasties, the quack-
age.” He also hoped the clover would until the hairy vetch is on the verge of grass and the bindweed.” The persis-
reduce pressure from flea beetles, which flowering and has maxed out its nitro- tence of perennial weeds such as these
he’d read would have difficulty finding gen-fixing potential before he kills it and has kept him from maintaining per-
the plants if they couldn’t see their silhou- incorporates it into the soil. Timing is manent covers under some fruit crops,
ettes on the bare ground. However, he ex- especially important on urban farms, such as grapes and raspberries, where
perienced a new problem when the farm’s where growers often work in tight pro- they might be easiest to maintain.
vole population exploded. “The unfore- duction windows and can’t afford to let a However, cover crops will do things
seen consequence was that the constant quarter of their growing space lie fallow compost and fertilizer can’t: enter into
cover made it so that hawks couldn’t see under cover for a season. the life of the soil; break up compacted
the voles well enough to hunt them and Crouch has also used buckwheat. earth; and produce exudates that nour-
suppress their level. I was just seeing tons This plant doesn’t have the big payoffs ish fungi and in turn build soil struc-
and tons of damage on crops, such as my in nitrogen fixation and organic mat- ture. “Anytime you’re talking sustainable
TIM HINKLE; BOTTOM LEFT: JOHN GALLAGHER/DETROIT FREE PRESS VIA ZUMA WIRE

overwintering carrots.” ter addition that other covers do. But soil improvement,” Edwards says, “you
Crouch found a more workable use as a fast-growing, heat-tolerant crop, want plants, and you want roots doing
of cover crops by under-sowing hairy it’s easy to work into breaks in the sum- the majority of the work; you don’t want
vetch — another nitrogen-fixing legume, mer growing schedule. It also suppresses humans to be adding a lot of inputs.”
and one that produces more organic weeds, traps nitrogen, accumulates For organic farmers, making cover
matter — beneath tomatoes, peppers, phosphorous, and, in Crouch’s estima- crops work could mean fitting them in
and eggplants. He cultivates the soil tion, does a good job of breaking up when and where they’re able. “For a lot
for several weeks after transplanting, compacted soil — a concern for Detroit’s of urban farmers, taking things out of
and then broadcasts the vetch by hand, urban growers. Crouch has used it be- production isn’t a very enticing idea,”
counting on either rain or the moisture tween spring crops of salad mix and with Crouch says. “The solution is just to
from the drip tape to germinate the seed. the farm’s fall garlic planting. throw more compost down, but that
“And then I pretty well forget about the Yet, the promise of cover crops can re- solution, from my experience, isn’t ad-
fact that the hairy vetch is there,” he main elusive, even for an accomplished equate. You’re not really improving over-
says. “It does germinate, but it stays re- farmer, when dealing with weedy soils. all soil health in the way that you are
ally short because it’s too shady.” In fall, “Oftentimes, cover crops are presented when you’re utilizing cover crops that are
he simply cuts back the solanums with- as this magical item, and one of the ways able to really feed that root biome.”

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 9

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 9 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 GROWVEG.COM (2)

10 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 10 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 Manipulate Your
Microclimate
Shrug off those Zone limitations and find areas
in your garden where traditional growing advice doesn’t apply.

By Ann Marie Hendry 1 Where is heat stored in my gar- tively increasing wind speed — can be
den? Heat doesn’t just disappear when particularly destructive.

W
hen I worked as a commer- the sun goes down. Stone, brick, con- 3 Which areas of my garden receive
cial gardener, one of the crete, and even water absorb heat during the most sunlight, and how does this
most interesting things I the day and release it at night, a phe- vary throughout the seasons? Shadows
learned about was the influence of mi- nomenon known as “thermal mass.” cast by trees, buildings, and other struc-
croclimates. Even though all the gardens 2 Which areas are exposed? Strong tures are short in summer and long in
I maintained were within 30 miles of winds can chill tender seedlings, flatten winter. What may seem like an unprom-
each other, I soon discovered that what plants, snap plant supports, and dry out ising spot in winter can be sun-soaked in
grew well in one garden was no sure soil. Wind tunnels — areas where wind summer, and vice versa.
indicator of what could be persuaded is forced between solid objects, effec- 4 Where does water pool when
to thrive in another — even when
the other garden was right next door!
Conventional wisdom states that what
a gardener can grow is limited by the
USDA Hardiness Zone they’re garden-
ing in, but I’ve found that isn’t the whole
truth. Another important factor should
also be taken into consideration: every
garden’s unique microclimates.
Season extenders, such as row cov-
ers, are invaluable for warming up soil
and protecting crops from the elements,
but smart gardeners can deploy many
more powerful techniques. By becom-
ing aware of and manipulating the mi-
croclimates that make up your plot, you
can improve yields and successfully grow
crops that are on the borderline of what’s
feasible in your region.

Identify Your Microclimates

To exploit the microclimates in any
garden, you’ll first need to learn exactly
what they are. This often-overlooked
task should not be rushed; it’s best done
at several different points during the year
GROWVEG.COM (2)

to gain a complete picture of how your

garden changes throughout the seasons.
First, ask yourself four questions: A fan-trained fruit tree grows against a wall, a heat sink that provides additional warmth.

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 11

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 11 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 it rains? Low spots and ar- ground level. Or, go one step
eas with heavy soil or poor further and grow plants on
drainage hold water longer, mounds or in raised beds.
which can be useful in dry Frost pours away downhill,
regions, or a plant killer in so make sure cold air can es-
wetter climates. cape by removing any solid
Once you’ve observed and barriers that might impede its
identified these areas on your progress and cause it to pool in
property, the next step is to your growing areas.
take advantage of them to Cold tolerance is a sought-
grow plants that conventional after trait in plants, so plant
wisdom tells you aren’t pos- breeders make great efforts to
sible for your Zone. select for this when developing
new varieties for cooler areas.
Keeping Warm Choose varieties specifically
Remember the gardens I bred to be hardy in your Zone,
mentioned earlier that were which will make a consider-
near each other? Both experi- able difference to your chances

FROM LEFT: ANN MARIE HENDRY (3); GROWVEG.COM (2)

enced the same chilly winters of success.
and cool summers; had clay
soil and poor drainage; were Creating Windbreaks
surrounded, at a respectful Strong winds can rip plants
distance, by trees and hedges and greenhouses to shreds, as
that filtered the worst of the I’ve learned at my own cost!
wind; and had some areas in My garden sits at the head of
full sun for most of the day. a valley that channels the pre-
They also received the same vailing wind. When the wind
annual pruning and regime forces its way between the
for soil enrichment. house and garage, it speeds up
But one garden grew pro- and becomes even more pow-
digious quantities of apples, erful — right before it hits my
pears, and currants, while the greenhouse. If only I’d built
other struggled to produce a hoop house, whose curved
even a light picking of fruit. profile and plastic cover would
The difference? Thermal mass. have saved me several trips to
Stone walls completely en- the glazier!
closed the productive garden. Windbreaks are the obvious
Soft fruits grew against the solution to windy situations,
walls — even the north-facing but the fix isn’t as straight-
one — and they thrived. Heat forward as building a wall
absorbed by the walls during or putting up a panel fence.
the day was released at night, The problem with solid bar-
keeping frost at bay and cru- riers like these is that they
cially preventing damage to FROM TOP: Frosted plant leaves and other gardening problems can force the wind to divert up
delicate blossoms in spring, be avoided by creating habitable microclimates. Add sawdust mulch and over — and then come
which resulted in generous to acid-loving plants. Brassicas love grass mulch for its nitrogen. crashing down, potentially
bumper harvests. smashing your greenhouse or
Walls, paving, rocks, and water bar- almost match those in the much more flattening plants.
rels can act as “heat sinks,” or sources sheltered garden next door. Instead, opt for permeable barriers.
of thermal mass, to raise temperatures Another way to minimize frost dam- These types of barriers slow down wind,
by a few precious degrees. With les- age is to remove, or at least avoid plant- while still enabling it to continue on its
sons learned, I transplanted several ing in, frost pockets. Cold air will sink path. Hedges make superb windbreaks
soft-fruit bushes against the house in into dips and hollows in your garden, so for this reason, but even netting se-
the problematic garden. The move had if you need to grow in those, fill them curely attached to stout posts can help
the happy result of improving yields to in to bring them up to the surrounding reduce the force of wind. You may need

12 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 12 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 to combine the two and use windbreak
netting to protect a young hedge while
it becomes established in a windy spot.
Consider growing an edible hedge of
fruits or nuts to make your windbreaks
an even more essential part of your pro-
ductive garden.
You can reduce the impact of wind
in other ways too. Gardening in sunken
beds is an effective method sometimes
used to provide shelter in flat regions.
Six inches deep is enough to protect
delicate seedlings.
If you need to go much deeper to
protect mature plants, consider creat-
ing berms as well. These mounds will
deflect wind, channeling it away from
your precious plants. Bear in mind
FROM LEFT: ANN MARIE HENDRY (3); GROWVEG.COM (2)

that sunken beds will be more prone to

waterlogging, so they’re not usually suit- This sheltered corner of the garden is protected from blustery weather with a hedge windbreak.
able for heavy soils.
Careful plant choices can make even usually more resilient than broader- for most of the afternoon, you can still
the windiest spots more promising. leaved or top-heavy vegetables, such as grow a wide range of vegetables if it re-
Choose bush beans instead of pole kale, that tend to blow over. ceives morning sun. Leafy greens, bush
beans that can be torn to ribbons, or beans, carrots, beets, and celery are all
let squashes, cucumbers, and toma- Sun and Shade happy with just a few hours of direct
toes trail over the ground instead of Where shade falls in your garden will morning sunlight.
supporting them on fragile trellises. vary according to the time of day and You should plan to grow plants at wider
Narrow-leaved onions and garlic are the season. Even if your garden is shady spacings in a shady spot. They need to

A willow hurdle air-permeable

fence protects plants from wind.

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 13 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 FROM TOP: ANN MARIE HENDRY; GROWVEG.COM
Ask yourself whether your plants need a shaded (left) or sunny (right) spot to thrive in your garden.

be able to absorb as much light energy can grow shorter, heat-averse plants, however, so avoid using them for your
as possible, so causing further shade by such as lettuce, on the north side of tall- earliest plantings.
planting too close will reduce your har- er, heat-loving crops, such as tomatoes, If your soil is persistently wet, plant on
vest. To enhance the available light, wrap to benefit from the shade they cast. top of mounds or in raised beds instead
a board in aluminum foil and prop it up For a more temporary solution, sus- of digging drainage channels. You can

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: ANN MARIE HENDRY; GROWVEG.COM (3)

nearby, or paint a light color on vertical pend shade cloth above cool-season scrape soil up into a hill to plant on, or
surfaces to reflect light back onto plants. vegetables, or use vertical barriers on simply add plenty of well-rotted organic
Shade is often considered a bad thing the south side of susceptible plants. matter, such as compost or manure,
in a garden, but you can use it to your Straw bales are easy to move into posi- on top of your bed to create a mound.
advantage if you grow crops that might tion, and can be used as mulch, or add- Using boards to frame the bed is tidy
struggle in full sun — a real benefit in ed to your compost pile when you’re but optional. Growing on mounds will
hotter climates. Crops such as lettuce, done with them. lift plants an important few inches above
arugula, and beets are prone to bolting the water table, which may be all they
in hot weather, but you can delay the Water Management need to succeed.
inevitable by planning your garden so Areas where water is slow to drain Mulching with organic matter can
these crops grow in afternoon shade. are ideal for growing thirsty crops in also help sandy soils retain moisture,
It’s possible to create temporary shade hot summers, reducing the frequency which is welcome in warmer conditions.
in even the hottest, sunniest garden. of watering required. These same areas Anyone gardening in a hot climate, or
With a little bit of clever planning, you will warm up more slowly in spring, just enduring a hot summer, knows how

FROM LEFT: If your plants need more water, add a water bottle reservoir. Or, to avoid soggy soil, position your plants on mounds.

14 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 14 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 quickly watering becomes a punching holes into the cap and
time-consuming chore, even in neck. Partially bury the bottle
smaller gardens. top-down in the soil, and then
When gardening on dry soils pour water into the open end.
or slopes, plant into a shal- A garden is a long-term proj-
low depression made in the ect. Take time to observe your
soil, so the plant sits slightly property. Discovering your
lower than the surrounding garden’s limitations and pos-
soil level. When it rains, or sibilities is key to successfully
when you turn on the hose, growing food in any climate.
water will collect around the Get to know your plants; take
plant. Pooling gives water time note of how other gardeners
to soften the crust and perco- near you have overcome chal-
FROM TOP: ANN MARIE HENDRY; GROWVEG.COM

late down; this is particularly lenging growing conditions;

good for soils that dry to a hard Managed microclimates can bring about an abundant harvest! and use your knowledge, expe-
crust, making it difficult for rience, and skills to grow more
water to penetrate. earthenware container that you sink than you ever thought possible.
If high rates of evaporation mean that into the ground and then fill with water. And remember, if your neighbor
water doesn’t get a chance to penetrate Because terra cotta is porous, the water seems to have a greener thumb than
deeply into your soil, you can deliver a gradually escapes into the soil at the root you, the answer may lie in their garden’s
shot of water straight to the roots using zone. You can achieve a similar effect by microclimates and not just their garden-
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: ANN MARIE HENDRY; GROWVEG.COM (3)

an olla. A traditional olla is an unglazed cutting the bottom off a plastic bottle and ing skills!

Swiss chard plants

grow in raised beds
to avoid wet soil.

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 15 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 Garden
with Success
FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK/IRINA FISCHER; SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY NOAA GLOBAL MONITORING LABORATORY
in a Changing Climate
Prepare for increasingly variable weather patterns with resilient garden plans.

By Chris Colby atmospheric CO2 levels and the global Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii began
mean temperature, or the average of tem- recording levels of atmospheric CO2 in

O
ur planet is changing. Increased peratures all over the globe, are the most 1958, their readings averaged 315 ppm,
levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) relevant data. In the million years prior with peaks about 4 ppm above average
in our atmosphere and rising to the Industrial Revolution, the aver- in May, and valleys about 4 ppm below
global mean temperatures will definitely age level of atmospheric CO2 was 280 average in November. By 2015, the aver-
bring changes for gardeners. However, in parts per million (ppm), as determined age level of CO2 in our air reached 400
the short term, you can prepare for and by ice core samples and marine sedi- ppm. In 2019, the average was 415 ppm.
manage these changes. ment testing. CO2 levels climbed past So, there’s now roughly 50 percent more
To adapt to climate change, you 300 ppm in the early 20th century and CO2 in our atmosphere than there was
have to understand it. For gardeners, continued to rise. When scientists at the just 250 years ago.

16 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 16 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 Monthly Mean CO2 Concentration

Data taken at Mauna Loa Observatory shows an upward trend in atmospheric CO2 concentration.

California. The lowest was minus 129 de- are worried that the best wine-growing
grees in July 1983 at the Vostok Ice Station regions on Earth may be in Germany
in Antarctica. Gardening would be impos- in a couple of decades. And the variabil-
sible at these extremes, but it’s straightfor- ity in weather will increase, along with
ward at the global mean temperature. some seasons that produce a larger-than-
The global mean temperature doesn’t average number of storms. The variability
CO2 levels in the deep past also fluctu- change with the seasons; when it’s summer in weather, not the temperature change,
ated, and at times were much higher than in North America, it’s winter in Australia, will have the most impact on gardeners.
the present day. Back in the Cambrian and the global mean incorporates those
FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK/IRINA FISCHER; SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY NOAA GLOBAL MONITORING LABORATORY

Period, for example, CO2 exceeded 4,000 temperatures at the same time. Change Early Springs and False Hopes
ppm. Of course, the flora and fauna of in the global mean temperature also isn’t Every avid gardener knows the aver-
that time were adapted to those condi- evenly dispersed over Earth. The poles age last frost date in their area. We watch
tions, and CO2 levels have never before are expected to warm more quickly than weather forecasts, plan our gardens, and
changed as quickly as they are now. equatorial regions. It’s also important to hope to start getting seeds or transplants
Carbon dioxide is two oxygen atoms understand that temperatures are trend- in the ground soon after. As our climate
(the “dioxide” part) attached to a carbon ing higher in the long term—they aren’t changes, average last frost dates will come
atom. Molecules of carbon dioxide absorb necessarily getting higher every day. sooner in the year, but this will be a slow,
energy from light rays and thus trap heat In addition to seasonal cycles of heat variable process. Some years, we’ll be sur-
that would otherwise dissipate into space. and cold, there are 20-year cycles of global prised by a very early, warm spring, while
A certain amount of atmospheric CO2 is heating and cooling, which we’ll continue overly late frosts set us back in other years.
necessary for life as we know it, but rap- to experience. However, all these ups and Smart gardeners will be aware, as they
idly increasing levels of CO2 result in an downs will end up a little higher in the always have been, that the first few warm
equally rapid increase in the global mean long run. Think of a graph of a sine wave, days of the year aren’t necessarily a sign
temperature. Scientists project that the and then tilt the right end of the X-axis that it’s time to start gardening. However,
global mean temperature will rise by 3.6 to up slightly. That’s the model of how the with a little planning, gardeners can take
7.2 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100. Earth will warm this century, with ups and advantage of early springs when they occur
downs, but an overall upward trend. and reduce the risks associated with late
Is It Really Getting Hot in Here? Global warming will cause a number of frosts. Two approaches in particular that
In 2017, the global mean temperature changes, including rising sea levels, thaw- may help deal with variable early spring
was 58.6 degrees. This is about 1.8 degrees ing polar permafrost, an earlier average weather are starting seeds indoors and
higher than the global mean temperature arrival of spring, and a later average arrival using row covers or cloches in your garden.
in 1880. For perspective, the highest re- of winter. The Zones where various crops If you see potential to begin planting
corded temperature on Earth was 134.1 can best be grown will move slightly to- early, consider starting some of your plants
degrees in July of 1913 in Death Valley, ward the poles. The French, for example, indoors. If you plant in containers larger

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 17

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 17 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 many of the insects buried in the soil, but
mild winters leave these insects to emerge
in spring. For example, in Colorado, more
mountain pine beetles have been surviving
in recent years, causing greater problems in
pine forests. Climate change will gradually
expand the regions that don’t have hard
freezes, but the transition will be variable.
If you’re faced with an unexpectedly
buggy season, you have many manage-
ment options. My favorite approach is to
plant tall native plants around the garden.
These will serve as perches for insect pred-
ators (as well as an attractant for pollina-

CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (4)/ ANDREI310, SCOTT LATHAM, HECOS, PHOTOZI
If you transplant starts early, cloches can protect your plants from unexpected late frosts. tors). I typically accept a small number of
garden pests as the cost of maintaining a
than the average 4-well nursery flat, you be the primary concern. Later winters give healthy insect predator population.
can keep the plants inside longer, if need cool-weather crops extra time to mature. Hand-picking large insects is easy in the
be. Square 4-inch planters are fairly cheap, Like dealing with variable spring early morning, when they’re slowed by
and most garden vegetables won’t outgrow weather, row covers or cloches can pro- lower temperatures. If an infestation gets
them for a couple of weeks after sprouting. tect plants from unexpected freezes and out of hand, I’ll deadhead the plant, spray
You could, for example, plant so your veg- extend the fall gardening season substan- it with a synthetic pesticide, and then
etables sprout a week or two before your tially. Vegetables that produce continually drape it with netting. This will kill the
last frost date. Then, if spring arrives early, can be shepherded along until the first pests; removing the blooms will prevent
you can transplant early. If spring arrives at hard freeze. To give one example, Brassica the pesticide from affecting pollinators or
its usual time—as it often will—you can plants—including cabbage, broccoli, cau- insect predators.
still plant the seedlings. liflower, turnips, etc.—will deal well with
Row covers and cloches allow gardeners cooler fall temperatures. Irregular Rainfall,
to elevate soil and air temperatures a bit, In regions that typically have mild win- Storms, and Temperatures
which protects tender plants from frosts. ters with few hard freezes, unusually warm Variable weather patterns will affect
They’re essentially little greenhouses. As winters may lead to spring insect prob- the amount of rainfall a region experi-
climate change continues to unfold, and lems. In North America, northern regions ences and the intensity of storms.
spring weather becomes more variable, typically have enough hard freezes to kill If you receive less rainfall than
these will be increasingly valuable. Row
covers or cloches will allow you take ad-
vantage of early springs while mitigating
the risks of cold snaps.
Many garden vegetables’ fruit set is
temperature-dependent. Most tomatoes,
for example, won’t set at temperatures
above 95 degrees. As such, if you live in
an area with high summer temperatures,
getting vegetables into your garden early
enough to flower before the hottest part of
summer is important. With the expected
increased variability in weather, you may
need to seed or transplant plants as early
as possible in warmer-than-average years.

Late Winters and

Mixed Opportunities
Just as spring will, on average, arrive
sooner, winter will, on average, arrive later.
The phrase “on average” is important, be-
cause—as with spring—variability will Predatory insects can help you control rising numbers of pests as mild winters become common.

18 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 18 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 usual, the solution is obvious — just wa-
ter or choose drought-resistant plants.
However, unexpectedly rainy seasons
can cause multiple problems in a garden.
If your garden doesn’t drain well, stand-
ing water can kill plants. Amend garden
soil with sand, and landscape to allow
excess water to drain away. A wet garden
can also develop problems with fungi,
especially during warm spells. Space
plants so air can flow between them to
deter fungi. Fungicide will help if plants
are affected, and early applications of
fungicides are more effective than wait-
CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (4)/ ANDREI310, SCOTT LATHAM, HECOS, PHOTOZI

ing until the problem is advanced. Plan to improve drainage with soil amendments or landscaping before heavy rain risks your harvest.
High winds can damage gardens. Tall
plants, such as corn, can lodge, and trel- temperature — combined with unusual Plan for Everything
lises can blow over. Most of the time, weather patterns — will cause local heat In the future, planning your garden will
plants that topple in a storm will right waves and cold snaps. be a lot like it’s always been. After all, the
themselves. Sometimes, the gardener Warmer-than-usual weather will mean average difference between what you’ve ex-
may need to help by freeing their leaves more frequent watering; however, fungi perienced in the past and what’s expected
and rinsing them off. Wind damage can thrive in heat and moisture. Set up a in the future is relatively small.
be mitigated by windbreaks — another drip watering system or water with a The amount of change depends on
good use of sturdy native perennials — soaker hose to apply water directly to how much CO2 is released in the at-
and strong trellises. the soil. It’s less wasteful than overhead mosphere. Of course, despite the small
We used to call climate change “global watering and will limit fungal growth. average change in temperature for North
warming,” and you might think heat There’s no easy remedy for unusually American gardeners, climate change will
would be the biggest problem facing cold weather in the peak of summer. If lead to very serious changes everywhere,
future gardeners. However, the global temperatures get low enough, row covers and especially near the poles.
mean surface temperature is expected may help, but you’ll have to ride out mod- It’s the variability in weather—some-
to be 62.2 to 65.8 degrees by the end erately cool temperatures. Most plants that thing that’s already becoming an issue
of the century. Overall, the variability develop better in warm temperatures will worldwide—that’ll be a problem.
in weather resulting from this rise in be fine if they get enough sunlight. Global climate change won’t eliminate
regional weather patterns, such as El Niño
and La Niña. Consult your long-term
weather forecast when you begin planning
your garden. As spring nears, continue to
keep an eye on forecasts. And, of course,
build some flexibility into your plans.
Be prepared to move your plant-
ing days up or back, depending on the
forecast—and have your equipment for
cold protection ready in case it’s needed.
Install drip watering, or test your existing
system, and plant drought-tolerant culti-
vars to improve your chance of success if
a dry season is forecast.
If a wet season is forecast, amend the
soil or landscape to improve drainage
and runoff.
A little extra forethought and plan-
ning will pay big dividends if you have
unusual weather. If you prepare each
year for the worst, most years will be a
Drip irrigation is less wasteful than overhead watering and less likely to promote fungal infections. pleasant surprise.

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 19

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 19 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 ‘Container’
Gardening
From the confined space of a shipping container, Story by Jennifer Albert
and Dalia Martinez
military college cadets grow and harvest hundreds of

I
nside three shipping containers
heads of lettuce per week for staff and students. on the campus of The Citadel,
a militar y college in South
Carolina, cadets are learning how to
grow lettuce crops in a controlled
indoor “farm” setting, producing or-
ganic produce in an environment that
can withstand unpredictable weather
conditions and disease. The cadets’
hands-on education comes from The
Citadel Sustainability Project, in
which the first container functions as
a hydroponic cultivation system for
lettuce crops, the second container is
a testing ground for various growing
systems, and the third container will
be outfitted by cadets who design and
build the growing equipment as part
of a corresponding independent study.
The Citadel STEM Center of
Excellence initiated the project in
2016 as an interdisciplinary collabora-
tion. Of the 20 or so students who are
members of the Sustainability Club,
several are STEM Scholars. We also
have electrical engineers who are com-
pleting a design project on hydropon-
ics. We’ve had students from almost
every campus department — engi-
FROM LEFT: STEFANIE SWACKHAMMER; THE CITADEL (2)
neering, biology, business — who have
worked with the project.
Prior to their graduation, Alex
Richardson, who studied engineering,
and Cameron Brown, who studied
business, managed the growing con-
tainer with the help of other students
motivated by a passion and love for
the environment.
“Cadets are excited about The
More than 4,400 plants, including collards, lettuce, spinach, and herbs, grow in the container. Citadel Sustainability Project because

20 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 20 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 it incorporates biology, chemistry,
computer science, business, engineer-
ing, and community outreach. It gives
us the opportunity to collaborate with
students outside of our own programs
on a project focused on global popu-
lation needs,” Richardson says. “And
seeing people on campus eat and enjoy
our crops is gratifying.”

A Sustainable Food Source

We’re currently working on growing
more than 4,400 plants in the con-
tainers, including collards, lettuce,
spinach, and herbs. The nutrients used
to grow the crops are recycled within
the system’s 100-gallon reservoir and
are managed through a smartphone
application. The app tracks the metal-
lic minerals in the water and sends nu-
trients to the plants every 10 minutes.
It also displays the water’s temperature
and the container’s carbon dioxide and
pH levels.
The transformation from seed to
harvest inside the container farm oc-
curs in five weeks, compared with
the 10 weeks the crops would need
in an outdoor environment. Thanks
to high-density crop production, the
cadets harvest more than 800 heads of
lettuce per week for the campus res-
taurant’s salad bar as well as events. FROM TOP: The container farm is installed in a corner of campus, leaving room for expansion. The
Additionally, the cadets get to eat the project helps cadets gain hands-on experience in business, chemistry, engineering, and growing food.
fresh lettuce in the student mess hall.
If the growing container is running is to help young entrepreneurs and out of treated wastewater and incorpo-
at full capacity, the 320-square-foot members of other disciplines gain rate sustainable energy so the system
space can yield about 40,000 heads of hands-on experience. could be viable anywhere. Ultimately,
lettuce per year. We also try to bring in high school we’d like to expand the project to be
Each container is valued at $115,000 students. Last spring, students from able to produce more fresh food for
after it’s outfitted. The cadets intend Burke High School, which is next the South Carolina Corps of Cadets,
to make the project sustainable by door to our campus, incorporated the which comprises the college’s under-
putting profits from the crops toward farm into one of their projects. Then, graduate population.
the purchase of more containers. a 10th-grade economics class wrote Our advice for other schools think-
FROM LEFT: STEFANIE SWACKHAMMER; THE CITADEL (2)

“Our self-propagating irrigation sys- business plans for the container with ing about starting a small, sustainable
tem uses up to 98 percent less water data we provided, and followed up farm like ours: Include a faculty mem-
than conventional industrial farm- with two field trips to the container. ber who’s invested in the success of the
ing does,” says Brown, who wrote The container farm is located in a project and understands that student
the project’s business plan. “We want back corner of campus near the marsh, interest will wax and wane depending
to expand, grow more, and sustain with plenty of room for expansion. on schedules. It’s also important to
this Earth-friendly initiative, mak- We’ve submitted a National Science have a succession and mentoring plan
ing our healthy produce available to Foundation grant application with for students who are learning. Seniors
more members of our community.” The GEL Group, AmplifiedAg, and mentor juniors; juniors work with un-
In addition to providing a sustainable SuperGreen Solutions to design a sys- derclassmen. That will keep the farm
food source, the goal of the project tem that would filter excess nutrients going strong.

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 21

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 21 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 During different growth stages, fava
plants offer various edible options,
including shoots and tender pods.

ADOBE STOCK/GOLANDR; PAGE 22: WILLIAM RUBEL

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 22 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 Life Cycle G
Gardening
From colorful cut flowers to edible shoots, roots, and more, maximize
your garden’s yield by harvesting during different stages of the plants’ lives.

By William Rubel

I
n spring, my vegetable garden is awash in
color. Vibrant yellow broccoli rabe and
mature fennel flowers contrast with the
deep yellow of bolting collard blooms. There are
white and deep-purple flowers on the fava beans,
a deep blue from borage’s star-shaped flowers,
and the lovely lighter blue of lacy, daisy-shaped
chicory flowers.
When a vegetable plant sends up a flower
stem, it’s described as “bolting.” While most
gardeners consider bolting to be the end of the
line for their plants, it’s often just the beginning
for the life cycle gardener.
The overriding concept behind life cycle
gardening is that the point at which we tend
to harvest a plant is just one stage in the plant’s
life cycle, and that stage isn’t the only one that
produces good food or something else of value, Let your allium plants flower out and they’ll attract all sorts of pollinators to your garden.
such as flowers.
Vegetable flowers may be the easiest way to segue into life cycle My garden is friendly to wild greens, so I also have a
gardening. Even if the thought of leaving anything to bolt sends couple of magnificent sow thistles (Sonchus oleraceus). You
shivers up your spine, you can ease yourself into it by setting aside may think of this plant as a parking lot weed, but it’s beauti-
a few plants for flowers. When you see honeybees, bumblebees, ful. Sow thistle has small dandelion-like flowers and glossy,
and other pollinators visiting your garden, I’m sure your heart pointed leaves that enfold its stem in an interesting way. A
will melt. And if you sell to farmers markets, you’ll find that some few sow thistle leaves added to a salad are always a welcome
vegetable flowers are worth harvesting for sale. guest from the wild.
While I love all vegetable flowers, my current favorites are Vegetable flower buds are almost always edible and delicious—
ADOBE STOCK/GOLANDR; PAGE 22: WILLIAM RUBEL

cilantro blooms. If you only know cilantro as a small plant from think artichoke and broccoli. And bolting stems, such as those of
which you harvest leaves, you won’t recognize the plant when it lettuce, may make a tender vegetable in their own right or have a
transforms into a 3-foot-tall bush of small, white flowers. The flavorful pith. The buds we tend to eat, such as broccoli, are from
flowers start at ground level, growing on umbels surrounded by brassica cultivars selected for a mild taste. As you venture into life
tufts of feathery leaves, each umbel its own bouquet. The flowers cycle gardening, you’ll move into a world of stronger flavors and
add a nice flavor to salads. richer character. If you try something and it’s stronger than you
Last year I planted many yellow onions and allowed a few dozen prefer, try blanching it in lightly salted water to lessen the flavor.
to bloom. Their flowers rise on long stalks in proper rows, each Here are some easy vegetables to get you started with life cycle
stalk topped by long-lasting balls of white stars. A few onion flow- gardening. Try a few to begin with, or go all in. Either way, life
ers sprinkled on salads offer a delightful oniony surprise. cycle gardening is a great way to maximize your harvest.

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 23

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 23 11/18/21 2:29 PM

 Artichokes and Cardoons
For the life cycle gardener, cardoon flower stalks (top right) are the glory of the vegetable garden.
Their multi-branched stalks rise 6 feet. Loved by bees and butterflies, their blue flowers glow in
the late afternoon sun. Both artichoke and cardoon flowers (bottom right) can be picked for the
kitchen or grown as a long-lasting florist crop. I leave the stalks to dry in place, and plant peas at
their base the following year.
The underutilized edible portion of artichokes and cardoons is the flower stalk. When still flex-
ible, the stalk just below harvested chokes, or the cardoon flower, are tender and delicious. Split

WILLIAM RUBEL (9)

mature artichoke stalks in half. The pith, which is slightly smoky in flavor, is good raw or parboiled
and served with butter. The common cardoon preparation is to make a gratin with the central rib
of blanched stems. (Wrap stems with straw or newspaper several weeks before harvesting to blanch.)
After you harvest the central artichoke bud, the plant will then produce numerous smaller buds
as side shoots. These smaller buds are a delicacy. Harvest when they’re no more than 2 to 3 inches
tall. To prepare, remove the outer leaves to reveal leaves of a lighter green, cut off the top third of the
bud, slice thinly on the vertical cross section, and fry in hot
olive oil until crisp. Salt before serving.

Fava Beans
If you give favas space, they’ll tiller (that is, put up many
stems). For the life cycle gardener, this means the fava (left)
offers up its tender axillary buds—more deeply flavored
than pea shoots, and more plentiful. A bed of fava beans
will produce pounds of shoots. Fava bean pods are edible
whole and raw when very young. They can be cooked, pod
and all, when the beans are halfway to maturity. When ma-
ture, the beans are best removed from the pod. Favas can be
dried and, like dried peas and beans, be rehydrated for use
in soups and other dishes. After blooming, cut plants back
to a few inches above the ground; they’ll often re-sprout to
offer a second crop.

Beets and Chard

If you plant beets (below) that you purchased from the grocery store, they’ll immediately start
producing leaves, which you can harvest as a cut-and-come-again salad crop. Depending on your
climate, a beet plant may continue to produce for several years. Both beets and chard (closely
related) produce racemes of tender flower buds when they bolt. In my experience, leaving plants
alone and seeing what happens will yield happy surprises more often than not. If you leave bolted
beet stems to overwinter, the following spring they’ll be lined with small florets of edible leaves
that offer a dramatic addition to salad. I harvest
beet buds, but have found chard plants (bottom
left) to be more productive. Until I discovered
chard’s flower buds, I wasn’t much of a chard
eater. Now, I tend to grow chard for the flower
spikes that radiate off the main stalk as it bolts.
Bolting chard takes up less room in the garden
than most brassicas. Plants can grow to 5 or
6 feet, and may need staking. Plants produce
dozens of stalks with edible flower buds. Harvest
when the buds are tight and beginning to show
a little yellow. They’re delicious any way you
cook them, but I recommend parboiling them
in lightly salted water and then dressing with
an aromatic olive oil. I also often cook them in
tomato sauce. The thick rib of the leaves can be
isolated from the leaf and cooked as well.

24 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 24 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Chicories
When chicories bolt, they go from modest 12- to 18-inch plants to 6-foot towers. These
huge plants produce lots of edible buds with plenty left over to blossom into delicate,
light-blue flowers (right). Leave at least a few plants to go fully to seed, and you’ll have
dozens of young plants the following spring.
These hardy perennials are the life cycle gardener’s dream plant. An Italian immigrant once
told me that gardeners in the Liguria region parboil the buds and add them to crumbled
sausage in a frying pan. The father of an Italian friend digs up young roots in the springtime
WILLIAM RUBEL (9)

for salad. Young leaves are mild enough for salad, while mature leaves may benefit from
parboiling. Belgian endive is sprouts from a chicory root dug out of the ground and then
grown indoors in sand. Chicory coffee is just coffee ground up with roasted chicory root.
A highly productive chicory with a flavor I love is Radicchio pan di Zucchero ‘Sugar Loaf.’

Cilantro and Coriander

If summers are hot where you live and you
hesitate to grow cilantro because of its pen-
chant for bolting, fear no more! Grow it for
the green seeds and exotic flowers (left). The
plant is traditionally harvested in two different
stages of its life cycle — the leaf cycle (cilantro)
and the seed cycle (coriander) — but the leaves, green seeds, and roots can all be used as
well. The roots, which you can add to salads, are a little milder than the leaves. Green
coriander has a fresh, lemony flavor that I enjoy with chicken. The lacy, white-to-pink
flowers grow on umbels, like dill and fennel, and are lovely enough to grow and sell as
cut flowers. The leaves growing around the flowers are feathery, and as aromatic as the
broader leaves used in cooking; add them to salads.

Collards and Kale

When a healthy collard bolts, it expands to become a reasonably sized shrub. I’ve had
plants grow 6 feet high, and just as wide. Plants produce lots of small, tasty leaves, but the
stars of the bolting collard are its sprouts, flowers, and young seed pods (below). Collard
buds are the sweetest of the brassicas (I prefer them to broccoli), and the flowers are gor-
geous. A large, blooming plant at its peak is a spectacular bee magnet.
Collard seed pods are my favorite life
cycle gardening discovery. Picked ten-
der, they’re a ringer for the finest French
haricots vert. Like a young string bean,
they can be boiled whole and served with
melted butter. I also like to fry them in very
hot olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and serve
as an appetizer. They become stringy if left
too long, so pay attention to them. For me,
collard seed pods are an archetypal home
vegetable crop—something delicious that
can’t be bought.
If you sell at a farmers market, collards
offer lots of options after the main leaf crop
is no longer of economic value. A single
plant can produce armfuls of flower stalks,
and sizable quantities of pods and sprouts.
Kale, a close relative of collards —
both are varieties of Brassica oleracea —
has yellow flowers and richly flavored
edible sprouts. It’s as productive a
sprout producer as collards.

TECHNIQUES/METHODS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 25

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 25 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Lettuce
Peel the stalks of bolting lettuce—younger stalks are best, before the buds emerge—and what
you have is something akin to cucumber. On a hot day, the kind of day that triggers bolting,
you’ll find the stalks (top left) to be delightful. A pile of stalks with all but the top few leaves
peeled off makes an enticing display at a farmers market.

Onions and Alliums

For a different approach, plant some bulbing
onions, including garlic, as cut-and-come-again
greens (right). Left alone to overwinter, bulbing
onions will divide and naturalize. Leeks pro-
duce bulbils at their base; leave these to grow in
place to produce an ever-expanding clump of
thin leeks, or separate and transplant bulbils to
create a standard crop.
In their second year, all onions put up a
cluster of long-lasting small flowers ranging
from white to pink to lavender. If you sell at
farmers markets and it works with your
production schedule, you could find a
crop of onion or chive flowers more
valuable than the onion bulbs them-
selves. A few onion flowers on a salad
will add color and flavor.

Radishes
Rather than grow radishes just for their
roots, let your plants flower out (pictured
at center left). The four-petaled radish
flower shows lovely tonalities of white,
pink, and mauve, and is host to the Sara
orangetip butterfly on the West Coast.
Radishes tend to grow into open-
flowering plants that can reach 18 inch-
es or more in height. The seed pods are
edible and can be harvested when ten-
der. Slice them into salads, cook them
whole as a side dish, or pickle them.

Tomatoes CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM: GETTY IMAGES/GESHAS; WILLIAM RUBEL (4)

Contrary to the widely

held belief you shouldn’t eat
them, tomato leaves (left) are,
in fact, edible, and contain
some of the same aromatic
compounds found in the
fruit. A few finely chopped
leaves added to tomato sauce
during the last few minutes
of cooking provide depth and
enhance freshness. Try adding
two or three leaves per pound
of tomatoes.

26 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 26 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Rig Up a Rainwater
Catchment System
Profit from rainy days with a system that’ll Why Collect Rainwater?
Water is life. Collecting precipitation for
collect and store your rainwater for future use. later use is a human practice as ancient
as our species. While it’s a largely passive
activity, it does require setting up infra-
Article and photos by Tracy Dahl gushes through the downspout and into a structure to accomplish the goal. Some
waiting rain barrel. The rain will water your people are lucky enough to live in an area

I
t begins slowly with the sound of a few garden for you, while the water collected with ample and well-timed precipitation.
drops of rain hitting the roof. As the will nurture your crops for days to come. For Where my wife and I live, in the Sangre
storm intensifies, the rain’s drumming gardeners and many others, saving rain- de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado,
rises to a crescendo, thunder booms, and water and snowmelt is an economic, precipitation is less reliable. Where you live
the sky opens up. Soon, a torrent of water sustainable, and enjoyable practice. and what purpose you have in mind should

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 27 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 determine the size and complexity of your North America, and, as climate change often perch on roofs, where, lacking any
system. What are your goals? intensifies, so too does the threat of wildfire sense of decorum, they poop at will. That
Gardening. Plants love rainwater. In most in more areas. Particularly in rural areas, can then flow down into your water storage
situations, it’s better for gardens than having a ready supply of water on hand with the next rainfall. Using precipitation
groundwater or treated city water. City water can be a major bonus for firefighters. for potable water significantly increases the
typically contains fluoride and chlorine, It’s also useful in wildfire mitigation complexity of the system. Multistage filtra-
neither of which are good for plants and soil efforts. Restoration forestry results in tion, and perhaps chemical treatment, may
microbes. In our area, groundwater tends to significant amounts of material that must be required.
be too salty, has too high of a pH level, and be eliminated in some manner, typically Control runoff. The water cascading
has too many dissolved solids for continu- by burning it off in slash piles. It’s wise to through the downspout during a storm can
ous agricultural use. These things tend to thoroughly extinguish any burning activity, become problematic in excessive quantity,
build up in the soil over time, showing up lest mitigation efforts lead to the very thing causing issues from minor erosion to flood-
as white, chalky-looking deposits, and you’re seeking to avoid — forest fire. ed basements. Putting water storage into
reducing the vitality of the garden. Potable water. Yes, rainwater and snow- the system at the home scale is somewhat
Rainwater (either directly from the sky or melt can be used as potable water. That analogous to installing a dam on a flood-
from a stored source) is not only better in said, proceed with caution. Numerous prone river. In most cases, storm surges
the short term, but it’s also better in the waterborne pathogens can cause serious ill- can simply be stored in the available head
long term, as it washes accumulated depos- ness if they end up in your cistern. Giardia space. Water can then be directed to a
its out of the soil, allowing sensitive biota lamblia, a microscopic parasite that causes useful purpose while capacity remains.
to thrive. giardiasis, or “beaver fever,” in humans, is When capacity is reached, water can be
Wildfire protection. Wildfire is already now common in many surface-water sourc- diverted to where it can do good — or at
a major concern in the western half of es. Birds, which can be Giardia carriers, least do no harm.

28 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 28 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 A commercial 80-gallon rain barrel (left) with a leaf strainer in the gutter above the downspout, and a 1,600-gallon cistern (right).

hydrologic cycle by removing that water

from the system. This obviously is not the
case, as the water isn’t being permanently
sequestered. What would be the point of
storing it and not using it? There were also
issues surrounding the legal concept of
prior appropriation and interstate water
compacts. Subsequent scientific studies
determined that the collection of rainwater
by citizens would have minimal impact on
the natural hydrologic cycle, and new legis-
lation began to loosen the regulations.
As rural Colorado landowners with a water
well, in 2009, we were able to participate
The surplus water from this north-side, 500-gallon tank overflows to an asparagus bed. in a pilot program that permitted us to col-
lect precipitation for watering up to 1 acre
Educational tool. Rainwater catchment puts us fully into the hydrologic cycle and of garden area. In 2016, another law was
is a great way to teach children about the in control of the most basic requirement passed that allows residential homeowners
importance of saving — in this case, for a for life. to collect up to 110 gallons of rainwater,
non-rainy day. Unlike a savings account in Economics. Water wells are expensive and, but only for landscaping or gardening pur-
a bank, which is a rather abstract concept, in our area, somewhat problematic. Many poses. Neither law allows for the potable
water storage is real and immediate. Even people choose to haul water from municipal use of catchment water.
at 60 years old, I still get excited hearing taps. By harvesting precipitation, it may be
the cisterns fill up. possible to reduce the expense of hauling Do the Math
Conservation. In many places, water is a water, or eliminate the cost of a well. How much stored rainwater do you
scarce commodity. This can be especially need? If you’re served by a municipal
true in cities, where burgeoning populations Legal Issues water supply, then you can simply read
and aging water infrastructure combine The federal government has no restric- your monthly statement.
to stress the water supply. We sometimes tions on rainwater harvesting, and every How much can you expect to harvest
seem blithely unaware of water wastage state has now legalized rainwater collec- from your roof area? Here’s the starting
when we turn on a faucet, but when it’s tion, with some even offering incentives. point:
coming out of a rain barrel, we know it’s a Colorado (where we live) has arguably been
finite supply, and we tend to make every the state with the most restrictive laws. 1 inch of water on 1 square foot of roof =
drop count. The idea that you have no legal right to the 0.623 gallons
Sustainability. Water, food, and shelter water that falls on your roof may sound ab- 10 inches of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof =
are necessary for survival. Note that water surd, but here’s where it comes from: There 6,230 gallons
is the first thing on the list. Harvesting pre- was previously a concern that harvesting 20 inches of rain on 2,000 square feet of roof =
cipitation is a core sustainability activity. It rainwater could interfere with the natural 24,920 gallons

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 29

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 29 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 CLOCKWISE FROM FAR RIGHT: Parts of a rainwater catchment system include a half-turn hose spigot, a route for overflow water, a debris strainer, and
a secondary inlet filter. You can find and use affordable parts, such as inexpensive kitchen sink strainers, when creating your catchment system.

First, determine how many inches of lots of good reasons to harvest precipitation. All rainwater catchment systems share
rainfall your area receives in the months So, how do you do it? Again, it depends on some common components:
you want to harvest precipitation (charts what your goals are. We only wanted to have A gutter and downspout system. Chances
are available through the National Weather water available for gardening and possibly are good that your home already has this.
Service). Next, calculate your roof area in for fire suppression. Some folks may only Rain barrel or cistern. There are many
square feet. Multiply those two numbers want a single rain barrel. Others may have possibilities (plastic, metal, concrete), and
together, and then multiply the product by more ambitious ideas, including using it each material has advantages and draw-
0.623 to come up with the average amount for potable water. Many places now offer backs. The bottom line is that you should
of water in gallons you can expect to harvest. commercially available rainwater catchment use what’s locally available, since ship-
products, and even consultation, design, ping big, empty tanks around the country
Create Your Catchment and installation services, if you don’t want is neither economic nor sustainable. Note
It’s legal to collect rainwater (with some to take it on yourself, but you can easily that the larger you go in tank size, the lower
state-by-state restrictions), and there are start small. the cost per gallon of storage will be. If you
choose to go with recycled plastic drums,
try to find ones used for transporting bulk
food rather than chemicals. Also, I prefer
drums with fully removable lids, as you can
get inside to install bulkhead fittings, and
clean them out periodically.
Primary filtration. We use leaf excluders in
the gutters and inexpensive sink strainers at
the entry point of the tank. The sink strain-
ers keep most of the debris out of the water
and exclude mosquitoes and other insects.
Standard plumbing components. This cat-
egory includes piping (PVC, ABS, flexible
corrugated, etc.), bulkhead fittings, and
hose faucets.
That's about it for a simple system. If
you want to use your harvested precipita-
tion as potable water, the ante is upped
The solar array (left) and power panel (right) power heat tape that prevents valve freezing. considerably, including:

30 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 30 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Catchment in Cold Weather
We like to start our spring gardening
season with full tanks of water. Since
we live 8,000 feet above sea level, a
lot of our precipitation occurs as snow.
Snow catchers on our metal roofs prevent
the snow from simply sliding off. As it
melts, it goes into the gutters and into
the tanks. Once the tanks are ¾ full,
we divert the incoming water to areas
where it can harmlessly drain away. The
water will partially freeze in midwinter,
A 400-gallon cistern behind a south-facing solar wall helps moderate the building temperature. but the plastic tanks allow for expansion
with no ill effects. In our environment,
First flush diverter. This system prevents recycled pickle barrels to commercial tanks located where they have some solar
much of the dust and sediments that’ve cisterns for our roughly 5,000 gallons exposure tend to stay thawed out, and
collected on your roof since the last rain of water storage. We harvest water from the valves will continue to flow to well
from entering your water storage. multiple roofs: the house, the green- below freezing. That said, we did have
Multistage filtration. Two to four filters, house/power structure, and the garage. a valve freeze and crack on one of our
beginning with a 50-micron sediment Following permaculture design principles, 1,600-gallon tanks last winter, located on
filter and ending with a 0.5-micron filter, our greenhouses and garden areas are the north side of our garage. By the time
to ensure that Giardia cysts are removed. close to where we harvest the water. we noticed it, we’d lost more than 1,000
Activated charcoal filters can remove For most of our water storage, we use gallons of water; by the time we repaired
additional contaminants. Guido tanks made by Rotational Molding it, we’d lost several hundred more gal-
Pressure pump(s). When filtering, Inc. We like them because they’re cost- lons. Fortunately, we could transfer water
you need an active system to push the effective, and the dark-green plastic from other tanks to have a supply on hand
water through. blocks light and prevents it from getting in time for planting. We’ve subsequently
Chemical treatment. Many people who use through to the water, where it can cause enclosed that tank and wrapped the valve
precipitation (or groundwater) for potable algae growth. The tanks are marked with with 12-volt heat tape powered by a small
water chlorinate it to ensure that it’s clean the gallon capacity, but since we can’t solar PV system (see images on opposite
and free of bacteria and possible patho- see through the plastic, we’ve had to page, bottom) and insulation.
gens. This can be an automated system, or become adept at “tank thumping” to Harvesting rainwater can be as simple
you can periodically add chlorine to your determine the level. Note that flow out or as complicated as you choose to make
tanks manually. The latter is somewhat of the tanks varies with the height of the it. If you feel any trepidation, start small.
of a best guess, as the amount of fresh, water inside. Water blasts out when the Once you try it, you’ll come to enjoy
untreated water in the tank will continually tanks are full, but reduces as the tanks the many benefits of rainwater harvest-
vary. If you do choose to chlorinate, use an empty. We initially tried using soaker ing — and the sound of naturally occurring
activated charcoal filter as the final stage. hoses in the gardens, but between vari- water dripping, trickling, and gush-
You can choose to filter down to the final able pressure and possible algae growth ing — because water in the tank feels like
stages at only one spigot for drinking and in the hoses, it was a bust. money in the bank.
cooking purposes.

Our Systems
Our water-harvesting systems are di- Rainwater Resources
verse and simple. Since bedrock isn’t far American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association: www.ARCSA.org
below the surface on our property, we use BlueBarrel: www.BlueBarrelSystems.com
aboveground tanks almost exclusively. To Innovative Water Solutions: www.WaterCache.com/FAQs/Rainwater-Harvesting-Benefits
the extent possible, we rely on gravity to RainHarvest Systems: www.RainHarvest.com/Shop
move water from one place to another. Rotational Molding Inc.: www.RotationalMoldingInc.com/Products/Tanks
Gravity has proven to be reliable over the World Water Reserve: www.WorldWaterReserve.com/Rainwater-Harvesting/Is-It-Illegal-
years, whereas pumps tend to be a bit To-Collect-Rainwater
more problematic. We use everything from

Water, food, and shelter are keys to surviving a natural disasters — or a pandemic — make sure you’re prepared
STAYING ALIVE with our Survival Skills Course through MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR ONLINE, www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com.

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 31

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 31 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Hanging
Herb Planter
Grow parsley, basil,
and more in small
spaces with this
vertical plant hanger.

Article and photos

by Shelley Levis

T
his hanging planter is a fun
do-it-yourself project, and it’s
perfect for small spaces. Not
only is it useful, it also provides a
decorative appeal to the kitchen.
Use insert pots to prevent a
mess when watering your herbs.
Depending on the size of terra cotta
pots you choose, a 4-inch or 6-inch
plastic pot wrapped with a plastic
sandwich bag can be slipped into
each terra cotta pot to avoid spills.
1 Paint the pots as desired with
acrylic paint. Use a letter stencil to
paint the name of the herb to be
planted in each pot.
2 Place each plastic potted herb
into one of the terra cotta pots, and
set them aside.

Tools & Materials

• Terra cotta pots (3)
• Acrylic paints, for terra cotta
• Letter stencil
• Yarn or wool
• Macramé ring, metal or wood
• Soilless mix
• Herbs

32 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 32 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 3 For the macramé hanger,
choose a thick yarn or wool as
bulky as you can find in your color
preference. Cut three pieces, each
about 41⁄2 yards long. If you’re us-
ing pots larger than 4 inches, add
another 1⁄2 yard or so to each piece
to allow for more length.
4 Thread all three yarn strands
through the macramé ring, slide
it down until it’s centered on the
strands, and then, for each strand,
make a simple square knot tied
tightly to the ring.
5 You’ll now have six strands.
Divide these into pairs, forming
three sets of pairs. Hang the ring on
something solid, which will allow
you to use gravity to set your lengths
when you do the next few knots.
6 Measure down 15 inches
from the top knot, and knot the
two strands hanging to the left to-
gether. Repeat this with the middle
and right pairs, making sure all the
knots are approximately the same
distance from the top knot.
7 Gather all six strands together,
and do another square knot, about
4 inches below the last three knots.
This is the first pocket.
8 For the second pocket, mea-
sure 6 inches from the square knot.
This provides room to insert the
plant below the first pocket. (Again,
adjust the lengths if you’re using
bigger pots.) Divide the six strands
into three pairs, and knot each pair
again. Gather together, move down
another 4 inches, and square-knot
the six strands together.
9 For the last pocket, measure
6 inches down from the last square
knot, and knot in pairs. Measure
4 inches down, and knot all strands
together with a square knot.
NOTE: If you want, add a wood
bead or a piece of driftwood at the
end, and then put another square
knot below to hold it in place.
10 Place your potted herbs in the
hanger. Space out the strands so
they securely hold the pots in place.
Hang the planter from the ceiling
near a window, and enjoy!

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 33 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Hill Farm’s
High Tunnels
These shelters offer year-round protection to Hill Farm’s ‘vintage
vegetables,’ defending them from record rainfalls and bitter winds.

By Kurt Jacobson cept they aren’t heated. Like most modern tunnel is finding a parcel that’s flat and
greenhouses, high tunnels use a plastic cov- easily accessible. Placing the high tunnels

I
n 2018, Hill Farm Vintage Vegetables ering to protect crops from excess rainfall close to home, as the Hills have done,
prospered as thousands of other farm- while letting in sunshine. During winter, makes tending the crops easier. Good sun
ers lost most of their crops. The record the Hills are also able to grow cool-weather exposure is also essential, but some shade
rainfall that hit much of the mid-Atlantic crops, the envy of most vegetable farmers. during the day is OK. For growing crops
didn’t adversely affect Scott and Susan Many growing zones are suitable to high in winter, southern exposure is important
Hill’s farm in Louisa, Virginia, thanks to tunnels. Hill Farm is located in Zone 7b, for light and heat.
their high tunnels. By cultivating in raised but Susan told me she has friends grow- You’ll also need to consider a water
beds under protective high tunnels, Hill ing under high tunnels in Maine. “If you source when siting your high tunnel.
Farm grows crops year-round. It profits choose your crops wisely, you can grow You’ll want an accessible source nearby
by supplying customers with early- and year-round in a wide range of growing for irrigating plants. The Hills use well
late-season crops, and it can survive exces- zones,” Susan says. If your area receives water that’s distributed using Scott’s
sive rain. While other farmers lost millions significant snowfall, the “Gothic peak” dual-watering system (Homestead

KURT JACOBSON (2)

of dollars, the Hills were able to continue design will shed snow efficiently. You can Hacks, April/May 2018). High tunnel
supplying produce to customers. grow gorgeous greens all winter long. farming requires daily work, so if you
High tunnels, also known as “hoop An essential factor in determining can make watering less labor-intensive,
houses,” are similar to greenhouses, ex- whether your land is suitable for a high that’ll save valuable time.

High tunnels protect crops

from the elements while
letting in plenty of sunlight.

TOP: SCOTT AND SUSAN HILL

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 34 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 The cost of a high tunnel depends on
several factors, including size, quality, and
parts. The Hills use 48-by-24-foot tunnels,
because they find this size easiest to work,
and they’ve learned that it dissipates heat
more effectively than a 100-foot-long tun-
nel. They opt for 6-mil-thick plastic cover-
ing, costing around $350, and have found
that it lasts five years. Instead of the kit
doors sold by most high tunnel manufac-
turers, Scott developed his own system. “I
use a basic roll-up garage door for around
$200 instead of the $600 kit door,” Scott
says. “A standard boat winch used to roll
up the sides for ventilation is linked to a
brick for a counterweight.” These innova-
tions are cost-efficient and easy to operate.
Hill Farm has four high tunnels, pur-
chased from FarmTek for around $7,000
each. If you shop around, you’ll find it’s
easy to spend significantly more. The
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service provides
grant programs that can help defray the
purchase cost. To qualify, applicants have
to meet certain requirements, including
growing crops in-ground or in raised beds,
owning the land, and having grown on the
farm previously, among other things.
Once you have your design picked out,
KURT JACOBSON (2)

plan on a week or so to set it up yourself

(with the help of friends and family), or
pay to have it set up quickly. The Hills
have set up their own high tunnels in the TOP: Hire help to erect your high tunnel to free up time for preparing and planting your garden.
past, but with newer ones, they opted to BOTTOM: Susan Hill stands among rows of healthy greens growing inside the high tunnel.
pay for setup. Construction of their first
high tunnel took four days with two work- each end. In winter, these same above- Hill Farm sells exclusively to its com-
ers, and then two days with three work- door windows are closed off with PVC munity-supported agriculture (CSA) pro-
ers on the second high tunnel. If you can film, as the side ventilation is sufficient. gram customers. Sell to farmers markets,
afford to pay a setup crew, that’ll free up Once everything is set up and ready restaurants, a CSA, or even grocery stores.
time to get your raised beds prepared for for crops, you’ll hopefully have re- Thoughtful planning on your customer
irrigation, and your beds ready for plant- searched what grows well and sells best. base is and what they’ll want will increase
ing. If you pay to have the high tunnel set The Hills have grown early- and late- your chances of success.
up, plan on it being done in 4 to 6 hours. season berries, winter greens, veggies, In 2018, Susan was named Virginia
Airflow is vital in high tunnels. Hill flowers, and crops as unusual as papa- State University’s Andy Hankins Small
Farm’s high tunnels have ventilation yas. Susan recommends carrots, lettuces, Farmer of the Year out of 43,000
“windows” above the doors. Scott has brassicas (particularly Asian cultivars), small farms! Scott and Susan welcome
TOP: SCOTT AND SUSAN HILL

made adjustments to this design for parsnips, turnips, and radishes; and in visitors to their farm to help aspiring
their growing zone. During hot summer summer, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, market gardeners learn to be success-
days, the side ventilation isn’t enough cucumbers, and herbs. “We’ve eliminat- ful. If you can learn from farmers like
to bleed off heat, necessitating the ed heirloom tomatoes in our tunnels,” the Hills, your chances of success will
addition of windows above the doors on she says. “Hybrids can take the heat!” increase dramatically.

During his DIY Market Gardening Course, Keith Arkenberg takes a tour of his 1-acre market garden and details the tools
GOING TO MARKET and equipment he uses every day. Find out more through MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR ONLINE, www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com.

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 35

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 35 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 DIY Two-Wheel
Garden Cart
Build this one-sheet wonder for hauling, planting, and cleaning up,
and enjoy the stability a garden cart offers over a wheelbarrow.

36 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 36 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Article by Spike Carlsen CART BIN ASSEMBLY
Illustrations by Elayne Sears

S
ure, you can throw 50 pounds
of bone meal over one shoulder,
tuck a hoe under another, and
wrestle with a tray of seedlings as you
teeter out to the garden — or you can
build this all-purpose garden cart to
make the journey way more conve-
nient (and less painful).
The bicycle wheels on this cart will
make negotiating rough terrain easy,
and the plywood construction makes
it sturdy, lightweight, and simple to
build. The cart is well-balanced, so
it’ll stay put in both horizontal and
tilt-down positions, allowing for easy
loading or unloading of materials.
You can build your cart from treated
plywood for greater longevity, but that
material is harder to work with than
standard plywood.
I suggest using exterior-grade ply-
wood, which is lighter, smoother, flat-
ter, easier to glue, and easier to work A Good, Strong Base
with than treated plywood. Lay out the 3⁄4-inch plywood parts
To protect the plywood, give it a as shown in the cutting diagram (top
coat of primer, followed by two or of Page 38), and then cut them to size Tools and Materials
three coats of exterior paint. You can using a circular saw. Cut the side axle • Circular saw
also increase longevity by storing the braces (J) from 1⁄2-inch plywood. You • Drill and drill bits
cart inside or covering it with a tarp can use a jig to help make the 45-de- • 4x8 sheet 3⁄4-inch exterior-grade ply-
when not in use. gree bevels on Parts D and E, or cut wood (1, for Parts A to H and P)
them freehand. • 11⁄2-by-311⁄2-inch strip 1⁄2-inch
Cart Smarts Drill 1 ⁄ 8 -inch holes through the exterior-grade plywood (2 for Part J)
I’ve always been a wheelbarrow guy, edges of the side pieces (A, B) for the • 1x4 pine board, 311⁄2 inches long
but after using the prototype I built to screws used to secure the back, front, (1 for Part O)
haul dirt, brush, mulch, and firewood, and bottom. • 11⁄4-inch diameter wooden closet
I’ve become a garden cart guy. Have a helper hold the side pieces rod, 33 inches long (1 for Part Q)
Why? The cart is stable in any po- on edge, facing each other, and install • 20-inch spoked wheels (2 for Part L)
sition, even when fully loaded. I can the back panel (C) using construction • 1⁄2-inch threaded rod, 48 inches long
push it with one hand. I can pivot the adhesive and 2-inch screws. (1 for Part I)
front down for loading and unloading Next, position the front panel (D), • 1⁄2-inch fender washers (4 for Part K)
everything from mulch to four neigh- making sure the 45-degree end cuts of • 1⁄2-inch lock nuts (2 for Part M)
borhood kids. (Yup, we tried it.) The the panel and the 45-degree cuts on • 1⁄2-inch cap nuts (2 for Part N)
large-diameter wheels make it easy to the sides are even, and then install that • 11⁄4-inch exterior screws
negotiate rough terrain and low steps. panel using construction adhesive and • 2-inch exterior screws
And, because of the balance, there’s 2-inch screws. • 8d finish nails
much less strain on the arms and back Set the box you’ve created on a flat • Construction adhesive
than with a wheelbarrow. surface and test-fit the bottom (E). It
When hauling concrete, rocks, and should be a snug fit; if it’s too long,
other super-heavy, rough stuff, I’ll re- trim the square end. Apply construc-
vert to my wheelbarrow. But for ev- tion adhesive on all four sides and
erything else, I’ll grab my homemade secure the bottom to the sides, front,
two-wheeled wonder. and back with 2-inch screws.

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 37

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 37 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Cut List
Refer to the cutting diagram (above) for exact shapes of Pieces A, B, and P. Parts D
and E will need ends cut at a 45-degree angle. Part G can be cut from an oak board for
additional strength. All the parts listed below will be cut from 3⁄4-inch plywood.

PART SIZE AND MATERIAL QUANTITY

(A) right side 14 by 48 inches 1
(B) left side 14 by 48 inches 1
(C) back 14 by 30 inches 1
(D) front 193⁄4 by 30 inches 1
(E) bottom 33 by 30 inches 1
(F) front brace 31⁄2 by 311⁄2 inches 1
(G) middle brace 31⁄2 by 311⁄2 inches 1
(H) rear brace 31⁄2 by 311⁄2 inches 1
(P) leg/handle 28 by 30 inches 2

LEG/HANDLE DETAIL

38 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 38 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 AXLE ASSEMBLY

Get Rolling solid contact with the side of the cart. for a test spin to see how the legs and
Flip the cart body upside down. Add Determine how far the axle will extend handles feel in terms of length and
the three 3⁄4-inch bottom braces (F, G, past the other side of the cart to sup- angle. Adjust the angle, or cut the
H) as shown, using construction adhe- port the wheels and hardware on that legs or handles shorter, based on your
sive and 11⁄4-inch screws. The location side. Install a standard 1⁄2-inch nut on height and a comfortable wheeling an-
of the middle brace (G) is critical be- the threaded rod to the inside of your gle. Once you find the right position,
cause it determines the location of the cutting point. leg, and handle length, install the leg/
axle and affects the balance of the cart. Use a hacksaw to cut the axle to its handle pieces using screws only. After
If you’ve chosen wheels that aren’t 20 final length, and then twist this nut using the cart a few times to make cer-
inches, experiment with the position off; it’ll reshape the threads on the rod tain it feels right, permanently install
of the middle brace and axle location so your lock nut will go on more eas- the leg/handle pieces using construc-
to make sure your cart will tilt cor- ily. Reinstall the axle, along with all tion adhesive and screws.
rectly and feel well-balanced. the wheels and hardware. Drill holes through the ends of the
Center the axle (I) on the middle Make sure everything fits tightly, leg/handle pieces to match the diam-
brace (G). Install the side axle braces and then install the outer axle brace eter of the cross handle (Q), and insert
(J) tightly on either side of the axle, (O) as shown, using construction ad- it. Pin each end of the cross handle to
and secure them with construction hesive and 2-inch screws. the plywood handles with 8d finish
adhesive and 11⁄4-inch screws. Install nails.
a washer (K), wheel (L), washer (K), Walk This Way
lock nut (M), and axle cap (N) on Use a couple of screws to tempo-
one end of the axle, and then push rarily hold the leg/handle pieces (P) Spike Carlsen has been involved with
the wheel assembly over until it makes in the position shown. Take the cart wood and woodworking for more than
30 years, and lives in Minnesota.
He’s the former executive editor of
Family Handyman and the author

I can pivot the front down for loading and of a number of woodworking books.
This is excerpted from his book, The
unloading everything from mulch to four Backyard Homestead Book of Building
Projects (used with permission from
neighborhood kids. (Yup, we tried it.) Storey Publishing).

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 39

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 39 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Grow a
Green Roof
Turn your roof into a canopy of lovely plants
that will keep your house comfortable year-round.

By Chris McClellan water that would otherwise go down the

gutter. Wood shingles are natural and re-

I
like buildings to “fit in” like they’ve newable if made from sustainably grown
always been a natural part of the wood. Slate is also natural and very long-
landscape. I build walls out of natural lasting. Reed thatch is long-lasting with
materials, such as mud and straw, and use a very low environmental impact. All of
posts and ceilings made from local wood, these options are fairly expensive, especial-
with the bark left on when possible. My ly if you want your roof to be any shape
favorite foundations are stone with mortar other than a rectangle.
you can’t see. It bothers me when the My friend Ianto Evans likens the roof
biggest, most visible part of a house—its of a building to a good hat. It has to keep
roof—sticks out of the landscape glaringly, out the rain, wind, and sun. It must keep
as modern materials tend to do. Maybe you warm in winter and cool in summer.
there’s something to my grandmother’s In climates like mine, your roof may also
claim of being half-hobbit—and not just have to hold up several thousand pounds
because I’m short and plump and like to of wet snow in winter. Of course, it also
go barefoot. In my opinion, there’s no ought to look good because the first thing
more pleasing way to cover a shelter than people see is your hat. A roof isn’t as easy
with living flowers, vines, and grasses. to change as a hat, so it needs to be a hat
A lot of roofs seem to be built primarily for all seasons.
with economy in mind. Not the kind If you wander through the cottages
of economy that looks for overall cost- and courtyards of Ianto’s Cob Cottage
effectiveness through a long life free from Company campus — affectionately
trouble — just economy in the sense known as “Cobville” (www.CobCottage
of affordable installation. Let someone .com) — you’ll see that the hats on his
else worry about whether it needs to be buildings consist of nothing more than
replaced in 15 years instead of 25 or 50, or a waterproof membrane topped with
where to dispose of the tar-impregnated a growing medium and plants. Most
remains. Of course, I’m speaking of asphalt builders add a layer of padding to protect
roofing. You see it everywhere because it’s the membrane, as well as a drainage
cheap and so ugly that everyone has tacitly layer — usually small rounded pea
agreed to ignore it. People inclined to put gravel—to get rid of excess water. Pools
lipstick on pigs can order “architectural- of water invite leaks and mosquitoes, and
grade” asphalt shingles. They don’t last water and wet soil can get dangerously
much longer, but they come in different heavy, so drainage is important.
shapes and colors, and they cost more. Fancy architectural magazines advertise
Metal roofs are a little better environ- complicated living roof systems, and
mentally. They tend to last, are recyclable, heavy roofs with large spans do need
and allow you to catch and use the rain- special engineering, but a simple living

40 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 40 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Living roofs blend beautifully
into the landscape, and they
can be cheap or even free if
you’re resourceful.

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 41 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 A well-built roof will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. But you can focus on beauty as well as brawn by choosing plants with alluring blooms.

roof on a small building needn’t be heavy manure mixed with straw will also do A living roof doesn’t need to be
if the plants and their growing medium the trick. Regular soil is generally too expensive — it can even be free if you’re
are chosen carefully. Such a setup can heavy because its aggregate (sand, silt, resourceful. I use sticky-back plastic
be less than the weight of three layers and clay) adds weight without adding roofing membrane scraps because they seal
of shingles, which is the normal load the nutrient- or water-holding capacity to each other and work with complicated
design of a conventional roof. Special the plants need most. Anything more roof shapes. Plus, I can dumpster-dive
potting soils made of lightweight perlite than 2 to 3 inches of a very light for them. Other folks I know have used
aggregate are available, but 2 to 3 medium would require a stronger roof multiple layers of recycled billboard tarps
inches of compost or aged goat or horse structure than normal. padded with used carpet or cardboard.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: LEN CHURCHILL; DOWN TO EARTH DESIGN/WWW.BUILDNATURALLY.COM; CHRIS MCCLELLAN
Keep Your Cottage Cozy With Insulation
Like any roof over a living space, a living roof
2” to 3” growing medium
needs insulation under it. On the cheap end,
I’ve insulated with used carpet and cardboard.

DOWN TO EARTH DESIGN/WWW.BUILDNATURALLY.COM; PAGE 40-41: TONY WRENCH

Builder Tony Wrench keeps his cottage cozy
with entire straw bales tucked under the washed gravel
membrane. It works, but when he had
to go in for repairs 20 years on, he
noted that condensation under the rigid insulation
membrane had caused some decay geotextile filter fabric
in the outer 2 inches of the bales. waterproofing membrane
Some types of insulation, such as roofing felt
straw bale, fiberglass, or cellulose, need
to “breathe,” so the inside of the roof rafter sheathing
has to be vented to allow condensation
to escape. Foam insulation doesn’t need
to breathe and is thus far more effective per wall
drip edge
inch, but it’s also expensive and has a high
spacer for drainage
environmental cost.
fascia boards

42 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 42 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Build Your Own
Architect Sigi Koko recommends
consulting with an experienced designer
or engineer, especially on bigger projects.
A living roof can add 10 to 50 pounds
per square foot to your roof load, so you
must find out whether your roof can
handle the additional weight. Existing
cottages or sheds with small roofs and
small spans may take a living roof with
no additional structure. If you’re planning
such a building, boosting your roof
sheathing from 1⁄2-inch to 5⁄8-inch and
your rafters and beams from 2-by-6 to
2-by-8 may be enough.

(www.BuildNaturally.com). Her buildings

Tony Wrench, author of A Simple likes to use local wild plants for her are beautiful, but the benefits she sees
Roundhouse Manual, used a piece of living roofs. “(Native plants) are in living roofs go far beyond looks. She
EPDM pond liner on the roof of his generally very well-acclimatized to that explains how a living roof catches and
cottage. It wasn’t cheap, so he was quite specific spot. They’re going to do very slows down the runoff from a rainstorm
frustrated when it started leaking after well. Plus, they’re usually free for the that would normally rush directly off,
eight years instead of its expected life span gathering,” she says. The wild geranium causing flooding and erosion downstream.
of 50-plus years. she found in her woods has completely The plants filter the air around the house
He’s had no problems since relining colonized the compost layer covering and help keep the temperature more
his roof with a UV-protected silage tarp. her woodshed, along with fiddlehead comfortable year-round, particularly in
Whatever membrane you use, you summer, when they block much of
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: LEN CHURCHILL; DOWN TO EARTH DESIGN/WWW.BUILDNATURALLY.COM; CHRIS MCCLELLAN

must guard against puncture from the sun from even reaching the roof.
above or below. After you get a And when they “sweat,” they radiate
good jungle growing up there, you There’s no more pleasing even more heat back into the sky, like
may not be able to tell where a leak a big evaporative cooler.
originated. Tony’s roof is a jungle way to cover a shelter than An example of this is a real-life
indeed. In addition to native sod, hobbit house tucked under a canopy
he has arctic strawberries, sedum, with a living roof of flowers, of oaks in a suburban backyard in
and grapevines that provide a lot Texas. The neighborhood children
vines, and grasses.
DOWN TO EARTH DESIGN/WWW.BUILDNATURALLY.COM; PAGE 40-41: TONY WRENCH

of shade and about 35 pounds of love how the 2-foot-thick earthen

grapes each year. walls and a living roof keep the
Sedums are a favorite plant for playhouse comfortable through
living roofs because they require little hot summers and cool winters.
soil and develop a dense root structure that ferns and local sedum. Like Tony, Builder Tracy McCloud of Belton, Texas,
helps them stay happy in extreme hot, cold, Deanne mixes pieces of rotted wood loves the way living roofs allow her tiny
wet, or dry conditions that would kill most into her straw-manure mix to help cottages to blend into the landscape,
other plants. They also grow beautiful little hold it in place while the plant roots where before there was only concrete
flowers. If you intermix several varieties, are establishing themselves. The rotting and steel. Local birds love the way they
you can get a constantly changing display wood also acts like a sponge to hold can nest on her living roof safe from
of colors that lasts most of the year. If you additional moisture and nutrients where predators, and seeds from their droppings
plant one variety, like a friend of mine did, the plants can access them. You can read have helped cover the roof with a variety
you’ll get a drab brown roof for 50 weeks more about Deanne’s techniques at of drought-tolerant native grasses. “It’s its
of the year and an amazing purple carpet www.StrawbaleStudio.org. own little bioregion up there,” Tracy says.
for the remaining two. Architect Sigi Koko takes a more “A lot like the prairie that used to cover
Deanne Bednar of Oxford, Michigan, studied approach to her living roofs this part of Texas.”

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 43

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 43 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 Build a Garden
Fence on a Budget
Add beauty and functionality to your growing space
with a durable wooden fence that won’t break the bank.

Article and photos by Jake Lasorsa

W
hen we moved into our new
home, we were thrilled that the
previous owners had already
installed six raised garden beds in the sunny
backyard. Unfortunately, our dogs were just
as thrilled as we were. They loved digging in
the rich soil, and they would beeline straight

Tools & Materials

• Chalk line reel
• Measuring tape
• Auger or posthole digger
• Box of 2-inch all-purpose wood screws
• Drill
• Phillips head drill bit driver
• 80-pound bags of cement (2)
• 4-by-100-foot rolls of steel welded-
wire fencing (2)
• Wire cutters
• Box of fence staples
• Hammer
• Miter saw
• Box of 4-inch Phillips head
decking screws
• Reciprocating saw or handsaw
• 4-by-4-inch copper pyramid post
caps, optional (10)
• Box of finishing nails, optional
• Nail gun, optional
• Gate hardware kit
• 8-foot-long 4x4s for fence post (10)
• 10-foot-long 4x4s for fence post (2)
• Scrap 1x2s for bracing
• 8-foot-long 2x4s (13)
• 12-foot-long 1x12
A wooden fence can be adjusted according to your space and what supplies you have on hand.

44 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 44 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 to the beds whenever we let them outside. Finally, we primarily grow flowers and entrance and the 8-foot posts in the re-
That was fine in winter, but we knew we’d medicinal herbs, so we don’t battle much maining holes. To keep the fence posts
need a secure fence come spring. with food-eating pests, such as squirrels or straight while you add the concrete, use
While designing our fence, we had four rabbits. If you do, however, you may want the 2-inch screws and two scrap 1x2s
goals: It needed to be cost-effective, simple to use a tighter weave than the welded temporarily screwed into adjacent sides
enough to build ourselves, attractive, and wire we selected to keep our big dogs out of each post at a 45-degree angle to prop
sturdy enough to hold up over many years. of the space. them up.
Our garden beds butt up against our 4 Mix the cement according to the
neighbor’s fence, so we designed a three- Build the Fence instructions on the bag, and then pour
sided fence to capitalize on their existing 1 Outline your proposed fence with a it into the first hole, filling it halfway.
wall. This saved us about a quarter of the chalk reel, leaving a 4-foot-wide space for Repeat this step until you’ve added
price on materials, along with a significant the gate. Measure and mark where you’ll cement to each of the fence post holes.
amount of time. If you can go this route, want each fence post. We placed our fence Let the cement harden overnight before
check with your neighbor before building to posts approximately 7 feet apart, except for removing the temporary supports and
make sure your fence doesn’t interfere with the 10-foot-tall posts that support our gate, moving on to Step 5.
the structural integrity of theirs. which are 4 feet apart. 5 Align the edge of the welded steel
Our fence is rectangular in shape, with 2 Use an auger or posthole digger to wire with one of the corner posts, and then
two 35-foot-long sides and one 18-foot-long dig a deep, straight hole for each fence use fence staples and a hammer to secure
side that includes a 4-foot-wide gate. (The post. Plan to bury the 8-foot-tall posts the wire to the post. Unroll the wire slowly,
other short side is our neighbor’s fence.) 3 feet in the ground, and the 10-foot-tall stapling it to the next post while keeping it
The materials list on Page 44 will get you posts 4 feet deep. The taller posts will as taut as possible. Continue until you’ve
started in the right direction, but you may serve as the foundation for the entryway securely wrapped the entire perimeter
need to tweak it based on your garden’s size gate and trellis. (except the entrance) in wire. (We have
and whether you have scrap lumber to use 3 After digging all the holes, place about 8 inches of wire extending from our
or an existing fence to build off. the 10-foot posts on either side of the corner posts to our neighbor’s fence; this

If you grow food crops, consider using welded wire with a tighter weave than pictured to deter small animals from invading your garden.

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 45

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 45 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 has been enough to keep our dogs from
squeezing through without actually
attaching our fence to theirs.)
6 Measure the distance between each
fence post (except the entrance), and trim
an 8-foot-long 2x4 to fit snugly between
each post horizontally.
7 With the help of a friend, balance
the first trimmed 2x4 directly above the
wire in the space between the first two
posts. Rotate the board so it’s flat, with a
4-inch side facing up. Attach the board to
the posts with two 4-inch decking screws
on either side. Position the screws at
45-degree angles so they travel through Once you've assembled your fence, a copper post topper adds a nice final touch.
the underside of the board and into the
side of the fence post. Repeat this pro- the gate will fit, and trim the two horizontal either end of the board where you’ll need
cess until all the fence posts — except boards if the gate is too wide. to trim it to fit.
the two that will hold the gate — are con- 3 You’ll want a 5- or 6-inch clearance 5 Trim the support board to fit, and
nected with horizontal 2x4s. along the bottom of the gate, so hold up the then connect it to the door frame with two
8 If the depths of the fence post holes boards that will make the vertical sides of 2-inch screws on either corner.
vary somewhat, trim the tops of the fence the door frame, and trim them to a height 6 Cut a piece of welded steel wire to
posts with a reciprocating saw or handsaw that’s comfortable for you. When the gate fit the door frame, and then staple it all
so they’re all the same height. pieces are the size you want, lay them out around the perimeter of the frame.
9 We liked the aesthetic of capping on the ground in a square, and attach them 7 Attach the gate hardware to the door,
each post with a copper top. You can with two 2-inch screws on each corner, so and then hold the door in place so you can
also buy solar-powered tops, which would all four pieces are joined in a solid square. mark with a pencil where you’ll attach the
help you keep an eye on your garden at 4 Lay an 8-foot-long 2x4 at a 45- latch and hinges on the posts.
night. Gently tap the cap down on the post degree angle on top of the square frame, 8 Use 2-inch screws to attach the
until it’s secure, and then use a nail gun so it runs from the top of the inside left- hinges and the latch to the marked areas
or hammer to add a few finishing nails hand corner to the bottom of the inside on the gate posts.
through the side of each cap for added se- right-hand corner. Mark the points on 9 To make the decorative trellis above
curity. (This step is optional.) the gate, cut the 12-foot-long
10 Use fence staples and a 1x12 into two 6-foot-long sec-
hammer to attach the welded tions. Style each board by trim-
wire to the bottom of the 2x4s ming the ends at approximately
around the entire perimeter of a 15-degree angle, leaving
the fence. about half the board’s end un-
11 Fill in each fence post touched. Position these boards
hole with the remaining dirt. on either side of the gate posts
Tamp securely, and be sure at the top, so they connect the
to add plenty of dirt to each posts, with the cut edges fac-
hole, as the dirt will settle ing down. Attach them to the
with time. posts with two 2-inch screws at
either end.
Make the Gate We’re very pleased with our
1 Cut two of the 8-foot-long new garden fence, and the
2x4s in half so you have four dogs haven’t gotten inside
4-foot-long boards: Two pieces once! We plan to grow pas-
will lie horizontally, and two sionflower up the trellis this
pieces will lie vertically, to summer, and we appreciate the
make a square frame. fact that we can conveniently
2 Measure the space be- place tools and drinks on the
tween each of the 10-foot-tall horizontal wooden boards that
entryway posts to make sure The gate and trellis serve as an additional place to grow plants. run the fence’s perimeter.

46 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 46 11/18/21 2:30 PM

 DIY Produce
Storage Bins
Make a set of stackable vegetable crates out of cedar fence boards to create
storage containers that move easily from garden to pantry or basement.

By Steve Maxwell Crate Expectations

Simple tools, common materials and basic building skills are

T
hese sturdy produce bins are designed for bringing in all you’ll need to make these produce storage bins. Lightness
the harvest from your garden or the farmers market. and strength are their standout features because they’re made
They stack together so you can store your crops neatly mostly of standard cedar fence boards. Stocked at every build-
in your pantry, garage, basement or root cellar. The basic de- ing supply outlet, such boards are lightweight, long-lasting and
sign produces a 14-inch-high bin measuring about 16 inches easy to work with. Typically marketed as “three-quarters-inch
wide by 26 inches long, with a slatted base for good air circula- thick,” commercial fence boards ac-
tion in the cool, dark and damp conditions of basements or tually measure only five-eighths-
root cellars.
We also include specifications for a smaller bin that’s more
suitable for storing vegetables in a pantry or closet. Standing
about 10 inches high, these bins are easier to move than the
tall bins when fully loaded with produce. If you plan to use
these bins in your kitchen or pantry, you can opt to make
them with solid plywood bottoms to prevent vegetables from
dropping dirt as you carry crates of freshly harvested produce
into your house. (You can find
the recommended storage con-
ditions for 20 crops online at
www.MotherEarthNews.com/
Food-Storage.)
If you’d prefer a taller, all-in-
one unit that’s not stackable,
check out the produce stor-
KEITH WARD

age rack with pull-out shelves

shown on Page 49.

Build towers of stackable storage bins by

knocking together a mix of tall and short crates.
For added maneuverability, you can add casters to the bases.

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 47

ILLO: Gardening.indb
MEN Organic Keith Ward 47 11/18/21 2:30 PM
 TALL BIN
inch — perfect for this project.
handle upright You can construct the uprights
from 11⁄ 2-inch square stock
and the handles from three-
quarters-inch-thick hardwood.
Make your first cuts. To
end boards
begin, you’ll need to cut all
the side boards, end boards,
slats, uprights and handles for
as many produce storage contain-
ers as you intend to build. The
cutting lists below provide mea-
surements for individual pieces
as well as the total lumber need-
bottom slats ed for each size of crate. You can
make the crates longer and wider
locking strip
if you prefer — just adjust the
cutting list measurements.
You can build a tall storage bin by Consider setting up a sawing assem-
following these drawings closely, bly line in your home workshop to speed
side boards
or build a short bin by eliminating up your work. A stop block with a miter
the upper side and end boards, and saw is one powerful way to cut all com-
shortening the uprights. ponents to precise lengths. Prepare some
157/8” 251/8”
kind of out-feed support or table, and
clamp a block to the support so it will
stop your wood at exactly the right point
for crosscutting. Your setup time will be
53/8” minimal, and you’ll be happy with the
14” results: fast, perfectly consistent cutting.
To create a pair of slats, simply cut
standard 8-foot cedar fence boards into
53/8”
lengths of 157⁄8 inches, and then rip them
in half lengthwise. Each fence board will
produce 12 slats. You’ll need seven slats
111/2” 237/8” to build a base for one slat-bottomed bin.
END VIEW SIDE VIEW

Materials List TALL BIN (14 INCHES HIGH),

SLAT BOTTOM
SHORT BIN (10 INCHES HIGH),
SLAT BOTTOM
Use these lists to calculate how much material and Total lumber and hardware required Total lumber and hardware required
hardware you’ll need to build a collection of DIY 3 cedar fence boards, 8 ft. long 2 cedar fence boards, 8 ft. long
storage bins. Note the lumber required for each 11⁄2” square stock, 57” 11⁄2” square stock, 41”
bin type, then follow the cutting list to trim all the 3
⁄4” x 11⁄2” hardwood, 32” 3
⁄4” x 11⁄2” hardwood, 32”
pieces needed to assemble that bin. 40 No. 8 screws, 13⁄4 ” 24 No. 8 screws, 13⁄4”
Pay attention to the optional parts listed below. 18 No. 6 screws, 11⁄2” 18 No. 6 screws, 11⁄2”
The solid bottom panel could be installed on either
bin instead of slats. Omit the locking strips if you Cutting list Cutting list
install casters to create a rolling bin. 4 side boards, 5⁄8” x 5 3⁄8” x 23 7⁄8” 2 side boards, 5⁄8” x 5 3⁄8” x 23 7⁄8”
4 end boards, 5⁄8” x 5 3⁄8” x 15 7⁄8” 2 end boards, 5⁄8” x 5 3⁄8” x 15 7⁄8”
OPTIONAL PARTS, BOTH BINS 4 uprights, 11⁄2” x 11⁄2” x 14” 4 uprights, 11⁄2” x 11⁄2” x 10”
LEN CHURCHILL (4)

1 bottom plywood panel, 1⁄4” x 15 7⁄8” x 25 1⁄8” 2 handles, 3⁄4” x 11⁄2” x 15 7⁄8” 2 handles, 3⁄4” x 11⁄2” x 15 7⁄8”
4 swiveling casters with plate mounts, 3” 7 bottom slats, 5⁄8” x 2 5⁄8” x 15 7⁄8” 7 bottom slats, 5⁄8” x 2 5⁄8” x 15 7⁄8”
2 locking strips, 5⁄8” x 11⁄2” x 111⁄2” 2 locking strips, 5⁄8” x 11⁄2” x 111⁄2”

48 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 48 11/18/21 2:30 PM

ILLO: Len Churchill
 Assemble the sides. crate, skip the locking strips (described
Although you could use a below) and screw the plate mounts of
carpenter’s square to ensure swiveling dolly casters to the corners
90-degree corners when you of the base — but remember that this
assemble the sides, it’s easier wheeled crate will always have to be
to use a sheet of plywood or placed at the bottom of a tower.
waferboard with the origi- Slatted bottom. A slatted base will pro-
nal, uncut factory edges as a vide better air circulation — helpful for
reference guide for creating a most stored crops. Turn your crate
square assembly. Place two of upside down and lay out seven cedar
the uprights you’ve cut onto slats, evenly spaced across the base.
the sheet, aligning their bot- Fasten each slat to the bottom
tom ends with one edge of edges of the side boards with
the sheet and positioning one glue and 1 1 ⁄ 2 -inch No. 6
of the uprights in a corner. screws driven into 3⁄ 32-inch
Fasten a sidepiece cut from a pre-drilled pilot holes.
cedar fence board across the
top of the uprights with weath- Lock It In
erproof wood glue and 13⁄4-inch No. Locking strips. Complete the bottoms
8 deck screws driven into pre-drilled Find directions to build a food storage of both the tall and short bins by adding
holes. (Pre-drill all holes to prevent split- rack with pull-out shelves (above) at two 11⁄2-inch-by-111⁄2-inch locking strips
ting when you drive the screws.) If you’re www.MotherEarthNews.com/Rack- onto the base at the ends (see drawing on
building the taller crate, fasten a second With-Trays. You can modify those plans Page 18). When you stack your pantry stor-
cedar side board on the uprights next to to build a potato bin (below). age containers, the locking strips will nest
the first one, with a three-eighths-inch between the uprights of the crate below to
ventilation gap between them. Repeat the process to assemble create a secure tower. You can cut the locking strips from left-
the second side. over cedar fence board. Use two No. 6 screws per locking strip.
You don’t need to wait for the glue to dry to complete the box. Handles. Add the hardwood handles to the top of the crate’s
Stand both side assemblies upright on one end on a flat floor, and short ends by pre-drilling holes for two 13⁄4-inch No. 8 screws in
connect them with a single cedar end board secured with No. 8 both the handle and upright pieces, then fastening the handles
screws and glue. Carefully flip this assembly, then add an to the uprights with glue and screws. Because the short bin is
end board to the opposite side of the crate. Add shallower and lighter, you could use 2-inch-
a second board to both ends if you’re wide pieces of cedar fence board for
building the tall bin. the handles instead of the hardwood.
Don’t bother applying wax, varnish
Getting to the Bottom or shellac to finish these produce
Whichever height of contain- storage bins. Finishes would be dif-
er you’re knocking together, the ficult to apply because of the rough
next step is to install the bottom. surface of the cedar, and even non-
The plans allow you to choose toxic options, such as boiled linseed
between two different styles of oil, could affect the smell and taste of
base: solid or slatted. your produce. You don’t want any-
Solid bottom. To install a con- thing to taint the great meals that
tinuous wooden bottom on your will be made from homegrown food
DIY storage bin, simply flip it stowed in your handmade bins.
upside down and secure a quarter-
inch plywood base measuring
157⁄8 inches by 251⁄8 inches. Use
glue and finishing nails to hold Contributing Editor Steve Maxwell
the base in place. If you’d like has used his homemade produce
the bottom to be replaceable, storage bins in Ontario for more
use 1 ⁄2-inch No. 6 screws than 20 years. Follow his expert
LEN CHURCHILL (4)

driven into pre-drilled building and homesteading advice

holes instead. at www.RealRuralLife.com.
To make a rolling

DIY PLANS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 49

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 49 11/18/21 2:30 PM

ILLOS: Len Churchill
 The Secret to
Healthy Soil
Clever gardeners work in concert clay, and organic matter have formed into larger clumps that
soil scientists call “peds.”

FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/KURAPY11, ENVIROMANTIC

with billions of microscopic helpers Soil with proper aggregation is perfect for plant growth, since
the spaces between the peds give plant roots plenty of space to
to improve the health of their soil. grow. They also allow soil to hold the necessary air and water.
As you improve the health of your soil, your goal should be to
increase the amount of aggregation.

By Robert Pavlis Aggregation Station

Aggregation is the result of microbial activity. Microbes

I
t might surprise you that no really good definition of excrete a glue-like material that sticks minerals and organic
healthy soil exists. You can’t send your sample to a lab and matter together into larger pieces. The secret to better aggrega-
get a “soil health number.” Labs can measure soil fertility, tion is to increase the number of microbes in your soil.
which is a measure of nutrients in soil, but that’s only part of The word “microbe” is a general term used for a wide variety
the story. Descriptions of healthy soil tend to be vague and say of microscopic organisms that we can’t see with the naked eye.
something like, “Healthy soil sustains life, maintains environ- Some of the more important classes of microbes are listed in the
mental quality, and enhances plant and animal health,” but that “Microbial Group” table on Page 52.
doesn’t help a gardener much. Soil bacteria are so small that 500,000 of them could fit on the
I’m going to take a pragmatic approach to this topic and period at the end of this sentence. Each gram of soil, the equiva-
define “healthy soil” as soil having good structure with enough lent weight of a paperclip, contains millions or even billions of
air, water, and nutrients to make your plants grow well. Plants bacteria. Good soil may contain about a million different species,
obviously use the water and nutrients to grow, but it might and scientists have only identified a fraction of these.
surprise you to learn that plant roots also breathe in oxygen, Bacteria live in the water that surrounds soil particles, and
which they get from the air in soil. In fact, soil will ideally be most exist in the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. Because they’re
about 25 percent air. so small, they’re the food source for many other organisms,
What is soil structure? I recommend every gardener go for a including protozoa and nematodes. One of the safest places for
walk in an established, wooded area and grab some soil. It’ll be bacteria to hide is inside the aggregates, where the channels are
black, and very crumbly. You won’t even need a shovel to dig too narrow for predators and plant roots.
up a handful of good soil. This “black gold” is every gardener’s Fungi are also important for soil health. Many fungi grow
dream, and its crumbly nature is due to its macro structure. underground as long, hair-like filaments, and when many oc-
Through a process called “aggregation,” particles of sand, silt, cur in the same place, you’ll see white fuzzy stuff. There are

50 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 50 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Improving Soil Health At A Glance
You won’t be able to improve soil health Don’t use pesticides. They kill microbes. Add some organic matter each year. An
quickly. It’ll happen slowly over several Don’t till your soil. You might think it inch or two of compost or manure spread
years, and in most cases, you won’t even loosens it up, but what it really does is as a mulch is all you need. Don’t dig it in;
notice a change from year to year. But destroy both fungi and aggregates. Tilling nature will do this for you.
suddenly, you’ll be planting something, decreases long-term soil health. Grow plants. Growing plants adds much
and you’ll notice that the soil is much Disturb soil as little as possible. Even more organic matter to the soil than most
better than you remember. pulling a weed upsets the microbes. gardeners realize. Simply keeping the soil
Doing the following will improve the Apply mulch. It modulates temperature covered with plants will improve it.
health of your soil. extremes and maintains soil moisture.

many different kinds of fungi, including the powdery mildew Multitudinous Microbes
you might see on plant leaves. Here are a couple of key points for the microbe-savvy garden-
Fungi play a special role in decomposing organic matter. er to know. Billions of microbes exist in a pinch of soil. Even
Wood and dead leaves have a high carbon level with a low the low-quality soil you find in new subdivisions will have lots
nitrogen level. Fungi are able to decompose these materials, but of microbes. As soil health improves, the number of microbes
there’s not enough nitrogen for bacteria. When you cold-compost will increase. Our goal as gardeners is to keep the microbes
a pile of leaves, you’ll find lots of fungi filaments in it. We call the happy and to grow as many as possible. If you take care of the
finished compost “leaf mold,” because it’s full of fungi. microbes, your plants will grow well.
You might have heard about a special group of fungi called It’s hard to know exactly how many microbes your soil
“mycorrhizal fungi.” These fungi form symbiotic relationships has — even scientists have trouble counting microbes. Some
with plant roots. The fungi collect water and phosphate for the organizations will try to sell you a microscope and a course
plant, and, in exchange, the plant gives the fungi sugars that to learn how to measure them, but these don’t give very
FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/KURAPY11, ENVIROMANTIC

they’re unable to manufacture themselves. About 80 percent accurate results.

of all plants form such connections, and they can have a great The best way to get a rough idea of the number of mi-
effect on plant growth in poorer soils. crobes present is to do an earthworm count. Earthworms eat
Many of the mushrooms you’ll see growing in your garden microbes, mostly bacteria, and a higher population of earth-
are the fruiting bodies — the equivalent of flowers — of my- worms indicates a higher population of microbes.
corrhizal fungi. Dig up a cubic foot of soil and place it on something flat,
Soil microbes also include algae, protozoa, and nematodes. such as cardboard or a sheet of wood. Go through all of the
These exist in smaller numbers, but many of them are also larg- soil by hand and count the earthworms. Healthy soil will have
er organisms, so they still play an important role. Additionally, more than 10 earthworms. Poor soil will have fewer than three.
many are predators of bacteria and fungi, keeping their A count between three and 10 indicates that your soil is suitable
numbers in check. for plant growth but will benefit from improvement.

WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 51

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 51 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 MICROBIAL GROUP
Naturally, this test will only work in areas NO. PER GRAM OF SOIL Make Way for Microbes
that normally have healthy earthworm Microbes need three basic things: air,
populations in native, undisturbed soil. Bacteria water, and food.
Microbes are good for soil health, and 100,000,000 to 1,000,000,000 Microbes breathe in oxygen and breathe
having more of them is a good thing. The out carbon dioxide, and they need water to
natural reaction to finding that you don’t Fungi keep from drying out. Anything we can do
have as many microbes as you’d like is to 100,000 to 1,000,000 to ensure good air and water levels in soil
go out and buy some, and manufacturers will benefit microbes.
are quite happy to supply them. But add- Algae & Cyanobacteria The amount of air and water in soil
ing more microbes won’t improve your 1,000 to 1,000,000 depends very much on a property called
soil health. “compaction.” When soil is compacted,
As noted in the table at right, your Protozoa the sand, silt, and clay particles are pushed
soil, even if it’s poor soil, already has 1,000 to 100,000 closer together, which results in the air and
millions of microbes in every pinch. The water being pushed out. Imagine squeez-
microbes have already reached their Nematodes ing a sponge. Normally, it contains a lot of
maximum growth potential given your 10 to 5,000 air, but when you squeeze it, the sponge is
soil conditions. The only way to increase compacted into a smaller space as the air is
microbe numbers is to improve soil pushed out. The same thing happens in soil.
health. Adding more microbes from a jar Walking on soil, especially wet soil, com-
won’t change this. pacts it. Microbes don’t grow well in compacted soil. So, the solu-
If you don’t believe this, go into the woods, get a handful tion is simple: Don’t walk in the garden. That’s not really possible,
of soil, and spread it around your garden. You’ll have added but you can do a few things to keep compaction to a minimum.
billions and billions of free microbes, but your soil will be Install stepping stones throughout your garden and walk
basically the same as it was before. only on them.

FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/EDUARDSV, ESSENIN

52 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 52 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Make permanent pathways in vegetable gardens and never see an increase in the microbe population, because they’ll have
step where you plant. Raised beds help enforce this. more food to eat.
Mulch with wood chips in an ornamental garden. Stepping
on these is similar to using snowshoes to distribute your weight. Go Organic
The existing compaction in lawns can be reduced by core Both types of fertilizer provide food and nutrients to plants and
aeration, but because you walk on the lawn regularly, you’ll microbes, but there’s still an important difference between them.
need to aerate annually. The nutrients from synthetic fertilizer are available immedi-
ately after being applied. Over the next few weeks, they become
Set Up a Soil-Building Smorgasbord less available. Nitrate is easily washed away by rain. Phosphate
Microbes eat dead stuff as well as each other. Composting can stick very tightly to soil and become unavailable to plants.
works because microbes in the pile will start digesting all of Potassium washes away more slowly. Think of synthetic fertil-
the organic matter you added. They’ll turn the banana peels izer as a quick feed, which works well for immediate growth in
and grass clippings alike into humus. Different microbes like container plants, houseplants, and vegetable gardens, but does
different foods, but we can keep this simple and say that any nothing for long-term soil health.
organic matter you add to a composting setup or garden will Organic fertilizers, including manure and compost, feed
be eaten by something. Even the oil in your car can be digested the soil long-term. We talk about compost as being “finished”
by special bacteria. in a few months, but it only looks finished to our eyes. On
FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/EDUARDSV, ESSENIN

When you add manure, compost, and even fish heads to your a microscopic level, microbes will continue digesting the
soil, you’re feeding the microbes. material and slowly releasing nutrients for another five years.
What about synthetic fertilizer? Far from harming Most organic fertilizer is a long-term feed, and at the end of the
microbes, synthetic fertilizer contains nitrate, phosphate, and process the remaining carbon increases the organic matter in
potassium. These are the exact same molecules that microbes the soil, thereby improving soil health. Synthetic fertilizer adds
consume when they eat organic matter. Neither a plant, a no carbon to the soil.
microbe, nor a lab can tell the difference between the The key to improving soil health is to continually add some
molecules that came from synthetic fertilizer and those that organic material to the soil. This not only increases organic
came from organic compost. matter, but also provides food for the microbes. Over time,
In fact, when you fertilize soil, no matter what you use, you’ll they’ll aggregate the soil and improve its texture.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 53

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 53 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Build a Backyard
Edible
Ecosystem
Use compost, yard
waste, and recycled
paper to construct a
small permaculture
ecosystem that supports
your food garden.

By Zach Loeks

F
ruits, vegetables, and flowers can
transform neighborhoods into
abundant, beautiful, healthy en-
vironments. If we plant fruit trees, berry
bushes, and herbs, we can begin to form
new food landscapes throughout our com-
munities. The best way to start this process
is by building a small edible ecosystem in
your backyard that includes a simple com-
post system that will become the bed for
your perennial food plants.

What’s an Edible Ecosystem?

An edible ecosystem is a planned
garden that features diverse food plants
that complement each other’s forms
and functions, imitating the structure
of a natural ecosystem. I create ecosys-
tems that include a mix of three or more
varieties of herbs, berries, and fruit trees,
along with beneficial fungi, which all work
together to produce an abundance of food.
ADOBE STOCK/BONITA

These miniature permaculture gardens

also provide space to trial potential food
plant guilds and propagate new plants to
Keep your climate in mind when you choose the tree at the center of your permaculture garden. share with your community.

54 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 54 11/18/21 2:31 PM

Caption
 Use a tarp to kill any grass or other plants before you set up the bed. Cover the area with a layer of overlapping cardboard to deter weeds.

By starting small and trialing different —and complementary—life cycles. This debris will keep the composting layer aero-
combinations of perennial food species, is the premise behind companion plant- bic by creating air space, while compost
you can learn what works well and then ing in any environment. For instance, a will provide nutrients for microorgan-
share that successful design with your larger fruit tree can shelter smaller plants isms. Recycled paper and dry yard waste
neighbors. For instance, if a certain berry from wind and heat; ground covers, such will serve as mulch to prevent weeds from
cultivar is delicious and works well with a as thyme, can keep out weeds; herbs can growing and to retain moisture for your
ground cover of thyme, you can suggest confuse pests; and grapes can use another edible perennials.
that design to others in your area. You’ll plant’s stems for a trellis. Some plants have
also be able to turn your garden into a coevolved to form symbiotic relationships, Edible Ecosystem How-To
nursery source for propagating other sites and some plants simply work well together First, choose a site that’s accessible for
in your yard and community. in a planned ecosystem. yard work, has good drainage, and has
enough space to grow a fruit tree that’ll
Mimicking Nature Compost Spot to Garden Plot mature at about 15 feet tall. The site can
A well-designed edible ecosystem will Pay attention to the useful waste mate- be in full sun or partial shade, but you’ll
offer improved yields and require less rials available in your community, from need to pay attention to light requirements
maintenance than a traditional food gar- home food compost and paper recycling when you select species to plant.
den by mimicking the form and function to yard waste, bagged leaves, and downed After you’ve chosen your site, you’ll
of natural ecosystems. Form refers to the twigs and branches. In combination need to kill the plants already growing
different canopy and root shapes and the with backyard soil, small straw bales, and there. The easiest way to do this is to lay
plant sizes used—fruit trees, berry bushes, bagged potting mix or compost, you can down a 10-by-10-foot tarp (you can fold
and ground covers have notably different easily create an edible ecosystem in any a large tarp to fit the space) and weight
forms. You can maximize water, nutrient, 8-by-8-foot space. Use small square hay it with square straw bales. Leave the tarp
and sunlight use within your garden plot bales to form the borders of the garden, and bales in place all summer to fry any
by layering diverse leaf and root profiles. and fill the central space with layers of grass and weeds underneath. Next, remove
Function refers to plants with different debris, compost, and topsoil. Woody the bales and tarp, and place a layer of
ADOBE STOCK/BONITA

Butt the straw bales together to make a sturdy frame for the bed. Top off the filled beds with a layer of finished compost or topsoil.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 55

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 55 11/18/21 2:31 PM

Caption
 Plant a nitrogen-fixing cover crop to load the bed with nutrients. Lay out your food plants after killing the cover crop for in-place mulch.

cardboard over the newly exposed soil form an 8-by-8-foot border for your edible area is to talk with local gardeners, farm-
to act as sheet mulch. If you want, you ecosystem, and inoculate them with edible ers, and nursery staff; alternatively, you can
can skip the plastic stage and just cover mushroom spores before other wild fungi take a risk and try something local growers
the grass with a cardboard sheet mulch. can take hold. To inoculate them, cut into aren’t using yet. It might fail, or you might
Overlap the cardboard by at least 18 inch- the straw with a root knife and insert your discover your new favorite edible fungus!
es to ensure grass doesn’t grow into your preferred mushroom spawn; you can use To prepare the bed for perennial food
edible ecosystem. oyster or enokitake sawdust spawn. The plants, fill the center with successive lay-
Next, use six of the square straw bales to best way to find varieties suited to your ers of woody debris, compost, leaves, and
soil, until it’s full. To get started, scavenge
woody debris and prune any hedges or
trees you have, and layer this material on
Edible Ecosystem Example top of the cardboard. Add a mix of grass
clippings and household compost to the
Here’s an example of an edible ecosystem designed for Zone 4, my hardiness zone. Some of heap on a weekly basis. Bagged compost or
the food plants I chose required two individuals for proper pollination. The overall number soil can speed up the decomposition pro-
and types of plants, however, follow the pattern of a woodland ecosystem. cess. An occasional 5-gallon pail of manure
or forest soil is a great source of beneficial
Fruit tree: 1 ‘Northbrite’ European pear microbes to jump-start the process.
Woody bushes: 1 black raspberry and 2 Haskap berries Finally, top off the entire mound with
Herbs: 1 mint and 2 bee balm plants topsoil or bagged compost, rake it smooth,
Ground covers: 24 thyme and 24 strawberry plants and seed it with a mix of winter rye and
Vines: 1 ‘Somerset’ grape or hardy kiwi red clover. This can be done in fall, and the

ZACH LOEKS ILLUSTRATIONS (9)

Edible fungi: One 5-pound bag of oyster or enokitake sawdust spawn

The pear should be planted in the middle of the edible ecosystem, with a rodent
guard around its main stem until the trunk establishes a thick bark. The berries
need to be planted in the corners of the planting area to have room to grow and
access to sunlight. Plant the herbs along whichever edges suit their sun re-
quirements. Mint tolerates shade, so it should go along the north side of the
ecosystem, and bee balm should be planted along the sunny south side.
The ground covers should be planted in a similar fashion, according to
their sun and shade tolerance. Thyme can prosper in partial shade, so it
should be planted in a grid every 6 to 12 inches on the northern half
of the bed, around the pear, berries, and mint. The strawberries
need more sun, so they should be planted on the sunny south-
ern half of the bed, again distributed between the berries
and bee balm. The grape should be planted on the south
side of the pear tree and trained up its trunk. The vine will
protect the trunk from sun scald on that side, and will
use the tree as a trellis. The mushroom spawn should be
inserted into the hay long before the other plants go in,
and will spread throughout the bales to produce edible
mushrooms and hasten the decomposition process.

56 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 56 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 You can use these beds to propagate cultivars you wish to share, too. With everything in place, you won’t need to water or weed often.

cover crop roots will stabilize the mound crop for in-place mulch, this next step age. Just place nametags by each plant so
over winter. You can let the plants grow may not be necessary — but it won’t hurt. you don’t forget the cultivar names and
as long as you want; if you leave the cover Cover the surface between the plants with can document your successes. Your favor-
crop to grow until the following midsum- newspaper, and cover that with fine hard- ite plants can easily be shared with neigh-
mer, you can then cover it with a piece of wood chips and more straw or leaves from bors to begin to build an edible ecosystem
black plastic for 7 to 12 days to kill the your yard. The newspaper and mulch will neighborhood through the harvest and
plants and make an in-place mulch. suppress weeds until the plants are estab- movement of suckers, scions, and seeds to
Sometime between filling your compost lished, and will prevent unwanted volun- other homeowners. In fact, this is neces-
area and killing the cover crop, select the teer plants from germinating. You can run sary! Your plants will propagate themselves
plants you want to grow in your edible a soaker hose between the plants to keep through seeds and suckers, and you’ll want
ecosystem. I recommend choosing a small them moist while they establish them- to harvest the surplus and share it.
fruit tree, a berry cultivar, one or two herbs selves. Keep the soil moist, but not sodden. In an edible ecosystem, the diversity
or edible flowers, one or two ground cov- By filling available garden space with of plants work to shelter each other, cap-
ers, and a fruiting vine. A local nursery can edible plants of differing forms and func- ture sunlight, and create symbiotic rela-
help you select species suited to your site, tions, you’ll have created an ecosystem that tionships with each other, supported by
your climate, and your desires; small nurs- will use resources, such as sunlight and the healthy soil you’ve nurtured below.
eries are often more familiar with which water, more efficiently and produce food Begone, stinky compost piles! A planned,
plants do well in a particular area, and with less effort from you. The ground biodiverse ecosystem will make immediate
can offer advice on new cultivars to try. cover will spread between the other plants, use of your waste to grow food as a beauti-
Consider site drainage, hours of sun per which will offer shade and wind protection ful landscape feature.
day, and USDA Hardiness Zone as you to each other as they grow. Nonaggressive Remember to start right: Build a
make your choices. You could also reach vining plants can be supported by the fruit good compost bed, bring in some well-
ZACH LOEKS ILLUSTRATIONS (9)

out to a local permaculture designer for tree as a living trellis. researched cultivars to mimic the natural
advice on how to maximize your garden’s layers of a woodland ecosystem, and do a
productivity and resource use. Spread the Wealth good job mulching and watering for the
After planting in spring, you’ll need to These micro-ecosystems can be repeated first year. Then, just maintain the mulch
mulch your ecosystem. If you grew a cover many times in your yard or on an acre- layer and enjoy your harvest!

A Visual Guide to a
Profitable Farm Business
In The Permaculture Market Garden, author Zach Loeks taps into his passion for sustainable permacul-
ture systems to provide a visual guide to integrating permaculture into a market garden. This book is de-
signed to get aspiring farmers started with their own permaculture market gardens, and to give seasoned
farmers tips to expand their businesses. Loeks walks readers through all the steps necessary for operating
a profitable and sustainable farm. This guide features five parts: Farm Ecosystem, Whole Farm Mapping,
Holistic Planning, Design Management, and Our Permabed System. Full of detailed and colorful il-
lustrations to accompany the information, this book is easy to understand and enjoy. The Permaculture
Market Garden is also a best-seller at our MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIRS! This title is available at www.
MotherEarthNews.com/Store or by calling 800-234-3368; please use code MMEPAMZI. Item #8191.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 57

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 57 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Homegrown
Garden
Amendments
Use these amendment strategies throughout your
plants’ growth cycle to promote healthy development.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (3)/FOTOLESNIK, CORINNE HILL, KIRSTINA BLOKHIN

58 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 58 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 By Nigel Palmer

T
he nutrient needs of plants
change during their growth
cycle. Germination, vegetative
growth, reproduction, and senescence
each requires its own unique array of
minerals to support the metabolic pro-
cesses taking place in the plant during
that growth phase. Thus, each growth
phase is a unique opportunity to signifi-
cantly affect overall plant health. Learn
what minerals are needed during these
key development phases and the amend-
ments available that’ll provide them.

Procuring Good Seeds

Before focusing on how to optimize
plant performance in the various stages
of growth, first consider the impact of
seed quality on growth. All seeds aren’t
the same: Some batches of seed are of bet-
ter quality than others; some are open-
pollinated types that’ll reproduce true to
type; some are hybrids; some are geneti-
cally modified. Selecting and saving good
seeds is important when the goal is to
grow high-quality food. Next year’s seeds
may be improved if the parent plants are
grown in the right mineral and biologi-
cal soil conditions. Select the best-quality
seeds available to you and sow them.
Saving seeds from the garden is a wor-
thy endeavor. However, keep in mind
that seeds produced by hybrid plants
may not exhibit the same characteristics
in following generations. Additionally,
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (3)/FOTOLESNIK, CORINNE HILL, KIRSTINA BLOKHIN

avoid saving seed from genetically modi-

fied varieties. Many are patented.
Purchasing seeds from reputable
sources is a better alternative than buy-
ing any old seeds available on the seed
rack. Saving and trading seeds with oth-
er gardeners is better still. Saving seeds
is a natural selection process that allows
the seed strain to become accustomed to
a specific environment. In many cases,
it’s easy and worth doing just to see the
results. Saving seeds of a particular vari-
ety for several generations will result in a
crop that has gradually adjusted to local
soil and climate characteristics.
Heirloom seeds are a good place to
start. These are plants of the past whose The nutrition and environmental health of the first weeks of a plant’s life defines its overall
seeds were saved by growers because developmental capacity.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 59

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 59 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 the plants exhibited desirable qualities. germination determines the number, plant-available forms. Soaking the seeds
Local heirloom varieties may already be size, and quality of the fruit the plant will in a leaf mold-fermented amendment
suited to the local climate, and perhaps eventually produce. Cell division and cell of the same plant would provide them
even to the local soil type. Wild seeds are growth that occur during germination with minerals and other beneficial com-
the least adulterated choices and include require adequate proportions of calcium, pounds unique to that plant.
the seeds of edible weeds that grow lo- potassium, boron, and manganese, and Large seeds, such as beet seeds, are rela-
cally: stinging nettle, dandelion, purs- without success at this early stage, a plant tively easy to soak and remove from the
lane, and lambsquarters, to name a few. can’t produce high-quality fruits. soaking jar to plant. Small seeds may be
These plants are nutritious, easy to grow, Calcium may be found in limestone more difficult. Transferring individual
make great cover crops, may be eaten quarry rock dusts; fermented plant juice wet seeds into small pots for indoor grow-
or used to make powerful amendments, (FPJ) of nettle, dandelion, or sassafras ing is relatively straightforward, but when
and grow like weeds! leaves (see “Using Fermented Plant direct-sowing small seeds outdoors, such
Juice,” below); vinegar extractions of as carrot seeds, first cast the unsoaked
The Seedling Stage eggshells, oyster shells, or cow bones; seeds onto the soil, and then water the
Seed germination is the most impor- and leaf mold-fermented carrot tops. bed with the mineral amendment solu-
tant development phase of a plant, and Potassium is found in these amendments tion. Repeated applications of water-solu-
the one with the most impact on its over- as well in slightly different proportions. ble amendments will ensure that minerals
all health. The challenge for gardeners Boron can be found in vinegar extrac- are available during germination.
and farmers is to eliminate any stressors tions of oyster shells and cow bones and After sowing, continue applying min-
that a plant may encounter throughout the FPJ of stinging nettle, chickweed, eral-enriched good water to the seeds
its life so that it may reach its genetic po- and leaf mold-fermented carrot tops. and sprouts, especially during the first
tential and produce seeds of better quality Manganese may be found in some ba- few weeks of growth. Remember that
than the seed that started the season. Just salt quarry rock dusts and in the FPJ of these plant-based amendments contain
as the nutrition and environmental health quack grass, dandelion, stinging nettle, minerals in plant-available forms, as
of the first two years of a child’s life de- or sassafras leaves. well as a broad spectrum of other com-
fine many of their developmental capaci- In order to be sure that the seeds pounds that’ll nurture the plants.
ties, so do the first weeks of a plant’s life. get all the nutrition required from the Biology may also be added to the soil
Initial seed development, from sprouting start, soak them for 10 to 15 minutes a week or two prior to planting or trans-
to framing, defines a plant’s overall devel- in a solution of mineral-enriched wa- planting in order to establish a rich bio-
opmental capacity. ter. Stinging nettle or dandelion FPJ logical environment for roots to interact
The quality of the environment and provides a broad spectrum of minerals with as soon as they enter the ground.
available nutrition at the time of seed and other beneficial compounds all in Leaf mold provides the most diverse

Using Fermented Plant Juice

Fermented plant juices (FPJ) are easily made, shelf-stable, low- Apply FPJ as a foliar spray, or apply as a drench to feed plant roots
cost, sustainable, and regenerative mineral amendments. These and soil biology. The optimal dilution ratio will depend on the type
products take advantage of the great mineral accumulators in our of plant fermented and the needs of the plant being fed. Start with
backyard — the weeds and those less-than-perfect end-of-the-season dilution ratios of 1-to-1,000 or 1-to-500. Diluting FPJ in a 5-gallon
fruits. These amendments also contain other beneficial compounds bucket filled with about 4 gallons of water works well, because there’s
besides minerals: enzymes and proteins, all in forms plants can use. enough space at the top to allow for vigorous stirring. One tablespoon
Start by using single-plant fermentations. Mineral-rich weeds, such of FPJ added to 4 gallons of water is a 1-to-1,000 ratio, 2 table-
as dandelion and stinging nettle, are good plants to try first, because spoons a 1-to-500 ratio. If a quart of FPJ is made in the kitchen and
they’re easily found, and their broad-spectrum mineral proportions diluted 1-to-500, this will make 500 quarts of amendment—that’s
and amounts provide a good food source for the healthy growth and 125 gallons! Small amounts of this product go a long way.
ADOBE STOCK/M.DÖRR & M.FROMMHER

development of many kinds of plants. Experiment making FPJ with FPJ is also valuable for encouraging germination. Seeds may be
other plants, recognizing that each plant type has unique character- soaked prior to planting. Dilute the FPJ in the same ratio as above,
istics that may be harnessed. (Use recipe, right, as a template.) Use and soak seeds for several minutes prior to planting so that the
these in conjunction with other amendments to facilitate specific minerals needed for growth are available as soon as sprouting oc-
plant growth periods. Take good notes on what you apply and the curs. The continued exposure to FPJ will ensure that minerals are
kind of results you see. FPJ can form the basis of your short-term available in forms that the young seedlings can access, reducing
mineralization efforts throughout the growing season. potential sources of stress as a result of poor nutrition.

60 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 60 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Make sure that you’ve met your plant’s optimal soil temperature for the best growth.

selection of local biology, but lactic The Vegetative Stage is available in the vinegar extraction of
acid bacteria or raw milk may be used For vegetative crops, such as lettuce, cow bones, FPJ of fruits, and leaf mold-
as well. Once roots have become estab- kale, and spinach, photosynthetic ef- fermented carrot tops.
lished and leaves unfurl, the plant will ficiency is a limiting factor to growth. During vegetative growth, observe the
use some of the energy created during Magnesium, iron, manganese, and leaves for indications of mineral defi-
photosynthesis to selectively feed the phosphorus are needed to maximize ciencies. As soon as you notice a defi-
soil biology, turning the ecosystem into photosynthetic efficiency. Once seed- ciency, apply a foliar spray or drench the
its own digestive system. Experiment lings have begun to photosynthesize, plants and soil to address the problem.
with various recipes and timing of ap- apply these minerals as foliar sprays. Biological amendments may be used
plication, and keep records of what you Sources of magnesium include the vin- to stimulate the ecosystem. Since most
try to compare results. egar extraction of cow bones, FPJ of of the amendment recipes described
Every crop has an optimal soil temper- stinging nettle or dandelion, and leaf here have plant-based, broad-spectrum
ature for germination and growth. Make mold-fermented dandelion or carrot mineral proportions, the risks of toxic-
sure these temperatures are met to give tops. Iron, although present in the soil, ity are lower than if using commercially
the plant the best opportunity to thrive. is often not in a form that plants can produced single-element mineral com-
Using a heat mat is the easiest way to utilize. Leaf mold-fermented carrot tops pounds, especially in the case of trace
attain optimal soil temperatures when and the FPJ of dandelion, quack grass, minerals needed in concentrations as
starting seeds inside. A feedback system and fruits contain iron in forms that the small as single-digit parts per million.
allows the soil to be kept at that optimal plant can use. As noted in “The Seedling
temperature night and day. Outdoors, Stage,” sources of manganese include The Reproductive Stage
ADOBE STOCK/M.DÖRR & M.FROMMHER

use a thermometer to monitor soil tem- some basalt quarry rock dusts and the During the reproductive phase, plant
perature, and wait for the right tempera- FPJ of quack grass, dandelion, stinging nutrition priorities change. Mineral
ture range before you plant. nettle, or sassafras leaves. Phosphorus and nutrient needs of the flowers and

Garden aficionados know that vibrant, productive gardens start with healthy, nutrient-rich soil. The “Understanding Soil” online course,
GROW produced by MOTHER EARTH NEWS, is designed to go in-depth in helping you navigate this vital living ecosystem. Author and Master

FOR IT! Gardener Robert Pavlis is the instructor for the 10-part program that covers topics such as plant nutrients; testing soil nutrients, soil
pH, and soil texture; fertilizer selection and myths; and the rhizosphere. Learn more at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 61

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 61 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 2 3

fruit become primary, and minerals and Fermented Plant Juice this manner by experimenting with the
nutrients are sometimes relocated from Everyone loves a refreshing, ferment- technique described in Natural Farming:
the leaves and stalks. Carbohydrates ed, nutritious drink — even your garden! Agriculture Materials by Cho Ju-Young
produced via photosynthesis are also Take your fermentation skills out of the and Cho Han-kyu.
prioritized to the flowers and fruit. kitchen and into the garden by brewing
Calcium-rich foliar sprays or drenches fermented plant juice (FPJ). This shelf- Tools & Materials
made with vinegar extractions can facili- stable garden amendment made from • Scale
tate this nutrient flow to the fruit sink. mineral-rich weeds will help your plants • 2-quart crock or glass jar
The stage just before a plant drops grow up big and strong by providing a • Rock or glass of water
its leaves is an opportunity to provide broad spectrum of minerals and second- • Clean dishcloth or equivalent
nutrients for next year’s life cycle. One ary compounds. • Funnel
example cited by plant nutrition expert This recipe can be scaled to any • Sieve
John Kempf is a foliar spray of cobalt, volume. For example, it’ll take about • About 1⁄2 pound plant material
which may delay senescence and thereby 2 pounds of plant material to fill a 1-gal- • About 1⁄2 pound organic brown sugar
increase crop yield. Local sources of co- lon crock. The ratio of plant material to • 1 quart glass jar
balt include the FPJ of peach, apple, and sugar ranges from 1-to-½ to 1-to-1. The
mugwort. A vinegar extraction of the more moisture in the fermenting mate- 1 Pick plant leaves and stems early
FPJ residue may yield cobalt in a higher rial, the more sugar is required. in the morning before the sun is up,
concentration. I first learned how to ferment plants in while the dew is still on them. This is
when the plant leaves have the most
energy in them. By picking the leaves
in the morning before the sun rises,
Learn How to Build Soil Health this energy is captured for making FPJ.
Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts are cap-
guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhi- tured on the plant surfaces. Don’t wash
zosphere — the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant the plants, and don’t harvest just after
roots that’s vital to plant health. Author Robert Pavlis debunks rain, because rainfall can also wash off
common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. If con-
personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part ditions have been dry for several days,
popular science guidebook. water the plants the day before you
This title is available at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Store or plan to gather material from them.
NIGEL PALMER (5)

by calling 800-234-3368. Mention promo code MMEPAMZI. 2 Weigh the plant material, and add
Item #10182. organic brown sugar. For relatively dry
plants, start with a ratio by weight of

62 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 62 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 5 6 8

3 parts plant material and 2 parts or- (this may take a day or so), remove eliminate it. Record these details in your
ganic brown sugar. For wetter ingre- the weight. Allow fermentation to garden notebook for future reference.
dients, such as fruit, use a weight ratio proceed for several days, continuing 8 Label containers with the plant
of 1-to-1. to monitor the jar to be sure the plant type and parts used and the dates when
3 Mix the plant material with the material stays submerged. After about fermentation began and ended. Add to
organic brown sugar in a large bowl. a week, the fermentation process will your garden notebook the weights of
After mixing, move the mixture into be complete. The contents will have plant and sugar used, the type of sugar,
the glass jar or crock, or place the un- a fragrance that’s unique and not off- the time of day the plant was harvested,
mixed plant material and sugar into putting. (I’ve left fermenting plant ma- the containers used, and other infor-
the jar in alternating layers. A tall, nar- terial sitting longer than this and still mation deemed appropriate. Store the
row container will work better than had a stable product, though eventu- containers in a well-ventilated, constant-
a wide, shallow one. Cover the top ally the contents in the jar will change temperature area out of sunlight.
surface of the material with a layer of into something else that may not be as
sugar. Initiate fermentation by placing useful. Experiment with the timing.)
the rock or glass of water on top of the 6 Place the funnel into the quart
contents in the jar. Any item that’ll fit jar, and put the sieve atop the funnel.
into the opening of the jar can be used To strain the liquid from the plant
as a weight, but avoid items made of matter, invert the fermentation con-
plastic, or stainless steel or other metals. tainer into the sieve so that the liq-
The weight of the added item will press uid drains freely into the quart jar.
the sugar and plant material together, This setup provides sturdy support
initiating osmosis to draw moisture out for a glass jar that’s 1⁄2 gallon in size
of the plant material. Make sure the or smaller. For a crock or other heavy
weight is clean. (Boil the rock before container, create a different setup.
use, for instance.) (Some imagination may be required.)
4 Cover the entire jar with the cloth, 7 Let the mixture drain for several Excerpted from Nigel Palmer’s book
and store in a dry, well-ventilated area hours, or overnight. Don’t attempt to The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to
at room temperature (about 70 degrees squeeze residual liquid out of the plant Garden Amendments (Chelsea Green
Fahrenheit) and out of sunlight. material. The amount of liquid amend- Publishing, August 2020) and reprinted
5 Periodically check on the jar. ment produced will vary depending on with permission from the publisher. To
Within hours, a brown liquid will how much moisture was in the plant order, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/
NIGEL PALMER (5)

begin to form at the bottom. When matter at the start of the process. If foam Store or call 800-234-3368. Mention
enough liquid has formed so that all appears on the top of the fermentation promo code MMEPAMZI. Item #10467.
of the plant material is submerged liquid after extraction, add more sugar to

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 63

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 63 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Grow a
Bee-Friendly
Organic Garden

FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (2)/ZILKOVEC, CLAIRELIZ

64 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 64 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Learn four ways to attract pollinators to your garden and help them flourish.

By Shawna Coronado if the plant grows out of bounds at any need to drink an ample quantity of pure
time. Hardy geraniums are susceptible water. And water can be hard for bees to
1 Grow a Bee Flower to relatively few pests or diseases; how- access; many sources such as ponds, lakes,
Hardy perennial geraniums are flush ever, if watered heavily from the top of and rivers do not have a landing area for
with flowers and pollinators all through the plant in shadier conditions, they can bees, and they can drown in deeper water.
the early spring season. They rebloom develop powdery mildew and fungal Building a bee station to help the bees
consistently and love shade and wood- problems. If that happens to your gera- have regular access to water is as simple
land sites, which makes them perfect niums, cut off the infected leaves, but do as using a birdbath and a bee preserver.
for supporting bees of all types. Hardy not compost them; be sure to throw the Bee preservers are wonderful glass balls
perennial geranium is not the tender infected leaves away. with bumps on them that float on top
pelargonium geranium we remember of a water source and allow bees to crawl
from our grandmothers’ gardens. There 2 Lead a Bee to Water to the water without drowning. To at-
are many types of hardy geraniums: and Help It Drink tract bees, fill the bath with water and
some are low-growing and make per- With bee populations down and so add about 10 to 12 drops of lemongrass
fect groundcovers for tight spaces; larger much concern about colony collapse, it oil, an essential oil that will draw bees to
varieties can easily stretch to 4 feet tall is important for every gardener to do his your garden and can be found in many
and wide. While most geraniums prefer or her part to help the bees. Planting na- health food stores. A bee’s sense of smell is
sun to part sun, a number of them will tive and flowering plants is a start. Many powerful, and the lemongrass oil is simi-
easily perform in the shade. Choose the insects get water from their food, but bees lar to a pheromone that honeybees use
planting site based upon the variety of
geranium you have chosen and its sun
exposure preferences.
Although geraniums do not like
standing in water, they do like a con-
sistent medium moisture and a humus-
rich soil with lots of natural items mixed
in: Rotted manure, compost, and worm
castings make perfect soil amendments.
This does not make geraniums a likely
candidate for hot or arid areas in the gar-
den. Plant them directly into rich soil or
containers in spring after the last frost,
or plant them from seed in the fall or in
the spring if the geranium seed has been
cold treated.
Hardy geraniums make a surprising
sound when seeds explode from seed
pods in latent flower heads. Plants throw
seeds quite a distance after the flowering
has ended in early summer.
The geranium can be divided by dig-
ging up the rhizomes and cutting them
FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (2)/ZILKOVEC, CLAIRELIZ

between arising stems. A new cluster

of basal leaves and flowering stems will
crop up from the thick, branched hori-
zontal rhizomes. Water them regularly
upon initial transplanting. Once they
are established, geraniums will survive
dry conditions as long as the soil is rich.
Prune back flower stems after the first
bloom to help tidy the plant and en-
courage it to bloom again. Prune more Honeybees, while welcome in the garden, are not the only pollinators attracted to colorful plants.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 65

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 65 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 to attract a swarm to a new home. If you If standing water and the possibility little pockets of liquid can be accessed by
would prefer not to attract honeybees to of increasing mosquito production is a the bees. Clean the water regularly and
your garden and just want to provide an concern for your community, try float- watch both pollinating bees and wasps
open source of water for pollinators of all ing wine corks or chopped up sticks on come in for a sip. They will visit at all
kinds, be sure to regularly freshen water the top of a bucket or birdbath filled times during the day, but make a con-
in birdbaths or other water garden areas with water. Another idea is to fill a bird- centrated effort at drinking toward late
where a bee preserver might float. Fresh bath with river stone, then cover the afternoon and early evening.
water is essential for bees. river stone with just enough water that
3 When Herbs Bolt,
Let Them Go
Mother Nature has designed herbs to
reproduce. This means that the act of
flowering and producing seeds is each
plant’s ultimate goal. All herbs eventu-
ally bolt: The plant changes from being
mostly leaf-based to a plant that has
mostly flowers and stems. Bolting typi-
cally raises the stem and flower above
the herbal base. You will recognize a
bolted plant because it will be happily
flowering. When this happens, the herb
itself loses flavor, making it basically in-
edible, as it is putting all its energy into
creating seed.
In order to enjoy the fresh flavor of
your herbs a bit longer, you should
plant them tightly and keep them well-
watered. Cooling the roots with an in-
sulating layer of mulch helps stave off
the heat. Still, once the weather turns
hot and dry, your herbs will bolt rapidly,
going from delicious to inedible some-
times in a matter of hours. So keeping
the plant cooler will assist in preserving
flavor by delaying the bolting.
When you can no longer keep your
herbs from bolting, let them bolt hard.
That is, let them fully develop their
flowers so bees and other pollinators
can enjoy the flowers’ nectar. In order to
continue enjoying flavorful herbs all sea-
son long, install another row or group-

FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (2)/MARCEL JANCOVIC, MARTIN ERSTLING

ing of herbs. Succession planting can
keep you in delicious scents and flavors
all season long, while also enabling the
pollinators to stay happy and healthy.
The herbs pollinators prefer include
basil, bee balm, betony, borage, cat-
mint, chives, fennel, hyssop, lavender,
lemon balm, marjoram, mint, oregano,
sage, and rosemary. Start your first crop
of herbs in winter from seed, plant the
young plants in the early spring, then
succession-plant seeds next to the first
A diverse combination of plants, along with a water source, will be irresistible to most pollinators. crop once it is in ground. As the first

66 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 66 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 A honeybee covered with
pollen looks ready to
head back to the hive.

crop starts to bolt, the second crop ing, 300-foot circle of spring-flowering online, or simply fill a tub or trench
will start with its first fresh leafy fla- plants around a mason bee house will with muddy soil for the bees.
vors. Invasive crops such as mint and help the bees survive and stay in your Mason bee houses are easy to find.
oregano can be contained by planting garden. Native plants are the best for They consist of a collection of long
them in containers. native bees, according to The Xerces empty tubes or reeds surrounded by
Society. Mason bees will emerge about some sort of housing. The bees live
4 Make a Home the time the redbud trees bloom in your in the tubes. You can make your own
for Mason Bees region, with populations at all-time nesting boxes by drilling 20 or 30
Native bees in the United States have highs during apple-blossom season. One holes in a non-treated block of wood.
had significant population losses, but bee can pollinate more than 1,500 blos- Use a very sharp drill bit so there are
are holding out as a bit heartier than soms per day, which makes these bees no splinters, and drill 5⁄16-inch holes,
honeybees. They have an independent, vital in orchards. 6 inches deep in the block. Mount your
non-social nature, and they do not make Plant your gardens with no chemi- nesting house at least 3 feet above the
FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (2)/MARCEL JANCOVIC, MARTIN ERSTLING

commercial honey. But you should get cal fertilizers or pesticides to encourage ground, tight to a fence, tree, or build-
to know mason bees. They are gentle, the health of all bees, and grow early ing protected from rain, and with full
nest-building native bees that do not flowering plants and shrubs such as warm sun in the morning. Remove the
sting and are amazing pollinators. There forsythia, crocus, primrose, snowdrops, wooden block houses every two years
are around 140 species of mason bee Lenten rose, and pulmonaria to feed and retire them in order to protect the
that live in North America. Typically, them. To extend their season by a few bees from possible disease problems.
mason bees are active for eight to 10 weeks and encourage the bees to hang
weeks in the spring, then go dormant on a little longer, plant sweet-scented Excerpted from 101 Organic Gardening
and hibernate for 10 months until their roses, forget-me-nots, cranesbill gerani- Hacks, by Shawna Coronado, with
next pollinating adventure. um, borage, comfrey, sweetpea, penste- permission from Cool Springs Press.
If your garden does not have enough mon, salvia, and allium. Also provide To order, visit the website, www.
pollen and nectar for mason bees, they mud for your bees so they can use it MotherEarthNews.com, item #8190.
will move on. Planting a diverse, bloom- to build their homes — purchase it

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 67

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 67 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Soil Analysis
for Gardeners
From simple DIY tests to more extensive soil analysis, a multitude of resources
exist that will boost your vegetable garden’s bounty from one year to the next.

By Chris Colby tests you can employ to test your gar- have you grown there successfully? Have
den soil; some for free or at minimal you had unexplained difficulties grow-

W
hether you’re an experi- expense. Even the most costly tests — a ing certain crops but not others? If your
enced gardener who wants full laboratory soil analysis — are sur- gardening experiences have been mostly
to learn more about your prisingly affordable. positive — with disease, lack of sunlight,
existing garden plots or a beginner in- As with most things, you can start or lack of watering attributed to most
terested in whether your newly dug gar- with a simple reality check. If you are failures — your garden soil is likely fairly
den plot will bear fruit, there are several examining an existing garden plot, what healthy. However, if some (or all) crops

FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES(2)/DZURAG, LAURAAG

68 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 68 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 will simply not grow, or will not thrive,
you may have a soil-related problem.
If you’ve dug a new garden, what was
growing there previously will give you
some hints of the soil’s fertility. If the
site was covered with grasses or other-
wise lush, low-lying vegetation, the soil
is probably suitable for gardening. If the
site was largely barren, perhaps domi-
nated by a few large plants, you can ex-
pect some problems. You should observe
any prospective garden patch to ensure it
receives full sun.

Drainage Test
One of the most important elements
in suitable garden soil is its drainage. If
the soil retains too much water, the roots
of plants can rot, and produce will grow
poorly there. A simple drainage test,
however, will tell you everything you
need to know. To perform the test, pick
one or more low-lying spots in the gar-
Worm Census
den to test. If the garden is completely Worms help a garden with both drainage and aeration. And, a healthy population of earth-
level, test the middle. To perform the worms is the sign of a garden with sufficient organic material to grow garden vegetables well.
test, dig a hole 1 foot deep and 6 inches A simple worm census is easy to do. Wait until the soil temperature is above 50 degrees
across. Fill the hole with water and let Fahrenheit and choose a day when the soil is damp but not waterlogged. Dig a 1-cubic-foot
it drain. Then fill the hole with water sample of soil—a cube 1 foot on each side and 1 foot deep. Pile the soil onto spread-out
again. Now that the surrounding soil is newspapers or a light-colored tarp. Then, start looking for worms. Start at one end of the soil
saturated with water, measure how long and search through it, pushing examined soil to the side. Work your way through the entire
it takes to drain. If the drainage time is pile, counting every earthworm you encounter. If you have 10 or more, congratulations, your
less than 4 hours, you can plant most soil is healthy enough to support a reasonable population of earthworms. Low earthworm
vegetables without problem. In the case counts are usually seen in soil with too little organic matter.
of extremely well-drained soil, the wa-
ter may be gone within minutes. Poor
drainage is most often seen in soils with
too much clay and not enough sand. and clay that has the potential to make separate a bit, but isn’t strictly needed.)
great garden soil. Now shake. And when I say shake, I
Soil Structure The structure of your soil — with re- mean seriously shake the contents of the
The components of soil can be broken gards to the amount of clay, sand, and jar for at least 2 minutes. If everything
down into three components: clay, sand, silt — can be examined in more detail inside the jar does not look uniformly
and silt. In the right proportions, these with a Mason jar test. All you need for suspended by this point, keep shaking.
combine to make loam — a rich, well- this is a Mason jar and its lid. To per- In order for the test to work, everything
draining type of soil that is optimal for form the test, take a soil sample and fill in the jar needs to be evenly suspended
gardens. A very quick method for assess- a quart-sized Mason jar ⅓ to ½ full. To throughout. Then let the contents settle.
ment of your soil structure is to take a take the soil sample, scrape away the top With some sandy soils, this may happen
FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES(2)/DZURAG, LAURAAG

handful of moist, although not soaking inch of soil and dig the soil beneath. If within a few hours. For soils with exten-
wet, soil and squeeze it into a ball. If you there are any large rocks or large hunks sive clay and silt, it may take 48 hours.
open your hands and the ball immedi- of organic matter (roots from previous The longer you leave the jar, the more
ately crumbles, your soil is sandy. If it crops, for example), remove these. Next, distinct the three layers will be.
stays in a ball, even when prodded with fill the Mason jar with water, leaving To read the test, simply measure the
your finger, the soil has a lot of clay. If about ½ to 1 inch of air space on top. depth of each layer and express each as
the soil remains as a ball, but crumbles (Some gardeners add a couple drops a percentage of the whole. For example,
relatively easily when prodded with a of liquid dishwashing detergent to this if the layer of sand (the bottom layer) is
finger, it is loamy — a nice blend of sand water — this may help the soil particles 1 inch thick, and the entire soil layer is

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 69

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 69 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Place some soil from your garden in the pH
test container. The pH kit should come with pH
indicator solution. Add water and let sit to allow
color to change.

2 inches thick, the sand layer is 50 per-

The structure of your soil — with regards to the cent of the total thickness. Of the soil
components, sand is the heaviest and
amount of clay, sand, and silt — can be examined forms the bottom layer. Silt is the next
heaviest and forms the middle layer.
in more detail with a Mason jar test. Clay is the lightest and forms the top
layer. Depending on soil composition,
the layers will vary not only in texture,
but in color. Ideally, garden soil should
contain 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt,
and 20 percent clay.
In addition to the layers of soil de-
scribed, you may find organic matter
floating on top of the water. This may
be peat and a possible indicator of acidic
soil. Or, you may find a layer of white
crystals at the bottom of the jar. This is
chalk, an indicator of alkaline soil.

CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: LORAIN EBBETT-RIDEOUT; CYNTHIA BROWNELL (3); LOIS HOFFMAN
With a shovel, a trowel, a Mason jar,
and an afternoon, you can perform all
the previous tests and gather some use-
ful information about your garden soil.
There are a couple other pieces of in-
formation that will help, but they take
more time and effort to obtain.

Acidity or Alkalinity
The pH of your garden soil — a mea-
sure of how acidic or alkaline it is — is
good to know. Most garden vegetables
grow in soil with pH values from 5.5
to 7.5. A pH of 6.5 is good all-around
pH. Outside of these pH ranges, plants
have difficulty absorbing some nutrients
and may be more susceptible to disease.
Measuring the pH of soil is not difficult,
but you need to have a decent pH meter.

70 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 70 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 The land around a new home can
sometimes be compacted from
high traffic and have trouble
draining. After a few years of
working the soil, it should be able
to grow a beautiful garden.

Most home gardeners can distinguish between soil that’s in the right ballpark
and soil that’s completely out of whack. However, to get a good,
narrow-range pH reading, you’ll need a decent pH meter.
CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: LORAIN EBBETT-RIDEOUT; CYNTHIA BROWNELL (3); LOIS HOFFMAN

Most garden centers sell cheap test Fortunately, reasonably accurate To measure soil pH, take a small
kits, often for $5 to $10, that purport to pH meters can now be found starting sample. Only a few ounces are needed.
measure pH. You scoop some soil into a at around $60. (You can find them Scrape the top layer of soil away and
test chamber, add some water and an in- cheaper, but buyer beware.) A quality sample from within the next 6 inches
dicator solution, and compare the color pH meter will include an option to cal- in depth. Spread the sample out on pa-
of the water to a color chart. Likewise, ibrate the meter with known solutions per towels or a newspaper somewhere
for $15 or more, many garden centers of pH 4 and pH 7. And, of course, a dry and let the soil dry completely.
sell “pH probes” that you stick into your quality pH meter will return the same Now, weigh out a few ounces of the soil
soil and read the pH from a needle. value when the same solution is mea- sample. Likewise, weigh out the same
Paper pH test strips are also inexpen- sured twice in a row. A meter that never weight in distilled water. (Tap water will
sive and easy to find. Unfortunately, “settles down” and gives unrepeatable not work; it needs to be distilled water.)
these can be hard to interpret or not measurement is useless. The exact weight doesn’t matter, only
measure pH on a fine enough scale to A pH meter also has uses beyond that the weight of the soil and water
really be useful. Most home gardeners taking soil pH. If you are into can- are equal. Combine the two in a clean
can distinguish between soil that’s in the ning, it can help you determine the jar and shake for a few minutes to mix
right ballpark and soil that’s completely pH of foods so you know whether thoroughly. Then, let the container sit
out of whack. However, to get a good, they need to be pressure canned or for at least a couple of hours to let the
narrow-range pH reading, you’ll need a not. They are also helpful to home sample settle. Finally, calibrate your pH
good pH meter. brewers and home winemakers. meter (per manufacturer instructions)

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 71

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 71 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Getting your soil analyzed is, of course, a first step.
The next step is amending the soil to make it more hospitable for your crops.

and take the pH of the liquid standing region. Most labs’ websites list the vari- you can calculate an average, if that in-
above the soil. ous tests they perform, and many show terests you, from the data.
An easier way to measure your soil’s pH sample test result sheets. Keep in mind A good soil lab report gives you not
is to send it away to a lab and have them that some labs are geared toward farmers, only the numbers — the concentra-
do it. When you do this, you can also get not gardeners, and do not process small tion of various nutrients — but some
a wide variety of other things tested for. numbers of samples. University exten- analysis. Most will tell you the normal
sions almost always will, however. range for a given compound, so you
Nutrient Levels These tests are inexpensive — start- can see how your soil compares. Many
Finally, a gardener may wonder about ing around $6 for the most basic, single will point to remedies for various soil
the level of nutrients in his or her soil. sample test — and rarely exceed $40 for deficiencies. Examining the sample test
Unless you’re a chemist, there’s no prac- the number of samples a gardener would sheets from various sites will let you pick
tical way to test for all the relevant el- want. Most testing labs will mail you a lab that gives you results you can use.
ements yourself. As a gardener, you’d the bags or vials to package your soil in, Of all the soil tests, nutrient levels can
benefit most from knowing the levels along with instructions on how to col- change the fastest. During the growing
of the macronutrients, including nitro- lect it. Return your sampled soil to the season, plants take in all the macronu-
gen, phosphorous, and potassium — the company, and your test results will arrive trients in quantities great enough to be
NPK of garden fertilizers — plus calci- in a short amount of time. measurable in the soil. This is generally
um, magnesium, sulfur, and sodium. In Check with the lab and understand countered by the gardener’s application FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES/AMENIC181; LORAIN EBBETT-RIDEOUT (2)

addition, there are a whole bunch of mi- that there is a spring rush every year. of fertilizers before the crops are planted
cronutrients — boron, manganese, iron, Even in a fairly small garden, the and frequently also during the growing
zinc, copper, molybdenum — that may levels of nutrients can vary quite a bit season. As such, a soil analysis is only a
be important for some crops. Luckily, from one end to the other. Some gar- snapshot of a specific place in time.
there are several labs that you can send den books urge gardeners to take several Getting your soil analyzed is, of course,
soil samples to in order to get them test- samples of soil and mix them together a first step. The next step is amending the
ed for these. And pH testing is also a to get an average soil sample. The prob- soil to make it more hospitable for your
part of the tests. lem with this is that no plants will live crops. Often, remedies are suggested by
Soil testing can come through your in that hypothetical average soil. If you the lab report. And, local nurseries should
county extension, local universities, nurs- have reason to believe your soil varies be well versed in local soils. They should
eries, and independent labs. An internet within your garden, test samples from be able to help you interpret your soil re-
search for “soil testing labs” yields a large individual spots. This will give you the port and suggest the appropriate steps to
number of labs, as well as lists of labs by amount of variation in your garden, and take toward building better garden soil.

72 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 72 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 The MOTHER EARTH NEWS
GUIDE TO

Vegetable
Gardening
Section 1: Plan Your Garden
Section 2: Healthy Soil, Healthy Garden
Section 3: Seasonal Growing Guide
Section 4: After the Harvest

Whether you’ve already got a green thumb or are just

getting into gardening, The MOTHER EARTH NEWS Guide to
Vegetable Gardening will guide you through the fun,
challenging, and satisfying journeys that home gardening
will take you on.

For years, millions of readers have turned to MOTHER EARTH

More than 270 NEWS for trusted advice on growing vegetables and fruits.
pages packed This new book harnesses decades of wisdom, bringing
with time-tested together all the indispensable techniques, complete
growing guides, helpful tips, useful photographs, and
information, inspiring illustrations for which MOTHER EARTH NEWS is known.
photographs, and
With The MOTHER EARTH NEWS Guide to Vegetable Gardening,
charming garden gardeners are sure to find everything they want to know
illustrations! about edible gardening. Whether you need to know the
best vegetables to grow in the shade or the top tips for soil
health in winter, this book has it all.

Only
$27 99
Order by calling 800-234-3368 or
visiting www.MotherEarthNews.com/Store
Item #8179 Promo code: MMEPAMZ3
Price does not include shipping and handling.

MEN_Guide-to-Vegetable-Gardening.indd
5 73 83 C4 Ads.indd 73 1 11/17/2021
11/22/21
10:30:25
8:27 AM
 Start a
Quick and Easy
Food Garden
This season-by-season planting plan for a no-dig,
easy-care bag garden features 25 favorite crops.

By Barbara Pleasant commonly found in soil where lawn grass

has been growing.

I
f your yard has a space that’s at least 20 • Bag gardens have few (if any) weeds, be-
by 28 feet and gets full or almost full cause bagged soils and planting mixes are
sun, you can grow enough vegetables to pasteurized to kill weed seeds.
have fresh food all season with surprisingly • You can eventually gather up the plastic
little effort. Go ahead and dig beds if you’re bags and dig their contents into permanent
lucky enough to have naturally fertile, well- beds, or just lay down a new batch of bags.
drained soil, but don’t let soil flaws stop you
from starting a food garden. Instead, use this What Can I Grow?
quick and simple bag-gardening technique. Whether you dig right in or start with
This method is almost too easy to believe, bags, you can’t go wrong with the selection
but it absolutely works! Gardening in bags of of 25 easy-to-grow crops on Page 76.
topsoil lets you get a garden going today, and In addition to plenty of fresh veg-
offers these additional benefits: gies to put on the table and to
• In the course of a season, the topsoil bags store, this garden plan will
will smother the grass underneath them, so
you won’t have to dig up and remove the

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: WILLIAM HOWELL GOLSON; KEITH WARD/JOHN GRUEN; KEITH WARD
grass sod.
• The bags eliminate aggravation from seed-
ling-killing cutworms, which are caterpillars

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 74 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 also produce a year’s supply of Leave a 2-inch rim of plastic
several tasty herbs, which will around the edges of each bag to
attract droves of pollinators and keep the soil from spilling and to
other beneficial insects. help retain moisture.
If you’re new to food garden-
ing, your biggest challenge may a few sticks into the row between
be planting crops at the right the plants will help keep them off
times. A food garden should be the ground.
planted in phases, so that every 3 Plant greens and herbs.
crop gets the type of weather it Plant lettuce, dill, cilantro, and
prefers. The following season-by- chard seeds in Bed 6. Plant
season instructions for our easy chard the same way you planted
food garden (see the plan on Page beets. Set out potted perennial
76) show how seasonal plant- herbs (oregano, rosemary, sage,
ing sequences work. You’ll also thyme) in Beds 3 and 6. Make
find a few labor-saving tips, such a second sowing of lettuce and
as letting pole beans twine up cilantro one week before your
tall sunflowers. last frost.
2 Plant potatoes and peas. Set 4 Mulch, mulch, mulch. About
Early Spring potatoes 2 inches deep and 12 inches three weeks after you’ve planted your
1 Prepare your site. You can dig apart in Bed 2, flanked by double rows beds, thin seedlings to correct spacing
beds the traditional way, or you can plant of bush snap or snow peas. These short, (check seed packets) and hoe or pull
most of your garden in bags. If you’re us- bushy varieties don’t need a trellis if weeds. Mulch the garden with grass
ing bags, you’ll need about 25 40-pound grown closely together, although poking clippings, hay, or shredded leaves.
bags to cover the five main beds. See Bed
3 on Page 76 for guidance on how to ar-
range the bags when starting your garden.
Definitely dig the squash bed (Bed 7)
and the circular bed (Bed 4), mixing in a
Choosing the Right Bags of ‘Soil’
2-inch layer of good compost as you work. Garden centers typically sell a dizzying array of bagged soil mixes and soil amend-
2 Use a utility knife to cut out a ments, so choosing one can be confusing. To make the task even more difficult, there
large, rectangular window on the upper are no strict standards that define what qualifies as “compost” or “shrub planting mix.”
surface of each bag. Leave the sides and 2 The best way to know what you’re getting is to look beyond the label and examine what’s
inches of each top edge intact, resembling inside the bag. Some garden centers set aside broken bags of topsoil so customers can
a picture frame (see illustration, above). examine their contents, or you can buy a sample bag to check out before you buy more.
Lightly dust the surface of the soil inside For most soil-building purposes, a mixture that looks and feels fluffy and has plenty
the bags with organic fertilizer and mix of tidbits of decomposed leaves or wood chips offers more organic matter than a heavier
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: WILLIAM HOWELL GOLSON; KEITH WARD/JOHN GRUEN; KEITH WARD

it in with a trowel. (Skip this if the bag’s mixture that includes mostly gritty soil. Light-textured composts are usually the best
label says fertilizer has been added.) Using choice for digging into soil as a long-lasting
a screwdriver or a big knife, stab each bag source of organic matter, but for the
through at least a dozen times to create fast bag beds in this garden plan,
plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. look for products that do include
Plant roots will use these holes to grow some gritty soil. Plant roots prefer
down into the soil below the bags. a mixture of soil and organic mat-
ter to organic matter alone. A bag
Mid-Spring of such soil will feel heavier than
1 Plant onions, beets, and early one that’s mostly organic matter,
lettuce. About four weeks before your last assuming both are equally wet or
frost, plant onion seedlings in Bed 1. (To dry. Ordinary bagged “topsoil” or
find the average last spring frost for your inexpensive “tree and shrub
location, go to www.MotherEarthNews planting mix” will do quite Topsoil and soil amendments are sold by weight
.com/frost-dates.) Water well to settle the nicely in any spot where you or volume. For this garden plan, use 25 40-pound
soil around the roots. Sow beet seeds half want to set up a new veg- bags, which will each cover a 2-by-3-foot space and
an inch deep and 2 inches apart. Sow some etable bed quickly. provide ample room for the roots of most vegetables.
early lettuce in Bed 3.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 75

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 75 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 beets to lettuce and turnips

snap or sunflowers
snow peas
(bush)

to
Asian
greens snap or snow peas (bush) potatoes

rosemary lettuce to arugula sage

oregano

snap beans (pole)

onions thyme snap beans (bush) snap beans (bush)

to kale to kale
tomatoes

peppers Footprint: 20 x 28 feet

WHEN TO PLANT:
Mid-spring: onions, beets, lettuce,
potatoes, snap or snow peas, dill,
to garlic
cilantro, chard, oregano, rosemary,
sage, thyme
oregano chard dill chard sage Late spring: tomatoes, peppers,
basil, bush and pole beans,
basil
sunflowers, squash
rosemary Midsummer: kale, arugula
basil Late summer: Asian greens;
lettuce; turnips; carrots; mixed
cover crop of bush beans, peas,
thyme oats, or mustard
Late fall: garlic
to carrots
lettuce cilantro lettuce cilantro

BED 1 BED 2 BED 3 BED 4 BED 6

FROM LEFT: ALISON KOLESAR; WILLIAM HOWELL GOLSON
° beets, 1
° 10 seed potatoes
° oregano, rosemary,
° sunflowers, 1
° basil, 1 packet of seeds or
packet of seeds
° snap or snow sage and thyme, 1 packet of seeds 2 seedlings

° onions, about peas (bush), 1 plant each

° snap beans (pole),
° oregano, rosemary, sage,
20 seedlings packet of seeds
° snap beans 1 packet of seeds and thyme, 1 plant each
(half bunch)
° lettuce or (bush), 1
° mixed lettuce, 1 packet

° mizuna, red other salad packet of seeds BED 5 of seeds

mustard or
other Asian
greens, 2
packets of seeds ° mixed lettuce, 2
packets of seeds ° tomatoes, 4
seedlings, assorted ° chard, 1 packet of seeds or
6 seedlings
greens, 1
° turnips, 1
° arugula and
° peppers, 2 seedlings
° cilantro and dill, 1 packet
packet of seeds packet of seeds kale, 1 packet of
° garlic, 1 pound of seeds each
seeds each of cloves
° carrots, 1 packet of seeds

76 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 76 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 squash
ers

Considering
Compost
Every garden needs a place to make
compost from vegetable trimmings,
weeds, and pulled plants. If you place your
compost in a spot where you’re planning to add
a new bed in the future, earthworms and other com-
post creatures will kick-start the soil improvement pro-
cess. Enclosed composters made from recycled plastic work
like garden garbage cans by keeping rotting debris out of sight.
Most models are animal-resistant, making them a great choice
for urban or suburban yards. You can also make compost in a
small pen made from a circle of fencing. Both types of compost
enclosures will be easy to move as your garden expands.

to cover crop
Late Spring Sow arugula. Move the row cover tunnel
1 Plant tomatoes and more. When from the squash to your baby kale.
the soil feels warm to your bare feet, set
out tomatoes and peppers in Bed 5 and Late Summer
basil in Bed 6. Plant bush beans in Bed 1 Plant fall greens. Replace spring
3, and sow sunflowers in Bed 4. One beets and onions in Bed 1 with mizuna,
week later, plant pole beans inside the red mustard, or other Asian greens, and
edge of the circular bed (Bed 4). replace potatoes and peas in Bed 2 with
uce, 1 Set up the squash bed. In Bed lettuce in front of a turnip backdrop.
dill, 7, use a spade or shovel to make six Replace spring lettuce and cilantro in Bed
compost
mary, or seven planting holes arranged in a 6 with carrots.
zigzag pattern. Place a large shovelful 2 Plant a cover crop. After you have
s, of compost and a handful of organic collected the winter squash harvest from
fertilizer in each hole, then mix in Bed 7, you can improve the soil by grow-
work area thoroughly. Plant three squash seeds ing a cover crop of bush beans, mustard,
(or future bed) or one seedling in each prepared plant- oats, or peas.
ing spot. Thin seedlings to one per
d planting hole. Late Fall
as, Use a row cover to protect your 1 Plant garlic. Clean up the tomato
squash from insect pests. To do so, push bed, dump out the bags, and amend the
the ends of wire hoops into the ground soil with fresh compost and a dusting of
to form three evenly spaced arches organic fertilizer. Mix soil thoroughly
over the squash. Unfold or unroll the with a spade or digging fork, and plant
row cover and drape it over the arches. garlic cloves 4 inches deep and 4 to
BED 7 Secure the edges of the cover by bury- 6 inches apart. After planting, cover with
FROM LEFT: ALISON KOLESAR; WILLIAM HOWELL GOLSON

or
° squash, 3 packets
of seeds or 6 seedlings
ing them, or anchor them with boards,
bricks, or stones. Open the cover only
at least 2 inches of mulch.

in assorted types: to weed and thin, then close it right

acorn squash, spaghetti away. One week after the first blooms Adapted from Starter Vegetable Gardens:
squash, summer squash appear, remove the cover entirely to 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic
(pattypan, yellow squash, allow insects to pollinate the flowers. Gardens (Storey Publishing, 2010)
or zucchini), and sweet by Barbara Pleasant. Order at www.
potato (delicata) squash Midsummer MotherEarthNews.com/store or call
800-234-3368. Mention promo code
et
° mixed cover crop of
bush beans, mustard,
1 Plant kale. Start kale seeds indoors
or in a nursery bed, and set them out MMEPAMZI. Item # 4413.
ds oats, or peas when space becomes available in Bed 3.

PREPARE THE SOIL • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 77

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 77 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (3)/POLINA PONOMAREVA, SARAH, EQROY

78 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 78 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 Plant Breeding
for Gardeners
Use proper hybridization
to preserve the unique
traits found in your
favorite garden plants.

By Chris Colby

I
magine that it’s harvest time, and you
find a tomato that’s a bit larger than
the others in your garden. Inspired
by this, you decide to try breeding extra-
large tomatoes. You begin by collecting
the seeds from this large tomato, and the
next year, you plant 20 tomato plants
from those seeds. At harvest time of that
year, you select the largest tomatoes and
save their seeds. You then repeat this cycle
for 20 years. For two decades, you plant
20 plants every year, each seeded by the
biggest tomatoes from the previous year.
What do you think would happen to
those plants?
If your tomato plant was a commer-
cially available open-pollinated (OP)
cultivar — an heirloom variety, for ex-
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (3)/POLINA PONOMAREVA, SARAH, EQROY

ample—then the most likely result would

be that your tomatoes would remain the
same size for 20 years. On the other hand,
if the original tomato plant was a hybrid
cultivar, multiple things might happen. In
some cases, the seeds might not be viable.
Even if they were, the tomatoes you grow
might be nothing like the tomatoes that
grew from the hybrid seed. In either case,
the odds are small that you’d end up with
larger tomatoes overall.
At this point, you may be asking, “But
isn’t that how plant breeding works?” Yes,
but it matters what type of seeds you use at
the outset, and what you cross them with. You can save seeds of open-pollinated cultivars if you wish to maintain certain genetic traits
To interpret the results of our hypothetical in future plants.

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 79

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 79 11/18/21 2:31 PM

 small amount of selectable genetic varia-
tion present, it probably wouldn’t affect
any easily recognizable, desirable traits. If
that were the case, plant breeders would’ve
bred for it already.
In the case of hybrid seeds, the grown
plant is the result of a cross between two
different cultivars. Any resulting viable
offspring would contain a mix of genes
from the two parent cultivars, but not
in the same proportion as the original
hybrid. So, planting seeds from these
offspring and subsequent generations
similarly wouldn’t give you the larger to-
matoes you’re looking for.
Also, if larger tomatoes are produced,
they could be explained by improved gar-
dening practices; maybe you amended
your soil or added more fertilizer. There’s
also a tiny chance that a random muta-
tion increased the size of tomatoes grown
from the seeds. However, if you planted
the selected seeds in similar conditions
tomato experiment, let’s think about the that cultivar. This is because all the plants every time over 20 years and gave them
material we started with. From there, we of an OP cultivar are nearly genetically the same level of attention, they’d still only
can go deeper into what it takes to suc- identical. Variations in the plant, such as grow to the size of your original tomato
cessfully cross plants in your garden to fruit size, are thus usually caused by differ- crop. The genetics of the plants wouldn’t
preserve desirable traits. ent environmental conditions. So, if you have changed.
selected the largest tomatoes from a patch
Generations of Genetics of OP tomatoes for 20 years, then the The Basics of Breeding
OP vegetable seeds come from culti- genetics of your selections would be the So, how does plant breeding work?
vars that “breed true.” If these cultivars same as the plants you originally culled, Modern plant breeders increase the rate
are fertilized by another plant of the same and you’d simply be growing that culti- of mutation, and screen large numbers
cultivar, or are self-fertilized, then they’ll var year after year. Though it’s technically of plants for mutants — sometimes
produce a plant with the characteristics of possible that an OP cultivar might have a called “sports” — that may have a useful
trait that can be bred into an existing
cultivar. Evolution works in a similar
manner. It “screens” large numbers of
The Language of Hybridization mutants over numerous generations
and selects for mutations that improve
Geneticists and plant hybridizers use a variety of specialized terms to discuss genes the ability of an organism to reproduce.
and plant generations. The following definitions cover the use of the lingo in this article. Unfortunately, gardeners don’t have the
Allele: A form of a gene, noted with a letter or abbreviation. In our example, there luxury of growing large numbers of
are two alleles for flower color, “r” for red, and “w” for white. Dominant alleles are plants for endless generations.
capitalized, and recessive alleles are lowercase. Luckily, hybridization is within the reach
Dominant: An allele that’s expressed when one or two copies are present, written as of an avid gardener. To start the process, a
a capital letter. gardener selects an OP plant with a spe-
F1: The first hybrid generation; each successive generation is numbered in order. cific characteristic they desire. They’ll cross
Genome: The entire genetic makeup of an organism. that plant with another OP cultivar in the
Genotype: Which alleles are present for a given gene. In our example, this could be same species with overall good character-
ADOBE STOCK/EHAURYLIK

“ww,” “wr,” or “rr” for the flower color gene. istics. Generally, plants within the same
P: The parent generation. species can be crossed, but sometimes even
Recessive: An allele that’s only expressed when two copies are present, written as a distantly related plants can also cross.
lowercase letter. Let’s say you’re growing a large, easy-
to-grow, disease-resistant type of white

80 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 80 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 flower. While growing this plant, you flowers, and all the plants will be interme- for the red flower—will come from the
come across another cultivar of that same diate in vigor between the white and red red cultivar. In the final generation, cross
type, but with red flowers. However, the parent plants. In this case, cross your F1 your hybrids with each other and grow out
red cultivar is a smaller, less-hardy plant hybrids back with the original white culti- one last generation of flowers. Retain seeds
than your plant with white flowers. Your var. This will probably yield a mix of red- only from plants that yield 100 percent
goal is to grow a big, healthy plant—like and white-colored flowers in your next red-flowered offspring; these plants carry
the white cultivar—but with red flowers. generation, each containing three-quarters only the genes for red flowers. Plants with
Here’s how you could do that. of its genetic material from the white culti- the genes for both white and red flowers
First, you have to hybridize the white var, and one-quarter from the red. will produce one white-flowered offspring
and red flowers. (See “Fertilizing Plants Cross the red-flowered F2 hybrids back for every three red-flowered offspring.
for Genetic Crosses” below.) To do so, with the original white-flowered cultivar
take pollen from the red cultivar and use again. Repeat this process with each suc- Hypothetical Hybrids
it to fertilize female flowers on the white ceeding generation of hybrids until the The results of this case are based on
cultivar, or vice versa. When the fertilized plants resemble the white cultivar in all four assumptions: that the flower color
flowers shrivel, harvest the seeds. Each seed respects, except for the flower color. Every is determined by a single gene; that the
should contain a mix of genetic material, generation, the percentage of the red cul- white flower contained two alleles for
half from the white cultivar and half from tivar’s genetic material present in the off- white flower color; that the red flower
the red. Plant the seeds during the next spring will decrease by half. By the eighth contained two alleles for red flower color;
growing season. generation, 99.6 percent of the hybrid and that the red allele is dominant to the
A couple of things could happen when plant’s genetic material will derive from the white allele. In genetics, the abbreviation
these plants—your F1 hybrids—bloom. white cultivar, while only 0.4 percent of for dominant alleles is expressed as a capi-
In the best-case scenario, you’ll grow red the genetic material—including the genes tal letter, and a lowercase letter is used for

Fertilizing Plants for Genetic Crosses

To cross one plant with another, you’ll need to learn a little cotton swab. You can also simply pick the male flower. Uncover
about plant and floral anatomy. Flowers contain the sex organs the female flower, and brush the stigma (the tip of the pistil) with
of angiosperms (flowering plants). Some species grow as either the pollen-covered brush or cotton swab. If you picked the male
male or female plants, each bearing male or female flowers, re- flower, brush the male parts of it directly against the pistil; you
spectively. In others, such as most squash and melons, each plant may need to remove the petals in order to do this. After the pollen
grows both male and female flowers. And in plant species such as transfers, cover the female flower again until it’s fertilized. In most
tomatoes and beans, each individual flower contains both male cases, the female flower will close shortly after fertilization.
and female parts. If the plants you’re crossing contain flowers with both male and
At the center of a female flower or the female part of a flower, a female parts, things get slightly more complicated. In this case,
structure called the “pistil” holds the ovary and structures (called remove the stamens from the flower you’re using as the female in
the “stigma” and “style”) that lead to the ovary. The stigma re- the cross before the anthers release any pollen. In many cases,
ceives the pollen, while the style leads the pollen from the stigma pollen won’t be ready immediately after the flower opens, so if you
to the ovules in the ovary. clip the stamens right after they open, you can prevent self-fertil-
The male portion of a flower consists of filaments — called “sta- ization. After removing the stamens, bag the flower, and collect
mens” — capped with a structure called an “anther.” Pollen, which pollen from the male flower in the cross.
encapsulates the plant’s sperm, forms in the anther. When this It’s easy to make crosses with squash, pumpkins, and melons.
pollen lands on a female stigma, it grows tiny tubes that extend They have separate male and female flowers. Corn is likewise easy
down the style to the ovary and transfers sperm to an ovule, where to cross — just rub a male tassel (which holds the pollen) against
it fertilizes an egg. the silks of the cob (which are the stigmas and styles leading to
When making a cross, you need to transfer pollen from the male the ovule). Crossing tomatoes and other plants with small flowers
part to the female part. You also need to prevent other plants’ pol- of both sexes can be more difficult. In tomato plants, for example,
len from reaching the stigma of the female plant. In the case of several stamens are fused and arranged to surround the female
separate male and female flowers, making a cross is easy. Once reproductive structures.
ADOBE STOCK/EHAURYLIK

the female flower opens, use a small bag to cover it to prevent un- Before attempting any crosses, find out what you can about the
wanted pollen from fertilizing the plant. Secure the bag around the anatomy of the flowers on the plant you’re breeding. It may take
flower stem with string or a rubber band. Then, collect pollen from some practice to become proficient at making crosses, especially
the male plant by rubbing the anthers with a small paintbrush or in cases where you have to remove the stamens.

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 81

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 81 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 When crossing plants, you can use a paintbrush to transfer pollen from male parts to female
parts. Most of the time, hybrid cultivars won’t breed true-to-type, or even viable, seeds.

recessive alleles. Therefore, we could call hybrids. Finally, cross these plants back to
the genotype of the white cultivar, with the original white cultivar.
regard to flower color, “ww.” Likewise, the
red flower would be “RR.” An individual Select Characteristics
with alleles from both white and red flow- For these experiments, we assumed that
ers—a “wR” individual—would have red multiple genes controlled height and vigor

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ADOBE STOCK (4)/FOTORAUSCHEN, CHANAKARN, KWANCHAICHAIUDOM, SERJIK AHKHUNDOV
flowers. (Perhaps the allele coded for a red in the original white cultivar. By continu-
pigment that would mask the white color ally backcrossing to the original white cul- preferred size and shape to move the warts
when present.) tivar, the percentage of its genome in the into the other pumpkin cultivar. In fact,
It’s possible, though, that all the flow- hybrids would increase each generation, squash, gourds, and pumpkins can inter-
ers on your F1 hybrids are white. In this and more of the many genes required for breed in most cases, and they come in a
case, each plant has genes for white and taller, healthier plants would eventually wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
red flowers, but the red color isn’t being come to reside in those plants. Plus, they have large, separate male and
expressed. The simplest explanation for This is the simplest case you might en- female flowers that make hybrid crosses
this is that the red flower color requires counter. In other cases, a given trait might easy. Whatever you experiment with, just
both of the flower color alleles to be of the be the result of a combination of genes remember to start with OP cultivars—not
red type—meaning the red flower color working together, and may disappear in hybrid or F1 cultivars—and be prepared
allele is recessive. If so, you’ll need to gen- your hybrids. In biology, almost anything for the unexpected.
erate red-flowered plants by crossing one can happen. However, hybridizing OP Adding plant breeding to your botani-
of your F1 hybrids—which are “Wr,” be- plants, and then repeatedly backcrossing cal repertoire can make gardening more
cause in this example, the white gene is your hybrids to one of the original plants, enjoyable and give you a multi-year proj-
dominant—with another F1 hybrid. This is how many plant cultivars are bred. ect to undertake. When in doubt, if you
should yield three-quarters white-flowered With this method, you could create see a potential mutant in your garden,
plants (“WW” and “Wr”) and one-quarter plenty of breeding combinations. For ex- save its seeds. It may just be a develop-
red-flowered plants (“rr”). Then, make a ample, you could attempt hybridizing two mental mutant, but it also might have
backcross of a red flower to the original chile peppers—one spicy and one with a genes that you’d like to keep around. If
white cultivar, and repeat the two-gener- larger fruit—and try to move some heat the variation seems at all interesting, try
ation process of crossing all-white hybrids into the bigger pepper. You could breed a saving and replicating it by saving the
with each other to reveal red-flowered pumpkin with warts and a pumpkin of a seeds and backcrossing.

Crossing open-pollinated cultivars to select for desired genetic traits will take multiple plant generations.

82 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 82 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Updated 4th Edition of
THE ORGANIC MANUAL
by Howard Garrett

A round the world, everyone is talking

about environmental issues and “going
green.” Natural organic gardening
and landscaping are among the most
important parts of that movement, but
some proponents only say to stop using
chemicals. The Organic Manual goes further.
This book opens with advice to stop the use
of toxic chemicals, pesticides, and synthetic
fertilizers – but it goes on to provide practical
alternatives. The organic method it describes
has no geographic boundaries, either. The
advice that author Howard Garrett provides
is effective for use from coast to coast and
border to border.
The best kept secret of all (uncovered in
this book) is that organic gardening is better
in every way. Whether you’re hoping to grow
beautiful landscaping or delicious, healthy
food crops, The Organic Manual explains
bed preparation, planting, pest control, and
compost making. It also covers natural living
advice. The organic method Garrett describes
is the most efficient, most cost-effective, and
most fun of any approach possible. It also
produces the best trees, shrubs, flowers, fruits,
and vegetables that you’ll ever grow.

$18.95

Order by calling 800-234-3368 or

visiting www.MotherEarthNews.com/Store
Item #8139 Promo code: MMEPAMZ3
Price does not include shipping and handling.

5 73 83 C4 Ads.indd 83
MEN_Organic-Gardening-Manual.indd 1 11/30/21
11/30/2021 10:41 AM
10:17:53
 This article is available
online in audio form at
MotherEarthNews.com

ADOBE STOCK/MONAMAKELA.COM

84 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 84 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Saving Our
Seeds, Saving
Ourselves
One gardener reflects on the importance of saving delight the senses and enchant the imagi-
nations of culinary artisans.
seeds, and how closely connected humankind’s As seed savers, we do our part to pre-
serve the work of these first farmers,
existence is with the plants we cultivate. honoring their time and dedication.
Within each seed saved is the story of
every gardener who grew that cultivar,
By Bevin Cohen or a mighty winter squash destined to and upon that seed lie the fingerprints
become a flavorful pie on your holiday of every grower who has ever entered

A
gardener’s work is never done. table. The flavor of heritage fruits and into this sacred agreement of cultiva-
In spring, we plan our space vegetables is far superior to anything tion. And just as we care for these crops,
and plant our seeds. We nur- that can be found at the grocery store, fulfilling their needs in order to sustain
ture our fragile seedlings, providing and the selection of colorful and unique their life, they in turn provide us with
them with healthy soil, clean water, and cultivars available to grow seems almost the nourishment we need to sustain
warming sun. When summer’s heat be- endless. With every season there comes ours. This reciprocal relationship doesn’t
gins to beat down upon our shoulders, a task, but perhaps no job is more im- end at harvest; it carries on, through the
we prune, trellis, and irrigate our pre- portant than that of the seed saver, who seed, into the next season.
cious plants. We weed and water and carries the spirit of our gardens from
weed again in what seems like an eternal, harvest, through the dormant winter An Entwined Existence
uphill battle against grasses, plantains, and into spring, to once again be plant- This commitment is not to be taken
and pigweeds. As fall arrives, baskets ed in the embrace of Earth’s warm soil. lightly. Our follow-through is so critical,
and bushels of colorful produce fill our Saving our seeds is critical to preserv- in fact, that to fall short of our responsi-
kitchens as we begin to reap the bounty ing the heritage, cultures, and histories bility is to endanger our very survival on
of our labors, harvesting, feasting, and of all who have stewarded these pre- this Earth. And the same holds true for
preserving the garden’s bounty in prepa- cious crops before us. Without seeds, we the plants in our care. Entering into this
ration for the winter months ahead. And would have no food, and early farmers agreement, known to botanists as “do-
during winter, we plan and dream, fan- understood that by selecting seeds from mestication,” these unique plants gave
tasizing about the staggering array of di- the biggest and best-producing plants in of themselves to provide us with their
versity offered within the vividly colored their fields, the yield of their harvests and life-giving fruits and foliage. Through
ADOBE STOCK/MONAMAKELA.COM

pages of our favorite seed catalogs. the quality of their produce would con- each passing season, as we selected the
The heirloom gardener has much to tinue to improve. In essence, these ear- traits most valuable to us, these plants
enjoy for their efforts. There’s nothing lier farmers were the first plant breeders, provided. But as we asked them for
more rewarding than the taste of home- and because of their efforts, we’re blessed larger fruits, sweeter flavors, and more
grown produce: an heirloom tomato with an incredible bounty of fruits and abundant leaves, other qualities — per-
that you raised from a tender seedling, vegetables, with colors and flavors that haps qualities that we may have viewed

Get to know Bevin Cohen on our “Mother Earth News and Friends” podcast episode “Introduction to Seed Saving.”
JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Listen as he discusses seed saving and how to get started, and as he shares his passion for history, community,
gardening, and educating. Listen at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Seed-Podcast.

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 85

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 85 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Seed savers have the important responsibility of preserving the work, stories, histories, and cultures carried within each seed.

as less important — were altered and has also changed us forever. Somewhere roam to follow the seasons, the migrat-

FROM FAR LEFT: BEVIN COHEN; ADOBE STOCK/DISOBEYART; BEVIN COHEN; ADOBE STOCK/SUMALA
eventually lost. around 12,000 years ago, many of our ing animals, and a ready supply of food,
Over time, these plants were changed ancestors began to shift away from their and instead live in constructed cities
from their wild selves to something nomadic, hunter-gatherer behavior and towns, our own behavior forever
new and different. It’s because of this into a more settled, agrarian lifestyle. altered. Just as these plants have allowed
exchange that many of today’s garden They began this shift by first learning themselves to grow fully dependent
crops rely upon our care and attention; to manage the wild places where their upon our care, we now depend upon
they’re far altered from their original food plants already grew; they gave them. It’s only through cooperative
wild forms and are unable to survive and them space and urged them to thrive. cultivation that we’re able to prosper.
thrive as they once could without the Eventually, people began to coax these Understanding the entwined nature of
pruning, weeding, and irrigation that plants out of their habitats, observing our relationship is paramount to success.
we’ve agreed to provide. their behaviors and selecting from the
The same is to be said of our own spe- strongest and most productive species. First Steps into Seed Saving
cies. Taking part in this sacred exchange Nowadays, many of us no longer While modern plant breeding may

Seed-Saving Best Practices

Saving one’s own garden seeds can be an easy and rewarding to signal their ripeness, while crops such as beans and peas will
practice for gardeners of all skill levels. Get started saving your grow dry and brittle.
seeds with these tips: • Properly label your seeds with the cultivar name, scientific name,
• Start small. Begin by saving seeds from only one or two crops. Try and date of harvest.
something that you already grow in your garden or that you enjoy • Clean your seeds well before storing them away for next season.
eating. Seeds should also be well-dried before you store them to avoid
• Save seeds from open-pollinated cultivars. These cultivars are any mold from forming.
more likely to come back true-to-type. • Seeds store best when kept in a cool, dark, and dry environment.
• The easiest garden crops to save seeds from are self-pollinating Glass jars are ideal for seed storage, but small envelopes or simi-
annuals. These species will produce flowers, fruits, and seeds all lar containers also work well.
in one season, and are least likely to cross-pollinate with other • For long-term storage, keep your seeds in airtight containers in
cultivars. a freezer. When you’re ready to grow them, let your seeds reach
• Seeds are mature and ready to be harvested when the fruits are room temperature before opening the containers to avoid getting
ripe. Peppers, tomatoes, and other nightshades will change color your seeds wet through condensation.

86 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 86 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 When saving seeds, choose open-pollinated cultivars that’ll grow back true-to-type, reliably preserving the plants’ traits.

appear to be limited to the realm of the understand here is that seed saved from Remember, the first seed savers weren’t
FROM FAR LEFT: BEVIN COHEN; ADOBE STOCK/DISOBEYART; BEVIN COHEN; ADOBE STOCK/SUMALA

scientist, small-scale farmers and back- OP cultivars can be grown again the scientists or academic scholars, but they
yard gardeners everywhere are still using next year with reasonable predictability. did take the time to observe and devel-
the traditional techniques utilized by Conversely, many modern cultivars op relationships with the plants in their
these earliest agrarians. This is only pos- available today are hybrids. A hybrid is care, the same plants that cared for them
sible because of the heirloom, heritage produced when two plants of the same in return with nourishing fruits, flowers,
cultivars being grown and saved in these species are cross-pollinated to produce and foliage.
small plots, known as “open-pollinated” a new cultivar. This new cultivar is re- The ancient practice of seed saving can
(OP) cultivars. Generally speaking, this ferred to as the “F1 hybrid.” While deepen our garden experience and pro-
term refers to plants pollinated naturally hybrids do offer a number of benefits, vide us with years of joy as we steward
by birds, insects, wind, or human hands. especially in today’s industrial food sys- our favorite heirloom cultivars. When
To put it simply, seeds harvested from tem, the seeds collected from these cul- we save our seeds and share them with
OP cultivars can be planted the follow- tivars aren’t likely to grow true-to-type, our friends, families, and communities,
ing season and will come back “true-to- and therefore aren’t ideal for the begin- we become part of their story. Through
type,” meaning similar to the maternal ning seed saver. seed saving, we preserve the past, while
plant. The gardener may need to take Despite this, saving seeds from your preparing for the future.
some additional precautions to avoid garden is still relatively straightforward
any cross-pollination with other plants, and can be accomplished by anyone
and these techniques and requirements with a bit of patience and practice.
vary for each species. The main point to (See “Seed-Saving Best Practices,” left.) Successfully Save
Your Seeds
Want to start saving seeds but don’t
know where to start? Then, our “Seed
Explore the Practice and Saving 101” online course is for you.
Philosophy of Seed Saving Bevin Cohen of Small House Farm is
In Saving Our Seeds, seed activist Bevin Cohen takes a deep your guide in this introduction into the
dive into the modern seed-saving movement. Seed savers of all world of saving seeds. Workshop videos
levels will benefit from Bevin’s easy-to-follow explanations on produced by Bevin cover topics such as
important seed-saving techniques, such as hand pollination, iso- building community by sharing seeds,
lation, vernalization, and even basic flower structure. living history of heirloom cultivars,
This title is available at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Store or understanding terminology, pollination,
by calling 800-234-3368. Mention promo code MMEPAMZI. processing, and storing. Learn more at
Item #9960. www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com.

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 87

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 87 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 TRUELOVE SEEDS (3)

88 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 88 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Saving Seeds,
Saving Cultures
This seed-keeping company doesn’t just keep working with world-renowned heir-
loom seedsman William Woys Weaver
heirloom plants safe from hybridization, at the Roughwood Seed Collection. “I
wanted to find a way to share my new
it brings ancestral crops back to the people knowledge and skills with the food jus-
tice communities I’d worked with for
whose cultures kept them alive. the last 15 years,” Taylor says. “I’m com-
mitted to supporting community-based
solutions to the inadequacies and injus-
By Haley Casey 2017, Truelove Seeds is the creation of tices of the globalized food system.” And
Owen Taylor, a seed collector who runs he’s fulfilling this commitment through

O
ne small seed company is the Philadelphia Seed Exchange and his work with Truelove Seeds.
TRUELOVE SEEDS (3)

ready to make a big name for grows open-pollinated seeds, medicinal While a focus on community-based
itself by helping growers re- herbs, and flowers at Mill Hollow Farm solutions has certainly influenced
claim and cultivate seeds that reflect in Edgemont, Pennsylvania. The idea Taylor’s dedication to agroecology and
their heritage. Launched in December for Truelove came during his four years food sovereignty when it comes to the

FROM LEFT: Owen Taylor with ‘Landis Winter’ lettuce. Chris Bolden Newsome, co-director of Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, with
‘Speckled Brown Butterbean’ seeds. Aurora Sikelianos gathers with friends to shell peas and beans for Truelove.

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 89

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 89 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 more than 20 small-scale farmers already of their farmers’ Syrian grandfathers, kale, and ‘Daniel O’Rourke’ peas,
working with Truelove, the founding Taylor sent them several seeds of other as well as southern Italian ‘Lunga di
principle of the company is even more Syrian cultivars from his own collection. Napoli’ squash, ‘San Marzano’ toma-
personal: “We believe it is essential for And there are Native American seeds toes, cima di rapa (broccoli rabe), and
growers to play a role in preserving their available on the Truelove website; in ‘Jimmy Nardello’ and ‘Friariello’ pep-
cultural heritage by saving and sharing their descriptions, Taylor has included pers. “When I grow and eat these crops
their own seeds, as well as the traditions a call to the people of those tribes to — particularly the ‘Lumper’ potatoes
and stories connected to those seeds.” reach out to him if they’d like the seeds and the two Italian frying peppers — I

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: TRUELOVE SEEDS; ADAM FORBES (2); TRUELOVE SEEDS; KRISTYN LEACH
“We ask the farmers to identify crops rematriated — an Indigenous concept think of my respective Irish and Italian
that are part of their ancestry or that are that means “to restore a living culture great-grandmothers in their homelands
particularly important to their region,” to its rightful place on Mother Earth.” growing and eating similar crops, and I
Taylor says. And therein lies what sets Even before beginning Truelove feel deeply connected to their joys and
Truelove apart from other seed-saving Seeds, Taylor saw the power that a cul- struggles. It’s so fulfilling!”
operations. Not only does 50 percent turally important crop can bring to a The value of these food stories is
of every seed packet sale go back to the community when it’s available to grow, proclaimed across Truelove’s products.
farmer who grew the crop, but each purchase, and consume. While living Not only is the information about the
farm focuses, at least in part, on grow- and working in New York, he watched grower of each cultivar listed on their
ing seeds that are connected to their the Caribbean population in Brooklyn seed packets and their website, but the
culture. “Kristyn Leach at Namu Farm flock to the market at East New York descriptions are written by the growers
specializes in growing Korean crops; Farms to buy and sell callaloo, a be- themselves. Taylor carefully researches
VietLead’s Resilient Roots Farm fo- loved Caribbean green. In fact, he says the history of each seed they sell, valu-
cuses on Vietnamese crops; and several that the seeds he’s most excited to sell ing both oral tradition and trusted,
farms like Sankofa Community Farm are those that are hard to find in the documented histories. But at the end
and Soul Fire Farm focus on crops of United States. Perpetuating crops from of the day, the story of a crop is best un-
the African Diaspora.” When he found an ancestral homeland is made personal derstood by the communities to whom
that Bear Bottom Farm in Virginia was on Taylor’s own farm, where he grows it’s important. As Taylor says, “The
growing the molokhia cultivar of one Irish ‘Lumper’ potatoes, ‘Delaway’ sense of home that can be found in a

LEFT: ‘Better’ chamoe is a cultivar that predates the modern hybridization of chamoes. RIGHT: Owen Taylor and a group of Truelove apprentices and
volunteers harvest ‘Winterspinat Haldenstein’ winter spinach seeds.

90 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 90 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 seed is so valuable. A seed story scale. Surprisingly, the chamoe
can be wrapped up in a group’s may become an international
sense of self, providing inspira- discussion; the deployment of
tion, hope, and meaning.” And a United States military missile
however the seeds have passed system, Terminal High Altitude
through generations, or traveled Area Defense (THAAD), has
to make it back into the hands disrupted the small South
of those to whom they mean the Korean village Soseong-ri.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: TRUELOVE SEEDS; ADAM FORBES (2); TRUELOVE SEEDS; KRISTYN LEACH

most, Truelove’s hallmark is en- Citizens of the village, many of

suring that cultural meaning is whom are chamoe farmers, have
preserved in every packet. now turned to activism, afraid
of the effects of the military’s
Seed Profiles presence. One citizen said that
‘Better’ Chamoe (Korean the day after THAAD arrived,
Melon) (Cucumis melo var. melon prices dropped — a
makuwa). Kristyn Leach grows Farm School NYC students shell ‘Fagiolina del Trasimeno’ potentially devastating conse-
this beloved cultivar on Namu black-eyed peas at Truelove. quence to the county that sup-
Farm. Though she now works plies nearly 70 percent of the
in Winters, California, Leach was born products of Leach’s seeds, while slightly chamoe sold in the country, especially
in the Gyeongsangbuk-do province less sweet than chamoe hybrids, have an when you consider chamoe cultivars,
of South Korea, the center of chamoe original, refreshing, almost floral flavor, such as Leach’s, that are only protected
melon production, and she continues reminiscent of cucumber, honeydew, by small-scale growers in South Korea.
the legacy of her birth place by selling and apple. Its production habit reflects ‘ B u rm e s e R a t - Ta i l ’ R a d i s h
the seeds of this cultivar that predate desirable traits for subsistence farmers: (Raphanus sativus var. caudatus). Teacher
Japanese intervention into the breed- vigor without the need for commercial and garden organizer Adam Forbes
ing of the melon; most modern com- fertilizer, a long harvest window, and a began working with refugee families
mercial strains are now hybrids. The harvest volume appropriate for small in Philadelphia 10 years ago. As they

‘Burmese Rat-Tail’ radish is native to South Asia. The cultivar is sweeter than most rat-tail radishes, with a spicy flavor.

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 91

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 91 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 advocated for and eventually built com- all over to buy the greens, flowers, and West African and Southeast Asian
munity gardens in the city, refugee gar- pods, brought to tears to see plants they families, who are able to grow and en-
deners showed him seeds they had sewn hadn’t tasted since childhood. joy the treasured crop in the United
into waistbands and hats to keep safe as ‘Purple Kingsessing’ Bean (Phaseolus States thanks to Adam Forbes and the
they fled their homes. A woman named vulgaris). William Woys Weaver was en- community gardens he helped start in
Mimi, a Karen refugee from Myanmar, trusted with these seeds — also known Philadelphia. To the people of Nepal and
brought to the gardens her ‘Burmese as ‘Lenape Blue Bread’ beans — when Myanmar, many of whom are refugees,
Rat-Tail’ radish seeds, a crop from her their previous keeper in Oklahoma the plant is crucial to a number of soups,
home village that was grown by her passed away. Many Lenape people now curries, and even cultural ceremonies.
family for generations — on Mimi’s reside in northern Oklahoma after be- It’s highly sought after in communities
wedding day, her mother gave her a ing forced there in the 1800s by the from Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea,
small sack full of their family seeds as a United States government. The name and Sierra Leone. And when refugees
gift. Some Karen community members “Kingsessing” is derived from the Lenape from Congo resettled in Philadelphia
say that this plant gives people energy all word “chingsessing,” which means “the amongst the Southeast Asian popula-
day; they used to grow them on the edg- place with the meadows.” Originally, tion, the groups bonded over the plant;
es of fields to eat as a regular snack while this was the name for the land between both cultural histories used a broth
farming or walking through the village. the Schuylkill River and Cobbs Creek, from boiling the garden eggs to cure
So when Mimi carefully tended and fi- in what is now west and southwest skin ailments, and in early ceremonies
nally grew radishes in the Philadelphia Philadelphia. Through William Woys with newborns. The seed was saved
garden, many community members Weaver and Owen Taylor, the seed was by Maryland farmer and ethnic crop
were astounded to see the plant; they brought back to its original land for the specialist Yao Afantchao. Originally
flocked to Mimi’s plot to beg for some first time and is now grown by staff at from Togo, Afantchao brought ‘White

TRUELOVE SEEDS (2)

of this taste from their homelands. And the historic Bartram’s Garden. Garden Egg’ seeds back from his grand-
when they started to sell the radish at ‘White Garden Egg’ Eggplant mother in Africa more than two decades
the Novick Family Urban Farm stand, (Solanum aethiopicum var. gilo). This ago. They’re now grown at the Novick
Myanmar refugee families came from white, bitter eggplant is popular among Family Urban Farm.

LEFT: ‘Purple Kingsessing’ beans have a meaty flavor, and are often used in stews and baked into bread. RIGHT: ‘White Garden Egg’ eggplant is a
versatile crop that can be eaten raw, boiled, sautéed, or cooked into a variety of dishes, including soups and stews.

92 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 92 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 EarthWords

In a world filled with doubt

MORNING SUN IN MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: REBECCA TIFFT

step into a garden

to know
Divine intervention
exists.
— Mary Maude Daniels

93 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 93 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Start Seeds
with Soil Blocks CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ELIOT COLEMAN; BARBARA DAMROSCH (2)

Skip the seed-starting pots this spring, and By Eliot Coleman

F
instead plant your seeds directly in compressed inding any technique that’s
simpler, more effective, and
blocks of soil that you can move easily from less expensive than what’s been
used before is satisfying. This is true for
grow lights to garden. the production of transplants, and soil

94 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 94 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 TOP: The soil-block size you choose will depend on the seed you plant and the amount of time
the seedling will remain in the block before transplanting. ABOVE: Most plants, such as basil,
blocks meet these criteria. The Dutch have such a high rate of germination in soil blocks that planting only one seed per block will
have been developing this technique result in successful seedlings.
for more than 100 years, but the hu-
man history of growing plants in cubes lightly compressed potting soil. It serves rapid outward growth. When you trans-
of soil goes back 2,000 years or more. as both the container and the growing plant the seedling to the field, it quickly
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ELIOT COLEMAN; BARBARA DAMROSCH (2)

The story of how Aztec horticultur- medium for a transplant seedling. The becomes established. If you keep the
ists of the chinampas of Xochimilco, blocks are composed entirely of potting plants too long in the blocks, however,
Mexico, used cubes of rich mud to grow soil and have no walls as such. Because the roots do extend into neighboring
seedlings makes fascinating reading. they’re pressed out by a form rather than blocks, so the plants should be trans-
A related technique is the old market filled into a form, air spaces provide the planted before this happens.
gardener’s practice of using 4- to 5-inch walls. Instead of the roots circling, as they Despite being no more than a cube of
(10- to 13-centimeter) cubes of partially do upon reaching the wall of a container, growing medium, a soil block is not frag-
decomposed inverted sod for growing they fill the block to the edges and wait. ile. When first made, the fibrous nature
melon and cucumber transplants. The air spaces between the blocks and of the moist ingredients binds it together.
the slight wall glazing caused by the block Once seeded, the roots of the young
How Soil Blocks Work form keep the roots from growing from plant quickly fill the block and ensure
A soil block is pretty much what the one block to another. its stability even when handled roughly.
name implies — a block made out of The edge roots remain poised for Soil blocks are the answer for a farm-

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 95

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 95 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Blocking Mix produced seedling system that costs no
more than the soil of which it’s composed.
The pin is the object mounted in the
center of the top press-form plate. The
Recipe The Soil-Block Maker
standard seed pin is a small button that
makes an indentation for the seed in the
A standard 10-quart bucket is the unit The key to this system is the tool for top of the soil block. This pin is suitable
of measurement for the bulk ingredients. making soil blocks—the soil-block mak- for crops with seeds the size of lettuce,
A standard cup measure is used for the er or blocker. Basically, it’s an ejection cabbage, onion, or tomato seeds. Other
supplementary ingredients. This recipe mold that forms self-contained cubes out pin types are dowel- or cube-shaped. I
makes approximately 2 bushels of mix. of a growing medium. Both hand and use the cubic pin for melons, squash,
machine models are available. For small- corn, peas, beans, and any other seeds of
• 3 buckets brown peat scale production, hand-operated models those dimensions. You can also use cubic
• 1⁄2 cup (120 milliliters) lime are perfectly adequate. Motorized block- pins so you can place a seedling growing
• 2 buckets coarse sand or perlite making machines have a capacity of more in a smaller block into a larger block;
• 3 cups (720 milliliters) base fertilizer than 10,000 blocks per hour, but they’re the pin makes a cubic hole in the top of
• 1 bucket soil overscaled for the small vegetable farm. the block into which the smaller block
• 2 buckets compost There are two features to understand is placed. The different types of pins are
about the blocker in order to appreciate easily interchangeable. A long dowel pin
First, combine the peat with the the versatility of soil blocks: the size of makes a deeper hole into which you can
lime, because that’s the most acidic the block form and the size and shape of insert cuttings.
ingredient. Then, add the sand or the center pin.
perlite. Mix in the base fertilizer next. Forms are available to make Blocking Systems
By incorporating the dry supplemental 3 ⁄4 -inch (2-centimeter) blocks (the You can use the 3⁄4-inch (2-centime-
ingredients with the peat in this man- mini-blocker), 1½-inch (4-centimeter) ter) block made with the mini-blocker

FROM LEFT: JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS; BARBARA DAMROSCH; ADOBE STOCK/JULIJA SAPIC
ner, they’ll be distributed as uniformly blocks, 2-inch (-centimeter) blocks, for starting seeds. With this small block,
as possible throughout the medium. 3-inch (7½ -centimeter) blocks, and you can germinate enormous quantities
Add the soil and compost, and mix 4-inch (10-centimeter) blocks (the of modular seedlings on a heating pad
completely a final time. maxi-blocker). The block shape is cu- or in a germination chamber. This is es-
To use this recipe for larger quanti- bic rather than tapered. Horticultural pecially useful for seeds that take a long
ties, think of it measured in “units.” researchers have found a cubic shape to time to germinate, because you use mini-
The unit can be any size, as long as be superior to the tapered-plug shape mal space in the process.
you maintain the ratio between the for the root growth of seedlings. Mini-blocks are effective because you
bulk and the supplementary ingredi- Two factors influence choice of block can handle them as soon as you want to
ents. A unit formula would call for: size: the type of plant and the length of pot on the seedlings. The oft-repeated
the intended growing period prior to admonition to wait until the first true
• 30 units brown peat transplanting. For example, you’d use a leaves appear before transplanting is
• 1⁄8 unit lime larger block for early sowings or where wrong. Specific investigations by W. J. C.
• 20 units coarse sand or perlite planting outside is likely to be delayed. Lawrence, one of the early potting-soil
• 3⁄4 unit base fertilizer A smaller block would suffice for short- researchers, have shown that the sooner
• 10 units soil duration propagation in summer and fall. young seedlings are potted on, the better
• 20 units compost You’d only use the mini-block as a germi- is their eventual growth.
nation block for starting seedlings. You can use the 1½-inch (4-centi-

96 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 96 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Mini-Block
Recipe
Use this blend for germinating seeds
in mini-blocks. Seeds germinate bet-
ter in a “low-octane” mix, without any
blood meal added. Finely screen the
peat and compost through a ¼-inch
(0.6-centimeter) mesh before adding
them to the mix.

• 16 units or 4 gallons (15 liters)

brown peat
• 1⁄8 unit or 1⁄2 cup (120 milliliters)
colloidal phosphate
Soil block mix differs from traditional potting soil because it needs extra fibrous material to • 1⁄8 unit or 1⁄2 cup (120 milliliters)
hold its shape, and there should be one part water to every three parts mix, resulting in a much greensand
wetter consistency. • 4 units or 1 gallon (3.8 liters) well-
decomposed compost
meter) block for short-duration trans- of a blocking mix differs from ordinary
plants of standard crops, such as lettuce, potting soil because of the unique require- Note: If greensand is unavailable,
brassicas, beets, fennel, etc. When fitted ments of block making. A blocking mix leave it out; do not substitute a dried
with a long dowel pin, it makes an excel- needs extra fibrous material to withstand seaweed product in this mix.
lent block for rooting cuttings. being watered to a paste consistency and
The 2-inch (5-centimeter) block is the then formed into blocks. Unmodified gar-
standard for longer-duration transplants. den soil treated this way would become
When fitted with the 3/4-inch cubic pin, hard and impenetrable. A blocking mix be much wetter than potting mixes used
you can use it for germinating bean, pea, also needs good water-holding ability be- for pots or flats, it takes some getting used
corn, or squash seeds, and for the initial cause the blocks aren’t enclosed by a con- to. The most common mistake in block
potting on of crops started in mini-blocks. tainer. The bulk ingredients for blocking making is trying to make blocks from a
The 3-inch (7½-centimeter) block fit- mixes are peat, sand, soil, and compost. mix that’s too dry. The need to thoroughly
ted with a 3⁄4-inch (2-centimeter) cubic Store-bought mixes can also work, but moisten the mix is the reason the mix re-
pin offers the option to germinate many most will contain chemical additives not quires a high percentage of peat, which
different field crops (squash, cucumber, allowed by many organic certification gives it the necessary resiliency.
melon) when greenhouse space isn’t criti- programs. If you can find a commercial
FROM LEFT: JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS; BARBARA DAMROSCH; ADOBE STOCK/JULIJA SAPIC

cal. It’s also an ideal size for potting on as- peat-and-perlite mix with no additives, Making Soil Blocks
paragus seedlings started in mini-blocks. you can supplement it with soil, compost, Spread the wet mix on a hard surface at
The 4-inch (10-centimeter) block fit- and extra ingredients, such as lime, blood a depth thicker than the soil-block maker
ted with a 1½- or 2-inch (4- or 5-centi- meal, colloidal phosphate, and greensand. you intend to use. Fill the soil-block mak-
meter) cubic pin can be the final home of er by pressing it into the mix with a quick
artichoke, eggplant, pepper, and tomato Moistening the Mix push and a twisting motion to seat the
seedlings. Because of its cubic shape, You must add water to wet the mix to material. Lift the blocker, scrape off any
it has the same soil volume as a 6-inch blocking consistency. The amount of wa- excess mix against the edge of a board,
(15-centimeter) pot. ter varies depending on the initial moisture and place the blocker on a three-sided
content of the ingredients. On average, to flat, bread tray, plastic sheet, or concrete
Blocking Mixes achieve a consistency wet enough for prop- floor. You eject the blocks by pressing
When you grow transplants, whether er block making, the ratio of water to mix on the spring-loaded handle until a lit-
in blocks or pots, their rooting area is by volume will be about one part water to tle moisture oozes out, and then raising
limited. Therefore, the soil in which they every three parts mix, or a little over 2½ the sides of the form in a smooth, even
grow must be specially formulated to com- gallons (9 1/2 liters) of water to every cubic motion. After each use, dip the blocker
pensate for these restricted conditions. For foot (0.09 square meter) of mix. in water to rinse it. A surprising rate of
soil blocks, this special growing medium is For successful block making, be sure to block production (one grower claims up
called a “blocking mix.” The composition use a mix that’s wet enough. Since this will to 5,000 per hour using the 1½-inch

PLANTING/SAVING SEEDS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 97

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 97 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 for high-percentage seed germination.
Even a thin covering of soil or potting
mix can lower the percentage of germi-
nation. This is important for all small
flower seeds also. If the sowing instruc-
tions suggest the seeds need darkness to
germinate, I cover the flats temporarily
with a sheet of black plastic. I keep the
moisture level high during the germina-
tion period by misting frequently with a
fine spray of water. For the majority of
crops in the larger blocks, I get sturdier
seedlings if I cover the seeds. I do that
by sprinkling a thin layer of potting soil
over the top of the blocks.
Temperature, in addition to oxygen and
moisture, is key to a high percentage of
[4-centimeter] commercial-scale model) is also possible for small seeds that have seed germination. Use a thermostatically
will result with practice. been pelleted, although pelleted seeds controlled soil heating pad under your
aren’t easily available in most cultivars, blocks to maintain ideal warmth. Try us-
Seeding Single-Plant Blocks and naked seeds are more commonly ing a remote thermostatic probe to check
The blockers form each block with used. You can most accurately handle the temperature of the potting soil or in
an indentation in the top to receive the small seeds by using a small thin stick, the gap between the soil blocks. I find
seed. Sow one seed per block. There’s a sharpened dowel, a toothpick, or a that 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to
a temptation to use two (just to be on similar pointed implement. Spread the 24 degrees Celsius) is ideal for most crops.
the safe side), but that’s not necessary. seeds on a dish, moisten the tip of the However, 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (27
Germination is excellent in soil blocks stick in water, and touch it to one seed. to 30 degrees Celsius) seems ideal for as-
because of the ease with which you can The seed will adhere to the tip so you paragus, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants,
maintain ideal moisture and tempera- can move it to the seed indentation in melons, peppers, and squash.
ture. The few seeds that don’t germinate the top of a block and deposit it. The
are much less of a problem than the la- solid, moist block has more friction than Soil Block Benefits
bor to thin all those that do. Of course, the tip of the stick, so the seed will stay The best thing about the soil-block
if the seed is of questionable vitality, it’s on the block. Another technique is to system is that everything you can do in
worth planting more than one seed per crease one side of a seed packet or use small pots, paks, trays, or plugs can be
block, but, obviously, it pays to get good any other V-shaped container, and tap done in blocks, and blocks can be made
seed to begin with. out the seeds by striking the container to accommodate any need. There’s no
For large seeds, such as cucumber, with your fingers or a small stick. plastic pot expense to the grower, the
melon, and squash, you can place the I never cover the seeds I’ve planted customer, or the environment. With
seeds with your fingers. Finger-seeding in mini-blocks. Oxygen is important roots not mangled from outgrowing
their container, seedlings are ready to
reestablish themselves when they hit
garden soil, cutting down on transplant
Soil Blocker Set shock. In short, soil blocks constitute
Get everything you need to start making your own soil the best system I’ve yet found for grow-
blocks! Soil blocks are perfect for those who want to ing seedlings.
create the perfect germination environment for seeds.
They ensure no “shock” when transplanting your seed-
ling, and allow for the plant to adapt to and thrive
in a new environment. This kit includes: the Mini This article is adapted from Eliot
4 Soil Blocker, the Micro 20 Soil Blocker, and Coleman’s book The New Organic
ADOBE STOCK/WOLLERTZ

Cubic Inserts for the Mini 4 Soil Blocker. This Grower, 30th Anniversary Edition
set is available at www.MotherEarthNews.com/ (Chelsea Green Publishing, September
Store or by calling 800-234-3368. Mention 2018) and is reprinted with permission
promo code MMEPAMZI. Item #10047. from the publisher.

98 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 98 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 Delightful Dill
A versatile, aromatic herb for the garden and kitchen. or two with kitchen scissors. You’ll no-
tice that the sweet, distinctive smell will
become stronger as you cut the plant.
By Laura N. Sweet dill in the garden, you can enjoy experi- The flavor from the herb will also be re-
menting with it in all kinds of recipes. leased as you tear off the small leaves of

D
ill is delightful, versatile, the frond and add it to your cooking.
aromatic, and delicious. In the Growing & Harvesting Dill If you want to preserve the dill leaves,
past, it was primarily used for Dill is easy to grow in all kinds of harvest the plants before they go to seed.
preserving dill pickles. However, dill is soils, and in all different climate zones. Just take the dill plant and hang it up-
an herb that has grown in popularity in Simply sow the seeds in a row 1⁄4 inch side down in a dry area of your home, or
recent years, and is now not just used in deep, about 18 inches apart. Rake the on the porch.
canning, but also in main dishes, salads, soil over the seeds, and water gently. Alternatively, you can snip off the
and sides. Dill seeds take to warmer soil — individual fronds, wash them, and
For home gardeners, more good news between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit allow them to dry on paper towels.
is that dill is easy to grow, harvest, pre- is best. In northern climates, that means After a few days, the leaves will be dry
GETTY IMAGES/DEVIDDO

serve, and reseed from your own plants. sowing the seeds in late spring or early and ready to be stored in clean bottles
Even a novice gardener can have great summer for a later summer harvest. or sealed bags for future use. Be sure to
success with this flavorful herb — and As the plant mature, you can harvest store dried dill away from the light to
once you have your own little patch of fresh dill by simply snipping off a frond maintain its color and flavor.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 99

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 99 11/18/21 2:32 PM

 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/ALEXANDRAFLORIAN, DIANA TALIUN; LORI DUNN (2)
Dried dill should be a staple in every kitchen, because it lends big To harvest fresh dill, simply snip off a frond or two with kitchen
flavor to a wide variety of foods. scissors. Not only does it add flavor, it also brightens the dish.

You can also allow your dill plants to If you don’t harvest your dill, it will re- Some I pulled up, and others I let mature
mature and go to seed, and then harvest seed itself. This is best done in a confined in the rows—I love the smell of dill while
the seeds themselves. The seeds can be area, as dill can spread throughout a gar- I work in the garden.
used for pickling, or for replanting your den if you aren’t careful. I’ll confess to not
dill in the spring. The seeds are large and being careful. I’ve had dill plants come up Cooking With Dill
easy to keep through winter. in my tomato patch from time to time. A little bit of dill can have a strong

100 MOTHER EARTH NEWS XXXX/XXXX XXXX

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 100 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Ingredients Easy Slow-Cooker
• 4 boneless, skinless
chicken breasts, frozen Country French Chicken
• 1 can (103⁄4 ounces) Here’s another family favorite, and one that couldn’t be any easier to prepare— and it also couldn’t be
cream of chicken soup any more delicious. Simply throw all the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it cook while you go about
• 1⁄3 cup white cooking your day.
wine or chicken broth 1 Place frozen chicken breasts, soup, cooking wine, and dill in a slow cooker.
• 1 teaspoon dried dill 2 Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours.
• Prepared rice or pasta 3 Serve over rice or pasta.

impact on the flavor of many

dishes. For example, adding about
1⁄2 teaspoon to potato salad, tuna-
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/ALEXANDRAFLORIAN, DIANA TALIUN; LORI DUNN (2)

macaroni salad, or pasta salad gives

those traditional dishes a pleasant
new zing. Dill is also a great way
to perk up sliced cucumbers and
onions in sour cream.
Need an easy dip to go with
fresh veggies? Stir 1 teaspoon dill
and 3⁄4 teaspoon seasoning salt
into 1 cup sour cream. Chill for
30 minutes, and you’re ready to
serve with all your favorite fresh,
raw vegetables.
Dill also enhances the flavor of
many seafood dishes. Try sprin-
kling dry or fresh dill, along with
coarse salt or other seasoning, on
salmon or tilapia before you broil
or grill it. You’ll certainly notice
the difference!

New Potatoes & Garden Veggies Ingredients

One of our favorite dishes in the summer is fried new potatoes with garden vegetables, • 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
garlic, and dill. It seems like every summer, the green beans in my garden start slowly, with • New potatoes, unpeeled, diced (about
1⁄2 to 1 cup per person)
just a handful or two to pick for dinner. Of course, a week later, there are all kinds of beans
to pick. But what to do with those first few beans? This recipe uses them with other veggies • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, crushed or diced
that are just beginning to ripen and mature in the garden. • Fresh green beans (a few, a handful,
1 Heat oil in an electric skillet or large frying pan. or as many as you like)
2 Add potatoes and garlic, and sauté for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the potatoes just begin • 1 bell pepper, sliced into small strips
to soften, gently stirring frequently so they don’t stick. (green, red, or orange)
3 Add green beans, bell pepper strips, and onion rings, and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, • 1 onion, sliced, separated into rings
or until potatoes are tender and vegetables are cooked to desired tenderness. • 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh dill
4 Stir in dill, and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot. • Salt and pepper, to taste

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 101

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 101 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Grow
Great
Carrots

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/ALTER_PHOTO, TEAMJACKSON; COURTESY WWW.RARESEEDS.COM

Simple soil amendments and careful cultivar Carrot Cultivation
Carrots (Daucus carota) are biennial
selection will boost your roots to their finest form. members of the parsley family. They have
a two-year life span, during which they
grow and store energy in their roots the
By Andrew Weidman you’re enjoying the sweetest, snappiest first year, and then flower and produce
carrots ever tasted, without a hint of bit- seeds the next. Wild carrots produce a

M
any gardeners dream of grow- terness, soapiness, or woody texture. thin, white or purple root that’s tough,
ing perfect carrots. The seeds Unfortunately, more often than not, bitter, and soapy tasting. They’re practi-
are sown shortly after the first these heavenly carrots grow strictly cally unrecognizable as a garden carrot. For
catalog arrives, and flawlessly grow into in the imaginations of cabin-fevered all of their sophistication, though, the fa-
rows of sweet, crunchy perfection with gardeners. The reality of growing car- miliar garden-variety carrots are barely do-
feathery tops that wave in the breeze. rots can be sobering and more than mesticated and will quickly escape to the
With tops firmly attached, each golden- a bit disappointing — at least at first. wild given the chance. You’ve likely seen
orange root slides effortlessly from the It’s not the carrots’ or the gardener’s the descendants of escaped carrots in the
ground, never snapping. The roots are fault; carrots are just more challeng- form of Queen Anne’s lace. Only in the
always straight and smooth; they never ing than most veggies. Oftentimes, perfect conditions of a well-tended garden
fork or have any odd-looking bumps, carrot troubles stem from growing the does a carrot show its full potential.
and there aren’t any splits, root maggots, wrong cultivar in the wrong soil condi- Those perfect conditions are the differ-
or rodent teeth marks. Only a quick tions — something Bugs Bunny never ence between bitter, split roots and carrot
rinse with a garden hose is needed before had to deal with. gold. Carrots need light and loose sandy

102 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 102 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 or loamy soil that’s free of any rocks or
hard clumps. You can lighten your soil by
adding a mixture of sand and composted
leaves, using more leaves than sand. Avoid
heavy, rich composts and composted
manures; carrots grow hairy, forked roots
in soil with too much nitrogen.
Carrots can produce two crops per
season. Plant the first crop several weeks
before the last spring frost in your area.
Second-crop carrot seedlings planted
in midsummer will appreciate the light
shade provided by a floating row cover, at
least until the heat begins to break. Later
in the season, carrots don’t mind a bit of
frost. In fact, a few frosts at the end of
the second crop will actually sweeten the
roots, causing them to change starches
over to sugars for storage.
When it’s time to plant, select a spot
with plenty of sun —the more sun, the
better. Carrots can tolerate light shade, but
they produce best in full sun. You’ll also
want to choose a spot with excellent drain-
age. Dig and loosen the soil to at least a
1-foot depth, or 2 feet if you plan to grow
long, Imperator types. Like most commer-
cial vegetable varieties, Imperators have
been bred for machine harvesting, not
flavor. If you prefer better-tasting carrots
with less digging, plant either Chantenay,
globe-shaped, or “half long” types.
Sow carrot seeds directly into the
ground. They don’t do well as transplants,
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/ALTER_PHOTO, TEAMJACKSON; COURTESY WWW.RARESEEDS.COM

because any root constriction will result in

misshapen, forked roots. Carrot seeds are
small and fine, making them difficult to
handle and prone to clumping, especially
if your fingers are damp. Space the seeds
3 inches apart in rows at least 18 to 24
inches apart. Alternatively, you can mix
seed with fine sand, dry potting mix, or
dried coffee grounds and broadcast the
mix across the ground. This method works
especially well when planting in beds.
Cover the seed lightly with fine soil
that won’t form a crust, and water it

Large, long-rooted carrots, such as ‘White

Belgian,’ will grow best in soil that’s loose,
giving them room to expand to their full
size. If your soil is very stony, you’ll have
better success with Chantenay types,
such as ‘Early Scarlet Horn.’

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 103

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 103 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 thoroughly. Carrot seed sprouts slowly, thinned so there’s room for them to be- from greening and growing bitter. Carrots
sometimes taking as long as three weeks come large, straight, and sweet. At first, need consistent watering, and should re-
to appear above the soil. The soil cannot snip off unwanted sprouts with scissors ceive 1 inch of water a week.
be allowed to crust or dry out in that time. to avoid disturbing the remaining roots.
Many gardeners interplant radishes with Later, pull crowding plants, which make Harvest and Storage
carrots to provide a marker for the row, great baby carrots for the table or lunch- Once the carrots reach your desired size,
and so the faster-growing radishes break box. (Those bags of “baby” carrots at it’ll be time to harvest. It may be tempt-
up the soil surface. You can also cover the the grocery store aren’t young carrots at ing to just pull the roots out by their tops,
seed row with broad, light boards to keep all; they’re cut down and shaped sections but unless your soil is potting-mix perfect,
the soil moist, soft, and protected. Check of fully developed roots.) Final spacing you’re likely to come away with nothing
the seeds’ progress daily, and remove the should allow 6 to 9 inches between roots. more than a handful of greens. Instead,
boards as soon as you see signs of growth. Hill loose soil or mulch around the base of use a digging or potato fork to ease the
As your carrots grow, they’ll need to be the carrots to prevent the roots’ shoulders roots from the soil. Step the fork into the

COURTESY WWW.RARESEEDS.COM (4)

Roots to Root For
Branch out from supermarket options and consider growing one or all of the following heirloom cultivars:

‘Early Scarlet Horn’ ‘White Belgian’ isn’t as frost-tolerant as some

(55 to 60 days) cultivars, and stores poorly in frosty conditions.
Sometimes called ‘Hoorn,’ this carrot hails
from the Dutch city of Hoorn, and has the classic ‘Violet’ or ‘Purple’
deep-orange color of Dutch cultivars. According (80 to 90 days)
to legend, this is the first orange carrot, bred More obscure than the other cultivars, this
deliberately for the House of Orange of Holland. ancient carrot likely dates back before medieval
Most historians now agree that the colors were times to its ancestral home in Afghanistan. It’ll
merely coincidental. The cultivar was first men- bring attention to the table with its deep-purple
tioned around 1610, and was a favorite in seed skin and bright-yellow core. It’s a smaller carrot,
catalogs during the 1800s. about 1 inch in diameter and 8 inches long, with
‘Early Scarlet Horn’ is a Chantenay type, mean- the stereotypical Imperator form. ‘Violet’ tends
ing it produces a top-shaped root with broad to have a strong, “wild” flavor, but is quite eye-
shoulders, a blunt tip, and a fine taproot at the catching when shredded into a salad or sliced for
bottom. (Chantenay carrots are sometimes re- a veggie tray. Cooking denatures the anthocyanins
ferred to as “stump-rooted.”) ‘Early Scarlet Horn’ that give the root its color, but the purple tones
typically delivers a stout root about 6 inches in can withstand a quick steam or sauté. If you can’t
length, and is an excellent choice for gardens with locate ‘Violet’ seeds, consider other purple-colored
stonier soils. It’s also hailed as an exceptional carrots, including ‘Black Nebula’ (pictured below),
early cropping carrot that allows double plantings, and ‘Gniff.’
even in short growing seasons.

‘White Belgian’
(85 to 90 days)
For an ancient-looking carrot with modern
flavor, give ‘White Belgian’ a try. This white carrot
with green shoulders originated in the Flemish
region of Belgium, and likely contributed to the
parentage of many modern carrots.
‘White Belgian’ produces a large tapered root
that can reach 18 inches in length and 4 inches
in diameter. Originally bred as stock feed for
horses and cattle, its mild, sweet flavor makes
it welcome in the kitchen, especially in soups.

104 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 104 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 soil about 4 inches from the root to avoid straw, fallen leaves, or mulch. (Whole carrot flies, and swallowtail caterpillars.
spearing it with a tine, and then lean back small straw bales can be set directly over All can be controlled with a floating row
on the handle to loosen the soil and lift row-grown carrots, and are probably the cover, although you may want to leave a
the root free. Clean the soil away from the easiest covering to manage.) As long as the few plants uncovered so swallowtail but-
shoulders, and carefully pull the carrot free ground under the cover doesn’t freeze, you terflies can find them. The beauty of the
by hand. can dig carrots all winter long. butterflies and the pollination they per-
Wash off excess dirt, and cut off the form far outweigh the price of a handful
feathery green tops, leaving a short stub of Diseases and Pests of carrot tops.
stem. Carrots can be stored in plastic bags Carrots are susceptible to a few fungal
in the refrigerator for up to one month. and bacterial diseases. Rather than trying Garden Gold
For longer storage, fill a large contain- to manage a disease outbreak, which can Carrots take a bit more work than, say,
er—a clean plastic trash can or solid-sided be hard to identify, maintain good grow- tomatoes or peppers, but once you bite
laundry basket works well—with clean, ing conditions to avoid the problem in into a crisp, frost-sweetened root, you’ll no
damp sand, and place it in a basement or the first place. Encourage good airflow by doubt agree they’re worth the effort. Sure,
COURTESY WWW.RARESEEDS.COM (4)

root cellar. Bury the cleaned carrots in the properly thinning your carrot bed, and they may be picky about their bed, sort of
sand, ensuring each root is completely cov- keep nearby plants from overhanging the like the princess in “The Princess and the
ered. Carrots will stay fresh for four to six area. Fertilize sparingly, if at all, and avoid Pea” (maybe the story should’ve been “The
months stored this way. Alternatively, leave using manures or other high-nitrogen fer- Carrot and the Pebble”?), but beyond that,
carrots in the ground over winter and har- tilizers. Water sufficiently, but take care they’re undemanding. Give them full sun
vest as you need them. Before the ground that your carrot bed isn’t waterlogged. and even watering, and they’ll repay you
freezes, cover the carrot bed heavily with Carrot pests include aphids, flea beetles, with garden gold.

With multiple purple-colored cultivars available — including options with colorful interiors ranging from bright-yellow to almost black — gardeners
can pick and choose their favorite.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 105

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 105 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Asparagus
Early, Easy, & Excellent
Seven steps to growing superior spears, year after year.

By Vicki Mattern sauce, or microwaved, alone or with In fact, when it comes to productivity,
other veggies in soups, stir-fries, and asparagus is difficult to top. A modest

F
resh from the garden, asparagus salads. Any way you slice it, asparagus planting of 25 all-male crowns (dormant
is the delicious essence of spring. is one of the most delicious vegetables roots) will yield up to 20 pounds of ed-
The sweet, slender spears are at you can grow. ible spears per year — that’s 400 pounds
DAVID CAVAGNARO (2)

their best lightly steamed and topped But the beauty of asparagus is more or more over a 20-year period! And it’s
with a bit of butter and maybe a drop of than skin deep. One of the few perennial simple to store your bounty of spring
lemon juice. Of course, you can enjoy vegetable crops, asparagus comes back asparagus in the freezer — just blanch it
your bountiful crop in plenty of other year after year, producing pounds of suc- in boiling water, then chill in ice water
ways, too: sautéed, roasted, grilled, in culent spears for 15 to 20 years or more. before you pop it in the freezer.

106 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 106 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Asparagus is not difficult to grow, Chin, a professor of plant biology and grow the year before,” Ngouajio says.
either. While it takes some time to get a pathology at Rutgers. That also means If you can plant a cover crop, such as
crop started, if you choose your variety male plants do not produce volunteer sorghum or rye, in the area where you
and site wisely, then provide basic care seedlings, which compete against the plan to plant asparagus, you’re in luck.
as outlined here, you’re on your way to established plants and reduce yields. “A cover crop (turned into the soil be-
decades of good eating. All-male hybrids also are more disease- fore planting) will increase the soil’s
resistant than older varieties. In fact, organic matter, which is beneficial to
For the highest yields, choose one of the best ways to avoid aspara- asparagus,” he says.
1 “all-male” varieties. Until about
20 years ago, all asparagus varieties were
gus rust, a fungal disease that reduces
yields, is to plant rust-resistant varieties,
Native to warm climates, such as Asia
Minor and the Mediterranean region,
a mixture of male and female plants. But such as the “Jersey Boys” mentioned in asparagus thrives in full sun and rich,
Rutgers University researchers devel- the previous paragraph. well-drained soil. Incorporate plenty
oped a method for propagating only the of high-quality, aged compost into
male plants (the female plants produce Take time to make a cozy bed. your asparagus site to improve drain-
seeds). These “all-male” asparagus vari-
eties — including ‘Jersey Giant,’ ‘Jersey
2 Remember that your asparagus
will call this site “home” for many
age, boost soil fertility, and reduce the
chance of soilborne fungal diseases,
Supreme,’ and ‘Jersey Knight’ — pro- years to come, so it’s best to choose such as fusarium crown and root rot. If
duce up to three times more than older, a good location and prepare it care- you don’t have compost, add grass clip-
open-pollinated male/female varieties, fully, says Mathieu Ngouajio, assistant pings or shredded leaves. Planting in
such as ‘Mary Washington.’ professor of horticulture at Michigan raised beds also will improve drainage.
That’s because they put all of their State University. You may want to test your soil to
energy into producing spears rather “To avoid disease problems, choose be sure the pH level is in the neutral
than seeds, according to Chee-Kok a site where corn or asparagus did not range of 6.5 to 7.5. Plant pathologists

Best Asparagus Varieties & Sources

All-Male Varieties
1 ‘Jersey Giant’: Medium to large green spears with purplish bracts (scaly leaves);
resistant to fusarium and rust disease; cold tolerant
2 ‘Jersey Knight’: Similar to ‘Jersey Giant’ in size and appearance with thick, flavorful
spears; highly resistant to rust; tolerant to fusarium; adapted to most climates
3 ‘Jersey Supreme’: Slender to medium diameter green spears; high yielding, uniform
in size; good rust resistance; adapted to temperate, cool, and warm regions
4 ‘Guelph Millennium’: Developed by the University of Guelph in Ontario; high-quality
green spears; requires rust control; excellent for cold regions, including Canada and
the upper Midwest

Also Recommended
5 ‘Atlas’: Combines the heat tolerance of ‘U.C. 157’ (an older California variety)
with the productivity of the Jersey varieties; tips stay tight in higher temperatures
(70 degrees and above) longer than with other varieties
6 ‘Purple Passion’: Large reddish-purple spears that turn green when cooked; said
to have a slight nutty flavor and be milder, sweeter, and more tender than green-
speared asparagus; susceptible to rust

Mail-Order Sources
To know which varieties each company offers, match the numbers above to the numbers
below in parentheses. Most of the companies offer other varieties as well.
DAVID CAVAGNARO (2)

• Daisy Farms: 269-782-6321; (2, 3, 4, 6); www.DaisyFarms.net

• Indiana Berry & Plant Co.: 800-295-2226; (1, 2, 4, 6); www.IndianaBerry.com
• Nourse: 413-665-2658; (4, 6); www.NourseFarms.com
• Walker Plants: 856-358-2548; (2, 6); www.WalkerPlants.com

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 107

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 107 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 have found that lower pH values may
promote fusarium disease in asparagus.
If the tests show a low pH, the testing
lab can tell you how much limestone to
add to your soil in order to neutralize
the acidity.

Get a jump on weeds. They can

3 be one of the biggest challenges
for organic asparagus growers. To re-
duce perennial weed problems, be sure
to eliminate them from the site before
planting, and be vigilant about routing
them out in years to come.
“Before we planted our new asparagus
bed, we prepared the soil carefully,” says
Charlotte Johnson, co-owner with her
husband, Glen, of Mother Flight Farm
in Mount Vernon, Washington. The
Johnsons decided to start a new aspara-
gus patch after their previous, 15-year- Jeff Cantara of New Roots Farm in Newmarket, New Hampshire, uses chickens to control
old patch became hopelessly invaded by asparagus beetles in his garden.
quack grass and thistles, which were pos-
sibly brought in with some straw mulch. lished, the Johnsons stay on top of any Farm in Joseph, Oregon (elevation
“After tilling the area, we allowed the new weeds by flaming the entire bed in 4,150 feet), black plastic mulch not
dormant weed seeds to germinate, then late fall to winter, after the asparagus only stops weeds, but also warms soil
burned them off with a flame weeder has gone dormant. and conserves moisture. The 4-foot-
before we planted the asparagus.” Now Other growers find that a combina- wide perforated plastic, used between
that their patch is becoming estab- tion of cultivation and mulching does rows, warms the soil enough to allow
the trick. In a five-year trial of organic spears to be harvested two weeks earlier
versus conventional asparagus culture than usual in the spring.
conducted by Mark Hutton, extension
vegetable specialist at the University Plant in trenches. After the
of Maine, weeds were kept at bay by 4 days have warmed to about

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: CHEE-KOK CHIN/RUTGERS UNIVERSITY; JEFF CANTARA; ROSALIND CREASY
applying a thin layer of bark mulch 50 degrees Fahrenheit, plant aspara-
around plants and cultivating between gus crowns in trenches 6 to 12 inches
rows. “After the final harvest this year, deep, and about 12 inches wide. (Use
we also did a shallow (11⁄2-inch deep) the shallower depth for heavy clay
cultivation with a tiller over the entire soils, Ngouajio says.) By starting your
area to eliminate grasses,” he says. asparagus crop with crowns, you’ll be
In cold locales, such as Prairie Creek able to harvest them a year earlier than

Stalking Summer Asparagus

Here’s a nifty trick for stretching your asparagus harvest a couple of weeks longer into late spring
or early summer. Harvest your crop as usual for the first two weeks of the season. Then, select two
or three sturdy spears from each plant, and allow them to grow undisturbed, while you continue
to harvest the newly emerging spears. The leafy growth of the unharvested “mother stalks” will
collect enough solar energy to stimulate the growth of additional spears for at least two weeks lon-
ger, according to researchers at Cornell and Rutgers universities. If the weather is dry, water the
plants to minimize stress. And to begin harvesting spears up to two weeks earlier in the spring,
use black plastic mulch to warm the soil, conserve moisture, and prevent the growth of weeds.

108 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 108 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 if you plant seeds. Spread that the plants are stressed,
finished compost in the Dufault says.
bottom of the trench, then
space the crowns about 12 Take good care of
to 18 inches apart inside
the trench, mounding the
7 your “ferns.” Keep
in mind that your aspara-
soil a bit beneath each gus plants will continue
crown. Cover the crowns to grow after you finish
with about 2 inches of harvesting the spears in
soil. Gradually add more spring. And it’s that tall
soil (mixed with com- ferny growth that the
post, if available) over the plants produce from June
next four to six weeks as through September that is
the plants grow, until the most critical to the success
trench is level with the of next year’s crop. Pamper
surrounding soil. your ferns by ensuring that
they receive adequate nu-
Resist the temp- trients and water (at least a
5 tation to harvest
spears the first season!
half inch per week). Orton
advises applying compost
For the best future har- on top of the bed right af-
vests, allow the under- ter harvest is completed. It’s
ground crowns to become Steamed asparagus smothered in lemony hollandaise sauce is a rich, important you don’t forget
well-established during beautiful, and nutritious addition to any meal. to stay on top of competing
the first year or two after weeds and insect pests.
planting. If you do not harvest the spears Stop picking when spears Jeff Cantara, owner of New Roots
(which are actually the plants’ newly
emerging shoots), they will develop into
6 grow spindly. By the crop’s
third season, you should be able to
Farm in Newmarket, New Hampshire,
uses chickens (moved in a homemade
tall, attractive plants with lacy leaves. pick a full harvest — that means you portable chicken pen) to fertilize his
“The vegetative part of asparagus — can pick all the spears that emerge asparagus crop, while controlling as-
the tall, leafy growth sometimes called over six to eight weeks. (To extend paragus beetles — the quarter-inch-
‘ferns’ — is the part that captures sun- your harvest by a couple of weeks, see long, black or red-spotted insects that
light and energy, which is stored in the “Stalking Summer Asparagus,” left.) sometimes damage ferns. After he’s
crowns. The more energy stored in the To harvest asparagus spears, simply finished harvesting his spears for the
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: CHEE-KOK CHIN/RUTGERS UNIVERSITY; JEFF CANTARA; ROSALIND CREASY

crowns, the better your crop will be snap them off by hand where they nat- season, Cantara moves the 5-by-12-
the following year,” explains Thomas urally bend; a knife is not necessary, foot wooden frame covered with poul-
Orton, extension vegetable specialist and can actually spread disease from try netting to the asparagus bed (with
with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in one plant to another. Plus, by snap- young laying hens inside), then moves
New Brunswick, New Jersey. ping off only the tender stalks in the the enclosure to a different location in
“It’s important that a gardener look garden, you’ll save a step in the kitch- his patch every three or four days.
at their asparagus plants and not en by avoiding the need to remove the “I add a little grain to the soil to
push them before they are ready,” says fibrous stems. encourage them to scratch,” Cantara
Robert Dufault, professor emeritus of Be sure to harvest the spears before says. “We had some asparagus beetles
environmental horticulture at Clemson their tips begin to open, however. before, but not since the chickens
University. For instance, if the plants’ After the tips open, the spears become have been cleaning up the beds. They
ferns grew lush and tall (about shoul- tough. Warm temperatures encourage don’t hurt the asparagus ferns, and the
der-height) the first year, it’s OK to tips to open faster, so you may need to chicken manure gets incorporated into
harvest the spears for about two weeks harvest daily if your area experiences a the soil.”
the second spring (instead of the usual sudden warm spell. Although asparagus aficionados
six to eight weeks), Dufault says. He In cool, spring weather, expect to sometimes differ when it comes to the
also recommends waiting one more harvest taller spears a couple of times finer points of planting and care, all
year before harvesting if the spears did each week. As soon as you see most of agree on the fundamentals: Give your
not grow that tall, or if new emerging the spears coming up spindly — about asparagus plants a little bit of love and
spears look spindly, to ensure robust the diameter of a pencil or less — stop they’ll reward you richly for many
plants the following year. harvesting. Spindly spears are a sign years to come!

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 109

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 109 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 The Tips Use this season-by-season guide

You Need to
to cultivate a treasure trove
of fat, flavor-packed cloves.

Grow I By Roberta Bailey

Great
f I could grow only one crop, it would be garlic: pungent,
mouthwatering, plump-cloved, health-promoting garlic.
Over the years, I’ve learned some tricks for growing an
exceptional, flavor-packed crop. Before you dig in, you need
to know the basic types to choose from. Garlic (Allium sati-

Garlic
vum) is divided into two subspecies: var. ophioscorodon and
var. sativum.
Most often planted in climates with cold winters, ophi-
oscorodon garlic is called “top-setting,” “ophio,” or “hardneck”
garlic; the family includes Rocambole, Continental, and
Asiatic types. Leaves grow from a hard, central stalk, and then
an edible scape (flower head) forms, with tiny buds called
“bulbils.” Most hardneck varieties form four to eight cloves
around the central stalk’s base. Their flavor tends to be pun-
gent, but often has subtle notes.
The sativum varieties do well in all climates. Called “soft-
neck” or “artichoke” garlic, heads tend to be large, with
12 to 20 small cloves and no central stalk. Leaves, which
sprout directly from each clove, are quite flexible and best
for braiding. Generally, softneck garlic can be either pun-
gent or mild, but lacks subtlety.

What to Do This Fall

For the biggest heads, always plant individual garlic cloves
in fall. Each clove will form a new bulb by the next summer.
Garlic thrives on spring and summer sun and moderately cool
nights — it needs heat to form its bulb. Choose a site with

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: DREAMSTIME/PRETOPEROLA; FOTOLIA/BEERFAN; ROBERTA BAILEY (3)

deep soil rich in organic matter. Soil that has been built up
with cover crops the previous year is ideal.
Before planting, add 1 to 2 inches of compost or well-rotted
manure to a deeply cultivated plot. Garlic requires nitrogen
to nourish fall root growth. I add nitrogen in the form of fish
meal or alfalfa meal at a quarter- to a half-pound per 10-foot
row. Organic soybean meal supplies slow-release nitrogen that
lasts in the soil until bulb production takes place the next
spring. Apply a half-pound per 10-foot row. (You can buy
soybean meal, alfalfa meal, and kelp meal at farm and feed
stores.) The organic soil additive Azomite, a type of rock dust,
has significantly increased the yield and size of my garlic crop.
I add a half-pound per 10-foot row. If you can’t find Azomite,
kelp meal applied at the same rate can supply extra minerals.
Start with certified disease- and pest-free garlic from a repu-
table supplier. Make sure it has been tested to be free of garlic
bloat nematode. If you plant infected cloves, the nematodes
will colonize your soil. They kill garlic before the bulbs ma-
ture. Seed cloves are also vulnerable to Penicillium decay, a

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 110 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Plant garlic cloves at least 10 inches apart (above). After harvest,
dry garlic for about three weeks in a shady spot (top right).

disease that appears as a bluish-green mass. Garlic may be suscep-

tible to basal rot, white rot, or botrytis rot (which is sometimes
called “neck rot”). Basal rot may cause yellowing and dieback of
leaves, and may manifest as a white fungal growth at the bulb’s
base. White rot causes fungal growth on the stem that extends
around the bulb’s base, and afflicted bulbs will have a blackened
neck with water-soaked outer scales. Botrytis rot causes water-
soaked stems and gray, fuzzy fungal growth. Little can be done to
control these diseases; you’ll need to pull affected plants.
Plant garlic 4 to 6 weeks before your ground freezes in fall.
If your ground never freezes, plant a month before the coolest
time of the year. Timing will determine the number of cloves
in your garlic bulb. If you plant early, the garlic will set its roots
into warmer soil and deduce that it has lots of nutrients available,
and thus make plans to form more cloves. If you plant later, the
garlic will perceive less nutrient availability and set fewer cloves.
Both heads may grow to be the same size, but the later planting A garlic plant’s roots can spread as much
will have fewer, larger cloves. as 6 inches underground (above). The
To grow large heads, devote more planting space, as the roots author shows off a spectacular braid of
of a well-developed garlic bulb can spread out 6 inches. Space prize-winning ‘Georgian Fire’ garlic (right).
garlic 10 inches apart in rows at least 1 foot apart. Plant individ-
ual cloves 2 to 3 inches deep, pointed end up. Garlic thrives on have yellowed. As the leaves die, layers of the papery “wrapper”
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: DREAMSTIME/PRETOPEROLA; FOTOLIA/BEERFAN; ROBERTA BAILEY (3)

even, not-too-heavy moisture and prefers cool roots, so irrigate around the bulbs will begin to decay, so harvest before you lose
as needed and mulch deeply with straw, shredded leaves, or hay. too many.
Mulch will also protect against frost heaving and smother weeds, To harvest, loosen soil with a fork, pull the bulbs from the
which is important—garlic despises weed competition. Free up ground and shake off the soil. Garlic bruises easily, so avoid bang-
any spears that can’t pierce the deep mulch in spring. ing the heads. The crop is also vulnerable to sunscald, so remove
the heads to a shady spot.
What to Do Next Spring Next, trim the tops and roots, and arrange the bulbs on racks
In spring, I foliar-feed fish emulsion (1 tablespoon per to dry and cure. Or, leave the plants intact and hang in small
gallon) every two weeks until scapes appear, or side-dress bunches or spread on racks. I use room fans to dry my garlic crop
with blood meal (2 to 3 teaspoons per head) 4 to 5 weeks quickly. After garlic is fully dry (in about three weeks), remove
into the season. all remaining roots and gently brush off any lingering soil. Store
Hardneck varieties will send up a scape a few weeks before garlic in mesh bags in a cool, dry, dark place. Storage longevity
harvest. Clip these stalks after they have emerged, before they will depend on the variety, but will range from 6 to 12 months.
curl. This will force the plant to put its energy into the bulb To save planting stock from your summer harvest, choose
rather than scape formation. 2- to 21⁄2-inch bulbs that have the variety’s best characteristics.
Set aside the plumpest, largest cloves from within those bulbs
What to Do Next Summer to plant again in fall. Avoid double and sliver-like cloves, as the
Wait until a relatively dry period, if possible, for optimal har- doubles will create a double bulb with a flat side, and the slivers
vesting and curing. Dig garlic when the plant’s bottom leaves will usually form a small bulb.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 111

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 111 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Fall in Love with
Spinach
Had little luck with spring-sown spinach? Bust the slump by instead
planting this brilliantly green, nutrition-packed vegetable at summer’s end.

By John Navazio your crop will get off to a running start spinach’s bolting, the true culprit is actually
and mature to its luscious best during the the increasingly long days of spring,

S
pinach ranks as one of the most cool, golden days of fall. which signal to the plant that it’s time
tender and delicious of all leafy to reproduce. Most present-day spinach
greens, yet this delightful crop is Sussing Out Spinach varieties will initiate flowering when the
conspicuously absent from many gardens. To appreciate why spring-sown spinach daylight duration reaches 14 hours—as
The reason? Frustration likely settled in for misbehaves, one must be familiar with the early as mid-May in the northern half of
growers who had planted spinach in spring plant’s humble origins. Spinach is a cool- the United States.
and reaped only a small harvest of under- season vegetable originally grown in fall The influence of warmer weather, while
sized, parched leaves before the spindly and winter in the fertile agricultural valleys more subtle, also has an adverse effect
central flower stalk appeared, signaling the of the Middle East. In spring, longer days on the quality of spring-sown spinach.
plant was starting to bolt or run to seed. and higher temperatures prompt spinach Even mildly hot days (in the upper 70s)
What’s the best remedy for the spring to finish its cycle and go to seed. can dramatically speed up the flowering
spinach blues? Grow a fall crop! By While many modern spinach growers of a spinach plant that has already
planting spinach at the end of summer, deem early hot weather the villain behind been triggered to bolt by day length.

112 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 112 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Additionally, the tenderness performed differently in fall. For
and juiciness of spinach leaves example, in spring, ‘Olympia’
diminish greatly after just a couple grew more quickly than the bolt-
of days of hot spring weather. resistant standard, ‘Tyee,’ but in
Some gardeners can certainly hot August weather, ‘Tyee’ out-
boast success stories of spring- yielded ‘Olympia.’ I had similar
planted spinach, but any grower good fortune with the semi-savoy
will be challenged by the one-two variety ‘Indian Summer,’ which,
punch of longer daylight hours like ‘Tyee,’ quickly produced
and early hot weather. Timing a baby-leaf cuttings by the end
fall crop properly can help you of August and nice, full-grown
avoid the pitfalls of a spring one, leaves by mid-September.
resulting in a bumper harvest of Other varieties that do well from
huge, succulent, easy-to-pick early-August plantings (August 1
spinach leaves. through 10) are the smooth-leaf
Harvest heart-healthy spinach well into the chillier chunks of the varieties ‘Olympia,’ ‘Space,’ and
Your Target calendar, long after most other leafy crops have called it a day. ‘Viroflay.’ While these are not as
Fall Planting Date fast-growing in August as ‘Tyee,’
Seed catalogs and gardening guides weeks before the first hard frost, I tried they seem to come into their own with the
often advise planting fall spinach planting a number of spinach varieties cooler weather of September, sometimes
crops four to six weeks before a hard between the first and third weeks of producing leaves that are 5 to 6 inches
frost. In both coastal Washington state August. That method has worked so well in diameter. In several regions, ‘Olympia’
and southern Wisconsin that means that I’ve been spreading the news to my performs superbly from August plantings,
planting between September 1 and 10. spinach-growing friends in other parts of offering the largest yields of all varieties
Unfortunately, this strategy delivers North America, and all of us have been tested. ‘Olympia’ and ‘Viroflay’ have also
plants that are only about the diameter amazed at our success. proved to be especially tasty varieties if
of a teacup and develop leaves the size of harvested in late September and October.
silver dollars before the days become too Prolific Fall Varieties ‘Winter Bloomsdale’ doesn’t grow quickly
cool for continued growth. This teacup I’ve grown a wide range of spinach but keeps turning out luscious savoy leaves
size is perfect for overwintering spinach varieties — open-pollinated and hybrid, into the cold days of October.
(see box below), but it doesn’t produce smooth-leaf and savoy (wrinkled or David Cavagnaro, a veteran vegetable
the yield a fall crop should. curly) — in my fall gardens. The first gardener and photographer, has tried his
Taking a tip from commercial spinach thing I discovered was that varieties hand at planting spinach in August in his
farmers who plant their fall crop 8 to 10 I knew well from spring planting gardens in Decorah, Iowa. Cavagnaro is

Overwintering Spinach
Spinach is one of the hardiest winter vegetables, sometimes
surviving temperatures far below freezing if grown to just the
right size before the most frigid part of winter. ‘Giant Winter’
and ‘Winter Bloomsdale’ are the standards for overwintering,
and ‘Melody’ and ‘Tyee’ have been successfully overwintered in
upstate New York and New England. Savoy varieties generally en-
dure cold better than smooth-leaf types.
The general rule for getting the right-sized spinach for over-
wintering is to plant it four to six weeks before your average first
hard frost date. That should produce a spinach plant about 31⁄2 to
4 inches in diameter—the best size for overwintering. As far as
mulching the plants for protection, in my own experience in wet
Maine and Washington winters, I’ve killed the plants, as they end-
ed up rotting under my leaf mulch by the time I uncovered them
in early spring. Perhaps porous row covers would work better. Spinach is a cold, hardy plant and can overwinter with ease, even in northern areas.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 113

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 113 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 enthusiastic about the tremendous Long, warm autumns in this and
yields he gets in late September from other mid-Atlantic areas ensure
his early-August plantings, saying bountiful crops that may yield
fall spinach is by far the best spinach until the new year.
he’s ever grown. “Even the big leaves In Arkansas and Oklahoma,
are still succulent and juicy,” he says. spinach can be planted in the second
Smooth-leaf ‘Olympia’ and ‘Space’ half of September for fall salads that
varieties are also the top yielders will easily last into December. In
in my own garden in Bellingham, southern Texas and in much of the
Washington. In late September, Deep South, spinach can be planted
both grow to sizes most gardeners This great-for-you green shines in showy main courses, but anytime from early October until
only dream about. also stripped-down and even solo. Try spinach steamed with the middle of November for a fall
C.R. Lawn of Fedco Seeds in butter or vinegar, wilted into a salad, or simply as is. crop that will grow through winter.
Waterville, Maine, had a similar ex- In the desert Southwest, where
perience, with ‘Olympia’ outperforming out after planting, but this is especially there’s a wide range of environments based
all other varieties in his fall garden. Lawn problematic for spinach when the weather on elevation, planting from late August
praises the whole concept of fall spinach: is hot. Spinach seed doesn’t germinate until late November is possible, but you’ll
“There’s nothing like the spinach you har- well at temperatures above 75 degrees have to experiment to determine precisely
vest on those crisp fall days,” he says. “By Fahrenheit, and it won’t come up at all what’s best for your location.
the time it’s ready, the weather is cool and if soil temperatures are above 85 degrees. When you plant spinach in these hotter
there’s plenty of moisture — that’s what One way to get a good stand of spinach regions, it’s much like planting it in August
spinach really likes.” when planting in late summer is to water in the North: Take care to keep the seed
Steve Bellavia, a vegetable researcher it lightly on hot days. That will cool the bed cool with some irrigation water (or
at Johnny’s Selected Seeds in Winslow, soil enough to get your crop established. some shade) until the seedlings have
Maine, also grew August-planted fall We also found that not all spinach emerged.
spinach a couple of years ago. While many varieties planted in early August fared as
of the varieties he planted were impressive well as some of our big winners, such as
for their tenderness and yield, Bellavia says ‘Olympia’ and ‘Spinner.’ Cavagnaro and Seed Sources
he was most struck by the performance of I have had early-August plantings of savoy Territorial Seed Co.
‘Spinner,’ which he says grew to a nice, full varieties ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’ and 800-626-0866
size, was dark green and flavorful, and was ‘Coho’ bolt by early September. Why? www.TerritorialSeed.com
the best variety in the trial. Presumably because, in our locations, ‘Bloomsdale’* and more
Many people have found that savoy the day length was long enough in mid-
spinach varieties taste better than smooth- August to trigger flowering. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
leaf types, but that assessment doesn’t By trying a number of different planting 877-564-6697
necessarily seem to hold true for fall crops. dates throughout August, we’ve found www.JohnnySeeds.com
In our trials, the smooth-leaf varieties that between August 15 and 20 seems to ‘Space,’ ‘Corvair,’ plus more
‘Olympia’ and ‘Viroflay’ both received rave be the best time for northern gardeners.
reviews for flavor, while the standard savoy You’ll bypass the hottest days of early J.W. Jung Seed Co.
variety, ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing,’ and August, which can be tough on spinach 800-247-5864

DAVID CAVAGNARO; PAGE 112: LYNN KARLIN; PAGE 113: DAVID CAVAGNARO (2)
its modern semi-savoy cousin, ‘Tyee,’ both germination, and you’ll avoid possible www.JungSeed.com
‘Space,’ ‘Reflect,’ and more
turned out to be less flavorful. bolting problems if you’re in the higher
latitudes of the North. In our experience,
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Seeds: Keep Your Cool all of the best fall varieties did well when
email: [email protected]
Bellavia also reminded me of one of the planted in mid-August.
www.RareSeeds.com
drawbacks of planting fall spinach. When
‘Strawberry,’ ‘Monstrueux De Viroflay,’
he planted a fall spinach plot in early Southern Considerations
and more
August, the soil was somewhat dry, and Growing fall spinach has a long legacy
it then received just ⅓ of an inch of rain, in parts of the southern United States. A
William Dam Seeds
after which daytime temperatures hovered large amount of fresh-market spinach was
Dundas, Ontario
in the low 80s for a couple of weeks. at one time grown for fall consumption 905-628-6641
Although the soil never became excessively in coastal Virginia and Maryland, near www.DamSeeds.com
dry, the spinach came up rather sparsely. the Chesapeake Bay. Those crops were ‘Giant Winter,’* ‘Space,’ and more
Of course, this can happen with any traditionally planted for the fall crop *Open-pollinated variety
crop if you allow the seed bed to dry from mid-August until mid-September.

114 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 114 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Heat-Tolerant
Eggplant Trials
Years of experimenting have shown an 325 row feet of ‘Dusky’ to provide food
for 100 people, and later on, we decided
experienced gardener the best cultivars to try growing other cultivars.
In 2006, we planted lots of different
to grow in her steamy climate. eggplants: ‘Swallow,’ a long, thin pur-
ple-black hybrid; ‘Violetta Lunga,’ an
open-pollinated (OP) long purple egg-
By Pam Dawling records throughout the trials, and what plant; ‘Listada de Gandia,’ a purple-
follows are the results. You may find and-white-striped, egg-shaped fruit;

S
ummers are hot in central them useful when deciding what to the black, egg-shaped ‘Early Black
Virginia, where I garden at Twin grow in your own plot. Egg’; ‘Black Beauty,’ with its dark-
Oaks Community. Because we purple egg shape; and, for the first
feed as many as 100 people from our Origins of the Trials time, ‘Nadia,’ a large, purple-black,
ADOBE STOCK/CREATIVEFAMILY

gardens, it’s important that we grow Long ago, the gardeners at Twin Oaks teardrop-shaped fruit.
reliable cultivars that’ll do well in our grew the hybrid ‘Dusky’ eggplant, which We grew 10 to 30 row feet of each, for
intense summers. Over the past few bears a classic oval, dark-purple, 6- to a total of 120 feet, along with 210 feet
years, I’ve been trialing a number of egg- 7-inch fruit. The 24-inch-high plants of ‘Dusky,’ the cultivar we were famil-
plant cultivars to see which performed are fairly short and are lower-yielding iar with. Interestingly, ‘Dusky’ wasn’t as
best in heat. I kept accurate, detailed than some bigger types. We grew 270 to productive as some of the new cultivars.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 115

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 115 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 FROM LEFT: Snapshots of three separate eggplant trials include a row in June 2018, plant growth in October 2016, and first fruits in July 2015.

So, in 2007, we planted 90 feet of ‘Black plenty of good eggplants and space saved damage. Heat Zone 1 has only one day
Beauty,’ 90 feet of ‘Nadia,’ and 45 feet of for other crops. We didn’t know the next above 86 degrees each year; our Zone 7
‘Early Black Egg,’ along with 45 feet of year would be so different. has 60 to 90 days above 86 degrees.)
‘Dusky.’ (Don’t ditch a cultivar based on Although we loved ‘Nadia,’ we discov- Because of the heat-related problems
one year’s experience!) We reduced the ered its Achilles’ heel. The summer of with ‘Nadia,’ we decided it would be
planting to 270 feet, confident that this 2012 was hot, and ‘Nadia’ couldn’t cope. wise to prepare for more hot summers
amount would feed us. For a while in early summer, it didn’t and trial some heat-tolerant eggplant
grow at all — no new flowers, no new cultivars. We settled on a combina-
Explorations in Heat Tolerance fruit. How hot are we talking about? tion of ‘Nadia’ and some other catalog
By the end of 2007, we were con- We’re in central Virginia, in American offerings, seeing sense in planting a mix
vinced that ‘Nadia’ was the way to go! Horticultural Society (AHS) Heat of fast-maturing and heat-tolerant (but
With positive results behind us, we Zone 7. (Heat zones indicate the aver- slower) cultivars. In addition to hybrids,
focused on ‘Nadia’ from 2008 to 2011, age number of days each year that a re- we chose a couple of promising OP
and we were able to reduce our row gion experiences temperatures above 86 cultivars recommended for Florida and

FROM LEFT: NINA GENTLE; BRIDGET ALESHIRE (2)

feet because the yield was so high and degrees Fahrenheit — the temperature at Texas (see “Eggplant Profiles,” at left).
reliable. We were happy farmers, with which many plants suffer physiological
Yields Compared
Beginning with the 2013 growing sea-
son, we compared 60 row feet of ‘Nadia’
Eggplant Profiles with 22 feet each of ‘Epic,’ ‘Traviata,’
and ‘Florida High Bush.’ All have tall,
These are the cultivars we considered. You should explore which ones produce best in upright plants; large, purple-black, tear-
your environment. Don’t be afraid to experiment like we did! drop- or pear-shaped fruit; and claimed
to be heat-tolerant.
HYBRID CULTIVARS Harvests started on July 25 — later
‘Traviata’: Harvest 60 days from transplanting; 6 to 8 inches by 3 to 4 inches, with good than usual because of cool weather.
flavor. Recommended in Florida. We harvested three times a week until
‘Epic’: 64 days; 8 inches by 4 inches. Recommended in Florida and Texas. October 17, and counted fruit harvested
‘Night Shadow’: 68 days; perhaps smaller than ‘Epic.’ per plant from each cultivar, but didn’t
‘Irene’: 69 days; 6 to 7 inches by 5 inches. Great flavor; big plant; productive. weigh them. I was surprised how few
‘Classic’: 76 days; heavy yields; high quality, but doesn’t perform well in cool conditions. fruits each plant provided — about six.
Recommended in Florida and Texas. In the first weeks of harvest, ‘Nadia’
‘Santana’: 80 days; large, continuous setting. Recommended in Florida. produced the largest fruits and the most
fruit per plant, but this soon leveled off.
OPEN-POLLINATED CULTIVARS, RECOMMENDED IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS Final results showed that ‘Traviata’
‘Florida High Bush’: 80 days; reliable; large fruit; drought- and disease-resistant. yielded well, with an average of 7.3 fruits
‘Florida Market’: 83 days; large; excellent for the South but not for the Northeast. per plant. ‘Florida High Bush’ followed
with 6.3 fruits per plant, ‘Nadia’ with

116 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 116 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 6.1, and ‘Epic’ with only 4.4. But we later In 2016, by the end of July, the 26
found out that the planting location for Eggplant ‘Nadia’ plants produced 31 eggplants,
‘Epic’ had affected yields. We believed
‘Florida High Bush’ had the smallest Seed Sources the 26 ‘Traviata’ plants produced 30,
and the 26 ‘Epic’ plants yielded by far
fruit, but we hadn’t weighed them, so we www.HarrisSeeds.com the most at 73! ‘Epic’ fruits were largest
decided to do that the following year. www.HighMowingSeeds.com too, at 0.9 pounds per fruit, with ‘Nadia’
Ironically, 2013 was one of the cool- www.JohnnySeeds.com coming in second at 0.8 pounds and
est summers we’d had in a long time. At www.OsborneSeed.com ‘Traviata’ third at 0.7 pounds.
the time, we joked that we could keep www.RareSeeds.com By the end of August, ‘Epic’ was
hot summers at bay by conducting heat- www.ReimerSeeds.com the victor, yielding a staggering
tolerant eggplant trials! www.SeedSavers.org cumulative 287 eggplants that aver-
The following summer wasn’t hot www.StokeSeeds.com aged 0.8 pounds each. There was a
either. We grew the same four cultivars www.TerritorialSeed.com large gap between the ‘Epic’ plant’s
and recorded the weight of each har- totals and the totals of the others, with
vest, as well as the number of fruits pro- the second-highest yield being ‘Nadia’
duced. We got better results all around. at 125 eggplants. After producing high
‘Nadia’ gave the best yield per plant 0.79 pounds per fruit. ‘Nadia’ was third cull levels in August, ‘Traviata’ rallied
at 13.4 fruits. ‘Epic’ was second with at 2.3 fruits and 1.8 pounds per plant, in September, and in that month,
12.5, ‘Traviata’ followed with 11.7, and with an average of 0.75 pounds per fruit. produced 160 eggplants with a total
‘Florida High Bush’ lagged behind with ‘Florida High Bush’ beat ‘Nadia’ on ton- weight of 112.5 pounds.
6.8 fruits per plant. These numbers all nage at 2.1 pounds per plant, but bore ‘Epic’ was our 2016 champion
compared well against the 2013 range smaller individual fruits. eggplant in terms of total yield and
of 4.4 to 7.3 fruits per plant. For the whole 2015 season, ‘Epic’ weight per fruit. The cultivar’s impres-
Our record-keeping was helpful in also did best, both in number of fruits sive leap off the starting blocks kept it
seeing the flow of the harvest. All cul- per plant (10.7) and weight per fruit. ahead of the pack for the season, and it
tivars peaked on August 6. Additionally, ‘Traviata’ produced 8.9 fruits per plant, even rallied in late October after some
we discovered that the size and weight ‘Florida High Bush’ produced 8.2, hot weather.
of each fruit was very similar for all four ‘Nadia’ produced only 8.0, and ‘Florida My experience suggests that eggplants
cultivars in 2014’s mild summer. Market’ produced only 7.5. Because the are one of those crops where hybrids win
latter cultivar had smaller fruits and a every time. The Florida OPs couldn’t
‘Florida Market’ Doesn’t Cut It much lower yield, we scratched it from compare with the hybrids we trialed.
FROM LEFT: NINA GENTLE; BRIDGET ALESHIRE (2)

2015 didn’t have a hot summer either! future trials. ‘Epic,’ ‘Traviata,’ and ‘Nadia’ are all good
We tested the same four cultivars again, eggplant cultivars with sturdy upright
along with another reputedly heat-tol- Finding the Right Balance plants and large uniform fruits. If you
erant OP, ‘Florida Market.’ During the For 2016 and 2017, we planted the garden in a hot climate, I recommend
warmest months, ‘Epic’ won at 4.1 fruits same number each of ‘Nadia,’ ‘Traviata,’ that you grow all three, as we decided
and 3.4 pounds per plant, with an aver- and ‘Epic,’ to benefit from the strong to do, because they did well in tandem.
age of 0.84 pounds per fruit. ‘Traviata’ points of each, make comparisons sim- In the face of hot summers, a chang-
came in second at 3.1 fruits and 2.4 pler, and be resilient in the face of erratic ing climate, and the need for good
pounds per plant, with an average of weather. Unlike previous years, we count- food, conducting these eggplant trials
ed some very hot days: 63 days above 90 gave us important information for our
degrees in 2016, and 52 days in 2017. gardening future.

Grow Delicious Food All Year

Abundant produce is possible year-round in any climate with Pam Dawling’s The Year-Round
Hoophouse. Growing in hoop houses mitigates soil erosion, extends the growing season, keeps
leafy greens alive through winter, reduces the impact of an increasingly unpredictable climate on
crops, and enables growers to supply more regional food. This comprehensive guide will show you
how to design and build a hoop house so you can enjoy fresh produce all year, whatever your
climate and land size. This title is available at www.MotherEarthNews.com/store or by calling
800-234-3368. Mention promo code MMEPAMZI. Item #9229.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 117

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 117 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 All About
Growing
Melons By Barbara Pleasant need about 100 days of warm weather to
Illustrations by Keith Ward make a good crop.
Casaba and crenshaw melons are

D
elicious and packed with oblong, with wrinkled rinds and juicy,
nutrition, melons have delighted salmon-pink flesh.
gardeners for about 2,500 years. Specialty melons vary in size and mat-
Their rambling vines grow best in warm uration time, and some are much sweeter
weather, and fruit flavor and texture than others. Asian melons are fast-grow-
improve if watering becomes less frequent ing and productive, but aren’t as sweet
as the fruits mature. as European or Middle Eastern varieties.

Types of Melons When to Plant raised planting hills within wide rows
Watermelons prefer hot, humid Sow muskmelons, honeydew, and or along your garden’s edge. Space
climates — they won’t grow well or taste other Cucumis melo varieties in pre- 3-foot-wide hills 5 to 6 feet apart.
good without plenty of warmth and sun. pared beds or hills after your last frost Loosen the soil in the planting sites to
Watermelons tend to be the easiest melons has passed, or sow seeds indoors under at least 12 inches deep. Mix in a 2-inch
to grow in organic gardens because of fluorescent light and set the seedlings layer of compost and a light applica-
their pest and disease resistance. out after three weeks. Direct-sow wa- tion of organic fertilizer. Melons love
American cantaloupes are properly termelon seeds in late spring, when composted manure, which eliminates
called muskmelons because of their fruity your soil feels warm. In short-season the need for supplemental fertilizer.
fragrance. Some varieties have smooth climates, plant watermelon seedlings Shape the hills into 6- to 8-inch-high,
rinds, but the most popular and nutri- started indoors to get a jump-start. flat-topped mounds, and water well.
tious varieties have orange flesh beneath Plant six seeds per hill to 1 inch deep.
heavily netted rinds. How to Plant Ten days after sowing, thin plants to
Honeydew melons have smooth rinds Fertile, well-drained soil is essen- three per hill. If planting seedlings, set
over white or green flesh. Most varieties tial to growing great melons. Prepare out three for each hill.

118 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 118 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 In the Kitchen
Fresh, lightly chilled chunks of melon need no further accompaniment on a
hot summer day, but they do mix well with a variety of flavors. Melon salads often
include mint, although oregano and basil also marry well with melon. Salty pro-
teins — such as sardines, cheese, cured meats, and smoked fish — work wonder-
fully with melons’ sweet juiciness. Making smoothies and other liquid concoctions
is a refreshing way to use a bumper crop of melons. Muskmelons with firm flesh
can be candied and dried, and try pickled watermelon rind for an old-fashioned
delight. The deeper the orange of a melon’s flesh, the richer it is in vitamin A.
All melons are good sources of vitamin C and fiber.

Try installing protective row covers after Keep muskmelons at room tempera- their energy, which in turn reduces flavor
you finish planting melons to raise soil sur- ture for a few days after harvesting to help and nutrition. In addition to growing re-
face temperatures, tame wind, and exclude bring out flavors, and then move them sistant varieties, you can prevent powdery
insects. Remove covers a week after plants to a refrigerator. Always keep honeydew mildew with a spray made of 1 part milk
begin to bloom for pollinators. and Asian melons in the refrigerator. to 6 parts water, applied every two weeks
Watermelons stored at about 55 degrees through the second half of summer.
Harvesting and Storage Fahrenheit will keep for several weeks.
Most muskmelons naturally separate Saving Melon Seeds
(“slip”) from the vine when ripe, which Pest and Disease To keep seed quality high, select a per-
means you can pick these melons with Prevention Tips fect fruit from the densest part of a plant-
just a gentle tug. The rinds of some mel- Melons often face challenges from ing of open-pollinated melons and mark
on varieties change color upon ripening, insects, namely aphids and squash bugs. the fruit for seed saving. Set aside seed
a cue that it’s time to pick. Watermelons Cucumber beetles also pose a threat by from all melons as you eat the fruits, then
are ripe when the curled tendril near- spreading bacterial wilt. Watermelons rinse the seeds and allow them to dry at
est to the melon dries to brown, and are resistant to bacterial wilt, but other room temperature for about three weeks.
when the melon sounds deep and solid types of melons are susceptible. Your best Select the largest, plumpest seeds and store
if thumped. Pecking from birds often defense is to use protective row covers. them in a cool, dry place. Melon seeds can
indicates ripeness. Powdery mildew robs melon plants of stay viable for at least five years.

Melons at a Glance
Type Description Recommended Varieties
Watermelons Need summer heat, but otherwise easy to grow. ‘Crimson Sweet’ (OP) ‘Moon and Stars’ (OP)
Citrullus lanatus Small-fruited varieties that mature quickly make great ‘Orangeglo’ (OP) ‘Sugar Baby’ (OP)
homestead crops. (80 to 100 days to maturity)

American cantaloupes Most varieties slip from the vine when ripe. Choose ‘Ambrosia’ (F1) ‘Hannah’s Choice’ (F1)
(Muskmelons) varieties resistant to powdery mildew for top flavor and ‘PMR Delicious 51’ (OP) ‘Sweet Granite’ (OP)
Cucumis melo productivity. (75 to 85 days)

Honeydew and other Less fragrant and nutritious than orange-fleshed ‘Haogen’ (OP) ‘Passport’ (F1)
green-fleshed melons muskmelons, but their flesh tends to be sweeter. Dry ‘Sakata’s Sweet’ (OP) ‘Venus’ (F1)
C. melo weather enhances flavor. (70 to 100 days)

Casabas and Crenshaws Long, hot summers bring out the best in these melons, ‘Crenshaw’ (OP) ‘Early Crenshaw’ (F1)
C. melo which have smooth flesh with hard rinds. Not for short- ‘Lilly’ (F1) ‘Twice as Nice’ (F1)
season climates. (80 to 100 days)

Specialty melons, including Interesting variations in shape and flavor, including ‘Brilliant’ (F1) ‘Early Silver Line’ (OP)
Asian and novel hybrids some varieties that grow well trellised and others you ‘Honey Yellow’ (F1) ‘Savor’ (F1)
C. melo can grow for both fragrance and flavor. (Time varies)

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 119

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 119 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Purple
Sweet
Potatoes
The Ancient Superfood
These richly colored tubers shouldn’t be
underestimated. Learn about their growing nearly black-purple skin and flesh that
turned brilliant violet in the oven. “It’s
reputation, health benefits, and global history. a gorgeous sweet potato,” says Landis.
“And the antioxidants don’t cook out.
Usually when you cook a vegetable
By Lindsay Gasik including red, yellow, and white. And with dark coloring, the color is lost. A
there are also purple sweet potatoes, purple bell pepper turns brown when

FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK/DASHU83; GETTY IMAGES/JONATHANAUSTINDANIELS

C
ompanies specializing in exotic offering unrivaled health benefits. “It’s you cook it, and a purple cauliflow-
produce make it their priority definitely not your typical sweet po- er doesn’t keep its color in the pot.”
to supply community super- tato,” says Mary Landis. She’s a for- Jeremy Fookes, retail sales specialist
markets that would otherwise go with- mer “forager” for Frieda’s, a specialty for A.V. Thomas, says this sweet po-
out access to unique produce items. produce company based in California tato’s color retention post-cooking was
These companies have helped spark the that introduces unusual fruits and “what we thought was quite special.
appearance of more recent and now- vegetables to American tables. If you It’s not lavender-y, but purple-purple.”
familiar items, such as persimmons, like kiwis and dragon fruits, you have
rambutan, and cucamelon. Not only Frieda’s to thank for convincing gro- Gaining Recognition
fruit products have gained in popular- cery stores to carry these unique pro- Purple-fleshed sweet potatoes are rich
ity, though — specialty vegetable items duce items and others like them. in anthocyanins, the same antioxidant
have also been attracting attention. In 2010, a sweet potato supplier of compound that turns blueberries blue
Unbeknownst to some consumers, Frieda’s, A.V. Thomas Produce, told and gives them a superfood reputa-
sweet potatoes come in a variety of Landis they’d planted a trial of a North tion. The same year A.V. Thomas tri-
colors besides the traditional orange, Carolina sweet potato that had rich, aled the mysterious purple-purple sweet

120 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 120 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 potato, TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz tons annually, and are the seventh most echoed that they were “as sweet as if
listed another cultivar — pale-skinned, important food crop because of their they had been dipped in a jar of jam.”
mauve-fleshed beni-imo from Okinawa, high global yield. Most researchers agree Both Columbus and Oviedo brought
Japan — as No. 1 of his top five super- they originated in Central America, and samples home to Spain, and from there
foods. A year earlier, in 2009, The Oprah carbon dating proves they were domes- the batata traveled south as part of the
Winfrey Show had featured beni-imo ticated in Peru 10,000 years ago. But African slave trade route. Eventually,
when she interviewed researchers about they’re also a staple in Africa, a fixture the vegetable ended up in Asia.
Okinawa Island’s many centenarians and of Polynesian culture, and so popular In the Pacific, Spanish galleons
their diet consisting of about 60 percent in China that 60 percent of the world’s plying the Acapulco-to-Manila trade
sweet potatoes. Americans started look- total crop is now grown there. It’d be route encountered kamote, the mostly
ing to put the ‘Okinawan’ purples on easy to blame European explorers for cream, yellow, or occasionally orange-
the table, but these tubers were hard to distributing sweet potatoes, but the his- fleshed roots cultivated by the Aztecs.
come by. “They’re only grown in Hawaii torical records just don’t add up. In the Philippines, kamotes met batatas
and on Japan’s Okinawa Island, and they Christopher Columbus was the first being introduced from the other direc-
have to be irradiated when they come European to record tasting the sweet tion, interbred, and meandered their
into the U.S.,” says Landis. “A lot of potato, on his infamous 1492 trip intermingled way on Chinese junks
people don’t like that.” north to Taiwan, China, and
A.V. Thomas tried growing the Korea. By 1615, these tubers had
Japanese sweet potatoes on its plot in arrived on the only Japanese is-
Merced County, but the crop failed land not enshrouded by national-
dismally. “The ‘Okinawan’ sweet po- ist isolation policies — Okinawa.
tato can have a difficult time growing
in California because it’s very suscep- ‘Okinawan,’ ‘Stokes Purple,’
tible to disease,” says Fookes. and ‘Beauregard’
In contrast to the dismal plant- “The ‘Stokes Purple’ is not like
ing success the ‘Okinawan’ has an ‘Okinawan,’” says Landis. Craig
had on the U.S. mainland, the Yencho, a sweet potato breeder at
unknown purple sweet potato has North Carolina State University
thrived. To grow it commercially, (NCSU), agrees. “It’s got a dry
A.V. Thomas was legally required flavor, a little bit mealy, semi-
to discover its origins. The produce sweet — it’s just kind of unique.”
supplier traced them as far as Stokes North Carolina grows about
County, North Carolina, where, at 60 percent of the sweet potatoes
the 2003 state fair, a woman gave consumed in the U.S., primarily
fairgoer Mike Sizemore a slip (a the melting, deep-orange-fleshed
young plant grown from the po- cultivar called ‘Beauregard’ that
tato eye) of an unknown purple Even after they’ve been baked, ‘Stokes Purple’ sweet we throw marshmallows onto
sweet potato. When it turned out potatoes retain their vibrant color. and mistakenly call “yam” every
to be good, Sizemore patented it as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
‘Stokes Purple’, after his home county to the Caribbean. In his journal, he Purples are rare.
FROM LEFT: ADOBE STOCK/DASHU83; GETTY IMAGES/JONATHANAUSTINDANIELS

in North Carolina. Sizemore has no writes of two white-fleshed varieties, “In the U.S., ‘Stokes’ is the only really
idea who this woman was or how she a sweet one the Taino people called popular or widely grown purple culti-
came to have the purple sweet potato. batata, and a starchy version called var,” says Yencho. “I think it’s more of
“It could have been a discarded cultivar aje that “has the smell of a chestnut. a recent arrival to this country, coming
from North Carolina State University’s And anyone would think he was eat- here in the pockets of any number of
Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and ing chestnuts.” immigrants from Southeast Asia.”
Genetics Program,” suggests Fookes. Columbus was far more taken with So much for Fooke’s hypothesis.
“But quite frankly, I don’t know.” the sweeter batata, as was Gonzalo NCSU has bred purple sweet potatoes
Fernández de Oviedo a few years later. for years, but until recently, focused on
Sweet Beginnings in History “A batata well cured and well prepared using them for alternative functions,
The origins of domesticated sweet is just like fine marzipan,” Oviedo such as dye.
potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) have puz- wrote in delight, describing the way “Anywhere you use reds and blues,
zled botanists and breeders until just locals left the harvested roots in the you can use sweet potato pigment,”
recently. Sweet potatoes are grown all shade for 10 or so days to cure be- Yencho explains. “The average purple
over the world, to the tune of 9 million fore roasting. Bartolomé de Las Casas sweet potatoes are very, very high in

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 121

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 121 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 anthocyanins — much darker than the
‘Okinawan,’ and they typically taste
terrible. They’re very bitter.”
Which is why A.V. Thomas Produce
was so excited to find a palatable pur-
ple. But Yencho believes they can do
better than the ‘Stokes Purple.’ Soon,
Yencho’s team will release four new pur-
ple cultivars that are sweeter, smoother,
and moister, more like a purple-fleshed
‘Beauregard.’ The main difference is
moisture content. While ‘Beauregard’
has about 30 percent moisture content,
‘Stokes’ is as low as 10 percent. It tastes
dry because it is dry, and that makes it
next to impossible to microwave — be-
cause microwaves function by heating
the water molecules inside the food.
“It almost caught on fire,” says
Landis, describing a microwaving in-
cident with a ‘Stokes’ sweet potato. “It she says, is roasting it, and for a longer ‘Stokes Purple’ the same way, but for
was like a charcoal briquette. There was time than you would a typical sweet 11⁄2 hours.
just no way to get it fully cooked with- potato. If you’d wrap a ‘Beauregard’ “The first few years it was really dif-
out obliterating it. So don’t try it.” in aluminum foil and pop it in ficult to get people to understand that
The trick to cooking the ‘Stokes,’ the oven for an hour, you’d cook a this is something different,” Landis

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/CREATIVEYE99, CHENGYUZHENG; ADOBE STOCK (4)/DASHU83, JOSIE GRANT, DIA, LUNATICTM
Where to Find Them
Interested in trying these uniquely colored potatoes yourself? They can be easy enough
to find if you just do a little digging. Luckily we’ve broken the ground on your search.

Frieda’s
‘Stokes Purple’ is currently one of the only items that can be purchased in bulk
through Frieda’s online store at www.Friedas.com/stokes-purple-sweet-potato.
Frieda’s supplies a state-by-state directory of grocery stores that carry ‘Stokes
Purple’ so customers can find local vendors.
Stores that currently carry ‘Stokes Purple’ include select Whole Foods, Sprouts,
and Trader Joe’s.

Hawaii Veggie Farm ‘Stokes Purple’

You can purchase ‘Okinawan,’ also known on the big island as ‘Hawaiian Purple,’ in bulk
from this local farm at www.HawaiiVeggieFarm.com.
You can use slips from these potatoes to attempt growing your own so long as the slips have
live eyes (the growing points on potatoes).
The farm sells ‘Okinawan’ in sizes ranging from fingerlings to large tubers.

Online
‘Okinawan’ sweet potatoes can be ordered online in various forms including dried, powdered,
and freeze-dried from individual sellers.
Also known as ‘Beni-imo’ in Japan, powdered ‘Okinawan’ sweet potato is often used in sweets
and baked confections.
Use caution when purchasing whole potato products from online sellers as the products you
receive may not match the descriptions. ‘Okinawan’

122 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 122 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Try experimenting with purple sweet potatoes in everyday recipes. When considering recipes for purple sweet potatoes, be sure to take moisture
content into account. Some recipes, such as the sweet potato mash pie (far left), may require added fats.

says. But unlike Yencho, she doesn’t staple carbohydrate for many Polynesian For around a century, the question
see the dryness as a bad thing. It’s part cultures. When Captain James Cook ex- of how sweet potatoes beat Captain
of what makes ‘Stokes’ unique among plored uncharted Pacific islands in the Cook to the South Seas troubled bot-
American sweet potatoes. 1770s, he found that the Samoans al- anists. The linguistics clearly linked
“It’s quite simple,” explains Vincent ready had ’umala, the Hawaiians ’uala, them to the Peruvian Quechua word
Lebot, a roots crop researcher based and the Maori kumara. Each culture kumal. Researchers wrote papers like
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/CREATIVEYE99, CHENGYUZHENG; ADOBE STOCK (4)/DASHU83, JOSIE GRANT, DIA, LUNATICTM

in Vanuatu. “In the North American had hundreds of varieties in all colors Hornell’s 1946 work “How Did the
market, sweet potato is often used ingrained into their foodways. Most of Sweet Potato Reach Oceania?” spec-
for dessert-type dishes. In Polynesia these tubers were dry, starchy, and flavor- ulating that perhaps, just perhaps,
and some parts of Southeast Asia, ful, but not very sweet — more like the Polynesian sailors might have had the
they cook and eat them like cassava chestnutty aje that Columbus neglected technology to beat Europeans to the
or taro — something you can eat every to send back to Spain. Polynesian sweet shores of the Americas.
day in significant quantities, like rice.” potatoes were, and still are, no marzi- Then, between 2009 and 2013,
Sweet potatoes were historically the pan-flavored batatas. Lebot oversaw a series of studies that
compared modern samples with the
DNA of 200-year-old sweet potato
plants collected during Cook’s voy-
ages. The resulting genetic family tree
proved that the Polynesian sweet po-
tato really did depart Peru more than
400 years before Columbus tasted his
first batata, and evolved in isolation
into something just a bit different.
As far as ‘Stokes Purple,’ we may
never know where it came from, but at
least it’s easy to find. In 2015, Trader
Joe’s began carrying the starchy veg-
etable in all continental states.
“I’m really happy to see sweet po-
tato growers succeed in any form, and
I like to see the appearance of new
varieties,” says Yencho.” This one has
a unique history, though — there’s no
An outdoor market features a number of sweet potatoes in a rainbow of colors. doubt about it.”

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 123

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 123 11/18/21 2:33 PM

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 124 11/18/21 2:33 PM
 Year-Round Indoor
Salad Gardening
Use this unique technique
to grow greens in a limited
space, even in winter.

Article and photos by Peter Burke

A
very simple idea put me on the path
toward growing a year-round indoor
salad garden: I wanted fresh salad
greens throughout winter. This desire occurred
to me one fall afternoon as I was putting my
garden to bed and planting my garlic for the
following year.
With a pantry, cold cellar, and freezer full
of the season’s harvest, the one thing that was
missing in my larder was fresh salad greens —
there is simply no way to store them. So I
experimented with different techniques, and
what I discovered exceeded my expectations
and eventually became my book Year-Round Soak your seeds in small
Indoor Salad Gardening (order at www. waterproof containers for 6 to
MotherEarthNews.com/store). 24 hours prior to planting them.
I can now grow all the salad greens I need
for my family of four with a kitchen cupboard
and a windowsill — I don’t need lights, special
equipment, or a greenhouse. Most of what you’ll need to grow soil sprouts is probably
My wife was used to me harvesting a wide variety of unusual already in your kitchen. I have two boxes with sturdy lids that
salad greens, so when I started to harvest sunflower greens, pea I use to organize and store all my indoor garden tools. One
shoots, buckwheat lettuce, and radish greens, she wasn’t too is my seed box, in which I store my seeds, measuring tools,
surprised — just amused. I call the greens “soil sprouts” because and cups for soaking the seeds. The seed box must remain
they grow quickly like traditional sprouts grown in a jar, but completely dry — I don’t place anything wet or even moist
are grown in soil instead. The soil allows me to grow seeds with inside the box — to ensure good germination of the seeds. I
hulls, such as sunflower and buckwheat seeds, and maintains keep about a two-month supply, or 4 cups each, of sunflower,
enough moisture for the plants to grow, so I only need to water radish, buckwheat, and pea seeds, and about 1 cup of broccoli
once a day. seeds and a few other specialty seeds.
If you’re thinking you can’t follow suit because you don’t I also have a few containers of seed mix; I like to mix them
have a big window with southern exposure, don’t worry — together and plant them in one tray. This works well for a small
you don’t need it. One of the places I grow my greens is in a garden for one or two people.
small northern window. My daily harvest is about 14 ounces The other box is for soil and the stuff I use to plant the
of greens from five small 3-by-6-inch aluminum bread pans. seeds. I have 2 gallons of a germination mix, sometimes called
Occasionally I use a larger 4-by-8-inch bread pan when I want a “sterile mix,” composed of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
a double batch of greens. This is the very same mix gardeners use to start sets and

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 125

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 125 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 potted plants. I mix 1 quart of Once the seeds are soaking,
water to 1 gallon of the dry soil make sure your soil mix is moist;
mix before planting. I have two use 1 gallon of dry soil mix to
1-gallon plastic containers for 1 quart of water.
the soil mix, a 3-cup container of When the soil is ready, I fold a
compost, and a 1-cup container few sheets of newspaper to use as
of sea kelp meal. I also keep a cover for each tray of seeds. The
scoops, measuring spoons, and wet paper keeps the seeds moist
a few trays for planting. Because better than the soil alone does,
the soil mix is moistened, this and it’s cleaner than wet soil. Plus,
entire box is damp and thus not the wet paper helps to block light
good for seeds. You could use a from getting to the germinating
cupboard or a closet the same seeds too soon.
way, but our kitchen is small, and When you’re ready to plant,
having all my tools and supplies put 1 tablespoon of compost and
in these two boxes allows me to 1⁄2 teaspoon of sea kelp meal in

move them into the kitchen for the bottom of the tray. Then, fill
my daily plantings and then back the tray with the moistened soil
to my office. mix, up to 1⁄4 inch from the rim.
You’ll need a little space for the
How to Grow seeds and for room to hold the
an Indoor Garden water while it soaks in. Then,
With this simple process, you level off the soil so it’s even. Plant
can go from seed to salad in seven the seeds by dumping them on
to 10 days, but don’t mistake your top of the soil; don’t bury them,
indoor garden for a “toy garden”— as they’ll be covered with the wet
it’ll be deceptively productive. If newsprint instead.
you were to plant an acre of these After they’re planted and
little trays, the annual yield would covered, move the trays into a
be far more than you could eat! If warm, dark place for the next four
you’re considering reducing your days. I use the cupboard over my
carbon footprint or eating local, refrigerator, which is warm and
this is a simple and rewarding way dark. I also have a cupboard by
to accomplish both. our woodstove that’s cozy and
My daily routine starts with dark. You could use a closet or
soaking the seeds that I plan even a cardboard box in a warm
to grow. In fresh water, I soak spot on the floor. If you don’t have
1 tablespoon each of sunflower, a really warm place, this method
pea, radish, and buckwheat seeds, After planting your seeds in trays, keep them in a warm, will still work — it just might take
and 1 teaspoon of broccoli seeds. dark place, such as a cozy cupboard, for four days to five or six days for the sprouts to
This is my daily minimum, and induce rapid germination. grow up to an inch high.
it will yield about 14 ounces of All these steps combine to force
cut greens. The seeds should soak from 6 to 24 hours before quick germination and growth. It may be counterintuitive
planting. Even the smaller seeds, such as broccoli or mustard, for gardeners or farmers who generally put seedlings into the
should soak that long. I use 3-ounce plastic cups or small light as soon as they germinate so that their stems are short
glass Mason jars for soaking. Whatever you use, it needs to be and stocky. In contrast, you’ll be encouraging these seeds to
waterproof — I once made the mistake of using paper Dixie grow long stems to reach for the light before putting them on
cups that fell apart overnight. Fill the cups to the brim, because a windowsill to get some sun.
the seeds will absorb a lot of water. My habit is to soak the When the greens poke up about an inch high and the wet
seeds in the evening while I plant seeds from the day before and newspaper cover is sitting on top of the still-yellow leaves, I call
water my trays of greens. Then, I plant those seeds the next day. it the push-up day, or the final day of their stint in the dark.
If your seeds have been soaking for 24 hours and you can’t This is the day that you’ll want to move trays into the light.
get around to planting them, just pour the water off and let the I have a freestanding shelf that’s 20 inches wide, 12 inches
seeds start to germinate in the cup. This isn’t ideal, but it will deep, and 72 inches high, and it has a cupboard to keep the
still give you a good crop. trays in the dark and four shelves above the cupboard for

126 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 126 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 These photos show the seeds’ sprouting progress over the first four days. After four days in the dark, they’re ready to sit in sunlight and grow into salad.

the trays to turn green and grow. This shelf illustrates the
absolute minimum amount of space you’ll need to grow
enough salad greens for four people to have a good-sized
tossed salad every day.
When the greens are about 6 to 10 inches high, they’ll be
ready to harvest. I prefer scissors, but a sharp knife works well
too. First, pick off any remaining seed hulls, and then cut the
greens about 1⁄4 inch above the soil line. I place the cut greens in
a shallow container and rinse them in fresh water. By covering
the greens with water, any remaining seed hulls will float to the
surface and dump out over the edge of the container.
Chop the harvested greens into small pieces, about 1⁄4 inch at
the stem end and longer at the leaf end.
The stem ends are usually tender, but the longer they grow,
the tougher the bottom of the stem can get. Buckwheat
lettuce, radish, and sunflower greens are tender enough to top
a sandwich without cutting them, but I like to chop them for
use in a salad.
Most local farm stores don’t carry organic seeds in 2- or
4-pound bags — they usually only sell the ounce packages,
which are too expensive for this purpose. I’ve used seed
stores online, such as Johnny’s Selected Seeds, High Mowing
Organic Seeds, and Handy Pantry, and I have my own online
store, The Daily Gardener (www.TheDailyGardener.com).
Many catalogs now offer seeds for sprouts, but I caution you
to buy a small amount to start with to make sure you’re happy
with the germination rate and the size of the soil sprouts before
you buy a large quantity of seeds.
That’s all there is to it. This method has surpassed every
expectation and hope I had when I first started this project after When the greens are about 6 to 10 inches high, use scissors or a knife
a moment of inspiration. to cut them about a quarter-inch above the soil line.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 127

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 127 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Cucumbers
By Barbara Pleasant bitter Asian cucumbers are easy to
Illustrations by Keith Ward digest, and are also not preferred
by cucumber beetles.

T
he crunch of fresh cucumbers Greenhouse cucumbers produce
(Cucumis sativus) has helped self-fertile female flowers. Because
cool down summers for more of this, you can grow many
than 3,000 years, and cucumbers varieties of this type under row
were likely one of the first vegetables covers or in high tunnels. How to Plant
to be preserved by pickling. Growing Other Cucumis species include Choose a sunny site with fertile, well-
cucumbers is easy in fertile, organically ‘Armenian’ and ‘Indian Poona Kheera’ drained soil. Grow cucumbers in rows or
enriched soil. Productive and fast to cucumbers (both C. melo), ‘West hills spaced 6 feet apart, or try increasing
mature, cucumbers are a rewarding Indian’ gherkin (C. anguria), and jelly yields by training vines up a trellis.
crop for new and veteran gardeners. melon (C. metuliferus), which is also Mix a 2-inch layer of rich compost
known as African horned melon. into the planting site, along with an
Cucumber Types to Try organic fertilizer. Thoroughly water
American slicing cucumbers are the When to Plant the soil before planting seeds half an
oblong, dark green cukes you see in su- Sow seeds directly into prepared inch deep and 6 inches apart. When
permarkets. Varieties of this type have rows or hills 1 to 2 weeks after your the seedlings have three leaves, thin
been bred for uniformity, productivity, last spring frost, and make a second them to 12 inches apart, which is the
and strong disease resistance. planting a month later. Where sum- spacing you should always use when
Pickling cucumbers bear smaller mers are short and cool, start seeds transplanting seedlings.
fruits with bumpy, slightly wrinkled indoors under fluorescent lights two
rinds that make them naturally crisp weeks before your last spring frost. Harvesting and Storage
and firm. Some varieties resist bacterial Cucumber seeds should sprout within Cucumbers self-regulate how many
wilt, a widespread cucumber disease. five days. Set out 3- to 4-week-old fruits they carry at a time, so harvest
Asian cucumbers are long and slen- seedlings after your last frost. fruits as soon as they reach picking size.
der with small seed cavities. Non- Pick daily, because cucumber fruits can

128 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 128 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 In the Kitchen
Cucumbers are 96 percent water, so they are low in calories but do provide
abundant vitamin C and fiber if eaten with their skins. For a refreshing sum-
mer drink, grate cucumber and a bit of onion into a glass of cold buttermilk.
Cucumbers quickly pick up the flavors of marinades to become “refrigerator
pickles,” and they partner well with any type of salad dressing. Gazpacho, a cold
vegetable soup from Spain, is always in order if ripe cucumbers abound. You can
make cucumbers into pickles by canning them in various brines using a water bath
canner, or by fermenting them in a salt brine. To find great pickle and gazpacho
recipes, search for “pickles” or “gazpacho” at www.MotherEarthNews.com.

double in size in just one day. Snip fruits that have accumulated at the bottom of In large plantings, perimeter trap
with a short stub of stem attached, then the pail and spread them out on news- crops of ‘Blue Hubbard’ winter
lightly scrub, pat dry, and refrigerate paper or paper plates. Allow seeds to squash can be a very effective control
harvested cucumbers right away. dry at room temperature for two weeks strategy. Nearby plantings of borage
Depending on variety, one cucumber before storing the plumpest in a cool, may also help suppress cucumber bee-
plant will typically bear 10 to 20 fruits, dry place, where they should stay viable tle populations.
which would total about 2 to 3 pounds. for at least five years. Bacterial wilt and powdery mildew are
two diseases that can wreak havoc on
Saving Cucumber Seeds Growing Tips your cucumber plants. Your best bet is
Allow perfect fruits from open-polli- Grow cucumbers under row cover to grow resistant varieties (see the chart
nated varieties to ripen on the vine until tunnels for pest protection. After plants below) and practice good crop rotations.
they develop leathery yellow or brown begin blooming heavily, remove the cov- Use a trellis to increase yields of flaw-
rinds. Slice away the rinds without cut- ers so insects can pollinate the flowers. less, flavorful fruits that are also easier
ting into the seeds, place the cores in a You can control cucumber beetles us- to pick.
pail of water, and mash them with your ing yellow sticky traps, but the traps Mulch beneath cucumbers with organic
hands. After two days, remove the seeds may also snare small beneficial insects. material to further increase yields.

Cucumbers for Your Garden

Type Description Recommended Varieties
American slicers Uniform, oblong shape with dark green skin. Plants tend to ‘Marketmore 76’ (OP)
50 to 65 days to maturity produce all at once. Good fresh or pickled. ‘Marketmore 76’ ‘Straight Eight’ (OP)
offers some genetic resistance to powdery mildew. ‘Sweet Success’ (F1)

Pickling Small, oblong fruits with thin skins that are often bumpy. Plants ‘Boothby’s Blonde’ (OP)
52 to 65 days to maturity produce all at once and must be picked daily. Good fresh and ‘County Fair’ (F1)
great pickled. ‘County Fair’ and ‘Little Leaf’ are varieties resistant ‘Cross Country’ (F1)
to bacterial wilt. ‘Little Leaf’ (OP)

Asian Long, slender fruits with small seed cavities and sweet flesh. ‘Shintokiwa’ (OP)
52 to 65 days to maturity Skins usually lack the bitter compounds that attract cucumber ‘Suyo Long’ (OP)
beetles. Need trellising. ‘Tasty Jade’ (F1)

Greenhouse Produce self-fertile flowers, which do not require pollination by ‘Beit Alpha MR’ (OP)
52 to 65 days to maturity insects. Fruits have thin skins and small seed cavities. Produce ‘Cool Breeze’ (F1)
best if trellised. ‘Diva’ (F1)
‘Green Finger’ (F1)

Other species (‘Armenian,’ Rampant, heat-resistant plants bear distinctive fruits that hold their ‘Jelly Melon’ (OP)
jelly melon, others) flavor and pickling quality in hot weather. Best in warm climates. ‘Poona Kheera’ (OP)
55 to 120 days to maturity ‘Yard Long Armenian’ (OP)

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 129

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 129 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Grow Squash
and Pumpkins FROM TOP: GETTY IMAGES (3)/ BENTHEBEEMAN, DGPHOTOGRAPHY, SVEHLIK

Tips and techniques to By Rachel Waglison green thumbs, can be afflicted by drop-
ping fruit. It can be very frustrating to

T
prevent the dropping
GETTY IMAGES/BHOFACK2

here’s no question that pump- see all of our hard work falling off the
kins and squash are among most vine to rot on the ground, before it even
of fruit on your favorite everyone’s favorite vine crops. had a chance to grow.
However, even the most experienced Following are some ways you
vine crops. of gardeners, with the most nimble of can take preventative steps against

130 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 130 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Pollination is an important factor in the growth of fruit.

Squash plants will produce nice fruits when grown in a partly shaded area.

A layer of mulch helps retain moisture in the soil.

fruit drop, along with a few tips for bees and other pollinators land on the can opt for manual pollination, which
encouraging healthy growth of your male flower and carry the pollen on their should be performed early in the morn-
FROM TOP: GETTY IMAGES (3)/ BENTHEBEEMAN, DGPHOTOGRAPHY, SVEHLIK

developing fruit. legs to the female flower. ing, when the flowers naturally open,
The male and female blossoms look and can be done in one of two ways.
Causes & Remedies similar, but if you take a closer look, One way is to use a soft paintbrush
While there are multiple reasons you’ll spot the difference. Male flow- and swipe pollen from the male flower
for fruit drop in squash and pumpkin ers are more numerous and don’t bear to the female flower. The second option
plants, the four most common include fruit. They appear earlier in the growth is to remove a male blossom and rub the
lack of pollination, extreme weather, cycle, and they have long, thin stems. stamen directly on the female flower.
poor soil, and improper irrigation. Here Female flowers, on the other hand, sit Both techniques will ensure pollination
are some simple steps you can take to fix closer to the vine, with a small round takes place.
the problem, no matter the reason. fruit at the base of the blossom. The
GETTY IMAGES/BHOFACK2

dropping of the male blossom is con- Extreme Weather

Lack of Pollination sidered normal, because only the Since the flowers of squash and pump-
Cross-pollination between the male female flowers produce fruit. kin plants are very susceptible to stress,
and female flower enables the fruit to When bees don’t perform their job extreme weather can take a toll on newly
grow. Pollination usually occurs when of pollinating the female flowers, you budding fruits. Extremes, such as frost,

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 131

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 131 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 A young pumpkin grows on a plant in well-balanced soil (left). Pumpkin and squash plants require deep watering at least once a week.

humidity, and intense heat, can affect to determine the pH level of your soil. your fruits dropping off the vine before
the growth of the developing fruits on Once you know the pH level, you can they should.
the vine and ruin an entire crop. determine the type and amount of fertil-
That being the case, it’s important to izer needed to balance the pH level. TLC for Fruiting Plants
protect your buds from extreme weather. A quick fix is to put on a small Here are some tips to help you take care
Providing protection is more of a preven- amount of fertilizer (low on nitrogen) of your developing squash and pumpkins.
tative measure than a fix, because once when the first blooms appear, and add • Handle the fruits less, and with more
extreme weather has done its damage, it’s a layer of mulch to retain the moisture care. The young fruit is sensitive, so
unlikely you’ll have anything left to fix. of the soil. Too much nitrogen and lack avoid touching it too often.
Therefore, it’s essential to choose the of calcium can also cause the dropping • Avoid scarring or bruising by placing
right location to plant your seeds, in or- of the small fruit. a shingle between the developing fruit
der to minimize the effect of a bout of and the soil.
bad weather. Be sure to plant in an area Improper Irrigation • The fruit will rot if the soil is too soggy,
that’s protected from any anticipated ex- Both a lack of irrigation, as well as so be sure the soil has proper irrigation
treme weather. For example, if your area overwatering can cause fruit drop. by checking the surrounding ground
sees intensely hot days or drought, you’ll Squash and pumpkin plants require a regularly. This way you avoid disturb-
want to plant in a shaded area or down lot of water compared with many other ing the actual plant.
slope for better water retention. garden plants. They need a deep water- • Monitor new fruits by checking your
ing at least once a week. On these deep- plants regularly. The vines are prickly,

FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (2)/VAVLT, BACILLUX

Poor Soil watering days, the water should reach so wear gloves when handling them.
Vine crops usually thrive in slightly 4 inches down into the soil, so don’t be • To achieve the perfect shape, lift the
acidic soil between 6.0 and 6.5 on the afraid to give them a good soaking. fruit and the vine in both hands, then
pH scale. Although the majority of vine However, while frequent and con- gently adjust the position of the small
plants are fairly robust and will grow sistent watering is needed when fruits fruit. You can only do this when the
well in most soils, soil with extreme pH form, and throughout their growth fruit is well-established.
levels will definitely inhibit the healthy period, be sure water isn’t gathering in • Instead of breaking the gourds from
growth of your plants. pools around the roots. Too much water the vine, use scissors or a knife to cut
It’s important to perform a soil test will cause root rot, which will lead to them off.

Encourage Growth and Prevent Fruit Drop

My aunt, who’s an expert gardener, shared a simple procedure she Insert the stick into the main vines of the pumpkins or squash.
uses to encourage growth and prevent fruit drop. Her garden, full of Be sure to insert it into the main vines, not the smaller vines, which
healthy pumpkins and squash, was all the proof I needed. are found near the flowers. The main vines are found near the roots,
She says to take a bamboo stick or some other kind of hardened away from the flowers.
wooden stick — a barbecue skewer is fine — and cut it thinly, a little Although there has been no scientific study to identify the reasons
less than 1⁄4 inch wide and 4 to 5 inches long. Make sure the stick why this technique is so effective, it seems to work well and encour-
is very thin so as not to damage the vines. ages growth within the entire plant.

132 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 132 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Cool Cabbage’s crazy cousin is
a fun and tasty addition to

Kohlrabi
your fall vegetable garden.

By Vicki Mattern

I
t’s a root, it’s a tuber — no, it’s a super-
stem! So what exactly is this strange round
vegetable with leafy projections? Though
sometimes called “space cabbage,” kohlrabi re-
ally is a very down-to-earth veggie. German for
“cabbage turnip,” kohlrabi is a member of the
extensive cabbage family (which also includes
broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and mustard) and
offers the same awesome health benefits as these
cole crop cousins. Yet kohlrabi is easier to grow
than its relatives, and fast to mature, making it
ideal for fall or early spring planting.
Kohlrabi is actually an enlarged stem that
develops into a bulb just above the soil. The
round bulbs can be steamed, stuffed, or stir-
fried; added to soups; or sliced and baked. Raw
kohlrabi “chips” are crisp, sweet, and mildly
tangy, making them sensational with vegetable
dips, or in salads and slaws. And don’t forget the
greens: They make tasty, nutritious additions to
salads and stir-fries.

All in the Timing

Like other members of the cabbage clan,
kohlrabi thrives in cool temperatures.
“You can grow kohlrabi in almost any re-
gion if you grow it in the spring or fall,” says
Stephen Reiners, associate professor of horticul-
ture for Cornell’s New York State Agricultural
Experiment Station. “Good timing is key. You
want to avoid having the bulbs form in hot
weather, which can make them woody.” Allow
50 to 65 days from the time you sow your kohl-
rabi seeds to harvest, advises Reiners.
Brian Luton favors fall for growing kohlrabi
at Stone’s Throw Farm in Nedrow, New York.
From mid-July through early August, Luton
starts the seeds in a greenhouse, using a mix-
ture of peat, perlite, and vermiculite amended
with greensand (glauconite), rock phosphate,
and lime, as well as 15 to 20 percent finished
compost. “Kohlrabi likes a decent amount of
compost right out of the gate,” he notes.
Luton transplants the seedlings to the garden
two to three weeks later (usually by the end of
August), planting them 8 inches apart, with

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 133

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 133 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Whether you grow kohlrabi as a white variety, such as ‘Winner’ (left) or ‘Kossack’ (right), or a purple variety like ‘Kolibri’ (previous page), the edible
insides will be white, and have the same tangy-sweet flavor.

10 to 12 inches between rows. The bulbs harvests. “The mature bulbs are very frost other advantage: “A light frost will actually
are ready for harvest by mid-September tolerant and hold well in the garden,” he enhance the bulbs’ flavor, making them
through October, depending on the vari- says. “In mild winters, I’ve harvested them sweeter, the same way it does with other
ety and seasonal conditions, but they also in January.” cabbage family crops,” Reiners says.
can stay in the ground for on-demand Growing kohlrabi for fall harvest has an- For a spring crop, beat the heat by start-
ing your seeds indoors about six weeks be-
fore your last expected frost. You can sow
kohlrabi seeds directly in the garden, but
Cooking with Kohlrabi

MATTHEW T. STALLBAUMER; OPPOSITE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FOTOLIA/NUNGNING20; DAVID CAVAGNARO; STEVE ELFRINK; PAGE 133: FOTOLIA/ MARIA_SAVENKO
you’ll have a better chance of avoiding the
heat by starting the seeds earlier, indoors.
Like other cabbage crops, kohlrabi is loaded with good nutrition. Just 1 cup of raw kohl- At Harmony Valley Farm in Viroqua,
rabi contains nearly 100 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin C, plus it’s a good Wisconsin, Richard de Wilde and his crew
source of fiber and has less than 40 calories. Cole crops such as kohlrabi also contain gluco- get an extra-early start by sowing kohlrabi
sinolates, which break down into compounds that researchers think may help protect against seeds in the greenhouse in early March, 8
many kinds of cancer. to 10 weeks before their last frost date. He
You can use either purple or white kohlrabi in the following recipes — the interior of both transplants the seedlings into raised garden
types is white, and both have the same mild, tangy-sweet flavor. beds in mid-April.
“We keep them under a row cover until
Kohl Slaw daytime temperatures reach 75 degrees,”
(Courtesy of Harmony Valley Farm) explains de Wilde. “Kohlrabi tolerates
• 2 to 3 kohlrabi bulbs cold temperatures, but the row
• 2 carrots cover provides enough extra
• 1 to 2 broccoli stems (optional) warmth to keep the plants
• 1 tsp sea salt growing strong and fast. It
• ¼ cup mayonnaise also shields them from flea
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar beetles, the only threat we’ve
• 1 tbsp sugar seen at this time of year.”
• Large pinch of dill or fennel leaves, chopped De Wilde harvests early kohlrabi vari-
eties, such as ‘Kolibri,’ several weeks before
Clean and peel the kohlrabi. Cut the kohlrabi, carrots, and broccoli into small, thin strips broccoli and most other spring vegetables
(julienne), or shred with a grater. Toss the vegetables with salt, and let them sit for a few are available. “Our customers really look
minutes. Rinse with water then pat dry. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients, then add forward to it.”
vegetables. Chill before serving. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
Three (or Four) Season Harvest
Kohlrabi Fries In regions with mild winters, kohlrabi
(Courtesy of Stone’s Throw Farm) will prosper from fall through spring.
Peel and slice raw kohlrabi into thin matchstick-sized strips. Spread out the strips in a Tucker Taylor, manager of Woodland
single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper if Gardens in Winterville, Georgia, grows a
desired. Bake 20 to 30 minutes at 400 F until the kohlrabi softens slightly, but still has a number of crops year-round for Atlanta-
light crunch. area chefs and farmers markets, but kohl-
rabi is a cool-season standard.

134 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

WALTER CHANDOHA; FOTOLIA/NUNGNING20; RIGHT: DAVID CAVAGNARO; PAGE 65, FOTOLIA/MARIA_SAVENKO

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 134 11/18/21 2:33 PM

STEVE ELFRINK
 “We like it because it’s so quick,” he says. simply use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) to says. Fall-grown kohlrabi is less touchy. In
“We rotate it through our hoop houses keep them in check. fact, the plants will tolerate temperatures
(plastic-covered tunnels) from fall through to 10 degrees, so you can harvest at a more
spring, and harvest the bulbs at different Small Is Beautiful leisurely pace.
stages.” Taylor’s crew first starts the seeds Kohlrabi won’t keep you waiting long. You’re bound to cook up plenty of ways
in a greenhouse using Sunshine Mix, an Within weeks of planting, you’ll see the to enjoy your harvest. Both the bulbs and
organic seed-starting medium. stems begin to swell and form the funny leaves are extremely versatile. But if you
“We add a little kelp to the mix to pro- round globes that prompted its nickname, find you just cannot use all your kohlrabi
vide micronutrients,” he says. “space cabbage.” Soon after that, your at harvest time, it’s no big deal. Simply trim
The seedlings are then transplanted into kohlrabi will be ready to harvest. If it’s off the leaves and stems, wrap the bulbs in
the hoop houses a month later; full-sized spring, don’t hesitate: Kohlrabi is most ten- plastic and store them in your refrigerator
bulbs are harvested six weeks after that. der and mild-flavored when the bulbs are or a root cellar for several months. Pretty
Taylor also grows baby ‘Purple’ kohlrabi no more than 2 to 3 inches across, Reiners cool, huh?
greens year-round in a greenhouse, which
is heated only enough to keep the tender
greens from freezing on extra-cold nights.
“The kohlrabi serves as the base of our
microgreens mix, which also includes red
Selections and Suppliers
mustard, broccoli, ‘Red Russian’ kale, red Seasoned kohlrabi growers recommend the • ‘Superschmelz’: (OP) 60 days; bulbs grow
amaranth, and arugula,” he explains. “It following varieties. The numbers after each up to 8 to 10 inches without becoming
adds bright color to the mix and is very description refer to the suppliers listed below. woody; deep roots a plus in dry climates;
easy to grow.” best for fall harvest and storage (1, 3)
MATTHEW T. STALLBAUMER; OPPOSITE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FOTOLIA/NUNGNING20; DAVID CAVAGNARO; STEVE ELFRINK; PAGE 133: FOTOLIA/ MARIA_SAVENKO

PURPLE
Kohlrabi Rules • ‘Kolibri’: (Hybrid) 45 days; purple-veined MICROGREENS
Beyond the need for cool temperatures leaves; fiberless white flesh (1, 2, 3) • ‘Purple’: (OP) 10 to 12 days for young seed-
and full sun, kohlrabi is not especially • ‘Early Purple Vienna’: (OP) 55 days; slower lings; leaves and stems can be used with
demanding. “Anything you can do to en- growth means less cracking during wet other young greens for microgreens mix (3)
sure steady, consistent growth will help,” weather (4)
Reiners says. “With even temperatures and SUPPLIERS
consistent soil moisture, kohlrabi will stay GREEN/WHITE 1. High Mowing Organic Seeds: Wolcott,
tender and mild.” • ‘Korridor’: (Hybrid) 50 days; white bulbs Vermont; 866-735-4454;
The best way to provide those stress-free with dark green leaves; holds its quality www.HighMowingSeeds.com
conditions is to be sure your soil contains longer than most 2. Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Winslow, Maine;
plenty of organic matter that releases nu- • ‘Early White Vienna’: (OP) 55 days; sweet 877-564-6697; www.JohnnySeeds.com
trients and moisture slowly and steadily. and mild; slower growth means less 3. Territorial Seed Co.: Cottage Grove, Oregon;
Kohlrabi is not a heavy feeder. A layer of cracking (4) 800-626-0866; www.Territorial-Seed.com
grass clippings or compost (½ inch to 1 4. Victory Seeds: Molalla, Oregon;
inch) worked into the soil before planting www.VictorySeeds.com
should provide all the needed nutrients.
For an extra boost, side dress the plants
with a little more compost when you first
notice the bulbs beginning to swell.
A layer of organic mulch will help
moderate soil temperature and mois-
ture. But for spring kohlrabi crops,
only add the mulch after the soil has
warmed. Otherwise, you risk slowing your
plants’ growth.
Insect pests and diseases shouldn’t be a
problem. “We do use insect screens on the
sides of the hoop houses, but we haven’t Sliced kohlrabi “chips”
found cabbage loopers to be a problem the make a great addition
way they can be on other cabbage crops,” to veggie platters.
Taylor says. If the small green worms
known as cabbage loopers do show up,

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 135

A/MARIA_SAVENKO
MEN Organic Gardening.indb 135 11/18/21 2:33 PM
MATTHEW T. STALLBAUMER
 5 Short-
Season
Tomatoes
Gardeners burdened with less than 90 frost-free days, take note:
These productive cultivars offer up the fruit and flavor you crave.

Article and photos by Nan Fischer From Pike’s seeds, I grew and sold a Tomato Genesis
handful of ‘Super Tomato’ starts with The origins of the beloved tomato are

A
s the founder of the Taos Seed the understanding that the buyers would a little fuzzy, like the stems and leaves of
Exchange in New Mexico, I return fresh seed for the seed exchange. the plant itself. A wild relative, Solanum
receive a lot of interesting seed One plant went to a woman who had just pimpinellifolium L., can be found in the
donations for our annual seed swap. One moved to the Rockies from Florida. Andes Mountains of South America in
year, tomato seeds came in from High That year, we had an unusually late Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. The fruit is
Ground Gardens in Crestone, Colorado, frost on June 23 that killed all of her to- about the size of a blueberry. This spe-
a few hours’ drive north of my organic matoes except the ‘Super Tomato.’ It was cies is believed to have moved north into
nursery in the Rocky Mountains. untouched—not even tip burn. A super Central America, where it became semi-
Owner Bryon Pike breeds short-season plant, indeed! domesticated—a mix of wild and culti-
and cold tolerant tomatoes outdoors at After that, I began to look more deeply vated genetics. Its fruit is larger, the size
elevations between 7,000 and 8,500 feet. into short-season, cold tolerant tomatoes, of a modern cherry tomato. The species
I was excited to receive his donation, be- and have discovered other cultivars that continued to migrate north, into southern
cause I too live and garden in a short-sea- are nothing like the original tomato from Mexico, where it became fully domesti-
son part of the Rockies. South America. cated and the size of our modern slicing

136 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 136 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 tomato. Today, its botanical name is S. ly-
copersicum L. var. lycopersicum.
Hundreds of years of selective breeding
later, many of us grow tomatoes in our
home gardens. Gardeners can choose from
a huge variety of tomatoes, each bred for
qualities we desire, such as flavor, color,
shape, and (the subject of this article) earli-
ness and hardiness.
Whereas most heirloom and hybrid
beefsteaks are ready to harvest in 80 to 90
days, a short-season tomato ripens within
50 to 70 days of transplanting — plenty of ‘Super Tomato’ ‘Glacier’
time to produce a good harvest in a cold
climate. These are my favorite short-season
tomatoes, based on my gardening expe-
rience in the Rocky Mountains, where
we’re lucky if we have 90 frost-free days
some years! If you garden in a short-season
area, consider these tasty cultivars to fill
your belly and your pantry. Not only do
they ripen early, but they’re also tolerant
of cooler temperatures in spring and fall.

1 Super Tomato
My first selection isn’t yet available,
but may soon be offered by its devel-
opers at High Ground Gardens (www.
HighGroundGardens.com). As a market
farmer, Pike was disappointed with the
performance of most commercial culti-
vars in his growing conditions at high
elevation in the Rockies — strong winds,
intense sun, large temperature swings, ‘Moskvich’
alkaline soil, and late and early frosts.
Poor yields don’t equal good business
sense, so he began selecting seeds from Siberia, Russia, by Bill McDorman of the ‘Moskvich’ is ready to eat 60 days from
plants that performed well in his farm’s Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance. transplanting, and bears 4- to 6-ounce
difficult environment. fruits that are uniform in size and shape,
Through experimentation, observa- 2 Moskvich and resist cracking. The semi-determinate
tion, taste testing, trait selection, intuition, I’d heard several times that ‘Moskvich’ plant produces well at low temperatures. It
breeding techniques, and patience, Pike was a reliable and popular tomato for was developed in the 1970s at the Institute
developed well-adapted seeds in just a few market farmers, so when High Mowing of Plant Industry in Moscow. “Moskvich”
years. One is ‘Super Tomato,’ originally a Organic Seeds donated seeds to the Taos is a Russian word that translates to English
volunteer in his greenhouse, that he’s bred Seed Exchange, I had to grow it myself. as “person living in Moscow.”
to grow in harsh conditions. ‘Moskvich’ bears the most flavorful
Although ‘Super Tomato’ isn’t on the fruits I’ve ever eaten — rich, deep, and 3 Glacier
market as of this writing, other cultivars sweet, and almost concentrated, like a The name itself tells gardeners that this
with the same qualities are available. The high-quality tomato paste. This cultivar tomato will do well in cooler weather and
earliest is ‘Sasha’s Altai,’ ripening in just 60 is my new favorite slicer, however, it’s also shorter seasons. I first discovered ‘Glacier’
days. The seed was originally collected in great for canning. when a friend of mine gifted me with one

With an urban garden and more than 130 tomato cultivars, 14-year-old Emma Biggs knows how to fit lots of tomatoes
TOMATOES TO GROW ON! in a small space! Trials and Tribulations of a Teenage Tomato Grower is part of the “Real Food” course online at www.
MotherEarthNewsFair.com.

CULTIVARS • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 137

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 137 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 sweet as with most cherry tomatoes. I pop
them in my mouth as a snack every time
I pass the 7-foot-tall plants in my garden.
Two ‘Camp Joy’ plants are so prolific that
I can freely eat them fresh, give them away
to friends and neighbors, and still dry doz-
ens to use in soups and chili in winter.
This tomato is also known as ‘Chadwick
Cherry’ after its developer Alan Chadwick,
a biointensive gardening pioneer in the
1970s. John Jeavons of Bountiful Gardens
seed company was Chadwick’s student,
and Camp Joy Gardens was the California
‘Camp Joy’ ‘Sunrise Bumblebee’ farm maintained by Bountiful Gardens.
As this cherry tomato was grown out at
Camp Joy, it seemed fitting to name the
of the plants a couple of years ago. It was duced by ‘Glacier’ weigh 1 to 3 ounces, cultivar ‘Camp Joy.’ Renee’s Garden Seeds
bearing fruit when I transplanted it in ear- and are ready in 55 days. Last year, my popularized it, and now it’s a bestseller at
ly June, and the first tomato was ready to friend started some ‘Glacier’ seeds for me many seed companies.
eat on June 27. This early producer doesn’t on March 23, and I ate the first fruit on
sacrifice flavor, texture, or sweetness to June 29. 5 Sunrise Bumblebee
bring us our favorite garden produce while ‘Glacier’ was popularized by Ron A friend gave me a ‘Sunrise Bumblebee’
other tomato plants are only flowering. Driskill, a horticultural teacher in Calgary, tomato plant a few years ago, assuring me
This potato-leafed, semi-determinate Alberta, who knew short-season, cool it was hardy, and the fruits would be beau-
tomato will produce all season long. The weather crops. Fedco Seeds praises the rich tiful and tasty. Fred Hempel of Artisan
2-foot-tall plants are compact and suitable tomato flavor of ‘Glacier’ as superior to Seeds developed this cherry tomato in
for container gardening. The fruits pro- “every other tomato in the same class that Sunol, California, where he’s been growing
we’ve tried.” and breeding tomatoes on Baia Nicchia
Farm since 2006.
4 Camp Joy ‘Sunrise Bumblebee’ is a yellow cherry
Seed Sources I discovered ‘Camp Joy’ during my with pink marbling inside and out. The
www.store.GrowArtisan.com, 510-384- first year as a retailer for Renee’s Garden more visible the marbling, the riper the
2716; ‘Sunrise Bumblebee’ Seeds. As soon as I grew it, I understood tomato. This large, reliable indetermi-
www.FedcoSeeds.com, 207-426-9900 why this cherry tomato is a bestseller for nate vine produces in 70 days. ‘Sunrise
(no phone orders); ‘Glacier’ many seed companies. Bumblebee’ is one of seven striped cherry
www.HighGroundGardens.com, email ‘Camp Joy’ is the first ripe tomato in tomatoes in the company’s Artisan Tomato
[email protected]; my garden, ready in 70 days. This tomato Collection, and is proclaimed to be the
‘Sasha’s Altai’ is indeterminate, and disease- and crack- sweetest of the lot. Artisan Seeds describes
www.HighMowingSeeds.com, 866- resistant. The plant doesn’t mind the cool the flavor as “bright, sweet, and tropical.”
735-4454; ‘Glacier,’ ‘Moskvich’ days of spring and fall. The flavor of its I agree. This cherry tomato is a refreshing
www.JohnnySeeds.com, 877-564- fruits is tomato-y and deep, not overly snack on hot summer days.
6697; ‘Glacier,’ ‘Moskvich,’
‘Sunrise Bumblebee’
www.RareSeeds.com, email
[email protected]; ‘Camp Joy,’ Metal Tomato Strainer
‘Sunrise Bumblebee’ With the ability to separate seeds and skins from the pulp, this
www.ReneesGarden.com, 888-880- high-quality, metal tomato strainer saves you time when canning
7228; ‘Camp Joy’ and preserving. Featuring a versatile, dual mount system, the tomato
www.TomatoFest.com, email strainer can be securely mounted via the suction cup base or a
[email protected]; ‘Camp Joy,’ C-clamp. Includes a stainless steel hopper and drain
‘Glacier,’ ‘Moskvich,’ ‘Sasha’s Altai’ chute, a multi-purpose screen, and a wooden stomper.
www.VictorySeeds.com, email This product is available at www.MotherEarthNews
[email protected]; ‘Glacier,’ .com/Store or by calling 800-234-3368. Mention
‘Moskvich’ promo code MMEPAMZI. Item #9469.

138 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 138 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Drying
the Harvest
Keep your pantry well-stocked with a hydrator that has a dial thermometer.
This type of dehydrator has a fan that
variety of dehydrated fruits and vegetables. keeps air moving, which quickly dries
the food and helps it retain flavor. Food
dehydrators can be affordable, and they
Article and photos by Renee Pottle All produce can be safely dehydrated, come in a wide variety of sizes.
but some fruits and vegetables are bet-

W
hether you nurture a sub- ter suited to the process than others. Dehydrating Vegetables
urban backyard garden, For example, dehydrating water-rich The best vegetables to dehydrate in-
two potted tomato plants, cucumbers or watermelon is a lesson clude carrots, corn, mushrooms, okra,
or acres of produce, this year you may in frustration; the process is long, and onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Beets,
depend on your harvest not only for the result isn’t very useful. Dehydrating potatoes, meaty zucchini cultivars
fresh vegetables, but also for variety. corn, onions, and berries, though, pro- (such as ‘Tromboncino’), cherry toma-
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting vides a burst of concentrated flavor. toes, celery, leeks, green peas, cabbage,
our food supply, from processing plant The easiest way to dehydrate fruits and turnips also dehydrate well. You
closures to distribution interruptions. and vegetables is in the sun. We still can even dehydrate frozen or canned
Luckily, those of us who grow and pre- use this age-old method occasionally, vegetables, including canned beans.
serve our own fruits and vegetables are but the produce often comes out pale Many experts advise against dehydrat-
prepared. We turn berries and peaches and insipid. Plus, if you live in a humid ing greens and celery, but I’ve always
into jars of jam, and freeze peas and corn climate, fruit may spoil before it com- had good luck with both; I use them in
for future use. We turn tomatoes into pletely dries out. soups and to make vegetable powders.
sauce, and fill the root cellar with carrots Produce can also be dried in an oven, Blanching vegetables before de-
and squash. And let’s not forget turning if the oven can be reduced to 140 de- hydrating helps them retain quality.
piles of cucumbers, zucchini, and aspara- grees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, 170 Raw onions, celery, mushrooms, most
gus into tangy pickles. But we tend to degrees is the lowest most ovens will go. greens, zucchini, peppers, and previ-
practice dehydration — one of the oldest Foods dried at 170 degrees don’t retain ously canned or frozen vegetables don’t
methods of food preservation — the least. much flavor. need to be blanched before dehydrating.
Which is a shame, because dehydrating So, the best way to dehydrate fruits All other vegetables, including collards
fruits and vegetables is easy. and vegetables is with a simple food de- and Swiss chard, must be blanched. To

HARVESTING • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 139

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 139 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 blanch, submerge vegetables in boiling degrees. Dehydrate fruit until pliable
water, and then plunge them into an ice Watch ‘Dehydration 101’ and leathery. Don’t let fruit get brittle,
bath. Each type of vegetable requires Workshop Online except thin fruit slices, such as apples
a different blanching period. Refer to The “Dehydration 101” workshop and pears. Dried fruit shouldn’t be
the Ball Blue Book or a similar guide is part of the Food Preservation sticky or tacky.
to find individual blanching times. To Course at MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR 6 At this point, some pieces will
dehydrate vegetables: online. Watch as Renee demonstrates have more moisture than others, so
1 Wash vegetables, and peel if desired. how to preserve food by removing the the batch will need to be conditioned.
Cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces. moisture but keeping all the flavor! To condition dehydrated fruit, put it
2 Blanch raw vegetables until crisp- Go to www.MotherEarthNewsFair in a sealed plastic or glass container,
tender. Rinse to cool. .com to watch and learn, and for and then shake it well. Do this several
3 Spread vegetables on drying trays other great courses. times a day for 2 to 7 days.
in single layers. Set dehydrator temper- 7 Put dried fruit in a refrigerator or
ature to 135 degrees. freezer for 48 hours to ensure no insect
4 Dehydrate vegetables until crisp, eggs survived the dehydrating process.
turning occasionally. and then dipping them in ice water for 9 Store dehydrated fruit in a mois-
30 to 60 seconds. ture-proof container at room tempera-
Dehydrating Fruit 3 Pre-treat fruit by soaking sliced ture, or in a refrigerator or freezer.
Most of us are more familiar with fruit in ¼ cup lemon juice per ½ gal-
dehydrated fruit. After all, who lon water for at least 15 minutes. Pre- Cooking with Dried Produce
doesn’t love dried fruit? Dried fruit treating reduces harmful bacteria and Congratulations! You have contain-
is a favorite of many, but it tends to keeps light-colored fruits from turning ers full of dehydrated fruits and veg-
be expensive. We solve that problem dark while drying. etables. Now, what do you do with
by dehydrating our own. Blueberries, 4 Soak fruit in sugar by stirring them? Dehydrated fruit is a great
apples, pears, figs, grapes, cherries, ½ cup sugar into 3 pounds prepared snack, but you can also add it to muf-
peaches, apricots, plums, cranberries, fruit. (This macerating step is option- fins, quick breads, and other baked
and currants all dry well. Dehydrating al, but it will keep fruit chewy and goods. It’s also good in homemade
fruit requires more steps than dehy- reduce dehydration time. Macerating trail mix, snack mixes, and granola,
drating vegetables, but it’s still a sim- works well for fruit that will be eaten and can be added to hot oatmeal and
ple process overall. as a snack, but it’s unnecessary for fruit homemade conserves. I dehydrate
1 Wash ripe fruit. Remove stems you’ll use for cooking.) Let fruit sit in peaches, cherries, and berries every
and pits. Peel if desired. Cut out sugar at least 1 hour, and then drain. year for my special holiday fruitcakes.
bruised areas, and slice or halve fruit. 5 Spread fruit on trays in single lay- I turn dehydrated vegetables into
2 Crack skins of whole cherries, ers, placing unpeeled fruit, such as apri- quick soup and skillet mixes. These
figs, and grapes by dipping fruit cot and cherry halves, skin-side down. mixes were especially good gifts for
in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, Set dehydrator temperature to 135 my aging grandmother, who lived

A simple dehydrator will preserve your fruit and vegetable harvest. For best results, arrange produce in single layers so pieces dry evenly.

140 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 140 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 by herself but was no longer able to
prepare dinner from scratch. Dehydrated
vegetables are a quick recipe replace-
ment when fresh onions, celery, or bell
peppers aren’t available, and they can
be semi-rehydrated in boiling water
and then added to casseroles.
You can also make your own veg-
etable powders from dried veggies.
You can make broths from vegetable
powders, add them to homemade
pastas, or slip them into kid-favorite
meals, such as spaghetti, for extra nu-
trition. The following recipes offer a
few simple yet tasty ways to use your
dehydrated bounty.

Minestrone Soup
Store this mix in a zip-close bag, or
layer in a Mason jar to make an attrac-
tive gift. Yield: 2 to 3 servings.

• 1 cup cooked and dehydrated kidney

beans Pasta Primavera
• 1⁄3 cup uncooked elbow macaroni It doesn’t get any easier than Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon dehydrated garden peas pasta, water, and veggies in a one- • 8 ounces uncooked penne or similar pasta
• 1 tablespoon dehydrated tomatoes pot meal! Yield: 4 to 6 servings. • 3 tablespoons dehydrated tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon dehydrated carrots 1 Bring 31⁄2 cups water to boil • 2 tablespoons dehydrated bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion in a large pot. • 2 tablespoons dehydrated chopped leeks
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 2 Add all ingredients, and return • 2 tablespoons dehydrated carrots
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary to a boil. Reduce heat to medium- • 2 tablespoons tomato powder
• 1 teaspoon salt low. Cover, and simmer 10 minutes, • 11⁄2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder stirring occasionally to prevent • 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar sticking. Remove from heat. Let sit • 1⁄4 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1 tablespoon chicken or vegetable 5 minutes before serving.
bouillon powder

1 Layer kidney beans, macaroni,

peas, tomatoes, carrots, and onion in for my liking. Try making your own let sit 2 to 3 minutes. Stir, and add
a pint Mason jar. mixes flavored with dried fruit. Yield: sugar or honey to taste.
2 Combine remaining ingredients 14 servings.
in a small zip-close bag. Seal bag, and Flavor Options
place on top of soup mixture. • 1 cup barley flakes Peach Almond Maple: Add 1
3 To prepare, add all ingredients • 1 cup whole-wheat flakes tablespoon snipped dried peaches, 1
to a large saucepan with 6 cups wa- • 1 cup quinoa flakes tablespoon slivered almonds, and ¼
ter. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and • 1½ cups quick rolled oats teaspoon maple sugar to each mix.
simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until • ¼ cup oat bran Apple Cinnamon Walnut: Add 1
beans and macaroni are tender. Add • 1 tablespoon dried fruit of choice tablespoon chopped dried apples, 1
more water if desired. Serve topped • 1 tablespoon nuts of choice tablespoon walnut pieces, and ¼ tea-
with grated cheese. spoon ground cinnamon to each mix.
1 Mix all ingredients together. Blueberry Pecan: Add 1 table-
Whole-Grain Place ¼ cup mixture each into 14 zip- spoon dried blueberries, 1 tablespoon
Hot Cereal Packets close bags or ½-pint canning jars. chopped pecans, and ¼ teaspoon
Hot cereal mixes are convenient 2 To prepare, combine mixture ground cinnamon or dried lemon zest
and nutritious, but usually too sweet with ⅓ cup boiling water. Cover, and to each mix.

HARVESTING • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 141

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 141 11/18/21 2:33 PM

 Harvest
Like a Pro Make the most of
these summer garden
More Produce, favorites with expert

Longer Storage tips for harvesting,

storing, and preserving.

By Meredith Kirton and Mandy Sinclair be harvested, keeping in mind that the
smallest versions of fully ripe fruits and

T
here’s nothing like growing and ceries, it’s a shame not to make use of it vegetables tend to be the tastiest and most
preserving our own produce all. Unfortunately, much of the summer nutritious. Once you bring the bounty
to remind us that supermarket harvest comes on all at once, and it can be inside, choose whichever method of stor-
convenience isn’t all it’s cracked up to a challenge to deal with. age and preservation seems most time-
be. And after we’ve toiled all spring and Check garden plants at least every other efficient for you. If you harvest produce
summer to grow some of our own gro- day in peak summer to see what needs to on a Saturday morning, you may have
time to try smoking your own chipotles or
making pickles and chutney. If it’s a busy
weeknight, however, you may be better off
popping that produce in the freezer. And
of course, enjoy as many juicy, ripe, fresh-
from-the-garden, peak-nutrition gems as
possible—while you still can!

Cucumbers
Harvest: Cucumbers can be picked as
gherkins when small, or kept on the vine
longer for salads and pickling. Search the
plants for cucumbers hiding under the
foliage, and pick the fruits by twisting

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ISTOCK (3)/BLUECINEMA, SANDRAMATIC, MSK.NINA

them from the plant or snipping them
off with scissors.
Store: Cucumbers keep well at room
temperature for three days or so. They
can also be kept in a perforated bag in the
crisper for about a week.
Preserve: Make pickles! Try easy re-
frigerator pickles (find a recipe at www.
MotherEarthNews.com/Fridge-Pickles),
canned vinegar pickles or home-fermented
brine pickles.

Try Something Different:

Roasted Cukes
Try roasting cucumbers. Peel them,

142 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 142 11/18/21 2:34 PM

 cut in half lengthways, and scoop out the
seeds. Cut into pieces the shape of potato
wedges. Lightly salt them and leave for
20 minutes or so to extract the excess wa-
ter. Pat dry, toss with oil and herbs, and
bake in a hot oven for about 15 minutes.
Serve hot with a knob of butter.

Peppers
Harvest: Pick bell peppers and hot
chilies at whatever color stage you prefer.
The sharpness of green peppers, which
some people enjoy, disappears into sweet-
ness as they change colors. If picking
green, wait until fruits are full-size and Try Something Different: harvest, picking ripe ones as you see them.
just beginning to change color. Snip off Homemade Chipotles Keeping the short stem attached will help
with a small stem attached. Smoking red jalapeño chilies to make tomatoes keep longer.
Store: Refrigerate peppers in a bag in the chipotle is an age-old Mexican technique. Store: Fresh tomatoes store best at
crisper for about a week. The flavor of the wet wood as it smokes room temperature (never refrigerate!) and
Preserve: To freeze bell peppers, blanch permeates into the chili and adds to its should be kept away from other fruits
them for 5 minutes, then put into a sealed complexity. The type of wood you use also such as bananas, which accelerate their
container (or a bowl with a towel over the alters the flavor. Hickory, pear, apple, and ripening. They should keep for at least
top) to steam as they cool. Peel off their mesquite are popular. To smoke chilies, get a few days. Eat any fruits with damaged
skins, cut them in half, and remove the hot coals burning well in a wood-fired bar- skin right away.
seeds. Pack into freezer containers, remov- becue with a lid, then add large pieces of Preserve: Small tomatoes can be frozen
ing as much air as possible, and freeze for your chosen wood (pre-soaked in water). whole—place them on a tray lined with
up to a year. Bell peppers are also delicious Put wire racks or baskets of de-stemmed, parchment paper. When they are frozen
oven-roasted with olive oil and garlic until halved and seeded chilies (in a single hard, transfer into freezer containers, re-
nearly black. Allow them to steam and re- layer) inside and put on the lid. (You can moving as much air as possible. Freeze for
move skins if you wish, then let cool and leave the chilies whole, but smoking may up to a year. You can cook them straight
freeze. Small hot chilies can simply be fro- take longer.) It will take about six hours from frozen.
zen whole or chopped up and packed into to smoke the chilies completely — they Tomatoes are also delicious oven-roasted
ice cube trays. should be dry but still pliable. The cooled with herbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper un-
To dry bell peppers, blanch them as for chilies can be stored in jars in a cool, dark til completely soft. Once cool, scoop the
freezing, then dry completely. Place dried place for up to 12 months. mix into jars and store in the freezer for up
peppers on a wire rack set over a tray. Place to a year. This makes an excellent base for
in an oven heated to its lowest temperature Tomatoes tomato sauces, soups, chicken cacciatore,
with the door slightly ajar. Dry for about Harvest: Some varieties ripen almost chili, and much more.
12 hours, turning after about 5 hours, all at once. Others, such as cherry types, To dry tomatoes, cut them in half and
until brittle to the touch. Leave to cool in bear throughout the season. Inspect plants spread them skin-side down over fine-
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ISTOCK (3)/BLUECINEMA, SANDRAMATIC, MSK.NINA

the oven, then store in a jar in a cool, dark every few days or daily at the height of meshed wire racks set on trays. Sprinkle
place for up to a year, but check after a a little salt over the tomatoes. Place in
week to make sure there’s no condensa- an oven heated to its lowest temperature
tion. If there is, dry in the oven a little lon- with the door slightly ajar. Dry for 6 to 12
ger. To make paprika from sweet peppers, hours, depending on size, until tomatoes
grind dried peppers in a coffee grinder. are leathery. Leave tomatoes in the oven
To dry hot chilies, use thinner-fleshed to cool before putting in jars. Check after
peppers, such as cayenne. Wash them in a week to make sure there is no condensa-
salty water to help combat mold. A string tion. If there is, dry the tomatoes in the
of chilies can be made with a needle and oven a little longer. (In warm, dry areas,
cotton thread, literally sewing through the you can dry tomatoes in the sun with a
chilies. (Wear gloves to protect your hands layer of muslin/cheesecloth on top to
while doing this.) Put the string of chil- keep off bugs, but this takes 1 to 2 weeks
ies in a well-ventilated place out of direct of sunny weather, and the trays need to
sunlight to dry. be brought in at night.) Dried tomatoes

HARVESTING • WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 143

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 143 11/18/21 2:34 PM

 should keep in a cool, dark place for up
to a year. Add them to soups and stews or
cover with olive oil to rehydrate and serve
as an antipasto.

Try Something Different:

Tomato Seasoning
When peeling tomatoes, you don’t
have to waste the ultra-nutritious
skins — use them to make tomato pow-
der. Put the skins on a tray lined with
parchment paper and place in an oven
heated to its lowest temperature, with
the door slightly ajar. Dry until crisp,
then cool and pop into a spice grinder to
blitz to a powder, or use a food proces-
sor. Store in a jar and use as you would
paprika, only to add a tomato zest.

Zucchini & Summer Squash

Harvest: Look carefully for zucchini, as
they hide behind those enormous leaves.
The smallest fruits have the best flavor and
most nutrients. Give the squash a gentle
twist to remove it from the plant.
Store: Zucchini will keep fresh in a per- Salting eggplant and letting it rest for about 30 minutes helps draw out bitterness.
forated bag in the crisper for a week.
Preserve: To freeze summer squash, cut tempura batter, fry in sesame oil, and serve Simmer until very thick, about half an
them into thin rounds and blanch for a with soy sauce or ponzu. hour. Remove from heat, allow to cool,
few minutes. Drain and cool in ice water, and then refrigerate in a sealed container.
then drain again, and spread on a clean Eggplant Serve chutney in sandwiches, with roasted
towel to dry. Pack into freezer contain- Harvest: When skins are smooth, meats, alongside curries, and on cheese
ers, removing as much air as possible, and glossy, and richly colored, snip ripe egg- plates.
freeze for up to a year. plants from the bush with scissors to avoid
damaging stems. Adapted from The Produce Companion
Try Something Different: Store: Eggplants can be stored at room by Meredith Kirton and Mandy Sinclair
Squash Blossoms temperature for a few days, or put in a bag (Hardie Grant Books, 2015).
Pick some of the bright yellow flowers in the crisper to store for up to a week.

CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: ISTOCK (3)/SCISETTIALFIO, OLHA_AFANASIEVA, JEFFOTO

in the morning or evening, and pinch Preserve: To freeze eggplant, cut it into
out the pistil or stamen before cooking. thin slices, plunge into boiling water with
Squash blossoms are delicious sautéed, some lemon juice added to prevent discol-
stuffed with cheese and baked, or battered oration, and cook for 4 minutes. Drain
and fried. At least once each summer, give and cool quickly in ice water. Drain again,
yourself a treat and dip squash blossoms, spread on a clean tea towel to dry, and
plus other favorite garden treats, into a store in freezer containers with as much
air removed as possible.

Try Something Different:

Easy Eggplant Chutney
Chop up an eggplant, an onion, a sweet
pepper, a hot pepper, and some garlic.
Fry for 5 minutes in olive oil, then stir
in ¼ cup each of honey and vinegar,
plus a chopped mango if you have one.
Sprinkle with salt, coriander, and cumin.

144 MOTHER EARTH NEWS COLLECTOR SERIES • ORGANIC GARDENING

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 144 11/18/21 2:34 PM

 ENJOY EVEN MORE

WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM
M E N has been helping readers live more
self-reliant, sustainable lives for 50 years. You can browse our entire
Amazin’ Archive at www.MotherEarthNews.com, plus find:

Blogs You’ll Love

We’re proud to host a lively community of bloggers who write about their
wiser-living pursuits, from gardening organically to creating energy-efficient homes.
Read the latest from all of our contributors at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Blogs.

Newsletters for Your Inbox

Each of our six topic-specific, biweekly newsletters features original online content,
new posts from our Blog Squad, and timely pieces from our Archive — and it’s all
free! Sign up at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Newsletters.

Communities on Facebook
We post know-how, photos, videos, and seasonal tips — plus giveaways — on our
Facebook pages. To get connected to our community, head to
www.Facebook.com/MotherEarthNewsMag and
www.Facebook.com/MotherEarthFAIR.

Events for You

Check out our page of online classes and workshop videos for opportunities to learn

11
68C 100Y 24K Pantone
self-sufficiency skills from wherever you 363C
call home. Find courses and more,
as well as updates on hands-on workshops and M E N F.
Go to www.MotherEarthNewsFAIR.com.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT

Twitter Pinterest Instagram YouTube Flickr

www.Twitter.com/ www.Pinterest.com/ www.Instagram.com/ www.YouTube.com/ www.Flickr.com/Groups/
MotherEarthNews MotherEarthNews MotherEarthNewsMag MotherEarthNewsMag MotherEarthNewsPhotos/Pool

MEN Organic Gardening.indb 3 11/18/21 2:34 PM

 Sav Spe
e H nd $
UN 12
DRE .95
DS now,
this
yea
r!

Save Money and Get Practical

Solutions to Your Everyday Needs!
• Turn your passion into profit! Learn how community co-ops, small farms, and
entrepreneurs make it work!
• Yield your best harvest ever with our expert gardening advice – healthier soil, more
economical systems, natural pest control, and more!
• They say, “Work smarter, not harder” – look no further than our step-by-step DIY
hacks and innovative solutions for around your house and homestead!
• Bolster your weekly menu with a focus on ethically and locally sourced ingredients.
• Put some distance between you and the grid with products and services geared
toward sustainability.

+ More ways to
save money and
live efficiently!
To learn more visit www.MotherEarthNews.com.

SPECIAL OFFER — SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Get ready for hands-on, 95
sensible, and practical
1 year (6 issues) for just $14.95! $ 12
information on:
 Organic gardening
Name  Payment
Address enclosed
 DIY projects City/State/Zip
Email  Bill me
 Self-sufficient living later
U.S. only. Canadian subs: $26.95; and all other countries: $31.95/year, GST & HST included. Prepaid U.S. funds only.
 Renewable energy
 Energy cost reductions
 Green building Mail today or call toll-free 800-234-3368 and men�on code HMEHSMZ2.
Mother Earth News | 1503 SW 42nd St. | Topeka, KS 66609

5 73 83
MEN C4 FOR
CIRC Ads.indd 4
SIP.indd 1 11/22/21
11/17/2021 8:27 AM
10:31:54 AM