GARDENING

[Billy]

Tips, tricks and methods of growing food, flowers and trees in the Eastern Sierra meadows of Truckee Valley.

RESOURCES:

• Master Gardners, UNR CoOp Extension
• Permaculture NoNev

Garden Design

• Step-by-step: How to build the ultimate raised bed
• How to make a Herb Spiral
• Create a Keyhole Garden
• How to build your own circular patio
• Square Foot Gardening.

Vermiculture (worms)

• Sierra Worm Solutions
• Vermicomposting
• EarthWorm Digest
• Composting Toilets.

Alternatives to Pesticides

• Directory of Least-Toxic Pest Control Products pdf, 2002.
• Beyond Pesticides National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides.
• Alternatives to Pesticides.
• Protect Your Garden Naturally

[Billy]

Best Air-Filtering House Plants According to NASA!

English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Golden pothos or Devil's ivy (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)
Selloum philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn. Philodendron selloum)
Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig')
Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Gerbera Daisy or Barberton daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Pot Mum or Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Take the link for more info and links to Wikipedia on each plant.

[Billy]

I came across the Ecological Farming Assoc online--I don't even know how. Oh yah, I was checking out Lundberg Farms where I just got a 25# bag of organic sweet brown rice to make rice milk with through the Food CoOp--and subscribed to their list. This was their first offering.

Death by Multiple Poisoning, Glyphosate and Roundup
ISIS Press Release 02/11/09

Scientists pinpoint how very low concentrations of the herbicide and other chemicals in Roundup formulations kill human cells, strengthening the case for phasing them out, and banning all further releases of Roundup-tolerant GM cropsDr. Mae-Wan Ho and Brett Cherry

This article was submitted to the USDA on behalf of ISIS Four different Roundup formulations of the herbicide glyphyosate manufactured by Monsanto are highly toxic to human cells, and at concentrations far below the recommended agricultural use levels. Researchers at the Institute of Biology in Caen , France published their latest results in the current issue of Chemical Research in Toxicology [1] .

Roundup formulations are lethal cocktails

The four Roundup formulations are mixtures of glyphosate with various adjuvants. (An adjuvant is 'helper' substance added to aid the effect of the active ingredient.) The Roundup formulations are currently the top non-selective herbicides worldwide and increasing, as more than 75 percent of genetically modified (GM) crops are Roundup tolerant. Glyphosate and its major metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) are main contaminants in rivers. The adjuvants, not often measured in the environment, are usually considered 'inert' and protected as trade secret in manufacturing. Among them, the predominant one is polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) . POEA is used as a surfactant in Roundup formulations to improve solubility and penetration into plants.

Three human cell lines were tested: primary cell line HUVEC from umbilical cord vein epithelium, embryonic cell line 293 derived from kidney, and placenta cell line JEG3. All cells died within 24 hours of exposure to the Roundup formulations.

The Roundup formulations (Rs) contain different amounts of the active ingredient glyphosate: Roundup Express, 7.2 g/L (R7.2) ; Roundup Bioforce, 360 g/L (R360) ; Roundup Grand Travaux, 400 g/L (R400); and Roundup Grand Travaux Plus, 450 g/L (R450). They were compared with glyphosate (G), AMPA, and POEA . All Roundup formulations in the study, along with individual chemical ingredients, were tested at concentrations from10 ppm (parts per million) to 2 percent (the recommended agricultural usage level), which means that the Roundup formulations were diluted up to 100 000 times or more.

The researchers found that the presence of the other chemical ingredients in Roundup formulations, such as POEA, actually amplified glyphosate's toxic effects. The toxicities of the Roundup formulations were not proportional to the amount of glyphosate they contained, and are most likely due to POEA and other as yet undisclosed ingredient(s) present in all the formulations. POEA by itself is much more toxic than the Roundup formulations, while AMPA is more toxic than glyphosate.

Multiple targets in toxicity

The researchers tested Rs, G, AMPA, and POEA for effects on three targets that could kill the cell: damage to the cell membrane, poisoning of the mitochrondria (site of energy metabolism), and programmed cell death that results in fragmentation of the DNA in the cell nucleus. They measured specific enzyme markers at different concentrations for each damage at 24 h of exposure, and also obtained images of the cell cultures under the microscope.

All Rs, as well as G, caused cells to die; the results are the same for all human cell types, but at different concentrations. Thus, R400, the most toxic formulation, killed all cells at 20 ppm, which is equivalent to 8ppm in G. However, 4-10 ppm G alone is non-toxic, its toxicity begins around 1 percent (10 000 ppm), and is not connected with the cell membrane. The R formulations damage the cell membrane, and also poison the mitochondria. In contrast, G poisons the mitochondria without damaging the cell membrane

Unexpectedly, R400 is more toxic than R450, the latter in turn more harmful than R360, R7.2 and G. However, the toxicities are not proportional to the concentration of G present. The cell killing power of R7.2 was almost the same as that of R360, and these results are consistent across all cell lines. This suggests other unknown substances are involved in the toxic effects.

Thus AMPA and POEA also kill cells by poisoning the mitochrondia and damaging the cell membrane. POEA is so potent that it begins to damage the cell membrane in HUVEC and poison the mitochondria in 2 93 and JEG3 at 1 ppm. Roundup formulations are more toxic than either G or AMPA. AMPA itself destroys the cell membrane, however, which G does not do, though it is 3-8 times more toxic for the mitochondria than AMPA. But as cell membrane damage is more serious for the cell, AMPA is more toxic than G, while POEA is the most toxic of all.

What happens when these ingredients are combined? The researchers found that for HUVEC and 293 cells, combinations of G and POEA, G and AMPA, AMPA and POEA were all more toxic than the same concentration of the single ingredients

For programmed cell death, the action is quicker. The marker enzymes are activated from 6 h of exposure, with a maximum at 12 h in all cases. HUVEC was 60-160 times more sensitive than the other cell lines; G and R360 were effective at exactly the same concentration, from 50 ppm. The adjuvants do not seem necessary. G alone is 30 percent more potent here than Rs; it acted rapidly at concentrations 500 -1 000 times lower than agricultural use

Ban Roundup tolerant GM crops

These latest studies confirm a wealth of evidence on the toxicities of glyphosate and Roundup formulations [2] ( Glyphosate Toxic & Roundup Worse , SiS 26), and pinpoint the different sites of action, all of which result in cell death. Epidemiological studies have previously linked glyphosate to spontaneous abortions, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Laboratory studies showed that glyphosate inhibits transcription in sea urchin eggs and delays development. Brief exposures to glyphosate in rats caused liver damage, and adding the surfactant in Roundup had a synergistic effect, causing greater liver damage. Roundup was also found to be much more lethal to frogs than to weeds, and could have contributed to the global demise of amphibians within the past decades [3] ( Roundup Kills Frogs , SiS 26).

We have called for a new regulatory review on glyphosate and Roundup in 2005 [2]. There is a now a strong case for restricting, if not phasing out glyphosate and Roundup; in the first instance, by banning the release of Roundup tolerant GM crops worldwide. For the same reason, no further Roundup tolerant GM crops should be approved for commercial release.

References
Benachour N and Séralini G-E.. Glyphosate formulations Induce Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Umbilical, Embryonic, and Placental Cells Chem. Res. Toxicol. , 2009, 22 (1), pp 97-105
Ho MW and Cummins J. Glyphosate toxic and Roundup worse Science in Society 26, 12, 2005. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/GTARW.php Ho MW. Roundup kills grogs Science in Society 26.

Ecological Farming Association | 406 Main Street, Suite 313 | Watsonvillle | CA | 95076

[Billy]

Treehugger has an interesting article on Growing your own wheat. I took out 800sq feet of grass last year. What I wanted to put in was native grasses, but I am so confused about growing things here I hired a service and they put in everything but: ornamental crab apples trees, roses, all kinds of things. And I really wanted wood chips or recycled material, but I ended up with river rock: hot, reflective and I just don't think they are very good for plants, especially trees.

So maybe I'll sell off the river rock and put in a wheat farm. And if I can get a WindSpire I will be very happy. There's another 200 sq feet of lawn that has to come out before the summer. Any suggestions on what to plant there? Two maples and two Austrian Black Pines are there. One of the maples is in the center...

[Billy]

Well, I've been trying to figure out how to make a WORM FARM out of stuff I have around the house. I wasn't getting very far though there are some sources out there. I decided to go with the "Worm Factory" a cheaper version of the "Can Of Worms." I ended up finding the lowest prices at All Things Organic. Total price with shipping is still around $91. But I'm getting worms free from a friend.

In choosing I was concerned about the spiggot. On the "Can" it is under the bin which is raised on legs for access. Any and all tea is going to get drained. The "Factory's" is out the side of the bottom tray and I was thinking there would be a lot of "tea" left in there. So I wrote to Mel at All Things Bright and Beautiful... I mean Organic and got a great response. So I happily ordered the cheaper.

There are some interesting things to know about worm farming, beyond the pale, so to speak. If anyone is interested I'll post some details here. Just let me know.

[Billy]

Sierra Worm Solutions.

[Billy]

The permanent wave
Permaculture Northern Nevada exchanges seeds and wisdom
Reno News and Review

Permaculture means “permanent agriculture.” More than just organic gardening, it’s a way of creating a self-sustaining system that provides food and life for people and other living things. Permaculture features specific design principles that include capturing rainwater and growing plants—especially vegetables—that also help birds, bees, beneficial insects and, yes, even the nibbling rabbits.

More...

[Billy]

From Michael's Email list. Check Michael's Apples to be added.

MARCH TREE CARE 2009

BARE ROOT APPLE TREES

Attached is the updated list of available bare root apple trees for this spring. I’m going to put an ad for the remaining trees on Craig’s list next Saturday….For those of you who have already ordered, I’ll be sending out invoices the first week in March and will harvest the trees in April.

UPCOMING TALKS

I’ll be giving my Selecting and Growing Fruit Trees talk Tuesday, March 3, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The talk is free and part of the Gardening in Nevada Series, coordinated by UNR Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners (I have been a MG volunteer since 1997). Hope to see you there.

GRAFTING CLASS

I will give a grafting class on Saturday, April 18, at our home (driveway/garage) at 901 Gordon Avenue in Reno. (I’ll tentatively schedule an overflow/alternate class for the 25th if there is enough interest). The cost will be $30. If you are interested, let me know for sure to reserve a spot; also, tell me which varieties you’d like to graft (let me know if you don’t have my Master list with descriptions). I’ll definitely have some Honeycrisp, Newtown Pippin, and Smokehouse scions….

I’ll provide dwarfing rootstocks (ELMA 26), scions, grafting rubbers, parafilm wrap and paraffin candles. Each participant will provide a grafting knife—I recommend a quality (like Stanley) utility (sheet rock) knife and new blade. Grafting knives run the gambit of quality and price; if you must have the real thing, the best deal, cost-wise, I’ve seen is on www.italianseedandtool.com under grafting knives.

PRUNING/DORMANT OIL

If you haven’t inspected your fruit trees for a while, now is a good time to do so. My trees are still in their dormant stage, but with the milder temperatures and precipitation, the trees should be going into delayed dormant stage sometime in March and April. During the delayed dormant stage, buds—especially the flower/fruiting buds—begin to swell.

If you haven’t had time yet, prune your apple and pear trees. I’ll start pruning stone fruits (peaches/nectarines, plums, cherries) in mid March when the buds swell and show color. You’ll have time to prune until mid to late April depending on the weather. Hold off on pruning roses until mid April to avoid late frost damage.

When we get a few warm, sunny days in a row do the first dormant oil application to all varieties of your fruit trees (and roses). Dormant oil smothers over-wintering aphid eggs. I’ll have a complete spray schedule in the April newsletter.

VEGETABLES

In other gardening notes, now is the time to start your spring garden. I’ll be planting my peas soon. In mid to late February, I sprout peas inside in moist paper towels and transplant into the garden when the seeds have split and the root is about ½ inch long. Early planting (now) will allow peas to start producing in May and yield several pickings before they burn up in the June heat.

I also start lettuce, cabbage, and spinach from seed in potting soil on the windowsill and transplant the seedlings when they have their second set of leaves. I plant lettuce about 3-4 inches apart in early march; in April, I start to thin the plants when they begin to touch their neighbor by pulling every other one for ‘spring’ salads. As the spinach grows, remove the lower or outer leaves a few at a time. In past years, 8 spinach plants provided us salads twice a week through May. (I also start a few parsley seeds and plant arugula and cilantro directly into the soil when it thaws).

STRAWBERRIES

Last year I sent a link to the following article on gourmet strawberries.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/strawberry-side.html. I ordered a few from http://www.oikostreecrops.com/store/home.asp (they are not cheap!),
and http://www.rareplantnursery.net. Raintree Nursery http://www.raintreenursery.com also carries some of the rarer varieties. The plants arrived in good condition and had a sufficient crop to sample (you know I’m not going to pick off the blossoms the first year!) and they got rave reviews from Dori! (I haven’t told her the cost per plant yet, mum’s the word!) The plants did send out runners and I’m expanding the planting this year.

This year, I’m adding Tribute and Tristar strawberries from Miller nurseries http://www.millernurseries.com. Both varieties are suitable for our climate and cost is 25 for ~$12.

Let me know if you have had success with strawberries and which varieties have done well for you in n Nevada; I’ll pass along the info.

Michael

2/21/09 mgj

[Billy]

The Certifier general of all things Organic in NV was funded today, despite the best efforts of the Governor to remove the position from the state budget.

[Billy]

[Billy]

Plant bare root stock roses now. Get them seeds started. One of my orchids has little buds coming. Can't till which one it is until they bloom.