Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

A PVFS Customer Question with staff answer.

Question:
Hi there,

We inherited a pasture with a terrible weed problem. I’m new to farming and would like to some how “magically” transform it into a wildflower meadow with some food for our hens. From my reading i understand that the best way to do this is to till it a few times and then plant several generations of cover crops that will die back as the new one is seeded in order to smother the weeds and make room for our meadow. Can you recommend some varieties or mixes that we can grow to make this happen? My first concern is crowding out the weeds, next is that we would love it if our chickens can eat it. We can irrigate if necessary although it’s 2/3 acre so that’s not too desirable. We live near Portland OR and we would like to get started before our weeds have another year to take over. As a bonus question, I’d love some suggestions for meadow mixes that would help feed the hens as well. Thank you for any advice you may have!

Answer:
The best way to rid your pasture of weeds is to exhaust the seed bank and then plant what you want to grow. To exhaust the seed bank, till the area, water and then hoe, flame or VERY shallowly till to kill the seedlings. Rinse and repeat 2 -4 times depending on how strong the seed bank is. The idea is to germinate as many of the seeds on the surface as possible, which is why you don’t want to till deeply which just brings more seeds to the surface.

When you are ready to plant (right after your final weeding) spread some compost and your seeds of choice. Water and you should have a great pasture.

As far as suggestions for what to plant, the Grasses and Wild Flower Mix (SCG055) would be good, or the Sheep Fescue (SCG295) mixed with an annual or perennial clover (chickens LOVE clover!) and the Pacific NW Wildflower mix (SWF810), Mediterranean Dryland Mix (SWF910), Hummingbird Mix (SWF670), or any of the other mixes that catch you eye. The Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend is a great chicken pasture mix, but it does need summer irrigation.

Hope this helps, and thanks for growing organically!

Rain, rain, and more rain. Not the mountain rain we are used to, coastal rain that is lighter, softer. We were inundated yesterday, with people and water. Like some sort of trench warfare where we stood in puddles slinging organics instead of hand grenades. From 12:00-2:00 yesterday the vendor tent was packed wall-to-wall with people tasting the locally produced cheeses and beer of the California hardworking producers. Some very tasty creations, including one very memorable soft fresh cheese by Cow Girl Creamery on a light cracker, very tasty.

Three meals a day we consume the most tasty organic creations you can imagine and chat with important movers-and-shakers in the organics field, and of course drink coffee from Cafe Mam. A few names of people that come to mind are Greg Massa from Massa Organics an organic rice producer for 12 farmers markets around the Hamilton area. We also spoke with a few locals from Nevada County, like Daniel Nicholson who works a farm and vegetable stand in North San Juan, and on also conducts “Mushroom Walks” collecting delectable fungi from the woods and rural areas.

Between attending the booth we have also attended a few talks and workshops. There is nothing more inspiring than bearing witness to the zeal of highly educated individuals discussing their passion. Yesterday we listened to the discussion of organic farming for the new era. It is interesting to think that when this movement first began, about thirty odd years ago, 1/10th of 1% of food production was organic. Now we hold 3% of the market. This seems both small, but also hopeful. Small because it seems like all people should demand high quality organic food, but hopeful because each year this number grows, and it is only a matter of time before the old ways of conventional food production will fall by the waist side like DDT or fluoride in the water (oh wait, I think they still put fluoride in the water). Anyways, we are on the cusp of something great, and with each passing year wholesome, healthy and sustainable food production become more of a reality.

For any of you who have had the pleasure of attending the Eco-Farm conference, or at the very least visited the Asilomar Center in Pacific Grove, you can understand how excited we are to be here for the 30th anniversary of this amazing and very important event. Besides being held in the most breathtaking oceanside venue, this place is full of very motivated, highly interesting individuals who, although they come from all different walks of life and professions, all have one thing in common, the commitment to organic agriculture and sustainable living. There is nothing like being involved in something like this, it is truly inspiring to see this group of people who are vibrant full of life and compassionate about something greater than themselves.

Today is the first full day, and after two organic meals prepared with ingredients generously donated by growers from all over California, a fantastic cup of organic coffee from Cafe Mam (pronounced mom), a truly thoughtful speech from one of the originators of the organic movement, Frances Moore Lappé who wrote Diet for a Small Planet, we are hyped to start the day and see face to face many people that we speak to on the phone daily. I will try to keep you all updated on what is going on, and the experiences that mold this great event. The above picture is an image of our booth in the Vendor Tent – and Dan Lake our Account Manager (he looks so chipper doesn’t he?). Today is a good day to Grow Organic… for life!

Take a look at an article in the Sac Bee about PVFS here.

Health, Justice and Sustainability News from the Organic Consumers Association

Toxins in Your So-Called “Organic” Health & Beauty Products

Do you use Jason Pure, Natural & Organic, Avalon Organics, Kiss My Face ObsessivelyOrganic, Nature’s Gate Organics, Stella McCartney 100% Organic, Giovanni Organic, Head Organics, Eminence Organic, Physicians Formula Organic Wear, Good Stuff Organics, Desert Essence Organics, or any “organic cosmetic” certified by Ecocert?

Hate to break it to you, but these so-called “organic” personal care products aren’t really organic and actually contain hazardous ingredients that would never be allowed in products certified to USDA organic standards.

Yesterday, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), along with certified organic personal care brands Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Intelligent Nutrients, and Organic Essence, filed a complaint with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), requesting an investigation into the widespread and blatantly deceptive labeling practices of leading so-called “Organic” personal care brands, in violation of USDA NOP regulations.

The complaint, filed on behalf of the estimated 50 million regular consumers of organic products, argues that products such as liquid soaps, body washes, facial cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizing lotions, lip balms, make-up and other cosmetic products produced by 12 different corporations have been advertised, labeled and marketed as “Organic” or “Organics” when, in fact, the products are not “Organic” as understood by the average health and environmental-minded organic consumer.

Read the complaint

In addition to the complaint, Organic Consumers Association’s Coming Clean campaign has launched a boycott of cosmetics that claim to be organic, but aren’t certified to organic standards as required by law.

Read more

We’re encouraging our members to switch to USDA certified organic body care and cosmetics products, as part of a New Year’s Resolution to “be more organic” in 2010.

Switching to organic health and beauty products is easy and affordable. The simplest personal care regime involves shaving with an organic shikakai shaving gel, washing your body and hair with organic soap, following that with an organic hair rinse, and then using a baking-soda-based organic deodorant and finally moisturizing with an organic lotion or balm make of vegetable oils.

On our body care page, we’ve listed 26 different health and beauty brands where every single item under the brand name is certified to USDA organic standards.

Learn more

We need your help to get the USDA to take enforcement action based upon our legal complaint. Please write to the USDA today.

We’re also collecting the stories of consumers who have been defrauded by fake organic health and beauty care companies. Do you feel shammed? Please share your story with us.

Read more and take action

Here at Peaceful Valley, we are in the throes of bare-root sales. However, the terms and restrictions for what can and cannot be planted can be confusing, especially for the first time grower.

The first thing to consider is your growing zone. This is a general description of how warm or cold your temperatures get year round. Where people tend to get confused, even experienced growers, is that in the US, there are two different forms of zone charting: The USDA and Sunset Magazine, possibly more. For simplicity, Peaceful Valley employs the USDA chart exclusively.

How, then, can you find, with any certainty, what USDA zone are you in? You can find zone maps in many locations, but even those cannot be as specific as you need. Fortunately, the good folks at the National Gardening Association have put together a searchable zone chart! Simply go here, and enter your zip code. You will get not only your USDA zone, but links to articles pertaining to growing conditions in YOUR area!

Another question many people have is “How many chill hours do I have? What is a chill hour, anyway?” According to Dave Wilson (the company that has supplied the majority of our bare-root trees for nearly a decade, and services many other nurseries around the nation) a chill hour is defined as one hour under 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, its not always that simple. For every hour over 60 degrees, you have to subtract one hour. There are other, more specific rules (search for Utah Model Chill), but this is a good general guide.

Now, most people don’t sit out with a clipboard and a thermometer every day, calculating chill data. So, to get your approximate number of chill hours, you would go to your local Ag department — they usually have that data. If you are lucky enough to live in California, our wonderful UC system actually has monitoring up and down the state, with not only recent data, but in some cases, going back 5 years — you get a great picture of trends. The website, broken down by county, can be found here.

As always, we are here to help. Our catalog features many different icons to give you an idea of what grows well in warm climates (ideal for areas like Los Angeles), and what grows well in frigid areas, like Nebraska. But remember, we cannot hold shipments until it gets warm enough for you to plant. There is a method called “heeling in”, which allows you to care for your bare root plants until you are able to plant them in their permanent home. The literature we send out with our plants includes that information, but it can be viewed by downloading the .pdf file on the description page of all our bare-root stock.

Good luck, and Happy Planting!

The Grass Valley NRCS office (call Jason at 530 272-3417) has applications for local farmers to apply for a grant to build up to a 2500 sq ft “hightunnel greenhouse” on your farm to extend your growing season and thus increase your production.

This project was recently expanded to include Nevada County –but time is short!
Anyone needing more information on this – such as prices or other information- reply to this email and we will supply you with information on our hightunnels or/and references to other companies who build these hightunnels…

‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels
In an effort to help increase the availability of locally grown produce, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering farmers funding for one high tunnel per farm through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program. High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are constructed from metal rafters and covered with greenhouse film or fabric. They are used to extend the growing season and improve crop production. For more information on this program, visit USDA.gov or contact your local NRCS office.

A Nevada County town is using biological warfare in a battle to get rid of thousands of gophers that are overtaking a city park. They are planning an aerial assault using barn owls.

Read more here.

Last night we took a break from the daily grind and sat down and watched a movie. We have received Food Inc in the mail and absolutely loved it. I know many of you have already seen it by now, but if you haven’t, it’s a must see. (Food Inc Trailer (2:16))

While the ideas & observations put forth in the movie were not new to my family, it was a good reminder as to why we make the buying decisions we make. The movie also made me all the more thankful for the community we live in!

For example, when we buy beef, we always buy it from our local co-op which sells Nevada County Free Range beef. I’ve met the owner, I’ve seen the cows grazing on grass just outside of town, and I know where the beef I feed my family comes from. A few years ago, when we lived in a large city, we would buy packaged beef that had been shipped in from half way around the world! Having changed our buying practices, our old buying habits seem rediculous. This made me VERY thankful that we have a local, grass fed, beef supplier.

Chickens, however, are another story. I know of at least four local farms that process chickens (I’ve learned of them via our Local Food Coalition e-mail list), however their prices seem to start at $10 a bird and go quickly up to $20 a bird. This is hard to swallow when I can buy TWO chickens for $9.50 at a big box wholesale store. I guess I find myself in the “artificially cheap food” vs “organic &/or local food” price personal battle. In 2010 I plan on visiting these farms I’ve learned of. I hope to find a way to afford and/or buy many local chickens in bulk this year. One this is for sure, after watching Food Inc, I don’t think I can stomach buying chickens at the big box store for some time!

May we all find more local (& organic) food options in 2010!

We watched a documentary called “A Man Named Pearl” on Sunday night and felt good about it. It is a warm story about a man who is so talented at creating topiary statues on his three acres in rural South Carolina that people come from all over the country (even from foreign countries) to admire his garden. His motivation came from wanting to win “Yard of the Month” and his hidden talents as a plant sculptor emerged. He opens his garden, free of charge, to busloads of tourists. He opens his heart to everyone that watches the film.

The story is pleasant, and it is also inspirational. Pearl’s words of wisdom are words that we can always be reminded of. This is not a gardening documentary focused on “Organics”, but even though Pearl has a magic touch with plants he makes a point to say that if a plant needs chemical pesticides, it has no place in his garden….he only uses nature to maintain his healthy property. 2 thumbs up!