In The Loop

We are very excited to invite you to the Grand Opening of our new nursery!

To celebrate, we are kicking it off with a big sale.

Friday and Saturday, May 9 & 10 all day:
20% off ALL nursery plants!
2″ Native Seedlings for $0.99!
Raffle for a 15 gallon Blue Spruce!

On Saturday, May 10 from 11am - 2pm come and enjoy great live music, a Rocky Dog BBQ, and free refreshments!

We’re very excited to be able to offer a wide variety of plants, from organic veggie seedlings to beautiful rare Japanese Maples to deer-resistant natives. We have a wonderful selection of plants that you will love to take home with you.

So come join us and fellow growers and gardeners for a gathering of our community. See you there!

Sincerely,

All of us at Peaceful Valley

Click here to see our location on Google Maps

Map & Directions
From Sacramento: Take Hwy 80 north through Sacramento and to Auburn. At Auburn, take the Hwy 49 exit towards Nevada City and Grass Valley. As you come nearer to the city of Grass Valley, look for the Idaho Maryland exit. Take this exit and at the bottom of the exit turn right onto Idaho Maryland. Drive for about 1/4 mile up to Centennial on the right (about 50 yards past Springhill Dr - our former location). Turn right up this road and make the curve to the left. Turn right onto the next street, Clydesdale Court. You will see our new retail store and warehouse on the right side of the court at 125 Clydesdale Court!

From Reno: Take Hwy 80 to Hwy 20 west which eventually combines with Hwy 49. As you near Grass Valley, look for the East Main street exit. At the bottom of this exit, turn right onto Idaho Maryland. Drive for about 1/2 mile (about 50 yards past Springhill Dr - our former location) up to Centennial on the right. Turn right up this hill, make the curve to the left, then turn at first street on your right (Clydesdale Court). You will see our new retail store and warehouse on the right side of the court at 125 Clydesdale Court!

Over at the Freshman Farmer Site, the next installment of our video series documenting Andrew Meyers’ first year farming journey.

Click here to visit the post.

We have been given permission to reprint here the content of OrganicConsumer.org’s newsletter, chock full of news that affects the organic community.

ALERT UPDATE:
FAKE “ORGANIC” BODYCARE CARE COMPANIES GO TO COURT
The family owned Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court today against numerous personal care brands to force them to stop making misleading organic labeling claims. Dr. Bronner’s and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) had previously warned offending brands that they faced litigation unless they committed to either drop their organic claims or reformulate away from main ingredients made from conventional agricultural and/or petrochemical material without any certified organic material. OCA members are expected to be witnesses and provide evidence of fraud and deception in support of Dr. Bronner’s complaint.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/

ALERT OF THE WEEK:
(COULD BE) LAST CHANCE TO TAKE ACTION ON FARM BILL
The deadline on the 2007–Now 2008–Farm Bill has been a moving target, but the conference committee is currently set to conclude its work soon. We need as many e-mails as soon as possible to urge Congress to pass a Farm Bill that increases funding for organic, transition to organic, and nutrition programs, rather than simply more subsidies for corporate welfare and biofuels.. Please click here to take action now: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24318

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SUSTAINABILITY TIP & QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
RIP OUT YOUR LAWN…
“But the act I want to talk about is growing some, even just a little, of your own food. Rip out your lawn, if you have one, and if you don’t, look into getting a plot in a community garden. Measured against the problem we face, planting a garden sounds pretty benign, I know, but in fact it’s one of the most powerful things an individual can do to reduce your carbon footprint, sure, but more important, to reduce your sense of dependence and dividedness: to change the cheap-energy mind.”

An excerpt from author Michael Pollan’s editorial in the New York Times this week on dealing with Climate Change in your everyday life. http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11675.cfm

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STUDY OF THE WEEK:
HOW YOUR DIET AFFECTS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Food accounts for 13% of all Greenhouse Gas emissions.
Red meat and dairy are responsible for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions from food for an average U.S. household.
Replacing red meat and dairy with chicken, fish, or eggs in your diet for one day per week reduces emissions equal to 760 miles per year of driving.
Switching to vegetables one day per week cuts the equivalent of driving 1160 miles per year.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11662.cfm

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QUICK “GOOD NEWS” TIDBIT:
AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC CARS SOON TO HIT U.S. MARKET
Although several manufacturers now provide electric cars for teh price of a small home ($50k-$100k), Norwegian automaker Think Global announced it will have an affordable electric car available for environmental-minded consumers in North America within 18 months. The battery-powered vehicle will be priced below $25,000 and will be able to travel up to 110 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of about 65 mph. http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11714.cfm

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CONSUMER TIPS OF THE WEEK:
HOW TO SHOP AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET
The merger of Whole Foods Market with Wild Oats highlights the benefits and drawbacks of this organic retail giant. Although Whole Foods Market certainly provides a “feel good” shopping experience for millions of consumers, it’s important to keep in mind that WFM isn’t nearly as green as it pretends to be. But of course, for many consumers, Whole Foods Market offers the only access for green and organic products. If Whole Foods Market is the only option available in your area, here are some important tips for the organic-minded shopper:

Look for locally grown produce: Whole Foods offers only a limited supply of local produce, although it is well labeled. Reduce the burden of long-distance food transportant on the planet by asking your WFM produce manager to stock more local produce.
Not everything is as “natural” or “organic” as you might think: Although Whole Foods doesn’t carry products with trans fats or artificial coloring, everything else is fair game, including MSG and rBGH, so being a vigilant label reader is still a necessity. Look for the USDA organic label.
Whole Foods has taken the position that unions aren’t valid. It is the second largest union-free food retailer, right behind Wal-Mart. Don’t assume the employees are all adequately trained in understanding how to distinguish between products that are and are not truly organic and natural.
The OCA always recommends supporting your locally owned food co-op, farmer’s market, CSA or independently-owned natural food store, first and foremost,(search for resources near you in OCA’s “Local Buying Guide” here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc/BuyingGuide.cfm

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We need your support today to continue
our work fighting for health, justice and sustainability!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm
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CELEBRATE WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY MAY 10
Join us in celebrating Fair Trade on May 10, 2008! Fair Trade means a fair price for farmers and artisans, a better future for our planet, and a tastier, higher quality product for you. On Saturday, May 10, Organic Consumers will join with people from 70 countries worldwide to celebrate World Fair Trade Day and highlight the importance and benefits of Fair Trade. We’re trying to set the World Record for the World’s Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break: At 3pm Eastern/Noon Pacific, Fair Trade supporters around the world will take a break to enjoy a cup of Fair Trade coffee.
Click here for more information: http://www.organicconsumers.org/fairtrade.cfm

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WEB VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
A CRUDE AWAKENING: THE OIL CRASH
We’ve built our civilization to depend on it. We consume as much oil in a single day as it would take to fill enough barrels to encircle the entire planet. It’s our achilles heel, and geologists and economists agree there’s a major problem on the horizon. Have we hit our peak, and what massive implications will that have on our lives in both the short and longterm?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-703701197044020456
http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/

In our nursery we just got in these really beautiful Spiral Aloe plants for sale. I personally am going to have to give in and get one for myself. I’ll keep it in a container I believe.

In reading about it and finding out more it is a fascinating plant. Member of the aloe family (duh), and currently endangered in their native South Africa. They have previously been very difficult to grow in cultivation, but it seems that a few basic requirements, especially regarding winter placement have been worked out. It turns out that this successful cultivation is a positive thing, as it allows nurseries to sell this high demand plant, as opposed to it being taken in the wild.

From the U.S. Botanical garden website:

“Threats to populations of spiral aloe include overgrazing, unsustainable harvesting by plant enthusiasts and people interested in its medicinal properties, and the increasing rarity of its pollinator, the Malachite Sunbird. Currently, cooperative efforts between conservationists and nurseries to propagate plants for commercial trade are having some success in reducing the numbers of spiral aloes collected from wild populations.”

Mostly I wanted to show you a picture:

This was originally in our monthly newsletter. I thought I’d repost it here as many of you are getting your gardens in the ground.

When your tomatoes are terrific, your dill is delicious, your beets are beatific, and your squash is scrumptious, you will look back and say “I’m so glad I gave them all the nutrients they needed, watered just right, and planted perfectly!”

Sometimes it is good to remember where to begin. I personally do not have an encyclopedia of gardening wisdom in my head. I was hired here at Peaceful Valley because I’m ok at design and can code a mean newsletter. But I do love to garden. I often go around to all the fantastically knowledgeable employees here and ask really dumb questions. The result of the fastidious research: I’ve come up with a list.

This list is called back to basics. It’s for those of us who are starting a garden but really don’t know with assurance that we are doing it right.

1. Beware of frost. This is particularly important right now when many people like me will be so impatient to get started that they will plant out after a few sunny April days despite the fact that traditionally the last frost in their area is in May. Ask around your community, and be patient.

2. Don’t over-water. Water, while essential to life, does not necessarily make your plants get big and healthy on its own. Water needs air, and air can’t get to your plant if the roots are literally drowning.

3. Don’t over-fertilize. Even though you use an organic fertilizer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have too much of a good thing. Everything in moderation. If you are getting a bed started, even if you are working with particularly shoddy soil, a good mix would be 1/3 compost and 2/3 dirt. For most basic gardens, an all purpose pellet fertilizer will supply the rest of the nutrients you need, all season long.

4. Maintain regularly. A few minutes in the evening a few times a week is much better for both your back and your garden than doing epic garden weekends. Not only will you see what is beginning to happen with your plants and be able to nip problems at the bud (literally), you will enjoy the extra time spent with your plants.

5. Know thy pest. A lot of people come to us and want to know how to get rid of “pests”, in general. You can learn a lot about your plant and soil conditions by identifying specifically what bugs you have in your garden. Head out to your garden an hour after sundown with a flashlight, see if you can’t find a hungry critter, grab it and bag it. Either identify it online, or bring it in to us or another gardening center to find out how to treat the problem precisely. (Click here to see our Pest Solutions Chart Online)

6. Sun and shade. It is incredibly easy to take for granted that the path of the sun across the sky throughout the season will change dramatically. This year, make a shade map of your yard, taking into account the filling out of trees and the changing path of the sun. You’ll be surprised at the results!

7. Ask questions. I’ve never met a gardener who didn’t want to share their triumphs. And you don’t have to be a gardening “expert” to have learned a thing or two. In fact, gardening and farming is a lifelong learning experience. Which is why we encourage you to join our online community and contribute your knowledge. If you don’t have anyone to ask when you are planting, at least read the labels on seed packs (and follow their directions)! Visit our website to see what kind of info we supply there. Post a question either on our blog or at our forums. If you learn something you think is simple, post it on our blog, others will certainly learn from it.

How Your Diet Affects Global Climate Change

• Food accounts for 13% of all Greenhouse Gas emissions.
• Red meat and dairy are responsible for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions from food for an average U.S. household.
• Replacing red meat and dairy with chicken, fish, or eggs in your diet for one day per week reduces emissions equal to 760 miles per year of driving.
• Switching to vegetables one day per week cuts the equivalent of driving 1160 miles per year.
• Learn more: www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11662.cfm

Affordable Electric Cars Soon to Hit US Market

Although several manufacturers now provide electric cars for the price of a small home ($50k-$100k), Norwegian automaker Think Global announced it will have an affordable electric car available for environmental-minded consumers  in North America within 18 months.
The battery-powered vehicle will be priced below $25,000 and will be able to travel up to 110 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of about 65 mph.
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11714.cfm

Read these and many more here at Organic Consumer’s ‘Organic Bytes #133′

From Freshman Farmer

“In each of the last two days I have seen a rattlesnake. In years past I considered this animal my enemy, out for my flesh and blood and possibly my car. Now we are devout friends. I encourage them to go after our mutual enemy, senyor Gopher. I like to believe that the rattlers are as vigorous in hunting the gophers as the Gopher Snakes are (aka King Snakes).”

Read the rest of the post here.

My brother gave me a call the other day and said “Hey brother, I want some organic fertilizer for my garden this year.”

And I said “OK, what are you growing?”

“Tomatoes and Basil.”

And, I mean, I have the luxury of being around so many amazing products that I take for granted how overwhelming the selection can be if you have no idea where to begin (like me!).

So I set out to put together a simple formula that he can use to water his seedlings and to treat his plants to throughout the season that met the following criteria:

1. Easy

2. Affordable

Here’s what I came up with, with the help of Amber.

1 Quart Omega 6-6-6

1 Quart Omega 1-5-5

Maxicrop Kelp (1 lb.)

All this ends up costing a little bit more than $40 for the whole season! This’ll work for a happy small garden.

Here’s what I wrote him:

“Howdy Brother,

So take a small teaspoon of the kelp, a couple teaspoons of the Omega 6-6-6, and mix it in a 1 gallon jug. Let it sit overnight (or not, but you should to let the kelp release its goodness). Use this for your seedlings, but don’t overdo it, don’t water them with this every time. Maybe a couple times a week.

Use the same type of mixture proportionally during the growing season using a 5 gallon bucket. Don’t over-fertilize, consider it a little treat every so often for your plants. You can even spray the diluted mix gently onto the plants, they’ll love it.

Use the Omega 6-6-6 until you get some blossoms and fruits, first half of the season, and then switch to the Omega 1-5-5 (plus kelp mix). The 6-6-6 is great for vegetative growth and root strength, the 1-5-5 cuts off the nitrogen and says ‘Go Fruits! Go Blooms!’ The Kelp is supercharged with vitamins and minerals.

It doesn’t look like a lot, but this stuff will go a long way, you’ll see.

If you combine this with some compost tea throughout the growing season, you’re gonna have the best tomatoes you’ve ever grown!

Enjoy,

Luke

PS - Don’t let Dad over-fertilize either!”

Lee pointed out that another easy solution would be pelleted fertilizers. Which is also pretty darn easy, I must admit.

What’s your secret recipe?

Giant Pumpkin Kings

The Peaceful Valley store was graced by the presence of California’s Champion Giant Pumpkin Growers recently. Hailing from Napa Valley, four World Famous growers, Gary Miller, Leonardo Urena, Pete Glasier, and Jose Ceja came to purchase our products for this years’ endeavor. It was so fun to talk with these down to earth, easy going guys! Since they are in (friendly) competition with each other, I think they all came in together to keep an eye on each other (keep your enemies close and your friends closer!). Gary Miller was so kind as to let me pick his brain about growing a Giant, here are some of his tips (don’t worry-he said it’s okay for me to share):

• Prepare the seed by putting it in water with a fish bubbler and Maxicrop kelp. Aerate 4 hours.
*  Sprout the seed in warmth and light (he uses a cooler with a 10 Watt bulb in it).
* Before the tap root begins to bend, plant out (sometime around May 1 in Napa).
* Soil should be prepared with a rich compost such as Arctic Humus, as well as Kelp Meal and Earthworm Castings.
* As the stem grows, provide support because it grows up then down and will be thick and heavy.
* Allow 12 feet from the base of the plant to the pumpkin so that there are plenty of leaves to photosynthesize food for the fruit.
* From the pumpkin, the vine can continue about 15 feet.
* Allow side branches to grow from the main vine, but cut off any other branching coming off of the side branches.
* Cut off any other blossoms before the flower opens, hand pollinate the flower to keep.
* As the pumpkin begins to grow, put sand under it as well as Agribon so the tissue isn’t damaged.

There are a lot more tips and tricks about growing a giant - www.bigpumpkins.com is a fun website to go to.

We are down at Sierra College taking part in their festivities there. It is nice to see the whole community around here rallying around the simple idea of making a positive change. We’re real proud to be a part of it. Come by and see us! We’re giving away free quarts of compost tea and having a raffle for a compost tea brewer! It runs from 11am-6pm today. Click here for directions.

Nice too that today we received our award for being the 2008 Nevada County Recycles “Champion”. It’s a small step, and there is so much we can do. It’s good that not only kitties enjoy our recycled packaging!