Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

A PVFS Customer Question with Staff Response

Question:
How do you deal with peach leaf curl. I guess it’s a problem here. Some people use a copper spray. That’s not organic is it? What do I need to do to prevent this or to help the peach survive this. Thanks, Susan

Answer:
Most people use either a copper or sulfur spray during the dormant season. Ideally, you would spray three times while the leaves are off the tree, with the third spray being just as a little bud color is beginning to show. The sprays we sell are used by organic home-gardeners. If you have our 2010 Main catalog, the lavender section on page 130 explains the use of mineral fungicides quite well. If you are a certified organic grower, you must check with your certifying agency to see if the products are approved.

I have had some success at treating peach leaf curl with compost tea during the growing season. Some people pick all the infected leaves off and fertilize to help the tree make a new set of leaves, which are usually disease free. If you decide to replace the tree, Frost & Q-18 are two curl-resistant varieties.

Hope this helps,

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!

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

$2 Million in Conservation Funds Available For Organic and Transitioning Growers
Application deadline set for January 29

DAVIS, Calif., December 11, 2009 – California agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic production, may qualify for technical and financial assistance through a special initiative administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Two million dollars in funding will be available to eligible producers in California as part of the agency’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Organic producers must submit applications by January 31 for funding consideration during fiscal year 2010.
Noting that the EQIP deadline for most applicants is Jan. 15, 2010, California Assistant State Conservationist Alan Forkey said the agency was allowing a bit more time for organic and transitioning producers to develop their conservation applications but stressed they should begin the process as soon as possible. “Organic producers tend to be new to USDA and NRCS procedures and it is a learning process on both sides. Getting in early allows for a quality conservation planning experience,” says Forkey.
Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this initiative. The Organic Initiative targets core conservation practices such as Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing, and Forage Harvest Management. “In addition to the six core practices, in California there are more than a dozen additional practices that can qualify for funding through this initiative,” Forkey said.
This is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to certified organic producers as well as producers transitioning to organic production. Applicants must either have an organic system plan or certify that they are working toward one. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.
Forkey encourages organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to contact their local USDA Service Center and learn more about this opportunity before the January 29 sign-up deadline. Driving directions and contact information to the Service Centers is available at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA.

$31.2 Million for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Available
Application deadline is set for January 15

Applications for EQIP are accepted year around. However, for initial funding consideration during fiscal year 2010, applications received by January 15 will be given first priority. To view EQIP information, visit to the California NRCS Web site: www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or click here.

Financial Assistance Available for Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Application Deadline is January 15, 2010

NRCS has $534,500 of financial assistance available for WHIP, and can offer up to 75 percent cost share to implement wildlife conservation practices on private land. WHIP is a voluntary, incentive-based Farm Bill program. To sign-up, visit your local NRCS office or USDA Service Center. Driving directions and contact information for the Service Centers are available on the Web site: http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/.
The WHIP program is a competitive conservation program reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. All program applicants must submit project proposals, which are ranked according to environmental benefits to wildlife. The ranking criteria as well as eligibility and application procedures are available at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or by clicking here

A PVFS Customer Question with Staff Answer:

Question:

Hi,
I have two currently healthy volunteer pinion pine seedlings.  I would like to transplant them into safer locations. I’m not sure how to do this. One seedling is now 2 yrs old and about 3-4″ high, the other seedling is about 9 months old, 1- 1/2″ high and in a very precarious spot where it will be too dry and too cold to survive the winter.

I’d like to get these seedlings to shelter before the big storm hits us Dec 4th.  I live in Rio Rancho, NM, at about 5500′ with sometimes fierce winds.

Do you have any advice. I tried the county extension agent but he’s too busy with his T.V. show I guess.
Love your trees.

Answer:

Generally speaking, California Native plants do not transplant very well. The root system can be considerably larger than the top growth and most natives don’t like their roots disturbed. However, we do sell Pinyon Pine Bare Root, which seems like a contradiction. The conifer seedlings we bring in were probably grown in a softer soil and a controlled environment which is easier on the tree roots.

I would lean toward caution because I would hate for you to lose your trees. On the other hand, If they’re in a bad spot and will probably die anyway, it may be worth the risk.  I would have the new spots all prepared with any necessary amendments and soak the exposed roots in a diluted kelp solution for about 30 minutes before replanting.

Hope this helps,

Question:

Greetings and Such

We have a very old pie apple tree. It produces very well, but needs some care. Prunning for example; when should I prune and how much should I prune? When the leaves fall off should I spray, if so, what kind of spray do I need? We live in zone 5…. I think, northern Utah.

Answer:

Hi There Apple Pie Tree Owner
Sounds like you have a wonderful old tree that just needs a little loving care.   Now is a really good time to prune.  Take off any branches that shoot straight up-they are water shoots and don’t produce fruit.  Also thinning the interior is a good idea.  You can also summer prune to get a nice shape.  There is lots of information out there  on line, at your local library or your local farm advisor on fruit tree pruning for more  precise information.

This is a good time to begin your dormant spray regiment,  usually three times a season, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.  Dormant spray help prevent such things as codling moth and other fungal problems.  You might want to look at

Organic JMS Sytlet Oil which one of our most popular organic dormant sprays.   To find out more about dormant sprays look at our website or in our catalogue.

Take a look at this article for more information on dormant sprays.

Take a Look at these videos about pruning fruit trees here.

Happy Holidays

This weekend we watched Food Inc. and I must say I have never been so glad that I am a vegetarian.  Throughout the hour and a half of this informative documentary I vacillated through feelings of: shock, anger, sadness, disgust, and hope.  I have always known the food industry in this country is bad – I mean this is the main reason I eat organics and work with an organization that has sustainability in its forefront of awareness.  But seriously – if the mistreatment of animals, people, and the natural world in general displayed in this movie is even half true, these massive food corporations are utterly despicable.

Now more than ever it is imperative for each one of us to excersize our power in this country by influencing the production of food in this nation by every means possible.  We need to not only vote appropriately – but as the movie says “vote every time we go to the market.”  Buying organic products and local produce – and even better, growing your own garden, is a direct way to let these massive food producers know that individually we do care about the quality of our food, and we do insist that the means by which it is produced is viable and not damaging to the natural world.  Where you spend your money – determines how the environment is treated.

I will not lie to you watching this movie is a bit depressing, however, I suggest that everyone (especially those who consume foods that contain corn or soy products – which is most everyone because 80% of food and non-food items at the supermarket contains some of these derivative substances) watch this movie.  Depressing can be good if It inspires us to all take a look at where and how we get our food, because the truth has been hidden far to long, and responsibility is necessary if we want to turn this all around.  The motto of PVFS has never rang so true – Grow Organic! For life!

A PVFS Customer Email – Staff answer.

Question:

I am very ineterested in buying a couple Persimmon – Fuyu-Jiro (Standard) trees and I have a few questions.  Do these type of trees need pollination? Can they grow well in Southern CA? We live in San Diego County, 2 miles away from the ocean. Also, I would like to learn about Kiwwi. the same questions. Thank you!

Answer:

The Fuyu-Jiro Persimmon does not need a pollinator.  They grow within USDA zones 7-9 as long as you get 200 hours of chill time for them, they should do fine.

Also, the Kiwi doesn’t need a pollinator, both male and female flowers are on the same vine.  I’ve attached your local Master Gardener’s Extension office, they may have better information particular to your area then I have available to me.

Take a Look at the Master Gardeners National Website here.

Hope this helps.

Ellen Solomon is a gardener, certified arborist, horticulturist and garden designer in Grass Valley. She has a degree in environmental horticulture from Sierra College.

If you plan to attend, you must register soon! Call 530-272-4769 x106

The cost is $10. Participants will also receive a 10% off coupon for use in the store.