Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

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.

PVFS Brand Organic Compost

I’ve had the privilege of attending a free composting class sponsored by Nevada County Recycles which took place at Fulcrum Farm in Penn Valley. It was taught by one of the owners of Fulcrum Farm, Marney Blair (Fulcrum Farm produces the very same compost we use at our local store to brew our fabulous compost tea!). I came away from this class excited, inspired and just generally feeling good about how amazing composting can be!

I knew a bit going in but came out with that “I know nothing” sense on this subject… however very excited about learning so much more about the process. It can seem complicated but it’s not and it’s ALL natural, it’s the ultimate recycling program. I picked up a couple key points, like most residuals, i.e., pesticides, fertilizers, etc., will be neutralized through the process. I learned about how to touch and feel for moisture content and bulk density, what is carbon and what is nitrogen… then how to combine the various materials just by knowing what you are looking at and feeling. I learned what good compost should look like, smell like and feel like. If it’s black… NOT good, it’s been burned. I never knew that!

Anyway, there’s another class coming up next week and I CAN’T WAIT to go! Once you’ve gone to one of these classes, Marney will come out and do a free consultation to. She was a wonderful and inspirational teacher. You can always tell when someone has passion for what they do. Marney’s got compost passion. If you want to get in on this party:

Contact Lynne Cody Lacroix
Recycling Technician, Nevada County Recycles
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959
530.265.7119
NevadaCountyRecycles.com

You’ll be glad you did!

We are sorry to announce this Class has been canceled!

A small group will join Scott Chadd in the creation of a maple bonsai (pronounced bone-sigh). All materials for the workshop will be provided: trees, pots, soils, wire and screen. Each student is expected to bring their own tools (pruning sheers and fine-bladed scissors or snips and gloves).

The workshop will cover Asian philosophy as it relates to bonsai, plant physiology, the language of “living art”, concepts of line, form, texture and color that govern access to beauty in bonsai and a general overview of this ancient art form.

Scott Chadd got his first bonsai in 1972. He has been collecting, growing, styling, and caring for bonsai for over 35 years. Scott owns and operates the Lotus Bonsai Nursery and Gardens near Coloma in El Dorado County. He has served as the president of several bonsai clubs and sits on the Statewide and National associations for bonsai.

If you plan to attend, you must register soon! Class is limited to 10 people. Call 530-272-4769 x106

The cost is $20. Participants will also receive a 10% off coupon for use in the store.

“Intro to Landscape Design”  with Rob Littlepage
of California School of Garden Design in Applegate, CA

September 5, 2009 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply, Grass Valley, CA

Come learn what steps to take in creating useable, beautiful “Outdoor Rooms” and garden spaces!  Rob Littlepage is a dynamic instructor who brings real-world experience and a touch of humor to his teaching style.  His love of teaching and enthusiasm for his topic is a source of inspiration to his students. He is a certified member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and has served nationally as the Public Relations Chair.  Along with Certified Arborist Vicky Bartish, Rob Littlepage presents an organic gardening and organic “rabblerousing” radio program once a month on AM 950 KAHI.

Register today by calling 530-272-4769 x106

Cost is $10. Participants will receive a 10% off coupon for use at Peaceful Valley.

Our conference room was packed on Saturday for Marney Blair’s composting workshop and with good reason… Marney had us all sitting on the edge of our seats as she explained micro-biological activity! She’s a great teacher, full of passion and endless knowledge to share.

If you missed the workshop, we’re planning to have her back to teach us all more soon. In the meantime, I wanted to share a few token highlights from my conversation with Marney.

Q: What’s your favorite informational resource on composting?
A: The Rodale Book of Composting

Q: As a biodynamic farmer, what’s your favorite book?
A: Principles of Biodynamic Spray & Compost Preparations by Manfred Klett

Q: What is compost tea used for?
A: Compost tea is a biological inoculant that increases vigor and plant health. It can be applied to the soil and leaves where the microorganisms will make nutrients more readily available to the plant. It is not a fertilizer and it cannot replace all the benefits of compost. It can be applied to fruit trees or other crops to prevent disease or to aid arrested crops that may have been shocked by dramatic temperature changes, for example.

Q: How do you make compost tea?
A: There are many different brewers available, but the basics are that you combine

• 1 quart of high quality compost in a mesh bag in a
• 5 gallon bucket of water to which you’ve added
• A couple tablespoons of compost tea catalyst OR 1/4 cup molasses (this catalyst helps tease the living microorganisms out of the compost and into the water/tea which you will then spray on your plants. “Everyone likes sugar!
  
• Add an aerator or fish pump, or simply stir every hour. The microorganisms need air to breath and stay alive.
• Brew for approximately 24 hours and then use immediately, diluted 1 part tea to 10 parts water.

I really enjoyed myself at Marney’s workshop and learned more than a few things myself! The “ah ha” moment for me was when she said that compost, when finished, will have a neutral pH! Even when you use a base of oak leaves or pine needles (both of which are acidic)? Yes! This is great news since my yard is covered with nothing but pine needles and oak leaves.