Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

One of our customers is experimenting with covercrops in their landscaping and I thought you would all enjoy their pictures and story. The following is posted below with permission from Chris from his blog, The Urban Dirt Farmer.

Hi, I’m Buckwheat.

According to several sources, Buckwheat is a very good ground cover/soil builder.

After learning that the buckwheat these sources spoke of was not the character from the Little Rascals, but rather some sort of plant that grows in the ground, things made a little more sense.

Buckwheat is a fast growing, drought tolerant, heat resistant cover crop. Additionally, it builds soil and forces out weeds. We planted in early July and it was over 100 degrees for several days in a row.

Here’s what we did:

1. Tilled up the entire front yard with a tiller. It took all day, but beat the alternative of walking on it for a few days with those spiky shoes your dad had to aerate the lawn when you were a kid.

2. Took the seed mixture (Buckwheat/Cowpeas) we purchased from Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply, followed the instructions and then spread them with a seed/fertilizer spreader.

3. Used a rake to even out the dirt and at least partially cover the seeds.

4. Watered 3 times a day for the first two weeks.

After one day, you could see the seeds sprouting and putting down roots. After a week, the plants were all about an inch or two inches high.

Little House on the Prarie

Uh. So our front yard has some buckwheat in it. This is after about 4 weeks of growth. The highest plants are about 3′ tall. The stuff that gets more shade isn’t as robust. Here’s another picture from further back.

So the stuff is really blowing up. There are a few bald spots which we re-seeded yesterday to help fill in.

It also just so happens that our next door neighbor is a bee keeper. I’m not making this up. She said that her bees are now off the sugar water (literally) and using our front yard. This is great news because bees are important to human life and stuff. Here’s a photo of me in the front yard.

The plants have these teeny tiny white flowers that the bees actually prefer to larger blooms for some reason.

I’m Ready for My Closeup Mr. DeMille

Say cheese Buckwheat!

Oh, own it, Buckwheat. Give me some emotion! Make love to the camera!

The Sand Lot

We have another part of our property that was just beat to hell when the house was being built. The ground got so compacted that it looked like it’d never grow anything again. It was another one of those things I didn’t take a picture of, but the following photo reenactment sums up what it looked like:

We had a similar mission to our front yard: build soil and prevent erosion. Because this side yard area is covered with trees and due to the abundant shade, buckwheat was not an option. My wife, who likes to read, figured out that the perfect ground cover would be Strawberry, or Palestine, Clover. It is heat tolerant, builds soil well, grows moderately fast, and can even be mowed if one so desires. The seeds were again purchased from Peaceful Valley. These things look like poppy seeds, but sadly can’t be made into street-grade heroine. We again tilled up the ground (hard in spots where there was just bare limestone, but I did my best to ruin the blades on my tiller) and then planted. Here’s what it looks like after three weeks:

Now bear with me for a sec. Please understand that this used to look like a scene from the 70’s D Movie Cannibal Holocaust. Allegedly the clover is supposed to grow quite thickly once it’s established. Here’s a closeup of the little guys:

They are a little slower growing than I’d like, but they are getting the job done. They stand up to being walked on and stuff (like when I have to move the sprinkler and whatnot). This will hopefully be our default ground cover once we decide what to do with our overall landscaping plan.

We live up in Alturas, CA. A high desert kind of environment (5000ft) with annual rainfall at 12.42″. What kind of Native Grass/Grass would you recommend for our lawn that would be drought tolerant? Our current lawn takes much watering to stay green in the summer.

Thanks,

Anthony Hewitt

PVFS Customer Email – Staff response.
Question:

Hello!

I would need to order white clover seeds to reshape my lawn, but before
doing so, I need to know:

1- how to seed them, and how to water them until they make roots. I have a
sprinkler system in my lawn (watering often between 4 an 8 in the morning,
as advised, does not stop my lawn from burning or dying!)

2- how would the white clover do under trees (maple, pine, but mostly oaks)
with dense shade, and where the grass has almost totally vanished. I know
that the acidity of the pine needles on the ground kills about everything,
but I cannot cut it.

I live in upstate New York, around the city of Rochester, and our Summer
has been especially hot and humid this year, as you must know. The lawn is
sunny areas is all yellow or gone. The only green spots I have are the ones
with clover. The white clovers even keep the grass it covers green. Just
amazing!

Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely

Answer:

We carry 3 types of perennial white clover, (see page 62 of our main
catalog). The White Dutch prefers a little shade and the other two are more
heat tolerant.  The best time to put the seed out would be in fall when the
air temperature cools and the soil is still warm. You must keep the seed
damp after putting it out, which can mean watering 3 or more times per day
if its still warm out. When you see a green flush, you can beginning
increasing the length of time you water and water less frequently as the
weather dictates.
Clover is in the legume family.  They are able to take nitrogen from the air
and fix it in the soil.  They are sometimes hampered by commercial nitrogen
fertilizing.
Hope this information helps,

After many years of apartment dwelling, I was finally able to move my family into a house with a cozy front yard, and a (relatively) nice sized back yard for the kids to play in, and for my wife to have a nice garden.

But the problem looks like this (please forgive the mess, still in the moving-in process):

When I was a kid, I used to HATE yard work.  My parents didn’t garden at all, so our maintenance involved raking leaves, watering plants and mowing the lawn — for a kid who likes to see the fruits of his efforts, this wasn’t exactly fulfilling.  Looking out over this relative desolation, I didn’t feel dejected; quite the opposite, in fact.  I saw opportunity, in many forms.

First of all, I have been working at Peaceful Valley for going on 6 years.  When I first started here, I knew zilch about growing.  Nothing.  I’d never so much as planted a flower seed in a pot for Mother’s Day. In my time here, I have gained a vast amount of theoretical knowledge: I knew the hows and the whys, but never had the opportunity to apply what I’d learned.  Seeing this yard sent visions of sugarplums (and other fruits and veggies) dancing in my head.

What I am going to be doing over the next 5 or so months is getting this area cleaned up, put together and ready for growing.  Come Spring, I’m planting a lawn, and my wife is setting up a small vegetable garden, probably with raised beds.  As I do each step, I will be taking pictures and thoroughly documenting each phase.  The goal is not only to do my own yard, but to give a bit of direction for anyone else who wishes to do the same.

Here’s the plan:

(more…)

I used to scoff at lawns… I thought that a real, lush, soft, bed of grass was only possible with lots of chemical fertilizer and far too much water. Despite my past prejudice I decided last fall to give this organic lawn idea a try. So we dug up a small patch near our house, flattened it out the best we could, added Soft Rock Phosphate, CalCM+ Gypsum and Peaceful Valley Compost and tilled it together. We spread Tough Turf Lawn Seed at the suggested distribution rate once in fall, then again in winter and then one more time in spring. The reason for some of the extra seed was that we had some run off that would carry the seed away. But I would say that even without the run-off issue I would have doubled the suggested distribution rate (I really wanted a lush lawn).

A lush lawn I got! See for yourself:

This lawn was planted in the fall of 07, this picture was taken in April of 08… no chemical fertilizers used, just a little compost tea every other month or so. I water with a Gardena Hydro Fan Sprinkler for 5 minutes a day. I have to admit it turned out better than I thought it would… especially in the first year… now if I could get out of that hammock long enough to mow it (maybe next year).

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/