Growing Vegetables
Here are a couple of on-line guides to growing vegetables:
Cornell Cooperative Extension: Vegetable Growing Guides
(Choose from 58 garden vegetables.)
Virginia Cooperative extension: Guide to vegetables recomended for Virginia
Cornell Cooperative Extension: Vegetable Growing Guides
(Choose from 58 garden vegetables.)
Virginia Cooperative extension: Guide to vegetables recomended for Virginia
Espalier Fruit Trees
***Check out great pruning tips by Whitney on our CSG website***
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Virginia Cooperative Extension: Fruit trees in the home Garden
Virginia Cooperative Extension: A Guide to Successful Pruning
Virginia Cooperative Extension: A Guide to Successful Pruning
Composting 101
Compost is the material that results when plant wastes, biosolids (solid materials like manure), fish, and other organic materials decompose aerobically— through the action of microorganisms that live in the presence of air. Depending on the organic matter being composted, it may take up to six months to produce a mature batch of compost.
Compost Essential IngredientsCompost Essential Ingredients:
There are 4 composting ingredients necessary to successfully breakdown vegetative matter into viable compost. Listed in order of importance.
· Carbon – brush/wood/vegetation
· Nitrogen- grass clippings/manure*/vegetative food scraps. Meat and fish food scraps are discouraged in domestic situations because they can cause unsanitary conditions and attract vermin, However if properly contained - and dug into the compost pile they are a great source of nitrogen. Nitrogen feeds the bacteria that is necessary to break down the Carbon.
· Oxygen
· Water - 40 to 65% moisture content.
* Note: horse manure would be considered carbon rather than nitrogen
Composting Process:
What makes composting different from the natural rotting process or decomposition is the involvement of humans. Monitering and measuring the ingredients, the farmer can control the quality and speed of the precess and compost.
The composting process is simple and requires little maintenance
· Combine together all ingredients. The ratio of Carbon to nitrogen can be between 25:1 to 40:1
· Turn regularly to introduce oxygen
· Water
· Time: Reducing the initial particle size, thereby increasing the surface area can speed up the decomposition process.
· Sieve: breakdown larger particles and clumps
REF: Center of Environmental Farming Systems "Composting on Organic Farms" by Keith R. Baldwin and Jackie T. Greenfield and interviews with Steve Murrrey at Panorama Paydirt,Earl
Compost Essential IngredientsCompost Essential Ingredients:
There are 4 composting ingredients necessary to successfully breakdown vegetative matter into viable compost. Listed in order of importance.
· Carbon – brush/wood/vegetation
· Nitrogen- grass clippings/manure*/vegetative food scraps. Meat and fish food scraps are discouraged in domestic situations because they can cause unsanitary conditions and attract vermin, However if properly contained - and dug into the compost pile they are a great source of nitrogen. Nitrogen feeds the bacteria that is necessary to break down the Carbon.
· Oxygen
· Water - 40 to 65% moisture content.
* Note: horse manure would be considered carbon rather than nitrogen
Composting Process:
What makes composting different from the natural rotting process or decomposition is the involvement of humans. Monitering and measuring the ingredients, the farmer can control the quality and speed of the precess and compost.
The composting process is simple and requires little maintenance
· Combine together all ingredients. The ratio of Carbon to nitrogen can be between 25:1 to 40:1
· Turn regularly to introduce oxygen
· Water
· Time: Reducing the initial particle size, thereby increasing the surface area can speed up the decomposition process.
· Sieve: breakdown larger particles and clumps
REF: Center of Environmental Farming Systems "Composting on Organic Farms" by Keith R. Baldwin and Jackie T. Greenfield and interviews with Steve Murrrey at Panorama Paydirt,Earl
Companion Planting / Beneficial Plants
By Eve Pranis, National Gardening Association
Arranging crops so they complement each other in some way is known as companion planting. Plants that have different requirements — for nutrients, sunlight, and space, for instance — often make good garden buddies. Because they are unlikely to compete for resources, you can plant them close together to save space. What's more, some combinations can actually help one or more of the companions flourish. Consider the following factors:
Sunlight — Some plants are sun worshippers and others prefer or at least tolerate shady conditions. Tall crops, such as peas and corn, can shade lettuce and spinach from the midday sun, extending the harvest season of these cool-weather crops.
Nutrients and Water — All plants need water and nutrients from the soil to survive, but they don't all have the same needs nor do they meet them in the same way. Corn, for instance, is a nitrogen hog, but carrots require much less of that nutrient. Some plants, such as squash, have deep roots that can pull nutrients and water from greater depths than can onions, lettuce, and other shallow-rooted crops. A family of crops called legumes, which includes beans, peas, peanuts, lupine, and clover, can actually return more nitrogen to the soil than they consume.
Other Factors — Some plants make good partners because their life cycles, growth rates, or temperature preferences differ. For instance, you can plant fast-growing, cool-weather crops like lettuce, radishes, or cilantro early in the season alongside slower-growing, heat-loving tomatoes. You'll be able to harvest your early crops quickly, making room for the tomatoes to take over.
The Three Sisters growing system, long used by many Native American cultures, is one of the most familiar examples of companion planting. The 'sisters' (corn, beans, and squash) are planted together in such a way that they aid each others' success. Tall corn stalks provide support for pole beans to climb. Beans, through their symbiotic association with a type of root bacteria, fix nitrogen from the air into a form that plants (especially nitrogen-hungry corn) can use. And large, ground-hugging, prickly squash leaves shade out weeds and may deter critters.
In addition to promoting better growth through complementary habits, companion planting is also practiced to prevent pest problems. Specific crops (typically flowers and herbs) are believed to repel certain pests, lure them elsewhere, or confuse them. Others entice beneficial insects, birds, and spiders that have a penchant for dining on problem visitors. The more diversity and variety of plants in your garden the greater will be the number of beneficial organisms that keep a check on the populations of pests. Here are some examples:
Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects: Many insects, such as small parasitic wasps, green lacewings, and lady beetles, depend on certain pests for nourishment. When pests are in short supply, these do-gooders feed on pollen and nectar. Plants with tiny flowers, such as members of the carrot (umbel family) and daisy (composite or aster) families, are among their favorites. You can encourage the pest-control squad by mixing the following members of those two plant families with your vegetables: anise, dill, caraway, fennel, yarrow, sweet cicely, zinnia, cosmos, and marigold, or by leaving related weeds (e.g., queen Anne's lace and wild daisies) nearby. Other small-flowered herbs such as thyme and catnip also appeal to these garden helpers. If you devote a section of your vegetable garden to perennial flowers, try coneflower, aster, liatris, coreopsis, and black-eyed Susan. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs also offer food and shelter to birds, many of which feed on garden pests.
Plants that Lure Pests Away: Some plants are simply so attractive to pests that you can use them to lure garden intruders away from your precious vegetable crops. These attractants are referred to as "trap crops." Once the trap crops are infested with pests, you can pull them out and discard them, pests and all. Try these: nasturtiums for aphids, radishes or nasturtiums for flea beetles, dill and lovage for tomato hornworms, eggplant for potato bugs.
Plants that Repel Pests: Gardeners have long held that some plants are repugnant to certain pests. Lots of pests find their way to favorite crops through their sense of smell. Herbs often exude strong fragrances (from their essential oils) that are believed to repel insects or confound them by disguising the smell of neighboring plants. These aromatic plants include tansy, mint, basil, thyme, and santolina. Gardeners often tuck garlic and onions between other vegetables for the same purpose. Here are some plants thought to repel specific pests:
• onions for carrot rust flies.
• tansy for colorado potato beetles.
• marigolds and basil for flea beetles on eggplant.
• marigolds for Mexican bean beetles.
• nasturtiums for squash bugs.
• marigolds, mint, or thyme for cabbage moths.
Arranging crops so they complement each other in some way is known as companion planting. Plants that have different requirements — for nutrients, sunlight, and space, for instance — often make good garden buddies. Because they are unlikely to compete for resources, you can plant them close together to save space. What's more, some combinations can actually help one or more of the companions flourish. Consider the following factors:
Sunlight — Some plants are sun worshippers and others prefer or at least tolerate shady conditions. Tall crops, such as peas and corn, can shade lettuce and spinach from the midday sun, extending the harvest season of these cool-weather crops.
Nutrients and Water — All plants need water and nutrients from the soil to survive, but they don't all have the same needs nor do they meet them in the same way. Corn, for instance, is a nitrogen hog, but carrots require much less of that nutrient. Some plants, such as squash, have deep roots that can pull nutrients and water from greater depths than can onions, lettuce, and other shallow-rooted crops. A family of crops called legumes, which includes beans, peas, peanuts, lupine, and clover, can actually return more nitrogen to the soil than they consume.
Other Factors — Some plants make good partners because their life cycles, growth rates, or temperature preferences differ. For instance, you can plant fast-growing, cool-weather crops like lettuce, radishes, or cilantro early in the season alongside slower-growing, heat-loving tomatoes. You'll be able to harvest your early crops quickly, making room for the tomatoes to take over.
The Three Sisters growing system, long used by many Native American cultures, is one of the most familiar examples of companion planting. The 'sisters' (corn, beans, and squash) are planted together in such a way that they aid each others' success. Tall corn stalks provide support for pole beans to climb. Beans, through their symbiotic association with a type of root bacteria, fix nitrogen from the air into a form that plants (especially nitrogen-hungry corn) can use. And large, ground-hugging, prickly squash leaves shade out weeds and may deter critters.
In addition to promoting better growth through complementary habits, companion planting is also practiced to prevent pest problems. Specific crops (typically flowers and herbs) are believed to repel certain pests, lure them elsewhere, or confuse them. Others entice beneficial insects, birds, and spiders that have a penchant for dining on problem visitors. The more diversity and variety of plants in your garden the greater will be the number of beneficial organisms that keep a check on the populations of pests. Here are some examples:
Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects: Many insects, such as small parasitic wasps, green lacewings, and lady beetles, depend on certain pests for nourishment. When pests are in short supply, these do-gooders feed on pollen and nectar. Plants with tiny flowers, such as members of the carrot (umbel family) and daisy (composite or aster) families, are among their favorites. You can encourage the pest-control squad by mixing the following members of those two plant families with your vegetables: anise, dill, caraway, fennel, yarrow, sweet cicely, zinnia, cosmos, and marigold, or by leaving related weeds (e.g., queen Anne's lace and wild daisies) nearby. Other small-flowered herbs such as thyme and catnip also appeal to these garden helpers. If you devote a section of your vegetable garden to perennial flowers, try coneflower, aster, liatris, coreopsis, and black-eyed Susan. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs also offer food and shelter to birds, many of which feed on garden pests.
Plants that Lure Pests Away: Some plants are simply so attractive to pests that you can use them to lure garden intruders away from your precious vegetable crops. These attractants are referred to as "trap crops." Once the trap crops are infested with pests, you can pull them out and discard them, pests and all. Try these: nasturtiums for aphids, radishes or nasturtiums for flea beetles, dill and lovage for tomato hornworms, eggplant for potato bugs.
Plants that Repel Pests: Gardeners have long held that some plants are repugnant to certain pests. Lots of pests find their way to favorite crops through their sense of smell. Herbs often exude strong fragrances (from their essential oils) that are believed to repel insects or confound them by disguising the smell of neighboring plants. These aromatic plants include tansy, mint, basil, thyme, and santolina. Gardeners often tuck garlic and onions between other vegetables for the same purpose. Here are some plants thought to repel specific pests:
• onions for carrot rust flies.
• tansy for colorado potato beetles.
• marigolds and basil for flea beetles on eggplant.
• marigolds for Mexican bean beetles.
• nasturtiums for squash bugs.
• marigolds, mint, or thyme for cabbage moths.
Wildlife Walks
Venable is really fortunate to have two very dedicated and knowledgable volunteers, who have developed and nurtured the Nature Gardens around the school for many many years. Nancy Newman and Fran Boninti are willing to talk and show you the delights of wildlife flora and fauna around the school - just ask them! Contact them through this website or through the school office. They will be delighted to share and your children won't be disappointed.
Mathematics in the Garden
A few facts about worms:
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Habitat requirements for red Wigglers.
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Do feed:
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Don’t feed:
"worm tea": If your bin is healthy there should not be any. Worm tea is likely to contain pathogens and should be discarded. |
Good Signs in your worm bin
A reliable source: Uncle Jim's worm farm: |
Warning signs in your worm bin
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Harvesting Black Gold
Periodically the worm castings can be harvested and added to the garden: there are 3 methods to separate the worms from the soil:
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This vermicomposting information was taken from the KAB webinar of the Nov. 28 session “Vermicomposting in Schools,” conducted in coordination with the US Composting Council. Presented by Rhonda Sherman, Extension Specialist, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University.
A recording of this KAB webinar is posted here: www.kab.org/webinars_composting.
A recording of this KAB webinar is posted here: www.kab.org/webinars_composting.
For More Information:
Traci Martin and Donna Morris
WEB SITES:
Kab.org/webnar – for a recording of the vermicomposting webinar by Rhonda Sherman of NC State
This will tell you much more information including how to set up a worm bin and how to bring vermicomposting into your curriculum.
Worms.nscu.edu
Worm woman.com
BOOKS:
“Worms eat our Garbage” by Mary Applehof
“Composting in the Classroom”. by Nancy Trautmann and Marianne Krasny
Traci Martin and Donna Morris
WEB SITES:
Kab.org/webnar – for a recording of the vermicomposting webinar by Rhonda Sherman of NC State
This will tell you much more information including how to set up a worm bin and how to bring vermicomposting into your curriculum.
Worms.nscu.edu
Worm woman.com
BOOKS:
“Worms eat our Garbage” by Mary Applehof
“Composting in the Classroom”. by Nancy Trautmann and Marianne Krasny
BOOKS
There are so many books oriented around gardening. Be it practical guides how to garden, on cooking, crafts or fiction (F). We have put together a few here. All are available at Gordon Avenue Library if you ask for them and we are hoping to expand our gardening section in the school Library. Please let us know if you want to recommend a particular favorite.
Websites
Gardening with Kids has a really informative website: Kids Gardening