If you've been to one of Oregon's farmers' markets in the last few weeks, you probably noticed the stark contrast in what's available compared to the same time last year.
In 2016, Oregon had a surprisingly warm spring that kick-started plant growth, bringing things like asparagus and strawberries to market as much as a month ahead of schedule. This year, it's a different story. After an incredibly wet and chilly winter and spring, muddy fields and cold soil temperatures have kept many farmers from getting some crops planted.
"It's just whammy, whammy, whammy all around," says Vicki Hertel from Sun Gold Farm in Forest Grove. "We've had the wind and the freeze and the rain, so it's been a whole lot of things this year.
"Right now, the flooding has finally subsided. I've lived on this farm all my life, and I've never seen flooding this late. It's still colder at night, and things don't grow well when it's in the 40s at night."
Because her fields have been muddy, Hertel says they didn't get things in the ground on their normal schedule.
"We actually planted our spring crops and our summer crops on the same day, and they're normally a month and a half apart," she says.
That's also been the case at DeNoble Farms in Tillamook, according to Patreece DeNoble.
"This has definitely been a challenging spring for all farmers," DeNoble says. "This week is sunny and dry though, which means we can finally get some work done in the fields."
Kelly Merrick, communications manager for Portland Farmers Market, says spring's cold weather has been a hot topic.
"There's been so much talk about the weather this year because it's been so cold and wet, but there's great optimism," she says.
Last weekend's warmer weather should help kick-start growth, even if things cool down again, Merrick says. She's hearing from farmers that strawberries and asparagus might be a little later than normal, but that the crop should be good.
"They're still very optimistic about the season," she says. "These are just the things that happen when you farm. One year it's going to be warmer than normal, and the next it might be cooler."
Hertel says that the last three years have been particularly weird, weather wise. The summer of 2015 brought record-setting high temperatures that shifted the growing seasons forward for a number of Oregon crops. Last year's warm spring did the same. So this year's cooler weather has put consumers in a tailspin.
"I think we've just forgotten what normal was," she says. "People at the market are asking where all the produce is, but they don't realize that it's the weather, not the farmers."
Hertel says that snow in January and February winter killed some of her winter crops, and that they couldn't get them replanted because of the mud. That's part of the reason she hasn't had as much to bring to farmers' markets.
"The money is coming in slower," she says. "Hopefully it will kick in and we'll have a good summer and fall. Farmers are nothing but hope."
-- Grant Butler


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Activated carbon from Moringa husks and pods
conference contributionposted on 12.02.2018, 15:08 authored by G. McConnachie, A.M. Warhurst, Simon J. Pollard, Victor Chipofya
Moringa oleifera is the most widespread species of the plant family Moringaceae. It is a rapidly growing tree native to the sub-Himalayan regions of north-west India and indigenous to many parts of Africa, South America and Asia, typically reaching a height of 3-4 metres, flowering and fruiting in one year from a 0.3 metre seedling even in poor quality soil (Sutherland, Folkard et al., 1994). It is known by different names around the world (Jahn, 1986), for example in India “Drumstick” or “Horseradish” tree. The tree produces large seed pods which can either be harvested when green for food or left to dry. The dried seeds can be crushed to produce a high quality vegetable oil and the resulting press-cake mixed with water and strained to form a coagulant for water treatment (McConnachie, Mtawali et al., 1994). The residue containing seed husks is currently discarded as waste. The research presented here has been carried out at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Malawi and demonstrates that a simple steam pyrolysis procedure can form high quality microporous activated carbons from both the waste husks of Moringa oleifera and the pods. The work is part of an overall assessment of the viability of the establishment of Moringa oleifera plantations in tropical areas for the benefit of rural communities and is being carried out in collaboration with the Engineering Department, The University of Leicester, U.K.
The financial support of the U.K. Overseas Development Administration is acknowledged.
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
- Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)


Hand Carry Automatic Sprayers:
- For gardening, flowers, vector & pest control, environment disinfection, pesticide spray, hormone spray..etc.
- SUS304 Stainless steel tank with brass spray valve and lance will provide years of reliable service.
- Padlock device: making you spray continuously without press.
- Sensitive trigger: easy shut-off and continuous spraying.
- Adjustable nozzle: spraying from fine to jet.
- Brass air valve: pull the valve to release the pressure after your spray. (Additional pressure gauge available.)
- All-vinyl hose resists wear and corrosion.
- Shoulder strap included in each model.


Fewer farmers growing sugarcane because of payment hassles!
The sugarcane acreage has decreased from 78,609 hectares in 2017-18 to 64,354 hectares in 2020-21, government’s data shows.
Reads a report in the Kathmandu Post
Fed up with the lower price fetched by their produce, the hassle in payments, and the Government’s apathy, more than half of the sugarcane growers have unsurprisingly switched to cultivating other crops.
According to the Federation of Sugarcane Producers Association, Sugarcane would be cultivated in around 18,000 bighas 20 years back but now, it has been reduced to 6,500 bighas of land and output has declined by 50%.
As a result, sugar mills which have the capacity to crush 100,000 tons of sugarcane a day have hardly been crushing 10,000 tons per day.
Out of the 10 operating sugar mills in the country, 4 sugar mills have remained closed since last year and the rest have hardly been operating at 10 percent of their actual production capacity.
According to industry experts, if the current situation continues the sugarcane industry, which is the largest commercial crash crop contributing 2.1% to the Agricultural GDP of Nepal (MoALD) and is the mainstay of more than 0.1 million of active sugarcane farmers (MoALD), will undoubtedly collapse in three to four years.
And where does it lead us to?
Yes, we will be forced to become dependent on imports for sugar.
We have an annual demand of approximately 250 thousand metric tonnes.
That means our import bill surging by another Rs. 12 billion to Rs. 25 billion per year depending on price fluctuations.
How do we revive our sugar industry?
Incentivize our farmers to increase sugarcane farming? But what for when the Government turns a deaf ear when farmers complain about delayed payments.
So bad is the condition that the Government cannot even decide on the minimum support price on time.
The sugarcane harvest season starts in mid-November while the Government announced the minimum support price in mid-January forcing the farmers to sell either at last years’ price or lower than that.


What you need to know:
- Most farmers in Trans Nzoia, one of the country’s main maize-growing zones, have turned to Uganda and South Sudan.
- Maize flour prices have gone up in most retail shops in the North Rift, with a 2kg packet going for Sh100.
Farmers in the North Rift have now export their maize to South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda for better prices due to rising demand.
While the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) pays Sh2,400 per a 90kg bag, farmers in the region, the country’s food basket, are getting as much as Sh2,900 across the border.
This has stoked food insecurity fears as millions of Kenyans are already starving because of a ravaging drought in some parts of the country.
The NCPB is faced with challenges buying maize from farmers after most of them opted to sell to private millers and traders who offer better prices and pay upfront.
Consequently, the board might not achieve its target of buying three million bags of maize as part of the emergency stock.
According to the regional maize production estimates report, the prices are expected to remain high because of a deficit in production due to erratic weather, high inflation and conflict-related trade disruptions in Ethiopia and South Sudan that will push the cost of the staple beyond the reach of most households.
“Opening of closed border between Uganda and Rwanda will increase inflows of maize from Uganda into Rwanda, moderating price increase in Rwanda, but increasing prices in Uganda due to expansion of regional demand to Rwanda from Kenya and South Sudan,” stated the Famine and Early Warning System Network report for September 2021.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, severe drought conditions affected crop production in several eastern and northern districts of Uganda, resulting in reduced harvest.
“The poor seasonal rains resulted in the wilting of sorghum and maize crops and had a negative impact on vegetation and yields,” said the report.
The Grain Belt Millers Association, which brings together more than 35 small-scale millers, yesterday warned of further increase in maize prices as more farmers and traders eye export market driven by attractive prices for the commodity.
“Our members are unable to source adequate supplies of maize. Prices are now ranging between Sh2,400 and Sh2,600 for a 90kg bag and are expected to continue rising. Millers have stocks that are not being replenished at the rate that they are being used,” said Kipngetich Mutai, the association’s chairman.
Most farmers in Trans Nzoia, one of the country’s main maize-growing zones, have, therefore, turned to Uganda and South Sudan, where a 90kg bag is fetching Sh2,900.
“Unlike the last season when there was an influx of maize from Uganda, there is high demand for the grains in parts of Uganda and South Sudan that has resulted in the export of the staple,” said David Maina, a trader in Eldoret town.
Decline in yields
Millers have warned of a further increase in maize prices after the yields dropped by 11 million bags last season—from 44 million to 33 million bags. The declined was due to erratic rainfall and disease outbreaks, among other factors.
Maize flour prices have gone up in most retail shops in the North Rift, with a 2kg packet going for Sh100. It was Sh80 two months ago. “Some of the consumers have opted for posho mill flour as opposed to the sifted one to cut down on costs, impacting negatively on our operation and pushing some millers out of the market,” added Mr Mutai.
He disclosed that maize imports from Tanzania is going at Sh2,900 per 90kg, while that from South Africa is expected to land at Sh3,200, which will increase the cost of maize flour.
“We are staring at a looming disaster in the next six months as the maize supply in the market deteriorates after most farmers sold out the grains during the harvest period at throwaway prices.
“Most of the grains have been sold to millers and other traders after the government expressed unwillingness to buy the produce and instead introduced the Warehouse Receipt System where farmers will wait for long before receiving payment,” said Ezekiel Kosgei, an Eldoret-based private land economist.
The NCPB is faced with challenges buying maize from farmers after most of them opted to sell the crop the crop to private millers and traders who offer better prices and prompt payments.
NCPB corporate affairs manager Titus Maiyo yesterday admitted they had yet to receive maize from farmers but expressed optimism to purchase the crop.
“We urge farmers to take advantage of our prompt payment to deliver their crop to our buying centres countrywide,” said Mr Maiyo.


With the push for biofuels nationwide farmers may be encouraged to plant corn where environmentally friendly grasses are currently grown. That doesn't mean they can't sequester soil carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A recent study by Ron Follett, a scientist with USDA's Ag Research Service, is one of the most comprehensive studies conducted so far that addresses the effects of replacing native grasses with corn. The results show the benefits of no-till when making the switch from bromegrass to corn.
The research team found yield rates were decreased because of extended drought conditions, but the total amount of carbon stayed the same. Follett's team collected soil samples at three depths to analyze the amount of soil carbon at each depth. According to USDA, the rates of loss of soil organic carbon previously sequestered in the top two depths by the bromegrass were offset by similar rates of increase in newly sequestered carbon from the corn.
There are currently 35 million acres of bromegrass and other plants grown nationwide in exchange for $1.8 billion per year as part of USDA's Conservation Reserve Program.


Date of Award
Master of Science
Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences
Bob. V. Conger
James Caponetti, Effin T. Graham
The objectives of this study were to determine the histological origin of callus or other in vitro tissue initiated from mature orchardgrass embryos, the degree of organization of this tissue, and whether organogenesis and/or embryogenesis occur de novo. The study to determine the tissue of origin was carried out over a 6 day time period. Random samples for histological observation were taken every 24 hr, fixed in a gluteraldehyde solution, and prepared for micro-scopic examination utilizing the paraffin method. The 10 μm sections were stained with safranin 0 followed by the combination stain aniline blue and orange G. The slides were then cover-glassed for microscopic examination. No evidence of callus formation or embryo germination was observed in the 1-day-old cultures. Early germination was apparent in cultures sampled on the second and third day. Four days after plating the embryos, a loose mass of parenchyma cells formed from the basal end of the scutellum near the root cap. The callus samples examined on the fifth and sixth days still showed only a mass of unorganized parenchyma cells. Callus tissue examined at the time of the first subculture (28 days after plating) showed that some of the meristematic centers appeared to arise directly from the embryo, while others appeared to be distinctly separate from the explanted embryo. In some cases the callus appeared to be divided into lobes with meristematic centers located within each lobe. Vascular tissue, primarily xylem initials. were found in the center of the callus lobes and were surrounded by densely stained meristematic centers. At the first subculture the callus was carefully separated from the original explant and transferred to fresh medium. When the callus was approximately 1 cm in diameter, it was divided into three equal size pieces. One piece was fixed in gluteraldehyde for later examina-tion and the other two pieces were subcultured separately in a medium with 1 μM 2,4-D. The original identity of the callus pieces was maintained. When a shoot became visible, the callus piece was removed from culture, fixed histologically, and examined along with the previously fixed sample taken from the same original piece earlier. This allowed comparison of the extent of organization in the callus prior to shoot formation with that after shoot formation. Organized structures such as proembryos in several stages of develop-ment were observed scattered throughout the callus tissue of the earlier sample. Meristematic nodes were also present, but were still in the early stages of development. The later tissue samples with a few shoots on the surface also showed extensive root hair-like growth. Serial sections through this tissue revealed a higher degree of organization than was present in the earlier samples. There were more meristematic centers and nodes present throughout the callus. Many of the meristematic nodes had orderly cell files around them. Strands of vascular tissue were observed in many areas of the callus. New shoot meristems with leaf primordia were visible on the surface of the callus tissue and some were subtended by axillary buds. At the end of the second subculture (84 days), most of the tissue consisted of actively growing meristems and other organized structures. Very little parenchymatous tissue was visible.
McDaniel, Judith Lynn Kerley, "A histological study of the origin, organogenesis, and embryogenesis of callus tissue derived from mature orchardgrass embryos. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1981.


Some flower-aura tips to keep your gardens fresh this winter.
Every household comes to life with the nurturing of some garden fresh flowers that add to the charm and aura of a house. As winter commences, here are a few flowers that are ideal for cultivation during the season.
- Dahlia : These flowers are heavy feeders and require plenty of well drained sunlight. A 8-12 inches deep pit needs to be dug and added compost to, in order to heighten porosity and nutrient density. Small Dahlia plants can be placed at 12 inches distance, however bigger plants need to be kept at least 3 feet apart from one another. Organic mulch is to be used to conserve moisture for warding off weed formation. Pinching the buds when the flowers have adequately grown would enforce increased budding and better branching.
- Snapdragons/ Dog Flowers : These are mostly homegrown plants and are not long term, hence they feed lesser on soil. Sanpdragons grow in ample sunlight, and adding manure to it, does these plants no harm. Watering these flowers regularly enough to keep the soil must for the first few weeks will result in steady blooming. The flowers need to be watered near their crown and around an inch of water per week after the initial stage is adequate for its durable sustenance. Sometimes, fungal indispositions might accompany such plants, hence it is important to carefully gauge which breed fits perfectly into one’s climate and environment.
- Pot Marigold also known as Calendula : As most Indians may know this flower, it is colloquially termed as “Genda phool”. These flowers can be either planted directly in one’s garden or in pots containing organic soil, around 6-8 weeks before its last frost. Calendula flowers need lot of water, hence it is mandatory to keep the soil moist and perform proper mulching in order to prevent infestation of pests. These flowers require a period of 5-15 days to properly germinate and about 30-45 days to bloom and mature from its seed. These flowers are faintly scented and mostly grow as yellow or orange small puffy balls.
- Nemesia : One of the most easy growing plants with no high maintenance rules, Nemesia grows in a variety of colours with a fruity smell. These flowers need a whole of 6-7 hours of sunlight everyday and require the soil to be moist as dry soil can lead to ineffective blooming. These flowers need to be fertilized, preferably with soluble fertilizers. A white colour mold may form on the flower due to extra absorbance of water and must be protected from such Powdery Milkdew. Exposing the plant to areas of heavy air circulation around the house can prevent the stagnant moisture.
This winter, plant and cultivate these lovely flowers, and let your homes and gardens breathe and bloom with the pleasant and soothing refreshment that these plants have to offer.
– by Subhangi Ray


Ball Horticultural Co. took Best of Show booth honors at the Southeast Greenhouse Conference this year with a very welcoming park-like setup of Ball varieties. Goldsmith's booth (pictured at right) was quite the attraction too, taking Best Green Goods booth. 'Cora' vinca is a beauty, and marigold 'Antigua' (see all that yellow?) really stands out in this vignette..
A few folks were recognized for their service to the industry, as well. Carole Barton and David Rickenbacker were recipients of the Doug Hull Service Award for their devotion to the success of the Southeast Greenhouse Conference. Bill Miller was the recipient of the Horticulture Initiative Award for his contribution to the floriculture industry.
Greenhouse Water Remediation Garden
4 years ago


I put some 10-10-10 in my pots of thyme and all my thyme died? Why? I soaked them right after I fertilized them, and they have been getting plenty of water. In fact, it has rained almost every day.
Thyme doesn't need much fertilizer. A light application of compost in spring should be enough. 10-10-10 is too hot. It's possible the fertilizer came in contact with plant tissue and burned the plants.
Another factor could be too much water. If you've been getting rain each day, it's likely that's the reason your thyme died.
Thyme likes poor, well-drained soil on the dry side. Read more about growing thyme, Thyme It Is A Precious Thing at goGardenNow.blogspot.com.
Return to Thymus at goGardenNow.com.


S H F Pine Needles
Our bales are hand raked and baled in the sand hills of North and South Carolina. Slash pine needles are also available.
Wheat Straw is baled behind wheat harvest , put in our barns bright yellow color and weed free.
Variety of hay: Alfalfa mix orchard grass and Fescue hay in round or square bales


Butter beans, or lima beans--depending on where you’re from and what you have been raised to call them--are medium-size beans that come in a pod. If you’ve have reaped the benefits of a large crop this year, you may not want to see them go to waste. Rather than try to consume your entire harvest before it goes bad, butter beans can be frozen and saved for a later date to enjoy.
Shell the beans by hold the pods in both hands and twisting to open them up, extracting the butter beans from inside. Discard the pods.
Wash the butter beans in a colander under cool running water to remove any dirt.
Pick through the beans and discard any that have dark spots.
Boil a pot of water on the stove.
Pour the beans into the pot and allow them to boil for two to three minutes with the lid on.
Pour the beans into a colander to drain the hot water.
Put the beans into a large bowl of ice water to lower the temperature and stop the cooking process.
Pour the beans back into the colander after three minutes in the ice water to drain them.
Allow the beans five minutes to drain in the colander to help get rid of as much moisture as possible.
Pat the beans dry by placing them on paper towels and patting them dry with more paper towels.
Put the beans into airtight plastic bags making sure to leave two to three inches of space at the top.
Place the bags immediately into the freezer.


1st certified organic wine produced in Armenia
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. An organic wine has been produced in Armenia for the first time. The wine is made of certified organic grapes.
Organic viticulture is a very delicate and expensive initiative.
Director of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia Zaruhi Muradyan says the production of organic wine is very important for Armenia.
“Organic agriculture is recording a great progress in Armenia and is under great attention in the recent years. This year for the first time an Armenian organic wine made from grapes will enter into the market. Winemaking has started developing quite actively, and our Foundation carries out a major work on this path”, she said.
Deputy head of the department of priority production of agriculture at the ministry of economy Varsik Martirosyan said the whole world is attaching great importance to the role of the organic agriculture.
“Organic agriculture is a mean to recover, strengthen and improve the agro-ecosystem. The production of these goods is welcomed and is important for us, for the healthy agriculture and lifestyle”, the ministry’s representative said.
Organic wines are produced in Armenia by Trinity Canyon Vineyards.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan


Building resilience in the eye of the storm – Agriculture in the Caribbean and Central America
By 2050, the farmers of our world are expected to have to feed a staggering 9.8 billion people, up from 7.5 billion today. With fertile soils and a conducive climate, Central America and the Caribbean are uniquely positioned to supply farm products to growing markets worldwide. But the outdoor business of farming is exposed to many perils in the region: hurricanes, droughts, floods and storms, all of which are set to increase with climate change. So what needs to be done to harvest the economic opportunities that lie ahead? Find out on the following pages where the region stands today and what measures will ensure resilient and profitable farming in the Caribbean and Central America.
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Sulphur and Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Till, A.R.
Publisher: IFA, 1st edition, Paris, France, May 2010
The sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine are essential for production of proteins; without them and other sulphur-containing materials, there would be no life as we know it. Increasing crop yields and the move to ‘high-analysis’ fertilizers that contain little sulphur has lead to increasing sulphur deficiencies, which must be urgently overcome to sustain agro-ecosystems. This timely publication brings together the many aspects of sulphur in agriculture, looking at both crop and livestock production. It discusses the importance of sulphur cycling and the essential role of sulphur fertilization. It also suggests recommendations for better managing sulphur and ensuring sustainability of agricultural systems.
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The magic attractant- BACTROLURE®
Farmtrack Consulting Ltd, has introduced the first product to control the invader fruit fly. BACTROLURE® is pheromone-based bait that is highly attractive to the invader males fly. It comes as a simple package that consists of a bucket trap, a lid, a hook wire and the bait. Instructions on its assemblage are provided in the package and are easy to follow.
How it works
The males of invader fly are attracted to a chemical in BACTROLURE® which mimics the one released by the female for mating. The bait releases volatiles into the air which attracts the males. Male flies find their way in the bucket and on getting in contact with the bait; they die on the spot and fall off into the bucket. This is the reason why the bait is placed inside the bucket and the bucket placed on fruit trees using the wire hook provided during. This can be done the onset of fruits or well in advance of infestation before fruits get mature. The rationale for this strategy is to deny the female mating during which time her eggs gets fertilized. Therefore, eggs are not viable and will not hatch into young ones (larvae) and will not feed on the flesh of the fruit nor will there be damage to the fruit. If enough traps are used in the field to capture all the male flies, it means a loss of a whole fruit flies generation. One female lays about 500 eggs during its life and if you kill one male, you have killed more than 500 flies that were to be obtained from that one female. Ideally, one male will mate with more than one female and hence by killing one male you will kill more than the 500 individuals. The more you trap and kill the males, the more you reduce next generation offsprings. Once the bucket is full of dead flies, it is required that the dead flies be emptied and buried into shallow soils to avoid being fed on by birds and or chicken.
Rate of application
The farmer only needs 4 of the traps per acre. Once the bait has been exhausted, the farmer only needs to replace the bait but not the full kit.
On which fruit trees?
The invader fruit fly has been recorded in all parts of the country except areas above 2000m a.s.l. The preferred fruits are mangos of all varieties but the fly also attacks avocadoes, loquats, oranges, banana, and many wild fruits. That means if the cultivated fruit trees are out of season, the invader fly finds an alternative wild host to continue its life-cycle and comes back to the orchards when fruits form. Farmers are advised that for better management of this pest, it is recommended that they continue using BACTROLURE product during offseason although at a lower rate to keep the numbers low before the onset of fruiting season.
The benefits of using BACTROLURE®
- It is a first fruit fly control product of its kind to be introduced in Kenya
- No spraying on the crop, therefore not chemical residues on fruits
- Its friendly to the user, consumer and to the environment as it only attracts Bactrocera sp. flies
- It is Cheap and effective
- Can last upto 8 weeks or beyond while with continuous trapping


Le Corti di San Rocco Farmhouse is located in Cossombrato, a quiet, little village at about 10 minutes’ driving distance from Asti.
This project saw the light thanks to Maria Grazia and Lucrezia, mother and daughter. In fact, the property has always been a farm where, over the decades, the most diverse crops have been cultivated: from fruit trees to poplars, from vineyards to wheat fields. And in more recent days, Maria Grazia and Lucrezia have decided to give the village and all passers-by the possibility of admiring a 5-hectare stretch of lavender and lavandin which, in June and July, becomes a huge, eye-catching lilac-purple expanse surrounding the property.
The lavender fields can be visited for a fee, upon reservation including availability for photo shoots.
Natural lavender-based products are available for sale.
It is possible to book tastings and themed evenings on the world of wine.
We are available to make your stay an unforgettable experience.


Crabapple trees (Malus spp.) create a showy display throughout much of the year. In the spring they explode with fragrant blooms that cover the trees for up to two weeks. In the late summer and fall the leaves change color, and these trees develop an abundance of small crabapples that can be left for wildlife to enjoy or harvested for home use. For those choosing to harvest the fruit, proper timing can insure that you get the most from your crabapple tree.
Know Crabapple Basics
Crabapples and apples are essentially the same fruit; the only real distinction is the size. Crabapples are defined as being 2 inches or less in diameter; apples are larger than 2 inches. Crabapples typically thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8, but some, such as Malus "Rescue," can handle the conditions in USDA zone 1. Most crabapples are not as sweet as apples but instead have a tart, tangy flavor that many people enjoy. While they can be eaten raw, people often choose to make juice or jelly from them or to put them up as preserves or pickles.
Check the Seeds
One of the best ways to tell if crabapples are ripe is to cut a few in half and look at the seeds. A ripe crabapple will normally have dark brown seeds. If it is not ripe, the seeds will be lighter in color and may look beige, greenish or white. In a few cases the seeds may remain light, so it's best to use more than just this one method to determine ripeness.
Look for Coloring When Ripe
Different varieties of crabapples are different colors. If you know the variety of yours, you can tell when they are ripe or nearly ripe by the intensity of the color. Many, such as Malus "Camzam" Camelot are varying shades of red, but others like Malus "Trailman" are mottled with green. Both grow best in USDA zones 4 to 8. Some may even be solid green, like Malus "Norhey," which will grow in USDA zones 1 through 8. With at least 1,000 different varieties of crabapples to choose from, you may need to wait and see what color your crabapples turn if you don't know which type you have.
Test the Firmness and Flavor
Crabapples should be harvested when the flesh is firm and crisp, but they should be easily edible and not so hard that you have to struggle to take a bite. Ripe crabapples will typically be a mix of tart and sweet. If they aren't ripe yet, they will taste bitter.
Consider the Weather
Your harvest will be at its best if you pick your crabapples before they are exposed to a hard freeze. According to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Cooperative Extension, crabapples can tolerate temperatures down to about 27 degrees Fahrenheit, especially when the tree still has leaves on it to give them some protection. If you're going to harvest them after a freeze, wait until they are no longer frozen before handling them to avoid damaging the fruit.


You have certainly made a good decision if you have decided that you want to grow your own organic garden. There is a lot of technique involved to successfully growing your own plants, though. Do you know what you need to know about growing organic plants properly? If you don’t, you should look at these tips below.
Pay attention to the compatibility of your plants. You can plant tall plants, such as tomatoes, and use them to shade such sun-sensitive plants as lettuce and spinach. These combinations can reduce the amount of fertile space your garden requires while also increasing the yield of all the types of plants you have.
When your summer blooms have bloomed and faded away, remember to dead-head the flowers. This means pinching off the flower heads. This will encourage new flowers to bloom longer next year, and it will also strengthen the plant. Since the flower heads have seeds, you can also save the flower heads that you have pinched off for planting at another time.
If you plant flowers in a container make sure that you water them and feed them regularly, and that the pots have adequate drainage. Because there is limited soil in the pot, you need to pay more attention to the soil conditions. If the drainage is not adequate your plants will result in root rot.
Try growing crops that are easy to store or store themselves. If handled properly and gently, given the right amount of time to cure, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, squash, dry beans, or shallots will keep for a very long time in a cool, dry place. No canning or freezing required. This will ensure having fresh vegetables from the garden all winter long.
After a long day of gardening, clean those dirty hands with a breakfast treat. Create a mixture of oatmeal and water. Make it thick! Use the mixture as an abrasive to get the dirt out of your skin and from under your fingernails. Follow it up with your normal soap and water wash to get any lingering dirt off.
Make sure you are realistic about your gardening abilities. It is easy to get excited about the possibilities that your garden holds. However, it does not make sense to purchase seeds that will not thrive in your climate. Research what type of plants you can successfully grow and stick to your list when shopping.
Keep an eye on your lilies. Unfortunately, lilies are prone to virus disease, such as lily mosaic. If you can, purchase bulbs that are guaranteed ‘virus-free’. During the growing season, keep a sharp look out for any aphids, as they spread the disease. Make sure to spray with insecticidals soap at the very first sign of them.
If your home just has a small patio, you can still have a garden by growing plants in containers. Container gardening can give you the option to grow all kinds of flowers, plants, and even vegetables. You can also bypass the problem of frost by taking your containers inside during frosty weather.
Use only pesticides designed to kill the specific type of pest in your garden, and avoid the broad-spectrum kind. Broad spectrum pesticides don’t only kill the offending pests, but the beneficial ones also. The beneficial insects, which kill the pests, are much more sensitive to pesticides than the pests. Using them will reduce your population of good bugs, and increase the bad. This can result in your using more pesticides to eradicate the problem.
Evergreens are best planted at least four weeks before the ground freezes. This will allow the tree to establish some roots before the soil freezes in the late fall. Evergreens do not drop their leaves in the fall, but continue to lose moisture, so it is important to get them in the ground well before the first frost.
A very important step to remember when planting a rose is to use soil, mulch or compost to mound at the base of the plant all the way to the first canes. Mounding this way will protect the plant until new growth emerges and new feeder roots have grown to absorb water for the plant.
In conclusion, if you wanted to grow your own organic garden, but didn’t know much about where to start, you should now have an idea of what it takes to grow one. If you have any more questions as to what to do, there is a ton of information online, just waiting to be read.


Strider, a well-respected, agriculture-focused tech start-up in Brazil, has recently expanded in the US market. Mainly in Texas as of now, Strider is bringing it’s mission of cutting input costs to the American farmer by helping farmers monitor pests, diseases, and weeds. This platform creates value by taking the information collected by scouts on the field to be evaluated by crop consultants and acted upon by growers.
The company’s mobile application allows growers to track information related to crop conditions such as pests, diseases, and weeds, as well as tracking problem areas, control scouting, monitor effectiveness of spraying on pest populations, and record spray records. Working with Strider’s decision making platform will allow growers, or farm managers, to determine when, where and how much to spray for maximum efficiency.
“We all have a mission: we need to make agriculture stronger and stronger to match the challenge that we have in the future to feed 9 billion people. We are changing agriculture today because we at Strider took this as a serious mission and are all coming together to make it happen.” Ed Siatti, VP of Sales for North America, Strider.
Strider has worked with Brazilian farmers for years integrating their decision-making platform into farms covering more than 1.8M acres in Brazil. This platform has allowed grower to make better management decisions as it creates value by taking the information collected by scouts on the field to be evaluated by crop consultants and acted upon by growers.
This digital tool was developed in 2013 and installed in tablets; it allows technicians and field producers to register the exact incidents which may influence in the proliferation of plagues, resulting in a high level control, productivity and, mainly, up to 15% in pesticides cost savings.
Expanding into Texas first wasn’t a random choice for Strider. According to Phillips McDougall Consulting, American growers are 2nd in pesticide use with up to $7.3 billion spent in 2013. Brazil holds the first position, spending up to $10 billion. Texas is also a large cotton-producing area, which demands careful monitoring of the crop and pest populations.
It wasn’t easy to enter in one of the more traditional areas. Even with higher knowledge and a quality product, it was important to be trusted by the locals. “We didn´t have contacts there. I made some connections over the internet. The first positive answer came from Jim Hunt – Regional Sales Manager from Netafim Irrigation. He said that if a stranger was traveling thousands of miles to talk about an unknown technology for agriculture, due to his experience, that means he deserved a chance.” said Siatti.
Siatti is excited about the reaction Strider has had so far, “As I got into Texas, they found that this tool could be useful for them. They started to refer and call other farmers in the area to bring them together to talk about Strider. It has been an amazing experience. I’m excited to say that in 2016 we will have full operation in Texas.”
In only 10 months, Strider is being used by over 115 farms in Texas.
Learn more about Strider’s mobile platform here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/strider-siatti-12-18-15.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ed Siatti, Strider”]


Movement at the station: Recent property listings
THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings across the country, and a separate article of recently relisted properties of note.
- Southern Riverina aggregation returns to the market
- Blue ribbon Victorian grazing & grain
- Bullo River frontage & flood-out country
- Dysart cattle breeding & finishing
- NSW beef factory & fodder powerhouse
- $15m+ for New England grazing
- Northern Tablelands grazing block
- Cattle + fodder in NQ
- Mixed grazing & farming at Dulacca
- EOI for CQ’s Brackenhill extended
Southern Riverina aggregation returns to the market
More than $60 million is anticipated for a southern Riverina aggregation which is being offloaded by Nature Conservancy Australia and Tiverton Agriculture after four and half years of ownership.
The 34,114ha cattle backgrounding and timber harvesting enterprise, pictured above, comprises two contiguous holdings – the 27,499ha Juanbung Station and the 6615ha Boyong Station.
They were purchased in January 2019 from prominent Melbourne businessman Tim Roberts-Thomson for $57 million.
Situated 50km north-east of Balranald and 75km north-west of Hay, the aggregation has an estimated carrying capacity of more than 37,000DSE. Previously, it backgrounded 10,000 feeder steers a year.
Boasting 55km of Murrumbidgee River frontage and 18km of Lachlan River frontage, water is also secured by two bores, Lake Bunumburt, numerous catchment dams and seasonal swamps and waterholes.
Juanbung and Boyong Stations are underpinned by 16,000ha of the terminal flood plain delta of the Lachlan River known as the Great Cumbung Swamp.
The price includes a timber harvesting licence (expiring 2038) with sufficient resources for future harvesting from one the largest privately-owned River Red Gum forests in the world.
Additional income streams include the mustering of rangeland goats, as well as sustainable land use options for carbon offsets and biodiversity credits.
LAWD agents Danny Thomas and Elizabeth Doyle have been appointed to handle the expressions of interest process for Juanbung and Boyong Stations closing on July 13.
Blue ribbon Victorian grazing & grain
Locals through to corporates are showing interest in a blue-ribbon prime lamb, fine wool and winter cropping enterprise in Central Victoria’s sought-after Goulburn Valley.
The 1456ha Castle Creek is 14km from Euroa and less than two hours from Melbourne, in a region renowned for its ideal climate, above average rainfall and diverse soil types.
The mixed farming operation comprises four holdings – 478ha Castle Creek North, 327ha Castle Creek South, 395ha Woods and 256ha Skinners – aggregated over 30 years by the Gross family.
Around 94 percent (1367ha) of the flat to gently sloping country is considered arable with fertile loam and clay soils.
The grazing area has a carrying capacity of 10,000DSE, with the current vendors running 4578 mixed sheep.
Castle Creek has a strong fertiliser history with soil testing, fertiliser, gypsum and lime applications undertaken on a regular basis to maximise productivity and retain optimum levels of meat and wool production.
The 452ha cropping area features a balance of introduced pastures and high-yielding winter row crops including wheat, canola, barley and oats.
Shane McIntyre from CBRE Agribusiness would not disclose a price guide, however it is understood the land and fixed improvements could achieve around $16,000 per hectare.
“Castle Creek is a turnkey operation that has been thoughtfully developed by the Gross family, including well-maintained fencing and state-of-the-art working facilities,” he said.
Castle Creek is watered by three dams supported by 547,100 litres of water stored in multiple tanks.
It is being offered for sale as a whole or as four separate parcels via a two-stage expressions of interest campaign closing on July 5.
Bullo River frontage & flood out country
Thargomindah Station in south-west Queensland has been listed for sale by Adam and Amy Klein after five years ownership.
The 47,100ha property is adjacent to the Thargomindah township and is suitable for running cattle, sheep or goats.
Thargomindah Station is currently being run as a cattle enterprise, but in the past was a sheep and wool operation.
The mostly flat to gently undulating open grasslands are timbered with mulga, box and beefwood.
There is around 5600ha of Bulloo River frontage and flood-out, supported by a capped share bore and two wells.
The recently fully exclusion fenced Thargomindah Station is currently enjoying a good season – receiving 30mm of rain in the past week.
Sam Bartlett from Adcock Partners who is conducting inspections reports good stands of hayed-off native pastures.
Meantime, agent Andrew Adcock said good inquiry was coming from ‘inside’ producers, around Roma, looking to expand with better priced breeding country.
Thargomindah Station will be auctioned on July 13. The sale includes 500 cows and progeny.
Dysart cattle breeding & finishing
After 35 years, the Pocock family has listed its premium Dysart district cattle breeding and finishing country in Central Queensland.
The 2047ha Highland Plains is located 24km south-west of Dysart, 60km east of Clermont and 110km north-east of Emerald.
During their ownership, the Pococks have focussed on breeding and growing between 500 to 550 head of cattle.
The country on Highland Plains is mostly open to semi open deep, black, self-mulching soils that have been farmed in the past and could grow forage or grain crops.
The remainder features mountain coolibah and loamy box ridges and coolibah and ti-tree creek flats.
Situated in a 575mm average rainfall region, Highland Plains is heavily grassed and abundantly watered by ten dams and five bores.
Recent improvements have focused on ease of management.
RBV agent Terry Ray said the property will appeal to existing producers looking for a bolt on acquisition, as well as those seeking a standalone operation.
“There have been an above average number of inspections from locals and Central Highlands producers seeking expansion,” he said.
Highland Plains will be auctioned on 14 July by RBV Rural.
NSW beef factory & fodder powerhouse
A beef factory and fodder crop powerhouse on the Gwydir River in north-west New South Wales has been listed for sale by Dan and Lucy Coulton for between $6 million and $7 million.
The 825ha Kiaora is situated 14km north of Gravesend, 32km west of Warialda and 70km east of Moree.
Around 75 percent of the property is arable and comprises 270ha of highly productive river flats and 380ha of rich self-mulching black and chocolate soils suitable for summer and winter grain crops.
Kiaora boasts 8km of Gwydir River frontage and is watered by a bore, 180,000 litres of water storage, an extensive trough system, as well as 13 dams.
The balance is productive finishing country capable of turning over 1300 trade cattle a year.
During their seven year ownership, the Coultons have developed the property and installed new fencing.
A licence is pending for a 999 head feedlot that includes six feed pens, four holding pens and six supplementary paddocks with troughs.
Paul Kelly from Moree Real Estate is handling the sale, which includes 225ha of forage oats, 168ha of barley and 35ha of improved pastures.
$15m+ for New England grazing
Offers higher than $15 million are being considered for a cattle, wool and prime lamb operation in the renowned New England region of New South Wales.
Midlands is situated in a 900mm rainfall district 22km north-west of Guyra and 57km from Armidale. For the past 17 years it has been held by Andrew and Sue Ross.
The 1006ha holding is gently undulating and consists of basalt and trap soils with some loamy creek flats. Around 75 percent is arable.
Midlands has an estimated carrying capacity of 9500 dry sheep equivalents. Vendor Sue Ross believes with additional forage crops and pasture improvements this number could be increased.
The property features a 1.5km double frontage to George’s Creek and is watered by 33 dams (mostly spring-fed), as well as two equipped bores.
Midlands has been developed with good fencing, laneways for ease of management and sheep and cattle infrastructure.
Northern Tablelands grazing block
A grazing block on the edge of the Northern Tablelands in New South Wales is being offered for sale by Robert and Justine Aitken who are selling to downsize to a smaller holding nearby.
The 590ha Craigleigh is located 20km west of Bundarra and 65km south of Inverell.
The country comprises softer type granite soils and loams in creek areas rising to hilly grazing areas with rocky outcrops.
The improved pastures, which have had fertiliser annually applied since 2016, are capable of running 165 breeding cows in a normal season.
Situated in an 875mm average annual rainfall region, Craigleigh is watered by the permanent Saveall Creek, seasonal creeks which traverse the property, a solar equipped bore and several dams.
The property has good working improvements and is well fenced, with most of the fencing erected in last four to five years.
The sale of Craigleigh is being handled by Carl Hurford from Nutrien Harcourts and Justin Williamson of Williamson Rural Marketing.
The agents were unable to disclose a price guide, however grazing country in the area has been making between $10,000 and $15,000 per cow area.
Cattle + fodder in NQ
One of the few irrigation farms in North Queensland’s Upper Burdekin is being offered for sale by Slaney & Co.
The 566ha Basalt is 25km from Charters Towers (close to the Lynd Highway) and 150km north-east of Townsville.
Basalt is currently farming Rhodes grass hay and running 100 mixed cattle, with 40 mixed weaners (200 to 300kg) included in the sale.
Situated in a 651mm average annual rainfall region, it features a mix of fertile black and red basalt and alluvial Burdekin River frontage soils, well drained farming land and significant irrigation water.
Basalt farm has 5km of Burdekin River frontage and a 2400ML water entitlement. Construction of the proposed Big Rocks Weir will mean additional, reliable water supply.
Selling agent Henry Slaney believes Basalt will suit a range of buyers including farmers, cattle producers, professionals, business operators and retirees.
Basalt will be auctioned on July 11.
Mixed grazing & farming at Dulacca
An ideal balance of grazing and farming country on Queensland’s western downs will be auctioned on June 29 by Nutrien Harcourts GDL.
Owned by Andrew and Jacqui Coleborn, the 1315ha Myalla and Glenvale (about 2km apart) are situated 6.5km north of Dulacca and 50km north-west of Miles.
The country features quality, soft, self-mulching reddish belah soils and darker soft brigalow soils.
Almost 700ha of previously cultivated country is carrying good stands of buffel across both properties.
Glenvale features Back Creek frontage, with both properties watered by nine dams.
Agent Owen Brockhurst is handling the sale of Myalla and Glenvale which will be auctioned separately on June 29.
EOI for CQ’s Brackenhill extended
Expressions of interest for a Central Queensland cattle irrigation property with residential subdivision potential has been extended to July 13.
The 345ha Brackenhill is situated on the high bank of the Fitzroy River, 20 minutes from Rockhampton and 40 minutes from Yeppoon.
Alexander ‘Bob’ Meldrum, a cattle veterinarian and producer, purchased the river acreage in 1966. For the past 18 years, it has been managed and further developed by his daughters Melissa and Natalie.
The well grassed breeding block has been cleared and sown to improved pastures, including leucaena, that can support 500 cows and calves.
Brackenhill is well-watered by 1.6km of Fitzroy River frontage, 700m of Etna Creek frontage and 11 dams. The extensive pondage pasture is irrigated by a gravity-fed system and supported by supplemented and unsupplemented water allocations.


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Community gardens are a growing trend the world over as little plots pop up in the smallest available spaces in cities; providing fresh produce alongside a sense of community and ownership for those involved.
At UniSA’s Mawson Lakes and City West campuses, communities are coming together as the University’s own garden projects take shape. What began as an idea in the first unijam back in 2013 is now rolling out with staff and students getting involved.
A 500 square metre area has been set aside at Mawson Lakes and last month staff and students got their hands dirty with the first planting of 11 evergreen fruit trees including avocado, lime and orange, along with less common fruits such as guava, tamarillo and white sapote.
Now in the true spirit of community gardening, members of the University community are being invited to take ownership and drive the project moving forward.
David Varga from the campus Facilities Management Unit says his staff have provided the basics including setting up the area with provisions for irrigation, several garden beds and a garden shed, but ultimately it is a blank canvas and how it takes shape will be driven by the community.
“Since unijam it’s been an interesting journey of discovery figuring out the best framework,” Varga said.
“People from across the campus have already shown their interest to get involved – we want an area that people can actually get physically involved in, to get out and dig and plant and manage the space themselves.
“We are taking a phased approach; initially involving the local campus community and if it’s successful, then we can start to invite other user groups in Mawson Lakes who could become involved.”
Program Director from the School of Natural and Built Environments Dr James Ward says the first tree planting on March 9 has provided a community orchard that will grow to be a permanent backbone of the garden space.
“We’ve put all the evergreens along the southern side so that we get good northerly sun during winter and that’s an example of the permaculture thinking behind the layout and design of the space,” Dr Ward said.
“Then the garden bed area which has room to expand will be driven by the community – we are kick-starting the area with four self-watering wicking beds, but ultimately the form of that space will be up to the community to decide.
“We also have a team of students working on interpretation signage this semester as part of the interpretation course in the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree.
“One of the most common groups using the area of lawn in the space are school children who visit the Planetarium who typically go out to have their lunch, so this is where interpretative signage will provide interaction for any visitors to the campus – there are lots of opportunities for descriptive signage that makes the garden an interesting place to learn.
“My hope is that we have some signage that at least describes the types of trees planted and where: i.e. we have tall, evergreen trees at the southern end where they will get plenty of sun year-round without shading out the shorter deciduous trees, and at the northern end we have the vegetable gardens in full sun year-round.
“There could also be signage around the irrigation system, which is run on multiple stations to account for different watering regimes for evergreen and deciduous trees, while the vegetable gardens will be water-efficient wicking beds.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can complete the sign-up sheet outside the NBE office (P1-22, Mawson Lakes) and a ‘Google Group’ has formed with the people who have signed up so far to communicate with each other. Students and staff from across the disciplines are welcome.
“My intention is to see these people establish the governance structure of the group including organising a schedule of meetings, getting the group to figure out who is leading the project, and arranging the initial next phases including commissioning raised garden beds and planting deciduous trees,” Dr Ward said.
The group will work in consultation with FMU to ensure that the development matches the aesthetics of the campus but ultimately it will be the community that manage the garden.
Bachelor of Environmental Science student Amber Michael (pictured right) got involved in the Mawson Lakes garden because she loves gardening, and the project provides a great way to connect with others and have a positive effect on people and in the community.
“It will be a great way to show people they can produce their own food at home that tastes great and is free,” Amber says.
“It’s great for the environment by reducing food miles and packaging, and it makes you feel good too.
“I like that this has been so well thought out and a lot of the things that people find difficult to source or overcome when setting up a community garden have been taken care of; there is a good water source with irrigation systems in place, a future plan set out for garden beds and deciduous trees, and the initial setup and material costs have been covered by the University.”
Post-graduate journalism student Rachael Hakim has written about the project as part of her role writing for the Community Service Learning Project blog, Where Uni Meets Community.
“When I visited the planting day I found the gardens were nothing like I expected - there were exotic fruit trees being planted, not spinach, broccoli, kale and the usual veg - although that will come later.
“I’m keen to follow the garden’s progress and I’m excited to see the response from staff, students and the community. There is so much more to learn than just planting some vegetables.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can sign up via the School of Natural & Built Environments office in person at P1-22, Mawson Lakes, by phone on (08) 8302 3000 or by email at NBEemail@example.com
At City West, an empty concrete space on the rooftop of the Kaurna building is attracting up to 150 staff and students each week to the ‘Community Gardens’ events from 12-1pm featuring catering from local businesses; promoting healthy and sustainable eating.
Tristana Sidoryn from the UniSA Business School said the events are a joint initiative between the UniSA Business School and the School of Art, Architecture and Design.
“The events have been attended each week by 120 to 150 staff and students,” Sidoryn said.
“Along with lunch, we hold structured planting activities involving students and staff, such as setting up wicking beds.
“We are involved in the broader UniSA community gardens project, and essentially have set up this part and then we will be involved in the greening George Street project, and other community gardens at City West campus.
“The events in the rooftop community gardens will be held for a year, and then we will look at extending it to other parts of the University.”
Bachelor of Marketing and Communication student Wael Mili says the weekly events provide the ideal place to take a break.
“The idea of a garden on the roof is unique by itself, you get to plant and enjoy an afternoon with friends and lovely UniSA staff,” Wael says. “I encourage everyone to come along.”
Masters by Research student Peilin Phua says the community gardens event is her favourite midweek event on campus.
“What a great way to catch up with friends and university staff over some hearty food and drinks,” Peilin said.
“It’s a great place to share knowledge about gardening and plants, I didn’t know there were so many different species of basil herb or different applications.”
Anyone in the University community is welcome and can visit Facebook for more information about what’s happening each week.


February is one of those months that I spend indoors cleaning and planning, taking advantage of being cooped up. I downsize for donations, recycle paperwork, review last year’s notes, finalize goals, build my calendar, and what I consider the most enjoyable: ordering seeds and designing my vegetable beds.
It all seems very overwhelming for new homesteaders; planting times, crop rotation, companion planting, spacing, starting seeds indoors, succession planting, zones, pests, fertilizer, soil, raised beds, square foot gardening…the list goes on. Where do you even start? Expectations of success often lead us to be unnecessarily hard on ourselves, but gardening, like many skills, takes practice, wisdom, and experience, which often has moments of failure for clarity and learning.
Getting advice about gardening can also be a trial when every individual has particular preferences, resources, and experience. Your zone, soil, finances, and preferences will be different than others.
Ellen Biddle Shipman, one of the first female landscape architects in the 1930s, said, “Remember that the design of your place is its skeleton upon which you will later plant to make your picture. Keep that skeleton as simple as possible.” So let us simplify!
What type of bed do you have?
Twin, full, queen, king, or a cot in a corner?
What is the size of space you have available to garden in? I highly recommend measuring out your land, then making a graph paper map of it. How much space do you want around the beds? Measure a wheelbarrow width and make sure that you can navigate around. Now sort out how big each bed would be.
When I first started on my homestead, raised beds were the best option for me because I live in wetland territory, and over-saturated areas are not uncommon. Finances also designated how much could be dedicated to building. I designed my garden’s layout first so I could accomplish it long-term in stages. It also allowed me to start simple. I made my beds very close together like sleeping bags at my 14th birthday party, utilizing as much square footage as I could, but I certainly would recommend being a bit more gracious on your mobility.
We started with one raised bed built from leftover corrugated steel, made it tall for ease of movement, and filled up over half with tree logs, sticks, grass clippings, junk topsoil, and then compost and soil. It was a process similar to Hugelkultur. The bed measures about 3’x9′ total, which is a good chunk of space to work with. The photo above is our second year, complete with glorious pallet picket fence and one of the many barrels used for raised bed planting. Franken-farming is how we operate as much as possible to save. You can see some of the many milk jug greenhouses I had set up with native Ohio wildflowers inside. This year I have over 100, including a few vegetables.
Are you comfortable with the bedding?
Although not unfamiliar with horticulture, this was my first homestead with extensive space of my own to grow on my terms outside of small container gardening. I started easy with lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers, keeping what I knew and adding two I had never grown before. Get a feel of your vegetable beds; feel the soil, check moisture retention, and observe how your crops grow. Starting easy by simplifying allows you to evaluate plants easier. Then take steps further the following year.
Lessons in Lettuce
Lettuce is an easy and fast-growing crop for a beginner that provides great lessons.
- Plant seeds in rows 2 weeks apart. This allows for a rotating harvest.
- Easy to harvest greens for immediate meals.
- Loves cooler weather; plants bolting and going to seed as the weather warms up can provide next year’s seeds and give a lesson in seed gathering, heirlooms, and storage.
- Succession planting.
- Great companion plant to onions, carrots, radishes, and basil; also easy plants for a beginner.
- Controlling pests and preferred methods.
Bells & Whistles
There are a lot of great resources out there to assist a novice, but also providing great insight to an expert. Getting the best out of our land for the greater good of our household is a gift much desired.
I really like Clyde’s Garden Planner, which is an inexpensive and wonderful guide. It is easy to use and very helpful. A tool like this helps to time planting succession.
What is your favorite tool or guide?
Some plants, like radishes, lettuce, and spinach, are ready to harvest quickly. These are easy to tuck into areas for fresh produce all season, but what if an entire plot was dedicated to spinach that could then be canned, frozen, or dehydrated for storage? What plans do you have for replacing these?
There is also the switchover for many of us from Spring to Fall crops (depending on your zone). Juggling the choices can be daunting. Radishes are excellent fillers for open spaces.
If I can’t plant tomatoes and peppers until late May, what options are there?
Companion planting is not exclusive to vegetables, but it is something we can witness quite easily compared to trees and shrubs. If starting with lettuce, group onions nearby; add basil to your tomato patch. There are many combinations, but experience will help you to get better acquainted with good neighbors.
Change the Sheets
Updating your layout each year will allow you to make decisions based on what you have learned. Keep a journal of your plants to document your experience and review for the next. Also, note the vegetables you enjoyed vs those that were less than impressive. Taking a step further, you can add quantity of harvest, amount preserved long term, and methods.
Due to my husband being deployed, I am scaling down my garden difficulty. This layout is Butterfly Pea, Tigger Melon, Bush Beans, Chamomile, Borage, and Lemongrass.
Leaning on the gardening experience and wisdom of ladies in my local Chapter has given me a lot of confidence to set aside my fears and dive into new challenges within my homestead. I hope that my lessons and tidbits build up that Community of Friendship with Knowledge; the three goals that evoke so much support and love; which I am grateful for deeply.
I look forward to adventuring in horticulture and other homestead topics with you. What vegetable are you trying new this year? What was your favorite last year? Questions?
Many blessings to your crops!
The Misty Mushroom; Oak Harbor, OH
Educational Coordinator of LHG of Sandusky County
Excellent article and I love how you are pictured wearing your actual gardening clothes. Pics in magazines always show people doing garden tours in dresses with makeup and it is annoying, lol! This is real and lovely.
I appreciate this! I am wearing the Rosie’s Overalls from https://rosiesworkwear.com/, they are a women owned business and the garments are well made. VIP members get a discount, which was one reason I looked them up!
Julie this is excellent!!! I love it !!! You did such a great job . I was trying to figure out how we were going to do our garden this year and you have given me a very good start. Thank you so much!!!!
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish for this year! Keep me posted!
Thank you Wendy! It certainly gives me life to watch others accomplish their gardens and I keep trying to achieve greater goals each year. Much luck!


Growers are stewards of the land. Their passion, livelihood and being depends on caring for our planet—whether that be the soil, air, or water—they know that their actions make a difference for the planet we all call home. We’re highlighting two Trust Protocol growers from opposite regions of the Cotton Belt to learn more about how they strive for continuous improvement for more sustainable cotton production.
Lamont Bridgeforth, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Grower, Alabama
Lamont Bridgeforth has operated Bridgeforth Farms in Alabama full-time for more than two decades, working alongside his father, uncle, and cousins. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in business management from Auburn University in 2001, Lamont immediately returned to the farm bringing with him an understanding of business that helps him operate all aspects. Lamont has a drive for continuous improvement and a love for farming. These attributes are shared among the Bridgeforths—as they work to ensure their learnings can be passed to future generations.
Ted Sheely, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Grower, California
Ted Sheely is a widely recognized farmer, businessman, and leader in the agriculture industry. He’s known for his ability to keep his eyes on the future, carefully plan and meticulously manage his farm’s resources. He has a passion for continual learning, and after graduating from the University of Arizona, he participated in the California Agricultural Leadership Program. He then became president of Azcal Management Company in Lemoore. To further feed his desire for learning, Ted has been active in both Cotton Council International and the National Cotton Council. He received the 2021 Cotton Grower Cotton Achievement Award for his service, impact, and contributions to cotton production and marketing in California and across the country.
Q1. How do you utilize the data you receive as a member of the Trust Protocol in your farming decisions?
Lamont: Farming is becoming increasingly data-driven as the industry has shifted to using verified information to drive sustainable decision making. We use the data we receive from the Trust Protocol to track measurable sustainability outcomes and constantly improve. We take the feedback from the Trust Protocol, along with historical analytics we compile with meteorological data, that allows us to make more informed crop management decisions. For example, we combine this data with our drip irrigation plan to prevent overwatering—so we make the most of every drop. From this, we’ve seen an 80% reduction in our water usage compared to conventional irrigation. We take pride in our innovative approach to adopting the latest technology, such as precision agriculture systems, irrigation monitoring and GPS mapping to maximize the efficiency and sustainability of our operations.
Ted: One of the primary reasons I joined the Trust Protocol is because of the data we receive as growers. This data empowers us to continuously identify areas for improvement and focus our efforts accordingly. The more sustainable we are—the healthier our soils are, our inputs are reduced, our energy efficiency improves, which results in more sustainably grown cotton. We are always working to be forward-thinking and considering how we can improve our growing practices. I may be known to drive around with a shovel and soil probe in my vehicle because I’m constantly checking our soil. I’m in my fields every day keeping track of our plants, soil, moisture levels, insect activity, to help ensure our crops are healthy, productive, and only receiving what they need when they need it.
Q2. As a cotton grower, in what ways has technology helped you improve your environmental stewardship practices?
Lamont: We are continually using technology and science-based methods to increase the productivity of our farm. We work to use our natural resources as efficiently as possible, and I think this has helped our farm survive what Mother Nature sends our way—everything from drought to tornadoes. For example, we use drip irrigation and monitor soil moisture levels to conserve water that would have evaporated if applied on the soil surface. We also use analytics to compile historical and meteorological data to prevent overwatering. As the agriculture industry continues to change based on available technology, farming will become even more of a data-driven science, and we’ll continue to incorporate this into our practices.
Ted: We use technology to increase efficiency, boost production, and maximize productivity for greater sustainability. Part of striving for continuous improvement is being open to learning from my peers about how to best use available technologies and strategies. I had the opportunity to meet another cotton grower from Mississippi, who many considered a pioneer in our industry. I learned about a project he was working on with the Department of Agriculture and NASA, known as the USDA/NASA Ag 20/20 Program. The goal of the program was to accelerate the use of remote sensing and geospatial technology on-farm to help increase agriculture’s productivity, reduce crop production risks, and improve environmental stewardship tools for agricultural production. For me it made sense to try these technologies in California where it’s sunny for most of the summer to prove how effective these technologies are. We have also used monitoring equipment placed strategically in our fields to evaluate our water usage. We found that we were not over or underwatering; however, the duration between waterings was too long to maximize the value of our system. To address this, we added another piece of technology to help control the irrigation valves and pumps. This reduced variability, increased our yield, and reduced our costs.
Q3. What growing practices have you adopted on your farm to be more sustainable?
Lamont: Our farm is managed with strip-tillage and uses a subsurface drip irrigation system and soil moisture monitoring equipment. Strip-tillage is a form of conservation tillage that helps slow wind and water movement, which reduces erosion and helps retain moisture within the soil. We use drip irrigation and carefully monitor soil moisture levels to conserve as much water as possible. We also grow cover crops to boost soil health and manage weeds.
Ted: In an environment where water impacts almost every decision we make, it’s important to use our water as efficiently as possible. All our acres are drip irrigated and we can put on as little as an inch of water and spread it around quickly. With the accuracy of our drip irrigation system, we are able to increase our yields—meaning we are growing more cotton on the same amount of land. We also use cover crops to protect the soil. Cover crops are beneficial because they help reduce soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and soil quality. They also help manage water, weeds, pests, and disease, and promote biodiversity.
Q4. What do you view as keys to your success as a sustainable grower?
Lamont: My family’s cooperation, perseverance, and passion are key to our success. We are always working to be more creative and adaptable in order to continue responding to challenges. We are passionate about sustainability, our community, the agriculture industry, and the planet. We will pass down what we’ve learned to the next generation and will teach them the importance of continuous improvement because we want to leave not only our farm, but the planet, in better shape for future generations.
Ted: I think that my willingness to learn, adapt, and cooperate is a key to success. In agriculture, we are affected by a myriad of issues from inflation to weather conditions—so it is crucial to continuously learn and grow. I always urge growers, especially younger generations, to get involved in the industry. I’ve met so many wonderful people this way. Many of us in the industry have similar goals and concerns. My involvement allows me to share my knowledge with other growers and learn from them to implement more sustainable practices. I pass down my practices and what I’ve learned to my children, who are all landowners and part of our operation. I am learning from my children too–one of my sons runs the technology side of our operation. I’m big on planning and want to make sure that the younger generations can take over the farm someday if they want to.


Webinar on the Plant Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe
On 21 January 2022, the Strategy was presented to the ECPGR Steering Committee in a webinar.
The Plant Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe – developed over three years in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders in the context of the EU-funded GenRes Bridge project – aims to enhance the long-term conservation and enable the sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
In this webinar held on 21 January 2022, the Strategy was presented to the ECPGR Steering Committee
Marianne Lefort, Chair, ECPGR Executive Committee
Lorenzo Maggioni, Secretary, ECPGR
Theo van Hintum, Centre for Genetic Resources (CGN), The Netherlands


Home \ Brands Served \ Attachments for John Deere Agriculture \ Augers for John Deere Agriculture Augers for John Deere Agriculture Premier earth augers for John Deere Agriculture tractors have the quality and craftsmanship to get the job done right. We design our earth auger attachments to go well beyond just being compatible. We make sure they will work just as hard and be just as reliable as the equipment on which they are mounted. No other tool can unlock the power and potential of your tractor like a Premier earth auger. When attached to a John Deere Agriculture tractor, Premier earth augers have the durability to handle even the toughest digging conditions. You can drill holes from sunup to sundown for posts, planting, etc. without leaving the tractor’s seat. Premier’s hydraulic earth auger attachments are also much safer and simpler to use than the traditional 3 point PTO systems. No matter how large or small your operation, a Premier earth auger and John Deere Agriculture tractor are an unbeatable combination you can count on for your next project. Check out our tractor augers section for more information.


BVD infection still circulating in NI
There was an increase in the number of animals that tested positive for BVD during post-mortem examinations in NI last year, according to new figures from AFBI.
Sean Fee from AFBI said that the annual total had been reducing since the start of the compulsory BVD programme in 2016, but last year’s increase shows that the virus is still circulating on local farms.
“Almost 80% of the BVD virus positive cases occurred in the final quarter of 2020 from October to December, and of these final quarter positive cases, just over 46% were pneumonia cases,” he said.
Animals that test positive for BVD at post-mortem can be either transiently infected or persistently infected with the virus.
Transiently infected animals pick BVD up after birth and usually recover, whereas persistently infected animals are infected in early pregnancy and shed the virus throughout their life.
New rapid phosphate test for soils
A new test for phosphate levels in soils which delivers results within 20 minutes is being developed by scientists at Rothamsted Research in England.
The test kit, which was produced by Cornwall-based firm Vital Spark Creative, can be used under field conditions.
“You put a small soil sample into the bottle and mix it with an extraction solution before passing it through a filter,” said the firm’s director Chris Booker.
“You then add various chemicals to get the final result, which is analysed in a colorimeter so the result is easy to read,” he added.
Work is ongoing to get the test available on the commercial market and further research is planned to produce tailored fertiliser recommendations for different crops and soil types.
UFU urges growers to plan ahead
Cereal growers in NI should plan ahead and place orders with merchants well ahead of planting this autumn, the UFU has advised.
In a statement, the union said that along with representatives from Fane Valley, Agrii and DBS Farm Supplies, it was still seeking clarity from DEFRA and DAERA officials on autumn seed availability from Britain.
Under the terms of the NI Protocol, seed must be inspected and a phytosanitary certificate issued before it can move from a third country (Britain) into the EU regulatory zone, which includes NI.
“While the current regulations allow for movement, it is vital that due to the limited seed selection farmers plan ahead and place orders now with their merchants. With forward planning, the UFU and trade representatives are hopeful seed ordered and placed in the system should be delivered on time,” said UFU deputy president William Irvine.
UK tractor registrations see 75% increase
There was a 75% increase in the number of new tractors registered in the UK during May 2021 when compared to the same month last year.
The latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers’ Associaton (AEA) show that 1,103 new tractor registrations were recorded last month.
“With the market facing disruptions due to COVID-19 a year ago, it is no surprise that UK agricultural tractor registrations in May 2021 were higher than they had been 12 months previously,” said Stephen Howarth from AEA.
However, the figure for May 2021 is still slightly higher than normal and runs 10% above the five-year average for the month.
In the first five months of the 2021, there have been 5,371 new tractors registered in the UK. This is 21% higher than the same period in 2020 and is up 7% on the five-year average.
£3m donation to Scottish farm charity


Author ORCID Identifier
Year of Publication
Master of Science (MS)
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Animal and Food Sciences
Dr. Rachel Schendel
Dr. David Harmon
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is used in the United States as a source of CBD oil, fiber, and grain. While hempseeds are consumed whole or as dehulled hemp hearts, hempseed oil is also a desirable seed oil in human nutrition. The process of collecting hempseed oil leaves behind hempseed cakes that are abundant in protein and fiber. Feeding of hempseed cakes to animals, including ruminants, has only initially been explored. Extraction of CBD from hemp inflorescences generates organic waste that may find a second purpose as a fiber feed for cattle. Little is known about the exact fiber composition of hempseed or hemp inflorescences. Certain polymers are expected in the cell wall of dicotyledonous plants like hemp such as cellulose, xyloglucans, xylans, mannans, pectins, and lignin. Structural variation in the exact degree of branching and substitution types exist between plant species and tissue types, and these differences have impacts on interactions within the wall.
To characterize the cell wall polysaccharides of hempseeds, water-insoluble and water-soluble cell wall material was isolated from the ground and defatted, whole hempseeds (2SO4) hydrolysis and methanolysis, were employed to release monosaccharides which were separated and detected with HPAEC-PAD. Linkage types in the polysaccharides were determined by the generation and analysis of partially methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs) with GC-MS and GC-FID. Targeted enzymatic screenings were conducted to release xyloglucan oligosaccharides and pectic arabinans and galactans which were consequently analyzed with HPAEC-PAD/MS and HPAEC-PAD, respectively. Acetyl bromide soluble lignin was determined spectrophotometrically. Then, insoluble cell wall material was used as substrate in an experiment using the ANKOM DaisyII system to evaluate in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) with rumen inoculum. Intact and CBD-extracted inflorescences from two hemp cultivars were analyzed for their monosaccharide composition with Saeman hydrolysis and methanolysis, and their linkage types were assessed via the generation and analysis of PMAAs.
The analyses revealed an abundance of cellulose and xylans in the hempseed cell wall. Mannans, pectins, and xyloglucans were also identified. Xyloglucans in the hempseed cell wall were less substituted in the insoluble material than in the water-soluble material. Arabinans from hempseeds were both branched and linear, and the ABSL content of the hempseeds was 17.0 ± 1.0%. Fermentation of the insoluble hempseed cell wall material yielded an IVTD of 36.02 ± 2.91% after 48 hours. Analysis of hemp inflorescences revealed the same polysaccharide components, but a much smaller proportion of xylans and a larger proportion of arabinans. While co-extraction with supercritical CO2 and ethanol may have removed some pectins, it seems that cultivar has a greater impact on the polysaccharide profile of hemp inflorescences than the CBD extraction process. While resistant to microbial digestion, hempseed is fiber-rich and warrants further research in vivo to investigate its integration into ruminant diets and an exploration of the fiber impact on the human gut microbiome.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Agbana, Miranda, "PROFILING THE CELL WALL POLYSACCHARIDES OF HEMP (CANNABIS SATIVA L.) INFLORESCENCE AND HEMPSEED AND EXPLORING THEIR APPLICATION AS RUMINANT FEED INGREDIENTS" (2023). Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences. 147.


Co-founder & Director
Ashwini has over 20 years of experience in working with rural communities. He has been instrumental in developing robust community institutions, promoting sustainable agriculture through agroecology, and regenerative and agriculture, etc. and has supported in establishing inclusive community-based enterprises across agri-horti-ntfp-livestock sectors, through public-private-community partnerships for economic well-being of communities and initiating a process for food system transformation.
He has worked extensively in India and Bangladesh and has been actively involved in developing enterprise promotion strategies and inclusive business models through a gender inclusive, environment friendly, market responsive value chain-based approach.
He has led and supported multiple assignments for The World Bank, GIZ, DFID, IFAD, JICA, GAIN, FAO, The Nudge Institute, SWISSAID, and SWISSCONTACT etc. He is trained as a CII-certified Sustainability Assessor to assess the operations of business entities from the lens of sustainability and is trained to use FAO’s Rural Invest tool which aids in preparation of Investment (Business) Plans.