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Trials and Tribulations
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asbury organic gardens
1104 asbury ave · evanston il
trials & tribulations (and corrections)
This is my first attempt at gardening on this scale. So far, I'm happy with the overall progress, however, not everything is as prosperous as it could be.
But of course, being an engineer (and a man), I rarely follow directions on the package. Given the 70-some seed packs, I'd say the trial and error approach was a time effective strategy (plus, I've probably actually learned more this way... my attempts to justify the "no-direction-reading" method).
So for your benefit (if you're following along at home) and mine (lest I forget past mistakes), I'm documenting failures, setbacks, and minor annoyances.
This section will also include news on agriculture, energy, food and economics.
Cinco de Mayo
Outgrowing the Nest
Some plants (like peas shown above) are ready for transplant, but the possibility of frost persists. The low-nutrient peat and constriction on the roots are probably slowing growth, but rather than transplant 30-some seedlings for 6 days, we'll plant directly into the garden this coming Sunday. They should really take off after that.
Peat pots are also starting to biodegrade, but they'll hold together for a few more days.
Beans and peas are shadowing slower growing flowers, herbs, and veggies. I've moved some of the taller plants with large canopies to the back (north) side of the sink.
5.2.08
Chaos in the Markets
International food markets are exploding along with prices. Food riots have broken out from Italy to Haiti. Costco and Sam's Club have been rationing rice in the US.
A barrel of crude oil averaged $23 in 2001 and today stands at $116 and rising. Industrial agriculture cannot operate without huge petro-energy inputs, thus wheat futures have more than doubled in the past year.
Along with rising costs and increased demand, these commodity price increases are also largely due to the deflating dollar and rampant speculation. The same artificial demand that fueled the dot-com, real estate and stock market (still to burst) bubbles has spiked food costs beyond the means of those already living on the edge. Everything from college sports to global food supplies are now gamed in an economic system that declares Warren Buffet's right to "earn" another billion supersedes a poor person's right to affordable food. This is madness.
But it is all justified by the system's creators because, according to their neo-classical economic theory, the super-rich shall trickle down upon the masses. After nearly thirty years of declining wages, increased poverty and a massive shift of wealth to the already wealthy, the only miracle is that anyone still buys into this thoroughly debunked fairy-tale. The great unraveling that has begun can be easily traced back to those who for decades have been meddling in the economics and politics of sovereign states for their own self-interest (more on neo-liberal trade and its effects here).
I digress...
Meanwhile, corn, cropland, forests, oil and water are being diverted to produce auto & jet fuel. Compounding the problems, many areas are having terrible growing conditions this spring... too cool, too wet.
Decentralized organic growing looks more imperative every day. You can learn more about the issues here and here.
5.1.08
A couple of weeks ago, our neighbors reminded me of the "mosquito abatement district", which is basically a program of spraying a chemical pesticide on all vegetation to kill off the insects. Not something we'd like to eat.
With a call to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, I was able to prevent the spraying of our yard. I asked the neighbors to do the same. If you live in the area and want to prevent your yard from being sprayed, the number for the NSMAD is 847.446.9434.
4.28.08
While about 95% of seeds have germinated, some have failed sporadically, and others entirely (eg: 2 snow pea plants out of 4 have germinated, while zero of 5 Vervian Blue have come up). What's up with that?
Consulting the culture guides provided by Johnny's Seeds on the package backs, I see I've made a few mistakes. Here's what they were (and what I did about it... being April 28, we still have time):
Snow Sweet Peas (pea1): 2/4 plants started. It appears I cultured these properly. It's possible that these containers got flagged but not seeded. I put two peas in each pot (no pun intended) that did not start.
Fortex (bn5): 2/4 plants started. Same deal as peas above.
Jade (bn3): 0/4 plants started. This plant likes warmer soil temps. I replanted all four peat pots. These peas should also be inoculated... need to find out with what...
Rosemary (rosem): Two tiny sprouts after 20 days. This plant likes cool (50-60 degree) temperatures and has a low germination rate. Seeds also require light for germination, meaning, leave them on top of the soil. I put three more seeds in each container, on peat surface.
Blue Vervain (verv): 0/5 plants started. This plant requires stratification (cold temps) prior to germination. Also requires light (leave seeds on soil's surface). Replanted seeds and refrigerated for seven days (remove on May 7).
Bobo Blue (bobo): Several plants started, but small and weak. This plant requires light (leave seeds on soil's surface). Replanted seeds on surface.
Chantilly Deep Orange (snap): Requires light for germination... but no seeds left... maybe next year.
Animation Cognac (anim): Requires light for germination... replanted on surface (note to self: in snap containers).
Cohosh (coh): 0/5 plants started. Plant directly into soil, seeds sprout the following spring. Will plant directly in two weeks.
That's all for now. On the bright side, the vast majority have germinated and are thriving... today's pics here.
What I did right when planting seeds:
Effective labeling and logging system... without it, I'd be lost. My old memory won't hold that much data, plus, as a novice, other than the herbs, I wouldn't know what I was looking at as plants came up. Be sure to create a good spreadsheet or other tracking method for your seedlings, and of course, label all the plants. Even if you're only starting a few, there's a good chance that over the course of a few weeks, something will get moved.
Also, storing the seed packs in a logical system saves loads of time and aggravation. I go by type (herb, veggie, etc.), then alphabetically according to my plant schedule, bound with rubber bands. Simple but effective.
Stay tuned for more experiments in organic gardening.