I dont believe everything I read or hear and tend to experiment with a lot of ideas. This guy likes to do the same, but I have to say he is doing a much better job of testing garden assumptions. If you have ever wondered about the efficacy of things like coffee grounds, Epsom salts, or rock dust, heres the place to see for yourself what you might expect.
Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts
Testing Garden Assumptions
Labels:
2,
2015,
Aqua,
assumptions,
compost,
dwc,
garden,
hydroponic,
hydroponics,
kratky,
method,
my,
spring,
tea,
testing,
tomatoes
I dont believe everything I read or hear and tend to experiment with a lot of ideas. This guy likes to do the same, but I have to say he is doing a much better job of testing garden assumptions. If you have ever wondered about the efficacy of things like coffee grounds, Epsom salts, or rock dust, heres the place to see for yourself what you might expect.
Buying Healthy Food
Buying healthy food is becoming quite a challenge. It may surprise you to know that even baking powder can contain GMO. At the bottom is a list of ingredients to be wary of from
http://responsibletechnology.org/ShoppingTips-2013.pdf?key=35730635
Studies in cell research have demonstrated the mechanism by which micro RNA from genetically engineered foods may alter organ function in humans. This means that these studies have found that micro RNA can attach to the receptor sites of our DNA!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3351922/
Several stores have good reputations for selling Non-GMO. Whole Foods and Costco should be praised for their efforts. But just because the package says Organic you may still be buying GM food. This is because some foods come from China where there is no testing. But in an exploratory fashion, Whole Foods Store goes the extra step by testing those foods!
Im have mostly negative feelings about buying seeds from Seminis because even though they claim to sell Non-GMO seeds they are a subsidiary of Monsanto. My preference is to avoid putting any money in Monsantos pockets. On the other hand if Seminis does well it may wake Monsanto to the fact that we prefer not to be poisoned. Imagine that!
Another reason to avoid buying from corporations like Seminis is they sell hybrid seeds. These seeds are protected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or by the USDA’s Plant Variety Protection Office. This means you can not and would not want to use the offspring seeds from your crop. While you may not plan to use the seeds you are still supporting world wide ownership of our food supply when you buy from a company that restricts further use of the seeds. Buying seeds from a company such as Redwood Seed Company ensures the seed you plant are open pollinated (OP) so you too can save your own seeds. Redwood encourages their customers to save seeds and even goes so far as to offer free classes about how to do it! I like people who share and would prefer to see them excell because of their fearless trust in mankind and their product.
So heres the list. Some of these may sound kinda strange. Like baking powder. I never knew it has corn starch in it. As you can see GM comes in many products you might never suspect. Right near the top is aspartame. It contains phenylalanine which may be manufactured with the aid of genetically modified micro-organisms (escherichia coli). This process has been used industrially in the USA for many years.
There are so many things that weve been lead to believe are good for us. Well they may be, but if they are the product of GM, then we really need to know. Would you have questioned vitamin B12, vitamin E, isoflavones or lysine?
(also called
AminoSweet®, NutraS-weet®,
Equal Spoonful®,
Canderel®,
BeneVia®, E951)
baking powder
canola oil
(rapeseed oil)
caramel color
cellulose
citric acid
cobalamin (vit B12)
colorose
condensed milk
confectioners sugar
corn flour
corn masa
corn meal
corn oil
corn sugar
corn syrup
cornstarch
cottonseed oil
cyclodextrin
cystein
dextrin
dextrose
diacetyl
diglyceride
erythritol
Equal
food starch
fructose (any form)
glucose
glutamate
glutamic acid
glycerides
glycerin
glycerol
glycerol monooleate
glycine
hemicellulose
high fructose corn syrup
(HFCS)
hydrogenated starch
hydrolyzed vegetable
protein
inositol
inverse syrup
inversol
invert sugar
isoflavones
lactic acid
lecithin
leucine
lysine
malitol
malt
malt syrup
malt
extract
maltodextrin
maltose
mannitol
methylcellulose
milk powder
milo starch
modified food starch
modified starch
mono and diglycerides
monosodium
glutamate (MSG)
Nutrasweet
oleic acid
Phenylalanine
phytic acid
protein isolate
shoyu
sorbitol
soy flour
soy isolates
soy lecithin
soy milk
soy oil
soy protein
soy protein isolate
soy sauce
starch
stearic acid
sugar (unless cane sugar)
tamari
tempeh
teriyaki marinades
textured
vegetable
protein
threonine
tocopherols (vit E)
tofu
trehalose
triglyceride
vegetable fat
vegetable oil
vitamin B12
vitamin E
whey
whey powder
xanthan
gum
Popcorn is NOT GM
Read More..
http://responsibletechnology.org/ShoppingTips-2013.pdf?key=35730635
Studies in cell research have demonstrated the mechanism by which micro RNA from genetically engineered foods may alter organ function in humans. This means that these studies have found that micro RNA can attach to the receptor sites of our DNA!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3351922/
Several stores have good reputations for selling Non-GMO. Whole Foods and Costco should be praised for their efforts. But just because the package says Organic you may still be buying GM food. This is because some foods come from China where there is no testing. But in an exploratory fashion, Whole Foods Store goes the extra step by testing those foods!
Im have mostly negative feelings about buying seeds from Seminis because even though they claim to sell Non-GMO seeds they are a subsidiary of Monsanto. My preference is to avoid putting any money in Monsantos pockets. On the other hand if Seminis does well it may wake Monsanto to the fact that we prefer not to be poisoned. Imagine that!
Another reason to avoid buying from corporations like Seminis is they sell hybrid seeds. These seeds are protected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or by the USDA’s Plant Variety Protection Office. This means you can not and would not want to use the offspring seeds from your crop. While you may not plan to use the seeds you are still supporting world wide ownership of our food supply when you buy from a company that restricts further use of the seeds. Buying seeds from a company such as Redwood Seed Company ensures the seed you plant are open pollinated (OP) so you too can save your own seeds. Redwood encourages their customers to save seeds and even goes so far as to offer free classes about how to do it! I like people who share and would prefer to see them excell because of their fearless trust in mankind and their product.
So heres the list. Some of these may sound kinda strange. Like baking powder. I never knew it has corn starch in it. As you can see GM comes in many products you might never suspect. Right near the top is aspartame. It contains phenylalanine which may be manufactured with the aid of genetically modified micro-organisms (escherichia coli). This process has been used industrially in the USA for many years.
Another wake up call about ascorbic acid – it is synthesized from corn syrup. - See more at: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/is-your-vitamin-c-the-real-deal-or-a-gmo-wannabe/#sthash.j4uUQjaA.dpuf
Another wake up call is ascorbic acid. I never would have guessed it is synthesized from corn syrup. The problem with this unnatural Vitamin C is that is not discriminatory in its anti-microbial abilities as it also wipes out good bacteria or probiotics in the gut. Whole foods based vitamin C does not harm beneficial intestinal bacteria in the same way as synthetic vitamin C does.There are so many things that weve been lead to believe are good for us. Well they may be, but if they are the product of GM, then we really need to know. Would you have questioned vitamin B12, vitamin E, isoflavones or lysine?
Another wake up call about ascorbic acid – it is synthesized from corn syrup. - See more at: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/is-your-vitamin-c-the-real-deal-or-a-gmo-wannabe/#sthash.j4uUQjaA.dpuf
ascorbic acid (vit C) Aspartame (also called
AminoSweet®, NutraS-weet®,
Equal Spoonful®,
Canderel®,
BeneVia®, E951)
baking powder
canola oil
(rapeseed oil)
caramel color
cellulose
citric acid
cobalamin (vit B12)
colorose
condensed milk
confectioners sugar
corn flour
corn masa
corn meal
corn oil
corn sugar
corn syrup
cornstarch
cottonseed oil
cyclodextrin
cystein
dextrin
dextrose
diacetyl
diglyceride
erythritol
Equal
food starch
fructose (any form)
glucose
glutamate
glutamic acid
glycerides
glycerin
glycerol
glycerol monooleate
glycine
hemicellulose
high fructose corn syrup
(HFCS)
hydrogenated starch
hydrolyzed vegetable
protein
inositol
inverse syrup
inversol
invert sugar
isoflavones
lactic acid
lecithin
leucine
lysine
malitol
malt
malt syrup
malt
extract
maltodextrin
maltose
mannitol
methylcellulose
milk powder
milo starch
modified food starch
modified starch
mono and diglycerides
monosodium
glutamate (MSG)
Nutrasweet
oleic acid
Phenylalanine
phytic acid
protein isolate
shoyu
sorbitol
soy flour
soy isolates
soy lecithin
soy milk
soy oil
soy protein
soy protein isolate
soy sauce
starch
stearic acid
sugar (unless cane sugar)
tamari
tempeh
teriyaki marinades
textured
vegetable
protein
threonine
tocopherols (vit E)
tofu
trehalose
triglyceride
vegetable fat
vegetable oil
vitamin B12
vitamin E
whey
whey powder
xanthan
gum
Popcorn is NOT GM
Kratky Method DWC Compost Tea Hydroponics 2 Hydroponic Tomatoes
Labels:
2,
2015,
Aqua,
compost,
dwc,
experiment,
garden,
hydroponic,
hydroponics,
inexpensive,
kratky,
led,
method,
my,
spring,
tea,
tomatoes
I have considered conducting this same experiment. After skipping ahead to #5 it appears that using synthetic fertilizer won out over compost tea.
It only makes sense if you believe the vast amount of research that has been done around formulas.
Here are the formulas Ive been able to collect from https://hydro-gardens.com/product-category/fertilizers/chemgro/
Tomato Formula 4-18-38
Dutch Tomato Varieties
Seedlings
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 4-18-38
1.14 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.5
Conductivity 1200ppm + Source water
(1.60 mhos + Source Water) at 2nd cluster of flowers
To 4th Flower Cluster
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 4-18-38
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.2
Conductivity 1500ppm + Source water
(2.00 mhos + Source Water) at 4th cluster of flowers
Older Plants
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 4-18-38
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.2
Conductivity 1500ppm + Source water
(2.27 mhos + Source Water)
Heirloom Tomatoes may find this formula a bit too high in nitrogen so some experimentation will be required.
Chem-Gro makes several fertilizers.
Below are formulas that balance NPK and nutrients specifically for different crops.
Tomato Formula 4-18-38
Strawberry Formula 8-12-32
Lettuce Formula 8-15-36
Cucumber Formula 8-16-36
Pepper and Herb Formula 11-11-40
Hobby Formula 10-8-22
Southern Vegetable Formula 7-14-36
Hydroponic Special Formula 5-11-26
Strawberry Formula 8-12-32
After Transplanting
1.14 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-12-32
1.14 gm/gal CaNO3
0.71 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.5 - 6.8
Flowers Begin To Open
1.70 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-12-32
1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.5 - 6.8
Lettuce Formula 8-15-36
Seedlings
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-15-36
1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.4 - 6.7
1350 ppm + Source Water
1.80 mhos + Source Water
Mature Plants
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-15-36
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.41 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.0 - 6.5
1575 ppm + Source Water
2.10 mhos + Source Water
Cucumber Formula 8-16-36
Seedlings
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-16-36
1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.4 - 6.7
1350 ppm + Source Water
1.80 mhos + Source Water
Mature Plants
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-16-36
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.42 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.4 - 6.7
1570 ppm + Source Water
2.20 mhos + Source Water
Pepper and Herb Formula 11-11-40
Seedlings
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-40
1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.2 - 6.5
1350 ppm + Source Water
1.60 mhos + Source Water
Mature Plants
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-40
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.41 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 5.8 - 6.2
1500 ppm + Source Water
2.20 mhos + Source Water
Hobby Formula 10-8-22
Seedlings
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 10-8-22
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.2 - 6.5
800 ppm + Source Water
1.07 mhos + Source Water
Mature Plants
4.54 gm/gal Chem-Gro 10-8-22
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.2 - 6.5
1500 ppm + Source Water
2.00 mhos + Source Water
Southern Vegetable Formula 7-14-36
Seedlings
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 7-14-36
1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.4 - 6.7
1375 ppm + Source Water
1.83 mhos + Source Water
Mature Plants
2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 7-14-36
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.41 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = 6.0 - 6.5
1575 ppm + Source Water
2.10 mhos + Source Water
Hydroponic Special Formula 5-11-26
Seedlings
2.84 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-26
1.14 gm/gal CaNO3
0.57 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = Adjust to your crop
1350 ppm + Source Water
1.80 mhos + Source Water
Mature Plants
2.84 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-40
2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
pH = Adjust to your crop
1570 ppm + Source Water
2.20 mhos + Source Water
Summer is the Time to Plant Winter Squash!
Winter squash takes about three months to mature. For a September harvest its time to plant!
Remember squash are heavy feeders so add plenty of compost below and around each plant
Time to choose your brassicas for late summer planting.
Read More..
Time to choose your brassicas for late summer planting.
Water Rules for Chico CA
Labels:
2,
Aqua,
assumptions,
ca,
chico,
compost,
dwc,
for,
garden,
hydroponic,
hydroponics,
kratky,
method,
rules,
tea,
testing,
tomatoes,
water
Lawn watering restricted to three days a week.
Odd numbered addresses: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
Even numbered addresses, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
No lawn watering on Monday
• No watering from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except by drip irrigation, microsprayers or by hand.
• New homes need to have drip irrigation for landscaping.
•Water should not flow to non-irrigated surfaces, like sidewalks or into the gutter.
• When watering, water should not run off the landscaping.
• When washing cars, the hose needs to have a shut-off nozzle.
• Water features such as fountains need to recirculate.
• No watering outdoors within 48 hours of a measurable amount of rain.
• No watering or refilling ornamental lakes or ponds except to sustain existing aquatic life.
For the past few years I have been actively experimenting with many water conservative method of gardening. I have built experimental gardens which I enjoy sharing with others.
If you are interested seeing a variety of water saving ideas, and wish to visit my gardens send me a message on Facebook - bob.campbell.chico
Some of my gardens can be scaled up to commercial size while others are appropriate for apartment balconies.
Read More..
Odd numbered addresses: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
Even numbered addresses, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
No lawn watering on Monday
• No watering from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except by drip irrigation, microsprayers or by hand.
• New homes need to have drip irrigation for landscaping.
•Water should not flow to non-irrigated surfaces, like sidewalks or into the gutter.
• When watering, water should not run off the landscaping.
• When washing cars, the hose needs to have a shut-off nozzle.
• Water features such as fountains need to recirculate.
• No watering outdoors within 48 hours of a measurable amount of rain.
• No watering or refilling ornamental lakes or ponds except to sustain existing aquatic life.
For the past few years I have been actively experimenting with many water conservative method of gardening. I have built experimental gardens which I enjoy sharing with others.
If you are interested seeing a variety of water saving ideas, and wish to visit my gardens send me a message on Facebook - bob.campbell.chico
Some of my gardens can be scaled up to commercial size while others are appropriate for apartment balconies.
Easy Tea Brewer
Last year I build a compost tea brewer that created a vortex. Time has taught me a few things and today I rebuilt the brewer to make the whole operation a lot easier.
The whole vortex thing is impressive and fun to watch but I really dont see the benefit. If you are into the mystical power of vortex then this design is not your cup of tea (Like the pun?)
Once the tea was made transporting to the garden became a choir that I disliked so much that the tea would often sit too long and ended up being wasted. The trick was to make clean tea that I could pump through a hose to the garden beds. Experiments showed me that simply placing the compost in a strainer bag did not let sufficient water flow through the bag.
This new design uses an airlift pump to recirculate the tea water through a strainer bag filled with compost. The airlift adds plenty of aeration to the tea.
I built this from parts I had around and will change the 3/4" pipe going to the bag to a 2" pipe for even better flow. A PVC Slip Coupling on this pipe holds the bag in place with the zip tie just above the coupling.
I also cut the container down to a depth that I can comfortably reach the bottom of. Cleaning the 33" tall 55 gallon drum was quite difficult and messy since I had to place my head an shoulders into the drum in order to scrub it out.
Im running the new design for the first time right now. Cleanup will be easy as removing the bag of compost and wiping out the barrel. Distribution will be done with a high powered sump pump. I will be able to spray full strength tea on my plants and water them with an abundance of active microbes.
With this easy brewer I will be far more likely to brew very often.
For those who are looking carefully at the photos you may have noticed the 2" pipe connects through the bottom. This adds stability to the pipes. I might not have done this except the original design used this hole to create the vortex. It think it is a good idea and may even replace the cap that I put on to seal the bottom with a 2" valve in case I should ever want to drain the barrel from the bottom.
Most of these pipes are not glued so they all come apart easily for cleaning.
After using this design I saw a way easily increase the flow so I extended the air lift all the way to the ground. This design works just as well and turned out to be even quieter than the previous design. Cleanup is not significantly more difficult so I will keep these changes, In fact it is so easy that I would not have any trouble making tea every day.
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