1.31.10
January 31, 2010
Yes! It's dirt under the fingernails time again! The onion seeds have been planted and are now sitting pretty on grow mats under lights. This is my first time planting onion from seed, I've always bought plants before. Half went into a 50/50 mix of perlite and peat and half went into a 40/40/20 mix of perlite/peat/farm soil. We'll see what comes up. I sure do hope they end up looking as nice as the ones pictured above!
All the seeds are in, minus a few on backorder. All I have to do now is wait until the time is right to start them.
Went way overboard on tomatoes – no surprise there…but with names like Zapotec Pleated, Orange Strawberry, Purple Smudge, Persimmon, Pink Grapefruit, Martian Giant, Aunt Ruby’s German Green and so on – what’s a tomato junkie to do?
Also trying artichokes this year – there is a variety that can bear in one year – an annual up here in the not always frozen North – unless maybe I can grow one in a big pot and overwinter it, hmm…
1.13.10
January 13, 2010
A new year and a new season just around the corner. This year I am ordering my seed early - well earlier than I have in the past and yahoo - only two out of stock items out of all the seed I ordered. Still have to order the potatoes but then all I have do is sit back and wait for the seeds to show up at my doorstep.
I'm trying a few new things this year - starting onion from seed (and ordering onion plants too - I don't want to get too cocky), going to try annual artichokes, and of course I am on my now annual quest to successfully grow broccoli and cauliflower.
A few of my favorites are no longer carried by my usual suppliers but thank heavens for the internet. There are a number of small seed houses out there that carry off the beaten track stuff and I stumbled across a number of intriguing seed varieties while I was tracking down Wadenswiler Kraut cabbage, Brown Golding romaine, and Green Pineapple tomatoes.
New seed sources this year include: Diane's Flowers, Trade Winds Fruit, Garden of Cures, and Wild Garden Seed. Shawnee is a fan of Southern Exposure seed so check them out too. This year potatoes will come from Roniger's - a huge selection of organically grown certified seed.
Most seed for this year is coming from Fedco, Johnny's, Abundant Life, Seeds of Change, Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange, and Territorial. I'm repeating a lot of last year's varieties but of course a fell in love with some new varieties of tomatoes and peppers and was not able to resist their siren call.
We are now eating our way through last year's harvest - potatoes, carrots, winter squash and pumpkins, spaghetti squash, sweet and hot peppers, beets, asparagus, home canned pickles, cabbage, homemade sauerkraut, dry beans and snap beans, eggplant, onions, garlic (I love garlic...), tomato sauce - I mean really - how fortunate can one person be?
So, seeds are ordered, I'm eating my way through the winter stock (did I mention how incredibly good the Purple Rain carrots are? not to mention the White Satin and Amarillo carrots...), listening to my Synister Dane CD (http://www.synisterdane.com/home.html), and plunging head first into political activism.
So, great vegan veggies - great activist musis, and a world to fix! Yep - life is good.
11.23.09
November 23, 2009
To all of you who recognize the need for action on a host of issues - ranging from global warming to animal cruelty, from urban sprawl to energy efficiency, from homelessness to healthcare - NOW is the time to act. We must speak truth to power with a unified voice. Policies are made by people. To change our systems into those that are fair, economically viable, and environmentally-sustainable, we all must participate in the policy-making process. If we the people do not speak, if we allow our voices to remain unheard we will be governed by those who have the most money to spend, by those whose interests are short term and short sighted.
Change is not easy but it is impossible if we do not act - if we do not get beyond our despair and our feelings of hopelessness. Change has occurred in the country and globally. Our nation came to be as a result of people who would not stand for the status quo. Slavery was abolished, womend fought for and gained the vote, civil rights are now enshrined as legal rights - all these things happened because people who gave a damn did something - they acted.
We, the people, can accomplish much - but only by raising our voices and acting on issues large and small. Join an advocacy organization, get involved in local politics, write to or call your legislator - you can make a difference.
On this Thanksgiving, as you give thanks for the roof above your head, for the food on your table, for family and friends please make a pledge to express your thanks through action. Together we can change the world.
"I am only one
But still, I am one
I cannot do everything
But still, I can so something
And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do." EE Hale
11.19.09
![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif)
November 19, 2009
Today I joined nearly 100 climate activists and testified at an EPA hearing in Chicago support of what is commonly known as the "Big Polluters" rule - the EPA's first step in controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Below is the text of my testimony and a link to follow that you can use to register your support of the rule during the public comment period.
Please take action today - we do not have a moment to lose.
*****
Good afternoon. My name is Christine Pado and I am here today, as a concerned citizen, to add my voice in support of the Big Polluters rule. As a mother of two young adults I am deeply concerned that if not addressed immediately and effectively, the impacts of global warming will seriously compromise the quality of life for my children and any grandchildren I may be blessed with.
Though I have long been aware of the threat of global warming it was not until very recently that I became fully aware of the critical nature of the threat. Now that I am aware of the grave nature of threat posed by global warming I must take action. That is why I am here today.
In researching my testimony I found that the evidence regarding global warming mounts day by day but that the evidence has been clear for some time.
The EPA reported, in its 2009 Inventory of Greenhouse gases, that in 2007 U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases included a staggering 6.1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. Nearly 42% of these carbon dioxide emissions resulted from the generation of electricity. Generators of electricity rely on coal for over half of their total energy requirements meaning that 1.3 billion metric tons of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere in 2007 was attributable directly to the burning of coal.
2007 also saw the release of 585 million metric tons of methane. This amount of methane has a 100 year global warming potential of 12.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. One-quarter of the 2007 methane gas generation resulted from enteric fermentation – or feed digestion by cattle – and another quarter of the methane gas release was generated by landfills.
Multiple reports conclude that the economic impacts of climate change will occur throughout this country and the world - though they will disproportionately impact those people who have the fewest resources.
These reports conclude that the negative impacts of climate change will outweigh any benefits and that these negative impacts will place immense strains on public sector budgets. Further, the effects of climate change will likely result in higher prices, reduced incomes and job losses.
Clearly, delaying action on global climate change will be the most expensive policy option we could choose.
Given the potential that global climate change has to disrupt economic security, food security, water security, national security and our very future I have come to realize that turning down my thermostat, decreasing my driving, eating a plant based diet, and recycling is far from enough. As an individual I will do all that I can, but addressing large sources of greenhouse gas emissions is critical. The proposed rule is an important, though far from sufficient, step toward ameliorating the effects of global warming.
The costs of pollution, though often hidden from our view, are immense – to individuals, to nations, and to the planet. We have very little time left to address this problem before it becomes insurmountable. The time is now – we must act swiftly and decisively to safeguard the futures of our children and grandchildren.
By requiring use of best available control technologies to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of major emitting facilities we can address a significant portion of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Further, requiring use of best available control technologies will not only help slow global warming but will also help establish the U.S. as a moral model in the effort to address global climate change.
I am fully in support of the proposed rule and thank the EPA and the current administration for taking action. Please note, however, that I am opposed to designating carbon capture and sequestration as a best available control technology. CCS is a strategy akin to closing the barn door after the horse has left.
Thank you for the opportunity to register my comments.
10.25.09
October 25, 2009
The days are growing shorter and the farm season is drifting to a close. The garlic has finally been planted and tucked under its blanket of hay. Now all that remains is to finish digging the carrots.
The season was a tough one - too much rain in the spring, hardly any during peak growing season, and way too much rain this October. The late blight took half of the tomato harvest and neither the corn nor the winter squashes did much.
But still, Mother Nature without much help from me, turned in an amazing performance. The freezer is stocked with asparagus, spinach, beans, edamame, beets, eggplant, and tomato sauce. I'm currently freezing pepper and still have more beets to process. The fridge is stuffed with cabbages, carrots, and leeks. Garlic, onions, and potatoes are jostling for room in the basement and there are enough spaghetti squash to last through till next harvest - not to mention some beautiful Long Pie pumpkins.
The late planted sunflowers all bloomed before the frost and smiled over the harvest. The dry beans were a mixed story - the ends of the rows produced a nice fruit set but the middle plants had lots of empty pods. I'm still puzzling over that one...
I will miss the days on the farm, the dirt under my nails, the sunshine on my back, the birdsong, the rustle of the wind in the tall grasses, the scent of wild daisies, and the delicate flowers of the Queen Anne Lace. I will miss the bees and dragon flies and toads and frogs. But the land needs to rest, to gather strength to pour into next year's harvest.
Still, there is much to look forward to - eating my way through the harvest, the coming crop of seed catalogs, starting seedlings, the whole amazing cycle of life for which I am abundantly grateful.
I stand in awe and reverence as I consider the miracle of life and the kindness of the Earth in providing such bounty.
9.8.09
September 8, 2009
From a friend who prefers to remain anonymous...
http://www.pesticidefreebc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=75&Itemid=139
This link is about the Canadian Cosmetic Pesticide Act which...I'm beginning to giggle here....bans the use of glyphosate and others...Round-up and Weed/Feed lawn chemicals in Ontario....lots of giggling....and the soon in the entire country. (I love the word cosmetic in the title! Spotlights a sort of cocky vanity about "weed" control.)
I have to see the pesticide problem from inside the landscaping industry everyday and despair of this sort of legislation ever happening here but...perhaps there's hope.
The poisons have made everybody apathetic and slovenly about the constant use of the evil stuff for plants in driveway cracks, etc. The landscaping company I work for routinely sends out Dr. Death to spray sod prior to installing gardens. I've lost track of the number of times that someone complains about poor seed germination and then answers affirmatively when I ask them if they use Preen/pre-emergent on their garden beds. Sigh.
The boss gets a frowny face when I take a weedwacker to the knee high weeds in the nursery, saying that he'll just get the pesticide guy-Dr. Death-to "knock the weeds down because that's more efficient". He sends out untrained, non english speakers to apply pesticides, Dr Death mixes his poisons and chuckles Oops when he spills them etc etc etc. And these are "professional" level people. I'm quite convinced that Dr. Death is a major Rush Limbaugh fan due to neurochemical damage from pesticide exposure.
And always, I have to be careful what I say at work to the general public. I quote my grandmother...one year's seeds, seven year's seeds, recommend regular weed wacking, heavy mulching, corn gluten pre-emergent and so on. All too much work compared to Round-up .......grrrrrrrr. I may move to Ontario....-
9.2.09
September 2, 2009
I am among the most privileged of people and it is time to give thanks.
Reverence, despite the unseasonably cool weather and the too much too little cycle of deluge and drought, is producing a beautiful harvest, even if not as abundant in years past. The second crop of snap beans is gorgeous - the Yellow Rocky was beans are tender and sweet, the green Provider beans are living up to their name and providing a second bountiful harvest, the Royalty Purple and Royal Burgundy beans are slugging it out for title of best purple bean ever. The dry beans are producing a nice set and the edamame are finally all harvested and processed. I expect we will be able to eat edamame every week straight through to the next harvest. The Agate and Fiskeby edamame will not be coming back - small and sparse pods and the flavor is not noticeably different from the heavily laden Shirofumi variety.
The tomatoes have set a good crop and I am waiting for them to color up - harvest should start in just a few days. I even have eggplants and peppers this season - not many but given the very few plants in the ground and the late date of planting I am overjoyed to have what I have. I even have a few of my particular favorite - Apple Green.
I will have close to 60 pounds of spaghetti squash - we can skip pasta this year - the spaghetti squash will take us through till the next harvest - they hold remarkably well in cool storage.
I am digging potatoes - they are smallish due to the prolonged dry spell but they are tasty and beautiful and I am pretty sure we'll have enough to see us through. The corn, sadly, was a major bust - though planted in time, it suffered developmental delays due to problems with soil fertility and the weather. Still - I am enjoying snacking on the tiny ears right in the field - corn - like melons and tomatoes and cukes - are best eaten picked just off the plant - and I mean just off - like standing right there in the field and savoring the bounty of the Earth.
The garlic and onions are all harvested and about ready to go into storage - the garlic is nice and big and the onions are tasty, if smaller than normal.
The carrots and beets are sizing up and there will be at least a few winter squash. The cukes and summer squash did not produce well but we still have more than we can munch through right at the moment. Time to get snacking on the cukes and making a few summer squash sautees.
As you can see - there is so much to be thankful for. The opportunity to grow healthy and peaceful food for my family - the gorgeous colors and tastes and textures of the harvest - being able to spend time doing what I love - being surrounded by the wildflowers in the hedgerows - Queen Anne's Lace, yarrow, milkweed, wild daisies, and more I can't name - sharing some of the harvest with the animals that are kind enough to share their home with me. These are the times in life that create the sense of wonder and awe and reverence that imbue life with it's meaning.
I am also grateful to all my farming friends for their counsel and advice and encouragement. I'm grateful for my neighbors who offer the use of their barn, shed and well, I am grateful for Sue and Gary who taught me so much and who grow awesome vegetables - and I'm grateful that their corn turned out well and that I could put up 6 dozen ears for the winter. I am grateful for the help of my husband and daughter who patiently pulled edamame pods from the stalks (several hours of work) and shucked corn.
There is so much more - it would take me hours to write it all down. Despite the bumps along the way, I can truly say that I am among the most fortunate people who have ever lived. Thank you to everyone in my life - your support, friendship, and love are what I am most grateful for.
7.11.09
July 11, 2009
Many Americans seem to believe that life is about getting more stuff. One of the most offenseive bumper stickers I have ever seen stated, "He who dies with the most toys wins." Maybe it was meant to be ironic, but unfortunately many Americans seems to have made a religion out of consumerism.
To see just how truly fortunate and wealthy you are, click here to play the video:
http://www.miniature-earth.com/
Think about it and then do something - decrease your consumption of gas, energy, material goods; lobby your elected officials to support the development of need based capitalism in developing countries (capitalism based on fulfillmet of basic needs rather than capitalism based on creating artifical needs for useless products - cruise your local supermarket aisles to see what I mean about useless products); if you are not vegan, decrease the amount of animal products in your life - from flesh, to hides, to eggs and dairy. Resources diverted to maintaining animals as sources of food are resources that are denied to the world's most vulnerable populations.
Remember - just because you cannot fix all the world's ills does not mean you cannot do something. If we all do that something we can make this world a better place for all the creatures who make Earth their home.
