tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57536116705093553002024-02-19T08:31:16.686-06:00Food From The YardThe blog of Foodscapes, Huntsville's Urban Farmer and Food Advocate ~ Let's talk about Local Food, Vegetable Gardens, Edible Landscaping, Community Gardens, Food Systems, Sustainability and ResilienceFoodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-55009205435688320582013-05-23T15:14:00.000-05:002013-05-23T15:23:05.555-05:00Community Gardens in Huntsville? Yes!There are some great community gardens in Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley Community Garden Association has arranged for you to have a look at a lot of them! Save the date: June 22 2013 Gardens will be open all through the day... some only in the morning.. some in the afternoon... make a plan to see those you might be interested in!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://media.al.com/spark/photo/11746622-large.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="256" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lewter Park</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213720842790124134418.0004dcb100061527217cf&msa=0&ll=34.714933,-86.59644&spn=0.001578,0.002366">Here is the map for the gardens on the tour this year</a>... there will be printed copies of a map and information on the hours each garden will be open at the Main Branch of the Huntsville Public Library soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="179" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578148_10151463776179699_483857768_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">CASA Garden</span></td></tr>
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Last year we didn't get to all the gardens we wanted to, though we did get to several, you can see our post about it <a href="http://foodfromtheyard.blogspot.com/2012/03/community-gardens.html">here</a>. We'll try to get to more this year, especially to those we haven't been to yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198241_571714112863371_1478789713_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">New! Burgundy Square Apartments</span></td></tr>
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You can get on the mailing list for the TVCGA by going to <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/tennesseevalleycga">the google group</a> and adding yourself. The group meets sort of monthly for a pot luck dinner and general conversation...if you are thinking about starting or joining a community garden, there's always lots of knowledge and connections to be made there. For any specific questions, you can contact us... or <a href="mailto:tennesseevalleycga@gmail.com">Alice Evans</a> (email link). You can join the Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennessee-Valley-Community-Garden-Association/263695207033468?fref=ts">here</a>.<br />
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Happy Gardening!<br />
GVFoodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-79023882817284854292013-05-14T20:23:00.000-05:002013-05-14T20:23:06.559-05:00Is this thing still on?Wow... take a few days off to move and get settled and pretty soon nearly a year has gone by without a post! Time to remedy that. So here is a post.<br />
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We moved to far south Huntsville, long story. Larger house to accommodate my father.. and much larger lot. I'll be posting pictures, before and afters, but thought I would just break the ice now with a little post on saving seed.<br />
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Don't do what I've done :)<br />
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First, the part I did right! <br />
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well sort of...<br />
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Please welcome the Bonita Brassica! This plant is the result of saving seed when the Napa cabbage, kale and collards were blooming and setting seed all at the same time in a small garden. That was in the early summer of 2011... I planted the seeds in March and they are, as you can see, not like any of the above listed plants. The leaves are thicker than Chinese cabbage, but rather like a very young collard, not leathery or stiff. They actually look rather like choi on the bottom, tho they are green and not white. Now, they may have some choi in them since there was choi blooming in the back yard at the time, who knows. These are mature plants, since they are already setting seed with the hot weather last week.<br />
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The taste is not to die for...rather tasteless actually. BUT... it is a 'new' plant.. one I shall now mercifully not grow again :) I knew I would not be getting anything 'pure' out of the saved seeds, but it was interesting to see how the plants crossed up. <br />
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So, if you are saving seed..start with a good 'heirloom' seed, try to make sure that nothing in the same family is growing anywhere close (see a good seed saving book for distances) and take notes on how and what you saved. Make sure you dry and store the seed correctly ( you might try<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seed-Growing-Techniques-Vegetable-Gardeners/dp/1882424581/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368469623&sr=8-1&keywords=seed+saving+books" target="_blank"> this book</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Saving-Seeds/dp/1603425748/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368469623&sr=8-2&keywords=seed+saving+books" target="_blank">this one</a>) and grow it out. <br />
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As for what really not to do... Do not get frazzled with moving and snatch seed setting lettuce stalks and shove them in a jar. Well.. you can, as I did. I grabbed these last summer as we were moving rather quickly.. our house sold before it went on the market (yeah!) but we left a lot of dirt and 'stuff' behind that we are missing now (boo!).<br />
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I know that this is lettuce.. and I HOPE it is a red lettuce that we particularly liked. But I won't know until I plant it and since I just found it under the bed (that isn't where you keep your seed stash?) I will have to plant a little now and a little this fall. The cool spring gives me hope that I can sneak some in before the bolting season begins. Label your seed when you store it, you will not remember, even if it was the only lettuce growing in the front yard.</div>
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A note: lettuce 'flower'/seedheads are rather like dandelions. If you are saving seed while the plant is still alive, wait until the seedhead is really fluffed before harvesting, the immature seedheads look a bit like a paintbrush and do not 'ripen' after being removed from the plant.</div>
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gosh.. that wasn't so bad. Ice broken, posts to follow :)</div>
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GV</div>
Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-24334638784388042472012-06-20T13:36:00.000-05:002012-06-20T13:36:06.475-05:00Great Resource!Check out <a href="http://www.homegrown.org/forum/topics/natural-pest-control" target="_blank">DIY Pest Control</a> at Homegrown.org! I can't wait to find some great new ideas here, they've really made it easy to use.<br />
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Check out the comments also :)<br />
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GVFoodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-57201656891237175742012-06-17T16:07:00.000-05:002012-06-17T16:07:04.424-05:00Tennessee Valley Community Garden Association Public Tour of Gardens What a gorgeous day to tour some of the
local community gardens in our area on Saturday ! We ran out of time before
we could see all of the gardens. There was so much to see and talk
about.
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The garden that wins the prize for
best effect for a new garden is the Amos Garden off of Meridian St.
The apartment manger Patricia read an article in the
Huntsville Times about gardens and their effect on communities and
was inspired to begin a Community garden at the AMOS Apartments at
Winchester and Meridian St. Tired of seeing her tenants walk to the
corner convenience store she decided to try to develop a garden in
the middle of the complex.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDqiMPAaOawQNeqqNiMGhdAUBR7kU2Gm0iBvGlbL5I7zvban-S-jw2cBa2p6BgrZSO9WeohFpHgtZ_YS-CidhHD6Cg5LvXVEhmykILK94ZVXrK6I53E9X_IaK-pDr0o9zPCRrsbSmOlFq/s1600/amoskids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDqiMPAaOawQNeqqNiMGhdAUBR7kU2Gm0iBvGlbL5I7zvban-S-jw2cBa2p6BgrZSO9WeohFpHgtZ_YS-CidhHD6Cg5LvXVEhmykILK94ZVXrK6I53E9X_IaK-pDr0o9zPCRrsbSmOlFq/s320/amoskids.jpg" width="320" /></a> The vision came alive with the effort of Randall and other folks who live in the Apartment complex as well as
several volunteers over the last 4 months. County Commissioner
Harrison, Willie McCrary and Jeff Komara of Deep Roots have been
instrumental in helping this project move forward so quickly. There
are now 30 boxes on site. The layout of the garden is quite striking
and the arrangement could work in other areas as well.</div>
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As we parked, the first sight and most
lasting impression was the children playing in the garden sand box set
up in the garden proper. The children even did a bug
hunt for us as we were trying to find a specific insect in the corn
patch. The effects of the new garden are just beginning to take hold; Walter, a 3 year resident of the complex, told us “ The garden is
beautiful to look at, it is unique and is to be found nowhere else in
the city. The garden is bringing the apartment community together, we
are watching out for each other more than ever.”
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Patricia sees economic development
from the effort as well. Over time as the group's skills improve they
want to sell food to local restaurants. It is important to remember
for all of us that a new farmer, sub acre or larger isn't just a job
but an enterprise. The opportunity for those who work hard and smart
to grow themselves into a better life is available here and in other
community gardens.</div>
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One of Patricia's major goals is for
people to want to live at her apartment complex not simply because of
the low rent, but because of all the the facility offers it's
residents. They want to excel at helping people help themselves.</div>
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We started our tour this morning at
the Howe Avenue Community Garden. Wow. If you want to see how
prolific an organic vegetable garden can be, visit this garden soon.
A core group of 8 folks led by Lee Ellenberg and Marion Moore and
including Clint Patterson, Lisa Gardner, Lori Pence, Allison, and “J”.</div>
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“J” is the old man here although
he is young at heart. Being around the energy and enthusiasm of the
twenty somethings invigorates “J”. Allison simply loves
gardening, she lives in an apartment near the garden and this site
provides her with the opportunity to grow enough food for her use,
but to give to others and even the opportunity to sell at a farmers
market if she and the other members choose too. They will certainly
have surplus too sell.
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The Howe Garden is an excellent
example of proper soil preparation with amendments such as leaf mold
added in large quantities. The group has used cardboard to hold down
weeds in the rows. Using fish emulsion and Worm Casting Tea made by
the brew-master Clint, the garden is jumping with vibrant, pest and
disease free plants loaded with food.
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Next we visited the Monte Sano
Community Garden. K.T. Bothwell and her sister Maggie spearheaded
this garden's jump start last year. K.T. and the garden group have
done a text book job in acquiring access to the property and
setting up a first class garden that contributes aesthetically to the
community it serves. Monte Sano gardeners rent their box for the
season and have “ownership” of that box as long as they take care
of it. All gardeners are expected to work together to take care of the
big chores such as hauling leaf mold and spreading wood chips. Miss
Christine Donley has found that organic gardening is just as easy and
productive as using conventional techniques.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvG0k0W0267LlaJmPt1QMQ3PVmM1tf0B_K0dHkPU2EpYCq-o75Fp6j1y6RLxGE7hxZVNV352p7r-6RoQmGfOFk4anTEu3VT5UqbiLq_uPammNxUdbsUgxWX2oLQH1d03I98CVJbKSlekc/s1600/mnte+s+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvG0k0W0267LlaJmPt1QMQ3PVmM1tf0B_K0dHkPU2EpYCq-o75Fp6j1y6RLxGE7hxZVNV352p7r-6RoQmGfOFk4anTEu3VT5UqbiLq_uPammNxUdbsUgxWX2oLQH1d03I98CVJbKSlekc/s320/mnte+s+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christine particularly enjoys the
camaraderie with the other ladies at the garden as they teach and
help each other become better gardeners. Elsie enjoys trying new
things if a particular plant doesn't work out it is OK just add a
little compost try something else in it's place. Pat McMillion who
does such a great job as the Herb lady at Burritt takes care of the
herb box at the front of the garden which for the use of the
community.</div>
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Next stop was in Artisans Cove. The
new farmers market was well attended by farmers such as Champion
farms and Isom's (the peaches looked fantastic). The farmers market is
a needed resource for those east of the mountain. Kristin is the
farmers market manager and is working hard to create a viable
thriving market for the Hampton Cove community.
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Marguerite McClintock the owner of
Artisans Cove has a vision for the educational community garden.
Marguerite wants children to learn how to grow food sustainably,
using a variety of techniques from organic in-ground techniques to
hydroponics and aquaponics as well. Bringing in the business aspect
is important as well, teaching kids the value of work and it's
rewards. Children will learn to grow food, prepare it for sale, and
learn to set up and sell food from a direct market booth. Successful
future Small Plot Intensive Farmers may one day grow from the seeds
Marguerite is planting today.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwQyjCvGjOdMogVo5rwvhS96Csr16jPNl0gdd30Gf61-bnx680FvdOCTdNLMRgZl2BDLYedjsbp8rT4vN92bKRqeaV3tj032aYisYMZoSf7VUz4ZjezP4GMzSJhAH2A-ZK31sAOqvf-UZ/s1600/100_2966_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwQyjCvGjOdMogVo5rwvhS96Csr16jPNl0gdd30Gf61-bnx680FvdOCTdNLMRgZl2BDLYedjsbp8rT4vN92bKRqeaV3tj032aYisYMZoSf7VUz4ZjezP4GMzSJhAH2A-ZK31sAOqvf-UZ/s320/100_2966_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a> Across the street, literally, at
Hampton Cove Middle School, hidden behind the North West corner of
the building is an educational garden of amazing potential. Melissa
Schneider has taken over the green house and the immediate surround
of raised beds and is working hard to bring a productive garden to
reality. Middle schoolers were able to grow cabbages and other plants
this school year in the green house and the goal for 2012 -2013 is to
have a crop with each season for a continual harvest. Melissa and
school officials want the community and particularly parents to be
involved as well. There are garden and landscape projects that need
many hands to turn the effort into light work for all involved.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuFBRrLvBfyngQfCsvi4I8yRE9Swv0aqtIUiHjaKv0AAdf77jLiUVB0Oe_3vD3QTXxOeBC2iD8cWyZmp6S9rhdeEqu2XoAoN9mSeQteu0dKqrord-ClM7uiw14hbmOTX9ZGjhg9qIYRkh/s1600/pecan+grove+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuFBRrLvBfyngQfCsvi4I8yRE9Swv0aqtIUiHjaKv0AAdf77jLiUVB0Oe_3vD3QTXxOeBC2iD8cWyZmp6S9rhdeEqu2XoAoN9mSeQteu0dKqrord-ClM7uiw14hbmOTX9ZGjhg9qIYRkh/s320/pecan+grove+b.jpg" width="320" /></a> Pecan Grove - If you have never had the pleasure of
meeting Mr. Bill Thomas you should drive out to Pecan Grove Rd and
see Bill and the community garden he is nurturing. If you live in
the area and have a shaded yard or live in an apartment complex, or
if you simply want to garden with a community of folks Bill has a
spot of land with your name on it waiting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Alice Evans who started the Tennessee
Valley Community Garden Associaion with other gardeners, has a fine garden coming on here. There is room for you and this group is
a lot of fun, they also have some excellent technical advisers,
including retired agriculture professors from Alabama A&M
available to help you learn to contribute to your own food supply.
Bill says “the time to start growing is now, learn what real food
is all about. “</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n513qmoptoZ0ZceAMBcTxSeSR5-Gh1jJgBucu4qZ6fvf8UWc3cvKOcMYTa-uo0bO_M0yn2DBnQJSThr2VUE5BAiOJqkDf_mnXz-O7jpemxALoyQg41udj6rhtZWHW179qVyA4gj4BSzN/s1600/UAh+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n513qmoptoZ0ZceAMBcTxSeSR5-Gh1jJgBucu4qZ6fvf8UWc3cvKOcMYTa-uo0bO_M0yn2DBnQJSThr2VUE5BAiOJqkDf_mnXz-O7jpemxALoyQg41udj6rhtZWHW179qVyA4gj4BSzN/s320/UAh+c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After dropping off one of our party
who had to go back to work we traveled over to UAH to see the
community garden the students are growing near the maintenance
headquarters. Claire Herdy found that today’s tour was very helpful
in that several really good gardeners visited and gave excellent
advice and growing tips to some of the student gardeners. Claire and
the crew have a very nice garden growing in the middle of a Bermuda
field. They are doing a great job of beating the demon weed back and
have some beautiful produce growing on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHkztmXyPqg45YNLo0boaVFMjLHQ5c2IiscrJgDSCu3TjUVOElyBXAZ9jEVH1hRA_CwEO4N5E3HYt90yHpYXI9uGYHYKmOfxySRDyRvWESeCeSX49HNbY5EmG1vBMiQ7jgtM6fIQ2lnHh/s1600/Uah+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHkztmXyPqg45YNLo0boaVFMjLHQ5c2IiscrJgDSCu3TjUVOElyBXAZ9jEVH1hRA_CwEO4N5E3HYt90yHpYXI9uGYHYKmOfxySRDyRvWESeCeSX49HNbY5EmG1vBMiQ7jgtM6fIQ2lnHh/s320/Uah+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
They are about to be over run with
tomatoes. Claire came up with idea with Marion from the Howe Ave.
garden to have several tomato / produce canning days. Everyone bring
their tomatoes and cans and pressure cookers and knock out some
serious food preservation. If this is of interest to you you can
leave a message on the TVCGA facebook page or call Alice Evans. There
will be a TVCGA meeting open to the public June 25<sup>th</sup> at
the extension office on Cook Ave. The meeting starts at 6 o’clock
sharp.</div>
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Regrettably we did not have time to
visit the Asbury garden that Mary Lynn Botts and the Asbury church
community are doing such a great job with in serving others through
their garden. The tour hours were gone before we could visit the
Legacy Elementary School Projecct Pond garden in Harvest or the city sponsored garden at
Lewter park (that is just fabulous).</div>
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Our last stop was at the CASA garden,
probably the oldest continuous community garden in the state, certainly in this area. Everything was growing on and looked great.
The CASA garden is unique in that all of the food is grown by
volunteers and is given to home bound seniors in Madison county on a
rotating basis. Karen Voelker, the queen of the garden, was giving
the grand tour ( this is a BIG garden ) to visitors as we arrived
after 3 o’clock. Karen enthusiasm and dedication to providing
nutrition to those who need it most are what keeps the CASA garden
improving year over year. If you would like to see what a masterpiece community garden looks like when it has matured, visit the
CASA garden on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons or Saturdays from 8-
12. This is learn by doing experimental garden. Come learn about
rotation and companion planting while you weed a row for the less
fortunate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All of the gardens on the tour today
want you to know where they are in your neighborhood. Several have
open spots waiting for you to grow food for yourself and your family.
Several gardens are totally volunteer run and supported and they need
your help NOW. The summer harvest season is upon us, it can be very
difficult to harvest and keep up with the regular garden chores.
Consider committing to a garden for the summer, this summer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanks to all of the participating
gardens in the 1<sup>st</sup> annual tour of Community gardens. The
energy, enthusiasm, and talent among these folks is prodigious and
contagious. The growth of gardening in all its manifestation has been
exponential in this area over the last several years and will
continue to grow in the future. If you want to learn more about
gardening in your area check out the Tennessee Valley community
gardens facebook page or try to attend the meeting on the 25<sup>th</sup>.</div>
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Well done, to all of the gardens, well
done indeed!</div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-32060706860763340602012-04-15T10:55:00.002-05:002012-04-15T10:55:46.603-05:00Festival Fun!<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> We went over to Moulton for the </span><a href="http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> on Saturday and saw some awesome birds... before we get to those, there were some other great ideas and exhibits.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj818q82vcVdyiZQb_ORAQgsH96TMW7vqNbeQTPwCeBuxrxWJe3fUyv9XpUh5_eYfhn1tDOdYWdrd8Dd2qQm327uZ3TDNo5wbMP966yGaoAD66riXNlHcA1na9Hhj8r2aL-irsGSqqJ-frw/s1600/gaith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj818q82vcVdyiZQb_ORAQgsH96TMW7vqNbeQTPwCeBuxrxWJe3fUyv9XpUh5_eYfhn1tDOdYWdrd8Dd2qQm327uZ3TDNo5wbMP966yGaoAD66riXNlHcA1na9Hhj8r2aL-irsGSqqJ-frw/s200/gaith.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Gaither Folk Art Pottery was there with his amazing pottery. He's sold a few pieces up this way and we hope to get him up here again soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjUWTmo9fNOhzBpew2naIxDJe7B8mvY73s71BASvtItCHtfaDz5-WOSDn6mERskyGr-VIhT0D1EUqOROHFMOzh0qn-g33oIgWgSnc1wkZk47WZSSaiWeZ-jvWfmjt4DJufmj0uvBoI7ha/s1600/quik2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="132" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjUWTmo9fNOhzBpew2naIxDJe7B8mvY73s71BASvtItCHtfaDz5-WOSDn6mERskyGr-VIhT0D1EUqOROHFMOzh0qn-g33oIgWgSnc1wkZk47WZSSaiWeZ-jvWfmjt4DJufmj0uvBoI7ha/s200/quik2.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I never had the patience for piecing quilt tops, but I loved the quilting part. Need to make time for that again... </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV9GU4a6SUvtrY26Hn0nWiiVp0GlV0H4SsEfUdGwDCmpYZwqtby53pc8d6mqMABC9BepREHUuKuuu5BuFpur0ZBuyoIkczYG3FiqRo79jcPa1jmMDyq8ExY-uahXw9idmJxRCjb8l1__G/s200/quil1.jpg" width="200" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> There were several quilters displaying. I love the colors on this green / beige / red. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OYh-zDyeD6_5TB_GHvwGPei7H5r7HHU0kb20iF3rjZ32JwdIwaR3S_yuUThPhjOu-5GMDu8CMevBaP9WgJqVh3D8qDoW451C1XTPzS1qfagHHqwOeRUPwp7JTJ4uklogsevOz-KExqUy/s1600/reuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OYh-zDyeD6_5TB_GHvwGPei7H5r7HHU0kb20iF3rjZ32JwdIwaR3S_yuUThPhjOu-5GMDu8CMevBaP9WgJqVh3D8qDoW451C1XTPzS1qfagHHqwOeRUPwp7JTJ4uklogsevOz-KExqUy/s200/reuse.jpg" width="132" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a good use of 'gently used' linens, pillowcase dresses for little ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't get a good shot of the details, but they were quite lovely with lace and ribbon trims. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Good old cotton linens make good aprons too, easy to dress up with fabric paints or appliques and more advanced techniques.</span><br />
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<span style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNf17btfE85RMfpS-ELsuZvibOtMUs4DRmyyN_OKRo0cGVprilZh_8UkNJWpGjwyUwR3tY2cHXWGxf3HF0611uoFQIs4zbnPhAM1L1XiW7uWTlt23Cu4ey0Qen5aNgTx0u8zxASZ6RPQi/s200/throclay.jpg" width="132" /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Clay and pottery were popular at the festival's Southern Folklife Art and Gentleman Farmer displays. Here's another potter giving people a chance to throw thier own mini-pot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whittled Chickens were popular...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVMNpjLrerHX6VSLaFc-dQkpvHLAPW9S35y1PAuu1m0LM1vsW2HlD0L5AYywyfvMWMywXXb5Z0DxTwn8LbqcFFDrMn5jClti846KzPMIQDQXSGAxCKplAcov7hbC34tTTT9MuNsvpqRu9/s1600/whitchick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVMNpjLrerHX6VSLaFc-dQkpvHLAPW9S35y1PAuu1m0LM1vsW2HlD0L5AYywyfvMWMywXXb5Z0DxTwn8LbqcFFDrMn5jClti846KzPMIQDQXSGAxCKplAcov7hbC34tTTT9MuNsvpqRu9/s320/whitchick.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More skills on display: Caning</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmi5SIJP_V0Dnezkn-Z-Qk2Y2taOY5lb35OcaoOZ8i1FVHi2Po8N_qaob9ATswy35jLs_frJeexWl90u6oxpR5WIPQ6k9T_9QtJSTO1kPhBtrljpmt6Qjkk6Jh3GeZddpKI1v-mTP7hEq/s1600/cane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="228" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmi5SIJP_V0Dnezkn-Z-Qk2Y2taOY5lb35OcaoOZ8i1FVHi2Po8N_qaob9ATswy35jLs_frJeexWl90u6oxpR5WIPQ6k9T_9QtJSTO1kPhBtrljpmt6Qjkk6Jh3GeZddpKI1v-mTP7hEq/s320/cane.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmi5SIJP_V0Dnezkn-Z-Qk2Y2taOY5lb35OcaoOZ8i1FVHi2Po8N_qaob9ATswy35jLs_frJeexWl90u6oxpR5WIPQ6k9T_9QtJSTO1kPhBtrljpmt6Qjkk6Jh3GeZddpKI1v-mTP7hEq/s1600/cane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt43GPuVs43V1ZK8UY3kk2JaAabmaG5KbxdtjdkuOu926uazIQDI1WbvnJ0-yNTERk9YTZDl1y9GPiTBbZjDemg07-a0VaWKd5CdvjqDniTKRPsmyE8xXI7C1wmCTJNEl4xUz0IzoA9St/s1600/horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="190" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt43GPuVs43V1ZK8UY3kk2JaAabmaG5KbxdtjdkuOu926uazIQDI1WbvnJ0-yNTERk9YTZDl1y9GPiTBbZjDemg07-a0VaWKd5CdvjqDniTKRPsmyE8xXI7C1wmCTJNEl4xUz0IzoA9St/s200/horse.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Horse riding </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="159" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmT0z-d5vHx_V0R077OFRr3EThoJdeWmCqC0gw76hxk8v6xwSxqObLOlGoxLfMyRLrtHqpld_23Kz5QY9VhwbnSJtNcUQ9bk7WRFAk9FllLqiqgsbCDKYdUeD4pxHbYqi4hCsrRtKVXVxc/s200/forge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAND POWERED FORGE </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEmUJPFHvBHObvD8aItT7f-wnIjwQqIRIylzQEf1xNRPZ1Ri_TIA3EI1F9muH_dVQGBYGrS2pk29uX64HOXnSExVazP57DwBXUMLG2WB8mwhw1SCDcURwnz0ghH82rqVB5EUIhQKc8i-i/s1600/irntool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="186" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEmUJPFHvBHObvD8aItT7f-wnIjwQqIRIylzQEf1xNRPZ1Ri_TIA3EI1F9muH_dVQGBYGrS2pk29uX64HOXnSExVazP57DwBXUMLG2WB8mwhw1SCDcURwnz0ghH82rqVB5EUIhQKc8i-i/s200/irntool.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmT0z-d5vHx_V0R077OFRr3EThoJdeWmCqC0gw76hxk8v6xwSxqObLOlGoxLfMyRLrtHqpld_23Kz5QY9VhwbnSJtNcUQ9bk7WRFAk9FllLqiqgsbCDKYdUeD4pxHbYqi4hCsrRtKVXVxc/s1600/forge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Metalworking</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="96" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZH2IJe8t4tXFVUf1yYxzgxiCaRIquIdMv8Jvs0XFgkGhCfUdme2j-5lxfDfwReBt2nQfas1bDKC5iW9JAIgAh0K7PBhjChzO2WovrErdIgU3AxIMkQs33K2V3CdbixZTJVcM7oLs7fM_/s320/rlsaw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHO NEEDS A CHAINSAW?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZH2IJe8t4tXFVUf1yYxzgxiCaRIquIdMv8Jvs0XFgkGhCfUdme2j-5lxfDfwReBt2nQfas1bDKC5iW9JAIgAh0K7PBhjChzO2WovrErdIgU3AxIMkQs33K2V3CdbixZTJVcM7oLs7fM_/s1600/rlsaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Esl6wmaCd74F5KLq8S2F4rB6zkXJHUXTBWKFqmeezZ5deKwsgVsta9zYAZQybW-s-pl3_Xv_k2Nd_hfkJYJ2wnaCzrrtPW1WYE0pSeMxlrKeWJhNLOv9yXh4n1XPmCQVfMwDX_Y4QE_n/s1600/greenride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="157" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Esl6wmaCd74F5KLq8S2F4rB6zkXJHUXTBWKFqmeezZ5deKwsgVsta9zYAZQybW-s-pl3_Xv_k2Nd_hfkJYJ2wnaCzrrtPW1WYE0pSeMxlrKeWJhNLOv9yXh4n1XPmCQVfMwDX_Y4QE_n/s200/greenride.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">A 'green' ride? This is a handpowered gyro...does it count?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, Ok... on to the birds! There were so many gorgeous birds, I really hate we missed getting a picture of some of them, maybe they'll post the winners in each breed on the website.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVRafW1Y6jAUstPAiPicqKLtdORlVYPvDfwNyJzZg2BZW0ltPp7EFiF2JKFdcqDFxB8HohEV4Ob2nbp7TA49gNellOz7DhFCW6pkLlBo_ssSTFKK_H8GLwwqRLOEsawPUqqTAObxgaNxA/s1600/bigbir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVRafW1Y6jAUstPAiPicqKLtdORlVYPvDfwNyJzZg2BZW0ltPp7EFiF2JKFdcqDFxB8HohEV4Ob2nbp7TA49gNellOz7DhFCW6pkLlBo_ssSTFKK_H8GLwwqRLOEsawPUqqTAObxgaNxA/s320/bigbir.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">LARGE BIRD AND BEAUTIFUL~</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoffJKuWpAPKE8RqGKal25R1M6sDhe9AS4f4zEMw7zD7E3gokXjOxg1AbkhhIizpEQBxDQpKh_wvs9tW0vHpedivJaFWUVyFmhLDhV3qZ2UHwbJhg638BC9IOxaq1ljjnoesyNX0Di0VAS/s1600/blacbir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoffJKuWpAPKE8RqGKal25R1M6sDhe9AS4f4zEMw7zD7E3gokXjOxg1AbkhhIizpEQBxDQpKh_wvs9tW0vHpedivJaFWUVyFmhLDhV3qZ2UHwbJhg638BC9IOxaq1ljjnoesyNX0Di0VAS/s320/blacbir.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">ONE OF MY FAVORITE BREEDS BUT A BIT LARGE FOR THE HOME FLOCK</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3IMrXmTSU0mFyef9-7JgziHXHupVYlTPAPBMPGIj42959-0DCjb_pjQQbI1azoN3Qtrit5OKI0WDMk6wZtYATKwMyDYIhzV9PkeVMBTxeCS4Y3JSNJJUHKmQTxZnTL17ThVWihI_3aYx/s1600/fluffbir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3IMrXmTSU0mFyef9-7JgziHXHupVYlTPAPBMPGIj42959-0DCjb_pjQQbI1azoN3Qtrit5OKI0WDMk6wZtYATKwMyDYIhzV9PkeVMBTxeCS4Y3JSNJJUHKmQTxZnTL17ThVWihI_3aYx/s320/fluffbir.jpg" width="257" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">FLUFFY BIRDS~</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">STUNNING COLORS</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A VERY NICE PAIR</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLizBQd-CqYfaDO7fHW74q6-2Xbe_K5-VDIhyphenhyphenxG9osqJewRjIQRqXIllX3cPI4vUDBfC6Y2Hj3ROc7U7SJ4f-bUq9eZe_G98OS90910BhIqzwLZ6kRzj9WwG7I1FgQV27djkY__RPLrU-/s1600/blwhbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLizBQd-CqYfaDO7fHW74q6-2Xbe_K5-VDIhyphenhyphenxG9osqJewRjIQRqXIllX3cPI4vUDBfC6Y2Hj3ROc7U7SJ4f-bUq9eZe_G98OS90910BhIqzwLZ6kRzj9WwG7I1FgQV27djkY__RPLrU-/s320/blwhbird.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And last, but not least.... Buster, The Wonder Goat! Who is female, and 'with kid' and very sweet. This is the right place according to the festival map, so that must be him.. er, her. She was a nice goat, with two cute kids all playing mostly happily with the ducks, rabbits, piglets and children. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZaG-Pb6GHtG39JojHEgW_DWuEKjRLMtRGZEpG3z3n6MiqIgnXIEdMDjXwF1KEPw6rL5n5Lst5AUcfAb6s3IL1k3933c3cgECx_k-vCKBCOaSoFwEWUrRmLvhCuQ7tjxFKtNOcACpdQyf/s1600/wondrgoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZaG-Pb6GHtG39JojHEgW_DWuEKjRLMtRGZEpG3z3n6MiqIgnXIEdMDjXwF1KEPw6rL5n5Lst5AUcfAb6s3IL1k3933c3cgECx_k-vCKBCOaSoFwEWUrRmLvhCuQ7tjxFKtNOcACpdQyf/s320/wondrgoat.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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</div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-78613363873180821082012-03-29T10:30:00.001-05:002012-03-29T10:30:19.171-05:00Watch your tomatoes :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomatoes will tell you what they need! Here's a cool graphicfrom </span><a href="http://homegrown.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">Homegrown.org</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">... lots of interesting information there.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-65004364732510840842012-03-28T07:19:00.003-05:002012-03-28T07:19:47.151-05:00Real Food and Real Money Great new series starting on eating well on a budget, I can't wait to follow this one at Rocket City Mom. There is a balance to be found between growing it all yourself (I can dream) and eating the "typical American Diet" . Since 'doing it yourself' whether growing or just cooking from scratch can be both time consuming and expensive, I'm looking forward to Ashley's suggestions. Here's the <a href="http://www.rocketcitymom.com/why-whole-foods-matter/">first post</a>! <br />
We all face the "Cheerios" dilemma in some form, time is short and money is tight.. start small and grow!Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-37037594815903192562012-03-11T19:55:00.000-05:002012-03-11T19:55:06.615-05:00Community Gardens!<span style="font-size: large;"> Last Sunday a group from the Tennessee Valley Community Garden Association toured several member gardens...here's a quick peek.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> First up was the </span><a href="http://esscommunitygarden.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">UAH Garden</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, spearheaded by Claire Heardy. This is a "claim it and work it" garden, open to students, faculty and employees of the University. Several folks grabbed a plot and have already started growing this year and it's going to be quite pretty once everything grows up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's a very attractive layout and there's even a picnic table to rest for a bit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_kDdlXtIwQDBIx5j1_a6GZ_9RyPQA2sDkFVl5iYQGa_4hd57QFW9RHwh1XtaYWXXv-hQbhb8iQWO-dIMXyXmqHWu2VSNhT8XCfVk3QUtItJDE2lXVbXy8V-NtSFxq6tSKy4XO9icb8Cq/s1600/uah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_kDdlXtIwQDBIx5j1_a6GZ_9RyPQA2sDkFVl5iYQGa_4hd57QFW9RHwh1XtaYWXXv-hQbhb8iQWO-dIMXyXmqHWu2VSNhT8XCfVk3QUtItJDE2lXVbXy8V-NtSFxq6tSKy4XO9icb8Cq/s320/uah2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Then it was on to the </span><a href="http://www.casamadisoncty.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">CASA</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Community Garden where Karen Voelker explained that the food from this garden, grown by volunteers, gets delivered to the elderly, homebound clients of CASA. They are always looking for more volunteers and it is a great way to learn more about gardening from the pros!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We swung across to the </span><a href="http://www.3058thstreet.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">305 8th Street</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> site. This is a group home for developmentally disabled adults and they've started growing food for the table, mostly salads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Next on the tour was the Lowe Mill garden, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/flyingmonkeycommunitygarden"><span style="font-size: large;">Flying Monkey Community Garden</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> which is growing by leaps and bounds even moving into the interior courtyard. There's some fun ideas here, which is no surprise given the artistic community there. They are hoping to start a farmer's market in time. They, too, are always looking for more dirty hands!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I dropped off the tour here and Lee took the rest of the tour, since he'd been pruning a new orchard in the morning. They first went to Howe Street, where a new community garden is taking shape, we spied this one on our last alley tour. The early succession planting has begun way in the back. Can't wait to see this one growing this summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A quick trip up the mountain to the </span><a href="http://www.montesano.org/msorg/mscg.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Monte Sano Community Garden</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. This garden is a rented space garden, with each gardener taking care of their own plot and helping with the common areas. This is one of the most well organized gardens, with a very effective use of space. Notice the deer fencing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The final stop before dark was a neighborhood effort in north Huntsville that is growing great! Eric has a plot behind his house where he's growing for himself and others. It's looking really good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> His neighbor, Bill, is also going large. The fall/winter garden you can see way at the back will be overtaken by a larger summer planting that's being prepped now. You'd be lucky to live close to these folks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> That's it for this tour... If you are involved in a community garden project of any kind, contact </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennessee-Valley-Community-Garden-Association/263695207033468"><span style="font-size: large;">Tennessee Valley Community Garden Association</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> or </span><span style="font-size: large;">if you would like a consultation on your garden project large or small <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/contact.html"><span style="font-size: large;">call us</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-23913896638751386332012-02-21T11:12:00.000-06:002012-02-21T11:12:56.304-06:00Meet A Local Farmer - Enas Ragland<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtypo19SM2t50cyunp1uSCC-kldQWApjlf53uBa_EsO1XyIxz5lI0rZL8MLGoYqGEFiWFkVv2G5AirlWV0AUEmfcZJvUWArLPzUILYr10ymUCYe_yUMxAGhQxtJtZIeZ5rvioVyFORiKQ/s1600/100_2453+(800x533)+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtypo19SM2t50cyunp1uSCC-kldQWApjlf53uBa_EsO1XyIxz5lI0rZL8MLGoYqGEFiWFkVv2G5AirlWV0AUEmfcZJvUWArLPzUILYr10ymUCYe_yUMxAGhQxtJtZIeZ5rvioVyFORiKQ/s320/100_2453+(800x533)+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I recently received a call from a friend of mine, Tami Jordan, who is with Second Mile. Tami works with the Terry Heights Hillandale Neighborhood Association. In the course of her travels she met Mr. Enas Ragland.<br />Mr. Ragland is one of the the first true neighborhood farmers in Huntsville in sometime. Possibly in decades. <br /><br />Enas was in construction until the credit crisis of 2008. As work slowed he needed to keep working so he quietly turned to farming. As he improved his skills, he began to grow more than he could eat and has been selling produce at the Madison County Farmers market for some time now. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Enas was a SPIN farmer and didn't know it. He had never heard of the concept of Small Plot Intensive Farming before. Specializing in Collards, he is farming his yard in a fairly intensive manner and is showing others in his neighborhood how to grow fresh food as well. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /><br />Enas Ragland is one of our hero's and we hope to have more posts concerning him and his efforts to help Terry Heights - Hillandale soon. <br /><br />Do you know a local farmer ? Do you know where your fresh produce comes from ? <br /><br />Lee</span>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-37930974886758250602012-02-19T10:41:00.002-06:002012-02-19T11:35:31.993-06:00Garden Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we are driving aound a bit looking for a potential new customer's yard and what did we find tucked into downtown spaces?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Boxes for square foot gardening and neatly stacked urbanite for future use?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Nice neat beds with lovely mulch just waiting for planting!</span></td></tr>
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Then around the corner... those are young fruit trees, a lot of edible plants could be grown between them for several years.<br />
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Up through town to the area where the customer lives, and up the alleys around Oakwood Avenue.<br />
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I know we often have WAY too many green peppers for our own use, even after we've pickled/salsaed/frozen what we'll use through the winter, not everyone in the neighborhood needs to grow them. While the planning is gearing up this spring, talk to your growing neighbors and plan a little so that more varieties of vegetables can be grown.Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-26320029095222982572012-02-15T08:56:00.001-06:002012-02-15T08:56:31.157-06:00Huntsville/Madison Community FoodWow! Where did January go ?<br />
It is the 15th of February and this our second post of the year. Time is flying. We have been working hard on several things. <br />
We are now Alabama's only certified <a href="http://spinfarming.com/">SPINfarming</a> teacher. Spin stands for Small Plot Intensive farming. The creators of the concept and authors Wally Satzewich and Roxanne Christenson created a system that minimizes two of the largest barriers to new farmers: The cost of land to farm and the cost of equipment to farm. SPIN farming is sub-acre farming, in fact many backyards are suitable for small farming operations that can be very productive. <br />
There are several aspects of this concept we will explore in depth here soon. The short version is simply this. Using various systems of sub acre farming from basic in-ground techniques to SPIN farming to hoop houses, hydroponics and aquaponics, it is possible for a small space farmer to achieve gross incomes from $1- $5 per Square Foot of production area.<br />
We are blessed to live in North Alabama particularly to work in the cities of Huntsville and Madison. With the very high average education and income levels of the average household, the Metro Huntsville / Madison is a dynamic emerging market for fresh food. This is a huge key for a farmer or a community of farmers to succeed.<br />
FOOD SECURITY begins at home! Not everyone enjoys the ability to grow food on their personal property for a variety of reasons, we all understand that. That does not change the fact that each individual household bears responsibility to secure a consistent food supply if that is possible. In order to achieve a level of Food Security for Metro Huntsville / Madison we have also been working through the concepts of Neighborhood and Community Agriculture. <br />
NEIGHBORHOOD AGRICULTURE as we envision it is made up of these four basic elements. There are many many other elements to be sure but let's keep the concept simple or I will get lost. <br />
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THE FAMILY GARDEN, whether in the front yard or backyard or at a neighbors or a family member's house, the family garden is the single best deterrent to food insecurity.<br />
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THE COMMUNITY GARDEN. There are numerous types of Community gardens, <a href="http://www.casamadisoncty.org/services/services.html">from a volunteer led effort with the food produced being given to those who cannot feed themselves</a> to a site where growing <a href="http://www.montesano.org/msorg/mscg.html">food for personal consumption</a> and gardening skills can be transferred to others. Often these gardens serve other purposes, often unintended but very real. The opportunity to meet your neighbors is foremost, the opportunity to be exposed to gardening and even the basics of farming could help develop the next great neighborhood farmer.<br />
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THE NEIGHBORHOOD FARMER, using a single backyard or utilizing a multi location setup. The economics are there for those who are willing to work. A hard working full time farmer with a year or two under their belt using a <a href="http://www.somertontanksfarm.org/">SPIN approach to farming</a> and harvesting can approach $50,000.00 in gross income. A part time farmer can gross $8-10,000 each season. These aren't just jobs, these are sole proprietorships, small businesses. A neighborhood farmer is uniquely positioned to change a neighborhood and a community. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUV4t5GTtKhg_-1slyTYUFbMHoEiAtkTW4YZSIgL2LPfZOXQQ_cNpBqbFeMOH5TXy9FMppWIkdbH6D8w0SsNCpdDjpI5_qDPD2JloUgCmK6hFti3zpLPLTSg363Flbg2Y8HXmZmihcULy/s1600/SPIN+photo+backyard+plot+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUV4t5GTtKhg_-1slyTYUFbMHoEiAtkTW4YZSIgL2LPfZOXQQ_cNpBqbFeMOH5TXy9FMppWIkdbH6D8w0SsNCpdDjpI5_qDPD2JloUgCmK6hFti3zpLPLTSg363Flbg2Y8HXmZmihcULy/s320/SPIN+photo+backyard+plot+4.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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THE NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKET. It a violation of city ordinances to sell from your home without a variance and permit. Starting with a 10' x 10' popup tent or even a tailgate type market it is possible for a farmer to develop a following within his or her respective neighborhood and community. When joined by 2 -3 other farmers the site begins to take on legitimacy as a valid place of commerce. What better way to keep transport costs down than to <a href="http://www.greenestreetmarket.com/Site/Welcome.html">walk to your local food purveyor</a> who you come to know and trust. The smart local farmer will be at market at the same time on the same days every week. There are people delivering fresh food everyday by bicycle! Of course properly placed, indoor, year round farmers markets will be needed in time. <br />
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Think about it...The community farmer can concentrate on growing the high end highly perishable food items such as lettuce and spinach and delicate vegetables like heirloom eggplant varieties. Why burn fossil fuels for the transport of the freshest, most perishable food items we all need? Short growing period food products are a key for the community farmer. Low calorie, long growing season, low value crops can be grown by the suburban and rural farmers to best effect. They have more land space. That is not to say that those farmers should not utilize diverse cropping strategies. <br />
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As I said, we'll be fleshing out these ideas here and elsewhere this year, which is also <a href="http://www.yearofalabamafood.com/">The Year of Alabama Food,</a> so stay tuned, and look for fresh local food coming soon to your family!<br />
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<br />Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-58664308802305022572012-01-01T15:24:00.002-06:002012-01-01T17:01:13.493-06:00Happy New Year! May you and yours be more food secure this year, enjoy more local foods and restaurants, and grow closer to Christ. We look forward to sharing our journey and the stories of local food and increased resilience from around the North Alabama area this year. Please share with us your ideas and the activities of your neighbors and groups who are working toward growing food and increasing opportunities to buy locally grown food.<br />
<b>New Year's Food From the Yard?</b><br />
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We feasted on Arkansas razorback
purple hull peas dried on the vine in the back yard summer before last, simmered
with hunk o’ hog left over from a hunting trip to south Alabama, some onion and
garlic from the yard with a bit of bay leaf from a friend in Lacey’s
Spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to grow bay leaf as
soon as we find a good spot in the yard for it, it’s a very useful spice and
seems to tolerate our climate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the
pork wasn’t salted, we added some to taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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Greens are traditional too? Well, from
the garden today, we have a choice of hot cabbage, collards, spinach,
and/or turnip greens, or we can go cold and crispy with red lettuce or Buttercrunch
and/or spinach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Lee’s mother
brought her famous French salad dressing a few days ago, we’ll go salad today!</div>
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Bread?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cornbread with cornmeal grown and ground on
Sand Mountain, or wheat grown here in the yard and made into crackers or
rolls?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or I’m really lazy and we’ll just
do some <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/hot-water-cornbread-10000000258168/">hot water cornbread </a>.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Time
enough later in the year for fancy feasts, right now, tis the season for simple
and relaxed.</div>
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Lee and Shannon McBrideFoodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-87267668202727543972011-12-20T19:14:00.002-06:002011-12-20T19:31:36.709-06:00The Last TomatoesWe enjoyed the very last of this year's tomatoes tonight. Time to start some serious planning for next year's garden!<br />
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Here's the simple dish we feasted on tonight...<br />
Tomatoes fresh from the shelf where we've been keeping them as they matured. We had one volunteer tomato plant that lasted until last week, so this is from that one.<br />
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Spinach, which we'll have til spring unless we eat it all :)<br />
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Green bunching onions<br />
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Tossed with olive oil, oregano and basil (dried) and some pasta.<br />
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I'm generous with the parmesan and Lee loves plain feta or plain or flavored goat cheeses from <a href="http://www.humbleheartfarms.com/">Humble Heart farms</a>. So toss in whatever you like and enjoy the last taste of summer as the year draws to a close!Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-81613574976080004342011-12-18T18:42:00.000-06:002011-12-18T18:42:06.333-06:00Harvest Schedule for Fruit Trees!<br />
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Many of us live in areas where a vegetable garden is simply “not done”, perhaps a vegetable garden is against the HOA's rules where we live. Fruit trees may provide a way for you to grow some food for yourself and connect with nature in a fun, rewarding way.</div>
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Ornamental plantings provide value to our properties aesthetically. This is one justification for the huge horticultural maintenance and installation industry. Consider value beyond aesthetics for a few moments, consider the truly <i>profitable</i> landscape plant, the Fruit tree or bush.</div>
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The plants listed below do not require a lot of pest control spraying. A dormant oil spray is usually the only spray needed and is considered a least toxic approach. Frankly your fruit may not be store quality in appearance. For example the hard pears may have blotches on the skin of the fruit, however once peeled and sautéed in apple cider you will be wondering why you didn't plant fruit trees years ago. A 7 year old hard pear can produce 150 lbs of fruit in a season to share with your family and community. I recommend avoiding peaches, plums, and cherries in the non orchard environment because they need so many sprays to help them through a growing season.</div>
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Some annual pruning is required, but these are small trees 15' -25 ' as a rule. The Blueberries and Blackberries are easily maintained.<br />
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<b>May - thru July</b><br />
Blackberries (Kiowa Thorned) Self fruiting Space 6' apart, needs trellis system<br />
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<b>June<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Blackberries Thornless (Quachita and Natchez)</div>
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<b>June to mid July<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Blueberry, highbush Cross pollinate Space 6' apart + row<br />
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<b>June to mid August<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Early June</b> - Blueberry, rabbiteye Cross pollinate Space 6' apart + row<br />
<b>June</b> - Climax Premier, Tifblue (Southern standard)<br />
<b>Late June, July</b> - Brightwell<br />
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<b>June And September<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Raspberry Self Fruiting Space 5'-6' apart + row<br />
(Latham, Dorman red, Cumberland Black, Fall Gold)</div>
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<b>July to mid August<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Asian Pear (Housi) Cross pollinate Space 15-<u>20</u>' apart + row<br />
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<b>July - August and Sept<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Fig Self Fruiting Space <u>15</u>-20' apart + row<br />
(Brown Turkey, Celeste, Green Ischia, LSU Purple)</div>
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<b>August - Sept</b><br />
Asian Pear (Shinko or Korean Giant)</div>
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<b>Late August -September<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Hard Pears Cross Pollinate. Space 15- 20' apart + row<br />
(Kieffer)<br />
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<b>August to mid October<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Apple Space 15' apart + row<br />
Yates <i>Red </i>Sept – Oct<br />
Gala <i>Red</i> Sept - Oct,<br />
Fuji <i>Red</i> Sept,<br />
Golden Delicious <i>Yellow </i>Sept –Oct</div>
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All Apples / cedar apple rust issues, yellow varieties tend to do better here.</div>
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<b>September<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Paw Paw Cross pollination required 8'- 10' spacing + row</div>
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(Prolific, Rebecca Gold)</div>
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Indigenous / native from seed</div>
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Taste varies based on site conditions</div>
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<b>October to November<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Oriental Persimmon Space 15-20' apart + row<br />
(FUYU- nonastringent, Hahiya - astringent until ripe)</div>
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This list is not exhaustive or complete, for more information you can check the <a href="http://www.aces.edu/main/">Alabama Extension Service website.</a></div>
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Compiled from various sources by</div>
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Lee McBride</div>
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Foodscapes</div>
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ISA Certified Arborist SO 254</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-2083136184964705062011-11-30T20:31:00.010-06:002011-12-01T19:16:44.659-06:00Gift Certificates Available! We always offer <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/GiftCert.html">gift certificates</a>, but thought we'd remind everyone that they make a wonderful Christmas gift. Winter is the time to dream and plan, so a <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/gardencoach.html">consultation</a> after the New Year might be in order. Trees can be planted or <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/customservices.html">soil amendments layered</a> for quick spring harvest. <br />
You might want to get your family a <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/customgardens1.html">whole gardening system</a> with coaching through your first year of gardening! <br />
Take a look around the website and call or email for details!<br />
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Watch this space for more ideas on food security, resilience and fun around the garden!<br />
<br />
Mrs. McBride<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q3PV0zzAhYH5UN7kGeH__srXZYYbL_NhdRrXwjUXdnuhmy12_3zkZaX_QiyJ8sheVD3R6oIvXLufqg37oQ5UVmXhESZBUeSqOBHPj4EnvdwMvMrHaf_N6SP45ZqJTdx7yf52PXK_14MM/s1600/gift_certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q3PV0zzAhYH5UN7kGeH__srXZYYbL_NhdRrXwjUXdnuhmy12_3zkZaX_QiyJ8sheVD3R6oIvXLufqg37oQ5UVmXhESZBUeSqOBHPj4EnvdwMvMrHaf_N6SP45ZqJTdx7yf52PXK_14MM/s400/gift_certificate.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-85655282630989405352011-11-27T14:45:00.000-06:002011-11-27T14:45:46.263-06:00Rainy Afternoon and Google EarthGoogle Earth can be entertaining on a rainy November afternoon. I discovered the 'historical' image tool today and wandered off to find our house. The first image from February 2002<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKPWjc_CYxkrjXvNC_diFwcX6bATjGKBJ6WKsPb-xYfBdxy25y7uQsh71jgJlC9zuv_5kbK3PnL2f9rvjB5g8wJZc3qiJTOVTMPAbywRD8WB1rluNXErp6C_3TDNiP3vomW1l6SZ_IK78/s1600/mush01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKPWjc_CYxkrjXvNC_diFwcX6bATjGKBJ6WKsPb-xYfBdxy25y7uQsh71jgJlC9zuv_5kbK3PnL2f9rvjB5g8wJZc3qiJTOVTMPAbywRD8WB1rluNXErp6C_3TDNiP3vomW1l6SZ_IK78/s320/mush01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You can see the house with the front yard bisected by a walkway. The driveway is on the upper side of the house with a patio in the ell and garage to the back. Trees shade the whole backyard and the front is grass. Well, short green plants, some edible like dandelions and dock and hmm...well, ok other weeds. Forward to June 2006<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZOEk8u2lwS3RvuKOPjhF4IirJ2urqnnKIxEANtfdHWcjsT10g9G3np3tyJdzC5YTXLx_tk6Vbcj2BNTq3DV69VAWEQOb4v04pVMEEpjxYjEdtYjs0UtyVsyH37HG4pqZujT-FykBV-Wj/s1600/mush02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZOEk8u2lwS3RvuKOPjhF4IirJ2urqnnKIxEANtfdHWcjsT10g9G3np3tyJdzC5YTXLx_tk6Vbcj2BNTq3DV69VAWEQOb4v04pVMEEpjxYjEdtYjs0UtyVsyH37HG4pqZujT-FykBV-Wj/s320/mush02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Closer than this and it begins to look like pointillist art, but you can see the back yard has lost some tree cover and the front yard is dead grass/dirt being prepared for gardens. March 2007 is much clearer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk7XY9ctAuSSjy-yJgUXR7EPiVOSMWQlMBgwsXKCDCceB1GTASbfJCkBCE3obBSqJY3TB-_7C4cuMViRe2xB8NkBBFL7kDeQlQE2DKMlBB88einrOhnIqGvY7d_NINimhQFH2vDwtz5K7/s1600/mush03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk7XY9ctAuSSjy-yJgUXR7EPiVOSMWQlMBgwsXKCDCceB1GTASbfJCkBCE3obBSqJY3TB-_7C4cuMViRe2xB8NkBBFL7kDeQlQE2DKMlBB88einrOhnIqGvY7d_NINimhQFH2vDwtz5K7/s320/mush03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The trees are not in leaf yet, so you can see the back and front pretty well. The front has gardens with grass strips around them, there is a single fence across the front of the gardens. The fence helps the place look nice between crops and provides some support for vining plants like peas, hyacinth bean vine and the like. In the back, you can barely see some white X's, those are square foot gardens placed corner to corner. The X's are PVC pipe to make little hoophouses. You can see them closer <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/fourseason.html">here.</a> The light 'trail' on the lower side of the house is our lesson on buying 'soil' and letting it be dumped without examining it. River silt is not good on gardens. Quite a contrast with the dark lovely soil Lee has created in the front yard, isn't it? Soil conditioner and compost are your friends when starting a garden.<br />
The latest shot is from September 2010...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_PHduVfxgvfy_0GDA_AJt5D-lsEUvcSog9QuIsE0ZqJt-DX28AX4anKoIYxVhyphenhypheni2EgILkUO3jeEUGtHcL5IquoCrEPlRRUC7vBWd4ljnXEjZMeOiLakefYwbrtCRWB7BiRMiAYIsAlMs/s1600/mush04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_PHduVfxgvfy_0GDA_AJt5D-lsEUvcSog9QuIsE0ZqJt-DX28AX4anKoIYxVhyphenhypheni2EgILkUO3jeEUGtHcL5IquoCrEPlRRUC7vBWd4ljnXEjZMeOiLakefYwbrtCRWB7BiRMiAYIsAlMs/s320/mush04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The front fence is covered with hyacinth bean vine..as is the arbor over the sidewalk. Gorgeous vine and vigorous grower. We won't grow it over an arbor again as we had to spend way too much time pruning so we could get to the street! <br />
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A note on tree cover. If you'll notice in the first shot above, the trees in the upper rear corner of our lot shade that area. They were spindly tired pine trees and by the third shot they are gone. You can see that by 2010, the neighbor's river birch again overshadows that rear corner. This isn't a problem for us as that tree is to the north, our cherry on the south side(which almost melds with our southern neighbor's maple) shades most of our back yard. However, when you are figuring out where to put your garden, watch out not only for shade or future shade from your own trees, but those of your neighbors as well.Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-39591134583710478452011-11-07T16:53:00.000-06:002011-11-17T18:45:17.758-06:00Saffron from the yard!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have my own saffron!!! Saffron crocus is a fall blooming crocus that is hardy here (zones 10-6). The saffron is the red threads you can see on the lower petal. The leaves are almost like grass they are so thin. I planted them all over the yard in a variety of soils and exposures. They are, of course, doing best in the richest soil with the most sunlight, but they are producing even in the worst clay.... slowly. They are even doing well in a medium size pot. <br />
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Here's the clip from <a href="http://www.odysseybulbs.com/index.html">Odyssey Bulbs</a>, recommended to me by Mike Gibson at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. <br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="crosat"><strong><em>Crocus sativus</em></strong></a><strong><em> ~ The beautiful pale lilac-purple flowers of this long-cultivated species are prized for their toothsome stigmas and styles (although keep in mind that it takes the dried styles of more than 4,000 flowers to produce 1 ounce of seasoning). But it is equally valuable (although perhaps not in the literal sense) as an ornamental plant. A natural for the herb or kitchen garden, it requires rich, well-drained soil, periodic division, and deep planting to do its best. Mediterranean. Zone 5. </em></strong></div>
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Can't wait to try it in my mother's family recipes! I already have more than I got in the bottle at Publix, and they are just starting to bloom. Here's hoping they are as flavorful as they are pretty! They smell wonderful as they are pulled ready for drying.</div>
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They are dainty, and those in the richest soil are blooming several times. I'm going to leave some out this winter well mulched to see if they will survive. I'll dig up the ones in the poorest soil before a really bad freeze and give them a better home next year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeIu380cV0Dc6pLH7lYKrcAm1kbkNTlHwfa6cka4ioJGXqv8xX2LeOn-7TwE96fR7Mb31f30xspj-AtHoEmscleWG5fZpBYGvD8S0ORPcb1bmHnv3-AEwYD9hsoUXPbFljA1eyZQVTd4N/s1600/safspot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeIu380cV0Dc6pLH7lYKrcAm1kbkNTlHwfa6cka4ioJGXqv8xX2LeOn-7TwE96fR7Mb31f30xspj-AtHoEmscleWG5fZpBYGvD8S0ORPcb1bmHnv3-AEwYD9hsoUXPbFljA1eyZQVTd4N/s320/safspot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-47868129299726716662011-11-06T19:15:00.000-06:002011-11-06T19:15:31.567-06:00Fall is for planting … TREES Destruction in nature often brings forth rebirth and renewed vigor. The devastation of the April 27th tornado's and other severe storm events we endured this year provides us the opportunity to look years into the future. It’s a fact that many areas of Madison county and Alabama will need to replant thousands of trees in next few years. Now we can make real improvements to our property and our urban forests. It’s time to move forward and fall is the best time to plant trees in Alabama.<br />
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We have a unique opportunity to shape the vision that future generations will see. The beauty and usefulness of the trees that our children’s children see and how much those trees cost in care and maintenance will be determined by our choices this fall and the planting seasons to come. To help us as a community make well thought out plant choices let’s review the basics.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young tree will soon be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as large as the old tree...and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is even closer to the </span><br />
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Avoid planting trees under power lines! It is often difficult to imagine the mature size of a tree. Learn to <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape filled="t" id="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 264.9pt; margin-left: 46.25pt; margin-top: 228.3pt; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9.05pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9.05pt; position: absolute; width: 113.3pt; z-index: -1;" type="#_x0000_t75" wrapcoords="-149 0 -149 21520 21588 21520 21588 0 -149 0"><fill color2="black" opacity="0"></fill><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Artist\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="tight"></wrap></shape>see years in the future by finding and observing a mature tree(s) you are considering. It is almost beyond comprehension that a stick 1 1/2” wide and 5' tall can grow to be 50 -70 feet tall and have branches extending those same distances in width in 20 -30 years. Plant too close to your house or the power lines, and you leave an expensive legacy. Millions of dollars each year, every year, are spent by utility customers pruning trees planted too close to power lines. Remember this suggestion: <br />
Do not plant a tree within 20' of the power lines. A tree that matures at 40 feet or higher should be planted even farther away from the lines.<br />
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Let’s respect the streets and sidewalks this planting season as well. Everyone loves a tree lined boulevard. They are breathtaking. They are also expensive to maintain. Trees need lots of room for roots. The roots of growing and mature trees are constantly mining the soil for minerals and water. The first eight feet around a mature tree contain massive roots that taper down to the pipeline roots. In our heavy soils roots are often in the top ten inches of soil and can extend three to five times the diameter of the outer branch spread. <br />
Tree roots will win! Roots expand in diameter as well as length every year. They exert a superhuman amount of pressure against anything they are under or near--sidewalks, streets, driveways or home foundations. The larger the tree, the larger the root system it will have. In a tug of war for space, my money is on the root. <br />
For planning purposes in terms of a square such as a front lawn a 24' x 24' area would be needed for a 12” diameter tree (measured at maturity). Many trees achieve 24-30” in diameter at maturity so plan appropriately or call a certified arborist or licensed landscape designer to help you avoid costly mistakes.<br />
Planning ahead can SAVE you and your community thousands of future dollars. Think of your new trees as an investment with the potential to reward you and others for many years to come. Over the next few weeks we will be reviewing planning, selection, planting and maintenance.<br />
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Lee McBride<br />
Arborist ISA #SO254<br />
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<br />Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-24704290978483807602011-10-25T19:37:00.000-05:002011-10-25T19:37:52.048-05:00Learning more! Tis the season for conferences, seminars and workshops it seems. Lee is off for a few days to Birmingham for <a href="http://www.aufa.com/">Alabama Urban Forestry</a> / <a href="http://www.isa-arbor.com/">International Society of Arboriculture</a> (gotta keep those CEUs coming) conference so I slid into the Master Gardener's Fall Workshop at the Extension Office <a href="http://www.aces.edu/main/">ACES</a> on Cook Ave today in his place. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
First up was Dottye Pierce (President <a href="http://www.mginfo.org/">MGNA</a>) and Ken Creel (extension agent for this area) for the welcome and overview of their organizations. Then we were treated to Janet Boothe's talk on Flower Bulbs. Such gorgeous pictures of all the types of tulips and daffodils and crocus as well as the more unusual frittaria and snowdrops. New to me was the botanical species tulips, the forerunners to our modern hybridized tulips.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tulipa chyrsantha - Courtesy Wiki Commons</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tulipa turkestanica - Courtesy Wiki Commons </span></td></tr>
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She included lots of good information on planning and planting so I hope to see more bright colors around town!<br />
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Ed Gray spoke next on cold frames. TONS of good ideas here from the simplest to the most elaborate. I loved the hay bales with an old window on top, wish I had a picture! The essence of cold frames is to capture the sun's light and heat and protect plants from drying winds. <br />
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Stacy Scannell from the <a href="http://www.hsvbg.org/">Botanical Garden</a> gave us a powerpoint tour of the greenhouses and cold frames of all kinds that they use to keep the plants coming in all seasons. From simple wood boxes with wire screening on top to keep the critters out to an automated greenhouse that heats and cools and opens and closes as needed, the Garden has something to suit every plant. <br />
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Karen Voelker hauled in a sampling of the produce currently on tap at the <a href="http://www.casamadisoncounty.com/">CASA</a> garden. Radishes, kale, curly mustard, cucuzzi squash, okra (still!?) , turnip (root and tops) and spoke about growing everything under the sun. Her main message? Rotate crops, compost and keep planting! Seeds are cheap and you never know what will grow :)<br />
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Max Campbell is a joy to listen to. You don't just get his wisdom from 40 years of vegetable gardening in this area, he throws in the years before that (ahem not sure how many) and his father's nuggets too ! He covered about all the topics you could ask for from seeds to tools and included a great list of ACES publications and other resources for the attendees.<br />
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Not sure where we'll end up next, but we'll learn something new! Have you picked up any fall or winter garden tips lately?<br />
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Shannon McBride<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-85462062980615948362011-10-22T18:18:00.000-05:002011-10-22T18:18:33.114-05:00Learning New Things! Since Lee was busy at the <a href="http://www.casamadisoncounty.com/index.html">CASA Garden</a> this morning, I went to the 1st Annual Ethnic Food Security Network Conference by myself. Sponsored by <a href="http://www.aces.edu/urban/">ACES Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs</a>, <a href="http://www.alafarm.com/">Alabama Farmers Cooperative</a> and <a href="http://2733ranch.com/">2733 Ranch</a>, the conference covered grass fed beef, specialty vegetables and pastured poultry which are opportunities for farm diversification in the area. <br />
I missed the welcome by Dr. Jannie Carter and Dr. Julio Correa due to a wrong turn (no GPS in my old Honda!) but got there in time to hear Miles Albright of 2733 Ranch speak on grass fed beef. He's passionate about the taste of his beef and carrying on the 9 generation stockman's heritage of his family. We'll never have cattle, but it's fun to learn little snippets. For instance, Miles' natural methods require the cattle to fertilize the pastures as they are rotated from field to field grazing. In the heat of summer, they like to gather in the shade of the trees at the edges of the pasture leading to very healthy trees, but perhaps not enough of the 'good stuff' being deposited around the middle of the pasture. He's beginning to breed for lighter colored cattle that will spend more time in the sun grazing than the black ones he's currently got. More grazing means more growth on the cattle and more 'growth stimulant' on the ground. <br />
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Dr. Rao Mentreddy spoke next on "Vegetable Production for Ethnic Markets". He outlined several niche markets that may exist around the area for exotic vegetables and herbs that seem to grow well here. After his talk, we got to go walk around his demonstration plot. The indian eggplants were still thriving in spite of the light frost. The basil had sadly succumbed to the frost but he was able to show some of the details of the variety of leaf shapes and scents. The odd little squash and melons were still trying to produce that last seed before the really cold weather hits. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Edible Red Amaranth, Ethnic Vegetable Research Project at the Upper Marlboro </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Research and Education Center, University of Maryland. (Photo: Stephan Tubene)</span><br />
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</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Dr. Ken Macklin from Auburn/ACES spoke on Profiting from a Small Poultry Flock. Lots of good information there. Tho he comes from a commercial production background, he's full of great information on small scale production and had lots of slides on the interesting variety of 'chicken houses' found around the state. He showed everything from PVC pipe 'tractors' to houses that looked good enough for humans to live in. He shared several tips and tricks and things to keep in mind as you customize your production model on everything from feed to watering to 'doctoring'. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Overall a very informative day!</div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-4160783312265165612011-10-18T18:53:00.001-05:002011-10-18T19:09:37.600-05:00Are You Interested? Have you heard of Transition Town? For a quick overview try <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns">the Wikipedia entry</a> and follow the links if you'd like more information. Here in Huntsville, Michele Sneed of <a href="http://www.thefarmhousehuntsville.com/index.html">The Farmhouse</a> is gathering people who are interested in all aspects of the Transition movement. I went to a "mulling" meeting last night to listen to conversations begun a few weeks ago about starting a group here in Huntsville. They've set up a blog at <a href="http://transitionhuntsville.blogspot.com/">TransitionHuntsville</a> to get things rolling. <br />
There are no hard and fast 'rules' for being part of Transition, the movement is very grassroots and local in focus and development. Right now the group is thinking about how to express the Huntsville idea of transition. Brainstorming a bit, we tossed around <br />
<blockquote>Resilience, Local Solutions, Sustainability, Healthy Food, Community Building, Strengthening Neighborhood Relationships, Sharing Wisdom, Scalability, Preparedness, Skills Sharing, Connectedness, Regeneration/Regenerative</blockquote> Lots of great ideas and thoughtful discussion on what this all means in the 'culture' of Huntsville. We have so many great engineers and artists and writers, from all continents and viewpoints, so many established and brand new subdivisions and neighborhoods, I look forward to seeing how Huntsville 'transitions' into the future!<br />
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edited to add: authored by Shannon!Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-4699992233677450782011-10-16T19:31:00.000-05:002011-10-16T19:31:28.683-05:00Along the alleyways... A delightful day for a road trip and so we do what we usually do and that is keep an eye out for veggies! We wandered around town and then slipped up the alleys looking closely for gardens. <br />
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</div><div align="left"> Our first hit came almost immediately. These are big beds. I'll get better at this blogging thing and I'll remember to measure or get more perspective. I hope the folks tending these are tall, I find more than 4 foot across is too much without stepping in the beds. Looks like they've cleaned up for the winter..wish I could tell them to sow some nitrogen fixing cover crops like crimson clover or Austrian peas that will provide some green, keep down weeds and add wonderfully to their soil's fertility for next season. Maybe they'll read this, pass it around!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GztjKdzbeTpJO-6HUUfQ5NQKGIF-tSohpa0BIMVLLRe0VQ47Hbbufy3rVH5Rl3dB7ygOh6tL00ZrpntWt-qLklPhmiapKNnBVExZY5Cu95akv9PJ_utoJ1Jw-wY1torJwErexv8rI4En/s1600/trebed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GztjKdzbeTpJO-6HUUfQ5NQKGIF-tSohpa0BIMVLLRe0VQ47Hbbufy3rVH5Rl3dB7ygOh6tL00ZrpntWt-qLklPhmiapKNnBVExZY5Cu95akv9PJ_utoJ1Jw-wY1torJwErexv8rI4En/s320/trebed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left"> They had a very large tree taken down recently as you can see here... wonder if it was before the gardens were put in or if the gardens weren't doing well in the shade? Perhaps the storm hit it and the safest thing to do was take the rest of it down.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrV0OM6T_BklYJMI5PC8VtnQziBGBL6-Xu9l6fAZUaziYvNmVQ7DlxA5DriHGSaMHl1kHTCfxbj6AsugwJUcboABliODmLyfNniNAtHC41LF4d6BWPui4plW2__ncK-4jei_wrhdjHbUD/s1600/fallmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrV0OM6T_BklYJMI5PC8VtnQziBGBL6-Xu9l6fAZUaziYvNmVQ7DlxA5DriHGSaMHl1kHTCfxbj6AsugwJUcboABliODmLyfNniNAtHC41LF4d6BWPui4plW2__ncK-4jei_wrhdjHbUD/s320/fallmes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Next up is a nice size garden that probably has really good soil! There's everything growing in there, flowers for attracting good bugs, herbs, okra even! They may be mixing in some permaculture style gardening. The small tree on the left wasn't fruit bearing that we could tell. We didn't have time to get out and poke around too much. The annuals will die down soon and it will be easier to clean up. <br />
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</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> These folks have a lot of yard left to grow their garden, but they did well this year. Still producing on October 14th! I do hope they enjoyed it and intend to grow more next year.</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuIcnGjr8VyAtgpXnwsVlzs0ZHdEx_gIjq6Kae2FSuRSSIgbo4hx5Ah0FIpYJ0JKNwPdKaHjP1sXrulqNIzGIzx0pSrkHxx00rWTRbuYXTKkTEUSugA3babWewKx82_6lDFTQoAtBD38q/s1600/fallstree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuIcnGjr8VyAtgpXnwsVlzs0ZHdEx_gIjq6Kae2FSuRSSIgbo4hx5Ah0FIpYJ0JKNwPdKaHjP1sXrulqNIzGIzx0pSrkHxx00rWTRbuYXTKkTEUSugA3babWewKx82_6lDFTQoAtBD38q/s320/fallstree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> This is the only front yard garden we spied this time, of course, we were mostly keeping to the alleys. They kept this one pretty weed free and now tis time to say goodbye to the summer. Still a few producing plants and some stalks to make fall decorations! It's so hard to take plants out at the end of summer before that first hard freeze. Just a feeeew more tomatoes and peppers please? <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> We voted this best October garden as it is still productive with very healthy plants for the end of the season. Here's hoping they are starting some fall/winter crops somewhere, it's hard to see from the car in the alley, so they can keep eating fresh veggies later on!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> We're always eager to showcase local gardens, so let us know of any hiding in your neighborhood!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-88351825179247112002011-10-14T08:08:00.000-05:002011-10-14T08:08:39.086-05:00Broken link on an Important ArticleThe link to the New York Times article appears to be busted. <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/whyigarden.html">Here </a>is a pdf of the article on our website <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/index.html">Foodscapes</a>.<br />
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Is there someone you know who needs help getting started? <a href="http://www.foodscapesinc.com/giftgarden.html">We can help!</a>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-59251604737664086452011-10-12T09:42:00.000-05:002011-10-12T09:42:50.988-05:00Go Local Food!Talk about local food ... or better yet, eat some! Thanks to the Huntsville Times for a <a href="http://blog.al.com/living-times/2011/10/group_aims_to_form_food_counci.html">great article!</a><br />
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You can learn more about local food happenings at <a href="http://fbofna.org/Support%20Local%20Foods%20and%20Farmers.aspx">North Alabama Food Policy Council</a> where you'll find information on hosting a local food dinner and other events. HSVGreenLink also keeps up <a href="http://www.hsvgreenlink.com/fopoco/">here</a>.<br />
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Pass the word and keep us informed of other local food events and sources!Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5753611670509355300.post-78312688099685143222011-10-11T19:07:00.001-05:002011-10-14T08:10:22.448-05:00This Why We Do What We Do!Link broken..check<a href="http://foodfromtheyard.blogspot.com/2011/10/broken-link-on-important-article.html"> here</a> for pdf of the article!<br />
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/i-went-back-to-the-land-to-feed-my-family.html?_r=4">This article</a> in the New York Times recently is a perfect example of what we love to help folks do, feed themselves fresh, healthy and frugal food! It takes time and effort, but it is oh so worth it!<br />
<blockquote><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_498046419">You can tell yourself anything is too difficult, or you can just do it. And you do not need to reconstruct your worldview or take issue with others. </a></blockquote><blockquote><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/i-went-back-to-the-land-to-feed-my-family.html?_r=4">You just need to be hungry. </a></blockquote>Foodscapes, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13801000552573491675noreply@blogger.com0