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Thank
you Lee and Francine of GRUB for a wonderful field trip of your
farm. We learned a lot about planting and weeding and harvesting fall
crops. It was great seeing Broccoli already in harvest, and so many
other vegetables. Lee tells us that they don't spray for pests, even
with organic approved materials. This fall, their Red Russian Kale had a
bad infestation of aphids, so they took it out and replanted other
crops. One of their techniques I will be using next summer and fall is
the use of a shade house for starting fall seedlings for transplanting.
They begin seed flats in early July for planting out in August. We hope
to visit GRUB next spring for a field trip. By the way, Francine was
telling me that she is loving the daikon radishes they planted. Seems
like a late summer planting is the best for big crispy delicious daikon.
There
is a field trip coming up Sunday November 22 with Carl Rosato. Time:
1:30 to about 3:30. We will have an opportunity to see Carl pruning
several fruit trees. This field trip is happening rain or shine, and
will be in Chico at Hazel and Mair's gardens. This is a wonderful
opportunity to see Carl in action and ask any questions about pruning,
winter spraying (or not spraying, and why), soil management, and so much
more. If you attended the organic gardening class sessions last spring
you already know how knowledgeable and enthusiastic Carl is. Don't miss
it. $10 payable at the garden.
To
Register, please reply to this email. We will send directions.
Also,
belated thanks to Mary Berglund and Bruce Balgooyen for the field trips
to their farms this summer. We had a great time, and learned a lot.
Gardening
Tips: Yes, it
is time to take out your tomato and eggplant plants. You could plant
garlic or onions where they were.
Just a
reminder, check your soil moisture on your fall vegetables and keep
watering if it hasn't rained. This is leaf gathering season. They make
an excellent main ingredient for compost piles. In this cool weather
they won't decompose rapidly. But what's the hurry? You can stockpile
the leaves and make your compost piles next spring. Leaves also make a
great mulch for the garden. Worms love them. If you are going to mulch a
lawn area, you might want to start with a layer of cardboard. The
staples and tape will not decompose, so you need to remove them first.
The permaculture version of this involves adding a nitrogen source to
the mulch of leaves or straw so that it will decompose over the winter
and be ready to be dug in for spring planting. You can also use just
leaves and remove them in the spring prior to planting.
It
is not too early to be planning your spring garden. Check the sun
pattern on the area you have in mind. February sun will come from a
similar angle. There will be a "planting window" in late January or
February. Plan to have seed on hand, your beds ready to dig, and your
tools in order. When we hold the class January through April, you should
have access to all the information you need to plant lettuce, spinach,
beets, peas and more. So getting beds ready will make your spring garden
a great success.
Happy Gardening,
David Grau
Valley Oak Tool Company P.O.
Box 301 Chico CA 95927 telephone 530-342-6188
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