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Making Weeds into Snacks

June 16th, 2013

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As gardeners we often see weeds as pests and think up new ways to destroy them. But there are more to weeds than what meets the eye. Did you know that many weeds are edible and even nutritious? Here are a few weeds you can snack on instead of eradicate:

  • Dollar weed  – This circular weed has a tendency to take over yards. However since you can eat them perhaps you will find them not so objectionable anymore. The small round leaves of this weed can be eaten raw and have a taste similar to cucumber. Try to pick leaves smaller than a quarter for the best flavor. Dollar weed also grows in standing water so be sure to wash well before eating. If you desire you can also make a kimchee or sauerkraut like dish from the leaves. Only the leaves are edible. The stems are stringy and hard.
  • Dandelion – This is another common weed that is edible. With its distinctive yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads this is one weed you can’t overlook. This is also a nutrition packed plant. High in many vitamins, minerals and even protein, you could survive for a while on this plant alone. However the flavor leaves something to be desired. With a bitter taste this plant is best eaten cooked. The yellow flower can be eaten raw of the green parts are removed. It makes a colorful addition to salads. Young leaves can be mixed with other greens for a flavor burst. Wilting the leaves is also a great way to make the plant palatable. Combine with hot bacon drippings, green onion, a little sugar, and apple cider vinegar for a tasty side dish. Or you can use a strong oil and vinegar dressing or a salty accompaniment like soy sauce to disguise the bitter flavor. The roots of the dandelion can also be roasted and ground for a coffee substitute or boiled for twenty to thirty minutes before eating.
  • Spiderwort/Day Flower  – With beautiful blue flowers and long, slim leaves this distinctive plant is easy to spot growing in the shade. You can eat the stems of this plant and they have a texture similar to okra, and just as slimy. The sap from the plant can be used to relive minor burns and the stems can be added to thicken stews. The leaves are also edible raw. Nutritious and hardy a frost will kill this plant but it will grow back within a couple of months.
  • Chickweed – Another weed, this one loves to grow in sidewalk cracks, along foundations and anywhere the soil has been disturbed. It has tiny white flowers and likes to grow in clusters. Full of vitamin C, iron and other minerals, this plant is best cooked in stews and soups and acts as a thickener. It tastes good chopped fine and cooked in pasta sauce or as an addition to pesto and salsa. Do not eat too much of it as excessive consumption can cause stomach upset.
  • Purslane/Sedum/Stone Crop – Another weed that loves sidewalk cracks, this juicy looking plant has many uses. This pant loves heat and can often be found growing during the hottest parts of the year when everything else is turning brown. The leaves and stems are edible raw or cooked. Full of vitamins A,C, and all the Bs, minerals, and omega-3fatty acid, this plant is a great addition to your diet. You can also steam it or fry it and the largest stems can be pickled like cucumber.
  • Sow Thistle – This weed is another variety that pops up where you least expect it. It can grow to waist high and has many edible parts. The young leaves are edible raw, steamed or boiled. The stem can be peeled and then cooked like asparagus. Very rich in vitamins and minerals the whole plant can be picked before flowers appear and steamed. The buds of the yellow flowers also make a great caper substitute. Just pluck them before they open and pickle them for six weeks. The roots of this plant are very bitter but can be roasted for a coffee substitute.

 

About the Author:

Humble Seed welcomes guest bloggers. This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston. Questions and comments can be sent to: liznelson17 @ gmail.com.

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Beat The Heat This Summer In Your Garden!

June 15th, 2013

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During the dog days of summer, you and your plants need some extra TLC – particularly when it hits above 100 degrees. It only takes a few hours for the sun’s rays to damage your plants beyond repair while you were splashing around in the pool (not that we blame you!). To make summer gardening beneficial for your plants and more bearable on yourself, here are some quick and easy tips.

Taking note of your plants. When the heat is on, plants will show signs of distress. Look for browning, yellowing and/or wilted leaves with little to no flowering.  They may also feel crisp when touched. If there are already signs of damage, you may be able to save your plants for successful harvesting. Make sure to mulch 3 to 4 inches to help conserve water, and when watering, give your plants a good, deep soak. Mulching also cools the soil temperature by shielding it from direct sunlight. To prevent damage, read further.

Watering. Depending on what region you live in, you may be experiencing drought. If so, and if you are dealing with water restrictions, you will need to be thoughtful with the day(s) and time(s) you water. If you can, water your plants deeply when it’s cooler in the early morning or evening. If you have drip irrigation, great! If not, you may want to invest in soaker hoses. If you’re fortunate to get a summer monsoon season, a water harvesting barrel is a great way to water your vegetables and reduce your water bills.

Feeding your plants. Many plants may hold back fruit in the hot weather, making it important that you continue to encourage fruit by providing nutrients. One easy way to do this is by side-dressing your plants with compost. Making your own compost is easy (see tips here), plus it makes a rockin’ natural fertilizer for your garden. Limiting weeds can also reduce competition for nutrients and water with your plants – pesky little things aren’t they? If it’s too hot to go weed pullin’ – you may want to try in the evening.

Shade. If your plants are showing signs of heat stress, you should provide them with shade during the hottest part of the day, generally between 11am and 3pm. You can purchase shading material at your local garden center or you can construct a shade barrier using old bed sheets and poles. Summerweight garden fabric is also a nice investment; it can shield plants from damaging rays, and protect crops from birds, insects and other nuisances. Lattices and old screens also work well to shade vulnerable plants.

Keeping your cool. Summer’s heat can be brutal and dangerous to the gardener as well, so it’s important that you protect yourself when in your garden. Using sun block and wearing a wide brimmed hat, loose fitting pants and a light-colored long-sleeved shirt or tee shirt will help reduce skin damage due to the sun’s powerful rays. Wetting or freezing a collar or a towel can also keep you feeling fresh. Furthermore – make sure to have plenty of water within reach while you work!

Best of luck this summer! What are your favorite ways to beat the summer heat within your garden? Do tell…

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Grow Up! Tips for Maximizing Your Garden Space

June 11th, 2013

Lattice

Yards come in all shapes and sizes, and even the most gifted gardener may run into the issue of trying to grow plants in an itty-bitty space, only to become frustrated and end up with frustrated plants, as well. If you’ve found that your plants aren’t thriving, don’t dismiss the idea of having a gorgeously blooming yard quite yet. There are ways to please your green friends, even when you don’t have acres of lush land with which to work.

What’s the secret to having more space in which to garden? Extending your yard upward, not outward. If you’ve never considered using a lattice, now might be the time. You’ll be amazed what you’ll come up with (pun intended).

What is lattice?

A lattice, quite simply, is a structure where pieces of material cross over each other in a grid. A lattice can make the garden space you’re working with seem much larger, since it enables your plants to grow up toward the sky.

Different Types of Lattices

There are a few types of lattices, each boasting its own advantages. Before you decide to put one in your garden, take a look at your options.

Plastic or Vinyl

A plastic lattice can be the least expensive option for the gardener, and plastic certainly has its good points. The advantages of using a plastic lattice can include:

  • It is less susceptible to weather elements.
  • Insects are not as drawn to plastic as they may be to natural materials such as wood.
  • It is easy to clean.
  • It will not warp or splinter.

Wrought Iron or Metal

A metal lattice can be copper, iron or a lightweight aluminum. The advantages of selecting a lattice made out of metal can include:

  • It is durable through the years, provided you maintain it.
  • It brings a sophisticated look to the garden.
  • It can hold heavy plants because it’s durable.

Wood

Of course, let’s not forget wood. If you choose a wooden lattice, you’ll have your pick of trees – pine, cedar and redwood, to name a few. Here are the advantages of a wood lattice:

  • It is environmentally friendly.
  • It blends naturally with the beauty of the natural world.
  • It can be painted or decorated easily.
  • It is relatively inexpensive.

Installing a Lattice in the Garden

Once you’ve decided on the type that suits your space the best, it is time to introduce the lattice to your garden. If you chose a lattice made from wood, follow these tips to install it.

  • Measure the space; measure the lattice.
    You’ll need to make sure that your lattice is cut into the size you need. Measure the space first and cut the appropriate amount of lattice. Use a fine tooth saw on a steady surface for cutting the lattice.
  • Create a frame.
    It’s a bit more difficult to get the lattice to attach to the earth, so a frame is helpful in this case. A simple wooden frame that surrounds the garden space should work.
  • Attach the lattice to the frame.
    Use small nails, deck screws or staples to attach the lattice to the frame you’ve created.

Selecting Plants for the Lattice

Now that you have a lattice in your garden, which plants will grow successfully in a vertical direction? Here are a couple suggestions for plants that will beautify your newly decorated space – there are many others, of course! Keep in mind, too, that these plants are also great for picket fences and any other structures around your home.

  • Roses
    There are many different types of roses in the world, so pick your favorites (make sure they’ll grow in your climate) and watch them wind around your new lattice. Roses are cherished for their fragrance – not to mention that they’re a symbol of love.
  • Clematis
    Clematis vines come in many colors. This is a hearty plant in most climates.
  • Wisteria
    Wisteria is known for its small flowers (usually white, blue or pink). Wisteria blooms in the spring and also thrives in many climates.
  • Morning Glory
    Considered one of the easier vines to grow, even for beginners, morning glory will bloom in the morning with large flowers in colors including white, purple and scarlet.

Remember, a lattice can offer privacy and beauty to your yard, as well as creating a more vertical garden space for happier plants. If you’ve been wondering how to make the most of a minuscule yard, letting your plants grow up might be the answer you seek.

 

About the Author:

Chris Long is a store associate at a Chicago-area Home Depot. He frequently writes for the Home Depot website. Chris’ outdoor project interests range from providing homeowners with lattice tips to how to choose the right fencing for your yard.

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Q and A: How To Create A Garden For Your Community

May 12th, 2013

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What is a community garden? A community garden is a space where community members are able to grow anything from fruits and vegetables to flowers on a plot of shared land. A church, school, business, or private landowner can donate a piece of land – but the space continues to thrive as a community garden by a variety of share holders.

What can I expect? Typically, you’ll find designated garden plots, usually measuring about 3′ x 20′ that are made available to individuals and families in the neighborhood. The gardener is responsible for supplying the plants, seeds, and soil amendments. However, you don’t have to worry about manually watering your plants each week, as drip irrigation systems are normally installed to supply water to the plants.

What is the cost? Expect the cost to be based on the bed size, as well as a reimbursement water fee to the property owner – usually around $15.00 per month for each plot. This money also pays for the irrigation equipment, a monthly newsletter in some cases, as well as a set of tools made available.

How can I create a garden for my community?

Step 1: The first step is initiating a planning committee. As a group, determine if there is a real need for a community garden, and whom the garden will serve. As you move forward, you will also need to make a list of what needs to be done, and designate roles to each member.

Step 2: The planning committee or sponsor will need to choose a site. The land should get at least 6 full hours of sunlight, pass soil tests, and be clear of contamination. You may also need to consider if irrigation is available.

Step 3: The next step is developing the site. The community garden site should be cleaned up and organized. This includes selecting work crews, choosing plot sizes, creating a storage area, and deciding whether organic gardening practices will be used.

Step 4: Organize the garden details. The planning committee should decide the large and tiny details behind the community garden. At the very least, these questions should be answered:

* What are the conditions of membership?

* How will plots be assigned?

* How will the money be used?

* How large should each plot be? Should there be various sizes to choose from?

* Will there be a plot for children?

* What happens if the plot becomes vandalized?

* What will the community vs. committee members be responsible for?

* Will there be garden meetings? How often?

* Will the garden members share tools or supply their own?

* What kind of maintenance will the garden need daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally?

Step 5: Choose some general rules and bylaws for the garden. Bad gardeners and angry neighbors are the two most common reasons community gardens lead to frustration. Choose each rule and bylaw carefully so that there are understood procedures, and consequences to actions within the garden. To get some ideas, read these sample community garden rules.

**Friends, have you considered utilizing or starting your own community garden within your neighborhood? 

Resources:

http://www.communitygardensoftucson.org/main/

http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php

About Us:

Humble Seed specializes in premium garden seed kits that are packaged and themed for convenience and ease. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality heirloom, non-GMO, non-hybrid, and organic seed varieties to those who choose to start from seed.

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From Sprouts To Sprouts: Introducing The Garden To Babies

April 7th, 2013

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The snow is melting and the sun is shining – spring is here and you’re in the kitchen preparing a fresh salad for dinner with the windows wide open. A cool wind breezes through as you chop your garden fresh leaf lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots, slice a few Washington Cherry Tomatoes in half, and drizzle on your favorite herb vinaigrette. As the family sits down to eat, you reach for a jar of baby food in the cabinet.

What’s wrong with this scenario?

Providing the proper nutrients is vital for a baby’s growth and development – so why rely on jarred food with ingredients including overcooked vegetables, unfiltered water, preservatives and additives? This is why more parents are harvesting food for the entire family – babies included! Doing so can guarantee baby food with organic and non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and without ingredients like choline bitartrate, gelatin, and alpha tocopheryl acetate (our motto is to avoid ingredients our grandmothers never heard of).

How to incorporate the garden

You don’t have to be an Earth mother to strive for garden fresh fruits and vegetables for your children. Once you get the hang of it – many parents enjoy the process of using the garden to feed the entire family. If you’re new to gardening, we recommend devoting your time to planting a few favorite fruits and vegetables, and supplementing using store bought organic produce in the beginning. Many new gardeners prefer growing carrots, green beans and summer squash to start, as these veggies are easy for beginners.  As you grow more confident, continue planting other fruits and vegetables you think your baby will enjoy.

If you’re interested in learning how to squeeze baby food making into an already jam-packed schedule, momadvise.com has some worthwhile tips on how to do it (like making a large batch on the weekends, and using water instead of breast milk so it won’t spoil as easily).

Deciding which fruits and veggies to grow

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to which foods to introduce first to your baby. In fact, experts say, “There is no evidence that the introduction of any sequence of foods is better than any other,” said Dr. Jatinder Bhatia, neonatologist and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ committee on nutrition. Therefore, a variety of fruits and vegetables will work well. If you’re an experienced gardener, try introducing sweet potatoes first, as this vegetable is rich in vitamins and is sweet like breast milk. Other mild vegetables also work well, like carrots, peas, green beans, squash – as well as pears and bananas. If you’re new to gardening, check out this list explaining the top 10 easiest fruits and vegetables to grow.

This month’s baby food recipe

As parents, all of us at Humble Seed are big believers in using the garden for our children –and we’d like to introduce a new baby food recipe each month. To kick off this endeavor, this is an easy recipe that’s packed full of protein (one cup of peas contains as much protein as a tablespoon of peanut butter!).

Peas and Carrots

(for babies 6 months+)

Ingredients

½ pound fresh carrots

½ pound peas

Method:

1. Wash vegetables thoroughly. Open the pea pods and scrape out the peas from the pod. Combine fresh peas and chopped carrots in a large pot.

2. Add enough filtered water to just cover the vegetables.

3. Cook until tender yet still colorful, drain water and reserve.

4. Puree vegetables in a blender or food processor.

5. Add the reserved water from the vegetables until mixture is of the desired consistency.

*Cooking tip: To get peas to puree smooth, try immediately plunging your hot peas into very cold water after they have cooked. This will stop the cooking process and will allow for smoother baby food.

Store in ice cube trays until ready to use.

About Us:

Humble Seed specializes in premium garden seed kits that are packaged and themed for convenience and ease. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality heirloom, non-GMO, non-hybrid, and organic seed varieties to those who choose to start from seed.

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Your Guide in Starting an Organic Garden

March 29th, 2013

Organic gardening

Everywhere we look, the word “organic” seems to take center stage. With so many advances in technology, including genetically modified or genetically altered foods, everyone wants to go back to basics and partake in organic gardening.  All gardeners, whether they are professional or those who do it as a hobby prefer organic gardening because of two main reasons. It promotes better health to those who eat the produce, and also promotes a better environment.

Organic gardening involves not having to use any pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers which are usually used during common farming. However, little did farmers know that using these chemicals was harming the environment. Pesticides and fungicides were being washed away into rivers by the rain, which affected aquatic life. People also discovered that these chemicals did no good to humans once they ate the food.   So naturally, people started organic farming, which involved no pesticides or other chemicals which are harmful to animals, humans or the environment.

The basic principle of organic farming is to saturate the soil with nutrients rather than the plant. More attention is therefore paid on getting the soil as nutrient rich as possible, since plants get their nutrients from the soil naturally through their roots. In organic farming, crop rotation is also crucial. If you are growing crops in your garden or greenhouse, then this basically means swapping the boxes or located areas around. It allows the soil to rejuvenate itself since each plant takes up a different amount of each nutrient.

Fertilizers are still used in organic farming, but they are organic i.e. natural. In most cases, organic fertilizer comes in the form of manure. However, this is more likely to happen on farms. If you are planning on doing some organic gardening in your home, then you may not be able to get a hold of manure. In this case, you can use compost, which can be made at home or purchased from a good gardening center.

How to start an organic garden: 

If you want to start organic gardening, you will not be sorry that you did. All you need to do is prepare the soil in a way which is natural and chemical free. This means not using any form of plant or flower food as a fertilizer or a plant growth booster. You want to use the most natural product available to you which can be manure or compost (take your pick).  Then water your soil to make sure that it is fully moist.

Decide on what it is you wish to grow. Since you may be completely new to the organic farming game, you may want to start off by planting something simple and easy such as tomatoes or blueberries. Over the growth period, you need to make sure that you are not using any artificial fertilizer to promote growth, since this goes against the principles of organic farming. If you feel the need to re-fertilize the soil, simply add more manure or compost.

Once you have mastered the simple food such as tomatoes, you can try something harder such as potatoes or peas. Once you have enough experience and are comfortable with the concept of organic farming, you could grow virtually anything, which is a superb quality to have, especially during these times where we cannot be entirely sure about what is in our foods.

Your final product will be a delicious item of food that has been grown using nothing but nature’s goodness. This crop will contain no chemicals in any way, shape or form. It is completely and utterly natural, making it the healthiest you could possible get.

 

About the author:

Nicole is an author keen on flowers and home organizing. Enjoy her tips on decorating with flowers and gardening.

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5 Reasons To Start A Garden in 2013

January 1st, 2013

Instead of the usual New Year’s resolution to battle the bulge, why not vow to learn something new? Starting your own garden is a rewarding activity to master, and is the perfect resolution for those that also want to get outdoors more, save money, and eat healthier. Plus, you don’t have to wait for spring to begin. Start an indoor garden of fresh herbs on January 1st!

Our Top 5 Reasons To Start Your Garden In 2013

Reason #1: You’ll have easy access to fresh food, grown organically and sustainably. Instead of driving to the grocery store to pick up perhaps some not-so fresh vegetables that have traveled great distances, take out the middleman this year. With some planning, you can build a garden with everything you enjoy just a few steps from your kitchen. Be sure to choose seed varieties that are organic and non-GMO to ensure your family is also eating healthfully and sustainably in 2013.

Reason #2: It’s personally rewarding. From seed to harvest, the joy of watching your garden grow and flourish can be a rewarding experience like no other. Many avid gardeners attest that they enjoy being out in the garden so much; they continue to do so through lifestyle changes, growing age, financial circumstances, and busy work lives. They find that the surprising personal rewards go beyond having your own source of food (though, that is rewarding too!).

Reason #3: It gets the entire family outdoors: Gardening is more than just growing food and flowers. It’s a way for kids and adults to stay active and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Plus, FitDay says that the average gardener burns 230 calories an hour. Now that beats watching TV any day!

Reason #4: You can save some cash: Even if you start small, you can slash your food bill by planting a garden. In fact, the nonprofit National Gardening Association produced a study that determined an average family spends just $70 a year on a small to medium-sized vegetable garden. For many families, that means thousands of dollars in savings. Now the real question is, what could you spend the extra cash on?

Reason #5: It’s a hobby you can teach and share with others. Gardening offers a unique opportunity to integrate the greater community into the benefits of growing your own food. Whether that means showing your grandchildren how to water a garden, or starting a community garden – gardening has a way of connecting people together.

Sending warm and heartfelt New Year wishes to you from all of us at Humble Seed!

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The Most Frost Tolerant Plants In Your Garden

December 1st, 2012

Don’t wait until after the last frost to plant these vegetables that prefer cooler weather. These plants can take a little frost – and should be planted a month or more before your area’s last average frost. While most vegetables may perform better when started indoors, radishes, turnips, and lettuce germinate and grow rapidly, and are simple to sow directly into the ground. When they are finished growing in the spring, it’s easy to grow warm loving vegetables in their place. Be sure to follow spacing recommendations, and place them in a full sun location during the coolest months.

Broccoli – This nutrient packed plant loves cool weather, and will tolerate a day or two of frost or freezing weather. Plant this vegetable approximately a month prior to your area’s average last frost date. We carry the Di Cicco Italian variety in our Veggin’ Out and The Producer seed kits.

Carrots – These beta-carotene rich vegetables taste sweeter in cooler weather, but can be enjoyed in the spring, summer, and fall. Adding mulch over the roots to keep the soil from freezing can add even more vitality during the winter months. The Scarlet Nantes Carrot, featured in Veggin’ Out and The Producer has a reputation for abundant production.

Chives – These perennial herbs are incredibly weather tolerant, and can be harvested in the spring as leaves appear. Our Purly Chives offer a mild onion flavor, and can found in the Uncle Herb’s Favorites seed kit.

Collards – These hardy greens love cold weather, and can even tolerate a hard freeze. They also fair well in the warmer months, though- keep them out of extremely hot weather.

Lettuce – Green leafy vegetables like lettuce do quite well in cool weather, but need some protection from freezing weather. When gardeners take the time to plant a few seeds every week, a crop can become available on a continuous basis. Red lettuce varieties, like our Red Saladbowl can add beautiful color to your garden.

Peas – These cool season vegetables grow well on a fence or teepee, and under direct sunlight.

Radish – These cool weather-loving vegetables can be harvested as quickly as a month after seeds are planted. You may want to grow these smaller vegetables in containers to save space in your garden.

Spinach – Spinach is loved by gardeners for its low maintenance and cold tolerance. These plants perform better in areas with mild winters, and thrive in the shade during the summer months.

Swiss Chard – Our Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard is one of the most cold tolerant varieties around. This pretty leafy green tastes great raw, sautéed, or added to your favorite soup.

Learn how to protect plants that are not frost tolerant: Protecting Plants From Extreme Cold

**Friends, which frost tolerant plants do you have in your garden right now? How are they doing?

 

About Us:

Humble Seed specializes in premium garden seed kits that are packaged and themed for convenience and ease.  We are dedicated to providing the highest quality heirloom, non-GMO, non-hybrid, and organic seed varieties to those who choose to start from seed.

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Why Invest In Non-GMO and Organic Seeds?

October 8th, 2012

The word, “organic” commonly refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products. But with all of the focus on organic food – sometimes we forget the importance of investing in non-gmo seeds. With large biotech corporations like Monsanto and Syngenta controlling 40 percent of the U.S. vegetable seed market, it’s now more important than ever to seek out and store “safe seeds.”

Doing so can offer support to natural farmers, improve the environment and our health while making it easier to grow seeds in safe conditions.

It Offers Support

It’s simple: buying “safe seeds” supports the companies and farms that are committed to producing healthy food. When you make the choice to purchase non-gmo over modified seed, it sends a message that you support a more positive trend towards improving agriculture, without genetic engineering. It also promotes more research for finding new ways to grow seeds specifically using natural conditions.

It’s Better For The Environment

When crops are grown for seed, they require an entire life cycle for seeds to mature. This results in a greater length of time in which pests and diseases can destroy the seed crop, and may explain why in conventional farming, plants are doused with pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. These chemicals are poisonous and should not be allowed to run-off into our water supply, as they can be hazardous to our health and our children’s future. They also carry heavy toxic load for the environment, and the surrounding natural farms. Yet, with the focus on the bottom line, companies allow these devastating effects.

Buying non-gmo seed that is certified organic provides the assurance that no synthetic chemicals were used while the seed was growing and maturing. In this video, a seed geneticist discusses how organic crops are “babied,” while being able to withstand the common problems farmers face.

It Makes It Easier To Grow Organically

Non-GMO seed that grows in organic conditions are more likely to thrive using natural gardening practices. When seeds grow in organic conditions, they become more adapted to compost and milder applications of pesticides, and develop stronger roots to seek out scattered nutrients in the soil. On the other hand, when seeds are modified and then developed with conventional farming practicing in mind, seeds become more reliant on fertilizers and pesticides to survive.

Studies show that when life gets a little tougher for organic plants, often times, it forces the crop to withstand drought, bad weather, and other common gardening problems. It’s also important to remember that high quality seeds have already proven their viability in organic growing conditions.

It’s Better For Our Health, Says Recent Studies

Over the last decade, plants and seeds have become increasingly engineered and treated with chemical fertilizers, synthetic insecticides and herbicides, as well as synthetic fungicides. A French study recently published their findings after rats were fed a lifetime of Monsantos’s genetically modified corn, as well as water tainted with American permitted “safe” levels of Round-Up.

While controversial, their findings were shocking.

The animals fed GM corn developed mammary tumors, as well as significant kidney and liver damage. In fact, up to 70% of the rats fed the GM diet died prematurely, compared with just 30% from the control group. Furthermore, the animals exposed to the “safe” levels of Round Up (remember that GM seed varieties are more tolerant to increased applications of this herbicide), had a lower life expectancy than the control group. Based on this study’s conclusions, Russia rushed to ban imports of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn, while France and a growing number of European countries continue to uphold their bans, not wanting to risk the health of their country.

Another reason to invest in “safe seeds?” Researchers at Stanford University published a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that showed organically-grown food being more nutritious than conventionally grown. While this study has sparked controversy since, it’s important to keep in mind as we make choices about food.

**Do you use “safe seeds” in your garden? What are the reasons you personally choose to grow them? 

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How To Prep In An Apartment Or Small Living Space

September 25th, 2012

If you’ve ever watched the posted videos from the apartment dwellers who survived the 2011 Fukushima earthquake, you’ll understand the importance of prepping, even when in an apartment. Many of the dwellers had little to no food in their refrigerators (since they ate out much of the time), and found their water contaminated. Limited space in an apartment means you may have to be more selective and creative when prepping for a disaster. But remember, the steps you take now can mean all the difference in a survival situation. Here are a few tips to get your started:

How To Plan An Apartment Garden

Start by saving now for a small garden, and reserve money each week. Use recycled goods to keep costs at a minimum, and begin saving soda bottles, yogurt tubs, food jars, etc., for later use as containers. Garage sales and thrift stores may also have some useful items.

It’s wise to carefully plan out your space, and work with what you have. Most apartments have a balcony or patio – but also consider using the space near a sunny window, or on the rooftop if available. Need some guidance on how to garden in small spaces? Find websites or blogs that detail their successes with container gardening, and take notes on what practices they used. You’ll likely discover small tips, like growing plants vertically which can manage small spaces better, and yield a crop comparable to larger garden spaces.

Invest in seeds that are non-GMO and non-hybrid, and store them in waterproof and rodent proof re-sealable containers. This will ensure long-term food storage, leaving the option of growing seeds now or later.

How To Store Food When Space Is Tight

Getting creative is a must when storing food in an apartment. Consider any unused space as a potential place to store food – under the bed, linen closets, storage lockers, or shelving units can hold dozens of cans and survival items. If you truly have limited space, try living minimally (that is, without unneeded items or furniture that take up space). You may find it challenging to give up some possessions in your home, but remember that it may mean the difference between surviving and thriving if a disaster strikes.

When storing food, remember to:

1)    Keep dry food up high. Keep all dry food up high and away from the ground to prevent water damage or problems resulting from high trafficked areas.

2)    Keep food away from sunlight. Sunlight can destroy the nutrients in food and cause internal temperatures to rise and fall in a container.

3)    Keep food in a cool, dry location. Cool, dry places provide the optimal environment for food to stay well preserved.

How To Plan Emergency Gear In An Apartment

Since space is limited, it can get tricky finding ways to store different kinds of emergency gear. Instead, stick with gear that is necessary and has multiple uses, and check our list below.

A Multi-Tool - a multi-tool can provide a screwdriver, pliers and an assortment of knives all in one.

Can Opener(s)  – food is necessary for survival, store at least two of these.

Portable Water Filter – water must be filtered or boiled if you suspect it’s contaminated.

Solar Charger – small devices can become fully charged even in the absence of power.

Duct tape – with its dozens of uses, duct tape can repair tears, seal up windows, pack up boxes, and more.

Other useful items: flashlights, a weather radio, hiking shoes, USB flash drives, emergency preparedness books, first aid kit, rain gear, lighter or matches, self protection such as pepper spray, and small hygiene items.

To learn more, see our guide to canning, as well as our other emergency preparedness posts:

Canning 101

Five Tips For Prepping

Tips For Sustaining A Survival Garden

Survival Gardening: How To Boost Your Disaster Preparedness 

***Preppers and gardeners:  What are your favorite tips for prepping in a small space? We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

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