recap of 2010 meetings, tips, links, discussions

[Larry Fisher]

The following is a sampling of information gathered as a result of Trellis’s first year of meetings (from my notes-Larry Fisher).

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LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION:

 

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Seeds:

 

http://www.seedalliance.org/Seed_News/

 

ORGANICA SEED - http://www.organicaseed.com/

 

SUSTAINABLE SEED COMPANY

 - http://www.sustainableseedco.com/?gclid=CJ6b_6zqjqECFQaiagodT2FAYA

 

HEIRLOOM SEEDS - http://www.heirloomseeds.com/

 

BAKER CREEK - http://rareseeds.com/

 

SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE - http://www.seedsavers.org/

 

VICTORY SEEDS - http://www.victoryseeds.com/

 

AMISHLAND SEEDS - http://www.amishlandseeds.com/

 

SEEDQUEST - www.seedquest.com

 

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Soil Sampling:

 

http://www.kingcd.org/pub_soil_soilsam.htm

 

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References:

 

http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/gardening.html

 

The King County Extension is here http://king.wsu.edu/gardening/index.htm

 

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Harvest Preservation:

 

http://www.tribwatch.com/rootcell.htm

 

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PAST TIPS:

 

Plants not developing from the flower to the fruit stage might be a pollination not a potassium problem.

Don't let soil splash onto tomato plants.

Don't plant peas or beans next to onions or where onions were planted the previous year.

onions clean the soil for cabbage

After celery goes to seed, it attracts beneficial insects

Don’t plant peas or beans next to onions or where onions were planted the previous year

Our valley’s planting season is generally 3 weeks later than Seattle’s

A simple, cheap, homemade way to prevent plant freeze-lay plastic bottles with water between plants and cover all with plastic sheeting.

Most manures are low in nitrogen (N).  They are higher in phosphorous (P)and  potassium (K).

Use fertilization high in phosphates for cold weather and heat loving plants.

To kill slug eggs: In spring on grass lawn a 50/50 mixture of ammonium hydroxide (liquid ammonia) and water.

Mason bee shelters of 3/8 to 1/4 inch diameter 6 inch length PCV tubing facing south

Organic weed killer - 1 bottle carob molasses syrup, 1 qt vinegar, 2 gal water

Store onions and garlic in hanging pantyhose

 

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PAST DISCUSSIONS:

 

Soil makeup (nutrients, acidity, loam) and testing, nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (NPK) mixtures---what they mean, how plants use each in their stages of development, organic versus inorganic and alternate fertilizers (such as banana peels for potassium and Epsom salts for sulfur and magnesium) and supply sources.