Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

We have just finished planting a Florida Drought Tolerant garden me and my friend  Christopher .We are sharing with you what we did hoping that you get a sample of what to plant now:

The  garden has an oval shape and we did a double dig procedure .On the peripheries we created a hill like boundary where we planted garlic,marygold,salvia,sunflower.Also we spread some seeds of cucumber and few cabbage...like a desperate effort to catch up with end of growing season as we know it !

Next inside the garden we planted a row of peas and  a belt of cherry and heirloom tomatos.Another row following the tomato we planted more marigold and salvia flowers.  I PERSONALLY BELEIVE IN COMPANION HERBS TO BE PLANTED NEXT TO THE VEGETABLES...SO WE HAVE PREPARED  FLATS OF THE FOLLOWING HERBS TO BE LIKE PESTS BUGS  REPELEANTS :

Rosemary, Greek oregano, thyme and peppermint. Another way to safeguard against plant diseases is to use PREVENTION like we are planning and using herb companions is one option.

There are now many ways to protect the plants and using NEEM oil sprays is one option very effective, especially here in the Tropical South. I grow the neem tree and I use its leaves as well in the prevention process...

We also believe in organic fertilizers like Blood meal which has a high nitrogen scale of 12 and it helps the rooting system .Bone meal is another good source of phosphorous that helps in plant growth as well.

We used a lot of recycled leaves and seaweed and ash as well...we added saw dust, composted horse manure and premium organic vegetative compost's addition to other ingredients  as well!

Back to the flower garden circle: within circle we sowed seeds of okra, romaine lettuce and Caribbean spinach.

We like to eat our weeds as well so we brought in a plant of purslane  and next to nit another plant of arugula  surrounded with spinach plants. Wish you gathered some benefit from our experience. Until we meet again with another garden story... Be well,

Tony

Alternative Community Farmer

Organic gardening in South Florida is a challenge.Gardening in the drought is another obstacle.For the new comers to the Torpical and Sub-tropical new zones of 9-10-11, you better do your home work first and learn about tropical gardening.

On saturday March 14 th I fascilitated a workshop on Basic Organic Gardening and I was swamped with a lot of attendants.i am planning another workshop on April 11th on Container Organic Gardening and here is the key.

I have noticed that while growing tomatos in containers during the drought season I was saving on the water bill and getting good results as well from my containers.A local farmer at the workshop asked me what do I add that my tomatoes have a lot of flowers while hers had a lot of leaf.I answered: Water!

Another good suggestion to consider in drought climates is : improve the texture of the soil by adding : sphagnum,vermiculites,saw dust,mulch to keep moisture longer in the soil.

Another solution to lack of water is to HARVEST THE RAIN.

Rain barrels now are in big demand.You can make your own like I do.

There are a lot of info at the internet where you may tap and lots of books at the library.

Another good suggestion for the Tropical region: Try to grow native plants .For example: I grow a native spinach called KALALOO or caribean spinach.It does not need a lot of water .

Best thing is to check web sites like localharvest.org and attend local workshops and classes that are offered for FREE.

Good luck in your gardening efforts..

ORGANIC Farming and Gardening are  now getting the attention of the public , aftter the Obamas announced their first White House Organic Vegetable garden . As farmers, let us not revel at the opportunity but rather let us build something tangible and rewarding instead by initiating  an EARTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN especially now as  the time is  ripe to do so with EARTH DAY on the horizon.

Let us go back to history and remember the first American Farmers .

The first thing that comes to our memory is the plantation farming in the south and all the slavery issues that it had created.On the bright side we remeber George Washington and Jefferson and their brilliant acheivements as founding fathers.May be we need to start educating our kids from KinderGARDEN level to Backyards and school yards levels about those FOUNDING FATHERS/farmers who helped in the rise of our nation.Farming is not a low job even though those who are hired to do it  are  overworked and underpaid ..think sweatshops for example.

I have noticed, personally, that people look down at farmers  especially here in the south .They regard gardeners and farmers as low level human beings who work with the DIRT.Educating those people by a hands on class in gardening at their backyards is the best way to get them fid the merits of touching the soil with their own hands and turning it into food that is safe to eat!That is even as good as gold in days of safety and food challenges

FIRST in FIRST: Change the ATTITUDE , by raising the bar and educating the public about the merits of ORGANIC GARDENING and FARMING.

Raise the pay scale as well and start asking for some education for those who want to do the job.Create a level of respect by honoring and rewarding those who keep the EARTH  green and productive .To fight global warming start locally ,simply set up a backyard vegetable garden to start with  .Support the small farmers and gardeners market their produce in GREEN market that are venues for merchants to make GREEN bucks  selling greens imported from other countries.Create subsidies for start up farmers and help through grants those who use thier experience in local organic farming to educate the local community through FREE workshops, for instance.

When Rodale started writing books about ORGANIC FARMING back in the sixties and senventies people ignored him.We lend our ears and eyes to the main stream media that will tell-sell us their propaganda and fabricated stories  in relevance to the  ads and donations revenues received  from the special interest industrial groups.

Generally speaking:We have no specialized Organic gardeners and farmers who grow their own  organic vegetables hired to write articles on vegetable gardening at the local Newspapers .It is always about ornamentals ,shrubs and lawns with pesitcides and chemical fertilizers suggestions.Let us ask for a change ,if not possible to reach out through the  main stream media, then let us have our own blogs and networking to send the message.Wishful thinking is not going to bring in miracles , it is our actions that will effect a change in the attitude towards organinc farming.It is our efforts to elect farmers to the legislatures and local government and up, that will bring in change .

Words turned into actions and  motivations doing miracles  are possible  with our EDUCATIONAL reach out efforts that accompany our FARMING.

Hand in hand we can do it , one article  and one earth digging.. a day.

I want to relate a real story that happened to me that might draw in some meaningful gardening spiritual lessons .I facilitated a workshop on Container Gardening at a local (UMC) church that offers me a space in their backyard to experiment on my Draught Tolerant Container Gardening pilot project. 

Lately, we have been enduring severe drought conditions in Florida .Our last consecutive good rain is tracked back to Christmas Eve 2008.

That was true until yesterday, Wednesday March 18, 2009, when we had our latest good consecutive rain that made HEADLINES in the local papers.

For example, here was what the Palm Beach Post reported TODAY March 19, 2009 on its first page, "WEATHER CHANGE STALLED FRONT HELPS PROVIDE NEEDED RAIN.” We have not experienced such severe drought since 1930 here in Florida .This is how bad it is, especially for small farmers who do not exist on the list of “Disaster Help” when it comes to receiving financial or marketing support, to mention the least.

As a local ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY FARMER, I try to raise the awareness about the importance of locally grown Pesticide and Synthetic Chemicals FREE urban sustainable farming, through a series of FREE workshops. My last one was on Saturday March 14 at the local church as mentioned earlier. The thing that motivated me to write this article is what really happened before, during and after the workshop. 

Last week, BEFORE the workshop, I was at the church preparing for the presentation, when I met a “special spiritual” friend, Rev. Jannette ,a  member of the church .I mentioned to her that I want to dedicate this workshop in my prayers for getting rain. She corrected me and suggested that I pray for NEEDED WEATHER CHANGE.

I did just that at the workshop. For a close, I asked the pastor of the church to conclude with a prayer. As we joined hands altogether, Pastor Jim did a brief prayer and ended it with “so be it”. In my heart I was praying for a needed weather change as I was told. It happened on Wednesday March 18, 2009, AFTER the workshop. 

Another significant spontaneous coincidence that happened DURING the workshop:

As I was introducing the tomato crop and mentioning the health benefits of eating locally grown tomatoes, I referred to LICOPENE the amino acid that is found in tomatoes and was clinically tested and proven to fight cancerous cells.

I stopped there to ask a doctor attending the work shop to give us her opinion about how cancer cells are formed and prevented .Dr Nadia Malik, a local Chiropractor, gave us a brief talk on the CANCER CELLS, then I proceeded. Also, I introduced a water management expert and author, Dr. Christopher who did a brief talk on using rain barrels in sustainable gardening. Dr. Christopher, his wife Kimberly and myself are experimenting and building together a drought tolerant fruit and vegetable garden to replace the grass in their front yard. One way to fight global warming, other than by words, is to grow more fruit and vegetable gardens, especially using rain harvesting. Trees and plants have been proven as best friends in replenishing carbon with oxygen besides drawing in rain. The RAIN FOREST is the living example. MEANING: FORESTS and particularly TREES …attract RAIN. On the other side: CONCRETE BUILDINGS and DEVELOPMENTS attract DROUGHT!

It was not until the end of the workshop, when Dr Nadia handed me a copy of the March newsletter that she publishes .I was astounded to read the title: “ARE YOU AT THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER?” Here is a sample from the article, I quote:” Sensitive breast tissue is being exposed to inordinate amounts of toxins in our food, air, lotions, creams, just about anything you can think of, that mimic the bad estrogen in the body. Unfortunately these false estrogens are the kind that promotes cancer development.”

She goes on to elaborate on the prevention way, I quote:”Several studies point to the value of healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits.” Unquote.

Toxins in our food: To talk about pesticides and chemicals loaded in our food is to talk about a small amount of those toxins that cause and consequently leads into a significant health damaging effect.

The list goes on to the air, lotions and creams, toys and prefabricated walls imported from China and lately toxins were found in pants distributed to firefighters!!

To find more about the least and most produce exposed to the toxins pesticides, visit this web site: ewg.org. Look out for pesticides report .You will receive a copy of the report to your email if you choose to do so. It is FREE of charge. 

Back to the SPIRITUAL frame of mind .I want to mention that my intentions and my spiritual intuitions have a lot to do about why I garden .I believe that gardening is a therapy especially if we approach it from a spiritual mental point of view.

Was it a coincidence that now hospitals in Japan and Finland are incorporating it in their hands on therapy treatments of their patients? 

Mother EARTH needs more earth keepers like farmers and gardener’s .You could be one if you tune with the new spiritual awakening that is at the works now at our present time. We waited FOUR HUNDRED YEARS to have one AFRICAN AMERICAN president. BY the way, the New York Times reported on March 19 that the Obamas are set up to start their White House VEGETABLE GARDEN.

First time since the Victory Garden was planted by the President of F.D ROOSEVELT. More details at the direct web link:

Nytimes.com/2009/03/19/dining/19gardens-web.html

The living earth can not wait for more years of irresponsible damage to the environment. I have learned that GIVING appreciation works better than TAKING advantage in our human relationships .The latter (taking) is one of many faces of the COMPETITION WAY of living. The former (giving) is one merit of many of the COMMUNITY way of living.

I SHARE my good thoughts, intentions and deeds for the benefit of all the living.

I SHARE the harvest of my garden with the needy, equally with the affluent. I give thanks for what I receive in gratitude, that may the giver have more abundance. I pray for the needed weather change and the needed economy change for a better life on earth to all my relations. Aho-meta-kwe-yasen.

Tony

Alternative Community Farmer

If you are a locavore ,a vgeterian  or a RAW FOODIST living in South Florida, you will like to try a TROPICAL menu that fits into the sizzling heat of the South and keeps you COOL!.

As an appetizer  there is nothing equal to a coconut water or even better than a grape fruit to start with a lunch  or dinner menu.

Other Tropical fruit juices : papaya ,star fruit,pineapple,citrus,watermelon are good sources of vitamins,minerals and enzymes.They are best assimilated when taken fresh .Fruits act on cleansing our system while vegies act on nourishing and replenishing.

Try this Southern GREEN  Energy JUICE  for a starter:

A bunch of collard greens.Abunch of dandelion.One cup of arugola leaves.Two cucumbers.One whole  apple.Four carrots with green tops.half a beat with tops.one garlic or slice of ginger.Juice all the above and feel the energy boost!

Among my  favorite  RAW FOOD Tropical salads are  :

1- Locally grown Heirloum  Tomato salad:  

 preparation time :10 minutes

Cut one avocado into slices.Dice a locally grown heirloum tomato.Squeeze half a Florida lemon or one key west lime.Crush one Gelroy garlic glove into a pinch of seasalt.Add 2 table spoons of Extra Virgin olive Oil, top with feta cheese grumbles.Toss salad into a bowl, mix  with  dressing.Refrigerate 3 minutes.Serve fresh and enjoy!

2-Florida  Sprouted Quinoa / DandelionTabouleh salad:   

 preparation time: 15 minutesTime

Soak half a cup of organic quinoa for ten minutes.Add : two diced locally grown heirloum tomatoes, fine mince a handfull of parsley,cut two onion scalions, cube dice one cucumber,chop three leaves of dandelion green tops.Toss  salad mix into bowl , add dressing of three table spoons of extra Virgin  olive oil,One squeezed lemon otr two limes,a dash of sea salt and black pepper.Refrigerate for 5 minutes.Serve and enjoy!

3-Popeye Florida spinach salad:

Preparation time: 15 minutes 

Cut a handful of Florida Kalaloo spinach  leaves along with peeled stem.Cut a handful of locally grown collard greens.Dice one heirloum tomato.peel and slice one cucumber .crush one garlic glove into a dash of sea salt and cayyenne pepper.Squeeze half a lemon or one lime.Add three extra virgin olive oil.Toss and mix ingredients.Serve fresh.Enjoy!

Most people tell me they find it intimidating to grow fruits and vegetables in Florida. . Personally , I went through the same experience.   Gardening in South Florida is different ,but not difficult,because the region falls under the TROPICAL and SUB-TROPICAL zones 9-10-11.

I found it helpful to graduate from the  -  Florida  Master Gardener Certification program . Florida Horticultural EDUCATION helped me a lot to acquire the KNOW-HOW skills .BUT the Most important factor was my 10 years of  HANDS-ON  local community NATURAL farming and gardening EXPERIENCE.As they say,practice makes perfect! There is no shortage of out of state gardening books  collecting dust on the shelves nor for out of state gardeners who moved to retire in Florida.But there are shortages in finding Florida EDUCATED and FLORIDA EXPERIENCED  Organic "LOCALLY GROWN " gardeners and farmers.Best bet  is to start networking and checking internet sites like the popular:localharvest.org

We have been experiencing DRAUGHT and major Hurricanes during the last five years.This led me to experiment on Container gardening as a safegaurd flexible  horticultural process  that adapts and addresses to such kind of hardship inclement weather.

Florida Vegetable Container Gardening  TIPS.

Benefits and TIPS on Florida fruits and Vegies Container gardening :

1-It is easy and instant.If you have no back/front yard and live in an apartment with a patio or private entrance ,then you can do it.With the economy in a grinding crunch , saving on the grocery bills by growing your own organic food is not a bad idea.

2-You will by-pass the problematic disease and nematodes infested Florida sandy soil .Pesticides and fertilizers free container gardening is even easier to do in containers than otherwise.To discourage unwanted bad bugs , experiment with  vegies companion herbs like Cuban oregano .

3-Container gardening is resistant to Hurricanes(you can shelter indoors) and Water restrictions/Draught drills and dilemmas(you will save onwater bill, fines and tickets) .

4-Container gardening is almost a weed free gardening if you use your own home made soil mix.

5-Most of the following can be grown in containers : a)Vegies-Tomato,peppers,eggplant,beans,lettuce,green onion,squash,sweat potatos,yams,cucumber and more...

b)Herbs- Basil,rosemary,Cuban oregano,aloe vera,parsley,mint,cilantro and more.

c)Fruit trees- Mango,papaya,pineapple,pommgranate,fig,citrus etc

d) Edible flowers-Sunflower,nasturtium,marygold etc

For a start up kit what you need are the following:

1-Containers: 5 gallon  and 6-10 inch .

2-seeds and growers flats and  pots.Start seeds inside away from sizzling outdoors heat.

3-Home made Organic soil:  A mix of  saw dust, sphagnum peat moss,vermiculites,perlites,compost.Experiment!

4-Hook up with a local organic local farmer network.Visit localharvest web page , network and check events calender for  local  workshops and classes .

5- JUST DO IT!

In  South East Florida the soil is sandy same as the beach.

The Farmers /green markets are mostly located close to the beach fronts .

Those ocean fronts are the attractions for the easonal tourists and the home  location of the  affluent and the  rich .

Here is a  random tour for "SOME" of those beach front GREEN/FARMERS MARKETS" at an undisclosed location in Florida.

A band is playing ..stands are displaying .Couple of grocery store style conventional produce . A local farmer ,who uses fertilizers and pesticides, is  selling herbs and vegies in potted containers.A juice bar selling smoothies and strawberies along side the conventional  fruits ,some imported from Mexico and overseas. Aflower stand.A cafe stand.A Tea stand.On occasion- chiropractor stand. A hydroponic local farmer -green house Tomato-stand .A  local farmer-  conventionally grown oriental produce produce stand.

Affluent People  strolling and walking their dogs.The air is fresh with the ocean breeze.Less and less people visit each year.

Where are the  small farmers who  grow natural pesticide and fertilizers FREE produce.The question resonates in the ocean breeze fresh salty air..and the echo travels along  the waves of the ocean front...waiting for an answer

With the economy in crash , and endless crunch

Farmers are struggling , dodging  the punch

We live on pickles , to save our nickles

To pay the rent , we stay on "LENT"

To pay our taxes , we work our "AXES"

Our cut on spending  , is open ending

No cash to stach , just  recycled trash

With no insurance , we choose endurance

We fight our ills , with garlic pills

Bankers bailed out , stay strong and stout

Farmers left out  , go  bankrupt no doubt

To work those lands , send helping hands

While left for less , we pray: God Bless

In flood and draught , we grow for naught

To feed the world , you count on us

To save U S , send us  STIMULU$ .

By Tony

Alternative Community Farmer ,Fl.