Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

WELCOME  TO MY GARDEN> NOW PUT ON SAFETY GEAR AND FOLLOW GARDEN ERGONOMICS PROCEDURES.WHAT?

Ever heard of the MSDS? Ever EXPERIENCED: BACK ACHES-NECK ACHES-MUSCLE ACHES -CARPAL TUNNELS-KNEE INJURIES-HIP INJURIES?There are no safety guidlines for gardening.There are no curriculum that teaches farmers and gardeners how to use their body and garden tools to AVOID BODY INJURIES WHILE WORKING THE LAND,LIFTING,PLANTING,HARVESTING,PUSHING CARTS,PULLING WEEDS ETC..

aLLOW ME TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE ANCIENT ART OF SAFE FARMING .If you do YOGA then you must know WHERE Yoga was INVENTED ? INDIA. NAMASTE !  ATCHA ! SOUNDS GREEK?

Well , the INDIANS INVENTED AYEURVEDA THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.THEIR CULTURE DEPENDED ON AGRICULYURE.THEY USED THEIR BODIES DAILY PLANTING AND FARMING.THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SOLUTION FOR THE BACK ACHE NATURALLY.IT WAS YOGA.SIMPLY PUT:FARMING CONSTRICTS YOUR MUSCLES AND YOGA STRETCHES THEM.YIN BALANCES THE YANG.SOUNDS CHINESE?ANOTHER ANCIENT THING!

I WANTEDE TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF MY BACK ACHE AFTER TRYING SO MANY PILLS THAT NEVER WORKED..SO I WENT TO SCHOOL AND STUDIED MASSAGE THERAPY .YUP.GOT ANOTHER CERTIFICATION HANGING ON THE WALL!!BUT I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY.i LEARNED TO USE BODY WEIGHT INSTEAD OF MUSCULAR POWER.

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY GARDEN ERGONOMICS TIPS  IN A NUT SHELL:

1-WEAR GARDEN SAFETY  GEAR!

2-USE ERGONOMICALLY CERTIFIED GARDEN TOOLS.

3-APPLY GARDEN ERGONOMICS PROCEDURES WHEN FARMING OR GARDENING.TO LEARN MORE USE YOUR LIBRARY AND DO SOME HOMEWORK OR FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR FUTURE ARTICLES ON ERGONOMICS.

4-ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL HELP/CHECK WITH A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE AND AFTER YOU FARM OR GARDEN OR EXPERIENCE ANY INJURY OR PAIN .TO FIND OUT IF IT FITS YOUR ABILITY AND LEARN MORE ABOUT GARDEN SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS,TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY.IT IS YOUR OWN BODY AFTER ALL!

BENEFITS OF GARDEN ERGONOMICS:

1-SAVES YOUR BODY INJURIES WHETHER FUNCTIONAL(MUSCLES) OR STRUCTURAL(BONES).

2-USES BODY WEIGHT INSTEAD OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH GRAVITY AND  MUSCULAR FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT .

3-SAVES ON MEDICAL BILLS.

4-MAKES FARMING A PLEASURE AND MORE ENJOYABLE ...NOT PAINFUL!

IT IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE OR HOMEOSTASSIS.SOUNDS GREEK , EH!

BE  SAFE .

THERE are ways to do business and ways  to live as much as of high ways and routes to TRAVEL.Diversity is the KEY word if you want to LEARN HOW TO START AN ORGANIC  GARDEN.Start SMALL and LEARN BIG!

Unfortunately for the working people who want to be a week end garden warrior it is not enough .I have found out that Communication,Culture,Community and COGNITION ,play an important role of WHO WE ARE and HOW WE FUNCTION.BINGO!So , you want to START GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD because the OBAMAS have done so or because it is the new WAVE!??Here are the GOOD and BAD news:

GOOD NEWS: You need an able body(YOUR OWN) to use other than the migrant farmer's who is now to BLAME for the DEPRESSION which is making you LOSE your HOME-CAR-BUSINESS to the BAILED OUR INSURANCE -MORTGAGE-BANKS ,BIG BUSINESS TRIO!

BAD NEWS: You need to start the LEARNING PROCESS FIRST before you  to START DIGGING YOUR OWN GARDEN.Unfortunately the books - DVD -Information Technology and  what have you ,fall short of a Shovel or RAKE!..Using the SOFTWARE is not SUFFICIENT .YOU NEED HARD WARE!TOOLS and ABLE BODY! When was the last time you moved your body other than swirching a TV channel  at a GYM?Our muscles need to be trained to use basic gardening tools like a rake or shovel so that we do not end up with back injuries etc..They call it ERGONOMICS...THIS IS BASICS prior to digging.No Horticultural school I know of teach ERGONOMICS to agriculture students.Most of FARMERS and GARDENERS I know of HAVE BAD BACKS.Be AWARE! HAVE AWARENESS!LEARN ERGONOMICS FIRST.

GOOD NEWS: There are classes and workshops fascilitated by farmers on PRACTICAL GARDENING according to THE GEOGRAPHICAL ZONE..I do have  ones ready to order or attend . HERE IN S.FLORIDA , you need to learn about what and when to grow at the TROPICAL-9-10 ZONE.Reading a gardening book or going to college  is overdoing it..You need to look for simple way..and hook up with a PROFESSIONAL FARMER / GARDENER near you! VOILA!Instead of using your plastic at a mega garden center and buy it all ready made...WHY NOT MAKE and GROW YOUR OWN: COMPOST-SEEDLINGS ..FROM A TO Z.

The gardening way is SLOW and it is a PROCESS! Meaning : IT TAKES TIME and it follows the GROWING SEASON from start to end...HERE it is less than six months from November to March.So...Why are you waiting?You can start NOW by just LEARNING THE PROCESS and GETTING THE ORGANIC GARDENING AWARENESS!BEST WAY TO DO IT IS :HANDS ON..and on the GARDEN GROUNDS! !MICRO-Urban farming  is  different than MEGA farming!You need to start small.A container will do..But you need the EDUCATION LIVE and HANDS ON APRIORI!

My experience with new comers to ORGANIC GARDENING: They come from out of state zones,ask for handouts, want the GARDEN NOW.They are overwhelmed with the notes and know-how.They need time to digest the information,.They need budget to start the garden.They need help in setting up the process.Here are the topics that you need to learn about: Compost.Mulch.Organic Brown and Green Manure.Soil PH.Irrigation.Seeds.Seedlings.Organic fertilizers.Organic pesticides.What grows and what does not in your area and season.

IT IS  GOOD TO KNOW FIRST ,  BEFORE YOU GROW!

HERE,The fall season is the BEGINING of the growing season...not the END!

We in  S.Florida,are at odds with most of the other US regions ,with respect to our planting and harvesting timetable! While you guys UP NORTH prepare to harvest the pumpkin , we here DOWN SOUTH get ready to plant the pumpkin seeds!WE have no HARVEST YET, except for the summer crops like OKRA,CALALOO,WATERMELON...

So , what is required first ?

1-Setting our awareness compass to the SOUTH front .Get some education on GROWING YOUR OWN FROM A LOCAL FARMER.Books confuse you because they are written for general purpose.You need information abiout your AGRICULTURAL  REGION 9-10.

2-Adjusting our gardening skills to the way of the TROPICS.

Look for what grows best and not what you like and want.Attend classes and workshops in your area.Buy or exchange seeds from local growers .

3-Patince.Patience.Patience.It takes TIME!

4-Gardening is a process.So let there be a starting date .You learn as you go, but the best thing is to get a professional help at hand while you garden.

5-Join a Community Garden in your area.Learn the process first and then apply it to your own backyard.

6-Set a budget and make it feasable and workable, without the need to  file for bankruptcy or exploit  your Garden Counsultant !

I have met a lot of people who have a wish list to start a garden and it takes them years before they do it.They fail to ask for local prodfessional help.They rush to buy stuff from the garden center and expect that this will be it.They buy gardening books that were writen to accomodate colder regions.They are confused ,angry and still WANT TO GET THE GARDEN STARTED RIGHT NOW!So,they  go shopping for the convenient ready plants,bagged soil,chemical fertilizers ,pesticides ...and the bill : You will be AMAZED!!!!SOOOOOOOO expensive! So , what is the alternative?GROW AND MAKE YOUR OWN !WE CAN HELP!

Wait a minute.I know out side is soooooooo   HOT!There are zilions of mosquitos, and "NOTHING GROWS IN THE SAND...MAY BE BEACH CASTLES!"kind of attitude.Well , let us start small.Choose an area that is not prone to flooding .Raised beds is a safe way to garden in S.Florida just in case .

We need to work on ourselves first before we start digging.Awareness is important.Application of what we learn is important as well.Our attitude and our dedication to the GARDENING PROCESS will determine whether we fail or succeed.

HAPPY  GROWING SEASON!

Are you a fan for the ZESTY Jalopeno  ? Are you in love with a CALIENTE ensalada?Are you addicted to PEMIENTO?I am!

Why not start a MEXICAN GARDEN in the ZESTY and MUCHO CALIENTE TIERA land of Florida?

Here are some tips on HOW TO GROW a Mexican garden :

We share a common denomenator  here in Florida, with Mexico: Growing vegetables and herbs that love  TROPICAL CLIMATE !

Here are some tips to start with:

Vegetables:Grow Quelites or Ca-La-Loo,verdolagas or purslane,radishes,cactus corn,pumpkins,tomatillos,lima beans ,hot peppers:Cayenne,serrano,jalapeno,chili de arbol,habanero.

Herbs:

Grow chapote,la ruda,basil,minta,yerb buena,cilantro,culantro.

Always start small .That is the smart way to learn as you grow.

The secret key : Experiment and be creative!

Here are some recipes to taste:

Greens the Mexican style:

10 cups of Quelites greens( Known in Florida as :CA-LA-LOO)

1 Table spoon extra virgin olive oil

1 Serrano pepper , minced

1 Jalapeno minced

1 Glove of garlic , minced

3 Medium tomatoes , peeled and chopped

Garnish : 2 tablespoons crumbled,aged Mexican cheese

wash the QUELITES GREENS and remove tough stems.Chop tender stems.Put the greens in pot,cover,and steam for five minutes.Do not add water.Remove the greens ,cool and set aside.

Saute in extra virgin olive oil the following:Onion,serrano,jalapeno,and garlic.Chop the green QUELITES or Ca-La-Loo add the minced tomatoesto the pot.Mix EVERYTHING above mentioned and cook for five minutes.Remove from pot and garnish with the crumbled Mexican cheese.

Serve warm for  four.Enjoy !

By: Tony

localharvest.org/farms/M20618

As more and more people lose their homes and jobs in this faltering economy, we notice a new  paradigm growing from this socio-economic -cultural DILEMMA!

Urban farmers are sprouting and transforming our community and backyards as well. Edible gardens  are now everywhere replacing the lawns and neglected lands . But , the never ending challenge remains here  in Florida: What to grow and not to grow in the BLAZING SUMMER of the HURRICANE land.

Most of the new commers to South Florida fall into the JUDGE-MENTAL trap of :"Nothing Grows in the Blazing heat and Humidity  of theS. Florida Summer"....WRONG!

Education pays big difference to clear the ambiguities and provide solutions to the new gardening challenges that are rampant here.

What grows and what does not is the is most frequently  asked question in the summer garden?BUT The most hidden question remains untackled :Which are the most HEAT,HUMIDITY,and DRAUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS?GO NATIVE is the ANSWER!

There are many questions that we need to answer  to adress the challenges in creating an Organic Edible Garden in the HOT ZONE 8-9-10 .It is as easy as 1- 2 -3 only if we treat Gardening as  a PROCESS , we need to take it one day and one   step at a time .WE need to go through the learning curve and we need to LEARN patience ,tolerance and endurance instead of"I WANT IT NOW"!Let us start with the right  PLANTS  to GROW and HARVEST during the summer  here in S. Florida:

I-EDIBLE  ORGANIC PLANTS:

A)Vegetables(that DO GROW in the summer): Pepper,okra,cucumber,Caribean spinach or calaloo,Beans(ex: lima,pinto,string,pole ),eggplant,cherry /wild tomato,corn. Gourds like pumpkins and zuchini . Tubers like sweat ptotato ,yuca ,casava and calabasa).

AA)Veggetables (that DO NOT grow in the summer):

Beats,broccoli,cabbage,cauliflower,celery,kohlrabi,lettuce,onions.garlic,mustard,heirloum tomato,carrot,endive,escargot,California spinach,

B) Herbs(Most warm loving plants do grow!):Basil,bay,chives,coriander,dill,fennel,mint,rosemary,parsely,sage,thyme,ginger,NEEM TREE.CUBAN and GREEK OREGANO and much more. Florida  warm climaste is a welcome environment to most herbs .Use shade to counter excessice hot locations.Use mist to cool the temp down!

C) Fruits(Most sub-Tropical zone  trees do GROW): Coconut,banana,plantain,papaya,pineapple,litchee,mango,fig,grape,pomgrenate,watermelon.

D) Flowers: Marygold,sunflower.

E) Succulents and cacti:Aloe vera,prickly pear.

THE GOOD TO KNOW/GROW  TEN TIPS GARDEN COMMANDMENTS:

1)-Thou Shall Diversify:Diversity makes a big difference even in the garden.Example: grow cucumbers next to sunflower to allow the use of a natural trellis (sunflower) for the vine(cucumber).Xeroscaping -or the right place for the right plant- is as important.For example: Cucumber like hills and raised ground.

2)Thou Shall Use Companion Herbs with veggie plants to prevent and ward off pests.Example: Use Cuban Oregano or basil or..your favorite herb as  companion to tomato or okra or any other vegetable-to discourage bugs from attacking your plants..

3)-Thou Shall Solarize the soil prior to planting to sterilize it and wipe out nematodes.

4)Thou Shall Utilize raised beds in flooding areas ,and trenches in high areas.

5)Thou Shall MULCH.MULCH.MULCH:That will help in reducing the heat effect on the plant ,trap the moisture in the soil for longer periods and contribute in water conservation and reducing the irrigation bill!

5) Thou Shall Create  your own ORGANIC SOIL using COMPOST,Manure,Organic ammendments like lime and other minerals enhancers etc.. .

6)Thou ShallNOT ABUSE THE land by using PESTICIDES .Instead use Alternative green prevention methods to combat pests and harmful bugs like:Neem oil,Castor oil,Tea tree oil,Castile soap,cayenne pepper,etc.

7) Thou Shall Use Organic Soil enrichments as an alternative to Chemical Fertilizers.Example:Bone and Blood meal from non-bovine source.Sea weeds.Epsom salt.

8)Thou Shall Make  use of mulch,shade, and ground covers to combat weeds and  reduce heat effects.

9)Thou Shall Use garden safety gear for personal body protection while in the garden.

10) Thou Shall not abuse your body while in the farm/garden.Instead:HYDRATE , and make use of ERGONOMICS .

Happy Summer Gardening

Tony /Alternative Comminty Farmer  @

www localharvest.org/farms/M20618

Since Rodale wrote his first article on ORGANIC GARDENING back in the 60 's we have evolved tremendously in the way of our consumption into more of ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE.

Now in the 21st century with the inauguration of the second presidential Organic Garden in recent memory in the WHITE HOUSE ,we are ready to hit the ground and start growing our own.

First let us emphasise the importance of geting a  HANDS ON EDUCATION .

I was reading lately an article from the OPRAH Magazine June 2009  edition number 55 titled " Yours for the picking".What caught my attention in the article is the EASY and SIMPLE way it sounded how gardening is versus the general  public opinion of HOW HARD IT IS .  .It is not so EASY neither  so HARD if we learn the KNOW HOW from a professional gardener or farmer.Only the professionals who have experience and education can teach us how to garden.There are tons of books and magazines and thousands of web sites that we may refer to , but we need to pay attention to the location and the zone we live in.There are different climates and different seasons and different crops all depending on the LOCATION .That is why it is important to buy and grow LOCALLY besides getting a local gardening education as well!

It is more convenientand  easy to read a book or an article on gardening while in bed or behind a desk or in the comfort of air conditioned indoor environment, but the best way is to learn HANDS ON right in the garden OUTDOORS.

There are so many of us farmers and gardeners now offering workshops and classes to educate the public.Switch on to the blog sites like the one of \\\\ localharvest.org/blogs   , for example and search the   local events .It makes a difference.Tell a friend or bring one with you.

1-A VEGGIE/FRUIT GARDEN REDUCES THE CARBON FOOT PRINTAND GLOBAL WARMING.

2-REDUCES THE CONSUMPTION AND THEREFORE PRODUCTION OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AS LESS DEMAND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LESS SUPPLY.IT INCREASES THE CHEMICALLY FREE PRODUCE THOUGH!

3-IMPROVES ON THE HEALTHY DIET OF ALL THE FAMILY AS IT INTRODUCES HOME GROWN ORGANIC FOOD HARVESTED RIGHT FROM THE BACKYARD.

4-SAVES ON THE GROCERY BILL -AND MEDICALL BILL AS HEATH IMPROVES -AND  GROCERY SHOPPING DROPPS.

5-BEAUTIFICATION IMPACTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD INCREASES AS MORE GARDENS ARE PLANTED.THEY BEAUTIFY YOUR CITY!

6-QUALITY FAMILY TIME INCREASES AS MORE MEMBERS COME ALONG WORKING THE GARDEN .COMMUNICATION AND SOCIALIZATION EFFECT PAYS IN BETTER FAMILY INTERACTION.

7-COMMUNITY GARDENS AS WELL AS HOME GARDENS FOSTER BONDS BEYOND THE FENCES.THEY PROMOTE DIALOGUE,CULTURAL DIVERSITY,TOLERANCE AND PROVIDE HEALTHY GREENS TO FAMILIES OF LESSER INCOME AND MEANS!

8-GET THE LOCAL YOUTH AT SCHOOLS AND HOME ENGAGED IN PRODUCTIVE SOCIAL PROJECTS WITH LESS TIME SPENT ON tv,INTERNET GAMES ETC.pROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT RECYCLING,LEADERSHIP,DIVERSITY,SUSTAINABILITY ETC

9-pROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL GROUND TO LEARN ABOUT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PRODUCTIVE LIKE GARDENING SKILLS,COMPOSTING,

10-SUPPORT THR ECHO-SYSTEM,CREATE BIODIVERSITY AND BE A PRO-ACTIVE MEMBER IN THE NEW PARADIGM  OF PERMACULTURE,SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN ECOLOGY

Remember the VICTORY GARDEN? Probably not.It happened back in the 40s during and after  the  GREAT Depression and WW-II .

We need to learn from HISTORY as it repeats itself in cycles!

I do not remeber anything myself but I can learn the lessons of an ecconomic crunch that is touching the short and tall the rich and the  poor.

I have been gardening since long .A fourth generation gardener and a Master Organic farmer to top the experience with some papers hanging on the wall!

Wake up folks.Soon, the  illegal people from the South of the border whom we hire to pick our tomatoes and do the DIRT menial work ,will all be gone.Who is going to pick the tomatoes?

You and me.

Start learning the gardening process by paying attention to your inefficient back/front yard.Start learning to appreciate what the EARTH provides as our food.We take things for granted and we do TAKE ADVANTAGE of situations and PEOPLE.Now is the time to reverse all of this attitude .We need to RELATE and connect to EARTH and its living inhabitants.We need to build UNDERSTANDING among each other. The SAFETY of our FOOD is something we need to TAKE into our own hands before we put it into our own mouth.Meaning: WE NEED TO START GROWING our OWN.

To do that we need to change the frame of our mind.We need to RESPECT.We need to RELATE.We need to APPRECIATE.For the ones whom we hired to pick our tomatos now are doomed to go back home.Our anger we direct at them, those who picked our  GMO and PESTICIDE rich fruits and vegetables for us to eat and CONSUME.Just like we  directed our fire at those who posed no harm against us and were the FALSE bearers of the ARMS OF MASS DISTRUCTION.We were the accusers and abusers and now we are  taking our own medicine which we forced unto others.POISON.INTOXICATION..in food and pants.In drywalls and toys.It is coming back on us like a KARMA.This EASTER let us pray for forgiveness.This Pisache let us pray for redemption.This EARTH DAY let us pray for more POISON FREE vegetable gardens in our backyards .AND let us Do IT the ORGANIC WAY!AMEN!

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..