Amazon.com: Back To Eden Film - Simple. Sustainable. Solutions.: DANA RICHARDSON, SARAH ZENTZ, MICHAEL BARRETT, Paul Gautschi: Movies & TV
Every time I watch this, I learn something new!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
SOIL HEALTH by Tami Schlies
SOIL HEALTH by Tami Schlies
Our guest speaker at the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Grower’s Association in January, Mr. John Evans of Palmer, got me thinking about soil. He created Alaska Bounty, a "soil stimulant system" that replaces natural bacteria and fungi lost in chemical fertilizing, harvesting, and even tilling the soil. His unique system breeds microorganisms by aerating a special compost tea, versus the organisms found in such things as "soil soup" or even regular compost tea, and he claims this is better for the soil. And better soil means better plants.
Now, first of all, what do these microorganisms do exactly for us gardeners? Well, first of all, they break down the insoluble nutrients in the soil, as well as in the organic fertilizers we might use. In this process, they release the nutrients into the soil in soluble form for our plants to use. And their little bodies hold on to a continuous supply, like a slow release fertilizer, as long as we keep them – ie. our soil – healthy.
You cannot use too much according to John, because it is not a fertilizer and will not burn plants. Used along with organic fertilizers, it will reduce fertilizer use by up to 70% because the organisms utilize the nutrients and improve the overall soil structure.
According to John, this allows the plants to grow not only larger, as his many giant vegetables attest to, but also sweeter. He regularly uses a refractometer to measure the sugar levels in his produce as well as the produce in the grocery stores for comparison. And the plants are better able to shrug off diseases and pests, and even neglect or drought.
Mycorrhizae
After John’s visit, I decided to do a little bit of research on mycorrhizae in particular. Remember, fungi do not create food on their own, like plants do. Mycorrhizae is a type of symbiotic fungus that interacts with plant roots, exchanging absorbed mineral nutrient ions for the sugars the plant produces.
Mycorrhizae also increases a plant’s effective root system by up to 700% by breaking down and absorbing nutrients farther away - up to 30 feet away. Mycorrhizae not only distribute nutrients, but also depress many root diseases caused by pathogenic fungi and nematodes. When you disturb natural soils, by digging or rototilling, you break up mycorrhizal systems and force them to start over, interrupting the absorptive area they share with the native plants. More than 99% of the earth’s plants utilize this fungus to their benefit. There are six types of mycorrhizae, but only two are more considered major types, so that is what I will cover here: ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.
Ectomycorrhizae
Ecto is the suffix for outside, so ectomycorrhizae tend to grow on the outside of the root tips. They penetrate the spaces between to cells of the root’s outer layer, covering the root like a glove, and then fungal hyphae (hair-like filaments) grow outward from the roots into the surrounding soil. These gather water and nutrients and share them with the plant. They have been shown to be particularly good at absorbing phosphate, potassium, and alkaloid metals.
Ectomycorrhizae also seem to be able to protect a plant from soil born diseases and pathogens. They do this by producing a sort of antibiotic that keeps bad bacteria at bay, rather like penicillin. The "glove" they form around the roots may also act as a physical barrier against invasion.
Ectomycorrhizae also produce growth hormones and regulators which can alter the metabolism and growth of the roots themselves, encouraging healthy growth. This type of fungus tends to colonize coniferous trees and hardwoods.
Endomycorrhizae
As you may guess, endo is the suffix for inside, therefore endomycorrhizae grow mainly inside the cells of the plant root’s outer surface, rather than between the cells. These do not form the glove around the plant root like the ectomycorrhizae, and therefore are impossible to see without a microscope. But they do send out a net of hyphae to gather water and nutrients.
John talked about using "BioVAM" in his compost aeration mixture, and now I know what VAM stands for. It is short for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae – two structures formed by endomycorrhizae within the cells of the root. 90% of the world’s higher plant types have a relationship with this kind of mycorrhizae. Arbuscules are bodies made up of hyphae that take carbohydrates from the cells and increase until they fill the cell completely, then they break down and release their stored nutrients to the host plant. The mycorrhizae then moves on to another plant cell. Little is known about vesicles, but scientists suspect that they play a role in propagation.
VAM in particular are good at absorbing phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc and calcium, plus some potassium, though this is highly affected by the balance of calcium, nitrogen, and potassium levels in the soil. This type of fungus tends to favor turf grasses, ornamentals, hardwoods, and fruit and nut trees.
Other Facts
Another interesting theory about mycorrhizae is that it allows plants to communicate with each other. There are cases where a plant is stripped clean of foliage by insects faster than it can regrow the leaves. As soon as one plant becomes infected, the other plants in the area change chemistry and begin to secrete toxins to keep the insects from preying on them. Scientists believe mycorrhizae may
play a role in this communication.
Though most mycorrhizae are invisible to the naked eye, there are a few that produce fruiting bodies. Small fungi that appear near birch, hornbeam, larch, and spruce may be a type of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Believe it or not, truffles are also a type of ectomycorrhizal fungus.
Ectomycorrhizal trees
Arborvitae
Aspen
Basswood
Beech
Chestnut
Birch
Cottonwood
Fir
Hemlock
Hickory
Larch
Oak
Spruce
Willow
Endomycorrhizal trees
Ash
Buckeye
Crabapple
Dogwood
Ginko
Huckleberry
Hawthorn
Holly
Horsechestnut
Locust
London Planetree
Magnolia
Maple
Redbud
Sycamore
Walnut
Yew
Our guest speaker at the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Grower’s Association in January, Mr. John Evans of Palmer, got me thinking about soil. He created Alaska Bounty, a "soil stimulant system" that replaces natural bacteria and fungi lost in chemical fertilizing, harvesting, and even tilling the soil. His unique system breeds microorganisms by aerating a special compost tea, versus the organisms found in such things as "soil soup" or even regular compost tea, and he claims this is better for the soil. And better soil means better plants.
Now, first of all, what do these microorganisms do exactly for us gardeners? Well, first of all, they break down the insoluble nutrients in the soil, as well as in the organic fertilizers we might use. In this process, they release the nutrients into the soil in soluble form for our plants to use. And their little bodies hold on to a continuous supply, like a slow release fertilizer, as long as we keep them – ie. our soil – healthy.
You cannot use too much according to John, because it is not a fertilizer and will not burn plants. Used along with organic fertilizers, it will reduce fertilizer use by up to 70% because the organisms utilize the nutrients and improve the overall soil structure.
According to John, this allows the plants to grow not only larger, as his many giant vegetables attest to, but also sweeter. He regularly uses a refractometer to measure the sugar levels in his produce as well as the produce in the grocery stores for comparison. And the plants are better able to shrug off diseases and pests, and even neglect or drought.
Mycorrhizae
After John’s visit, I decided to do a little bit of research on mycorrhizae in particular. Remember, fungi do not create food on their own, like plants do. Mycorrhizae is a type of symbiotic fungus that interacts with plant roots, exchanging absorbed mineral nutrient ions for the sugars the plant produces.
Mycorrhizae also increases a plant’s effective root system by up to 700% by breaking down and absorbing nutrients farther away - up to 30 feet away. Mycorrhizae not only distribute nutrients, but also depress many root diseases caused by pathogenic fungi and nematodes. When you disturb natural soils, by digging or rototilling, you break up mycorrhizal systems and force them to start over, interrupting the absorptive area they share with the native plants. More than 99% of the earth’s plants utilize this fungus to their benefit. There are six types of mycorrhizae, but only two are more considered major types, so that is what I will cover here: ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.
Ectomycorrhizae
Ecto is the suffix for outside, so ectomycorrhizae tend to grow on the outside of the root tips. They penetrate the spaces between to cells of the root’s outer layer, covering the root like a glove, and then fungal hyphae (hair-like filaments) grow outward from the roots into the surrounding soil. These gather water and nutrients and share them with the plant. They have been shown to be particularly good at absorbing phosphate, potassium, and alkaloid metals.
Ectomycorrhizae also seem to be able to protect a plant from soil born diseases and pathogens. They do this by producing a sort of antibiotic that keeps bad bacteria at bay, rather like penicillin. The "glove" they form around the roots may also act as a physical barrier against invasion.
Ectomycorrhizae also produce growth hormones and regulators which can alter the metabolism and growth of the roots themselves, encouraging healthy growth. This type of fungus tends to colonize coniferous trees and hardwoods.
Endomycorrhizae
As you may guess, endo is the suffix for inside, therefore endomycorrhizae grow mainly inside the cells of the plant root’s outer surface, rather than between the cells. These do not form the glove around the plant root like the ectomycorrhizae, and therefore are impossible to see without a microscope. But they do send out a net of hyphae to gather water and nutrients.
John talked about using "BioVAM" in his compost aeration mixture, and now I know what VAM stands for. It is short for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae – two structures formed by endomycorrhizae within the cells of the root. 90% of the world’s higher plant types have a relationship with this kind of mycorrhizae. Arbuscules are bodies made up of hyphae that take carbohydrates from the cells and increase until they fill the cell completely, then they break down and release their stored nutrients to the host plant. The mycorrhizae then moves on to another plant cell. Little is known about vesicles, but scientists suspect that they play a role in propagation.
VAM in particular are good at absorbing phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc and calcium, plus some potassium, though this is highly affected by the balance of calcium, nitrogen, and potassium levels in the soil. This type of fungus tends to favor turf grasses, ornamentals, hardwoods, and fruit and nut trees.
Other Facts
Another interesting theory about mycorrhizae is that it allows plants to communicate with each other. There are cases where a plant is stripped clean of foliage by insects faster than it can regrow the leaves. As soon as one plant becomes infected, the other plants in the area change chemistry and begin to secrete toxins to keep the insects from preying on them. Scientists believe mycorrhizae may
play a role in this communication.
Though most mycorrhizae are invisible to the naked eye, there are a few that produce fruiting bodies. Small fungi that appear near birch, hornbeam, larch, and spruce may be a type of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Believe it or not, truffles are also a type of ectomycorrhizal fungus.
Ectomycorrhizal trees
Arborvitae
Aspen
Basswood
Beech
Chestnut
Birch
Cottonwood
Fir
Hemlock
Hickory
Larch
Oak
Spruce
Willow
Endomycorrhizal trees
Ash
Buckeye
Crabapple
Dogwood
Ginko
Huckleberry
Hawthorn
Holly
Horsechestnut
Locust
London Planetree
Magnolia
Maple
Redbud
Sycamore
Walnut
Yew
Preparing For SHTF
Link to Website: Preparing For SHTF
"Be prepared for SHTF! Knowledge is the key to survival when shit hits the fan!"
"Be prepared for SHTF! Knowledge is the key to survival when shit hits the fan!"
Amazing Wood Gas Camping Stove
Kindle Book: The Amazing Wood Gas Camping Stove
FREE for a short period of time.
FREE for a short period of time.
Disaster Preparedness Basics [FREE Kindle Book]
Link: Disaster Preparedness Basics
How to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies [Kindle Edition]
FREE for a short period of time.
How to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies [Kindle Edition]
FREE for a short period of time.
How to Make a Cold Frame
Transplant your seedlings into a Cold Frame to harden them off to the outdoors. Might be a good place to bury a waterproof gun safe.
Homemade Whole-Grain Bread
Article Link: Homemade Whole-Grain Bread.
Learn techniques to save time and money while boosting flavor and nutrition in homemade whole-grain bread. All it takes is adding whole-grain flours and sprouted grains.
~Mother Earth News
Learn techniques to save time and money while boosting flavor and nutrition in homemade whole-grain bread. All it takes is adding whole-grain flours and sprouted grains.
How to Choose the Right Woodstove
Article Link: How to Choose the Right Woodstove.
Why not heat with wood? It's a green heating option that also makes you more self-reliant.
~Mother Earth News
Why not heat with wood? It's a green heating option that also makes you more self-reliant.
How to Build a Winter Shelter
Article Link: How to Build a Winter Shelter
Learn how to survive blizzard conditions by crafting a winter shelter out of snow, space blankets, fallen branches, cave openings and more.
~Mother Earth News
Learn how to survive blizzard conditions by crafting a winter shelter out of snow, space blankets, fallen branches, cave openings and more.
~Mother Earth News
Feinstein’s Bait-and-Switch Anti-Gun Legislation
AUDIO LINK: Feinstein’s Ultimate Bait-and-Switch Anti-Gun Legislation with Michael Hammond – Episode 142 - Off The Grid News
"Today's guest on Off the Grid Radio is asking listeners not to be fooled or sidetracked by anything coming from the anti-gun camp, including universal background checks, which he says is the ultimate bait-and-switch ploy. Michael Hammond, legislative counsel to Gun Owners of America, says that we're at a crossroads in the history of America, and how we respond to this recent attack on constitutional liberties may well decide the fate of the nation going forward.
Please join hosts Bill Heid, Brian Brawdy, and Michael Hammond on this week's episode of Off the Grid Radio.
"Today's guest on Off the Grid Radio is asking listeners not to be fooled or sidetracked by anything coming from the anti-gun camp, including universal background checks, which he says is the ultimate bait-and-switch ploy. Michael Hammond, legislative counsel to Gun Owners of America, says that we're at a crossroads in the history of America, and how we respond to this recent attack on constitutional liberties may well decide the fate of the nation going forward.
Please join hosts Bill Heid, Brian Brawdy, and Michael Hammond on this week's episode of Off the Grid Radio.
Your Home, Your Fortress
Your Home, Your Fortress BOOK: $29.95+$6.95 s/h
"The Definitive Guide To Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe From Felons, Blood Thirsty Thieves, and Roving Bands Of Looters."
~Off The Grid News
"The Definitive Guide To Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe From Felons, Blood Thirsty Thieves, and Roving Bands Of Looters."
~Off The Grid News
Watering Devices: DIY for the Garden
Article Link: DIY Watering Devices
Make these easy watering devices for your gardens.
~Old Farmer's Almanac
Make these easy watering devices for your gardens.
~Old Farmer's Almanac
Rain Barrels: Water-saving Gardens
Article Link: Rain Barrels Water-saving gardens
If you have an engineering degree, you can build a cistern. Lacking that, think of ways to save water in large containers that can be covered.
~Old Farmer's Almanac
If you have an engineering degree, you can build a cistern. Lacking that, think of ways to save water in large containers that can be covered.
~Old Farmer's Almanac
Plants that Clean the Air
Article Link: Plants that Clean the Air
Finding plants that clean the air could make your lungs healthier and put you in a better mood.
~Organic Gardening
Finding plants that clean the air could make your lungs healthier and put you in a better mood.
~Organic Gardening
11 Healthiest Whole Grains
Article Link: The 11 Healthiest Whole Grains
Don’t nix carbs. Just make sure you’re eating the good ones and eliminating the bad.
~Organic Gardening
Don’t nix carbs. Just make sure you’re eating the good ones and eliminating the bad.
8 Weeds You Can Eat
Article Link: 8 Weeds You Can Eat
One person’s weed-filled lawn is another person’s salad bar.
~Organic Gardening
One person’s weed-filled lawn is another person’s salad bar.
~Organic Gardening
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