Food Prices Rising, Act Now

                                                                                                

It was a spectacular sunset last night. “Red in the morning, sailor's warning, red at night, sailor's delight.” However, today, Valentine's Day turned ugly, with high winds, rain and snow ...no delight. Usually, the weather signs are more accurate than million dollar radars but not this time. Course the million dollar radars and forecasts were way off base the other day. A half an inch of snow was predicted in the overnight hours, in the morning at daybreak there was better than six inches on the ground and a blizzard was raging....

Where's that groundhog?

Another Good Reason

Food prices are on the rise, according to many predictions, for example this article and this article. It's just another good reason to re-work, re-think or even plan a home vegetable garden this spring. A vegetable garden is going to save a lot of money, plus provide health benefits and good meals.

A good consideration is to also consider planting perennial crops which will continue to produce for years. Examples, asparagus, blueberries and rhubarb.

Considering the rising gasoline prices, the savings could be even more than expected. Yesterday, here in northwestern Pennsylvania, the price per gallon at every gas station was posted as $3.25 per gallon. I'd put money that the price will be even higher at week's end.

Many healthy foods can be planted early in the spring, such as lettuce and peas and some Cole crops like cabbage and broccoli. Seeds for peppers and tomatoes can be easily started indoors at home; there's no big mystery.

Many vegetables and herbs can also be successfully grown in containers. If a vegetable plot or container gardens are possible, consider buying from your local growers. It keeps the money in the local community. Just be sure to check, they are organic and don't use the harmful agrochemicals.

The recession is still here and prices are now rising, it's time to save some household money. For example, the price of a salad mix is between $2.00 and $2.50 (and will likely go higher).

An example: For $2.00, lettuce seeds can be purchased and with little effort a small patch of ground, or a container, can be prepared and within weeks, lettuce can be harvested, for much of the year.

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Speaking of AgroChemicals

Many beekeeping organizations are asking the EPA to ban the use of a pesticide called “clothindian” which also goes by the name of “Poncho”. This chemical is used to treat corn seed before it is planted to thwart the harmful root worm which will kill the corn.

This chemical is manufactured by Bayer, a German company (of aspirin fame). Once it was used in Germany, beekeepers noticed a dramatic decline in bee populations. It was promptly banned. France, Italy and Slovenia quickly followed suit and banned “Poncho”.

Honeybees, as well as native bumblebees and other pollinators, pollinate many of our crops and are responsible for about a third of the food we eat. Equally important, these insects pollinate a number of wild food crops which are a food source for our native wildlife, birds, deer, squirrels, to name just a few.

There are simple actions we can all do to help which are more helpful than contacting legislators.

Avoid all chemical pesticides.

Plant native flowers and herbs.

If possible, create natural, backyard habitats.

The Northern Alligator aka the Wolf Fish

Learn more about this fish, great fishing, good eating.

Snapping turtles, we all have a story about an encounter, see Myrtle, the snapping turtle.

Anc

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ient Yarrow is a good herb to consider this spring.

Good Blogs to Consider:

Corning New York, Step by Step

Urban Veggie Garden

The Real Meaning of Groundhog Day: What You Should Know

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 Seems like this winter will never end. But as all know by now, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow meaning an early spring, so maybe the end of the road is in sight. He'd better be right.

But there is a whole line of thought, called phenology, which records and studies, cyclic annual events, in the plant and animal kingdoms. It is sort of a natural calender; it can foretell such things as when to plant certain plants, when allergies will become a problem and recreational opportunities.

For example, the singing of the spring peepers usually happens in these parts sometime during the last week in March. I usually mark the date down. According to phenological wisdom, there will be three more snowfalls following the singing. And most of the time, it happens. There will be three times the snow will, well, at least flurry.

Other common signs for home gardeners:

• plant peas when the forsythia and daffodils bloom
• plant potatoes when the first of the dandelions bloom
• plant tomatoes when the lily-of-the-valley blooms – spring frosts are over

Phenology also can predict the emergence of some pesky insects. For example

• Japanese Beetles make their first appearance when the foxflowers bloom
• Eastern tent caterpillars arrive when the crab apples bloom

It pays to be observant to what is happening in the local neighborhood and to make a recording, even in a garden journal.

Groundhog Fact – a good archaeologists

Groundhogs are good diggers. In fact their tunnels can be four feet deep and run for fifty feet. The dirt is pile sometimes three or four feet into a mound at the main entrance. The groundhog uses this mound to watch for danger. At the other end of the tunnel, is the little noticed escape route. It is hard to find. But always look carefully at the entrance mound of dirt for old artifacts like arrowheads, pieces of flint and maybe even old bottles.

And yes, groundhogs can whistle. They whistle when alarmed and during courtship. A fox, coyote or even a dog are natural predators of the groundhog. A fox, however, will be more likely take over the groundhogs tunnel and make a new den; rabbits, skunks and raccoons will do something similar, though they don't prey on groundhogs.
Click Phil, for more information on Punxsutawney Phil and the former Groundhog Brand of Meats.

Gardens are in the Near Future, according to the Groundhog (despite the politics of the day)

Okay, I agree with the recently passed Affordable Health Care Act, though I am not fond of the bitter debates.
First things first. Health care starts at home and a good action to take is to plant a home vegetable garden free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. The evidence is lined up that homegrown veggies are healthier and better tasting.

Besides, a homeowner can save a bundle of money with a home garden. The $50 worth of seeds will produce over $1,250 worth of produce, according to some estimates. This year probably even more so with the high prices being charged for gasoline.

Lettuce is one early spring crop which can be planted throughout the growing season. Homegrown lettuce can save a lot of money when compared to the prices in most grocery stores. Besides, the homegrown quality is much, much better.

A potato box can produce a lot of fresh homegrown potatoes. Thanks to Kathleen Richardson for sending the link. I've done this for a long time now; the box doesn't take up a lot garden space and weeding is kept to a minimum. There's nothing better than mash potatoes made from fresh potatoes (or baked for that matter).

An asparagus patch, and a couple blueberry bushes at the edges of the garden, will produce for years and years, save more and more money while providing for healthy meals.

Naturally, it helps to plan, go organic and take care of the patch during the season. Don't forget to plant some extra plants which are high in nectar for the bees. Bees are important to any vegetable garden.

Good Blogs to Read

Corning New York Step by Step

Urban Veggie Garden