FFA Today – May 27, 2009

Featuring two more STAR winners and a ropin' good time with a talented FFA member.

Composting – it can save you money!

For many people, composting is just an alternative way of dealing with rubbish. It prevents the garbage bin from getting full and smelly. It's also a way of disposing of grass clippings and leaves, which saves many trips to the garbage depot. Whilst these things are valid, they are not giving compost the full credibility it deserves. Compost can be very valuable when used in the right way.

I have a completely different way of looking at compost. To me, composting is a way of building valuable nutrients that will, one day, feed me and my family. I only use compost on my vegetable gardens. The way I manage my vegetable gardens means that composting is an integral part of the whole food production system. I create compost as a way of collecting nutrients in one form (waste), and turning them into another form (food).

The average person buys food from a shop, consumes it and then sends the waste away. This is simply buying nutrients, taking what you need for that precise moment, and disregarding the remainder. It's a nutrient flow that only flows in one direction, like a fancy car roaring down the road. You admire the car for a moment, but after a second or two, it's gone.

My goal is to slow down the car and then get it to do a U-turn. I want to keep the nutrients within my property where I can capitalize on them. By doing this, I am able to use the nutrients again, so I don't have to buy them for a second time. Surely, that's going to save me money. It may seem strange to think of nutrients in this way when we can't even physically see them. However, all organic materials contain nutrients. My goal is to get those nutrients out of the form they are in and into a form that is useful to me and my family.

To put it in a different way; composting is a vehicle in which we are able to create a nutrient cycle within our property. We are part of that cycle because we consume the nutrients when they are, for a brief time, in a useful form. Then they return to the compost and slowly make their way into another useful form where we consume them again. This cycle can go on and on indefinitely. Of course, there will be many lost nutrients that you will never see again, but with a little diligence, you will be surprised at how much compost you can create, and hence, how many valuable nutrients you can recycle.

My composting system is large because I have a few large vegetable gardens. I believe that the size of your vegetable garden should be determined by how much compost you can create, and not merely by the amount of space you have in your backyard. To run a rich, high yielding vegetable garden you need to have some sort of soil conditioning plan, and the best thing for your soil is a generous layer of good compost on the surface a few times per year.

If you can create your own compost from the organic waste that you generate in your everyday life, then you can have a vegetable garden that is self-sustainable. Once it is set up, it will never need nutrients in the form of store-bought fertilizers. You will have established a flow of nutrients, and your nutrient-store will grow bigger and bigger, year after year. Applying compost to your garden will have a very positive effect on your soil structure and fertility. With good soil structure and plenty of organic material, you will be able to release nutrients that have been locked up and unavailable to your plants. You will be speeding up the flow of nutrients, thus increasing your yield significantly. Your soil will become alive and healthy with micro-organisms and soil bacteria that are beneficial to creating the conditions for proper plant growth. Your vegetables will contain all the essential nutrients in the correct proportions, giving your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to function at its best.

Composting is very easy once you make it part of your everyday life. A small container on your kitchen bench to collect scraps and a daily trip to the compost bin is all it takes. It's a small effort for huge rewards. The golden rule in making compost is never to have large clumps of a single type of material. Thin layers of hot and cold materials work best. Cold materials include leaves, shredded newspaper and dried grass clippings. Hot materials include fresh grass clippings, manures, weeds, discarded soft plants and kitchen scraps.

If you make composting part of you daily routine, along with an effective method of growing food, you can literally save thousands of dollars per year. This is possible simply because you won't have to keep buying nutrients over and over. You will buy them once, hold onto them and then convert them into useful forms again and again. It's that simple!

By Jonathan White, environmental scientist

About the Author

Jonathan White is an Environmental Scientist and the founder of the Food4Wealth Method, a high yielding, low-maintenance form of vegetable gardening. For more information see www.Food4Wealth.com

Article Source: Content for Reprint

FFA Today – May 13, 2009

A trip to Minneapolis and a feature on a unique rooftop garden.

Mother’s Day Hanging Garden

This Mother's Day, give mom a unique gift made especially for her. Instead of picking one of the ready made hanging baskets, buy all the ingredients and create your own basket or container that she can enjoy all summer.

Begin by choosing either a basket or some sort of container. Hanging baskets consist of a wire basket filled with sphagnum moss. Soak the moss in water for at least 10 minutes, squeeze any excess water out and press it into the inside of the basket, extending just over the rim. Poke holes in various spots to allow for trailing plants.

If you're using a container, ensure there is at least one hole at the bottom of the pot to allow for drainage. Place pieces of broken terra-cotta pots or gravel in the bottom to prevent the roots from clogging drainage holes. Generally, potting soil works better than regular garden soil as it tends to be lighter and absorbs more water.

Now you're ready to choose your plants. Considering what mom's interests or preferences are, you may want your planter to have a theme. Choose a common color or plant type - here are some ideas:

Edible Containers or Baskets

- Salad basket with cherry tomatoes and a couple different types of lettuce, basil and chives.
- Salsa container with cilantro, tomatoes and peppers.
- Edible flowers are wonderful added to salads and fruit dishes. Some tasty varieties include, nasturtium, calendula, Johnny jump up's, and signet marigolds.
- Strawberry plants do wonderfully trailing in hanging baskets or poking through a terra cotta container with plenty of growing spouts.

Herbal Containers

- Tea blends such as bergamot or bee balm (ingredient for Earl Grey Tea), different types of mint, chamomile, lemon balm or spearmint.
- Culinary herbs such as basil, oregano, tarragon, cilantro, parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage.

Floral Combinations - Shade

- Create a showy pink theme with 2 colors of Impatiens - Accent Pink & Pink Swirl - and Dichondra (Silver Falls).
- Go heavy on the foliage with Coleus (Stained Glassworks Copper, Big Blond & True Red), Lantana (Dallas Red), and Bear Grass.
- Mix up a variety of species with Impatiens (Accent Pink), Hosta (Golden Tiara), Jacob's Ladder, Fuchsia (Thalia), Ground Ivy, Sweet Potato Vine, Plectranthus (Zulu Wonder), and Vinca Major (Variegata).

Floral Combinations - Sun

- Make a simple bold statement with only 1 plant - Calibrachoa (Cabaret Rose). Plant in a basket, making plenty of holes creating a large floral sphere.
- Make a bold statement with bright strong colors such as bright red Geranium (Designer Cherry), Swan River Daisy (Mini Yellow), Nirembergia (Purple robe), Marigold (Lemon Gem), and Petunia (Supercascade Rose).
- Go the opposite end of the spectrum with soft pastel colors and combine Verbena (Tuscany Lavender Picotee), Wax Begonia (Nightlife Rose), and Browallia Speciosa.
- Good hardy plants that create an interesting look and don't mind if you forget to water them include hens and chicks, echeveria, and sedum.
- This basket contains plants that are sure to bloom all summer long

Calibrachoa (Cabaret Purple), Snapdragon (Luminaire Yellow), and Verbena (Cherry Red).

Don't be timid to try different color or texture combinations. When in doubt, refer to the color wheel and combine shades that may be two or three spots apart. One thing is for certain; mom will appreciate the effort and will enjoy her gift all summer long.

About the Author

Amerivest is a realty company based in southwest Florida, and specializes in Naples real estate. To view properties in the Vineyards real estate market, please visit us at NaplesGuru.com.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Edible Landscaping With Tropical Fruit Trees

Tropical fruit trees make wonderful additions to any South Florida landscape. Combine plants with lush green foliage, brightly colored flowers of all shapes and sizes to create an low maintenance, attractive outdoor design. Get creative and intersperse your fruit trees with other native tropicals and add a water feature or secluded seating area. The choices are endless, but the best part comes with the harvesting of this edible landscape.

Here is a list of some of the tropical fruit trees you're most likely to have success with in the South Florida climate. In an effort to inspire you, we've, also included some of the more exotic varieties you may never have heard of.

Avocado: Introduced to the area in 1833, the South Florida climate is ideal for growing this nutritious fruit. There are over 56 different varieties with summer, fall and winter growing seasons. The thick skin is green, and can be smooth or rough textured, and teardrop, round or football shape, depending on the species. Avocados have more fat than most fruits, but they are an excellent source of potassium and Vitamin A, and are used in salads, guacamole, and taste great scooped right out of the shell.

Trees are 40-60 feet in height and produce large quantities of fruit that do not ripen until they are picked or fall to the ground.

Growing Conditions: Sunny location with well-drained soil. Season: January-June.

Caimito - Star Apple: This is an ornamental evergreen tree with sweet purple or green fruit and shiny green leaves with a brown underside. The fruit is sweet and gelatinous.The trees range from 25 to 100 ft in height.

Growing Conditions: Well-drained soil with no chance of flooding.. Season: Late May-March.

Carambola - Star Fruit: Plant produces a large fleshy berry, 2-6 inches in length, with a waxy, yellow skin. A cross-section slices produces a perfect star shape - hence the name. The trees are considered small to medium in height (35 feet max), with dark green leaves and flowers.

Star fruit is great served in salads or as an iced juice drink, canned, dried or preserved. Not advised for people with kidney disease due to high concentration of oxalic acid.

Growing Conditions: Sunny location with protection from the wind. Season: July-September, November-February.

Mango: Native to Asia and India, mango trees have been growing in Florida for at least 100 years. These medium to large trees (up to 100 feet) have a number of varieties and produce a hearty crop of tasty fruit. When first picked, mangoes are light green, but are best eaten when the fruit softens slightly and and skin takes on a yellow, red, or orange color. The fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C and tastes great in salads, breads, or pureed.

Growing Conditions: These trees are tough and easy to grow. Season: May-October.

Passion Fruit: This vine produces purple, yellow or reddish colored fruit surrounded by an sweet, orange pulp. The juice makes a wonderful punch.

Growing Conditions: Passion Fruit vines should be planted in an area where they can be supported by a fence or trellis in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Season: June-December.

Tamarind: This is a large tree (up to 80 feet), with rough bark, twisting branches and evergreen foliage. Flowers are a pale yellow with red veins that appear in early summer. The fruit is hidden in brown pods and contain large seeds in a sticky, brown edible pulp. The "molasses like" pulp can be used to flavor sauces and steak sauce. Season: April-June.

About the Author

Visit PreviewNaples.com for all the tools and information you need to navigate the Naples real estate and greater Southwest Florida real estate market. You'll find local realty info, including details about Park Shore real estate.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

FFA Today – May 6, 2009

An award-winning chapter visits Washington D.C. and meat science rules in Miller, MO.

Get to know the National Officers

Excerpt from the April 22 FFA Today featuring the 2008-2009 National Officer Team.