“You’ve Got a Friend”: A Quick Glance at the Inexact Science of Companion Planting February 27, 2009

There are volumes written on companion planting, the inexact science of plant relationships. Some relationships are scientific common sense, while others remain a bit of a stretch even by old wive’s standards. This post looks at common sense companion planting and how to combine plants using commonly found characteristics. Not included are those plants that use their scent to attract or repel insects. That is for another post at another time.

There are six characteristics to consider when creating plant communities, three major and three minor. The major characteristics are climatic needs, nitrogen fixation, allelopathy. Our first question after seeing a new plant we want to grow is, will it grow under my garden’s conditions? Compatibility of climate, water and soil needs are the most important considerations we face when designing our plant layout. Every other companion planting decision stems from these three initial considerations. Next nitrogen fixation is the ability of a plant, like peas, beans, clover, and alder to absorb atmospheric nitrogen and put it in the soil in a form that is available for other plants to use for their own growth. By using “N-fixers” you can reduce inputs of nitrogen fertilizers. In contrast, allelopathy is the ability of plants like cabbage, sunflower and walnut to inhibit the growth of other plants by secreting mildly toxic chemicals in to the soil via their roots or leaf litter. The reason for this is simple: the less competition they have, the greater their chance for survival.

Okay. Now for the minor characteristics: height, ground coverage, and root structure. The height of a plant can determine the amount of shade it casts and potentially the vertical growing area for another plant. Plants can also act as living mulch by covering the ground helping it retain moisture. The last major characteristic is root structure. Plant roots occupy different niches in the soil like their vegetative counterpart does above ground. This diversity plays just as crucial a role as it does above ground. Some plants, like squash, have relatively sensitive roots that can’t handle too much disturbance. For this reason root crops carrots that will be harvested regularly cannot be planted with them.

Looking at the common Iriquois planting of corn, beans, and squash (known as the three sisters) we can find five out of six of these characteristics at work. The beans are planted two weeks after the corn at the same time as the squash. The beans use the corn to climb and in return offer nitrogen for the corn to use in its growth. The squash covers the ground as living mulch for the corns and beans and in return the corn provides shade and the beans nitrogen for growth. Their roots all occupy different depths and widths in the soil making existing in the same location that much easier.  The synergy of this community increases yields 50% more per acre than plantings of the individual crops on their own.

Companion planting is not a veggie growers science alone. It can be used in ornamental gardens as well, but to really benefit from companion planting we need to know our plants and the characteristics they have and then get creative and experiment, so have fun with it and explore. A bounty of sense stimulation awaits you!

Don’t just dump those old running shoes, recycle them! February 22, 2009

Like a lot of people, I have a pretty big assortment of athletic shoes that I use for just about everything: running, walking, hiking, and hanging out. Add to that my husband’s collection, plus my son’s board shoes and baseball trainers, and you‘re talking LOTS of shoes. The problem is, athletic shoes eventually break down or wear out. I can use some of mine for gardening, but my son’s shoes are always too destroyed to give away. Our collection of shabby shoes was really starting to pile up in the garage, so I finally decided it was time to do something about them—and tossing the shoes in the garbage was not an option. My problem was suddenly solved the other day when I noticed a sign in our local athletic shoe store. It advertised that they participate in the Nike ReUse-A-Shoe program. It turns out that the program has been going for awhile now, but when I asked my friends about it, no one had heard of it. And just late last year, Nike launched new ReUse-A-Shoe bins in all of their stores. What does Nike do with all of those smelly, old shoes? They turn them into “Nike Grind”, a material used in sports surfaces, playgrounds and new Nike products. The website says you can ship old shoes to Oregon—and it even allows you to download a shipping label. But here’s a better solution: using the zip code search on the Nike website, look for the store nearest you that accepts shoes. Be sure to try several local zip codes. When I plugged in the one for Parson’s PR, only the downtown Nike store popped up. But when I tried the zip code for the University of Washington, it showed another drop off location right near the U. The stores accept all brands of athletic shoes—as long as they’re mud free. They don’t accept shoes with metal cleats or eyelets, or dress shoes and hiking boots. To see photos and learn more about the recycling process and how Nike reuses the shoes, visit their website. And just think, if you do decide to recycle that stinky old pair of sneakers, you may end up wearing them again in your next pair of Nikes!

Seattle Tilth Gets a Face Lift February 19, 2009

If I told you I knew someone who was getting a face lift at 31, you’d probably think they had issues. But now in it’s 31st year Seattle Tilth isn’t so young as far as organizations go, so it has re-branded itself to prove that it ain’t too old to rock the garden party…ya dig?!

The old face of one great organization

If you haven’t been to the Seattle Tilth website in the last two weeks, you really need to see it! Their new logo, new clean look, and usability reflect a renewed vision of Seattle Tilth as an organization by and for the veggie–growing people of Seattle. Personally, I dig the kitchen/garden fork logo, which appears to be split by a square representing a raised bed or a plate (at least that’s my “art critic’s take” on it). It speaks well to Tilth’s commitment to teaching the community about the benefits of growing food in the urban setting and then, of course, eating it!

Early this week, I spoke with two of the Tilth office staff members to find out about some of the other changes that will be coming to Tilth this year. According to Out Reach and Development Coordinator Liza Burke and Program Assistant Carrie Niskanen, 2009 has been designated, “The Year of the Volunteer.” This year it is their staff goal to be more accessible to current members and establish new relationships that will bring their services to neighborhoods outside of North Seattle.

To do this, Seattle Tilth will be working with other non-profit community food organizations to provide lower income neighborhoods, like Columbia City, with the tools and knowledge they need to grow organic food. This urban food coalition will be offering community members many of the programs currently available through Tilth right in their own backyards. With due time and diligence, it is Tilth’s hope that this partnership will foster a better connection between the culturally and economically distant communities of North and South Seattle. It will also encourage more organic food-production among the inner-city’s ethnic minority and immigrant communities, empowering a demographic that has been historically underserved by the retail organics movement.

Besides expanding to new neighborhoods with new community partners, Seattle Tilth is also currently restructuring their membership program to accommodate a number of different income levels. If all of this sounds like too much change for you, take a deep breath - it’s going to be alright. Tilth will still continue their established programs like their top rated Children’s Garden and Master Composter class. For more information on how you can get involved with Tilth in 2009 “The Year of the Volunteer” and beyond, check out the new website at www.seattletilth.org.

Savings You Can Bet the Seed Bank On February 12, 2009

Heirloom Beans: A Rainbow of Diveristy!

The relationship between humans and plants that came to be known as agriculture began when humans began cultivating plants, selecting for various traits like size and taste and resistance to a variety of environmental conditions. As we humans advanced our knowledge of how to select and what to select for, we began to get more creative with the selection process eventually breeding some of the most fantabulous food ever. There was no novelty in this practice. Back in the day this was life. We all grew food and we all saved and traded seed. It’s just the way things were.

In the 1940’s “the way things were” changed and new breeding techniques were developed and honed in large part by the land grant universities here in the United States. It was at these institutions that plant geneticists created what were eventually to be called hybrid varieties. In modern seed catalogs they are known by their botanical classification, “F1” (meaning first generation) a hint to their greatest disadvantage. In very short, hybrid seeds come from two distinctly different lines of inbred varieties of the same plant species whose first generation of offspring display a synergy of positive genetic traits from the original parental lines. These F1 varieties are bred for increased size of fruit, disease resistance, productivity, long-term storability, uniformity in appearance and resistance to bruising, compromising mostly flavor. Hybrid vegetables are what we find in our grocery stores. What’s the big deal? Add a little salt, right? So where’s the real difference?

The difference comes when humans do what humans have done since humans could do it. The difference is in the planting of the seed saved from that first generation of progeny.  Unlike the heirloom seed that has been passed from generation to generation that will consistently and with little effort remain “true” to their characteristics year after year, all the characteristics from the F1 fly out the window when the F2 (second generation) plants mature. F2 hybrids are “untrue” to the traits of their predecessors, displaying negative recessive traits like unreliable production, taste, color, and disease resistance.

Beyond having genetic integrity, heirlooms have more unique and desirable qualities for home gardeners than hybrids. The color, flavor, and appearance of heirlooms are generally speaking their most distinctive qualities. I’m not talkin’ simple purple carrot/orange carrot differences, I’m talkin’ mouth waterin’, eye poppin’ and all around  garden rockin’ vegetable love that will make even the worst of garden haters go weak with wonder.

I wasn’t kidding in the last post when I stated that heirloom seed rocks. By planting and saving heirloom seed, it is guaranteed that you will have amazing flavor and diversity in your garden.  You will also have the ability to save your favorite seed and know what will come up the next year. At the very least if seed saving is not for you, by buying heirloom seed you are supporting independent seed savers and plant breeders whose mission it is to preserve seed diversity around the world. Now “that’s one to grow on!”

How much energy does your TV use? February 12, 2009

It’s time to face the facts. That 20-year-old cathode-ray tube (CRT) TV in my bedroom is ready for retirement. Since I’m concerned about my energy use, I decided to do some research before I head out to the local Costco and pull any reasonably priced flat screen off the shelf. Of course there’s plenty of information on the web. All I really wanted to know was this: How much energy does the TV use? Is it highly rated? And is it affordable? Here’s what I found. A 27-inch CRT TV uses about 100 watts of power. LCD TVs use about the same amount of power per square inch of display as a CRT. But there’s a catch, of course. No one replaces that old TV with a flat screen of the same size. Most of us ramp up to 42 or 46 inches. Depending on the brand, a 46-inch LCD can use up to 310 watts of power and account for over 10 percent of your residential energy bill. Plasmas can suck up to 465 watts. If you’re a football fan who wants to view those touchdowns as if you’re standing right on the field, it will cost ya in more ways than one. Those 60- to 65-inch behemoths use over 500 watts of power. The EPA and local power authorities are getting concerned. So here’s the good news: TV manufacturers are starting to get on the green bandwagon by reducing power usage. Efficient TV’s are now identified with the Energy Star logo and a new GreenTV logo. As of November 2008, an Energy Star TV must be 30 percent more efficient than a non-qualified model. What’s an efficient TV? A reasonably priced, well rated Samsung 46-inch LCD uses only 137 watts of power. When shopping, keep in mind that huge is not better. Smaller sizes generally translate to greater energy efficiency. Before you head to the store, check out CNET’s Quick Guide to TV Power Consumption. By the way, I still haven’t made up my mind on what to buy! There are too many conflicting reviews online. I’ll just have to grab my list of power-saving TVs and go check them out myself.

Burning in Burien February 6, 2009

Some of the Parsons gals recently ventured to Burien for the grand opening of a truly unique art installation: the Burien Interim Art Space or B/IAS at Burien Town Square.  They were among the few hundred people in attendance to see the lighting of The Passage, a sculpture that was featured at the 2005 Burning Man Arts Festival.  This huge sculpture depicts a mother and child walking side by side “to share and explore life.”

I hear the lighting was quite a sight to see: figures standing 30′ and 20′ tall with large burning footprints trailing behind them.  The rest of the evening featured a variety of lively festivities, including performances by local musicians, dancers, and our Emily’s personal favorite: the Spinergy Fire Performers.  Awesome.

B/IAS is a collaborative effort between our client GGLO, Ignition Northwest, the Burien Arts Commission, City of Burien, 4Culture and Urban Partners.  Making use of a site that would otherwise sit empty for at least a year due to a delayed construction project, the space is intended to be an artist p-patch and will feature work by a variety of artists for the next year or so until construction resumes.

What a fantastic idea!  If you didn’t make it out to the grand opening extravaganza, we highly recommend you check out this one-of-a-kind installation while it exists.  And for more photos and video, check out the website.

Seedless in Seattle? February 5, 2009

I have been hovering over my mailbox for weeks waiting for the bible and it’s finally here. Not the capital “B” Gideon’s variety, but one that all food-growing gardeners I know have in their nightstand: The Johnny’s Seed Catalogue. The catalogue is available on-line, but I need something I can fill with notes. Johnny’s above all other catalogues has the most comprehensive growing information that you need to grow just about anything…except rocks. Information on growing culture, average direct seeding rate, diseases, pests, harvest, storage, and days to maturity are all outlined in easy to follow instructions. They also have an amazing variety of seed and garden doodads to choose from some of which were developed by the now famous Elliot Coleman.

But I’m picky about what I grow and one catalogue just isn’t enough. Why? Because, I’m a straight-up veggie geek. I literally can’t sleep when I’m developing a crush on the cool new seeds I want to get. It’s bad. Each year, my research into the seeds I will buy and the varieties I will try starts in one place and one place only: The Seed Savers Exchange. Based out of Iowa, the SSE has a knock-your-muck-boot-socks-off selection of stunning heirloom vegetables. In another post I will talk about the benefits of planting heirloom seed, but for now, trust me, heirlooms rock! The SSE has a free catalogue with pictures that they are happy to send you. As an added bonus they are a non-profit organization on a mission to preserve and develop seed diversity. An annual membership of $35 not only gives you warm fuzzies all over, but you also get a phonebook-sized catalogue of over 3,500 varieties of heirloom seed developed by small-scale seed farmers from around the country. If you’re like me you’re probably salivating at the mere thought of it.

Though I start with the SSE catalog, it doesn’t end there, I still supplement. There are two other catalogs that are invaluable in helping me make my ultimate purchasing decisions.  High Mowing and Territorial. Both catalogs are really good. High Mowing is independently owned and has some of the finest seed developers and researchers I know of working at their seed farm in Vermont. To top it off, the seed quality is outstanding and their selection ain’t too shabby either. Territorial is, well, an old friend of any grower in the PNW. What I like most about Territorial is that they have a nice selection of herb starts to choose from if you can’t find what you are looking for at a local nursery. Not to mention, like Johnny’s, they also boast a nice selection of garden widgets to geek out on. Order your catalogues soon they can take a couple of weeks to get here. In the mean time start scoping out your yard for where you plan to grow things. Most of all, good luck sleeping this winter!

Do you know your water footprint? February 4, 2009

You’ve heard about it here and in the news lately: we all have a carbon footprint (in case you’ve been a little distracted lately, that’s the sum of all your carbon dioxide—a,k.a. oil, gas, and coal—emissions produced in a year). But did you know you have a water footprint too? Everything has a water footprint— even Levi 501’s. A bit random, you say? Actually, not. On Monday, I attended the State of Green Business Forum in San Francisco where I heard Michael Kobori, Vice President of Supply Chain Social and Environmental Sustainability for Levi Strauss & Co., speak on the lifecycle impact of their products, and in particular, their water footprints. The statistics are rather shocking: one pair of 501’s has a lifecycle water footprint of 920 gallons. Manufacturing accounts for only 5% of that, while growing the cotton is 49% and home laundering is 45%! Are you getting the picture? If laundering alone plays such a key role in a product’s water footprint, then it turns out it’s pretty important to figure out your household’s footprint. In Seattle where it seems like there’s been a ton of precipitation lately (plenty of snow anyway!), total rainfall for 2008 was almost 7 inches below normal. It’s a lot scarier here in California where we’ve had back-to-back dry winters, with another one on the way! Front-page news in the SF Chronicle today says that with California in a critical drought, every shower, load of laundry, and glass of tap water counts. I had never estimated my water footprint before, so I looked for a calculator online and found this handy one at H20 Conserve. It isn’t exact, of course. I really don’t think their calculation for our outdoor water use is accurate. And I had to guess on a few questions. But, the exercise is definitely an eye opener. The site calculated that my individual water use is 723 gallons per day, while it says the average American uses 1190 gallons. Okay so, I’m not that bad. But it figured that my family of three uses 15 gallons of water per day just for laundry. Yes, we DO wash lots of jeans…and baseball socks! Kabori of Levi Strauss said he had only washed the jeans he was wearing once (you can’t fool me, they looked new). But now that I think about it, maybe we don’t need to wash our jeans—or other clothes—quite so often. But I’m NOT compromising on those baseball socks!