Monday, 16th May, 2022
The Day’s hand-picked ideas, tips to better grow Vegs, and meet people you should know.
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1
Watch miracles rise from the earth
"Hard graft? Research? Why bother with all that when you can just sit back and watch miracles rise from the earth? One of the side-effects of ageing is the urge to garden, which, unfortunately, tends to rear its head just when your knees have turned into agonising swollen purple turnips." — That’s certainly one (also enjoyable) way of gardening - just don’t expect to be relying on your garden for supporting you & your family!
2
A High-Fiber Diet Reduces Antibiotic Resistance
"Healthy adults who eat a high-fiber diet with at least 8 to 10 grams of soluble fiber per day have fewer antibiotic-resistant bacteria, viruses, and fungi—also known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—in their guts, according to a study published by Agricultural Research Service scientists in scientific journal mBio." — that’s why eating fully grown Vegs is a good thing, not just Microgreens.
3
Ditch the weed torch
"Home gardeners have begun to use weed torches and flamers in their gardens and yards in recent years. This innovative method is a great alternative to traditional methods of pulling weeds out of the garden or using harmful herbicides. It can be noted that for many years, farmers have employed fire to improve their crops. Weed Torches are an effective way to remove unwanted weeds from your garden. It requires very little effort and can be extremely efficient." — well. maybe; but it’s also dangerous, time consuming, and for me, quite unnecessary if you help your soil grow more of what you need and less of what you don’t want.
4
People you should know
"Dedham Hall Hotel in Essex is in Constable country and as I walked to the front door I knew it was my kind of place - one of those fabulous gardens that looks abundant and artless and so natural - a garden that has soul and a sense of place - interesting ordinary plants in every corner and a garden that pulls and invites you in to sit and enjoy it. Such a treasure." Dedham Hall Hotel – a beautiful cottage garden. — If you are in the UK or ever visit the UK, go see their garden.
5
Never a dill moment
Big Bug Hunt: "Gardeners unite! The Big Bug Hunt is an international research project run by Growing Interactive, the provider of the world's leading apps for gardeners; working in association with the University of York with funding provided by Innovate UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Why? As gardeners ourselves, we know just how useful it would be to receive alerts about which pests are heading our way. Many organic control methods need to be put in place before the pests strike - it's often too late to save a crop once the bad bugs have arrived. That's why we are creating the most advanced predictive system available by combining the latest developments in computer statistical analysis with reports from gardeners around the world. Big Agriculture already has proprietary systems for pests on crops such as corn, soy and wheat. So, why shouldn't gardeners have access to state-of-the-art warning systems too? — So now it’s not just Big Agriculture that benefit from such data but gardeners like us. Fight back against the bugs.
+ Down the drain: "You can also help by following the right methods for planting, selecting the right container based on the plant’s dimensions, watering properly, and skipping any drainage materials. If a plant’s soil doesn’t drain properly, there are consequences. This includes root rot and other diseases." — Learn how to assume drainage in garden pots
+ A (busy) day to unwind: May is one of the most busy month for gardeners. See what Claire has been busy with": “ Lettuce, Spinach and Chard all need planting out in exactly the same way” — see how she does it in her beautiful garden!
6
Bottom of the compost pile
150 pumpkins you’ll love to grow: "Whether it’s pie pumpkins you want or even a winter squash look-alike, there are so many to choose from that you won’t be left out of the pumpkin party. There is a winter squash you’ll love to grow!" — That’s why you are (should be) working so hard on making your compost the best quality you can!
+ Not for the compost pile: "A Botanist-Bartender’s Ode to the Dandelion: The idea of a spring tonic is one that spans many cultures throughout time. This phenomenon was partially born out of necessity, since, historically, people needed something nutritious—be it food, drink or medicine—to replenish their strength after surviving off preserves and storage crops all winter. Recent scientific studies have corroborated Dandelions’ therapeutic potential by showing that, in addition to high levels of vitamins and minerals, they possess diuretic properties that aid in liver and kidney function, as well as bitter compounds that assist with digestion and appetite stimulation.” — that sounds like an endorsement for a G&T at the end of the day, just drop a few Dandelion leaves! ;)
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Anthony - Veg Geek