Monday, 30th August, 2022
The Day’s hand-picked ideas, tips to better grow Vegs, and meet people you should know.
Share this Edition Tweet | Facebook
1
I’ve bean thinking of you
"They can reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. They can help you lose weight — especially any stubborn pounds around the middle. And they’re one of the most affordable and sustainable foods on the planet.But what about the lectins, phytates, and phytoestrogens? Are canned beans ok? What are the healthiest types of beans? And is there a way to prepare beans that doesn’t cause flatulence?" — Get all you need to know about Beans from the Food Revolution Network, and why it’s good for you. Now you know why you should grow more of these in your garden.
2
Why Microgreens fail
"You might be having some trouble growing your microgreens- or just want to know more so you don’t mess anything up. Here are ten of the most common microgreen questions and the solutions." — an excellent summary of the main challenges growing Microgreens by Natureofhome.com. Then read my Guide on how to grow Microgreens at home, successfully!
3
Back to basics
"To sustain agriculture it is necessary to minimize the use of inputs like fertilizers, and support crop growth in other ways. One approach is through increasing ecological functioning within farms. This means enhancing relationships between different on-farm organisms, including crops, livestock, microbes, and wild plants and animals. Using these relationships to support crop yields is called "ecological intensification"." — Chloe MacLaren has just completed some research based on 30 long-term experiments from around Europe and Africa; and used these experiments to consider whether ecological intensification could reduce the need for two inputs: nitrogen fertiliser and tillage. This is important reading, so take a look, it might just help you improve your soils and grow more nutritious Vegs.
4
People you should know
"Delving Into The World Of Microgreens And Their Powerful Health Benefits" Donny Greens. — Donny teaches others how to grow their own microgreens businesses with insightful tips, tricks, and advice to help them succeed. From crop planning to customer management, Donny is dedicated to streamlining microgreens businesses. You will learn something even if you are growing Microgreens at home.
5
Never a dill moment
My Father and Other Animals: "Sam Vincent’s new book is on one level a work of rural-urban translation. He pulls no punches in addressing agriculture’s negative impacts, but adds much-needed nuance through detailing how regenerative farmers are working to remediate the destruction wrought by settler-colonial extractive agriculture." — While many people are familiar with the narrative against farmers’ current practices, it’s great to hear the farmers’ side of the story (it’s a fun read, and slightly over the top on the Figs!) and how they are contributing to regenerative agriculture. Grab a copy - great Xmas present for all gardeners!
+ The Bio-integrated Farm and Home: "A Revolutionary Permaculture-Based System Using Greenhouses, Ponds, Compost Piles, Aquaponics, Chickens, and More" — Wow! - this book by organic farmer Shawn Jadrnicek is a modern manual on how to get nature to work for you, and how to incrementally introduce new components into your permaculture design. A must-read for any keen Veg Geeks.
+ Curing for the giants: "As fall draws near, it's time to harvest & cure winter squash for storage. Not sure when to pick it?" — Learn with fellow gardernerd Christy in this great video exactly how to do it!
6
Bottom of the compost pile
One last thing: "No matter how sustainably you have lived your life, modern funeral practices ensure that you make one last giant carbon footprint when you die. In most places, regulations require the use of toxic, persistent chemicals for embalming and burial; cremation produces as much CO2 as a flight from London to Rome" — While many of us here are keen gardeners and soil builders, I have to admit I hadn’t thought about human composting yet - but it totally makes sense really (as it used to be…). Maybe something to discuss with the family now so they know your views when it’s finally that time?
+ "Close the loop further & retain more nutrients in the system for the plants to take up with a mineralisation tank" — If you are growing Vegs with Aquaponics (I do), learn about this further optimisation to make the most of your investments in fish food and boot residual waste to turn it into a super fertiliser.
Thank you as always for tuning in. If you're enjoying Veg Geek's newsletter, would you mind forwarding this issue to a friend?
Keep Growing-
Anthony - Veg Geek