How Does Your Garden Grow?

I don’t know where Mary, Mary came from and what those silver bells or cockle shells had to do with ensuring a plentiful garden, but here in the United States crops have been facing the plight of late blight since the early 1990’s and this year in particular it has become extremely disconcerting to north eastern, mid western and central east coast farmers.

This disease is a water mold which is transmitted through the spreading of spores via any possible means (wind, rain, contact with mechanical equipment, etc) and it tends to thrive in moist conditions. The areas of concern have faces exceptionally soggy late spring and early summer so farmers and home gardeners alike are watching their potatos (the Irish famine in the mid 1800’s was due to late blight) and tomatos.

If late blight is spotted on either potato or tomato leaves (light green spots that resemble drops of water and are frequently found nearer to the tip of the leaf), it is advisable to completely dispose of the entire plant and not compost it as the spores can remain viable for some time after the plant has been uprooted and then can spread on to still healthy plants.

In order to prevent the spread of blight it is important to use a fungicide that will discourage growth and spread of the mold spores. Thankfully, there are organic, pent and human friendly ways to accomplish this. Copper and sulfur are organic fungicides (although still pose some risks so always follow package instructions and proceed with caution) and can be used to inhibit the mold. In addition to health concerns of a sulfur based fungicide (can irritate skin and/or lungs), there are restrictions on weather and time of season that it is applied.

While researching this article I found only one company who creates a totally organic product which provides mold prevention but is not sulfur or copper based, Serenade Garden Disease Control. Available since 2005, Serenade is made up of cultivated microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis) which safely battle the mold spores. The product is safe to be used around children and pets and will not harm the surrounding plants or waterways. It is harmful if inhaled however so, again, precautions should always be followed explicitly to ensure safety.

Staying on top of gardening, maintaining a healthy balance between wet and dry and properly treating plants with organic and natural based disease prevention methods will mean eating fresh and yummy, healthy fruits and veggies as well as the beauty of thriving plants and flowers all season long.

What do you use to ensure your garden stays healthy? Do you compost?

Photo Courtesy Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Save Me A Seed Dude!

What might happen to all of the plants in the world if the global temperature continues to rise? The Millennium Seed Bank Project (MSBP) is hoping to avoid finding out by starting a collective for seeds of all species.

Are you now asking two questions -- what is the MSBP and how can I help? Well read on for answers to both questions!

Based on the definition explained to us on the MSBP Wikipedia page:

“The Millennium Seed Bank Project is an international conservation project coordinated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Launched in the year 2000 and housed in the Wellcome Trust Millennium Building situated in the grounds of Wakehurst Place West Sussex, its purpose is to provide an "insurance policy" against the extinction of plants in the wild by storing seeds for future use. The storage facilities consist of large underground frozen vaults preserving the world's largest collection of seeds.”

With the rising global temperature many species are experiencing the beginning effects of possible extinction and this is where the MSBP comes in by goaling to store up to 10% of all wild plant species seeds by the end of 2010. But they are in trouble because the financial status of the entire world is in such turmoil and they are no longer gaining the steady donations they once were. Many environmentalists are wondering if it is because not enough people have heard of the MSBP and one group in particular is really doing their part to spread the word.

SuperForest, which some of you already read (a link to which is over on the right side bar), is a lovely organization and they have conceived of a fantastic way to help. By sharing information about their Save-A-Seed coalition among fellow bloggers, they are hoping to not only raise awareness but donations to support a single seed.

Here’s the seedy low down. Get it? Seedy. Yeah, luckily I crack myself up.

The cost to ensure one seed will survive is approximately $3,000 USD. SuperForest has a PayPal donation button right on their page where donations can be made for the cause. They have already collected over $1,000 but help is still needed for the additional $2,000. SuperForest is asking for that help in any way possible either through donations or simply spreading the word amongst the blogosphere so others who may not have heard of the cause can do their part to keep the information readily available.

Please consider linking back to this blog post on your own blogs to keep the information flowing, checking out SuperForest and linking back to them as well and/or donating even a few charitable dollars to the cause through the donation link. Together we will ensure the survival of the MSBP and protect up to 25% of the world’s plant population by the year 2020.