How to make a functional Orchard without Chemicals

I already have Scions on the mind, (not the car) and I was thinking of next spring.  We plan to graft & grow 20 fruit trees at a minimum next spring & I went to FedCo Trees to check on a new Scion list.  Instead I found something wonderful to share.

They made a great PDF on the polyculture apple orchard they are making on  1 acre.  Some of the plants include but are not remotely limited to are blueberries, nettles, clovers, dill, chives, asparagus, daikon radish, bee balm and so much more.  To see the diagrams you will need to download a 5 page pdf.

This system can be used with chemicals, but honestly, you don't need to.  The chemical Ag age is over, time to rebuild our soils & clean the waters.

http://www.fedcoseeds.com/trees/functional_orchard.htm

Monsanto & Walmart set to Experiment on Humans this Summer

Monsanto & Walmart set to Experiment on Humans this Summer, there really is no way to sugar coat this.

You awake yet?

Walmart has made a deal with Monsanto to sell genetically modified corn that has had NO TESTING ON HUMANS, & it won't be labeled.

"But hey man, I don't care, I need to feed my family!!"

Really?  This corn contains a Bt Toxin that protects the plant by causing the stomachs of insects to explode.  Now while Monsanto falsely claims that this toxin breaks down by the time it is on your plate the claim is sadly not true.  Rats that have been fed the corn have repeatedly had organ failure, and that family your are protecting & feeding bad news, the toxin is showing up in pregnant women.

What could this mean for your unborn child?  What can happen to your grandchildren if humans continue to walk down this path? Since Corn is feed for chickens, and all sorts of other animals what does it mean for them? 

I for one am growing my own corn this year, and every year.   GMO Crops are just too damaging to our world, and our health.

Here is the link for you to do your own thinking:

http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/2012/03/01/walmart-to-sell-monsanto-gmo-corn-this-summer/

Walmart is set to sell a new form of genetically-engineered (GE) sweet corn as early as this summer. Monsanto’s Bt sweet corn contains three GE traits that have never before been consumed directly by humans, and have not been subjected to thorough safety testing. There will be no labeling whatsoever indicating that the corn is a genetically modified organism.

Source: http://www.occupymonsanto360.org (http://s.tt/18OnG)

Walmart is set to sell a new form of genetically-engineered (GE) sweet corn as early as this summer. Monsanto’s Bt sweet corn contains three GE traits that have never before been consumed directly by humans, and have not been subjected to thorough safety testing. There will be no labeling whatsoever indicating that the corn is a genetically modified organism.

Source: http://www.occupymonsanto360.org (http://s.tt/18OnG)

Straw bale Garden Update

Finally, seedlings in all the beds are starting to come up, take a look. 



Daikon radish, snow peas, and more are starting to grow.  These beds are very very water hungry.

Cucumber Polyculture

I have been way too busy to write and for that I apologize.  You can always get daily quick updates over at:

http://www.facebook.com/coquille.permaculture

Anyway, with that said I did plant a polyculture for my cucumbers today.  I am growing 2 kinds of cukes this year (Yak Kao & Snow's Pickling both are heirloom varieties), which got started separately.  In the bed however I broadcasted the following seeds:

Borage
Dill
Marjoram
Lettuce (3 kinds)
Nasturtium
Radish
and Kong Sunflowers

The hope is that the sunflowers will provide enough of a trellis for the cukes, the rest are complimentary or beneficial plants that get along together. 

Have a great day, I need to get back outside.