Planting to Learn Classroom Grants

South Valley Fleurs Garden Club (San Martin, CA) is offering grants through its EduGrow - Planting to Learn program to elementary classroom teachers who would like to include horticulture into their curriculum. Grow vegetables or flowers, establish a native habitat - a home for birds or insects - on campus, or start an after school garden club.

While there is no application deadline, funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Details: Donna Dicker, drmbd@garlic.com or 408-776-7867

Bengal promoting horticulture, food processing in a big way

The Hindu Business Line reports - Targeting the “tremendous potential”, the West Bengal Government is actively promoting the horticulture sector through a central scheme that encourages food processing in the private, public and joint sectors to generate employment.

“Since the agri-horticulture sector in the State holds tremendous potential, there is immense potential for employment generation and growth of self-employment,” the Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Minister, Mr Abu Hena, told PTI.

The central scheme, the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), aims to promote the horticulture sector, covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, cashew and cocoa.

Read full article: The Hindu Business Line

Volunteers needed for Food Bank's garden project

The Food Bank of Central Louisiana's Good Food Project, established earlier this year after a $1.1 million donation from Keller Enterprises, focuses on promoting and supporting local gardening efforts in Cenla through classes, models and outreach, said Lori Garton, director of the project.

Earlier this year, the project has already established a demonstration garden using land adjacent to the Food Bank's 3223 Baldwin Ave. headquarters in Alexandria.

The plan for the Good Food Project is to establish and support gardens within Cenla Food Bank's entire 11-parish service area, composed of Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn parishes, Wright-Velez said.

The project also will host a series of classes and workshops at the beginning of the year, officials said. The gardens and gardeners that spring up as a result of the project are not required to donate a portion of their yields to the Food Bank, though officials certainly would not discourage donations.

The Rapides Soil & Water Conservation District has offered $100 donation to as many as 20 participating Rapides Parish schools as a garden start-up grant.

For information about the Good Food Project, call (318) 445-2773. Those interested in volunteering with the project can email Garton at lgarton@fbcenla.org.

Link to more information: TheTownTalk.com

Burpee Presents 2012 New Flowers and Vegetables at www.Burpee.com

WARMINSTER, PA--(Marketwire - Nov 22, 2011) - Gardeners hoping to be the first to see what's new and hot for the 2012 gardening season can shop now for Burpee's new vegetables, flowers and garden-growing products online at Burpee.com.

Burpee has also launched a digital version of its 2012 Burpee catalog, so gardeners can actually "page through" the catalog in its entirety weeks before the print version arrives in mailboxes. Click here to access the digital version of Burpee's 2012 catalog.

"The November launch of our new catalog marks the earliest release of new product information in our company's 136-year history," says Burpee's chairman and CEO, George Ball.

The company hopes to satisfy the appetites of curious garden enthusiasts by offering new products earlier, continues Mr. Ball. This also makes garden planning more practical for southern gardeners who start their seeds as early as December and January.

Want to know more about what's in vogue for the 2012 gardening season? Here's a look at a selection of the more than 150 new Burpee innovations that are predicted to be instant sensations for 2012.

POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Horticulture Technical Note: Post-harvest Handling  of Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract:  Appropriate production practices, careful harvesting, and proper packaging, storage, and transport all contribute to good produce quality.  This publication covers post-harvest practices suitable for small-scale operations, and points out the importance of production and harvesting techniques for improving quality and storability.  Various methods for cooling fresh produce are discussed, and resources are listed for further information, equipment, and supplies.

Link to Technical Note: http://www.okfarmtoschool.com/pdf/postharvest.pdf

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 - Berlin

The World's Leading Trade Fair for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Business.
FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading international meeting place of the fresh produce trade. From 8th to 10th February 2012, more than 2,400 companies from across the entire fresh produce value chain will be present in a single location – including global players as well as small and medium-sized suppliers from all around the world.

For three whole days, FRUIT LOGISTICA provides:

• an across-the-board presence of top international exhibitors
• an excellent platform for initiating business deals
• excellent opportunities for making worldwide business contacts
• a unique opportunity to gain a complete overview of the latest trends in the fresh produce business

FRESHCONEX
Once again FRESHCONEX, the international trade fair for the growth market of fresh produce products in the fresh fruit trade, will be held parallel to FRUIT LOGISTICA.

Website: http://www.fruitlogistica.de/en/

Commodity Bulletins from India's NHB

A set of crop bulletins are available from India's National Horticulture Board. The bulletins provide cultural information for crops such as Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers and Aroma Plants.

The National Horticulture Board (NHB) was set up by the Government of India in 1984 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Board has its Head Quarter in Institutional Area, Sector 18, Gurgaon (Haryana).

Link: http://nhb.gov.in/statistics/commodity-bulletin.html

Contact Information:
National Horticulture Board
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India
85, Institutional Area, Sector - 18
Gurgaon - 122015 (Haryana)
Telephone 0124-2342992, 2347441, 2342989-90 FAX : 2342991
Website: http://www.nhb.gov.in

Missouri: Vegetable Tour of Heartland

KIRKSVILLE, MO -- The University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Vegetable Growers Association will sponsor a tour of Amish vegetable farms and the wholesale auction in Drakesville, Iowa on July 31. The tour is free and anyone who attends will receive a boxed lunch. The bus loads up at 8:45. Read more>

Learn the art of growing fresh vegetables

(WACO) — For those who enjoy the fresh taste of home-grown vegetables, Texas State Technical College’s Gardening Workshop Series can easily teach you to how to garden more successfully and grow an abundance of vegetables.

TSTC will offer a Gardening Series Workshop, teaming up with the international organization, The World Hunger Relief, gardening experts in agroforestry and related technologies. In this workshop, you will learn to grow effective vegetable gardens, maintain your plants, and avoid common mistakes that beginners often make.

Topics include plants, soils, composting, pest management and more. Those attending can earn .8 hours of Continuing Education Credits. Cost is $96. The series will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 15 and Aug. 22, at the World Hunger Relief Farm in Elm Mott, just outside Waco.

Registration is limited, so sign up today. To find out more, contact Melissa Curits at 867-3113 or e-mail melissa.curtis@tstc.edu. Or, visit http://www.waco.tstc.edu/coned/.

Learn the art of growing fresh vegetables

Shared via AddThis

Putting the final touches on the vegetable garden

EXTENSION UPDATE
By Carolyn Saft
UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County Horticulture Agent/ Suwannee River Partnership Education Coordinator

Many of our vegetable crops are winding down as the heat of summer intensifies. We are picking the last of our carrots, snap beans, cabbage and sweet corn. The cucumbers are starting to curl up into funky shapes and the tomatoes are getting smaller. However, they were really tasty this spring. I think I enjoyed mine so much because of the money I saved by growing them myself and the satisfaction of not having used pesticides. It may seem odd, but you might consider getting that garden area ready for the fall planting now.

Read more:

Combative and companion fruits and vegetables in the Denver garden

Did you plant companion vegetables, fruits and herbs in your Denver garden? Companion vegetables, fruits and herbs thrive next to each other in the garden. If your garden is failing you may have planted combative vegetables, fruits and herbs. Read more:
Combative and companion fruits and vegetables in the Denver garden Source: examiner.com

lhc sent this using ShareThis.

Still time to plant vegetables that thrive during the heat of summertime - baltimoresun.com

If you're just realizing that summer is here and you never got around to planting a vegetable garden, don't despair. While it may be too late to plant cool-season crops such as peas, lettuce and broccoli, it is still not too late to plant heat-loving vegetables. Read more:
Still time to plant vegetables that thrive during the heat of summertime - baltimoresun.com Source: baltimoresun.com

lhc sent this using ShareThis.

Horticulture center to host public field day | Spring Hill | News | Miami County Republic

News - Spring Hill Written by Chase Jordan Wednesday, 08 July 2009 14:14 The Kansas State Research and Extension Horticulture Center is hosting a field day to educate the public on various aspects of nature. Attendees can talk with experts about recommended plants in the form of vegetables, grass and flowers. Read more:
Horticulture center to host public field day Spring Hill News Miami County Republic Source: republic-online.com

lhc sent this using ShareThis.

It's time to think about fall vegetables

Chicago gardening
By Beth Botts Special to the Tribune
July 5, 2009

Now that the fireworks are over, it's time to think about fall. Yes, many seeds for fall vegetable crops should be sown in July. You can direct-sow beets, cabbage, carrots, spinach and lettuce now, and sow broccoli, cabbage and turnips in August.

Plan to sow a new crop of radishes and leaf lettuce every week or so for several weeks to have them ready until frost. Lettuce and spinach benefit from shade during part of the day. But remember that the days are now growing shorter, so the plants will get less sunlight as summer proceeds.

Read more:

Get your lawn and garden ready for your vacation

During the summer many home gardeners worry about how their plants and vegetables will fare while they are gone. A few quick preparations and precautions will leave your lawn and garden looking well after you return from short trips. In general, try to generally weed and water everything. Lots of weeds in the garden will look like no one is home. If there are any newly planted trees or shrubs, mulch them well. Aside from the plants, put away garden tools, ladders, or any other equipment that might “walk away”.

Read more
Get your lawn and garden ready for your vacation

Posted using ShareThis

Noozhawk.com - local news and information for Santa Barbara County

It’s a small storefront on upper State Street surrounded by cedar window boxes overflowing with flowers and vegetables. You’ve driven by it on your way downtown and most likely enjoyed its sidewalk greenery, but step inside GreenCoast Hydroponics and traditional horticulture gets left at the door.

Just to go over the basics, the whole premise of hydroponics is to raise plants outside of a soil environment. The root system of the plant and the plant itself are supported by a medium, and the store carries mediums such as clay, coconut fiber and volcanic ash. The medium doesn’t provide nutrients to the plant. Instead, the plants are fed from a nutrient solution that circulates through the tanks where they are grown.

Read more:
Noozhawk.com - local news and information for Santa Barbara County

Shared via AddThis

Long live knobbly carrots: ban on ugly fruit and vegetables is scrapped

Times Online

Valerie Elliott, Consumer Editor

Ugly fruit and vegetables which have grown just as nature intended will be back on supermarket shelves from tomorrow — and could be up to 40 per cent cheaper than their perfectly formed cousins.

In a triumph for curvy cucumbers, knobbly carrots or wizened cherries, the European Commission has scrapped 20-year-old rules which discriminated against imperfect fresh produce.

In all, 36 types of fruit and vegetables can now be sold whatever their shape, size, lack of sheen or gnarled skin. Even garlic heads with cloves missing will make it to shop shelves and a string of onions no longer has to have 16 bulbs.

But the rules will not end the jokes about bendy bananas — the standards for bananas are governed by a different set of European Union rules. One EU official said that bananas were supposed to be bendy, unlike cucumbers.

Read more:

Plant your own vegetables at home

By JUSTIN B. MORELOS
June 30, 2009, 1:57pm

With the national government’s mission to address the country's food security, the Rizal Technological University (RTU) in Mandaluyong City, through its president Dr. Jose Q.

Macaballug, has taken the lead and initiative in the implementation of a project dubbed, Urban Agriculture. This is presently being undertaken at selected barangays in the Mandaluyong City area.

Prof. Arlene Banaria-Alon, director of the University’s Research and Development Center. its project leader, Prof. Alexander Quilang, co-project leader Prof. Norberto Bautista and Prof. Jovita Anit are currently working with the city’s League of Barangays in incorporate this project into each of the chosen barangays.

Spearheaded by Atty. Jessie Cruz, it aims to promote vegetable gardening among city dwellers and eventually teach them to grow home-grown vegetables that are pesticide-free and readily available. In the future, the concept of urban farming can be adopted by other municipalities and cities in Metro Manila.

Read more:

Grow veg, not flowers, widow told

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Photo: Edith Avery says the allotment behind her kitchen is like a garden.

An 89-year-old widow fears she may lose the allotment she has had for 30 years because a council says plot holders must grow mostly vegetables.

Edith Avery grew veg for years on the allotment behind her cottage in Rogerstone, Newport, but has gone over to shrubs and flowers.

Rogerstone Community Council has sent letters telling holders to comply with policy.

It said it was trying to find a resolution to Mrs Avery's case.

Mrs Avery began renting the allotment with her late husband, Albert, a D-Day veteran, and the pair grew vegetables for many years.

The plot is a few paces from Mrs Avery's home, and can be seen from her kitchen window.

She said she was upset by a letter which she said told her to bring her plot into line with allotment policy.

Read more:

Design Notebook: Bringing the vegetable plot inside with hydroponics

Central Coast Hydrogarden shows that soilless cultivation offers such advantages as shelter from the elements and a year-round season
By Rebecca Juretic

PHOTOS BY REBECCA JURETIC - A display of parsley being grown hydroponically in the San Luis Obispo shop.
CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

In the back room of Central Coast Hydrogarden there sits a modest 3-by-3-foot fiberboard closet — the kind you might store your winter coats in. This one, however, is home to six thriving tomato plants, their crimson fruit ripening under the glare of a grow light.

This, according to shop owner Larry Harp, illustrates the superb adaptability of hydroponics.
Last July, Harp purchased the San Luis Obispo shop, which has been selling hydroponics supplies

HYDROPONIC GROWING TIPS WHAT YOU’LL NEED A hydroponic system basically consists of a rooting medium, a container for the medium, a reservoir for the nutrient solution and a pump to re-circulate the solution. Although a pump isn’t an absolute necessity (you could apply the solution by hand), it keeps the water oxygenated and avoids problems such as algae. LIGHT IT RIGHT Your hydroponics plants can be set in a sunny, preferably south-facing window. If you don’t have a sunny enough spot, you’ll need a grow light. For optimal growth, enclose your plants in a closet or dark room and turn off all lights at night to mimic the natural cycle of the sun. GET STARTED You can introduce plants purchased from a nursery into a hydroponics system by gently rinsing their roots, then placing them in the rooting medium. You can also germinate seeds in a hydroponic system using a medium like rock wool cubes.
since 2002.

Hydroponics is the indoor cultivation of plants without soil. Plants are fed with a nutrient solution and rooted in materials such as clay pellets or rock wool fiber made from volcanic rock.

According to Harp, there are a host of reasons why some people prefer hydroponics over conventional gardens. As an apartment dweller, he realizes that not everyone has room for a garden plot, or even a container garden.

Read more: