Water Supplies -- Running Dry. Why it's about more than food.
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Sun, 2008-04-20 21:46.The Organic Consumers Association has an intriguing even if distressing piece on its website about the ripple effects of our diminishing supplies of water. Of particular concern to anyone would be the fact that a nuclear plant uses millions of gallons of water each day to cool its reactors. And this is their solution to our energy crisis? Create more nuclear plants? And what if we don't have enough water for our food?
"Nuclear reactors need billions of gallons of cooling water daily to operate, and in many of the lakes and rivers water levels are getting close to the limit set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It is possible in the coming months that we may see water levels decrease below the intake pipes, or that shallow water could become warmer and unusable as a coolant. While this may not cause blackouts, this can result in increased costs for energy as utilities have to buy from other sources."
Terrific op-ed piece by Michael Polan
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Sun, 2008-04-20 21:42.An excerpt:
You begin to see that growing even a little of your own food is, as Wendell Berry pointed out 30 years ago, one of those solutions that, instead of begetting a new set of problems — the way “solutions” like ethanol or nuclear power inevitably do — actually beget other solutions, and not only of the kind that save carbon. Still more valuable are the habits of mind that growing a little of your own food can yield. You quickly learn that you need not be dependent on specialists to provide for yourself — that your body is still good for something and may actually be enlisted in its own support. If the experts are right, if both oil and time are running out, these are skills and habits of mind we’re all very soon going to need. We may also need the food. Could gardens provide it? Well, during World War II, victory gardens supplied as much as 40 percent of the produce Americans ate.
Heirloom Seeds
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Sat, 2007-12-22 13:59.Hope everyone is enjoying some well-deserved comforts in this season and that your gardens are producing delicious organic edibles for you and yours! In that spirit, I wanted to share with everyone a very nice heirloom seed company that might be exactly what you're looking for as you start considering Spring plantings, which are just around the corner!
http://rareseeds.com/
The Story of Stuff
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Thu, 2007-12-06 19:01.This is tangentially related to growing your own food. Imagine how stuff and the cycle of stuff gets in the way of providing for ourselves and creating community. If more people become aware of the trap that is "stuff", perhaps we can begin to change even our food systems.
Food Shortages Predicted. Start Growing Something Today. Your garden is your best protection against food shortages.
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Tue, 2007-12-04 20:05.The below story was just posted in Organic Consumers Association. This, of course, further substantiates our need to grow our own food. What should you plant in Pacifica now? Check out Nancy's Nursery at the Pacifica Lumber yard on Highway One, for starters. Nancy always has great starts that grow well in Pacifica and she even knows what grows well in your neck of the woods.
Also, if you're already heading out of town, check out Sloat Garden. They have a super collection of organic starts.
World Faces Food Shortages
World faces food shortages, price rises - report
By Emma Graham-Harrison and Ben Blanchard
Pesticide-free pest eradication and more.
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Tue, 2007-12-04 17:24.Take a look at this video (and linked website) for some inspiration and tips on how to garden organically:
Peak Water... an issue for our gardens.
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Wed, 2007-11-21 10:39.Many of us have heard the term "Peak Oil" to describe the end of cheap oil and the beginning of the decline in oil supply. What is less often discussed and little understood is the notion of "peak water". I feel the article below really hammers home the point that peak water is something we should all be aware of and begin to address. Water catchment in our gardens is a must. How are you watering your plants? Read the article below and begin to think about ways to maximize how you use water and share your thoughts through the comments link. We will also be looking for information on how to develop low cost water catchment systems in your own garden and post that information in future articles.
Fantastic gardening classes in SF!
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Fri, 2007-11-16 00:29.I ran across this great local source for gardening classes: http://www.gardenfortheenvironment.org/
Here's a sampling of their upcoming classes:
Nov. 17, Growing Garlic
Dec. 1, Urban Composting
Winter is for planting - article from the Sierra Club
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Fri, 2007-11-16 00:07.Rains bring fertile season for habitat restoration
While the east hunkers down to months of dark and cold, the Bay Area enters its most verdant, fertile season. In our remnant native habitats in San Francisco, drought-dormant native plants are springing back into action, and our restoration work enters one of its most satisfying phases - planting. This isn't just for professional botanists; you can join the fun at two Sierra Club projects plus nearly 30 others within San Francisco's Natural Areas Program.
Companion Plantings
Submitted by OSS_Schuette2014 on Wed, 2007-10-24 23:38.I found a terrific article at the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Santa Clara website (www.mastergardeners.org). Visit the site for more great hints and tips on how to grow a healthy and sustainable garden.
Companion Planting Strategies
by Nancy Garrison, Urban Horticulture and Master Gardener
Program Coordinator with U.C. Cooperative Extension
16-Feb-2002
Introduction