Project Ideas

3534
ORGANIC FIELD GUIDE ORGANIC FIELD GUIDE
COMMON EDIBLE PLANTS GROW IT EAT IT LOVE IT
Health Power
Peaches are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is an antioxidant
that stabilizes free radicals associated with cancer and other diseases. It also
aids proper vision in low light. Vitamin C is famous for its many benefits:
healing cuts and abrasions, building connective tissue for muscles and bones,
protecting immune system, preventing bruising and helping build new red
blood cells. Peaches also contain other vitamins and minerals, including fiber,
that aid in proper digestion and help enhance skin color.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – A, B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B6 (Pyridoxine), C, B3 (Niacin),
B9 (Folate), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), C, E and K
Minerals – Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Selenium,
Manganese, Copper and Zinc
Disease Prevention
The anti-oxidant glutathione, with vitamins A and C, correlates with
preventing cancer cell development. Eating peaches reduces the risk of heart
and cardiovascular disease.
How to Grow
A gorgeous addition to the backyard, peaches work miracles in summer.
They grow throughout the U.S. but do best in warm summers. They thrive in
healthy, well-drained soil. Pick a transplant from your nursery and put it in a
fairly sunny spot. Amend the soil with plenty of compost or organic planting
mix. Plant the tree deep. The first few years set the stage for the tree’s shape
and size. Stake the tree after it grows taller than a foot to help it grow straight
up. In spring, when growth buds appear, cut the central growth down to
two feet above the ground right above the bud. Remove all the lower shoots
except for the top 3-4. Later, remove any shoots under those top 3-4 branches.
Before fruit bearing age, mulch widely around the trunk with compost or
organic planting mix twice a year, once in March and again in May. After that,
one application a year is good unless you see signs of deficiency. Keep soil
moist. Water thoroughly if the soil might dry out. If soil stays too dry too long,
fruiting suffers. When peaches are about cherry size, remove some, leaving
1-3 peaches per stem. If clusters form on branches, remove all but one to avoid
stunting growth. When they are the size of golf balls, check the branches again
and remove enough to ensure branches withstand the weight. They are ready
to pick when skin softens to the touch.
Insect Control
The most serious pests are peach tree borers. Aphids and spider mites are also
common. Borers enter on the lower trunk and leave sticky sawdust around
their entry. Prevent by keeping the lower trunk uncovered. Kill them by
sticking something in the hole such as the end of a wire coat hanger. Or
cut out damaged areas until you see healthy wood. Treat with a 1:1 mix
of lime-sulfur and latex paint. Aphids are a common garden
pest. Control aphids by companion planting marigolds to
attract their predators (hover flies or ladybugs). You can
also wipe or spray off with a strong stream of water. If
infestation is too great, spray an organic insecticidal soap.
Red spider mites are barely visible, but their webs are easy to
see. They succeed in dry conditions, so keep plant regularly sprayed with
water. For a bad infestation, spray with an organic pesticide like rotenone.
Tips
The more peaches on a tree, the smaller they are. After a few growing seasons,
you can determine the size that yields the best fruit to your taste. Quickly remove
any shoots emerging from the roots. Also, completely remove any infested
peaches or branches damaged during the previous year. This restores vigor to
branches and fruit growing. Many vitamins are in the skin, so eat peaches whole.
Health Power
The benefits of sage lie in its potent phytonutrients and volatile oils. Cousin
to rosemary, sage is another source of rosmarinic acid. The acid is easily
absorbed in the intestines and is known for its antioxidant properties. Sage is
also a great source of flavonoids and two of the most powerful antioxidants,
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase. SOD and peroxidase convert
strong oxygen free radicals into non-toxic forms. These antioxidant
compounds give sage a unique ability to help neutralize toxic forms of
oxygen formed during cellular respiration. This in turn prevents oxygen-
related damage to cell membranes, vital enzymes and DNA. Some studies
suggest sage helps improve cognitive function and memory by preventing
the degradation of acetylcholine, a vital neurotransmitter. Sage is also
known for antiperspirant, antiseptic, calming and digestive properties. Some
commercial antiperspirants contain extracts from sage. Rubbing crushed sage
leaves over an open cut or wound can help prevent infection. Regularly eating
sage also helps smooth digestion and may help reduce blood sugar levels. In
addition to adding sage to your food, you can also prepare a tea with it, which
gives a more concentrated dose of the phytonutrients and essential oils.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – traces
Minerals – traces
Disease Prevention
Regular incorporation of sage in the diet may help reduce the symptoms
or the onset of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis,
Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and other diseases caused by oxidative damage
to cells/organs.
How to Grow
Easy on the eyes and aromatic, sage always serves as a pleasing component
of borders. In addition to their colorful, velvety flowers and relaxing aroma,
many cultivars add depth to a culinary creation. Sage is a hardy shrub,
tolerant of many types of soil pH. Its main site requirements are full sun and
good drainage. Amend the soil with plenty of organic matter, especially if it’s
naturally dense and compacted. Perhaps add some coarse sand to heavier
soil. Spring is the time to plant. You can sow from seed, but starting with
sage plants in containers or purchasing them bare rooted is easier. Plant both
container and bare rooted styles in the ground about 2 feet apart. As they
grow, pinch the shoots out to prevent them from getting too lanky. If a couple
shoots do get this way, they may be used to layer with (see Tips). Keep the
area surrounding them weed free to alleviate nutrient competition. Leaves can
be harvested all summer long as needed. Do it before flowering. After that, the
flavor is compromised.
Insect Control
Sage has no common pests that threaten its life.
Tips
Propagate sage by layering or taking soft wood cuttings. To layer, put an object
on top of some of the shoots so they are stuck against the soil. After new roots
form, sever the shoot that connects the two plants. You can leave the new
plant alone or pot it up and plant it out again in spring. For soft wood cuttings,
select a newly grown, healthy shoot about 4-5 inches long. Cut the 4-inch
section in half below the leaf joint. Remove the rest of the leaves and plant the
end of the cutting in a tray with highly fertile soil. Perhaps dip the cuttings in a
fungicide solution and rooting hormone before planting.
INGREDIENTS
3 peaches, sliced along the pit,
then sliced into ½" thick half moons
8 ounces mozzarella, removed from
water, lightly drained and
squeezed out with a paper towel,
then cut into /" thick slices
6 ounces arugula
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
■ Evenly divide peaches and mozzarella on 2 plates.
■ Put 3 ounces of arugula on top of each plate of peaches and mozzarella.
■ Drizzle arugula, peaches, and mozzarella with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
■ Season with salt and pepper.
Peach Salad With Arugula And
Mozzarella Cheese
RECIPE CARD
Peaches
Sage