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ORGANIC FIELD GUIDE ORGANIC FIELD GUIDE
COMMON EDIBLE PLANTS GROW IT EAT IT LOVE IT
Health Power
Good source of Vitamin A and beta-carotene. Antioxidant properties prevent
free radicals from oxidizing the bad form of cholesterol (LDL), a first step in
forming plaque in blood vessels. One form of Vitamin A, retinol, essential to
light sensitivity. Impaired night vision early sign of deficiency. Good source of
dietary fiber to support digestion, elimination and regulation of blood sugar.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – A and C
Minerals – Potassium, others in trace amounts
Disease Prevention
Reduces risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, heart disease, lung cancer,
perhaps colon cancer. Vitamin A associated with reduced risk of cancer in
organs lined with epithelial tissue.
How to Grow
Many types of apricot cultivars; dwarfs and standard. Best depends on climate
and space available. Dwarfs grow near 6 feet tall. If fan trained, grow to 15 feet.
With minimal pruning, standard cultivars can reach 30 feet. If planting only
one tree, use self-fruiting cultivar. Need sunny spot sheltered from wind. Soil
should be well drained and fertile, with pH near 6. Prepare soil by working in
plenty of organic matter and some plant mix two spades deep in radius as far
as you think roots will spread. Be careful not to over fertilize with nutrients,
which causes rapid growth and makes tree more susceptible to pests and
disease. During growth, thin out branches that crowd the tree. Thinning heavily
grouped fruits on a branch increases size of remaining fruits and prevents excess
weight on branches. Produces fruit 2-3 years after sprouting. Ready to pick
when soft. For dried apricots, pick while firm and split them.
Insect Control
Apricot pests include red spider mite, aphids, birds, sawfly, green fruit worm
and peach tree borers. Tiny red spider mites problematic in dry weather, causing
yellow spots on leaves and visible webs. Spray leaves regularly with insecticidal
soap. Control aphids by planting French marigolds to attract predator ladybugs
and hover flies. Also spray off with strong water stream. Repel birds by
surrounding trees with netting. Distract birds by planting more appealing
mulberry trees. Caterpillar stage of sawfly makes fruit inedible by boring holes.
Control sawfly pupae by hoeing around bottom of tree to expose them for birds
to eat. If large infestation, spray insecticide like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or
pyrethrum. Bt also controls green fruit worms. Look for small sawdust-like
buildups next to holes. Probe into holes to kill borers.
Tips
When selecting trees, choose one grafted to a seedling apricot rootstock. Generally
grows better than ones grafted with other rootstocks. When thinning fruits, pick
out central fruit first, as they tend to be odd shaped.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup honey
¼ cup water
2 pounds apricots, halved and pits removed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
INSTRUCTIONS
■ In medium saucepan, add all ingredients
to pan and bring to a boil. Lower
temperature and stir occasionally until
thickened, about 25 minutes. Let cool,
pour into glass jars and refrigerate.
Apricot Preserves
RECIPE CARD
Apricots
Health Power
Blueberries top the antioxidant list of major fruits and vegetables. They have
more highly effective antioxidants than a glass of red wine. Multiple different
vitamins, minerals and nutrients work together to give this fruit many
potential health benefits with few calories. Antioxidants (the anthocyanidins)
disarm free radicals and prevent damage to the collagen network (the
backbone of cells keeping them stable and durable for proper functioning).
Also help prevent heart problems, ulcers and vision loss. Protect and maintain
proper cell structure in blood vessels. Contain both soluble and insoluble
fibers to help control blood sugar spikes, lower cholesterol and support
digestion. May increase brain function to improve learning ability and
muscle coordination. Adding blueberries to your diet does wonders for your
overall health.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – Vitamin C, K, E and others in small quantities
Minerals – Manganese, Iron, Calcium and others in small quantities
Disease Prevention
Preventing free radical damage may help the brain avoid conditions associated
with aging, like Alzheimer’s, dementia and osteoporosis. Many studies suggest
blueberries help deter heart disease, macular degeneration, peptic ulcers,
varicose veins and many types of cancer (especially colon and ovarian). Also
contain many phytonutrients which help prevent urinary tract infections and
digestive system inflammation.
How to Grow
Native to North America, aesthetically pleasing and naturally pest tolerant,
these nutrient-rich, delicious little nibbles are popular among home gardeners.
Aside from preference in taste or texture, soil requirements keep gardeners
from growing this super food everywhere. Bushes come in forms that grow
short with smaller berries and a tall, higher yielding type with larger berries.
Crosses have height and berry size falling between. In warmer climates, rabbit
eye blueberries are popular. These grow more than 10 feet tall, sometimes
higher than 20 feet, and can yield up to 20 pounds of fruit each. Tall bush
berries are most popular in home growing. Blueberries are particular about
growing conditions, so initial testing may be needed to find suitable spot.
Grow best in well-drained soils with loose loam or sandier base. Prefer slightly
acidic soil pH around 4.5-5.5. If soil is basic, lower it by mixing in sphagnum,
peat moss or compost made from oak, hemlock bark or pine. Avoid aluminum
sulfate, which kills certain soil creatures and changes the taste of fruit. Another
soil fix: Grow in raised beds, which are fine for blueberry’s shallow root system.
Prefer a sunny spot. Since they cannot self fertilize, plant at least two cultivars
to yield fruit. Mix in a handful of planting mix suitable for maintaining soil
pH per square yard before planting. Plant tall bushes and rabbit eyes 5 feet
apart in rows spaced roughly 8 feet apart. Low bush plants should be placed
1 foot apart in rows 3 feet or more apart. Apply a thick layer of mulch around
the plants every year. Mulch derived from oak, pine, woodchips or hemlock
will help support soil pH. Near the end of winter, add a second application of
organic fertilizer (well-aged manure or compost) rich in nitrogen that also
supports the acidic pH. Fertilizers with fish bone, seaweed, or cottonseed meal
are excellent sources of micronutrients as well as phosphorus and nitrogen.
Water regularly to keep the soil moist especially during drought periods, as
blueberries dry out quickly. During growth, remove any weak branches or
damaged growth to conserve energy and prevent infestations. Keep the bush
from growing too thick by removing branches to leave at least a few inches for
light and air to get in. Berries are generally ripe and ready for harvest about
a week after they turn blue. Tasting is the best way to tell. Leftovers can be
frozen for later use. In fall each year, trim the tips of all branches.
Insect Control
Home growers have few problems with pests. Cherry fruit worm or blueberry
maggot may cause problems by burrowing inside berries to make them
inedible. Remove any berries showing signs of infestation or damage. Clear
your plot of any rotting fruit before winter. If insects become a serious problem,
dust with an organically approved Bt or rotenone. Birds are the largest worry
with ripening fruits. Hold them out by constructing a shelter of strong netting
with small perforations around the bushes, which keep birds from entering.
Tips
Blueberries take 5-7 years to reach full yields, but you can get a head start
by purchasing 2-3 year-old plants. Inter-planting blueberries with other
species of flowers that attract pollinating insects helps increase chances for
pollination. Test to see if ripe (berries come off easily with a slight twist). Easy
to grow, but treated as a luxury item in stores because they are hard to keep
perfect when shipped.
Blueberries