Project Ideas

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ORGANIC FIELD GUIDE ORGANIC FIELD GUIDE
COMMON EDIBLE PLANTS GROW IT EAT IT LOVE IT
Health Power
Improves digestion by increasing number and health of good bacteria in large
intestine that suppress harmful bacteria. Promotes overall health with wide range of
nutrients. Amino acid asparagine is a natural diuretic. Used to reduce swelling; may
help diminish premenstrual water retention. Contains B vitamin folate (more than
50 percent RDA), a crucial nutrient for normal fetal development during pregnancy.
Helps avoid birth defects by helping DNA synthesize and replicate properly. Pyridoxine
promotes heart health by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood stream.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – K, B9 (Folate), C, A, B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B6 (Pyridoxine)
and B3 (Niacin)
Minerals – Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium,
Selenium and Calcium
Disease Prevention
High Vitamin B9 (folate) concentration helps reduce risk of heart disease by lowering
high levels of homocysteine in the blood; converts homocysteine to cysteine.
Asparagus also has phytonutrients that may prevent growth of many cancer cell lines
(notably colon cancer).
How to Grow
A perennial plant needing initial investment but offering valuable returns. Choose
plot with plenty of sunshine and exceptional drainage. Amend soil with compost or
quality planting mix for loam with good air space, drainage and nutrient availability.
In heavy soil, work in more compost or planting mix to raise bed slightly. Soil pH
should be above 6; add lime as needed. Start from seed or buy plants with one-year-
old root crowns from a reliable nursery, saving the first year of effort. Dig a trench 6
inches deep and 1 foot wide, with center raised a little. Soak root crowns in water for
1 hour. Plant one foot apart, making sure to spread roots around the slightly raised
center of trench. First year, water well, never depriving plants of water. Each spring,
apply more mix rich in organic matter and micronutrients. In fall, mulch around plant
with compost or balanced planting mix. Full harvest comes two years from crown
stage or three years from seed. Begin harvest in second year (after planting crowns)
when shoots grow more than 5 inches. Harvest all but a few shoots by cutting or
snapping them just below ground shortly before tip opens. Be careful not to hurt
crowns when you cut.
Insect Control
Asparagus rust, slugs and asparagus beetles are most common pests. Beetles
controlled by hand removing. If seriously infested, spray or dust with rotenone. Avoid
asparagus rust (rust-colored spots on leaves and stems) by buying resistant strains
from trusted nursery. Slugs controlled several ways. Physically remove and dispose
each morning or night. Sink saucers of beer into soil to attract and drown. When
plants are still small, cut off plastic bottles and secure over plants. Spread a thin layer
of lime or soot around plant to repel slugs.
Tips
To preserve soil balance, start new bed every 10 years. (Three years before discontinuing
old one to avoid missing a season of tasty, fresh, homegrown asparagus.) To avoid crown
rot, do not let crowns lie in bed of water. Slightly raised beds help prevent this.
INGREDIENTS
1¼ pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
½ cup chopped onion
1 can fat-free chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 cup milk
INSTRUCTIONS
■ Set aside the tops from 6 asparagus spears for garnish. Combine
asparagus, chopped onion, and ½ can chicken broth in large covered pot.
Cook over high heat until rolling boil. Lower heat, and continue cooking
uncovered until asparagus is soft, about 12 minutes. Mix ingredients in a
blender until smooth. Set aside.
■ Use the same pot to melt the butter over medium-low heat. Make a roux
using flour, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for 2 minutes. Mix in remaining
chicken broth, and increase the heat to medium. Continue stirring constantly
until the mixture boils. Add in the asparagus mixture and the milk.
■ Garnish with asparagus spears and serve immediately.
Asparagus Soup
RECIPE CARD
Asparagus
Health Power
Excellent source of Vitamin C, antioxidant that fights free radicals and plaque
build up in blood vessels. Phthalides linked with lowered blood pressure by
helping arteries dilate. Lowers cholesterol. Diuretic helps get rid of excess
fluids. Promotes overall health and optimizes function of immune and
vascular systems.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – K, C, B6 (Pyridoxine), B1 (Thiamin), A and B2 (Riboflavin)
Minerals – Potassium, Folate, Molybdenum, Manganese, Calcium,
Magnesium, Phosphorus and Iron
Disease Prevention
Celery contains many antioxidants including coumarins that decrease
the build up of cancer precursors and promote white blood cell activity.
Acetylenics also stop cancer cell growth.
How to Grow
Two types of celery, self blanching and blanched. Prefer areas where
growing seasons are long, moist and cool but not frosting. Choose site with
minimum 6 hours daily sunlight. Requires soil that easily retains moisture;
digging in organic matter is a must. Get started celery plants at nursery. If
you begin from seed, start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Celery likes
soil pH near 6.5. Add lime to bring toward neutral. Harden off seedlings
and transplant to garden when temperatures are consistently above 50˚F.
With blanching celery, dig a small trench for optimum growth. Before
transplanting, dig a trench one spade deep and long enough to space celery
plants 12 inches apart. Place a shallow layer of compost, manure and/ or
plant mix in bottom. Cover organics with thin film of soil. Plant seedlings
one foot apart and wrap stems with cardboard or a semi-resilient material.
Keep soil saturated and feed animal manure liquid fertilizer or sprinkle
another organic fertilizer on half-way through growing season. Mid-season
and in one month intervals, fill trench with soil up to bottom of leaves. This
is the blanching process. For self-blanching types, plant on flat ground in
organic-rich soil. For both, keep soil moist and weed free.
Insect Control
Susceptible to slugs, celery fly and celery leaf. See Artichokes for anti-slug
treatments. Celery fly causes leaves to turn pale green, then brown and
shriveled. Remove affected leaves and destroy immediately. Celery leaf
spots are brown spots on leaves and stems caused by fungus. Immune seeds
available are treated with non-organic fungicide. For natural treatment,
remove affected leaves and spray every two weeks with Bordeaux mixture
until two weeks before harvest.
Tips
Harvest self-blanching celery before the first frost. Use blanched types
from first frost until well into winter. Use Golden-self blanching plants.
If blanching yourself, do not let soil pack against the stems, which can
cause rot.
Health Power
Before modern medicine, herbal treatments were popular way to soothe
ailments. Some of chamomile’s powers discovered long ago still used
effectively. Brewed tea from chamomile flowers is calming. Some say
chamomile helps reduce nervousness, minor insomnia and aids digestion and
upset stomachs. Essential oil from flowers gives more concentrated dose in a
cup of tea. Oil obtained through steam distillation. Usually found at herb shops
or some grocery stores. Blue color comes from the phytonutrient azulene,
which has anti-inflammatory properties. Oil can be used to reduce skin
conditions like rashes or eczema, help aid digestion and PMS symptoms. You
may also enjoy the fragrance of dried flowers or soothe skin ailments (sunburn
and others) by putting dried flowers in a permeable sack to soak in bath water.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Vitamins – traces of B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), A and B9 (Folate)
Minerals – Manganese and traces of Copper, Iron, Magnesium,
Potassium & Zinc
Disease Prevention
May help soothe symptoms of skin conditions eczema, psoriasis, sunburns and
rashes. May also help with indigestion. Often used to help reduce infant crying
(colic) from teething pain, anxiety and insomnia.
How to Grow
Different varieties of chamomile available. Some perennial, others annual.
Some used as ground cover or bordering. German variety is an annual used to
make tea, as is the Roman perennial. Needs well-drained soil. Prefers site with
partial shade, but can tolerate full sun. Can be grown in smaller areas, but may
need to be kept in check later to keep from spreading. Growing in pots also an
option. Work in compost or planting mix rich in organic matter/microbes into
the soil of desired location. Start from seed or plant transplants from reputable
nursery. In spring or mid-fall (in warmer climates), plant about 1.5 feet apart
if growing for herb use or 8 inches apart for ground cover. Once they are a few
inches tall, mulch around with fine fertile material that will not disrupt pH
or block water absorption. Don’t use pine bark or peat. Water just enough to
keep soil moist. Trim off faded or dying flowers/leaves to promote new blooms.
Chamomile peaks early through mid-summer with yellow and white flowers.
Remove these to make tea. When frost comes, remove annuals and cut back
perennials to just a few inches. To over winter perennials, insulate with a layer
of mulch.
Insect Control
No pest or disease problems if grown in open position with sun and wind,
especially if a number of plants are grown.
Tips
Chamomile thrives best in areas where summer temperatures stay below 100˚F.
Be careful using chamomile as an herbal remedy. If you are allergic to daisy or
ragweed, you may have an allergic reaction to chamomile. Also has blood-
thinning action. Discuss with your doctor if you take prescription blood thinner.
Celery Chamomile