Having control over what we eat really takes on a new meaning when you grow your own garden with foods you actually intend to use as vital parts of a meal. Care must be taken to insure the best soil, nutrients, and water are used, as free as possible of pollutants and contaminants.
There are a few good natural insecticides, not toxic to humans, on the market today and you are considering doing this unit you should look into them. The Hamden Garden Center in Hamden, Connecticut is very helpful for all your gardening needs. There are purely organic insecticides like Rotenone/ Pyrethrum which comes in liquid and powder form, and chemical and organic mixes, too many to mention at this time. Of course, we still have the chemical brands. I suppose they will be there for a while because the owner of the shop expressed the fact that the organic mixtures cost so much more. Here again, we need to think of our overall long range health and that of our children over cost. Who says those chemical products are all that effective any way? It has been often said that for every pesticides man develops another strain of insect evolves that resists the previously used product.
I, personally, may not be advocating the use of this substance but I recently read an article which stated that cocaine, derived naturally on coca leaves was a great pesticide. Nicotine has been found to be good for the same reason. It is quite toxic to humans just as cocaine is.
Some things I do have in my home are bay leaves and they are said to repel bugs. Peppermint oil is said to repel ants. As long as you can smell the scent it is still effective.
There has also been a pesticide made from grapefruit cocktail. Can you imagine that ? Quenching your thirst, beating the heat and the bugs at the same time. Now this is one project my students might enjoy putting together.
The final product, food, is the constant motivation. The students have to have a reasonable level of control over the outcome so how we treat the soil is pertinent.
Good soil will hold the water longer and keep your plant from drying out too quickly. You will know it is time to water the plants again when the soil on top is dry when touched. Clay soils hold water better than sandy soils. How about testing the soil? In the current issue of Organic Gardening magazine I have found a test for soil. You actually mail samples of your soil out to one of eight (8) professional soil labs nationwide and you get your results back in days. The is even a 1-800 number listed for garden advice. They test for 15 essential soil elements. They make organic amendment recommendations.
Mail a check or money order for $22.95 (No cash or COD’s) to:
Green Gems, P. O. Box 6007
Healdsburg, CA. 95448-6007
or call 800- 431-SOIL
Plant foods can be brought at gardening store or made by you. If made by you, it should be made up only as you are about to use it. It loses much of its effectiveness if prepared in advance. The top soil should be mixed with a good compost or manure. Mix some of the nutrients in the top soil with the next layer of soil. Keep it all moist. Cover with some protective material straw or mesh.
Nature has its own way of taking care of plant life. Do you think dead plant and animal provide nutrients to the soil through human assistance? No, certainly not. It happens because of that balance of nature mentioned earlier in this unit. Grub and other underground creature aid in breaking down decaying matter making richer soil. This balance is maintained as long as no contaminants come in contact with it. Plant life near the water has excellent growing potential because dead fish have a high level of a much needed nutrient, nitrogen.
If the soil in the area raises question about its quality you don’t need to use soil. That’s right! You can have a garden without soil. Soil is not needed for a plant to grow.
There are five basic needs most plants have. Nutrients, light, air, water and heat are most needed and we will prove it with this next lesson plan.
LESSON # 4-Garden without Soil
Main Idea:
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If contaminated soil is a problem don’t use it. Plants can be grown without it and be eaten.
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Objective:
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Define the basic needs of plants. Compare plants grown from plants to plants grown from seeds.
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Time:
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4 days, 25 minutes each day
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Materials:
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Nutrients, light, air, water, heat, cups, jars, covers, cheesecloth, rubber bands, mature plants books on gardening without soil, a hammer and nail and newspaper.
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Procedures:
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The basic needs of a plant will be discussed and shown on the first day.
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1. Day 2 Each child will be given their own jar
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2. Half of the students will be given alfalfa seeds. The other half will be given cuttings from the mature plant.
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3. Those with seeds will place the seeds in the jar, then rinse the seeds with cold water and pour off the water. Shake the seeds around in the jar until they all stick to the sides of the jar holes should be made in the lid with the hammer and nail. Cheesecloth should be placed over the top and secured with a rubber band, then covered over with the lid. the seeds must be rinsed everyday with the cloth still on. After about four days you should see much growth.
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4. Those with the cuttings should place the cutting in water enough to cover the end, and remain covered with water until two inches of roots appear. Check it daily.
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Conclusion:
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1. Which grew faster roots?
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2. Was soil necessary?
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3. What are the basic needs of plants?
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4. Can plants grown this way be eaten?
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5. Were pesticides used?
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African Americans have special needs in the area of nutrition. Through history the abundance of stress put on them, poor food fed to them during slavery, along with poor medical care have contributed greatly to the health risks they face. Continued racism and rage make it necessary for blacks to be in control of their diet. Young African Americans must be reminded of their responsibility to themselves and families in this area often.
All stimulants, coffee, tea, colas and chocolate need to be eliminated from the diet. Meditation may be a good way to relax and relieve stress. Exercise should be done on a regular basis. Walking is the exercise of choice and can be done with little or no injury by all ages.
Water plays a very important role in the health of stressed out African Americans. High blood pressure is higher among them than any other group. A clean moist system lessens the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Being overweight can bring on strokes but, again, water and moderate exercise can substantially reduce this problem.
Foods eaten in their raw state or as close to their natural state as possible give the maximum vitamin and minerals to the body for all people. Blacks often over cook their food for taste but the taste buds have been perverted for so long and don’t know what good food should taste like. Too much rich and spicy foods also have ill effects on the system.
What should be planted that would grow nicely under the proper conditions and be palatable and tasty? (Eggplant, collards, spinach, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and peppermint.) These will be grown in soil. They should not be fried but baked, steamed, or boiled. Seasonings will have to be bought along with oil (olive) and honey for the peppermint tea.
To begin our meal garden we will grow our own transplants. This will save us money and guarantee healthier, disease free plants. There is a large variety of seeds available. This does take more time, trouble and planning. But the experiences will be memorable.