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Published on February 27, 2014
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a 5 a day GardenToolkit GardenToolkit for implementing community, childcare and school gardens t? r i D t o G
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Division of Public Health Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction For more information about this garden toolkit contact: Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Division of Public Health P.O. Box 2659 Madison, WI 53701-2659 Phone: (608) 267-9194 Fax: (608) 266-3125 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Website: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/health/physicalactivity/index.htm This garden toolkit was made possible by funding from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Obesity Prevention Grant: This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U58/CCU522833-02 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contents Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 About Your Toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Part One: Basic Steps for Starting a Garden step 1: Find a Place to Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 step 2: Get Seeds and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 step 3: Prepare the Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 step 4: Start Your Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 step 5: Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 step 6: Caring for the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 step 7: Harvest Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 step 8: Preparing for Next Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Part Two: Gardening Examples and Resources Stories of Successful Gardens Community Gardens Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Child & Adult Care Center Gardens Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 School Gardens Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Funding Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Service Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Helpful Garden Resources Cultivating the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Extra Gardening Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Educational Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Ideas for My Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Foreword I am pleased to introduce this "5 A Day Garden Toolkit for Community, Childcare and School Gardens." I hope it helps something good grow in your backyard ! The Toolkit is a practical guide with basic instructions on how to start your garden, and great examples of community and school gardens around the state. I hope it inspires you to plant the seeds of good health, and to nurture the growth of our children and communities. — Helene Nelson Secretary Department of Health and Family Services P.S. Did you know that one of the best things you can do for your own health — and one of the best ways to fight obesity and promote good health for children — is to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday? Garden-fresh produce is a great start for healthy eating!
Preface To encourage healthy eating and increased physical activity, the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Service's Nutrition and Physical Activity program produced this garden toolkit. To ensure the inclusion of accurate information, gardening professionals from around the state contributed or reviewed the "Got Dirt? Garden Toolkit" including University of Wisconsin Extension Horticulture Agents, Master Gardeners, Extension Community Garden Coordinators, and local gardening experts. The purpose of the garden toolkit is to encourage the implementation of school, community, and childcare gardens and to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables among Wisconsin children, adolescents, and adults. By encouraging you to start a garden, the toolkit attempts to support a number of the following national and state initiatives: • 5 A Day Program: The 5 A Day for Better Health Program is a national initiative to increase the consumption of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day will promote good health and reduce the risk of many cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other chronic diseases. Incorporating the produce from the garden into meals and snacks are wonderful ways to increase the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables eaten each day. • Verb™ Campaign: Verb-It's What You Do™ is a national campaign coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to encourage young people ages 9-13 to be physically active every day. A gardening project provides an ideal setting for physical activity, with walking or biking to the location, carrying supplies, bending and stooping to plant and work the garden, and harvesting the garden. • Wisconsin Nutrition and Physical Activity Program: This program seeks to encourage healthful eating and increased physical activity as a means for reducing overweight and obesity in Wisconsin. Currently, 60% of Wisconsin adults are considered overweight or obese and 24% of high school students are at risk of overweight or are overweight. (1, 2) • Wisconsin Food Security Project: From 1996 to 2000, almost 9% of Wisconsin households were food insecure (3). A household that is food insecure is one that has uncertain or limited access to food. The Wisconsin Food Security Projects seeks to provide up-to-date information on food security, economic well-being, and the availability and use of public and private programs to increase access to affordable and nutritious foods. A bountiful garden's produce can be donated to local food pantries or other public and private programs working to eliminate food insecurity in Wisconsin. • Service Learning: Service learning is a teaching method that promotes learning by connecting academic studies to real-life experiences. With service learning, students become problem-solvers as they discover ways to tackle community issues by remedying problems. For example, school and community garden service learning projects can allow students to address hunger needs of their communities and families. Gardening is a wonderful means of increasing physical activity and encouraging healthful eating. A 130-pound person can burn around 295-calories an hour while gardening. Similarly, a 150-pound person can burn around 300-calories an hour. Additionally, experiences such as eating fresh-picked fruits and vegetables while growing fruits or vegetables (4) is one the strategy to increase fruit and vegetable consumption (4). Furthermore, several new approaches to increasing consumption are currently being piloted in schools include school gardening programs and salad bars using fresh produce from local farmer's markets (5). Thus, creating and supporting community, childcare, and school gardens is a way to work towards improving the health of all Wisconsin residents. References Cited: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. www.cdc.gov/brfss. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm. 3. University of Wisconsin-Extension. Wisconsin Food Security Project. www.uwex.edu/ces/flp/cfs/. 4. Devine CM, Wolfe WS, Frongillo EA, Bisogni CA. Life-course events and experiences: association with fruit and vegetable consumption in three ethnic groups. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:309-314. 5. French SA, Wechsler H. School-based research and initiatives: fruit and vegetable environment, policy, and pricing workshop. Prev Med. 2004;39:S101-107. 3
About Your Garden Toolkit The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Service's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program and 5 A Day Program, along with other contributors, have compiled this easy-to-use garden toolkit to provide you with a framework for starting a fruit and vegetable garden. The toolkit is designed to walk you through the basic steps of starting and maintaining a garden. We have also included several examples of successful community, childcare, and school gardening projects in Wisconsin. These stories highlight key points including tips on funding, finding local resources, and engaging adults and children in gardening. In addition, there are stories on programs that can enhance your gardening experience including providing ideas on what to do with all the fruits and vegetables harvested and where to get more information on service learning and school curriculum resources. The garden toolkit is separated into two main parts: • Part One: Basic Steps for Gardening • Part Two: Gardening Examples and Resources In Part One, a comprehensive guide provides you with a start to finish approach that begins with finding a garden plot and ends with tips on preparing your garden for the next year. Part Two provides several resources to ensure that you have a successful gardening experience. Gardening can be a great deal of fun, but a lot of work. To further assist you with your garden, it may be beneficial to engage others to help you. Here are some suggestions for people you may want to contact: • Co-workers • Teachers • School Administrators • School Food Service Staff • Students • Parents • Children • Community Leaders • Coalition Members • Local Faith-Based Organizations • Local Health Care Organizations • Neighborhood Associations • Local Businesses • Representatives from Other Local Organizations Gardening is a wonderful way to increase your physical activity, while having access to healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables. We hope that you find this toolkit useful and that it encourages you to start a garden. If you have any comments or suggestions for improving this gardening toolkit, please direct them to Amy Meinen, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, at firstname.lastname@example.com. 4
Basic Steps for Starting a Garden
step 1 Find a Place to Plant Where Can You Find Land? Here are a few ideas of where you can start to look for land for your garden. • Your Yard (Front or Back) • Vacant Lots • Private Land (A Neighbor's Yard) • School Grounds • Hospital Grounds • Community Parks • Farm Land • County Fairgrounds • County UW-Extension Office Grounds Need help finding land? Contact these organizations: • Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association www.wpraweb.org/index.asp • Urban Open Space Foundation www.uosf.org/ If you can only find a small amount of land…try small plot vegetable or container gardening. It's amazing how many vegetables can grow in pots! Keep in mind if you are using vacant land that you may need to obtain permission to use it. Permission may be necessary as vacant lots are still considered to be private land. 6
Small Plot Vegetable Gardening overall points • • • Choose a site that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day. If the land has never been used for a garden, rototill or dig up the area to a depth of 6 to 8 inches in the early spring. Even if space is limited, remember not to crowd the plants. They need air and elbow room. suggested fruits & vegetables for small garden plots a. b. c. space saving techniques 1. Try Interplanting: This is a technique that involves growing two or more vegetables in one area by planting slow-and-fast maturing crops among each other. The fast maturing vegetables will be harvested before the crops begin to crowd each other. You can also alternate rows of fast and slow maturing vegetables. For example, plant a row of tomatoes (slow maturing) and lettuce (fast maturing). 2. Try Succession Planting: This involves planting another crop once the other is harvested or finished. For example, when spinach has been harvested, replant the space with beans or beets. 3. Wide Row Planting: This technique involves scattering fruit and vegetable seeds over an 8 to 12 inch band rather than a single row. This method works best for leafy vegetables like spinach and lettuce, which ultimately form a leaf canopy that prevents weed growth. 4. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. Beets Carrots Cucumbers (grow on a trellis or plant a bush-variety) Eggplant Green Beans Lettuce Kohlrabi Muskmelon (grow on a trellis or plant a bush-variety) Onions Peppers Potatoes Radishes Shallots Spinach Summer Squash (bush variety) Swiss Chard Tomatoes (standard, patio, & cherry) Use Vertical Space: Using a trellis or fence to support pole beans, cucumbers, and squash is a great way to maximize a limited space. You can also cage or stake the tomato plants. 5. Plant Bush Varieties: By planting "bush" varieties, the plants take up less space in the garden than standard varieties. Bush varieties, available as seeds, are found in cucumbers, muskmelon, watermelon, and squash. 6. Square Foot Gardening: This technique involves marking squares of space for crops rather than planting in straight rows. Common arrangements involve marking off 1 foot by 1 foot areas of garden space. Plants are planted according to their space needs. 7. Bottom Line: Gardens don't have to be square. They can be planted in a circle or a triangle. 7
Step 1: Find a Place to Plant Container/Raised Bed Gardening overall points • • • • • • • • To begin, be sure to select a container that is large enough to hold the plant and its root system. For most vegetable crops, a 3 to 5 gallon container is preferred Soilless potting mixes are the best for container gardens. The mix is less likely to compact, holds moisture and plant nutrients very well, and is typically lightweight. Plants grown in containers require frequent watering because they dry out quickly from sun and wind. Some plants may require daily watering. Clay, wood, plastic, cement, and metal are all suitable materials for growing plants. Raised beds that are two to three feet wide permit easy reaching across for weeding and harvesting. When using raised beds you can plant the fruits and vegetables closer together because you don't need to walk on the soil. For the best results, use drip lines or slow-release watering units in containers. types of containers • • • • Examples of possible containers included clay pots, old pails, bushel baskets, plastic buckets, wash tubs, wooden planters, or hanging baskets. Almost any type of container can be used as long as it has good drainage via holes in the sides or bottom. Wood containers can be easily constructed, but last longer if heartwood of durable trees is used (i.e. cedar or redwood). A typical size for a wooden container is 18" X 24" X8". Drainage holes must be drilled in the bottom or around the sides near the bottom of the box. A mesh screen can be cut to fit the bottom of the container to allow water, but not soil, to drain. Soil 6 to 8 inches deep is the minimum for most vegetables. Dairy supply plastic tanks (35 gallons or less) cut in half make excellent containers as well. For more information on container or raised bed gardening visit the following website: • University of Wisconsin Extension: Specialized Gardening Techniques http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A3384.PDF • University of Minnesota Extension Services: Gardening in Raised Beds www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h233raisedbed.html • Iowa State University Extension: Container Vegetable Gardening www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM870B.pdf 8
Where Should Your Garden Go? 1. Think Location: Plenty of sunlight and well-drained, level soils are important factors in deciding where to put your garden. The site should be fairly level to avoid erosion problems. A garden should be located away from trees and shrubs, not only because of shade, but also because they compete for soil moisture and plant nutrients. Ideally, your garden should be at least 75 to 100 feet away from any trees, especially from any walnut or nut trees. 2. Check the Soil: Fruits and vegetables grow best in well-drained, fertile soil. Improving drainage and soil structure can help poor soil. Organic matter (compost, peat moss, manure, and decayed ground bark) mixed with tight soils will open them up and improve drainage. It is very important to complete a soil test if the land being used has not been previously tested. For more information on soil testing contact your county UW Extension office. 3. Needs Sun: At least six hours of full sunlight daily is necessary to produce healthy, top-quality vegetables. If the best, well-drained location has some shade, locate cool-season crops, such as lettuce, radishes, carrots, and cabbage, in partial shade. Full sun is needed to grow such crops as sweet corn, snap beans, tomatoes, and peppers. suggested fruits & vegetables for container raised bed gardens a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. Beets Carrots Cucumbers Eggplant Green Beans Kohlrabi Lettuce Onions Peppers Radishes Summer Sauash Spinach Swiss Chard Tomatoes 4. Water Supply: Water is one of the most important needs of a garden. Make sure an adequate water supply is nearby. Water generously once per week with a 1-inch application. You can set out a watering can, with a one inch mark inside, to collect sprinkler water. That way you will know when you have watered appropriately. Last, if your garden plot is located near a garage, you can collect rainwater from the eave spouts. If you use this as your main water source, be sure to have your water tested every 5 years or so. 5. Think Size: Your garden's size depends on the kind and amount of vegetables desired, land availability, and your time commitment. A manageable size for a garden is 100 square feet, but smaller or larger spaces can be used. Make sure that your first garden is not TOO BIG! 6. Map it Out: Make a garden map, plan or graph so that after the growing season you will know where not to plant your fruits or vegetables the following year. Crop rotation helps cut down on the spread of diseases, especially for the cabbage family and tomatoes. 9
step 2 Get Seeds & Tools Selecting Seeds for Planting overall suggestions • • • • • • Buy seeds early in the year (January through March) for the best selection. Select seeds based on time of maturity (how long they need to grow), and disease tolerance. This information should be on the package label. To ensure germination, purchase new seeds every year. Some seeds may have been chemically treated and will be labeled as such. Make sure to wash your hands following the handling of the treated seeds. Purchase new seeds every year. However, if you do choose to save seeds from the vegetables in this year's garden, make sure to store them in a closed container for next year. If using saved seeds, make sure to pre-test a few of the seeds for germination. In order to do this, moisten a plain white paper towel and fold it in half. Place a few seeds on 1/ 2 of the paper towel and then fold it in half again. Place the paper towel in a plastic sandwich bag, close the bag, and store it for a week to ten days. Then remove the paper towel from the bag and see how many seeds have sprouted. Choose varieties marked "easy to grow". quick tips 1. Look for Purity: For the best results, buy quality seeds from a reliable dealer. 2. Check Packages: Seeds sold in packages should show the crop, cultivar, germination percentage, and chemical seed treatments, if any. 3. Check Storage: Seeds should be kept in a cool and dry place to ensure good germination at planting. Paper packets are best kept in tightly closed cans or jars until seeds are planted. Laminated foil packets ensure dry storage. 4. Hybrid Seeds: Hybrid seeds often cost more than the seeds of non-hybrid cultivars. However, hybrids tend to have better uniformity, yields, and increased disease-specific resistance. 5. Saving Seeds: Some gardeners save seeds from the previous growing season. This requires knowing how to select, produce, handle, and store the seed. For additional information on seed saving, visit: http://infosource.uwex.edu Click on Garden and Landscaping and then on Saving Seeds. 10
quick tip Tools and Other Items Needed for Your Garden The Baraboo High School FFA started several plants in a school greenhouse. FFA would sell the started plants for a minimal cost at the beginning of the planting season. Check your local high school to find out if there are students involved with starting plants indoors. You may be able to purchase these plants. the necessities a. Rake b. Shovel c. Garden hoe other accessories • • • • • • Small hand trowels Watering cans Turning fork Small buckets Plant labels or row markers Rope or twine • • • — Beth Kramer, Sauk County, Master Gardener Garden hose Lawn sprinkler Wheelbarrow to mark rows if planting in straight rows 11
3 step Prepare the Soil A Word about Wisconsin Soil Some soils in Wisconsin are "heavy" because of high amounts of clay particles. These fine-textured soils hold lots of nutrients, but do not drain well and take longer to warm up in spring. Most of these soils also have a higher pH, which means the soil is more alkaline (basic) than acidic. Soil pH is an important factor, as some plants prefer more acidic "sour" soil, while others prefer more alkaline "sweet" soil. Soil can have a pH value of 7 (soil pH ranges from 0 to 14), meaning the soil is neutral, which is neither acidic or alkaline. Soils should never be tilled when wet or they will clump. In order to test the soil, grab a handful of soil and squeeze it between your thumb and forefinger. If it crumbles, it is dry enough. If not, your soil is too wet and it may be too soon to start "working" your garden. The Ultimate Garden Soil The ultimate garden soil is deep, loose, fertile, well drained, slightly acidic (pH of 6.2 to 7.0), and has lots of organic matter. Most garden soils don't meet all these requirements. So it is a good idea to try to improve your soil to the best of your abilities. 12
if I do container or raised bed gardening, will I get a good crop? How to Improve Your Soil kinds of soil There are several types of garden soils, which range from sandy to clay. test your soil Getting a soil test is one practical way to know the nutrients your soil may need and whether your soil's pH is too low, high, or just right. The soil test helps you determine if you need to add lime (for low pH) or elemental sulfur (for high pH). For more information on soil testing, contact your county UW Extension office. Also, a pH indicator can be purchased from a local garden center. The pH for an ideal garden is around 6.8. For more information on soil testing visit these websites: • UW-Extension Office (county) : www.uwex.edu/ces/cty • The Soil and Plant Analysis Lab http://uwlab.soils.wisc.edu add organic matter To yield quality fruits and vegetables, garden soils need lots of organic matter. You can improve soils by adding organic matter. Organic matter helps create good crumb-like soil structure. This helps for better water and air movement and easier root penetration. The key to improving either sandy or heavy soils is to add organic matter frequently. Types of organic matter include rotted manure (aged), leaves, grass clippings (from a non-chemically treated lawn), compost, green manure, crop residues or peat moss. Add about 1-4 inches of organic matter over the soil. Then, blend the organic matter into your soil at least six inches deep. The best time to add organic matter is in the fall, after the previous growing season, when soils are reasonably dry. If you add it in the spring, make sure the soil is dry enough and work it in right away. Raised bed and container gardening is a great way for anyone to get started gardening, and is particularly well suited for school gardens where space may be at a premium. You can get a great harvest in containers and raised beds. In fact, yields are often superior in raised beds compared to standard in-ground gardens. The key to good harvests with any gardening method is enough (not too much) fertility and water and plenty of direct sunlight. Containers will need to be watered more frequently than raised beds or in-ground gardens. Depending on the crop, a good rule of (green) thumb for container soil is 1/4 compost, 1/2 peat moss, 1/4 soil with some vermiculite mixed in to keep it fluffy. Raised beds can be filled with 1/4 compost and 3/4 rich topsoil.) Top dress heavy feeding crops like corn, squash, and tomatoes with compost when the plants are fruiting and add additional compost before each new season to maintain optimum harvests and to keep the beds and containers filled with soil. — Mark Voss teacher and organic market gardener 13
4 step Start Your Garden finding the best time to start your garden In Wisconsin, the start of the growing season can vary greatly, depending on the weather. Sometimes, seeds requiring longer growing seasons may be started indoors to ensure a crop before fall's harvest. If this is the first time you have gardened, you may see better results with purchasing vegetable plants that have already been started. Timeframe For Starting Your Garden 1. Timeline for Your Garden: When should you start your garden? That depends on where you live in Wisconsin. To find out when you can start planting, check the University of Wisconsin Horticulture Department's website at www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/fruitveggies/VeggiePubs.htm for their annuallyproduced Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. It gives anticipated start dates for most areas of the state. An important point to remember is that some vegetables grow best in cool temperatures, while others require warm soil and air. 2. Getting Ready to Plant in the Garden: If you purchase plants, they will have to be "hardened off" prior to planting them in the garden. Hardening off plants first reduces severity of "transplant" shock and gives them a better chance of survival in the garden. Gradually introduce the starter plants to outdoor growing conditions by setting them outside for short periods of time about 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden. Place the plants in a shady, protected location outdoors. Be aware of spring frosts and move plants indoors if the forecast calls for temperatures below 40 degrees. A cold frame is another way for getting plants used to the weather. A cold frame is like a miniature greenhouse. It is an unheated plastic or glass covered box that is heated by sunlight. A cold frame is ideal during spring weather when sudden drops in temperature can occur. You can construct your own cold frame by using a couple of bales of hay, straw or a wood frame for the sides and an old storm window for a top/cover. 3. Planting in the Garden: The best time to transplant started plants into the garden is in the late afternoon or during a cloudy day. Newly planted vegetables can be protected from the bright sun by boards or floating row covers. Plastic row covers are not recommended. They can actually cook seedlings too easily. 14
a few things to consider 1. Buying or Growing Transplants: Many crops need to be started early indoors or in "cold frames" and later transplanted to the garden. This head start allows a crop that needs a long-season to grow the ability to mature before frost in the fall. Some gardeners start their own seeds indoors. Others find it easier to purchase plants from garden centers and greenhouses. If buying, be very selective by choosing the dark green, stocky plants over leggy, yellow, weak ones. 2. Remove Any Fruit: Prior to planting, make sure to remove any fruit. If fruit is left on the plant, the nutrient resources will go towards the fruit and not into developing a strong, adequate root system (which will in the long run, help produce more vegetables). how do I protect my garden from frost? One of the best ways I have found is to use floating row covers to cover plants whenever there is a threat of frost. These fabrics are light weight, easy to fold and store, and are available through most seed catalogues. 3. Setting Transplants into the Garden: The main goal is to avoid root disturbance as much as possible. Try to transplant late in the afternoon or during a cloudy day. Protect newly set plants with light shade during bright days for the first 3 to 5 days. If planting early in the spring, you may want to consider covering plants to avoid damage from frost. When using a covering, be sure to provide some ventilation so the heat generated from the sun does not "cook" your plants. Water the transplants the day before you are planning to plant them into the garden. If you have individuals helping to plant that smoke, make sure they wash their hands or wear gloves prior to handling any of the transplants. — Bill Wright Community Garden Coordinator Brown County UW-Extension 15
Step 4: Start Your Garden 4. Planting Garden Vegetables: Check the Year's Planting-to-Harvest Schedule: The University of Wisconsin Extension releases a planting schedule prior to the growing season each year. You can read it and make a copy at: http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A1653.PDF. It is also important to pay particular attention to the weather. If the ground is still cold, you may want to wait to plant. You may begin planting when there have been at least 4 or more consistent days above 65 degrees with sun. Use the table (at right) to help you decide the best time to plant your garden. Since the weather varies by region in Wisconsin, you may want to plant 1 to 2 weeks later if you are along the lower lakeshore or central part of the state. Plant 2 to 3 weeks later in northern Wisconsin counties. 5. Watch for Frost: Pay attention to frost warnings. Frost can destroy newly-planted fruits and vegetables. Plant your garden after the frost has subsided. If you have planted already and there is still a chance of frost, protect your plants by covering them with cloth, plastic, newspaper, or straw. Mulch around plants can also help trap heat in the soil to prevent freezing. Some vegetables tolerate frost and cold temperatures better than others do. If there is a chance of frost, plant "tolerant" fruits and vegetables. For Additional Resources Regarding Frost, visit: University of Wisconsin Extension Infosource: http://infosource.uwex.edu/ Click on Garden and Landscape and then Frost Protection typical dates of last spring killing frost April 26 — May 2 May 3 — May 9 May 10 — May 16 May 17 — May 23 May 24 — May 30 May 30 — June 6 Map information provided courtesy of Wisconline® www.wisconline.com. Used by permission. 16
Fruit/Vegetable Plant Date Madison, WI Seed or Plant Days until 1st Harvest Asparagus Bean, bush (snap) Bean, pole (snap) Beet Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage (early) Cabbage (late) Carrot Cauliflower Celery Collards Corn Cucumber Eggplant Endive Kale Lettuce (head) Lettuce (leaf) Muskmelon Okra Onion Onion, sets Pea Pepper Potato (early) Potato (midseason) Potato (late) Pumpkin Radish Rhubarb Rutabaga Spinach Squash, summer Squash, fall Tomato Watermelon April May May April May May May May April May May June May June June June June May April May June May April April June April April April May April April June April May Seed Seed Seed Seed Plant Seeds Plant Seeds Seeds Plant Plant Seeds Seeds Seeds Plant Seeds Seeds Plant Seeds Plant Plant Plant Plants Seeds Plant Seeds Seeds Seeds May 20 (Plant) Seeds Seeds or Crowns Seeds Seeds Seeds Plants Plants Seeds 1-2 years 50-60 days 60-65 days 50-60 days Cool season crops can 60-70 days be planted when the 90-100 days ground temperature is around 50 degrees; 60-70 days warm season crops 90-100 days are planted when the 60-70 days ground is at 60 degrees. 50-60 days 100-110 days cool season crops: 60-85 days beets 65-90 days carrots 38-55 days peas 70-80 days lettuce 90 days chard 50-70 days mustard greens 60-70 days cabbage 40-50 days broccoli 80-90 days brussel sprouts 50-60 days 110-120 days warm season crops: 40-50 days corn 60-70 days beans 60-70 days squash 80-100 days pumpkins 100-120 days peppers, 120-140 days eggplant melons 90-110 days cucumbers 25-30 days 1 year 100-110 days 40-50 days 50-60 days 90-120 days 65-80 days 75-90 days *depends on variety 15 10 10 15 1 15 1 15 15 1 20 20 10 or May 2* 1 1 25 25 1 15 20 1 1 15 15 1 15 15 15 10 (Seeds) 15 15 15 15 20-June 1 May 20 – Early June May 20 – Early June May 20-June 1 cool & warm season crops 17
step5 Planting Different Ways to Plant Your Garden There are several different ways that you can plant your garden. Here are some examples: 1. Straight-Row Furrows: Although straight-row furrows are not the most efficient use of space, they make cultivation, insect control, and harvesting easier. To plant a straight-row furrow, first stretch a tight cord or rope between stakes at each end of the row. A 1 1/ 2 to 2-inch furrow can be made using the blade of a garden hoe. Use this method when planting large seeds, such beans and corn. The handle of a garden hoe can be used to make 1/ 4 to 1/ 2 inch shallow furrows for small-seed crops such as lettuce, beets, carrots, etc. 2. Wide Row Planting: This method involves scattering seeds across a wide row to produce greater yields of smaller vegetables. This allows for a more efficient use of sunlight, space, and soil nutrients. Set your wide row by drawing a rake over the ground. Seeds can be planted in 4-to-24 inch wide bands, rather than rows. The bands reduce the chance of malformed roots. Some thinning is required during the growing season to ensure quality vegetables. Careful hand weeding is required. If using a raised bed, plants such as broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant can be set closer together than in a typical straight row format. quick tip "Keep in mind that a garden cannot be planted in one day. Some fruits and vegetables grow best in cooler temperatures, while others require warm soil or hot air" — Iowa State University Extension 18
3. Square-Foot Gardening: Similar to the wide-row planting method, extra hand weeding may be required. However, this method is a very efficient use of garden space. Instead of planting in rows, the garden is divided into squares that are 1 foot by 1 foot (1' X 1'). The number of plants in each square depends on the variety, how big the plant will get, and how far apart it needs to be from other plants in order to develop properly. 4. Hill Planting: This method is most commonly used for vine crops, such as squash, melons, and cucumbers. Hills let the roots range out from a central growing point, which helps the plant obtain more soil nutrients and water. Begin by raking dirt into a round hill that is raised from the ground, creating a 12-inch circle. Next, plant 4 to 5 seeds. Later, when the plants begin to grow, thin the hill to no more than 3 plants. Raised mound plantings are not highly recommended for the entire garden, as the soil will dry out much more quickly than if it were level. This can result in poor germination. For an Additional Resource on Special Planting Techniques visit: University of Wisconsin-Extension: Specialized Gardening Techniques (publication): http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A3384.PDF how often should you water your garden? Most gardeners use the 1 inch of water per week rule. Unfortunately, it is a bit more complicated because temperature, wind, soil, mulch, sun/clouds, and plant variety all need to be considered. Most gardeners monitor the soil and determine that the plant needs water when the soil appears to be dry. The key is to check the soil about a inch or two below the surface. Too much water will leach out the much needed nitrogen fertilizer and excessive water could actually suffocate the plants by depriving the roots of oxygen. Dennis Lukaszewski, RLA UW Extension Service, Milwaukee County 19
step 6 Caring for the Garden general upkeep 1. Thinning Seedlings: Once your seeds have begun to sprout and grow in the garden, pull out the extras to provide growing space for the remaining plants. Make sure to remove the extras when the plants are still small, before they compete with others for light, air, and water. When fruits and vegetables grow too close together, the plants growth may be stunted, root crops become distorted, and vine crops grow poorly due to self-shading. 2. Weeding: If you keep weeds out of your garden, you'll have a better harvest! Weeds compete with your Check the Weather Forecast! View the Gardener's Local plants for water, light, and Forecast, courtesy of The Weather Channel. Check here nutrients. Weeds also www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/garden/ encourage insects and and enter your zip code to find out if you'll need to diseases that attack your water your garden today. garden plants. Mulch and cultivation can help keep the weeds in your garden under control. Use organic materials such as grass clippings (from a non-chemically treated lawn) or a good weed-free straw, specifically clean wheat or rye straw as means for controlling weeds in your garden. Old newspapers combined with a top layer of grass clippings can be placed around and in between plants to provide an excellent barrier for weeds. The coarser the material, the thicker the layer of mulch. 20 quick tip
3. Watering: The best time to water is in the early morning or early afternoon. This allows for the leaves to dry off before nightfall, reducing the chance for disease. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses can be used to keep plants dry during watering, which also reduces the chance of disease infection. However, drip irrigation can be done anytime during the day if used under newspaper, straw, or grass mulch. Some plants, like tomatoes, do not like their leaves wet. In this case drip hoses work especially well. Note: Watering between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm could burn the plants, unless it is an overcast or cloudy day. 4. Garden Fertilizer: An inorganic garden fertilizer can be used according to your soil test. If you did not get a soil test, a rule of thumb would be to use 2-3 pounds per 100 square feet. It is best to determine which type of fertilizer you need based on the results of your soil test. Follow label directions for application of fertilizer. 5. Adding Organic Matter: "Organic Matter" provides nutrients for plants. Plants take food from the soil as they grow, so organic matter needs to be applied yearly. Some organic matter sources include: well-rotted cow or horse manure, compost made from tree leaves, lawn clippings (without chemicals), garden refuse (disease-free), green manure, and other organic residues. It is important to keep in mind that some fruits and vegetables are "heavy feeders" (i.e. corn and tomatoes), while others are not (i.e. green peppers). It is best to incorporate organic matter in the fall or early spring, as you prepare the garden soil. how do I keep the weeds to a minimum in my garden? At the Ho-Chunk Youth Fitness Garden, we found that a layer of leaf mulch did a great job of keeping the weeds down; especially around the squash, pumpkins, and vine plants. — Roxanne Lane Master Gardener Sauk County 21
Step 6: Caring for the Garden 6. Integrated Pest Control Management a. Purchase Quality Seeds & Plants: Start by selecting healthy plants or seeds from reputable seed companies and nurseries. There are several different disease-resistant varieties of seeds you can purchase. b. Plant Spacing: Leave plenty of distance between plants to provide air movement, which reduces the chances for diseases to begin. c. Plant Appropriately: Setting plants out too early or late can make them weak and more susceptible to a pest attack. d. Set up Barriers: Use physical barriers between the plants and the pests by using row covers or nets that allow the sunlight and water to penetrate, but keep out pests. The barrier DOES have to be in place before the pest appears. Remember to remove the barriers during the blossoming stage so that insects will be able to polinate the plants. e. Pick the Pests: Hand-pick and destroy insect pests. f. Prevent Weeds: A layer of mulch helps to control weeds and conserve soil moisture. A garden full of weeds is a major attraction to pests! g. Learn to Look: Monitor your garden weekly for any new pests. Regularly inspect your plants and their leaves for any trace of insect feeding, etc. h. Keep it Clean: After you have harvested everything from your garden, discard any diseased plant material from the site. Remove debris as soon as possible, as many pests will over winter in or under dead plant material. Plow or till the garden in the fall. i. Rotate Crops Next Year: Move crops to different garden locations each year to reduce buildup of plant-specific pests in the soil. For more information for controlling diseases in your garden, visit the following websites: • • The Plant Diseases Diagnostic Lab, UW-Madison, Dept. of Plant Pathology: www.plantpath.wisc.edu/pddc • 22 The Insect Diagnostic Lab, UW-Madison, Department of Entomology: www.entomology.wisc.edu/entodiag.html University of Minnesota Extension Service: Controlling Diseases in the Home Vegetable Garden www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1427.html
how can I engage youth in gardening? 7. Keep the Beneficial Insects: Over 90% of insects around the garden are harmless to people and plants. Without the help of these "beneficial insects", most plants would be overrun with pest insects every year. These beneficial insects feed on many different pest species. Furthermore, several of these beneficial insects are pollinators. With more pollination taking place, more high quality fruits and vegetables can be produced. To keep beneficial insects around your garden, limit or eliminate pesticide use. Consider leaving flowering weeds around the garden (i.e. dandelions and clover) to provide alternate nectar sources for pollination. To have beneficial insects attracted to your vegetable garden, be sure to add some flowers and herbs. Examples of annual flowers that attract pollinators include alyssum, marigolds, nasturtiums, dill, and cosmos. 8. Mulching: Mulching with untreated, chemically free grass clippings, leaves, Getting youth interested in gardening is easy — just provide a safe location, a hand trowel, some seeds and plants, and a volunteer to show them what to do — kids love learning how to grow things. Start small, either with a container garden or a small raised bed no larger than 4 x 4 feet. Square foot gardening is a technique that works well with kids. Have them map out their one foot squares and choose which plants they want in each square, then have them post their map at the garden while they plant. Caring for their garden and watching it grow will be a delight. or straw in late June provides several benefits. The mulch will help to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, prevent compaction of soil by heavy rains, and add more organic matter to your soil. For Additional Resources on Composting: • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Recipes for Composting: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/recycle/compost_waste.htm • Iowa State University Horticultural Guide: Composting Yard Waste www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM874.pdf — Patti Nagai UW Horticultural Agent, Racine County For Answers to General Gardening Questions, Visit These Websites: • University of Wisconsin Urban Horticultural Website www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/fruitveggies/index.htm • University of Wisconsin Extension-Milwaukee County Yard & Garden Line (Milwaukee County Residents only) www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/milwaukee/hortline/CallUs.html 23
step 7 Harvest Time so, when is it a good time to pick? Asparagus: Pick when the spears are 6 to 8 inches tall, and before the tips begin to open. Cut or break off stems at the soil line. Beans (Snap): Pick when the pods are almost full size, but before the seeds begin to bulge. Never pick beans that are wet or have dew on them. Beets: Pick the greens when the leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. If you want to use the tops or small beets, pick when the beets are 1 to 1 1/ 2" in diameter. If you want to use the roots only, pick when the roots are 11/ 2" to 3" in diameter. Broccoli: Pick when flower heads are fully developed, but before flower buds start to open. Cut 6 to 7 inches below the flower heads. Brussels Sprouts: Pick when sprouts at base of plant have become solid. Remove sprouts (buds) higher on the plant as they become firm, but do not strip the leaves, as they are needed for further growth. They tend to taste better if harvested after the first fall frost. Cabbage: Pick when the cabbage head has become solid. Leave older leaves, stems and roots to produce small, lateral heads later in the season. Carrots: Pick when roots are 1/ 2 to 1 inch or more in diameter. If you want to store carrots, pull them just before the ground freezes in the fall. Cauliflower: Pick when curds (flower heads) are 6 to 8 inches, but still are compact, white, and smooth. Curds that are exposed to sunlight become cream colored, rough, and coarse in texture. Therefore, cover curds when they are 3 to 4 inches across by tying the outer cauliflower leaves loosely above the curds. 24 Celery: Pick when the plants become 12 to 15 inches tall. When the plant is still young and tender, the lower leaves (8 to 10 inches long) may be removed from a few plants and used in salads, soups or cooked dishes. Chard: Break off new leaves at the ground level as they appear in early spring. Pick the tender leaves throughout the season. Collards: Pick by breaking off outer leaves when they are 8 to 10 inches long. New growth from the center of the plant will provide a continuous harvest throughout the growing season. Cowpeas/Black-Eyed Peas: Pick when seeds are near full size, but still bright green. Dry seed can be used for cooking, baking, or in soups. Pick dry seeds when they are full size and dry. Cucumbers: Pick burpless cucumbers when they are 10 to 12 inches long. For sweet pickles, pick cucumbers when they are 11/ 2 to 21/ 2 inches long. For dill pickles, pick when the cucumbers are 3 to 4 inches long. For slicing, pick cucumbers when they are 6 to 9 inches long and are bright green and firm. Eggplant: Pick when eggplant is about 4 to 6 inches long, but still firm and bright in color. Older eggplants may become dull in color, soft and seedy. Endive: Pick when plant is 10 to 12 inches across and after blanching the center leaves of the plant by covering or tying loosely to exclude light for 2 to 3 weeks.
Garlic: Pull the garlic when tops begin to bend over or die. Gourds: For eating, pick gourds when they are 8 to 10 inches long, young and tender. For decoration, pick when gourds are mature and fully colored, but before the first fall frost. Also, you'll know a gourd is mature if a finger nail doesn't leave a mark on them. Horseradish: Dig up roots in the late fall or early the following spring. Kale: Break off outer leaves when they are 8 to 10 inches long. New leaves will grow from the center of each plant for harvest throughout the growing season. Kohlrabi: Pick when bulbs (thickened stems) reach 2 to 4 inches in diameter; depends on variety. Leeks: Pull when leeks are 1 to 11/ 2 inches in diameter and before the ground freezes. Lentils: Pick when lentil pods turn yellow. Mature seeds can be used in soups. Lettuce: If growing leaves, pick when outer, older leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. If growing heads, pick when it is moderately firm and before seed stalks start. Leaves taken from either leaf or head lettuce can be harvested once the leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. New leaves provide a continuous harvest throughout the growing season, until hot weather may bring a bitter flavor and seed stalks begin. Mushrooms: If growing edible mushrooms, pick when the mushroom is 1 to 2 inches across, but before the cap separates from the stem. Muskmelon: Pick when the base of the fruit stem begins to separate from the fruit. The fruit is almost ripe when the separation begins, but will be fully ripe when a crack appears completely around the base of the fruit stem. Mustard: Pick when outer leaves are 8 to 10 inches long. New leaves will provide continuous harvest, until flavor becomes too strong and the leaves become tough in texture from hot weather. Seeding again in late summer will provide for a crop with a milder flavor and tender texture. Okra: Pick when young and tender pods are 3 to 4 inches long, but still bright green. how to use the produce Growing Vegetable Soup A great garden book for children preschool to age 8 that explains the process of growing and using vegetables. www.uwex.edu/ces/wnep/tch_res/ res_detail.cfm?resource_id=209 Produce Oasis For information on how to prepare and/ or cook fruits and vegetables, visit: www.produceoasis.com Fabulous Fruits, Versatile Vegetables: Provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, this valuable handout provides tips on how you can meet the current recommendations for daily consumption of fruit and vegetables. www.usda.gov/cnpp/Pubs/Brochures/ FabFruits-print.pdf Get Fresh! Videos Available for purchase, this video series provides tips on selecting, storing, and preparing fruits and vegetables. For more information on the content and how to purchase these videos, visit the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program's site at: www.uwex.edu/ces/wnep/tch_res/res_ detail.cfm?resource_id=209 25
Step 7: Harvesting good time to pick continued. . . Onions: For green onion sets, pick when onions are 6 to 8 inches tall. Harvest any with round, hollow seed stalks when they appear. Continue harvesting onions until all are used. Mature onion sets do not store well. If planted from seeds or plants, harvest when tops fall over and begin to dry. Pull with tops on and dry them in a protected place, cutting tops 1 inch above bulb for further drying. Parsnips: Pick in very late fall, after early frosts, and in very early spring before growth starts. If roots are to be left in the soil over the winter, cover after early frosts with 3 to 5 inches of soil to avoid injury from alternate freezing and thawing. Peas: Pick when pods are fully developed, but still green. Edible pod peas can be picked when pods reach near full size (about 3 inches) and before seeds show appreciable enlargement. If you only want seeds for eating, pick peas when seeds are fully developed, but pods are still fresh and bright green. For Sugar Snap and Sugar Ann peas, pick when the pods are filled out. Peppers: Pick when peppers are firm, good size, and appropriate in color. In 2 to 3 weeks "mature" green peppers will be fully ripe (green will change to red). Potatoes: Pick when tubers are full size and skin is firm. "New" potatoes can be harvested at any size, but generally after the tubers are 1 1/ 4 to 1 1/ 2 inches in diameter. If you plan to store your potatoes, it is best to wait for the top of the plant to die, then dig up the potato. 26 Pumpkins: Pick when fruits are full size, the rind is firm and glossy, and the portion of the pumpkin touching the soil is cream or orange in color. Radicchio: Pick in fall, after the first frost for the best flavor. The burgundy red leaves with white midribs should be folded to resemble a small, loose, head of cabbage. Radishes: Pick when 1 to 1 1/ 2 inches in diameter. Rhubarb: Pick when stalks are 8 to 15 inches long. Flavor and tenderness are best in spring and early summer. Harvesting from well established plants may be continued throughout the season; may want to pull all leaves present just before the first fall frost. Spinach: Pick when larger leaves are 6 to 8 inches long. Pull larger, whole plants from the row until you harvest all plants. Spinach that is planted in early spring goes to seed when the days get longer. If spinach is planted in early August, it does not usually go to seed during the shorter days of fall. Squash: Pick winter squash when it is full size, the rind is firm and glossy, and the portion of the squash touching the soil is cream to orange in color. Pick summer squash when 6 to 10 inches long. Sweet Corn: Pick when kernels are fully rounded, but still filled with milky juice. Harvest about 21 days after silk appears. Pull each stalk once the last ear of corn has been harvested. Sweet Potatoes: Pick in late fall, but just before the first early frost. Make sure to dig up carefully to avoid cuts, bruises, and broken roots. Use smaller, younger roots soon after harvest, as sweet potatoes typically do not store well.
other helpful resources University of Wisconsin Urban Horticulture Website www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/fruitveggies/ HarvestDates.htm Tomatoes: Pick when fruits are fully colored. For fully ripe tomatoes, leave completely red fruits on healthy plants for 5 to 8 days during the warm, sunny days of August and very early September. Pick only fully ripe tomatoes for juice or canning to ensure full flavor, good color, and maximum sugar content. Tomatoes will ripen indoors if picked at a mature green stage or when some color is showing. Watercress: Pick tips of stems 6 to 8 inches long, especially in spring and fall. This is when leaves and stems are fully developed but still bright green and tender. Watermelon: Pick when watermelon is full size, dull in color, and the portion touching the soil turns from greenish white to cream. The tendrils nearest a melon will curl and dry up when a melon is ripe. Turnips: Pick when roots are 2 to 21/ 2 inches in diameter, but before heavy fall frosts. Harvesting Vegetables from the Home Garden UW-Extension Publication http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/A2727.PDF Freezing Fruits and Vegetables UW-Extension Publication http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/B3278.PDF Safe Canning Methods UW-Extension Publication http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/B2718.PDF Canning Vegetables Safely UW-Extension Publication http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/B1159.PDF typical dates for first fall killing frost September 13 — 19 September 20 — 26 September 27 — Oct. 3 October 4 — 10 October 11 — 17 October 18 — 24 Map information provided courtesy of Wisconline® www.wisconline.com. Used by permission. 27
step 8 Preparing for Next Year During the Growing Season try composting Compost, which is decomposed organic material, can be used in many different ways including as a soil amendment to add nutrients to your soil, as mulch around plants, or as an ingredient in potting soil. Furthermore, it can help fight disease, neutralize the pH of your soil, improve soil, protect against soil erosion, hold moisture, and help moderate soil temperature. To begin composting, find an area of level, bare ground near a water source. After choosing a place or container to store your compost, mix 1/ 3 "green" and 2/ 3 "brown" materials. Examples of "green" materials include grass clippings (from a chemical-free lawn), vegetable/fruit scraps, coffee grounds, weeds and other garden debris, feathers, hair, manure, or egg shells. Examples of "brown" materials include dry leaves, hay or straw, paper, cardboard, or dried grass clippings. Sawdust and small brush or twigs should be stored in a separate pile than the compost pile, as they tend to take longer to decompose. A sawdust or small brush pile can take up to 10 years or longer to fully decompose. After the Growing Season removing spent vegetable plants Once the plants in your garden have stopped producing fruits and vegetables, entirely remove it from your garden. For example, remove all the cucumber, pumpkin, and squash vines in your garden. You can compost these spent plants, if they have not been infected by disease or insects. add organic matter You can improve soils by adding organic residues. Organic matter helps to create good crumb-like soil structure. This allows for better water and air movement and easier root penetration. The process of decomposition using organic residues is what helps loosen heavy soils. The key to improving "heavy" soils is to add organic matter frequently. Types of organic matter that you can use include rotten manure (aged), leaves, grass clippings (from a non-chemically treated lawn), compost, green manure, crop residues or peat moss. It is best to "dig" the organic matter into your soil at least six to eight inches deep. The best time to add organic matter is in the fall, after the previous growing season. This is when soils are reasonably dry. Plant a cover crop in the fall, such as annual rye, that can be tilled into the garden soil the next spring. 28
last minute gardening tips 1. Spread Out Your Rewards: Replant beds or rows in the garden when vegetables pass their prime. For example, once the lettuce is done producing, replace the row with green beans. 2. Not Sure About the Difference of Good & Bad Bugs: Collect a sample of insects that you think are doing damage. Take your sample to a Extension agent till it up Tilling can be done mechanically via a rototiller or by hand using a spade or fork. Turning soil over and exposing the lower portion helps bury surface residue so microorganisms can decompose it. If left on the surface, crop residues act as an insulator and will slow the soil warming the next spring. If you take extra time to prepare your soil in the fall, it will make it easier come spring for next year's garden. Remember to NEVER, EVER TILL or work the soil when it is wet. If you do, the soil will form large clumps and balls and it will take even more time to create workable soil. saving seeds In general, it is not advised to save seeds from fruits and vegetables grown in the garden. Home-saved seeds of some crops can carry disease and seeds from hybrids will not grow true again. Some vegetables can be stored over the winter and transplanted outdoors the following spring for seed propagation. These vegetables include: beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, and rutabagas. Some vegetable seeds may be successfully saved. These include bean, lettuce, pea, pepper, and tomato seeds. or a garden center for identification. 3. Don't spray insecticides when crops are flowering, because it may also kill the pollinating insects. 4. If using floating row covers, be sure to lift them off of the plants occasionally to allow pollinating insects a chance to do their job. additional gardening resources and tips For additional information on gardening check with your local county UWExtension office or local garden shops. They can help with all sorts of gardening questions you may have including pests and diseases that you may experience in your garden. 29
" In the end, plants want only four things: plenty of soil moisture, plenty of air in the soil, plenty of plant food, and plenty of sunlight " — The Old Farmer's Almanac Book of Garden Wisdom
examples AND resources
s t o r i e s o f s u c c e s s f u l g a r d e n s community garden examples Hunger Taskforce of La Crosse By Linda Lee, Hunger Task Force Board Member, La Crosse, WI Hunger Task Force members were seeing very low fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income families they served and sought to help get these foods on to low-income families' tables by providing them free of charge. As a result, the Kane Street Community Garden was started in 1999. We were looking for free land to site the garden on. After we made several requests to the parks department, the City of La Crosse stepped forward and offered a one-block parcel in a low income neighborhood on the north side of the city. Initially the Planning Department opposed the $1/one-year lease the City offered to Hunger Task Force, but after seeing how it benefited the neighborhood, they eventually became supporters. The Kane Street Garden was initially supported through community donations. The first year of the garden we worked with the media to get the word out about the garden and were able to raise between $4500 and $5000 to pay for seeds, a part time coordinator, water and tools. After that, we approached the Community Development Block Grant Committee who now provides $7500/year the Kane Street Garden and $2000 for the Rotary Garden. The La Crosse Community Foundation has also provided 3 years of funding from 2000-2003 ($10,000 each year) for the garden coordinator. Grant funding has also been received from the United Way for tools and other garden expenses. The Kane Street Garden produced 40,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables in 2003 and nearly 20,000 pounds in 2004. The 2004 growing season was too wet so yield was down. A survey conducted with garden recipients in 2003 found people were receiving produce regularly from the garden, with an average of 5 to 10 pounds per week, and saved $8.90 on their weekly food bill. They also ate more fruits and vegetables as a result of their participation in the garden. The Rotary South Garden was started in 2002 in a low income south side La Crosse neighborhood to distribute healthy, fresh food to neighborhood residents. The Rotary approached the Hunger Task Force and Hamilton Elementary School (a school with more than 80% of its students on free/reduced lunch) as partners. The garden focuses on education and the surrounding neighborhood. Each Hamilton child has been to the garden several times each summer helping to plant, maintain and harvest produce. In 2003, the Rotary South Garden produced around 1,500 pounds of food; 4,000 pounds in 2004. Children are involved at both gardens but primarily at the Rotary South Garden. They help plant, maintain and harvest produce. The children seem to enjoy coming to the garden and a number of the older children come back on their own or with their parents, not as part of an organized class. Hamilton Elementary School children came to the garden, as part of summer 32
school enrichment programming. The gardens could be used to teach math, language, science as well as teamwork and how to get along with others. Each year pumpkins from another La Crosse garden are donated to a teacher of 2nd grade children at Hamilton. He uses the pumpkins to teach math (counting seeds, pumpkins, etc), language (the children write about the pumpkins) and science (how the pumpkin grows). If children actually work in the garden together they can learn teamwork skills, as many tasks require people to work together rather than alone. Each spring, volunteers are recruited from the general community and through volunteer events such as the University of WisconsinLa Crosse involvement fair. The Hunger Task Force has a booth there to recruit volunteers. Hunger Task Force works with the media to publicize the need for volunteers. Furthermore, they try and keep volunteer work days at the garden consistent (i.e. Every Saturday from 9 to noon in April & May and every Monday & Thursday from 3:30-6:30 pm in July, August and September). Master Gardeners sometimes volunteer but have not been greatly interested. For several years now, AmeriCorps volunteers have come regularly to the garden as part of their service. All in all, volunteers enjoy working at the gardens as evidenced by their returning a number of times over the course of the summer. Recipients of the garden produce are very grateful. This can all be attributed to the hard work of the Hunger Task Force staff and volunteers working at the garden. "One night when I volunteered there an older woman came up & took my hand & kept thanking me for the
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Stories of Successful Gardens Community ... School Gardens ... we have included several examples of successful community, childcare, and school gardening ...
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Koston 2 Pimento/Sail
May releases coming in early.
Skateboard Shop
May releases coming in early.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 at 10:30 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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5030 Underwood Avenue Omaha, NE 68132 | (402) 933-9113

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The evidence presentation system was designed to promote and enhance the presentation and dissemination of exhibits and evidence in the courtroom.
This system allows for the use of many forms of media as input and displays this media throughout the courtroom on flat panel LCD monitors. Also, large screen monitors can be set up to provide for increased "viewability" to the gallery.
Examples of media input would be: documents, video tape, photographs, video conferencing, X-rays, Computer based presentation software, Transparent or translucent media and 3-D Objects.
|The focal point of the evidence presentation system is the podium. The podium contains a 22-inch touch-screen monitor for viewing and mark-up of evidence sources including the document camera and various other inputs.
|The document camera is capable of displaying documents, X-rays, 3-D objects, photographs, slides and overhead transparencies. By simply placing a document or object on the platform, the image is displayed throughout the courtroom.
|The podium based 22" 10-point multi-touch touch screen monitor allows for "mark-up" augmentation of the media being presented. By applying the flesh part of a finger to the monitor surface, the user is capable of drawing freeform lines or applying an assortment of arrows or crosshairs that are superimposed on the display.
|There is also a 22-inch touch screen monitor at the witness stand. This monitor is identical in size and functionality to the one at the podium.
|The podium contains a user operated video source selector. This allows the user to switch between system inputs such as the document camera, laptop computer, Blu-Ray/DVD (video), and auxiliary (for additional electronic inputs that may be used in the future). In addition, there are power, vga and audio connections for connecting laptops and other devices to the evidence system.
|The podium also contains a BLU-RAY/DVD player. The player is compatible with virtually any disk format, including Blu-Ray, BD-R, DVD, DVD+RW/+R, DVD-RW/-R (Video Mode), CD, SVCD,VCD, CD-R/RW and MP3 Playback. There are also USB and SD Card connections for displaying media from those devices. There is a remote control that can be operated from either counsel table. The podium also houses the electronic components that gather and disseminate the media throughout the courtroom.
Images are displayed throughout the courtroom via 24-inch flat panel LCD monitors. There are a total of 15 LCD monitors: 1 each for the judge, court reporter, courtroom deputy, law clerk / probation officer, plaintiff counsel
and witness; 2 monitors for the defense counsel, and 8 monitors for the jury.
|The judge and/or courtroom deputy control who may view the media via desktop control units. These control units allow for the specific control of both input and output to the system. For example, the judge may only allow the podium and counsel to view an image until admitted. Once admitted, the witness and jury would then be allowed to view the image.
|Also, the system allows for input from each counsel table. This enables counsel to use a laptop computer as an input into the system. With this option, counsel would be able to use their own application software to present information in the courtroom.


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Turn to the nation's most objective and informative daily environmental news resource to learn how the United States and key players around the world are responding to the environmental...
By Alan Kovski
June 14 — A much-debated summary on the risks posed by hydraulic fracturing to drinking water was kicked around again June 14 by scientists discussing recommendations to improve an Environmental Protection Agency report.
The EPA draft report said it found no "widespread, systemic impacts" on drinking water from fracking. The agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) appeared likely to recommend the addition of some explanatory quantification to help justify the statement—if the statement is to be retained in the final report.
Companies now use fracking to stimulate oil or natural gas production in the vast majority of onshore drilling projects in the U.S., giving the report potential significance as a supporting document for regulatory policy.
Companies welcomed the report's summary statement as an indication that the process for creating deep underground fractures for the flow of oil or gas is basically safe. Environmental activists decried the summary.
The science advisers, discussing an advisory panel draft review of the EPA draft report, agreed June 14 that no significant changes were needed in the review, opening the way for final tinkering before a vote to send the review to the EPA. The federal agency is not obligated to make the recommended changes.
Many other recommendations were in the draft review, and the Science Advisory Board spent much time debating which recommendations to treat as priority items.
Kimberly Jones, a Howard University professor of civil and environmental engineering, appeared to speak for many of the SAB members when she said she was assuming the EPA will not be able to address every recommendation from the advisers. That was followed by much discussion of what recommendations to elevate in importance over others.
The SAB debated the extent to which the EPA report should at least acknowledge the existence of best management practices and the progressive improvement of those practices. The EPA has said it has no intention of listing or recommending best practices.
Gina Solomon, a California Environmental Protection Agency official, said the subject might not be significant, given that regulators and others are most concerned about worst management practices.
"Fundamentally, what EPA's trying to do here is talk about the potential risks from the worst actors, not the best actors," Solomon said.
The report was requested by Congress as a science-based document, not a regulatory vehicle. Individuals who spoke to the science advisers at the June 14 meeting were emphatic in their hopes that it would lead to stronger regulations.
Lynn Thorp of the group Clean Water Action said the EPA report should set out a road map to better protection of drinking water.
Melissa Troutman, executive director of Public Herald, denounced the EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for misleading the public and ignoring "rivers of evidence" that fracking harms drinking water. She called for a federal investigation of the agencies and said the state agency "has acted criminally."
The draft report's summary statement about finding no "widespread, systemic impacts" may have pleased oil and gas industry officials, but they had criticisms for some other elements of the report.
The EPA made much of the idea that fracking has occurred in "drinking water resources" and that leaks from oil or gas wells have contaminated such resources, but its definition of those resources was not confined to drinkable freshwater. It included much saline water on the theory that such water might be cleaned up enough for drinking someday.
"The draft definition of drinking water is overly broad," Bruce Thompson, president of the American Exploration and Production Council, told the science advisers during the meeting. He said the broad definition was misleading to the public. The purpose of the report was to inform, not to confuse, he said.
The EPA report appears assured of growing longer, having weighed in at 998 pages in June 2015 following agency work that started in 2011. The report is largely an overview of existing information, with about 3,500 references so far, and the science advisers are offering more than 200 additional references for inclusion.
The SAB also is recommending the addition of information about prominent pollution cases in Dimock, Pa.; Pavillion, Wyo.; and Parker County, Texas, although none of those cases has involved definitive findings from state or federal regulators.
To contact the reporter on this story: Alan Kovski in Washington at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Larry Pearl at firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright © 2016 The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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text:
Frank Halliwell
I pulled up outside an airport, and she sat there, on display,
On a little pad of concrete, like a grounded bird of prey.
I was carried in an instant by that bit of happenstance,
To an airfield near a village in the fields of northern France..
Once again I hear the bellow of the turbine's mighty song
As the waves of rolling thunder drive the sleek war-birds along...
Down the runway; ever faster, till they bid the earth good-bye,
And the gear locks into place as they leap headlong for the sky.
Rising like four homesick angels to their home among the clouds,
All around;...reverberations of their passing;... long and loud.
Four small specks far in the distance, vanishing into the blue,
Now there's nothing left but echoes and the scent of Turbo 2.
Blaring horns of angry drivers pull my mind back to to-day,
...From forty years back in the past, and half a world away.
The traffic lights have turned to green during my reverie,
For both of us are obsolete ;
The Sabre Jet and me!
439 Squadron RCAF Marville, France 1962.
Visit - The Tiger's Den
Return to Frank's verse index


text:
Aerial Dance Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of our funders and sponsors:
Our donors value the artistic vibrancy within our communities and breathe life into our vision. Ticket and class tuition revenue covers only a portion of expenses required to operate our organization. Donors truly are critical to keeping our programs thriving in our community.
Support Aerial Dance Chicago by making a tax-deductible contribution today. Contact us for more details about how you can sponsor our programs.
Make a donation today


text:
So one of the things that's difficult for me as a parent is that I am often forced—despite the personality I was born with—to be a social creature. I cannot, for example, say to the boy who assails me after school with a really very sweet request to join me and two of my daughters for lunch, "Are you out of your little 5-year-old mind? It's Friday, it's raining, the hems of my jeans are soaked, and all I want to do is go home, so no. No, you cannot join us for lunch. Ya little shit."
I can't say it for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which is because the two daughters in question are tugging on my sweater sleeve and saying, "Please Mom? Please? Please can B come to lunch with us?" over and over and over again. And I also can't say it because the kid is standing there wearing his little Independent skateboard hoodie, and his Dad is standing next to him wearing the exact same one, and they are sort of forlorn and hapless, the two of them. And also there is the fact that though this kid raises such a ruckus in the classroom, he is unfailingly gallant in all things concerning R & V. In fact, I have seen him on the playground tending to Risa when she falls, and taking other boys to task when they are what he judges too rough for my girls.
So instead of saying what I want to say, I say, "Of course, B! That would be excellent!" and then I tell his Dad which restaurant we are heading to, and they follow us in the exact kind of car that you would suspect a father and son who wear matching Independent skateboard hoodies to follow us in.
And everything goes okay conversation-wise, until it becomes apparent that B has taken R & V into his confidence on several personal family matters, and though Risa is admirably discreet, Vida is decidedly not. "So," she says between bites of her hamburger, "you and your wife split up?"
Oh. My. Gouda. Blindsided. I am completely blindsided. How do I gracefully extricate us from the direction in which this is going, oh how, how, how, I panic. Before I can think of a way, B's father says, "Uh-huh. Except we were never married."
This is when I realize the plain truth: there is no way to extricate us from the direction in which this is going. Don't you know who this is? I want to tell him. This is Vida. When it comes to shizz like this, she is nothing short of a dog with a bone.
And sure enough:
"You weren't?" she says. She mulls it over. "But you were in love."
"That must have been difficult," she says.
"Yeah. It was."
And then—finally—before she can ask the guy to explain in excruciating detail exactly how it feels to have one's still-beating heart ripped out of one's chest and stomped on in full view of friends and family, all while trying to protect his beloved son from the fallout, I think of an escape:
"Who wants a milkshake," I scream. "Does anyone want a milkshake? Let's get milkshakes! Milkshakes for everyone!"


text:
University of Washington School of Public Health
Job Listing
Programmer Analyst Trainee - Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
Full-time position
Closing Date: January 12, 2018
Posted: October 25, 2017
We're pleased to share this announcement of our 2018 Programmer Analyst training program at the Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research (DOR) in Oakland, California. This program is designed to identify promising programmer analyst trainees and to provide them with skills and experience to begin careers as research programmer analysts. Could you please share this announcement with your department and students?s
Paid trainee positions, including benefits, are available to candidates who have recently completed a master's degree program in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Statistics or related fields. Positions begin with a 6 month training period and follow with an option for successful trainees to continue their role at the end of their training program. We plan for the trainees to start work at the Division of Research in June 2018.
The goals of this program include: 1) Developing trainees' skills in programming and analysis techniques for research projects, 2) Providing opportunities for trainees to contribute to epidemiologic and health research studies and 3) Helping successful trainees prepare for related careers at the DOR and Kaiser Permanente.
We will accept applications starting now through January 14, 2018 for the July - December 2018 program.
To request an application form, please contact us at email@example.com


text:
The mentoring program has begun. If members need mentoring, there are people available from 9:30-10 to help.
Bozeman Weaver's Guild is hosting a conference in June 2018. Looks like all kinds of classes. http://www.bozemanweaversguild.org/maws-2018/
- Measuring hand spun
- yarn winders & niddy noddy
- wraps per inch (wpi)
- weighing
- Utilizing Ravelry to find patterns to knit & crochet
Show & Tell
The creativity of members is always amazing and inspiring. The following were brought in to give ideas to members of what to do with their new handspun.
Creations from Arne & Carlos:
Purchases from Fiber Fusion (Monroe):
Handwoven work:


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June 21, 2017
Google village is taking shape in downtown San Jose, where the city is in negotiations to sell 16 government- and city-owned land parcels to the tech giant. Eventually, they could become part of a massive six- to eight-million-square-foot tech campus and transit-oriented village near Diridon Station and SAP Center.
The land assemblage has been underway for some time, with Dallas-based Trammell Crow leading the way. Last year, it unveiled plans for Diridon, a mixed-use project with 940,000 square feet of office, roughly 35,000 square feet of retail and dining and 325 residential units.
The recent buying frenzy involves TC Agoge Associates and Rhyolite Enterprises, which have acquired additional parcels for a combined $130 million. Trammell Crow, Google's partner for Google village, acquired three properties at 559, 567 and 573 W. Julian St., and one at 20 S. Autumn St. Trammell Crow secured options on at least four more parcels nearby.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser
Tags: Acquisition, Development, Office


text:
Rebecca Liggero finds out what poker pros 'average Joe' poker players want to play against.
Is there a "Question of the Day" you'd like one of our reporters to ask the industry? If so send it on over.
Click here for other industry Questions of the Day.
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text:
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text:
Dear Doc | What's the cost of a circumcision?
Q Good day, Doc. I'm a 20-year-old male and I was wondering what's the average cost for a circumcision?
A Thanks for your question. I was informed by a local surgeon that the average cost for this procedure at your age would be $135,000 if local anaesthetic is used, and $180,000 if you require general anaesthesia.
This is just an average estimate to have the procedure in a private health facility.
Please note that this is also offered free of cost in government-run hospitals. However, these facilities are faced with many challenges and you may be given a long appointment. Best of luck.
Recurring rash on my vulva
Q Good day, Doc. I am in my early 20s and I keep having a reoccurring bruise or rash on my vulva. I use to think it was the creams I use to remove the hair, but now even when there is pubic hair, it still occurs. Is it something I should be concerned about? I am not in an intimate relationship. I am very concerned.
A All genital rashes should be investigated as there are numerous causes. Certain features of the rash - such as it's size, colour, texture, if it is itchy, associated with fever, vaginal discharge or enlarged lymph nodes - are important clues for a diagnosis. So, it is important that you be examined by your doctor, who may take a swab of the rash and, perhaps, do a blood test to find the exact cause.
Based on the limited history you have given, some of the likely causes are: an allergic reaction to the creams you have been using, fungal infection. The herpes virus is a common cause of a recurring genital rash in sexually active individuals. Please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Can surgery to loosen my foreskin compromise sensitivity?
Q Dear Doc, I am a 28-year-old male who suffers from phimosis, but only when erect. But in recent weeks, retraction of the prepuce has become increasingly difficult, even when flaccid. I had preputioplasty in mind, but my urologist recommend that I do frenuloplasty instead. However, my concern is that the post-op foreskin will be too loose with nothing to hold it up. Also, the most sensitive area of the penile gland is the back, where the frenulum meets the opening of the urethra. Will frenuloplasty compromise the level of sensitivity coming from that area in any way, shape, or form? Is my urologist correct in saying that frenuloplasty is a more viable option than freputioplasty?
A These are very important questions, and are ones on which research papers can be written. However, for the sake of our readers who are not familiar with the technical terms you used, let us define them.
Phimosis is a condition where the penile foreskin cannot be pulled back past the glans (the head) of the penis. This occurs in varying degrees. Most men are born with a certain degree of phimosis, but this usually resolves on it's own by age seven, and only about one per cent of males are said to have the condition past their teen years. This can lead to discomfort during sex and increased rate of fungal infection may cause problems with urination.
The two procedures you mentioned are surgery which loosens the foreskin without totally removing it. Preputioplasty involves making a vertical cut in the foreskin along the back or sides of the penis then closing them across.
Frenuloplasty, on the other hand, involves cutting and lengthening the slip of flesh that attaches the foreskin to the head of the penis from the under surface.
Your concerns are well founded, and since the penis is such a vital organ, we need to examine this delicate issue.
It has been found that the under surface of the head of the penis in the region, where the frenulum attaches, is the most sensitive. Some call it the 'male G-spot'. Cutting into that area, just like in any other area, will inevitably cut through some nerves. Some men who have had the procedure do complain of hyper/extra sensitivity which can be uncomfortable.
Preputioplasty is more commonly performed on children, as it has a better success rate in this age group, possibly due to their thinner, softer foreskins. This procedure is also not very effective in those who have had repeated infections of the foreskin. You did mention that your foreskin was getting more difficult to pull back, which indicates possible inflammation.
I suggest that you have a detailed discussion with your urologist regarding your situation, and the pros and cons of the treatment methods available to you, so that you are at peace with your final decision.
Could I be pregnant?
Q Dear Doc, my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for a few months now. However, after hearing about the Zika outbreak, we've decided to give it a break. We decided to go with coitus interruptus. My menses started acting very strange last month. It was 10 days late! This month I notice that it was seven days late. I took two pregnancy tests and they both came out negative - could I still be pregnant? What are the other factors that could cause a delay? I would be very elated to know I was pregnant for sure, but extremely worried if I was, with the Zika going around.
I want to weigh my options as I'm also terrified of visiting the doctor's office unless it's a must. Patiently awaiting your response.
A Stress and anxiety affect the body's hormones, which can interfere with your period. Other factors which can cause a delay or irregularity include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise which also create hormonal changes, due to a difference in percentage body fat. Medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and thyroid problems are also factors, as they are related to your body's metabolism.
Some types of blood pressure and anti-allergy medication can cause a delay in the menses.
Please note that the normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, so you may not be late at all. Just ensure that you are tracking it accurately.
Sometimes if a pregnancy test (the urine-based kit that can be bought over the counter) is done too early after a missed period, it may come back negative as the pregnancy hormone levels are not yet high enough in the urine to be detected. Drinking lots of water before the test will lead to a similar scenario as a diluted urine will have a low concentration of the pregnancy hormone. So it's best to do the test using the first early morning urine. Caffeine is also known to cause frequent, dilute urine, which creates the same problem. Always ensure that you check the expiry date on the kit; if it is outdated, it could give you misleading results.
Having a pregnancy outside the womb, such as in the tubes, can also give you a negative result with the urine test kit.
Your concern about the Zika virus during pregnancy is well founded as it is known to cause significant deformity in the developing baby in the early stages. This virus is known to be transmitted by semen, so if you are indeed pregnant, condoms are a necessity if you do decide to have intercourse during this period. The usual precautions such as mosquito mesh, debushing and getting rid of stagnant water in your environment are necessary to reduce the chances of you and your partner contracting this virus.
What should you do? I think the answer is now clear, visit your doctor, who will lay these matters to rest.
- Have Dear Doc answer your questions at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Dec 12, 2012
Man of Steel
Okay, so first 2/3rds of the movie will be angsty teen superman and then angsty hobo superman. Then in the last 30 minutes we gets the explosions and action. Look do we really need another Superman origin story. Who on God's green earth doesn't know Superman's origin by now? Would anybody be upset if they just started the movie with him already being Superman? I don't think anybody would mind, not at all.
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text:
ok, so this is basically an age old trick for getting wavy hair. put it in plaits and go to bed right? i used to do this all the time, but the problem is, i like to wash my hair every morning, and having it in plaits means i can't! soooo i like to do this instead.
start with relatively dry hair, prep it with heat protectant and any styling produts you like to use, like mousee or gel. personally i dont like to use these things but i do LOVE beadhead cocky which is volumising and heat protecting, so thats what ive used here before blowdrying.
section your hair from ear to ear, and clip the top half out of the way. split the bottom section in half and secure one side with something.
start plaiting th section you have left, which should be a quarter of your hair. i do quarters bcause i have thin hair, but if you have thicker hair you might want to do more sections. the bogger your sections, the looser your waves will be.
secure the end of the plait and start on the other side. once you have done the whole bottom half, unclip the top half and split it in two, and plait both sections. you should have 4 plaits.
grab your straighteners, and clamp them down hard on the top of one of the braids.
undo the braids, and losen the waves slighly with your fingers
spritz with a little bit of dry shampoo to mattify and mess it up a bit. volumising powder is better for this but is waaay more expensive than good ol' batiste!


text:
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text:
Empires Quotes
Winston Churchill came closest to describing the conflict's immensity and importance when he called it the first world war, with the prize being the eastern half of North America... The war brought about a shift that opened a four-decade-long overture to an age of empires and revolutions that endured from the mid-18th century until the beginning of the 20th. - Fred Anderson
We've suffered a war, and one thing we know: Whenever our nation's faced war, whether it was in the 1980s when we were winning the Cold War or in the 1940sI love Age of Empires and I play RTS games all the time, I respect what they've accomplished. during World War II, the responsible thing to do has been to borrow money to win the war. - Ken Mehlman
Page 1 of 6


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There were numerous audio problems from the '2012 KBS Music Festival,' which frustrated many viewers. However, the good that came out of the sound issues is that it helped everyone realize the true artists that could sing powerfully live, in K-Pop.
Of the many idol groups in the lineup that managed to perform brilliantly, many of them couldn't keep their vocals intact. The ones that excelled at singing live were 2AM, K.Will, Hyorin, Ailee, SHINee, Noel, INFINITE, and TVXQ.
Well-known vocalists such as 2AM and its members, K.Will, Hyorin, Ailee, and Noel overcame the difficulties of sound system issues, but what was notable was that the members of SHINee and TVXQ were able to belt out incredible notes while matched with their complicated choreographies. INFINITE also did well as a dance group, sounding incredibly experienced and in tune.Viewers especially praised lead vocalist Jonghyun of SHINee for his well done performance.
Who did you think was the best performance at the '2012 KBS Music Festival?'
Source: Allkpop
Article by Emily & Rachel
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry


text: There is a certain type of novel which pulls you into a marvelous ecosystem and leaves you wondering at the bustling enterprise and unquenchable spirit of the men and women running this mini-world. Arthur Hailey is probably the creator and undoubted Master of this genre. He had spent a lifetime meticulously chronicling the great advancements in old industries and new ones in the latter half of the twentieth century. Each of these varied sectors (hotel management in Hotel, aviation in Airport, banking in Moneychangers to name a few) play such crucial roles in modern life that we can't conceive life without them; Hailey brings forth their wonders, secrets, achievements and fallacies in unparalleled style.