Big Garden, Small Space US44 by Garden Culture Magazine

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CONTENTS

A TRILLION TREES TO

ON THE ROAD

FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE!

SOUTH AFRICA

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36 GREAT FOR PROMOTING GROWTH

FOR ROOTING CUTTINGS & TRANSPLANTS

• Will Not Burn When Used as Directed ROOTING CUTTINGS:

1. Add 4 tbsp (65 ml) per 1 gal (3.8 liters) of water. Soak grow plugs / rockwool cubes for 10 mins. 2. In a small container mix 1 part Azos with 2 parts water. 3. Dip tips of new cuttings in solution for 15 seconds and set in plugs. *For best results adjust water pH to 6.0 before mixing with Azos. Propagation machines: (ex. EZ cloner, Turbo cloner) 1. Adjust pH of water to 6.0. 2. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) Azos per gallon (3.8 L) of water.

TRANSPLANTING:

Add to hole, directly around plant roots or dust entire root ball. Set plant, backfill and water. 1-3 gal (3.8-11.4 L) container: 5-7 gal (18.9-26.5 L) container: 10-20 gal (37.9-75.7 L) container: 25-50 gal (94.6-189.3 L) container: 100 gal (378.5 L) container:

1 tbsp (15 ml) 2 tbsp (30 ml) 3 tbsp (45 ml) 4 tbsp (60 ml) ½ cup (120 ml)

IN GROUND AND RAISED BED APPLICATIONS:

1 tbsp (15 ml) per plant hole

WHEN WATERING: 5 gal (18.9 L): 25 gal (94.6 L): 50 gal (189.3 L): 100 gal (378.5 L):

2 tbsp (30 ml) 3-4 tbsp (45-60 ml) 6-8 tbsp (90-120 ml) ¾ -1 cup (180-240 ml)

FOR XTREME RESULTS:

Apply once every two weeks. Repeat application after heavy watering. Mix with warm water (65-80 0F) (18-27 0C). Use Mykos® when transplanting.

GREAT FOR VEGETABLES, FRUITS, HERBS & FLOWERS

CAN-XGAZ20LB-20220318

Net Wt: 20 lb / 9.07 kg Expiration:

Azos is a naturally occurring bacteria that benefits plant growth. Azos converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form of nitrogen that is readily available to the plant. Great for containers, raised beds, and row crops.

WARRANTY: Any liability, expressed or implied, is limited to the purchase price of this product. CAUTION: Keep out of reach of children & animals. While handling this product the use of protective gear is suggested to avoid direct contact with skin or eyes. In case of direct contact wash thoroughly or seek medical attention if signs of irritation appear. If inhaled or ingested move person to fresh air and give large amounts of water to drink. For any health emergencies, call your local poison control center. STORAGE: Store in a cool, dry place. Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available on the internet at http://www.aapfco.org/metals.htm MANUFACTURED BY Reforestation Technologies International 5355 Monterey Frontage Road, Gilroy, CA 95020 1-800-784-4769

Net Wt: 20 lb / 9.07 kg

Registration Number 2022741A Fertilizer Act

LOCAL GROWERS 83

XTREME GARDENING

• Use for Rooting Cuttings & Transplants • Promotes Growth • Great for Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, & Flowers

I N C R E A S E N U T R I E N T U P TA K E

ORGANIC ROOT ENHANCER

GREAT FOR VEGETABLES, FRUITS, HERBS & FLOWERS Contains at least 136,000 microbes per lb Net Wt: 20 lb / 9.07 kg

SMALL GROW ROOM TIPS, TRICKS, AND FAILURES

I N TH IS ISSU E O F

GA R D E N CULTURE :

LIGHTING A SMALL INDOOR GARDEN 18

9 Foreword

58 Try Something New With These Homemade Fermented Brews!

11 Author Spotlight

63 Growing Up In Vacant Building

13 Marketplace

66 Hops Latent Viroid - A Disease Devastating Many Industries

18 Lighting a Small Indoor Grow Room

68 5 Tips For Your Best Indoor Grow Yet

24 Small Food Garden Solutions

72 On The Road - South Africa

30 Small Grow Room Tips,Tricks, and Failures

78 Tissue Culture III - Sterile Technique

36 A Trillion Trees To Fight Climate Change!

83 Local Growers

40 Five Steps to Averting Climate Change in Your Garden

88 How to Pick An Air Conditioner For Small-Scale Grows

48 Cannabis In Tune With The Cosmos - Biodynamics

91 Garden Therapy: Stop And Smell The Roses

52 Food Forests Use Permaculture Practices To Create Opportunities

94 5 Cool Ways

For Learning, Community Growth And Enhanced Food Sovereignty 7

FOREWORD & CREDITS

FOREWORD

ince I can remember, plants have been an essential and enjoyable part of my life. My grandmother had two green thumbs, and she knew how to make the most of

the little light that her small Montreal apartment granted her. I admired her gardens, indoors and out. Now my kids marvel at the ones we have made and talk about the gardens they will one day create.

The problem? I want more, but I don’t have space. We make the most of our windows, balconies, and limited summer season, but the real trick is to have an indoor garden. If you are reading this, you probably know what I mean. The indoor grow room is the answer to all your gardening needs. Space limitation always becomes an issue when you are an avid gardener. You need a veg space and a flowering room. What about clones and seedlings? What happens if some plants are sick or have bugs? Do you have a place to quarantine them? Perhaps you also want to grow mushrooms. Where can they go? Mine are in my daughter’s bedroom while she is off to college! You get the picture. The more you get into it, the more you want to grow. As a Canadian, the idea that I can grow anything in my grow room is fascinating. I can’t imagine life without a garden.

CREDITS Special thanks to: Adam Clarke, Alan Creedon, Alber t Mondor, Anne Gibson, Av Singh & Jamie Fochuk, Dr. Callie Seaman, Catherine Sherriffs, Jennifer Cole, Jonah Tacoma, Judy Nauseef, Mar tyna Krol, Philip McIntosh, Regi Oneton, and Rich Hamilton. PRESIDENT Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-233-1539 E XECU T I V E ED I TO R Celia Sayers celia@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-1539 ED I TO R Catherine Sherriffs cat@gardenculturemagazine.com DESIGN Job Hugenholtz job@gardenculturemagazine.com D I G I TA L & SO CI A L MARKETING social@gardenculturemagazine.com ADVERTISING ads@gardenculturemagazine.com

This subject is at the core of what Garden Culture is all about. Our mission is to help you be better growers and to help teach people how to use their unique space as effectively and efficiently as possible. This edition has some great articles, from tissue culture (part 3) and picking an air conditioner for small spaces to lighting, biodynamics, ferments, and so much more. We hope you love this edition as much as we do.

PUBLISHER 325 Media INC 44 Hyde Rd, Mille-Isles QC, Canada J0R 1A0 GardenCultureMagazine.com ISSN 2562-3567 (Print) · ISSN 2562-3575 (Online) Garden Culture is published six times a year, both in print and online.

Please visit us at GCMAG.co where all articles from the past ten years are there for you to search. Or, follow us on our social media; that would be cool too. :0) Happy Gardening,

Eric 3

@GardenCulture

@GardenCultureMagazine

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

There isn’t anything about gardening I don’t enjoy. There’s always something new happening and things to learn

Author Spotlight

Jennifer Cole

ennifer Cole is one of Garden Culture’s newest writers, and we are so happy to add her voice to our pages! Hailing from beautiful Vancouver, British

Columbia, Jennifer is a passionate gardener who loves to share tips and tricks from her growing experiences in her urban oasis. You can find many enter taining and informative reads by Jennifer on our blog (GCMag.co), and in this edition, we hope you enjoy her look at food forests from around the world. So let’s get to know her a bit better, shall we?

What is your favorite plant to grow?

What is your favorite animal/insect?

The list keeps growing (excuse the pun)! My absolute favorite vegetable to grow in my small urban garden is kale. It tolerates part shade, which my garden has a lot of, and is a staple for salads and smoothies, yielding a good harvest for a long time. As for ornamental plants, I love hydrangea. They’re generally reliable, coming back year after year, and add color to the landscape for a long time in the summer. That makes them a star in my mind.

My garden has a lot of hummingbirds and bees. I love seeing them at work, going from one plant to the next, knowing that they are helping the garden’s small ecosystem and further aiding in overall plant health.

Do you grow organic? Yes, absolutely. Working with nature as much as possible to grow anything is better for the plant and the planet.

What’s your favorite activity to do outside of work? There isn’t anything about gardening I don’t enjoy. There’s always something new happening and things to learn. It’s how I relax and unplug. I never take my phone out to the garden, so I’m not bothered by texts or calls and can spend hours lost and nurturing the space. Anytime there’s an opportunity to connect to nature is valuable and awe-inspiring, even in my small garden space. 3

What is your favorite food? I have a gluten-free diet, so it often boils down to salads and vegetables. Asparagus is coming into season, and that’s a definite favorite. Strawberries top the list too, but a gluten-free penne with homemade marinara sauce and parmesan cheese is the epitome of comfort food.

Are you interested in writing for Garden Culture Magazine? We’d love to hear from you! Send us an email introducing yourself with a sample of your work. editor@gardenculturemagazine.com 11

LET’S GROW ©2020 - MAMMOTH IS A COLORADO BASED COMPANY THAT DEVELOPS SCIENTIFICALLY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS TO MAXIMIZE CROP PRODUCTIVITY. MAMMOTH® IS A BRAND OF GROWCENTIA, INC / FOR MORE INFORMATION MAMMOTHMICROBES.COM

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Head Masta A powerful bud quality booster that triggers more significant cell division and trichome development by stimulating the natural creation of phytohormones responsible for increased metabolic functions (uptake of nutrients and CO2), cell enlargement, and resin production. Head Masta contains vitamins and minerals required to conver t excess light and nutrients into high-quality proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates, increasing bud weight, density, and resin production. An organic-based, fermented product with a blend of naturally occurring Silica, Amino Acids, and polysaccharides, Head Masta is PGR-free and safe to use in all growing mediums and systems.

Rocket Seeds Merch Has Finally Dropped! With two incredible options for rolling trays, Rocket Seed’s medium size metal rolling tray comes with a lid so that you can bring your “garden” wherever you go. With a sleek look and convenient size, this metal tray is perfect for traveling with your greens, ensuring you’re always ready for a sesh. The small tray is ideal for those who would rather keep the party right at home. These two products together are perfect for a matching set or if you would like to be the life of the party anywhere you go. Check out RocketSeeds.com/merch

Go to CXHorticulture.com for more info.

MARKETpLACE Pacific Substrates Designed to meet the needs of all levels of growers by making commercial-quality materials available at lower cost, Pacific Substrates utilizes efficient procedures to create these blends of mushroom compost and spawn and bring superior products to the market. Paddy Poo™ is a broad range compost-based substrate mix that will help you grow incredible mushrooms. This blend promotes increased yields and provides the ideal nutrients for compost-loving mushroom varieties. Goonie Grains™ is a production-ready grain spawn mix to help you grow thriving mycelium. This oat and sorghum blend maximizes inoculation points and is ideal for grain masters and bulk transfers. Learn more at LeftCoastWholesale.com

Grasshopper Those in the industry dedicate a substantial amount of thought, time, and financial investment into every aspect of what goes into creating a sought-after final product. You can now extend that same amount of care into weighing and packing your product at the end of its journey. The Grasshopper is an all-in-one tool that sets a higher standard of maximum efficiency for the bulk packing process.The Grasshopper saves time and protects the quality and integrity of your product by preventing spills during the crucial bulk packing stage. Manufactured in the U.S. and made from foodgrade recyclable HDPE. Perfect your process and create a stronger finish for your product. An asset in any cultivating, processing and provisioning facility, large or small, the addition of the Grasshopper will leave you pleasantly satisfied. Visit HortUSWholesale.com for more great products distributed by HortUS Wholesale.

Xtreme MYKOS & AZOS

Now Available in Canada! High-performance, biological inoculants increase crop quality and yields while also improving nutrient and water management. MYKOS is a beneficial soil microbe that enhances root structure by forming a symbiotic relationship with a host plant. As an extension of the roots, MYKOS increases the plant’s ability to source nutrients and water more efficiently in exchange for carbohydrates. It can also increase crop yields and secondary metabolites. Apply weekly through vegetative and early flower stages.

AZOS is an all-natural, growth-promoting, nitrogen-fixing bacteria ideal for cloning and transplanting. It converts nitrogen into a usable form that is readily available to the plant. Nitrogen is critical for forming vegetative matter and supporting abundant growth. AZOS promotes growth while boosting natural root development. MYKOS and AZOS work in all types of growing media and can be used in combination with synthetic and natural fertilizers. Great for vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, whether growing in a container, raised beds, or row crops. Visit Xtreme-Gardening.com to learn more.

GARDEN PRODUCTS

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The Athena Pro line is now available in new 10lbs and 25lbs box formats. The 10lbs boxes contain five 2lbs bags, and the 25lbs box contains five 5lbs bags of granulated nutrient fertilizer. Athena recommends mixing Pro Line in small amounts before mixing in the reservoir, and these new formats allow the grower to do so easily. Athena Pro Line is Ideal for mixing stock tanks and is compatible with all dosing systems. This large-grind mix is 100% soluble and will not clog irrigation systems or leave sediment in reservoirs. • • • • •

Balanced NPK and essential microelements (when used with Pro Core) Fully soluble dry fertilizer, no particulates or sediment Works with any dosing system: Dosatron, Netaflex, Rhythm Mixes completely at room temperature Low heavy metal content

Available through BioFloral.com

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

visit: GCmag.co/Product-Spotlight 17

BY RICH HAMILTON

Lighting a small

indoor

garden If the grow room is small or has an irregular shape, the importance of selecting the correct kind of grow lights increases 18

SMALL SPACE LIGHTING

hoosing the right light for an indoor growing environment is crucial. It’s a decision that can be the difference between a poor yield with complications and an easy, problem-free grow with bumper returns. If the grow room is small or has an irregular shape, the importance of selecting the correct kind of grow lights increases.

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for 2. CFL Units: These are mainly used in the propagation part of a plant’s cycle. You can use CFLs throughout your plant’s entire life by alternating between the blue and red spectrum. However, remember that using CFLs throughout flowering will result in lower yields.

The three different types of grow lights available on the market today are as follows: • • •

CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) HID (High-Intensity discharge) LED (Light Emitting Diode)

3. CFL Bulbs: These look like giant energy-saving lightbulbs. They come in different light spectrums and can be hung vertically or horizontally, making them great for tight or awkward spaces. CFL bulbs run cool on very low wattages. Great for small areas where excess heat may be an issue. CFL bulbs are notoriously fragile, so be careful.

CFL CFL grow lights are the most economical option, reliable for raising seeds, cuttings, and vegetative growth. In addition, CFLs produce little heat, don’t consume much power, and don’t require a ballast, making them suitable for small gardens or tight budgets.

HID Grow Lights

Although you can use CFLs throughout flower, the lack of heat means that yields will be poorer than if an alternative light source is used. In colder climates, you may need a heater to compensate for the cool running of the CFLs; this may be an issue if you are already struggling for space in a small growing environment.

HID is a long-time favorite of indoor growers at both the hobby and commercial levels. HID comprises a double or single-ended lamp, a reflector and a ballast/driver. Various configurations are available. Sometimes, the ballast is separate from the reflector and the light, and other times it is one fixed unit.

CFL lighting units come in three main configurations:

HID lights are extremely powerful, give off a lot of heat (at both the bulb and the driver/ballast), and consume a lot of electricity. Depending on what type you are using, they may also require unique fixtures and ballasts. If using digital ballasts, check if they emit radio frequency interference or RFI.

1. CFL Strips: This single strip light is sometimes housed within a frame that holds multiple CFL strips. This light fixture generally comes in lengths of two to four feet and is sold in doubles, four-bar configurations, and singles. They are powered from end to end and are hung lengthways.

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Choosing the right light for an indoor growing environment is crucial HID (High-Intensity discharge)

CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) 19

SMALL SPACE LIGHTING

HID is a long-time favorite of indoor growers at both the hobby and commercial levels High-Pressure Sodium HID lights are around 1,000 watts Large plants love (HPS) Grow Lights and employ electronics such as balHID lights. The light HPS lights radiate light in the orlasts to harness and control this ange to red spectrum and are best power. This equipment has proven intensity penetrates for flower. However, their lack to be a notorious source of interfarther into the foliage of light in the blue range makes ference to radio signals. Radio frethem less suitable for veg. On the quency is usually transmitted bethan other bulbs negative side, HPS lights use high tween 100kHz-300GHz. If there’s amounts of energy and create a lot of any electronic equipment near your heat, which needs to be appropriateradio that uses the same frequency ly managed with a ventilation system. If you only have the range, you’ll often hear a buzzing sound. chance to buy one of the two bulbs for your entire grow cycle, choose the HPS bulb over an MH bulb, as it will perIf your ballast is broadcasting RFI, consider switching to form better overall. magnetic ballasts. As well as being disruptive to electronic items in your home, RFI could attract unwanted attention to your indoor growing venture. Anyone with an AM radio HPS Dual Spectrum could pass by and detect the interference. HPS is highly recommended as an excellent all-around growing and flowering lamp. These lights deliver enough Large plants love HID lights. The light intensity penetrates blue and red light to be used throughout veg and flower, farther into the foliage than other bulbs. This lighting opsaving on the need for two separate bulbs. They generally tion is popular as HIDs are reasonably priced and produce come in 600w and 1000w capabilities. However, the heat excellent yields. produced can be excessive once again, so adequate ventilation is required. These lights, therefore, may not be ideal There are three different types of HID lamps: for small grow environments. 1. HPS (High-pressure sodium) Bulbs: These lights are best for flowering (low spectrum). 2. MH (metal halide) Bulbs: These lights are best for vegetative growth (high spectrum). 3. Metal Halide (MH) Grow Lights: MHs are most suitable for veg, producing light in the blue spectrum. It is possible to use MH lights throughout your entire grow cycle. However, it is recommended to move to the HPS for flower for best results.

SMALL SPACE LIGHTING

you will see a good return on your money after the initial investment with LEDs. Yields will be higher, and energy use will be much lower

LED

LEDs typically last

1. The panel unit: These are excelLED grow lights are the most costly lent for small or irregular-shaped indoor and innovative range on the market. for 50,000 hours+, growing environments. They are generalHowever, you will see a good return ly square or rectangular and roughly the on your money after the initial investwhereas HID bulbs same size as an entry-level HID unit. All ment with LEDs. Yields will be higher, and energy use will be much lower. generally last 10,000- the diodes are set up on a single panel in these LED units. In addition, the cool-running of LEDs eliminates the risk of heat damage 18,000 hours 2. Strip Panels: The diodes are and fire hazards. This and the low spaced in large strip panels within a profile design makes them great for square frame. These units are great for growing rooms where space is tight. vast open spaces but not so suitable for small spaces. The smallLEDs typically last for 50,000 hours+, whereas HID bulbs est area you can use these units is 1.2m squared. However, even generally last 10,000-18,000 hours. You can use LED syswhen growing in 1.2m squared, you may still feel restricted in tems throughout the grow cycle without switching bulbs. height. If your ventilation kit is placed high up in the room, the LED systems can be versatile with both fixed spectrum highest you can raise your light will be to the lowest point of and variable spectrum models. your extraction. This leaves a large section of space wasted in your growing environment, which is not ideal if your growing The use of low-quality electronics in LEDs can exacerbate environment is already tight for space. the situation. You can avoid RFI by purchasing LED lights with quality components that will cause fewer issues. 3. The Rectangle Panel: These are the smallest LED units. The diodes are housed in sections of a larger heat sink panel. A fixed spectrum LED grow light emits a light specYou would need two of these units to match the equivalent HID trum engineered and optimized to meet the needs of your yields. Luckily, they are usually sold in pairs. This model is at the plants. If you choose fixed spectrum lighting, opt for a pretop end of the price bracket. But as they are so compact and mium brand as some budget brands may not produce the versatile, they are perfect for small and unconventionally shaped scope claimed. indoor growing environments. A variable spectrum LED grow light allows you LED lights might be expensive, but they are the future of indoor to influence plant growth by increasing or decreasing blue gardening. They use less energy, last longer and are safer. They and red light levels. This helps steer your plants through are fully controllable and customizable and produce significantly the grow cycle faster and tailor the light range to meet the better quality yields. They work efficiently in grow rooms of all needs of specific crops. Variable spectrums also give you shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a small space, an irregular space, more control over your final product’s weight, density, or even a large commercial indoor grow, they get the job done. and potency. LED lighting units come in all shapes and sizes; however, there are three leading models:

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for. If you want excellent quality and yields, you have to spend on quality foundations to build that success. 3 2323

BY ANNE GIBSON

Small

Food Garden Solutions

Good design and careful plant choices can open up opportunities for many gardeners.

SMALL FOOD GARDEN

Ornamental Lily Pilly hedge species tenants were replaced with edibles

rban food gardeners are often challenged by confined spaces with limited options for growing

Layering coir peat compost and manure over the green waste in the base of the raised bed

edibles. Many people have to juggle the functionality of outdoor spaces. It can be tricky to balance outdoor seating, lawn for pets and children to play, privacy screens from neighbors and structural elements like the clothesline and bins. So how do you squeeze food into already tight areas?

Many of my clients have small properties and experience these limitations but are still keen to grow food, especially in uncertain times. Food security has become a higher priority for many homeowners and beginner gardeners. However, in urban suburbs and densely populated estates, most properties have narrow access down the sides of the home. These areas often lack privacy and are underutilized or overshadowed by neighboring buildings. Limited sunlight and wind tunnels are common issues. Boundary fences are usually very close to the house eaves with very little room for planting. Understandably, many homeowners choose low maintenance ornamental plants for landscaping. However, some ornamental shrubs and trees can take up valuable space without providing tangible benefits regarding food, privacy or habitat. So how can we overcome these common challenges and find room for edibles?

Small Space Design Good design and careful plant choices can open up opportunities for many gardeners. Let’s take a look at some examples. Amy and Lachlan are a busy young couple with two dogs and a new baby. Their backyard consists of a tiny lawn, paved outdoor entertaining area and hedging plants to provide privacy between their very close neighbors. Their goal is to grow at least some fruit, vegetables and herbs. However, the only way they could make room for some edible species was to be tough ‘landlords.’ Some of their ornamental plant ‘tenants’ were taking up valuable real estate. The attractive hedge species did provide privacy, but they needed regular pruning. They were in a prime position for sunlight during winter and morning sun/afternoon shade in summer. This ideal food garden position was wasted by ‘leasing’ out this zone to existing non-edibles. They removed three large trees with thoughtful redesign and had room to use the space wisely while not sacrificing their privacy—a highly productive decision.

Screening trees were replaced with decorative privacy panels, fruiting crops and a raised bed

Perennial crops and passionfruit climbers maximize use of narrow space

Careful plant choices with space-saving varieties and thoughtful positioning allow the entire garden bed to be fully utilized without compromising a harvest Growing Up

Instead of a living hedge screen, decorative panels were added to the fence, keeping the neighbors happy. With the trees gone, there was room in the corner for a dwarf lemon tree (the fruit they buy and use most often). This new compact VIP plant tenant will provide a return on investment for years to come, as citrus trees fruit year-round in our subtropical climate. With thick mulch at the base, the lemon tree doesn’t compete with the lawn for nutrients.

The next element in their design was to choose a narrow raised garden bed positioned snugly beside the fence. This is suitable for a variety of perennial and annual vegetables. Steel wires were attached to posts to fully utilize the fence space behind the raised bed, ideal for edible climbers. Since passionfruit have a long life and growing season, one was planted on either side of the raised bed. The vines are being trained upwards to take advantage of vertical growing space. The fruit will be easy to harvest, and the vines will soften the fence as a living green wall. They are also thinking of extending the vertical growing system along the next section of the fence to expand the available vertical growing space.

SMALL FOOD GARDEN

Vegepod meals of wheels with buckets collecting liquid fertilizer from overflow

Narrow raised planter with hardy sunloving herbs

Narrow path with herb garden, Vegepod wicking bed and new narrow raised bed far end

Reusing ‘Waste’ The raised garden bed is quite deep. So, it would have been costly and pointless to fill the entire depth with soil. By utilizing the Hugelkultur technique – a way of layering organic ‘waste’ from natural materials, Amy and Lachlan could save the time and effort of removing the trees off-site. The trunks, branches and dead leaves that were cut down from the trees were laid in the bottom of the raised bed and layered with lawn clippings up to about 30cm (12”). Over time, this organic matter will decompose and create healthy, moisture-holding soil with native worms, mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes. This technique adds value by reusing natural materials onsite, sequestering carbon into the soil. The rest of the bed was layered and filled with compost, aged cow manure, rehydrated coir peat, rock minerals and slowrelease organic pelletized nutrients. After topping with mulch, they planted new perennial plants like compact mini Lebanese eggplant, banana capsicum and ginger, along with strawberries, celery, spinach and spring onions. Careful plant choices with space-saving varieties and thoughtful positioning allow the entire garden bed to be fully utilized without compromising a harvest. In just a few weeks, the plants are already producing fruiting crops, and the passionfruit have taken advantage of the sunlight to start climbing the wires.

is a raised garden bed on wheels providing around 1 m2 of growing space under a lid. This solution is ideal for filtering strong sunlight, protecting from pests and curious pet dogs who would otherwise dig up dinner! This raised bed is used for leafy greens and herbs; quick picks close to the kitchen. Another narrow planter sits up tight against the wall under the eaves. This area doesn’t benefit from rainfall and is handwatered, but most herbs are hardy species like sage, garlic chives, thyme, and rosemary. They have similar water and full sun needs, so they are perfect pot partners.

The Vegepod is a raised garden bed on wheels providing around 1 m2 of growing space under a lid. This solution is ideal for filtering strong sunlight, protecting from pests and curious pet dogs who would otherwise dig up dinner!

Meals on Wheels and Insitu Planter Along the narrow pathway to the clothesline was a dead zone where an old leaking water tank was removed. Pavers were added, and another portable garden was instaled. The Vegepod 27

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SMALL FOOD GARDEN

A mini insitu compost bin has been instaled in the raised bed. Kitchen scraps and green garden waste is added to the bin.

Worms fertilize the plants with their nutrient-rich vermicast manure, reducing the need to fertilize

Insitu mini compost bin in raised bed

Free Fertilizers The Vegepod water reservoir pumps out nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer captured in buckets and watering cans and reused on the other edibles. No wasted nutrients! Likewise, a mini insitu compost bin has been instaled in the raised bed. Kitchen scraps and green garden waste is added to the bin. Holes have been drilled below the lid, down the sides and in the base to encourage worms and beneficial microbes to enter and decompose the food rather than it ending up in a landfill. Worms fertilize the plants with their nutrient-rich vermicast manure, reducing the need to fertilize. By adding rock minerals to the mini compost bin, the worms also redistribute these in a bioavailable form for the plants to take up quickly. The holes below the lid are left open above the mulch so black soldier flies can enter to lay their eggs. Their larvae are fast decomposers and recycle the food scraps into a liquid fertilizer that leaches out the base. This system is ideal for busy gardeners. No heavy turning of compost systems is required. Instead, they employ nature’s free ‘workers’ to do the hard composting work for them, a win-win solution for putting more food on the table sooner. 3

Food scraps are added and help feed plants where they need it most

BIO

Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener, is an author, speaker and urban garden community educator on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia. Anne is passionate about inspiring people to improve health and wellbeing, by growing nutrient-dense food gardens in creative containers and small spaces. Anne regularly presents workshops, speaks at sustainable living events, coaches private clients and teaches community education classes about organic gardening and ways to live sustainably. She has authored several eBooks and gardening guides. Anne shares organic gardening tips and tutorials to save time, money and energy on her popular website - TheMicroGardener.com.

Small Grow Room tips, Tricks and Failures 30

SMALL GROW ROOM TIPS

BY ADAM CLARKE

alking about small grow rooms is uniquely fun for me as I just spent the last 12 months putting my new mini 20’ x 8’ shipping container through its paces.We

did some incredible stuff but also made our share of mistakes. With my background in HVAC and automation, we did our best to design our system to understand everything happening in the space and data log the information to determine how to make the system better. Along the way, we realized that some choices were better than others.

The Shipping Setup

Keep your We fitted the 20’ shipping container from a blank slate, and we did all the space clean, work ourselves. We spray foamed the love your plants, container’s interior, wired, added extra insulation, linoleum tile floor and use individual rolling trays with an and good things PVC wall liner. Overall, the space felt upturned lip so we can bottom great, clean, and ready for the next water those as well. We could will happen steps. We then added grow lights run everything the same and get (Aelius LED Matric REDD for flower similar results every time with this and Matrix for moms), a dehumidifier setup. (Anden A130), UV air filtration (Air Sniper), a mini-split The next step was to pop some new genetics and see heat pump (Mitsubishi), an automation system (Reliable what we could do. Twelve months later, the results were Controls) and overhead fans. The next step was to add a great, and with simple equipment, we could produce a grow table to the space. high-quality product. We decided to keep things as simple as possible for the grow table. We had a group make a 4’ x 8’ steel table and placed it on 6” of ridge insulation on the floor. We found that we needed the height in such a tight ceiling space, so floor mounting was vital. Knowing that the grow room floor wasn’t as well insulated as the walls, we added extra insulation under the table. We got a 4’ x 8’ “Water Pulse Mat”, which was critical to our simplified growing methodology.

The Soil Blend Being in such a small space and working hard on environmental controls, I wanted to get the best quality product with the least amount of work and the most repeatability. The decision was a custom-blended super soil from a new Galiano soil company called Argo Living Soils. The super soil seemed the most straightforward and most repeatable choice for us to get the environment dialled in. We always use fabric pots, and after one to two weeks of transplant, we only bottom water the plants. For the mom room, we

Tips, Tricks, and Failure! Insulating your shipping container As mentioned, we spray foamed the inside of the container and bat insulated the wall cavity before the wall liner. We thought this was the best approach, and now I know we could have achieved better results. We made a mistake considering how the moisture would move inside the grow room. Coming from HVAC, I know that water always condenses on a surface with a temperature below the dew point of the air. We found out in winter time that water is very crafty even with spray foam and extra insulation; we had an issue where the ceiling panels would drip into the space. I determined it was the leakage from the electrical box not being vapor tight. Even with all that insulation, when it was -5°C outside, the grow room water condensed in the ceiling and dripped. Using sealed electrical boxes and being incredibly detailed with the panel caulking would have helped this issue. However, the better solution would be to construct a different style design.

SMALL GROW ROOM TIPS

FOODSCAPING

credit: www.researchgate.net/

When bottom watering, the top layer of the soil always stays dry, and in turn, you tend never to see any bugs, even if you know they are there

The next time we build a mini container grow, things will be different. Doing as little inside the container as possible seems to be crucial. Next time, we will frame the outside of the container, insulate, and then clad the exterior. There will essentially never be any risk of damage or mold growth in your space with this approach. The worst scenario is that you didn’t put enough insulation on the exterior, and your walls star t to condense slightly. At least, in this case, you can see the problem and fix it with more dehumidification, more heat and more air movement. It also gives the added benefit of keeping the ceiling height and the wall widths at max, as there is no interior framing. For the interior wall finish, I would use food-grade epoxy paint.

Flooring Linoleum tiles were not the right choice. We put glue-on tiles on top of the insulated subfloor we had created. Laying 2” x4” on the wide side allowed us to get 1.5” ridged insulation in the floor and then secure our plywood to the top. We then glued the tiles on top. The tiles are challenging to clean and very difficult not to want to slide/move

with all the humidity in the grow room. Next time, sheet linoleum or epoxy floors would be critical.

Bottom Watering Bottom watering is something my clients have been talking to me about for a long time and something I hadn’t quite caught on to until growing myself. I found it even more helpful when running soil, as it helps stop Thrip and Fungus Gnat problems. When bottom watering, the top layer of the soil always stays dry, and in turn, you tend never to see any bugs, even if you know they are there. We had great success controlling our rooms with this technique. The other great thing about bottom watering and irrigation mats is their benefit to your environment humidity control. With the mat (and rolling bottom water trays for moms), we have never needed to add a humidifier to the space. Instead, the mat acts as a constant humidify supply when water is required in the air. Using this technique in a small room led to very stable temperature and humidity conditions.

SMALL GROW ROOM TIPS

The best way to prevent external threats is to keep your grow under a tight lockdown: the fewer people that enter, the less risk of problems

Room Conditions Small spaces make for stable environments; however, they can also make for a roller coaster of bad conditions if you try to make too many changes too quickly. I know people have different personal preferences on room conditions, and depending on your style of growing and your genetics, you can maintain different conditions and still be a successful grower. However, in a small grow, climate changes fast! I always try to keep my temperature and RH stable and don’t change the control much at one time, or the room will quickly over cool or overheat. My grow room is generally at 82°F and 60%RH all day and night. We made that decision to control problems more than to make the best grow conditions at every second for the plant. With most growers having pests and Powdery Mildew (PM) issues, a stable environment can help both. PM doesn’t like to spread at that specific condition, and if you like predator bugs, they tend to thrive. These small grow systems often don’t have sophisticated controls and automation, so that stability may not give the best yield, but it will protect your plants. Generally, I lower the temp the last couple of weeks. However, it is still stable, and I’m not worried about problems occurring by then.

Where Plant Problems Come From If you can star t from seed and pheno hunt yourself, it can be a lot of fun and prevent problems from happening in your grow. We never had any issues until another grower came to visit. Since then, we have been extremely picky about clean clothes, hair, external plants, etc. The best way to prevent external threats is to keep your grow under a tight lockdown: the fewer people that enter, the less risk of problems. Growing in a small space is a lot of fun and provides unlimited enjoyment and a lot of potential frustration. Keep your space clean, love your plants, and good things will happen. 3

Bio

Adam has provided planning and design services for cannabis and hemp cultivation and processing facilities over the last seven years with Stratus. His projects involve outdoor cultivation, indoor cultivation, drying, processing, extraction, storage, bottling and packaging, and more. Living on a hobby farm, Adam loves all plants, including flowers, vegetables, and microgreens, but is most passionate about hemp and is in awe of the fast-growing plant and all of the benefits it offers to humans and the environment alike.

BY ALBERT MONDOR, HORTICULTURIST AND BIOLOGIST

trillion trees Climate

To Fight

Change!

PLANTING TREES

very day brings its share of negative environmental news; it is easy to feel completely overwhelmed and helpless as the planet battles the effects of global warming. However, by organizing or participating in a tree planting event in your community, you will feel that you are making a difference in this crucial fight. Join the

movement, and you will see that planting a tree brings a smile!

The Best Carbon Capture Solution

Planting Trees A Powerful Action

In a 2019 study published in Science magazine, Swiss researchers estimated that we needed to plant around one trillion (one thousand billion) trees to counter the effects of climate change effectively. They calculated that the newly planted trees could absorb nearly 750 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. That’s about as much CO2 as humans have released over the past 25 years. However, according to several exper ts, planting trees cannot replace reducing or stopping our use of fossil fuels such as oil and coal, the main culprits of global warming. Other means of fighting climate change exist, such as vegetarianism and the use of electricity from renewable sources. But planting trees remains the most affordable and effective solution.

Changing The World, One Tree At A Time Deforestation is a significant issue on our planet. Each year, between 13 and 15 million hectares of forest disappear, an area equivalent to the size of Belgium.

I strongly encourage you to plant a tree or two on your proper ty this spring. Doing so is a powerful step in fighting climate change and signifies your love and respect for nature.

Follow these guidelines when planting your trees:

1. Your purchased tree should be transpor ted in a vehicle with an air tight body to protect it from drying out.

Dig a hole with a diameter exceeding the root ball by about 30 cm. The depth should be 30 cm more than the root ball’s height. Half of the hole should consist of the loosened existing soil. Fill the rest with rich planting soil.

The United Nations Environment Program has launched the Plant for the Planet, an initiative that aims to plant at least one trillion trees worldwide. Since 2006, more than 14 billion trees have been planted and registered on its website. You can contribute to reforestation and reduce the impact of global warming by planting trees and registering them online at trilliontreecampaign.org. Planting a tree is a concrete action, especially when it is done with your kids.

GERMINATION

PLANTING TREES

By organizing or participating in a tree planting event in your community, you will feel that you are making a difference in this crucial fight 3.

Remove the plastic pot that covers the tree’s root system. Clean the container and return it to your nursery or put it in the recycling bin.

4. Place the tree in the hole so that its collar – the par t where the roots meet the trunk – is level with the ground’s surface. levelling

6. Stabilize the tree with a metal stake to protect it from the wind. Attach the tree with a sling fixed to the end of the stake so that it is two-thirds of the total height of the tree trunk. Plant the stake with a fence post driver, a tool made of a hollow cylinder equipped with two handles to avoid injury.

Add planting soil around the root ball in successive layers (15cm thick each), compacting it lightly with your hands. The planting mix should consist of two par ts of existing soil mixed with one par t compost. Adding some mycorrhizal fungi will also help with the tree’s growth.

Finally, create an ear then basin around the tree to help with water retention for the next couple of years. This basin should have a diameter equivalent to the planting hole with edges approximately 10 cm high. Water once a week throughout the summer. 3

compacting

watering

BIO Passionate about environmental horticulture, urban agriculture and extreme landscape design, Albert Mondor has practiced his craft for over 30 years and created numerous gardens in North America. In addition to teaching courses and lecturing at conferences across Canada, his weekly gardening column has appeared in the Journal de Montréal and the Journal de Québec since 1999.

In April 2018, Albert Mondor published Le nouveau potager, his tenth horticultural book. He is a regular guest and contributor to radio and television programs and his hosting The Trendy Gardener spots broadcasted on Météo Média and online. You can also read his blog called Extreme Horticulture at albertmondor.com. Follow Albert on Facebook: fb.com/albert.mondor 39

BY JUDY NAUSEEF

Five Steps to

Averting

Climate Change in Your Garden Sustainable gardening is the way; that is, wisely using water, reducing fossil fuels to run our machines, and conserving our soil

AVERTING CLIMATE CHANGE

heavy cloud of doom hangs over my garden, town, state, and beyond. That is how climate change feels to me. The condition of our

atmosphere filled with greenhouse gases fits the description of doom. Headlines suggest that recent destructive storms will be the way of the future. Lucky for me (and for you, if you’re reading this magazine), I

A tablespoon of soil holds eight billion microorganisms critical to building healthy soils

am a gardener, and I can help improve these conditions.

Sustainable gardening is the way; that is, wisely using water, reducing fossil fuels to run our machines, and conserving our soil. Gardens today need to be resilient and produce in adverse climate conditions such as extreme temperatures, strong winds, heavy rains, and flooding. Restorative gardens improve the soil structure and fertility and prevent water from washing away the earth. In addition, healthy soils can mitigate the stresses of high temperatures. The result is livable landscapes for us and our native birds, bees, spiders, and other animals. So what are you waiting for? Follow these five tips to make your best, most climate-friendly garden yet!

Quick Tips • Compost kitchen and yard waste. • Cover beds/soil with plants and compost. Use cover crops on vegetable gardens once harvested. Before planting, cut/ mow down and incorporate into the soil. • Leave short grass clippings on the lawn. • Use plants with long fibrous roots (native plants) in beds.

Build Healthy Soil Living soil will support healthy plants that do not need fertilizers or extra water. It provides homes for microorganisms that break down organic matter, making nutrients available to plants. With ultimate conditions, new plants will acclimate quickly and produce vigorous root structures. As a result, a habitat begins to form where native plants and animals thrive. According to Charlotte Blome, the manager of horticultural programs at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, a tablespoon of soil holds eight billion microorganisms critical to building healthy soils. How can gardeners build healthy soil? First, you must consider where you live and how the site has been previously used. My plot in the U.S. upper Midwest was row-cropped and had animals on it before the former owners built a house and seeded a lawn. The clay soil was compacted by machinery, and its nutrients were not readily available to plants. So we began to compost and added plants to the landscape. We removed and composted sod for our large vegetable garden, and over time, did the same for our beds of perennials, shrubs, and trees. These actions yielded results; our vegetable garden is amazingly diggable, and the perennials are easily lifted and divided. We leave a large portion of plant debris in the garden, and we do not need additional fertilizing. Blome says to “leave the soil alone” and advises, “go easy on it in the fall.”

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AVERTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Collect Rainwater After many years of designing landscapes, I am more confident than ever of the power of water. On each new site, I look first to where the water is going and how it can be better managed. We need to protect our homes from running water. As rain events become more severe with climate change, how can our properties become more resilient? According to the Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership, green infrastructure is designed to capture, infiltrate, cleanse, and detain rainfall close to where it hits the landscape. Appropriate methods are implemented in a treatment train where water will be cleaner and safer before leaving a site. A sustainable approach to natural landscape preservation, conservation of water resources, and stormwater management allows more stormwater to infiltrate the ground and recharge groundwater supplies.

Quick Tips •Direct downspouts to areas away from foundations. Avoid having only one or two to handle all the roof runoff. Send water to storm sewers only when you have exhausted ways to manage stormwater on-site. •Use green infrastructure such as rain gardens and swales to keep water on site. Water directed to a rain garden will gradually percolate into the ground. Swales will do this as well, but when used on a slope, will move water downhill. •Save water to use on gardens with cisterns and rain barrels. •Prevent erosion with healthy soils and vegetation.

As rain events become more severe with climate change, how can our properties become more resilient?

Store Carbon Cool the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in the soil. Plants take carbon out of the air and store it in the ground through their roots. Humus, formed by fungi, is the most stable form of carbon in the soil. Carbon dioxide and other gases cause the greenhouse effect. As the sun warms the earth, heat radiates back into the atmosphere, allowing some to escape into space. The increased emission of gases prevents excessive heat from leaving. As a result, our climate has warmed. My explanation leaves out many details. I have found excellent sources to help me understand and act. One book is The Thinking Person’s Guide to Climate Change, 2nd Edition by Robert Henson. Plants take CO2 and use it in photosynthesis to convert energy from the sun into carbohydrates for growth. Carbon is sequestered in soil by plants through photosynthesis. Adding plants to our landscapes is a way to capture and store carbon. When we moved to our property, it was too hot to play outside, and gardening was difficult. So we began planting, and now, at every time of day, a large portion of the space is shaded. The beds do not need water, and the grass grows better. Our plants are not stressed, and we have a welcoming habitat.

Quick Tips • Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. Cover your property with as many planted areas as possible. • Use windbreak trees and shrubs to lessen the effect of hot winds in the summer and cold winds in the winter. • Shady areas lead to less evaporation of rainwater into the atmosphere.

AVERTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Reduce Fossil Fuel Use we can make effective changes to our gardening patterns with new knowledge and creative planning

Grow Native Plants

Various tools allow us to perform tasks we could not do by hand. Unfortunately, fuel-powered machinery also produce emissions. While machinery is challenging to eliminate, here are some ways you can reduce emissions.

Quick Tips • Keep equipment well-maintained. Clean after each use. • Reduce the amount of tilling. In addition to using fuel, it exposes more of your soil to wind and water erosion and disrupts the work of microorganisms. • Mow your lawn to 4” in height to prevent evaporation from cutting leaves and shade the roots. Leave clippings on the property to improve the soil. • Do not till the vegetable garden after harvest. Cover the ground with compost after removing dead plants. • Mulch your vegetable garden instead of regularly tilling between rows. • Garden intensively in the vegetable plots. This leaves a small amount of bare soil that we can mulch with shredded leaves and grass clippings. • Reduce the amount of conventional lawn by replacing it with low grow no-mow grasses or with prairies or meadows.

Native habitats protect plants and animals in severe weather. In Climate-Wise Landscaping, Sue Reed and Ginny Stibolt write that when choosing plants that can tolerate these conditions, we help our landscapes thrive in the future. They can rebound quickly during more trying times and continue to provide the ecosystem and habitat that native insects and animals need. The deep roots of plants in prairie ecosystems have created deep, friable soils that hold water and have an active microorganism population. In native woodlands, leaf litter, downed trees, and groundcover continuously add to a compost-like layer that absorbs and holds water until it moves into the ground. This specialized habitat is home to animal forest species.

Quick Tips •Choose plants native to your region. Check that your garden meets their needs for light level, soil moisture, and soil type. •Learn the requirements that native birds, bees, butterflies, spiders, and insects need to live and reproduce. Often, that will include specific plant species. •Use ground layer plants (perennials), mid-layer plants (shrubs and vines), and trees (small and large). •A native landscape will provide pollinators for your vegetable garden.

soybeans in a no-till field Climate change cannot be far from our thoughts. We experienced unexpected weather variations in 2021, and this continues into 2022. However, we can make effective changes to our gardening patterns with new knowledge and creative planning. It’s time to address the conditions that contribute to a warming climate and plant resilient landscapes to survive serious weather events. 3

BIO Judy Nauseef is a freelance writer, landscape

designer, and speaker specializing in sustainability and gardening with climate change. She writes about native plants, habitat gardens, prairie designs, stormwater management, and travel. She is the author of the book Gardening with Native Plants in the Upper Midwest: Bringing the Tallgrass Prairie Home. Her blog and newsletters can be found at judynauseef.com.

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Plants In Tune With The Cosmos Cannabis In Tune With The Cosmos

Biodynamics

BIODYNAMICS

“…[so] that the Earth may be healed” Rudolf Steiner, 1924

f I told you that a cow’s horns, a stag’s bladder, the skull of a domestic animal, the mesentery and intestines of a bovine could produce the most fantastic cannabis and

heal the Earth, you would probably want to know what I was smoking! And the answer would be -- biodynamic bud.

Biodynamic (BD) agriculture, arguably, the to create these preparations (Preps). Biodynamic (BD) oldest agricultural movement in the world, is Ranging from burying cow horns on agriculture, arguably, based on the knowledge that the soil, plants, the Autumnal equinox, filled with the the oldest agricultural animals, and farmers work together in one manure of a recently freshened cow, to agricultural cycle and that the Earth, a living yarrow flowers that were stuffed into a movement in the being, is not only influenced by the Sun and stag’s bladder, placed in the sun for the world, is based on the the Moon but the entirety of the Cosmos. summer, and then buried for the winter. Based on spiritual farming practices, Or how about taking some oak bark and knowledge that the soil, like those in Vedic agriculture or Pagan crumbling it into the brain cavity of a skull plants, animals, and farming, biodynamic principles evolved of a domesticated animal and burying farmers work together from a series of eight lectures given by it in a wet, mucky area for the winter? Austrian-born philosopher Rudolf Steiner For some, this is too much. Many argue in one agricultural cycle in 1924 to a group of German farmers that these elaborate preparations help and that the Earth, a seeking ‘renewal’ in their yield-depressed, the farmer reconnect with the farm and living being, is not only synthetically fertilized fields. These lectures hone their intuition with energies beyond (aka The Agriculture Course) are not for the material world. Others prefer to buy influenced by the Sun the uninitiated. They are dense, esoteric, the preparations, commonly referred and the Moon but the spiritual, and yet do include practical to as BD Preps 500 to 508, from other entirety of the Cosmos solutions. Unfortunately, the visionary BD farmers or organizations like the died less than one year later, leaving much Josephine Porter Institute for Applied of his insights open to interpretation by his Biodynamics. Moreover, if the ‘bizarre’ followers like Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, Herbert Koepf, Manfred Klett, methodologies employed to make these preps weren’t enough, and Maria Thun (whose Biodynamic Almanac (calendar is still the fact that they are applied at homeopathic quantities (i.e., used by many BD practitioners). incredibly minute amounts are spread over acres) pushes skeptics over the edge. Biodynamic farming favors soil health through compost, animal and green manures, diversified crop rotations, and incorporation But it works! Time and time again, many of the award-winning of livestock, much like organic agriculture. However, the two wines of the world come from grapes grown in biodynamic agricultural systems differ in that BD farmers rely on nine specific vineyards, and that has helped get the attention of many preparations for their soil, crops, and compost to enhance soil regenerative cannabis growers. and plant quality. From choosing what day to harvest clones, day to transplant, Professor John Reganold at Washington State University best days for pruning to the day of harvest, many BD growers will turn described these preparations in the film about Biodynamic to a calendar that outlines which days of the month are best to practitioner Peter Proctor, “One Man, One Cow, One Planet.” Dr. perform these tasks. Even the spraying of BD Preps like BD 500 Reganold begins by stating, “not even in my wildest dreams,” (Horn manure), BD 501 (Horn silica), and BD 508 (horsetail) then pauses, “well, maybe in my wildest dreams I could are best applied using the guidance of the astronomical-based come up with something like this” about Steiner’s methods calendar.

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20

740

720

700

680

660

640

620

600

580

560

540

520

500

480

460

440

420

10 400

Percent of relative energy

100

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BIODYNAMICS

Steiner recognized that the Earth was in severe decline and expressed an urgency to get this wisdom out and apply it on as many farms as possible. To help with this, many of his followers have simplified the practices without losing the intent behind them. One such practice is Barrel Compost (Cowpat Pit), developed by Maria Thun based on Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s BD Compost Starter Kit.

Biodynamic farming favors soil health through compost, animal and green manures, diversified crop rotations, and incorporation of livestock, much like organic agriculture

In this method, fresh manure (20kg) from a pregnant cow and some drier dung (3kg) from a pasture are mixed with some coarse basalt rock dust (500g) and about 100g of finely crushed eggshells. This material is placed in a bottomless barrel (like those used for wine) buried halfway in the soil. Alternatively, a pit large enough to hold the manure can be created using bricks. The BD Compost Preps (BD 502 to 506 - yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettle, oak bark, and dandelion) are then placed in small holes positioned in a circle. Finally, BD 507 valerian juice (about 3ml in 500ml of water is stirred vigorously in one direction for 20 minutes creating a vortex, and then in the opposite direction creating chaos that serves to “potentize” or “dynamize” the Prep) is sprinkled on the barrel compost as a protective sheath. Covered with wood or burlap, the manure is allowed to compost for about six months. When ready, about 250g of the barrel compost material would be added to 50L, enough to cover a hectare.

your plants). BD 508 counters the masculine forces of the Moon (which are responsible for weed, pest, and fungal diseases) with the feminine energy of horsetail that in appearance resembles a comet. BD 508 has helped many cannabis and grape growers ward off fungal diseases like botrytis and powdery and downy mildew.

Worldwide, communities of BD practitioners gather to make preparations; share interpretations of Steiner’s works, and evolve the concepts into practical applications. For example, BD 501 (horn silica) and BD 507 (Valerian) can significantly increase photosynthesis and Brix levels, which is correlated with increased drought and frost tolerance and shelf-life. Fermented and boiled teas using various plants like stinging nettle, comfrey, yarrow, calendula, chamomile, tansy, and wormwood are used to address a whole host of issues ranging from insects to plant disease to nutrient disorders. For this reason, one of the central tenets of biodynamics is to enhance biodiversity. By allowing refugia areas to grow a wide array of plants, the farmer has all the tools they need for fertilizers and pest control. If there was an urgency at the turn of the 20th century, the last hundred years have only exponentially increased the need for healing. For many of us, the cannabis plant, with its feminine energy, is incredibly healing in its own right. Together with biodynamics, the notion of healing our species while healing our Earth can be a closer reality. 3

The barrel compost prep is best used before transplanting or seeding cannabis and serves as a replacement for compost. Shortly after, BD cannabis growers will use BD 500 (horn manure) and BD 501 (horn silica) to balance the Earthly and Cosmic forces (respectively) affecting the farm.

BI O S

One of the most useful yet controversial BD preps is BD 508 - Horsetail (Equisetum arvense). This preparation requires no real transformation; it is boiled fresh or dry, cooled, and then sprayed on plants (timing is critical because this prep could burn

Av Singh, PhD, PAg advocates regenerative organic agriculture serving various organizations, including Regeneration Canada, Navdanya, and the Canadian Organic Growers.

Jamie Fochuk, Biodynamic Viticulturalist and Cannabis Cultivator (Back Country Harvest, BC, Canada ), serving as a Board Member on the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics.

BY JENNIFER COLE

Food Forests Permaculture Practices Create Learning Opportunities, Community Growth And Enhanced Food Sovereignty

FOOD FORESTS

n 2021, the United Nations World Food Program’s Hunger Map estimated that 957 million people across 93 countries did not have enough to eat. And yet, six years earlier, a study by the Global Forest Expert Panel on Forests and Food Security concluded food forests could play a role in complementing agricultural production.

How Food Forests Work Key to protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change, a forest’s contribution to alleviating hunger is not well known or fully understood by many. Yet, forested gardens have produced enough to feed entire communities for thousands of years. For example, in Morocco, the food forest of Inraren is over 2,000 years old and is still producing edibles. Unlike mass-produced crops, food forests use permaculture practices focused on small scale food production. This model is ideal for small towns, remote communities with limited access to fresh produce, and urban neighborhoods. The forests adhere to what Bill Mollison, the “Father of Permaculture”, described as the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive systems with natural ecosystems’ diversity, stability, and resilience. The forests harmoniously integrate into the landscape with people, providing food, energy, and shelter in sustainable ways. Unlike traditional community garden plots managed by an individual or small group, food forests are three-dimensional edible arboretums often set within a communal landscape. This invites a collective approach to design, maintenance, and food sharing that harkens back to a time when communities worked together and weren’t dependent upon imported goods or unreliable supply chains.

credit: conservationfund.org/

In the Browns Mill region of southeast Atlanta, the city manages a growing 2,800-hectare food forest that invites the public to take what they need at no cost. In Spain, the edible forest of Juan Anton Mora was established 20 years ago with an open door policy. In Canada, these edible gardens of Eden are being planted as hubs of learning and community and provide hope that food equity everywhere is possible.

Forested gardens have produced enough to feed entire communities for thousands of years The Seven Natural Layers of a Food Forest A food forest mimics natural patterns, extending vertically and horizontally and has seven distinctive layers. The overstory, or canopy, is created by tall fruit and nut-producing trees. A layer of dwarf fruit trees follows, and berry-producing shrubs come next. Herbaceous plants transition to a layer of edible ground cover that functions as living mulch. Below the soil surface, root vegetables grow in the rhizosphere. Finally, a vertical layer of vines and climbing plants grow up the tall tree trunks seeking the sun. If mushrooms are grown, they are considered a separate mycelial eighth layer. Plants are predominantly perennial or self-seeding, returning each growing season on their own. Once established, nut-producing trees live for hundreds of years and berry bushes for a decade or more. In a food forest, there’s no irrigation or fertilizer used. Natural drainage, groundwater and precipitation supply water needs; this helps balance maintenance and costs.

Browns Mill food forest

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FOOD FORESTS

In a food forest, there’s no irrigation or fertilizer used. Natural drainage, groundwater and precipitation supply water needs; this helps balance maintenance and costs

After harvesting annually grown crops, fields are often left fallow, allowing the soil to rest and rejuvenate. The same does not occur in a food forest. If a plant fails, it can decompose naturally, releasing bacteria and fungi that add to fertilization and soil health. The diversity of what is planted means less competition for the same resource. Species that require more water to grow are likely to be placed near natural drainage areas at the bottom of a slope or close to a stream bed, while more drought-tolerant plants are grown elsewhere.

Fredericton’s Botanic Garden In New Brunswick, Canada, Fredericton’s Botanic Garden food forest started as a small orchard. Simi Usvyatsov, a volunteer at the garden, knew of food forests in other parts of the province and saw the potential of what the orchard could become. Working with the City, the Atlantic Permaculture Network, Fredericton Food Rescue, and the Botanic Garden Association, the project received a grant of $5,000. Last fall, an overstory layer of chestnut, hazelnut, and butternut trees was planted, forming three sides of a rectangle that will function as a sun trap for a grape arbor. The shrub layer will include Nanking cherry, highbush cranberry, gooseberry and haskap. Stephen Heard, a biology professor at the University of New Brunswick and President of the Fredericton Botanic Garden Association, sees the project as a learning opportunity more than a place to harvest and formally distribute food. He likes the idea of people being able to pick and gather what they want when visiting the forest. Still, he says the more exciting part of the project is the potential to educate visitors about permaculture and locally sustainable food production.

Vancouver Urban Forest Foundation (VUFF) Imagine orchards encircled with salmon, salal, and oso berry bushes native to British Columbia’s south coast. A canopy of oak and chestnut trees provides relief from the hot sun for fiddlehead ferns. Rhubarb lines pathways and fields of wild asparagus and sunflowers attract insect pollinators, bees, and butterflies; this is VUFF’s vision for every park throughout the city. In alignment with Vancouver Park Board’s Local Food System Action Plan, which encourages strengthening food networks within city neighborhoods, Marie-Pierre Bilodeau, Operations Coordinator for VUFF, says they are cultivating a sharing ideology. VUFF advocates shared decision-making concerning food sovereignty, what is planted, and how it’s managed and harvested, engaging with community members, groups, and neighborhood houses. People will be able to come and harvest freely. Volunteer groups will manage maintenance, and crops with the overall goal to serve 2tasks, INTRODUCTION the community. Trees and forests are an essential part of Vancouver’s character and identity. They are interwoven into the city’sVancouver history and culture, and continue to define our parks, neighbourhoods, and streets. What would Vancouver look like without the tall evergreen forests of Stanley Park? Or the blossoms of cherries, plums, and magnolias that define spring in many of our neighbourhoods? Trees are waypoints that mark the changing of the seasons, enhance the physical and mental health of city residents, provide food in our gardens, and support biodiversity. Urban forests are increasingly recognized as a critical part of a healthy and sustainable city. They form part of Vancouver’s “green infrastructure” that intercepts rainfall before it enters storm drains, filters airborne pollutants, shades streets and buildings during heat waves, and supports birds and other wildlife. These ecosystem services are as important as the water, sewer, and street systems that sustain the city. The urban forest will become even more important as the impacts of climate change increase.

native forests

STRUCTURE OF THE STRATEGY This strategy is divided into eight sections: 1. An Introduction to the strategy and the history of Vancouver’s urban forest. 2. Context and Policies that are the foundation of the strategy. 3. The Values of Vancouver’s urban forest including ecosystem services and cultural values. 4. The Status and Trends that show how much urban forest Vancouver has, where it is, and how it is changing. 5. Emerging Directions for urban forest management.

6. Principles to guide urban forest management. 7. Goals and Actions that guide future work to protect, plant, manage, and monitor the urban forest, and to engage residents in this effort. 8. Conclusion to the strategy.

street trees

private trees

credit: vancouver.ca

Vancouver is a rapidly changing city with high land values and physical constraints to expansion. The city’s neighbourhoods and communities face significant challenges from population growth, urban development, and climate change. The urban forest will play an increasingly important role in Vancouver’s resilience through its contributions to both human and environmental health and well-being.

When implemented together, the Urban Forest Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy, Integrated Rainwater Management Strategy, Vancouver Bird Strategy and Vancouver’s Playbook (parks and recreation master plan) will establish a comprehensive network of green infrastructure throughout the city.

park trees

green infrastructure

Urban forestry is the art, science and technology of managing trees and forests in and around urban areas for benefits that contribute to the health, happiness and comfort of our communities. Natural Areas

Fredericton Botanical Garden Food Forest

Residential Neighbourhoods

Urban Centres

Urban Parks

COMPONENTS OF THE URBAN FOREST Urban Forest 2018 Update Credit: City Strategy: of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board. 2018. Urban Forest Strategy: 2018 Update

FOOD FORESTS

Unlike mass-produced crops, food forests use permaculture practices focused on small scale food production. This model is ideal for small towns, remote communities with limited access to fresh produce, and urban neighborhoods

Saskatchewan Muskeg Lake Cree First Nation in northern Saskatchewan has struggled with the availability of fresh produce. Shipping costs are expensive, which results in higher food prices for what is available. When asked how the community saw a food-secure future, the collective answer was to rebuild connections to the land and focus on traditional growing practices that sustained them for thousands of years. In 2018, the community planted a 2.5-acre food forest collaborating with the non-profit Feed the Children. Berry harvests are used for public events, and by 2025, fruit and nut trees will be producing enough for the entire community to enjoy regularly. Ground cherries and gooseberry form the shrub layer. Mints, herbs, red and purple clover, rye, and other grasses create a lawn that enriches the soil and chokes weeds.

Steven Wigg, permaculturist and Food Security and Climate Change Supervisor at Muskeg Lake, says a small, dedicated community with a few acres of land could soon be self-reliant for their fruit, herbs, starch, and a large portion of their vegetables. Food forests are altering how communities view food production. By planting and growing according to the needs of the natural world, they remind us that if we just let it, our fragile planet will happily and successfully supply all we ask of it. 3

Sources: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Centre for Disaster Protection: disasterprotection.org/lookoutletter 2021 is going to be a bad year for world hunger | United Nations (bit.ly/3JJd32O) IUFRO: Expert Panel on Forests and Food Security 2015 / GFEP Initiative / Global Forest Expert Panels (GFEP) Program (bit.ly/3O9S2l7) THE GARDEN | fbga-home (frederictonbotanicgarden.com) Indigenous Food Forests - Canadian Feed The Children (bit.ly/3jEQQIy) Home - VUFFF (VUFF.org) What is a Food Forest? – Project Food Forest (bit.ly/3JImijB) Food Forests — edible landscapes that do more than feed us - Farm to Cafeteria Canada (bit.ly/38EIuhJ) Muskeg Lake Cree Nation community food forest helps connections, knowledge grow | CBC News (bit.ly/3OfjhL5) The 12 Permaculture Design Principles (permacultureprinciples.com) Could these ancient food forests help feed the world? | Adventure.com (bit. ly/3xtq3an) The Moroccan Food Forest That Inspired an Agricultural Revolution - Gastro Obscura (atlasobscura.com) Definition of Permaculture | Living Permaculture (livingpermaculturepnw.com) Food Forests: - OALA | The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (bit. ly/3ElXSeU) Food Forests - An Exploration (part 1) - The Permaculture Research Institute (permaculturenews.org)

BIO Jennifer Cole is a writer and garden enthusiast with a bache-

lor’s degree focused on history from Simon Fraser University, and a freelance writing career spanning two and half decades, Jennifer lives in Vancouver British Columbia. Her by-lines have regularly appeared in the opinion section of the Toronto Star and her portfolio includes articles in various newspapers, magazines, and websites across Canada. When not writing her own blog or visiting local garden centres, you can find her puttering, planting, and nourishing her own urban garden oasis. 57

BY MARTYNA KROL

Try Something New With These

Homemade Fermented

Brews! T

he western world and its attitudes have changed significantly over the last decade. More humans than ever pay attention to what we

feed ourselves, how we grow our food, what we put on our skin, and the waste we produce. The healthy eating boom has no end in sight, with more of us checking out old cookbooks and grandma’s herbal remedies.

HOMEMADE FERMENTED BREWS

More humans than ever pay attention to what we feed ourselves, how we grow our food, what we put on our skin, and the waste we produce. Some of this information may be outdated and challenging (I don’t know how you feel about leeches purifying blood, but I’m not convinced yet). Still, there is undoubtedly a wealth of knowledge that we should not forget. Many herbs and common weeds have powers that effectively fight health issues like colds, eczema, or even repelling nasty bugs. In our kitchens, people are swapping ready-made products for experimentation with homemade ones, often realizing that they are far superior to the mass-produced items on the market. I have embarked upon several of these adventures in the last year, producing some of my first fermented foods, vinegar, teas and skin products. Some of these mad scientist games have resulted in weird and wonderful concoctions; others I likely won’t bother making again. Overall, the learning curve has been so much fun, and I think you should If you’ve already try making some of them.

Mustard

caught the vinegar-making bug (see past editions), you can follow the zero-waste trend and use leftovers to make delicious mustard

The ultimate ‘secret ingredient’ in many barbecue sauce recipes and the best companion for a Polish grilled sausage (in my slightly biased opinion), mustard is a condiment known in thousands of forms across the globe. If you’ve already caught the vinegar-making bug (see past editions), you can follow the zero-waste trend and use leftovers to make delicious mustard. After straining the liquid into the bottles, you’ll be left with fruit or veg pulp, making an excellent mustard base. The quantities of ingredients are approximate, and you’re better off trusting your eyes and taste buds for seasoning; we all prefer different spice levels. The main components are fruit pulp and mustard seeds, and the heat of the final product will depend on their color. For instance, yellow mustard seeds are milder; black ones are hotter.

Start by blending the pulp into a smooth mass - this may not be needed when you use soft fruit like pineapple or blackberries, but the apples need a good whizz. Next, add the mustard seeds of your choice, roughly in a ratio of pulp to seeds 2:1, and leave for a day to soak. Be sure you leave enough room in your jar as the contents will double in mass. The next day, add salt and honey to taste and some turmeric to create a beautiful yellow color. Mix well and leave in the fridge for another 24 hours. On day three, blend everything into a smooth mass again, and season if desired – the mustard will be very hot right now but don’t worry about it, make sure that the sweetness and saltiness are to your taste. If the texture seems too thick, add a splash of vinegar or olive oil. Pack it tightly into a clean jar with-

Apple vinegar pulp with mustard seed

out air bubbles. The mustard is almost ready; it only needs around six weeks in the fridge or a cold cellar to mature! After this time, the heat will be milder, and all the ingredients will combine and create a unique flavor. As an unknown author from Dijon would have said, voila!

Oxymel Winter months are often harsh to our bodies, with cold, damp weather and a distinct lack of fresh, nutritious food. Oxymel is an ancient tonic that is a must-have in my household. The name consists of oxy, meaning acid, and mel, meaning honey. So oxymel is a mixture of 1:1 or 1:2 apple vinegar and honey. It sounds pungent, and if you have never had the pleasure of trying one, it’s a hell of an experience. You can enhance the apple vinegar with herbs of your choice. Doing so will add to the flavor and boost the mixture’s healing properties. Depending on what you’re aiming for, you could try macerating (steeping in liquid for about four weeks) elderberries in vinegar. This option results in an excellent cold-preventing oxymel. Adding thyme, rosemary, and cloves to the vinegar soak creates an oxymel that supports the respiratory system (thyme is perfect for nasty coughs). These mixtures are primarily used in wintertime when we need this extra boost and protection from viruses. However, the time to collect, dry, and store those precious herbs is throughout the summer, so it’s worth planning your forage. 59

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HOMEMADE FERMENTED BREWS

Mustard seasoning

Many herbs are excellent for your health, but the difference between a medicine and a poison is the dose. Some are considered toxic, even in small quantities.

Fire Cider This one is not for the faint of heart! Fire Cider, as the name says, is guaranteed to cause some challenging feelings in your mouth, but it is known to be a reliable immune-boosting drink, helping to prevent and treat colds and aiding digestion. Drink it by the teaspoonful in some tea or water, and even this is a rather sensational experience. You can add it to soups and stews for some extra heat and mineral absorption (as vinegar helps break amino acids from bones if you’re a meat-eater). The original recipe from the 1970s includes fresh garlic, fresh ginger, horseradish, onions and cayenne pepper. Nowadays, fresh turmeric root, lemons, oranges, star anise and cloves are added. All those plants contain many vitamins and minerals extracted by the vinegar maceration, leaving us with a drink that no bacteria or viruses want to face.

Bug spray Many herbs are excellent for your health, but the difference between a medicine and a poison is the dose. Some are considered toxic, even in small quantities. Tanacetum vulgare, or Tansy, if we were to go by its common name, is one that even experienced herbalists will use with caution and only externally. It is, however, one of the best remedies for all sorts of nasty biting insects, thanks to a compound it contains – thujone. Tansy vinegar will destroy all skin parasites such as lice, fleas, fungal infections, Demodex mites, and scabies. When sprayed on clothing, it will deter ticks, mosquitoes, and midges, making your camping holiday fun again. You could either make such vinegar from scratch or

macerate tansy flowers in a ready-made one. This simple remedy is beneficial in woodland areas where ticks hang out or for a regular debugging of pet bedding. And if you happen to have a bad fall and end up covered in bruises, the same vinegar applied to the skin will speed up the healing process, fade the bruises away, and help reduce swelling. Curiosity and a willingness to learn about plants have always been a great advantage to humans. Repelling, attracting, and healing properties have been discovered over the centuries (although presumably with a generous handful of casualties left behind). Today, we have the knowledge left by our ancestors, coupled with a better understanding of the processes and chemical composition of plants. These tools should empower us to look around, wonder, and carefully try some of the mixtures ourselves. Not advisable for cats, though; apparently, curiosity is what kills the poor buggers.

Disclaimer: Whenever experimenting with plants for consumption, do extensive research, so you know the final product is safe! 3

BIO Martyna Krol is a vegetable grower, natural bee-

keeper, and edible spaces designer. She is a lover of all soil and urban farming techniques and is the former head of growing at Incredible Aquagarden. 61

Yvon Langlois, an urban shepherd and his sheep

BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS

REPURPOSING EMPTY SPACES

Growing Up In

Vacant Buildings A

pilot project in Glen Falls, NY, demonstrates how empty commercial spaces can be repurposed and used to grow food in both

urban and non-urban areas. The city is partnering with Re-Nuble, a social enterprise and agricultural technology company, to create a vertical farming model producing a wide variety of herbs, fruits, and vegetables for local restaurants and community members. “Our 480-square foot vertical farm will provide a modular, scalable model for growing year-round crops using Re-Nuble’s closed-loop agriculture methods in northern climates while also keeping the food stream local,” says Tinia Pina, Re-Nuble Founder and CEO. Vertical farms are a fantastic solution to cutting down on food miles and growing fresh, nutritious crops in the heart of communities everywhere. Unfortunately, these growing ventures typically involve expensive start-up costs, and keeping them running longterm isn’t cheap either. The Glen Falls project shows that using existing structures, such as long-abandoned buildings and office spaces, makes growing food in cities sustainable. “When we think of cities, we often think of buildings. Yet, these are assets that can easily be transformed, revitalized, and given new meaning, Pina says. “In New York, we found approximately 108 properties that are at least an acre in size, a typical vertical farm size, that are vacant and/or distressed.

In New York, we found approximately 108 properties that are at least an acre in size, a typical vertical farm size, that are vacant and/or distressed These properties amount to the square footage of 40,251,618 in terms of unused lot size.” Based on Re-Nuble’s model, transforming 108 existing properties into vertical farms would result in $350,000 in revenue a year and approximately 2,500 full-time jobs for the state of New York. While the people certainly benefit from this venture, so will the environment. Re-Nuble uses organic cycling science™ technology to turn food waste into organic goods, preventing it from ending up in landfills. The company says a one-acre vertical farm can eliminate 1.6 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year! Re-Nuble hopes its Glen Falls project will encourage other communities to partner up and design more scalable, siteindependent urban agricultural models. Want to know more about this project? Visit b it.ly/3EUmsDV. Learn more about Re-Nuble: re-nuble.com 63

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BY DR. CALLIE SEAMAN

hops

A Disease Devastating Many Industries

Latent

viroid

ops Latent viroid (HLVd) is the new kid on the block, causing devastation in urban gardens everywhere. Infected plants often don’t show visible signs of disease, making

detection very tricky. If a plant does show symptoms, you will likely notice the yellowing of areal par ts, stunted growth, shor ter internode spacing, looser flower formation, and reduced trichome production and biomass. Like any successful pathogen, HLVd won’t kill the plant but will dramatically reduce yields. High-tech methodology is needed to eradicate this pathogen from a crop and grow room.

HOPS LATENT VIROID

Hops Latent viroid (HLVd) is the new kid on the block, causing devastation in urban gardens everywhere What Is It?

Like any successful

Disease Transmission

HLVd is a strange organism, as it is a viroid Transmission of this disease most often pathogen, HLVd won’t and is much smaller than a virus. It only comes from infected cuttings, which is contains a single strand of circular RNA how it travels long distances. Both polkill the plant but will (ribose-nucleic acid) and has no protein len and seeds are shown to be very low dramatically reduce coating. The missing protein coating means transmitters of HLVd. Unfortunately, that the genetic material within the viroid is HLVd is almost impossible to eradicate. yields less protected, making it more vulnerable. It Any cuttings taken from the infected also makes infecting plant cells harder, requiring open wounds or plant that come into contact with other plants will spread the damaged cells. A close relative to viruses, HLVd must have a host disease. So cleaning tools, machinery, pots, and equipment is esto reproduce and survive. sential to help prevent these problems. You can use tissue and in-vitro culture to clean the clones and produce plants that are What It Preys On viroid free(5). This, however, is not an easy process and requires As the name suggests, HLVd predominantly affects hops (Humulus very high sterility and a lot of patience. The best strategy to deal lupulus), a dioecious plant used in the pharmaceutical and brewing with this disease is testing all stock plants and removing and deindustry. It also affects hemp (Cannabis sativa)(3). The above plants stroying any infected ones. Spacing plants properly is a prevenare related, and both produce medically significant secondary metion technique widely used in New Zealand. tabolites. Detections of HLVd requires molecular techniques such as RTOrigins PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction)(4), which HLVd was first identified in 1987 in Spain and then appeared again involves the extraction of the RNA and then amplification so a year later in Germany. By the 1990s, it was detected in hops in that it can be detected. This time-consuming technique requires the UK and had a significant economic impact on the beer industry specialist laboratories with the correct primers. as the disease dramatically affected the quality of the hops. By early 2000, HLVd had been discovered across Europe and Russia(2). Hops Latent viroid is a sneaky pathogen here to stay, but as with most diseases, prevention is easier than cure. 3

HLVd’s Behavior

HLVd has been shown to cause an increase in secondary metabolites such as monoterpenes, terpene epoxides, and terpene alcohols(1). However, it also leads to a decrease in bitter acids such as alpha acid, colupulone, and xanthohumol, which are responsible for the flavor in beer. In a study on three hops varieties, infected plants consistently showed a decrease in sesquiterpenes and terpene ketones, along with a significant increase in the terpenes β-pinene, Linalool and Geraniol. The study focused on biosynthesis and regulation genes by looking at how the viroid regulated particular gene expression within the plant. Researchers found that HLVd downregulated the genes involved in the biosynthesis of bitter acids and terpenes enzymes. Essentially, this pathogen taps into the genetics of the plant, switching genes on and off. By infecting the plant with HLVd, a different secondary metabolite profile could be achieved. If you want to deep dive into the subject, check out Paztek 2021 (1).

References 1.

Patzak, J., Henychová, A., Krofta, K., Svoboda, P. and Malířová, I., 2021. The Influence of Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) Infection on Gene Expression and Secondary Metabolite Contents in Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Glandular Trichomes. Plants, 10(11), p.2297. Faggioli, F., Durán-Vila, N., Tsagris, M. and Pallás, V., 2017. Geographical Distribution of Viroids in Europe. In Viroids and Satellites (pp. 473-484). Academic Press. Warren, J.G., Mercado, J. and Grace, D., 2019. Occurrence of hop latent viroid causing disease in Cannabis sativa in California. Plant Disease, 103(10), pp.2699-2699. Hataya, T., Hikage, K., Suda, N., NAGATA, T., LI, S., ITOGA, Y., TANIKOSHI, T. and SHIKATA, E., 1992. Detection of hop latent viroid (HLVd) using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Japanese Journal of Phytopathology, 58(5), pp.677-684. Morton, A., Barbara, D.J. and Adams, A.N., 1993. The distribution of hop latent viroid within plants of Humulus lupulus and attempts to obtain viroid-free plants. Annals of applied biology, 123(1), pp.47-53.

BIO Dr. Callie Seaman is a leading expert of the UK hydroponic industry and became passionate about medicinal cannabis when she was diagnosed with epilepsy over 20 years ago.After obtaining a Biomedical Sciences degree at Sheffield Hallam University, she completed a PhD titled “Investigating Nutrient Solutions for Hydroponic Growth

of Plants”. During her PhD, she became a founding director of Aqua Labouratories Ltd – a formulator and producer of specialist hydroponic nutrients. In October 2018, Callie became a non-executive director of a home office licenced medicinal cannabis facility within the UK. She consults with a wide range of other licensed producers worldwide as they look to set up their facilities.With numerous scientific articles, book chapters and peer-reviewed papers to her name, Callie is an experienced professional in the field of medicinal cannabis, cultivation and fertilizer science. @dr.callieseaman

@DrCallieSeaman

@dr_CallieSeaman

linkedin.com/in/dr-callieseaman Web: aqualabs-uk.com & cbdhempire.co.uk

BY RICH HAMILTON

5Tips For Your Best Indoor Grow Yet

Rich Hamilton offers his list of top five ways to maximize yields in the indoor garden.

INDOOR GROWING

Use Mycorrhiza Mycorrhiza is a versatile organic additive that you can incorporate into any substrate and growing style. Mycorrhiza is a fungal system that exists in the ground and on most plant roots. There are two different types of mycorrhizae; endo and ecto. Endo mycorrhizae live on and inside plant roots, and ecto grows on and around the origins of the plants.

Learn to read your plants; they will tell you everything you need to know!

The host plant and mycorrhiza have a symbiotic relationship. The mycorrhiza spreads out its microscopic filaments called hyphae through the medium and acts like a giant sponge, absorbing more nutrients for the plant than the root system could manage alone. In return for nitrogen, the mycorrhiza increases the roots’ total nutrient uptake by a thousandfold! Mycorrhiza is a cheap and natural way to boost yields. You can buy mycorrhiza in powder and liquid form. I have found that the powder form sprinkled directly onto the roots while repotting works best.

Prevention is Better Than Cure When growing indoors, it is almost certain that you will have to deal with pests, and they can devastate a yield very quickly. Confined, warm climates with no natural predators make it a perfect setting for pests to feast and breed. Prevent unwanted bugs using barriers on all air intakes. These fine mesh coverings will minimize airborne problems from being sucked into your grow room from outside. New plants and cuttings can also transfer pests into the grow room environment. When introducing new plants, ensure they are treated and checked. Problems can go undetected if hidden in the soil or substrate, so quarantine new plants for two weeks to ensure they are clean. Another good idea is to have gardening clothes exclusively worn in the grow room. Wearing clothing that has been outside can help pests piggyback their way indoors.

The best LED grow lights can be more expensive than traditional lighting systems, but they will save money in the long run. These full-spectrum lights have everything you need for the entire lifecycle. You can even install a system specifically tailored to the type of crop you grow.

Don’t Disturb the Light Cycle Plants respond more to light changes during flowering, so any light cycle interruption during that stage impacts growth and yield. If the lights are on for too long, the plants could go back into veg. If the lights are off for a day or two, you may see the flowers grow faster; this is not necessarily a good thing because they will lack nutrition. Sudden changes in light will also affect the temperature in the environment and could put your plants into thermal shock, causing further stress and difficulties. To avoid these issues check for ‘’light leaks’’ in the grow room. Light can seep in through open vents, unraveled seams, broken zips or tears in the main fabric. To prevent light/darkness interruptions, a dual grow light timer is essential. This gadget lets you accurately adjust the lighting times automatically. To keep things simple, invest in a quality environment controller that will run all the lights and monitor the humidity and temperature control.

Observation Learn to read your plants; they will tell you everything you need to know! An overly leggy bean or a yellowed tomato plant will tell you plenty about your gardening methods. Ask questions about the type of care the plant needs. What do you know about it, and under what conditions will it thrive? Use gardening failures as an opportunity to re-evaluate and improve your practices. Keep a diary to take notes throughout the plant’s lifecycle, and you’ll be a better grower with every new season. 3

Use LED Grow Lights You will need to invest in some LED grow lights when growing indoors. LED lamps have a longer lifespan than the average light bulb. With lower operating temperatures, LED grow light systems aren’t very harsh on plants and can run for as long as 50,000 hours. These systems make controlling constant humidity and temperature easier, reducing water consumption by up to 80%. In addition, LED lights use significantly less power than other options and help lower energy bills.

BIO An industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in a variety of roles, Rich is currently a business development manager for a large UK hydroponics distributor. The author of the Growers Guide book series, Rich also writes on all aspects of indoor gardening. He is also an independent industry consultant, working closely with hydroponic businesses worldwide.

BIOFLORAL.COM It all started with an idea that had the potential for something great. A vision for the future and a lot of hard work. Founded in 1999 as a labour of love by two visionaries, Biofloral has earned its title as a pillar of the indoor/outdoor gardening, hydroponic, and cannabis communities. Over the last 20 years, the Biofloral team has earned the trust and respect of Canadian growers from coast to coast by cultivating relationships, offering expertise, and supporting you, our customers. We do what we love and we’re here to help you do the same. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for you, the people we’ve met and served along the way. We believe that fostering a cohesive, vibrant local community that unites passionate people is important to ensuring not only our community’s success but the well being of our plants. We’re homegrown, independent, strong, and resilient just like you. So here’s to you, the round pegs in the square holes. To the ones that can’t be ignored. The misfits. The rebels. WE ARE, and will always be the disruptors and the change makers. You see things differently, and we’re here for it. We are here with you for you… then, now and in the future.

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Un sabio curandero dijo una vez... VERMICAST

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GROW BIG OR GROW HOME info@nutri-plus.ca • www.nutri-plus.ca • Toll free: 877.38.HYDRO • 1.877.384.9376

BY JONAH TACOMA

On the Road To

South Africa J

onah Tacoma writes about his experience at last month’s Cannabis Expo in South Africa, the largest event of its kind on the continent.The event offers a platform where experts and enthusiasts from around the world can come together and share knowledge and passion for the plant’s many

medicinal, agricultural, financial, and lifestyle benefits. Jonah got to take in everything this burgeoning market has to offer alongside Garden Culture’s owner and founder, Eric Coulombe.

CANNABIS EXPO SOUTH AFRICA

Clicking on my seat belt, I pulled my headphones over my ears and prepared for takeoff. The destination was Cape Town, but first, I had to get through Qatar, a small Arab country situated along the Persian Gulf and famous for its strict anti-cannabis laws. Possession of cannabis in any amount carries a harsh minimum mandatory sentence of four years in prison and simply having THC in your blood is all they need to put you away.

Destination: Cape Town

I felt more at home in this environment, surrounded by farmers willing to risk everything, than I did at an expo full of suits

I learned all of this afterward, of course, spending my time in Qatar chatting about my cannabis business with an Iranian man who had been kind enough to share his box of dates. He listened eagerly, eyes raised as we sat idly munching in one of the many public smoking lounges in Doha International.

Boarding the 787 Dreamliner bound for Cape Town, I once again settled into my preflight ritual. The Cannabis Expo South Africa had barely been on my radar, only brought to my attention by my long-time friend and par tner, Jair Velleman. He fell in love with the South African scene a few years ago; he teamed up with Buzz, a Johannesburg local and veteran event coordinator, to help put on the Continental Cannabis Cup. The unofficial event within the event was pitting a cross-section of South Africa’s growing community against each other in a blind competition judged by the public.

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A series dedicated A dedicated toseries showcasing our to showcasing Anden partnersour and Anden partners and how they're leaving how leaving their they're mark on the their markindustry. on the cannabis cannabis industry.

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CANNABIS EXPO SOUTH AFRICA

Once I arrived in Cape Town, I begrudgingly slid $650 Ran to the airport taxi driver, reasonably confident I had been swindled. Even at 6 a.m., the views looked more like Malibu, CA, than the wilds of South Africa that I had imagined. My home for the week was 20 Theresa Drive, a ten-bedroom private mansion overlooking False Bay that Jair had rented out. His guests included an assorted but illustrious cast of global cannabis enthusiasts for a meeting of minds.

Exceeding Expectations

Possession of cannabis in any amount carries a harsh minimum mandatory sentence of four years in prison and simply having THC in your blood is all they need to put you away

The trip from Seattle had taken 25 hours in flight time alone, which I had hardly calculated when booking. After a half a dozen joints and some routine pleasantries, I found myself immediately thrust into day one of the Expo. I surveyed the crowd outside in open amazement. So far from what I imagined, the Cannabis Expo South Africa could have easily passed for a Cannacon or an early Champs in the United States. Held inside a casino event center, the Expo had all the modern trimmings and a healthy marketing budget to match, made evident by miles of highway ads and radio commercials that seem to be playing on almost every local station. I would find out later that this was the sixth such South African Expo.

The History of Cannabis In South Africa The Apartheid government criminalized cannabis in South Africa in 1922. Strict prohibitionist sanctions and criminal penalties for the use, possession, or cultivation of cannabis had been put into place almost overnight, stifling the Dark Continent’s long-time relationship with a once sacred plant. Outlasting the government that created them, these laws would remain for nearly 100 years, eventually struck down by a constitutional court ruling in 2018, which abolished them completely while setting a basic framework for legal cannabis in SA. Avoiding the long cue in front of the Expo, we retrieved our press passes and headed into the fray. I was almost embarrassed at how low my expectations had been. One lap and I knew this was an emerging market. Cannabis is native to Africa and attempts to control it have been around since the 1680s. By all accounts, cannabis history was much deeper here than almost anywhere in the world. So it should have been no surprise that the business revolving around one of the world’s oldest cash crops would be booming, even in Africa. Especially in Africa.

The Expo Arjan from Strainhunters was wrapped in conversation as we entered, greeting me with a handshake and a smile as we passed. He was one of the more illustrious guests at the Cape Town mansion, and I was interested to see what he was like outside of the few dozen business interactions we’d shared over the years.

Arjan from Strainhunters

The next day was a blur as we did our best to attend the event while also exploring Cape Town, which we had discovered (much to our delight) is home to many warm-weather penguins. On day three of the Expo, only me and Eric, the owner and founder of Garden Culture Magazine, were left standing. I positioned myself in the outside smoking section of the casino venue, assuring Eric that I would be there when he got back from his rounds. I was jet-lagged and hungover, and I would never have gotten up if he hadn’t plied me with a cappuccino in bed, an act of kindness that I could not ignore. I was there to support him, even if it was mostly in spirit.

CANNABIS EXPO SOUTH AFRICA

We often joked that as members of the traveling cannabis scene, we had come from the future, able to see the course of cannabis legalization as it slowly took hold

By mid-day, the African sun was in full effect, and I squinted into the streaming light, trying to absorb as much of it as I could stand. The mushroom honey (which Eric had deftly avoided) was starting to kick, and I wondered how much longer I could smile and nod without being detected, the irrational fear of anyone who decides they have taken too many hallucinogens in public. I relayed the crux of my crisis to Eric, who was nice enough to ensure our exit but not before dragging me around for a few extra laps. By the time the Continental Cup was underway that night, I had entirely worn off my buzz, and we departed for the venue fashionably late.

The Continental Cup About 100 people filled the medium-sized room to near capacity, with most of the action around a small bar where dabs and warm drinks were served. A rotating wheel displayed each flower entry, identifying them by number. I grabbed a room-temperature Black Sail and found a spot to roll a joint as things got fully underway. When the awards were ready to be announced, the room had finally begun to cool with the evening air. Buzz called the crowd to a quiet without a microphone, his uniquely South African accent adding emphasis to the words as he spoke. I felt more at home in this environment, surrounded by farmers willing to risk everything, than I did at an expo full of suits. There was something familiar about this crowd that I found comforting. We often joked that as members of the traveling

cannabis scene, we had come from the future, able to see the course of cannabis legalization as it slowly took hold. We took turns saying our piece as sponsors before the winners were announced, and I made sure to say one thing during my time. I said they had something beautiful in South Africa, and they needed to protect it.

As the night went on, each winner was recognized; their peers celebrated their accomplishments one by one. That is the magic of the cannabis community; it doesn’t matter what you are, just who you are and what you want to be. We spent the next few days touring large American-style grows in the hills outside of Cape Town and availing ourselves of the finest dining we could procure, a favorite pastime of Jair. Then, finally, after a heartfelt goodbye to our Cape Town friends and the rest of the mansion crew, I took to the skies once more. This time, for the farmlands outside of Johannesburg and what I hoped would be an even more authentic South African experience at the mysterious Jazz Farm. To be continued. 3

Bio

Jonah Tacoma is the founder of cannabis marketing and lifestyle brand Dabstars. Appealing originally to dabbers all over the world and reaching over two million Facebook and Instagram followers, Dabstars has now expanded into cannabis retail, podcasting, and other new ventures.

BY PHILIP MCINTOSH

Tissue Culture I I I

Sterile

Technique “Sterile technique” describes the many procedures that minimize as far as possible the introduction of contaminating organisms into an experiment or culture. 78

n two previous articles, we discussed some of the requirements for the successful tissue culture of plants and

fungi. Some specific laboratory techniques were mentioned, but perhaps not in sufficient detail to be able to confidently implement a good “sterile technique.” This last article in the series aims to improve upon that.

TISSUE CULTURE

“Sterile technique” describes the many proan instant pot is its volume. Electric or gasHumans are a cedures that minimize as far as possible the fired pressure cookers are available in larger great source of introduction of contaminating organisms sizes for larger-scale operations. In any case, microbes that into an experiment or culture. This includes sterilize liquids for at least 15 minutes (larger everything from proper dress to wiping volumes require longer) with a slow return can easily find down work surfaces with disinfectant, autoto atmospheric pressure to avoid boilover. their way into a claving and distribution of liquids and solids, Solids and glassware require one to four flask or Petri dish sterilizing tools using disinfectants or flamhours but can be vented to the atmosphere ing, and following the correct sequence of right away. operations when performing transfers between culture vessels such as flasks, Petri The tools of the trade include scalpels, razor dishes or test tubes. The work can be carried out in the open, but blades, knives, spatulas and loops (Figure 1). These can be wiped contamination rates are greatly reduced if an effort is made to clean down with 70% isopropanol and allowed to evaporate or dipped in the air in the work area. This is accomplished by using sterile culture 95-99% isopropanol and passed through a flame. The flame can be hoods, also called laminar flow benches, high-efficiency particulate provided by an impressive device like a “Bacti-Cinirator” that sterilizAir (HEPA) filter hoods, or similar descriptors. es using infrared radiation or a simple alcohol lamp. Loops cool relatively quickly after flaming, but larger items like blades require longer. It is vital to protect tissue cultures from contamination by the laboratory worker. Humans are a great source of microbes that can easThe most skill comes into play when working with live cultures. The ily find their way into a flask or Petri dish. Therefore, it is essential to best way to learn how a transfer between plates (Petri dishes), tubes, cover up as much as possible with clean, long sleeves (lab coats that or flasks is done by watching someone else do it and then practicing never leave the lab are recommended), hair and beard coverings, a few times. There is no substitute for hands-on training, but plenty and rubber gloves—preferably nitrile. Before starting work, wash of YouTube videos do a good job of demonstrating it. Here are two gloved hands with 70% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). standard techniques: There are many disinfectants available for household and laboratory use, but it is hard to beat 70% isopropanol for cost, effectiveness, and safety. Why 70%? A lower percentage is not as effective. A significantly greater percentage causes immediate damage (coagulation) to cell membrane proteins, which interferes with further uptake of the alcohol solution into the cell; 70% is the way to go. Even when using a flow hood, it is advisable to wipe down the work area from top to bottom with 70% isopropanol.

(1) Plate-to-plate transfers. Sterilize the tool. Hold the tool in your dominant hand, and with the other hand, carefully lift the cover from the source plate while still holding it over the medium surface. Use the tool to collect a sample from the plate and return the lid as quickly as possible. Lift the cover above the receiving plate the minimum amount required to be able to transfer the sample from the tool to the medium surface. Replace the cover quickly after the transfer is complete. Sterilize the tool.

There are no shortcuts to sterilizing liquid or solid culture media. A device capable of maintaining a temperature of 121°C at a pressure of 103 kilopascals (250°F at 15 PSI) for up to several hours is required. The good news is this is well within the range of standard pressure cooker/canners and instant pots. The major limitation of

(2) Tube and flask transfers. Sterilize the tool, often a small loop in these cases, especially for liquid cultures. The flask or tube will have either a screw cap or a plug. It works the same for either a tube or a flask. Hold the tool in your dominant hand and the tube in your non-dominant hand. Use the small finger of the tool hand to remove

Figure 1

Figure 2

Typical tissue culture tools of the trade

The stopper is removed and held with the little finger of the tool hand 79

TISSUE CULTURE

Figure 5

Attachment method for connecting a HEPA filter to an extruded aluminum enclosure. The same method is used to attach the plenum to the back of the filter

Figure 3: Compact tabletop flow hood with top fan

Figure 4: HEPA filter flow hood built in-house

It so happens that a flow hood is something that can be built from scratch relatively easily, for much less than half the cost of a pre-made one the cap or plug from the tube and hold it there (Figure 2). Pass the neck of the tube through a flame. This heats the air in the neck and forces it outward. Extend the tool into the tube to collect or deposit a sample, flame the neck again and re-attach the plug or cap. Flame the tool to sterilize it and let it cool for the next operation. Many would consider a sterile culture hood an essential piece of equipment for tissue culture. Unfortunately, commercial units run from $500-$2,500, although some small tabletop models are now available for less than $200. It so happens that a flow hood is something that can be built from scratch relatively easily, for much less than half the cost of a pre-made one. Figure 3 shows a small tabletop unit consisting of a plexiglass work enclosure and a top-mounted fan that blows through several MERV 13 filter material layers. The efficiency is not quite up to that of a HEPA filter at 99.97% at 0.3 μm but is somewhere around 95%, which is a significant improvement over no filtration. The enclosure is fabricated from standard extruded aluminium T-slot bars and hardware. It was originally built to use a small vacuum cleaner HEPA filter purchased at a garage sale for a dollar, so the filter is mounted in a small opening on the top of the cabinet. Not ideal, but it works. Usually, you want the air blowing linearly forward from the back (laminar airflow) so that any airborne particles are flushed straight out of the work area with minimum turbulence.

A better design with a HEPA filter, although not as space-saving, is shown in Figure 4. This unit has a plywood plenum (an enclosure made to hold low-pressure air) to keep a top-mounted fan with speed control. Once again, the work zone is a plexiglass enclosure in a T-slot frame. The plenum is mounted to the filter, and the filter is mounted to the enclosure as shown in Figure 5. Running this unit with a set of nine exposed nutrient agar plates for a half-hour resulted in zero per cent contamination. For anyone interested in pursuing plant or fungal tissue culture, the techniques we have discussed are covered and demonstrated in many articles, books, and websites. So do more research, get some equipment, and build some of your own. 3

Bio

Philip McIntosh holds a B.Sc. in Botany and Chemistry from Texas State University and an MA in Biological Science from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been publishing professionally for over 30 years in magazines, journals, and on the web on topics relating to botany, mycology, general biology, and technology. As a STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math) educator, Phil enjoys working with students to help them advance their knowledge and skills in relevant fields of learning. 81

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WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE Salt Spring Island, BC

Alchemy Farm

Credit: Alchemy Farm

Alchemy Farm offers the ultimate sensory garden experience. More than 120 varieties of beautiful, fragrant flowers grow with the seasons on the 10-acre farm. The flower fields are a haven for bees and pollinators; no chemicals or pesticides are used on the property. The Alchemy Farm Flower Music Garden Tour offers nature-lovers an opportunity to hear tunes created from the flowers’ bio-energy! Using a device called Music of the Plants, award-winning environmental artist Ingrid Koivukangas collects the bio-energy from the flowers and converts it into song. This awe-inspiring and therapeutic experience is available online due to the global pandemic, but the garden hopes to allow visitors back this summer so they can experience it in person. Beyond helping people reconnect with nature, Alchemy Farm aims to bring healing energy to the world by offering gardening classes. Gardeners of all experience levels can participate in an online course on creating a flourishing and magical pollinator garden incorporating flowers, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. An online membership allows those near and far to learn about plants, various homestead activities like making jam, and take part in guided meditations. For people who can make it to the farm in the summer, Ingrid teaches floral design and intuition workshops at the farm. Alchemy Flower and Eco Heart oracle decks are available for purchase in the online store; these beautifullydesigned cards offer messages of hope and inspiration from flowers. Partial proceeds from all sales go to KIVA loans to women in agriculture in developing countries. Learn more: alchemyfarm.ca

Mauna Loa, HI

& Canad a

alchemyfarmstudio

Big Island Tea

Credit: Big Island Tea

Eliah Halpenny and Dr. Cam Muir are devoted to cultivating and preparing ultra-premium, whole-leaf tea. The couple has recreated the environment to which tea is best adapted; Dr. Muir is a molecular ecologist studying how ecological diversity improves the quality of forest-grown tea. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, the couple started creating their forest on five acres of farmland on the NE slope of Mauna Loa volcano. Over the last two decades, they have re-established a diverse forest similar to local native cloud forests. They have planted over 6,000 tea trees and have grown over 60,000 tea seedlings to assist new tea farmers. Hundreds of native trees and ornamental plants have also been put into the ground to create a biodiverse rainforest and help wild honeybees. Bananas grown near the tea plantings offer shade and their stalks are used as mulch. Compost and worm castings nourish the soil and help fight plant disease naturally. The farm also incorporates aquaponics into its growing regime. Water from a large fish pond home to hundreds of catfish and koi is used for backup irrigation. The farm is famous for the single small batches of its ultra-premium whole leaf tea, `A`a Black Tea, and Kilinoe Green Tea. Big Island Tea’s Kilinoe Tea Forest is reopening after a two-year hiatus for group and private tours; diehard tea drinkers can also participate in a day-long green tea processing workshop; or even an intense five-day field class where they learn how to grow tea sustainably, how to hand-pick leaves and process their own whole leaf green and black tea. Learn more: bigislandtea.com bigislandtea 83

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North Plains, OR

Elephant Garlic World

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Love to eat? Then there’s a chance you probably love garlic too. Farmer Ken Haley is passionate about growing delicious garlic in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. All of his garlic bulbs are non-GMO and are grown without pesticides or artificial chemical fertilizers. The garlic harvest begins in early to mid-June; they cure inside a drying shed for a month or two before being cleaned off and ready for consumption. Haley rotates the garlic fields every year and uses cover crops to rebuild the soil after harvest. That way, he knows his land will be ready to nourish more garlic during the next growing season. Elephant garlic and purple striped garlic bulbs are available on the Elephant Garlic World Website. In high demand, supplies are limited, so customers are encouraged to get their orders in early! Home gardeners looking to grow their own garlic can also purchase seed stock selected from the farm’s garlic crop. Hoping to spread the joy of growing garlic, Haley is happy to guide growers along the way and provides some excellent DIY tips, available via email. Learn more: elephantgarlicworld.com

Amador County, CA

Upcountry Farms

Dan and Tori are self-taught farmers growing over 50 different fruits, vegetables, and flowers in the foothills of Amador County, CA. The husband and wife team learned everything they know through books, classes, and trial and error out in the garden. They’re devoted to natural and sustainable no-till gardening techniques, believing that improving soil health is the key to abundant yields and making food our medicine again. The couple enjoys every aspect of farming, from seed and transplant to weeding and harvesting. They grow on two acres of land, producing enough crops to supply local farmer’s markets, their online farm stand, and a CSA box program. The weekly boxes include 6-8 freshly harvested seasonal vegetables, and a newsletter goes out by email offering recipes that include the selected produce. In the spring and fall, customers can expect things like beets, carrots, cabbage, and more. Summertime crops include tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes. Upcountry Farms has obviously made an impression in the community; they cap their yearly CSA at 70 customers so as to not overextend the hardworking crew. A small scale farm making a big impact. Learn more: upcountryfarms.com facebook.com/UpcountryFarms

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Credit: Upcountry Farms

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BY ADAM CLARKE

The general principle of refrigeration is that when you generate cooling, you also generate heating, and the opposite is also true

P 88

icking your HVAC equipment for your personal grow can be difficult. Understanding the details between the expensive and low-cost units is an integral par t of the decision-making process. We will look at small-scale rooms for most of this ar ticle, focusing on mini-split air conditioners/heat pumps.

AIR CONDITIONING

The essential thing to remember about a mini-split heat pump is that it can heat or cool your room but can only do one at a time. The general principle of refrigeration is that when you generate cooling, you also generate heating, and the opposite is also true. For this reason, heat pumps allow you to control your room climate for both cooling and heating applications.

products but are made in the same factory as some of them. Senville is In general, all mini-splits come manufactured by Midea, which I also believe manufacturers for some of from only a few factories in the large mini-split companies under the world, and you can be their own names. These units are made in China and use more offsure that the name brand unit the-shelf parts. However, these are may have remarkably similar still often brand name components. The biggest detriment to the Senville specifications as the unit is its lack of ability for hardwired no-name brand external control. While some of the The Manufacturer units do have the ability, we cannot First, we need to look at the pull as much data from the units for manufacturer of the unit you are remote control. With the Senville looking to install. Be aware that the units, I recommend buying a module name on your unit is not likely the from Intesis to do an aftermarket actual manufacturer, but it could be. In schedule and temperature/mode general, all mini-splits come from only a adjustment. Within this external few factories in the world, and you can device, you can schedule and program be sure that the name brand unit may the unit for day/nighttime setbacks in have remarkably similar specifications temperature. The other issue is if you as the no-name brand. Typically, the differences are very subtle and are in a freezing climate, you likely want to consider a Mitsubishi as won’t be noticed by the end-user. Of course, there are still some the Senville units don’t run as well at -30°C. brands that are higher end, and if you can afford to, they will give you more options to control the space. Typically, these higher-end units For those who want to keep their room operation amazingly are manufactured by the namesake and not a third party. simple, the handheld remote that comes with the unit will generally suffice. You put the unit in auto and set the temperature. The main For comparison, I will use Mitsubishi vs Senville units. Both of these risk with this is behind the mini-split programing, there is a setting companies have a place in the world of AC for home grows. The that typically cannot be changed, which is not only trying to reach significant difference in these units is the capital cost and the ability your temperature but 50% RH. Knowing that we often want a to control and understand the unit’s operation. The Senville unit higher RH in a grow space, this can be hard to overcome, but as will work just fine for most home growers, but for those trying to the mini-split units are much cheaper than the alternative, this is get more control from a mini-split, the Mitsubishi is the way to go. often considered ok. You should also be aware that the “auto” mode isn’t ideal for stopping that RH spike when you go from Mitsubishi Mini-Splits lights on to lights off. The Mitsubishi mini splits are, to my understanding, almost 100% manufactured in Japan. Compressors, misc. valves, etc., are all made Alternatives to fit the exact unit you are running. The units come with onboard The other AC/heat pumps options are typically AC-only units that are controls and the ability to run in different climate conditions than floor mount and on wheels or a much more sophisticated ducted air other unit manufacturers. I would suggest Mitsubishi is the best unit handler. For the average home grower, I suggest avoiding the ducted on the market, especially if you are trying to run cooling when it is system, as more things can go wrong. However, if you are looking for below -30°C outside. The major benefit, beyond quality, is the ability a better, more controlled environment, you will need to investigate a to remote control from a building automation system (BAS). With ducted system. For those without the ability to permanently install a the Mitsubishi units, you can connect to your external BAS and get mini-split, the portable floor mount AC will be ok. all alarms, fan speeds, temperature data, etc. You can also make a hardwired connection to the unit. For the more sophisticated Making A Choice home grower who desires to understand more about the mini-split In the end, I would encourage people to think about the budget and operation, this would be the best route, especially if a BAS will be level of sophistication they want in their grow before deciding which instaled. equipment to buy. For the average budget home grower, a no-name brand unit will do fine if you are willing to fiddle with fans and such Senville Mini Splits in the space. However, I would certainly recommend a full ducted, For the value consumer, I would seriously look at the Senville units. semi-custom unit for those looking to go into a more sophisticated They are one-half to one-third of the cost of the brand-name grow. 3

BY REGI ONETON

GARDEN THERAPY

Garden Therapy Stop And Smell The Roses These are challenging times; from the pandemic and climate change to war and the cost of living, feeling anxious is a natural response to what’s going on today. Working in the garden and growing something is incredible therapy! Find this article and many others to boost your mood on GCMag.co.

am always on the prowl for new ways to reduce the level of anxiety coursing through my veins. A lifetime of hard living has given the nerves a little shot.The Doc

says I need exercise and nature to calm the monkey on my back. My inner Italian took that as a cue to get in the damn garden.

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Gardening, much like painting, is just a bunch of hard work that may or may not end in some beauty. Plant Babies

Let’s be honest, push-ups are pointless. If I am going to be active, it has to be with a purpose. This isn’t a prison yard, it’s an acre of land, so why not work out with Mother Nature? I spent the better par t of last summer repurposing a massive tree we had to cut down into raised garden beds. I went through two chainsaw blades and broke a finger, but all that time in the garden had me sleeping like a drunk baby. Whether you are planting shrubs or clearing land, it’s all considered garden therapy to me.

Some people take pride in their children and some bachelors, like myself, take pride in their cultivars. A baby’s first steps and watching my clones take root are on an even playing field. I think we may have inadver tently pinpointed why I’m single. Moving forward. What I was trying to say was, that taking pride in one’s hobbies is impor tant. It’s not therapeutic if you don’t enjoy having sheep manure under your fingernails or breaking a sweat. Gardening, much like painting, is just a bunch of hard work that may or may not end in some beauty.

GARDEN THERAPY

Before you go nuts, stop and smell the roses or whatever it is you have in the garden. Be kind to yourself and happy growing.

I spent a large par t of my life succeeding and failing at painting, so I know what I speak. I have had fewer failures in the garden; how therapeutic!

Positive Endorphins There are studies that say actively being in nature has a positive effect on your overall well-being. Anyone who has survived a dark Canadian winter can tell you that by the end of the season your mental health has taken a kick to the nuts. The sooner the sun comes out, the sooner we can all get to our therapy gardens. Even our dogs can’t wait to get out there and help us by dropping little nitrogen bombs by the rose bushes. Every year, I look forward to washing the stink of the couch off me with some shrimp shell compost and chainsaw gas.

The Doc says I need exercise and nature to calm the monkey on my back. My inner Italian took that as a cue to get in the damn garden

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Food Stress Finally, one of the most therapeutic aspects of them all is harvest. Having a bounty of your favorite plants and veggies does wonders for your morale. There is something about paying inflation prices for tomatoes that doesn’t sit well with me. Every summer salad means more money in my pocket and less financial stress to deal with. Food stress is a real thing. Navigating the aisles of your grocery store are more and more daunting due to sticker price shock.

In session Let’s all wash the winter’s boogers out of our eyes and start planning our summer therapy sessions. I already have my next generation of plants started on the counter in the kitchen where I make my morning tea. That five minutes I get to spend with them while the water boils are a shot in the arm I need to clock into the day job. Before you go nuts, stop and smell the roses or whatever it is you have in the garden. Be kind to yourself and happy growing. 3

BIO

Regi Oneton is a multi-disciplinary artist and daytime executive. He’s been a member of Socan since his first album release at the age of 20, and is a self-taught audio engineer and self-proclaimed studio rat. Regi is a late-blooming street artist and painter whose works can be found hanging in the offices of Burton and Vans Canada. Long-time contributor to the Under Pressure Graffiti Festival and lover of the Arts. As the years plow forward, he has added botanical enthusiast/ plant father to his litany of passions. His interests include writing and spending too much time looking at his phone. 93

GREEN ADVICE BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS

WAYS

To Boost Productivity In Small Grow Rooms A limited amount of growing space doesn’t necessarily mean small yields. There are several ways to ensure a productive grow room, whether you have a greenhouse, a grow tent, a decked out shipping container (see page 30) or basement operation. Get started with our list of 5 Cool Ways To Boost Productivity In Small Grow Rooms.

Environmental Control

Whether large or small-scale growing, your entire operation can go downhill fast if any little thing goes wrong. Environmental control is essential to a healthy crop. Growers need to stay on top of air quality and temperature and humidity swings. Plants can be damaged and yields reduced if the room becomes too cold or hot, and high humidity can lead to powdery mildew, fungus, and even plant rot. If you don’t own a thermometer/hygrometer, get one with a max/min feature so you can understand your grow room’s patterns. Also, selecting the appropriate HVAC equipment for your space is a must.While the selection process can be overwhelming, there’s no way around it. If you need some help, Adam Clarke offers some excellent advice in his article on page 88.

Collecting Data

et/ denandgreenhouse.n credit: https://www.gar

So you’ve equipped your grow room with everything you need for environmental control; now what? Monitoring and collecting data can help push your plants to the next level! Modern digital technologies can help farmers and home gardeners avoid expensive mistakes and crop failure. Keeping track of the air quality gives you essential information about how your room performs and how the plants respond to various conditions, allowing you to make adjustments as needed. Invest in some sensors to monitor everything from temperature and humidity to VPD, CO2, and light levels. You can also collect information on water pH and EC monitoring, and set timers for fans and lights. Beyond collecting data, simply spending time with your plants will go a long way. The better you know them and what makes them tick, the better they’ll perform.

about the benefits of collecting data in the Garden Culture archives! Data-Driven Cultivation: Crunching The Numbers In The Grow Room, by Tom Forrest, is a great start.

Data-Driven Cultivation

Pioneering References

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GREEN ADVICE

Predator Insects

Indoor growing spaces may be protected from the elements, but they will still fall victim to pests. There are many ways to prevent nasty bugs from getting into the grow room and decimating your plants, such as releasing biological controls or beneficial predators! Ladybugs, green lacewings, damsel bugs, and assassin bugs will happily munch on aphids. Let them loose in any grow space, and they’ll be sure any sap suckers won’t feast upon your plants. Parasitic wasps and predatory mites can help with whitefly, spider mite, and caterpillar infestations. You can order boxes containing predatory bugs online; it’s recommended to purchase more than you think you’ll need as they often disappear after all of the pests are gone.

Garden Culture’s Rich Hamilton offers advice on controlling whitefly and spider mite infestations on our website! Check these two articles out!.

Preventing whitefly infestation

Spider mite

Clean Bean

Your bedroom might be a mess, but don’t let this trend continue in the grow room. This is not the place to let things go; a grow space needs to be kept sparkling clean if you want to keep your plants healthy. That means cleaning up any substrate that’s spilt from your pots; don’t let water sit on the grow table or floors, and remove any debris that’s fallen from the plants. Use dust filters in the ventilation system to keep pests from getting into the room and reserve a set of clothing to be worn exclusively in the indoor growing space and nowhere else. Various horticultural oils will create barriers on the plant leaf and prevent pests from settling in. Be sure to thoroughly check and isolate all new plants for a couple of weeks before introducing them to your space. High heat and humidity levels offer breeding grounds for pests and disease, so keep those in check. Finally, inspect your plants regularly for any signs of change; prevention is the best medicine! (PRO TIP: After you’ve cleaned the grow room, go make your bed.)

Maximize Space

Indoor growing space is limited, so it’s essential to take full advantage of the room you do have! Screen of Green (SCROG) will help you achieve an even canopy by stretching the grow horizontally instead of WAY up. As a result, plants will get an even distribution of light and better ventilation, boosting productivity! Place a screen about half a foot above the growing medium and gently weave the plant’s branches through it as they grow. Netting, stakes, and horticultural trellis will help support taller growing plants or train others to grow up instead of spilling out onto the limited floor space.This process will also help with proper aeration, reducing the chances of plant disease. Don’t forget to invest in some vinyl stretch or soft twist ties to secure branches to the trellis. Finally, consider intra-canopy lighting to increase yields. When used in combination with overhead lighting, adding lights within the plant canopy can lead to better results in the garden. 3 96

EXPOSURE TO MIICROBIAL MASS MAY BLOW YOUR MIND. SHOULD YOUR PLANTS DEVELOP SYMPTOMS OF AWESOMENESS, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY TO BRAG ABOUT YOUR RESULTS.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you... @miimhort

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