30 / COMMUNITY
T H E
N A PA N E E
B E AV E R
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Got a pulse? HE United Nations have deemed this the Year of Pulses. For most readers the idea of focusing on an obscure agricultural crop like this is likely of little interest. I am here to change that. Fact is, pulses are huge right now and you do know them, just not likely by that name: the pulse family includes dried beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas, all members of the legume family. Measured in nutrientsper-acre, pulses come out on top of most surveys, way ahead of grains and we won’t even talk about beef. Countries like India and many African nations have come to rely on pulses to feed their densely populated regions. The United Nations have determined that the Year of Pulses will be an opportunity to, “heighten nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition.” Over the past generation in North America the popularity of pulses has grown at a staggering pace. Interestingly, Canada has become the second largest producer of pulses (lentils
T
Presents the 22nd annual
Sweets and Treats Fundraising Auction
Friday April 15th 6pm Strathcona Paper Centre Come join us in an evening that includes both a live and silent auction of goods and services and decadent homemade desserts.
Tickets are available for $7 from the school or any Cornerstone parent or $10 at the door. Cornerstone Christian Academy 613-354-2354 www.cornerstonenapanee.com
anyway) in the world (Pak- ground just as soon as the soil is frost free (so can caristan is No. 1). rots). Be sure to provide your Why eat them? They are good for you. pea crop with support: a Lentils, one of the most pop- trellis or fence works best. ular pulses, are rich in iron, They need a minimum of 6 zinc, and several B vita- hours of sunshine, an open, mins. They are fat-free, fertile, organic-rich soil. Add dense with dietary fibre and at least three centimetres of contain no cholesterol. Bio Max composted manure Same can be said for chick- to the soil before planting. peas, dried beans like pinto, Sow seeds in a row about 10 cm apart and black and space the Romano varirows by 30 eties and cm. Harvest they are inexwhen the pensive. The Green File seed pods have swollen Why grow as if they are filled with a them? The idea of growing your puff of air. They will be own pulses may appeal to ready for harvest in about you if you are interested in 80 days. Shucking peas is taking control over the qual- fun and fresh peas from the ity of the food that you put pod are irresistibly sweet. As we draw closer to the on your table (you, the grower, have complete con- first frost-free date (usually trol over the process) and it around May 24) you can sow can be fun and rewarding. the frost-tender pulses in Besides, this is a great your garden. Early to mid opportunity to teach your May is the perfect time to kids about pulses and good sow Romano, pinto and black beans, lentils and food in general. chickpeas. Generally they will be ready for harvest in How to grow pulses. Start now. In early April, 80 to 100 days. Chick peas, or ‘garbanzo you can sow the seeds of some pulses. Peas, while beans’ as they are sometechnically not a part of the times called, are best sown pulse family, are legumes before the last frost date. and they can be sown in the Start them indoors in mid April and transplant them mid to late May. They germinate in seven to 10 days in good quality seeding mix. Plant 15 cm apart in rows that are 50 cm apart. Most chickpea varieties grow to 80 cm tall and are quite
Mark Cullen
Opening Doors for Business Owners
DonÊt miss this spectacular evening!
• Classified • Display • Inserts • Extended Market Reach
613•354•6641 www.napaneebeaver.com
The Napanee Beaver
bushy. Unlike ‘peas’ they do not need staking as the plants tend to support one another (like a real family!) Grow in fertile soil and avoid using commercial fertilizers. As nitrogen-fixers they can actually add nutrients to the soil, unlike most other plants in the garden. They convert energy from the sun and nitrogen from the air into root nodules in the first half of the season. Each little nodule contains a mini-pack of nitrogen. Be sure to add 3 to 4 cm of composted manure to the soil before planting. All pulses require a minimum of six hours of sunshine. After the first four weeks, water the plants when the soil becomes dry 3 cm deep. You can acquire seeds for your own crop at Salt Spring Seeds (www.saltspringseeds.com) or Simpsons Seeds (www.simpsonseeds.com), both are reliable Canadian seed suppliers. For more information I can recommend the new book The Power of Pulses by Dan Jason, Hilary Malone and Alison Eathone. Published by Douglas and McIntyre. Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author and broadcaster. Get his free monthly newsletter at markcullen.com. Look for his new best seller, ‘The New Canadian Garden’ published by Dundurn Press. Follow him on Twitter @MarkCullen4 and Facebook.
POLICY | Meeting dates to be announced CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Scandlan has presented council with four options the TPRC has been weighing. Some councillors and members of the public felt that, regardless of which option was chosen, the tax difference may not be great enough for staff’s time to be worthwhile to enforce the change. “At the end of the day, the area-rating for $14 difference after three years on a $226,000 assessment, have you considered the staff time to administer such a miniscule difference between the two?” Ward 5 Councillor Shaune Lucas asked Scandlan. “At this particular point, what you’ve been presented are all suggestions that have risen through discussions with the committee. To tell you the truth, I really haven’t formed an opinion,” Scandlan replied. Between Scandland’s report, McDonald’s recom-
mendation, and questions from the public, Tuesday’s taxation discussion took nearly two hours. The motion to provide the extension was moved by Ward 2 Councillor Max Kaiser and seconded by Deputy Mayor Marg Isbester. The motion is a combination of Scandlan’s request as well as McDonald’s recommendation and states that council approves three additional meetings for the TPRC to be completed by the end of June; for council to allocate resources to work with the OPP to provide the new, additional data from the OPP to the TPRC; and that council authorize additional budgeting required for the extension. Council carried the motion unanimously; Ward 4 Councillor Carol Harvey did not attend Tuesday’s meeting. Committee members, Scandlan and Greater Napanee staff are working to confirm new TPRC meeting dates.