All Natural Gardens

Oxheart Tomato

2010-07-14T08:23:00.001-07:00

Oxheart tomatoes are large, old-fashioned, very fragrant heirlooms.
These

are indeterminate tomatoes, which means they will grow and produce fruit until killed by frost. The plants can get as tall as 10 feet, thought most reach only 6 feet.

An old-fashioned favorite with heart-shaped pink fruits up to an amazing 2 lbs.

Firm, meaty, solid flesh. More details can be found at

http://www.gardenguides.com/93947-oxheart-tomato-plant.html

Manage and identify insects, mites, diseases, nematodes, weeds, and vertebrates

2010-07-13T12:42:00.001-07:00

Very informative site was put together by University of California. Good initial information about a lot of plant problems http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/

KEFIR GRAINS

2010-07-07T20:58:00.001-07:00

Would you like to make a real and fresh kefir at home?

It’s a very simple process and does not take much time at all. You only need milk, kefir grains, a jar or a pitcher, and a strainer to separate kefir from grains. One tea spoon of grains in a pint jar will easily convert milk into delicious and tasty kefir in less than 24 hours. Kefir will gain extra smoothness after it stayed in the refrigerator for extra 18-24 hours.

Two methods of making a kefir.

The traditional method is by adding kefir grains (2-10%) to milk that was previously pasteurized and cooled to 68-77 Fahrenheit (20-25 Celsius) for about 24 hours. After fermentation process grains are removed by filtration and kefir is ready for consumption. Second method “Russian method” uses a series of two fermentations.In the first step culture is prepared by incubating milk with grains (2-3%)

for about 24 hours than grains removed and resulting mother culture is added to milk (1-3%) which is fermented for 12-18 hours.

How is kefir different from yogurt?

Kefir is different from fermented milk yogurt that it can be made only using kefir grains that contain a complex mixture of both lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. This gives kefir a unique organoleptic characteristics and

excellent

protective qualities by keeping putrefying bacteria that might otherwise colonize the milk

. The distinctive properties that set apart kefir and yogurt are small amounts of CO2, alcohol, and aromatic molecules produced as a result of a dual fermentation of lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

Why kefir is such a healthy drink that can be used as a treatment of some medical conditions?

Due to antibiotic and anti-fungal properties of kefir, it can be used in the treatment of such conditions like metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, allergies, poor digestion, constipation, hypertension and helps to balance gut micro-flora to kill Candida Albicans.

Tryptophan amino acid abundant in kefir and well known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system. In addition kefir has an abundance of calcium and magnesium, very important minerals for a healthy nervous system.. For this reason kefir in the diet can have a particularly calming effect on the nerves.

There is a good site that tells a lot more about kefir and its benefits. http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/article1.htm

Organic Chicken Fertilizer Pellets

2010-05-21T15:51:00.001-07:00

Chicken Fertilizer is 100% organic and provides great source of food for plants.

During processing, the manure is completely sterilized, which kills pathogens, viable weed seeds, salmonella, etc, at temperatures above 185°F

(85°C).

Advantages of chicken fertilizer pellets

Natural slow release that feeds plants 300-400 days
Will not burn plants
Increase the organic matter in the soil and improves soil structure
Promotes development of beneficial nematodes
Contains most of the minerals plants need
Improves root structure
Neutral pH - no acid buildup
Compost decomposition activator

Uses of organic chicken fertilizer


Established Lawns New Lawns Bulb Setting Flower beds Shrubs and Hedges Ornamentals	Rose Bushes Shade, Fruit, and Nut Trees Flowering Trees Vegetable gardens House Plants Potted Plants

Recommended usage 1 lb per 20-25 square feet.

Do not use around seedlings!

Nutrient Analysis


PRIMARY NUTRIENTS	SECONDARY NUTRIENTS	MICRONUTRIENTS
Nitrogen (N) 4% Phosphate (P2O5) 2% Potash (K2O) 2%	Calcium (Ca) 1-2% Magnesium (Mg) 3-5% Sulfur (S) 3%	Iron (Fe) 0.10% Copper (Cu) 0.05% Zinc (Zn) 0.05%

Technorati Tags: chicken,manure,fertilizer,organic,use,nutrient,pellets,plants,garden,farm,vegetables

Home grown heirloom tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers

2010-05-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Heirloom Tomato - Starting from $2.50

Abe Lincoln - Plant produces good yields of extra large 1 lb meaty tomatoes. Tomatoes turn dark red when mature.
Yellow Pear - This extremely old variety makes a vigorous plant, which bears enormous numbers of bright yellow, bite-sized fruit. The flavor is deliciously tangy. Perfect for summer party hors d'oeuvre's.
Big Rainbow - Great color, flavor, and size! Reaching sizes up to 4 ½ inches in diameter, the fruit of this variety is orange with red markings and is loaded with delicious flavor
Yellow Jubilee - Plant produces high yields of golden-yellow tomatoes. Excellent for making tomato juice and canning. Also good in salads and cooking. A low acidity variety.
Big Cherry - The Big Cherry is the variety you usually see in most salad bars. It is that jumbo-sized cherry tomato with a nice old-fashioned tomato taste and an extra sweet flavor.
German Johnson - The German Giant is an excellent family heirloom tomato that is often compared to the Brandywine tomato; however, this one matures fruit much earlier, and they are larger and more plentiful.
Green Zebra - Plant produces good yields of 3 oz green tomatoes with dark green stripes. Tomatoes have the old fashioned tomato flavor and stay green when mature. Excellent for salads, sandwiches, pickling, and sauces.
Green Aunt Ruby - Plant produces good yields of 14 oz beefsteak tomatoes. Tomatoes have a spicy sweet flavor, excellent for sandwiches, salads, and sauces.
San Marzano - Plant produces good yields of 3 ½" bright red tomatoes. Very meaty. Excellent for making paste, sauce, puree, and canning. Crack Resistant.
Cherokee Purple - This is one of the very first known "black", or deep dusky rose colored cultivars that are becoming so popular.
Giant Pink - A succulent and enormous dark 1-1/2 to 2 lb. pink tomato that many gardeners prefer to the more acidic varieties. The flavor is sweet and very mild.
Black Krim - This medium-sized, very dark maroon beefsteak, with wonderfully rich flavor and extremely tasty.
Red Beefsteak - An old-time favorite that has been popular for many years due to it's excellent productivity and wonderful taste.
Marglobe - Plant produces high yields of medium red tomatoes. This is one of the old-time favorite of home gardeners. Excellent for salads, sandwiches, and canning.
Pink Brandywine - These plants produce large, pink, beefsteak-style tomatoes on vigorous potato leaf foliage plants. They have an excellent, old-fashioned tomato flavor.

Pepper - Starting from $2.50

Big Bertha - Plant produces good yields of 7" long by 4" wide sweet peppers. Peppers turn from green to red when mature.
California Wonder - Pepper 3-4 in is green, ripening to red, thick-walled, tender and flavorful.
Sweet Banana - This pepper is excellent for frying, stuffing and even eating fresh off the plant

Cucumber - $ 2 for 6-7 plants

Pickling - Large plants mean heavier yields over a long period. Medium-green, 3-1/2 to 5" fruits have blunt tips. Excellent in all sizes. Tolerates cucumber mosaic.

Discount is available if several plants purchased.