Garden Culture Magazine AU 12 by Garden Culture Magazine

WE CHOOSE NATURE

We Choose Nature is an online platform to create awareness for a more sustainable way of life. By giving global and local initiatives the opportunity to present themselves to the world and share news, information and tips we inspire everyone with respect for nature to start to take action. We are proud to say the ďŹ rst initiative we are supporting is Justdiggit. We Choose Nature â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A BIOCANNA initiative

www.canna.com.au/biocanna

CONTENT

DETOX WITH FRUIT & FASTING

THE BENEFITS 28 OF BIOCHAR

SPOTLIGHT

Fungi A Food Forest’s Best Friends

IN THIS ISSUE OF GARDEN CULTURE:

PRODUCT

36 55

WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE

9 Foreword

55 Who’s Growing What Where

11 Product Spotlights

57 Ask a PhD

20 Phytomicrobiom - Fungal Defence

60 The Pruning Debate

24 Stealth Science III: Plant Food and Ionic Relations

68 CEC and Living Soils

28 Stealth Science IV: Photosynthesis and Phloem

70 Best of the Blog: Recycling Food Waste

36 Fungi - A Food Forest’s Best Friends

72 Compost – Turn Waste into ‘Black Gold’ for your Garden

42 Living Organic Soil

76 Are you out of JADAM mind

46 Detox with Fruit & Fasting

80 Organic to Synthetic and Shades Between

52 Biology Boost - The Benefits of Biochar GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

Moisture

Pulse. Change your game in the greenhouse. No More Pour-Throughs, Extractions Or Kicking Pots. Game On! The all-new Pulse™ Meter from Bluelab gives you faster moisture, EC and temperature measurements directly from the root zone in soils, coco coir blends and potting mixes. It’s handheld, so it goes where you grow, and connects directly to the Pulse™ app on your smartphone for instant and accurate crop-health management.

One press, three instant measurements In under 10 seconds, you can accurately measure moisture, EC and temperature directly in the root zone. It really means the end of pour-throughs, extractions or kicking pots!

Get your A game on. Order your new Pulse Meter today. bluelab.com/pulse

Nutrient

Temperature

The New Pulse™ Meter from Bluelab®. Enhanced plant-health in the palm of your hand

FREE Bluelab Pulse™ App for Android 5.1+ with Bluetooth 4.0+ iOS 12.1+ (iPhone Only)

FOREWORD

CREDITS

I’m writing this in my hotel room in Sydney, Australia, after a fantastic weekend at the HHI expo. It is an opportunity to meet amazing people, find answers to a couple of my questions, and create new questions to answer. I love these events. There are so many passionate, smart people out there willing to share their knowledge with us. It motivates you to rethink the way you do things, experimenting and honing your skills. I can’t wait to come again for the next HHI Brisbane in October. For the past 20 years, I have grown with synthetic nutrients in one hydroponic system or another. I love the control of synthetic nutrients, especially indoors. But I also like the idea of organic growing. The problem is, I’m having a bit of a hard time figuring it out. That doesn’t mean I’m giving up on organic growing. Outdoors, all my gardens are 100% natural. My medical herbs, berries, and vegetables are bumper crops every year and have quality and flavour that you can never find at a supermarket. Nothing beats the sun and really rich, microbially active soil. But it’s a different story indoors. Maybe my pots are too small, or I’m adding too much or not enough of some critical element. I’m not sure, but I am learning a lot and plan to master it one day. Bacteria and fungus are crucial, but I’m still looking for the door. So many of the questions I have about organic gardening are where the ideas for these articles start — for example, the article Phytomicrobiom - Fungal Defence, by Florian Henrich. We met at Spannabis; he was so passionate about fungi and told me this fantastic story about how fungal spores move throughout the plant. Now we can share it with you. We are blessed here at Garden Culture to have some of the leading research minds in our industry when it comes to microbiology. In our new series Ask a PhD, Colin Bell and his team of researchers at Growcentia (the creators of Mammoth P) will answer questions from you, our readers, about how bacteria and mycorrhizae work, whether it be indoors or out, hydroponics, you name it. Don’t be shy; email your questions to editor@gardenculturemagazine.

SPECI A L TH A N KS TO: Anne Gibson, Ben Blandford and Gareth Hopcroft, Catherine Sherriffs, Colin Bell, Evan Folds, Florian Henrich, Grubbycup, Matt Barnes, Matt Mountain, NIco Hill, Simon Hart, Tom Forrest, and Nicholas Di Genova. 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 M A R K E T I N G CO O R D I N ATO R Serena Sayers serena@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-0062 ADVERTISING ads@gardenculturemagazine.com PUBLISHER 325 Media 44 Hyde Rd., Milles Isles Québec, Canada t. +1 (844) GC GROWS info@gardenculturemagazine.com GardenCultureMagazine.com

@GardenCulture

@GardenCultureMagazine

@Garden_Culture

D I ST R I B U T I O N PA R T N ER S • Growhard Australia • Stealth Garden Supplies • Dome Garden Supplies • HY-GEN

Happy Growing, © 325 Media

Eric 3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from 325 Media Inc.

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

R BITO EXHI N SALE HS O BOOT ! EMAIL: .au NOW .com o p x e hhi info@ T DON’ OUT! MISS

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST

HEMP & CANNABIS EXPO OCTOBER 12 & 13 BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE

FOOD HEMPIRE

ENVIRONMENTAL & ECO-FASHION SHOW

HEALTH & BEAUTY

INDUSTRY & INNOVATION

MEDICINAL & DR CONSULTATIONS

HHIEXPO.COM.AU

GROWING PRODUCTS

Adjust-A-Wings

Hellion 630W CMH Kits High-intensity, high-reliability, unique penetration and unrivalled spectral output. Exclusive double-ended 3100K lamp incorporates Japanese arc tubes and crystal quartz glass jackets, perfectly matched to the Hellion’s Square Wave low-frequency e-ballast. Ideal for medium grow spaces (1.2m x 1.2m up to 1.8m x 1.2m footprint), as well as for mixing between HPS lamps to provide complete spectral diversity. The remote ballast and reflector mounted options allow for Closer lamp placement for deeper canopy penetration, vigorous vegetative growth, shorter internodal length and increased terpene/essential oil production. Super Spreader and reflector connector are included. Find out more by visiting WHG.net.au

Green Planet

Vitathrive

Vitathrive is a vitamin and mineral solution that reduces plant stress while supporting essential functions. Vitathrive has been formulated to protect your plants when they are most vulnerable in their cutting and rooting stage as well as help with recovery from transplant, heat and other stress. Use Vitathrive at 1 - 2 mL/L throughout the growth stage. Go to WHG.net.au to find learn more.

y r e v o c e R o in m o r Hyd

Fasilitor

Concentra ted, Pure, a nd Fast Ac ting

The Flagship of the Aptus Product Lineup, Fasilitor is a patented formula that works by increasing vascular pressure within the plant to heighten mineral translocation throughout its entire structure, resulting in more complete, robust, and quality tissue formation. Unlike other silica products on the market that contain potassium or calcium silicates and take weeks or months to become available, Fasilitor’s monomeric (single molecule) silicic acid is absorbed into your plant within minutes.

The patented and stabilised concentration of monomer silicic acid particles allows for fast response against abiotic and biotic stress factors (environmental and pests), shorter internodal spacing, incredible bio-availability, and increased yields all while utilising natural mechanisms within the plant to gain these benefits. Visit aptus-holland.com to learn more about the entire product line. Find your local APTUS stockist: Domegarden.com.au

Bluelab’s latest invention Pulse launches on iOS The Bluelab Pulse Meter is making its mark globally and transforming results for growers every day. To continue this success, Bluelab is excited to officially announce the release of the Pulse mobile app to the Apple Store. Growers will be able to download the free Pulse app for both iOS and Android to receive fast and accurate information for improved crop-health management without the need to connect to a computer. In under 10 seconds, receive three key growth components – moisture, nutrients (EC) and temperature direct to mobile with one button press. Visit Bluelab.com for more information.

HY-GEN COCO STARTER PACK HY-GEN’s new COCO STARTER PACK includes everything you need to get star ted! There are 1L sets of COCOGROW A&B, COCOBLOOM A&B nutrients and 1L BUDLINK silica. With 500mL supplements, NITRO-K, PK TOP UP and organic boosters, OMEGAZYME, HUMIBOOSTA and SEA ESSENTIALS; A 2kg compressed cocopeat, which expands to 30L; One pH Test Kit to help you keep your nutrients on track. Lastly, we’ve included a HY-GEN Product Guide and feeding schedule. Grab yours today and get into hydro with HY-GEN.

Jungle Room vest Grow Tents Indoor Har

Jungle Room and BudBox™ have partnered together to develop and deliver a vast range of high-quality, well-constructed indoor harvest grow tents for gardeners. Jungle Room powered by the U.K.’s BudBox™ (one of the most trusted names in the grow tent market) is now available and exclusively distributed by Dome Garden Supplies. Choose from 10 grow tent sizes to fit your indoor growing needs. Jungle Room Grow Tents each feature: • Green viewing window • Ground level irrigation ports • Strong door clips & highquality zips • Robust black powder-coated frames in 16mm & 25mm tempered rolled steel Visit DomeGarden.com.au to find your closest stockist.

Optic Foliar

OverGrow

The next generation of nutrient delivery system s! OverGrow is a Foliar nutrition spray that provides macro and trace elements directly to the plant tissue, in an easily absorbable form. OverGrow helps transport these compounds to ’sink’ locations on the plant, where the nutrient is needed most; this unique foliar spray can even be used with the lights on! Simply spray the top of the leaf, and notice the effects within 24-48 hours. OverGrow will speed vegetative growth, reduce required growth times (faster cycles), remedy deficiencies, and increase overall vigour. Find your local retailer: Stealth-Garden.com

Seed & Clone

House & Garden Nutrients ‘Aqua Flakes A/B’ A complete nutrient solution optimised for recirculating hydroponic systems. Containing a unique blend of all required macro and trace elements for heavy fruiting/flowering crops, Aqua Flakes provides incredibly healthy and rapid plant growth. Precisely blended to allow for pH stability and rapid nutrient uptake in water-based systems, Aqua Flakes is ideal for Rockwool, clay balls or perlite-based recirculating hydroponics. Designed for use in both vegetative and floral growth stages, it is also costeffective with a strong concentration! Try Aqua Flakes in your next hydroponic system and see the H&G difference with your next harvest! House & Garden Nutrients – ‘Aqua Flakes A/B’ is available now, visit Stealth-Garden.com website for a list of retail stores. 12

Proud Nutrient Supplier to the first Australian Company producing locally grown medical grade cannabis for patients

SOLUBLE SILICA SOLUTION

WEIGHT & STRENGTH BUILDING FORMULA • INCREASE WEIGHT & BULK • HELPS NUTRIENT UPTAKE • STRENGTHENS CELL WALLS • IMPROVES DISEASE RESISTANCE • IMPROVES YIELD SSOOCCI IAALL MMEEDDI IAA LLOOGGOOSS

www.hydroponicgenerations.com.au

L u c iu s LED Grow Light Boasting an industry-leading 1200 μmol, Lucius LED is the cultivator’s first choice for a safe, low heat, energy efficient and easy to use light. The Lucius LED Grow Light is equipped with the latest safety features that protect against overloading, short circuit, over temperature, as well as over and under voltage protection.The Daisy chain option allows to connect multiple Lucius LED units together, and the multi-purpose bracket provides many installation options for greenhouses and vertical farms, inter-lighting and under-lighting applications. The Lucius LED comes available in two models; • The LED Grow Light Superior Flower 150W • The LED Grow Light Full Cycle 150W

GROWING PRODUCTS

Green Planet

Plant Guard Plant Guard is a Potassium Silicate solution that is proven to increase cell wall strength, provide more rigid stems, branches, thicker leaves and increased overall dry weight. Plant Guard discourages pest infestation and helps plants better endure dramatic changes in climate that generally cause stress. Always add Plant Guard before other nutrients and additives. Use Plant Guard at 0.5 mL/L in growth and flower. For more info, visit WHG.net.au

Visit Lucius.com.au for full technical information.

® K N LI D U B EN HY-G BUDLINK® is the original liquid silica product enjoyed by growers for over 20 years. The unique formulation is effective at all stages of growth and flowering. It improves strength and ability to fight against bad bacteria and insects. BUDLINK’s active ingredients are embedded into the plant’s cell walls, producing plants with thicker and greener foliage. When used as a foliar spray, BUDLINK forms a barrier against airborne bacteria and harsh light levels. BUDLINK® is suitable for all growing systems.

NEW Horticultural Quality CMH Fixtures by Gavita PPAACCKK

Gavita’s highly efficient CMH fixtures are designed for Philips 315 CMH lamps. The 315W SE and 630W SE (dual 315W lamp) are available in both 3000K for flowering and 4200K for vegetative or supplemental use. The integrated repeater bus connection allows for external control with the Gavita Master Controller, whether using CMH only or supplemental (to Gavita e-series) HPS solutions. Visit Gavita.com to discover more.

Rootex Propagation solutions Rootex Powder, Liquid and Gel contain the plant hormone IBA and other naturally occurring auxins which encourage strikes and accelerated root production on plant cuttings. Rootex is available in three forms and three strengths that are suitable for softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood plant types. Rootex P (powder) provides the most cost-effective method and lowest price point. Rootex G (gel) holds active ingredients more reliably against the plant tissue, thus increasing strike rates overall. Rootex L (liquid) can be syringed into grow media immediately or at a later stage. When it comes to roots, Size Matters. Visit WHG.net.au to find out more.

Green Planet

ing, AVert Odour-controll Carbon-lined Bags

new Backpack Pro Cal

AVERT Odour-Control Technology is world-famous for discrete, safe, and trustworthy transportation.The newest release from AVERT is their unique backpack design, featuring 27L of carbon-lined, odour-lock technology, laptop holder, extra-thick fabric and outer utility straps for urban necessities. Travel with peace of mind knowing your precious cargo is safe. AVERT Backpack designs are lockable for added security. Available now at select retailers.Visit Stealth-Garden. com to find out where.

Pinelabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

4x8 (1.2m x 2.4m) Specialised Grow Tent:

Made for ultra-effective clean

room cultivation!

Measuring 1.2 x 2.4 x 2.13m, Pinelab tents are built for premium cultivation! Optimised with practical features including; duct outlets, unique drainage solutions, window filters, cable grommets and external gear board. A seriously tough unit that utilises a surgical-grade oxford cloth exterior and an ultrareflective white film interior for clean agricultural practices and easy plant monitoring.The 4x8 (1.2m x 2.4m) Specialised Grow Tent is ideal for premium flowering (generative) growth spaces, or large vegetative areas for home gardeners and leafy-green enthusiasts. The height of the tent (2.13m) is optimised for DE HPS, LED or CMH lamps to ensure you can grow healthy full crops. Pinelabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4x8 brings premium clean-room features to home and domestic gardeners; the new industry standard for grow tents. Check out Stealth-Garden.com for more. 16

Calcium & Magnesium are key macronutrients that are vitally important for healthy growth and are the building blocks of chlorophyll (essential for photosynthesis). Pro Cal is essential when using Coco Peat as a growing medium and helps increase flower density and hardness. Use Pro Cal at 1.2 mL/L in growth and 1.8 mL/L in the flowering stage. Visit WHG.net.au to find out more.

Proud Nutrient Supplier to the first Australian Company producing locally grown medical grade cannabis for patients

GETTING STARTED IS EASY

NUTRIENTS

ADDITIVES

NUTRIENT TESTING & CONTROL

INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION & CARE

GROWING MEDIA & SUBSTRATES

SSOOCCI IAALL MMEEDDI IAA LLOOGGOOSS PPAACCKK

www.hydroponicgenerations.com.au

Product Spotlights See the most recent Product Spotlights right from your phone or tablet.

NEW visit: GCmag.co/Product-Spotlight

Product spotlights

BY FLORIAN HENRICH

Optimising the phytobiome is the key to sustainable agriculture, satisfying our needs in harmony with nature

Phy tomicrobiom For 650 million years, plants have been driving their roots into the soil searching for symbiotic microorganisms and using them to break down nutrients

PHYTOMICROBIOM

W h at T he Hel l A re Mushrooms Doing In M y P o t s ?

hytomicrobiom, or phytobiome, is a complicated word for a straightforward thing: the community of fungi, bacteria, and destructors that live in the root area of your plants. An intact phytobiome suppor ts plants in many different ways, but science is only just beginning to understand the connections between them.

Optimising the phytobiome is the key to sustainable agriculture, satisfying our needs in harmony with nature.

Agriculture, as it is largely practised gan using solid fer tilisers by recycling used here, is based on innovations of the substrates and was overwhelmed by the I began using 19 th and 20 th centuries and is outdated. results, and especially by the quality of solid fertilisers Optimised nutrient uptake, improved the fruits. I worked for several years with tolerance to heat and drought, and advarious solid fer tilisers, until I finally deby recycling used equate protection against insects have veloped the recipe that I now distribute substrates and been guaranteed by companies such as under the name FLO. was overwhelmed Bayer Agrar and Monsanto, but unfortunately, not in an organic way. When conditions are optimal, plants will by the results, For 650 million years, plants have been release up to 25% of their carbohydrate and especially by driving their roots into the soil searchyield to the phytobiome. Incredibly, they the quality of the ing for symbiotic microorganisms and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just randomly enrich the soil with fruits using them to break down nutrients. carbohydrates hoping that only useful miFor all of this time, they have been supcroorganisms will multiply. Instead, they plying these microorganisms with the know to feed specific, beneficial organcarbohydrates they generate through isms. They influence the composition of photosynthesis, and in return, receive the nutrients they their phytobiomes and multiply those microorganisms that disneed to live, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. solve the nutrients they need. It is essential to note, however, This relationship is known as symbiosis. that with the help of salicylic acid, a phytohormone, they can induce a kind of fever in cer tain root areas and kill the microSince the late 1970s, it has been assumed that nutrient uporganisms living there. take and the performance of the plants can be improved by dissolving high-purity mineral salts in water with a fixed pH level and then pouring them over the root ball of the plants at regular intervals. After following this approach myself for many years, I had this thought: If you look at the regions with the lushest vegetation on ear th, such as the Amazon Basin, you will not find anyone there correcting the water pH or adapting the composition of nutrients to the separate life phases of the plants. There, the supply of nutrients is ensured through an intact ecosystem that includes living plants, fungi, bacteria, and destructors.

cr ed it:

After coming to that realisation, I star ted to shift my focus from the individual supply of my plants with nutrients to the creation of optimal conditions for fungi and bacteria. My understanding of the relationship between plants and their symbionts has changed fundamentally since then. I be-

I nte r na t ion a

itr

icr

iom

ons

or ti

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

Credit Morning Ear th

PHYTOMICROBIOM

In m y e x p erience, T richoderm a a nd m yc orrhiz a p l ay a cri t ic a l rol e in t he s uc ce s s of orga nic fa r ming

credit: moldresistantstrains.com

The phytobiome also protects plants Today, I understand plants as complete orfrom pathogenic microorganisms and ganisms only when they are successfully When conditions helps prevent soil diseases. Recent connected with their symbionts in a holistic are optimal, plants research shows the phytobiome also system. Along with living microorganisms, protects plants from insect pests. For ear thworms and groundcovers are also used. will release up example, the sucking behaviour of The ear thworms loosen up the soil and comto 25% of their aphids is influenced by the phytobibine the organic residues with the silicates carbohydrate yield ome. Various fungi and bacteria, the in their intestines to form the valuable clayto the phytobiome so-called endophytes, also grow from humus complexes. the soil into your plants and up in the leaf tips. They improve the function of Typical ground covers include clover, Luthe stomata and enable more efficient gas exchange. Other cerne, lupine, chamomile, and more. They are also an excellent entomopathogenic fungi attack and kill insect pests and supchoice for indoor growers, especially clover. The top 5-10cm (2ply plants with the proteins (nitrogen) from the carcasses. 4”) in plant pots isn’t usually interspersed with roots; it is often hard and home to harmful insects or algae. Groundcovers are the Mycologists (AKA mushroom scientists) repeatedly emremedy, protecting the soil from erosion, loosening and ventilatphasise the impor tance of fungi for an intact phytobiome. ing it, and reducing evaporation while also enriching the soil with About 30% of living forest soil contains mycelium, such as nitrogen. Groundcover plants are also known as green fer tilisers. fungal tissue! To optimise the conditions for the phytobiome, mix 30% coconut In my experience, Trichoderma and mycorrhiza play a critiwith the substrate and make sure it does not dry out. When cal role in the success of organic farming. The length of the growing with living microorganisms, the soil should always be mycelium in a single teaspoon of soil can be more than 5km more humid than in conventional cultivation. The result is a com(3 miles), and yet, the length of the plant root itself never munity of plants, fungi, bacteria, organic raw materials, ear thexceeds 20cm (7.8”). worms, springtails, and so much more, making a wonderful home for the plants. Trichoderma is a type of mould and decomposes organic raw materials with the help of aggressive enzymes; the same enzymes For my garden, I use the best microorganisms I can buy along with used in liquid products in house and allotment gardens. In mycorhigh quality, natural, raw materials; the rest is left to the plants rhiza, a distinction is made between those species whose myand the phytobiome, which can do what they have been doing celium grows exclusively on the outside of the plant root, the for 650 million years. 3 so-called ectomycorrhiza, and those species whose hyphae grow inside the plant, the endomycorrhiza.

BIO

Florian Henrich is the owner of Florian’s Living Organics, a company that produces high-grade fermented fertilisers from organic resources in Germany. He also writes articles on organic gardening for several magazines in Europe. He wants people to rethink how they feed their plants, improving their yields without using mineral fertilisers and pesticides.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY TOM FORREST, STEALTH GARDEN SUPPLIES

Plant Food

ecent scientific breakthroughs have taught us a great deal about how our floral friends find nourishment; however, it is still very

open to discussion and there is much to learn in this field (pun intended). This is our third Stealth Science lesson, and we will explore the role of

This five-part series delves into plant science to help you understand why a garden flourishes or flops. We will discuss the important topics relating to plant biology and physiology, structure and function, covering roots to shoots and everything in between! Understanding the science behind the art of horticulture ensures we can cultivate beautiful, healthier, and more sustainable crops.

plant food and ionic relations (sounds sexy, right?) to understand better the most economical and sustainable ways to fer tilise our fields.

The role of beneficial bacteria and their symbiotic relationship with plants is only barely understood by modern science. We are only just scratching the surface for the best methods to cultivate crops to maximise both sustainability and productivity, while simultaneously caring for our natural environment and other living organisms. Water culture experiments in the 19 th century found that plants required 16 ‘essential elements’ for growth. These were determined as essential if, in its absence, a plant could not complete its life cycle. It was accepted that carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are sourced from the air and water, while the remaining mineral nutrients were sourced from the soil. An eminent German chemist named Justus von Liebig proposed that plants grew in direct proportion to their supply of nutrients and that a deficiency of any one element prevented growth.

Justus von Liebig “minimum law” illustrated by liquid in a barrel which can only rise as high as the shortest stave. 24

The Five Classes: • Plant Morphology and Anatomy (see last issue) • Water Interactions • Plant Food and Ionic Relations • Photosynthesis and Phloem • Plant Hormones: The control of growth and development

An eminent German chemist named Justus von Liebig proposed that plants grew in direct proportion to their supply of nutrients and that a deficiency of any one element prevented growth This was codified as his ‘Law of the Minimums’ and is commonly found in most modern agricultural textbooks as a useful barrel graphic. Our current scientific understanding states that there are distinct ‘macro’ and ‘trace’ elements, and the category is determined by the required amount of each element for growth. Macronutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), sulphur (S) and iron (Fe). Trace elements include boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). With inadequate or toxic amounts of these mineral elements, a plant will demonstrate chlorosis or necrosis symptoms. Chlorosis is a yellow colouring due to a lack of chlorophyll and necrosis is the death of specific parts or the entire plant.

STEALTH SCIENCE

and Ionic Relations

We are only just scratching the surface for the best methods to cultivate crops to maximise both sustainability and productivity

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

Just like us, plants require a mixed diet of nutrition in different forms. They will survive on adequate food but will thrive on a wholesome diet with a comfortable environment It is challenging for home or even professional growers to isolate specific deficiencies or toxicities in plant nutrition, as many symptoms are very similar or are a result of many different imbalances. For example, iron, nitrogen, potassium, sulphur and magnesium deficiency can all cause chlorosis in leaves, but combinations or toxicities may have almost the opposite effect. Pest and disease issues can also demonstrate similar symptoms to nutrient deficiencies, meaning a holistic approach to problemsolving is always best. Generally, hydroponic grow mediums can be flushed or water reservoirs emptied and re-filled as a first step to remedy a deficiency. There are organic (enzymatic) methods of cleaning a substrate, or a variety of natural and synthetic chemicals can be used (citric acids, hydrogen peroxides etc.). In principle, it should be easy to diagnose mineral deficiencies through key symptoms and cure them by adding limiting nutrients (fertilisers). However, there are two significant problems: the effect of the soil (substrate) and the plant responsiveness. Indirect impacts of nutrient imbalances can cause further toxicities, and some elements may partially replace others, but not fully replicate their essential function. For example, a Ca2+ rich solution would be antagonistic to K+ entry, and the K+ deficiency symptoms would not be relieved by merely adding more K+ as the Ca2+ is still in excess. The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) describes the capacity of a substrate to hold onto exchangeable cations (imagine chunks of food). Sand has an extremely low CEC, but clays and humus based soils have a much higher CEC. The CEC is an inherent soil characteristic and can be hard to change significantly. It determines the substrateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to hold onto essential nutrients and provides a buffer against acidification. Organic matter needs to be added and amended regularly to improve the CEC of soil. It depends if you are growing in soil or soil-less substrates (coco, Rockwool etc.) as to the best path for your crop nutrition. Soil blends can contain all necessary nutriment for growth but can be extremely difficult to maintain and sustain in small pots. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No-Tillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Living soils and compost tea blends are gaining popularity as economical ways to cultivate crops, but the preparations and extensive required resources must be taken into account.

STEALTH SCIENCE

Clovers and other such rhizobial legumes are cultivated and chopped back into the soil, releasing nitrogen that will break down for future crops to consume Soil-less mixes generally require mineral nutrient for best plant performance. Organic soil-less mixes such as coco coir can utilise the benefits of organic nutriment and beneficial organisms in combination with mineral nutrition. Most commercial hydroponics brands include a combination approach of crop fertigation, using sea kelp, guano, and other organic blends alongside chelated mineral nutriment. For our gardens outside, most Australian soils are intrinsically old and low in nutrients. In traditional commercial cultivation, we add fertilisers to increase the mineral nutrition for crop growth as our land has been dangerously depleted. Initially, only organic fertilisers were known (manures and seaweed), and these were heaped and left to decay before planting (otherwise it would ‘burn’ the plants). Once mineral nutrition was discovered, inorganic (mineral) fertilisers were relied upon to supply the growing demand for food crops. Nitrogen and phosphorus were the most common limiting factors and are most often applied in fertilisers. Over time, we can build up the correct ratios of organic matter into soils and improve their quality, but modern commercial farming has done significant (potentially irreparable) damage to our farmable land. Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and excess mineral nutrition all cause harm to the naturally occurring beneficial organisms within the soil. Without these organisms and fungus, our natural ecosystem would fail to exist. But if we achieve the correct balance of nutrition, predominantly in the NPK ratio, we can reduce any limiting factors for growth. We need to aim to match the plant potential to the availability and solubility of limiting factors from fertilisers. Some commonly known plants have impressive powers to ‘fix’ nitrogen from the atmosphere and collect it in the soil. Legumes allow ‘rhizobia’ bacteria inside their root nodules to store the atmospheric nitrogen. There is a symbiotic exchange of amino acids, sugars, and minerals between the bacteria and the plant host.

Clovers and other such rhizobial legumes are cultivated and chopped back into the soil, releasing nitrogen that will break down for future crops to consume. There is extensive use of legumes as cover crops in certain sectors of commercial agriculture. The phosphorus cycle in natural systems explains the effective solubilisation of phosphorus from soil particles. Symbiotic bacteria and fungi around plants (mycorrhizae) allow for the increased penetration of soil particles by fine hyphae, a superfine underground web of fungus ‘roots’. This encourages the uptake of soluble phosphate for the plant. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are the external hyphae that interact with the sheath around the root hair, while endomycorrhizal are internal hyphae. Various bacteria also help to break down compounds into absorbable forms for the plant while the acidity/alkalinity of the soil is also a significant influence on these processes. The pH affects the development of beneficial bacteria and even the ability of certain compounds to chemically bind to other particles, making it more difficult for the plant to absorb. Just like us, plants require a mixed diet of nutrition in different forms. They will survive on adequate food but will thrive on a wholesome diet with a comfortable environment. It’s always better to source your fertilisers from recognised sources to ensure the quality and purity or investigate making your living soils at home if you’ve got the space and resources. Once our floral friends have consumed their daily diet, they need to digest it. So how do the plants turn these chunks of food into usable energy? In the next feature of ‘Stealth Science,’ we will investigate the phenomenon of photosynthesis and the phloem, the most influential piece of the plant growth puzzle! 3

BIO Founder of Indicated Technology Pty Ltd, Tom is a certified horticulturalist and paid consultant working in the Australian medical cannabis industry. After finishing studies in production horticulture (hydroponics) and plant biology; Tom has spent the past 6 years working in the protected cropping space. Tom is passionate about sustainable yet economic cultivation methodologies and also teaches cannabis cultivation as part of university and private education programs. Tom is also the Communications Manager for Stealth Garden wholesale supplies.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY TOM FORREST

Photosynthesis W

elcome back to another edition of Stealth Science! We hope you enjoyed our last feature, Plant Food

and Ionic Relations. Now, let’s look at how plants use these chunks of food to survive. The source of all energy for life on ear th is a

beautifully complex process called photosynthesis. Generally speaking, it is how plants collect light energy and store it in a chemical form.

There are a variety of physiological processes and functions that occur during photosynthesis. In this feature, we will discuss the diverse metabolic activities within our crops and how the long and short-term energy sources are differentiated. The critical ingredient for photosynthesis is light, or more precisely, light energy. Light energy is the catalyst that initiates the process of photosynthesis when pigments absorb light. This energy is measured in quantum (photons), while the light’s energetic potential is determined by the wavelength (colour). As the wavelength increases, power decreases. Blue light has smaller wavelengths with a higher intensity, whereas red wavelengths are more substantial and provide lower energy levels. The light below blue light (ultraviolet) has too much energy, causing the photons to rip the plant molecules apart. The light above red light (infrared) is insufficient to raise an orbital electron to an excited, or quantum, state.

Plants absorb most of their light energy using red (maxima around 660nm) and blue light (maxima around 450nm) wavelengths. Chlorophyll a absorbs light in the blue-violet region, while Chlorophyll b utilises red-blue light and both reflect green light (around 500nm which explains chlorophyll’s green colour). Chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments reflect or transmit the wavelengths they cannot absorb, making them appear in hues ranging from red to yellow, blue, and purple. Recent studies have shown that certain amounts of UV and infrared light can benefit photosynthesis and other biological processes, including essential oil production. However, modern research is relatively limited in this field.

Credit: Gringer

Our human eyes have three types of light absorbing cones, making us trichromatic. The evolution of trichromatic colour vision in primates occurred as the ancestors of modern monkeys, apes, and humans switched to diurnal (daytime) activity and began consuming fruits and leaves from flowering plants. Our eyes mostly absorb green light, whereas plants barely use green light energy at all. Most of it is reflected from the leaf surface.

Visible light spectrum 28

Photosynthetic Action Spectrum labelling chlorophyll and carotenoids

STEALTH SCIENCE

and Phloem Light energy is the catalyst that initiates the process of photosynthesis when pigments absorb light

Credit: Cornell, B. 2016. Action Spectrum. [ONLINE] Available at http://ib.bioninja.com.au. [Accessed 13 March 2019] 29

STEALTH SCIENCE

Plants have evolved to efficiently utilise all of their available resources through various methods, even while being stationary and stuck in the ground! There are five significant chlorophyll types and dozens of different forms of carotenoids. Carotenoids found in fruit (such as the red lycopene of a tomato, the yellow zeaxanthin of corn, or the orange β-carotene of a carrot) have a variety of functions including attracting seed-dispersing organisms (birds, bats, bugs, etc.).

The unique feature of these light absorbing pigments relates to their particular molecular structure. Chlorophylls and carotenoids have a distinctive ‘double-bond – single-bond’ arrangement (see below diagram) that allows a free electron to get excited and pass back and forth through different orbitals, generating energy.

As a general rule, we can measure the plant’s growth efficiency with the following formula:

When an atom in a chlorophyll molecule absorbs light and jumps to a higher energy level, the electron gets far enough away that it can be stolen by nearby particles carrying the electron down a transport chain.

Efficiency = Energy output (Dry weight of biomass produced) Energy Input (PAR - Where PAR is Photosynthetically Active Radiation 400 – 700nm). Most wild vegetation is around 1% efficiency, while intensive agriculture is usually <5%. Certain crops can reach 25% under ideal artificial conditions. The intrinsic limiting factors for photosynthesis are the efficiency of harvesting light and in biochemical processing, while the external environmental factors (heat, water, and nutrient) all influence productivity. We should all be familiar with the equation for photosynthesis: CO2 + H2O → (CH2O) + O2.

Credit: By Kelvinsong - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

To spell it out, carbon dioxide + water → carbohydrates and oxygen. This equation encompasses several coinciding processes. It’s also worth noting that different reactions occur during the day and night as the plant creates, moves, and stores vital energy.

With the correct amount of light energy, the electron climbs up orbitals (higher energy) and returns to a ground state. This liberates energy (some is lost irretrievably) and light for use in the two photosystems. The two photosystems in angiosperms (confusingly named PS2 and PS1 in the order they were discovered, not the order of function within the plant) capture and transfer this light energy by resonance transfer. The pigment molecules are discretely organised in thylakoid membranes (inside the chloroplasts), forming funnels of graded energy levels. First, photosystem 2 absorbs the higher energy (blue light), channels it to a reaction centre, and produces oxygen. Meanwhile, photosystem 1 is absorbing red light energy and passing it onto a different reaction centre. The Z-scheme is how we understand this link between PS1 and PS2 (see below graphic). The phosphorylation of ADP accompanies the Z-scheme. This process, which converts light energy into chemical energy, is called photophosphorylation. The Z-scheme describes a non-cyclic electron flow, a method that plants use to convert NADP to NADPH (longer term energy storage). Not surprisingly, it takes more than just a simple article to explain the different physiological processes at work here. If you’re interested in learning more, I’d recommend looking into plant biology courses at your local University.

Diagram of labelled chloroplast 3D including thylakoids, Granum and stroma Inside the chloroplasts (the tiny organelles made up of thylakoids and stroma), light is used by the chlorophyll to split water. Energy is formed and used to make ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is a small molecule used in living cells as a coenzyme. At night, the ATP creates longer-term carbohydrate energy storage.

The Z-scheme Credit: By w:User:Bensaccount - http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Image:Z-scheme.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3461098 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

STEALTH SCIENCE

Think about how the human body operates every day. There is a wide variety of different organs and functions operating simultaneously to keep us running. Plants have evolved to efficiently utilise all of their available resources through various methods, even while being stationary and stuck in the ground! Depending on the different ways they use resources, their ecology, and survival mechanisms, plants are categorised as either C3. C4, or CAM. C3 plants are the most common agricultural plants, and photosynthesis occurs predominantly in their leaves, but photorespiration can be wasteful and inefficient for climates with low water supply. In C3 plants, photorespiration occurs when the Calvin Cycle enzyme rubisco acts on oxygen rather than carbon dioxide. These plants have no real combat against photorespiration.

Credit: By Ninghui Shi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

In C4 plants, photosynthesis takes place within the inner cells, and photorespiration is minimised by separating initial CO2 fixation and the Calvin Cycle, performing these steps in different cell types. Think of it as a selective carbon pump that can be turned on when the water is low. CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants minimise photorespiration and save water by separating these steps between night and day.

In the final step of the Calvin Cycle, RuBP is generated, enabling the system to prepare for more CO2 to be fixed. There is more to these processes, and there are some fantastic YouTube videos that animate and explain the different concepts. As we superficially understand the different physiological processes occurring within photosynthesis, it leads us to explore the role of the phloem further. The phloem transports the nutrients, hormones, and sugars around the plant to where they are needed. Different theories state that ‘Mass flow’ and ‘P-protein function’ is responsible for the movement of these compounds. The Mass Flow hypothesis states there is a movement of sugars from the ‘source’ to the ‘sink’. The ‘sink’ is an area of high accumulations of auxins and cytokinins, the meristematic zones where new tissue is created (we will discuss these hormones more in the next issue). The P-protein Function hypothesis states that P-proteins potentially use a peristaltic movement to ‘squeeze’ the contents up and down the tube. In both schemes, the P-proteins can behave independently and move compounds upwards or downwards, but much energy is required to drive these strands. It’s a reasonably interesting topic, and the function is likely a combination of both theories. Through different methods of measurement, we can somewhat determine the rates and direction of phloem flow, but there are some problems with these experiments. We do know, however, that in the phloem structure, there are three distinct types of cells: sieve tube elements, companion cells, and phloem parenchyma. These cells all perform complex roles within the phloem to help act like the superhighway for the plant, transporting nutrients and hormones to different locations. If you’ve ever seen a ringbarked tree (a common practice for clearing farmland), it is the phloem tissue that is killed. There is no translocation of photosynthates from the leaves to the roots, and when the roots die so do the shoots, and the tree suffers a slow and painful death.

Cross section of a maize leaf, an example of a C4 plant. Drawing based on microscopic images courtesy of Cambridge University Plant Sciences Department. The Calvin Cycle describes the series of light-independent reactions in photosynthesis. Although it is not directly dependent on light, the important energy carriers (ATP and NADPH) are products of light-dependent reactions. The Calvin Cycle takes place in three key steps: fixation, reduction, and regeneration. In the first stage, CO2 is fixed from an inorganic to an organic molecule. Then ATP and NADPH are used to reduce 3-PGA into G3P, then ATP and NADPH are converted to ADP and NADP.

Although the xylem may contain amino acids, the phloem also has them along with various growth hormones. It’s also interesting to note that the phloem contains potassium chloride (KCl), the same compound found in pH pens and probes! We learn this by using fascinating controlled aphid exudate experiments where aphids are exposed to radioactive compounds inside plant phloem. Aphids are only able to pierce into individual layers of the plant tissue, allowing scientists to monitor the radioactive aphid poo to learn about compound transportation in plants. That’s it for another issue of Stealth Science. Be sure to check out the final instalment in this series in the next issue, Plant Hormones – The Control of Growth and Development. 3

BY SIMON HART

The way we farm and develop the land has had wide-ranging effects on fungal populations

A Food Forestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Friends 36

FUNGI

t’s not something we think of that often unless, perhaps, you are Paul Stamets, but the mycelium superhighways under our feet are a critical part of our environment.There is growing evidence that fungi drive their environment, influencing what type of ecosystem builds and sustains above and around them.

The main problem in taking advantage of this is the fact that fungi like a consistent, easy going kind of environment, and humans, well, we create more dynamic circumstances. The way we farm and develop the land has had wide-ranging effects on fungal populations.

A food forest is a type of permanent agricultural system than builds a 3-dimensional food-producing space by layering plants together

So how do we square these two ideas? Is there a way to improve the situation for fungi and take advantage of the enormous benefits from having them functioning in our soils? There are ways to reconnect with these fascinating organisms. The first thing to recognise is that fungi are looking for permanence. Most vegetable gardens lead to soil disturbance, so fungi are generally more suited for perennial systems. Enter the food forest - a masterfully intuitive design concept.

The key to a garden is good soil; the key to good soil is biology, and the key to biology is carbon. Many of us are familiar with feeding carbon to bacteria in the form of carbohydrates, like molasses, but fungi are slower and need different types. A wide range of options are available to the avid gardener:

A food forest is a type of permanent agricultural system that builds a 3-dimensional food-producing space by layering plants together, similar to what you would see in a natural environment. It all starts with an open canopy of well-placed trees up to 120 ft high, such as pecans in rural areas, or semi-dwarf pears in the city. Shorter trees and shrubs surrounded by perennials are sprinkled beneath them and enhanced further with vines, root crops, and ground cover. Food forest designs will generally focus on fruit, nuts, fibre and timber. These types of gardens are slow to build compared to vegetable beds but are more permanent. Because the system is allowed to grow and thrive without much soil disturbance, fungi have a much better chance of flourishing. These fascinating garden dwellers need time to expand, but there are ways to improve their growth.

•

A Food Forest

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Canopy Understory Shrubs Herbs Roots Groundcover Vines

•

Compost – a standard bullet-proof soil amendment. Compost, worm castings, and insect frass can all provide biology and organic matter rich in carbon. Organic fertiliser – an organic fertiliser will also help with soil carbon levels. Humic acid – the remnants of decomposed plant material, this carbon source is the foundation of any soil system. Wood chips – make sure to age them to let biology start working before putting it into the soil. Wood chips are fantastic for fungi and will generally be full of mycelium in less than a year. They can be spread on the surface or worked into the soil. Biochar – persistent carbon that will not break down over time. If you can find it, biochar will outlast every tree in your garden, staying intact for hundreds of years. It’s like catnip for mycorrhizae. Coarse woody debris – any wood is good wood. If a neighbour is chopping down an old cherry tree, see if you can stick it in your garden. Did some big branches fall off a tree in your yard? Find a place to bury them in the garden. Wood will break down slowly and provide food and habitat for growing fungi for many years. Logs – if you have space and the resources, logs are nature’s nursery, not only supporting fungi but providing multiple benefits to your soil. Whether under the surface or laying on the ground, logs in the garden are second to none for habitat.

2 3

credit: missionEden.net

4 7

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

FUNGI

The key to a garden is good soil; the key to good soil is biology, and the key to biology is carbon I have been creating a food forest of my own for 13 years now, and I have used wood in several different ways to build fungi in my 3-acre sanctuary. I was lucky to have an actual forest in the place where I wanted to grow food. The unfor tunate fact was that this meant cutting multiple 120 ft+ trees. The sadness of doing this was tempered by the idea of recycling this carbon into the growth of a new type of forest while keeping the remaining forest healthy. I have built habitat out of wood piles and forest soil; I have buried logs under my pathways and raised beds; I have left logs and stumps exposed to act as nurse logs and have even star ted growing fruit directly in them; I chipped all the branches for wood chips to be top dressed or mixed with soil.

Most vegetable gardens lead to soil disturbance, so fungi are generally more suited for perennial systems There are now eight types of nuts and over 40 types of fruit growing in the forest, alongside more than 200 native plant species (existing and purchased). These are complemented by at least 26 types of fruiting fungi. The wood has done its job by building fungal mass, improving soil quality, and providing habitat for numerous forest-dwelling species beyond fungi, such as native bees. I even had an otter spend a few weeks in a woodpile near the creek one year! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to have a garden that embraces fungi no matter where you live, but it involves being creative (no wood? Maybe straw can help), thinking about carbon (brown layer in a compost pile), and low impact gardening (sell the roto-tiller). Focus on perennial polyculture (lots of variety) and on a multi-storey canopy (different types of plants that fit different niches), and the fungi will come naturally! 3

Simon Hart has been gardening for over 40 years, including work in the 1980s with nutrient film technique and tissue culture. As a garden experimenter, Simon has taken various skills over the years and applied them to his plants, focusing on observation and soil health both indoors and out. Practical hands-on experience has been combined with postsecondary science-based agricultural programs, and in addition to sharing his knowledge with Garden Culture Magazine, Simon continues to guest lecture at local universities and other establishments on a variety of garden topics. Follow Simon @BentleyGrove

Bio

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY BEN BLANDFORD AND GARETH HOPCROFT

A Primer Quality & Quantity Work with nature, and you can have both!

LIVING ORGANIC SOIL

hy do we grow our food? Most growers will say for quality, flavour, and freshness, and to achieve those things, they experiment with different growing systems, nutrient regimes, environmental controls, lighting methods, and plant genetics. This often represents a lifelong journey of experimenting and

tweaking, trying new knowledge and technology along the way.

Nowadays, there is less inclination to grow food at home, and because of that, essential skills and knowledge have been lost. How many growers have a personal composting system, save their seeds, and tend their soil themselves? Instead, it has become the norm to grow in small pots that we supplement with an array of liquid feeds and additives. In the last few years, there has been an uprising based on the discovery that the vast majority of plants can grow perfectly well without our help! All they need is good soil and the right environmental conditions to thrive. Plain water and minimal inputs are delivered to larger volumes of high-quality soil; no bottled feeding regimes required. Some gardeners are even reusing their soil over and over again, rather than replacing it with a fresh pile every year. This approach is cost-effective and grows healthy and productive plants. It also attempts to recreate the outdoors in an indoor environment, working with nature to let plants pretty much grow themselves! This new wave of indoor organic purists use terms like ‘no-till’ and ‘living organics’ to describe practices that focus on more sustainable ways to grow while also achieving superior results. They understand that more work at the beginning builds good quality soil, and then nature is left to cycle the nutrients and make them available to the plants in the future. The concept is relatively new to indoor growers, but it’s gaining huge momentum in the U.S. and will likely soon dominate large portions of the international market as well. Providing that the soil has been adequately made, it contains everything a plant needs from seedling until harvest, except water. Of course, many additional inputs can be used, but they are often unnecessary. Specialist companies focusing on the needs of this new market are only now beginning to establish themselves, making it possible for growers to get everything they need in one place and in pre-made soil mixes. One critical difference between living soil and traditional bottle fed growing is pot size. When feeding with liquids, four plants can be grown in a square meter with 15-20L pots. But when using living soil, four 40-50L pots per metre are recommended. The larger volume of the earth allows for a reserve of nutrients to sustain the plant through its cycle. A plant will always be

Fabric pot

credit: Left Coast Wholesale/GeoPots

But apart from some notable improvements in lighting technology, some growers argue that not much else has changed in the last 20 years. Perhaps, that makes us all the more ready and willing to embrace a new concept that can take us to the next level in this new age of indoor cultivation.

Consider the forest for a moment; who is feeding that? The same idea applies to indoor gardens. We need to relearn what we’ve forgotten and let nature do its thing!

happier if it has more space for root development, and if the soil is healthy with good microbial activity and nutrients, they don’t need anything else but water. Consider the forest for a moment; who is feeding that? The same idea applies to indoor gardens. We need to relearn what we’ve forgotten and let nature do its thing! Generally, living soil growers prefer fabric pots, which allow for air pruning of the roots around the sides and also help maintain moisture levels. Some gardens use large beds and sow multiple plants in each to get the increased benefits from the mycorrhizal network. With this kind of soil volume, growers only need to focus on watering, making sure the earth is never too dry or too wet. The microbial life within the soil will continue to develop and diversify, and the plant will take up every nutrient it needs.

LIVING ORGANIC SOIL

credit: Grow Organic / The Dirt on Mycorrhizae

Think of the living soil as a 24-hour buffet, offering the healthiest, freshest organic food on the planet

Better yet, yield doesn’t have to be a trade-off for superior quality. When the plants have all their nutritional requirements, they can easily reach their full potential. Their immune systems are healthy, they have a much higher nutrient density and BRIX level, and their essential oils, terpenes, and flavonoids can develop fully. They have more vigour and energy and can withstand stress much better. It is possible to achieve the same yields with organics as any other growing method out there. Maintaining proper soil health also increases soil respiration. The soil microbial life consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. With the organic soil inputs continually being broken down by microbes, there is a steady release of CO2 from the soil to further benefit the plant - your very own living and breathing ecosystem in a pot! You can also develop a no-till system which reuses the same soil without remixing for every grow. Plant waste material from pruning can be used to feed the next crop and develop a recycling system where nothing leaves the grow room other than finished produce. Note that recycling the soil requires further enhancement such as the addition of worms and a mulch layer, but it is the ultimate in self-sufficiency, closed loop, and sustainable indoor gardening. Using living soils for one single grow is also great because it is much easier to get started. It is never recommended to use pots smaller than 20L in size, and know that with lower soil volume, some supplementation may still be required, however, look at it as feeding the soil, not the plant. Some instant teas, top dresses, foliar sprays, or soil drenches are easy ways to get good nutrition into the soil that will keep everything green and healthy. There are also kits available now that cover the full range of soil amendments.

Maintaining proper soil health also increases soil respiration. The soil microbial life consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.

credit: Left Coast Wholesale/GeoPots

When the soil moisture and pot size are just right, growers need only to maintain the canopy, prune lower growth, and inspect for pests or damage. Think of the living soil as a 24-hour buffet, offering the healthiest, freshest organic food on the planet. There is no need to force feed, as is the case when using mineral nutrients. With healthy living soils, plants grow themselves if the soil inputs are well balanced.

In future editions, we will discuss in more detail the way the living soil works and what it contains, what growers need to do, the best practice for watering, and also share some real-world examples of living soil in action in home gardens and large-scale commercial facilities. 3

BIO Gareth Hopcroft is a certified plant geek and all round

organic gardening devotee. Gareth has been involved in the UK hydro industry for 15 years and is currently the owner of Ecothrive; known mostly for bringing frass to the UK scene through his product ‘Charge’. When he’s not talking about indoor growing or microbes, you’ll find Gareth getting his hands dirty on his allotment or falling off his skateboard. Follow Gareth @ecothrive Ben Blandford is an organic warrior leading the campaign against toxic food and medicines via his company, Indoor Organics, which focuses on helping growers use real soil, natural inputs, worms and microbes to grow plants without the need for man-made fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. An experienced grower with a passion for the ultimate quality in the final product, Ben is dedicated to pushing the standards, always trusting that nature knows best! Follow Ben @Indoor_Organics

BY EVAN FOLDS

with Fruit & Fasting

Humans overeat. Where did the idea that we should eat three meals a day come from, anyway?

FRUIT & FASTING

n case you haven’t noticed, the world is broken. I don’t mean to be dramatic; I’m serious. We might live longer, but do we live better? The developed world eats more than ever, and yet, we grow sicker. We grow plenty of food, yet people go hungry. The U.S. spends more money on health care than any other country, yet

we rank towards the bottom in results. We are more connected through the computers in our pocket, yet lonelier than ever. Something big is wrong.

The problems are apparent; they are “open secrets”, but the solutions are few. We have made things so complicated that we have to compar tmentalise them to be able to engage and digest them. The result is “specialisation”, a focus on the tree at the expense of the forest. We’re all in the same room, but we don’t know how to talk to one another.

The developed world eats more than ever, and yet, we grow sicker. We grow plenty of food, yet people go hungry

The realisation I have come to after many years of contemplation and experimentation is that the way we eat is the most powerful tool we have to fix the world. We all need to grow our food to change the food system and change the world. As Wendell Berry said, “Eating is an agricultural act”. Humans overeat. Where did the idea that we should eat three meals a day come from, anyway? The reality is that we are conditioned to eat food in a cer tain way. Here’s an insight I have come to: regenerative health is not about what you eat; it is about what you don’t eat. Over 70% of the average American diet is processed. More than 50% of what Americans eat is “ultraprocessed”, which delivers 90% of the sugar. Our diets are killing us slowly, and progressively faster as we create generational weakness in our foods. Today, one in two people will get cancer in their lifetimes. According to Dr Zach Bush, 46% of children are now diagnosed with a chronic health condition. It’s hear tbreaking. So, “not eating foods” means avoiding things such as fast food or any processed food, but it also means eating less in general. Fasting has now been proven to be of serious medical benefit. One of the main benefits is detox. In the modern world, even the most health-conscious humans are toxic without intention. It comes from seemingly

everywhere; the air, our water, food, you name it. Do a quick internet search for “benefits of fasting”. Fasting also improves immune function and overall health in a holistic way. Fasting allows the body to regenerate itself from the onslaught of the standard American diet (SAD).

I have eaten no meat other than occasional f ish for over f if teen years. But recently, I have taken my diet experimentation to a new level. Since November 2018, I have been practising different types of fasting and following a raw diet consisting of around 90% fruit. Trust me, it sounded crazy to me as well when I f irst considered it, but the results have been incredible, and the clarity and knowledge I have gained through the experience to date have been profound. Through the work of Dr Rober t Morse, I became aware of the impor tance of the lymphatic system. There are two dominant interstitial fluids in the human body – blood and lymph. The volume of lymph in the body is 3-4 times larger than blood, and it doesn’t move naturally like the blood. This is one of the reasons why exercise and techniques such as yoga or rebounding are so crucial to the body. The blood is maintained at all costs at a pH of 7.4 or we die. Everything that might disrupt this balance is moved to the lymphatic system to be removed, along with other acids and cellular breakdown through apoptosis. In the body, the blood is the kitchen, and the lymph is the sewer system. Most of the health symptoms that humans deal with are a result of a compromised lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is excreted out of the body through the kidneys and the urine. The skin is the third

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

CMH technology. Gavita quality. New

Gavita CMH Our horticultural quality CMH fixtures are designed for the most efficient CMH lamp in the market. The 315W SE and 630W SE (dual 315W lamp) are available as 3000K for flowering, or 4200K for vegetative or supplemental use. The integrated Repeater Bus allows you to connect your fixture to the Gavita Master controller (safety features & timing control). • 240V input range • Designed for 315W CMH lamps • Choice of 930 Agro or 942 Full Spectrum lamp • External control with Repeater Bus interface • Fully sealed housing with Gore-Tex® plug • Mounting brackets for unistrut/c-profiles available as accessory

Discover more on gavita.com

FRUIT & FASTING

There is a big difference between simple sugar and complex sugar

kidney, so when the lymphatic system is backed up, we can see a range of skin conditions like war ts, pimples, psoriasis, eczema, etc. A compromised lymphatic system is also the root of inflammation, which is at play behind almost all of the degenerative and autoimmune disease that are at all-time highs. Do the research.

Fruits are higher in antioxidants and astringents and will move your lymphatic system far better than vegetables

Fruits are higher in antioxidants and astringents and will move your lymphatic system far better than vegetables. This is why one sees a lymphatic response when fruit is consumed. This was the basis of my diet experiment, and I want to share with you some myths that have been busted for me. Myth #1: We need protein to be healthy. Protein is made up of amino acids. Nine essential amino acids are not produced by the body and are required from our food. Longer chain proteins from animal products are more complex and difficult for the body to digest than plants, and one of the central tenets of a detoxification diet is to mitigate the responsibility the body has to digest what we eat. To detox and regenerate, we need the body to rest. It can take us 3-4 hours to digest meat, vegetables, 1-2 hours, and fruit, less than an hour for most varieties. Sure, you can get all of the essential amino acids from one bite of meat, but you can get the same amino acid profile from a variety of fruits. The goal of detox is to take the burden off of the body. Myth #2: A “square meal” consists of meat, starch, and vegetable. It turns out that the rates of digestion in the stomach have a great determination on the body being able to absorb the nourishment. Eating foods that digest at different rates can contribute to malabsorption. One

way to counter this is to separate fruit from veggies and meat and eat them at different times. Try “mono-meals” where you eat only one thing, preferably fruit. You will feel better and notice an improvement in your digestion.

Myth #3: There is too much sugar in fruit. This is a difficult burden to carry due to our hyper-focus on single ingredients. In other words, the studies that demonise fructose are typically done with artificial fructose or fructose that has been isolated, not delivered through fruit with everything else that makes up a fruit. Rarely do we stop to consider how the entourage effect influences bioavailability and nutrition. There is a synergistic action that fructose has when combined with glucose, polyphenols, antioxidants, fibre, structured water, etc. that is not very well understood. As they say, trust your gut. There is a big difference between simple sugar and complex sugar. Fruit contains fructose, which is a simple sugar. All fruit contains fructose and glucose, but the balance of fructose is highest in fruits relative to veggies. Unlike glucose, the sugar found in abundance in bread and more complex carbohydrates, fructose does not require insulin or extensive digestive enzymes to process. There is also often confusion between fructose found in fruits and high fructose corn syrup. They are not the same. I would love to have a simple explanation as to why all fructose is not the same, but suffice it to say that sugar from Nature is not the same as isolated man-made sugar. Similar to the difference between the poisonous nature of NaCl table salt in comparison with the lifegiving proper ties of sea minerals. Besides, sugar is the main requirement of the human body. Sugar = carbon. That is why we call foods high in sugar, carbo-hydrates.

Over 70% of the average American diet is processed

Myth #4: Food is anything that tastes good and maintains life and growth. This doesn’t mean good food should taste bad; only that food science has done a wonder in confusing the human palate.

Pasteurised orange juice from a shelf in the grocery is not juice; it is flavoured sugar water

To illustrate this, let’s look at orange juice. You may have noticed the term “pasteurised” on orange juice labels. It is a nice word for irradiation, which is necessary to make sure the juice does not contain any harmful microbes at the point of sale. The problem is that the pasteurisation process breaks down much of the benefit of the raw juice. Keep in mind, that real juice would spoil in a matter of days on a shelf, which would be bad for business.

The book Squeezed by Alissa Hamilton is an amazing expose of the orange juice industry. The author describes how most of the “Florida Gold” comes from Brazil, how the sugar water left as a result of pasteurisation is reconstituted with custom colouring, mouthfeel, flavours, and even scents formulated by perfume companies. This is how orange juice brands maintain such rigid individualisation and consistency. Beyond this, the FDA allows for ascorbic acid, that is made ar tificially in a lab, to be called “Vitamin C”. As a result, orange juice brands can make claims that they have 100% of your daily Vitamin C per serving in a bottle.

Pasteurised orange juice from a shelf in the grocery is not juice; it is flavoured sugar water. You would be saddened to know how often this is happening in our food supply.

So, my diet has busted some myths, but it has also solidified some truths. One is that fruit is the best water we have available. All water is not the same. Dr Gerald Pollack and his “exclusion zone” (EZ water) theory offer a possible explanation for why hydration from plant cells is the ideal way to hydrate the body. I can tell you for sure that when you eat lots of fruit, you don’t carry around a water bottle anymore. Since energy is at the core of all healing, we must choose foods to eat that are high energy, high vibration, have high astringent qualities to pull on the lymphatic system and digest quickly to allow the body the time and energy it needs to clean itself out, strengthen and rebuild, and heal. Fruits measurably have the highest amount of energy of all the foods. The more energetic the foods are that you eat, the more vibrant and healthy you become. Fasting and a high fruit diet is an ideal food for detoxing the body and regenerating health. I’m committed to six months of detox, and then we will see where things go. I’m not going to be eating 90% fruit forever, but I have most definitely changed the way I eat for the rest of my life. What we think, we grow. What we eat, we know. 3

Bio

Evan Folds is a regenerative agricultural consultant with a background across every facet of the farming and gardening spectrum. He has founded and operated many businesses over the years - including a retail hydroponics store he operated for over 14 years, a wholesale company that formulated beyond organic products and vortex-style compost tea brewers, an organic lawn care company, and a commercial organic wheatgrass growing operation. He now works as a consultant in his new project Be Agriculture where he helps new and seasoned growers take their agronomy to the next level.What we think, we grow! Contact Evan at www.BeAgriculture.com or on Facebook and Instagram @beagriculture 51

BY SIMON HART

Biology Boost

The Benefits of

Not only does biochar amplify the soil and help your gardens grow, but it also sucks up and stores carbon, making it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change

BIOCHAR

here is renewed interest in soil health these days as more gardeners aim for crop quality rather than achieving the highest yield possible. The term â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;super soilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is thrown around a lot but can be quite misleading. All soil is valuable; we have even discovered ways to improve

soilless mixes such as peat and coco-based products vastly! Most of the enhancements are built around biology, which can have a huge effect on both crop yield and, above all else, quality.

With the focus on biology, the soil isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just for growing roots anymore (hint: it never was). But how do we modify it to help biology thrive so we, and our gardens, can reap the benefits?

Its infinite pores provide habitat and stimulate biology to interact more effectively with surrounding soils and plant roots

Organic matter is one of the most important things to consider when building soil quality. Carbon-based, it comes in many different forms, including biochar, which is still being studied extensively. Soil research in tropical rainforest regions has shown humans were modifying the soil thousands of years ago in a way that has had a lasting impact on soil health and quality. A fraction of this persistent soil carbon was charcoal-based, and we are now trying to find ways to replicate or at least take lessons from these anthropogenic soil profiles.

Biochar is engineered charcoal. It was not created through slash and burn agriculture, and to this day, is not something that can be reproduced in a backyard bonfire either. Charcoal is not at all the same, and biochar stands out for several reasons. Biochar is created in a low oxygen environment without the use of a flame after ignition. The two methods primarily used to make it include pyrolysis or gasification. Both ways use the gases found within the wood (or other feedstock) to fuel the process that hardens the fibre into a persistent carbon known as graphite. By removing all the volatile compounds, a hard-walled sponge is produced. This material can last for hundreds of years in the soil and is incredibly beneficial. Not only does biochar amplify the earth and help your gardens grow, but it also sucks up and stores carbon, making it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change. You can make biochar out of various materials including straw, hardwood, and even manure, but studies are still being done to determine which ones are better than the others. A finding that has remained consistent through all of the research efforts is that biochar provides a range of beneficial impacts on the soil it touches. Biology likes interacting with biochar. Its infinite pores provide habitat and stimulate biology to communicate more effectively with surrounding soils and plant roots. The substance provides internal air porosity and water holding capacity, and can even mimic activated charcoal and remove heavy metals from the land, saving hungry roots from toxins.

Extra air and more available water can have a tremendous impact on biology working with your plants. Biochar can also have a mild liming effect on soils, which is especially helpful to combat the acidity in many peat-based potting soils. While higher pH is usually more beneficial to bacteria, fungi have a strange affinity for biochar due to its high carbon/nitrogen ratio. Biochar is an excellent supplement in a compost pile at home or mixed with worm castings. It can also just be combined with soils, or even spread on the surface to leech into the ground over time. A favourite technique of mine is to brew an actively aerated compost tea, and then run the liquid through biochar before adding it to the soil. This gives a more uniform microbial count through the earth. It also helps retain more microorganisms closer to the soil surface, ensuring more root contact than if it continued into the subsoil or out the bottom drain holes of containers. Like all things we are only just beginning to understand, biochar is not a panacea. There are questions about the ethical sourcing of feedstock material and whether some sources help at all. My personal experience with biochar both outdoors and indoors has shown that it can encourage plant growth in all the right ways. Gardeners of all kinds are now experimenting with biochar to not only achieve maximum yield but crops of superior quality as well. 3

Bio

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss out? Visit GardenCultureMagazine.com and subscribe now!

Grow your own â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no matter where you live. Sustainable, efficient gardening. New hints and tips from our blog delivered to your inbox weekly, and be the first to know when the latest print magazine lands in a progressive garden shop near you. Truly local. Beyond fresh.

GardenCultureMagazine

WHAT’S GROWING ON

Who’s Growing

austin rali a

t a h W Wh

& Ze N e w al an d

ere

Thirlmere, NSW

Local, Organic, Ethical

CREDIT: www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

The produce grown and sold at Piccolo Farm is anything but mainstream. On four and a half acres, Lizzie and Gianluigi Buscaino nurture a wide range of seasonal organic vegetables and edible flowers. From marigold petals and zinnias to snapdragons and plenty of herbs, the senses are pleased with pops of colour and fresh, intense flavours. Customers can feel good about the food they eat, knowing that no chemicals are used on the crops. The former dairy pasture has been transformed into a permaculture property and operates on a closed loop system, using only organic waste to feed the plants. The farm is also Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and so the local community is welcome to come and learn how their food is grown and how it impacts the environment.

Regenerative smallscale piccolofarm.com.au

agriculture.

Learn

Tasmania, Australia

Rebel Food Tasmania is introducing Australia to a new way of farming by growing edible insects! Nutritious and delicious, bugs such as crickets, mealworms, and wood roaches are a highly sustainable protein. Farming the insects carries a tiny carbon footprint; they have a good quality of life while eating seasonal vegetables, farm and food waste from local restaurants, microbreweries and vineyards. The result is maximum flavour and a whole slew of health benefits (high in calcium, vitamin K2, Omega 3, and more) that can be incorporated into so many different recipes; you’ll likely even forget you’re eating bugs! Think roasted mushrooms stuffed with cricket pesto, or slow roasted wood roach and cricket wattleseed crackers. With more focus around the world on plant-based diets, insects are touted as the protein of the future; only Rebel Food Tasmania is doing it today. Ahead of the times. Learn more: rebelfoodtasmania.com

Credit: Rebel Food Tasmania

Hungry for Bugs?

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GROWING ON

Morningside, Brisbane

Sustainable in the City Just about everything at the Beelarong Community Farm is sustainable; from the way they grow food to the infrastructure and amenities on site. The property features native beehives and insect hotels, compost tumblers and worm farms, rain tanks for watering needs and solar panels for all of the energy requirements. Raised beds have been built throughout the farm, ensuring that anyone has access and can help tend the gardens, no matter what their mobility. Naturally, everything grown at the farm is done so without the use of chemicals. A highly efficient herb spiral is one of the main attractions, a vertical garden design that maximises space and allows a variety of plants with various water requirements to grow together. Members of the farm have also established a seed bank, and are busy swapping locally adapted, non-hybrid varieties of fruits and vegetables throughout the growing seasons. More gardeners are wanted; all are welcome. Learn more: beelarong.org.au

Abbotsford, Victoria

Zero Waste

WhWaht

ere

in st au ralia & Ze a N e w la n d

Credit: Beelarong Community Farm

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growing

The mission at FareShare is simple: to make sure nothing goes to waste and that the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food insecure have access to free, nutritious meals. To do that, the organisation and its hundreds of volunteers go above and beyond. Refrigerated vans drive around collecting food that would otherwise go to waste from supermarkets, wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers. To make sure there are enough vegetables to go around, three separate kitchen gardens on small plots of disused land grow 40 tonnes of fresh produce every year including zucchini, carrot, eggplants, pumpkin and sweet potato. All of the food is then combined and made into balanced, delicious meals for those in need. Between the two locations in Melbourne and Brisbane, more than 10,000 meals are cooked and distributed every day. Not an easy feat, but the people at FareShare are keen on making a difference.

Credit: FareShare

Saving food from landfills and helping those in need. Learn more: fareshare.net.au

Who’s Growing What Where in Australia?

See all the urban growers, backyard gardeners, and inspiring communities featured in Who’s Growing What Where over the years.

NEW

visit: GCmag.co/WGWW

Who’s Growing

WhWaht

in st au ralia & Zea New lan d

ere

ASK A PH.D.

Garden Culture’s

Ask A Ph.D.!

Question: Is there a fungal group that is best suited for use in agriculture?

Answer from: Dr Colin Bell, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Mammoth Microbes

Arguably, one of the most essential fungal groups to support plant growth in agriculture systems is arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi.

Arguably, one of the most essential fungal groups to support plant growth in agriculture systems is arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. These symbiotic fungi function by infecting the outer layer of the root, penetrating the cortical layers and developing arbuscules (i.e., exchange) sites within the host plant root cells. At these arbuscule exchange sites, fungi consume the labile carbon exudates that the plants produce to support fungal growth, while the fungi provide excess phosphorous to the plant that they have scavenged from the surrounding environment.

Under optimal growing conditions, it takes a minimum of 15 days for colonisation to occur. This symbiotic relationship is an exchange of nutrients; carbon from the plant to the fungi, and phosphorous from the surrounding soil environment through the fungi to the plant. Glomus is the largest genus of AM fungi, with over 200 known species. Approximately 80% of plant species on Earth have AM fungal associations. Scientists believe that these symbiotic interactions originated over 400 million years ago as these ancient freeliving fungi evolved to support both plant and fungal success. It is unclear whether these fungi have plant speciesspecific relationships. However, only one AM fungal species known as glomus intradecies infect cannabis sativa. AM fungal growth is sensitive to environmental shifts in temperature, pH, and ion (i.e., fertiliser) concentrations. For example, AM fungal infection rates have been

shown to decline significantly with increased phosphorous availability within the rhizosphere. This suggests an active feedback loop corresponding to environmental conditions, which is deterministic of the success of the symbiotic relationship with plants when AM fungi are used in agriculture management practices.

The environment regulates all biology. When using natural solutions in agriculture, it is crucial to understand the function of biology as well as the environmental limitations to maximise success. 3

credit: Western Sydney University

Soil fungi are filamentous, microscopic, hair-like organisms that grow through the soil’s decomposing organic matter and supporting plant growth in both natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Bio

Colin Bell is the co-founder, co-inventor and Chief Growth Officer at Mammoth Microbes. Colin is passionate about science, and received his PhD. in Biological Sciences, specialising in soil microbial ecology and plant-microbe interactions. He left his academic position at Colorado State University in March 2015 to launch Mammoth Microbes.When he’s not travelling the world interacting with and learning from cultivators, there is nothing Colin enjoys more than teaching and working with the team at Mammoth Microbes.You can find Colin on Instagram: @colinwbell

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY MATT MOUNTAIN

The PRUNING

debate

Just like us, plants run on a metabolic network, and every living cell in a plant makes demands on that network for food and water that must be balanced 60

THE PRUNING DEBATE

s with most topics in the hor ticultural world, if you ask the internet or a selection of growers for advice on pruning flowering plants, you’ll get different opinions. Even plant scientists will find unexpected results in this area, although, not necessarily surprising.

What the best way to prune for yield? Well, in reality, there are as many answers as there are plant species. A quick online search for the species you have (provided you search for advice from a recognised hor ticultural institution) will tell you what time of year or phase of growth is best for pruning. So, why is there still so much debate on this issue? More interestingly, what are the basics we need to know before we star t?

If you prune or remove leaves during flowering, it is possible all of the plant’s resources will go towards flower rather than leaf replacement

If you suspect that this is yet another plant-based debate where the only universally correct answer is “balance”, you are right. Like the hippies say, “in all living things, energy is shared.” Balance isn’t just impor tant: it’s unavoidable. Just like us, plants run on a metabolic network, and every living cell in a plant makes demands on that network for food and water that must be balanced. That process of resource attribution is called par titioning. Have you ever heard someone talk about applying a specific treatment or product to a plant and making it do something? It can sound a bit anthropomorphic. Treat plants a cer tain way, and you can let them know they are going to die. In response, the plants will change their behaviour. For example, If you allow lettuce to repeatedly dry and wilt before re-watering and feeding it, it will bolt or go into flower. It is inevitable, no matter how much nitrogen and veg boosting products you supply it. It “thought” it was going to die, and so it put all available resources into reproduction, or flowering and seeding.

the unconscious physical processes regulating our metabolisms and keeping us alive, are complex self-righting mechanisms, where a myriad of interconnected balancing acts tend to push the overall system one way or another depending on circumstances.

Plants have experienced a wide range of situations over their evolutionary history, such as unstable weather and nutrient supply, high pathogen levels, and more. Those that have survived, especially those adapted to non-specialist or varying conditions, have a range of different growth responses available to them. These responses and the flexibility of the resource par titioning system that powers them is what allows us to manipulate plants in so many ways, making them grow and yield differently compared to how they perform in their natural habits. Reproducing is a non-negotiable requirement for existence, and flowering and fruiting are evolved responses to the challenges of doing so effectively over the long term. So, it’s not surprising that more energy is needed if plants are taking a shortcut to flower, devote, or partition. This is where balance and oxygen come back in.

Many scientists and science communicators (myself included on most days) don’t mind this intention-based way of talking about biology, plants, or humans. It comes naturally and is relatable. However, many flat out reject this idea. The problem is it’s not technically true in the sense that plants don’t “know” anything. They, similar to

THE PRUNING DEBATE

Remember oxygen? The thing that keeps your plant’s roots from drowning and rotting? It turns out it’s not just your roots that need that sweet, sweet O2 . We already know that plants make their food through photosynthesis and give out oxygen. Water, sunlight, and air come in, oxygen and food go out. Right?

Well, sor t of. Every cell needs to make energy (food), then burn it with sunlight and unicorn tears. Just like us, to break sugars down and make the molecules that power cellular mechanisms, they need oxygen in every cell. Keeping an oxygenated rootzone isn’t If you grow bushes with ten just crucial for plant health in an abstract way. It directly fuels levels of leaves that end up every cell in the organism, and if hiding the flowers under their there isn’t enough, growth will be canopy, you would almost limited. So, here’s what you need to know: certainly do better with some •

• • •

Plants par tition energy resources internally between areas and different activities (roots, leaves, flowers/growing, reproducing, etc.) depending on the circumstance. Plants get energy from the sun through its leaves. They transpor t that energy around internally as sugars. All cells in plants use energy to survive and reproduce (plant growth).

thinning out

These are the basics of the pruning debate. The reason there is so much confusion, differing opinions and results, is mainly because all the factors at play are interconnected and interdependent. Despite all this apparent complexity, the idea is very straightforward. When a plant is in flower, it allocates a higher percentage of its energy resources to flowering than it does in vegetative growth. So, if you prune or remove leaves during flowering, it is possible all of the plant’s resources will go towards flower rather than leaf replacement. However, go too far with the pruning, and the loss of leaf area will restrict the plant’s ability to make food for growth, which results in fewer flowers and fruit yields. In a nutshell, flowers can be restrained by either having too many leaves or not enough of them.

What is the solution? Balance. One of the most current scientific studies on this subject is a Dutch paper by S Xiao, A. van der Ploeg, M. Bakker and E. Heuvelink that looks at the impact reducing leaves by 30% has on tomato plants. In shor t, they found that lowering leaf numbers can increase resource allocation to the fruit by modest, but commercially significant amounts. In the same paper, a reduction in overall mass was observed, which is to be expected given the plants absorb less energy after pruning. One of the ways the authors compensated for that in tests was to increase planting density, which worked in this case, delivering higher yields. So, should you go out and chop 30% of the leaves off all your plants? Not necessarily. The plants used in this study were optimised, commercial tomatoes, therefore, increasing density after removing leaves was done very accurately. The plants were not overly congested before or after. If you have perfectly-spaced plants with sparse leaf structure, you should not expect a productivity gain from removing one-third of their leaves, or by adding more plants and making the overall density too high.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

@greatwhitemyco

THE PRUNING DEBATE

Congested plants with inward branches or with very dense canopies block air circulation and can attract pests and disease, so removing them, even during vegetative growth, is essential

On the flipside, if you grow bushes with ten levels of leaves that end up hiding the flowers under their canopy, you would almost cer tainly do better with some thinning out, as well as some extra plants to take advantage of the previously shaded areas. What about the tricky intermediate cases? First of all, one of the main reasons we prune leaves outside of flower production is general plant health and maintenance. Congested plants with inward branches or with very dense canopies block air circulation and can attract pests and disease, so removing them, even during vegetative growth, is essential.

Remember, above all this is a balance.

The same rule applies for yellowing, damaged, and lowdown shaded leaves; remove them. Leaf pruning can only allocate resources to flowering if the plant is in bloom, so tidying up in the vegetative phase will help create a plant that is structurally ready for efficient and healthy flowering. If you apply this philosophy to intermediate plants during flowering, by progressively removing the oldest leaves star ting at the bottom of the plant, you can get the benefits of forced re-allocation to flowers while preempting the leaves the plant will drop anyway as it ages. Remember, above all this is a balance. If you start seeing the ground through the plant, you have gone too far. If you find more than three or so leaves one above another, the ones below can probably be removed, within reason. 3

Matt Mountain - Clearspeech.london With a Bachelor of Sciences degree and background in management consultancy, Mattâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day job is helping everyday people - aka customers, understand and benefit from the developments that researchers and manufacturers in advanced horticulture make every year.

Bio

Matt manages General Hydroponics Europe and General Organics operations in the UK, and with 20 years of urban gardening experience in France and England, is now particularly concentrated on the practical application of hydroponics in small-scale urban food production with a focus on high value, high carbon cost produce.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

+ +

CEC Living +

+ +

&Soils 2+

CEC & LIVING SOILS

BY MATT BARNES

he benefits of growing in living, organic soil are many when compared with more conventional methods that use synthetic, chemical fertilisers and inert substrates. The complexity of flavour and aroma is improved, as is the nutrient density and overall quality of crops. Beyond that, when reusing soil, there are substantial cost savings over

multiple growing cycles, and that combined with no-till farming practices are environmentally sustainable practices we so desperately need.

The CEC and base saturation are paramount to a high-per forming living organic soil. Cations are positively charged nutrient ions consisting of mainly calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, as well as trace elements. The higher the soil CEC, the more negative exchange sites are available to hold onto the minerals. When building a quality potting soil with plenty of humus and biology, the aim is to fill the CEC with a ratio of about 70% calcium, 10% magnesium, 4% potassium and 1.5% sodium. The rest of the space should be free for trace elements and exchangeable hydrogen.

credit: www.tur fcaresupply.com

Cation Exchange Capacity

credit: Grab Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Grow Soil Products

A superior quality, well constructed livA superior quality, well constructed living potting ing potting soil will also have a high CEC soil will also have a high CEC (cation exchange (cation exchange capacity), which is the capacity), which is the measure of its ability to measure of its ability to hold minerals and nutrients. It has excellent moisture hold minerals and nutrients retention, which not only reduces the need for fer tiliser inputs but also presents a potential solution to harmful nitrate runoff and water waste.

mineral content provides maximum crop per formance. The results are often superior flavour and smell, increased secondary metabolite production, and nutritious yields limited only by plant genetics and environmental factors. To keep the soil balanced and restore consumed minerals, you can apply small spoon fed amounts of organic amendments between growing cycles. When top-dressing, lightly scratch amendments into the top of your soil and apply a layer of worm castings or compost covered with some mulch. The soil biology will begin breaking down the organic minerals for the plant. Your living organic soil should increase in fer tility over time, requiring fewer inputs and less water. Be sure to always take the ratio of minerals above and the soil CEC into consideration, as applying too much of it can alter the balance and do more harm than good. If managed well, your soil can provide harvests for a lifetime. 3

Generally, when a soil CEC is filled close to the recommended ratio it will have an ideal mineral composition that allows efficient nutrient uptake by plants through root and microbial exudates. Both the plant roots and microorganisms can exude hydrogen ions and exchange them for calcium or other cations. This exchange is what leads to optimum soil pH levels of about 6.4. An excellent living organic potting soil takes all of this into account, and its rich

Bio

Matt Barnes, Director of Southern No-Till and Easy As Organics. Matt has worked to create viable gardening businesses in Australia with a focus on biological soil health. He has been heavily influenced by a number of forward-thinking people in the field of regenerative agriculture. Matt has studied soil biology and microscopy with Dr Mary Cole of AgPath and continues to use microscope analysis to determine compost and soil health. He also continues to develop sustainable, organic gardening products that maximise crop production while building soil carbon and encouraging ecological diversity.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS IN RECYCLING FOOD WASTE The plastic is made of food waste, and so the scientists behind it say the bugs and bot tomfeeders in the water will degrade the objects

RECYCLING FOOD WASTE GardenCultureMagazine.com

Tackling climate change requires that we solve multiple problems; among them, plastic pollution and food waste. There are so many fresh ideas aiming to do precisely that. Find

best of

the blog

this blog and others straight from the garden at GCMag.co

lastic is a problem. So is food waste. A team of researchers from Montreal, Canada has decided to tackle both of these issues at the same time, and the result is pretty impressive. A repor t by CTV News says the team of exper ts at McGill University has developed a durable and fully

biodegradable plastic from the leftover shells of shrimp, lobster, and other crustaceans. And if it ends up in the ocean like all of the other plastic we dump there every day? No problem. The plastic is made of food waste, and so the scientists behind it say the bugs and bottom-feeders in the water will degrade the objects. Wow!

Innovative Ideas

It’s a very complicated process. The researchers say they’ve modified chitin, the substance found in the shells, into a polymer called chitosan. The CTV report explains that the chitosan is made with a longer molecular chain, and the longer the chain, the stronger it is.

Around the world, there are many different efforts tackling food waste. A $2 million plant is in the works along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast where the hulls of peeled shrimp, which usually end up in landfills, will be dried and harvested for use in other products.

There’s still work to be done. While the process has been patented, the resulting plastic still has to be made more malleable before it can be sold. Still, the hope is to one day see this new material replace petroleum-based plastics, used for things like straws, disposable cutlery, plastic bags, food packaging, and even 3D printing.

Synthetic plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, but PHAs are said to degrade within one year in the environment and less than ten years in water

Chitin is also found in crickets, so people allergic to things like shrimp and lobster can’t eat the bugs, which are being touted as the protein of the future.

And in Toronto, Canada, a team of scientists at the U of T recently formed Genecis, a company taking wasted food out of landfills and converting it into PHAs, which is a quality, biodegradable form of plastic.

credit: fis.com

I’d be interested to know if this plastic would at all affect people with shellfish allergies. Although they won’t be ingesting the plastics, could residues be left behind on the skin and in various food and drink items?

In Vermont and New Hampshire, a company called White Mountain Biodiesel collects used cooking oil from restaurants and turns it into environmentally-friendly biodiesel fuel, which is non-toxic and easy to use.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY ANNE GIBSON

TURN WASTE INTO ‘BLACK GOLD’ FOR YOUR GARDEN Composting is the natural process that turns raw organic ingredients into humus [...] also known as ‘Black Gold’ for growers 72

COMPOST

ompost is an asset sometimes called ‘Black Gold’, and for a good reason. This broken-down organic matter is a priceless resource. Creating this ‘asset’ is a way of ‘investing’ in your garden or commercially-grown plants, and can generate a healthy ‘return’ including higher yields, increased profits, and lower costs.

Composting is the natural process that turns raw organic ingredients into humus (the ear thy, dark crumbly, fully decomposed end product) - also known as ‘Black Gold’ for growers. Compost is the most convenient and easy way to return organic matter into the soil where it can produce healthy plants.

For a minimal ‘investment’ in time, ef for t, and processing organic inputs, the ‘dividends’ from compost can be significant

A Closed Loop Recycling Opportunity Compostable inputs that end up in the kitchen, such as fruit and veggies plus garden green waste, can easily be reused to cycle their embodied nutrient value, carbon, and nitrogen back into the soil to grow more food or plants. According to FoodWise, “up to 40% of the average household bin is food.” Yet, whilst Australians have a plentiful sup-

ply of free organic materials, around 345kg or $1000 wor th of food is thrown into landfill annually, producing harmful greenhouse gases. When binned, the water, fuel, and resources it took to get the food from paddock to plate are also wasted, and the potential value of a new product (compost) is lost. Imagine the amount of valuable ‘black gold’ that could be produced by also recycling the vast quantity of food waste from local businesses!

For a minimal ‘investment’ in time, effor t, and processing organic inputs, the ‘dividends’ from compost can be significant. Besides the personal satisfaction from implementing sustainable gardening practices (reducing household/garden waste, the burden on landfill and greenhouse gases), there are many other advantages.

Compostable inputs that end up in the kitchen, such as fruit and veggies plus garden green waste, can easily be reused to cycle their embodied nutrient value, carbon, and nitrogen back into the soil to grow more food or plants.

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

COMPOST

Whilst Australians have a plentiful supply of free organic materials, around 345kg or $1000 worth of food is thrown into landfill annually, producing harmful greenhouse gases.

Key Benefits •

•

• •

• • • • • • • • • •

Creates an asset in your soil by improving soil quality, leading to healthier plants, higher yields, and reduced losses. Saves money by removing the need for expensive, synthetic fer tilisers that may harm humans and the environment. Provides a natural slow-release fer tiliser. Reduces the need for frequent watering by helping the soil retain more moisture while still allowing the excess to drain away. Improves soil fer tility/vitality by adding valuable nutrients, especially crucial for food plants. Attracts and provides food for a wide variety of beneficial microorganisms in the soil food web. Combats sterile soil or ‘dead dir t’ by activating it with living micro-organisms. Increases microbial activity (decomposers), which in turn help feed plants available nutrients. Significantly improves soil structure, helping create a light, crumbly texture. Helps soil retain nutrients and air pockets for healthier plants. Improves access for plant roots to easily expand in the soil. Helps reduce and prevent pests and disease. Assists in balancing soil pH (the measure of soil acidity or alkalinity). Acts as a buffer for imbalances in the soil and helps reduce plant stress.

Uses for compost: • • •

•

A soil conditioner for all types of plants. An ingredient to improve the quality of potting mix or to make seed raising mix. A slow release fer tiliser, gradually feeding plants over a long period without additional inputs. A mulch for pots and gardens to protect plant roots from sun/wind damage, prevent erosion, and reduce soil diseases. Top dressing for lawns, to add nutrients and fill in gaps to encourage healthier grassroots and thatch. An amendment to improve sandy and clay soil structure by binding soil par ticles together helping aerate, retain moisture and nutrients. A liquid ‘compost tea’ fer tiliser.

With so many benefits and uses, every gardener should consider turning waste into ‘Black Gold’ and enjoy a rich return on investment. 3

Sources: • •

FoodWise: foodwise.com.au Food Agriculture Organization: bit.ly/1yhlqGF

Impor tantly, compost improves human health by unlocking soil nutrients, producing more nutrient-dense food crops. All good reasons to produce and utilise this asset.

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.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY NICO HILL

JMS (Jadam Microbial Solution) is a solution of water, a highly active natural soil base, IMOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and food source; all left to steep together and breed out the biology before applying to your precious crops

JADAM

Master Cho’s son has picked up the organic mantle and run with it like some legend

ant a quick and easy way to jump on the organic bandwagon? JMS, or Jadam Microbial Solution, offers a simple method to extract some of the bounties Mother Nature has to offer. No need for sacks of sugar; grab some spuds and you’re on your way!

That’s right folks; Master Cho’s offspring only went and outdid his Dad in an epic show of Darwin-esque evolution that would put even the most ardent ancient aliens’ theorist to shame. After a lifetime of teaching (and maybe some rambling) from his good old Pa (and not in the slightest phased by the pressures of having to continue the family legacy), Master Cho’s son has picked up the organic mantle and run with it like some legend. In doing so, he has opened up a wonderous cabinet of techniques to boost your organic gardening game in the process.

The aim of the game is to get as much beneficial biology alive and well in that solution as possible

Even if you are a hardened, truncheonwielding hydro enthusiast, I’m guessing a fair few of you have, at the very least, come across the concept of compost teas. If you are even remotely interested in reading this article past the hilariously punned title, then you’re likely to be an organic gardening alchemist, or at least on your way to becoming one. Don’t let the Balrog that is commercial horticulture put you off your epic journey; overcome the salty beast and become a veritable white wizard of organic gardening.

So, what have we got here then? The previous reference to compost teas wasn’t just a tedious link to a below average Lord of the Rings pun, which tends to typify what it is we are talking about here. JMS (Jadam Microbial Solution) is a solution of water, a highly active natural soil base, IMO’s, and food source; all left to steep together and breed out the biology before applying to your precious crops. The aim of the game is to get as much beneficial biology alive and well in that solution as possible. As is always the way with nature, the most diverse and active range of life is always encouraged! The whole point of this type of brew is to take advantage of what your local natural world has to offer. Rather than relying on a man in a lab suit breeding microbes in Petri dishes, then to be packaged up with some cleverly spun advertising campaign, why not give Mother Nature the credit she deserves? She cracked on well enough by herself for millions of years without

our ‘expertise’, so I’m fairly sure she might have something of significance to offer. That’s probably the same sort of sentiment that inspired Youngsang Cho when he created it in the first place too.

Not like a cup-a-soup for plants Do not be thinking along the nutrient soup line of things when you see the words compost tea. Trigger-happy tea brewers, particularly those new to it all, often believe that chucking loads of things in and going for an NPK boosting hit is the way, but please do not be so hasty, my friend. We want the biology in the solution to breed, not for it to be stifled by an overly saturated amount of dissolved solids. If you have followed previous instalments of KNF in Garden Culture, you may already even have some IMO’s that could very well make an excellent addition to this process.

Pre-prepared biology aside, the main ingredient you need to make JMS is some soil from the natural world. The soil you choose is really of utmost importance, so don’t go scooping up the first bit you see from the central reservation on your way home tonight. You may need to go somewhere further afield to acquire organisms more suited for plant life. Look for some forestry areas nearby that are thriving; they will have developed a fantastic amount of microbial biology over their many years. Much unlike all the doggers you have probably rudely disturbed on your way to finding them.

Well that’s just some shit in a bucket, isn’t it? Hey there guys – c’ mon. Just because the main ingredient may have been scooped out of your local woods doesn’t mean we should go around derogatorily calling it the ‘shit in a bucket’ method. Yes, the soil you gather from out in the wild world somewhere is the primary factor here, but as long as you don’t scoop us some fox faeces at the same time, you should be ok. So, now you have found a prime example of full living soil from your local woodlands, what else exactly do you need to get this JMS pumping?

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

77 77

The whole point of this type of brew is to take advantage of what your local natural world has to offer. Rather than relying on a man in a lab suit breeding microbes in Petri dishes, then to be packaged up with some cleverly spun advertising campaign, why not give Mother Nature the credit she deserves?

JADAM

You will need: 1. De-chlorinated water Get rid of that nasty chlorine. It will kill and stifle any biology you try to breed. If you can’t find an easy solution to this, then consider investing in RO filters. 2. Soil From the finest natural regions that you can access. Roughly the same volume/mass as you have potatoes. 3. Some Baked Potatoes Roughly 3 for every 15 litres of JMS 4. Optional additional microbes From your recently prepared IMO’s. 5. Some Salt – 1g per Litre With the recent increase in middle-class douche-baggery, obtaining a natural rock salt is a breeze. Head down your local vegan, hippie-chic shop and let them show you their vast range on offer. 6. Two Fairly Large Cheese Cloths Not with a ridiculously fine mesh. Some larger biology will struggle to get through a mesh too fine, put those bubble bags down my friend – the wrong tool for the job! 7. Zip Ties To tie up the cheesecloths. 8. A stick To hang the cheesecloth bags. 9. A big bag To cover the whole thing and insulate it all.

Get cracking with the knacking Now that you have gathered all the bits and bobs that you need and found a lovely bit of soil underneath your local thousandyear-old oak tree, it’s time to take this biology Mother Nature has provided and start to encourage it to breed. No air pump is needed for this process; it really couldn’t be more straightforward for you to get started. •

•

• • • •

•

Step 1: Place the potatoes into one of the cheese cloths and gather corners to form a makeshift bag. Zip tie to secure, and attach it to your trusty stick. Step 2: Place the same mass of soil on your other cheesecloth (add IMO’s if applicable). Gather the corner of cloth and zip tie into a makeshift bag. Step 3: Hang two cheesecloth bags in water. Step 4: Stir the salt in. Step 5: Gently massage the bag of soil with your hands. Step 6: Vigorously massage the bag of potatoes to get carbs and starches suspended into the water; you need to mush up the potatoes here. Step 7: Hang the bags in the middle of the bucket – this will create a cylindrical type of current in the bucket, keeping everything dispersed and moving gently. Step 8: Cover the lot with your larger plastic bag to prevent random bits falling in and to help insulate it all slightly. Step 9: Keep in warmish temperature. At around 20 or so degrees it will take about two days. Warmer weather and it will be quicker, and if your temps are too cold, you will need to think about warming it to stimulate the microbial activity. Step 10: Use it! When you come back to look at it, the solution will be slightly bubbly, meaning it has become active. Use it at the peak of this activity! Don’t wait another day as it will start to lose its effectiveness.

One thing that is worth noting, especially when you are searching out that magical local humous, is to make sure you don’t pick up a pest/disease infested handful of soil

Done-Diddley One thing that is worth noting, especially when you are searching out that magical local humous, is to make sure you don’t pick up a pest/disease infested handful of soil. The only positive thing that will come from that is the laughter on your friends’ faces when you tell them your woes of how you just gave yourself plant AIDS because some magazine said it would be a good idea. Anyway, you now have yourself an active solution ready to go ahead and inoculate your chosen root ball. So, go ahead and fill your boots – you might be surprised at how useful some shit in a bucket can be for your garden. It’s one of the easiest methods to get going straight away with and doesn’t require many resources. Minimum input, maximum gain. Thanks, Mother Nature. 3 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

79 79

BY GRUBBYCUP

Organic to Synthetic and Shades Between

ORGANIC TO SYNTHETIC

t is pretty rare that gardeners grow either completely organically or entirely synthetically, although how one defines these terms makes

a big difference.

Completely Organic An ideal organic setting would be one in which the plant grows naturally, without any intervention from that pest that walks on two legs. In their native habitat, plants can sprout, grow, reproduce, and expire organically with only mother nature to provide for them. It would be fair to say that in a completely natural setting where plants live in the wild is as organic as a plant can be grown. It might be organic and natural, but it also tends to be inconvenient. For example, the natural response to drought is for many plants to die. This can be troublesome for folks that want to consume the future harvest. Simple irrigation such as hand watering can reduce losses, and “improve” on nature. Competition from weeds can be reduced by pulling and removing unwanted plants. Nature isn’t concerned with what plants are desired, merely which plants survive. Humans, however, definitely have preferences, which is why a garden of tomatoes and squash is preferred over a garden overrun with stinging nettles and star thistles. There is also a competition for harvesting the plants. There are bugs and animals which will happily feast on plants regardless of intention for human consumption.

In their native habitat, plants can sprout, grow, reproduce, and expire organically with only mother nature to provide for them

Putting up a fence to dissuade nearby cattle from snacking on the plants may be wise, but it isn’t entirely natural. Usually, even the most staunch organic gardening suppor ter will allow for such practices as growing in nonnative environments, watering, and weeding. Much of the emphasis on organic versus synthetic gardening is put on what additional inputs are allowed beyond water.

Organic Enough Nitrogen is vital for plant growth. While there is plenty of nitrogen in the atmosphere, it is in the form of a gas (N 2) which the plants cannot use directly because the pair of nitrogen atoms are held together with a triple bond and are hard to separate once joined. To supply plants with nitrogen to grow, they must get it in a form they can use. What is used as a nitrogen source is a determining factor in how organic it is. There are natural and organic paths to supply nitrogen in a form plants can use. Nitrogen-fixing with lightning strikes or bacteria are organic methods, and so is making use of nitrogen in other plants and animals. Lightning strikes have enough energy to break the bonds between nitrogen atoms, forming nitrous oxides which

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

ORGANIC TO SYNTHETIC

Much of the emphasis on organic versus synthetic gardening is put on what additional inputs are allowed beyond water

form nitrogen acids when exposed to water (such as rain). This falls to the ground where it becomes a nitrogen source for plants. Lightning is notoriously hard to control, however, so isn’t generally a part of a garden’s nutrition plan. Certain bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia (or similar). Some common nitrogen-fixing bacteria are Azotobacter which lives in the soil, Rhizobacteria which lives in root nodules of certain plants (such as legumes), and Trichodesmium which lives in the sea. Living plants and animals contain nitrogen. They share this nitrogen by producing waste products while living (shedding leaves or releasing urea) and as part of decomposition after they have died. Organic nutrients often try to emulate this by being made from naturally occurring materials with minimal processing. One advantage to this is that they can often be collected cheaply (i.e., leaves, lawn clippings, livestock manure, etc.), and require little processing before use, often just maturing or composting. Many organic products use this method in forms such as manures, guanos, ground meals, and composts. Nitrifying bacteria can make natural sources of nitrogen available to plants. Ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH4) is converted to nitrites (with an “i” a.k.a. NO2) by bacteria such as Nitrosomonas, which is then converted into nitrates (with an “a” a.k.a. NO3) by bacteria like Nitrobacter. Nitrates are the form preferred by many plants (although some trees can do well by skipping steps). One example would be an organic gardener putting alfalfa meal on a garden plot. The meal decomposes releasing its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. Then the ammonia is converted first into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria. The nitrates are taken up by the plants. After harvest, the leftover plant material is composted, which can be used to feed new plants, and the cycle repeats.

Synthetics An alternative is to fix nitrogen using artificial (human activity based) methods. Ammonia (NH3) can be manufactured from nitrogen gas (N2) by applying heat, pressure, and an iron catalyst. This eliminates the need for a biological source for the starting nitrogen. Synthetic ammonia can be chemically converted into nitrates which eliminate the need for nitrifying bacteria since that means the steps of ammonia to ammonium, ammonium to nitrites, and nitrites to nitrates can all be skipped. By skipping ahead in the cycle, the plant can have access to the nitrogen in a form it can use quicker. It also means that the nitrifying bacteria won’t have a food source so they won’t be around to help out. The further one takes the synthetic path, the more biological steps can be skipped for a variety of nutrients. Monitoring pH becomes more critical as fewer living microorganisms are used since they aren’t adjusting their local pH to suit themselves. Monitoring electrical conductivity and precision dosing becomes more important as synthetic nutrients can be more potent and susceptible to nutrient burn than their milder organic counterparts (and EC is better suited for monitoring salt based solutions).

Completely Synthetic Wind, rain, temperature, nutrients, atmosphere, and lighting can all be supplied synthetically. With enough equipment, plants can even be grown off the planet in a completely artificial environment, using no natural resources at all.

Balance Most gardens are somewhere between the two extremes. A garden that relies on biological helpers to grow plants tends to be on the organic side. There is less control, but more assistance, and generally, a larger margin for error. Synthetic methods can be more precise, but with that control comes more responsibility and reliance on the gardener’s judgment as there aren’t as many (or in some cases any) biological agents working alongside them to tend to the health of the plant. 3