Garden Culture Magazine UK 31 by Garden Culture Magazine

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Find the Organic in you

CONTENTS

20 SEED SAVING PART 2

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

CREATE YOUR OWN URBAN ORCHARD

WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE

YARROW 32

I N TH IS ISSU E O F GA R D EN C U LT U R E :

11 Foreword 12 Author Spotlight

58 Seed Saving Part 2

13 Product Spotlights

66 The 3 Stages of Flower

20 KNF - Seed Soak Solution

71 Ask a P.h.D.

24 A Wake-Up Call: Getting Back To Our Roots

74 From the Archives

26 The Adventures of Seed Priming

80 Are All Mineral Salts Created Equal?

32 Create Your Own Urban Orchard

84 Policy Influencers

38 Yarrow: From Garden Weed To Powerful Medicinal Plant

89 Who’s Growing What Where

44 Best of the Blog: Natural Beekeeping

92 How to Grow a Healthy Society

48 FAQ at the Grow Shop

100 Trending Now: No Till Movement

52 UK Summer Shows

104 5 Cool Ways To Use Pumpkins

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

FOREWORD & CREDITS

FOREWORD

hen growing outdoors, there are so many potential hazards to plant health that we can’t control. Indoors, is a different story; it’s

all on you. If things are not perfect, something has to change. If it doesn’t, you will never maximise your plant’s potential. Every stage of a plant’s life is different and comes with its own set of challenges.

No matter what you are growing, it all star ts with a seed (or clone); a baby plant, so fragile, so reliant on you to survive and thrive. Getting off to a good star t is vital. Nico Hill, our resident Korean Natural Farming exper t, will give us some organic brews that will help get your seeds popping in KNF - Early Organic Edge. In The Adventures in Seed Priming, he’ll teach us how to get an unfair advantage before they have even sprouted. All stages of a plant’s life contribute to its success. In The 3 Stages of Flowering, Rich Hamilton goes over a plant’s need for a par ticular diet, and how sticking to it can make all the difference. Of course, not all food is equally nutritious, and this goes for plant food too. Callie Seaman, PhD, will break it down in, Are All Mineral Salts Created Equal? This edition is full of gardening goodies, but we also delve a little deeper and cover some heavy social topics. If there is a serious problem in your garden, you will fix it. So, what about the big garden we live on? Evan Folds, Cosmic Knot, and, back from the archives, Everest Fernandez, make us think about human evolution and the choices we make.

“The world, as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” - Alber t Einstein Happy Gardening,

CREDITS SPECI A L TH A N KS TO: Albert Mondor, Anne Gibson, Caroline Rivard, Catherine Sherriffs, Dr Callie Seaman, Dr. Colin Bell, Evan Folds, Everest Fernandez, Jessica Steinberg, Martyna Krol, Nico Hill, Rich Hamilton, Stephen Brookes, and Tom Wall. PRESIDENT Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-233-1539 E XCU 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 INC 44 Hyde Rd., Mille-Isles QC, Canada J0R 1A0 GardenCultureMagazine.com ISSN 2562-3540 (Print) ISSN 2562-3559 (Online) Garden Culture is published six times a year, both in print and online.

@GardenCulture

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Eric 3 D I ST R I B U T I O N PA R T N ER S • Maxigrow • HydroGarden • The Growers Wholesale • Highlight Horticultur e

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.

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

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Author Spotlight

arden Culture wouldn’t be the magazine it is without our talented and knowledgeable contributors. From lighting specialists and

cannabis industry experts to environmentalists and master gardeners, we’ve got a stellar line-up of writers. Allow us to introduce you to this issue’s featured author, Albert Mondor, biologist and horticulturist. Is there a motto you grow by? Today is a gift, that’s why it is called the present.

Do you grow organically? Why or why not? Yes; organic is the best! I began learning hor ticulture in the late 1970s with my aunt and my uncle, who owned a nursery. We were pioneers in Eastern Canada by producing our own compost and buying seaweed extract from California to fer tilise the plants! With all the allergies and health problems affecting people today, it is clear that pesticides have an impact on us and nature.

What is your favourite food? Figs with some goat cheese and walnuts, topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Eating that is like being in paradise!

What’s on your playlist right now? The last album from Lettuce (yes, that’s a real band name!) and Salad Days from Mac DeMarco!

Where in the world would you like to travel to next? Japan; I travelled that wonderful country 15 years ago. I was amazed by the Zen gardens of Kyoto. I want to go back in the winter to ski and relax in a hot spring in a ryokan. 3 12

We were pioneers in Eastern Canada by producing our own compost and buying seaweed extract from California to fertilise the plants!

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

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

GROWING PRODUCTS

Editor’s Pick

We only have a couple of samples from the Product Earth & Hydroponic Expo, but this has now become our go-to for sore muscles and pain.Whether used after gardening, hauling rocks, or biking longer distances than usual, this stuff works!

CBD Healthcare Mu CANNAGE L & Joint Massag scle e Gel This high-quality muscle and joint gel is for topical use. Manufactured in the UK, it is 100% Paraben-free. Containing Eucalyptus oil, Angelica root oil, Celery oil, Rosemary oil,Wintergreen oil, Cinnamon oil, Camphor oil, and Glucosamine Sulfate combined with Full Spectrum CBD Oil, CANNAGEL is soothing to sports injuries, torn muscles, bruises, sprains and arthritic joints. Studies have shown that cannabinoids control the firing of pain signals from the joint to the brain by attaching themselves to nerve receptors.They have provided statistically significant improvements in pain on movement, pain at rest, and quality of sleep. Be on the lookout for CANNAGEL and other great CBD Healthcare products at a store near you, or visit CBDHealthcare.com for more info.

t a t s o m r e h T s s irel e T h e L ig h t h o u s e W

the Prepare forh ! d a e h a s t n o colder m

This handy plug and play unit comprises of a remote thermostat, a built-in temperature sensor, and receiver switch. Hang, stand or wall mount the thermostat in your grow room or tent up to 20 metres away from the receiver switch and set your target temperature.The switch can be set to turn on whenever the temperature goes above or below the desired level, making it perfect for controlling heaters or fans. Set any temperature between 0°C - 70°C (32°F - 158°F) in 1° increment or use the override function to turn appliances on or off. Available through your local hydroponic stockist today!

Gaunokalong The power of bat poo is one that needs no introduction. With its earliest recorded use dating back to the times of the Andean’s and Inca’s, Bat guano has been helping farmers grow high yields and quality organic crops for over a millennium. Fortunately, this ethereal gardening knowledge has not been lost on modern man, but rather made the most of by its incorporation into a premium peat-based potting soil. Available as a pre-mixed substrate (perfect for planting straight into) or even on its own as a dry powdered amendment that can be incorporated into a more typically hydroponic substrate like coco. No-one need be deprived of the benefits that a little bit of bat poo has to offer, as the age-old gardening saying goes:“Without the bat, the taste is flat.” Get down your local store and pick up a bag today.

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

GROWING PRODUCTS

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

Prodigy s t n e T w o r G Made of at least 210D tent fabric, these highquality tents are sturdy! The larger tents come armed with thick 600D tent fabric and thicker poles. Find Prodigy Grow Tents at a store near you. Exclusively distributed by The Growers Wholesale. Follow the Prodigy story: @prodigygrowtents #prodigygrowtents

Powerhouse 9-way Timer

With Heater Plug

Simple designs for simple problems. Night-time conditions are something that growers can overlook, but making sure your temperatures do not drop too low when your lights are out is crucial to maintaining an optimum level of metabolism in your plant. The result is a much more satisfying quality of yield at the end. The Powerhouse has 8 sockets dedicated for HID lights of up to 26 amps and one 9-amp socket to control a heater. Up to 4x 1000w lights or 8x 600w lights can be used, plus a 9-amp (just over 2000w) heater, all your electrical needs safely controlled from one nifty little box. Ask your local store or visit Maxigrow.com for more details.

MaxiBright

E 1000Wer D Bloom

Everybody loves a double-ender. Hilarious sexual puns aside, they will give you the most intense and full-bodied output of all the HPS lamps out there at the minute. These new 1000W 400V DE Super bloom lamps from Maxibright have the sort of high-end efficiency you would expect in a top-notch grow lamp (2.1umol per Watt - total output of 2100Îźmol per second) and at a great price.The PAR Spectrum is heavily weighted towards the orange/red end of the spectrum too. In fact, you will find a whopping 74% more red in these lamps compared to equivalent lamps on the market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect for helping grow high-quality flowers and fruit.

Exceptionally efficient at a great price and ideal for grow rooms with a high head height, get down to your local store for more info now.

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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). • 208-240V 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

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

GROWING PRODUCTS

M R DA N K S ’ S PECIA L BOOS T S EC R E T? W H AT IS

This stuff is blowing up the underground indoor growing scene in the UK right now. Flick the switch on “thrive” mode and plants don’t look back! Marketed as a full lifecycle “boost”, the exact origins of Mr Danks’ Special Boost Secret remain a mystery.We do know that it’s a concentrated, PGR-free mix of highly bioavailable silicon blended on top of an organic, proprietary base of L-aminos. This super potent, pH neutral silicon source (simultaneous use of other silicon supplements is NOT recommended; always follow dosage guidelines) promotes stronger, girthier stems and branches, leading to heavier, denser flowers. UK growers are consistently reporting increased yields (up to 15% extra dry weight), improved structure, potency, and more sophisticated terpene profiles. Mr Danks’ Instagram account @mr_danks420 remains a source of some controversy and is NOT for the faint-hearted. Fully compatible with soil, coco, Rockwool and water culture. • 250 ml — GBP16.95 · 1 L — GBP 49.95 Distributed exclusively in the UK by Creation Wholesale. For more info, visit Creation-Hydro.co.uk

ystems S n io t a ic if r u c ation P for their purifihydro k o o HydroLogaic re L u lt u ic rt o t Highlight H s in quality Now Available

Tried and true water filtration solutions for every type of application. The best selling EvolutionRO High-Flow system now has an improved dry membrane design, increasing flow rate by 20% - Over 4,500 Liters per day! Eliminate 100% of chloramine with the Chlorashield superior carbon filtration, available for smallBoy, TALLBoy, SteathRO, EvolutionRO, and Pre-Evolution systems. The MiniARCS reclaims and purifies up to 2725.5 litres per day of HVAC runoff, perfectly balances pH for ultra-pure, contaminant-free water: Zero waste!

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Visit HydroLogicSystems.com to find out which water filtration solution is right for your application.

Secret Jar d in Rubber Fa n and Filter Con nectors Your extraction system is crucial to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous time when growing your favourite veggies. A commonly under-rated part of your extraction system is the connection between your fan and filter.You need to ensure that all connections are entirely air-tight, so absolutely no VOC’s make their way through without being filtered first. Enter SJ rubber duct connectors, offering a worry-free connection that is super easy to set up, also removing the need for cutting down ducting or using gaffer tape as an ad-hoc sealant. An un-assuming and nifty piece of kit that offers you a fantastic failsafe for your exhaust system, get down to your local shop and enquire about them today – genuinely a tool no-one should be without.

GROWING PRODUCTS

last l a B l a it ig D o r P Horti King r Ballast in the Horti Range

The Most Popula

A fast start-up ballast, the bulb reaches maximum brightness very quickly. The ballast incorporates dynamic detection of load and power supply, as well as protection for overload, overvoltage, load short, under-voltage, and lamp end of life.The ballast is IP20 dust-tight. Combined with the Horti King reflector and bulb, the Horti King Pro digital kit is a superior quality light kit at an affordable price to suit amateur and professional growers alike. Available at a retailer near you. Follow @highlighthorticultureltd for more great products.

BudBox LITE BudBox has been setting the standard for grow tents since 2004, making excellent quality, hard-wearing grow tents. The BudBox Lite continues this tradition of excellent design and function but at a lower price point for all to enjoy. All the same great features as The BudBox Pro tent range but stripped down to the essentials. Sturdy, durable, well-stitched tent fabric, interlocking heavy duty poles for sturdy support, and numerous ventilation ports to allow the correct size ducting to be fitted. BudBox Lite: made to create a perfect, portable indoor growing environment. Visit BudBoxGrowTents.com to find the grow tent that is right for you.

The New Garden Highpro

Humipro

A 4-litre ultrasonic humidifier with automatic power control and remote control feature. The double nozzle rotates 360Â° to allow for maximum dispersion of mist in your growing area while the integral humidistat will stop the humidifier when the set relative humidity is achieved. Equipped with three output levels for even greater control with a maximum output of 250ml per hour. Takes up very little space, the footprint of the unit is 160mm x 160mm and 315mm high. Garden Highpro - #BornToBeAGrower

Power Packs

BY NICO HILL

y KNF e k w e f a nds on a h r ant l u p o y d t e e t g n e o need t ), Ferm V u o R y B ( , r n i a g g To be e Vine OHN). ( c i t R n n e i r w t o u r ts: B rbal N e H l a t n ingredien e i and Or ) J P F ( e c i ju 20

SEED SOAK SOLUTION

Looking for an organic way to prime your seeds? Once again, Korean Natural Farming comes to the aid of growers looking to get their seeds off to a flying start; now that you have made all your inputs you need to get them to good use! Where better to start than the birth of life itself?

et’s face it; the early stages of life are most crucial for pretty much any species on Earth. If the start of your life is all stress and turmoil, chances are you’re going to suffer for it at various points throughout your life. On the flip side, if you’re born with a silver spoon in your mouth and given all the opportunities you could ever desire,

you are much more likely to become highly successful. Everyone might hate you for the unfair advantage you’ve had, but at least you will be warm and smug come winter while sleeping on your pile of money.

Let’s start at the very beginning A seed soak solution is the Korean Natural Farming’s way of priming your seeds using the myriad of organic inputs you have spent time and effort creating. All of us go through a routine when we plant seeds to get off to a healthy start. This is a little slice of the KNF pie that targets precisely that process. The combination of using the three KNF ingredients in this process imbues the seed with a few qualities that will help it on its merry way.

Let’s face it; the early stages of life are most crucial for pretty much any species on Earth

To begin, you need to get your hands on a few key KNF ingredients: Brown Rice Vinegar (BRV), Fermented plant juice (FPJ) and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN). If you have been keeping yourself up to speed on the previous issues, you might even have them all lying around handy. Give yourself a bonus ten points and pat on the back if you do. If you don’t, then you might end up feeling left out of the cool club. Don’t give up now, do yourself a favour and make said inputs then come back to have your application to the cool club re-considered.

What the chuff does it do then? We should probably get down to looking at why you should go about practising this hippy nonsense in the first place. The presence of BRV in the solution offers a decent level of pH buffering for the seed in its early development. If you haven’t made any BRV yet, don’t panic, you can just as easily use some other type of vinegar. The FPJ gives the fledgeling seeds all the diverse yeasts, hormones, enzymes, and biology you captured at the time of fermenting. The OHN provides organic anti-pathogenic properties to protect the young plant from any nasty diseases wanting to ruin things for you. These three powerhouse ingredients form like Voltron in a solution that your cherished little seeds soak up for a certain

amount of time. During the soaking, the seeds absorb all the properties and goodness from your solution, which in turn helps them form greater beneficial associations with the biology of whatever media you’re going to use. Using an actual living soil, or something similar will work in a much more harmonious way with this method, helping to max-out the potential genetic expressions in your prized tomatoes.

Let’s get Cracking You will be pleased to know that the process is super simple. A little extra effort in the preparation of your new seeds is about to go a very long way. What you will need: • OHN - Organic Herbal nutrient - If you haven’t yet made OHN, leave it out. You will be missing the anti-pathogenic properties of the solution, but being the ‘hardest’ of all KNF inputs to make, chances are you probably don’t have any. • FPJ - Fermented plant Juice - Ideally, try to use one that lends its characteristics towards the growth of a seedling. A dandelion root ferment is an ideal choice. It only takes seven days to make, so if you haven’t got any, start a batch now. • BRV – Brown Rice Vinegar Once again, if you don’t have any and can’t be bothered to make it, use another type of vinegar. Organic apple cider vinegar is always a good go-to in this situation. • Water – H20 - Ideally, free of chlorine and chloramines. So, get yourself an RO machine. If you can’t be bothered, there’s probably a hassle-free alternative you can find in your local shop. • Measuring jug - Depending on what you are soaking, you might not need a lot. A 500ml batch is usually easiest to make. • Measuring Syringe - For consuming all the smack and measuring the other inputs. 21

g will n i h t t s e d he har T . d o ount h t m e a m t c e l a p x e m i er-s ing the g u a g n i It is a sup ence i r t o a r p r e e l t d t n i l trial a , but a d e e s r a l be a little ar ticu p r ay. u o w y g r n o o f l e a of tim t goes and effor

SEED SOAK SOLUTION

During the soaking, the seeds absorb all the properties and goodness from your solution, which in turn helps them form greater beneficial associations with the biology of whatever media you’re going to use How to make it It really couldn’t be simpler: • • • • •

Alternatively, you can use it for a root soak when transplanting young seedlings (or cuttings) or preparing things like strawberry runners or asparagus crowns by soaking before planting. A tree sapling’s root system will also benefit from a seemingly extreme method of application my bro, Chris Trump, advocates: shaking/washing off the excess soil, then allowing the roots to dry before rehydrating with the solution and planting. The aim is to imbue unto the root zone all the magical properties this natural elixir offers.

When used with true living soil, it works wonders

Measure 500ml of water. Add 1ml of BRV (or 2ml per litre if making more). Add 1ml of FPJ (or 2ml per litre if making more.) Add 0.5ml (or less if aged) of OHN (or 1ml per litre if making more). Use it or store it. It stores very well in an airtight container, ready for use whenever needed. Make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place as per usual.

How to use it: The most common application is to use the solution for soaking seeds. For this, you only need a tiny amount – enough just to cover your seeds in the container. Pour in a bit of the solution and then pop your seeds in. The soaking time varies on the type of seed you are germinating; nothing is set in stone. Smaller and softer seeds will only need 5 to 10 minutes or so, whereas larger, harder seeds will require significantly more time - basically long enough for the beneficial properties in the solution to make their way into the seed.

Blammo – You are now a natural farmer It is a super-simple method. The hardest thing will be a little trial and error in gauging the exact amount of time for your particular seed, but a little patience and effort goes a long way. As mentioned earlier, when used with true living soil, it works wonders. It can also be used to benefit in a more typically ‘hydro’ media like coco. Finally (and probably most importantly), it gives you an excellent opportunity to stop spending all your hardearned money on over-priced, glitzy looking plastic bottles with enticing advertising slogans, and to start getting yourself selfsufficient. Win/win for everyone concerned. 3

Brown Rice Vinegar (BRV), Fermented plant juice (FPJ) and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN)

A Wake-Up Call

NATURE

BY TOM WALL, COSMIC KNOT

t’s something that needs to be discussed, and yet so many people remain silent. Mental health knows no boundaries and can affect people from all walks of life. It would seem that despite all of our technological advances and potential, we’ve lost sight of ourselves and planet ear th. We don’t regard ourselves as highly as the machines we

seek; we are close to the point of becoming utterly reliant on them.

Our ear th was given to us in per fect It would seem that despite all of our working order. In our origins, nature was there to work with us. Food grew technological advances and potential, we’ve everywhere, the water was pristine lost sight of ourselves and planet earth and life-giving, and the air was full of radiant energies from all of the plants and gigantic trees. The songs of the birds and insects were ever-present depending on their seasons. Ear th was full of life. Today, we live in a world where poison is sprayed on the food we consume. That same poison is used in lakes and streams to keep weeds down, and those same waters flow through drains and sewers, collected as drinking water for “sophisticated cities.” Deforestation has seen some of the planet’s most massive trees chopped to the ground, the very columns that let us breathe and help moderate and stabilise the weather. Cities now stand in the place of trees, and towers bombard the air waves with frequency manipulations. No wonder people are depressed. One can attain all worldly possessions and achieve all of the goals society deems necessary, but what about our internal workings? We are meant to hear the sounds of a forest alive with creatures, and some never will. Our bodies are desperate for fresh water, and yet most will never drink it in their lifetime. We naturally crave food full of ear thy minerals and nutrients, but it’s not accessible to all. The air we breathe should be unpolluted, and it’s not. How have we become so unaware of ourselves? Nature is a source of true happiness. People are never upset that there is still air to breathe; we don’t get depressed about accessing clean water. Eating real food fresh from Mother Ear th is a joy for those who experience it. Studies have proven that people’s moods improve in a forest or natural setting, even if they aren’t the ‘outdoorsy’ type. There is a song out there, for those who will listen, and it can change your life. Food grows everywhere there is nature; clean water isn’t too far away, and you can drink it, only it’s not in a bottle sitting on a shelf. There is such a thing as fresh air, but it’s nowhere near the city or anywhere near roadways or machines. We need all of these things to be healthy, so why do we deprive ourselves of them?

Nature is a source of true happiness

I’m not talking about taking a shor t walk; that is a lifestyle choice that everyone should be doing every day, anyway. Do you want to change the world for the better? Then change yourself. Change the way you look at life; there is so much good out there, and it’s been with us since the beginning of time. Let’s open our minds to the truth of ourselves and what is around us. If we all planted an all-natural garden, there wouldn’t be a hunger problem and the price of genuinely fresh produce would drop, making it affordable to everyone. We can turn the world back into a garden again. We can stop spraying poison into our lakes, streams, lawns, food crops, and ditches. There are better ways. We need to look at the inner workings of what’s going on. We are par t of the whole ecosystem, and it is out of balance. Let’s work towards balancing our lives back to the good. It star ts one day at a time. Slow down, turn off from society and take a real look at how beautiful life is. Let’s focus on our relationship with Mother Nature. By focusing on our natural selves, we focus on the good. 3

BIO Tom Wall: Professional Musician, Writer and Gardening Consultant. Cosmic Knot/Therapeutic Horticulture Consultations Growing up on a deer farm located on 79 acres of land along the banks of one of Lake Michigan’s tributaries, Tom grew a love for nature and all the beauties it could hold. Through that passion Tom has channeled his influences into educating the community on sustainable agriculture, becoming an activist, writing for magazines and creating music tuned to nature in his band Cosmic Knot. Follow Tom and all of his passions: https://www.facebook.com/tom.wall.946 https://www.instagram.com/cosmicknotmusic/ artistecard.com/cosmicknot

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

BY NICO HILL

The adventures of

SEED

PRIMING

Ever wondered how you can give your plants an unfair advantage before theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve even sprouted? Seed priming allows you to give your unborn sprout a boosted start to life that it would never be privileged to in the natural world. 26

SEED PRIMING

here are many different ways to germinate seeds, from simply putting them into some soil to the old ‘wet paper towel’ technique. But we want to go beyond simply getting them to sprout. This article is all about getting the seeds to germinate from a jumpstarted position, putting them

at an advantage for their entire life. Some of the techniques spill over into the typical germination walkthroughs you see dotted around hydro sites, however, their real roots lay embedded within the realms of ‘seed priming’.

Ready the nut Seed priming is doing ‘something’ to your seeds before they germinate, so new life bursts for th with a virility that would put any teenage lad to shame. Unfor tunately, there is not a one size fits all answer. Each species prefers its own methods of priming, and some methods are much more understood than others. Laser priming, for example, sounds like utter bollocks; like a weird par t of a storyline from an old sci-fi B-movie or something, but it is a genuine avenue of research in the plant world right now.

Seed priming is doing ‘something’ to your seeds before they germinate, so new life bursts forth with a virility that would put

So, what’s the crack? There are many ways to prime your seed, but of course, the best way to begin is by knowing what the options are in front of you. Some might not be suitable, some you might inadver tently do already, some might even be ludicrously impractical but hey, at least you know what’s what.

Hydro Priming

As indicated by the name, prime the seed by soaking in water for a any teenage lad to pre-determined amount of time (depending on the species), usually shame around the 24-hour mark. Closely manage the temperature and moisture content to allow What does it do? the very first biochemical processes to get going. Do not Well, depending on the method you go for there are allow the first root (radical) to emerge from the seed. various advantages, however, priming is probably best The seed is then dried before it can be transpor ted and known to be responsible for increasing the enzymatic planted into its field situation, where the rest of the activity within a germinating seed. These enzymes, in germination process will happen at an accelerated rate. turn, are responsible for metabolising carbohydrates and proteins the young seedling uses for energy. This extra boost of initial energy can be significant at such a young stage of life, improving seed performance and providing faster and more synchronised germination rates (Soeda et al., 2005; Beckers and Conrath, 2007). The benefits don’t stop there either. It has been well-documented that priming can be beneficial for germination rates of old and somewhat deteriorated seeds. Those heirloom seeds your dad gave you from his tour in ‘Nam may well be able to find life yet! In fact, it was in 1985 that it was found that priming reversed the effects of ageing on seeds (Tilden and west, 1985). This effect has been shown repeatedly, recently studied using aged wheat seeds. Surprise, surprise – benefits were immediately prevalent, the findings indicating they grew with improved quality and greater enzymatic activity (Mahmoudi et al, 2012).

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

Depending on the method you go for there are various advantages, however, priming is probably best known to be responsible for increasing the enzymatic activity within a germinating seed

This is a bit reminiscent to the old soaking in water and paper towel technique growers commonly use, but instead of drying the seed out (as your cupboard is a lot closer than a farmers field), it is put into a wet paper towel to allow the root to emerge, then typically transplanted into a substrate. The below diagram illustrates the difference between a primed and non-primed seed.

Halo Priming – Salt Solution Fairly similar to the hydro-priming technique, only NaCl (salt) solution is used to fur ther regulate the moisture uptake by the seed. Salt attracts water, so even though it is still a liquid, the amount of water getting through to the seed is limited when compared to a pure water solution. The level of control this gives you on the moisture content side of things essentially allows for a finer controlled version of its aqua priming cousin.

Nutrient/chemo priming – Nutrient solution Instead of simply grabbing the kitchen salt out the

cupboard, some clever science guys f igured they would use actual plant nutrients in the solution. No surprises that it turned out to have a positive effect. In their maize f ield experiment, zinc and magnesium seed priming increased grain yields by a whopping 15% (Imran Muhammad, Maria Kolla, Römheld Volker & Neumann Günter (2015)). So, with the right concoction of nutrient, your plants can begin their life at a huge advantage. This may seem like an obvious route to follow, but when you consider the many different combinations of nutrients that might or might not do any thing for any given species, obtaining the per fect recipe can become a minef ield!

Matrix Priming This, unfor tunately, does not involve bending the physical space around you upon the realisation that your spiritual-self governs all aspects of your f ive sense experience. All it means is combining the seed with some sor t of solid material and water, like perlite or soil. It’s an overly complicated name for what is

SEED PRIMING

There are many ways to prime your seed, but of course the best way to begin is by knowing what the options are in front of you

essentially putting the seed in some soil, but who am I to argue with science?

recognise; it has been shown time and time again to improve seed germination.

It’s not quite as easy as it sounds, of course, as once again, every plant will prefer a different material, but the concept is not exactly rocket science either. Taylor et al in 1988 found that correct matrix priming decreased emergence rates by up to 50% in their study ‘Solid Matrix Priming of seeds’. They also noted increased dry weight across the board for carrots, onions and tomatoes.

For example, Singh et al in 2016 found that bio priming pea seeds with Trichoderma asperellum significantly increased shoot length, root length, and total dry weight when compared to un-treated peas. This doesn’t seem like much of a surprise considering plants have lived symbiotically with micro-biology for millennia. If anything, it’s a confirmation that Mother Nature has been doing a pretty damn good job all these years by herself.

Bio Priming – Bacterial/fungal Priming As the name suggests, the goal here is to inoculate the seedling with another life form, bacterial or fungal, for them to begin a symbiotic relationship with each other. The idea is to prevent bad bacteria from causing harm to your newly-f ledged seedling. Also, cer tain crops are known to have specif ic benef icial par tners and are generally highly compatible with selected species. Trichoderma harzianum is one such type of life used for bio-priming that a lot of astute readers may

Laser priming This is where it begins to enter the realm of science f iction, although, it is genuinely fact rather than f iction. You’ve probably guessed already, but laser priming involves f iring intense laser beams of various waveleng ths at your un-germinated seed. Being on the tentative side of fringe science, it is little understood but genuinely shows a marked improvement to crops in cer tain circumstances.

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LIGHTS ON! NO DAMAGE!!

W O R G R E OV

SAFE ON FLOWERS

DO IT WITH THE LIGHTS ON

WWW.OPTICFOLIAR.CA | SALES@OPTICFOLIAR.COM

SEED PRIMING

Again, sounding like something from the realms of sci-fi land, magneto priming involves subjecting your seedlings with controlled static magnetic fields

In their 2014 paper, ‘Seed Priming techniques may improve grain and oil yields of sunflower’, S Kouchbag (he must have got some stick in the playground) et al concluded that a sunflower’s yield can be successfully improved with laser irradiation before sowing.

Magneto priming Following on from Dr Evil’s sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads trying to get their garden star ted, Magneto from the X-men has decided to get involved as well. Again, sounding like something from the

There are many ways of seed priming and each species has probably a million different options, but after plenty of trial and error, you will arrive at a configuration that increases plant growth rates dramatically

realms of sci-fi land, magneto priming

The jury is in There are many ways of seed priming and each species has probably a million different options, but after plenty of trial and error, you will arrive at a configuration that increases plant growth rates dramatically. It will probably end up being a clinical

involves subjecting your seedlings with controlled static

replication of the sequential aspects of a seeds’ journey

magnetic fields. Once again, far from being proved a bag

as it falls to the forest floor and germinates amongst its

of shite, it turned out that “Magneto-priming caused a

natural surroundings, but at least we will have confirmed

significant increase in height, leaf area, and dry weight of

that it is the best way to do it, according to our humble,

the plants” (Gajendra R. Rathod, Anjali Anand (2015)).

modern scientific methods. 3

Again, this truly is fringe science, but one that clearly is already showing merit.

Bio

Nico Hill - Hydro Nerd at InfiniteMonkey.com Nico has been a keen gardener for many moons. Bitten by the hydroponic bug back in 1998, and hasn’t looked back since! After many years as a hobby, Nico’s career in Hydroponics had its start working for Aquaculture in Sheffield, the UK’s largest and most forward-thinking grow shops of the time. He was then hired by Hydromag, responsible for the hydroponic content. From there, he has worked with CANNA, as editor of CANNAtalk, author of the research articles, and delivering seminars throughout the UK to grow shops on the finer details of cultivating in a hydroponic environment. Nico is now writing for companies in the hydroponic industry.

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

BY ALBERT MONDOR, HORTICULTURIST AND BIOLOGIST

Create Your Own

Urban orchard

ruit cultivation is more popular than ever in Nor th America and Europe. Borders planted with fruits and urban orchards are now par t

of the landscape of many cities around the world. Some people are reluctant to introduce fruit trees into their gardens; they are known to require a lot of care and phytosanitary treatments to grow edible fruits.

Urban orchard

URBAN ORCHARD

P l a nning a nd m a in ta ining your orch a rd w i t h p er m acult ure p rincip l e s a nd orga nic fa r ming t echnique s w il l reduce cult ur a l p robl ems a nd in t erv en t ions needed

However, there are several ways to reduce the workload required to maintain an orchard. First of all, it is possible to choose fruit species that are not demanding, such as serviceberry, sea buckthorn, SK dwarf cherry, or Asian pear. Also, there are less known varieties of apples, cherries, plums, and pears that are more resistant to insect pests and diseases. Examples include apple cultivars ‘Liberty’, ‘Macfree’, and ‘Redfree’ that are resistant to scab and fire blight. On the other hand, planning and maintaining your orchard with permaculture principles and organic farming techniques will reduce cultural problems and interventions needed. This means using low environmental impact pesticides and natural fertilisers such as compost. It is also best to plant your orchard with a wide diversity of fruit species. Incorporate flowering plants that attract pollinators and beneficial insects, avoid regularly mowing the grass at the base of trees, and reduce pruning.

Fruit tree planting

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URBAN ORCHARD

Urban orchard

A mature semi-dwarf apple tree

First of all, it is possible to choose fruit species that are not demanding, such as serviceberry, sea buckthorn, SK dwarf cherry, or Asian pear Most fruit trees are grafted, so choose rootstocks well adapted to your climate that lead to the formation of small trees easier to maintain and that require less pruning. The use of dwarf (Bud.9, M.9 or M.26, for example) and semi-dwarf (M.7 or MM.106) rootstocks or of columnar cultivars can avoid many problems in urban settings. It is essential to reflect and review our requirements regarding the aesthetic appearance of fruits. Obtaining perfect fruit requires the extensive use of fertilisers and pesticides. Furthermore, our desire to eat fruit without blemishes is a source of extraordinary waste. The FAO estimates that 45% of all fruits and vegetables produced on Earth are lost or discarded before being eaten, partly because of waste for aesthetic reasons. Every year, about 3.7 trillion (3,700 billion!) apples are left in the orchards or thrown in the garbage on this planet! Fortunately, the Ugly Produce Movement is gaining popularity.

Choosing the right fruit tree Apple has a strong power of seduction on humans, and many people dream of having an apple tree in their garden. However, some home gardeners are somewhat disappointed when they realise all the maintenance that is needed to get an abundant and high-quality apple harvest.

Arctic Kiwi

Rather than planting a demanding fruit tree such as an apple tree or a plum tree in your garden, you can opt instead for hardy small fruit trees - producing little shade - that require low maintenance, such as ‘Martin’ serviceberry or ‘Romeo’ and ‘Juliet’ cherry trees. If your space is limited, plant a climbing fruit species. Arctic kiwifruit, for example, has beautiful variegated foliage and produces an abundance of edible sweet green fruits rich in vitamin C! GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

environment is everything

+44(0) 1423 506 669 info@budbox growtents.com www.budbox growtents.com

@budbox growtents

URBAN ORCHARD

Chokeberry

Rather than planting a demanding fruit tree such as an apple tree or a plum tree in your garden, you can opt instead for hardy small fruit trees producing little shade - that require low maintenance

On the other hand, several fruit shrubs species are very easy to grow. Highbush blueberries and raspberries are undoubtedly the most popular. Furthermore, many recently introduced cultivars, including Raspberry Shortcake™ Raspberries and Jelly Bean™ Blueberries are small in size and ideal for urban gardens or container crops. Native fruit shrubs such as chokeberry, haskap berry, and elderberry are popular with younger generations of urban farmers and gardeners. No matter what type of fruit tree or fruit bush you grow, be sure to plant it in full sun, in rich, loose, welldrained soil. An annual supply of compost is necessary along with a spring fertiliser; a granular slow-release natural fertiliser rich in potassium (formulation 4-4-8 or equivalent) is ideal. This will ensure that the majority of fruit trees and shrubs have good production. 3

Sea Buckthorn

Elderberry

BIO Passionate about environmental horticulture, urban agriculture and extreme landscape design, Albert Mondor has practised his craft for over 30 years and created numerous gardens in North America. In addition to teaching courses and lecturing at conferences across Canada, his weekly gardening column has appeared in the Journal de Montréal and the Journal de Québec since 1999. In April 2018, Albert Mondor published Le nouveau potager, his tenth horticultural book. He is a regular guest and contributor to radio and television programmes and his hosting The Trendy Gardener spots broadcasted on Météo Média and online. You can also read his blog called Extreme Horticulture at albertmondor.com. Follow Albert on Facebook: fb.com/albert.mondor

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BY CAROLINE RIVARD

From Garden Weed To Powerful Medicinal Plant Yarrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s white cor ymbs flabbily dance on a hot and dr y summer day, filling the air with a bewitching and suave aroma

GARDEN WEEDS

his hardy plant feels at ease pretty much everywhere and thrives in a wide range of climates and soil conditions. The poorer the soil

it grows in, the stronger its potency and the scent of its oils will be. A garden weed by nature, it tends to spread quickly! If you are lucky enough to find yarrow growing in your gardens, think twice before throwing it on the compost pile. It is a powerful plant that has much to offer. Yarrow’s Roots We have long been taking advantage of yarrow’s medicinal proper ties. Archaeologists discovered its pollen in Neander thal burial caves, suggesting that its association with the human race is nearly 60,000 years old! During that time, yarrow has been par t of folklore and many myths, legends, and supernatural beliefs. Its involvement in our history and culture proves how valuable and previous this plant is. Yarrow, or Achillea millefolium, was named after the Greek mythical hero, Achilles, who used it to heal his soldiers during the war. The plant was also called Herba militaris in classical times because of its ability to stop bleeding on the battlefield.

How To Make It Making the tincture is quite easy: • • • • •

Fill a glass jar with wilted plant material, including the flowers and leaves. Cover the material entirely with vodka. Tightly cap and label the jar before placing in a dark cabinet for four to six weeks. Shake the jar from time to time to help the extraction process along. After the steeping period, strain and discard the plant material and pour the tincture into a labelled glass bottle with a dropper or spray nozzle.

Why We Love It With white or light pink flowers, wild yarrow is best suited for medicinal use. The brightly coloured cultivars, flashy pink or bright red, are not as valuable. Yarrow’s benefits and uses are as many as the flowers on the corymbs. Medicinally, the plant is a panacea; with more than 40 chemical constituents, yarrow is complex, bioactive, and versatile with many vir tues.

To help a minor cut or scratch, spray or add a few drops until the blood stops flowing.

Soldier’s Woundwort or Carpenter’s Weed, other names given to yarrow, say a lot about its proper ties. The styptic and antihemorrhagic proper ties of yarrow are quite impressive. The leaves and the flowers can stop bleeding and work well on even deep cuts and wounds. The antiseptic proper ties of the plant also help disinfect injured tissues.

How To Use It A poultice of fresh mashed leaves and flowers can be applied directly to the wound, but drops of the tincture can be used as well. An alcohol-based tincture, where the plant proper ties have been extracted, is an excellent addition to the medicine cabinet, coming in handy when an injury occurs outside of the growing season.

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CANNA Nutrients We pride ourselves on our quality products, in depth knowledge and expertise; and results that prove themselves. With years of research and development that continues to this day, CANNA has created and reďŹ ned a range of high quality nutrient lines to suit all growers and offer quality results, putting the grower at the heart of our work.

www.canna-uk.com

GARDEN WEEDS

In the garden, yarrow’s pungent odour is a ver y ef fective pest repellent but also at tracts beneficial insects and pollinators

Other Benefits

Be Responsible!

Taken as a tea, the bitter constituents of the plant will help digestion, encouraging the bile to flow and increase the appetite. The same cup of tea can also help reduce a fever or fight a cold by stimulating the body to sweat. Diaphoretic plants like yarrow will move the blood circulation toward the surface of the body, helping to cool it down, while also reinforcing the immune system.

Do your research and seek advice from a doctor or healthcare provider before using any medicinal plant. Medicinal weeds or plants can all have side effects under cer tain health circumstances. Yarrow might cause an allergic reaction or photosensitization in very sensitive people. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also refrain from using yarrow, as this herb may induce a miscarriage and may have unknown effects on a child.

A strong infusion of yarrow can help heal skin conditions such as eczema. The astringent and anti-inflammatory vir tues of this plant will also work wonders in one’s skincare routine. Yarrow can also be a great ally of women when taken internally. It can help relieve menstruation pain, reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, and even eliminate pelvic congestion.

It is also imperative to do rigorous research before foraging wild plants or weeds. Yarrow has two look-alikes; Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), which is deadly if consumed, and Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota), which is safe. Confusing these three plants is unlikely when you know what you are looking for, so be sure to be well-informed before enjoying the marvellous medicinal vir tues of the beloved yarrow! 3

Garden Friend While this weed is best known for its medicinal proper ties, it can be also used in many other ways. In the garden, yarrow’s pungent odour is a very effective pest repellent but also attracts beneficial insects and pollinators. Some people even rub yarrow flowers directly on their skin or on their clothes to repel pesky mosquitos!

A therapist and healer for over 15 years, Caroline’s passion for medicinal plants only began after leaving the city for the quiet country life in Quebec, Canada. Eager to learn, she’s never looked back, using forests and wildflower fields as her classroom ever since. In a time where reconnecting with plants and nature is badly needed, she spreads her love for herbalism by holding teaching workshops about the powers of medicinal herbs and natural remedies.

Bio

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

BY MARTYNA KROL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTYNA KROL

THE

ABC ’S

NATURAL BEEKEEPING

Think about it – would you rather be a bee that has a nutritious food supply of qualit y honey from organic allotments nex t door or fed bleached sugar? 44

NATURAL BEEKEEPING GardenCultureMagazine.com

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Many beekeepers are all about mass honey production. Natural beekeeping takes a different approach, focusing on keeping the hives happy above all else. Find more eco-

the blog

friendly content like this at GCMag.co.

s I’m about to write this blog, my last stare of procrastination falls on the perfect smelling flowers of my orange plant, plump and ready to burst open. I wonder what how the honey made from its nectar would taste? Those that grow their produce know that distinctive taste; the taste that brings a smile

to your face. Our bees’ honey is unique to me because I only have two jars of it for the season.

Happy Hives Unlike most beekeeping, which mainly focuses on honey production, natural beekeeping has adopted an approach that focuses on putting the welfare of the bees first. Eight people share our apiary at Redacre Growing Project in Mytholmroyd (Yorkshire).

I believe that with respect for nature and its creatures, we may have the oppor tunit y to restore what we’ve broken

Unlike traditional beekeepers, we collect honey mostly in the late spring so that bees have a guaranteed supply of nectar throughout the season and use the summer honey during their winter hibernation. Think about it – would you rather be a bee that has a nutritious food supply of quality honey from organic allotments next door or fed bleached sugar?

Peaceful Observation We often sit in the apiary and observe the bees from a small distance. You notice their behaviour patterns, how much pollen they bring, and whether any dead bees are being brought out of the hive. In return, they learn your smell and get used to your presence.

A gentle tone of buzzing chaos surrounds us as we inspect the hive. Inspections are much easier with the type we’re using – a top bar hive. This rectangular structure reminds me of a coffin on long legs, with only a top bar instead of frames. Sometimes, bars have a groove down the middle to guide the bees to where to start the comb. This style mimics their behaviour in nature – they can build a natural, droopy comb that looks like a teardrop.

We don’t use smokers or any sprays to keep the bees sedated. Instead, we planted some thyme plants close to the hives; when brushed with a hand just before a hive check, their essential oils help calm the bees down.

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They tend to build the cells larger than those on a pre-shaped foundation, which they fill with brood and honey side by side, as there is no queen excluder. This helps them to grow the colony, rather than fill with honey for human use. The further away from the entrance, the less brood and more honey appear. This allows us to judge if we can harvest the extra supplies.

Harvest and Care

As much as I don’t love to describe natural beekeeping as “a holistic approach” (yes, it’s a bit hippydippy), it cer tainly is a mindful obser vation of something that existed for thousands of years without our inter ference

As we gently crack the propolis bars and lift to check the comb, it seems that the buzz goes up a semitone with each bar closer to the entrance. The behaviour of the bees changes, their noise is louder, and the guard bees are bumping against our hood nets. They’re informing us that we’re too close to the brood and the queen. If there are no other warning signs, we often leave the last few bars untouched; we trust them to be a responsible superorganism.

In terms of varroa control, in our apiary, we have never had an infestation significant enough to warrant chemical treatment. We’re monitoring the numbers on varroa boards, and should we have any abnormalities, we’d use icing sugar duster to cover the bees in the first instance. This will make them groom themselves, knocking the varroa down through the mesh bottom of the hive, straight on the board for us to count. Failing that, we’d try eco-floors with leaf mould, which mimics forest floor. This allows for the varroa predators (Stratiolaelaps) to establish and protect the hive. Natural beekeeping does not exclude chemical remedy if the infestation is severe, but it’s rarely needed.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Maybe traditional beekeeping seems a little odd to me since I have learned the natural way from the very beginning. There doesn’t seem to be the need for endless treatments and interference in the hive. As much as I don’t love to describe natural beekeeping as “a holistic approach” (yes, it’s a bit hippy-dippy), it certainly is a mindful observation of something that existed for thousands of years without our interference. I believe that with respect for nature and its creatures, we may have the opportunity to restore what we’ve broken. 3 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY STEPHEN BROOKES, NPK TECHNOLOGY

FAQ

H YGRO EC-VA L UE .............

at the

Gr w Sh p GROW SHOP

INDOOR GARDEN

GROW STORE

It is the shop’s responsibility to give you the best advice possible; however, some may provide self-serving information

eyond selling anything and everything a grower desires, the primary purpose of a grow shop should be to answer questions. It is the shop’s responsibility to give you the best advice possible; however, some may provide self-serving information. For example, a customer with a yellowing plant that more than

likely needs to be watered less (#freeadvice) could very well receive a suggestion to buy an expensive bottle of nitrogen. Here’s a look at the honest answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in the shop!

GROW SHOP QUESTIONS

Why is my plant yellowing? The answer to this question depends on which part of the plant is turning yellow. If it’s the top of the plant (new growth), it can be because of an iron deficiency or too much phosphorous. Don’t merely add iron straight away; look at the pH, as anything above 6.5 will make it harder for the plant to uptake iron, and make adjustments if needed.

There is no pr oblem with reusing c oc o or soil as long as it is fre e of pes t s and disease. S ome gr ower s even b elieve that re cycling c oc o/soil y ields b e t ter result s in subse quent gr ows

An iron deficiency is often caused by excess phosphorus in the media or plant. Phosphorus takes similar pathways to iron, and just like a motorway having too many cars, this can eventually lead to congestion. The same happens if there is too much of one nutrient available to the plant. The resolution here is to do a systemic flush, make sure the pH is correct for your media (5.5 - 6.3) and correct your nutrient balance.

If the plant is yellowing from the bottom, it is likely suffering from a nitrogen deficiency. In a well-maintained system, this condition is rare. When it does occur, it’s often due to overwatering the soil/coco or a lack of oxygen in hydroponic systems. Nitrogen is what the plant uses the most of, and a deficiency will show itself as yellowing of the bottom leaves. Nitrogen is a mobile element and translocates to where it is needed the most, which is the new top growth.

Allow the plant to recover by letting the media dry out or by increasing the oxygen in a hydroponic system. Afterwards, use less water per pot but add moisture more frequently to deliver nutrients to the plant. In severe cases, it can be worth using a nitrogen product to aid recovery. If your grow shop of choice doesn’t bother asking you any questions and recommends buying a bottle of nitrogen or Cal-Mag, find another store.

Can I reuse my coco or soil? Absolutely, and don’t let any shop tell you otherwise! There is no problem with reusing coco or soil as long as it is free of pests and disease. Some growers even believe that recycling coco/soil yields better results in subsequent grows! The only potential issue is that it’s time-consuming and labour-intensive. Large roots must be removed, and compacted coco must be broken down to make it loose and airy again. Run an enzyme product through the media to dissolve fine root hairs before using it again. While you certainly can reuse the media, most people find it easier to buy new and start again.

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

FAQ at the

Gr w Sh p

H YGRO EC-VA L UE .............

GROW SH

Before recommending a solution to any problem, a grow shop needs to spend five or ten minutes asking questions about the room, the set-up, and other environmental factors.

HOP

GROW SHOP QUESTIONS

Very similar to nutrients, there is no best media INDOOR GARDEN

GROW STORE

What is the best media? Very similar to nutrients, there is no best media. Choose one that works for you and your growing style. A shop should never say that ‘nutrient Here’s our best is the best and ‘coco ATPX’synthase produces ATP Y’ is superior unless advice: find a shop in the mitochondria they’ve asked you about that takes the time your method of growto learn about your ing, your experience, grow and cares and also what you want about its success to achieve. The cheapas much as you do est coco might suit your needs over the more expensive options, or a blend of coco with perlite/pebbles/ cork might be your best option. Make sure you’re well informed before making a decision.

Why is my plant (Insert plant symptom here) and how do I resolve this? Before recommending a solution to any problem, a grow shop needs to spend five or ten minutes asking questions about the room, the set-up, and other environmental factors. Even when the symptoms seem apparent, the shop should be making sure there are no underlying issues with the plant. The vast majority of problems stem from an environmental issue such as the following:

• • • • • • • • • •

Temperature too high or too low Temperature swinging in the day and night Humidity too high or low Lights are too close or too far away Air movement is excessive or non-existent Extraction fan isn’t suitable for the number of lights in the room Intake fan not distributing air evenly (cold spots/hot spots) CO2 levels O2 levels in systems EC and pH (water and media environment)

These issues are often resolved by making adjustments to the room and not by adding bottles of magic to the reservoir. Cal-Mag is a lazy grower’s solution to every problem. Here’s our best advice: find a shop that takes the time to learn about your grow and cares about its success as much as you do. 3

Have any burning grow-related questions? Submit one to editor@gardenculturemagazine.com

BIO Stephen Brookes is a science fanatic, hydroponics obsessed bookworm. His experience comes from running two grow shops, an additives company, and NPK Media. Along with obtaining a bachelor degree of Science in Outdoor Education and Geography and an MSc in Nutrition and Scientific Investigation, he is now working on a PhD, researching the effects of different ratios in cannabinoids on the human body. Motto: The more you learn, the less you know!

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C BY ER IC

O U LOM

‘S n o i t a c a V r e m m Su

lanning for summer vacation is not always

easy, especially when you don’t want to miss out on significant events happening 5,000 km

away. So, we decided to combine a little work with pleasure and family time. From the very beginning, The Autopot Summer Social was not to be missed. The Hydroponic Expo and Product Earth Festival were also big draws, but what sold our kids was the invitation from the Canna crew to Boardmasters, UK’s only stop on the pro surf circuit in Cornwall. Unfortunately for us, as well as tens of thousands of others, the weather didn’t cooperate. Boardsmasters 2019 was cancelled due to the gale-force winds blowing in from the Atlantic. At least we had warning and detoured for a couple of days in Bath and Bristol before heading up to Liverpool to see the lads at NPK, Highlight Jay, and Biobizz Dan. After a swim in the Mersey and a trip down Penny Lane, we were off again to the beautiful countryside in the Peak District National Park. We hiked to the highest point on Stanage, then had a great meal with friends at a pub while watching the kids play football.

Next stop: Autopot Summer Social. The drive to Oxford, our home-base for five days, was a wet one. Set-up day for the exhibitors was the worst weather day of the trip, no contest. It poured all day. Luckily, the weather gods were gracious enough to change their mood and the sky cleared for the rest of the weekend. The Autopot Summer Social was once again a fantastic event; all made possible by the amazing industry-wide team, coordinated by Autopot and hosted by Plantasia. Highlight and CANNA ensured that

GROWING UK SUMMER PRODUCTS SHOWS

no one was going thirsty, all with reusable cups! Maxibright’s coffee was a welcome sight in the morning, while all the sponsors pulled out their best prizes and games. Each sponsor added their stamp, making this event one that is unique in the industry. And Mills brought it all together with a stellar line-up of entertainment that kept everyone dancing till the wee hours of the morning. Maybe it’s a reflection of the UK market, but it seemed that everyone was in the mood to celebrate.

Maybe it’s a reflection of the UK market, but it seemed that ever yone was in the mood to celebrate

Autopot and Plantasia (Brill View Farm) should be proud of what they have created. Check out the highlights of the Autopot Summer Social: Autopot.co.uk/2019/09/06/autopot-summersocial-2019-round-up/ And give a follow to the lads @npk_media for some great videos shot on location.

Typically, this is where our story ends... but not this year... We still had one more event. We packed up and said goodbye to Oxford and headed for our last destination. The Hydroponic Expo/Product Earth was held at the National Agricultural & Exhibit Center at Stoneleigh Park, south of Coventry. We stayed in Warwick at what turned out to be the coolest place I have ever stayed in; it might have been haunted!

The team that organised The Hydroponic Expo and Product Earth Expo Fest were also blessed with abnormally lovely weather, with higher than average temperatures and sun every day. Product Earth is the UK’s oldest and largest hemp and medicinal cannabis event in the UK. It is also the host to the annual European Functional Flame Off, the only live glassblowing competition in Europe. In its fourth year, the event expanded to include The Hydroponic Expo - UK’s only public event for progressive growers and urban farmers.

UK SUMMER SHOWS

Three events, thrown into one fantastic venue that also included camping. The crowds mixed throughout the three separate zones, meeting up in the food court and music area for some fascinating conversations. Not to mention, the many exciting conferences by leading experts that were all well attended. Saturday culminated in a concert featuring Morcheeba. The good vibes continued well into the night for those that took full advantage and camped for the weekend.

What an adventure we had! I am truly blessed to be able to travel around the world with my family and be a part of this amazing community. The UK hydro market has become one of the largest and most competitive in the world. If you want to be a part of it and know what is going on, keep your eyes and ears open for what’s coming next. Attend shows and events that are happening near you, or in other emerging markets. You won’t be disappointed.

The Hydroponic Expo was in its first year and promises to be bigger and better in the next. The always dynamic world of hemp and medical cannabis in the UK continues to evolve, and at this multifaceted event, there was indeed something for everyone. More than 3,400 people showed up that weekend to make it the UK’s largest event of its kind. If you are interested in learning more, be there in 2020.

Back to back shows make for a great excuse to visit the UK and take in all it has to offer. Castles, dungeons, botanical gardens, Roman bath, punting, the Beatles; the time between events was well spent. But, the events were the main attraction. Thank you for inviting us!

Be sure to check out @npkpodcast for some great interviews by Stephen Brookes, recorded on site. Bookmark ProductEarthExpo.com and TheHydroponicExpo.com, and visit periodically for next year’s dates, or give @product_earth and @ thehydroponicexpo a follow.

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BY ANNE GIBSON

Seed Saving Selecting Seeds and Controlling Pollination

ur food security begins and ends with seeds. Heirloom and organic seeds, in particular, are under threat with the decrease in seed diversity. More growers are needed to develop and grow vegetables and

continue sharing the skills and knowledge required for seed conservation. There is an urgent necessity for the age-old tradition of seed saving, with growers playing the role of privileged seed stewards, to expand into backyards and farms everywhere. With climate conditions everchanging, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that all gardeners, growers, and farmers play a part in preserving seeds in their own patch to protect biodiversity and resilience in food crops.

Part 2

SEED SAVING

“Food plants, grown organically, that have adapted themselves to your garden over generations of seed saving, will perform noticeably better in your kitchen than generalised hybrid plants, grown (and possibly contaminated) by chemical methods far away from your region, and subject to transportation and storage. Good gardening produces good plants and good plants provide wholesome food.” Michael Boddy, author ‘Good Food Book’

Seed saving is an While some farmers save seed on-farm, Seeds to Avoid home gardeners and small horticultural investment, but one Hybrid (and F1) varieties are the growers are also getting involved. Seed result of breeding techniques that usually that returns rich saving groups have popped up all over the involve two highly inbred parent varieties world with small gatherings of dedicated that are genetically different, but the same rewards over time growers meeting regularly to swap, save, plant species. These plants have been and process seeds they’ve grown and collected. While the cultivated with specific characteristics such as high yield or size, steps are relatively simple, there is an ‘art’ to seed selection and but if you save seeds from them, they won’t grow true-to-type. plant pollination before seeds can be harvested, processed, and The results will be very unpredictable. stored. F1 Hybrids have to be created every time by crossing the same Seed saving is an investment, but one that returns rich rewards parents. They are bred for uniformity and ‘hybrid vigour’ – a over time. Food sovereignty is our greatest wealth and seeds are blend of qualities that enable the plant to grow more successfully valuable stock. Preserving our best plants for future generations than either of its parents. by careful seed selection and plant breeding yields an asset of great value. Hybrid plants do not give reliable results for seed saving. They So how does one determine which plant seeds to start with as will be sterile, or the next generation may vary widely in their breeding ‘stock’? characteristics, uniformity, vigour, and maturity. These types of seeds suit farmers who require uniform ripening and consistently sized produce to meet market deadlines and make harvesting What Seeds to Save and production much easier. However, they typically need high When so many plants provide a wealth of free seeds, it’s a waste inputs of fertilisers and pesticides to achieve such standardised not to harvest this potential bounty. However, not all seeds are production. equally valuable or suitable. GM (Genetically modified) seeds are the result of laboratory processes where genes from the DNA of one species Chilli paprika (such as a herbicide) are extracted and artificially inserted into seed variety the genes of an unrelated plant. Techniques involving genetic isolated with modification differ from traditional genetics using methods organza such as selective breeding, tissue cultures, and hybridisation that bag and assist nature but do not bypass natural laws. There are many labelled for documented studies on the health risks of GM crops, as well as identification ethical and environmental concerns about GM seeds and plants. From a seed saving perspective, they are not suitable. GM seeds are patented so cannot be legally reproduced without paying royalties.

Dry bean seeds in pod seed packet

SEED SAVING

So, if you avoid hybrid and GM seeds, what types of seeds are suitable for seed saving?

Best Seeds to Save

If you’re going to save seeds, it’s worth revising basic botany skills regarding plant pollination

Open-pollinated seeds. These seeds are pollinated naturally by insects, birds, animals, wind and moisture. They will produce plants that are ‘true-to-type’ or be clones of the parent. Open-pollinated seeds come from stable, non-hybrid varieties of plants resulting from pollination between the same or genetically similar parents. They are also known as ‘true’ or ‘pure-bred seeds’. The parent plants produce matching seeds – similar to identical siblings! All the plant family look and behave the same. To avoid chemically treated seeds when growing food crops, it’s ideal to source untreated, certified organic or heirloom varieties. Certified organic seeds mean they have not just been grown organically (without any chemicals) but originated from certified organic seeds.

Over time, this natural selection process encourages greater diversity and adaptation to the new environmental conditions with each generation, until the plants are strong and at their best.

Pollination If you’re going to save seeds, it’s worth revising basic botany skills regarding plant pollination. Most vegetables and herbs have complete flowers with both the male and female parts in the same flower. Some complete flowers, like lettuce, tomato, peas, and beans are self-pollinated. Because the male and female parts are so close to each other in tightly closed flowers, the slightest movement from wind, insects, or birds causes the pollen to transfer. Some self-pollinating varieties that will ‘inbreed’ naturally to a degree including lettuces, capsicum, chilli, and tomatoes. Spring onions in flower with maturing seed heads in sufficient numbers for variability

Corn cobs with dried kernels save for seed

Cross-Pollination Heirloom or heritage seeds are non-hybrid varieties that have been passed down from one generation to the next but are not usually used in modern agriculture. These are sometimes the weird and wonderful varieties we don’t see any more in the supermarket and are generally open-pollinated varieties. Heirlooms are preserved for their high-value characteristics including flavour, size, colour, aroma, resilience to pest or disease and high yields. Local varieties are cultivars that have been grown in one region over a long period. Sometimes, you can track down the history of regional varieties through seed companies that pride themselves on supporting local seed savers and have records of the origins, or seed saving organisations. From personal experience, I’ve noticed that when I first sow seeds from another region, the plants aren’t necessarily at their optimum in the first year. They’re acclimatising! However, after one season in my soil and microclimate, they have adapted to retain a new level of resilience. Sometimes, I’ve noticed the plant grows taller or beans have more flowers and pods, or they are more drought-resistant the second year.

Other types of complete flowers are open, and they need their pollen to be transferred by bees, insects, humans, or wind. This is called open-pollination because these plants are incomplete and have imperfect flowers or male and female parts on separate plants, requiring cross-pollination. You can also hand pollinate many crops, including pumpkins, zucchinis, cucumbers, corn, and spinach. Some plants are quite promiscuous and will cross-pollinate freely with neighbouring varieties! Vegetables in the Brassica oleracea or cabbage family are a good example. If cabbages and cauliflower are going to seed in close proximity at the same time, the result may be a cauliflower-cabbage cross!

Most Plants Require Isolation for Purity Many vegetables and flowers must be kept isolated from similar varieties of the same species during flowering to avoid crosspollinating and gene mixing. Seeds saved from plants that have been cross-pollinated by other varieties do not reproduce trueto-type. Instead, cross-pollinated seeds produce plants with an unpredictable mix of traits from both varieties.

@greatwhitemyco

SEED SAVING

One factor to consider is the number of days of warm weather required to produce harvestable seed. Annuals, Biennials and Perennials

Garden sketch design plan for spacing and isolation of plants for seed saving

Plan your garden to give plants the room they need to avoid crossing. Even if you are not saving seed from a particular variety, it may still pollinate other plants that you are growing for seed. A little time spent laying out your garden before planting can save time and effort later - and can make the difference between producing pure seeds or crossed ones. There are seed saving charts available with ideal distances and methods of isolation so you can choose a method that suits what you want to grow. It’s best to start with easy seeds like lettuce or radish and progress to more complicated varieties.

3 Ways to Keep Seeds Pure You can isolate these crops by: • Time. Stagger planting and saving seeds, so varieties don’t overlap; • Physical barriers. Cover the seed heads with a bag or cage with fine net or mesh to prevent insects carrying the pollen from one plant to the next; • Sufficient distance. Grow plants apart so pollen or insects carrying pollen won’t travel between them.

It’s vital to know what kind of plant you are saving seed from. They are divided into three types: • Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle or produce seed and die, in one growing season. For example, lettuce, beans, peas, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, basil, coriander, broccoli, and annual radishes. • Biennials require two seasons to complete their life cycle and then produce seed and die. These include cabbages, onions, leeks, beetroot, parsnips, celery, parsley, and carrots. • Perennials live for a minimum of three years, but some can live for decades. They usually can produce seed and not die. Edible perennials include many herbs, such as oregano, thyme, and rosemary, as well as berries, rhubarb, artichoke, asparagus, tomatoes, eggplant, and chillis. Seed saving is not as imperative for these plants as it is for annuals.

Days to har vest One factor to consider is the number of days of warm weather required to produce harvestable seed. Short maturity crops like coriander can take only 100 days, whereas it could take bean pods 4-5 months before they are mature and ready. Cool climate growers may need to experiment to determine which vegetables and herbs can produce sufficient seeds. Using a greenhouse and sowing early may help extend the season.

Seed Location Know where to find seeds on the plant: • Seed heads - flowers develop on a stem and then seeds form. e.g. lettuce, parsley, basil, carrot, dill, silverbeet, beetroot, coriander, parsnip and fennel. • Pods - flowers develop then small elongated pods form. e.g. rocket, mustard, peas, beans, broccoli, tatsoi and cabbage. • Fruits - seeds are contained inside the skin. e.g. tomatoes, capsicums, chillies, cucumbers, pumpkin, eggplant, or in the case of strawberries on the fruit.

Selection Criteria You will need to make some tough decisions about which plants have ideal attributes. Also, be prepared to sometimes sacrifice your crop harvest to save seed. You need to think about the number of plants you’re going to grow carefully. The size of the gene pool impacts how many plants you dedicate for seed collection versus harvesting to eat. While you can technically get away with saving a small quantity of seed from one or two plants for some varieties, collecting seed from multiple plants will encourage maximum diversity. Even in the same garden, soil, moisture, pH, and microclimate conditions can differ significantly, and the more variability, the better the seed quality can be. Harvest of colourful heirloom tomato varieties

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SEED SAVING

Just like we weed our garden, you also need to remove poor performers that are weak or have undesirable plant traits; a practice called roguing. Avoid weak, pest-attacked, droughtstressed plants or any that bolt to seed quickly. Saving seeds from specimens with ideal characteristics requires careful observation. Use tags early during the growing season to identify plants for saving with their variety name, dates and other criteria you are saving them for. • •

Choose healthy, robust disease-free plants to avoid passing disease pathogens onto new generations. Look for characteristics you do want, including superior flavour, colour, size and high yielding varieties. Save seeds from plants that bear early, are slow to bolt to seed, are drought-hardy, or disease-resistant.

Early Seed Formation Once you’ve chosen your ideal plant for saving seed, nurture it so it will be in the best health possible to produce a new generation of plants and seeds. During the reproduction phase of a plant’s life cycle, it has a greater need for water, nutrients, and protection until it is fully mature. The health of your seeds begins with the plants that produce them. The time when your plants are first beginning to flower is especially crucial to final seed viability. Plants should be strong, Dried bean pods on green bean vine - vital to maintain plant health right through to maturity

Organic farmers are particularly vulnerable to the reduction in seed availability and diversity healthy, and minimally stressed during early seed formation and development. Give seed-producing plants plenty of water, light and fertiliser early in their lives, so that they are healthy when flowering commences. When some plants mature, they send up a stem. With the additional weight of the flowers and seeds, they may fall over, so staking may be necessary for support to avoid damage.

Watering During Seed Formation Sufficient moisture at flowering time is essential to successful pollen development and flower set. Too little water during flower initiation and early seed development lowers seed yields, and can even hurt the health and vigour of your mature seeds. However, dry conditions are preferable during the latter stages of seed maturation. This is when seeds have formed and are drying in preparation for dormancy. Dry conditions are most favourable to the final vigour, viability, and storage life of your finished seeds. If mature seeds get wet from watering or rain, this slows their natural process of preparing for dormancy, extending the time during which their stored food reserves must be used for respiration. This lowers the seeds’ final dry weight and shortens their storage life. Repeated wetting and drying of mature seeds on the plant delays dormancy excessively, and can also damage seeds due to alternate swelling and shrinking of seed tissues. If they are left on the plant during rainy periods, seeds may even mould or mildew in their pods or husks. For these reasons, it is best to harvest your seeds and bring them inside for final drying as soon as they are fully mature and dry— especially if rains threaten. With a little planning and careful selection, your time and effort invested in saving seeds will pay off. Just like a nest egg for a rainy day, starting a seed ‘bank’ of your own can be a profitable way to secure your future food security. 3

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BY RICH HAMILTON

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Unders tanding t he Fl owering cycl e 66

THE 3 STAGES OF FLOWER

very stage of a plant’s growth demands a specific, balanced mix of nutrients and minerals. Flowering is busy; a period when plants direct all of their energy and resources away from overall growth and focus on producing the best flowers and fruits possible.

Learning to read your plants comes with time and experience There are several different stages of plant development. The various lifecycle stages are as follows: • • • •

Germination (if growing from seed) Propagation Vegetation Flowering

By understanding the phases within each ‘main stage’ of the lifecycle, you can work with them and tailor nutrition to push your plant to its maximum output

Each of the life stages divides into smaller individual phases, where plants perform many complex processes and have specific nutritional needs. By understanding the phases within each ‘main stage’ of the lifecycle, you can work with them and tailor nutrition to push your plant to its maximum output. The flowering stage can be broken down into three phases: • • •

Early flower Mid flower Late flower/ripening

By using the correct flowering additives at the right time, you can work with the plant’s natural growth rhythm to achieve phenomenal results. For this article, I’ll be using as an example a photoperiodism-sensitive, fruit-bearing plant with a 9-week flowering cycle.

Early flower

- the transition phase (weeks 1-3) Early flower occurs when plants cross over from vegetative growth to the production of flowers and fruits. When growing indoors, signal this period to your plants by changing the light cycle to 12/12 (lights on for 12 hours and lights off for 12 hours). A plant’s move from the vegetative stage into flowering will not happen overnight. The transition phase generally lasts for an average of two weeks, but depending on species, this can sometimes take up to three weeks. In growing terms, transitioning is referred to as ‘the stretch’. The plant shoots up in height, and flower sites begin to develop. General foliage growth will also continue as the plant takes time to re-program itself into full flower mode. Most feeding schedules for this phase will be simi-

lar to the last week of the vegetative stage, except for the introduction of a flowering additive. A flowering additive perfect for use during this early transitional phase should adequately support the plant’s last burst of general growth. It should also supply the plant with additional nutrients, resulting in a boost in the number of potential flowering sites.

Phosphorous helps boost the root system and potassium assists with flower and fruit formation. An early flowering additive works by increasing the production of metabolic triggers within the plant, which in turn, can increase the number of flowering sites from an average of 30-50% of the stem nodes to a whopping 70% or more! If you want more flowers, you need more flowering sites; using a flowering additive in this phase is essential to laying the foundations of a bumper yield.

Mid flower

- developing and gaining size (weeks 3-6) Often in the third week of flower and certainly by the start of the fourth, the plants switch into full flower mode. Flower formations may still be small and relatively unformed at this point, but they should be present. From weeks four through six, flowers or fruits develop rapidly, growing in size and weight daily. This productive stage signals a new era for the plants and along with it, a new set of nutritional needs. Plants need more phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) during flowering, especially during this phase. This is the time when increasing the dosage of the early flowering additive is a good idea, along with the addition of a PK 13/14 additive. PK13/14 acts like a chemical switch that tells the plant to cease all root, stem, and leaf growth and re-direct all energy to growing flowers and fruits instead. Once fruit or flowers begin to develop, the plant’s need for phosphorous and potassium will significantly increase. Phosphorous is crucial to the plant’s metabolism, the transferring of energy, and the strengthening of the cell formation in flowers. Potassium helps transport water and nutrition around the plant, improving plant quality and strength. It also controls sugar production, which is essential for flower development and terpene production.

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THE 3 STAGES OF FLOWER

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The recommended time to apply a PK13/14 additive is three weeks before harvest, which can be anywhere between weeks four and six, depending on what you’re growing. Feeding schedules vary, but general guidelines recommend using it for anywhere between three and six days. Extended exposure to PK 13/14 can lead to an accumulation of nutrient salts in the medium, which in turn cause deficiencies by locking out other nutrients.

PK13/14 acts like a chemical switch that tells the plant to cease all root, stem, and leaf growth and re-direct all energy to growing flowers and fruits instead

Late flower

- ripening and maturation (weeks 6-9) This final phase of flowering is when the fruits of your labour ripen and mature, so they’re ready for harvest. At this point, fruit-bearing plants experience the most growth and gain the most weight. With the use of the correct flowering additives at the right ratios, bigger, heavier fruits with increased flavours will likely develop. Sometimes referred to as ‘a finisher’, a ripener/weight gainer supplies the plant with extra phosphorous and potassium. It also encourages the plant to use any nutrients it may have been storing. Ripener and weight gainers can also include small amounts of nitrogen, magnesium, and a complex mix of hormones and catalytic agents designed to enhance the weight, size, and production of oils in the fruits.

Potential Problems Problems with using additives are common when administered at the incorrect developmental stage. Some growers cannot resist the temptation to increase the dosage levels of ripeners and weight gainers in a bid to push the plant to its maximum potential. It’s a gamble, and one that rarely pays off. Overfeeding can cause nutrient-lock, which stops a plant’s nutrient uptake and growth. Learning to read your plants comes with time and experience.

The feeding schedule for nutrients and additives is a guide that should be followed as closely as possible. Every species and plant strain is different, and while some plants thrive at a higher dosage level than recommended, always approach such actions with caution. Increase dosage amounts slightly, by only 0.5ml at a time. There is a very fine line between unbelievable results and complete disaster. The flowering stage is more complicated than it would first appear. Working in sync with what nature intended is essential during this time. By understanding what a plant’s needs are in each phase, you can use flowering additives and ripeners to produce phenomenal results. 3

Bio

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

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ASK A PH.D.

BY DR COLIN BELL

Garden Culture’s

A sk A Ph. D. !

Using Beneficial Bacteria In Soilless Growing Media

omeone recently asked me about using beneficial bacteria in soilless growing media. Their question was what kind of soilless mix (coco vs peat) is best

to help the soil microbiology thrive.

The most significant differences between coco and peat soilless media are their textures, buffering capacities, and water-holding capabilities. In any growing medium, with increased coarseness, there is lower water holding capacity, which can affect the biology in the substrate. As a simple example, peat soilless media typically hold water better than coco soilless media. This can affect media biology, especially if there are significant drought events, which are par ticularly stressful to soil bacteria, and fungi to a lesser degree. Coco coir Peat is typically more buffered than coco, which means it has a slightly better capacity to hold nutrients and to maintain pH. Because pH is one of the most influential environmental parameters that affect microbial biodiversity, The most significant the buffering capacity differences between coco and in the substrate has a peat soilless media are their strong influence on the soil’s health and biology. textures, buffering capacities,

biochar

and water-holding capabilities

Carbon is the currency of all life on ear th. Therefore, additives such as biochar and other organic inputs can help maximise soil health, including its cation exchange, water holding, and buffering capacities. Ultimately, the best habitat to suppor t soil biology is the plant rhizosphere or root zone. Regardless of the media that you use, as soon as the plant extends its roots into the substrate, it creates a carbon-rich habitat that shelters and feeds soil biology. Plant roots feed microbes by exuding carbon-rich substrates, stimulating microbial activity and nutrient cycling to create a thriving environment for soil microbes in soilless media. 3

Peat soil

Bio

Colin Bell is the co-founder, co-inventor and Chief Growth Officer at Mammoth Microbes. Colin is passionate about science, and received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, specializing 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 traveling 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

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BY EVEREST FERNANDEZ

BORN TO WORK

AND THE ILLUSION OF CON S E NT

MODERN SLAVERY

This article originally appeared in the very first issue of Garden Culture Magazine. After reconnecting with author Everest Fernandez recently at the Autopot Summer Social in the UK, we’ve decided to run it again. All of these issues later, the article remains relevant.

f you’ve got kids, you’ll probably hear these words on a daily basis. It’s not that “fairness” is a childish concept; it’s more that the idea

establishes itself so early that it runs to the ver y foundations of our collective consciousness and remains there for the rest of our lives. Indeed, as we grow older many of us hold on to the belief that we possess an intrinsic ability to recognize when a situation is equitable. In reality though, this world of perhaps, with the hope of modifying In reality though, fairness and equity is dependent our consensual agreement? Of course, this world of on one thing; our brains and our you might inform me that I can “keep fairness and equity willingness to exercise them. For my milk” or other choice words to instance, if I declare myself the that effect. So what if I choose to avoid is dependent on one “leader” of a remote Polynesian island confrontation by secretly diluting your thing; our brains and and convince its inhabitants that I “pint of milk” with rainwater? Just a our willingness to am their deity incarnate whom they few drops at first so as not to raise exercise them must please with daily offerings of your suspicions, yet slowly but surely, their youngest, fairest maidens, while over the course of a year or so, I the men labor all day in the fields diluted the milk to the point where it’s and copper mines so that I, the Great Lord Everest, may be actually fifty percent water! I’m patting myself on the back for glorified and gracious in sparing them my wrath. The islanders, executing this change so gradually, while all along you are none if taken in by this almighty bounder, may conclude that their the wiser! I laugh with contempt at your hapless children, for situation is quite fair and just. It’s a square deal: they offer up watery milk is all they’ve ever known! Moooooohahahahaha! their bodies for sexual and agricultural services in exchange Another generation of suckers is born! for my “wrath” being spared. On the other hand, as an outside observer, you might conclude that they’re being exploited for Perhaps I’m guilty of overly-indulging this example. Maybe their ignorance. I’m assuming a little too much naiveté on your part? Surely you’d detect that something was up with the milk, wouldn’t If that example seems a little weak then picture another you? Nevertheless, emboldened by your seemingly scenario, a little closer to home perhaps. Let’s say you and boundless gullibility, I decide to take my scam to a whole I are neighbors, living out in the lesser-trodden parts of the new level. Instead of giving you watered-down milk, one Humboldt countryside in Northern California. Add to this day I turn up at the garden fence with something entirely blissful scene a single cow grazing on my ample pastureland. new. It’s a piece of paper. I call it a “milk certificate.” And you, perhaps not enjoying so grand an estate, are content “You can redeem this for ‘real milk’ anytime! (Wink, wink)” I to take care of a small brood of chickens. Now, I’m not assure you, “What’s more, you can use these milk certificates suggesting that this situation is unfair. I may have chosen to as payment in trades with other vendors. It’s so convenient work longer and harder for my larger slice of this fine Earth. for you! And, best of all, you don’t have to keep them in the But, in the spirit of community, we choose to share stuff. I refrigerator!” like eggs and you like milk, so we agree to make a swap each morning: a pint of my (or Daisy’s) milk for two of your Okay, by now you’ve guessed it; we’re talking about money, (chickens’) eggs. What could be simpler than this direct barter? not milk. But this milky analogy needs a few modifications Notwithstanding our animals’ rights or wrongs, so long as we before it even comes close to accurately reflecting our present humans establish mutual consent, we can share and enjoy our predicament of economic slavery. You see, up until 1971, a collective resources and life seems a whole lot more sunnydollar was redeemable for gold. Gold was chosen because side-up for the both of us. it was viewed as universally valuable. People, knowingly or unknowingly, accepted dollar bills in exchange for real goods However, here’s where the plot begins to curdle. What if I or services backed by a belief that these little pieces of paper awoke one morning intent on pursuing a more favorable deal would be later accepted by others—and an assurance that for myself—say, just half a pint of milk in exchange for your they were also convertible into physical gold at any time—well, two eggs? What then? A civil discussion over the garden fence, during banking hours at least. 75

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MODERN SLAVERY

So long as we humans

However, since the dollar they were going to be incredibly establish mutual consent, was decoupled from the gold wealthy, but the amount of goods we can share and enjoy standard, it has lost around and services available back home 90% of its purchasing power. had not really changed. Result? our collective resources Thinking back to our milk for Prices simply went up!) The real and life seems a whole lot eggs exchange, you might be privilege of the super-rich is their more sunny-side-up for the tempted to picture a bottle priority lane access to this newly both of us... of slightly cloudy water being created money. In essence, it’s not handed to you over the garden so much the quantity of money fence, or a fistful of worthless they have, but the fact that they “milk certificates.” But think get to spend it into circulation again. For, if I am assuming the role of the banker in this first, before the rest of us cotton on to the fact that it’s been scenario, I’m actually asking you to borrow some pieces of watered down. By the time these dilute dollars finally meander paper (with no mention of milk, eggs, sex, honey or anything to you and me, it’s little more than cloudy water, or symbolic else that’s tangible) and pay interest for the privilege! All these cloudy water, or … confused? Good. Now get back to work. pieces of paper represent is your debt to me—a debt that I have created out of nothing, meanwhile you pledge to forfeit Perhaps we need to ask ourselves this very simple question: what your house if you don’t keep up the repayments! Perhaps the is money? Don’t shy away from it—no need to overcomplicate it Polynesian islander’s example wasn’t so far out of whack? either. You don’t want to spend your life chasing an enigma now do you? Don’t leave this to the “experts”—the people whose With the woe-is-us-machine we know and love as the Internet career depends on maintaining their intellectual propriety with now running on all twelve-cylinders, it’s easy to blame Wall confusion and obfuscation. You shouldn’t make the mistake of Street greed, the Illuminati, the neoconservatives, the royal thinking that money is intrinsically a bad or evil thing either. At family—anybody, in fact, but ourselves for the mess we’re the very least concede that it’s very useful stuff, helping us to in. But the inescapable fact is the only thing that holds up transcend the limitations of direct barter. Problems really occur our monetary system is our persistent belief in it and our when we seek money as if it were the true wealth in and of itself, unwillingness to embrace viable alternatives. Our problem is rather than merely a symbolic means of exchange. one of philosophy, not politics. How have so many of us been hoodwinked into accepting such an absurd tautology: a dollar So what are we to do? Should we join some protest movement is worth another dollar—what sort of insidious, circular, waving “End the Fed” banners? Should we petition our recursive symbolism is this? But then, take these dollars away governments for greater freedoms, or is that, as the monetary and how are you going to pay for your groceries? prophet E.C. Reigel wrote over fifty years ago, just an absurd act of deference, “wholly lacking the spirit of a freeman.” In short, You really don’t need a PhD in economics (or any other are we going to take responsibility for the mess we’re in, or are pseudo-science for that matter) to understand that as more we going to let “the economists” sort it all out for us? make-believe money is pumped into the financial system, the purchasing power of each dollar is diluted, just like the All facetiousness aside for a moment, one by one, we are nourishment of our watery milk. This is inevitable so long as indeed waking up to the fact that something is very wrong. an inflated money supply chases the same amount of goods Looking at the world with the eyes of our ancients we realize a and services. (The Spanish discovered this when they returned fundamental truth—our monetary system has been corrupted from the Americas with boats laden with gold. They thought to one where national sovereignty is a joke on a naive populous. GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

MODERN SLAVERY

Perhaps we need to ask We are collectively enslaved Unlike an inch or a centimeter, to ‘unelected’ central banks the dimensions of a dollar keep ourselves this very simple through usurious and changing. We call this “inflation.” question: what is money? fraudulent money systems, an But how then can we measure Don’t shy away from it—no eternally un-payable “debt,” “value” using these shapeneed to overcomplicate it created out of nothing but our shifting units of exchange? It’s promise to repay. It is a deeply almost as if we are confusing either. You don’t want to absurd and untenable situation the item being measured with spend your  life chasing an for any person to endure. Yet the ruler it’s being measured enigma now do you? the mainstream media persist in on. Are you beginning to see echoing the bankers’ threats of the magician’s sleight of hand? the sky falling down and untold Money has no real value. misery if we don’t put up with the status quo. Heaven forbid if enough people discover the Crucially, take note that a global scale of value is not the same truth—that we don’t actually need banks at all in order to issue thing as a global currency. Moreover, a global scale of value currency and trade with each other, on a personal, corporate would give birth to thousands, maybe millions of different or even national level. currencies, not just one—but they would all be measured on the same scale, and all of them backed by goods and services in The Internet has helped us share our ideas, but its real power is common demand. The ratio of credit to demand (i.e. offers to in the creation of a common monetary language. Forget about buy vs. offers to sell a company’s credit token) can be instantly “internet-banking”—that’s just a sideshow. Imagine a new form evaluated, thanks to the Internet, meaning the actual value of of money, issued by the producers of this world. By producers the credits in circulation can adjust in real time. The idea of I mean the corporations that generate our electricity, or money as fluid and self-correcting, does not reward greed and make our computers, or grow the tomatoes. Imagine money is based on real goods and services. It may be a little tricky to backed, not by debt, or by gold (or tungsten) but by … wait grasp at first but really we’re only describing a world where for it … real stuff. Cars, beef burgers, Thai massages, goods the monopoly over the issuance of credit, currently enjoyed by and services that we use every day. Sounds unbelievable? Well, banks, has been removed. If this sounds crazy then remember, so did the concept of a spherical earth to most people a few so did the idea that the world was a sphere and that there were thousand years ago. It’s time to unplug from the Matrix. potentially people living “upside-down.” At the center of it all is a global scale of value. What’s that? Well, think of an inch. Or, if you prefer, think of a centimeter, a foot, a mile, or a furlong. Where would we be without these universal units of length? Now imagine if we created the same thing, but for value. Of course, we’ve been conditioned into mistaking our monetary units as our value units. When we talk about the value of things we invariably think in terms of dollars, or pounds, or yen, don’t we? This beautiful, shiny phone costs $799. This car costs $25,000. This house is valued at $500,000. We need to stop thinking like this. This ignorance is at the kernel of our enslavement to the bankers. We are guzzling watery milk without so much of a whimper of complaint. Now it’s time for a good burping.

Ultimately, the real treasure of this planet is you and I. It’s time for the credit commons to be restored to the people instead of being monopolized by bankers who create nothing. Until enough of us wake up to their false pretentions towards deity, docile and malleable human beings will remain the ultimate resource to be controlled, manipulated and exploited. 3

Bio

Everest Fernandez is a well-respected industry educator, veteran hydroponic grower and grow light enthusiast, based in France. He works primarily as a marketing and cultivation consultant and was the founding editor of Urban Garden Magazine in the UK, US and Canada. He also writes and researches for the popular hobby horticulturalist YouTube channel, Just4Growers.

Footnote: Everest Fernandez did not accept any legal tender in return for writing this article, but that doesn’t necessarily imply he wasn’t paid. GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY DR CALLIE SEAMAN

R aw rock is of t en l aced w i t h orga nic m at t er a nd o t her t ox ic el emen t s, s o bef ore t he y c a n be u sed, a p urif ic at ion p roce s s mus t ta k e p l ace

A re A l l

Miner a l Sa lt s Cre at ed Equa l?

(The simple answer is no!)

MINERAL SALTS

T he l e v el of ref inemen t f or f er t il iser is rel at i v ely l ow a nd m a inly f ocu se s on remov ing or reducing he av y me ta l c on t en t, w hich end s up in t he f ood ch a in if a p p l ied t o crop s

ineral salts are solid materials dug from the ground that have undergone processing to purify them. Acid digestion or the addition of another compound causes a precipitation reaction, hence the salts.

Pure mineral salts do not contain organic matter. These include calcium nitrate, potassium phosphate (AKA MPK), potassium nitrate, and magnesium sulphate. The microelements such as zinc, copper, iron, and manganese can all be supplied in the sulphate salt form; however, these forms are not bioavailable. Sulphate is comparable to a clingy ex who just won’t let go!

In the hydro world, the majority of high-quality nutrient products use this grade of minerals; its relatively high purity of 80-99% results in a quality end-product

Commonly used forms are chelated with compounds such as EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), EDDHA (ethylenediamine-N, N-bis 2 hydroxyphenyl acetic acid) or DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid). The solubility of these dictates to which chelator is used, which is why ETDA is the most commonly applied.

Issues, however, do arise with plants, as ETDA can cause cell lysis, resulting in cell bursting. Boron, on the other hand, is supplied as an acid, with only hydrogen to eliminate. Table 1 gives some examples of the chelated micronutrients.

Element

Compound

Base nutrients and nutrient-based additives often contain mineral salts such as potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate, and magnesium sulphate. These types of salts contain no carbon and are referred to as inorganic compounds. They are usually derived from rocks mined from the ground, which were deposited thousands of years ago. Raw rock is often laced with organic matter and other toxic elements, so before they can be used, a purification process must take place. After extraction from the earth, the rock is treated with heat, acids, or an alkaline solution to purify it to the elements of interest. The extent of the process is dictated by the purity or grade of the chemical. Low purity chemicals are often used for industrial purposes, such as lubricants, cleaners, and building materials.

Fertiliser Grade Funny enough, one of the lowest grades is ‘fertiliser grade’. This salt purity is typically used in the agriculture sector and applied to fields in huge quantities. The level of refinement for fertiliser is relatively low and mainly focuses on removing or reducing heavy metal content, which ends up in the food chain if applied to crops.

Available form

Iron FeEDTA Fe 3+, Fe 2+ FeDTPA FeSO 4·7H 2O Zinc ZnEDTA Zn 2+ ZnCl 2 ZnSO 4·7H 2O Manganese MnEDTA Mn2+ Copper CuEDTA Cu 2+, Cu+ CuSO 4·5H 2O Molybdenum (NH 4)6 Mo7O24

MoO 42-

Boron H3 BO3 Na 2B 4 O7·10H 2O

BO33- , B 4 O7 2-

The fertiliser grade can be further split into two sub-grades: agricultural and horticultural. The agricultural grade is usually coarser and the particles larger in size. The horticultural grade is smaller in particle size and dissolves easily in water. It also contains microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, etc.), as opposed to only macroelements (NPK). The term ‘fertiliser grade’ is more of a legal guarantee referencing the available plant nutrients and their ratios stated on the products.

Technical Grade The next grade up is known as ‘technical grade’. This grade is used for industrial applications where higher quality chemicals improve performance. While high in purity, these chemicals are typically toxic to humans and are not intended to be consumed. Some of the higher grades are fit for human consumption and can be used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, but only if correctly certified. In the hydro world, the majority of high-quality nutrient products use this grade of minerals; its relatively high purity of 80-99% results in a quality end-product.

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

MINERAL SALTS

T he c o s t of t he se chemic a l s is a s t ronomic a l due t o t he l e v el s of p urif ic at ion required, a nd t heref ore, a re ne v er f ound in t he h y drop onic nu t rien t worl d Lab Grade The next highest purity is ‘lab grade’. Lab grade chemicals are 90-99% pure and are designed for use in schools, universities, and laboratories. They are more expensive than technical grade and are unlikely to be used in any hydro industry products.

Analytical Grade At the very top of the bunch, we can find the analytical grade chemicals, which are 99.9999% pure. These chemicals are used in very small quantities for analysis of samples with tiny amounts of the chemical of interest. The cost of these chemicals is astronomical due to the levels of purification required, and therefore, are never found in the hydroponic nutrient world.

The level of refinement for fertiliser is relatively low and mainly focuses on removing or reducing heavy metal content, which ends up in the food chain if applied to crops

Pharmaceutical Grade Pharmaceutical grade falls into the ‘food grade’ categories, meaning it is fit for human consumption. In the US, these chemicals are split into three categories; feed grade, human grade, and pharmaceutical grade. Products in these categories must be a minimum of 90% pure and produced in sanitary conditions to ensure they will not cause illness in humans. The microbial content must also fall below a strict level to be classed and certified as food grade. ‘Human grade’ and ‘feed grade’ must meet FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirements; however, the human grade must also pass USDA inspection. Pharmaceutical grade in this categorisation means a chemical that is 99% pure and has virtually no microbial content. It also must have been verified by an independent laboratory which has no link to the manufacturer. The production facility and manufacturing process must also reach a particular standard and be approved by regulatory bodies, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), British Pharmacopeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), or the Japanese Pharmacopeia (JP). As you can imagine, taking a product from 90% purity to 99% purity is very costly, and quite often unnecessary. The approval process involving various regulatory bodies also makes the production of the pharmaceutical grade chemical expensive. A

single kilogram of pharmaceutical-grade chemicals can cost hundreds of dollars or pounds; the technical grade is much cheaper per tonne and is still fit for purpose. It is not economically possible that only certified pharmaceutical minerals are used in hydro feeds; the cost per litre of nutrient solution would be astronomical!

A lot of mystery and myths surrounds nutrient production, and most of the time liquid fertilisers start life as a solid in the form of a powder. To produce large volumes of base feed concentrated solutions, up to 500kg of powdered ingredients are dissolved per 1000 litres of pure, filtered, sterile water. If you are producing thousands of litres of solution, are 99% pure “pharmaceutical grade” chemicals going to be cost-effective when they offer no real benefit? For some of the chemicals where minute quantities are used, yes; but for all them to be officially pharmaceutical grade, the cost of producing the nutrient would be prohibitive. 3

Grade

Purity Range

Application

Fertiliser Undefined Farmers, agriculture. Technical 80-99% Industrial, hor ticulture Laboratory 90-99% Schools and educational facilities Food grade 90-99% Food, medicine, human consumption. Approved by governing body. Feed Grade 90% Livestock and animal feed Human Grade 90% Food production Pharmaceutical grade 99% Medicine Analytical 99.999999% Research and high-quality analysis

BIO Dr Callie Seaman is a plant obsessed Formulation Chemist at

AquaLabs – the company behind SHOGUN Fertilisers and the Silver Bullet plant health range. She has been in the hydro industry for 15 years in research development and manufacturing and had previously worked on the VitaLink range. She has a PhD in fertiliser chemistry and a BSc (HONS) in Biomedical sciences and loves nothing more than applying this knowledge to pushing the boundaries of nutrient performance.

BY JESSICA STEINBERG

Policy

Influencers Resp onsibil i t ies f rom Recycl ed Con v ersat ions, Reducing t he Unsp ok en T ension

The legal cannabis market is the ultimate example of nature turning into culture

POLICY INFLUENCERS

this is a tug-of-war be t ween ‘ t h e p at i e n t s ’ a n d ‘ t h e p r o f i t e e r s ’

he cannabis calendar leaves little time for socialising, and probably less time for sleeping. Trying to keep with the latest trend is a better bet than trying to post the most relevant hashtag for the most recent event, seminar, workshop, or conference.

The proliferation of cannabis events has led to the duplication of related content. We’re still asking questions that were answered at a conference the week before: ‘What’s the latest on “Novel Foods” in the EU?,’ ‘When will adult-use be regulated in the UK?,’ and ‘How are doctors being trained?’ While these dialogues are productive, they are not revolutionary. The multiplication of events is fostering conversations that have already been had with people who are already conver ted.

Maybe it’s a European issue because the cannabis space is a close-knit community, so we see the same people at the same place and have the same conversation

I know there is not an oratory problem. Meanwhile, people, or par ts of society, are listening without hearing anything. Maybe it’s a European issue because the cannabis space is a close-knit community, so we see the same people at the same place and have the same conversation. But the reality is that the global cannabis scene is a relatively small space, which has paved the way to recycle cannabis-related topics at cannabis-specific events. I’ve seen the same presentation by various leaders in various par ts of the world. I’m all for reducing and reusing, but I struggle to hop on board when that recycled content isn’t contextualised. If a renowned idea from a panel or presentation generated reform, then I would be keen to challenge my above statements. However, rather than moving forward toward progress, I continue to notice rising tensions. Namely, tension between the corporatised ‘green rush’ and patient-led revolution, and between the conver ted crowd of believers and the people who don’t regard one word of truth told from those preachers.

Although widely dismissed, this is a tug-ofwar between ‘the patients’ and ‘the profiteers.’ To some eyes, this invisible hand pulls out the grassroots from corporate, and to some, this tension is so visible that it is causing a riff. I think about the crossover between the cannabis movement and the cannabis market and how the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Sometimes events are separated by a medical and policy focus, and by a business and investment focus. Sometimes these camps are not divided, and that’s when the clash of civilisations is most apparent.

I had been to multiple cannabis events per week throughout the summer. When August 4th came around for CANNTalks (i.e. ‘Curating a New Normal,’ the cannabis version of TED Talks), I was curious to experience the tension and recycling issue yet again. To my pleasant surprise, we discussed the inherent tensions and the frustration of hearing the same talk. Rather than having those conversations behind closed doors, we weren’t hiding behind a veil. Such conversations cultivated a platform for a grassroots feel, a level of authenticity, which was met with high-level exper tise from a fresh perspective. The venue, the Old Divinity School at the University of Cambridge, was prime to provoke intellectual wander through multi-disciplinary debates. The speakers I was honoured to share the stage with brought together insight from their distinctive discipline. There was a par ticular moment that captured this forum well. Dr Derek Tracy, a consultant psychiatrist, clinical director, member of the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs in the UK and par t of Oxleas NHS Foundation, had a tough crowd to please. Being ‘that guy’ that adopts an unpopular view (i.e. acknowledging that cannabis may cause some form of harm), he expressed himself through fact and experience.

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

POLICY INFLUENCERS

T h at is t he p o w er of cr e at ing a di a l o gue r at her t h a n r ecr e at ing w h at a l r e a dy e x is t s. T he l at t er is s ome t hing I e x p l or ed dur ing m y p r e sen tat ion at C A NN Ta l ks.

Following his talk, Dr Tracy hosted a panel between Dr Chandni Hindocha and Dr Callie Seamen about the barriers to cannabis research (both academically and commercially). There was a moment when the two women paused after sharing a genuine concern to the obstacles to conducting research. Dr Tracy then admitted to understanding something he had yet to realise. A moment of shared and changed perspective.

I’m all for reducing and reusing, but I struggle to hop on board when that recycled content isn’t contextualised

That is the power of creating a dialogue rather than recreating what already exists. The latter is something I explored during my presentation at CANNTalks. I engaged with the audience noticing some familiar faces and some new ones too. There were some folks I recognised as pioneers and others that I’d refer to as professionals. Despite the allocated categorisation, everyone in the room, I noted, ‘is a policy influencer.’ Clarification was added that a ‘policy influencer’ is not a policymaker nor an advocate or activist. As members of society, whether that is society at large or this society, we like to call the ‘cannabis community,’ we are all policy influencers. This approach is taken from my Ph.D. at the Center for Socio-Legal Studies at Oxford. We assume that law influences society and, likewise, society influences law. Law is more than a rule, and it is more than a piece of legislation. Legality changes and society shifts (note that they can be read in reverse order, too). In this regard, we are influencers, and with that power comes great responsibility.

When I hear industry members boast about ‘creating an industry with XYZ value’ I struggle. Rather than creating a new industry that launches forward-thinking into the 21st century and utilises the technological advancements available, we seem to be following the structures of 20 th-century models. Are we creating or recreating an industry? As policy influencers in society with the opportunity to generate change, we have a responsibility to, at the very least, be aware of this. I like to break it down like this:

We interact with the outside World (capital ‘W’ world). We also communicate with our inside world (lower case ‘w’ world). Through both avenues, some policies live on, in both paper form and figurative form. At the risk of geeking out further on anthropology and providing too much academic criticism, it’s best to leave thought to provoke ongoing conversations. The legal cannabis market is the ultimate example of nature turning into culture (e.g. a sub-culture, counter-culture, and mainstream culture). How can we, as individuals, and as a society, influence the way nature moves, shifts and shapes into a culture? What are structures we, as policy influencers, are (re)creating? 3

BIO

Jessica is a Ph.D. student at the University of Oxford researching the legal cannabis industry. She is the managing director of international cannabis consultancy, The Global C, and co-founder of entOURage Network, an organisation to empower and connect women in the European cannabis industry. Her work brings her to the UN and WHO and she speaks globally about her research and work, as well as the charity that she founded when she was 13 years old, Giveable Giggles.

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

WHAT’S GROWING ON

s ’ o h W Growing

t a h W Wh

ere

in the U Kreland & I

Bedfordshire, England

Micro Farming

Credit: Seed To Feed Microfarm

It’s hard to believe that you create a thriving edible harden on just a quarter of an acre of land, but the Seed to Feed Microfarm gets the job done. Organic, sustainable, and ethical produce is grown on 40m x 40m across three plots and fed to the local community through various dining events, including pop-up and Michelin star restaurants, kitchen takeovers, and more. Food donations also go to organisations feeding the less fortunate. One of the smallest farms in the county, Seed to Feed specialises in growing heirloom and heritage crops, microgreens, and edible flowers. It also takes advantage of the bounty nature provides and forages wild food and mushrooms. The farm strives to be completely self-sufficient; it has a strong seed-saving vision and creates amazing fertility through compost and vermicompost systems. It operates on hand-power alone, meaning no gas-guzzling machinery touches its thriving soil life. Giving more and taking less. Learn more: seedtofeedmicrofarm.co.uk

Kent, England

Snails have been apart of our diet for thousands of years and are eaten all over the world, first as a cheap source of protein and then as a gourmet ingredient. Although not entirely new, a mother and daughter team are thinking outside the box when it comes to farming a sustainable protein. H&RH Escargots is a small, rural farm that specialises in raising and selling live, edible snails. They’re ‘grown’ with minimal environmental footprint; they live outdoors in the summer and feast on fresh vegetables and fruits. The result is a delicious, fat-free food full of minerals and vitamins. The farm is the principal UK supplier of live edible snails and in addition to guiding people on how to cook them with local cider, it runs courses for those who want to grow their own escargots at home. Small-scale farming with a big impact. Learn more: hrh-escargots.co.uk

Credit: H&HR Escargots

Slow Food

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

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growing What Where in the UK?

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See all the urban growers, backyard gardeners, and inspiring communities featured in Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growing What Where over the years.

NEW

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WHAT’S GROWING ON

Who’s Growing

WhWaht

ere

Dublin, Ireland

in the Kland U Ire &

Hops Movement

Credit: Social Hops

When people think about growing their own, hops isn’t usually what pops into mind. That’s why the Social Hops organisation is unique; it encourages locals to get in on local beer production by growing one of the key ingredients needed for a brew. An Urban Farm project, the idea is to reduce the beer miles associated with the import of hop ingredients and benefit both the growers and the local brewers. Social Hops delivers starter packs to interested growers including a hop rhizome from certified UK disease-free stock, three metres of hemp coir hop twine, and a grounding peg. Short on space? No problem. The perennial plant grows vertically, so just a small patch of ground beside a fence is ideal. Harvested hops are shared between Dublin breweries Hopfully Brewing and Rascals Breweries. A community project boosts the local economy. Learn more: urbanfarm.ie/social-hops

Coleraine, Northern Ireland

Grow Wild

Credit: The Cornfield Project

A local consortium of grassroots organisations is working together to transform an eight-acre piece of previously unused and unloved land into a space bursting with colour and life. Situated between the Ballysally and Milburn Estates, The Cornfield Project now consists of woodland and native wildflower meadows. The idea is to lend nature a helping hand while also hosting a variety of environmental activities for all ages to enjoy. Think sensory gardens, outdoor classrooms, allotments, bird and bat boxes, barefoot walks, bug hunts, and more. Bringing residents together encourages a deeper sense of community. The Cornfield Project also tackles issues of low employment and health through activities that help people develop new skills and greater confidence. The many opportunities nature can provide. Learn more: thecornfieldproject.co.uk 3

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

BY EVAN FOLDS

How To Grow A Healthy Society Society is heavily influenced by narrative and incentive

A HEALTHY SOCIETY

he stories that we tell can be a means of turning our values into action, or they can be used against us in the name of profit over people. Awareness of this phenomenon is the best antidote. The power of narrative - or the story that we are telling ourselves and about ourselves - is that the story

itself becomes an incentive. This is the secret of the indigenous cultures that hold the wisdom of the Earth; we tell ourselves stories so that we remember what we do not want to forget. I have experienced this reality in my city of Wilmington, NC. With our cobblestone streets and monuments to the battles of our Civil War, our local history represents the roots of the nation. We are now the leader of our region in Southeastern North Carolina; what is now, and should be going into the future, one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States.

My prism is agriculture; I believe it is the source and, at the same time, the solution to virtually every issue that we face

This growth potential brings terrific opportunities, but also a tremendous and fateful responsibility to ourselves, to the people who visit and want to relocate here, and to our future. We are currently failing in this responsibility, but even worse, we are not even going through the motions. In the last municipal election, only 14% of our citizens cast a vote in the election. Our region is attracting people and accomplishing new development at a record rate. But in our haste, we are leaving entire communities behind, and we are damaging our people. We are also damaging the economy and the natural beauty that brings people here and makes them want to stay. This is happening everywhere in this country, and there is no telling where it is leading us. But if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make some drastic changes, it is not going to be pretty. We cannot continue to use this same motivating force to move us forward and expect to solve the issues that we face. That motivating force, primarily profit before people, is the responsible party. My prism is agriculture; I believe it is the source and, at the same time, the solution to virtually every issue that we face. Regenerative agricultural methods have the potential to bring abundance, but it is going to take a massive effort to start transitioning the 99.8% of farms that are conventional in the United States. Work like this will not be easy. It is going to take accountability and hard work, but the fruits of the effort will be exponential.

The value that can be drawn by tapping into what unites us and brings real value is endless and invites us to consider the deeper workings of our humanity. The way a healthy society works is similar to a healthy human body. The physical body works through the collaboration of many different capacities, but can be deduced into three larger systems that maintain a certain level of autonomy to function properly. We can explore this idea by first considering the workings of our bodies. In the human body, we are sustained by a circulatory system, a nervous system, and a metabolic system. Each performs a critical function that cannot be disturbed or enhanced by the other.

In other words, there is no centre to a human organism. Our bodies are governed by independent processes that communicate in complex and subtle ways towards the benefit of the whole. When one area is sick, the entire system is hindered. In other words, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link - and so it is with a city. If we wiped the human memory of all of our dogma and conditioning right now and asked all of us to show up brand new as humans, what would we be? How would we organise? It is an interesting question to follow. We would determine some means of exchanging value (Economy). We would carve out a platform for our human rights (Rights). And we would demand a way of expressing our individual and collective talents towards the value of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of human beings (Culture). We can bring balance and resonance between our social organisation and the raw impulse of our humanity by identifying and ensuring total autonomy and good collaboration between the realms of Economy, Rights, and Culture.

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ALL PHASE Craft Powder Base Nutrient & Additives VEG+BLOOM features 3 revolutionary one-part base powder nutrients and 2 additives in the UK. Catering to soft or hard water EC’s. We’ve also extensively researched in-house which mediums work best with our formulas. Our ingredients are locally sourced, refined and always batch tested for quality assurance to ensure consistency. Our all-phase one-part base powder formula was fabricated so that you could simply use your local water source as long as it fell between 0.0-0.7 EC. No other company offers this as they always recommend using RO water, which can be costly.

Base Nutrients: RO/SOFT is our most universal and popular one-part base nutrient. A hybrid of synthetics and organics; a pH stable formula for those who have small or large containers and a start water of 0.0-0.3 EC. It is completely soluble in RO water and built for coco, rockwool, or soil. TAP/HARD is a revolutionary pH stable formula for farms that have hard water 0.3-0.7 EC. No other company offers this as “water chemistry” is difficult to educate. With TAP/HARD you can potentially skip the costly RO water filter system and also save on the cost of water. Due to a higher pH in hard tap water, this formula is buffered appropriately so the use of large amounts of pH down can be avoided. Best used in coco and rockwool. DIRTY is a comprehensive formula for those who have a start water of 0.0-0.7 EC and are growing in soil or peat based mediums indoor or outdoor. Enhanced with humics, fulvics, crab meal extract and compost tea powder, this base was intended to provide the benefits of both synethetic and organic additives giving you extra bag appeal.

Craft Powder Base Nutrient & Additives

VEG+BLOOM encourages growers to spend less on extra additives and less time on the mixing and measuring (less human error) and more time on the plants, resulting in exceptional and consistent harvests. Save water, shipping costs, shelf space and minimize human error. Are you ready to reduce your variables?

Additives: PUSH is our foliar spray additive used during vegetative growth that includes bio available calcium, silica, plant stimulants and kelp. The plant hormones allow for cells to divide faster, reducing your overall veg cycle, while increasing cell wall strength and vigor. SHINE is our best product, a flowering bloom additive formulated with phosphites and organics such as compost tea powder for enhanced terpene and resin production. SHINE can be used not only in conjunction with our full nutrient line but can also be used with other base nutrient lines. Distributed in the UK by:

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A HEALTHY SOCIETY

The way a healthy society works is similar to a healthy human body

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925)

Some examples of how this works are in order. The Constitution got the separation of church (Culture) and state (Rights) correct, but this arrangement has been eroded over the years to the point of politics pandering to religion. They compromise one another. When the walls of these arenas - Economy, Rights, Culture - break down, society gets sick.

Just like we cannot use pesticides to get rid of our pest problems, we cannot solve dynamic problems with linear thinking

Our systems of Culture are dominated by and almost solely dependent on government (Rights). Within this, imbalance thrives off of conflict at the expense of people. At the same time, government (Rights) has been compromised by the interests of Economy, or what is called, “Corporatism”, i.e. money in politics, penalties being less than pollution, cronyism, etc. What this means is that our social organisation is not aligned with our human nature, the landscape that we engage life on is out of tune with the impulse of the human spirit. The body social has given over so much of our authority and decision-making capacity to government that the landscape we find ourselves in is confusing. It doesn’t make sense to our humanity. It can’t. The depth to which we can bring discernment to our humanity must be deepened. With intention, we can recognise and keep tabs on the shifting balance of the masculine (outer) and feminine (inner) archetypes that are playing out in the paradigm shift we are experiencing globally, and also in the culture and politics of our own cities and states. The great social reformer Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) put it this way, “The subordination of the general economic prosperity

to the common sense of right is the only thing that can prevent man from being so used up and consumed by economic life that his existence no longer seems to him worthy of a human being. It is this sense of an existence unworthy of human beings that is really at the bottom of social convulsions.”

Our local government (Rights) has consumed our Culture and is in cahoots with the Economy. It must be checked and taken to task. Government is not going to fix our problems; that’s our job. We do this by mimicking Mother Nature by using an “Ecosystem Approach” to social organisation and problemsolving, leveraging systems thinking to identify hidden costs, logjams, and gaps for incentivisation and correction. Just like we cannot use pesticides to get rid of our pest problems, we cannot solve dynamic problems with linear thinking. Rather than evaluating problems and considering how to fix them in isolated and compartmentalised ways, we make “solution decisions”. Dynamic in nature, they address the entire influence and landscape of the issue. True Cost Accounting is a tool that can help in this work by allowing us to see the truth and error in our ways. With True Cost Accounting, we can show that, for example, in addition to being the right thing to do, caring for people and the environment is profitable. Take human health. We are currently experiencing a First World Epidemic in degenerative and auto-immune disease, and despite throwing massive resources at the problems, the rate is increasing across the board. The pain and suffering that is pervasive and almost considered normal now in society are tragic, heartbreaking, and preventable.

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

A HEALTHY SOCIETY

A big part of the problem is that food is no longer our medicine

New data says that 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetimes; 1 in 36 children born today will be on the autistic spectrum; 1 in 4 people will develop diabetes; 1 in 4 have allergies; 1 in 10 has asthma, and 1 in 3 people are now obese... the list goes on.

Spraying poisons on our food and landscapes is a choice

Modern allopathic medicine has no real explanation for this human tragedy. The reality is that we are weakening and poisoning ourselves in so many different ways that we cannot even diagnose what is wrong with us. A big part of the problem is that food is no longer our medicine. More than 70% of the average American diet is processed; it is not even real. Only 10% of American citizens eat healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables. And 70% of produce sold in the US contains pesticide residues. We are eating very dangerously.

This may sound like a pipe dream, but one thing is for sure; it cannot happen if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run for office and start telling some new stories. 3

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!

It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be this way. Spraying poisons on our food and landscapes is a choice. There are good and healthy alternatives to toxic rescue chemistry that, in most cases, cost less.

It is no longer radical to suggest we stop spraying pesticide poisons at schools and on public land, or at home. What if our government and politicians crossed the line of objectivity in the name of the public interest, and through action and policy started suggesting and investing in healthy behaviours?

Bio

Contact Evan at www.BeAgriculture.com or on Facebook and Instagram @beagriculture

Our skies, water, and soil are being rampantly and unapologetically polluted. The US is currently allowing and using 85 chemicals that have been banned in other countries.

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BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS

NO-TILL AND NO-DIG

GARDENING TECHNIQUES

GAINING GROUND 100

NO-TILL MOVEMENT

It all star ts with the soil, which is why so many no-till farming and gardening

GardenCultureMagazine.com

techniques are gaining ground. Achieve beautiful gardens; no digging required!

Trending now

Find this and so many other garden tips at GCMag.co.

No-till prevents soil erosion and compaction while also creating a healthier soil that can better absorb nutrients and water

bought some carrots at my local farmer’s market a couple of weeks ago, and the woman I got them from told me they were the world’s best carrots. She was right; they were perfectly sweet and ear thy tasting. When I went back to buy more the following week, I asked her how they turned out so well. She said it’s her soil.

Her carrots taste so darn good because her soil is so darn happy. She practices no-till farming, a movement that is growing in popularity around the world. The No-Till Movement

Her carrots taste so

The Double-Digging

No-till farming involves growing Method darn good because crops without disturbing the soil Whether you’re a fan of no-till farming with tractors or other machinery. or conventional tillage techniques, her soil is so darn Whenever you dig down into your can all agree the preserving the happy. She practices we soil, whether it be with a tractor or a natural balance and fertility of our no-till farming, a simple shovel, you are destroying the soil is paramount. There are other work and fertility that microorganisms methods out there when it comes to movement that is have already created. Ploughing and farming, whether it be in large-scale growing in popularit y productions or in home gardens. tillage are major contributing factors to soil erosion, which is a major around the world environmental concern. Tilling soil also Modern Farmer has a great guide to releases CO2 into the atmosphere, causing global warming. double-digging, a method that keeps the soil microbiology intact, while also making your earth loose enough to plant The no-till movement is gaining in popularity. In 2009, about in right away. With the improvement in drainage and 35% of the USA’s cropland at least partly incorporated the aeration, proponents say this gardening technique leads to no-till concept. Only 10% of the farmland was strictly nohealthy roots, beautiful blooms, and high yields. You would till. In Canada, conventional tillage has lost its status as the generally go this route when creating new garden beds. primary option; between 1991 and 2006, the total planting area using no-till practices increased from 7% to 46%. There are pros and cons to the no-till movement. The most obvious reason in favour of the movement is the environment. No-till prevents soil erosion and compaction while also creating a healthier soil that can better absorb nutrients and water. Yields are just as strong as with conventional tillage, and by eliminating tractors, ploughs, and other heavy machinery, farmers also gain financially. Beyond the fact that it’s much more work for the farmers, many argue there is one major con to the no-till movement. Ploughs help remove weeds from the fields both before and after planting. Without the machinery, farmers often have no choice but to replace their ploughs with herbicides.

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NO-TILL MOVEMENT

Follow this guide, and you’ll keep precious soil bacteria and fungi intact, while also preventing weed seeds from sprouting without the use of herbicides

GardenCultureMagazine.com

Trending now

The No-Dig Garden It’s hard work, but the good news is you only need to do it once every few years if it’s done right the first time. Double-digging involves loosening two layers of soil and adding compost to the earth. The first layer of soil is removed with a shovel, while the second is loosened with a pitchfork. There are some great how-to tutorials online, but here’s the main idea: •

•

• •

•

Shovel a foot-wide trench the length of your new garden bed and keep the soil for later. The trench should be about 10” deep. Take a pitchfork and push it down into the bottom of the trench you dug. Don’t turn the soil; rock it back and forth, gently loosening the ground. Spread some compost into the trench and gently work it into the soil with the fork. Make a new foot-wide trench beside the strip you just completed, taking the soil and using it to fill the previous hole. Be careful not to move the dirt around too much. Repeat these steps the entire length of your new bed, using the soil you removed from the first trench to complete the final line. Cover the top layers with compost and gently work it into the bed with a pitchfork. Rake the bed out and get planting!

If you’d like to improve the soil in your existing garden beds without digging it up, there’s an interesting way to do that too. I found this no-dig method in the book, The Guide to Humane Critter Control: Natural, Non-Toxic Pest Solutions to Protect Your Yard and Garden, by Theresa Rooney. Follow this guide, and you’ll keep precious soil bacteria and fungi intact, while also preventing weed seeds from sprouting without the use of herbicides. • •

• •

•

Cut back all existing vegetation and leave the scraps in the bed for compost. Water the soil very well, then cover the area with newspaper. You’ll need about 5-10 layers to cover a reasonable amount of weeds. Hardier varieties will need about 20 layers of coverage. Cover the newspaper with compost, dried leaves or mulch, then water well. Plant right away by peeling back some of the compost and punching a hole in the paper. Or, wait one season and plant later. This is a wonderful process for the fall! The newspaper decomposes after one growing season.

There’s so much more to building gardens than digging around in some dirt. Keep these methods in mind (and your pitchfork handy) for your next garden project! 3

Sources: • • • •

The Washington Post: No-till farming is on the rise. That’s a big deal wapo.st/2k9gxpC Statistics Canada: Conventional tillage: how conventional is it? bit.ly/2lIJWag Mother Earth News: No-till farming pros and cons bit.ly/33ciO52 Modern Farmer: Double digging: How to build a better garden bed bit.ly/2k7pyzt

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GREEN ADVICE

cool

ways

TO USE A P UM P KIN A FT ER HA L LOWE E N

alloween isn’t complete without the perfect pumpkin! Around the world, many families continue the tradition of picking an orange squash, carving a face into them, and then, unfortunately, throwing them out. A 2018 study in the UK found that 8 million pumpkins go to landfills after Halloween. In the US, 1.3 billion pounds are thrown away, and most of the

80,000 metric tonnes of pumpkins grown in Canada are also wasted. How’s that for spooky? Here’s our list of 5 cool ways to put your pumpkin to good use after the trick or treaters are gone!

Diner’s Delight Some pumpkins are grown and sold for ornamental use only, but a vast majority are edible. They are a great source of betacarotene, an antioxidant that reduces the risk of developing cancer, asthma, and hear t disease. Boost your immunity, fibre, and vitamin A intake by adding pumpkin to your diet. Think pumpkin lasagna and gnocchi, pumpkin risotto, roasted pumpkin wedges or seeds, and homemade pumpkin purees or vegetable stocks, which freeze well and can be used year-round. The possibilities are endless. Bon appetit!

Credit: Pixaby

Donate It

Not the type of person who likes to cook? Donate your pumpkin to a good cause. There are plenty of initiatives that help the food insecure by making nutritious meals with leftover squash. In Washington, D.C., for example, an organisation called the Compost Cab collects thousands of pounds of pumpkin every year and gives it to those in need. Ask your local soup kitchen if it can put the gourd to good use. Many farms, such as Hooves & Feathers in Knoxville, TN or the Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary in Spokane, WA also take donations. It turns out pumpkins are a tasty snack adored by many farm animals!

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Credit: Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary

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Grow Books “Two indispensable books” GARDEN CULTURE MAMAPUBLISHING.COM

NEW

GREEN ADVICE

ways

Credit: Pixaby

cool

TO USE A P U MP K I N AFTER HAL LOWEEN

Pl an a Patch

It’s satisfying to grow your jack-o’lanterns at home! Saving seeds from pumpkins and growing them in the garden next season is good fun and also easier on the wallet come Halloween. We take for granted that seeds will always be available in little packets at the store. We can all take personal responsibility for preserving food and flower crops. Growers can choose the healthiest, most vigorous pumpkin plants to save seeds from, and each year, the vegetables become better with higher yields and fewer problems. Be sure to have a designated pumpkin patch; this variety of squash takes over the plot in no time at all. For more seed saving tips, be sure to read Anne Gibson’s article on page 58.

Credit: pixaby.

Get Creative

Credit: pixaby.

There are many ways to get creative with leftover pumpkin. A quick online search will show you how to boost your outdoor decor game this fall. Some of the neater ideas include turning your carved pumpkin into an extra special treat for the birds in your backyard. Cut the pumpkin in half, clean it out, stick a skewer or chopstick into it for the birds to sit on, and fill it with birdseed. Or, transform your pumpkin into a unique planter. Cut the top off, scoop out the seeds and the guts, and place a beautiful bunch of flowers inside. Place the planter somewhere in the garden so the soil can benefit as it decomposes!

Smash and Compost

At the very least, save your leftover pumpkin from the landfill and add it to the compost. Much like other food waste that ends up in the trash, discarded jack-o’-’lanterns slowly decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Pumpkins are nutrient-rich and give a lot back to the soil when composted properly. Remove any candles or other decorative features and scoop out all of the seeds before adding it to the pile.You can even have some fun and smash it to pieces from high spaces or with a mallet before you do! Many communities hold pumpkin ‘smash’ events after Halloween; not only fun to watch but a great way to encourage our neighbours to dispose of their pumpkins responsibly.

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SOURCES: The Guardian: Inhabitat: Statistics Canada:

bit.ly/2ESsBF0 bit.ly/2OOblpL bit.ly/31nMwCe

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