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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Weekly Feature: Parris Island Cos Romaine Lettuce

Cos lettuce also goes by the name Romaine. Cos is at the top of the list when is come to taste, texture and nutritional value. It is also very easy to grow and a must have for every gardener.Parris Island Cos, named after Parris island, South Carolina, NOT the French capital spelled wrong, was developed by the USDS and Clemson in 1952.


You can grow Cos in almost any type of soil as long as it isn't too sandy or too rich. A soil type that holds water is better. Add peat moss to clay soils. Do not mix in rich compost or fertilizers. Too rich of a soil will probably cause rot.

Sow every 14 days to have continuous harvest. Here in Pahrump, Nevada we grow all winter long in wooden wine boxes with glass covers. Begin sowing outdoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date.
Use a trowel to dig out shallow drills 1/2 inch(1.3cm) deep, each hole being 12 inches (30cm)apart from the next. Sow three or four seeds every 6 inches (15cm)
Cover the seeds with soil, firming it down with gentle pressure. If the soil is at all dry, water well. The seedlings should begin to appear in 7 to 14 days time. Gradually thin out the seedlings until they are 25cm (10in) apart.
Cover the seeds with soil, pressing gently slight pressure. If the soil is dry, water well. The seedlings should begin to appear in 7 to 14 days time.
Thin out gradually so they are 10 inches (25cm)apart. As for maintenance,ample water and weeding are most important. What we do here is place cardboard around the plants to prevent weeds from popping up. The cardboard also breaks down slowly adding nutrients to the soils and feeding the plant through the roots. Use plain colorless corrugated cardboard only.
Besides the obvious reasons you will want to use organic - heirloom seeds only. Collecting seeds to plant following year is a wonderful experience and makes one feels good. The practice of saving seeds has been done by every culture for 1000's of years. Hybrid, GMO or non-organic seeds have been genetically altered to NOT produce crop again. Sad but true.

I found 275 certified organic heirloom seeds for only $1.89 here
Saving lettuce seed is easy. After the flowers die, the plants will eventually form seed heads. They look similar to dandelion seed heads. When these seed heads form, remove the whole seed head from the plant. After the flowers die, you will want to check this regularly before the seeds blow away. Take the seed heads indoors and pluck the seeds from them. You can also remove the white chaff that lets them get blown around, but it isn't absolutely necessary. Set them to dry, and leave them for at least two weeks before storing in a glass jar




Lettuce gone to seed



Shopping from home not only save gas, time and money, but also reduces our carbon footprint, improves the quality of life for everyone by not adding to our traffic problem and allows you more time to do something more important than driving,parking, browsing, waiting in line, walking back to the car and wasting more gas to get home. Imagine how nice it would be if only ups, fedex and us mail trucks were the only ones on our roads...Just sayin' ;)


Monday, March 08, 2010

Food fight: Genetic modification vs. Organic

New alfalfa seed limits roundup use

The Times should be applauded for its evenhanded article covering genetically modified alfalfa [“Monsanto’s altered alfalfa on verge of a new season,” Business, March 2]. The modified alfalfa seed Monsanto wants to market has their popular weedkiller “Roundup” built into it, enabling farmers to avoid massive spraying of Roundup on their farms.


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Sunday, March 07, 2010

Seed Starting Tips

Spring is in the air here in Pahrump. The Almond and Peach trees are in full bloom. Spinach, Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Swiss Chard, Arugula and several lettuces are abundant.





For those of you who are starting your summer veggies from seed - here are some neat tips to get you off to a great start





1) Use only non hybrid,  organic/heirloom seeds. There are a number of reason, most importantly you will be able to  collect huge amounts of seeds from a single plant you will never need to buy seed again. Hybrid seed has all been genetically modified to NOT make fruit. It will grow up into a plant, but a sterile one that cant produce fruit. So again, use good non hybrid seed

2) There is no reason to use 'seed starter potting mix", most contain so much peat moss that its actually harmful to seedlings. Instead use a normal, fine textured potting soil just as long as its organic.

3) Keep records of what, where and when each seed was planted. Record germination date also. Its a very good idea to also plant in succession - repeat plentin every two weeks to prolong/extend the season.

4) Cover trays ( or pots - the organic peat pods are great! ) with plastic wrap to keep the moisture level consistent.

5)  Keep seeds warm for quicker germination. 65-75F is ideal

6) Most seed will not germinate with out sun. 12 hours or more is best. Keep in a sunny south facing window. You should also turn the tray, peat pod or container 1/4 way around clock wise each day to provide even sun exposure and prevent the seedlings growing up leggy.

 7) once 2 "true leaves" emerge, feed with liquid compost.  Liquid worm tea is even better. If you don't have access to these teas, an organic all purpose fertilizer is OK.


8) Introduce gradually to the outdoors. I suggest you move outdoors for a few hour of early morning sun and gradually let them stay out longer and longer.

9) Prepare you area outdoors. Ideally this was done a few weeks prior, its not too late if you haven't yet.
I always dig a whole 3-4 time bigger and wider. I sprinkle 1/2 of a teaspoon of bone meal at bottom, add some rich compost, the other 1/2 teaspoon bone meal
Then the last layer before adding transplant -  mix 1/2 compost with1/2 half native soil, another 1/2 teaspoon of bone meal, gently place plant and fill with 1/2 compost/native soil. Leave a "well" around each plant. This will hold water and let those roots goo deep. The bone meal nurture roots. The deeper and healthier the roots, the healthier and tastier the produce!

10) Enjoy!



Saturday, March 06, 2010

Growing tomatoes in Las Vegas

Growing tomatoes in Las Vegas

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Community Calendar

Saturday


Men's Bible study -- 7 a.m., Pahrump Community Church Fellowship Hall.
Seventh-day Adventist Church -- 9 a.m., Sabbath School; 10:30 a.m., Worship Service; 477 N. Blagg Road, 727-6655.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church -- services at 5 p.m., 650 S. Blagg Road, 727-4096.
Youth Church -- 7 p.m., food served at 6:30 p.m., 727-5242 or 764-1096.
Experimental Aircraft Association -- 10 a.m., Calvada Meadows Aeropark. Call Glenna Wagner, 537-1097 for information.
Pahrump Friends of the Library -- 9 a.m., Pahrump Community Library, Second and East streets.
Poetry Group -- 10 a.m.-noon, Pahrump Community Library meeting room.
Reiki healing -- 10 a.m.-noon, Universal Wisdom Church and Center, 1230 S. Loop Road, Suite 2, 727-0999.
Pahrump Valley Coin Club -- 11 a.m., UNR Extension Office, coirner of Dandelion Street and Calvada Boulevard, 513-1109.


Sunday


VFW breakfast -- 8-11 a.m., VFW Post 10054, Homestead Road, $6, $7 or $8 donation according to menu choice. Open to the public.
Pahrump Community Church -- Worship services at 8 and 10:45 a.m., Sunday school for all 9:15 a.m.; Intercessory prayer, 6:30 p.m.; 1061 E. Wilson Road. Call 727-5384.
Sunday school -- 9:30 a.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Worship service -- 10:30 a.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Sunday services -- Sunday school, 9 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m.; fellowship following services, Pahrump Valley United Methodist Church.
Sunday services -- Pastor's Bible Study 9:45 a.m., traditional service, 11 a.m., children's Sunday school, 11:30 a.m.; contemporary service, 6 p.m., Central Valley Baptist Church, 3170 S. Blagg Road, 910-9995.
Jewish Messianic Fellowship -- 6 p.m., Yakin B'racha Service, 2570 Idlewild St., 751-6106.
"The Truth" Youth Group -- 4-5:30 p.m., grades 6-12, The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
"The Life" children's church -- 10 a.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
AWANA Youth Group -- 6-7:30 p.m., youth ages 4 through eighth grade, Choice Hills Baptist Church, 340 W. Mesquite Ave., bus service available, 751-1417.
"The Way" Baptist Fellowship Sunday service -- 9:30 and 11 a.m. 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
Sunday service -- 10 a.m., Universal Wisdom Church and Center, 1230 S. Loop Road, Suite 2, 727-0999.
Covenant Lighthouse Church -- Sunday service, 9:30 a.m., 720 Buol Lane, 751-6906.
DAWGG Youth Group -- 5 p.m., (ages 13-19), New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Sunday Service -- 9:30 a.m., New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Healing Room -- New Hope Fellowship, appointment needed, call Carole, 751-6898.
Sunday service -- Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church , 9:30 a.m. 650 S. Blagg Road, 727-4098.
Sunday school -- Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 8:30 a.m. 650 S. Blagg Road, 727-4098.
Cowboy Action Shooters -- 8:30 a.m., range behind LongStreet Inn and Casino, Amargosa. Safety meeting 8 a.m., side matches at 7 a.m.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church -- 4 p.m. mass, on California Highway 127, Shoshone, Calif.


Monday


Pahrump Valley Motorcycle Riders -- 8 a.m., Terrible's Lakeside.
Women's Bible study -- 10 a.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Spanish-speaking Bible Study -- 6-7:30 p.m., Trinity Assembly of God, 750 Big 5 Road. Call 910-9302 for information.
Adult Bible Study -- 7 p.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
Pahrump Town Clean Up Committee -- 6 p.m., commissioner's conference room, 1510 E. Basin Road. Call 209-4390 for more information.
Nye County Democrats -- 7 p.m., Bob Ruud Community Center.


Tuesday


Boy Scouts -- Troop 748, 6:30 p.m., VFW on Homestead Road.
Boy Scouts -- Troop 808, 7 p.m., Moose Lodge on Basin Ave.
Hockey -- 5:30-7 p.m., Skate Zone, 1261 E. Calvada Blvd. Call 727-4386.
Women's evening Bible study -- 6:30 p.m., Pahrump Community Church, Earl Hatfield room.
Water From the Rock soaking prayer -- 10-11:30 a.m., 1370 E. Matthew Lane. Call 513-2850.
High Desert Beaders -- 9 a.m. Call 751-8896 for more information and location.
NTS Retirees breakfast -- 9 a.m., Terrible's Lakeside.
Salvation Army Board -- 7 a.m., the Manor. 727-6111 to volunteer.
Pahrump Elks Lodge No. 2796 -- 7 p.m., 2220 E. Basin Road.


Wednesday


Bible study -- 7 p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, Highway 160 and Fehrs Way. Classes for all ages.
Family night -- 6 p.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
Adult bereavement support group -- 4 p.m., Nathan Adelson Hospice, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900. Call 751-6700.
Bible study -- 6 p.m., Salvation Army, 921 S. Buol Lane.
Bible study -- 7 p.m., South Valley Southern Baptist Church, Homestead Road and Kellogg Road.
Women at Prayer Bible study -- 9:30 a.m., Pahrump Community Church, Earl Hatfield room.
Bible study -- 4-6 p.m., Church of the Harvest, 1670 W. Vondell Drive.
LDS Pahrump Homeschoolers -- meeting for field trips, co-ops, social activities and more. Call Veronica at 751-9324 or Jeanette at 751-2958 for places and times.
Tops NV No. 116 -- 4:45 p.m., Desert Greens, 350 Wilson Road, call Teresa, 751-2836.
Nurturing parenting class -- 1-3 p.m., Family to Family Connection, 621 S. Blagg Road., 751-1118.
Pahrump Valley Rotary Club -- noon, Pahrump Nugget Banquet Room, Highway 160.
Bible study -- 6:30 p.m., Central Valley Baptist Church, 3170 S. Blagg Road. 910-9995
Co-ed Bible study -- 5:30 p.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Pahrump Community Choir -- 7 p.m., choir rehearsal, Rosemary Clarke Middle School, 4201 N. Blagg Road, 751-6957.
Prayer meeting/study -- 6:30-7:30 p.m., Adventist Building, 477 Blagg Road, near the dairy, 513-6202 or 727-6655.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service -- 7 p.m., Emergency Management Office, 1501 Siri Lane, 537-6226.
Pahrump Youth Center Development Council -- 6:30 p.m., Room 121, Great Basin College.
Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce Business-to-Business Luncheon -- 11:45 a.m., Terrible's Lakeside.
Pahrump Valley Amateur Astronomy Group -- 7 p.m., K-7 Pizza, 6050 E. Thousandaire Blvd. Contact Dave at 751-6615 for more information.
Alzheimer's Support Group -- 10-11:30 a.m., UNLV Extension Office, 1651 E. Calvada Blvd., 702-248-2770.


Thursday


Playgroup -- 1 p.m., Family to Family Connection, 160 S. Emery St., 751-5898.
Lightsource Youth Group -- 6 p.m., Teen Care, 41 N. Highway 160, Suite 7.
Kiwanis Club -- 6:30 p.m., Salvation Army Church, 721 S. Buol Lane. Call 751-3879 for information.
Awana Club -- 6:30-8 p.m., The Pahrump Community Church has an ongoing club for pre-school through high school, 1061 E. Wilson Road. Call Bryan, 727-5384 or Ladiana Talley, 727-6383 for more information.
Men's Bible Study -- 6 p.m., New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Women's Bible Study -- 6:30 p.m., New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Bible study -- 7 p.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 5501 E. Cansano St., Mountain Falls, 727-5242.
Pahrump Peggers, ACC Grassroots Cribbage Club -- noon., Wulfy's, 1101 S. Highway 160, 209-4444.
Volunteer Meeting -- 4 p.m., Nathan Adelson Hospice, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900, 751-5601.
Shadow Mountain Quilters -- 9 a.m., Business meeting at the library.
Valley Cruisers car club -- 6 p.m., Wulfy's, Highway 160, call 751-8912 or 751-0994.
Nathan Adelson Hospice Golden Monarchs -- 5:30 p.m., hospice office, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900, 751-5601.