Payday!

Here it is 3 days later, and I'm eating my fresh lentil sprout crop, pretty fast payoff. The added bonus is that this is a 'live food', full of vitality and a complete protein. Things happen when seeds germinate, this we know. I'll go into just what happens in a future post.

Every time you eat a live food, you're adding to your retirement plan in the most delicious and beautiful, and cheap (of course, gotta mention that!) way. Seriously, these sprouts only cost me about 30 cents for the whole crop, and they're organic. Try em, you'll feel very rich and smart, and that's even before the health benefits kick in.

The Challenge: "Small is Beautiful"

What can you grow on a 5'x10' balcony? A whole heap o' paradise as it turns out. My goal is always to provide a habitat first, it's a huge sign of success when the first birds decide to check it out and come by to serenade me.

So, get some large pots, say 14"-20" (watch the weight), because they'll dry out less. You need saucers for each so those who live below you don't live in the rain every day when you water! I went with plastic for less cost and weight and less evaporation than clay. Home Depot has the cheapest, nicest looking around here. Avoid black for less heat. But, if you're strapped for cash, check out the bins at nurseries where people can recycle their pots, and put some to use. Little ones are good for starting plants, more on that lata.

Last year, I watered at least once a day when the warm weather kicked in. This year, I'm going to try some self-watering containers to provide a more stable environment for my thirsty veg, herbs and flowers. You'll get better yields if the plants don't get stressed. I'm looking at EarthBoxes, they're a patented system but also an investment. And, I'm definitely trying some self-watering inserts that you can put into your large pots--Gardeners' Supply has those for a nice price.

Online, you can easily find sites that show you how to make self-watering systems out of 5 gallon buckets and rubbermaid containers. They're not pretty though, so I won't use them where beauty matters. Think of your garden as a showcase no matter where it is---it can have a positive effect on anyone who sees it, walks by every day, shows their kids what peas look like when they're growing (and taste like!) so make it beautiful.

5 Minutes a Day = Salad!

So, you've got no job, no land, no money, and you're tired of eating beans with your rice. You long for some pure fresh greens and crunchy salad, but can't afford all the delicious organic produce at the store....Sound familiar? Here's what you can do:


Take 1/4 cup dry lentils, pour them into a clean wide-mouth jar, rinse them very well, put a piece of screen material on top with a rubber band and cover with water. Let that sit overnight or do it in the morning.


After 6-8 hours, pour that water off, (water your plants with it) rinse thoroughly but gently, and invert the little greenhouse onto a rack or improvised drainage system. I use 2 chopsticks over a bowl. Put this by your sink so you can pay attention to it. Rinse and drain 2-3 times a day, and whenever they look dry.


Eat in 2-3 days when the sprouts are 1/2-1" long. These are the easiest seeds to sprout, very nutritious, and fantastic on top of a salad or in a wrap. Refrigerate with a lid on when they're ready. Get into this rhythm and you'll always have some fresh nutritious live food, almost for free, and best of all, you grew it! More about sprouting supergreens soon come...

Gardening in February

I pulled a couple big fat leeks yesterday from my bed at the community garden. These have gone through about 9 mo. in the earth, and they're beautiful.

What to do when it's still too early to plant? Get ready! I'm researching my seeds, (Territorial my fave), and the latest in container and roof gardening for food.

And since I like to do something every day towards raising my food, I'm starting a new batch of sprouts. You don't need any land, just a little counter space, water, seed, a jar and screen. You can be eating your own food in 3 days time, in the middle of winter, for pennies. Sound good? Read on...

IOFGA and the Soil Association: Lilliput and Brobdingnag sing in harmony

(pictured are Patrick Holden of the Soil Association and Minister for Food Trevor Sargent, at the IOFGA AGM in 2008: picture copyright Oliver Moore)

The Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) has formally established a co-operative link with the UK's Soil Association.

This means that the largest certification bodies in Ireland and the UK have agreed to work together.

This arrangement will allow IOFGA access to the extensive research and development programme of the Soil Association.

According to IOFGA chair Kate Carmody, accessing Soil Association market information will be especially useful for IOFGA and its membership: �They have a huge up-to-date database of information on marketing which they have allowed us to access.�

The arrangement will also give IOFGA access more information on organic farming and growing, certification and the promotion of organic food.

According to the organisation �this is of growing importance given the increasing complexity of EU regulations governing the organic sector and it will be especially relevant when dealing with the complex requirements of the food processing and manufacturing industry.�

According to Carmody, the arrangement � has come about because of a long standing relationship with the Soil Association. We have essentially the same standards and we always work together. People prefer equivalence, so its logical to have a reciprocal relationship. A lot of companies want the process to be done to the Soil Association standard.�

This new arrangement could mean that product certified in Ireland will be considered equivalent to Soil Association product in the UK. This could eliminate duplication in the inspection and certification process.

�Both organisations will retain their autonomy under the agreement whilst working together in areas of mutual interest� Carmody points out.

From IOFGA's perspective, this will surely be important. The Soil Association are a far larger and better resourced organisation that IOFGA, with a presence in Northern Ireland already.

They are the largest certifier in the UK � their logo appears on 70% of British organic produce. They employ over 180 staff based in their Bristol headquarters, in regional centres and working as certification inspectors across the UK.

Along with certification, the Soil Association also carry out campaign work in a number of areas: they list these as genetic engineering in food; animal welfare; pesticides; threats to wildlife from intensive agriculture; antibiotics; the closure of small abattoirs; the harmful effects of intensive farming on food quality and safety; and finally setting standards to ensure the integrity of organic food and other products.

Genetic engineering/modification (GM) seems to be a particular bugbear of theirs: Helen Taylor, director of marketing and corporate relations with the Soil Association, spoke at the the National Organic conference in November 2006, held in Carrick on Shannon. She suggested that one third of their campaigning budget goes on fighting GM.

As an organisation, they have placed a particular emphasis on the consumer. Two recent high profile issues they have focused on include air freight and what they call one planet agriculture.
A variety of agri-food, consumer, environmental and business/trade interests were involved in the consultation the organisation carried out on air freight. Their decision to couple air freight and fair trade showed their environmental and social justice credentials to many. To others, especially those involved in importing and exporting products, the Soil Association had stepped way beyond their remit

The One Planet Agriculture is a broad sustainability in food campaign, part of their 'beyond organic' focus.

For the organic operator, they are a veritable one stop shop. Along with the full certification service and the marketing, research and development work already mentioned, they also: run 90 demonstration farms; represent and work for various sub sectors within organic from growers to processors; produce the quarterly magazine Organic Farming; and provide numerous specialist resources for business development.

Whilst IOFGA do have a development officer, the magazine Organic Matters and do as much campaigning as they can, in reality certification takes up the vast majority of their time.

However both IOFGA and the Soil Association do have the bigger picture as well as the small individual operator within their self defined remit. So there are sister organisations in essence. Irish organic farmers will surely benefit from the extra resources they now have access to.

IOFGA are here
SA are here

The Dangers of Food Dyes

Important new research has shown that commonly used food dyes, such as Yellow 5, Red 40, and six others, are linked to hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning difficulties, and Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder in many children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest Europe. has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of these dyes, many of which are already being phased out in

These dyes�petrochemicals, mostly�are often used to simulate the presence of healthy, colorful fruits and vegetables. But considering the adverse impact of these chemicals on children, and considering how easily they can be replaced with colorings derived from real food ingredients, it�s time to get rid of them altogether.

It�s interesting to note that in England, Kellogg�s� Nutri-Grain bars are made with natural colorings, but in the United States they are made with artificial food dyes.