As a gardener, what is your most burning question?
General Williamsport, PA.
Gardeners are varied in their interests and knowledge, but every one has something they are passionate about; something that sometimes keeps them up at night. What is it for you? What is the most burning question you would like to have answered?
Posted
by: Daniel Lednum
(1 point)
Posted: December 8, 2015
Answers
great question and the first time somone has asked about it.
For me the important question is how much does a grower have to reduce the disease to still achieve a crop that he/she is content with. So, a small grower of tomatoes (for a hobby garden) might happily put up with some disease because they harvest enough anyway
But that might be different for someone wanting to sell their harvest
Great question
For me the important question is how much does a grower have to reduce the disease to still achieve a crop that he/she is content with. So, a small grower of tomatoes (for a hobby garden) might happily put up with some disease because they harvest enough anyway
But that might be different for someone wanting to sell their harvest
Great question
Posted
by: David Hughes
(67 points)
Posted: December 8, 2015
Daniel Lednum commented,
I would completely agree with you in that this issue, while one we all face, will be different for each person depending on their purposes for planting those crops. Obviously a person wanting to sell them and make money the reduction, and more importantly, the prevention of disease states is of far more concern. Their crops not only have to perform well to be profitable, but also have to have a higher visual appeal to the buyer. So really for that person disease states have to be reduced to as close to zero as possible. Now since each family of plants
have different requirements, obviously a good working knowledge of that is extremely important. Beyond that the reduction of disease really has to start by giving those plants everything they need to be able to resist those diseases. That starts with doing everything necessary to build up the nutrient levels in the soil and to encourage a healthy soil microbiome. The amazing web of microscopic life in the soil that helps to convert the minerals to usable nutrients for the plants must be able to flourish. A big part of that is trying to recreate a situation that is as close to how nature works as possible. This will create a ripple effect that will allow the grower to reduce the need for chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides that harm the microbiome of the soil, thus promoting disease states. It is much like our own immune systems: give us everything we need to have a strong immune system and it can resist almost any disease. Break it down with unnatural and damaging things and we will soon contract disease. Not that I am against the judicious and sometimes necessary use of these agents to get a disease problem under control, for as a farmer growing for profit can't afford to lose a whole crop, but I feel the object should be to only use them when necessary, and to do the best you can to give the plants the best conditions possible so that diseases (which are nearly always present) can be kept in check by the plants' own immune systems.
Along with that, if you do have issues with diseases, there are other things that can help such as crop rotation, companion planting, experimenting with different varieties that are more resistant to the diseases present, etc. The answer to disease issues is rarely ever one thing. I hope that was helpful. over 8 years ago.
I would completely agree with you in that this issue, while one we all face, will be different for each person depending on their purposes for planting those crops. Obviously a person wanting to sell them and make money the reduction, and more importantly, the prevention of disease states is of far more concern. Their crops not only have to perform well to be profitable, but also have to have a higher visual appeal to the buyer. So really for that person disease states have to be reduced to as close to zero as possible. Now since each family of plants
have different requirements, obviously a good working knowledge of that is extremely important. Beyond that the reduction of disease really has to start by giving those plants everything they need to be able to resist those diseases. That starts with doing everything necessary to build up the nutrient levels in the soil and to encourage a healthy soil microbiome. The amazing web of microscopic life in the soil that helps to convert the minerals to usable nutrients for the plants must be able to flourish. A big part of that is trying to recreate a situation that is as close to how nature works as possible. This will create a ripple effect that will allow the grower to reduce the need for chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides that harm the microbiome of the soil, thus promoting disease states. It is much like our own immune systems: give us everything we need to have a strong immune system and it can resist almost any disease. Break it down with unnatural and damaging things and we will soon contract disease. Not that I am against the judicious and sometimes necessary use of these agents to get a disease problem under control, for as a farmer growing for profit can't afford to lose a whole crop, but I feel the object should be to only use them when necessary, and to do the best you can to give the plants the best conditions possible so that diseases (which are nearly always present) can be kept in check by the plants' own immune systems.
Along with that, if you do have issues with diseases, there are other things that can help such as crop rotation, companion planting, experimenting with different varieties that are more resistant to the diseases present, etc. The answer to disease issues is rarely ever one thing. I hope that was helpful. over 8 years ago.
David Hughes commented,
Agree, we would like to work towards giving growers knowledge about integrated pest management so they can reduce disease overall and not just have to deal with immediate problems over 8 years ago.
Agree, we would like to work towards giving growers knowledge about integrated pest management so they can reduce disease overall and not just have to deal with immediate problems over 8 years ago.
Daniel Lednum commented,
It is always great to hear that. There is now such a resurgence in gardeners and growers looking holistically at our food web, and moving back toward sustainable agriculture (which I feel is absolutely essential because our current model is doomed). So tell me, David: are you just an avid gardener? Or do you work in the field? Because someone who mentions IPM is no novice. over 8 years ago.
It is always great to hear that. There is now such a resurgence in gardeners and growers looking holistically at our food web, and moving back toward sustainable agriculture (which I feel is absolutely essential because our current model is doomed). So tell me, David: are you just an avid gardener? Or do you work in the field? Because someone who mentions IPM is no novice. over 8 years ago.
David Hughes commented,
I work both in the field (Ghana and cocoa) as well as grow things in my garden in central PA. I am a professor at Penn State and we have a very strong team here working with IPM solutions. It is really quite encouraging how IPM is developing and many federal and international agencies (e.g. USDA/USAID) are now encouraging the use of IPM.
One thing we want to do here at PlantVillage in the future is help people who ask questions also find quality information on IPM
Great to have your question and thoughts over 8 years ago.
I work both in the field (Ghana and cocoa) as well as grow things in my garden in central PA. I am a professor at Penn State and we have a very strong team here working with IPM solutions. It is really quite encouraging how IPM is developing and many federal and international agencies (e.g. USDA/USAID) are now encouraging the use of IPM.
One thing we want to do here at PlantVillage in the future is help people who ask questions also find quality information on IPM
Great to have your question and thoughts over 8 years ago.
Daniel Lednum commented,
Excellent! I knew as soon as you mentioned IPM that your question was somewhat of a test. I feel that God has created a perfect self-correcting system, and the more we are able to align our practices with that system, every part of it will flourish: the plants, the people, the environment, and ultimately the planet.
Thank you for the good work you are doing at PSU, and hopefully we can make a difference in our world through the sharing of quality information. over 8 years ago.
Excellent! I knew as soon as you mentioned IPM that your question was somewhat of a test. I feel that God has created a perfect self-correcting system, and the more we are able to align our practices with that system, every part of it will flourish: the plants, the people, the environment, and ultimately the planet.
Thank you for the good work you are doing at PSU, and hopefully we can make a difference in our world through the sharing of quality information. over 8 years ago.
I do agree with David, great question.
I want to know the ways and means for gardeners and farmers to collect best seeds from their harvests to ensure seed for their subsequent year planting.
I want to know the ways and means for gardeners and farmers to collect best seeds from their harvests to ensure seed for their subsequent year planting.
Posted
by: Dr. Ravishankar Narayana
(15 points)
Posted: December 8, 2015
Daniel Lednum commented,
Ravi, I love this question! With companies like Monsanto and others looking to own and control the world's seed supply, the art and skill of saving seeds MUST become part of our collective way of thinking the way it always was with our ancestors.
As I don't know your level of experience with gardening, please forgive me if I tell you some things you already know. 1.) You must start with open-pollinated seeds, not hybrids as they won't reproduce true to form. Also try to pick varieties that do well in your area.
2.) As I commented to David's post above, you want to do your best to give your plants the best possible growing conditions.
3.) You will want to select your best producing and strongest plants that exhibit the best traits for that variety as your seed plants. Bear in mind that for many species, like squash etc. once a plant produces a fruit that has a viable seed, its production can slow down and it will produce less. So keep that in mind as you decide just how many seeds you wish to save for the next year. Also keep in mind that you want to save more seeds than you think you will need because you can occasionally experience a crop failure and you never want to have planted ALL of the seeds you saved.
4.) Knowing your plant is also important. You will want to study into that species to learn exactly when the optimal time to harvest the seeds will be so that you get not only the best quality seeds, but also it will help to make sure germination rates are the best they can be.
Finally, proper drying and storage is critical. Be sure to know what the best way to store them will be based on the individual plants. Find out if they need to be stratified or not (meaning being given a period of cold conditions to simulate winter), as for some species that is essential while for many it is not.
I would suggest investing in a few good books on the subject, and also you can do some research on university extension websites.
One final thought, if you really get into seed saving is consider joining an organization dedicated to that such as Seed Savers Exchange. The people in those organizations not only have a wealth of information, but can hook you up with some amazing varieties. I hope that was useful to you, and Happy Gardening!
over 8 years ago.
Ravi, I love this question! With companies like Monsanto and others looking to own and control the world's seed supply, the art and skill of saving seeds MUST become part of our collective way of thinking the way it always was with our ancestors.
As I don't know your level of experience with gardening, please forgive me if I tell you some things you already know. 1.) You must start with open-pollinated seeds, not hybrids as they won't reproduce true to form. Also try to pick varieties that do well in your area.
2.) As I commented to David's post above, you want to do your best to give your plants the best possible growing conditions.
3.) You will want to select your best producing and strongest plants that exhibit the best traits for that variety as your seed plants. Bear in mind that for many species, like squash etc. once a plant produces a fruit that has a viable seed, its production can slow down and it will produce less. So keep that in mind as you decide just how many seeds you wish to save for the next year. Also keep in mind that you want to save more seeds than you think you will need because you can occasionally experience a crop failure and you never want to have planted ALL of the seeds you saved.
4.) Knowing your plant is also important. You will want to study into that species to learn exactly when the optimal time to harvest the seeds will be so that you get not only the best quality seeds, but also it will help to make sure germination rates are the best they can be.
Finally, proper drying and storage is critical. Be sure to know what the best way to store them will be based on the individual plants. Find out if they need to be stratified or not (meaning being given a period of cold conditions to simulate winter), as for some species that is essential while for many it is not.
I would suggest investing in a few good books on the subject, and also you can do some research on university extension websites.
One final thought, if you really get into seed saving is consider joining an organization dedicated to that such as Seed Savers Exchange. The people in those organizations not only have a wealth of information, but can hook you up with some amazing varieties. I hope that was useful to you, and Happy Gardening!
over 8 years ago.
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