Nature Connections: Fall Programs 2009

Great events and seminars are always happening in and around San Diego. The San Diego Natural History Museum is hosting a whole lecture series in helping us develop more sustainable local foods. The lectures are only $5.00 each and I think that we should all support these types of events. The lectures begin October 6th and run monthly to May 2010. Check their calendar. Slow Food SD is giving some of the lectures. 

If you look on our right nav bar you will notice we added these organizations to our favorites. Plus, Victory Gardens SD, SD Food not lawns and SD Master Gardeners Association. These are all really great local organizations that need our support. Those listed are but a few in San Diego (and there are many more) so get involved. 

If you don't live in San Diego, look around your local area for similar organizations that you can participate in (or start one if none exists). It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. 

-Tyler

Beneficial Wildlife

I was out gathering some tomatoes when I discovered this little guy. He was just watching me and staying real still trying not to be discovered. Some other helpful insects and animals are bats, bees (pollination), centipedes (eat soil pests), chickens (eat insects and slugs and fertilize soil), birds (depends on crop), ground beetles (eats cutworms, slugs, snails), ladybugs (eats aphids, mealybug and scale), frogs and spiders to name a few. Ants are considered beneficial as well, but I don't like them when they try moving in the house and eat my cupcakes.

Todd

Currant Tomatoes

I was scrolling through the seed section from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange today and I think I found out why the tomatoes that Naomi has been growing are so small. It seems like they are a type of Currant Tomato. From what I remember of what I ate and saw; the descriptions sound right on. 

I googled around a bit and I read that the currant tomato (South America) is an indeterminate plant, and all of the sites I found seemed to echo the same: "a tiny tomato with huge flavor". It cross-pollenates easily with other tomatoes, so make sure not to plant it close to other varieties if you are a seedsaver. 

Sorry for the lack of pictures on these from the swap. I'll do better next time. 

-Tyler

CropSwapper Combines Forces

Well...we tried. However, due to lack of Swappers at the Rancho
Penasquitos CropSwapper, we have decided to join forces in Del
Cerro...at least until we get more people who want to meet there. We
are trying to best meet the needs of all interested groups so let us
know what you think in the comments section below. Thanks in advance
for your understanding and support. See you in Del Cerro!

Sincerely,

Todd

Tomato Time!

Just came back from a quick summer trip and I now have more tomatoes
than I know what to do with. Kaelyn had fun picking them with me and
she kept saying, "whoa!" as she spotted them. I'll bring a bunch to the next swap!

Todd

Mary's mystery fruit...

Brought from Swapper Mary to Canyonside Park for trading... but what is it? 

Interesting looking fruit, tastes sweet with an almost crunchy skin.

Turns out it's from a tree called Arbutus, aka Strawberry Tree.

Why Organic?

Upon reading recent articles from the Organic Consumers Association, I felt it necessary to express my opinion on the meaning of organics and the importance of CropSwapper.

I learned in a health class that it is best to grow your own foods organically, and that even a little bit is better than nothing. I know we are all busy with our family, work and other events that make it hard to tend to gardens. I don't even have that much space to support my family, only supplement a little bit. But I still believe in it. I look at my kids and the common sense kicks in regarding these "perfect" foods we get at the grocery store. Common sense like, "Why would I want to eat broccoli that a bug won't even eat?".  That makes no sense to me.

I knew ten years ago that the organic movement would create greed in the corporate world and effect the quality of organic foods. I didn't mind paying the high price if it was quality food. However, the government keeps approving things that make it easier for companies to make money, yet compromise the quality of food we are eating. For example, GMO's, new "organic" pesticides, and very minimal visits to organic farms to verify they are truly practicing organic farming techniques.   

My point is that we cannot truly know what is put into our foods unless we do it ourselves. However, our societies norms keep us very busy, which makes it seem impossible to produce your own food, or at least a good quantity of it. This is one of the reasons we created CropSwapper. The only way to make a stand is to get involved and do it yourself. I'm not saying to pick up a picket sign and go to the streets, just be part of the quiet revolution and go to your backyard. Start with one tomato plant in a pot for Pete's sake.

I am not an activist, just a normal guy who demands the best for his family. I simply do what I can and try to teach my kids the best. That is what is happening at the CropSwapper meetings, as we are learning best practices in the garden as we go and doing our best. Come and get educated about organics, and teach me something too.

Anyway, enough ranting; that's just how I feel. I am trying to engage you in a conversation. Leave me a comment so I know what you think. See you at the next CropSwapper. 

 

Todd

CropSwapper