Celebrate organic food

Carrots

Wild carrot is likely to have been a native of Afghanistan and through selective breading over thousands of years, has become sweeter and less woody. Requires very fine and deep soil to guarantee full size produce – strictly no manure, as with most root vegetables they will divide, carrot fly is the major pest. Rich in antioxidants, carrots also contain B-carotene which converts to vitamin A – however, digestion only releases a small amount of this, so pulping or cooking is a better way to get this great nutrient to absorb. Carrot cake, stews, Sunday lunch, juiced or simply eaten raw are all great ways to enjoy the carrot!

Onions

The tear jerker of the bunch. Used by ancient Egyptians 2000 years before Christ, it was worshiped as a symbol of eternal life. Such an important food source that in the middle ages the Onion could be used to pay rent. It initially came from India. Arguably the most used and versatile of Vegetables, can be stored for a few months by hanging up. Easiest grown from sets, allow plenty of space between them for big bulbs although you’ll get more yield from the area if they are closer together.

Spinach

While Popeye never seemed to enjoy its taste it seems the iron in it was the source of his legendary strength. A very nutritious food source full of vitamins, it is better steamed than boiled. “A la Florentine” is anything served on a bed of Spinach as a result of famous 16^th century figure Catherine Medici who moved to France to marry the King and took both Spinach, and Spinach cooks with her, such was her love of this leafy crop. Probably originating from Nepal and historically popular in the Muslim world, yet fairly unknown to the Ancients, it is a good early crop that grows fast. Leaves are best eaten young as can get bitter – more important than other crops to only plant a few seeds every few weeks to ensure you’re not getting all of the crops at once. Can be dug back into the ground to improve soil quality.

Chilli Plants

From south and Central America, used as a domesticated food since as far back as 7500 BC, it was until Christopher Columbus took it to Spain. It then went to Portugal; Vindaloo the famous hot Indian dish is actually thought to be a derivative of a Portuguese meal, as it was the folk from Portugal who took it East. One plant should provide enough chillies for the year, the ultimate money saver, grow on kitchen window sill, re pot every 6 months, and water regularly. Grow a few varieties for more interesting cooking, can be dried or eaten fresh and has many health benefits when eaten in moderation. Capsaicin is the heat substance that gets you sweating and releases endorphins which make you feel great! Measured in SHU’s, the hottest in the world is the bhut jolokia at around 1 million units, the standard Mexican chilli is only around 1,500 SHU, while Jalapeno comes in at 2,500– 8000 SHU and the Scotch bonnet at around 200,000 SHU.

Black Currants

A real super fruit. In the UK, during the second world war, Oranges and other sources of Vitamin C were hard to come by and so blackcurrants were grown, made into syrup and given to children for free and is still a very popular cordial. Very low maintenance once established, though can get white pine blister rust, will need a little pruning. Currents are fairly bitter and tart when eaten raw, however they are great to make jam with, milkshakes, pies and pancakes! They contain a massive helping of Vitamin C; 100grams contains 300% of recommended daily value, as well as many other essential nutrients. Possibly beneficial at preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and are also thought to reduce dark circles under eyes by increasing blood flow to capillaries. Currents juice is often added to Cider, Champagne and Guinness to increase flavour.

Happy planting time

They planted a range of pink and white bulbs in the Rose Garden of London’s Hyde Park to raise awareness for the charity – we can’t wait to see a spread of pink and white flowers next year!

Actress Jody Prenger, who plays Nancy in Oliver! said, “By planting the pink bulbs we want to encourage gardeners across the UK to buy P. de Jager’s Pink Bulb Range, identified by the pink ribbon on the packaging, and to help raise much needed funds to support Campaign’s invaluable research.”

Breast Cancer Campaign aims to find the cure for breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research into the disease. Each year 45,500 women and 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and Campaign’s research aims to make significant impact on the lives of patients by improving diagnosis and treatment.

Eco kids composting

The Food for Life Partnership works with more than 1,300 schools across England to ensure the next generation will be better equipped for the future than their parents by getting them growing and cooking in school.

Through the extensive Food for Life Partnership award scheme, schools get the guidance to transform their food culture and engage pupils, parents and the local community along the way. From Bronze, through Silver to Gold, schools set up organic gardens, cooking clubs and pupils visit farms and eat healthy, climate-friendly school dinners.

Late last month, the Food for Life Partnership launched the Food Growing Manual, which is a comprehensive growing resource, produced by one of the Partners, Garden Organic, for all schools enrolling on the Food for Life Partnership. The Food Growing Manual will enable schools to successfully develop their own gardens and produce edible crops for children, parents, teachers and communities to enjoy.

Food for Life Partnership manager at Garden Organic, Colette Bond, says:

“Teaching children to grow food puts them in touch with the land, familiarises them with the seasons and encourages healthier eating. On a wider level it also engages them with the food supply and helps them understand that food isn’t instant or ‘fast’ but that it takes time, energy and nurture to produce something edible.”

“Using the expert content of the manual, as well as the suggested activities and planting advice, we hope to develop a successful school garden, which will help the children to learn about growing their own food and eating seasonally. We also hope to use the garden to teach the curriculum and to reach out and involve everyone from staff and pupils right through to parents and the community.

The Food for Life Partnership aims to reconnect young people with growing, cooking, eating and appreciating climate-friendly, healthy and real food. Many schools in the Partnership are now using produce they have grown in their canteens, helping to make fresh, seasonal, organic produce a regular appearance on school dinner menus.

From now on, all schools signed up to the Food for Life Partnership will receive their own Food Growing Manual resource pack for free. To find out more or to enrol visit www.foodforlife.org.uk

Organic gardening promotes a healthy benefit for bees

Sarah Brown’s recent changes have been praised by the soil association-both Organic food production and bee friendly flowers have been added to Number 10.  Since this turn around there is even speculation of renaming the infamous “Britain in Bloom” to “Britain in natural bloom” with the hope of reducing harmful pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, from effecting the counties bee population.  This would also present the flower growers with a new challenge – many consider spraying pesticides and steroid like fertilizers to be a short cut in the art of flower growing.

Benefit now by going organic

1)  Your health and wellbeing- Organic food is much more nutrient dense, it contains significantly more beneficial minerals, essential amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Organic milk for example is 68% higher in omega 3 essential fatty acids.

2)  Animal Welfare – Most people don’t know that by being organic it is automatically free range! Organic standards are vigorous regarding their regulation of the way animals are reared fed and slaughtered – animals are given plenty outdoor space so they can behave as naturally as possible. Organic standards prevent cruelty and stop animally being constantly drugged with antibiotics.

3)  Wildlife Flourishes – Organic farms have up to 50 percent more wildlife than their non organic counterparts- meaning that birds, insects and plants can coexist in farms. In fact they are actively encouraged, hedgehogs love to eat slugs, and worms and insects help to aerate the soil.

4)  GM Free – Genetically modified crops are not permitted on Organic farms. Furthermore, GM ingredients and animal feed are not permitted – currently over one million tonnes of GM animal feed is imported every year to feed non Organic animals.

5)Cost savings – Well, like most people you may think that Organic food is vastly more expensive than non organic, however the reality is not quite so true. Yes a pint of Organic milk may cost around 25% more, but you can get much more than 25% more nutritional value, meaning that the nutrition you get per pence can actually be higher with Organic food.

The old patch

Let me start by introducing myself. I’m Chris, I’m 25 years old and I live in the market town of Morpeth in Northumberland. Hobbies include running, tennis and watching the ‘mighty Sunderland’. Certainly no history of green fingers in the family.

So, I had my plot. Ahead of me was months of fresh fruit and vegetables, and most importantly, huge savings on my weekly food bill. So I thought. In fact, there were a number of hidden benefits waiting to be discovered.

The first is the obvious one, fresh organic vegetables on tap. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to grow vegetables, and how successful my debut year would be. I’ve spent the last few months trying to find things to do with swarms of leeks, potatoes and spinach. Never again will you have ‘nothing to eat’. A quick trip to the allotment and you have a veritable feast at your finger tips.

Now for the less obvious benefits that I can share with you. Birds, they love allotments. Well, that’s obvious you may think. A multitude of worms and bugs just waiting to be eaten. No no, I’m not talking pigeons and tits. I’m talking about birds, the non-feathered variety.

I became single shortly after gaining my membership to Morpeth’s Allotment Association. I was back on the market, and needed to get out there and tell the female population of North-East England what a great catch I was. No problem I thought. I own my own house, nice car, good job. Surely I’d be batting them off with a stick. Well, I’m not one to kiss and tell, but it’s safe to say today’s lady is a little harder to impress. On a particularly bad first date on a grey Tuesday evening in Newcastle I searched for anything, absolutely anything to fill the classic awkward silence. I mentioned my allotment and watched her ears prick up, and eyes open wide. Bingo. It seems for some reason that the ladies of today like a man with a big plot. Maybe it’s the hunter gatherer image, or the thought of a summers’ supply of strawberries. Maybe it’s just because it sets you apart from the other people on ‘the market’. Whatever it is, they love it. A reason in itself to get yourself on a waiting list.

Now the health benefits. An obvious one you may say. Indeed, the vegetables you grow will contain many vital nutrients and vitamins to keep your body ticking over, but there’s more. You’ll be able to cancel that expensive gym membership. A weekend of digging, forking and weeding will leave you as stiff as any workout. And don’t forget all the fresh air you’ll get when working on your patch. In particular, the vitamin D that your skin produces when exposed to the sun will keep your bones healthy and increase your protection against a number of cancers.

So, have I convinced you? Your new allotment won’t only improve your diet, but also your lifestyle. You’ll be healthy, tanned, fit, with a girl on each arm. What are you waiting for? And if you can’t find a local allotment association then why not dig over some of the garden? After all, what use is grass?

An eco summer for the kids

A lovely garden centre called Notcutts has been taking the advice of children this summer, asking their advice about what makes their ‘perfect garden’. You’re bound to find this interesting if you have little ones to be amused over the long summer holidays – what’s best – it can all be done on a budget!

Notcutts conducted a research panel comprising of very opinionated 6-7 year old school children from East Anglia asking them all about their perfect garden.

So, what do the children themselves want to keep them amused this summer?

Wellies, buckets and waterproof games! Bad weather isn’t a deterrent: kids love playing in the rain, with 80% of them finding it as much fun as the sun!

‘A bit of garden to call my own’ was a popular request, with 90% of the panel wanting even the smallest area earmarked for their own gardening project.

Treehouses or dens also proved popular, with 60% of kids wanting somewhere specific to play in. (A low cost alternative would involve a card board box – my Mum always reminds me that I was more intrigued playing with the boxes my pressie came in rather than the pressie itself)

Weeding!! – apparently kids think this is fun and tops the list of gardening activity, above planting and watering! Just give them some pointers and watch them go, takes the pressure off Mum and Dad!

To make things a bit more fun for them, you could invest in some nice children’s gardening tools – there’s some cute items available from Notcutts as well as other garden centres – and when you’re children grow out using spades with ladybugs on, then you can be sure to pass them on to another young child who is discovering the wonders of exploring the back garden!