Posted 1/3/2012

Happy New Year Project Evolvers! Margaret here. Here is an update on my lettuce. It died. Quick Tip: Don't prune with your fingers. I tore the poor plant. So, i have purchased some pruning scissors. Also, i had a half of onion in the fridge start to grow in a zip lock bag, so I planted it. It's outside hanging in a planter and growing nicely. I'm just going to let it be besides watering and see what happens. Its not growing season...or at least it shouldn't be. It was 88° F not a week ago, and last night we had our first freeze. Out of nowhere it seemed. To me, that is clear evidence that the climate is changing. Our Fall season was short, if not non-existent. My prediction is that next year, come Spring time, it will be cold then suddenly get hot. I fear our seasons are going away. Our winter is shorter but more intense. I live in Florida, I can only imagine what others across the country and the world are feeling. We need to wise up before we create an environment that even we can't adapt to and thrive in.

Posted 12/15/2011

Update: Margaret here. Well, my little lettuce plant now has 4 leaves. Its growing strong and healthy. Here are some photos:

I have 'mulched' the soil with shredded newspaper to keep the heat off the soil. It helps the roots stay cool.

12/7/2011

This is great news! Hoping to switch to an alternative energy source? Check out this article from Environmental News Network!

12/6/2011

Check out this article. Evolve the way you eat! This article talks about some foods that you may eat every day. Part of what we are striving to do here at Project Evolve is to open your eyes to the world around you so you are aware. Awareness is so important, because only you have the final word as to what goes into your body. You don't have to eat what your used to. Step outside the box and you just might be surprised how your health increases.

Hello. Margaret here. So, I just started an experiment about a week ago at home that I wanted to share the progress of. I took an idea from the Urban Organic Gardner and made my self 3 self-watering containers. I bought lettuce seeds from a local nursery and sprinkled about 5 seeds per container and I used organic potting mix as the medium. Only 1 seed sprouted. But that was more than I could have hoped for. The sprout is only about 1 inch tall right now. Also, I just bought worms online and they are being shipped to my house for my compost pile. My pile needs help. Worms will do the job, so my compost will be ready to use come spring. I am starting my own home garden and I am challenging myself to grow enough food for my small family. I will keep you posted as it grows. May I also let you all in on a little secret...I have never grown anything in my life. I am successfully keeping alive a few house plants, a money tree and 2 bamboo stalks, but that is the extent of my plant experience. I am learning as I go and using whatever time I have available. I have a busy schedule between my day job, my son, my man and school. So, if I can do this, so can you! Try it, you'll save money and eat healthier too! Here is is!!

The top photo is the lettuce sprout and the larger picture below it is the self-watering system I made from recycling a soda bottle and a t-shirt! This bottle just sits in my sliding glass door area behind the blinds so my son leaves it alone. It gets plenty of sun without being in direct sun. The paper bag that the soil sits in is high enough to shade the soil. Thanks Urban Organic Gardener!

Posted 11/28/2011

The USDA and Big Ag are conspiring to implement a set of rules that favor giant industrial growers while placing small, diversified farms at risk. Known as the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement, this set of rules was designed by industrial growers to protect their market share while harming their main competition, the growing local and organic food movement. The Leafy Green agreement, drafted by the largest vegetable growers’ lobbyists in an effort to whitewash their growing food safety problems, would implement draconian practices that saddle farmers with one-size-fits-all rules and would drive local and organic farmers out of business with expensive regulations.

Tell Secretary Vilsack that it's time to protect family farmers and stop letting Big Ag write the rules.

Visit Food Democracy Now! and voice your opinion!