Conserving Water

When we view the vast deserts of the world we understand at one time some of them were covered with lush vegetation and trees. Man cut the trees for firewood, building shelters to live in but failed to replace them with new trees. Since trees provide shade and root deeply they hold the soil in place so that when water comes in the form of rain it can be used by the trees to grow new trees and vegetation underneath such as ferns, moss and wildflowers.
All of this vegetation creates an eco system where the water transpired by the trees evaporates into the air and eventually recycles itself as rain to continue the growth of much needed plant material for mans welfare.

While this is a simple illustration of the importance of saving our resources it is one way that we can keep our water flowing in our environment. Planting of trees and shrubs around an otherwise barren property not only make it look good but start the processes going mentioned above.

Other ways of saving water are by using rain barrels, making catch basins in hilly terrain, and using mulch and lots of organic matter to hold and absorb what moisture we have. My uncle, a vegetable grower, years ago, grew a number of acres of vegetables without any irrigation just by applying heavy amounts of manure each spring before planting. He had crops even in very dry years and never had to water.

Farmers today are using a method that saves not only water but also fuel; it is called no-till farming where seeds are planted without disturbing the soil. This method will work in the home garden as well by using lots mulch and pulling back the mulch and putting in the seeds.
But if you need to water your plants, do not water in the heat of the day when evaporation will steal much of your water. Early morning or late afternoon is a better time. Modern day vegetable growers are using trickle irrigation which puts the water right where it is needed at the root of the plant. This saves much water and is also labor efficient. You can make your own trickle irrigation system by using old plastic gallon jugs and punching holes in them like pictured above, or purchase ones adapted for newly planted trees. Soaker hoses also work well. Be creative and your garden will flourish.

How To Prevent Blossom End Rot In Tomatoes

Blossom end rot is a disorder commonly found on tomatoes that is caused by a lack of calcium in the plant. This occurs when the tomato plant experiences periods of wet soil and periods of very dry soil. A balance needs to be maintained for roots to properly absorb calcium from the soil. You will recognize blossom end rot by the nasty looking brown spots that may begin as small spots on the blossom end (opposite the stem) of the green tomato. As the fruit matures, the spot spreads to cover larger areas and deepens in color. At maturity blossom end rot may take over nearly the whole tomato and appear black and leathery. Preventing blossom end rot takes a little time and effort, but the results are well worth the effort.

1. Choose soil that has good drainage. Tomatoes need to be kept evenly moist to properly absorb the calcium needed to promote fruit production.

2. Add plenty of composted materials to the soil before transplanting your tomatoes. These organic additions to the soil will help retain moisture and prevent the roots being exposed to overly dry soil.

3. Mulch tomatoes with straw, newspaper or black plastic to retain moisture. This will keep the soil moist even when the weather is hot and dry.

4. Water regularly. Even tomatoes that are mulched need to be watered on a regular basis. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely between waterings. Uneven watering seems to be the biggest contributor of blossom end rot.

5. Maintain a PH of 6.5 for optimum calcium absorption. You can purchase an inexpensive soil test to determine the PH level of your soil at your local gardening supply store. Follow the instructions with the kit to raise or lower the PH.

6. Bone meal or manure will increase the calcium in the soil, but this is seldom necessary. Generally low calcium content in the soil is not the cause of blossom end rot. It is the inability of the plant's roots to absorb calcium due to uneven watering that is actually the culprit.