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“Eating on the Wild Side” by Jo Robinson

This is the book I have been waiting for.  From the first day I tasted just-picked fruits and vegetables, I have maintained that everything tastes better when you eat it just after it’s harvested.  I could never find any scientific proof to support my belief until I found Jo Robinson’s book—she explains why.

This short yet informative research-based read provides an explanation of how nutrients have been bred out of the food that we eat.  Going back to the days of the Hunter-Gatherers—over 10,000 years ago—Robinson paints an informative picture of how man has intuitively been selecting the sweetest, starchiest, least bitter and sour edibles, which possess the lowest nutritional value when consumed.

My favorite part of the book is that Jo Robinson gives readers specific names of fruit and vegetable varieties to buy and then instructions on how to prepare them to receive the most nutritional value.  The descriptions are so complete and even indicate which varieties can be found in conventional markets, farmers’ markets and which can be grown in home gardens.

This book is chock-full of facts that will be of interest to anyone who cares about what they eat and what they serve to their families.  This read should motivate everyone to find a spot – whether on a patio or a small patch of land – to organically grow the most nutritious fruits and vegetables possible.

Happy Reading, Healthy Eating

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“FEED THE SOIL, NOT THE PLANTS”

I met Randy Ritchie, founder of Malibu Compost, at Green Gardens Nursery in Pacific Beach. I was so impressed by what I heard about his product that I did some experiments. I planted vegetables in 2 beds, one with Bu’s Blend and one without. The bed with the Bu’s blend did significantly better. I was hooked for life.

Malibu Compost is the first national producer and distributor of biodynamic compost. It is blended from dairy cow manure, manger straw, wood chips and homeopathic concentrations of yarrow, chamomile, valerian, stinging nettle, dandelion, and oak bark, plus a healthy dose of cosmos. It is then laid out in windrows to mature.

Bu’s Blend Bio dynamic Compost does exactly that

Here is how to use it.

For good soil & seasonal care: Spread ½” to 1” of Bu’s Blend over planting area (for edibles and grass), watering well (for roses and other bushes), or drip line (for larger trees). Water in and let the microbes do the work. Repeat every 3-4 months.

For new plantings: Spread ½” to 1” of compost over the planting area, water deeply, and let the area rest for a couple days up to a few months, if possible. If not, it’s cool, go for it. Plant whatever you’re planting. Put a nice handful or two of Bu’s Blend in the bottom of your planting hole. Then, broadcast another ½” of Bu’s Blend over the newly planted area. Sit back and watch the magic.

If you have not added it to the soil at planting, it is not too late. You can use it as a cover mulch: Spread 1-1½” of Bu’s Blend over your beds, pots and planters. Do not work into the soil. We repeat, do not work the soil. Let the irrigation or rain work the compost into the soil.

For poor soil: Break up the soil and apply up to 2” of Bu’s Blend on top. Water deeply & repeat every 2 weeks or so until soil improves. The water will draw beneficial microbes deep into the soil, where they will work to improve soil structure and vitality.

What is biodynamic?

The Biodynamic method incorporates the treatment of animals, crops, and soil as a single system. The wastes of one part of a farm become the food for another. Ideally a biodynamic farm would import little to nothing from outside sources. The goal would be to contribute to the earth’s resources, not deplete them.

Watch for the Results!

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