Transition Joshua Tree

Calling all graphic designers!

We need a new logo!

The winning design comes with a cash award, online glory and our eternal gratitude!

Interested?

Check out the contest guidelines.

Join the Food Group of Transition Joshua Tree for its seed and plant swap, this Saturday at the Farmer’s Market in Joshua Tree (at Tortoise Island), 8 AM to 1 PM.

Swap seeds, plants, flower pots, books and tools related to gardening.

Need more info? tjtfoodies@gmail.com, or comment on this post!

By Janet Tucker

As I discovered, and as everyone says, it’s not such a good idea to plant the same kind of crops in the same place season after season.  Doing that causes bugs and diseases to build up and make gardening much less fun and productive.  There are four main categories of veggies:  Greens (lettuce, broccoli, celery, cabbage, herbs, etc.), Roots (potatoes, onions, beets, garlic, carrots, turnips, etc.),  Fruits (tomatoes, squash, cukes, eggplant, beans (legumes), etc.) and Seeds (corn, amaranth, etc.)  Some veggies have smaller roots and only need a single depth to grow.  But, obviously, you can plant a shallow-rooted veggie in deeper soil, if you want.

The best way to keep things under control is to have a record of what was planted when, so the categories can keep cycling around.  Since I like to use tires, and since tires can be used singly, in twos, or (more unusually) in threes, I came up with a chart for rotating veggies at each depth of tire.  Here is the chart:

CROP ROTATIONS FOR DIFFERENT ROOT DEPTHS/TIRE STACKS

Shallow Depth Roots/Single Tire

Root Veggies:  Shallots, Radish, Garlic, Spring Onion

Fruiting/Legume Veggies:  Bush Beans, Patio (Container) Varieties of Fruiting Veges

Green Veggies:  Spinach, Lettuce, Radicchio, Parsley, Basil, Cilantro

Medium Depth Roots/Two Tires

Root  Veggies:  Leeks, Carrots, Beets, Onions, Parsnips, Turnips, Rutabagas, plus same as Shallow Depth Roots

Fruiting/Legume Veggies:  Okra, Fava Beans, Peppers, Pole Beans, Eggplant, Peas, plus same as Shallow Depth Roots

Green Veggies:  Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chard, Celery, Arugula, Cabbage, Kale, Collards, Chinese Cabbage, Endive, plus same as Shallow Depth Roots

Seeds:  Amaranth, Corn, Sunflower

Deep Depth Roots/Three  Tires

Root Veggies:  Sweet Potato, Irish Potatoes, Sunchokes (aka Jerusalem Artichokes), plus Same as Medium Depth

Fruiting/Legume Veggies:  Cucumbers, Pole Beans, Summer Squash*, Winter Squash*, Melons*, Tomatoes, Okra

Green Veggies:  Brussel Sprouts, plus Same as Medium Depth

Seeds:  Same as Medium Depth

*Requires several feet of lateral space (use tractor tires?)

On Saturday, Jan. 26, The Water Group hosted a Rooftop Rain Harvesting Workshop taught by Buck Buckley. About 15 people attended. Buck did a great job of explaining the importance of water harvesting in our arid environment. He demonstrated do-it-yourself gutter installation and hook up to a number of different kinds of storage tanks. Thanks to the Water Group!