Download Food For The Brain - Back To Your Roots

Food For The Brain
When Weeds Talk
Author: Jay L. McCaman
“The basis of weed, insect, and
disease control, both plant and
human, begins in the soil. As
such the farmer is at the top of
the health care chain.”
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
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Learn how to identify soil problems by the
weeds growing
Hundreds of different types of weeds listed
Identify the benefit many wild plants have
Decades of farming knowledge shared from
real life experiences
When Weeds Talk is an expanded version of
“Weeds and Why They Grow” and is an
invaluable resource in any growers library.
SAVE THE DATE
2015 Producer’s Conference
Saskatoon, SK
February 2 & 3, 2015
High Brix=High Quality
WANTED TO BUY
We are trying to build our agriculture resource
library. If you have any old literature that deal with
farming practices or soil health, we want to hear
from you. Please call 306-747-4744 or email
[email protected]
Volume 4, Issue 2
President’s Message
Edible Get-Ables
U-Pick & Market Garden
Everyone at Back To Your Roots Soil Solutions is passionate
about growing great food. We believe in achieving the
greatest potential out of a crop, that will not only be food on
the table but nourishment for the body.
At Edible Get-Ables, we are doing just that. We are growing
food without the use of pesticides and only using basic
nutrients that encourage healthy and natural plant growth.
Our mission is to grow high Brix fruits and vegetables that
are safe to eat, taste amazing and provide the highest level of
nutrition. When you’re in the Shellbrook area, stop in for a
visit and taste the difference quality makes!
Edible Get-Ables
Located 7 km NW of Shellbrook
on Highway 55
U-Pick
Greenhouse
&
Market Garden
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Wednesday & Friday
10 am - 5 pm
Thursday
12 pm - 7 pm
Contact Jean
Ph: 306–714-6245 (SOIL)
www.ediblegetables.com
It’s been an exciting summer at Back To Your
Roots! The new greenhouse and U-Pick market
garden construction is 90% complete. We will have
an open garden growing a variety of vegetables, a
large strawberry patch, and the greenhouse that is
home to our peppers, tomatoes and herb garden.
Edible Get-Ables is all about high Brix and nutrient
dense food that’s grown without the use of
pesticides. If you’re in the Shellbrook area come out for a visit and see all
that we have going on.
This issue is about germination. All of you have completed your seeding
and are well past this early stage of crop growth. But consistent and healthy
germination will set the stage for a healthy crop that is capable of resisting
disease and pests. There are many factors that will influence the
germination success rate such as soil temperature, moisture levels, and the
soil environment. You won’t have a lot of control over the first two aspects,
but all the control over the third. When you create an environment that has
balanced minerals and that feed a healthy ecosystem of soil microbiology,
you encourage the germination and increase the chance for success.
The annual Producer’s Conference is planned for February 2 & 3, 2015 in
Saskatoon, SK. This year will focus on you the producer and what you can
do to positively impact the outcome of your crop. We have another great
lineup of keynote speakers as well as a variety of breakout sessions and a
basic radionics course to be held during the weekend. We will be sending
out a brochure with more detailed information in the coming weeks. Also
you can keep an eye on the website www.back-to-your-roots.com or our
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BackToYourRootsSoilSolutionsInc?fref=nf for
updates as events develop.
Take care out there!
Cindy
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed
to our method of questioning.—Heisenberg
July 2014
Saskatchewan
Gary Bertoia – Unity
306-228-8888
Roger Puetz – Humboldt
Greg & Cathy Taylor–Parkman
306-231-9873
306-739-2605
Gillian Thiessen -Saskatoon
306-292-6768
Brent Stumph – Wroxton
306-641-9358
Craig Perkin – Rouleau
306-737-2161
Brad Boot - Outlook
306-867-8030
Alberta
Ken Braim – Nampa
780-625-7314
Greg Moline - Leduc
780-902-1234
Manitoba
Ron & Linda Catt – Austin
204-723-2831
Nick Boundy – Manitou
204-729-5272
Tim Mueller – Minitonas
204-281-1750
Lorne Muller –Minitonas
204-734-8600
British Columbia
Darcy Goodrich - Rock Creek
780-888-7840
Head Office
Back To Your Roots Soil Solutions
101A Railway Ave.
Shellbrook, SK S0J 2E0
Tel: 306-747-4744
MONOCOTS
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Definition of Germination: to develop into a plant or individual, as a seed, spore or bulb; to put forth shoots or sprouts
Germination Terms:
Germination Capacity: The number of seed able to complete germination in a population
Germination Rate: How many seeds of a particular plant species are likely to germinate over a given period
Cotyledon: An embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants, one or more of which are the first leaves to appear from a germinating seed
Plumule: The rudimentary shoot or stem of an embryonic plant
Staging: Any of the various distinct periods of growth or development in the life of an organism
Radicle: The embryonic root of the plant that grows downward in the soil
Nodules: A swelling on a root of a leguminous plant, containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Hypocotyl: The equivalent of stems of a germinating seedling, found below the cotyledon and above the root, and are responsible
for elongation of growth and development into the stem
Epicotyl: The stem of a seedling or embryo located between the cotyledons and the first true leaves
Coleoptile: The pointed protective sheath that covers that emerging shoot in
monocotyledons such as grasses and corn
Monocot: Shortened form of monocotyledon, which is a flowering plant with an
embryo that bears a single cotyledon
Dicot: Shortened form of dicotyledon which is a flowering plant with an embryo
that bears two cotyledons
Hypogeal Germination: The seed leaves (cotyledons) remain below the surface of
the soil. This happens with the germination of a pea seed
Epigeal Germination: The leaves remain on the new shoot and are brought above
the surface of the ground. This occurs in a bean seed.
Seed
Produces two seed
leaves that contain
food for the new
plant
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Often long & narrow,
with veins in straight
lines up & down the
leaf
New leaves often
grow in a protective
sheath formed by the
older leaf
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Come in many
different shapes
and sizes with
veins going from
central midrib to
edge of leaf,
crossing & joining
to form a netted
pattern all over the
leaf
Stems usually
unbranched & fleshy.
Roots are usually
short & stringy.
Often have bulbs
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Stems are usually
tough, can grow
wider each year
and are often
branched.
Root is often a
single long tap root
with smaller roots
growing from it
Leaves
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Time of Year
Desired Conductivity
Planting
200-400 Ergs
Plant Reproduction
600-800 Ergs
Different seeds require varying amounts of time for germination to take place and the seedling to emerge through the soil. On average this
takes 10 to 14 days, sometimes shorter and sometimes longer. When the soil provides a suitable environment viable seeds are able to
germinate. They will all go through several stages of development that are listed below:
1) Emergence: The seed coat (testa) absorbs water, splitting the seed coat and causing the radicle (young root) to emerge. Next the
plumule (young shoot) grows.
2) Green Development: The cotyledon comes above the ground with epigeal germination and two green leaves develop. In hypogeal
germination the cotyledon remains below and the epicotyl breaks through the surface They will now make food for the plant by
photosynthesis.
3) The cotyledon breaks down as the stored food for the plant is used up. Photosynthesis is now the source of food for the growing
plant.
Seed Pod
Two seed leaves
inside seed coat
Produces a single leaf, 
usually long &
narrow
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Parts of the flower are 
in 3’s
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Usually have 3 parts.
Seeds often large &
fleshy
Flower
The purpose of all seed is to leave it’s state of dormancy, grow, reproduce and infinitely continue it’s cycle. It’s all about survival and
continuation of a species.
At this time of year, there are billions of seeds germinated in our fields, gardens and greenhouses. If conditions are cooperative they will
sprout into a tender young seedlings, grow to their full potential and produce a crop that will nourish our bodies.
There are some basic requirements for seed germination:
1) Water
2) Oxygen
3) Balanced minerals
4) Soil microbes
5) Temperature
It is often taken for granted that the processes necessary for germination will occur. But soil is a dynamic substance that is alive with
microbial life that interact in a complex web of functions that all support the next chain of events. Each component must be functioning
within it’s set parameters in order for germination to occur. If a link in that chain gets disrupted or broken the entire process can be
compromised.
Conductivity is very important in the soil as it measures the amount of energy released from soil nutrient reactions. Plants live off this
energy, so it makes sense that in order to create the best environment for germination and ultimately plant growth, one needs to consider and
manage the conductivity. Below is a guide for desired conductivity during different stages of growing.
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DICOTS
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Germination
Stem & Roots
One seed leaf inside
seed coat
vs
Usually have
flower parts in 4’s
& 5’s
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Very variable in
shape, size &
texture.
 Can have any
number of
chambers from
none to many
Often more seeds in a
seedpod than in a
monocot seedpod
(a) Garden Bean - Epigeal germination
(b) Pea - Hypogeal germination
(c) Corn - Hypogeal germination
Seed Treatment
A seed by definition, is an embryonic plant enclosed in a
protective outer covering called the seed coat, usually
with some stored food. There are many factors that can
affect the potential of this process. Aside from the factors
that influence germination, some seeds require special
treatment in order to germinate. These include:
1) Scarification: Some seeds have a seed coat that is
too hard to absorb moisture, which means they must be
broken, scratched or altered so that water can penetrate to
the seed and trigger germination.
2) Soaking: Some seed coats can be softened by
soaking the seed in water, which results in speeding up
the germination process. Others require leaching of a
chemical inhibitors before germination can begin.
3) Stratification: This is the process where seeds are
exposed to cold, moist conditions that trigger
germination. This is required for seeds that have an
immature or dormant embryo when harvested.
4) Simple Dormancy: This is the term for when only
one special treatment is required.
5) Double Dormancy: Some seeds require multiple
stages of dormancy in order for germination to occur.
6) Wet Shipment: Occasionally some tropical and
woody plants are shipped fresh in moist moss
immediately after they are harvested. If the seed coat is
allowed to dry out the seed will never germinate.
Another way to encourage germination is by creating
an environment that is conducive to young seedlings. A
combination of soft rock phosphate and powdered sugar
provides a boost to the sprouting seed as well as the
surrounding soil. The chemical formula for sugar is
C12H22O11. Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen are a source
of food for the soil microbes as well as the emerging
plant. Phosphorous is essential for root development. By
combining soft rock phosphate and powdered sugar,
you create a deluxe buffet of nutrients and
energy for the new seedling.
Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit.
- Henry David Thoreau