Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Tuesdays with a Twist #95 is LIVE

Good Morning and welcome to another No Rules Party! 

I have been sharing LOTS of ideas and healthy info here. 
Sunday I shared Plant for Pollinators and Increase Your Crop Yield.

Last week I shared 2 very important articles:
Both are very important articles.  Please check them out and SHARE!

Are you ready for the party?   We're your hosts 

Back to the Basics

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59am.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 
Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!



Sunday, January 25, 2015

SALE on Seed Germination Supplies!

For 2 days ONLY I've decided to give you a chance to score
FREE STUFF with purchase at Mary's Heirloom Seeds!!!

Sale ends January 27th at 6pm EST

FREE pack of Organic Seeds with purchase of COCONUT COIR PELLETS
Available in quantities of 12, 24, 50 and 75

FREE *extra* tray with purchase of 6-CELL GERMINATION TRAYS
Available in quantities of 3, 6 and 12

Don't forget...We still have the FREE SEEDS OFFER with purchase of $15 or more.  

We'd like to do our part for the BEES and BUTTERFLIES.  Through January 31st, all seed orders of $15 or more will include a FREE pack of MILKWEED or ZINNIA.  *Your choice*

For more info, read Plant for Pollinators and Increase Crop Yields


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Thursday, January 22, 2015

Make Your Own Liquid Fertilizer with Alfalfa Meal

Before I give you my recipe I need to be very clear.  ALFALFA is considered a "high risk crop."  This means that Alfalfa is on of the top 10 Genetically Modified plants in the US.  

From the Non-GMO Project,
High-Risk Crops (in commercial production; ingredients derived from these must be tested every time prior to use in Non-GMO Project Verified products (as of December 2011):

  • Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
  • Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
  • Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
  • Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)
  • Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
  • Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)
  • Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)
  • Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)
 

This is why I chose to offer Certified Organic, Non-GMO Alfalfa Meal at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  It wasn't easy to find and it certainly wasn't cheap.  Non-GMO is the way to go!!!

Making a Liquid fertilizer is pretty easy.  I used make Seaweed tea every year but not everyone has access to seaweed.  Now I make Alfalfa Tea.

It's also important to mention that while I call it "TEA,"  I DO NOT DRINK IT!  
Just need to clear that up.

Making Alfalfa Tea
You'll need:

1 - 5 gallon bucket
1 cup Organic Alfalfa Meal

Directions:  
Fill bucket with water, let it sit from 1 to 4 days. The result will be a thick tea. Apply generously to the root area of shrubs and flowers or use as a foliar spray after straining the solids out. The longer it brews, the better it is but the worse it will smell. 


From Mary's Heirloom Seeds,
Derived from leguminous perennial alfalfa plant used for pasture and cover crop. Primary benefit of this pleasant smelling meal is increasing organic matter, although it is also a valuable plant-derived fertilizer.

  • NPK analysis is 2.8-0.29-2.4
  • Contains trace minerals and triaconatol
  • Excellent addition to the compost pile for nitrogen content and absorbency
  • Roses respond especially well to alfalfa meal
  • WSDA Certified Organic Alfalfa Meal
Alfalfa Meal can help restore soil and bring back its full growing potential. With a unique 3-1-2 ratio, Alfalfa Meal is an all natural, organic fertilizer that replenishes sugar, starches and proteins that help keep your plants growing healthy and strong.

Alfalfa helps plants create larger flowers and increases the tolerance to cold. Good for all flowering plants. Research has shown that using more is not better. 

This recipe can easily be cut in half by using 1/2 cup Alfalfa Meal and 2.5 gallons of water.  You can also make a HUGE recipe in a large trash can if you just multiply the ingredients.  It's easy to make and very healthy for your plants.
 
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Want to Grow Blueberry?

You're in luck!  
We just added Organic Blueberry Seeds!!!!



Mary's Heirloom Seeds
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ORGANIC, NON-GMO ALFALFA MEAL
January 21, 2015

I said the same thing last month.......and now we've added MORE SEEDS!

We are busily packing up NEW seed varieties and re-stocking for 2015.
We added a few NEW Varieties this week.  Some are special requests and others are just to unique and exciting to pass up!  They're amazing!!!

NEW SEED VARIETIES


You do not have to start your blueberries from cuttings or nursery shrubs. For the patient gardener, growing blueberry shrubs from seed can give you excellent results.
Just give it time, enough sun and acidic soil and you will have some wonderful blueberry plants out your front door. Blueberry plants will start producing berries when about 2 years old, but will not mature and offer maximum berry yield until they are about seven years old.
In order for blueberry plants to produce berries the soil pH needs to be between 4.5 - 5.0. Soils not within the range of pH acceptability for blueberry plant growth must be prepared before planting. If the pH is too high, the growth of the plant is slowed and the foliage turns yellow. Blueberries require adequate water, especially the first year that they are planted, to properly establish a good root system. During the growing season, blueberry plants typically require 1 inch of water per week.

The Valerian root is what is harvested for medicinal use. Valerian has been called nature's tranquilizer. It is used to soothe anxiety, relieve pain, and calm minds that cannot fall asleep. In many parts of the world, Valerian root is the standard care for stress and relaxation.  

Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis) - Start Valerian seeds and grow this well-known herb plant. Valerian is highly prized as a medicinal herb. It is a hardy perennial with a history of use dating back to the 16th century. It is very ornamental with fern-like foliage and pink flower heads that attract butterflies. The Valerian herb is also referred to as All Heal and Garden Heliotrope.   

 75-95 days Very large, up to 2 lbs. each. The yellow fruit has red marbling through the flesh and is one of the most beautiful tomatoes!
The flavor is very sweet and fruity; good yields.



FREE SEEDS!


Have you read my article 

From my article, 
FREE Seeds for the BEES and BUTTERFLIES!
This morning, someone on our facebook page commented on our post about MILKWEED.
They said, "Monarch Butterflies are about the be placed on the Endangered Species list (thanks Monsanto!).  
If we all bought at least one package of these with every order maybe we could help." 

 Mary's Heirloom Seeds wants to help save the BEES and the BUTTERFLIES! 
From NOW thru January 31st, ALL orders will include a FREE PACK of MILKWEED or  ZINNIA...Your Choice!
  Just leave a comment with your order 

$10 Order Minimum 
(including sale and regular priced items) 
All of the seeds listed are
open-pollinated, non-gmo & non-hybrid, unpatented, untreated, heirloom garden seeds  
For more info, stop by our Ordering & FAQ page 

BACK IN STOCK

COMFREY
ARNICA
If you have additional questions please feel free to ask.  We usually reply to emails within a few hours. 
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Planting,




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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tuesdays with a Twist #94 is LIVE!!!

Good Morning and welcome to another No Rules Party! 

I have been sharing LOTS of ideas and healthy info here. 
Sunday I shared Plant for Pollinators and Increase Your Crop Yield.

Last week I shared 2 very important articles:
Both are very important articles.  Please check them out and SHARE!

Are you ready for the party?   We're your hosts 

Back to the Basics

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59am.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 
Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!



Sunday, January 18, 2015

Plant for the Pollinators and Increase your Crop Yields

PURPLE CONEFLOWER


What's the Big Deal about BEES?

Have you heard about CCD or Colony Collapse Disorder? "Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or European honey bee colony abruptly disappear. While such disappearances have occurred throughout the history of apiculture, the term colony collapse disorder was first applied to a drastic rise in the number of disappearances of Western honey bee colonies in North America in late 2006. Colony collapse is significant because many agricultural crops worldwide are pollinated by bees."
English Lavender
One possible theory...

Honeybee Deaths Linked to Corn Insecticide:
What was killing all those honeybees in recent years?  New research shows a link between an increase in the death of bees and insecticides, specifically the chemicals used to coat corn seeds.

The study, titled "Assessment of the Environmental Exposure of Honeybees to Particulate Matter Containing Neonicotinoid Insecticides Coming from Corn Coated Seeds," was published in the American Chemical Society's Environmental Science & Technology journal, and provides insight into colony collapse disorder.
Colony collapse disorder, or the mass die-off of honeybees, has stumped researchers up to now. This new research may provide information that  could lead to even more answers.

According to the new study, neonicotinoid insecticides "are among the most widely used in the world, popular because they kill insects by paralyzing nerves but have lower toxicity for other animals."   Source



FREE Seeds for the BEES and BUTTERFLIES!
A few months ago, someone on our facebook page commented on our post about MILKWEED.
They said, "Monarch Butterflies are about the be placed on the Endangered Species list (thanks Monsanto!).
If we all bought at least one package of these with every order maybe we could help."
MILKWEED
What an AWESOME idea!!! 
Mary's Heirloom Seeds wants to help save the BEES and the BUTTERFLIES! 
From NOW thru July 15th, ALL orders will include a FREE PACK of BUTTERFLY GARDEN Seeds!
Just leave a comment with your order!  
**Minimum $10 Order with free shipping on heirloom seeds within the 50 United States and US Territories**


What to Plant and WHY?

The simplest way to increase crop yields is to encourage pollinators to your garden.  It's simple to do, easy to grow and eco-friendly.

BASIL and BORAGE produce flowers and are both companion plants for Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash and Eggplant.

Marigold is another companion plant AND it deters nematodes!

MILKWEED is the perfect addition if you're looking to attract Bees and Butterflies.

HERBS: Lavender, Lemon Bee Balm, Anise Hyssop, Caraway, Chives, Chamomile and Yarrow are all Flowering Herbs and what I call "Double Duty Herbs."  These "double duty" varieties encourage pollinators to your garden AND are useful in herbal home remedies as well as home-cooking recipes.   

SUNFLOWERS are an excellent addition to your garden for the bees and other pollinators.  For multiple flowers, try Mexican Sunflower!
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER
Nasturtium is another edible flower that attracts pollinators.  Pretty flowers with a delicious flavor!  As a companion plant, Nasturtium deters Squash Vine Borers!
NASTURTIUMS
For a basic list of Crops and Companion Plants, read our latest COMPANION PLANTING

We found a helpful article: 
"The critical importance of pollinators is exemplified in a recent study out of the University of California, Berkeley. Not only do pollinators help increase crop yields, they may be even more important than fertilizers, according to the study suggests."

"Scientists concluded that an almond tree can compensate for the lack of nutrients and water in the short term by storing the nutrients and water in the fruits instead, but cannot compensate for insufficient pollination"  



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