- Author: Chris M. Webb
Companion planting, or intercropping, can create improved biodiversity in agroecosystems. The concepts of companion planting can be used in home gardens or in commercial agriculture.
Beneficial plant associations can provide many positive interactions in the field or garden. They include:
- Trap cropping
- Symbiotic nitrogen fixation
- Biochemical pest suppression
- Physical spatial interactions
- Nurse cropping
- Beneficial habitats
- Security through diversity
To learn more about companion planting, mixed intercropping, or strip intercropping, please see Companion Planting: Basic Concepts & Resources. Digital versions of this publication are free from ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas). ATTRA is the national sustainable agriculture information center funded by the USDA’s Rural Business – Cooperative Service.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
One of our regular blog readers submitted a question about using chlorinated city water when watering plants. He noted that watering plants with stored rain water promotes growth in comparison to chlorinated water. Also mentioned was the potential for chlorinated water to kill beneficial organisms in the soil that nourish plants.
Ben Faber, a UCCE scientist specializing in: soil; plant; water; and nutrient relationships, says that chlorinated water can be a problem. For those wishing to water plants with chlorine-free water, simply let the water sit for a few hours to allow the chlorine gas to leave the water.
Gravity-flow drip systems, like the one shown in this article may be useful for those who appreciate the benefits of drip line irrigation.
Not all municipal water sources use chlorine to treat water. Check with your water supplier first to find out what is used to treat water in your community. Many cities are using chloramine which is more stable than chlorine gas.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
In June of this year, three University of California scientists went to the Kitui District of Kenya on a USAID mission.
Food and water scarcity are simply a part of life for most in this region. Since 1992 the Sahelian Solution Foundation (SASOL) has been constructing dams and working with Kitui communities to address water scarcity and issues of community development and agricultural production.
Agricultural production in Kenya is full of challenges. Water is carried by hand from wells or dams for household and agricultural needs. Previous to this mission crops were watered inefficiently by flooding small basins. Nitrogen tests in some locations revealed levels at which most vegetable crops would be nitrogen deficient. Some of the villages have no road access.
UC’s Steve Fennimore, Jeff Mitchell, and Oleg Daugovish went to help SASOL and the people they serve make better use of their resources.
They met with village leaders and SASOL personnel in Kitui. Here they provided training and demonstrations covering topics including:
- Demonstrations of gravity-flow drip irrigation systems from water tanks to individual beds with irrigation lines
- Discussed use of mulches on soil to minimize evaporation and enhance soil conservation
- Solarization, nursery for transplants, diseases and insects, training tomato plants and culture
- Soil types, determination of soil moisture, quick nitrogen test, use of cover crops and mulches
- Water quality (pH, hardness, salts), organic fertilizers, collection and use of urine as a rapidly available nitrogen source.
Later the information was shared in the Maito village, where onions, green kale and green grams (Phasleolus aureus) are grown. The next day found the group in the Kituvwi village, where due to poor crop production meals are currently limited to once a day. The following day was spent in the Kathayoni village. Farmers in the Kathayoni village grow kale, onions and tomatoes.
SASOL will continue the training for members in villages not reached during this visit.
The majority of farmers in the Kitui District are women. Information was well received in all locations and many questions were asked. At each village the scientists were fed a stew of corns and beans, supplemented by avocado slices or bread, with tea and milk to drink.
The last day time was spent at the South East University College. Potential for agricultural experimentation and greenhouses was discussed, and UC scientists gave a seminar about UCCE function and on anaerobic soil-borne pest control.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Since the 1930’s the NRCS has worked with landowners, community groups, and Federal, state, tribal and local governments throughout the U.S. with planning and implementing conservation measures.
Their overall mission of “Helping People Help the Land” is accomplished through six mission goals:
- High quality, productive soils
- Clean and abundant water
- Healthy plant and animal communities
- Clean air
- An adequate energy supply
- Working farms and ranchlands
NRCS activities include:
- Farmland protection
- Upstream flood prevention
- Emergency watershed protection
- Urban conservation
- Local community projects designed to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions
For more information, Ventura County residents can contact our local NRCS office at 3380 Somis Road in Somis or by calling 805-386-4489.
Funding opportunities and wonderful resources can also be found through the National NRCS website.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will hold an Exploring Soil Types Workshop designed for home gardeners at the Thousand Oaks Goebel Center on Saturday, September 24 from 9:45 – 11:30 am.
Topics covered will include:
- identifying soil textures and types
- keeping garden soils fertile
- how to compost and add plant nutrients
The workshop is free, but advanced registration is required. You may register online or by calling (805) 645-1455.