How to Grow Ambrosia Melons for Health and Wealth also

Yes we have always enjoyed Growing Tomatoes for Health and Wealth,
but the time in the Garden would be too short if we just did Tomatoes.

Melons, of Several Varieties, have always been part of our Crop plan.

Melon Patch 2009 Ambrosia and Crenshaw

When we had our 20 acre Truck Farm our Mix was Ambrosia Melons, Crenshaws,
Honey Dews Icebox Watermelons, and Charleston Grays. Since we sold on site
and to Local Farmer's Market, Chico California in the 1970's,we always favored
the easily Vine Ripened varieties, which most consumers don't see in the Supermarkets,
because they don't ship well.

A 1/2 acre of each would NET of several Thousands of dollars. And our Neighbors were Happy

Today we grow the varieties in a small patch of Garden area approximately 20x30, and we do use Trellises (we use Horse Panels 12' long 4 rail, because they are Sturdy and portable).
Our yield still exceeds our need and we "sell" the surplus ( usually $3-5 per melon) to anxious neighbors who don't have time to Garden.

I usually start planting seeds 1st week in April here in Orland California and also start a few Plant sets at same time for earlier yield (Mid-July). The Ambrosia is an 84 Day melon (2 1/2 months)

I put 2 plants (or six seeds) on a raised hill of Organic Compost mixed thoroughly with the already Rich, well drained soil. (cost $3.75)

For melons, I encourage finding a well drained piece of ground, with adequate Sun.
Al of the seed catlogs mention full sun, but I have good luck with 70-80% sun which helps cool in our HOT 100+ summer days.

I set up a simple drip nozzle to each Hill and that helps in monitoring the water usgae and keeps the Vine area Drym, and mitigates Fruit dampening and Rot on Maturing Fruit. (cost $7.98 and usable for several years)

The rest is easy, addition of Annie's Green Manure Tea ( I apply with watering can on the hills) and a few application of Calcinate (Calcium Nitrate)

With the Ambrosia Melons they are Determined ripe when they,
almost overnight, turn from a green netted Color to a beautiful golden tan and slip from vine at a touch. The melons to the right were harvested 08-08-09. These make this years total to nine with 2 dozen still on the vine. Market value at $4.00 each ($36.00) so far a nice return on my Less than $10.00 Investment. Can't count my TIME because that is part of my Day and Growth in Mental and Physical Health


I will report later on the Crenshaw Melon. They are a few weeks always from being Ready. We harvest then at Full Yellow Color. Many in the stores are picked early so the melon can be shipped. A vine ripe Crenshaw is all Yellow and has a very Short Shelf Life

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Updates and a Creative IDEA, Three Sisters Gardening Works...

Back to Posting Again

I am glad to be Back to Growing Tomatoes for Health and Wealth
It has been a few weeks since my last post.

Our 250 square foot Garden has been Sustaining us Very well the past month, with tomatoes just starting to ripen nicely in the past few days. We only planted 12 Tomatoes and have posted a Video update on Pruning.







Our method of Pruning is focused on Yield and not pretty Plants. We have always gardened with the thought of providing Produce for our total needs and that of our selected Restaurant customers.

Decided to Start (a Bit late) a Three Sister's Garden using Annie Haven's Manure Green tea as the nutrient Source. I have experienced excellent results so for this year with my Tomato and Crenshaw Melon applications.

Annie Haven is blessed with knowledge, passed down through her family, about How To enjoy Sustainable Gardening and Agriculture. I remember listening intently to her Uncle Archie Haven explain to me in the 1960's How to Grow Fabulous Sweet Corn and Tomatoes.

I would Highly recommend to anyone growing Veggies, Herbs and Flowers on the patio, or in the garden to order some of Annie's Tea. Using this unique All Natural Organic
Soil Conditioner/Fertilizer will increase your production

Order Some Today

It is Available in Larger quantities for the Serious Gardener. Just Give Annie a call
1-949-248-1249

Pruning Tomatoes Revisited Again, 2009, Growing Tomatoes for Health and Wealth

Want to Grow Maximum Yield in you Tomato Garden?

A closer Look at Pruning your Tomato Plant for Optimum Yield. Pruning the superfluous Lateral branches forces Vigor to the New Budding and fruit set.




Our DVD following the 2008 season showing 24 tomato plants yielding 1,000 and earning $1,000 is still available

Drop me an email
chaos2cash@gmail.com

Take Care of Your Body Before You Take Care of the Garden

Take Care of Your Body Before You Take Care of the Garden

A Health Tip from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia -
www.usp.edu

Philadelphia, Pa.–If you have ever pulled and strained to remove that pesky vine, or twisted and stretched while kneeling in the flower bed, then you know that gardeners get their share of physical exercise. Spring is often the time when we plant gardens that will reap a summer of lovely flowers and healthy vegetables. But while this popular outdoor leisure activity has stress-relieving benefits, it can also be physically challenging.

Gardening requires a lot of bending, stretching, lifting, and moving in ways that we don’t typically do. It is important to think about good body mechanics and physical conditioning before you start getting that garden in shape.

“Gardening is very good for working various muscle groups and can even bring up your heart rate,” said Paula Kramer, PhD, chair and professor of occupational therapy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. “But gardening can be risky, and preventing injury or protecting a pre-existing injury is part of how occupational therapy fits in to every day life.”

Before you tackle those weeds, Dr. Kramer offers the following tips to safely tend your garden:
• Stretch, even for a few days prior, before you begin working in the garden.
• Use a fat, rubberized or padded handled trowel made from one piece of metal from top to bottom. This allows for a tight grip under damp conditions, less possibility of breakage in the tool, and less strain on the arms and joints.
• Tools, such as shears or clippers, with a spring-action, self-opening feature are helpful to prevent strain on the muscles and joints, but they should be well-oiled to open and close easily.
• Sit while working or take sitting breaks to conserve energy and decrease stress on your back, knees, and hips. Sitting doesn’t have to mean not working: you can dig holes while sitting on a stool using a shorter-handled shovel.
• When lifting potted plants or bags of mulch and dirt, bend your knees and lift straight up, keeping your back as straight as possible. Concentrate on using the leg muscles rather than the back muscles to lift, and avoid twisting and turning while lifting as this can strain your back.
• Do not try to whip your entire garden into shape in one day. This mentality leads to “over-doing it” and sore Monday mornings. Keep in mind that you wouldn’t play tennis for four hours on your first day of the season.

“Gardening is problematic, in that it is much more physical than it seems and is often underestimated. But with a few simple precautions and the right tools, you can take care of both your body and your garden.”

Dr. Kramer is a licensed occupational therapist and is available for interviews or demonstrations. To schedule an interview with Dr. Kramer please contact Marisa Olson at m.olson@usp.edu or (215) 596-8788.

At University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in the healthcare-related fields. A private, coeducational institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the nation’s first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the healthcare marketplace since its founding in 1821, including founders of six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world. With undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in such disciplines as pharmacy, bioinformatics, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy, the 3,000 students in the University of the Sciences’ five colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving healthcare in their communities and in the lives of people worldwide.

I thank Brian Kirschner and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia