Screenwriter Finally Gets Her Organic Garden

Michael Amy Cira-Scippo has spent most of her adult life in either New York or LA. Living in these urban settings was just a part of her career as a screenwriter, like the shell that comes with a turtle. “ I loved the lifestyle and culture, but I never had enough space for a garden,” she explains. “ I always wanted one though, and  it’s nice to finally get my wish!”

Michael Amy’s pink bungalow sits nestled near the edge of a large tract of forest in Plaza Midwood. Ancient oaks shield most of the house from hot afternoons, but there was one sunny spot in the front yard that was perfect for an organic vegetable garden. Michael Amy liked the look of our Timbers style raised beds, which are made by interlocking three layers of rough sawed Western Red Cedar timbers. Initially we installed two 3’x5’ beds, but the following day, Michael Amy decided to add a third bed for herbs.

We love when folks value their gardens enough to put them not where it’s most aesthetically pleasing, but where it will be most successful, and convenient to the kitchen. Michael Amy’s garden has all three!

To keep her new garden fertile, we installed a two bin pallet compost station just a few feet from the beds. Her half acre wooded lot has plenty of stuff to compost, as does the family of three’s kitchen.

We planted the beds with bush beans, beets, chard, lettuces, and eggplant, and Michael Amy’s daughter personally planted a patch of Tokyo Verte soybeans. We even worked  a tough strip of ground between the sidewalk and street and planted a few tomato and squash plants.

Incredibly Neighborly Chicken Coops by The Garden Coop.com

There are more ways to build a chicken coop than feathers on a hen, but most aren’t really worth writing home about.

Portland designer John Carr’s Garden Coop and Garden Ark, are two eye catching exceptions.

Besides keeping your flock safe from predators and harsh weather, urban coops have the special challenge of earning a nod of approval from the neighbors…at least if you want to get invited to the next 4^th of July cookout. The Garden Coop walk in coop design, and Garden Ark mobile chicken coop design elegantly achieve all three. 

The Garden Coop can comfortably house up to eight hens, while the Garden Ark mobile coop holds up to three.

Unlike internet coop kits and barn yard style coops, both of Carr’s designs feature covered run areas, which go a long way toward protecting your hens from icy winter rains or scorching summer afternoons. Both designs also have robust protection from common predators like hawks, raccoons, and rodents.

And best of all, they look really cool! Clean lines and a modern feel make for decidedly un-chicken coop looking chicken coops. Would the modern, west coast style of the Garden Coop or Garden Ark clash with your colonial style brick home with white columns? You should tear it down. These coops are that good. And they can be customized!

Know a thing or two about carpentry and good at following directions? The plans for both designs can be purchased and downloaded at  thegardencoop.com. The plans include a complete tools and materials list, and instructions that are clear and easy to follow. The coops typically take about three weekends to complete.

Did you end up in the emergency room when you tried to make that picnic table? Don’t know the difference between a jigsaw and circular saw? Microfarm has been selected by Carr to build both of his designs for customers in the Charlotte area. Interested in owning a Garden Coop walk in chicken coop or garden Ark Mobile chicken coop? Call or write for details & pricing. Want to see one up close? We have a Garden Ark at Atherton Market every Saturday from 9a-2p. Stop by and say hello!

Heidi Billotto's Organic Garden

Heidi Billotto is serious about making cooking fun.  When she’s not teaching one of her popular cooking classes, you might find her giving culinary demonstrations on WCNC-TV, or WCCB-TV.  “I always shop local farmers markets for ingredients,” explains Heidi. “I think it’s important to support the local food system. ..which is easy because the quality of the produce is so much better!”

While many of her classes are taught in the instructional kitchen at Reid’s Grocery, she often teaches classes at local farms, like Proffitt family farm, which specializes in grass fed organic meat.

“I’ve taken a couple of stabs at gardening in the past, and I’ve done okay with my herbs,” she says, waving a hand toward an army of potted plants on her deck.

“This year, I was absolutely determined to have a successful edible garden, and I heard that Microfarm might be able to help,” she continued , smiling.

As with all of the gardens we install, but especially one for a chef, it was important that the garden be close to the kitchen.  An aging gas grill was finally put to pasture, which opened up the perfect spot for Heidi’s garden : a sunny nook beside the deck, and mere feet from the kitchen table.  A 4’x6’ Kitchen Garden style raised bed fit perfectly, and was planted with heirloom beet, eggplant, green bean, and pepper varieties. Cucumber plants were placed at a corner of the bed so that they can climb up and out along the deck’s railing.

An area just across from the raised bed was prepped and planted with six tomato varieties, and three types of squash.

So Heidi’s garden is off to a great start, and one of Charlotte’s most successful chefs will finally have a successful organic garden!

OMG, it's OMRI!

If you’re reading this article, you're probably in one of three places:

You've got the bug! You can already taste your organically grown basil-paired tomatoes and like nodding along to the info in these posts.

1. You're just starting out, maybe have purchased a bio-degradable pot at Home Depot... Whatever says, “Organic”, you say, “Sounds right.”
2. Or you're someplace in between or outside watering your plants.

But how would you know for sure that the products you buy or materials you use are really organic?

The Organic Materials Review Institute

The folks who direct the OMRI Advisory Board set up shop in 1996 for the purpose of evaluating materials allowed for use in organic production and processing. The USDA had issued a rule called the National Organic Program rule that caused all sorts of confusion about what the standards were to certify a material “organic.” The OMRI provided one-stop-shop for suppliers to get their product evaluated who, otherwise, would've wasted lots of time and money going to multiple reviewers. Doesn't sound very fun, but OMRI set the record straight and they continue to work with the USDA and the National Organic Standards Board to provide necessary guidance.

OMRI received ISO 65 accreditation from the USDA, which gave them global recognition as a competent certification body. Congrats OMRI!

Want to make sure your soil blend qualifies as organic? Already got your raised beds filled up and ready to add amendments? Check OMRI’s list of materials approved for organic growing. All of the items in our soil blend – Pine Bark Fines, Mushroom Compost and PermaTill, are listed, along with the ingredients in our amendment blend : Bone Meal, Dried Blood Meal, Kelp Meal, Rock Phosphate, Green Sand, And Dolomitic Limestone.

Got an insect pest problem in your garden or looking for a foliar spray to add supplemental potassium? Always look for the trusted OMRI Listed logo on product packaging.

Q & A : Shade Gardening

Q. I live in Southeast Charlotte and have a house on just over 1/3 of an acre. My house is 2 stories+ and faces east and my backyard is fenced and filled with trees. So, there's almost no sun back there... I would love to grow tomatoes or grow some types of hot peppers and make my own hot sauce, but with the limited sun I assume that's not feasible. I'm assuming that mushrooms don't require sun -in fact, they require shade I imagine.

Do you have any tips and hints to help me get started? I want to do something but I just don't know what!

A. Passion for gardening is certainly something you can't buy or haggle, so it's great you're willing to try something new knowing failure may become a good friend of yours! I would like to emphasize that if you take one thing away from these suggestions, remember the importance of experimentation. You want some fiery peppers? Plant some in a raised bed or large pots with good drainage and properly amended soil and see what you get!

Let's start with an area assessment. Depending on how shady the area,  there are several plants can grow reasonably well with only 3-5 hours of sun (lettuces, leafy greens, peas, beans, and herbs). Mushroom logs would definitely reside happily in your shady knoll! You mentioned your house is east facing, perhaps a side garden would work best on the south facing side of your house. Whatever the location, a raised bed would certainly be your best bet. Plants wouldn't have to compete with neighboring tree roots for water and nutrients in the soil. They would also get a fresh start with that loose, rich, organic potting soil mix you're going to be using.

 
Secondly, consider reflective surfaces. If you have minimal sun, make the most of what you have by using a reflective mulch (or crumpled up pieces of aluminum foil around the base of a plant) and attracting sunlight with a white lattice (or other reflective fixture) posted up behind your plants. You're plants won't pass judgement if you happen to blind your neighbors in the process. And we won't judge you for the source of your inspiration! It could even distract them from the cooing chickens you're thinking of smuggling in.

On a more precautionary note, shade can increase the dampness which brings to mind disease and pests like slugs and snails. So keep a close eye on your darling peppers and parsley and don't overwater. Less sun allows the soil to retain more moisture. Soft, sticky pests will scamper at the sight of egg shells. Homemade tea concoctions made from a variety of kitchen items like vegetable oil, cayenne pepper, paprika, and dishwashing soap can make your garden sing.

So, be brave! Let your unwieldy gardening spirit soar and go buy some seedlings!

Additional Resources:

 http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/vegetables-to-grow-in-shade-zm0z11zsto.aspx?page=3

http://www.motherearthnews.com/shade-tolerant-vegetables-zm0z11zsto.aspx 

http://anewscafe.com/2011/07/07/dig-this-gardening-in-the-shade-challenges-and-opportunities/

http://www.paystolivegreen.com/2008/12/make-your-own-homeade-pesticides-and-repellants/