Aerobically made Compost Tea an alternative to growing with chemicals

May 17th, 2012

Introduction

Aerobically made compost tea offers ecologically sustainable and economically viable answers to problems faced by persons engaged in agriculture due to chemical build ups in fields and in ground water sources. Aerobic compost tea contains a rich diversity of fungi, living bacteria, protozoa, and more that are ready to go to work in the soil and on the leaves. Compost tea can help the farmer to overcome the chemicalization problems. The benefits include healthier plants, increased yield, less irrigation necessary, and more resistance to stress and drought conditions.

Background:

Many persons engaged in agriculture have grown accustomed to the idea that we need to use pesticides, fungicides, weed killers, etc. The idea is to kill any bad pest or disease to get rid of it.. What we fail to realize, is that there is also an enormous amount of beneficial organisms that goes on in the soil and on the leaves. By killing the bad pest with pesticides we also kill off many of the beneficial organisms as well. Over time this process kills off more and more of the beneficial microbes. The addition of these beneficial microbes back into the soil and onto the leaves using aerobically made compost tea replenishes this microscopic army, so it can go to work for you.
Contemporary History of Compost Tea:

For many years, farmers made their own compost or manure tea by placing a bag of compost in a barrel and letting it sit for a while. This mixture was anaerobic and often smelly. More recently, a new technology has been developed, where the barrel has been replaced by a “brewer” that oxygenates the water. This oxygenation of compost produces microbes that are ready to go to work in the soil. This aeration process has been very successful and is differentiated from the old fashioned non-aerated tea

Why Compost Tea:

High quality, aerobic, compost tea is made from diverse sources of composts such as worm casting and other natural ingredients. The “brewer” produces beneficial microbes from these composts etc. and with the addition of food sources for the microbes to grow on, will multiply these microbes many times over. In order for beneficial aerobic microbes reproduce and grow oxygen levels are kept at a high level. These microbes will provide a new microbial population in the soil and on the leaves. Aerobically made compost tea can be the cornerstone of your fertilization program. Aerated compost tea is great for acidic loving shrubs such as blueberries. The microbes in compost tea have a variety of jobs including the following:
Beneficial Microbes Jobs In the soil:

  • Aerated compost tea contains the microbes that will significantly enhance the availability of the nutrients already in the soil.
  • Aid in breaking down crop residues, reducing sites that over-winter disease.
  • In the soil the beneficial microbes are natural predators against disease organisms.
  • These beneficial organisms have many jobs including converting and releasing nitrogen into the soil. As time goes on the microbes are not producing as much and more and more nitrogen is needed. The beneficial microbes also hold nitrogen in the soil, but when they die off, the nitrogen as well as other nutrients such as calcium, are no longer held in the soil and leach away from where they are needed resulting in the contamination of ground water, rivers, lakes, etc. The chemicals added to the soil are also leached away resulting in the contamination of our precious natural resources.
  • The beneficial microbes help add organic matter back into soil as they work.
  • The beneficial microbes have a large variety of jobs including retaining nutrients and making available nutrients as the plant needs them. help in the release of soil nutrients – especially Phosphorous and minors.
  • Application of aerated compost tea will help replace the beneficial microbes lost if fungicides have been used and/or certain insecticides.
  • Microbes in compost tea helps hold nutrients and significantly reduce or eliminate leaching.

Beneficial Microbes Jobs On the leaves:

  • Beneficial microbes on the leaf surfaces protect the leaf surfaces by occupying the space that could be taken over by pathogens. This will form a physical barrier to the pathogens and protect the leaf surfaces.
  • Symbiotic relationship with leaves – (they feed each other).

When to Apply

Compost tea is a very perishable biologically active liquid concentrate. This very perishable concentrate of living organisms must be used within 4-6 hours of brewing.. Aerobic compost tea must be applied in the morning while it is cool or the evening so the microbes get a chance to establish before it gets too hot in the blazing the sun. If rain is in the forecast it is important to apply compost tea on the leaves at least 6 hours before a rain. Otherwise the microbes may be washed off before they can stick on the leaf. For a soil application, applying the compost tea during or just before a light rain would be good thing.
Aerobic compost tea is not a fertilizer. It is a part of the whole soil maintenance program. It contains the biological microorganisms that will significantly increase the benefits of the nutrients already in the soil. It takes time for the beneficial microbes in the soil to multiply and grow, for this reason applications are best done the previous fall for a crop in the spring, although spring applications are still beneficial if it was not done last fall.

How to apply:

With the above background, it is not hard to realize that there are certain principles that must be kept in mind during application. Oxygen levels must be kept up until application. There is some particulate matter in the tea, so larger filters (>25 mesh) and therefore larger nozzles are required. A diaphragm pump is recommended if possible. Applying the tea with a sprayer containing pesticide residues, may nullify the application and too much pressure will harm the organisms as they are sprayed onto the leaf surface. These things need to be worked out ahead of application time so that the fungi and bacteria are not screened out or damaged too much in application. Apply with equipment that will ensure uniform coverage.
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3 Blueberry Desserts

May 3rd, 2012

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Blueberry Smoothie

This is a recipe you can make quickly in the morning. Put the ingredients together the night before and store them in the refrigerator. In the morning put them in the blender and whip them up for a delicious breakfast treat.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
½ cup nonfat blueberry yogurt
2 Tablespoons pasteurized, liquid egg whites (you can get pasteurized eggs in the store).
1 cup vanilla whey protein powder
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 Tablespoons chopped almonds
½ cup water
Blend in the blender for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour the smoothie into a large travel container. Makes one serving. This is a complete breakfast and includes your fruit and protein.

Granola Blueberry Muffin

You can make these muffins and store them in the refrigerator to be used as needed. Store them in a sealed container such as a plastic container with a lid.
Ingredients
1? cups vanilla whey protein powder
2 ounces skim milk
1 cup “old-fashioned” oatmeal
½ cup chopped almonds
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon honey
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries (add these last so they are not broken in the mixing)

Mix the whey protein powder and milk together in a large bowl to form a thick paste. Set aside.
Use a large skillet to toast the oatmeal and almonds over medium heat for about five minutes until the nuts start to turn golden. Add this to the bowl with the whey protein powder.
Add the peanut butter to the skillet and Cook for about one minute, or until the peanut butter melts. Stir to combine peanut butter with the olive oil. Put the peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the other ingredients and stir to mix well.
Gently add the honey and blueberries. The mixture will be thick.
Spoon the mixture into muffin cups and pressing the mixture into the cups with the back of a spoon.
Put in the refrigerator for at least two hours before baking.
Bake in oven at 375 degrees F when baked cool and Serve. This is a complete breakfast and includes your fruit and protein. .

Rainbow Blueberry Fruit Salad

2 cups blueberries
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 papaya (or mango). Peeled and cubed
1 honeydew or cantaloupe, cubed
3 bananas, sliced
6 – 8 peaches, sliced
2 cups grapes (white or purple)
3 tsp vanilla
1 cup vanilla whey protein powder
½ cup sliced almonds
Honey to taste (optional)
Combine in a large bowl and sweeten with vanilla and honey to taste.
This is a complete meal and includes your fruit and protein. .

Use pesticide free blueberries

Buy your pesticide free blueberries from Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery or purchase your plants and grow your own. You can purchase blueberries and blueberry plants on line from a reputable blueberry farm and nursery.
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Aronia Planting Guide Part VI – Pruning, Pest, Landscaping, Harvesting, and Yields

May 1st, 2012

Pruning

After establishment, the oldest stems should be pruned to ground in late dormant season. Restrict bush height & increase bushiness by cutting back upright stems.
After berries have dropped or been harvested prune to shape the plant. Pruning the Aronia plants while the plants are young will also encourage branching. The best time to prune is in the late winter or spring before growth starts. By pruning in the early spring just before growth starts. This means there is only a short time before new growth begins and for the wound sealing process to take place. It does not seriously harm plants in the long run to cut plants back so that they may produce a dense growth of new shoots This is called “pollarding”. As the plants grow larger prune to thin the plant so all parts of the plant receive sunlight.

Pest

Japanese beetles and other insect pests generally will leave the aronia plants alone. Blueberry Croft farm and nursery has not had problems with Japanese beetles.
For long-term pest management, a good defense against Japanese beetle involves improving the soil in your property so that the beneficial micro organisms that live there are active and numerous. The micro organisms eat Japanese beetle eggs under the grass in around plant roots. Mulching and using aerated compost tea made using worm casting is a good approach to improving your soil and the number of beneficial micro organisms in the soil.
Aronia berries are more resistant to microbial invasion than other fruits.
Aronia berries will provide food for deer; rabbits and songbirds in the fall after the berries are fully ripe if left unpicked. Before they are fully ripe they are so bitter that songbirds will avoid them.

In summary the major pest are as follows

• Deer
• Rabbits
• Songbirds (in the fall after fruit is ripe)
• Japanese beetles (usually not a problem)
• A few maggots from Spotted Wing Drosphila have found in a few berries in some sites. A possible solution is to try putting some traps with molasses, brewer’s yeast, etc to try to lower populations around Aronia and other berry plants.

Landscaping

The practice of growing aronia as a landscape plant is increasing. One of the reasons is because it can handle both wet and dry soil in addition to being a very ornamental plant. It is attractive in each season and not effected by most diseases and pests. These are outstanding landscape plants. They have attractive white flowers in the spring and beautiful glossy green leaves all summer long. The dark berries in the fall at the end of the year and are a plus by providing healthy fruit.
Their ability to withstand wet situations makes aronia plants appropriate for growing along the edges of ponds, streams or other similar conditions. Aronia works well as a riverbank stabilizer, or in fields in the path of water runs to control erosion or in any large-scale planting in which a growing mass is needed. Aronia plants are especially useful in roadside ditches or a moist low tract of land that is a natural landscape feature or a human-created one. Consider using the cultivar Nero if you enjoy seeing heavy production of larger and longer lasting black fruits on a more compact plant 3 to 4 feet tall. If youare planning to have a productive plantation with high-quality fruit Nero or the taller growing Viking plants are good choices.

Harvesting

For more than 1/2 to 1 acre mechanical harvesting is more efficient, faster and less costly than hand harvesting.
Aronia fruit stay good for a relative long period of time and can be stored unharmed in the containers even for a few days. “This means they can also be shipped to customers’ right after picking without refrigeration. This is a significant opportunity and benefit because it also makes it possible to deliver the fruit harvested from a large area to the processing facility all at the same time.
The processing of fresh aronia is not hard to accomplish. Although the fruit is soft their shock-resistance allows them to be stored for a longer time than other more fragile berries.

Fruit Yields

The second year after planting 2-year-old nursery aronia plants in the field they usually are reported to produce about 2 pound of fruit per plant. The third year after planting in the field they are reported to produce about 10 pounds of fruit per plant. The four to fifth year after planting they are reported to yields about 20 pounds of fruit per plant. Fruit production is reported to be as high as 35 pounds per mature plant. In terms of the growth of aronia plants the saying is “First they sleep, then they creep and then they leap”.
At 20 pounds per plant, 1000 plants per acre would be expected to produce 20,000 pounds of berries.

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/. 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link
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Aronia Planting Guide Part V – Drip Irrigation, Precipitation

May 1st, 2012

Irrigate Efficiently Using Drip Irrigation

The annual demand by aronia plants for water is reported to be 32 inches of rain or more spread evenly throughout the year. (I must say this seems a little low to me).
An efficient irrigation system may be a necessary requirement. The sprinkler is generally an inefficient system. Sprinklers can deliver a large amount of water in a short period but at the same time large amounts of moisture is lost due to evaporation. Sprinklers however may be the ideal choice for watering when establishing alfalfa. Alfalfa is relatively drought tolerant, but its growth does depend on the availability of soil water. If there is little or no irrigation water, annual yields will be low.
Sprinkling can help serve as frost/freeze protection for vineyards during bud break and early shoot development in an occasional early spring frost to save a crop but is generally not cost-effective.
The cost of materials, installation, and development of a pond or other water resource generally make it not cost-effective. In addition aronia plants bloom late in the spring usually avoiding the threat of frost so the need for spraying is minimal.
Drip irrigators and soaker hoses are able to deliver a low volume of water over a long period using individual emitters directly at the base of the plant, losing little water to evaporation or runoff. They work well for irrigating aronia plants. Drip irrigation can maintain good moisture levels in the root zone of the plant.

Precipitation

In Southern Wisconsin at an aronia berry farm the average annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. There is an average of 51.9inches at the Blueberry Croft farm and nursery in Cub Run Kentucky where aronia berry plants are also grown commercially. The average annual precipitation is 32.6 inches in Missouri Valley, Iowa at Sawmill Hollow Family aronia Farm. The average rain fall in west Miamisburg Ohio is 40.9. The annual demand for water by aronia plants is said to be about 32 inches of rain. Thus the Cub Run area in Kentucky and Miamisburg Ohio should in most seasons have sufficient rain for the plants. However drip irrigation should still be provided. . The average annual precipitation is 32.6 inches in Missouri Valley, Iowa at an aronia Farm. The annual demand for water by aronia plants is said to be 32 or more inches of rains spread evenly throughout the year. Thus some of the locations mentioned, should in most seasons have sufficient rain for the plants. However drip irrigation should still be provided. This is particularly true in the hot dry summer months when fruit is actively developing. Long periods of hot dry windy weather can affect the yield and the quality of fruit. Aronia plants need regular irrigation to grow well depending on the rainfall, typically every week or two during the growing season.
Aronia shrubs are some of the best at surviving well in very wet winter soils, often caused by slow drainage or continual seepage, and dry summer soils.Because of its root system structure, aronia is successfully grown in soils with low- and high-level ground waters.
In times of drought, the use of gray water can help ease water usage for watering plants. Gray water should be free from food scraps, oils and bleach.

Costs of drip irrigation

A drip irrigation system typically cost about $1000 to $2500/acre in 2012 not including a water source.
Benefits of drip irrigation
The drip irrigation system is usually needed particularly for the hot dry months of July and Aug. Some benefits of drip irrigation include: Drip irrigation benefits include the following.
• It reduces water requirements compared to spraying. Drip irrigation can exceed 90 percent efficiency whereas sprinkler systems are generally 50 to 70 percent efficient.
• It increases plant growth
• It causes new canes to develop
• It increases berry size
• It increases fruit production
• It increases harvest window

Expected yields

One grower reports that he was averaging 2 lbs/plant in 2 years with the help of a drip system. This is in accordance with other reports. The yield should increase every year thereafter. In the third year a yield of 10 lbs per plant could be expected. In the 4th and 5th year a yield of about 20 lbs per plant can be reached.
Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/. 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link.
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Aronia Planting Guide Part IV – Inter-Row Cropping

May 1st, 2012

Inter-row Cropping

Bale Crops

An alfalfa crop growing between two-year old aronia bushes at with plant spacing’s of 30 inches and the row spacing is 15 feet provides up to a $500/acre income source during the time required for the plants to mature. Alfalfais an important perennial rotation crop that adds nitrogen to soil and improves soil. Alfalfa has an average life span ranges from 5 to 25 years although one field in New York has been mown successfully for more than 60 years.
Organically grown alfalfa is a popular fodder to raise healthy, strong animals and it can also help raise strong, healthy and long-lived human beings. Alfalfa is an Arabic name meaning ‘good fodder and it is considered to be one of the best fodders. Some people use alfalfa as a herb for making tea and claim great benefits from its use. They sometimes call alfalfa the miracle herb.Add a teaspoonful or two of alfalfa seed to your aronia berry juice for an even more healthy drink. It is like adding liquid sunshine. You can sprout alfalfa seeds easily and thus obtain the benefits of Alfalfa. Alfalfa sprouts make a good ingredient in a salad. Put alfalfa sprouts in with your aronia berries when you make a salad.
An efficient irrigation system may be a necessary requirement for growing large amounts of alfalfa. The sprinkler is an inefficient system. Sprinklers can deliver a large amount of water in a short period but looses large amounts of moisture to evaporation. Sprinklers however may be the ideal choice for watering when establishing alfalfa. Alfalfa growth does depend on the availability of soil water however it is relatively drought tolerant.
Alfalfa has a high water demand and good water management is essential to high yields. On average, alfalfa needs approximately 6 to 10 acre-inches of water for each ton of hay produced. If little or no irrigation water is applied, annual yields will be low.
The average rain fall during June, July and August in Cub Run Kentucky is about 3 to 4 inches thus there may not be enough rain to grow large crops of alfalfa without irrigation. A different crop should probably be considered where water availability and efficiency of water use is an issue. At some farms and nurseries the availability of water is limited requiring the use of more efficient drip irrigation.
Other inter-row crop ideas include the following:

Mulch crops

Crops with which to mulch aronia bushes can work well
Perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne) is very effective in suppressing weeds. It will need to be mowed or by using No-Till rolling down the cover crop in spring instead of mowing it, the cover crop takes longer to decompose and becomes a weed-suppressing mulch.. Another perennial is tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). These crops improve the soil by the nutrients they bring up from the lower soil and converting them into plant organic matter. The dandelion is a beneficial plant as a good companion plant for allowing growing in the rows between aronia bushes. It has a long taproot that will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to the soil.

Pasture grasses

( Because of the astringently of the aronia it might be worth investigating to possibility of pasturing horses until the fruit begins to ripen in the rows between the aronia plants without the plants being bothered.??? I think trying to pasture horses without a fence to protect the aronia plants is questionable. However if feasible this could avoid the cost and time to put up fencing to protect the aronia plants.) My guess is the best thing to do is to simply mow the grass.

Annuals / vegetables or Clover

Clovers Builds Soil and Fruit Production
For the first two years the inter-rows can be used to grow vegetables and clover. Cover crops such as white and crimson clover can take center stage on a blueberry and aronia berry farm. The farmer can reap significant rewards. Growing bushes on ten-foot or 12 foot centers, there is a lot of space between rows that need to be managed as economically and efficiently as possible. Many farmers choose rye or sod as a crop that will not compete with the cash fruit crop. Rye and sod require significant management in terms of time and labor in addition to seed and fuel costs. A different tack is to focus on improving the soil by reducing tillage and planting cover crops. You do not need to till white clover for two or more years which can amount to a significant savings. Clover requires less labor in planting and mowing because it is low-growing. There are many positive things to say about cover crops. They save time and money. An urgent sense in North America is that drought is increasingly becoming a factor when making choices about what to plant. Clover provides a solution to the problem of environment, money and labor.

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/.. 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link
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Aronia Planting Guide Part III – Planting Methods, When to Plant, Plant Spacing and Row Spacing

May 1st, 2012

Planting ideas

With poor soils it is recommended to prepare planting holes for each plant by adding composted manure, composed leaves, peat moss, pine bark fines or other compost into the planting hole.
When planting gently remove the plant from its container, keeping the root ball intact. Then carefully loosen the roots in the potting soil and around bottom and edges of root ball so the roots are free to grow out into the surrounding soil.

Planting Methods

• Shovel
• Bulb planter
• Auger (a power auger making a 12 to 14 inch hole that can be filled with compost or other material can help where the soil is poor.)
• Tree planter (on the right:tree planter in action) Of these methods the tree planter has been shown to be the fastest and easiest in soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential so the drainage of the soil needs to be checked before planting. Poor drainage is one of the primary problems when growing plants. In soil with poor drainage raised beds should be used.
• Raised bed machine. Where you have clay soil with poor drainage it is necessary to use raised beds to obtain needed drainage so the plant roots do not stand in the water. If the roots of the plant are in standing water they will drown and the plant will die. At some farms and nurseries raised beds are used because the soil is clay with poor drainage.

•Hatfield Transplanter Model 2.5 The Hatfield transplanter can possibly be used to plant young bareroot aronia plants or 1 year old plants from 2”x 5” Air pruning root trainer trays s. Use landscaping cloth to control weeds.

When to Plant

If you have irrigation and mulch you can really plant potted plants any time of year the ground isn’t frozen.
However Ideal times to plant are: Early Spring and Early Fall
Irrigation is almost essential in establishing plants. (An exception may sometimes be in the late fall or early spring planting). Late fall is often a good time to plant because it gives the plants time to establish strong roots during the fall, winter and spring before the plants must endure the hot weather in the summer.

Plant Spacing and Row Spacing

Commercial Production Planting
Historically, commercial plantings of aronia were done in a line of closely spaced shrubs, leaving enough room to drive a tractor and equipment in between the rows of mature plants.
• Row Spacing 12 to 15 ft
• Plant Spacing 24 to 36 inches
About 1070 plants per acre can be grown with a spacing of 3 feet between plants and 12 feet between rows. This practice is commonly used in Europe for machine harvesting.
Note: When determining the row width, you should measure the width of the mowing and hay making equipment to be certain it is suited to work in the row of that width when plants are mature.
For more than one acre mechanical harvesting is less costly than
hand harvesting.
One should keep in mind that closer spacing of plants within the rows for machine harvesting will double the amount of fruit production for the first few years and more than make up for the higher cost of planting the plants more densely.

Hand Planting

This method can work if you plan to harvest small acreage by hand, or use a self-propelled harvester requiring less row width.
• Row Spacing 10 ft
• Plant Spacing 4-6 ft
You should not plan on hand harvesting if you plant more than 1 acre. For more than one acre mechanical harvesting is more efficient and less costly than hand harvesting.
One form of hand harvesting is to let groups from organizations such as youth groups to harvest berries to raise money. Nonprofit groups can pick aronia berries on the farm to raise money for their worthy causes.

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/.. 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link
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Aronia Planting Guide Part II – Fertilizer, Nutrients, Mulch and Compost

May 1st, 2012

Fertilizer and Nutrients

Applying the right fertilizers at the right time can increase growth and yields. Professional advice should be used to determine the type and amount of fertilizing to use.
Fertilized and watered black aronia plant seedlings are easy to grow. A slow release fertilizer such as 0.3 lb/plant (or 3/4 cup /plant) of 1.7N-4.1P-12K or 14N-12P-14K 5-6 month slow release fertilizer is required to ensure the long-term survival and substantial growth of the plants. Apply fertilizer at leaf break in the spring. A second application can be made later during the summer.
To promote growth of the roots out into native soil, scatter the fertilizer in a wide, circular-shaped band around the plant on each side of the edge of the drip line and water it and mulch well. At some farms 14-12-14 5-6 month fertilizer is used for growing plants in the field. This is a granular slow release fertilizer. Be careful when fertilizing the plants as over fertilizing can kill the plants.
If using a water-soluble fertilizer: Mix according to the directions on container and when applying wet the leaves and drench the soil.
Some use a fish emulsion fertilizer (5-1-1) which they spray on the leaves monthly. Another alternative is to use aerated compose tea made using worm castings. This aerated compose tea is full of beneficial microorganisms that help the soil make minerals more available to the plant. The compost tea helps make the plants pest resistant and productive. In clay soils, aerated compost tea helps improve drainage and aeration as well as nutrition. Your plants will also benefit from spraying the leaves. Spraying your plants leaves with compost tea benefits your plant quickly and to a great extent.
A good sign of the sufficient amounts of nutrients is the dark green color of the large leaves, their density on the shoots and a significant growth of the shrub.

Mulch – Use it for the following reasons.
• It helps retain water
• It provides food for plants
• It moderates soil temperatures and protects roots from high and low temperature stresses
• It protects against premature flowering (frost insurance)
• It suppresses weeds
• It builds soil
• It helps prevent erosion caused by rain and wind.
Newspapers make a great weed barrier to be mulched over while the plant is young.
Mulch reduces evaporation and provides less stress on plants in the heat of the summer. When mulching keep the mulch about 4 inches away from plant stems so rodents will not chew on the plants stems.
Weeds are one of the major problems with which a grower must contend. Mature aronia is somewhat tolerant of weeds and is not choked out as easily by weeds as some other plants after it is established. This is because it has a good tap-root and a suckering tendency producing more shoots to help it form a hedgerow. The tap-root once the plant is established in 3 or 4 years helps make it more tolerant of dry conditions in the summer and be able to compete with weeds for water and nourishment. It also has a suckering nature producing new shoots and widening its growth foot print. The plants tend to from a hedgerow over time.

Mulch / Compost

Give crops an extra boost by applying material between the rows of growing crops the plants using leaves or other mulch along the aronia shrub every fall. Mulched plants grow faster than plants that are not mulched.
A modified chopper box with a side discharge makes a convent way to do this task..
You may be able to get leaf mulch from your local town’s fall leaf collection

Mulch material options
• Fall Leaves
• pine needles and straw
• grass cuttings
• compost
• corn fodder
• shredded bark
• wood chips (Wood mulches can starve plants because of their need for nitrogen while decomposing.)

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/. 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link
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Aronia Planting Guide – Part I – Soil PH, Soil Needs, Weed Control, and Watering

May 1st, 2012

Introduction
Aronia Plants Are Nature’s Super Healthy Creation
Aronia is a true Native American plant that is widely grown in Europe for fruit production. A native plant, developed in the North America ecosystem, Aronia bushes have adapted to grow in growing zones 3 to 7. It is a perennial, deciduous, self pollinating, self-supporting shrub.
There are many advantages to growing an aronia plant on your property. It is a very ornamental and resilient plant. It is adapted to the natural ecosystem; it is better able to withstand invasions from insects and diseases as well as the natural variations in the climate than non native plants. Native aronia plants require little care once established on your property. The flowers are self pollinating (apomictic), thus only one plant is needed to produce fruit. Full of antioxidants, Aronia produces one of the healthiest berries on the planet. The Viking and Nero varieties are heavy fruit producers and can be a major source of income for a small farm.

Basics

Sun
- Aronia does best in full sun but will also grow in shade

Soil pH
Aronia plants do best in a slightly acidic soil with an optimum pH range of 6.1 to 6.5. They however will grow in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil with a pH range from 5.3 to 7.8. Some report the optimum pH range is 6 to 7. A pH of 7 is neutral and higher is alkaline and lower is acidic. Blueberries in comparison require a well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.2.

Soil needs and weed control
- Have a soil sample from your field analyzed by your county agent if there is any doubt about your soil conditions and amend soil as needed. Aronia will grow in many types of soil, Sandy, clay, loamy.
A well prepared soil before starting the plantation is a basic requirement and will have an impact on fruit production and the beginning of fruiting. For poor soil adding organic material such as manure is recommended before planting aronia plants.
The planting area must first be cleared from weeds. This will make the cultivation of the young plants easier in the first years because young aronia plants are sensitive to weeding to a high degree. Another alternative is to use landscaping cloth or layers of newspaper to control weed growth during the first 3 or 4 years of plant development. Consider using permeable landscape cloth to control weeds if too much labor is required to control weeds otherwise. Weeds are one of the major factors in reducing farm productivity. At blueberry Croft farm and nursery landscaping cloth is used to help control the weed problem. The landscaping cloth or news papers need to be covered with mulch to a depth of about 2 to 4 inches. Landscaping cloth prevents the growth of most weeds (although some grasses will grow through them) and they will allow normal water and oxygen exchange. Use a coarse-textured mulch material to cover the landscape fabric. At 4 to 5 years of age, aronia will have developed a good root system and several additional new canes because of its suckering nature making it strong enough to choke weeds out and you then only need to mow in the rows between the plants. It has a tap-root which helps it be somewhat drought tolerant once it is established.

Watering
When practical, especially when precipitation levels are low or availability of water is limited, you should use water-efficient drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Water plants once or twice a week to keep soil moist, not wet if there is not enough rain. Be ready to water during extended periods of hot sunny, windy, dry spells. To help roots develop allow soil to dry moderately several inches deep before irrigating.
The soil needs to be kept moist, particularly during the very first two years after the plant is planted. Use a thick mulch of leaves or other compost following planting to assist retaining moisture and suppress weeds. Aronia will take about 5 years to attain full productivity but should start producing some berries the third year.
- Keep them watered especially while the plants are first getting established. Newly planted aronia must have adequate soil moisture until their roots are established.
Lack of water for plants producing fruit is one of the most significant factors in reduced fruit yield and berry size. Aronia plants can tolerate over saturation more effectively than other plants.

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/.. 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link
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Aronia Berry Juice Health Benefits They Are A Super Food

February 13th, 2012

written by Harold Stewart of Blueberry Croft Order Plants Now
INTRODUCTION
Pucker up and prepare to experience the benefits of the tart Aronia Berry. The term “super food” gets used a lot, but when it comes to the Aronia berries and aronia berry juice health benefits, the term is well-deserved. Aronia berries are a genuine miracle of nature. Aronia is a low-maintenance and nearly a pest-free crop. It is easy to grow the aronia plant organically because it does not need to be protected against pathogens, pest, and diseases, as a result the fruit does not contain traces of pesticides.
They are 3 times healthier than blueberries. The unique taste of aronia berry is one of life’s unique experiences. Their high antioxidant levels, and high tannin levels make aronia berries tart. The berries are often made into juice mixed with other juice or made into jelly or other products.. Another juice or sweetener is often added to reduce the tart taste

THIS JUICE IS AN ANTIOXIDANT LEADER
First, aronia berry juice is a leading source of antioxidants. Antioxidants as you probably know are composed of a variety of compounds this includes vitamins, enzymes, bio-flavonoids, and peroxidases. Antioxidants break down the free radical molecule neutralizing it. Free radicals formed in your body essentially damage the cells leading to a host of negative effects, including making you age faster and rendering you less able to fight off diseases.
Drinking aronia berry juice supplies your body with free radical eliminating compounds that helps get rid of many of them. This helps you slow the process of aging and fend off disease. This claim it is backed up by solid science.
ESSENTIAL ACIDS OFFER DIFFERENT ARONIA BERRY JUICE HEALTH BENEFITS
Constituents within the aronia berry include tannic acid, folic acid, quinic acid, phenolic acids, catechins, ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C as well as Vitamins B6, B12, and E, minerals, resveratrol, hesperidin and rutin.

The primary organic acids in aronia berries are: tartaric, natural polyphenolic compounds, antioxidants, malic, and citric. This produces a low pH of 3.3-3.8 inside berries. This in turn hinders bacterial invasion and facilitates transport and storage of aronia berries.
Aronia berry juice is high in tannic acid, or tannins, which is well known to be an anti-inflammatory agent. The tannins in aronia berry is what gives aronia berries their astringent taste that most people find objectionable. Aronia berry juice is reported to ease intestinal inflammation, and also inflammation of the joints, or even the skin.
Inflammation causes blood levels of certain proteins to be elevated. Inflammation causes the disruption of normal brain molecules. Inflammatory proteins are thought to possibly be connected to the development of Alzheimer’s disease
Let’s talk about cancer one of the most dreaded diseases. It is well known that anyone can get cancer, and so it only makes sense to take any precautions you can to eat and drink as much as practical of the healthy foods which do the most to give you the greatest chance of preventing the start of cancer. Aronia berry juice fends off cancer in a variety of ways.
Aronia berry juice also helps prevent cancer of the stomach and colon because it contains pectin, which is a soluble form of fiber. Aronia berry has a substantial amount of pectin. Pectin is a substance that is needed to thicken jams. It can be added to other fruits that are low in pectin when making jams. Pectin bonds to cholesterol in the the stomach and intestine slowing glucose absorption by trapping carbohydrates. The consumption of pectin has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
EYE PROTECTION AND ARONIA BERRIES
Amazingly, aronia berry juice offers some protection for the agonizing condition of macular degeneration of the eyes. This is something for which there is no cure, and which causes blindness. A study found that those who drink high amounts of fruit juices, especially antioxidant rich juices like aronia berry and blueberry juice, have far less chance of developing macular generation as they grow older.

ARONIA BERRIES AS A MEMORY AGENT
Another one of the aronia berry juice health benefits is memory improvement. Aronia berries and blueberries have been shown to not only increase brain function, but specifically memory. This is creating excitement among the scientific community because it suggests high aronia berry or blueberry/juice diets can play a role in preventing or staving off Alzheimer’s disease. Purple berries like aronia berries are reported to promote Health and Anti-Aging. The dark purple pigmentation with their high level of antioxidants called anthocyanins and have been reported to promote mental focus, protect the heart and vision, and prevent free-radical damage or oxidative stress.

GROW YOUR OWN .
Why not think about adding a few aronia plants? If you want to become more self-sufficient you might want to think about planting some low maintenance Aronia berry shrubs. Purchase your Aronia berry plants from a reputable farm and nursery. The berries are produced on easy to grow shrubs that have low maintenance and add beauty to your landscape. Nero aronia plants grow about 3 to 4 feet tall and can make a nice hedge as well as being a source of fruit. A few plants could produce all the aronia berries you need for the year. You can freeze those you do not use during the harvest time and have them throughout the year. You could also make juice and freeze it for use later.

SUMMARY .
In my view, aronia berry is one of the best investments in your health. For less than the price of a cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, McCafé at McDonald’s or Starbucks you can have an anti- inflammatory, anti-heart disease, anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer’s, anti-diabetes, eye protection, and memory enhancing aronia berry drink that’s delicious and healthful. Make some juice from your own home grown plants and keep it in the refrigerator or freezer for daily use.

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from . Get free S/H on orders of $100+. © 2011 May be reproduced in entirety with live link
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Fertilizer Basics: Blueberries, Azaleas and Rhododendrons

February 12th, 2012

Introduction

When nurseries grow Blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons in containers, they often do it in a soilless medium that contains no nutrients of its own. The nursery people generously add all the fertilizer the plants need to grow so that the plants are quick to grow to salable size. When you plant a plant such as an azalea or rhododendron, they may quickly use up whatever nutrients remain in its root zone and will have to reach out into soil around it to get the nutrients it needs.

Nutrients plants need

Plants need three major nutrients. These are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)–and several minor nutrients. The label list the proportions of the major nutrients in order (N-P-K) under “Guaranteed analysis.” For example, a 20-4-11 8-9 month fertilizer contains 20 percent nitrogen, 4 percent phosphorus, and 11 percent potassium. It is a slow release fertilizer that releases nutrients for 8 — 9 months. Because it contains all three major nutrients, it is called a complete fertilizer. This fertilizer is used by Blueberry Croft Nursery for growing blueberry plants in pots. By fertilizing you can help encourage root spread into the soil around it. However, one word a caution, you can burn and kill your plants by over fertilizing so take care to not add too much fertilizer.

Granular and liquid fertilizers

The specialty fertilizers are intended to acidify the soil, and usually have the plant obtain their nitrogen from ammonium sulfate. That is useful if your soil is not naturally acidic, but if your soil is already in the right range for blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons, there’s little advantage to an acid fertilizer. General-purpose fertilizers work as well and are usually less costly. Fertilizers available for sale come in either granular or liquid form. The cheaper choice is usually granular fertilizers. They are intended to be scattered over the root zone two or three times each year. To encourage roots to grow out into native garden soil, sprinkle the fertilizer in a wide, doughnut-shaped band straddles the edge of the drip line and water it and the mulch well. At blueberry Croft farm and nursery 14-12-14 5-6 month fertilizer is used for growing plants in the field. This is a granular slow release fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer usually comes in the form of water soluble granules that can be dissolved for application. There are two ways it can be used: 1) for foliar feeding of the plant leaves directly by spraying onto the plants’ leaves or 2) poured around the plant to soak the roots.

When to fertilize

Because liquid fertilizer is much less concentrated than granular, and because it flushes through the soil faster, you have to apply it more frequently–as often as once every week or two during the growing season. Miracle-Grow MirAcid or Algoflash fertilizer is often used. Miracle-Gro Miracid Water Soluble Plant Food may be applied anytime during the day (or night, in case of indoor plants). When applying to actively growing outdoor perennial plants from spring to fall you can apply until the ground is frozen. As long as the ground is not frozen the plant can absorb nutrients and pass them down to their roots for winter storage. Do not fertilize dormant plants.

The nitrogen in liquid fertilizers is usually made from urea, which can be taken in through plant leaves. Applying fertilizer to the plant leaves (called foliar feeding) is best done in the cool of the morning when the sun is not directly shining on the plants. At this time of day the plant leaves are better utilize the fertilizer.
As a rule it is best to not feed plants with high nitrogen after mid-summer since fertilizer encourages plants to put on new growth that may not harden off in time to withstand fall frosts. The age of the plant is often a determining factor with regard to the fertilizer requirements. . Young plants need more fertilizer to get established speedily, while mature plants don’t usually require much fertilizer.

Algoflash

Algoflash is Europe’s fastest growing plant food and includes a wide range of products totally devoted to the nutrition of household and garden plants. Algoflash consists of 100 percent mineral base and a range of very pure trace elements and magnesium. It is odorless and not toxic. It provides the plant with a source of the essential elements needed for growth.

Planting plants and their care

At planting time – Before planting, blueberries, azalea and rhododendron dig fertilizer into the soil. Purchase your plants from a reputable nursery such as Blueberry Croft farm and nursery. The best buy is two-year-old plants. New plantings should be fertilized with a water soluble or slow release fertilizer and should be watched carefully for lack of water. If your plants do not grow or produce well you should then recheck soil for acidity and nutrients. Use composted manure for nitrogen, greensand for potassium and rock phosphate for phosphorus. The rock phosphate is important, since phosphorus is hard to get into the root zone after planting (it doesn’t move through the soil easily). Greensand (potassium silicate) is a naturally occurring mineral also known as glauconite. It is a long-term, slow-releasing fertilizer. Greensand is a rich source of potassium (7.15% available K2O), and also contains as many as 30 other trace nutrients. It will help to improve the soil. In NPK terms it is about a 0-0-7.
Apply all ingredients according to label directions. Blueberries require a PH of 4.5 to 5.5 (acidic) and a high moisture content. Plant your blueberry plants in a mixture of peat moss and soil or pine bark fines and soil. Mulching with organic material, peat moss, sawdust, wood chips, pine needles or decomposed leaves is excellent. Blueberries should be watered often, but over watering for extended periods of time may be harmful, if the top inch is damp you’re OK.

Blueberries are shallow rooted & should not be cultivated, keep the area around the bushes mowed for attractive appearance & ease of picking. New plantings should be watched carefully for lack of water. If your plants don’t grow well or produce as they should check the soil acidity and nutrients. To grow and produce well they must have the right soil conditions. When a newly planted blueberry, azalea or rhododendron drops its lower leaves, it’s usually because the plant had to use up the nutrient reserves it stored there. That’s a good sign that it needs feeding. Do that by sprinkling a complete fertilizer like a 14-12-14 plus trace elements on top of the soil before you water the plant in. Apply 1 tablespoon per foot of growth; in other words, give a 2-foot plant 2 tablespoons of complete fertilizer.

Watering
Watering Water is one of the most important needs in establishing and maintaining productive blueberries, particularly during their first year of growth. You should water plants thoroughly at planting and twice weekly for the first year until they become established. Water plants for a longer time once or twice a week, rather than for a short time each day. Because blueberry plants have the ability to retract water from berries, adequate moisture, particularly during fruit production is essential to producing plump juicy berries. Blueberries set buds in the late summer and early fall. The plants must receive adequate moisture for plant growth and bud development.

Plant care in the spring
In early spring – As buds swell (but well before bloom) apply 14-12-14 5-6 month granular complete slow-release fertilizer. Some slow release fertilizers release in response to warmer temperatures and may not be effective in our cooler weather. Read the label. It takes about a handful per mature plant to do the job, but “don’t put it on any heavier than you’d put salt on your corn or sugar on your grapefruit”. If you’re after more precision, a good rule of thumb is to apply one level tablespoon of fertilizer per foot of plant growth. At leaf emergence – New leaves start growing just as blooms fade. After they unfold completely, apply another light dose of compost tea foliar fertilizer, especially if new leaves look pale.

Summer and fall plant care
In fall – Most plants don’t usually need fall feeding, but they may benefit from top dressing with rotted mature manure in October. If you have plants that didn’t put on much growth and look like they need a boost, you can give them a dose of 5-10-10 or 14-12-14 granular fertilizer.
To help in the greening of pale leaves use a foliar feed like Miracle grow or compost tea.
Chlorosis is a condition in which leaves produce insufficient chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of leaves. Chlorotic leaves are pale, yellow, or yellow-white. For The yellowing or whitening of normally green (chlorotic) younger leaves: usually an iron deficiency. Use chelated iron foliar feed or blood meal.

A decrease in the amount of chlorophyll results in yellowing or whitening of foliage this is often as a result of disease or nutrient deficiency. usually a magnesium or manganese deficiency. For magnesium deficiencies you can directly apply Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate) to the soil lightly around the drip line or dissolve 1-2TBS. Epsom salts to a gallon of warm water and drench the soil. For manganese use barnyard manure.

Purchase your pesticide free aronia and blueberries from (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery). We understand both the theory and practical applications of growing aronia and blueberries. They are naturally grown without the use of harsh pesticides from at Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery. The farm is a reputable source for quality aronia and blueberry plants. Over 30 varieties of blueberries are grown and sold. Viking aronia plants are available for sale. Purchase your plants and get more information from http://www.blueberrycroft.com/. © 2011 by Harold Stewart May be reproduced in entirety with live link.

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