Decline in health and life expectancy of Americans

“Americans are sicker than ever, and it’s not only resulting in poor physical and mental health; it’s impacting our economy, our environment, our children’s future, and our national security. Although new science tells us that nutrition is the most important part of wellness, ultra-processed foods dominate the American diet which drives our obesity, chronic disease, and mental health crises.” – Dr. Mark Hyman

The decline in health and life expectancy of Americans in recent years is a multifaceted issue, deeply rooted in various societal, economic, and lifestyle factors. Central to this decline are elements such as the widespread consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugar addiction, unhealthy food production practices, and sedentary lifestyles. This decline is alarming, especially when contrasted with health statistics from other countries, and it signals a growing public health crisis.

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption

The American diet has seen a substantial increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods. These foods are often high in unhealthy fats, sugars, salt, and preservatives while being low in essential nutrients. Their convenience and widespread availability have made them a staple in many American households. However, the long-term health consequences of such a diet are severe. Regular consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Sugar Addiction

Closely related to the rise in ultra-processed food consumption is the issue of sugar addiction. Many processed foods contain high levels of added sugars, which can lead to an array of health issues. Excessive sugar intake is not only a leading cause of obesity but also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and heart problems. The addictive nature of sugar leads to a cycle of cravings and overconsumption, making it challenging for individuals to break free from these unhealthy eating patterns.

Unhealthy Food Production Practices

The methods used in food production in the United States also contribute to the decline in health. The widespread use of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics in agriculture and livestock rearing can have adverse health effects. Moreover, the environmental impact of these practices, such as soil depletion and water contamination, indirectly affects public health.

Sedentary Lifestyle

The modern American lifestyle is increasingly sedentary, with many people spending long hours in front of screens for both work and leisure. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for numerous health problems, including heart disease, stroke, obesity, and mental health issues. The lack of regular physical activity exacerbates the health impact of poor dietary habits.

Chronic Diseases in Younger Populations

Traditionally associated with old age, chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are now increasingly affecting younger Americans. This shift is largely attributable to poor dietary habits and a lack of physical activity. The early onset of these chronic conditions not only affects the quality of life but also increases healthcare costs and puts a strain on the healthcare system.

Comparison with Other Countries

When comparing the health statistics of the United States with other developed countries, the contrast is stark. Countries such as Japan, Canada, and many in Europe often have higher life expectancies and lower rates of obesity and chronic diseases. These differences can be attributed to various factors, including dietary habits, healthcare systems, and cultural attitudes towards health and wellness.
In many of these countries, diets are less reliant on processed foods and more on fresh, whole foods. For instance, the Mediterranean diet, prevalent in countries like Greece and Italy, is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats and has been linked to lower rates of heart disease and longer life expectancy. Furthermore, these countries often have more robust public health policies and healthcare systems focused on preventive care and public education about healthy lifestyles.

Conclusion

The decline in health and life expectancy in the United States is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. It involves not only changing individual behaviors but also overhauling certain aspects of food production and distribution. Moreover, it calls for a cultural shift towards valuing health and wellness, along with supportive policies and systems that make healthy choices accessible and affordable for all Americans. By learning from the practices of healthier countries and implementing comprehensive public health strategies, there is potential to reverse these troubling trends and improve the overall health and longevity of the American population.

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Brassica Family Pests & Diseases

The brassica family of vegetables, which includes broccolini, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, and kohlrabi, are susceptible to various pests and diseases. See our lists below of (1) common pests and diseases affecting brassicas in Northern Illinois and (2) safe organic pesticides best used to control them.

Common pests and diseases in Northern Illinois

It's important to note that while these pesticides and biofungicides are considered safe for use in organic gardening, they should still be used judiciously and according to label instructions. Overuse or misuse can harm beneficial insects and other non-target organisms. Regular monitoring and cultural practices such as crop rotation, soil testing, and good sanitation can also help prevent pest and disease problems in your brassica garden.

The swede midge fly (Contarinia nasturtii), an invasive pest from Europe, has begun wreaking havoc on brassica crops. including radish, horseradish, rutabaga, turnip, rapeseed (canola), arugula, bok choy and Chinese cabbage. Crops that are most damaged include common favorites such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, collards and Brussels sprouts. Since we have not yet found a pesticide for swede midge our sollution is to grow only collards and kale. We harvst as soon as large leves appear throughout the sesaon. If swede midge damage appears on the base of the leaf, we cut it off and wash all harvested leaves. We have an entire post dedicated to this new pest - see Swede Midge Fly Management.

Cabbage Worms: These are small green caterpillars that chew on the leaves of cabbage, kale, and other brassicas, leaving large holes in the foliage. They can quickly defoliate the entire plant.

Aphids: These tiny, pear-shaped insects suck the sap from the leaves, stems, and buds of brassicas, causing stunted growth and distorted leaves. They also produce a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract ants and other insects.

Flea Beetles: These small, shiny black beetles jump like fleas and feed on the leaves of brassicas, leaving tiny holes and making the plant vulnerable to other diseases.

Clubroot: This soil-borne disease is caused by a fungus that attacks the roots of brassicas, causing them to swell and become deformed. Infected plants often wilt and die.

Downy Mildew: This fungal disease causes yellowing and wilting of the leaves, along with a grayish-white mold on the undersides of the leaves. It can quickly spread from plant to plant, especially in humid conditions.

Prevent and control brassica pests and diseases

To prevent and control these pests and diseases, it's best to use a combination of cultural practices and safe organic pesticides and biofungicides. Here are some options:

Floating Row Covers: These lightweight, permeable fabrics can be placed over young brassicas to protect them from cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other pests. They can also help prevent the spread of diseases like downy mildew. See our blog post Installing Hoops on Raised Beds.

Neem Oil: This natural pesticide derived from the neem tree can be sprayed on brassicas to repel aphids and other pests. It works by disrupting the insect's hormonal balance, making it difficult for them to feed and breed.

Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis): This natural bacteria-based pesticide is effective against cabbage worms and other caterpillar pests. It works by producing a toxin that is only harmful to certain insects, leaving beneficial insects unharmed.

Copper-based Fungicides: These biofungicides can help prevent and control diseases like downy mildew and clubroot. They work by creating a protective barrier on the plant's surface that prevents the fungus from taking hold.

Beneficial Insects: Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are all natural enemies of aphids and other pest insects. By releasing these beneficial insects into your garden, you can help keep pest populations in check.

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then. 

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Planning Your Food Garden

Starting a food garden can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Although it takes planning and effort, the rewards are well worth it. With a little bit of know-how and some careful planning, you can enjoy fresh, delicious produce right from your own backyard. You also get to reap the benefits of physical activity and time spent outdoors. Learn more in our Benefits of Food Gardening post.

However, to be successful in growing your own food, it's important to have a plan in place. Here are some key steps to consider when starting a food garden.

Gardening supplies: Learn about the supplies you will need when you use our Transformational Gardening method. Read our blog post Setup Your Food Garden.

Site selection: One of the most important factors to consider when starting a food garden is site selection. Look for a location that receives optimal sunlight throughout the day. Most vegetables require at least six hours of sunlight per day and prefer 8 hours. So choose an area that is not shaded by trees or buildings. If your yard doesn't get enough sun, consider growing crops that will grow with less sunlight. View our blog post Optimizing Sunlight.

Plant selection: Choose crops that are well-suited to your climate. Some vegetables, like tomatoes and peppers, require warm temperatures to grow, while others, like leafy greens and root vegetables, can tolerate cooler temperatures. Consider planting a mix of smaller crops in raised beds and larger crops in containers to maximize your space. View our blog posts about popular vegetables – brassica (cabbage) family, root veggies, tomatoes and more to come.

Trellising: Some crops, like beans, peas, and cucumbers, require a trellis for support systems to grow properly. Consider the size and weight of the crop when selecting a trellis, and make sure it is sturdy enough to support the plant as it grows. There are many trellis designs to choose from. View our blog post about Growing Vertically with a Trellis.

Planting and harvesting schedule: Knowing when to plant your crops is key to a successful harvest. Consider your local climate and the specific needs of the plants you are growing when determining planting times. Some crops, like tomatoes and peppers, should be started indoors several weeks before the last frost date, while others can be planted directly in the ground. View our Planting Calendar for Zones 5b and 6a (Chicago area for planting dates, days to harvest, links to vegetable specific details on temperature tolerances, pests, harvesting and more.

Biodiversity planting method: Planting a mix of crops can help improve soil health, prevent disease, and attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Consider planting a mix of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to create a diverse and beautiful garden. View our blog post Biodiversity Planting.

Careful utilization of space: Be mindful of how much space each plant needs to grow properly. Some crops, like tomatoes and squash, can take up a lot of room, while others, like lettuce and radishes, can be planted in smaller spaces. Consider using trellises, vertical gardening, and other space-saving techniques to maximize your growing area.

Choosing seed starting or transplants: Decide whether to start your plants from seeds or buy transplants. Starting plants from seeds can be more cost-effective and allows you to choose from a wider variety of plants, but requires more time, effort and experience. Buying healthy transplants can be a good option if you don't have the time, space or equipment to start seeds indoors. Beginners should start by planting easy veggies directly into your beds and containers in the spring. View our 2 blog posts on seeds and seedlings for beginners and for seeds and seedlings: next level.

Harvest tips and timing: Knowing when to harvest your crops is crucial for getting the best flavor and nutrition. Each crop has a different harvest time, so be sure to research and track when your plants are ready to be harvested. Our veggie growing tip posts include harvesting tips for each veggie.

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. The posts are divided in 6 categories, Each category has its own page with a photo and a short summary for each post. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

Sign up for our newsletter

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Putting Your Bed to Bed (for the winter).

Recharge Your Soil this Fall.
The key to a thriving spring harvest!

Just like you charge your phone or electric car, there is a perfect time to charge your soil! Amending your raised beds with a 2-inch layer of Deep Roots Project’s microbe- and nutrient-rich compost every fall and spring is essential for a successful, healthy garden year after year. This step is not optional - it’s one of the foundations of our innovative growing method, making the difference between an okay garden and a spectacular harvest.

Why is Fall the best time to amend raised beds?

Microbial activity may slow down in winter, but it never stops. By adding compost in the Fall, you're giving your garden a protective blanket through the cold months. The compost continues to work, delivering nutrients and protecting the soil from harsh winter conditions. Plus, when the spring thaw arrives, your bed will be fully charged and ready for a bountiful season. This early preparation puts you ahead of the game!

Add a blanket of compost and leaves

After the fall harvest, push to the sides of the bed any straw you used for mulch during the growing season. Then apply a 2-inch layer of our compost to nourish soil microbes, which are vital for plant health and disease resistance. Top it off with a layer of fallen leaves to protect the compost from erosion and to add organic matter. Together, this creates a shield for your garden, preventing damage from wind, rain, and sun while feeding the soil throughout winter.

Our compost is better than store-bought soil

Not all compost is created equal. Deep Roots Project compost is made from a mix of manure and plant waste, then processed using a heat-loving microbes (thermophilic) method that maximizes microbial and nutrient density. This compost is rich in beneficial bacteria, fungi, and nutrients that commercial garden center soils simply can't match. Certified by OMRI and tested for organic food growing, it’s the best choice for growing healthy, resilient plants.

Don’t let bare soil go to waste

Remember, never leave your soil bare! Protect your raised beds by adding compost before all your annuals are harvested. If you have conventional soil, dig out a few inches to make space for the compost. Then, cover it with leaves and, if desired, a layer of landscape fabric for extra protection. This step will combat winter erosion and keep your soil microbes thriving.

Another option is to plant a cover crop of mustard in fall. See our cover crop post for more details: Cover Crops in Raised Beds.

Plant spinach and garlic in fall

Looking for a way to extend your growing season? Plant spinach in mid-November! After applying your compost, sow spinach seeds in rows, and cover with leaves. Spinach is a hardy crop that thrives through winter and will provide an early, nutritious harvest in spring. Not only will you get fresh spinach, but the plants will also protect your soil when nothing else can grow. At the end of February remove the leaves covering your spinach so they don’t block the spinach sprouts. (If you are worried you will forget to remove the leaves - then don’t cover the spinach at all.) Your spinach crop will be larger if planted in fall rather than in spring. Plant garlic in mid-October for a July harvest. Our planting garlic blog post has details.

Prepare for a spectacular spring—start now!

By taking these simple steps in the fall, you’re setting your garden up for success next year. Our compost and worm castings are designed to support the life in your soil, giving you healthier, stronger plants that are more resistant to pests and disease. Don’t wait until spring to start preparing -amend your raised beds now and reap the rewards when planting season arrives!

Amending your beds again in the spring boosts microbes and nutrients even more. Fall and spring composting is essential for long-term garden health and successful harvests year after year.

Our online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.

Learn more on our updated posts

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Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Seeds & Seedlings: Next Level

Use our post “Seeds and Seedlings: Beginner” to become inspired to discover more advanced gardening techniques like growing your own seedlings indoors. Continue to learn how to reap the many rewards of learning to grow from BOTH seeds and seedlings. Remember that some crops must be grown from seed since the young plants can’t survive transplanting.

Expand your gardening skills

The universe of gardening information is virtually limitless. It is constantly expanding. Fortunately, the array of gardening techniques is accessible now on the web. Our purpose is to feature our compost based method of soil optimization with beneficial microbe populations and worm castings. We encourage you to use the web resources to explore an accessory technique that captures your imagination.

Don’t rely on single sources. Explore University Agricultural Extension websites, local botanic gardens, YouTube videos, articles and books. For example, if you want to build a trellis look at several techniques and pick the one that works for you, or even better integrate a combination of the techniques you discover.

Let’s explore together ways to garden that will not pollute, improves the environment, gives us healthy food, optimizes nature’s ability to provide plant nutrition – we all benefit.

Deep Roots is learning all the time. As you learn a new technique, improve upon it, and share it with us. Growing food in our 100% microbe-rich compost is a discovery we will continue to improve upon. We hope that gardeners beyond our local Chicago area will start using a similar compost. We knows how to find other farms that make it.

Explore ways to grow seedlings indoors

Explore the many ways to grow seedlings (also called “transplants”) from seed indoors. But most important is to use as your growing medium a mixture of half Deep Roots compost (or a similar compost) and half top quality worm castings made from composted manure. Remember to give the seedlings full sun for 8 hours or more. This usually requires a grow light placed correctly near the top of the growing plant. Usually the sunlight from a window is not adequate.

Remember that some crops must be planted only from seeds like amaranth, spinach and root crops (radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, garlic, onions). Root crops usually won’t survive if their roots are disturbed. See more details is our blog post “Seeds and Seedlings: Beginners.”

Advantages of growing from seed

Buying seeds is far more affordable than buying seedlings. But gardeners with minimal time and a small garden will likely prefer to grow from seedlings,

More plant varieties available as seeds. Planting seeds directly into the garden or growing your own seedlings indoors gives you access to an abundance of “cultivars” (special plant varieties) A “cultivar” is a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. Some cultivars are resistant to certain diseases. There are more organic “cultivars” (special plant varieties) available as seeds from seed catalogs and websites than there are seedlings sold in garden centers. Although we recommend that you choose organic seeds, non-organically grown seeds are quite satisfactory when growing them with organic methods.

The process of seed selection is an exercise in inspiration. For example, tomatoes and apples have a vast number of cultivars. There are man-made cultivars like seedless grapes and watermelons, Romanesco cauliflower, black tomatoes, Tromboncino summer squash, watermelon radishes, cylindrical purple onions.

Remember to properly store your leftover seeds for planting the following year or share them with friends. We store our seeds in the refrigerator in air-tight bags with moisture reducing packets. We buy our seeds. Some gardeners have the time and skill to save seeds from their plants. There are online courses on how to save seed.

Planting calendar for your climate zone

Ask your state university agricultural extension for the best planting calendar for your climate zone. Our Planting Calendar for Climate Zones 5b and 6a in the Chicago area is a convenient way to look up which popular crops, herbs and flowers should be grown from seed, grown from seedlings and which can be grown either way. The calendar also has biodiversity groups, planting dates, planting tips, seed depth and days to maturity.

Watering seeds and seedlings

Seeds must be kept moist at all times. Also keep the young plants constantly moist for 2 weeks. A light watering will moisten the soil sufficiently when it’s done frequently. Frequency of watering depends on the weather – the temperature, if the sun is shining, if it rained recently and so forth. Gently water your seeds with a sprayer nozzle on your hose or watering can. Keep your seeds and seedlings constantly moist. Drip irrigation makes growing from seeds much easier. Get a tiny sprayer emitter for your drip system.

Plant tiny seeds like carrots and lettuce about an inch apart. Try the “board trick” with tiny carrot seeds to save watering time and to stop evaporation. Place a small board (not treated wood) over a cluster of carrot seeds. Wait a few days and check them daily for germination. Remove the board when the first seed germinates. Pick some baby carrots to make room for some of the carrots to grow bigger.

How to grow transplants indoors

Growing your own transplants from seed is easier than you may think.You can start indoor summer crop transplants (like tomatoes and peppers) from seed in early spring for planting outside in May.

Many experienced gardeners grow their own transplants for summer crops indoors under grow lights in early spring if they have the skill, time, grow lights, growing trays and other equipment. Trying to grow transplants indoors using sunlight from a south-facing window doesn’t work. Explore gadgets that make the process a little easier if you need only a small number of seedlings.

Select a planting “flat” with multiple cells. Plastic flats have become the standard for home gardeners but they have at least two disadvantages: (1) Even the most durable plastic flats break and must be discarded after a few seasons. Do we really need to buy more plastic that is destined for the trash heap? (2) Transplants grown in plastic trays must be removed for transplanting, exposing the root systems to disturbance.

We recommend using “peat transplant pots” to grow your seedlings. These are made from various organic materials (peat, coir, paper, wood, etc.). They are all biodegradable and dissolve readily when buried in soil. A unique advantage is that the transplants do not need to be removed from the peat pots.

Potting mixture for starting seedlings indoors is half and half microbe-rich compost and worm castings. Plant about ¼” deep and firm up the soil after planting by gently pressing down on the surface. Keep the soil moist constantly until the emerging seeds reach a height of 2” or more. Then, transplant them into the garden.

What Are Cold Frames?

Growing transplants in a “cold frame” outdoors in early spring is another option for experienced gardeners. Cold frames let experienced gardeners extend the growing season in colder climate zones. At their simplest, cold frames are bottomless boxes that are set over plants in the garden to protect them from cold weather. They are usually built low to the ground and have a transparent roof to let in light.

Search for DIY cold frame ideas online. Some gardeners make a simple “mini-cold frame” using an upside down very large clear plastic container. Controlling the temperature in the cold frame is often a problem.

Our Innovative Food Gardening Method

Learn more in our two recently revised blog posts.

Our online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.

Stay in touch

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Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Regenerative & Organic Farming

Deep Roots innovative method “Transformational Gardening” combines the best practices of “Organic Farming” and “Regenerative Farming” and applies them to kitchen gardens with raised beds and large containers. Integrating the two systems addresses their shortcomings and adapts them to small growing spaces and raised beds. The result is a robust and resilient natural gardening system that promotes soil and crop biodiversity.

Regenerative farming methods

“No-till, no-dig, no pull” rule preserves the integrity of mycelial (fungal) networks in the soil and maximizes health of all the soil micro-organisms. Regenerative farmers and gardeners plant seeds by disturbing the soil as little as possible. When harvesting they cut the stem at soil level and leave the roots with billions of beneficial microorganisms undisturbed. Minimal disruption of the soil when harvesting root veggies like carrots is fine. Pulling weeds out by their roots also disturbs the fungal networks which are precious to soil health. Cut the weed at the soil level and cover the root with mulch, grass clippings and straw to block the sun so the weed doesn’t grow back. Learn more about No till, No dig, No pull rule.

Biodiversity gardening is the practice of unprecedented and imaginative placement of crops, herbs and flowers in a single garden or landscape. A diversity of plants means that the garden is less vulnerable to disease, pests, and environmental stresses, as the different species help to support each other. A diverse range of plants attracts a greater number of pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife, which helps to maintain a healthy and thriving ecosystem. Biodiversity planting includes succession planting – not placing the same plants in empty spots after harvesting.

Biodiversity avoids the problems of monocultures – a single crop in a field or a garden bed. Pests prefer large numbers of their favorite plants close together. Raising a single crop increases the risk of disease and pest outbreaks because monocultures lack other plant and animal species that limit the spread of diseases and pests.

Biodiverse gardens provide a greater range of food, medicine, and other resources for humans. Plus, it is more aesthetically pleasing and creates a sense of community and interconnectedness.

Cover crops in a food garden play an important role in maintaining soil health and fertility. It’s important to keep soil covered when crops are not normally growing like in mid-fall through winter in cold climate zones. Common cover crops include mustard, buckwheat, clover, legumes, and cereal grains, such as wheat and oats. Learn more about cover crops in food gardens.

A cover crop will keep the soil protected plus add many other advantages. Cover crops, also known as "green manure," help to improve soil structure, add organic matter to the soil, suppress weeds, reduce erosion, and provide essential nutrients to the soil. They can be grown between main crops, improving soil health and fertility for future crops. Additionally, they provide habitat for beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pest populations.

But remember, never dig the dead cover crop into the soil since we follow the ”no till, no dig, no pull” rule. Instead cut it down, at soil level and use it as a mulch on top of the soil. And don't let the cover crop go to seed since you don’t want it to sprout when growing your main crop.

History of regenerative farming

Regenerative Ag emerged in the late 20th century. It was stimulated by deplorable soil loss and degradation tied to the dominance of chemo-industrial agriculture. Additionally, extensive nitrogen and phosphorous contamination of aquifers plagued major waterways worldwide.

Gabe Brown, a North Dakota rancher, was inspired to heal his farming practices from deterioration of crop health and farming profits. He applied experimental techniques that have since come to be recognized as regenerative practices. These methods focused on restoring soil health. They include “no-till” practice, intensive and perpetual cover-cropping, and ubiquitous biodiversity. Gabe’s efforts resulted in transformation of his ranch from low productivity and near bankruptcy to a thriving enterprise. Today, Gabe Brown is a leading advocate for Regenerative Farming.

Organic Farming Methods

Organic certification. When you think “organic” you likely think of food that's in accordance with USDA's Certified Organic labeling. OMRI lists organic inputs, but it doesn't certify them. Whereas the USDA certification seal is found on food, feed and fiber products, OMRI seals apply to what is used to make an organic food product – pesticides, fertilizers, livestock care products and anything that may affect the production of a food intended to be identified as organic.

No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. In the gardening world, organic is understood to mean the complete abandonment of industrial pesticides and fertilizers, the copious addition of organic matter to the soil, and use of OMRI-approved organic inputs only. OMRI stands for the Organic Materials Review Institute. It relies on natural methods to provide the necessary nutrients and control pests, diseases, and weeds. Organic gardeners work in harmony with nature, promoting healthy soil, healthy plants, and a healthy environment. Organic gardening is a way of growing plants and vegetables that is free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals.

Building healthy soil is a key principle of organic farming. Organic farming prioritizes adding “Soil Organic Matter” (SOM) which is any material produced originally by living organisms (plant or animal) that is returned to the soil and goes through the decomposition process. It’s okay to add to soil the leaves and grass clipped (un-decomposed waste) OR the decomposed waste as compost.This organic matter provides food for beneficial microorganisms, which help to break down plant material and release essential nutrients into the soil. Additionally, organic gardeners use techniques such as crop rotation and interplanting to maintain soil health and fertility.

Controlling pests and diseases without the use of chemicals is another important aspect of organic gardening. Organic gardeners use a variety of techniques, including companion planting, natural pest deterrents, and beneficial insects, to keep their plants healthy. For example, planting marigolds near tomatoes can help to deter tomato hornworms, and ladybugs are a natural predator of many garden pests. Safe organically certified garden sprays are also okay. For details, read our blog post Environmental Pest Management (EPM).

Minimize the growth of weeds through careful planning. Gardeners can use mulch to control weeds, or remove-weeds as needed. Some organic gardeners also use cover crops, such as clover or alfalfa, to suppress weeds and improve soil fertility.

History of organic farming

Organic farming was conceived and originated by Sir Albert Howard at his research farm at Indore, India in the 1920’s. The term “organic” emerged in reference to the farm as an organism, a diverse array of soil, crops, livestock, micro and macro soil organisms. This definition has been the subject of massive revision as organic practices have germinated into a global movement.

Certification of organic production has been legalized universally and has been subject to political influences. In the gardening world, it is understood to mean the complete abandonment of industrial pesticides and fertilizers, the copious addition of organic matter to the soil, and use of approved organic inputs only.

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

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Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Soil Health. Our Health. Planet Health.

The DRP team absolutely loves the videos on this page by environment scientist Octaivia Hopwood. The links to articles, books, and videos on our Deep Roots blog posts are not merely copied and pasted. They have been selected after hours spent consulting and evaluating literally hundreds of resources.

Soil education helps new gardeners solve problems

Nature’s unpredictability requires the ability to troubleshoot. At DRP we believe that our full-immersion soil health education will help our organic kitchen gardeners (especially first-timers) meet unexpected challenges. We also believe that prevention is better than crisis intervention. Preparing healthy soil is the key to avoiding problems with unwanted plant diseases and harmful pests.

The narrator of all 3 videos on this page is environmental scientist Octaivia Hopwood. Although she is in a forest for the video, much of what she talks about is applicable to the raised bed environment too. Her clear explanations and pleasant speaking pace and style have made her a favorite of many nature enthusiasts (including us!). Enjoy!

THE SOIL FOOD WEB VIDEO BY 59 Degrees

Take-away from this video.

The soil food web is made up of a multitude of organisms. The environment beneath our feet is far more complex than we can even comprehend.

The simplicity of this video and the well-written narrative brings complex ideas to life. This short and sweet presentation provides a useful frame of reference for the DRP Method which puts soil health before everything. These key points of the video are taken from the video content:

• The soil itself is not alive – but it is bursting with life. There is a hidden world beneath our feet.

• The ecosystem is much more than just a bunch of worms and beetles.

• There are in fact thousands of millions of organisms in just one teaspoon of soil.

• The soil houses a complex network where each of the weird and wonderful creatures has its unique role (DRP Note: We only know about 1% of the organisms that exist and limited information about their role - and everything we know we have learned relatively recently).

• The transfer of energy, carbon and nutrients from dead organic matter into new life is what it’s all about, in a nutshell.

THE RHIZOSPHERE By 59 Degrees

Take-away from this video.

• Every single plant leaf is like a miniature solar panel – where photosynthesis captures light and uses it to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugar. Simple sugars form the building blocks of plants.

• Plants need more than sugars to survive – they also need nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous and they get these essential elements from the soil.

• Plant roots’ ability to obtain nutrients from the soil are often limited. The Rhizosphere is the immediate area around the root hair where plant roots and the organisms within the soil have what Olivia, the video narrator refers to as an ingenious trade-off.

Plant Succession By 59 Degrees

Take-away from this video.

Our focus in the garden is to produce vigorous and healthy plants – but we want to also be aware of our management of the soil. We want to treat our soil in a way that is beneficial to the entire planet.

This video encourages everyone to be responsible land stewards, while we are gardening we need to appreciate the ecosystems that are ever-changing around us. Changes are above the ground and beneath our feet in the soil. The biological processes within the soil are intricately connected to the ecosystem and its processes. Some key topics introduced in this video are:

• Plant succession makes reference to the different plants that adapt to the gradual changes in an environment over time due to the biological processes above and below the ground.

• The process of plant succession has been going on for millions of years. At each successional change, the biology within the soil adapts to the ecosystem and various changes in the environment.

• Understanding succession processes are fundamental to all “growers” so they can use this knowledge to their advantage and shape soil conditions to benefit the plants they want to grow.

• Soils are dominated by bacteria or fungi. They break down organic matter and add nutrients into the soil.

• Some plants “prefer” a bacterial dominated environment and others grow better in a fungal dominated soil.

• Soil will have either more bacteria or fungi and it is useful to know which is more abundant in order to prepare the soil appropriately for the desired plants.

• Veggies like a bacterial soil and the bacteria releases nitrogen which vegetables need and love.

• Don’t suck nitrogen out of the soil with synthetic fertilizers – but use rich green matter like composted manure.

• Soil disturbance is unavoidable in our gardens – but it is best to keep it to a minimum  

Our Innovative Food Gardening Method

Learn more in our two recently revised blog posts.

Our online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.

Stay in touch

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Harvesting & Storing Food

Know the the “no till, no dig, no pull rule.” Avoid pulling out crops by the roots. Know the tricks for the biggest harvest. Allow nature to improve the soil. Stop and think before you harvest. Think about how you will cook, store or share the harvest.

Tricks for the biggest harvest

• Harvest from the same plant as long as it is producing. Don’t remove healthy prolific plants too soon.

• Encourage growth by frequently picking salad greens, tomatoes, beans, peppers, cucumbers, squash, herbs, etc. Harvest frequently the large leaves from leafy green veggies like spinach, lettuce, kale and swiss chard so pests don’t damage them.

• Harvest outer leaves of leafy greens to make room for airflow between neighboring plants and to encourage the plant to produce more foliage.

• Learn to recognize when a plant is past its prime. Aging plants lose taste and take up precious space.

Stop and think before you harvest

Avoid pulling out crops by the roots. You can undo all the great work you’ve done building up your soil if you don’t give some thought to the root zone or Rhizosphere which includes the roots and everything that surrounds them in the soil. Soil microorganisms interact with a host of chemicals released by plant roots. Any harsh pulling of plants without sensitivity to its roots can upset the soil micro-organisms.

Pulling a plant out by its roots interferes with bacterial colonies and fungal networks. Think of tiny soil structures as invisible towns and cites that the microflora (fungi and bacteria) build and live in. Maintain maximum soil health by leaving the micro-organisms attached to the roots undisturbed.

The “no till, no dig, no pull rule” is an essential part of the Deep Roots innovative growing method. If you avoid interference in the lives of soil fungi and bacteria they will be healthier and happier. They will do a better job of transporting essential nutrients and substances to the plant’s roots. Huge populations of microflora make the critical difference for growing super-healthy plants.

Allow nature to improve the soil. Avoid any digging except for a seedling hole or a furrow for planting seeds. Although traditional farmers and gardeners turn over their soil every season, modern soil scientists now know that digging destroys the soil structures that build up over time which greatly harms the health of the soil.

Pull out roots for only root veggies. Pull out root veggies like carrots and beets when the top peeks out from the soil and they are easy to pull out. For non-root veggies leave the roots in the soil undisturbed and cut the stem close to the ground. Roots supply critically important food for soil microbes. The exception to this rule is harvesting root crops like beets, onions, carrots, garlic, radishes, etc.

Add organic materials like compost and worm castings to the top of the soil. Worms, bugs, plant roots and weather will mix it in for us. But at least you can add organic material when necessary.

Storing your harvest

Think about how you will cook, store or share the harvest. Make a list and research how to use and store your harvest – recipes, freezing, canning, fermenting, drying, storing in sand, storing in a basement, “vacuum sealing” before freezing, and more.

• Store leafy greens for a few days in a tight closing plastic bag with all the air squeezed out.

• Chop the leafy greens before freezing in tightly closed plastic bags. Freeze in small bags that will be the right amount for a meal.

• Freeze cooked foods like stews, smoothies and soups in jars with wide-mouth jars. Leave a half to one inch empty at the top so the food can expand as it freezes. If there is no space at the top the jar could crack.

• Fermented foods can be stored for many months at room temperature. There are lots of YouTube videos and online courses on how to ferment many types of foods.

• A “vacuum sealer” is a counter-top appliance that allows you to freeze your harvest in small plastic bags for longer and also compresses some foods into a smaller space. Whether you buy in bulk, freeze small portions for meal prep or hunt, vacuum sealing helps most food from going stale as quickly as it would in a non-airtight container. It also helps prevent freezer burn, which affects taste and texture. There are many brands of vacuum sealing machines.

• An inexpensive chest-style freezer that opens from the top in storage room or basement makes harvesting and storing food faster and easier.

• Store carrots in the ground during winter. Leaving unharvested carrots and parsnips in the ground over winter makes them sweeter.

• Canning food in Mason Jars allows you to store food without freezing or refrigerating. It takes time and skill. Find out how to do do home canning at the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Our Innovative Food Gardening Method

Learn more in our two recently revised blog posts.

Our online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.

Stay in touch

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.