[Garden] Two things

[gcmichal]

Contact Larry Lamb at Environmental Studies.  He might allow you to  
do your own soil testing under his supervision in the ecology lab.   
Ext 32646.
- Greg
On Jun 13, 2007, at 2:28 PM, Peter Belej wrote:

> Well, there's conveniently a list of "Accredited Soil Testing
> Laboratories in Ontario" on the OMAFRA website
> (http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/resource/soillabs.htm)
>
> Just looking at UofG's page
> http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/units/soil-nutrient/ 
> SNLprices.cfm, it
> looks like the cost varies depending on what type of testing you  
> want to
> do.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: garden-bounces at lists.wpirg.org
> [mailto:garden-bounces at lists.wpirg.org] On Behalf Of J. Rochon
> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 2:15 PM
> To: garden at lists.wpirg.org
> Subject: [Garden] Two things
>
> Gardeners,
>                  I hope to see you tonight. My filial duties have been
> discharged, and I am once again free on Wednesday. I have been looking
> up the care of gooseberries, and found this:
>
> *GOOSEBERRY*
>
> Gooseberry (/Ribes uva-crispa/) is a wonderful soft fruit that will  
> grow
>
> in zones 3 - 8. There are several varieties of berries available -
> green, yellow, and red, with taste varying from tart to sweet. Some
> berries are small - others as big as quarters. Some have a smooth  
> skin -
>
> others are slightly hairy.
>
> Soil and cultural requirements are similar to the red currant
> <http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/fruitnuts/ 
> currants.as
> p>.
> Before planting, ensure that the area is clear of perennial weeds  
> as it
> is extremely difficult to weed under the thorny gooseberry branches.
>
> Gooseberry canes have an arching habit. Keep the centre of the bush
> pruned to an open frame to improve air circulation, to help ripen  
> fruit,
>
> and for easier picking. The berries are borne on year old canes,  
> and on
> two and three year old spurs. Like the currant, no pollinator is
> required, although higher yields and larger fruits may be achieved  
> with
> a cross-pollinator.
>
> Remove canes from the centre, as well as any broken wood, or lateral
> shoots that cross over. Gooseberries ripen in late June or early July.
> For larger berries, cull out every second or third berry early in the
> season.
>
> Given optimum care, a gooseberry bush will grow to a height of 5 feet,
> yielding 7 - 8 lbs of fruit. It can also be grown as a standard,  
> trained
>
> to a 2 foot stem. Remove all lower branches in fall, and train it  
> until
> you attain the shape you desire. As with the currant, fruit is
> susceptible to sun scalding, so provide some shade.
>
> Fruit is born at the base of year old growth, and on spurs of two and
> three year old wood. A constant supply of fruit depends on thinning  
> out
> all four year old wood and renewing it yearly with vigorous new  
> growth.
> Thin out the old wood in fall, and prune back all weak, crossed or
> diseased growth. Remove branches that grow too low to the ground, and
> shorten young shoots by half. A strong framework is required to carry
> heavy yields.
>
> Powdery mildew may affect gooseberry leaves - plant where there is  
> good
> air circulation. To avoid damage from the currant worm and currant  
> fruit
>
> fly follow a regular spraying program.
>
> For propagating, follow the same procedure as with currants.
>
> To harvest, strip the berries carefully from the plant.
>
> Nutritionally gooseberries contain Vitamin A, C and trace minerals.
>
> Great for preserving or for baking pies, pick the fruit when slightly
> under-ripe. Immature fruit has the highest pectin content, and  
> makes the
>
> best jam. The fruit is lovely stewed - red and yellow berries are best
> eaten fresh - the green for preserving.
>
> Second. Does anyone know where a community garden, not ours, could get
> affordable soil testing? There's a group starting in Kitchener,  
> over the
>
> site of an old dump. They'd like to test for toxins.
>> pirg.org
>>
>
>
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