[Garden] Two things

[Madeline Rosamond]

My lab could do a few things, but nothing like heavy metals and toxins. Want
to know how much nitrate is in the soil (might actually be useful)? We can
do it!
Cheers,
Maddy

On 6/24/07, gcmichal <gcmichal at fesmail.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
>
> 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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> >
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>
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