Botanical Brews (Issue 61)

Garden Culture Magazine issue 61

Some of the best advice I ever received was about the food I eat. I was once involved in a local co-op that grouped some pretty incredible, thought-provoking people, one of whom convinced me that the best thing I could do for my health, my future children’s health, and that of the planet was prioritizing organic local food. I planned to grow or forage as much food and medicine as possible and grow those plants using organic inputs without toxic pesticides. My outdoor gardens have been 100% organic for the past 30 years. My indoor gardens are a mix of organics and synthetics.

Garden Culture is lucky to have many contributors who intimately know the subject. In “Botanical Brews – Let the Plants be thy Fertility,” Av Singh shares his relationship with compost teas and stinky ferments and how he inadvertently learned the value of these brews from his father. Av is a plant scientist, but he shows us that this is not a hard thing to do and, in most cases, costs little to nothing to make. Av shares his recipe in “Tea Made SIMPLE” to help you get started. 

Almost 50 years after square-foot gardening was introduced, Catherine Sherriffswrites about how this growing method remains relevant. All you need is a couple of square feet and some top-notch soil to grow organic food right outside your door, no matter where you live.  

There are two schools of thought when it comes to organic growing. In “A Fork in the Road,” Everest Fernandez spells out the difference between feeding your soil and your plant. And if you are considering testing your soil, which is recommended, look at “Testing,‬‭ Testing,‬‭ 1,2,3…‬‭ or‬‭ More‬‭ Reasons‬‭ to‬‭ Test‬‭ Your‬‭ Indoor‬‭ Soil‬” by Dustan McLean.

There are so many interesting articles in this edition. But I insist you read the Author Spotlight on Regi Oneton and his article, ”Notes from a Dirty Old Gardener: The Stink of Life.” Regi always delivers a unique and humorous take on gardening and life.