"Frequently, the motivating force behind a sudden and desperate interest in the world of plant pathogens is an epidemic in the garden." —Emily Gatch, eNews #57 from, Is There a Doctor in the Garden?

Dear Organic Gardeners,

We received a warm response to our story in the last eNewsletter regarding gardening as a means to educate our children and spend quality time with them. My first child, Jasper Rio, was born on June 15th and, needless to say, has perpetuated the theme of children and gardens in my mind. I take Jasper into the garden almost every day. Sometimes I just survey the situation with him wide-eyed and squirming in my arms and make mental notes for later when I have free hands; or, I move him around in his sleeping basket with me as I pull weeds or harvest a salad. Sometimes I hold him right up to a fragrant flower or crush a chamomile bloom under his nose and watch as he takes it in, in his own infant way.

Besides the obvious attractions out there, he seems to be soothed by the sound of the birds, by the swaying plants, and the breeze. Beyond Jasper's immediate response to the various stimuli in the garden, I also delight in the nourishment he receives via his mother from the fresh greens, peas, carrots, and herbs that are abundant here this time of year, with lots more on the way. And then there is the promise of a lifetime of ultra-fresh and nutritious organic food and plant medicines that he will have access to, and the knowledge that he will gain about the workings of nature and how to collaborate with her to grow his own bounty. It occurs to me that gardens grow more than food, flowers, and medicine; they really can grow lives in a rich and profound way.

	Kale: The Phytonutrient Master Emily Skelton has prepared an extensive look at the nutritional benefits of kale including a delicious recipe... Read More >
	Compost and Compost Tea Consultant Cindy Salter describes how Seeds of Change is using this terrific soil inoculant to boost soil vitality... Read More >
	Is There a Doctor in the Garden? Emily Gatch has prepared a plant disease primer that focuses on tomato plants—this is the first in a series... Read More >

If by chance my son ever does become a gardener, I hope he'll look back on these newsletters as a source of inspiration and knowledge to help him grow his crops, and know that he, and the other children of Seeds of Change staff, are an inspiration for us all to work for a cleaner, healthier environment and a safe and nutritious food supply.

This month we have a host of articles to help us toward those ends. Cindy Salter of Growing Solutions has joined us to offer some wisdom about the myriad benefits to the health of our crops and soil from freshly brewed compost tea. Emily Gatch shares a wealth of knowledge about plant diseases, their causes, and some organic controls, while Kelle Carter informs us about some recent research touting the prodigious nutritional benefits of kale. We've also got an update of the many goings-on at the Research Farm in this most frenetic of seasons. Lastly, we have some news and events from the wider world of sustainable agriculture to remind us that we are not alone in our efforts to preserve some semblance of this lush and bountiful world for our children and theirs to come.

With hope for the planet and all of us who share it,
Scott Vlaun, Editor


Photo caption: Three-and-a-half week old Jasper enjoys the garden.

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eNewsletter #57
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