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The public's enthusiasm for organic produce seems to be as strong as ever, but the economic downturn is leading many consumers to opt for cheaper non-organic store brands. Until the economy recovers (and we have to assume it will someday), it is hard to see the upward sales trends for organics being able to continue. From a cost standpoint, organics are almost always at a disadvantage. The extra efforts involved in production and often lower yields mean that organics must be priced higher in stores. And at a time when so many home budgets are under strain, it's hard to...

It is apparently time for me to experience yet another growing climate. At the end of the month, BioOrganics and I will be moving from Santa Maria (Central CA coastal zone) to Palm Springs. No real specific reason - the low desert area just seems like an interesting place to live at my age, especially during the wonderful winters there. As the BioOrganics production and packaging operations can be done anywhere, and most orders are sent all around the country by FedEx, there should be no disruption of service to our customers. I've gardened and experimented with plants now for...

Any experienced grower can recognize great soil. It has a loose structure something like potting soil, a darker color that indicates good amounts of humic matter, and an "earthy" sort of aroma. These type of soils are often found in forests or undisturbed grasslands where years of decomposed leaf litter or annuals have been taken down into the soil by earthworms and other living organisms. Mycorrhizal fungi are major contributors to this type of excellent soil, primarily through the effects of their hyphae (tiny root-threads) which fill every square inch of soil surrounding their host plants and form an inter-linked...

About 14 years ago, I happened to meet a fellow at an Earth Day show who was experimenting with mycorrhizal fungi. As he explained how they function on plant roots and how they could greatly reduce the need for fertilizers, protect roots against pathogens, reduce water requirements, improve soil, etc., I began thinking that the idea had enormous business potential. It seemed obvious that anyone who grew plants, from farmers to nurseries to landscapers to home gardeners would leap at the chance to use this revolutionary biology-based method to replace soil-damaging chemical plant foods. I had grown up on a...

In the last newsletter, I described the technique that I use for my tomato seedlings - basically, seeding crimson clover in the area where the tomato seedlings will be transplanted 3-4 weeks later. Then, clearing off the clover plants in about a one-foot circle where each tomato is set. This accomplishes at least three important biology-based benefits: The presence of the clover roots triggers mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial microorganisms to come out of their dormant states. The fungi spores only respond to a chemical signal from a growing root nearby, so using the clover to "wake 'em up" gets...