Dear Friends and Fellow Gardeners,

Happy New Year everyone! With the beginning of a New Year our thoughts drift to the preparation of soil for planting in Spring.

In the past we have talked about the importance of organic amendments, but they are so important to a healthy garden, we would again like to share a few thoughts with you.

Organic amendments are materials derived from plant, animal or minerals that occur in nature. These substances not only change the soil environment they are incorporated into, but they themselves are constantly changing and decomposing as well. Some examples of organic soil amendments are ground bark, peat moss, leaf mold, manure, compost, straw, and wood shavings. They are generally added in amounts up to fifty percent of the soil volume in the cultivated areas.

Let's talk about the individual organic amendments to better understand how they work. Leaf molds are materials made up of soil fungi actinomycetes (you know, the white stuff all over the compost when you turn it) that break down soil chemicals into forms usable to plants and aid in producing overall organic matter. Peat moss is derived from decaying plant material and is added to the soil to improve its physical condition and increase water holding capacity. Peat moss has little, if any, nutrients.

Manures are beneficial in adding organic matter to the soil and supplying a measure of nitrogen. Manures vary greatly in the amount of available nitrogen (N). Generally chicken manure contains more N than others.

Commercially packaged organic matter is usually fortified with nitrogen. Raw products such as wood shavings, ground bark, straw, raw manure with straw all require the addition of nitrogen from other sources to be truly beneficial. Raw products contain large amounts of carbon in relation to nitrogen. The decomposition of the carbon ties up the nitrification process or the availability of the soil to produce usable nitrogen. Nitrification does not resume until the carbon dioxide formation drops off. So be prudent about using large amounts of raw straw or wood chips.

Wise gardeners know the secret to rich and healthy organic soil amendments. Compost, compost, compost all these materials and add organic gold to your garden.

It is finally winter in the Valley. Cold, rain — finally rain — hope it continues. The wind and fog make life a little uncomfortable in the garden, and it's easy to put outside work aside. Well, there is work to be done! On the first crisp clear day, bundle up, get out, and get to it.

Get that compost pile a smoking! Cleanup dead annuals, rake leaves, get the weeds out, spread manure and compost in beds for spring plantings and work them into the soil when the soil is damp, not wet.

Your dormant fruit and nut trees should be pruned. Remember, never leave a stub you can hang your hat on, do not prune spring flowering shrubs and ornamental trees (until after bloom). It is not necessary to treat cuts with tree sealer. In pruning roses, cut back to stems the size of a pencil or larger, and make your cuts to buds that face towards the outside of the bush.

Time is running out to use a dormant spray on your fruit trees. "What’s this you say?" Dan the organic gardener man recommending sprays?

Yes, my dear friends, if you intend to grow fruit trees you must spray them during the winter to avoid serious disease and pest problems during the growing season (brown rot, shot hole, peach leaf curl, etc.) I use Lime sulfur because it is a safe and simple compound, and may be even good for your soil since it will modify alkaline soils. I like to add an oil spray with the Lime sulfur for a good winter cleanup spray and I use it on my roses as well as fruit trees. A copper sulfate spray may also be used for apricots and cherries. By using these simple spray compounds during the winter, your plants will be healthier, stronger and more productive, without having to resort to the use of more toxic substances during the growing season. We don't use those anyway (I hope not!)

Remember to always read and follow the label recommendations, for any pesticide.

Plant now: bare root fruit and nut trees, bare root roses, globe artichokes, strawberries, cane berries, green onions, seed potatoes, onion sets or transplants.

As we begin this new millennium, Barbara and I wish all of you Peace and hope for the future in this new age.

By DOROTHY S. GRIGGS

2 10 oz. pkgs. frozen chopped spinach
2 cups cooked rice
2 cups shredded cheese
4 slightly beaten eggs
4 tablespoons soft butter or margarine
4 tablespoons chopped onion
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary or thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Not necessary to cook spinach but squeeze out the water. Sauté onions. Combine all ingredients and place in a shallow man. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Can be made ahead of time but cook a little longer if cold. GREAT for potluck dinners! Serves 12

By DENNY JACKMAN

Future Options on Development, the FOOD Initiative for the County of Stanislaus "Intent to Petition" was filed with the county elections clerk. Signature gathering will begin soon after the response from the County Counsel.

Although the "Findings and Purpose" on this document is clear, for me, the FOOD Initiative is the beginning of the end to urban sprawl as we have witnessed it in this "the most productive agricultural area the world has ever seen".