There's Good in Every Grain
Yesterday we talked about World Soil Day and how important soils are to #YourFarmers growing Ontario grains. But, did you know many of these practices farmers use on their grain farms may apply to a small garden as well?
When dealing with soil it is easy to remember that it is a living organism and has the same basic requirements as you or I:Â food, water, shelter, and air.
Here are eight tips from #YourFarmers farms that you can use in your backyard gardens:
October 5th is World Soil Day and what a great day to celebrate one of Earth’s most valuable resources! Did you know 95% of our food is produced via Earth’s soil? That includes Ontario’s barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat!
We know how hard it is to ensure you and your family are enjoying a healthy lifestyle that includes whole grains. Every Tuesday we will release a #TrainWithGrainsTip that will help you include whole grains into your healthy lifestyle.
Our tip this week is:
This fall, choose corn to be your comfort food! Try creating some delicious food using Ontario cornmeal. When buying cornmeal, check the ingredient list for the words “whole corn.” This way, you know the product is whole grain – meaning all three parts of the grain are included: the bran, the germ and the endosperm to ensure your getting all the beneficial nutrients from the grains.
Try creating your own Skillet Cornbread or these savory Cornmeal Muffins with chives! Serve with soup, stew or chili for a perfectly delicious fall meal.
Be sure to read our other #TrainWithGrainsTip from this fall to learn more ways to include whole grains into your lifestyle!
Summer 2018 was hot and dry across much of Ontario with many areas reporting below average rainfalls in the spring and summer. That being said, the crops fared well over the summer with many of #YourFarmers hoping for high yields this fall.
Then the rains we missed this summer came.
Cover crops are incredibly important to maintaining soil health. A cover crop is grown by farmers primarily to benefit the soil. Cover crops help soil by preventing soil erosion, suppressing weeds, improving soil fertility and quality. Continue reading “Cover Crops 101”