Good2Grow - Churchlands High School P&C Garden Events

Holey leaves... here I come!

Fun fact: those insect-eaten holey kale leaves (or any other leafy green) are actually better for you then their unassaulted counterparts!!

Okay, so we all know that I'm a plant phytochemical nerd. I believe that one of the keys to health is consuming lots of them (which means eating lots of veggies, but also seeking out those veggies that have a higher density of phytochemicals, like wild plants and like local organic produce grown in high quality soil). So, when one of my local farmers mentioned this fun fact to me today, I just had to look it up!

And it's true! Plants are smarter than we think! They actually

Leaves normally release small quantities of a class of phytochemical called "plant volatiles". While the name sounds a little intimidating, plant volatiles are known to have very strong anti-cancer and antioxidant properties--meaning, it's improves health to eat them (this is one of the classes of compounds in plants credited with the ubiquitous health benefits of high-veggie diets).

When a leaf is damaged by herbivorous insects (yes, insects can be herbivores, carnivores or omnivores too!), many more plant volatiles are released. Exactly which plant volatiles are produced varies both by the plant species and by the species of that's eating it.

Why does the plant do this? These volatiles attract both parasitic and predatory insects that are natural enemies of the herbivore insects eating the plant--meaning, it's the plant's way of recruiting help defending itself. The plant attracts other insects that like to eat the insects that are eating it. Isn't that amazing?! These plant volatiles can even signal to neighboring plants to increase their defense responses too!

So, woohoo to plants for having such a sophisticated defense strategy. But, even better for us? This means that we're getting more antioxidant goodness when we eat those organically-grown leafy greens that have some insect holes in them--you know, the same ones no one else wants to buy so your farmer sells them to you on the cheap?!?! It also means we don't need to get quite so worked up about aphids eating up our vegetable gardens--they're doing us a favor! This is also why strategies like crushing garlic 10 minutes before you add it to whatever you're cooking increases the antioxidant properties.

And thanks to Fry Farm for sharing this fun fact.

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/form/garden-volunteers-needed-do-you-have-gall-wasp-infested-citrus-tree

Garden volunteers needed - do you have a gall wasp infested citrus tree? | Agriculture and Food The Department is looking for 50 volunteers with citrus trees infested with citrus gall wasp to participate in our emergence modelling. We need to determine exactly when emergence starts and how long it goes for so that we can develop effective controls.

The P&C is very sorry to announce that Good2Grow 2019 has been cancelled. Good2Grow started as a modest fundraiser selling organic fertilisers, mulches and plants and grew into a fantastic and highly successful community outreach event. It has raised much needed funds to support our growing school. We'd like to thank those parents and staff who have been involved over the past 6 years.
The P&C will bring a similar community outreach event in 2020. Until then happy gardening.

This looks to be interesting.

Free Online Fermentation Summit 2019 More than 30 experts, foodies, chefs, health practitioners and doctors share their knowledge around fermentation!

Let's think greener 🌱

Exactly WMRC, this is one of the reasons we do it

Wow, this is incredible!

Japanese Farmers Plant Specific Strains of Rice to Grow Colorfully Illustrated Fields The village of Inakadate, Japan, creates large-scale rice paddy art using seven different kinds of rice as their color palette.

Container Deposit Scheme In WA | Own Your Impact The Western Australian Government is introducing a state-wide container deposit scheme to help divert waste from landfill and create jobs. Find out how you can Own Your Impact.