tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post3500210850358921150..comments2023-08-21T15:49:17.685-07:00Comments on In Lee's Garden Now: LECTURES, VEGGIES, & HERBSLee Reichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706667868301897739noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-20629723005509136682013-01-28T16:32:16.670-08:002013-01-28T16:32:16.670-08:00Be careful about the difference between conjecture...Be careful about the difference between conjecture and fact: "That would make sense that a fruit higher or lower in certain nutrients would lend different flavors to it depending on the levels of which nutrient." It might make sense but it has not been proven and is not necessarily true. A lot of things make sense until you learn more about what's going on.<br />Lee Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706667868301897739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-41334258645766050632013-01-28T14:38:28.653-08:002013-01-28T14:38:28.653-08:00That would make sense that a fruit higher or lower...That would make sense that a fruit higher or lower in certain nutrients would lend different flavors to it depending on the levels of which nutrient.<br /><br />I agree that if present day produce is less nutritious, that is relatively insignificant in overall health compared to the other factors you list. I would only add to your list our food selection. Much too much grain and starchy foods.Joshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-18322926772021975792013-01-28T13:07:57.629-08:002013-01-28T13:07:57.629-08:00Good questions. As far as the correlation of taste...Good questions. As far as the correlation of taste and nutrient density, it might depend on which nutrients. Suppose something was more dense in a few nutrients and less dense in some other ones. More importantly, though, I don't think anyone has established a correlation between taste and nutrient density, however either is defined, except for those who stand to profit from and promote "nutrient dense" farming.<br /><br />Adding chemical fertilizers in the "right" amounts could do something. But plants are not passive players here; they take an active role in deciding what and how much to take up of various nutrients. The way to get the best nutrition is to to grow great-tasting varieties in ground that's been enriched with plenty of compost. Growing a variety that is naturally more nutrient-dense is for naught if the vegetable doesn't taste good; you won't want to eat it.<br /><br />A bigger issue is whether produce that is less nutrient dense than in the past is a major health concern. I don't think so. Fast food, too much food, factory food (anything in a package), and lack of exercise are, I think, more important limitations to our general health. More home-grown fruits and vegetables would help.Lee Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706667868301897739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-38418503431019151802013-01-28T12:13:01.052-08:002013-01-28T12:13:01.052-08:00Lee,
Then would you say that there is little, som...Lee,<br /><br />Then would you say that there is little, some, or much correlation between taste(however defined) and the nutrient density of food?<br /><br />And why couldn't farmers add chemical fertilizers with the "right" amounts of micronutrients to achieve historical levels of nutrient density in their food? Are we simply up against the physiological limits of the plant to uptake nutrients?Joshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-47893834100746299882013-01-27T10:05:39.822-08:002013-01-27T10:05:39.822-08:00No need to give away your refractometer. It is, as...No need to give away your refractometer. It is, as I wrote, useful for measuring sugars in solution, which can be useful for determining optimum harvest of some fruits. Wine grape growers do this. Also if you grow kiwifruits and want them to store well and taste good, you harvest them when their Brix level is about 10.Lee Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706667868301897739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-46124440789740753842013-01-27T06:50:58.371-08:002013-01-27T06:50:58.371-08:00Thanks! I'll go back and read your post.Thanks! I'll go back and read your post.http://learningandyearning.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14933825929837615756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-21632373456486504392013-01-26T18:45:57.433-08:002013-01-26T18:45:57.433-08:00There's no scientific backing for this whole n...There's no scientific backing for this whole nutrient dense / high brix gardening movement (as I pointed out in my Sept. 1, 2011 blog post). The correlation of minerals with brix levels is only found in that group's publications. There is NO reason for gardeners around the country to invest in refractometers to check brix levels for fertility recommendations. The testing and amending are good business for those selling such services and products. Don't believe everything you read (except for this, of course.)Lee Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706667868301897739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-72186767454030892532013-01-26T17:22:30.950-08:002013-01-26T17:22:30.950-08:00Nutrient dense garden produce is a topic in which ...Nutrient dense garden produce is a topic in which I'm extremely interested. High brix gardening sounds good, but most people either could not be bothered, or cannot afford the high costs of specialized soil testing and amending. From what I've read, high brix numbers do correlate w/high nutrients (as does fantastic flavor). My dear husband gifted me a refractometer for my recent birthday so that I can play. Do you happen to have one? For my blog, and for my role as a Master Gardener in my county, I would love to have gardeners around the country take brix readings of what they are growing, and send them to me, along with their methods of gardening. I'm thinking that this would be a reasonable way to make recommendations of types of gardening based on nutrient density. http://learningandyearning.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14933825929837615756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-58247382346158242892013-01-26T07:23:49.784-08:002013-01-26T07:23:49.784-08:00Thank you, that was the one I was targeting...Thank you, that was the one I was targeting...funnyfaceincahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07689195165523408400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-58224127534267629362013-01-25T11:33:44.543-08:002013-01-25T11:33:44.543-08:00I'd recommend UNCOMMON FRUITS FOR EVERY GARDEN...I'd recommend UNCOMMON FRUITS FOR EVERY GARDEN. The fruits are interesting, tasty, and easy to grow.Lee Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706667868301897739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827857515189667911.post-52645971051215421422013-01-25T10:53:34.234-08:002013-01-25T10:53:34.234-08:00Would you mind recommending one of your books on g...Would you mind recommending one of your books on growing fruit? My garden is about 30 miles north of San Francisco. In my neighborhood I see the same things over and over--figs and lemons, fuji apples, black-boysen berries, blueberries, strawberries--I want to plant some unusual fruits in my garden.... Just planted red currants Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com