Storing the Monsoons

This past  month, Arizona and Nevada were flooded by monsoon rains, with Phoenix recording 3.3 inches of rain in just seven hours, a record for the city.

Everyone knows rain in the desert is rare - that is what defines a desert.  However, when the rare rains do come, the ground is frequently so inhospitable to water that flooding results, and the water quickly rushes away back to rivers and streams toward the ocean.  We are unable to use the water for irrigation purposes, and the vegetation that would be able to use it is frequently swept away.

Is there a way to harvest this rainfall, all while slowly flash flooding?  We know trees slow the speed which rainfall reaches the ground with their leaves force the water to slowly percolate down to the ground.  Also, trees planted along waterways (called riparian buffers) serve as physical barriers to water rushing into already swollen streams.  Tree roots also loosen the soil, allowing compacted desert earth (called hardpan) to accept water rather than running it off like glass.  So, clearly planting more trees in the desert would be a valid way to help with flood control.

However, trees don't easily get established in the desert.  As mentioned, most rainfall comes in a very short period in the desert, and the ground does not absorb it.  This process is explained in the video below.

So, trees (and other plants) need a stored source of water to continue living after the monsoon-like rains disappear.  For this purpose, a device called the Groasis Waterboxx was invented.  The Groasis Waterboxx is a self-refilling water battery for trees, a dew and rain collector that stores water and slowly releases it to the roots of a growing plant.  The principles of the Waterboxx are explained below.

Since the Waterboxx can be completely refilled with just 4 inches of rain, once yearly monsoons can provide much of the water a tree needs.  In fact, the Waterboxx had an 88-99% success rate sustaining young trees for one year in the Sahara desert planting trial.

After the tree grows and gets almost too large for the Waterboxx, the Waterboxx can be removed and reused for other trees for up to ten years.  The Waterboxx planted tree will have deep roots that reach underground capillary water, allowing it to survive the periods between rains without dying.  The deep roots also prevent the tree from being washed away during storms, a serious problem with store bought trees with shallow roots.

Dew Harvest® LLC was started because we saw the incredible value of the Waterboxx, and we hoped to encourage its use in the United States.  We believe huge numbers of trees could be established with this device, storing carbon, mitigating floods, providing food for wildlife and profit and enjoyment to landowners.  Learn more about the Waterboxx, or buy the Waterboxx here.

You can see all our blog posts about planting trees with the Waterboxx here.  We would love to hear your comments below - to leave one, please click on "Comments".

Southwest Megadrought

A recent study suggests that the American Southwest may be more likely to undergo a decade long drought within the next hundred years.  The study, by Toby Ault of Cornell University, states that decades long droughts have happened in the past for unknown reasons.  The records of these droughts comes from tree rings (which are narrower if the tree that year grew under drought conditions).

Much of the American Southwest is already in drought conditions, with California and Arizona suffering unusual dryness.  Lake Mead, the great reservoir behind the Hoover Dam, is at historically low levels as seen below.

Lake Mead - From National Park Service - the white rim visible well above the current water level

So if there is not enough water to continue the current lifestyle and agricultural productivity of the desert Southwest from irrigation, what can be done?  Some places, like San Diego, are experimenting with desalination of seawater to make freshwater.  This is not practical for much of the Southwest interior states, or even states like Arizona (which famously lacks ocean front property).  

Because of the obvious presence of rivers and streams, it is forgotten that there is over six times more fresh water in the air than in rivers.  There is also more water available in capillary water (not ground water in the traditional sense) in the soil than is available in rivers and streams.  

When the location of fresh water becomes more evident (air and soil moisture stored as capillary water) the question quickly becomes - how do we access this water?  An inventor and Dutch flower breeder by the name of Pieter Hoff also had this question.  He retired from his flower business, spent 7 years and 7.1 million dollars developing a device to access this water.  His invention is called the Groasis Waterboxx.  The Groasis Waterboxx is a self recharging water battery for trees and other compact plants,  It is filled initially by a person, and the soil underneath it is moistened.  The Waterboxx then collects dew and rainwater, stores it in a fifteen liter reservoir, and slowly releases it to the roots of a growing plant.  The Waterboxx never needs human refilling after initial set up.  

The Waterboxx encourages the roots of the tree to reach for deeper capillary water by creating a vertical water column.   This is directly opposite of traditional irrigation which encourages shallow root growth by releasing large amounts of water to only the top layer of soil.  Shallow roots are then more likely to dry out quickly once the irrigation water is stopped (due to drought).  After the tree reaches this water (and becomes self-sustaining), the Waterboxx can be removed and reused for up to 10 years.  

Dew Harvest® LLC was started in the United States to help promote the Groasis Waterboxx.  We truly desire to see new forests, vineyards, and orchards planted across the drier parts of our nation.  With drought currently evident in much of the country and increasingly likely in others, it is clear that the time for the Groasis Waterboxx has come.  Be the first in your area to start growing trees and other plants with the Groasis Waterboxx.  Buy the Waterboxx today.

You can see all our blog posts about planting trees with the Waterboxx here. We would love to hear your comments below - to leave one, please click on "Comments". 

How much calcium nitrate per tomato plant?

Blossom-end rot is a tomato problem typified by dark, water-soaked spots on the bottom of each fruit. These grow over time and become leathery and sunken, affecting both the appearance and edibility of the tomato. Blossom-end rot usually happens because of a nutrient imbalance, though other factors can also encourage it. While this problem is best prevented using cultural techniques, applying calcium nitrate spray to affected plants can correct it, especially in indoor or container-grown tomatoes.

Tomato plants require four key elements ensuring healthy growth and a maximum crop yield. Nitrogen, calcium, potassium and phosphorus all affect tomato plants' growth but in different ways. The delivery of these four elements makes a difference. Nitrogen is most effectively delivered as calcium nitrate. Too much nitrogen decreases the plants' health. Know how much is enough and how much is too much.

Tomato Nutrient Requirements

Tomato plants require a balanced dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium, but over-fertilizing and poor soil quality can cause imbalances. An excess of nitrogen may make your plants look lush and green, but it tends to result in thin, lanky stalks, poor fruit set and an increased risk of blossom-end rot later in the season. This problem occurs more frequently in areas with sandy soil, high salinity or inconsistent moisture levels.

Nutrient needs
Tomato plants usually often get much nitrogen and too little calcium and phosphorus, required for strong, thick tomato stalks, strong plant cell walls and disease-resistance. Nitrogen produces early, lush foliage, but impedes fruit set and reduces leaves and fruit production later in the season. Potassium also promotes growth, blossom and fruit set.

Soil
Soil for tomato plants should be well drained but holds moisture. The best time to prepare the ground is the previous autumn. Plough and then test the soil. The two nitrogen levels your test will report. AN and NN should be 40 phosphorus and potassium readings 240, calcium 3,000 and magnesium 400. Correct low or high levels.

Watering
Fertiliser alone won't produce healthy plants. The availability of calcium and phosphorus depends chiefly upon soil moisture. Too much or too little moisture impedes plant uptake of nutrients. High-calcium soils may produce calcium deficient plants if improperly watered. Microorganisms and organic acids in the soil also affect phosphorus and calcium absorption by the plants. Waterlogged or arid soils inhibit microorganisms and organic acids from doing their jobs.

Nutrient depletion issues
Horticulture scientists in Iran demonstrated that attention to calcium and potassium in fertilisation produces the best quality tomatoes. During fruit development, tomatoes deplete potassium and weaken plants. Applying potassium, phosphorus and calcium restores minerals absorbed for fruit growth.

Application
Space tomato plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart. Apply fertiliser on transplanting and again when the first fruits are one third grown. Apply 1.59kg. of calcium nitrate per 100 feet of row or 312 to 340gr/ per plant, mixed into the top inch of soil. Avoid dusting the foliage with the fertiliser. Wash it off if you do. Calcium nitrate is found in many tomato specific fertilisers that also contain potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. An 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 tomato-specific fertiliser is most widely recommended by horticulturists. Fertilisers with calcium nitrate not only provide nitrogen, but calcium as well

Calcium Nitrate Effects
If your tomatoes show distress during the run up to harvest, calcium nitrate boosts plant growth, strong stems and branches. Calcium nitrate delays flowering and seed set. Some gardeners use it for that purpose, applying 1 to 3 gallons of calcium nitrate per acre per week during plant growth. Discontinue calcium nitrate before fruiting begins.

Preventing blossom-end rot

The best way to prevent your tomatoes from developing unappealing dark spots is to provide balanced nutrition and consistent watering. Amend your soil periodically with lime to increase pH and provide calcium. If you choose to apply fertilizer, use small amounts at a time to avoid an excess of nitrogen in the soil. Mulch plants to conserve water and reduce the risk of dry soil, watering only when necessary. Ideally, the soil should stay moist but not wet, to encourage appropriate uptake of calcium and phosphorus.

Calcium nitrate application

If your tomatoes have already developed blossom-end rot, you can provide more balanced nutrition using a foliar spray of calcium nitrate mixed with water. Combine 4 level tablespoons of calcium nitrate in 1 gallon of water and apply to the tomato leaves two to three times per week, starting when the second set of blossoms appears. The ideal application rate is 1 gallon of this solution for every 20 to 50 square feet of garden, notes International Ag Labs. You can also apply calcium nitrate as a side-dressing at a rate of 4 ounces for 7 to 10 feet of row. Mix the side dressing carefully into the first 1 inch of surface soil and avoid getting it on the leaves.

Considerations

Calcium nitrate sprays are most effective on plants grown indoors or on a patio in a controlled environment, according to the University of California's Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. The sprays produce less reliable results in the garden, making them a less desirable option than carefully timed watering and fertilizer application schedules. Use calcium nitrate on your tomatoes only after exhausting other solutions for blossom-end rot.

Customer Results of Gardening with the Groasis Waterboxx

Dew Harvest® has been selling Groasis Waterboxxes for about 18 months currently, and we feel privileged to introduce this technology to the United States, where it has so many uses.  When we ship Waterboxxes to a customer, we encourage them to email us picture results (to testimonials@dewharvest.com).  We are now receiving our first testimonials, and these are very encouraging.

Below, you see a customer in Hemet, California who purchased a tomato plant at a local store and planted it with the Waterboxx.  As you can see, the tomato plant not only survived but thrived and increased greatly in size in just one week.

This customer inserted a second wick in the base of the Waterboxx (to deliver more water to the roots of the tomato), and because of this the Waterboxx may need to be refilled with water occasionally, but it will still collect dew and rainwater and store them in the reservoir.  If only one wick is inserted, the Waterboxx will never need to be refilled.  The Waterboxx's design prevents evaporation of the water that has been released.

Same tomato plant, seven weeks after transplant

This customer from Hemet, California did rig up a hanging trellis system above the indeterminate tomatoes because they grew so large they needed more support.  To quote him "With a good tomato harvest, a single Waterboxx has the potential to pay for itself in one growing season".  

The same tomato plant on November 7, 2014

Of note, tomatoes in particular are much less likely to split because of the consistent 50 mL (10 teaspoons) of water delivered to their roots daily.  Because this customer inserted a second wick into the Waterboxx, the Waterboxx has a net outflow of around 1 gallon per week.  This means the Waterboxx needs to be refilled once a month in the absence of rain.  Of note, this is not necessary with the standard one wick as the Waterboxx will stay in water balance.

The Waterboxx is excellent for growing tomatoes, melons, pumpkins, zucchini, and of course for establishing trees.  What about growing greens.  The same Waterboxx enthusiast as above found an ingenious way to use the water from the Waterboxx for hydrating a whole raised be of greens (34 plants).  It only needed ~3 gallons (or less than one filling) per week of the Waterboxx directly and no overhead watering otherwise.  The gardener is able to enjoy fresh greens daily.

Below you can see Giant Marconi and Carmen peppers growing with the Waterboxx.  This picture was taken in mid-May 2015.

The Groasis Waterboxx was originally designed to let people grow trees, but it can also be used to garden in drought, especially like the one gripping California right now.

Crimson Sweet Watermelon growing with the Groasis Waterboxx PlantCocoon® in late June, 2015.  This Waterboxx only has 3 wicks, and only needs refilling about one a week.  The largest of these watermelon right now is almost 20 lbs and in need of picking.   

Small and large tomatoes in late June with the Waterboxx PlantCocoon®.  This customer has such a long growing season that he can except continued tomato production until early November.  The Waterboxx only needs refilling once per week in his location.

Juliet tomatoes grown with the Waterboxx PlantCocoon® during the 2015 drought.  This plant only needed watering 8 times during all of the 2015 growing season, and has produced almost 400 fruit so far (as of July 27).  

Crimson Sweet watermelon grown with the Waterboxx PlantCocoon®.  This plant has produced over 64 lbs of melons with watering only 8 times, all because of the Waterboxx!

If you have recently purchased a Groasis Waterboxx and would like your results displayed (with your location and/or name, your preference being honored), please email them to us at testimonials@dewharvest.com.

As always, you can buy the Waterboxx at www.dewharvest.com  

At Dew Harvest® our motto is "Replant the Earth"

You can see all our blog posts about planting trees with the Waterboxx here. We would love to hear your comments below - to leave one, please click on "Comments".