Ruth asks…
Where to get an organic tobacco, and is it legal to grow tobacco in backyard for your own use?
I am a smoker. I was outraged when I have read that there are 499 carcinogenic and poisonous chemicals – pesticides or additives- in cigarettes. I wonder if smoking an organic tobacco rolled by hand- with no additives-, would save me some health hazards!?
GardenersCardiff answers:
American Spirit has an organic line of tobacco which comes pre-rolled or in 2oz pouches (but not in the large 6 oz cans, unfortunately). All of the AS tobacco is free of the 699 additives and this does make for a better smoke.
Yes you can grow your own tobacco for your own use but it takes at least 3 years of curing the leaf to get a mellow smoke according to an old friend who used to grow certified organic tobacco for American Spirit.
Http://alanbishop.proboards60.com/index.cgi
This web forum has several experts in growing organic tobacco and they trade many different types (there are well over 25 different tobaccos grown for smoking and even more grown for other purposes)
Since no one has done any research using clean tobacco we have no idea if chem free tobacco is safer than tobacco laced with hundreds of chemicals, though I notice that in the be afraid of tobacco ads most of the chemicals they say are the worst are chemicals that the tobacco is cured in and not there naturally so I would say chem free is probably far less dangerous.
John asks…
What keeps people from making their own cigarettes?
Seems to me like you could just grow your own tobacco, under a special light or something, and roll the cigs yourself, and not have to pay the outrageous taxes. What keeps people from doing this?
GardenersCardiff answers:
It is a big process to grow your own. I know what you’re thinking, “there’s got to be an easier way”, well there is. Have you heard of the new craze called e-cigarettes? It’s just like smoking a real cigarette, but instead it’s odorless and smokeless and much healthier for you.
Check it out http://ecigarets.com , it’s going to be huge. You can even become a seller of this product.
Donna asks…
Are smokers willing to grow their own tobacco to avoid paying taxes?
We have all heard about how the smokers are bearing the burden of the new taxes. While I am not a smoker, I am all for the freedom to smoke.
Since I am a gardener, I was wondering how hard it would be to grow my own tobacco. So I did a little research.
So if smokers are tired of paying for smokes, why don’t you grow your own tobacco in your own back yard. You need a shed to dry it, but other than that it is no harder to grow than green beans.
They can’t tax it if you don’t buy it from a store. They may be able to raise the taxes on the seeds and papers, but you can get any paper to smoke it.
Seeds:
http://www.newhopeseed.com/tobacco/seed_culture.htm
How to harvest and dry:
http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/fermenttobac.htm
Rolling supplies:
http://www.ryocigarette.com/rollingpapers.html
Dude – most people who would grow their own have sheds to hold their lawn and yard equipment. So its not that hard nor does it cost too much.
GardenersCardiff answers:
We are a society of instant gratification. With that in mind few people would grow rather than buy. The same would happen if we legalized and taxed marijuana, which is why I’ve never understood the “they’d still buy it from the street” argument… Rolled for them in a pack or carton versus a bag where they had to do all their own work? Stoners would be lined up around the block to buy from the stores.. And would probably fund Universal Health care lol.
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Linda asks…
Why did God make my garden of heavy clay?
Today I was digging in my garden which consists of very heavy clay mixed with flint and I wished it had been like my previous garden, 20 miles away, that was chalky and easy. I got to thinking, why did God make so many different types of soil all over the world, when he could have made it all of a rich loam. I noticed that the flora and fauna were subtly different in my current garden than it was in my previous one. I thought at first it was because God wanted to make different varieties of flora and fauna but then I realised God could make many different ones on loam if he so wished.
I read through Genesis but could find no answer. Is it possible that geologists and evolutionists are correct or have I missed something?
jd: roses hate clay, it gives them black spot.
Spiky: Of course I can speak for myself as long as God tells me how.
GardenersCardiff answers:
God thinks you are an Atheist
Joseph asks…
I would like to start a garden for my preschool, is it too late in the season?
I work for a preschool and we just made space outside to start a small garden. Is it too late to start one in California? It will get enough sun and we are hoping it will last into the fall / winter. What are some easy plants that young children can help us to plant, hopefully from seeds or small spouts? We already have strawberries, tomatoes and herbs. Also, if anyone could help me with step by step directions to start a small compost, I would appreciate it! We also have a rabbit, how could we use it’s manure? Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Now is the perfect time to plant pumpkins and various squash. The kids will have little jack o lanterns for Halloween!
Lisa asks…
Growing Potatoes First time! Am I doing it right!?
Hi I have heard that growing potatoes are very easy, So I thought I would try them out, for the first time. I Have made a “No Dig Garden” bed, Using lots of compost and sugar cane mulch.
With Soil on top of the” No Dig Garden”, I then planted my seed potatoes, and then put some more Sugar cane mulch over them.
I have been watering them every day, but am I giving them too much water? Do they like wet soil? Do Potatoes like a warm or cool climate? I had a look at what was going on this morning and the potato seed is very soft, I am a bit worried that they might rot! How long until you see the first signs of growth? I hope I am doing it right, but any advice would be great!
Thanks! 
Hi Thank you for the answers so far!
I live in Australia and it is early spring now. Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Potatoes http://easybloom.com/plantlibrary/plant/potato-9 need to grow before (or after frost). Depending on where you are, you could still get a late harvest (potatoes usually take 80-90 days) If the potatoes freeze, they’re inedible.
So back to your planting–your soil should be moist, but “wet” and watering every day sounds like you are overdoing it. Back off a bit.
Potatoes like a “temperate” climate-60s at day, 50s at night, is ideal.
[Added: oh, Australia! My advice was for the States]
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