IT'S EARTH DAY 2026!

Happy Earth Day from ARBICO Organics! This year we'd like to introduce you to our newest local non-profit partner - Mission Garden.

Locals and visitors alike can attest to the way Mission Garden is able to enchant those who spend time on its winding paths. When you step onto the living agricultural museum grounds, you are taken back 4,000 years to a watershed sacred to the indigenous Tohono O’odham.

Mission Garden is a volunteer run 501(c)3 educational non-profit. Their focus is on Sonoran Desert-adapted heritage fruit trees, traditional local heirloom crops, and edible native plants. Their wide variety of garden plots include Native Plants, Early Agriculture, Hohokam, O’odham Before European Contact, O’odham After European Contact, Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, Yoeme, Africa in the Americas, Medicinal, and Youth.  They are also always expanding their breadth with new areas in development such as the Grassland, Territorial, Statehood and Tomorrow’s gardens, as well as the Trail of Ndé (Apache) Plants. 

Whether a self-guided walk about; or a docent led tour, these winding paths take you back centuries. Seeing how the Tohono O’odham lived and cultivated the land in the Native American village of Cuk Ṣon (pronounced Chuk Shon). On this Earth Day (and everyday!)  this commitment to preserving and sharing the methods of ancestors is one of the many reasons we love Mission Garden. They offer several ways to be involved in learning to be a steward of the land; they have volunteer opportunities ranging from Gardening and Seed Saving to Construction, and Administrative opportunities. 

So head over to their beautiful and historic grounds, slowly walk the paths, and learn a bit about the fertile land that provided life to many and continues to do so to this day. 

For more information, visit their website: Mission Garden

For Volunteer information: Volunteer Opportunities 

Read about the timeline of the site: History of the Land

For some insight from a Mission Garden spokesperson, listen to our podcast with their Community Outreach Coordinator Kendall Kroesen  here

More New Products from BioWorks

Back at the end of February I put out a blog highlighting some new products from one of our favorite vendors, BioWorks. Now I have a couple more to share with you, Sandrine Copper Soap and Cintro Insecticidal Soap. Like the ones in the earlier blog, these products are not the result of a breakthrough of some sort; they are, instead, the results of shrewd improvements to well-proven ingredients. We highly recommend you have these on hand to keep your garden healthy and bountiful.

Sandrine Copper Soap™

Fungal and bacterial diseases can appear suddenly and spread rapidly, causing a rapid decline in plant health and having a devastating effect on yields. OMRI-listed Sandrine uses the well-known disease-fighting power of copper to put a quick end to pathogens that threaten your plants. What makes this particular formulation special is its profile of fatty acids that allows the copper to spread quickly and evenly across plant surfaces. Once applied to the plant surface, it will quickly penetrate pathogenic cells, disrupting their enzyme systems and ending early infections. In addition to its spreadability, this improved coverage allows for less copper traditional formulas, which significantly reduces the risk of phytotoxicity. Organic Sandrine is exceptional as part of a disease management or IPM program.  It has a 4-hour REI and a flexible tank-mix compatibility. Sandrine is suitable for organic or traditional growing and can be applied throughout the growing season, preventatively, or at the first sign of disease. Sold in a 1 gallon size (SKU 1332931).

Cintro Insecticidal Soap™

This is a new and improved form of insecticidal soap. It addresses certain common problems that arise with most insecticides that are used to control insects and mites. One of these problems is that that the insects’ waxy cuticle can prevent products from penetrating, needing multiple applications to achieve the desired effect. Another is that many insecticides leave long-lasting residuals that can disrupt or complicate IPM, beneficial insect, and rotation programs. OMRI-listed Cintro deals with both these problems by using a solution formulated with potassium salts of fatty acids. This formula dissolves the insect’s cuticle and disrupts its cell membranes, causing death. Also, Cintro dries without leaving any residual insecticidal activity. This means you can release beneficials as soon as Cintro dries and that your carefully planned programs can go ahead without interference. This is a contact insecticide that can be used in organic or traditional growing. Use preventatively or at early pest detection. 12-hour REI and 0-day PHI. Sold in a 2.5 gallon size (SKU 1247655) or cases of 2 - 2.5 gallon sizes (SKU 1247656).

Submitted by Pam