On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 11:27:59 -0600, Brenda Young  
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> How do you find out what is native to the area? We live in TN now and not
> only would I like to grow my own veggies and fruits, but I would like to
> grow what is native. I assume paleo men/women would have eaten what is
> native to where they lived. No?
Yes, of course.  I doubt very much if foodstuffs were traded; too heavy
for the value.  You can ask your local state Forest Service, your local
Extension agents, local nurseries.  Probably there are books out on
Tennessee native plants.  There are plenty of them for Colorado where I  
live.
Probably your local community college gives classes in edible wild plants  
of your
area (they certainly do here).

I would not worry much about how the young trees are grown.  I expect
the spraying is minimal until the tree starts to fruit.  Not even very
much fertilizer would be used, since it is harmful to young fruit trees.
Apples are absolutely doused in pesticides to keep the codling moth out of  
them,
but this certainly won't happen until the trees start to bear.

	Lynnet