We are supporting each other with our blogs .
Joy is teaching me gardening stuff & I am excited........
go to everyday choices laughter/tips page
she even has a fan page on facebook
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
MOON GARDENIG
Gardening by the phases of the moon is a technique that can speed the germination of your seeds by working with the forces of nature.
How does lunar planting work?
Isaac Newton established the laws of gravity, which proves the tides are affected by the gravitational pull of the moon. The pull of the moon is stronger than the sun because, even though the sun is larger, the moon is closer to the earth. The strongest effect is felt when the moon and sun pull from the opposite sides of the earth, at the full moon phase, although it also creates high tides when they are on the same side (at the new moon) as well.
"The gravitation of the passing moon pulls the nearest body of water a little away from the solid mass of earth beneath it, and at the same time pulls the earth a little away from the water on the farthest side. In this manner the moon sets up two tidal bulges on opposite sides of the earth." These same forces affect the water content of the soil, creating more moisture in the soil at the time of the new and full moon. This increased moisture encourages the seeds to sprout and grow.
Dr. Frank Brown of Northwestern University performed research over a ten-year period of time, keeping meticulous records of his results. He found that plants absorbed more water at the time of the full moon. He conducted his experiments in a laboratory without direct contact from the moon, yet he found that they were still influenced by it. Rudolf Steiner was the founder of the anthroposophical movement, which sees a correlation between science, nature, universal laws and spiritual concerns. Out of this movement the Biodynamic methods of planting were developed. He established a relationship between the elements of earth, air, fire, or water that corresponded to specific parts of the plants. Earth corresponds to root, water to leaf growth, fire to seed production, and air corresponds to flowers. Hence, when planting crops for their fleshy roots, you would plant them in an earth sign, and so forth.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
naturalized gardening
I like to experiment with gardening and finding ways to use nature's own processes with as little interference from me as possible. It's all trial and error for me but it's really interesting. It's made me rethink lots of things.
Why spend so much money buying spring mix at Giant Eagle when I am working so hard to get rid of the natural salad plants that want to grow for free my yard and garden?
Why spend so much money for herbal teas and remedies when I am working so hard to get rid of the herbs that want to grow for free my yard and garden?
Why spend so much money raking up and removing all the foliage [natural mulch] that falls from the trees, shrubs and other plants and then spend more money and effort buying bags and spreading store bought mulch?
Why buy and spread grass seed in a lawn that has a natural evergreen ground cover that they sell at the nursery for big bucks?
Our little green space in the world has become a long project of creating island natural gardens with perennials and shrubs added that like the light and soil. The end goal is that these garden areas will continue to expand until one day there will be no lawn but instead walkways and smaller green areas that require no mowing since they will be covered by that luxurious evergreen natural ground covering that just wants to grow there.
In the meantime, I leave all the leaves where they fall in the gardens and we still remove the fall leaves from the lawn but we save them in an out of the way spot just in the woods. Over the years, as this wonderful vegetation rots, it creates a rich compost that I add back into the island gardens.
Now as I walk around the gardens each evening, I snack on the berries, rose hips, flowers, salad leaves, whatever is in season and all of the eatable snacks grew there for free.
Why spend so much money buying spring mix at Giant Eagle when I am working so hard to get rid of the natural salad plants that want to grow for free my yard and garden?
Why spend so much money for herbal teas and remedies when I am working so hard to get rid of the herbs that want to grow for free my yard and garden?
Why spend so much money raking up and removing all the foliage [natural mulch] that falls from the trees, shrubs and other plants and then spend more money and effort buying bags and spreading store bought mulch?
Why buy and spread grass seed in a lawn that has a natural evergreen ground cover that they sell at the nursery for big bucks?
Our little green space in the world has become a long project of creating island natural gardens with perennials and shrubs added that like the light and soil. The end goal is that these garden areas will continue to expand until one day there will be no lawn but instead walkways and smaller green areas that require no mowing since they will be covered by that luxurious evergreen natural ground covering that just wants to grow there.
In the meantime, I leave all the leaves where they fall in the gardens and we still remove the fall leaves from the lawn but we save them in an out of the way spot just in the woods. Over the years, as this wonderful vegetation rots, it creates a rich compost that I add back into the island gardens.
Now as I walk around the gardens each evening, I snack on the berries, rose hips, flowers, salad leaves, whatever is in season and all of the eatable snacks grew there for free.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
WILL WE HAVE ANOTHER BAD WINTER? FOLKLORE WILL TELL
Folklore tells us that the wooly bear caterpillar (the larva of the Isabella tiger moth or Pyrrharctia Isabella) can predict how harsh a winter is in store. If the brown band in the middle is large, it will be a mild winter; if narrow, a severe one. Severe winters are also forecasted by:
- an abundance of acorns
- very dense feathers on chickens or thick coats on raccoons
- Very thick skins on onions or corn husks
- Crickets in the chimney or on the hearth
- Frequent halos around the sun or the moon.
I LOVE GINGER ...SNUGS DON'T!
GINGER IS EXTREMELY POTENT SNAIL AND SLUG REPELLENT, ONE THAT IS NOT TOXIC TO PETS, PEOPLE OR THE ENVIRONMENT. ITS SPICY SHARP BURNING TASTE SERVES TO PROTECT PLANTS FROM INSECTS. SPREADING GINGER POWERED SPICE ON THE GROUND AROUND PLANTS CREATES A BARRIER BEYOND WHICH SNAILS AND SLUGS WILL NOT TREAD.
Padded Handles...
For a more comfortable, blister-free grip on garden tools, slip 3/4 inch plastic- foam pipe insulation over your hoe, rake , spades and shovel handles. the insulation eliminates the need
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Time Has Come
to pay attention to ourselves..our habits and our habitats. I think this blog will be exceptionally helpful! I know you have knowledge and skill in this area.
Thank you Joy, for taking things in hand; and thank you for inviting me to be a part of your blog.
Thank you Joy, for taking things in hand; and thank you for inviting me to be a part of your blog.
GOOD BOOK I AM READING
HOW TO GROW MORE VEGETABLES BY JOHN JEAVONS
THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK ABOUT BIOINTENSIVE GARDENING WWW.GROWBIOINTENSIVE.ORG
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
learning is growing
Donna is a supporter of Our Good Earth. We both blog if you eat well then you are taking care of yourself.
I am working on it: join me in my staying healthy blog
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
I am thrilled!
I am thrilled to be invited as a contributor to Our Good Earth. I'm so looking forward to learning more and sharing tales of the soil. Thanks!!!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
We are Slow but that comes with GROWTH
Joy- I love that we are friends and she is helping me with my personal garden this year adding to my life ~love ya
Monday, March 1, 2010
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