squash harvest - Okanogan Biodiversity Farm in Tonasket, WA
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Permaculture - permanent agriculture
For more resources on permaculture, please check out the "resources" tab above.
Permaculture is a system of agricultural methods and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems. Agriculturally, it seeks to integrate human activity with natural surroundings so as to create highly efficient self-sustaining ecosystems.
Free lectures by Bill Mollison, considered by many to be the father of permaculture...www.networkearth.org/perma/culture.html#Permaculture
Permaculture is a system of agricultural methods and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems. Agriculturally, it seeks to integrate human activity with natural surroundings so as to create highly efficient self-sustaining ecosystems.
Free lectures by Bill Mollison, considered by many to be the father of permaculture...www.networkearth.org/perma/culture.html#Permaculture
Learn how to properly can, smoke, ferment, pickle, freeze and preserve food to avoid harmful toxins. Online information available from the National Center for Home Food Preservation at http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_home.html
Build your own $20 cob oven
Check out Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage for ways to live homegrown and healthy sustainably. Here is their link to building a cob oven -- http://homegrownandhealthy.com/build-your-own-20-outdoor-cob-oven-weekend-projects/
Have a Garden Question or Need Some Gardening Advice?
Call or email the Free Garden Hotline of the Seattle Tilth for help with your gardening questions: best for West Coast gardeners
Garden Hotline (206) 633-0224 Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time
Garden Hotline (206) 633-0224 Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time
Organic Pest Control: Beneficial Insects
There are many insects that can protect and benefit your garden such that pesticides are not needed. Click on this link from Mother Earth News for more information and pictures to help you attract and identify these beneficial insects.
Tips for Natural Insect Control
Most insects are actually beneficial for your garden...lady bugs, preying mantis etc. The basis of organic garden is to build a healthy, well balanced ecosystem. Chemical pesticides kill ALL insects (including the beneficial ones) and disrupt the ecosystem of your garden, compromising the health of the plants you will be eating. The chemical pesticides are also very harmful for humans. Here are some natural options:
Natural Insecticide Recipes:
Boric acid (100%) powder is odorless and non-staining. Kills roaches, termites, fire ants, palmetto bugs, ticks, bedbugs, fleas, box elder bugs, carpet beetles, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, grasshoppers, millipedes, scorpions, slugs, water bugs, and many more insects.
NATURAL ALL PURPOSE INSECTICIDE
11/2 tsp. baking soda
11/2 tsp. Bioland glycerin soap
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. natural vinegar
5 cups warm water
Blend all ingredients in blender. Spray on garden vegetables and ornamentals.
- Click on this link to learn how to make garlic sprays, compost tea, citrus and hot pepper sprays, salt washes, slug and Japanese Beetle traps and more. www.tipnut.com/natural-pesticides
- Plants that naturally repel pests: onion, garlic and anything in the allium family, marigolds, borage
- Plants listed by pests they repel at this link
Natural Insecticide Recipes:
Boric acid (100%) powder is odorless and non-staining. Kills roaches, termites, fire ants, palmetto bugs, ticks, bedbugs, fleas, box elder bugs, carpet beetles, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, grasshoppers, millipedes, scorpions, slugs, water bugs, and many more insects.
NATURAL ALL PURPOSE INSECTICIDE
11/2 tsp. baking soda
11/2 tsp. Bioland glycerin soap
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. natural vinegar
5 cups warm water
Blend all ingredients in blender. Spray on garden vegetables and ornamentals.
How To Compost
- Choose from the many easy ways to make compost for increased garden productivity: low-cost homemade bins, piles sans bins, chicken power, pest-proof tumblers — even indoor worm bins! Read more on this mother earth news link
Companion Planting
Often times they way you organize a garden bed can help or hinder each plants growth. Certain plants help repel insects for other plants and certain plants don't grow well next to each other etc. When planning a garden bed, consider where you place each plant. There are various sources for this information but here some links to companion planting charts. Wikipeidia and Gardensimply.org
Marigolds with Anything The marigold is known as the wunderkind of the garden world. Not only is it a very beautiful flower, but it is also beneficial to almost all other plants. Marigolds repel beetles, nematodes, aphids, thrips, tomato hornworms, bean beetles, and whiteflies.
Marigolds can also help prevent the growth of some perennial weeds. Their pesticide is so strong that traces of some marigolds will keep defending your garden for seasons after they are gone. Avoid planting marigolds next to cabbage plants or Brussels sprouts.
Borage with Anything Borage is an easy-to-grow herb that has a beautiful blue flower. Like marigolds, borage is good for just about everything you might want to plant. The herb is one of the best plants for attracting pollinating honeybees and predatory wasps, which will protect your garden from pests.
Borage leaves are rich in Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and mineral salts. Through deposits in the soil, these vitamins and minerals increase other plants’ defenses against pests and diseases. Borage is also known to increase the flavor and productivity of strawberry plants and the size of tomatoes.
Alliums with Brassicas and Nightshades Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots are all alliums. Alliums repel aphids, carrot flies, cabbageworms, and slugs. For those living near wooded areas, alliums can be an additional asset as they also deter deer and rabbits.
The brassica and nightshade species both benefit greatly from alliums. Brassicas includes broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts; nightshades include tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and peppers.
Unfortunately, brassicas and nightshades do not do well when planted next to each other, so be sure to separate them.
- Marigolds and Borage grow well and help any other plant.
- Tarragon - It's scent repels nearly all pests. The herb is also thought to be a nurse plant, meaning it increases the productivity and size of all plants near it. These properties make it an excellent plant to go anywhere in the garden, but eggplant in particular benefits from tarragon.
- The Allium Family (garlic, onion, leeks, chives, shallots) is helped by carrots and benefits the nightshade family, brassicas and fruit trees. Avoid planting parsley and legumes (peas, beans) with alliums.
- The Brassica Family (Cabbage, Kale, broccoli, cauliflower) help potatoes but don't like growing near mustards and other nightshades like tomatos.
- Rosemary - repels the cabbage fly and repels bean pests
- Oregano - helps tomatoes and peppers. Provides ground cover and much-needed humidity for pepper plants if allowed to spread amongst them.
- Basil - helps tomatoes. Known to increase the flavor and productivity of tomatoes when the two plants are grown together. Because it can be a very thick plant, basil provides shade and humidity for peppers, asparagus, and again, tomatoes.
- Mints - Mint helps many vegetables grow well, especially brassicas, squash, lettuce, peppers and tomatos. It helps control ants and aphids. It spreads quickly so keep it in a contained place like a pot. Companion Planting with Mint Link
- The three sisters cultivation, an Iroquois tradition: Growing Squash, Corn and Beans Together
Marigolds with Anything The marigold is known as the wunderkind of the garden world. Not only is it a very beautiful flower, but it is also beneficial to almost all other plants. Marigolds repel beetles, nematodes, aphids, thrips, tomato hornworms, bean beetles, and whiteflies.
Marigolds can also help prevent the growth of some perennial weeds. Their pesticide is so strong that traces of some marigolds will keep defending your garden for seasons after they are gone. Avoid planting marigolds next to cabbage plants or Brussels sprouts.
Borage with Anything Borage is an easy-to-grow herb that has a beautiful blue flower. Like marigolds, borage is good for just about everything you might want to plant. The herb is one of the best plants for attracting pollinating honeybees and predatory wasps, which will protect your garden from pests.
Borage leaves are rich in Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and mineral salts. Through deposits in the soil, these vitamins and minerals increase other plants’ defenses against pests and diseases. Borage is also known to increase the flavor and productivity of strawberry plants and the size of tomatoes.
Alliums with Brassicas and Nightshades Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots are all alliums. Alliums repel aphids, carrot flies, cabbageworms, and slugs. For those living near wooded areas, alliums can be an additional asset as they also deter deer and rabbits.
The brassica and nightshade species both benefit greatly from alliums. Brassicas includes broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts; nightshades include tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and peppers.
Unfortunately, brassicas and nightshades do not do well when planted next to each other, so be sure to separate them.
Start a 1-Acre, Self-Sufficient Homestead
Magazine Article From: Mother Earth News
http://www.motherearthnews.com/modern-homesteading/self-sufficient-homestead-zm0z11zkon.aspx
By John Seymour
(Illustration by: Dorling Kindersley)
Your 1-acre homestead can be divided into land for raising livestock and a garden for raising fruits, vegetables, plus some grain and forage crops.
Everyone will have a different approach to keeping a self-sufficient homestead, and it’s unlikely that any
two 1-acre farms will follow the same plan or methods or agree completely on how to homestead. Some
people like cows; other people are afraid of them. Some people like goats; other people cannot keep them
out of the garden. Some people will not slaughter animals and have to sell their surplus stock off to people
who will kill them; others will not sell surplus stock off at all because they know that the animals will be
killed; and still others will slaughter their own animals to provide their family with healthy meat.
For myself, on a 1-acre farm of good, well-drained land, I would keep a cow and a goat, a few pigs and
maybe a dozen hens. The goat would provide me with milk when the cow was dry. I might keep two or
more goats, in fact. I would have the dairy cow (a Jersey) to provide the pigs and me with milk. More
importantly, I would keep her to provide heaps and heaps of lovely cow manure to increase my soil fertility,
for in order to derive any sort of living from that 1 acre without the application of a lot of artificial fertilizer,
it would have to be heavily manured.
Raising a Dairy Cow
Cow or no cow? The pros and cons are many and various for a self-sufficient homestead. In favor of raising
a cow is the fact that nothing keeps the health of a family — and a farm — at a high level better than a dairy
cow. If you and your children have ample good, fresh, unpasteurized, unadulterated dairy products, you
will be well-positioned to be a healthy family. If your pigs and poultry get their share of the milk byproducts,
especially whey, they likely will be healthy, too. If your garden gets plenty of cow manure, your
soil fertility will continuously increase, along with your yields.
On the other hand, the food that you buy in for this family cow will cost you hundreds of dollars each year.
Compared with how much money you would spend on dairy products each year, the fresh milk supply
from the cow plus the increased value of the eggs, poultry and pig meat that you will get, along with your
ever-growing soil fertility, will quickly make a family cow a worthwhile investment. But a serious counterconsideration
is that you will have to take on the responsibility of milking a cow. (For different milking
plans and estimated savings, see Keep a Family Cow and Enjoy Delicious Milk, Cream, Cheese and More.)
Milking a cow doesn’t take very long — perhaps eight minutes — and it’s very pleasant if you know how
to do it and if she is a quiet, docile cow — but you will have to do it. Buying a dairy cow is a very
important step, and you shouldn’t do it unless you do not intend to go away very much, or unless you can
make arrangements for somebody else to take over your milking duties while you’re gone. So let’s plan our
1-acre farm on the assumption that we are going to keep a dairy cow.
1-Acre Farm With a Family Cow
Half of your land would be put down to grass, leaving half an acre arable (not allowing for the land on
which the house and other buildings stand). The grass half could remain permanent pasture and never be
plowed up at all, or you could plan crop rotations by plowing it up, say, every four years. If you do the
latter, it is best done in strips of a quarter of the half-acre so that each year you’re planting a grass, clover
and herb mixture on an eighth of your acre of land. This crop rotation will result in some freshly sown
pasture every year, some 2-year-old field, some 3-year-old field and some 4-year-old field, resulting in more
productive land.
Grazing Management
At the first sign the grass patch is suffering from overgrazing, take the cow away. The point of strip grazing
(also called intensive rotational grazing) is that grass grows better and produces more if it is allowed to grow
for as long as possible before being grazed or cut all the way down, and then allowed to rest again. In such
intensive husbandry as we are envisaging for this self-sufficient homestead, careful grazing management
will be essential.
Tether-grazing on such a small area may work better than using electric fencing. A little Jersey cow quickly
gets used to being tethered and this was, indeed, the system that the breed was developed for on the island
of Jersey (where they were first bred). I so unequivocally recommend a Jersey cow to the 1-acre farmer
because I am convinced that, for this purpose, she is without any peer. Your half-acre of grass, when
established, should provide your cow with nearly all the food she needs for the summer months. You are
unlikely to get any hay from the half-acre as well, but if the grass grows faster than the cow can eat it, then
you could cut some of it for hay.
Intensive Gardening
The remaining half of your homestead — the arable half — would be farmed as a highly intensive garden.
It would be divided, ideally, into four plots, around which all the annual crops that you want to grow follow
each other in a strict crop rotation.
An ideal crop rotation might go something like this:
— Grass (for four years)
— Plot 1: Potatoes
— Plot 2: Legumes (pea and bean family)
— Plot 3: Brassicas (cabbage family)
— Plot 4: Root vegetables (carrots, beets, and so on)
— Grass again (for four years)
Consider the advantages of this kind of crop rotation. A quarter of your arable land will be a newly plowedup,
4-year-old field every year, with intensely fertile soil because of the stored-up fertility of all the grass,
clover and herbs that have just been plowed-in to rot with four summers’ worth of cow manure. Because
your cow will be in-wintered, on bought-in hay, and treading and dunging on bought-in straw, you will
have an enormous quantity of marvelous muck and cow manure to put on your arable land. All of the crop
residues that you cannot consume will help feed the cow, pigs or poultry, and I would be surprised if, after
following this crop rotation and grazing management plan for a few years, you didn’t find that your acre of
land had increased enormously in soil fertility, and that it was producing more food for humans than many a
10-acre farm run on ordinary commercial lines.
Half-Acre Crop Rotation
Some might complain that by having half your acre down to grass, you confine your gardening activities to
a mere half-acre. But actually, half an acre is quite a lot, and if you garden it well, it will grow more food for
you than if you were to “scratch” over a whole acre. Being under grass (and grazed and dunged) for half of
its life will enormously increase the half-acre’s soil fertility. I think you will actually grow more vegetables
on this plot than you would on a whole acre if you had no cow or grass break.
Tips for the Self-Sufficient Homestead
A dairy cow will not be able to stay outdoors all year. She would horribly overgraze such a small acreage.
She should spend most of the winter indoors, only being turned out during the daytime in dry weather to get
a little exercise and fresh air. Cows do not really benefit from being out in winter weather. Your cow would
be, for the most part, better if kept inside where she would make lovely manure while feeding on the crops
you grew for her in the garden. In the summer you would let her out, night and day, for as long as you find
the pasture is not being overgrazed. You would probably find that your cow did not need hay at all during
the summer, but she would be entirely dependent on it throughout the winter, and you could plan on having
to buy her at least a ton. If you wanted to rear her yearly calf until he reached some value, you would likely
need a further half-ton of hay. I have kept my cow on deep litter: The layer of straw gets turned into good
manure, and I add more clean straw every day. I have milked a cow this way for years, and the perfect milk
made good butter and cheese, and stored well. Although more labor-intensive, you could keep your cow on
a concrete floor instead (insulated if possible), and giver her a good bed of straw every day. You would
remove the soiled straw daily, and carefully pile it into a muck heap that would be your fount of fertility for
everything on your acre.
Pigs would have to be confined in a house for at least part of the year (and you would need to provide straw
for them), because, on a 1-acre farm, you are unlikely to have enough fresh land to keep them healthy. The
best option would be a movable house with a strong movable fence outside it, but you could have a
permanent pigpen instead.
The pigs would have a lot of outdoor work to do: They would spend part of their time plowing up your
eighth of an acre of grassland, and they could run over your cultivated land after you have harvested your
crops. They could only do this if you had time to let them do it, as sometimes you would be in too much of
a hurry to get the next crop in. As for food, you would have to buy in some wheat, barley or corn. This,
supplemented with the skim milk and whey you would have from your dairy cow, plus a share of the
garden produce and such specially grown fodder crops as you could spare the land for, would keep them
excellently.
If you could find a neighbor who would let you use a boar, I recommend that you keep a sow and breed
her. She could give you 20 piglets a year, two or three of which you could keep to fatten for your bacon
and ham supply. The rest you could sell as weanlings (piglets eight to 12 weeks old), and they would
probably bring in enough money to pay for the food you had to buy for all your other livestock. If you
could not get the service of a boar, you could always buy weanlings yourself — just enough for your own
use — and fatten them.
Poultry could be kept in a permanent house in one corner of your garden, or, preferably, in mobile coops
on the land, so they could be moved over the grassland and improve soil fertility with their scratching and
dunging. I would not recommend keeping very many birds, as just a dozen hens should give you enough
eggs for a small family with a few to occasionally sell or give away in summertime. You would have to buy
a little grain for them, and in the winter some protein supplement, unless you could grow enough beans.
You could try growing sunflowers, buckwheat or other food especially for them.
Goats, if kept instead of a dairy cow (or in addition to), could be managed in much the same way, however
you would not have as much whey and skim milk to rear pigs and poultry on, and you would not build up
the fertility of your land as quickly as you could with a cow. You would only get a fraction of the manure
from goats, but on the other hand you would not have to buy nearly as much hay and straw — perhaps not
any. For a farmer wanting to have a completely self-sufficient homestead on 1 acre, dairy goats are a good
option.
Crops would be all of the ordinary garden crops (fruits and vegetables), plus as much land as you could
spare for fodder crops for animals. Bear in mind that practically any garden crop that you grew for yourself
would be good for the animals too, so any surplus crops would go to them. You would not need a compost
pile — your animals could be your compost pile.
Half an acre, farmed as a garden with wheat grown in the other half-acre, is worth a try if you kept no
animals at all, or maybe only some poultry. You would then practice a crop rotation as described above, but
substitute wheat for the grass and clover field. If you are a vegetarian, this may be quite a good solution. But
you could not hope to increase the soil fertility, and therefore the productiveness, of your land as much as
with animals.
This article is an excerpt from The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It, written by the late John
Seymour and first published by Dorling Kindersley in Britain in 1976. The book has become a treasured
classic for back-to-the-landers and is now available in a beautifully illustrated 400-page edition.
Rain
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Suddenly the winds pick up, the clouds are shifting, skies darken and trees are holding strong as they are pulled to the winds. Dark clouds roll in, drops begin to spit, then spray and when the clouds can hold back no longer the downpour begins. So loud on the tin roof, I can no longer hear myself talk so I wait...and wait, watching the trees dance and the life around me grows silent, yielding to the rain. I run out in my flip flops and swimsuit to play in the rain as it continues to dump on me like a water fall. I slosh through the puddles and bound through the yard singing to check on the garden while allowing the fresh water to cleanse my skin and soul.
The world is a different place in a sudden and heavy rain. The intense pelting of the raindrops and volume of the shower are so bold with momentum, yet gentle and almost still at the same time. I stood, arms open wide, letting the wind bring the rain across my face and body, deepening each breath of thanks. I notice so much more in the rain. I found trees and vines I had never seen. I was inspired to explore and observe the fruit trees on our land. I felt so thankful for the life growing within that I would eventually partake of and was reminded to live gently as a participant in this ecosystem. I noticed so many limes had fallen to the ground and were beginning to rot. Already, the passion fruit vine had wilted in the heat, but is thankful for this rain I'm sure.
Walking under the beautiful palm roof of our palapa, I passed though inches of seeping water resting on the pink cement floor. In the peaceful shelter from the rain, the roof teaming with the quiet scurries of life, scorpions I think. The cement gutters surrounding our home filled up quickly as sheets of water jumped from our corrugated tin roofs, creating streams of water merging with puddles. Even the chickens were quieted by the graceful presence of the downpour. They finally were not afraid of my passing by, just curious it seemed.
I found our meager garden in the field desperately drinking in the life coming down from the sky. It seems that all the weeds we cut back just this week were providing protection from the sun and helping to hold in moisture because all but one of our eggplants had either fallen off or rotted on the stem. With the drastic loss of it’s supporting community of plants, this eggplant had quickly withered. While the pepper plant was still lushly green, most of the peppers were rotten or off. The basil looked like it was struggling but the Oregano, crouching close to the ground and the bits of grasses that remained, was still looking vital. The plants show me that sometimes slow change is better than drastic. And sometimes something drastic changes the pace of life, and helps me reset and see things differently.
Suddenly the winds pick up, the clouds are shifting, skies darken and trees are holding strong as they are pulled to the winds. Dark clouds roll in, drops begin to spit, then spray and when the clouds can hold back no longer the downpour begins. So loud on the tin roof, I can no longer hear myself talk so I wait...and wait, watching the trees dance and the life around me grows silent, yielding to the rain. I run out in my flip flops and swimsuit to play in the rain as it continues to dump on me like a water fall. I slosh through the puddles and bound through the yard singing to check on the garden while allowing the fresh water to cleanse my skin and soul.
The world is a different place in a sudden and heavy rain. The intense pelting of the raindrops and volume of the shower are so bold with momentum, yet gentle and almost still at the same time. I stood, arms open wide, letting the wind bring the rain across my face and body, deepening each breath of thanks. I notice so much more in the rain. I found trees and vines I had never seen. I was inspired to explore and observe the fruit trees on our land. I felt so thankful for the life growing within that I would eventually partake of and was reminded to live gently as a participant in this ecosystem. I noticed so many limes had fallen to the ground and were beginning to rot. Already, the passion fruit vine had wilted in the heat, but is thankful for this rain I'm sure.
Walking under the beautiful palm roof of our palapa, I passed though inches of seeping water resting on the pink cement floor. In the peaceful shelter from the rain, the roof teaming with the quiet scurries of life, scorpions I think. The cement gutters surrounding our home filled up quickly as sheets of water jumped from our corrugated tin roofs, creating streams of water merging with puddles. Even the chickens were quieted by the graceful presence of the downpour. They finally were not afraid of my passing by, just curious it seemed.
I found our meager garden in the field desperately drinking in the life coming down from the sky. It seems that all the weeds we cut back just this week were providing protection from the sun and helping to hold in moisture because all but one of our eggplants had either fallen off or rotted on the stem. With the drastic loss of it’s supporting community of plants, this eggplant had quickly withered. While the pepper plant was still lushly green, most of the peppers were rotten or off. The basil looked like it was struggling but the Oregano, crouching close to the ground and the bits of grasses that remained, was still looking vital. The plants show me that sometimes slow change is better than drastic. And sometimes something drastic changes the pace of life, and helps me reset and see things differently.
Fruit Orchard
Friday October 12, 2012
On Wednesday we found out that we practically have a fruit orchard growing on NDI's land. Tabatha and Nestor planted many tress over the past few years and they are bearing fruit now. Below are some photos of what I could find and a list of what we think exists in the yard...more to discover yet I'm sure. We are trying to implement permaculture farming principles on the land here to make the best use of our resources.
Trees on our property:
-cinnamon
-Costa Rican guava
-madero negro
-dragonfruit cacti
-some type of apple
-Grafted avocados
-the fruit tree that tastes like a pear with brown sugar
-coconut
-papaya
-calala (passion fruit)
-limes
-orange I think
-the sweet and sour one with a big pit
- a type of hocote I think
Veggies on our property:
-tomato
-eggplant
-basil
-oregano
-hot peppers (another tiny purple variety growing along the fenceline
of the circular garden)
Other food:
-eggs
Organic Matter:
-some fallen branches/logs
-chicken poop
-scattered horse/cow poop
-pile of coconut husks (fruit tree mulch)
-kitchen compost (whatever we don't use for chickens)
-weed trimmings from all over the yard mixed with fallen leaves
*find where we can get some rice hulls
*find stock yard for large scale poop
Building Mtl (for bed outline, edges etc):
-cinder blocks - 112.5'
-madero negro (for live fence)?
-other living or dead wood?
Fence Mtl:
-barbed wire fence around circular garden
-check for string, rope
*buy chicken wire or barbed wire, reclaim old stuff
Shade Mtl:
-coconut fronds
* we could plant shade crops under the passion fruit trellis
On Wednesday we found out that we practically have a fruit orchard growing on NDI's land. Tabatha and Nestor planted many tress over the past few years and they are bearing fruit now. Below are some photos of what I could find and a list of what we think exists in the yard...more to discover yet I'm sure. We are trying to implement permaculture farming principles on the land here to make the best use of our resources.
Trees on our property:
-cinnamon
-Costa Rican guava
-madero negro
-dragonfruit cacti
-some type of apple
-Grafted avocados
-the fruit tree that tastes like a pear with brown sugar
-coconut
-papaya
-calala (passion fruit)
-limes
-orange I think
-the sweet and sour one with a big pit
- a type of hocote I think
Veggies on our property:
-tomato
-eggplant
-basil
-oregano
-hot peppers (another tiny purple variety growing along the fenceline
of the circular garden)
Other food:
-eggs
Organic Matter:
-some fallen branches/logs
-chicken poop
-scattered horse/cow poop
-pile of coconut husks (fruit tree mulch)
-kitchen compost (whatever we don't use for chickens)
-weed trimmings from all over the yard mixed with fallen leaves
*find where we can get some rice hulls
*find stock yard for large scale poop
Building Mtl (for bed outline, edges etc):
-cinder blocks - 112.5'
-madero negro (for live fence)?
-other living or dead wood?
Fence Mtl:
-barbed wire fence around circular garden
-check for string, rope
*buy chicken wire or barbed wire, reclaim old stuff
Shade Mtl:
-coconut fronds
* we could plant shade crops under the passion fruit trellis
The Passion Fruit Vine and structure to allow it to expand
Banana
Grapefruit
A type of tropical Apple
Coconut
Lime
Papaya
Cinnamon
The Garden in Los Angeles, Nicaragua
October 6, 2012
We at Natural Doctors International here in Los Angeles, Nicaragua, are starting an organic garden in the field behind our house. We have talked about possibly farming a very large portion of the field and eventually opening it up for the community to share in the work and harvest, using it as a teaching plot for organic methods (pesticide use is very heavy here) or selling the produce to help fund the clinic and other efforts of NDI. While this is still a great dream, right now it is seeming feasible to tackle something smaller. So, there is already a small circle of mostly hearty weeds enclosed by a hand made barbed wire and tree branch fence in our field. The soil in this small plot has already been built so it should be fairly nutrient dense. We've decided to start with this as our garden, learn as we go and see what happens. Today when I walked out to the garden, machete in hand past the citrus trees and through the brush in the intense tropical sun, I realized that even this task will be harder than I had dreamed. Although many farmers here pay to have their fields plowed, our circle garden's make-shift gate is not wide enough for a tractor and the plot is so small compared to a field, it may not be worth someone's time to plow it. So I started pulling and hacking at the weeds by hand. I quickly was dripping with sweat as I though of how a simple metal blade is so useful. In less than 2 hours, I was overheated and exhausted, needing to rest in the shade for some lime juice. Well, it's a start at least...I pulled the vines and brush off the lone basil and eggplant bush that were hiding in the overgrown weeds and I hacked down the almost small trees (weeds) trying to choke out our few pepper plants. I cleared a path from the gate to the peppers and buried our most recent kitchen compost. I will work on it again when the temperature cools off. It was a good reminder that this is often how life goes and change happens...one small step at a time. Some of our next goals, besides removing the weeds and double digging to prepare the soil, are to prepare some natural pesticides (garlic and pepper sprays etc) to use as needed and to strategize about the organization of the plants to optimize their health. There is also talk about building a composter and chicken tractor. The garden will take much more work and sweat until we are ready to plant, but I am surely looking forward to it.
We at Natural Doctors International here in Los Angeles, Nicaragua, are starting an organic garden in the field behind our house. We have talked about possibly farming a very large portion of the field and eventually opening it up for the community to share in the work and harvest, using it as a teaching plot for organic methods (pesticide use is very heavy here) or selling the produce to help fund the clinic and other efforts of NDI. While this is still a great dream, right now it is seeming feasible to tackle something smaller. So, there is already a small circle of mostly hearty weeds enclosed by a hand made barbed wire and tree branch fence in our field. The soil in this small plot has already been built so it should be fairly nutrient dense. We've decided to start with this as our garden, learn as we go and see what happens. Today when I walked out to the garden, machete in hand past the citrus trees and through the brush in the intense tropical sun, I realized that even this task will be harder than I had dreamed. Although many farmers here pay to have their fields plowed, our circle garden's make-shift gate is not wide enough for a tractor and the plot is so small compared to a field, it may not be worth someone's time to plow it. So I started pulling and hacking at the weeds by hand. I quickly was dripping with sweat as I though of how a simple metal blade is so useful. In less than 2 hours, I was overheated and exhausted, needing to rest in the shade for some lime juice. Well, it's a start at least...I pulled the vines and brush off the lone basil and eggplant bush that were hiding in the overgrown weeds and I hacked down the almost small trees (weeds) trying to choke out our few pepper plants. I cleared a path from the gate to the peppers and buried our most recent kitchen compost. I will work on it again when the temperature cools off. It was a good reminder that this is often how life goes and change happens...one small step at a time. Some of our next goals, besides removing the weeds and double digging to prepare the soil, are to prepare some natural pesticides (garlic and pepper sprays etc) to use as needed and to strategize about the organization of the plants to optimize their health. There is also talk about building a composter and chicken tractor. The garden will take much more work and sweat until we are ready to plant, but I am surely looking forward to it.
Living with the chickens and goats
April 2012 -- I am living on a friend's land in Williams, Oregon right now as I search for a place to call home in this community. I am enjoying living next to the chickens and goats. I've learned how to milk Annie, the goat who gave birth a few months ago. She's a bit stubborn and will sit right on the milking pot when she's had enough. Fortunately, I was able to get some fresh milk this morning and it tastes delicious.
Last night after feeding the goats, I was searching the barn and surrounding area collecting the chicken eggs. One of the goats started head butting me and broke an egg in my pocket and then tried eating the loose folds of my coat. Today the chickens were in my car as I left the back open while transporting some things inside and I slipped in their droppings because of all the rain we've been having. On the up side, their egg shells are so thick and strong and the yoiks bright yellow... I know they are healthy and their eggs are nourishing me so I'm thankful. It feels good to be so close and connected to my food.
Last night after feeding the goats, I was searching the barn and surrounding area collecting the chicken eggs. One of the goats started head butting me and broke an egg in my pocket and then tried eating the loose folds of my coat. Today the chickens were in my car as I left the back open while transporting some things inside and I slipped in their droppings because of all the rain we've been having. On the up side, their egg shells are so thick and strong and the yoiks bright yellow... I know they are healthy and their eggs are nourishing me so I'm thankful. It feels good to be so close and connected to my food.
Raw Milk Cow Dairy in Williams, OR
Thank you Carl for letting me join you in milking the ladies and for sharing your delicious raw milk kefir!
I visited my neighbors last week to watch Carl milk the four dairy cows he has raised from calves in his pasture. They are strong and healthy, feeding on organic corn, barley, oats and alfalfa hay as we are still in the winter season out here in Williams, Oregon. The community raves about his raw milk, the cream is inches thick on top and his raw butter is bright yellow and rich. He and Mona showed me their new butter churner and shared about all their trials and errors through the butter making process. To learn more about the benefits of raw milk, visit www.realmilk.com and to learn more about wise eating, traditional diets and healthy farming practices visit www.westonaprice.org or other sites listed under the "resources" tab above.
I visited my neighbors last week to watch Carl milk the four dairy cows he has raised from calves in his pasture. They are strong and healthy, feeding on organic corn, barley, oats and alfalfa hay as we are still in the winter season out here in Williams, Oregon. The community raves about his raw milk, the cream is inches thick on top and his raw butter is bright yellow and rich. He and Mona showed me their new butter churner and shared about all their trials and errors through the butter making process. To learn more about the benefits of raw milk, visit www.realmilk.com and to learn more about wise eating, traditional diets and healthy farming practices visit www.westonaprice.org or other sites listed under the "resources" tab above.
Plants growing at Project Bonafide, Ometepe Nicaragua
www.projectbonafide.com
Fruit:
Other:
Medicinal Plants of Nicaragua:
Fruit:
- star fruit - melacaton
- passion fruit
- Jack fruit
- plantain, bananas
- coconut
- sour sap - guanabana
- canastel
- akee
- guava
- lemon
- patonga - surinam cherry
Other:
- Moringa - very nutritious green like spinach
- Madero Negro
- Chaya - a green that must be cooked
- katuk - a green like spinach
- cinnamon
- coffee
Medicinal Plants of Nicaragua:
- Artemsia
- Oregano
- Mint
- Equisetum
- Ginger and galangal
- Tilo
- Aloe
- Andrographis - immune
- Culantro
- Papalo - for diabetes
- Laureleo tree
- Boldo
- Basil tree
- Nopal
- Turmeric
- Tarro
- Juanilama - (makes a great tea)for regulating menses, expectorant for cough and colds
- Guava - tea leaves for parasites
- Mint - antispasmodic, nervine, digestive
The New Dawn Center San Isidro, Costa Rica
I visited the New Dawn Center in Costa Rica in March 2012. Ed and Jessica warmly welcomed us and showed us what they were up to. They are growing medicinal herbs, permaculture farming, building with bamboo and other natural and sustainable resources and much more. Check out their website and monthly blog at http://www.thenewdawncenter.info/index.html
Plants that Grow at Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica
Rancho Mastatal Sustainable Living Education Center Link
- Cranberry and grain hibiscus
- Brazilian spinach
- water spinach (in swales)
- lemongrass
- chaya
- Purslane
- Arugula, bok choy and greens (in partial shade with clear plastic roof due to the hot sun)
- Tomatos, cucumbers (having problems with beetles killing), celery, parsely -- all grown in aquaponics with fish a black closed tank with a syphon triggered sump pump for recirculation of water. Gravel is used to hold the plants up
Potting Soil Mix - Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica
- 1 part sifted forest soil (tends to be lots of clay)
- 1 part sifted sand
- 1/2 part organic matter like compost
Making Cob for Natural Building - Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica
*It's best made the same day you are going to use it and is a fun community activity
- The Mix when using Costa Rican soil: 1 part manure (cow is best, then horse), 1 part clay (soaked well with water), 3 parts sand (sifted if using to fill cracks/repair)
- Directions: On a large tarp, stomp it together with bare feet and water on one half of the tarp. Then flip it to the other half to continue mixing. Keep alternating sides while adding water until it stands up and keeps its form.
- "Knead" it to make blocks and stack them kenading them together with a "cobbers-thumb" (round wood tool
- Cob Ovens: can use 20% rice hull with straw to create air pockets that hold heat. Other insulators include: vermiculite, perlite, pumice, sawdust
- The coating on the top: this gives it a nice finish and protects it from eroding faster. Mix 1/4 part fresh poop, 1/4 part finely sifted sand, 1/4 part sifted clay, 1/4 part white or wheat flour paste (add it to boiling water to make).
Permaculture Farming with Skeeter in Tonasket, WA
The following photos and reflections are entries from my journal while farming medicinal herbs and vegetables this past fall. I hope they inspire you, as the experiences did me, to remember the joys of simple living, being connected to our land and using food and herbs as medicine.
Fall Season, 2011 -- I worked for 3 months with a Permaculture farmer, named Skeeter (founder of www.friendsofthetrees.net), who has been living a simple life farming and living off the land for over 30 years. He organizes many community events surrounding farming, seed exchanges, medicinal herbalism, sustainable living, connecting with nature and more. I've learned so much more than I can put into words and the following are just a few of the things I've jotted down and memories I've tried to capture in photos (in reverse chronological order). Thanks for looking and thank you Skeeter and Okanogan Valley friends for sharing!
Giving Thanks...
November 23, 2011 -- I've begun to transition from a simple life of digging, harvesting seeds, drying herbs and washing roots I am realizing how thankful I am for the nourishment of my body and soul. Breathing fresh air and growing delicious food in healthy soil and sunshine was a refreshing way to spend the first few months after finishing my naturopathic medical degree. As I farmed, I have been dreaming of a future farming medicinal herbs, cooking meals from my garden and building a simple life as a community doctor. Even after leaving the farms under snow, I can still smell the strong resinous roots and fresh herbs drying on the racks. I can still feel the tingle in my mouth as I chew on the powerful medicine of Osha after digging its roots out of the mountainside. I am thankful to be spending thanksgiving with friends and am looking forward to seeing family for Christmas. I pray that we all will continue to remember and give daily thanks for the simple things that bring life and nourishment.
Seed Harvesting
One of my favorite things to do on the farms was to harvest seeds from the many medicinal herbs Skeeter grows. It is so amazing to ponder the ability of a beautiful, strong and life-giving medicine (and food) to grow from a single tiny seed. And then this one plant can produce so many seeds, which can in turn give life to sometimes hundreds of plants...and so it goes. I am grateful that plants, and the nourishment and medicine contained, are created from seeds, from something so small and humble. I am grateful for mysteries and wonders.
Eupatorium Purpureum (Joe Pye Weed)
Castor bean
Black Cohosh
Carrots!
The carrot harvest took weeks but we had fun. I actually was sick for the main part of it so thank you Shawn and Nate for the long hours of digging, hauling, washing and bagging. I really enjoyed how adaptable the carrots were as they twisted around each other, persevering in their growth. I especially liked the carrots that looked like they were hugging or waving hello. I even made a necklace out of a few that grew in an arc shape. They were so large and abundant. Grown with out chemicals and in rich organic soil, a 20 pound bag could be dug with two prys of the shovel. The juiced carrots taste so sweet and I can feel the vitamin A boosting my immune system!
Processing basil and making salsa at Skeeter's house
Skeeter and Brooke Medicine Eagle
Ton ~ Leaping Sheep Farms
Elecampagne root
Harvesting Nettle Root
Valerian root
Barter Fair ~ Tonasket, WA
Wednesday November 2, 2011 -- We are nearing the end of the busy season on the farms out here in Tonasket. Most of the veggies are out of the dirt and into cold storage or put away to cure in a warm, dry place just in time for the heavier frosts at night. We've all been enjoying the fresh harvest at dinner each night as we've made some delicious marinara sauce for spaghetti squash, pumpkin pies and breads, chili, salsa, various veggie soups, jams and roasted root veggies. The last week has been spent gathering seeds from the medicinal plants, some of my favorites of which can be seen on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.268832143161152.78089.100001031045031&type=1). We'll all be taking home with us a seed library so we can propagate and share the wonderful medicine!
I have been thankful that Skeeter has an abundance of dried herbs and pressed tinctured herbs this last week to treat the sinus infection and chest congestion I came down with after the Barter Faire weekend. I've been taking a lot of Osha, Lomatium, Echinacea and Gumweed. I have also been making a soothing tea for my sore throat and spasmodic cough with marshmallow leaves and sometimes the fresh root.
Aside from farming, we have been on the road a lot these last few weeks. We spent 5 days camping in St. Helens, OR for the Pacific Northwest Permaculture Convergence. It was an inspiring and informative weekend full of lectures and slide shows by experienced farmers, herb/food gatherers, primitive skill workshops, singing and dancing (and delicious farm fresh meals of course). I am excited to try making the marshmallows and whipped cream from the seed pods of marshmallow herb, a recipe I learned from John Kallas. Dr. Kallas wrote a beautifully illustrated book on the most common edible wild plants in your backyard titled, Edible Wild Plants. You can find out more at http://www.wildfoodadventures.com/
We then participated in the 38th annual Okanogan Family Faire which Skeeter founded as a Barter Faire where local farmers could bring excess produce from the harvest, farm and home-made goods to trade before winter set in. This year there was over 6,000 in attendance and it was great fun -- I bartered a lot of squash and other veggies for various items such as honey, pesto, facial scrub, hand-hooked wool hat, Christmas gifts for my nephews and many more tasty treats that didn't make it home from the weekend. We set up a beautiful booth complete with a kitchen to sell and trade herbal medicines, books and produce for over 5 days.
Tomorrow we are all headed for Spokane for the first ever Inland Northwest Permaculture Convergence where Skeeter will share his permaculture experience as will many other experts. I am also looking forward to learning more about natural home building, stove building and other primitive skills. To find out more about the convergence this year or in the future, visit http://inlandnorthwestpermaculture.com/
Thanks for reading this long article and for now, feel free to email or contact me on facebook as these seem more regular than my cellphone reception. I would love to share these experiences and learn from you as well. Happy November to all!
I have been thankful that Skeeter has an abundance of dried herbs and pressed tinctured herbs this last week to treat the sinus infection and chest congestion I came down with after the Barter Faire weekend. I've been taking a lot of Osha, Lomatium, Echinacea and Gumweed. I have also been making a soothing tea for my sore throat and spasmodic cough with marshmallow leaves and sometimes the fresh root.
Aside from farming, we have been on the road a lot these last few weeks. We spent 5 days camping in St. Helens, OR for the Pacific Northwest Permaculture Convergence. It was an inspiring and informative weekend full of lectures and slide shows by experienced farmers, herb/food gatherers, primitive skill workshops, singing and dancing (and delicious farm fresh meals of course). I am excited to try making the marshmallows and whipped cream from the seed pods of marshmallow herb, a recipe I learned from John Kallas. Dr. Kallas wrote a beautifully illustrated book on the most common edible wild plants in your backyard titled, Edible Wild Plants. You can find out more at http://www.wildfoodadventures.com/
We then participated in the 38th annual Okanogan Family Faire which Skeeter founded as a Barter Faire where local farmers could bring excess produce from the harvest, farm and home-made goods to trade before winter set in. This year there was over 6,000 in attendance and it was great fun -- I bartered a lot of squash and other veggies for various items such as honey, pesto, facial scrub, hand-hooked wool hat, Christmas gifts for my nephews and many more tasty treats that didn't make it home from the weekend. We set up a beautiful booth complete with a kitchen to sell and trade herbal medicines, books and produce for over 5 days.
Tomorrow we are all headed for Spokane for the first ever Inland Northwest Permaculture Convergence where Skeeter will share his permaculture experience as will many other experts. I am also looking forward to learning more about natural home building, stove building and other primitive skills. To find out more about the convergence this year or in the future, visit http://inlandnorthwestpermaculture.com/
Thanks for reading this long article and for now, feel free to email or contact me on facebook as these seem more regular than my cellphone reception. I would love to share these experiences and learn from you as well. Happy November to all!
October 11, 20011 --We have been so busy on the farm. There is so much to harvest and prepare for winter storage this fall. In this season of abundance, I am remembering that our creator promises to meet our needs just as He does the birds of the air and the flowers of the field (Matthew 6: 24-33) I am also trying to trust in this personal time of transition that I will find the way prepared for me. My hope is to live simply, connected to my creator, the earth and a thriving community as a physician, teacher, learner and friend. I am not yet sure where this will be geographically but I am envisioning a somewhat rural community where I can live on a small farm and be a part of a Naturopathic medical practice. I would also love to help teach gardening and cooking classes as well as preventative health. I will be travelling with my farm-mates for almost two weeks – to Portland for the Northwest permaculture conference (http://nwpermaculture.com/) and then back to the Okanogan for the barter faire (http://www.okanoganfamilyfaire.net/). I would love to see any of you Pacific Northwesterners there. I pray you are all blessed with abundance and faith this fall.
Squash is generally ready for harvest after the first frost as seen by the drooping leaves (it's also easier to see the squash under the blanket of leaves once the frost has cleared them back a bit)
Squash sometimes grow small rootlets like this one to gather more nutrients from the soil than they get from the vine that they sprouted from.
A truck full of squash...many more loads to come
Jenae helped us with the squash harvest -- thank you!
Beautiful scarlet runner beans
Lomatium root -- a potent antimicrobial herb!
Angelica Arguta seed ready to harvest
The squash harvest has begun! We filled up almost 4 truck/car loads today with much more to come. For now they are curing in Skeeter's yurt amongst his bed, clothes etc. He jokes about being a squirrel and storing up food for winter in his home...soon it will be overflowing.
Raspberries and Calendula
Friday September 30th -- Yesterday we picked more raspberries. Everyone in town is amazed that Skeeter's raspberries are still producing as the co-op has been out of them for over a week. I noticed that the raspberries we picked after two days of cold and rainy weather tasted more astringent, while the ones harvested yesterday are sweet again after ripening in the sunny 70 degree weather. I am excited for homemade raspberry jam on fresh baked gluten-free bread!
It frosted two nights ago so we will be harvesting the less ripe winter squash today. The frost turned their leaves brownish yellow and caused them to droop lessening their protection from a subsequent frost. However, the squash that are ripe have more protection from a partial frost so we will leave them on the vine to sweeten up and harvest later. There are so many varieties here from Blue Hubbard, spaghetti, acorn, banana, Turk's turbin, delicata and so many more that I will soon learn.
We have been busy gathering seeds from the medicinal herbs scattered throughout the garden. We must harvest them after the seed pods dry up but before they burst. The other day Shawn and I collected my favorite seed, Calendula. They look like the legs of an Octopus all curled up in a ring with intricate bumps and ridges (photo above). Calendula is a beautiful soothing flower that can be used on topical wounds. I have written a recipe for a First Aid Calendula salve in the recipe tab on this website. It contains flavenoids that account for much of its anti-inflammatory properties and is also anti-bacterial and anti-septic.
It frosted two nights ago so we will be harvesting the less ripe winter squash today. The frost turned their leaves brownish yellow and caused them to droop lessening their protection from a subsequent frost. However, the squash that are ripe have more protection from a partial frost so we will leave them on the vine to sweeten up and harvest later. There are so many varieties here from Blue Hubbard, spaghetti, acorn, banana, Turk's turbin, delicata and so many more that I will soon learn.
We have been busy gathering seeds from the medicinal herbs scattered throughout the garden. We must harvest them after the seed pods dry up but before they burst. The other day Shawn and I collected my favorite seed, Calendula. They look like the legs of an Octopus all curled up in a ring with intricate bumps and ridges (photo above). Calendula is a beautiful soothing flower that can be used on topical wounds. I have written a recipe for a First Aid Calendula salve in the recipe tab on this website. It contains flavenoids that account for much of its anti-inflammatory properties and is also anti-bacterial and anti-septic.
Our Dinner Feast...Shawn roasted eggplant over the open flame of our gas stove and made a delicious Baba Ghanoush. We used it as a topping for herb and garlic mashed potatoes accompanied by a Greek salad with freshly harvested tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, chives and more. Check out the recipe tab on this website for another great eggplant recipe, Moussaka.
Safflower ready to Harvest
The Co-op in Tonasket...Skeeter was so excited to post the flyer for the Inland NW Permaculture Convergence happening in Spokane November 4-6th, 2011. Feel free to ask for more details -- it's going to be great! www.inlandnorthwestpermaculture.com
The outdoor Solar Shower...The first few seconds are sort of warm...then it's just refreshing.
Ashwaganda ready to harvest
Fall has come and the harvest is here!
Monday, September 26th -- It seems that fall has finally set in here in the Okanogan valley. We had a few beautiful weeks of sunshine and dry summer weather and this morning I awoke to rain on the thin grass roof of the school bus I currently reside in. At least it has kept away the wasps and brought a cool breeze. It was 102 degrees on Saturday when Shawn and I were picking raspberries on Skeeter’s acre of land at Art and Ellen’s farm outside of Tonasket. I picked almost 3 quarts before the heat and dehydration nauseated me to lie under an apple tree in the shade until we called it a day and drove to lake Palmer for a swim.
Skeeter, the permaculture farmer we work with, has been gone for the last 5 days for some meetings and a workshop near Seattle. His main intern this year, Nate, has also been gone in California for a friends wedding, so Shawn and I have been taking care of the 4 farms/gardens ourselves. So far, this has mostly meant keeping things from dying and unsuccessfully keeping up with picking the ever-ripening and most delicious raspberries I have ever tasted. They are so refreshing we overeat each time we pick them and nearly make ourselves sick.
It is harvest time here as the last 2 weeks have been full of digging potatoes, onions and shallots, picking, packing and shipping boxes of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants just in time for another set to ripen. A few nights ago we made a delicious stovetop Mousakka for dinner with all the nightshades we had been harvesting. It was a casserole type dish with sautéed eggplant, potatoes and a tomato, shallot and garlic sauce with some local ground beef. It was topped with a pecorino Romano cream sauce, started from a gluten free rue using soymilk and brown rice flour. The recipe for this is posted on this website under the “recipe” tab.
We’ve also been trying to keep up with harvesting the herbs before they go to seed. So far we’ve picked calendula flowers, cut back epazote, holy basil, sweet annie, elderberry, tobacco leaves, boneset, goldenrod and many others. We’ve harvested seed for chives, onions, carrots and anything we see going to seed, selecting and cutting off the tops that are drying out and leaving the others to continue transferring energy to the seed pods which we often harvest just before they burst. We took a drive last week down by the Okanagon river to a narrow flood plain and harvested the resinous herb gum weed (above photo) and red and black Hawthorne berries (Crataegus columbiana and douglasii species) the latter of which has been drying for over 5 days now on low heat to retain its medicinal properties. Crataegus berries taste astringent and slightly sweet, leaving the mouth a bit dry. The berries contain antioxidants and along with the flowers and leaves, this herb is a cardiovascular tonic so it strengthens the normal function and structure of cardiovascular system. It can have a mild effect in lowering blood pressure and blood lipids as well.
Skeeter, the permaculture farmer we work with, has been gone for the last 5 days for some meetings and a workshop near Seattle. His main intern this year, Nate, has also been gone in California for a friends wedding, so Shawn and I have been taking care of the 4 farms/gardens ourselves. So far, this has mostly meant keeping things from dying and unsuccessfully keeping up with picking the ever-ripening and most delicious raspberries I have ever tasted. They are so refreshing we overeat each time we pick them and nearly make ourselves sick.
It is harvest time here as the last 2 weeks have been full of digging potatoes, onions and shallots, picking, packing and shipping boxes of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants just in time for another set to ripen. A few nights ago we made a delicious stovetop Mousakka for dinner with all the nightshades we had been harvesting. It was a casserole type dish with sautéed eggplant, potatoes and a tomato, shallot and garlic sauce with some local ground beef. It was topped with a pecorino Romano cream sauce, started from a gluten free rue using soymilk and brown rice flour. The recipe for this is posted on this website under the “recipe” tab.
We’ve also been trying to keep up with harvesting the herbs before they go to seed. So far we’ve picked calendula flowers, cut back epazote, holy basil, sweet annie, elderberry, tobacco leaves, boneset, goldenrod and many others. We’ve harvested seed for chives, onions, carrots and anything we see going to seed, selecting and cutting off the tops that are drying out and leaving the others to continue transferring energy to the seed pods which we often harvest just before they burst. We took a drive last week down by the Okanagon river to a narrow flood plain and harvested the resinous herb gum weed (above photo) and red and black Hawthorne berries (Crataegus columbiana and douglasii species) the latter of which has been drying for over 5 days now on low heat to retain its medicinal properties. Crataegus berries taste astringent and slightly sweet, leaving the mouth a bit dry. The berries contain antioxidants and along with the flowers and leaves, this herb is a cardiovascular tonic so it strengthens the normal function and structure of cardiovascular system. It can have a mild effect in lowering blood pressure and blood lipids as well.