Biodynamic Gardening Notes 19 - 25 October

The moon continues ascending this week - the earth breaths out. We see this as growth activity above the soil surface.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase plant vitality.  Although germination takes place below the ground, it also takes part in this upward striving.  This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53). The moon is waning this week, with the new moon on Thursday 27th.  Try to plant those seeds that produce below the ground in an earth constellation sign during the third quarter which ends on Thursday 20th. The third quarter is also good for planting perennials, trees and shrubs.  The fourth quarter of the moon is favourable for cultivation, pulling weeds and destroying pests. Especially when the moon is in a fire sign (Riotte, 14).  Maria Thun emphasized that culivating on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant's qualities.  Based on her research, weed around your cabbages in a water sign, around your broccoli in a flower sign, around your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and around your corn in a fire sign.

The moon is in an air sign on Wednesday and Thursday until10:45. Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 16:00, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

On Saturday at 16:00, it moves into a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

On Monday at 17:39, it moves into an earth sign until Wednesday 26th at 17:08. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

The new moon coming on Thursday 27th is also the Perigee of the moon, when the moon is closest to the earth.  Watch for increase moisture, start of mildews and fungal infestations.  This moon is another "Supermoon" with wild weather worldwide (Keats, 26).  The man who coined the phrase "supermoon" has his own website discussing what it is and means.  Please visit Richard Nolle for more information.

For more information about our Biodynamic Notes, visit About our Biodynamic Notes

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte's Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au/

Corn popping through!

We continue to enjoy the bounties of spring, with the beginnings of the broad bean crop, asparagus, artichokes, beet root, a lovely variety of broccoli that is sweet both raw in a salad and cooked, white and green cauliflower, red and green cabbage, fennel, spring greens, lettuce, rocket,  spinach and rhubarb .  The peas are in flower.  And there are plenty of herbs and edible flowers which help to make flavoursome dishes and colourful salads.  There is also the spring surge of fresh eggs from the chickens.

Seasonal menu items from our kitchen have included a huge variety of spring salads with tender greens, spinach, rocket, herbs and edible flowers;  asparagus, lemon thyme and chive tart (and any other tart to try and use up the eggs); spinach, nettle, thyme, parsley and garlic chive omelette; steamed broad beans with butter, pepper and salt; buttermilk curry with cauliflower (a delicious companion to home-grown, grilled, marinated leg of lamb); steamed artichokes with a tarragon dipping sauce or melted butter with fresh ground pepper; fresh whiting with asparagus and a lemon, chervil sauce; coriander pesto; beet root, slivered almonds  and Main Ridge Dairy goats milk feta salad; and rhubarb cake.

Meanwhile the spring planting continued this week.  The summer share seedlings of cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, and melons have started to germinate in the greenhouse.  The broccoli which germinated last week has its first true leaves.  In the field, our first crops of beans and corn have germinated as have the carrots.  They look so tiny in the photos...and yet filled with so much potential!  They are all enjoying the rain that we have been having.  The tomatoes, capsicum, basil and eggplant will be transplanted in the next few days.  And today we planted potatoes and parsnips.  Although we have planted lettuce and other greens, radishes, spinach, summer squash and zucchini  for the house garden, it will be another few weeks before we do another seeding for the summer share boxes.

Carrots and onions

As we  set a specific date for our summer trial, we continue to try our best to plan our planting so as to ensure crops will be ready by 20 January.  While we have used previous season notes to help with timing, at this stage, many of the crops are now in the hands of the season.  If it is a cold and wet spring, some crops may be later to ripen.  If it is a hot spring, they might be early.  We have programmed consecutive plantings into our schedule.  Even still, as we start to plant into the field, the control we as farmers have shifts to working with what nature brings.

The planting continues in the coming week.  As crops germinate, so do the weeds.  So we will be out weeding,  thinning, planting and possibly watering (depending on the weather).

This weeks companion planting article is  Herbs and Perennials in the Mandala.  The mandala borders are looking beautiful with the artichokes, apple tree blossoms and sage and foxglove blooms.

Gardening notes for this week have also been posted.  These gardening notes offer an insight into the biodynamic and sustainable farming practices that we are using.

Planting, Planting, Planting

I worked on a small vegetable farm in Vermont, USA after I graduated from college.  At the time that I started, they were in their 6th year of providing locally grown, seasonal produce.  The  conversation around the lunch table on Crossroad Farm was all about how to grow a huge variety of  produce to provide to the local community.  Starting this CSA, I am reminded of those conversations daily.   Pete and I are lucky to have people to talk with who have done this before.  We are not re-inventing the wheel but applying tried and tested farming practices to different soil and climate conditions and noting what happens. One of the things that I learned on Crossroad Farm was that locally produced vegetables can and should be varied.  Take salads, for example.  Besides the cooked staples that we have in spring like artichokes,  asparagus, bok choy, broad beans, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, peas, and silverbeet,  a spring staple are greens.  Lettuce and other greens love the coolness of this season and our bodies love the gentle spring cleanse they provide.  In our garden we have several lettuce varieties, spinach, rocket, mizuna, chicory and a huge variety of herbs like borage, calendula,  chives,  corriander, fennel, parsley, thyme and sorrel.   These provide for colorful, varied salads that need only a simple vingerette to preserve the delicate flavors.  It is this kind of variety that we are trying to bring to Transition Farm and our CSA share boxes.

Lettuce “Goldrush”Lettuce "Salad Bowl Red"

Chicory / Radicchio "Red Treviso" (heirloom)

This summer trial is about planting a range of varieties to see not only which ones produce well in our area and during different seasons but also which ones our members like.  We are hoping that all of the summer share members will embrace the conversation of being a part of the food that we are growing and that your families are enjoying.

These are planting weeks here on the Peninsula.  The frost hardy plants like brassicas, onions, leeks, spinach, rocket, radishes, silver beet, coriander, parsley, and lettuces have been and continue to be planted in the field.  The soil is warming up to 20 degrees here allowing carrots, corn and beans to germinate.  We have been talking with other growers in the area and reading information in the Biodynamic Australia Newsletter.  All of us agree that this month is set to be filled with moisture.  With a high chance for cloud cover, comes the added benefit of spring frosts not being able to settle on those tender plants like basil, capsicum, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins and zucchini.

Everything is moving out of the greenhouse, getting hardened off (the process of slowly acclimating plants to "unprotected" weather like rain, cold nights and drying winds) and being planted.

The broccoli and cauliflower seeded last week for summer harvest have popped up.  We are trialling several broccoli varieties as well as a few colored cauliflowers.  We are also trialling a variety of summer melons for the summer share boxes which were seeded this week.  The mandala planting continues with beets, beans, corn, leeks, quinoa and spinach.

We are posting garden notes each week before Wednesday.  Last weeks can be viewed at Gardening Notes 5 -11 October. This weeks can be viewed at Gardening Notes 12 - 19 October.

We are also posting our herb of the week, companion planting article each Friday of the week.  Read about this weeks Herb of the Week.

Please use this link to post any comments.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 12 - 19 October

Wednesday, 12th is the full moon, the apogee of the moon (when the moon is the furthest from the earth) at 12:06 and Moon and Saturn in opposition to each other.  The Moon and Saturn in opposition cycle occurs every 27.5 days.  "The Moon forces bring in the calcium processes which are connected to propagation and growth.  The Saturn forces bring in the silica processes which connect form and structure.  The balancing effect of these two influences streaming into the earth produces very strong plants from seed sown at this time.  Tests have shown the 48 hours leading up to this event is optimal time that overrides even the ascending, descending and moon in constellations for best planting time." (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 54) During Apogee  there is always multiplicity of form, and it appears to be a good time to plant potatoes as these multiply. Seed sowing should be avoided 12 hours either side of the apogee as it does bring a stress period (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

With the full moon on Wedensday, the moon enters its third quarter and waning time.  It is still descending until Monday 17th.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, cultivating soil and spraying horn manure preparation 500 with manure concentrate and horn clay. View our previous post for more information about preparation 500.

Maria Thun offered that each activity we do for a plant such as seeding, transplanting and cultivating, when performed on the corresponding moon, further emphasize that quality in the plant.  For example, when we transplant cabbage seedlings during a descending moon in a leaf sign, we are taking advantage not only of the descending moon pulling the forces of that plant down and into the roots to minimize transplant shock, we are also emphasizing the leafy quality of the cabbage.

On Monday, the moon begins to ascend - the earth breaths out.  The ascending moon is favourable for seed sowing and application of horn silica prepartion 501. 501 increases photosynthesis, protects against fungal disease and balances atmosphere for insect attack.  With the increase in moisture predicted for this October, application of 501 may help all plants and especially those prone to fungal diseases such as fruit trees and tomatoes.  501 is best applied when Moon is in opposition to Saturn, Wednesday 12th.  Apply at sun rise as a fine mist after stirring for one hour using the vortex stirring process.

On Wednesday 12, the moon is in a a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 13:59, it is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

It then moves into an earth sign until Tueday 18th at 01:42. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

For the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday it is in an air sign.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

Crops that can be sown during this month are globe artichokes, asparagus, beet root, carrots, coriander, cucumbers, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, rocket, spinach, spring onions, sweades, turnips, winter squashes and pumpkins. Crops that can be transplanted are basil (with protection), broccoli, cabbage, capsicum (with protection), cauliflower, celery, Chinese greens, corn, eggplant (with protection),  flowers, leeks, lettuce and salad greens, onions, parsley, silver beet, tomatoes (with protection) and zucchini and summer squashes.

For more information about our Biodynamic Notes, visit About our Biodynamic Notes

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life;  Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au/

Thyme - The Eagle of the Herbs

Each week, I walk through our garden and notice which herb calls my attention.  You may have noticed that our garden is a "messy" garden - food spills into flowers surounded by fruit trees and at their feet herbs.  It is a cacaphony of fragrance, colour, shape, structure, vibration which feeds the body and the soul.  This is the classic permaculture design, based on the premise of confusion to predators and drawing on the attributes of companion planting, soil building and fodder for the beneficial insects and animals.  As I witnessed the first of the thyme blossoms to open, and saw the bees flock to them, this week, thyme kept calling me.

In our vegetable mandalas, thyme is planted throughout the outer circle. It is drought resistant and does not require pampering.  We grow various varieties and they all spread to form a mat, which keeps other weeds at bay and covers the ground, providing a natural ground cover that cools the soil in summer - another wonderful reason to plant it on the edges of the garden and let it grow.

I have not found any plant or tree that is adversely affected by thyme, and so it is throughout our garden, especially under fruit trees.  Bees love thyme.  Greek thyme honey is prized all over the world for its wonderful flavour (McIntyre, 214).  In this regard, thyme is highly valuable as a garden companion.  It blooms in spring, about the time of the fruit trees that require the bees for cross-pollination.

In the vegetable garden too, without bees, we would be hand pollinating zucchini, pumpkins, potatoes, eggplant and melons, to name just a few of the vegetables that require pollination.  All through the year, bees are an important member of the garden and should be encouraged to come and linger.

Thyme is also said to help repel cabbage moth when planted near cabbages.  I wish I could offer personal results of this claim but alas, it has not dramatically reduced the moths from landing on the cabbage in our garden.

Thyme (thymus vulgaris) comes from the Greek thumus, meaning ‘courage’ and  'to fumigate'.  Because of the plant's strengthening and energizing properties, thyme was a symbol of action, bravery and courage.  In the age of chivalry, women embroidered a bee hovering over a sprig of thyme on articles to give to their knights. The Greeks burned it on their altars when making sacrifices to the gods, and it was made into incense to drive away infections and insects.  The Egyptians used thyme for embalming.

The Romans slept on thyme to cure melancholy while in other traditions thyme has been used to quell nightmares and ensure a pleasant night sleep (Cunningham, 210), as well as convulsions, vertigo and ringing in the ears.  Made into soup it cures shyness. Thyme's aroma was inhaled to strengthen the brain and increase longevity (McIntyre, 214).

Thyme is an herb of Venus - soothing, calming, cleansing and gently expulsive.  The energy of the herb is heating, the taste pungent and the actions antispasmodic and carminative (Frawley and Lad, 216).  A strong infusion of thyme poured into the bath water helps to ensure that all the sorrows and ills of the past are removed from the person (Cunningham, 210).

Thyme makes an excellent remedy, especially for children, for coughs whether they are caused by nerves, anxiety or an infection such as bronchitis, pneumonia or pleurisy.  Its relaxant effect on the bronchial tubes relieves asthma and whooping cough, while its expectorant action is useful for shifting phlegm - particularly useful for dry, hacking coughs (McIntyre, 214).

Thyme also relaxes the digestive system, enhances appetite, digestion and stimulates the liver (McIntyre, 57).  In South America they say that a good broth resurrects the dead.   A wonderful warming stock can be made by gently simmering carrots, onion and celery (with or without chicken necks and bones) with cloves and thyme.  The traditional chicken stock has been called "penicillin" for its healing attributes.  Adding thyme to that brew, helps to throw off fever and chills, strengthens and invigorates the body, re-ignites the digestive system and relaxes and soothes the body.  With medicine that amazing, why look for anything else?

As a culinary herb, thyme is widely used and extremely versatile. Thyme is a main component of Herbes de Provence, a blend that also includes marjoram, rosemary, summer savory, lavender flowers and other dried herbs. Thyme is also typically included in the traditional bouquet garni, a bundle of herbs and aromatics used in making stocks and sauces. In its dried form, thyme is also a component of the basic sachet d'epices, which is also used to add flavour and aroma to stocks. Thyme and lemon thyme are both frequent additions to sauces and salad dressing.

Thyme has the quality of the eagle, soaring highest amongst mountain peaks in the half-light before dawn.  It is for those who have suffered much, who feel they have come to the end of their strength and have reached their lowest point.  Thyme gives strength and courage to hold on until things improve (Cunningham, 81).

Thyme Healing Bath - from Deb Soule This is a wonderful bath when you are grieving or feeling deep sadness stirring inside, or when you just need to throw off chills and lethargy. Take 1-2 cups of dried thyme or 2-3 cups of fresh and pour 3-4 quarts of boiling water over the leaves and flowers and steep, covered for fifteen minutes.  Strain and add to your warm bathwater and soak for twenty minutes.  Do this every night for twenty nights when you are in active stages of grieving.

Syrup of Thyme for cough 225 grams fresh thyme 900 ml spring water Pour the boiling water over thyme and its flowers (if available) placed in a saucepan, and close the vessel.  Let stand in a warm place for twelve hours.  Strain and measure liquid.  To every pint, add 1kg white sugar, melted and scummed.  Stir over low heat until it is well mixed. Dose: 1 x 5ml spoon every three hours

-Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham, The Yoga of Herbs by Dr David Frawley and Vincent Lad, The Complete Floral Healer by Anne McIntyre, Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte, The Roots of Healing by Deb Soule

Our gardening notes are posted before each Wednesday for the week. View this weeks at  Biodynamic Gardening Notes for 5 - 11 October.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 5 - 11 October

With the apple trees blooming, now is a good time to ensure that the trees you have to pollinate each other are in bloom at the same time.  This allows the bees to gather the pollen from the blossoms on one tree and bring it to the other tree's blossom, cross pollinating the flower and allowing it to create it's fruit, which in turn creates it's seed. The moon continues to descend this week - the earth breathes in and draws growth forces back down below the soil surface.  Activities for the week could include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, cultivating soil and spraying horn manure preparation 500 with manure concentrate and horn clay.

"The biodynamic preparations, based on mineral, plant and animal substances, are used to support the life in the soil, enhancing all bacterial, fungal and mineral processes valued in the farming system.

The application of these preparations is the basis of biodynamic practice.  Each preparation works as an organ of the farm or home garden. Each also has a specific role in stimulating bacterial and fungal activity, making trace elements and minerals available to the plants.  Combined, they also work in making the soil and atmosphere more sensitive to cosmic rhythms, connecting the Earth to the life-forces of the cosmos. " (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 10)

Regular applications of Preparation 500 will encourage strong humus formation, all soil bacteria and soil fungi, rhizobial activity on all legumes, phosphate solubilising bacteria, increase earthworm activity, absorption and retention of water and development of deep rooting systems.  This works in any soil type.

Horn Manure preparation 500 is applied at 85 grams/hectare, stirring 1 hour in 34 litres of high quality water using the vortex stirring method.  This is then applied to the whole garden or farm area in droplet form during the late afternoon. (Biodymanic Resource Manual, 10-11).  The optimal day to apply preparation 500 is when there is a synthesis of a descending, waning moon in an earth sign. If this complete synthesis is not possible, try to work with as many variables as possible.

Dr Rudolf Steiner stated that the biodynamic method of agriculture should be made available "as quickly as possible to the largest areas of the entire earth, for the earth's healing." (Pearce, 3) Many people fear that they might not be doing something "properly" and so they do not start.  Having a go at applying 500 is a great start.  I truly believe that with time and practice, a better understanding of the "correct" process grows.  But this experience is only gained through trying.  There is no harm that can be done, it can only help.

On Wednesday 5, the moon is in a fire sign until 15:44 when it moves into an earth sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

It stays in an earth sign until Friday 7. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

On Saturday, there is a planetary trine favorable in an air sign.  On Sunday and Monday until 12:44, the moon is in an air sign.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

For the rest of Monday and Tuesday the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

Wednesday, 12th is the full moon, the apogee of the moon (when the moon is the furthest from the earth) and when the moon and Saturn are in opposition to each other.  The cycle occurs every 27.5 days.  "The Moon forces bring in the calcium processes which are connected to propagation and growth.  The Saturn forces bring in the silica processes which connect form and structure.  The balancing effect of these two influences streaming into the earth produces very strong plants from seed sown at this time.  Tests have shown the 48 hours leading up to this event is optimal time that overrides even the ascending, descending and moon in constellations for best planting time." (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 54)

Essentially then, if you have not planted any seed yet, gather what you want for summer harvest, make a site plan for your garden, amend the garden and get it ready for planting on Monday or Tuesday of this week.  Apply combined soil preparation or preparation 500 on Tuesday late afternoon and follow it with an application of 501 on Wednesday morning.  If you spend your weekend preparing your garden and the first days of the week planting it, you could be eating all summer from your own home plot.

Crops that can be sown during this month are globe artichokes, asparagus, beet root, carrots, coriander, cucumbers, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, rocket, spinach, spring onions, sweades, turnips, winter squashes and pumpkins. Crops that can be transplanted are basil (with protection), broccoli, cabbage, capsicum (with protection), cauliflower, celery, Chinese greens, corn, eggplant (with protection),  flowers, leeks, lettuce and salad greens, onions, parsley, silver beet, tomatoes (with protection) and zucchini and summer squashes.

This is a great week to amend soil and transplant seedlings to reap the rewards of the summer harvest.

For more information about our Biodynamic Notes, visit About our Biodynamic Notes

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life;  Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; Norrie Pearce's A Bio-dynamic Farmer's Handbook; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au/

Planting for the Summer Share

It is October - planting for summer harvest is in full swing. Here is a walk around the farm in photos from the greenhouse, to the cold frame, to the fields...the beginning glimpses of what we are planting for the summer share boxes-

Many of the varieties that we are growing are heirloom.  Heirloom plants are those that are openly pollinated.  Given their full life cycle, they will produce seed.  This is not the case with F1 hybrids and genetically altered seed, which have been hand pollinated and produce sterile seed.  Not only does growing heirloom varieties protect the biodiversity of seeds, on a global scale, but also fans of heirlooms will argue that many of the best tasting crops come from heirloom plants.  In many cases, hybridizers have chosen properties like disease resistance and heavy yields over flavour when they are making new varieities.

We have tilled in our autumn cover crops and are preparing the soil for planting.  Other crops that will be sown in the next few weeks are beans, corn, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, pumpkins, spinach, spring onions, and zucchini. We are excited about the soil warming up and the spring growth. The soil looks and smells wonderful, healthy and full of life. We are also excited about the response that we have had to the beginning of the CSA.

Basil - Sacred Plant of India

Next to the Lotus, basil is perhaps the most sacred plant of India.  Basil is revered for its ability to open the heart and the mind, to engender love and devotion, and to strengthen faith, compassion and clarity.  In India, basil is grown in domestic courtyards for three months and then worshiped with rice, flowers and lighted lamps (McIntrye, 165).

Basil gives the protection of the divine by clearing the aura and strengthening the immune system.  A plant of basil should be kept in every house for its purifying influences.  Basil absorbs positive ions, energizes negative ions, and liberates ozone from the sun's rays (Frawley/Lad, 103).

There are many varieties of Ocimum basilicum, as well as several related species or species hybrids also called basil. The type used in Italian food is typically called sweet basil, as opposed to Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), lemon basil (O. × citriodorum) and holy basil or tulsi  (Ocimum tenuiflorum). There are also various cultivars of Ocimum basilicum like 'Dark Opal' with its pure purple leaves.

Basil is a favorite tonic for melancholy and low spirits, and it has potent antispasmodic properties, making it useful for relieving headaches (Gladstar, 106).  Basil may be taken as a beverage with honey to promote clarity of the mind.  In Ayurveda, its taste is pungent and its energy is heating.  It is an effective diaphoretic and febrifuge in most cold, flu and lung problems.  It also improves colonic absorption and strengthens the nerve tissue, increasing memory (Frawley/Lad, 103).

As a garden companion, basil helps tomatoes to overcome both insects and disease, also improving growth and flavour.  It repels mosquitoes and flies, and when laid over tomatoes in a serving bowl will deter fruit flies.  Since the growing conditions are also similar to sweet peppers, plant the two together (Riotte, 29).

Anyone who has grown basil in the garden can attest to the delight the plant provides.  It is incredibly aromatic and a casual bump when weeding or walking through the garden is enough to send the fragrance alight.  With the various varieties come a range of colours from deep green to deep purple, making it a lovely garden plant.

And then there is the taste...from Italian pesto, to Thai green curry to grilled fish with lemon basil. It is a very versatile culinary herb.

Our basil plants are still in the greenhouse, right beside the tomatoes, growing stronger and getting ready for their imminent planting.  Most basil is considered a tender annual- the leaves turn black with a frost, so we wait until late October to put it into the garden.  As I nurture this sacred plant, rubbing it each time I am in the greenhouse just to smell the delicious fragrance, I am ever mindful of the incredible vibrations these plants bring with them.

And so, as we all await the summer and copious amounts of basil, I offer you...

Pesto - from the Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen

3 packed cups fresh basil leaves (removed from stems) 2 large cloves fresh garlic 1/2 cup pinenuts, walnuts, almonds or a combination 3/4 cup (packed) fresh-grated parsley 3/4 cup fresh-grated parmesan 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup melted butter salt to taste

Combine everything except cheese in a mortar or blender.  Thoroughly work everything into a smooth paste.  Stir in parmesan.  Toss with hot, drained pasta or spoon onto hot gnocchi.

Pesto freezes really well for year round enjoyment.  Make as per recipe above leaving out the cheese.  Freeze in serving sizes.  To use, simply defrost and add to a variety of dishes.

-Family Herbal by Rosemary Gladstar,  The Yoga of Herbs by Vincent Lad, The Complete Floral Healer by Anne McIntyre, Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte, The Permaculture Home Garden by Linda Woodrow

View our Gardening Notes for 28 September - 4 October.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 28 September - 4 October

With the moon at its closest to the earth, its perigee, on Wednesday 28th and in an earth sign during the ascending moon, it may be a great day to experiment planting your root crops. Perigee brings greater moisture to the Earth and a tendency towards fungus growth. As especially carrot and parsnip seed need to be constantly moist to germinate, using this time may make your job of keeping the seed moist easier. On Thursday and Friday, the moon is in an air sign.  On Saturday, Sunday and Monday until 09:16, it is in a water sign.  It then moves into a fire sign until Wednesday 5th at 15:44.

The moon continues its ascent, the earth breaths out, until Monday when it begins to descend, and the earth inhales and draws its growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The ascending moon is favourable for seed sowing.  The descending moon is favourable for plant transplanting.  Both activities are happening in the garden at this time of year.

We are entering into the main planting season for summer harvest.  Crops that can be sown during this month are globe artichokes, asparagus, beet root, carrots, coriander, cucumbers, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, rocket, spinach, spring onions, sweades, turnips, winter squashes and pumpkins. Crops that can be transplanted are basil (with protection), broccoli, cabbage, capsicum (with protection), cauliflower, celery, Chinese greens, eggplant (with protection),  flowers, leeks, lettuce and salad greens, onions, parsley, silver beet, tomatoes (with protection) and zucchini and summer squashes.  Look forward to sowing sweet corn in the next few weeks.

For more information about our Biodynamic Notes, visit About our Biodynamic Notes

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life;  Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au/

Spring Harvest - Summer Planting

We have been asked a few questions about our CSA vegetable box program – and how it differs to some of the other vegetable box programs.

All the food in our box is grown on our farm – it is seasonal, local food – picked within 24 hours of your pick up.

The food has not been transported from farmers across Australia (and abroad) to central markets where it is then boxed again and sent off to households wanting fresh organic produce.

As a culture, we are losing our connection to the cycles of the seasons. CSAs offer us the ability to return to a seasonal diet.

At Transition Farm we grow particular crops that are appropriate for the current season in this region. Often, the biggest difficulty with eating seasonally is that our shopping and cooking practices mirror more chemically and genetically modified produce that is found in the grocery stores (which travel thousands of miles before ending up on your plate), than it does what is available in the local farm during that season.

We hope that we can provide our CSA members with experiences like this one taken with thanks from Forest Eve Farm CSA in Vermont, USA:

"Based on my experience with Forest Eve Farm, I would highly recommend participating in Community Supported Agriculture. Unlike just “buying” food from the supermarket, by having a CSA share I had a vested interest in the success of a farm and was proud to be a part of a community of people that had come together to help feed one another. Each week I was pleasantly surprised by how much food my share yielded! As a result, I had the pleasure of sharing many meals with grateful friends thanks to the hard work of the farmers of Forest Eve Farm." -Ryan 2010 CSA Member, Burlington.

We are currently harvesting asparagus, artichokes, beet root, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, fennel, lettuce and assorted tender greens, kale, pak choy, silver beet, and spinach- and still enjoying the very last of the over wintered carrots, leeks, lemons and pumpkin.  Mixed with herbs like borage, calendula, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, nettles, parsley, tarragon and thyme, the recipes are wonderful!  Seasonal, local cuisine includes leek, fennel, lemon and asparagus risotto flavoured with lemon thyme; mixed herb and lettuce salad with sprouted fenugreek; steamed artichokes with a tarragon dipping sauce; spinach soup; spring stir fries; Main Ridge goat's cheese and nettle spanakopita; leek, carrot, asparagus and thyme tart...just to mention some of the delights we have been cooking.

We will be seeding the cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins and remaining root vegetables for the summer share in the coming weeks. Another advantage of being part of a CSA is having your say in what we grow. If there are vegetables and herbs that you would like to see in your summer box, please let us know now.

And as the sun crosses the equator heading south, Happy Spring...happy planting!

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 21-27 September

The moon continues to decrease this week with the new moon on Tuesday 27th.  The moon is also ascending, the earth is breathing out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil surface.  Although germination takes place below the ground, it also takes part in this upward striving (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 52). The ascending moon is the time to apply biodynamic preparation 501.  This preparation increases photosynthesis in plants and allows for greater uptake of minerals and trace elements in the soil.  Look for moon in opposition to Saturn or moon in a leaf sign and apply the preparation in early morning.

On Wednesday and Thursday the moon is in an air sign.  On Friday and Saturday, it is in a water sign.  On Sunday and Monday, it is in a fire sign and on Tuesday and Wednesday it is in an earth sign.

Traditional cultures that plant with the waxing and waning of the moon, plant those things that produce below the ground during the waning moon and those things that produce above the ground during the waxing of the moon.  They also reserve the day of the new moon as a no planting day.

Hartmut Spiess, a researcher who spent many years investigating Maria Thun's work hoping to provide endorsements, found that crops across the spectrum, meaning leaf, root, and fruit, all experienced increased yields when planted around the perigee (Keats).  Perigee, the time when the moon is closest to the earth, brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungus growth (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).  The perigree this month occurs at 11:02 on Wed 28th.  Maybe do some experimenting of your own planting seeds at different times and then observing the plant growth and yield.  Labelling the plants or taking notes in a notebook will help you to remember when you planted things and what your observations are.

Hartmut Spiess also noticed improved yields in beans, carrots, and radishes when planted during an ascending moon. Maria Thun recommends sowing seeds during the ascending moon.

We are entering into the main planting season for summer harvest.  Crops that can be planted now are potatoes, winter squashes and pumpkins, cucumbers, peas, lettuce and salad greens, radishes, rocket, spinach, beet root, coriander, parsley, celery, silver beet, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, leeks, onions, spring onions, parsnips and zucchini.  You may be able to transplant tomatoes into the garden giving them some protection.  Look forward to planting sweet corn in the next few weeks.

For more information about our Biodynamic Notes, visit About our Biodynamic Notes

-Biodynamic Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au/

Ode to Borage - The flower of courage

In my attempts to write about companion planting, my musings which began so simply started to twist and turn, passing through plants that are friends, feeding the soil, beneficial insects, deterring insects, attracting wildlife, brightening the soul, curing ailments, making ecosystems... As I sought to stay on one tangent, I realized that maybe the best way to approach such a huge topic is by paying homage each week to one special plant and its relationship in our garden- And so I bring you, my plant of the week... Ode to Borage The Flower of Courage

With its bright blue, star shaped flowers that uplift their heads, blooming in our climate from late winter through to late autumn, borage brightens any garden and gardener. Borage was used to promote bravery on the jousting field and continues to be used to bestow courage. Borage has a relaxing effect generally and is said to dispel grief and sadness (75, McIntyre). The herbalist Gerard writing in 1597 said that a syrup of borage flowers 'comforteth the heart, purgeth melancholy and quieteth the phrenticke and lunatick person.'  For as the lion finds out, where does courage lie but in the heart.

Being an edible flower, borage brightens a salad, livens up a simple glass of water and makes beautiful cake decorations.  In ayurveda, borage has a sweet, astringent taste and a cooling action (Lad, 195).  The crushed leaves smell like cucumber.  Young leaves contain vitamin C and can be added to a salad.  Borage flowers are a wonderful addition to a birthing woman's bouquet and a soothing bath.

The blue colour attracts bees, and as they are blooming from late winter, they are excellent to put near your fruit trees.  Most apple, pear, sweet cherry and plum trees cannot produce fruit from their own pollen.  They require the lovely aid of the bee to take pollen from one tree to another, providing the cross pollination necessary.  In addition to fruit trees, strawberries flourish near a borage plant as do tomatoes and squash. Borage deters tomato hornworm and cabbage worms.

Borage roots go down 2 metres, mining the subsoil for nutrients and adding organic matter (Woodrow, 147).  It accumulates silica, potassium and calcium, makes good mulch and is a great compost ingredient.  As we started this garden on a sand dune very deficient in trace minerals and humus, borage has helped us build a well balanced top soil.

Externally, the fresh juice from the leaves can be applied to burns and to draw out poisons from insect bites, stings or boils.

Boarge self-seeds easily.  It is extremely hardy, growing in shade, sun, wet or dry, but the plants are easy to remove from places where they are not welcome, so it doesn’t become a troublesome weed (Woodrow, 147).

The multifunctional quality of adding borage to our garden has been incredible.  Our soil is being enriched, the plants are healthier and happier, the garden is prettier, the fruit more prolific, our stings have been soothed and our spirit is continually uplifted. As I sit amidst a sea of borage, calendula and fruit tree blossoms,  watching funny little wasps and bees that flit through the flowers, I give my gratitude to this lovely plant and marvel at the beauty of the natural world working harmoniously.

Flower Teas - from Deb Soule

Drinking a tea of any of the following herbs serves to uplift your spirit, gladden your heart, and nourish your nervous system.

Heartsease pansy flowers- 1 part Sacred basil leaves and flowers - 2 parts Borage flowers- 1 part Lemon balm flowers and leaves - 2 parts Lavender flowers- 2 parts

Dose and Use: To make a summer tea, place whatever proportions of these fresh herbs or others you have into cool water and let them infuse in the sunlight or moonlight or slowly heat to near boiling and steep, covered, ten minutes.  Drink 2-4 cups a day.

You can also add any of these herbs to an herbal bath. As Rosemary Gladstar says, "Herbal bathing can be soothing to a weary soul.  It is a bit hard to remain depressed for long while soaking in a flower-strewn tub surrounded by plants from your garden."

-Family Herbal by Rosemary Gladstar, Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway,  The Yoga of Herbs by Vincent Lad, The Complete Floral Healer by Anne McIntyre, The Roots of Healing by Deb Soule, How to make a Forest Garden by Patrick Whitefield, The Permaculture Home Garden by Linda Woodrow

About Our Biodynamic Notes

As a gardener and a farmer, I have found that using a tool like Brian Keats’ Antipodean Astro Calendar, a calendar which illustrates the rhythms of the sun, moon and planets, has helped me to become more aware and sensitive to these rhythms and how we can work our farm practices into them.  There are many aspects to the Astro-Calendar, which for someone new to Biodynamics may seem daunting and confusing.  I try to remember that just like any activity which includes working within a natural system, "common sense must prevail" (Brian Keats). If it is a moist, overcast afternoon, transplant. I have approached biodynamics as the process of tuning myself into rhythms that I may not have before identified. Each time I internalise one aspect of this science, I leave room to understand and internalise another aspect and thus begin to see a dance occurring between the various aspects.  I do not use the calendar as a set "rule" as to what I "must" do.  Rather I use it as a reference to help me to perceive the nuances of the natural system with which I am honoured to be working.

From many perspectives, biodynamic practices make sense to me as a farmer.  If the soil has no life, how can the food?  For our own house garden, and for our CSA, high quality food, full of nutritional value and taste, organically and sustainably grown is of paramount importance to us.  The Andean people believe that each of us contains all that the universe contains - little mini cosmoses.  I too believe that the interconnectedness of life is incredible and boundless. So the idea that a small tiny seed, which contains all the potential to grow, prosper, produce fruit, full of life energy, that will feed me,  is a fact in my world.  My role is that of a conductor...just tuning in to the right opportunity for each piece of the orchestra to join in.

I share what I have learned about biodynamics in the spirit of having a conversation.  What I have learned thus far has made the experience of the natural world richer for me, provided us with incredible food and flowers and showed me that I have so much more to learn.  I am in no ways an expert nor do I have formal biodynamic training. I share the resources that have been useful to my learning and personal trial and error.

Brian Keats states, “We can of course, just use calendars for practical purposes, like growing plants, pruning roses and managing stock. In doing these activities, it helps to be in touch with their innate rhythms and in a quest to do so, you are invariably brought into contact with the source of these rhythms - the planets and the stars.

Maria Thun's work in Biodynamics sought to prove that the life-processes on earth are influenced by the rhythms of the planets. 'Plants are able to make visible the impulses and influences which emanate from the planets, sun and moon in their shape and structure. Protein-, fat-, carbohydrate- and salt- content are also affected." (Gardening for Life,11)  The constellations of the zodiac are of great importance for plant growth.  They work through sun, moon and the planets, which in turn pass on their own properties to the plant through the classical elements of warmth/fire, light/air, water and earth.  The sowing time, when the seed enters the earth, exerts the strongest influence.

Warmth signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

Within the biodynamic community, there are many research-based interpretations to the above-mentioned work.

In the weekly biodynamic notes I will refer to the moon being in an earth, water, air or fire (warmth) constellation. I will also refer to the waxing (new moon to full moon) and waning (full moon to new moon) cycles of the moon as well as the when the moon is ascending (when the moon is getting higher in the sky) and descending (when the moon is getting lower in the sky).

Another important note about the Biodynamic Notes posted on this site...They are all based in the Southern Hemisphere and the times mentioned are for Victoria, Australia.

Biodynamic Notes

With the full moon on Monday the 12th, we have entered the waning moon, the time between full moon and new moon. Root qualities are emphasized during the waning moon.  The moon is still descending - the earth continues its inhale, drawing forces back down below the soil surface.  This is the time for applying horn manure preparation 500, making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, cultivating the soil.

Keeping in mind the moon phases, spring seeds that can be sown in the coming weeks include broad beans, beet root, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, radishes, silver beet, swede and turnips.  Under protection, sow seeds of celery, cucumber, pumpkin, winter squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, basil and capsicum.

Seedlings of brassicas, lettuce, spinach, parsley, coriander, onions, beet root, chinese greens and leeks can be planted out now.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 19:04 the moon is in a water sign.  It then moves into a fire sign until Sunday at 07:52. The moon is in an earth sign Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until 19:08.  On Tuesday the 20th the moon also begins its ascension.

Spring is a great time to apply horn manure preparation 500.  500 builds soil structure and humus, attracts soil life, earthworms, azotobacteria, bacteria, fungi and increases water-holding capacity.  500 or the combined soil preparation is best applied in an earth sign, during the descending moon, after 3pm when the earth is breathing in.

As I said above, if this is all new, start with just one aspect, something you can perceive like the waxing and waning of the moon.  And make a point to look for the moon each day and/or night, observing and noticing its rhythm and changes.

Keep notes...I know that every gardening book says that but I have to tell you, it is really helpful from year to year.  And remember, it is not meant to be a hard fast "rule" or "formula".  Your gardening experience is your own garden mythology in the writing.  What works for you may not work for the friend down the road and visa versa.  That is what makes gardening so personal and so enjoyable.  And because we are all working with nature and it is always changing, our garden is never DONE until we pass on.

-Biodynamic Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations, I know of three organisations in Australia:

Demeter Biodynamics at http://www.demeter.org.au/index.htm

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au

Australia Biodynamic- Victoria Inc.  at http://www.biodynamicsvictoria.org/

Bud Swell...Bud Burst

We  have had lots of bud burst here this week-  The plums, nectarines, apricots and peaches have all started blooming-  This is the time to walk through your fruit trees and check who is pollinating who-

Plum trees usually need cross pollination, as do cherries, apples and pears-  If the trees that you planted to do that, are not flowering around the same time, cross pollination will not happen-  Even recommended cross pollinators may bloom at different times in certain locations-  So before years pass and you wonder why your healthy tree has loads of flowers and no fruit, notice the blooms this spring-  Look for bees, too!

Companion planting is great for attracting spring bees- More on that next week-

Can you taste that smell?

Being a descending moon in a fruit sign meant the perfect day to transplant our tomato seedlings.  As opposed to seeding directly into pots, we bunch some seeds in lines on seed trays.  This allows for more seeds that require warmer temperatures for germination to be on the heat pad.  Before we had the greenhouse, though, I still seeded like this to fit more seeds into our sunny window.  Once the seeds have germinated and have their first true leaves, I pluck them out and put them into pots. They are still tender and need nurturing so back into the greenhouse they go to form more roots and to grow into thick, strong seedlings.

Ohhh the smell of those tomato plants as I was teasing the roots apart-  It is one of those smells that lingers with me....a distinct smell of summer-

More about Companion Planting next time...

Get Dirty!

Our vision in purchasing this property and growing food has been to develop a sustainable ecosystem that will provide a diversity of  quality food for our family, to use sustainable practices to grow food for other families and to share resources to empower the community with the skills to grow their own food. I do not know how to use Word Press...and the farm is busier then ever-  But I want to start sharing simple pleasures from our garden, glimpses of how this system works, biodynamic notes, a seasonal farm diary-  If you are growing food, or thinking about growing food, or just want to feel more connected to where your food is coming from, I hope these posts are relevant.

Anyone can grow food-  It all starts with the soil-  Peter chose this property because it was in  "the worst" possible condition-  It was devoid of life-  Where were the worms, the fungus, the critters-  Peter felt if we could renew this soil, bring back the life, kick start an eco-system, others might believe that it can be done...anywhere!- We would love to lose families in our share program because they are growing their own food!

So please forgive me if I cannot respond to every comment or even work out how to receive them-  In the spirit of spring I have decided to jump in and and start sharing and learn as I go-

The weather turned today from the sunny warmth we have been having to a bitter wind and rain-  But the earth is warming up, the sap is staring to flow in the trees, spring equinox is approaching-  It is a great time to dig your hands in and get dirty!

It's Spring...New Beginnings

How do you know it's spring?  When I was a child, it was the new growth on the seagrapes and the delicious smell of citrus in bloom- In my twenties, it was the fading daphne, tete a tete daffodils blooming and the glorious spring "snow" as the wind blew the petals of the plum blossoms!  And here in Australia...our true measure of spring are the wattle trees- Spring is coming when the wattle trees are blooming...and the 1st of September, so the old timers and school teachers say-

Not to mention the noticeably longer days, knee high garlic, the daily measure of growth in the artichokes, blooming broad beans, budding sage, asparagus and new roots sprouting from the over-wintered carrots- Time to roast the last of those root crops and mix with the tender spring spinach and move into seedlings!

This is a warm spring- We have seeded our capsicums, eggplants and tomatoes on a heat pad...but we also did them not on the heat pad this year and they have all germinated- Our greenhouse is filling up with the beginning of the "summer" crops, like the peppers and tomatoes, as well as the leeks, onions, lettuces, spinach, celery, brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi), beet root, peas for transplanting in the mandalas, herbs and flowers-  We have spring frost here-  If you do not wake to fennel leaves covered in sparkling crystals, you could start your seeds in a a sheltered sunny spot outside or a sunny inside window -

Biodynamic Notes

While we still have a waxing moon (until Full moon on Monday 12th), the moon has started descending- The earth is again breathing in, drawing growth forces back down below the soil- If you have any fruit trees left to prune, prune on fruit days- - Spread compost and spray horn manure preparation 500 on descending root sign days- Harvest root crops for storage on an earth day- Cultivate soil and transplant seedlings and trees-

I feel like this is the calm before the storm- Time to finish the last of the "winter" jobs and prepare for more seeding when the moon starts ascending again on Tue 20th-

Fruit Days Tue 6th - Wed 7th

Earth days Thurs 8th- Sat 10th

Flower days Sun11th- Mon 12th

Hoping for rain to germinate our new pasture!