Let the Weeding Begin!

Garden Journal: April 23, 2008
A Weeding Meditation

Here is one view of the outside of the Elemental Garden in need of weeding. Off in the back right corner is a shed we constructed last year out of a piece of old fencing. This is where I keep my tools stored so it isn't necessary to run back and forth out of the garden. A piece of plastic tarp that was laying around was used for the top. Worked ok for last year, but this year we are headed for an upgrade. My husband has a piece of used roof from a golf cart that we will place over top. The advantage...we won't be sticking our head into the tarp with each entry into the shed.

Inside in the foreground is a wooden bench and anchored beside it on each side is a wooden trellis. Last year a clematis was planted at the base of each late in the season. So they have come back this year and are looking strong and healthy. Laying across the top are just bamboo poles sitting on the top of each trellis. The plan is to have the clematis grow strong and hardy up and across the trellis providing a natural bit of shade to sit under on the bench, as well as something beautiful to look at.

To the left and right of the bench I planted quite a few perennials last year that hopefully will make a strong return this spring. The paths were a challenge to keep weeded. Don't be fooled by those beautiful magazine photos! I have tried, unsuccessfully to discover the Lazy Gardener's Way to Weeding, and frankly, I don't think it exists. There are techniques that can be done to help make the task less labor intensive, but it will never be weed free by wishing.

So after many different ideas and approaches last year, I decided to work smart and settled on laying thick layers of newspaper and cardboard boxes down on the paths. This was then covered with pine bark nuggets. It blew my initial budget out of the water, with the purchase of the mulch, 'cause I was determined to do it for pennies, but like I said, I decided to play it smart which meant not being penny wise and dollar foolish. It overwintered well, and requires little in the way of maintenance at this point. This year the plan is to pull back some of the bark, add more cardboard and newspaper, then reapply the mulch.

One trick I learned was to have a big barrel of water beside me and soak the paper and cardboard before laying it down. This kept it in place and made it easier to work with. Also this approach has the benefit of recycling material as well as creating more of a barrier between the weeds and mulch. Weeds do make their way through, but hand picking regularly when the weeds are small and few in number keeps it manageable.

So the last few days I have been spending my time doing what I call Weeding Meditation. First I connect with the Deva of the Elemental Garden so we can work together and have asked to be guided and inspired as I do the clearing. This activity is helping me to empty my mind of all the clutter and baggage I am carrying around and get in tune with the energy of the land. This will help to set the foundation of what to plant and where to plant it once the weeds are clear.

I have already filled in the compost area rather fully and am asking for guidance and suggestions on how to get this compost down to a manageable useable state in just a few weeks.




( To the Left) This compost pile that runs the length of the outside of the garden fence, contains all the weeds, leaves and sticks from the various beds and gardens around the property. My husband, when I wasn't paying attention, put all this years compost on top of last years, now I need to go back and reassemble the compost piles...like I said, really no easy way... Guess I'll be doing Weeding Meditation alot longer than I originally had anticipated!




( To the Left) Here is one of the overflow compost piles that needs to be cut up into smaller pieces . This contains mostly cut off branches from shrubs and of course our Christmas Tree.


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Garden Season Officially Opened

Photo of the Elemental Garden, Summer 2007

After much anticipation...waiting, and waiting for the weather to change and my blood to warm up...Spring Has Arrived in PA and I am now working almost full time outside. I started a few days ago, but my body went into major retaliation. After basically laying dormant the past few months, each muscle loudly protested the spring baptism into manual labor. But now, with 3 days under my belt, things are under better control.

So here's the scoop, we have 10 major beds surrounding our property that need to be cleaned out, spruced up, and worked. In addition to that there is my treasured Elemental Garden, started last year, two long stretches of what we call tiger country, and a golf green. All of this is nestled onto one acre of land.

My goal is to move away from the traditional lawn and into a naturescape...to work with the land to grow food, herbs, spices, flowers, fruits, and natural habitat for all the critters that reside in our neighborhood. So in the upcoming season most of this blog will be devoted to the adventures of planting these seeds for change. It is a daunting task, but a definite labor of love.

I will be adding photos of what is being done as well as commentary along the way. We work organically...to fertilize, to correct imbalances, to build a healthy soil. I also like to use sound environmental practices for the hardscape...using recycled materials as much as possible, and to keep the costs manageable.

Hope you will stop by and visit on occasion to see what is new and developing in the daily adventures of Gardening with Seeds for Change! Well off to work, see you in a bit!

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Container Herb Gardening

Container gardening is a great way to grow plants, vegetables and herbs without needing a lot of space. Herbs do especially well and can be grown right outside your kitchen door. In this video, you'll learn how to use an old farmer's market basket to make a great container garden. Fill it with your favorite herbs and your cooking will be full of flavor all summer long.(6 minutes)

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Now for Something Different: Biodynamics

By Scott Anderson

Biodynamics is a science of life forces- a recognition of basic principles at work in nature. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) is known as the "father of biodynamics". Steiner was born in Austria and lived most of his life in Germany. This man was involved in politics, agriculture, drama, teaching {he did over 6,000 lectures}, and spirituality; he was a real renaissance man.

In 1919, he founded the Waldorf School in Germany. Local branches exist in Princeton, NJ, and Kimberton, PA. These schools focus on many things: balancing artistic, academic, and practical work; educating the whole child, hand and heart as well as mind. Worldwide there are over 800 schools and over 150 in the U.S.-Steiner's insight and influence carries on today.

My first exposure to biodynamics was at the Nature Lyceum in Long Island, NY. I drove up to the building where a course in organics was being taught, and I was kind of confused by the grass parking lot with concrete bumpers and the conventional handicap parking sign in the lawn. I thought, "This is strange."

Later that morning the instructor asked if anyone noticed the parking lot? Well, that led into the topic of biodynamics. Apparently, for over three years now, the once gravel parking lot has been treated biodynamically. It has stayed green and healthy, including during the drought a few years ago and during the winter.

I've since gone on the Internet to find that biodynamics is huge in the organic world. A lot of vineyards in California, and worldwide, are growing biodynamically without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Biodynamics embraces the concept that all living things are believed to be open to and formed by influences from the depths of the earth to the heights of the heavens. Cosmic rhythms contribute to the life, growth, and form of all living things on earth.

It also recognizes that the soil itself is alive. Its vitality supports and affects the quality and health of plants that grow in it. The health of the soil is build and supported through the use of natural and organic components, especially composting, and the use of various biodynamic "preps" developed by Steiner.

From what I've read, plants grown in this manner have shown more resistance to insects and disease, both of which are triggered by disorder. Healthy "life force energies" are natural repellents. It is said that destructive insects will avoid healthy systems, as the insects are not programmed to go there. Sir Albert Howard, author of The Soil and Health said, "healthy soils = healthy plants= healthy people."

Biodynamics and the Rock Dust Phenomenon

Our soils are generally devoid of trace mineral through years of cropping and/or mowing. The addition of rock dust minerals along with organic fertilizers or compost have shown to improve the health of numerous crops, horticultural plants, and turf by feeding the soil. Soil bacteria feed on natural volcanic rock dust, stimulating the "soil food web" and improving many things: the soil structure, disease suppression, water holding capacity, natural aeration, thatch decomposition, nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere, and nutrient cycling. All the while, 70 minerals are added to the soil. Rock dust minerals are also used in bioremediation of contaminated soils.

Certain volcanic rock dust minerals (para magnetic) are said to attract and build "life force energies". I recently read that Great Britain just approved money for the study of this phenomenon. Here at home, a Delaware Valley College student under my employ grew bentgrass in the greenhouse with about 10 other treatments. The results surprised everyone. Rudolph Steiner's "horn manure biodynamic prep" and volcanic rock dust came in first and second in germination trials by as much as two days.

I realize that some of these theories may seem strange. To put it in perspective, I was asked, "can you see gravity?" Well, my response is, "do you have to see life force energies?" We must all find our own truth.

Look into it. I think it's too widespread to be ignored.

About the Author: Scott Anderson is an instructor at Seeds for Change Wellness Community and has been the golf course superintendent at Huntingdon Valley Country Club since 1983. Scott has been utilizing organics in building sustainable soils, while reducing the need for adding synthetic products.

A graduate of the Green Gorillas Organic Program at the Nature Lyceum in NY, Scott’s practical experience and concerns for the environment provide a new perspective as well as useable knowledge on how to bring your home care program into balance with nature.




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Are You Sleeping in a Safe Space?

This question was popularized by Rolf Gordon from England. I consider him a modern day pioneer, having dedicated the past few decades educating people about a condition known as Geopathic Stress. It is a phenomenon many people are not aware of, yet it affects everyone to varying degrees.

SO WHAT IS GEOPATHIC STRESS (GS)?
Let’s start with a simple vocabulary review: Geo- refers to the earth, while pathic refers to suffering or disease. In combination with stress, geopathic refers to any type of noxious energies, natural or man-made, that over time may cause health challenges for humans, plants, and animals under its influence. In addition, inanimate objects are also subjected to its powerful force. Very few things can avoid being affected.

NOXIOUS ENERGIES AND ZONES OF DISTURBANCE: WHAT ARE THESE?
Here we are referring to any subtle energy that will create havoc on the immune system of many living organisms when placed within its field for prolonged periods of time. Note- some organisms thrives in these zones.

GS is the catchall term that refers to concentrations of both natural and man-made energies. They are typically found over or related to underground streams, certain pockets of minerals, fault lines, underground cavities, mines, pipelines, and vortexes. One way to illustrate this is to picture an underground stream of water, say 200ft down, meandering through the soil, all the while attracting energy above it as it flows. This results in an invisible river of destructive energy, usually 10% as wide as the stream is deep; in this case, a swath roughly 20ft wide.

With our rapid technological advancements today, we are contributing enormously to the amount of GS in our environment. This occurs as a result of the electro-magnetic fields caused by electrical and wireless sources. The short list includes such things as: man’s over use of electricity, bleeding wires, appliances, lighting, computers, TV, cell phones, transformers, power lines, generators, and all our wireless gizmos and gadgets.

Depending on the source, these energies can vary in intensity, direction, and form. Some are regularly spaced grid patterns, where others may be more random in width and structure. Experts estimate that 5% of the earth is covered by them. As one would think, areas of energy intersections are especially troublesome.

WHAT KIND OF HEALTH CHALLENGES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
GS does not directly create health challenges. Rather, it works on depressing the immune system, when a living organism finds itself sitting, working, or sleeping in an area that is geopathically stressed for several hours at a time, on a continual basis.

For example, if there is a line of GS flowing through your bedroom at the location of your bed, in particular, where you are sleeping, you can assume you are NOT SLEEPING in a safe place. Chances are high you are not sleeping well at all. Even more likely, the exact position where the line of GS crosses your body may be the exact location where you are experiencing health problems.

Now each person is very different, that is why we are called individuals. Some people are more sensitive and easily affected, others may seem to remain totally unaffected, and still others fall somewhere in between the two extremes. When someone is ill and has tried a number of different approaches to healing without success, then it may be time to examine the concept of geopathic stress as a contributing factor. Those who seem to heal, then have a reoccurrence , also should take time to examine this as a possibility.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GS?
Geopathic stress it leaves it’s calling card for all to see. Once you are familiar with some of the warning indicators, the assessment can be fairly simple to determine if your home or business is affected. Good dowsing and observation skills help with this process as well. Below is a list of signs and symptoms commonly associated with GS.

Environmental Clues :

• problems with mold in the house
• moss growing on the roof, walls, or lawn
• problems with termites, ants, wasps, or bees
• cracks in walls, driveways, paving stones, curbs, and roads
• reoccurring mechanical and electrical breakdowns
• areas with high rates of accidents
• presence of trees with cancer
• gaps in hedges rows or shrubs
• infertile fruit trees
• strangely twisted trees
• areas where nothing will grow, or where growth is stunted or mutated
• areas susceptible to lightening strikes
  

Personal/ Health Related Clues:

• someone in the home has a serious health challenge, such as cancer or MS
• illness which does not clear up despite good treatment
• feel better when away from the home
• became ill shortly after moving into the house
• live in a house which has never “felt right”
• wake up in the morning feeling unrefreshed, or have difficulty sleeping
• close neighbors may be in poor health
• previous owners of the home have been ill

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
If you suspect geopathic stress is creating a disturbing influence at your home or business, what should you do next? Look further into the subject! This article is just scratching the surface with the intention of opening doors of awareness. There are many indepth websites and books devoted to this area of study. Also several dowsing societies will have experienced dowsers who work with the detection and remediation of geopathic stress using specialized techniques, and can recommend competent individuals to assist you.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE TO FIND A SAFE SPACE!

My husband and I are dowsers who have been doing energy clearing work for the past few years on properties. We have encountered a variety of interesting cases. In most situations, the homeowners were experiencing some level of personal difficulties. Examples include insomnia, asthma, high concentrations of EMFs, cancers, uncomfortable energy within the home, difficulties with interpersonal relationships among family members, repeated mechanical and electrical breakdowns, inability to sell a home, and multiple chemical sensitivities. Once a property is assessed through dowsing, the locations where geopathic stress is found is then remediated using the best selected technique for that particular situation. Often within an hour or two, the energy in the home shifted, and the property owners recognized the improvement.

Dr. Becker, M.D., author of the "Body Electric" and "Cross Currents" and one of the most respected research scientists in this area, stated, "We now live in a sea of electromagnetic radiation that we cannot sense and that never before existed on this earth. New evidence suggests that this massive amount of radiation may be producing stress, disease and other harmful effects all over the world by interfering with the most basic levels of brain function."

So now is the time to take a pro-active position. Educate yourself. Learn what you can. Share what you learn with others. Don't wait until it is to late to find out you have not been sleeping in a safe place.

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