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Sowing Seeds and Dividing Plants in the Permaculture Gardens

6 Apr

Uploaded another video this morning, showing some of the productive gardens and what’s happening!

*************************************************

You can view the video by clicking on this link…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dm5gfLazd4

*************************************

Most of the perennials are pushing their way through the soil and this is a really good time to divide and spread.

This will be the main stem of my work over the weekend.

The frost descended overnight and left everything a little shocked with the cold, but the heat of the morning will rectify that.

I’m continuing to post out seeds and wanted to add a few pointers about sowing the seeds.

I follow a basic guide that suits most of what I sow…

*Cover the seed with its own depth of soil…if the seed is tiny, then just a sprinkle of fine compost will do. Bigger seeds, more depth of cover.

*Sow in modules or small pots of watered compost, place the seed on top and cover as directed. Mist with water to dampen the top and cover with a sheet of paper to keep the moisture in and stop the seeds from drying out.

*Keep an eye on the seeds and remove the paper once growth appears.

*Watch for roots coming through at the bottom. As they appear, pot on into a bigger pot. I do this until the plant is big enough to withstand the hungry slugs. Slugs only really like tiny, tender baby plants!

*I plant out towards the end of May when the danger of night frost has passed. If I do decide to chance it, then I cover with fleece at night.

This Summer I intend to dry a lot of Herbs, as many of you have asked me to post out herbs from Bealtaine Cottage.

I am posting out packs this morning and fast running out of supplies!

If anyone wants seeds, just go to the link on the side of this page…

*********************************************

The archives here at Bealtaine Cottage on WordPress contain over 500 blogs

You can also visit Bealtaine Cottage on YouTube, with over 80 videos uploaded for you to enjoy.

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Tags: dealing with slugs, dividing perennials, drying herbs, productive gardens, seeds from Bealtaine Cottage, sowing seeds

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Garden, Gardening, Growing Food, Herbs, Inspiration, Ireland, Organic Garden, Permaculture, Seeds, Self-Sufficiency, Smallholding, Spring

Perennial Vegetables in a Permaculture Garden

28 Mar

One of the interesting aspects of growing food is the continual study of plants and what grows where, how and why.

I keep records of all I grow as the seasons progress and notice how the environment changes as trees and shrubs grow taller and more dense each year, creating micro-climates, where it is possible to grow all manner of fruit and vegetables that before seemed almost impossible!

Also, the manner in which things grow.

I made a short video today on Purple Sprouting Broccoli, originally planted as an annual vegetable but since has developed into a perennial vegetable…fascinating to record!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMfXOC3pB5w

Over recent days I have been cutting back and shredding, spreading the chips on the soil around trees, fruit and vegetables.

I noticed how warm the soil was in certain areas of the garden compared to others.

I then looked at what was growing, as well as other factors affecting the conditions, including aspect.

Some of the conclusions I reached include facts like, stones create heat.

Dry soil heats faster than wet soil.

Hedgerows are such efficient windbreaks that the air on the shelter side is always a few degrees higher than on the wind side.

The area around a wood pile is always warmer and more fertile.

The list goes on…

And as for the perennial vegetables, most have the ability to become perennial, if given the right growing conditions.

So, the more micro climates you create in your garden, the more possible perennials you will have.

Also, many annuals take on an aspect of perennial if allowed to self-seed, so stop being so tidy!

I scattered the seed of Aquilegia once only, some nine years ago, and now have Aquilegia all over the upper gardens.

The same goes for Lunaria, Feverfew and Nasturtium.

If you want a garden of abundance and perennial growth, lay off the Roundup and watch how Nature does it!

Mother always knows best!

Bealtaine Cottage is also on YouTube…with over 85 videos about Permaculture, planting, growing and living.

The archives at Bealtaine Cottage blog contain over 500 entries.

Donations are always welcome.

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting this blog

Tags: creating micro-climates, Dry soil heats faster, efficient windbreaks, Feverfew, Lunaria, Mother always knows best, nasturtium, perennial vegetables, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Roundup, self-seed, stones create heat

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Food, Garden, Gardening, Growing Food, Inspiration, Life, Permaculture, Self-Sufficiency, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized

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Best Blog Award...

In Violation!

Over the past few thousand years, humankind has regarded Nature as property.

This concept is rooted in biblical text and has spawned generations who have regarded themselves as having dominion over the Earth.

The feudal system was based on dominion and continues today as a land-grab mentality, based on the principles of ownership and extraction.

Where we are at this point in time is the evolution of that concept, that biblical teaching, where we are now forced to try to manage degradation of the environment rather than prevent it.

We blow the tops off mountains to extract minerals.

Hundreds of chemicals are injected into the Earth to extract gas.

The filth of Tar Sands is hailed as our energy saviour!

Seed is wrenched from us to be “owned” by corporations like Monsanto.

Presidents enact laws to protect these creatures of destruction from the very courts that are there to protect you!

Nine days ago I started a petition.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_Will_Not_Comply/?cCgoWbb

Nine days ago I drew my line in the sand, deciding to refuse to comply with laws that violate Mother Earth and the abundance she so generously bestows upon us.

My own line in the sand has been confirmed this morning as the decision to refuse to comply with all laws that violate Mother Earth has been made.

The days of fence sitting are over.

The gloves are off

Bealtaine Cottage is also on YouTube…with over 102 videos about Permaculture, planting, growing and living.

Over 535 blogs from Bealtaine Cottage in the archives here.

Donations are always welcome.

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting this blog
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Uploaded another video this morning, showing some of the productive gardens and what’s happening!

You can view the video by clicking on this link…

Most of the perennials are pushing their way through the soil and this is a really good time to divide and spread.

This will be the main stem of my work over the weekend.

The frost descended overnight and left everything a little shocked with the cold, but the heat of the morning will rectify that.

I’m continuing to post out seeds and wanted to add a few pointers about sowing the seeds.

I follow a basic guide that suits most of what I sow…

*Cover the seed with its own depth of soil…if the seed is tiny, then just a sprinkle of fine compost will do. Bigger seeds, more depth of cover.

*Sow in modules or small pots of watered compost, place the seed on top and cover as directed. Mist with water to dampen the top and cover with a sheet of paper to keep the moisture in and stop the seeds from drying out.

*Keep an eye on the seeds and remove the paper once growth appears.

*Watch for roots coming through at the bottom. As they appear, pot on into a bigger pot. I do this until the plant is big enough to withstand the hungry slugs. Slugs only really like tiny, tender baby plants!

*I plant out towards the end of May when the danger of night frost has passed. If I do decide to chance it, then I cover with fleece at night.

This Summer I intend to dry a lot of Herbs, as many of you have asked me to post out herbs from Bealtaine Cottage.

I am posting out packs this morning and fast running out of supplies!

If anyone wants seeds, just go to the link on the side of this page…

Share this:

Like this:

One of the interesting aspects of growing food is the continual study of plants and what grows where, how and why.

I keep records of all I grow as the seasons progress and notice how the environment changes as trees and shrubs grow taller and more dense each year, creating micro-climates, where it is possible to grow all manner of fruit and vegetables that before seemed almost impossible!

Also, the manner in which things grow.

I made a short video today on Purple Sprouting Broccoli, originally planted as an annual vegetable but since has developed into a perennial vegetable…fascinating to record!

Over recent days I have been cutting back and shredding, spreading the chips on the soil around trees, fruit and vegetables.

I noticed how warm the soil was in certain areas of the garden compared to others.

I then looked at what was growing, as well as other factors affecting the conditions, including aspect.

Some of the conclusions I reached include facts like, stones create heat.

Dry soil heats faster than wet soil.

Hedgerows are such efficient windbreaks that the air on the shelter side is always a few degrees higher than on the wind side.

The area around a wood pile is always warmer and more fertile.

The list goes on…

And as for the perennial vegetables, most have the ability to become perennial, if given the right growing conditions.

So, the more micro climates you create in your garden, the more possible perennials you will have.

Also, many annuals take on an aspect of perennial if allowed to self-seed, so stop being so tidy!

I scattered the seed of Aquilegia once only, some nine years ago, and now have Aquilegia all over the upper gardens.

The same goes for Lunaria, Feverfew and Nasturtium.

If you want a garden of abundance and perennial growth, lay off the Roundup and watch how Nature does it!

Mother always knows best!

Share this:

Like this:

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Best Blog Award...

Over the past few thousand years, humankind has regarded Nature as property.

This concept is rooted in biblical text and has spawned generations who have regarded themselves as having dominion over the Earth.

The feudal system was based on dominion and continues today as a land-grab mentality, based on the principles of ownership and extraction.

Where we are at this point in time is the evolution of that concept, that biblical teaching, where we are now forced to try to manage degradation of the environment rather than prevent it.

We blow the tops off mountains to extract minerals.

Hundreds of chemicals are injected into the Earth to extract gas.

The filth of Tar Sands is hailed as our energy saviour!

Seed is wrenched from us to be “owned” by corporations like Monsanto.

Presidents enact laws to protect these creatures of destruction from the very courts that are there to protect you!

Nine days ago I started a petition.

Nine days ago I drew my line in the sand, deciding to refuse to comply with laws that violate Mother Earth and the abundance she so generously bestows upon us.

My own line in the sand has been confirmed this morning as the decision to refuse to comply with all laws that violate Mother Earth has been made.

The days of fence sitting are over.

The gloves are off

Share this:

Like this:

Some Other Posts You may Like...

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