Oh goodness. I’m busy…I’m busy, busy, busy and feel like I’m on a permanent ‘on’ mode. I fall asleep within minutes at night (which actually makes a nice change) and as I sit here typing, having dashed around all evening since leaving work, I can feel and see my heart beating through my jumper. I don’t seem to be able to relax at the moment. Got to get a grip and sort it out though. I’m hoping that eventually I’ll fall into more of a gentle rhythm, rather than dashing all over the joint. I just never seem to stop.
I haven’t managed to do much at the Smallest Smallholding. Last weekend was dominated by preparing, travelling and attending an engagement ‘do (not ours!), and Sunday was a bit of a washout. I did shift more of the compost from the old heap into what will shortly become my potato plot. Maureen enjoyed having a scratch about in the disturbed earth, and Yoko even decided to join in too. The girls are knocking on a bit, both have ‘conditions’ and it’s just nice to be out there with them. When they’re left to their own devices they tend to be a bit doddery. I like to encourage them to just do their chickeny thing, so I want to spend more and more time with them as the evenings get lighter.
I’m looking forward to the clocks going forward. Having that extra time outside with my girls and my Smallest Smallholding will make a huge difference to me at the moment. Mum informs me that, according to the moon, apparently this Weds and Thurs (11th and 12th) will be best for sowing seeds. I know next to nothing about biodynamics, but I’m guessing it’s something to do with the water content of the soil. Perhaps the moon pulls the water up through the soil? If anyone has any inkling about it, I’d love to know more.
I’m hoping to pull all my seed packets out and get sowing within the next few days. I thought I would be able to do it sooner than this, but as you can probably imagine, having this new job has put paid to my ability to be flexible with my time. So unfortunately I’m probably going to have to wait until Saturday. The moon should still be almost full…that’s ok. Isn’t it?
Actually, working full time has really reminded me about the restrictions on time that most people face. I can well understand why so many people don’t have the time, the energy or the inclination to grow their own veggies, look after hens, live a bit more sustainbly on a small scale. But I want to use that to my advantage. Part of the point of this blog is to encourage people…to excite them..or make them consider things.
In a way it all fits together with my plans for this year. You see, I’m working towards offering up some sort of solutions or suggestions for people who would like to have their own smallest smallholding. And because I’m constantly on a shoestring budget, I’ll probably try and work something out that doesn’t cost the earth either.
Space and time don’t have to be such a big issue. That’s what I want to prove to myself, and to other people, and this year is the year I’m going to try and work it out. It might involve straw bales. It might involve hanging baskets. I’m not quite sure yet. I still have to do some research.
Oh, and there’s still the matter of getting more planting for my mini woodland garden. But that won’t happen until payday. If I have anything left over, that is…
But right now, I’m going to bed. Goodnight!
Tags: biodynamics, Smallest Smallholding, sow seeds, vegetables
March 11th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Hey Lucy - ooooo, i’m excited about seeing your tips on being a little self-sufficient when time, money and space are all small. I will email you back soon with our plans, but basically I think this is going to fit in nicely with them for the next six months! Our ‘hosts’ taped us a tv programme last night about ‘grow your own drugs’ - It was so interesting, all about growing your own bits and bobs to make remedies and face packs etc. Anyway, I’m now thinking that in our potential small garden I can grow some fruit trees etc in pots. Self-sufficiency on a small scale and all that
Speak soon x
March 11th, 2009 at 11:57 am
You might find this link helpful!
http://www.the-gardeners-calen.....anting.asp
I tend to go for a basic “roots in the waning moon and others on a waxing moon” BUT I am trying out the more detailed plan at the moment.
I DO think the basic idea is a good one, I certainly have seen a difference over the years in potato yields and seed germination!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I’ve been trying the link mentioned above by Compostwoman - I’m really intrigued to see what effect it will have my vegetables this year!
I’m desperately trying to grow small amounts, in a small area with a small amount of money, due to the lack of a vegetable plot this year (sad face): http://springtimeinthecountry......seeds.html.
One thing I’m hoping to try is growing potatoes in empty compost bags, cheap and space-saving! The joys of growing things on the small-scale…
Am looking forward to hearing your tips!
March 13th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I’m not sure about planting by the moon. There could be something in it. Apparently country lore has it that it is best to harvest at new moon, when the water has waned in the plants, and to plant at (or coming up to?) a full moon, when the sap is rising - or something like that. I don’t know if there is any scientific evidence to support this idea that water content of plants is effected by the moon.
However, planting by the moon calendars seem to take this further and say roots, leaves, flowers and fruit, or the plants we want for these attributes, should be planted separately and takes the moons position with regard to the planets and signs of the zodiac.
Biodynamics then adds even more into the mix, quite literally at times.
If time is limited, the best time to plant is when conditions in the garden are reasonably good and you have time, but it could be a useful guide, perhaps.
March 17th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Good on you Lucy!! It is hard when you work and you have so many other things to think of. I’ve just had my low maintenance garden turned into a high maintenance veg plot so I’m also trying out the self sufficiency bit this year. It’s good fun and when I dabbled a bit last year with containers it was so rewarding sitting down to eat stuff I’d grown! SO far this year I’ve planted garlic, rhubarb and fartichokes; everything else needs planting in seed trays and I’ve run out of compost for the moment. Good luck and I’ll continue to follow your posts.
March 17th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Thought you would like this news story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7947984.stm