March Garden

Permelia and Anka standing on their frozen pond.

March is when the gardening season increases in intensity. I will prepare my garden beds, and plant seeds indoors and out. Right now, it's still too cold to plant outside, but I have lots of preparation work to do!

Agenda:

1. Nature Mentor

2. Resilience practice

3. Write a Mission Haiku

4. March permaculture plan

5. Make potting soil

1. Nature Mentor: 

I'm reading through Brian Mertin's free e-book called What's That Crow Saying? 

He says that crows have two types of caws, that he calls structured and unstructured. Unstructured caws are loud and have no pattern; sometimes many crows join in or only two. 

They can indicate all kinds of things: a predator, or a fight between two crows over food, crows defending territory from another bird or from a gang of invading crows, or maybe that crows are trying to steal food from another bird. 

"

Unstructured crow caws fluctuate in volume, pitch, frequency and overall intensity as the event gets more intense. Continuous “cawing” from multiple individuals can go on without stopping for a very long time as the crows mob the source of their excitement. If you hear these sounds coming from a group of crows, you might see other crows flying towards them at rapid speed to rally and mob an eagle or an owl."

This link contains examples of a low intensity alarm situation, And this link contains an example on the more extreme end of the alarm spectrum such as when crows are rallying to mob an owl.

2. Resilience practice: 

Practice #7 is daily intention setting. "A consciously thought out intention aligns you with your deepest values. ... A guiding intention invites a sense of order and calm into your life". Start with a simple intention that supports your work on resilience: To treat others with respect and kindness, or to be less reactive when encountering triggering events, or to keep a positive attitude.

My intention today is to give focused attention to Grandson #1 while holding Grandson #2.

3. Write a Mission Haiku:

My missions are my various big projects or directions in life; I'm thinking about my garden today, and my mission to plant and grow an abundant veggie garden to use or preserve - herbs, seeds, veggies, fruits (and eggs) - and also create a more diverse habitat for butterflies, birds, and insects, balancing our needs with the rest of the ecosystem.

I'll write this mission as a haiku, because a poem has a unique ability of getting to the core of a Truth, and I'm always surprised by what surfaces. Here's the steps I use:

1. Write a brief, evocative sentence or two describing this top mission in my life, and the significant issues that surround it:

My garden feeds me and connects me to the land and to nature. Taking care of our garden spaces and the wildlife that uses it, listening to the earth, and cultivating a real relationship with nature, helps me to find unity and connection with Creation.

 

2. List the most exciting or pleasing verbs that describe what I want to do with this mission:

Care, listen, cultivate, connect, grow, create habitat, preserve, find unity

3. Next, list some core values that prompt this mission:

Unity with nature, sanctuary, love, simplicity, integrity, purpose

4. Turn these sentences, verbs, and values into a haiku (5, 7, and 5 syllables) or a Cinquain (2, 4, 6, 8, and 2 syllables), or a short mantra, that gets to the core of my mission, and gives me a framework for my actions.

Create

good habitat;

unity with nature.

Growing food for us all - body 

and soul.

4. March permaculture plan:
I got a some good permaculture information for March from Amy of the Ten-Acre Farm.

• Continue to harvest beets, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and parsley.
• Set up for seed starting: My system right now is a single grow light on the kitchen table, with a heat mat. This is not really enough, so I'm thinking about how to expand. 
• Start some seeds indoors: Our last average hard frost is April 22, so this week I can plant anything that should be started 7-8 weeks earlier; that includes leeks, pok choy, and peppers, as well as some perennial flowers.
• Improve soil fertility: Add soil amendments to my beds, like finished compost, worm castings, fresh or dried herbs, or aged manure, with a digging fork. Reminder: Never apply soil amendments to frozen ground, over-saturated ground, or right before a large rain event.

5. Make potting soil:
I've heard all about the negative environmental impact of potting soil (This post has a pretty complete discussion) and I'm also trying to avoid plastic for Lent, so what can I do?

One suggestion is to make your own.

Most potting soil is very lightweight compared to soil in the ground. This helps it retain water and makes it easier for tender roots to easily break through the growing medium. Also, it's usually sterilized so it doesn't contain insects or diseases, or spread seeds unintentionally.

1. Gather some things to use as substitutes for peat and vermiculite: Some options are -

• Coconut coir is a byproduct of the coconut processing industry. This lightweight fiber has the ability to hold water and add drainage to DIY potting soil. Coir is usually sold in compressed blocks that expand when moistened.
• PittMoss is made from recycled paper. Its lightweight fibers evenly distribute water throughout the mix, discourage runoff, and encourage root growth.
• Wood chips or pine needles are natural substitutes for perlite or vermiculite. Both woody alternatives will break down eventually but will add nutrients to your soil as they do.

2. Next, gather and sift some compost from your bin, and sterilize it in the oven: Put about 4 inches of soil in a baking pan, cover with foil, place a meat or candy thermometer into the center, and bake at 180ºF for at least 30 minutes, or when soil temp reaches 180ºF. (Anything higher than that can produce toxins.) Remove from oven and allow to cool, leaving the foil in place until ready to use.

3. Mix together 2 parts compost, 2 parts coir or PittMoss, and 1 part wood chips or needles, and store in a tub or bag. 

4. When you are ready to plant seeds, fill a tub with seed starting mix and add water, mixing just until the soil medium clumps together. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge: If water can be squeezed from it then it’s too wet. To remedy, add more soil. 

If you have some left over, let it dry out before storing it.