Eases insect bites
Treats kidney and bladder stones, sore throats, gout, catarrh and coughs
Antiseptic
Astringent
Calming
To learn more about heather look at the website: http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather.htm
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Heather - Healing Properties
Heather is a Scottish Highlands and Islands treasure with healing properties similar to the essential Lavender, and can be used both internally and externally.
Eases insect bites
Treats kidney and bladder stones, sore throats, gout, catarrh and coughs
Antiseptic
Astringent
Calming
To learn more about heather look at the website: http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather.htm
Eases insect bites
Treats kidney and bladder stones, sore throats, gout, catarrh and coughs
Antiseptic
Astringent
Calming
To learn more about heather look at the website: http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather.htm
Our healing kit
There are some items we always keep in our first aid kit and they are not the usual items you find in a first aid kit, but they work for us:
Fresh herbs (or dried):
Sage - gargle for sore throats and tissaine (tea)
Mint - cold and flu
Nasturtium - natural antibiotic
Garlic - natural anti biotic
Essential oils
Lavender - burns or stings/bites
Eucalyptus - colds
Tea tree - makes a gargle for mouth ulcers
Cream
Swedish Bitter herbs - So many things
Hot Toddy
Whisky (natures medicine)
lemon - vit c
ginger
Cinnamon
honey
Other essentials
Rescue Remedy - for shock and anxiety
Arnica Ice - Fantastic Equine (and human) rub for aching muscles etc
Fresh herbs (or dried):
Sage - gargle for sore throats and tissaine (tea)
Mint - cold and flu
Nasturtium - natural antibiotic
Garlic - natural anti biotic
Essential oils
Lavender - burns or stings/bites
Eucalyptus - colds
Tea tree - makes a gargle for mouth ulcers
Cream
Swedish Bitter herbs - So many things
Hot Toddy
Whisky (natures medicine)
lemon - vit c
ginger
Cinnamon
honey
Other essentials
Rescue Remedy - for shock and anxiety
Arnica Ice - Fantastic Equine (and human) rub for aching muscles etc
Friday, 7 August 2009
Repotting container plants
The most encouraging way to grow container plants is to start off in small containers and repot as the plants become root bound.
If you make your own compost, choose an area nearby to do the repotting.
Repotting indoors always makes more mess than you intend.
First choose a suitable container that's bigger than the existing one and isolate enough mature compost to nearly fill it. Then gently squeeze the sides of the existing plant, loosening the soil in the existing plant. Usually the plant will come out easily.
Careful not to disturb the roots too much, gently squeeze and release some of the old soil, making the root base more loose.
Place some mature compost in the bottom of the new container with a couple of small stones and place the plant on top of this. Gently support the plant so that the stem is not damaged. Then whilst supporting the plant fill up the container on all sides with mature compost. Finally add some loose mature compost to the base of the stems for a fresh covering.
Its best to water a plant before repotting to avoid stress and to avoid planting during the heat of the day. In the evening, is best and gives the plant the whole night to recover and settle in.
At the time of repotting you can also do necessary maintenance such as pinching back, taking cuttings, dividing the plant if necessary and removing old leaves and flowers.
Taking care to repot to a size just bigger than the last allows the plant to thrive without much disturbance and not feel dwarfed in a huge container before its ready for it.
Another reason for repotting occasionally is to provide fresh natural nutrients from mature compost instead of adding artificial fertilizers.
Yesterday I repotted a cherry-tomato plant as it was stuggling to grow with the constant strong wind outside. I put it in a bigger pot and brought it indoors, to the kitchen window. I also popped in a growing clove of garlic for a companion.
If you make your own compost, choose an area nearby to do the repotting.
Repotting indoors always makes more mess than you intend.
First choose a suitable container that's bigger than the existing one and isolate enough mature compost to nearly fill it. Then gently squeeze the sides of the existing plant, loosening the soil in the existing plant. Usually the plant will come out easily.
Careful not to disturb the roots too much, gently squeeze and release some of the old soil, making the root base more loose.
Place some mature compost in the bottom of the new container with a couple of small stones and place the plant on top of this. Gently support the plant so that the stem is not damaged. Then whilst supporting the plant fill up the container on all sides with mature compost. Finally add some loose mature compost to the base of the stems for a fresh covering.
Its best to water a plant before repotting to avoid stress and to avoid planting during the heat of the day. In the evening, is best and gives the plant the whole night to recover and settle in.
At the time of repotting you can also do necessary maintenance such as pinching back, taking cuttings, dividing the plant if necessary and removing old leaves and flowers.
Taking care to repot to a size just bigger than the last allows the plant to thrive without much disturbance and not feel dwarfed in a huge container before its ready for it.
Another reason for repotting occasionally is to provide fresh natural nutrients from mature compost instead of adding artificial fertilizers.
Yesterday I repotted a cherry-tomato plant as it was stuggling to grow with the constant strong wind outside. I put it in a bigger pot and brought it indoors, to the kitchen window. I also popped in a growing clove of garlic for a companion.
Lemon verbena
Dried stalk and all, to avoid undue stress and bruising by removing fresh leaves from the stalk. Once dried it can be stored in a paper bag or an airtight plastic container.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Herbal Teas: Rose Geranium / Lemon Verbena
The refreshing lift of natural, calming rose geranium tea (leaves) is felt immediately. Pleasantly combined with de-stressing Lemon Verbena (leaves), its a super herbal tea either hot from the pot or iced. Best sweetened with ethically obtained honey or brown sugar. A pinch of dried herbs is enough for a pot. Its a very pale tea not like conventional tea blends.
We use only glass teapots for our herbal teas for great flavour and sterile brewing.
Grow your own herbs and make sure you buy them correctly labeled from a knowledgable plant nursery, specialising in herbs. Just a couple of plants of each will soon grow to give you an endless supply of fresh herbal tea straight from your own garden.
Both of these herbs also dry successfully and a good way to dry them is by placing them in a hanging paper packet.
They are low in tannins and caffeine.
We use only glass teapots for our herbal teas for great flavour and sterile brewing.
Grow your own herbs and make sure you buy them correctly labeled from a knowledgable plant nursery, specialising in herbs. Just a couple of plants of each will soon grow to give you an endless supply of fresh herbal tea straight from your own garden.
Both of these herbs also dry successfully and a good way to dry them is by placing them in a hanging paper packet.
They are low in tannins and caffeine.
Using herbs
- If any side effects are experienced, immediately stop using the herb and if necessary consult your doctor.
- Only use the herb if you are 100% sure that it the correct herb.
- If you are ill or have any health concerns, consult your doctor.
- Don't always drink the same infusion. Max use - 10 days and then skip a week.
- One cup of a particular herbal infusion per day, is enough.
Relax and enjoy!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Earthships
We have been investigating alternative building methods and earth ships for more than 12 years. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and use different materials usually recycled and natural.
Whilst on another site, I came across a link to this one. They claim to be the pioneers of earthships and whether or not that is true is any ones guess but they do have some good photos and info on there so take a look:
Check out http://www.earthship.net/
EXTRACT:
Begin Here:
The 6 Principles that define an Earthship:
1) Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
2) Solar & Wind Electricity
3) Contained Sewage Treatment
4) Building with Natural & Recycled Materials
5) Water Harvesting
6) Food Production
Heating & Cooling
Earthships maintain comfortable temperatures in any climate, with zero fossil fuels. Stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer with thermal mass and insulation.
Energy
Produce your own electricity from solar and wind modules. Use computers, microwaves, music equipment, sensitive equipment, etc. Automated, selective power sources.
Water
Catch water from the sky, use clean potable water - independent of municipal water supplies. Flush your toilet, treat your sewage, contained - onsite
Whilst on another site, I came across a link to this one. They claim to be the pioneers of earthships and whether or not that is true is any ones guess but they do have some good photos and info on there so take a look:
Check out http://www.earthship.net/
EXTRACT:
Begin Here:
The 6 Principles that define an Earthship:
1) Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
2) Solar & Wind Electricity
3) Contained Sewage Treatment
4) Building with Natural & Recycled Materials
5) Water Harvesting
6) Food Production
Heating & Cooling
Earthships maintain comfortable temperatures in any climate, with zero fossil fuels. Stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer with thermal mass and insulation.
Energy
Produce your own electricity from solar and wind modules. Use computers, microwaves, music equipment, sensitive equipment, etc. Automated, selective power sources.
Water
Catch water from the sky, use clean potable water - independent of municipal water supplies. Flush your toilet, treat your sewage, contained - onsite
Growing 'new' vegetable plants from preparation cuttings
There are many vegetables (and fruit) that can be grown with little cost.
When preparing your meals, seeds for example can be saved and planted in re-usable containers (from unwanted store packaging).
The area outside the back door, (if it gets any sun) makes a useful plant nursery for seedlings and cuttings. This way you get to easily check on them on a daily basis for progress. The heat of sun, required for germination can easily be achieved on a sunny kitchen window sill and you will find that in very little time you will run out of space, all from thing that usually go straight in the bin or hopefully rather to the compost heap.
Root plants like onions, celery, carrots, beetroot, radishes etc can be 'regrown' and allowed to go to seed.
We keep a regular supply of growing onions just from regrowing the root stub! For all those of you who know how long onions take to grow and mature, this is a useful time saving way of keeping onions growing on a much shorter time scale.
Although many do not know how easy it is to do this, all you need to do is cut the root stub thick enough to allow it to regrow. Leave it to dry out for a couple of days in an out of the way place and once it shrivels up a bit you will see the individual leave bases drawing together in preparation for survival. At this time you easily pop them into the soil of a re-used container or let them sand for a day or two in a clean saucer of fresh water to promote root growth.
Before you know it there will be several long healthy, green leaves and the multi-base will swell and expand as it grows.
Carrot tops unlike the onion need the top bit (where the leaves start) cut off a bit thicker and placed in a clean saucer of fresh water (change daily) and within a short time (few days) you will see it swelling. It does take longer but soon the leaves start to shoot and it will be easy to see when it is ready for planting. The same is true for radish, beetroot etc.
With celery if you cut off all the stalks about 15cm form the root stock and plant it it will soon send up new leaves and dig new roots.
What can be acheived and saved for another day, through not wasting, is truely amazing.
When preparing your meals, seeds for example can be saved and planted in re-usable containers (from unwanted store packaging).
The area outside the back door, (if it gets any sun) makes a useful plant nursery for seedlings and cuttings. This way you get to easily check on them on a daily basis for progress. The heat of sun, required for germination can easily be achieved on a sunny kitchen window sill and you will find that in very little time you will run out of space, all from thing that usually go straight in the bin or hopefully rather to the compost heap.
Root plants like onions, celery, carrots, beetroot, radishes etc can be 'regrown' and allowed to go to seed.
We keep a regular supply of growing onions just from regrowing the root stub! For all those of you who know how long onions take to grow and mature, this is a useful time saving way of keeping onions growing on a much shorter time scale.
Although many do not know how easy it is to do this, all you need to do is cut the root stub thick enough to allow it to regrow. Leave it to dry out for a couple of days in an out of the way place and once it shrivels up a bit you will see the individual leave bases drawing together in preparation for survival. At this time you easily pop them into the soil of a re-used container or let them sand for a day or two in a clean saucer of fresh water to promote root growth.
Before you know it there will be several long healthy, green leaves and the multi-base will swell and expand as it grows.
Carrot tops unlike the onion need the top bit (where the leaves start) cut off a bit thicker and placed in a clean saucer of fresh water (change daily) and within a short time (few days) you will see it swelling. It does take longer but soon the leaves start to shoot and it will be easy to see when it is ready for planting. The same is true for radish, beetroot etc.
With celery if you cut off all the stalks about 15cm form the root stock and plant it it will soon send up new leaves and dig new roots.
What can be acheived and saved for another day, through not wasting, is truely amazing.
Recycling packaging
I am constantly reminded of the often unnecessary packing that comes from conventional food shopping.
The unbelievable amount of packing that one is left with once one has packed away or used the useful items, serves as a reminder of the benefits of growing ones own food where possible.
We have two bins provided by the council. One for regular trash and one for 'organic material' i.e. food waste, paper and cardboard, vegetable peelings etc. One must separate glass, plastic and metal for recycling tips, which are a short walk away (near the local school).
This means at least that the regular trash is reduced - we hope. How many people follow this apparently strict, enforced recycling and sorting is unknown and glancing periodically, (unnoticed) into peoples outside bins has clearly shown us that the 'NO PLASTIC' statement on the yellow sticker which determines the 'organic bin' does not sink in. Many organic bins are filled almost to the brim with plastic bags stuffed with all sorts of 'non-organic' rubbish.
The point I assume of the organic bin is that this material can be centrally collected and professionally composted, so the indiscriminate practice of disposing of all manner of items in there kind of defeats the purpose, one would think.
We often try to re-use what can be re-used in some form to further reduce that obvious waste as we all know professional recycling is in itself not good for the environment, even if it is reducing landfill.
Glass jars can be cleaned and kept for homemade jams and pickles and any type of container can be used for growing seedlings and cuttings etc. One does often though lack the cupboard space to store the stuff until it can be used. Often we find there is an overstock of potential jam jars and then they have to go out to the recycling tips, which is a shame.
Its helps to collect bottles that match and often we try to buy particular brands with pleasing bottles and easy to remove labels that we know will make the homemade stuff look better.
One, now hysterical memory I have, is of an acquaintance (unknown to me!) palming off some average marmalade on my husband and not removing the previous label (a very nice brand of pasta salsa).
Stuck for an evening meal, I opened the fridge to discover a wonderful bottle of tomato and mushroom pasta sauce, which I though my husband had recently purchased from the local food shop.
Not thinking beyond that (although I do now check) I poured a great deal of this well known sauce onto our last packet of freshly cooked and still steaming pasta only to notice an unusual aroma (sort of marmalade-ish). YUK! Say no more. It tasted disgusting especially if you were expecting tomato and mushroom.
So the importance of removing labels is noted. Another case I remember was a sudden camping trip and remembering in the last rush to take along dish washing liquid. Short of a container I saw a small push top cold drink bottle we had kept for future use and decanted some into the useful size. Needless to say our young daughter on the camping trip discovered it and took a deep long drink of 'dish washing liquid'. Luckily she lived to tell the tale.
Making a new label is always essential.
The unbelievable amount of packing that one is left with once one has packed away or used the useful items, serves as a reminder of the benefits of growing ones own food where possible.
We have two bins provided by the council. One for regular trash and one for 'organic material' i.e. food waste, paper and cardboard, vegetable peelings etc. One must separate glass, plastic and metal for recycling tips, which are a short walk away (near the local school).
This means at least that the regular trash is reduced - we hope. How many people follow this apparently strict, enforced recycling and sorting is unknown and glancing periodically, (unnoticed) into peoples outside bins has clearly shown us that the 'NO PLASTIC' statement on the yellow sticker which determines the 'organic bin' does not sink in. Many organic bins are filled almost to the brim with plastic bags stuffed with all sorts of 'non-organic' rubbish.
The point I assume of the organic bin is that this material can be centrally collected and professionally composted, so the indiscriminate practice of disposing of all manner of items in there kind of defeats the purpose, one would think.
We often try to re-use what can be re-used in some form to further reduce that obvious waste as we all know professional recycling is in itself not good for the environment, even if it is reducing landfill.
Glass jars can be cleaned and kept for homemade jams and pickles and any type of container can be used for growing seedlings and cuttings etc. One does often though lack the cupboard space to store the stuff until it can be used. Often we find there is an overstock of potential jam jars and then they have to go out to the recycling tips, which is a shame.
Its helps to collect bottles that match and often we try to buy particular brands with pleasing bottles and easy to remove labels that we know will make the homemade stuff look better.
One, now hysterical memory I have, is of an acquaintance (unknown to me!) palming off some average marmalade on my husband and not removing the previous label (a very nice brand of pasta salsa).
Stuck for an evening meal, I opened the fridge to discover a wonderful bottle of tomato and mushroom pasta sauce, which I though my husband had recently purchased from the local food shop.
Not thinking beyond that (although I do now check) I poured a great deal of this well known sauce onto our last packet of freshly cooked and still steaming pasta only to notice an unusual aroma (sort of marmalade-ish). YUK! Say no more. It tasted disgusting especially if you were expecting tomato and mushroom.
So the importance of removing labels is noted. Another case I remember was a sudden camping trip and remembering in the last rush to take along dish washing liquid. Short of a container I saw a small push top cold drink bottle we had kept for future use and decanted some into the useful size. Needless to say our young daughter on the camping trip discovered it and took a deep long drink of 'dish washing liquid'. Luckily she lived to tell the tale.
Making a new label is always essential.
Nasturtium - A colourful friend in the herb garden
Tropaeolum majus
- Natural anti-biotic (tromalyt does not interfer with intestinal flora),
- peppery leaves and delicious flowers, pickled seeds (for use in salads, soups or as a unusal filling for sandwiches with freshly homebaked, whole grain bread.)
- wide variety of bright colours adds zest to your garden (long flowering season)
- aphids love them and will leave your other plants alone
- colourful pigment (Anthocyanins - type of flavonoid) is anti-oxident and a natural food colouring and plant dye.
Origin: Peru - see Andean Herbal Medicine - http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Tropaeolum+majus
A low impact woodland home
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For many years, I, myself have been absorbed and intrigued by alternative building methods. Amongst these concepts particular interest in strawbales houses, hobbit houses, stone and grass (Recessed) and earthships. Using functional items that others have discarded and can be safely reused.
Some years back we researched and planned in great detail the building of a stawbale house. We purchased a large vacant agricultural small-holding and set about the building of our 'natural' home. Plagued with difficulties from the start, which I will not go into at this stage, our major stumbling block (which we could not move) was the unknown, at that stage, building regulations that applied even to areas outside the city limits.
That was NO POSSIBLE PERMISSION TO BUILD A STRAWBALE HOUSE! Only brick and cement were allowed. With no adverse weather conditions this seemed unfair and unbelievable and yet despite many enquiries and debates this ruling remained. Time passed and we had to make a decision and carry on our lives with some sort of roof over our head so we had to make a decision against our plans.
Time moved on and we were forced to build a conventional house within the restrictions. After a few years, events beyond our control forced us again to leave that compromised paradise we had fashioned.
I still hope that some time in the future there may exisit a place and time that will allow us to do this type of project as I believe it enriches the earth itself and our own lives to live surrounded by natural materials in harmony with nature.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stop by this super site http://www.simondale.net/house/ I am sure you will enjoy the visit!
Extract:
Some key points of the design and construction: Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc. Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthaetically fantastic and very easy to do Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture (compared to cement) Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings Anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere (windows, burner, plumbing, wiring...) Woodburner for heating - renewable and locally plentiful Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light Solar panels for lighting, music and computing Water by gravity from nearby spring Compost toilet Roof water collects in pond for garden etc.
Monday, 3 August 2009
An Introduction to Self-reliance
Have a look at this lovely article about a 13 year old girl and her adventure of her Introduction to Self-reliance - How she is learning to live off the land and create her first business. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/Farm-New-Mexico-Homestead-Firsthand.aspx
This includes info on her "Hands-on Introduction to Farming".
This includes info on her "Hands-on Introduction to Farming".
Getting back to our roots and getting away from over processed foods
Found an interesting article on http://www.motherearthnews.com
The foods of the Sonoran Desert have sustained the Tohono O’odham for countless generations. From foods harvested in the wild to those that have been cultivated for centuries, these foods are delicious, nutritious and the roots of the O’odham Himdag – the Desert People’s Lifeways.
TOCA’s Tohono O’odham Food System and wellness initiatives combat the highest rate of diabetes in the world while simultaneously creating economic opportunity. By reintroducing traditional food production to the community, TOCA is stimulating improved community health, cultural revitalization and economic opportunity. Through the successful creation of two farms, efforts to market traditional foods within the Tohono O’odham community and beyond, and extensive educational programming, TOCA...
Read more... http://www.tocaonline.org/About_TOCA/About_TOCA.html
The foods of the Sonoran Desert have sustained the Tohono O’odham for countless generations. From foods harvested in the wild to those that have been cultivated for centuries, these foods are delicious, nutritious and the roots of the O’odham Himdag – the Desert People’s Lifeways.
TOCA’s Tohono O’odham Food System and wellness initiatives combat the highest rate of diabetes in the world while simultaneously creating economic opportunity. By reintroducing traditional food production to the community, TOCA is stimulating improved community health, cultural revitalization and economic opportunity. Through the successful creation of two farms, efforts to market traditional foods within the Tohono O’odham community and beyond, and extensive educational programming, TOCA...
Read more... http://www.tocaonline.org/About_TOCA/About_TOCA.html
Growing Young Lettuce plants in windy areas
Sown in situ, close together for support. Makes them tougher and more resistant to the wind, growing up buffeted here and there.
Adapting to local growing conditions
Learning the most you can about your local growing conditions is imperative to the survival and thriving of your crops.
Compensating for wind for example means that sowing seeds in situ, close together will help the young plants to germinate and start life getting used to the wind. It helps them grow stronger and you can thin them out later. Growing initially close together offers them more support. You can also build a small barrier either with wooden planks or bricks to help protect them from the wind.
Another option if you are able, is to go for a poly tunnel. This help in windy areas as well as those affected by dry heat or later frost. The covering needs replacing every few years but surprisingly enough survives many a severe windstorm and gale.
There are solutions for most problems and the thrill of rising to the challenge and still producing delicious, fresh veg is superb.
Compensating for wind for example means that sowing seeds in situ, close together will help the young plants to germinate and start life getting used to the wind. It helps them grow stronger and you can thin them out later. Growing initially close together offers them more support. You can also build a small barrier either with wooden planks or bricks to help protect them from the wind.
Another option if you are able, is to go for a poly tunnel. This help in windy areas as well as those affected by dry heat or later frost. The covering needs replacing every few years but surprisingly enough survives many a severe windstorm and gale.
There are solutions for most problems and the thrill of rising to the challenge and still producing delicious, fresh veg is superb.
Growing our own food - naturally
The importance of growing our own food is vital for so many various reasons:
Fresh food from the garden - no expiry dates and no wastage - pick only what you need and leave the rest for another day. More vitamins and nutrients because its fresh. More tasty therefore less seasonings to spice it up.
- No unnecessary packaging therefore no additional, unnecessary landfill (Plastic trays, plastic film wrap, price labels etc).
- No irradiation to make the food last longer, look fresher even though its old - straight from the garden to the table
- No preservatives
- Variety not whats in the shop
- No genetically modified fruit and veg in your garden. Buy only naturally produced seed.
- Natural seed that produces natural seed.
- No pesticides - use natural / biodegradable methods and companion planting
- Peelings straight to your own compost heap / chickens. Enhance your soil with your own natural organic compost.
- Utilise the seeds from the plants you pick. Eat some, send some back to the garden
- If you produce more than you can eat, share with friends and family and neighbours.
- Too much even once you share, then make your own jams, preserves, pickles, frozen etc and you still have more to share.
- Re-use every possible container you get from the shops to grow seedings. Keep every glass jar bottle for the jam and pickles you are going to make.
- Grow as large a variety of plants as you can, even things you dont like yourself.
- Grow lots of herbs - they are natures medicine and can be used for human and animals. Onions, garlic and nasturtium contain natural antibiotics. Chilli's and peppers contain lots of Vit C. Herb tea's straight from the garden are low in tannins.
No matter how small an area you have access to you can produce some much fresh food you will be astounded. Even using container growing or hydophonics. A little daily care, good soil, water and light and you are growing healthy food.
We are what we eat.
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