February 2012 Almanac
January went by so fast for me that I feel like I barely had time to prune all my roses and fruit trees before they started budding. I started off the year by taking a vegetable gardening class in Venice, California, which was really enjoyable and I especially loved learning about a great resource: free mulch. You can pick up free mulch at various locations around the city of Los Angeles and most probably in other cities everywhere. Mulching your garden beds is a great way to keep weeds out and moisture in: See the LA Board of Sanitation's Website for more info.
Mid-month, at my daughter Arielle's recommendation, I joined Pinterest, an online pinboard to share the things you love. I have started several, and you can follow me at: http://pinterest.com/pwoolworth/
I signed a really important petition sent to me from the wonderful people at the EWG, which demands that the FDA label all foods that are genetically modified no matter how small the quantity because we have the right to know what we are eating:
Sign GSM labeling petition here.
Wishing you all a fantastic February and a super sweet Valentine's Day, a holiday I always thought was created by Hallmark but has actually been around for 100's of years, dating back to the 1400's. Sweet.
All the best
Priscilla Woolworth
Bright Farms Hydroponic Farming
Have you heard about hydroponic greenhouses? In case you haven't, you can learn about it on Wikipedia - Hydroponics . I am such a traditional gardener, and enjoy so much produce that has been grown in organic soil, either from my own garden or bought at the farmer's market. I am intrigued by the hydroponic alternative, because of the space it saves and how wonderful it is for people who don't have gardens. I recently read about Brightfarms in the newhope360.com newsletter. Brightfarms has a plan to provide locally grown food year round by building hydroponic greenhouses on the rooftops of grocery stores. Brightfarms was originally a non-profit consultancy that helped build greenhouses on the roofs of schools and the success of those ventures inspired their vision to grow and connect with grocery stores in the New York area. Imagine having the choice to buy affordable and fresh produce, grown for taste and rather than shelf life, arriving on grocery store shelves within 24 hours of being harvested, instead of having traveled the 1000 miles it takes most fruits and vegetables to reach stores.
Read all about their innovative business model on the Bright Farms Website.
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
I didn't realize how little I knew about hemp until I watched the fascinating documentary Hempsters. Did you know that hemp, not to be confused with marijuana, has many environmental benefits, one of them being it doesn’t need pesticides to grow? As the film follows several activists fighting to legalize industrial hemp, we learn the history of hemp in our country, as well as how industrial hemp fiber has proven to be a viable and cost-effective crop that can reduce our reliance on some of the planet's most precious resources and reduce our dependence on foreign fuel.
Henry Ford is quoted as saying: "Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?"
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
Charles Fine
Inspired by the natural curiosities, archaeological relics and found objects he has gathered over the past thirty years as he explored the Western United States, Mexico, and Central America, the work of Los Angeles artist Charles Fine is reflected in his multi-layered paintings, cast bronze sculptures and photographs.
In his wonderful Table of Contents series, tables are covered with dense and precise arrangements of his decades-in-the-making collection of ceremonial objects, seedpods and artifacts. An artist's artist, well respected in both the artist and collecting community, he has an exhibition shortly in Los Angeles {date to be announced}.
The finishing touches are being made to a book on the last 30 years of the work of Charles Fine, which I look forward to seeing.
Eco Garden - February 2012
Moon Gardening by Priscilla Woolworth |
|
|
Please check out my blog about Gardening according to the phases of the Moon, where I explain it in more detail: Gardening according to the phases of the Moon. FEBRUARY MOON PHASE SCHEDULE: February 1rst to 6th: Waxing Moon Garden Chores to be done in February: Plant camellias, flowering bulbs, bare root fruit trees, roses, cane berries, grapes, artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries and perennial flowers Finish pruning deciduous fruit trees and fertilize them before the buds swell Dig and divide perennials Prune berries, grapes, roses, shrubs and vines Prune citrus and fertilize at the end of the month Fertilize perennials, bulbs and figs Plant in your flower garden: candytuft, columbine, coreopsis, delphinium, foxglove, hollyhock, lobelia, lupine, lavender, nicotiana, penstemon, poppy, salvia, stock, sweet peas, and yarrow Plant in your vegetable garden: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, leeks, mustard, chard, peas, lettuce, spinach, celery, carrots, beets, parsnip, radish, potatoes, tomato, pepper, and eggplant February 1rst till February 6th: the Moon is in the Waxing phase, when the lunar gravitational pull brings the water up, which makes it a good time of the month to encourage plant growth and proliferation. Plant seeds, transplant, re-pot, trim and prune for growth. Also, fruits and vegetables that are tender and should be eaten immediately are at their best when gathered at the Waxing Moon, because the water content is higher, salads are crunchier, and juicier. Recommended Days for these garden chores: February 4th and 5th: Plant above ground annuals February 7th: Full moon The 4 days before and also 4 days after the Full Moon is the best time to prune, plant seeds (they germinate faster when planted at the full moon because they absorb more water) and fertilize plants as close to the Full Moon as possible. Cut bamboo and sow a lawn or put down sod. The Full Moon, when water is at the highest level in the month. Best time to pick tomatoes, and harvest grapes to be used in winemaking as close to the full moon as possible because the grapes will retain more juice and bouquet. Gather any herbs to be used for their essential oils at the Full Moon because oil content is more concentrated at this time. From February 8th till the 20th, the Moon is Waning, and the energy of the earth is drawn down but the gravitational pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil and this energy goes into the roots making it a good time of the month to sow crops that produce their yield below ground and control plant growth by pruning, weeding, and controlling garden pests, as well as dividing perennials. This is the best time for garden maintenance because the growth cycle of plants decreases. Fruit trees do best planted at this time of the month because the position of the moon encourages development of root growth and tree bark, essential to their success. This is also the best time to cut wood, because it resists parasites and cures better. Farmers pick their apples, cabbages, potatoes and onions at the Waning Moon, when water content is lowest and so the harvest stores better and keeps longer. Best time to dry herbs, flowers and fruit and the herbs are at their most potent. Also, add potassium fertilizer to plants that need it because it will be better absorbed at this time. Mow your lawn to slow growth. First time composters, start your composter during this period because the Waning Moon phase helps aid in the decomposition of plant matter. Recommended days for these garden chores: February 8th and 9th: Harvest, cultivate, weed, and control pests February 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th: Plant for root growth, divide perennials, especially flowers and herbs and prune February 15th and 16th: Harvest, cultivate, weed and control garden pests February 17th and 18th: Graft, prune and control pests February 19th and 20th: Harvest, cultivate, weed, and control pests February 21rst: New Moon February 21rst and 22nd: Plant above ground annuals February 26th, 27th and 28th: Plant above ground annuals, especially cabbage and leafy vegetables Get ready for March 2012 Gardening according to the phases of the Moon! Subscribe to my Almanac and get your monthly update every month from me. Take care Priscilla Woolworth |
|
Raised Garden Planter
Makes gardening so much easier! Using this 24"x24" raised cedar garden bed planter, you can now plant, weed, grow, and harvest your garden without ever having to get down on your hands and knees. This 24" high rectangular container allows you to work comfortably standing. Western cedar is a natural insect and weather resistant wood that will weather to a lovely silver gray. Bottom shelf is sold separately. Cedar Creek 2424 Raised Garden Planter available through Amazon
BARK: An Intimate Look at the World's Trees by Cedric Pollet
This is such a stunning book and is ideal for any nature lover, such as myself. Cedric Pollet wrote about and photographed many spectacular examples of bark that he found across five continents, and along with the images, reveals the trees special characteristics. The image I chose from inside Bark is of the Eucalyptus Coccifera or also called Tasmanian snow gum which shows its amazing multi colored bark, is so beautiful. If you are interested in learning how rubber and cork are harvested, some of nature's versatile and natural renewable resources, then Bark is the book for you.
Find BARK on Amazon: Bark: An Intimate Look at the World's Trees
This 24"x 24" painting inspires me every time I read it. The words are full of common sense, making it a great addition to any home, especially one with children. I have one in my office, because I love the way it looks and it's message.Green Coucous
From Plenty
Plenty has many recipes I want to try out. Since I love couscous and all the ingredients in it, it is the first one I tested out. I found it easy to make, except for the part where I had to shell enough pistachios to get half a cup of full, as the market I had gone to buy what I needed was all out of shelled pistachios. The rest was a breeze to put together and next time I make it, I'm going to add feta as well, which seems like a yummy addition. Cumin has many health benefits as do the fresh herbs because they contain anti-oxidants, essential oils, and vitamins, which all help the body fight against germs, toxins and boosts the immunity level. Pistachios are also nutritious and are full of anti-oxidants as well as minerals, vitamins, and protein. This dish goes very well with fish and is good for a few days in the fridge.
Serves 4
1 cup of couscous
3/4 cup of boiling water or vegetable stock
1 small onion sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cumin
Herb paste
1/3 cup chopped parsley
1 cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsp chopped tarragon
2 tbsp chopped dill
2 tbsp chopped mint
6 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup raw unsalted pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped
3 scallions, finely sliced
1 fresh green chile, finely sliced
1 1/4 cup arugula leaves, chopped
- Place the couscous in a large bowl and cover with the boiling water and stock. Cover the bowl with a plate and leave for 10 mins
- Saute the onion in the olive oil on medium heat until golden and soft. Add the salt and cumin and mix well. Set aside.
- Place all herbs and olive oil in a small food processor and blitz until smooth.
- Add the herb paste to the couscous, and mixing it in as you fluff it up with a fork. Add the cooked onion, chopped pistachios, sliced scallions, and sliced green chile.
- You can add feta as well, to your taste.
-serve at room temperature-
Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi
Satsuma Candle
My daughter Lucie sent me the information about how to make a candle out of a Satsuma Orange. Go to my blog at http://blog.priscillawoolworth.com/ and learn how to make your own. It's easy and so beautiful.
Simple Living
Based in Barcelona Spain, Faircompanies is an independent website with information provided by a community of participants interested in simple living and sustainability. To learn how you can join the faircompanie community: http://faircompanies.com/
Thieves Oil
I use the Thieves Oil hand sanitizer while I'm out and about during the day, or traveling because it's brilliant at preventing the spread of germs, so appreciated during cold and flue season.
Thieves Hand Purifier is available on Amazon.
