Comments:

rodsmith - 2007-08-26 22:32:51
We did a high mineral/nutrient replacement plan with our garden and grew tons of zucchini, (still going) lots of tomatoes that are still going, butternut squash- expecting about 20 this year, we managed a couple of cauliflower and a cabbage. We grew the biggest sunflower I have ever seen (seed-bed about 14 inches across). We've had many great meals from the garden. We did a bulk lettuce tray on the front porch that we mowed with a pair of scissors any time we wanted a salad. We've learned a lot. Our groundhog is really enjoying the ground-level tomatoes, and the rabbits figure the ground-level cabbages are fantastic. The sunflowers bring lots of bees and birds into the garden, which means everything else gets plenty of attention as well. I have black thumbs, so the nurture and care of the plants is Misti's job, I do the soil conditioning and cultivation, and much of the harvesting. I've also gone back to baking bread from scratch, so we are really enjoying ultra- high quality food this summer.
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Laura (ypsidixit) - 2007-08-26 22:49:05
Wowee! I can't grow cauliflower, or broccoli, without it bolting. Broccoli, however, when it bolts makes a pretty flower.

Yes, like you, our sunflowers bring in bees and Baltimore orioles, who also enjoy the purple coneflower and black-eyed susan seeds. It's a joy to just stare out over the garden and see the insect superhighways zooming around, over the sunflowers, Jerusalem artichokes, and garden plants.

I used to be a big bread-baker...before the Ypsi Coop started offering 92-cent bread on Saturdays. Heck, the professional bakers do a better job than I ever could and it's cheaper than if I baked bread with from-scratch ingredients! Mmm, sourdough...

Yes, rodsmith, it's a treat, isn't it, to enjoy ultra-high-quality food from one's backyard. Yum.
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Rod (rodsmith) - 2007-08-27 14:10:47
yeah, I buy my grain from the co-op and grind it, soak it in acid, and bake it in a bread-machine. I do it for under 90 cents a loaf any day, it takes 20 minutes of actual work, and it beats the best you can get from home harvest.
I'm happy
and yes, Misti's interest in nutrition made all the difference to our garden
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ypsidixit - 2007-08-27 14:15:39
Rod, may I ask for a bit of your expertise as a professional astrologer?

After reading in this year's Farmer's Almanac about planting only with the waxing moon, I decided to try it. And I remember concentrating some plantings when the (waxing) moon was in earth and water signs. May I ask, is this correct? Might you have other tips? They would be gratefully accepted.
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ypsidixit, reconsidering - 2007-08-27 14:20:40
Actually, it occurs to me that asking you that is not unlike asking a doctor, at a party, to diagnose one's illness for free. How boring for them! And not fair, either. So, never mind, please, Rob! :)
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Rod (rodsmith) - 2007-08-27 23:31:16
Hey Laura, its no big deal and its actually not my field of expertise (Astrology covers a vast array of interests, as you might well imagine) however, this is how the reasoning goes from my reading of Ptolemy and you can work the rest out out for yourself.

Of the Earth signs, Virgo is considered barren, and of the air signs, Libra is considered fertile. Beyond that, the Earth/Water thing works.

For strong shafts and tall plants (including all grass-based grains)plant the first quarter. For leaf and fruit bearing crops, plant the second quarter, plant root crops and transplant seedlings in the third quarter, the last quarter is for weeding, cultivation, burning, and nourishing the soil.

There are folks who have much stronger opinions about this than I have. I pay some attention to this, but honestly, the garden gets my attention when I have the time to give it. Like all living creatures, plants respond to personal energy much more strongly than they do to the subtle cycles of the moon, however making use of both, when you can, is a bonus.
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Laura - 2007-08-28 00:17:41
Hm. Interesting thing, that, about Virgo being barren. And Libra fertile--no doubt because of the strong Venus influence? Just spitballin'.

Okay, I see what you are saying. It is a more refined version of the simplistic info in the almanac. Strong growth, first quarter when the moon is dramatically waxing. Leaf and fruit 2nd quarter, when it's nearing full. The underground things in third quarter, when the moon is "going underground," as it were. And tidying up and cleanup and burning off stuff when the moon is "dead," you could say.

I completely agree that plants respond to the energy one gives them.

That moon planting plan makes perfect sense, and I appreciate your taking the time to elaborate. Thank you, Rob!
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moon child - 2007-08-28 00:27:30
...if you're up in the dead of night, don't miss the total eclipse! Starting around 3 a.m.
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