Miracles in March.

March 17, 2023 / Sue Dreamwalker / 47 Comments

Each year Spring pushes her bulbs and green shoots through the ground I marvel at the miracles in nature.. Each time I plant a tiny seed no bigger than a full-stop on the page. I marvel at the wonderment of how each tiny cell knows exactly what to be, a leaf, a petal, or stem..

Such are the Miracles of Birth, and the best Miracles of all are ourselves and how each of us are unique in form and personality. And just how precious Life is.

This month on the gardening front, has been a mixture of cold, wet, and snowy conditions, which I feel we still have not seen the last of. But the plot is all dug over, and Hubby has already started to clear out the overgrown area at the back of the sheds which for the last two years we used a huge composting pile…

Behind the shed, clearing out the old compost pile and deep rooted nettle patch

As you can see there is still more clearing to be done, and its been hard going, getting the nettle roots out which have spread. but I have asked Hubby to leave me some of the nettle patch in tact, as I gather in spring and dry out for tea. It will not take nettles long to grow.. And so long as you wear a good pair of thick gloves when picking them from getting stung. How and when to Harvest is within the link, and you can find many Nettle Tea recipes on line.

Nettle Patch, and the brambles in the background are Blackberries.. Which if not kept in check also run rampant.

Also remember Nettles as well as being nutritious with health benefits for us, they are food for certain caterpillars, which butterflies use to lay their eggs in. Such species as The Red Admiral, Peacock butterfly, and the small tortoiseshell butterflies as well as the Comma Butterfly.. Keeping a small wild patch on your plot or in your garden is helping to keep these butterflies to thriving.
More information about Nettles and Caterpillars can be found at this Woodland Trust Link, this is an organisation I support on a regular basis as it preserves old woodlands https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/07/what-do-caterpillars-eat/

We are also trying an experiment starting this Spring, as I came upon this website on Electoculture Gardening Techniques. By which you plant rods of coiled copper or brass into the ground… As you know we do not use any chemicals, pesticides or herbicides on the garden and source manure from Organic farming. But this year has been harder to get hold of our usual manure supply as farmers are keeping extra now back for themselves and its in greater demand since the price of farm fertilizers have shot through the roof.

Experimenting with Electro-culture, I put a copper coiled pole in the ground. This is supposed to help yields and enrich the soil.. So I put the rod where we are to plant potatoes this year.. The Energy of the rod travels out into the soil.
” On average one 6 foot antenna can cover about about 225 sqft.” according to the website.. We shall see how it works tthis year.

Potatoes are chitting, and Shallots and Onion sets are getting an early start in their pots before being planted out. Also we have set some onions from seeds.. I intend to do more pickled shallots this year, as everyone I gifted them too over Christmas enjoyed them so much..

For a more detailed account of how Electroculture works, the link for their website is above and below in the quote. Basically it is energising the soil and a quote from their website is as follows

Electroculture is the an ancient practice of increasing yields utilizing certain materials to harvest the earth’s atmospheric energy. This was presented in 1749 by Abbe Nollett, in the 1920s by Justin Christofleau, and 1940s by Viktor Schauberger. This energy is always present and all around us also known as Chi, Prana, Life force, and Aether.
https://cultivateelevate.com/electroculture/

Our new Allotmenteer neighbours of two years, two plots down from us, who are a young family, managed to source some Manure from an Organic Farm, and asked if we would like some manure, So we insisted on going halves with them with the cost when a Ton of Manure was delivered… We were giving them starter plants last year, and they introduced us to the Polish Tomato they grew in abundance in their newly built Polytunnel. And its wonderful that they are not afraid to ask for advice either.
We were gifted by them a few weeks back with a packet of Polish Tomato seeds. ( I had already saved some seeds from their tomatoes gifted last year, as I thought their huge size ideal for making soups and sauces ). The packet straight from Poland was a bonus.

I just love the way people in the growing community are sharing and repurposing everything. We have always given extra veggies and flowers away to neighbours and family.. But this year already several neighbours have donated wood which they no longer want to see if can use on the allotments, and some clear Perspex plastic alternative to glass sheets which were not wanted.. Of course Hubby was very grateful for, he can use the Perspex in the greenhouse and the wood he has already made a couple of cold frames using both.

New Cold frames in place made from wood and Perspex repurposed

To finish off this months post I will leave you with the Gallery of photos of some of the plants indoors and in the garden.

Enjoy and Happy Planting

Until Next Time
Happy Gardening!

Colour your World, in February.

February 21, 2023February 21, 2023 / Sue Dreamwalker / 48 Comments

February has been full of colour for me… It started on the last day of January when we both celebrated our 48^th Wedding Anniversary. So, flowers were in abundance

And of course on the 14^th, Valentines, so more colour and beautiful flowers decorated our home

The flowers too in our garden are starting to spring into life.

The primroses which have been out since January are showing their magnificence as too the Yellow crocus beginning to bloom..

Walking in the Woods the Catkins were gloriously wagging their tails in the breeze,

And the snowdrops were in abundance as they bowed their heads in the undergrowth.

Hubby finally got all the manure dug in, and has now started on making another larger raised bed as one of the old ones the wood was rotting, so this was repurposed.

My Knitting project of my Chunky knitted Jacket is finally finished today, and while I have enjoyed this project its not been without it’s challenges and mistakes.. But such is life, and It taught me not to speak, listen, and count at the same time 😊

My herb seeds are now sown into pots.. Along with some early cabbage and broccoli seeds sown to be grown indoors for a while, before planting out.

We could still have some very cold weather yet, and we never discount we could still have a frost until May arrives,

The church in Bakewell

It was wonderful to see how others in local communities are now banding and gathering together their produce to form small independent co-operatives..

I came across this one https://www.farmacycoop.org/ in the Market Town of Bakewell, where I used to go to Secondary School and later worked for 5 years.

Its great to see locally sources organic food being pooled for distribution. I hope to see more communities gathering together this way

This is how I feel our Communities will build the new ways evolving with local services and skills.. Its wonderful to see these new projects springing up as we become more self-sufficient in all sorts of ways..

I hope you have a ten minutes to listen to their video and the ideas being put forward.

I particularly loved the quote on their website. Which said.

Hold your Vision of the Future… Stay focused on what you wish to create and not on the Fear being generated…

Until Next Time..

Happy Gardening!

January: Starting and Finishing.

January 29, 2023 / Sue Dreamwalker / 51 Comments

Starting:

January here in the Midlands has been a mixture weather wise, of rain, wind, cold, and sharp frosts that some days have never lifted in the shade.. Frost always fascinates me, and I couldn’t help but take a few photos of frost on some Ivy when I took a walk the other morning. Click photo’s to Enlarge.

While the Frost looks pretty, it didn’t do our Broad Beans any favours, the very low temperatures killed them off as they had come through the ground about 3 inches high.. But it’s not too late to sow some more, Some years we are lucky others not. Gardening is all Swings and Roundabouts.. 🙂 We are hoping the Two neglected plots at either side of us are taken up by people who will cultivate them… As the seeds from the weeds are a constant battle..

Manure half-way spread on this piece of the plot. Since this photo was taken, Hubby has started to dig it all in.

The Brussel Sprouts always tastes that bit better after having some frost on them.

Another strawberry bed was put at the side of the other, has yet to have more compost put in it.
The Leeks also have been delicious.. Apologies the images not the clearest.
The Lettuce is surviving, growing slowly in the cold frame .

This years Leeks seedlings sprouting on the Window sill.
Onion and Shallot sets being started off in the pots before transplanting when warmer.

Purple Flowering Broccoli Starting to Sprout.

Finishing:

While Hubby’s fingers have been aching cold with frost, mine have been busy finishing off several more knitting projects.. The New Home to which Cyril the Owl and Charlotte the Fox are now living happily together is also home to a little White knitted Donkey.. This little Donkey is now 46 years years old and was knitted for my Daughter as a baby.. He is a cherished little soul, and I was asked by my daughter to give him a new jumper… As he was feeling quite left out by the new outfits I knitted for Charlotte the Fox for Christmas..

Charlottes New Clothes in Cape and shoes. And Donkey in his New Green Sweater,

Charlottes Knitted shoes
Donkey’s New Green Sweater I knitted.
Donkey’s Blue Jumper I knitted
Charlotte in her new shoes and with her handbag and shawl

And I finished my project I started just after Christmas, a Waistcoat I made for myself.

So that is what I have been starting and finishing over the Month of January. I hope that what ever projects you have got in hand, you will enjoy creating in 2023.. Whether it be in the Garden or your Hobbies and Crafts..

“When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.”
– Minnie Aumonier

Happy Gardening!.

Knitting Crafts Into Personalities

January 9, 2023 / Sue Dreamwalker / 55 Comments

First may I wish you all a very Happy New blogging and Gardening year!. Unfortunately last year my garden blog took a huge back seat in priorities as I spent more time out in nature and within creation, than being behind the computer screen.

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.

To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”
– Alfred Austin

So the last days of Autumn I spent gathering seeds from my plants, I harvested in the Sunflower seeds which I use to feed the birds with over winter. Also I collected dried peas, Kidney beans and French beans seeds for next years planting, along with flower seeds etc…. Not to mention planting new Spring Bulbs in the garden and tubs for Spring flowering.

Sunflower heads
Seeds from Sunflowers

Now I would like to introduce you to Cyril…. the name just resonated as he was created, and although he now has a new home and a new name. Cyril left quite an impression, and we may well be seeing more of him during the year ahead. He started out as a ball of yarn…. and so as he was created so his personality began to shine through.

First as it may not be obvious at first glance… Cyril is of the Owl Family…. and as you know eyes are large and round and can spot their pray way off… But as he came together stitch by stitch… Something bugged his creator in that his look was not quite right, So Cyril went to the Eye hospital where he was given a new pair of eyes, but because his eyes were not as large, he was given a pair of spectacles to help him see…

Once Cyril was safely put together his new glasses on the end of his beak, he set about asking for a wardrobe of clothes

And he Loved modelling them.. But his New Foster Mum who had created him, said not all the clothes were for him, and he must learn to share. Cyril was fine with this for he was becoming a Wise Owl learning much as he sat and watched his foster Mum knitting away.

Me in MY waistcoat.
Modelling hat and scarf
Modelling Duffle coat
Modelling another waistcoat
And stop laughing, I had to even model a dress!

While some of you may remember last year, my Foster Mum made Charlotte the Fox… Well here she is with her new outfits she had for Christmas

Here is Charlotte and the family that adopted her Last year all ready to open up their Christmas toys that Cyril so kindly modelled.

All the family were really excited in meeting Cyril…. and he is now settled in… Charlotte is learning to play the piano While Cyril is turning out to be quite the philosopher….

I do so hope you all have had a lovely Christmas, and I hope no matter what gifts you received, you treasure the Gift of family… And remember the True Gifts in Life are Free……

Much love and a very Happy New Year!

Autumns Bounties

October 17, 2022 / Sue Dreamwalker / 88 Comments

I doubt many may still follow this haphazard gardening blog of mine, but real life is just much more fun than sitting behind a computer all day. So I make no apologies for dipping in and out of here.. But those of you who still get updates, and read, and comment.. I thank you most sincerely for your perseverance. I am grateful to you all. But I have been busy enjoying Summer, our garden, nature and growing our own veggies.

This blog post has been in the making for over a month as I promise myself to sit down, upload photos and share the progress on the plot.. But some days are just too full, of other creative things, which I hopefully will share with you in picture format.

Spring and Summer here in the UK was unusually dry as you know, and Summer one of the hottest on record for England, so, while some things thrived, others didn’t fare so well.. But that is Gardening, its swings and roundabouts.. We win some and we lose some.. Its different ever year… That is the challenge of gardening. You learn patience and you adapt.

Lots of things just didn’t like the heat despite our watering. Such as these cabbages and broccoli which bolted.

Broccoli Bolted
Cabbage bolted and split

The Kidney beans this year dried up almost after flowering, then they got a second lease on life with a late flowering and fared better, many plot holders agreed their crops were not as abundant as in previous years. On the other hand our Dwarf French Beans did well… But it took lots of leg and arm work carrying water from the cistern tanks back and forth every day keeping them watered.

The Sweet corn too, while the cobs looked full, many were very dry…. The dryer ones and misshaped ones with gaps of corn, I still froze them, and I will use to make soups out of. Nothing much goes to waste.

Apples
Apple pie.

The Apples were small, but were much better than last year, as last years which were diseased. But we used an organic spray of Bicarbonate of Baking Soda, vegetable oil and washing up liquid that we used to spray on the trees earlier in the year which seemed to have stopped the scabbing from last year.. This also is a great natural spray for White fly and other things such as mildew etc.. A video of how to make can be found Here..

Lots have been happening too on our plot as we went independent and a new committee was formed.. To raise funds our Allotment held an Autumn Fair where we had held a raffle and had some stalls of home made preserves, a bottle tombola, book stall, and veggies for sale along with a competition… This was all organised by the new committee and to say it was only a few weeks in which this was organised, and the very first of its kind as long as we have had an allotment on this site which is over 20 years, It was a great success raising over £500 to the kitty.

Autumn Fair Day
A fun competition

We also had some surprises too I had left a small row of Rainbow chard in that went to seed, as they were providing shelter for some other plants, When I at last pulled them up I saw lots of the seeds had fallen and self set in the ground.. So I left them to grow where they were.. And saved many of the rainbow chard seeds for planting next Spring. Here are the young rainbow chard growing among the weeds which I weeded out once the chard was bigger .

The Sunflowers this year perfect weather for growing them.. Here are a selection, along with some Dahlia’s.

Dahlia’s
Pink Dahlia’s for cut flowers

We also had some high winds too, which rocked a piece of rickety fence which we had protecting the greenhouse. We put the fence there mainly as our path is shared by a fellow allotmenteer on his plot at the side of us, who unfortunately for the last couple of years has been too ill to do work on his plot. As the path is higher and as this gent fell a few years ago, we didn’t want anyone falling and hurting themselves on the path on slippery grass in the wet and falling into the greenhouse. My hubby found some old pieces of fence which was donated him and put a sturdier one alongside the green house.

He also replanted new raspberry bushes and intends to build a frame over them so we can hang a net to keep birds from pecking before we pick them.. We have some greedy pigeons that swoop in and do lots of damage eating crops and young shoots..

The fence to stop anyone falling from the higher path into greenhouse
The new raspberry bed
A clearer view of the raspberry bed with redcurrant bush on the left.

Of course Biscuit our cat is always joining us on the plot and he had to see what I was doing when I cleared out the outdoor tomatoes.

Biscuit our Cat inspecting the outdoor tomatoes.

My hands have also been busy as I have crocheted throws, knitted gloves, along with cushion covers, and doilies.

Cushion covers and throw.
Head and chair arm protectors
Head and chair arm protectors
Curtain ties.
Fingerless gloves
Crocheted Throw

Last and not least I pickled a few jars of shallot onions. Which should just be right for eating around Christmas.

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”
– Gertrude Jekyll

Thank you for reading

Happy Gardening

How Does Your Garden Grow?

July 24, 2022 / Sue Dreamwalker / 46 Comments

So how have your gardens faired during this hot dry spell? I know we have been flat out early in the mornings, sometimes Hubby has been on the plot at 5am watering while I join him a little later. Watering is a two hour process most days, carrying watering cans back and forth from the cistern tanks that are placed at 100-yard intervals down the length of the allotments. It’s exhausting work.

But together we have managed not to let too many things shrivel up in the unusually hot Summer here in the UK… Not to mention those driving HOT winds?

Farmers in Lincolnshire have said how their potato crops are dying. And despite our watering our potatoes they are now starting to die off early and the main crop hasn’t even flowered yet.

It’s the same all around the globe for one reason or another it seems there is an assault on crops, and whether it’s the transportation or the chemicals used to grow them, it seems that shortages are a real threat.

People who have any sort of land I feel in the future are going to have to think really hard on how they are going to grow their own food supplies and look at ways of sustainability. We can already see a recession looming on the horizon as food prices shoot through the roof along with Energy Bills which are set to quadruple, they have already doubled here.

So new initiatives will be needed I feel as people I see are already coming together in small groups of pooling ideas of community gardens and ways and means of pulling together resources.

One thing that have flourished is the Gladioli. We replanted them the other year to form a line near the cold-frame which has afforded them some shelter from the winds we get that blow across the valley.

Here is a vase of freshly picked Gladioli, along with some of the Dahlias.

Our Cat Biscuit is at home here on the plot, he follows us there and back most days and it is his hunting ground for mice. Very often we will have two or three gifts waiting on the patio in the morning as he brings home his hunting trophies.

I will leave you with some more images and hope your Gardens are surviving and thriving.

Click the Images to make larger:

The waterlilies in the small pond with have with our fish, have done well too. Click Images to Enlarge

Our gardens take a lot of effort to maintain, but the joy in abundance and pleasure they bring is worth all the aching muscles and hard work..

The green thumb is equable in the face of nature’s uncertainties; he moves among her mysteries without feeling the need for control or explanations or once-and-for-all solutions. To garden well is to be happy amid the babble of the objective world, untroubled by its refusal to be reduced by our ideas of it, its indomitable rankness.
–Michael Pollan

Happy Gardening

Dandelion

July 16, 2022 / Sue Dreamwalker / 50 Comments

With Locks of Gold today;
Tomorrow Silver Grey:
Then Blossom-bald.
Behold,
O Man, thy Fortune told!
J.B. Tabb~( 1845-1909 )

Most of us will know what a Dandelion is, many see them growing wild, they are also found in our gardens, especially our lawns.

We are often encouraged to kill them in those weed-killing adverts, as they show us how to zap them dead with one squirt of poison.

Hare and Dandelion painting
~Sue Dreamwalker

Yet the Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has tremendous health benefits, perhaps that’s why big pharma linked with the chemicals companies of weed killers want you to keep zapping them. Because it grows in abundance and is free and it aids our health.. Like some other plant-based medicines I could think of.

The dandelion root has been used for hundreds of years to treat a wide range of health issues, so it is no wonder that it’s regaining popularity as people discover how easy it is to grow and harvest.

The Dandelion has many health benefits, the root is where most of the medicinal properties are. But you can eat the leaves and the flowers along with the stems, they are all edible, and can be added to salads and stir fries. Or you can dry it out and use for making tea.

Here I hung out Dandelions Drying for making tea

Dandelion derives from the French ‘Dent de lion’ ( Lion’s tooth ) a reference to the jagged leaves pointing backwards. Which to the imagination look like a lions jaw.

Dandelions contains 12 times the amount of vitamin A than a lettuce, and about 3 times its vitamin C.

I pick younger leaves as the older leaves tend to be Very, very bitter if using them in a salad. Or steamed like spinach.

Note: Make sure that your Dandelions have not been sprayed with any chemicals or weedkillers, and are picked away from the roadside where they will pick up contaminants from vehicles exhausts etc. Wash well.

You can also make Dandelion Wine I am sure many of us can recall the taste of Dandelion and Burdock Pop or cordial … One of my favourite fizzy drinks as a child and still is…

https://www.twineagles.org/dandelion-wine-recipe.html https://www.twineagles.org/dandelion-wine-recipe.html

Studies have been found Dandelion is very good for our hearts, and can lower bad Cholesterol, it can fight Free Radicals with its powerful Antioxidant properties, called beta carotene.

It can help stabilise blood sugars, and some research suggests it may be helpful in treatments of type ll Diabetes.

Also Blood Pressure can be lowered naturally with dandelion root. Potassium has been proven to help lower blood pressure and dandelions are rich in potassium. Also Potassium increased in your diet will help relieve muscle cramps, you can also get this from Banana’s too.

Potassium also helps osteoporosis and kidney stones too, so a cup of dandelion root tea every day will provide the potassium your body needs to stay healthier.

Dandelions have antimicrobial and antiviral properties in them, that work to strengthen the immune system. Vitally important at the moment to keep our immune systems topped up. I also use Echanechia drops this helps our immune system fight cold and flu symptoms!.

What is there not to like about the Dandelion, for they improve digestion, help reduce inflammation, which is why I drink dandelion and root tea on a regular basis, along with nettle tea, I will go into the benefits of nettles another day. Dandelion leaves are rich in vitamin A.

Here I picked tender young leaves and roots from my allotment, I washed and scrubbed the earth from the roots and then hung up to dry, once dry I then crushed to store in an airtight jar to use as in a tea. Lots of methods can be found on the internet of how to prepare and add to recipes.

So next time you think of zapping a dandelion or pulling it up from your garden…. Think twice on how it may aid your own health and benefit you,… all for free… 😊

I will add a link here so you can see for yourself all of those health benefits

DANDELION – 18 Health Benefits Backed by Science

Happy Gardening!

Rich Pickings

July 3, 2022 / Sue Dreamwalker / 89 Comments

June all too soon flew by, as so many of our days just lately seem to be wisps of memories as we no sooner rise, that we fall into bed. Making the most of our days and being present within the gifts of our NOW moments brings so many rewards as we are grateful for all things great and small.

It’s remarkable to see how the Universe listens and provides… and how manifesting truly is working all the while, if you learn how to see into its synchronicities. For nothing is by chance…

My husband always planning ahead had been wanting to create some new raised beds for next year and had been thinking on needing wood to do this. Also a wooden post and a broken panel of fencing we had installed at the side of the green house on the plot, to ensure no one accidentally tripped from the grass pathway into the greenhouse. This had disintegrated in the high winds we had back in Spring. So my husband had also been thinking about this and needing to get wood to use as stakes for posts as the older ones had rotted.

So imagine my husbands delight when a neighbour was throwing out good quality wood he no longer needed.. He told my husband help yourself, to any of it as its all going to be skipped. Pieces that were just perfect for the jobs he had been thinking on. Manifesting in action!.

Last year we replanted many of our raspberry bushes which we put in line with our Redcurrant bush. My idea being we could then put large posts in corners and then cover with netting so I could walk inside to pick berries. At the moment we have a net loosely tied over them which I have to undo and scramble underneath to pick berries. So these longer pieces of wood ideal for the jobs we had thought of.. We want to allow the bees and insects in, but keep the pigeons out… They are our main problem on the allotments.. they can strip a bush of berries in no time and decimate the brassica family by eating leaves.

The Red Currant bush is now taller than I am, and produces lots of berries, I eat these with my breakfast and yogurt and freeze some for pies or trifles. They also make very good Red Current Jelly.

Cleaning Red Currants I soak for ten minutes in salted water with a pinch of bicarbonate of soda and rinse thoroughly. If I freeze them I allow to drain, air dry for a while and then freeze on a baking tray trying to keep them as separate as possible. Once frozen I then put into containers.. This way they come out of the container separate and not a solid lump.. I do the same to Raspberries and Gooseberries .

Rich Pickings out of the Allotment this week, have been broad beans, peas, lettuce, courgettes, Lemon Cucumbers, Spring Onions, Rainbow Chard, and radishes.

Raspberries, Lemon Cucumbers Redcurrants, Dahlias and Sweet-peas

A selection below of the flowers in bloom at the moment.

Click the images to enlarge.

With all of this, my life is Rich…. and when we choose to Pick out and nourish our body and our soul in aligning ourselves with wholesome foods, and wholesome thoughts.

Life brings us gifts in abundance..

“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.”
~Author Unknown~
“When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.”
~Ken Druse~
“To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
“I am a gardener. What’s your superpower?”
~Empress of Dirt~
Happy Gardening!

Mid June~ On the Plot.

June 18, 2022 / Sue Dreamwalker / 40 Comments

Here we are in mid June, and we have been busy. While we have had some odd heavy showers here and there, the allotments have needed watering most every day..

We do this from the water tanks that are dotted about every One hundred yards or so.. Thankfully our water cistern is only around twenty good steps from the top of our plot… But when you are carrying two 2litre watering cans back and fourth, which someone told me the other day is roughly about 40lbs in weight in total… Who needs a Gym to work out your arm muscles 🙂

The weather here has been warm and yesterday it reached up into the 30c… too warm for me.. Then today it plummeted down to 14c… with forecasts for thunderstorms this afternoon… I hope we do get some rain… It will certainly take a little of the heavy watering back and forth pressure off for a little while..

From left to right Beetroot Chard Red and green Lettuce Peas Potatoes

Its been ideal growing weather for Lettuce and the neighbours and family have been well pleased with what we have given away.. I spent an hour weeding out the row of Spring Onions, Space is always well used and here you see We planted between the cloches

Spring Onions- Before weeding and After weeding If you click onto the pointer in the image you can slide across.

If you zoom into left hand section, you will see the weeds, while we throw those into the compost bins if they haven’t got seeds formed… The are also edible! ... But make sure you identify anything you eat first to be sure.

We get hundreds and thousands of these weeds growing each season, the seeds get churned up every year from digging and hoeing etc. The weeds you see above go by several names as either lambs-quaters weed, or White Goosefoot. Also know as Wild spinach. A link here for a close image and more information including vitamin value.. If you do not pull up these when small like this, they can grow quite high and then turn to seed.

So many of our so called weeds, can be edible and I will touch upon some in a future posts… In the mean time I will just leave you with a gallery of what is growing. If you click onto individual images they should enlarge.

We are delighted that more and more people are taking an interest in growing their own food. And this is the first year in a long while that most of the vacant plots are taken. It requires hard work and people can soon get discouraged as they think they can dig a piece, plant it and leave it… Only to come back and find it covered in weeds again and if they have not covered their tender shoots that the pigeons have eaten the lot…

I have I think a little mouse that visits our strawberries, I saw the tiny hole in the ground beside the wooden frame… and Although netted I saw little teeth nibbles on the ripe strawberries.. You have to be prepared to Give and Take to mother nature and I dare say as food prices soar we usually get a few two legged human species helping themselves too and I feel this year we will see more of that happening.. Its unfortunate, as I would sooner give away than people take… But we grow more than enough for our needs, and we always give our surplus away to family and neighbours . But what ever, we hope they enjoyed what they take, they obviously were in need.

Hope you are all enjoying your gardens whether it be growing veggies or just sitting enjoying your lawn and flowerbeds.

Happy Gardening!

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Benefits of Sage

June 8, 2022 / Sue Dreamwalker / 35 Comments

Sage: Salvia officinalis~ Common Sage is a herb which was used often in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome right through the middle ages to this present time.

Properties of Sage: ~Tonifies both Yin and Yang~

Sage strengthens the lungs, it is therefore very good for Coughs, Colds, and Flu. Especially if the symptoms include a Sore throat.

In Fact Sage is one of the best remedies for Throat Infections ,used as a gargle or tea, or in the form on an essential oil massages over the throat.

In the last century Sage was used frequently to help those who suffered from Tuberculosis, Especially if their symptoms included night sweats. It is thought it may strengthen the immune system.

Today Sage is recommended for excessive sweating. It also has astringent properties helpful when there is Chronic Diarrhoea.

Sage stimulates the adrenal glands if taken as a tea or in the form of essential oil rubbed over lower back. This is also helpful in strengthening weak of flaccid limbs.

The presence of Oestrogen-like substances also means that sage has beneficial effects on the female reproductive system, Increasing fertility. And is also helpful with sweating and hot-flushes during the menopause.

Also an infusion of sage, or the massage oil, perhaps with some Rosemary and nettle, can be rubbed into the scalp to help counteract hair loss.

Note: Because Sage tends to encourage menstruation, Sage should not be taken as a tea or used in the form of essential oil during Pregnancy or if periods are heavy, although it can be used as a flavouring in food, also during breast feeding it can discourage the flow of milk..

Preparing and Using Sage: To make Sage Tea, infuse a pinch of dried Sage or 1-2 leaves of fresh Sage, torn and bruised, in a cupful of just-boiled water. Flavour with a little Lemon and honey if you like.

The strong flavour of sage means you need to use it sparingly in the kitchen, Sage compliments Onions and also apples when used in savoury dishes.

I often use dried sage and boiled onions with fresh breadcrumbs to make a sage and onion stuffing, to add variety I also sometimes add chopped mushrooms to the mixture.

Smudging With Sage.

Many of us also know about the powerful cleansing that sage can provide when we use it for smudging.

There are different kinds of sage that can be used, I like to use White Sage, (Salvia Apiana). I think this is the most popular kind for this kind of use. But there is also Common Sage, (Salvia Officianalis), and Blue Sage, (Salvia Azurea.)

I use it to smudge out negative energies and it can also clear out negative thought patterns, and clear our aura’s energy space. It can also be used to cleanse objects. Many still do not understand that our thoughts are energy and negative energy can collect to form dark pockets of energy not only around ourselves but in dwelling places and on objects too.

The Native American Indian Tribes would burn sage honouring it as a sacred plant, and use as cleansing and in ceremony often in burning it in specially selected shells.

For more information about Smudging There is a nice little book on Smudging called

The Smudging and Blessing Book: Inspirational Rituals to Cleanse and Heal.
By Jane Alexander
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/537662.The_Smudging_and_Blessings_Book