An idea from Rod for how to stay in the kula flow

This was a fun idea sent to me by Rod, a member of our beloved kula. I thought you should see it all in his words!

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5/26/06

Grow an edible herb, fruit or vegetable. In the process of selecting container, plant or seed, growing materials, planting, nurturing, observing growth, harvesting and finally eating; remembering immersion/cleanse intentions and actions being taken to follow through. I am doing this and sharing the idea if others would like to also. So far this is my first step, by writing this out and trying to think of an edible herb. This process will take 3-4 months and may help develop an appreciation for the process of growing and eating or sharing just one item.

For those who would like to use a different planting method, I found the following this past spring. So far it is successfully keeping our plants and garden alive, so I am transplanting other plants using the same method.

___________________ 2” peat potting soil with miracle grow
___________________ 2” peat moss
___________________ 2” peat potting soil with miracle grow
___________________ 2” peat moss
___________________ 2 sheets black newspaper, trimmed, covering holes, soaking wet

Find a bottom watering pot; water from top 3-4 days; then water once a week or as needed. Peat moss material is light, water absorbing and does not require as much water as heavier potting soil. This planting method is taken from “Lasagna Gardening” by Patricia Lanza (Midcontinent Public Library). She has also written books for just containers. The method works for containers or gardens. For gardens you increase the newspaper layers to 8-10 (wet to control weeds), no colored paper and can layer leaves, grass, compost and manure. Use a thinner layer of peat moss. Wet each layer. Build a minimum thickness of the deepest potted plant to the top of the newspaper. Missouri Organic Recycling has nice looking compost.

-Rod

An Update - 6/9/06

I planted an herb pot with curled parsley and thyme growing vigorously in it. It will need harvesting shortly and regularly. I have some rosemary and sage to go in it (just like the song!), just need to take the "thyme" to finish it. The layered method is working good, but maybe the pot could be larger.

The pot is sitting outside beside an old oak wooden rain barrel that I connected my guttering to this week. I am working on digging,grading and planting a Rain Garden that will have native Missouri plants growing in it http://www.rainkc.com/home/index.asp and be watered by the rain barrel.

I will be using the layered lasagna gardening method. I contacted the book's author about native plants and using newsprint. She graciously emailed back, overnight, excited about the idea! I think her method will keep out weeds and help plants to grow better. Anyway, the idea has expanded and may have some good recycling of newsprint, environmental and neighborhood effects. Yoga and gardening does work together and communicating with people!

-Rod