Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND)

White house victory garden!

Perennial Vegetables:

From Artichokes to Zuiki Taro, A Gardener’s Guide to Over 100 Delicious and Easy to Grow Edibles 

Eric Toensmeier has a new book out for you backyard gardeners.  Let me know your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Lunar gardeners work according to the moon’s cycle:  They believe that if the moon can alter tides and effect our emotions, it can also effect the level of moisture in the soils.  More moisture will be present at the full and new moons, so they avoid tilling at those times.  They plant during the full moon because there is an abundance of light being reflected back to earth even after the sun sets behind the horizon.  Biodynamic farming considers lunar and other cosmic cycles when developing plans for planting and harvesting.

In the 1950s, Dr. Frank Brown, Professor of Biology at Northwestern University, became interested in biological cycles.  He discovered, through a series of experiments spanning 10 years, that plants take up more water during the full moon.  Seed germination requires adequate moisture, so it makes sense to plant at a time when the greatest moisture coincides with the most light.  

A more recent study conducted by the Agricultural Research Service in Iowa examined whether a link existed between weed germination and light exposure.  When soil is tilled during a full moon, greater moisture and light exposure allow for the successful germination of so-called weeds.  Tilling at the time of the new moon meant less light, and a less successful germination rate.  So, while the ARS study was not directly related to successful farming practices, their findings suggest it is best to till by the new moon (if you must) and plant by the full moon.

For more information on lunar gardening, please visit:  Plantea.com and Lady Luna

The Oryana newsletter just released the list of candidates running to fill 2009-2010 board seats.  I happen to be one of them.  You may vote for up to three candidates and this year we have a diverse, talented group of people from which to choose.  Ballots are available in the newsletter and you can meet we six candidates at the Traverse City Library on April 16th, at the General Membership Meeting.  We’ll be there from 5:30 – 8:30pm.

Peace!  Samantha

Maple Bay farm has a long, vibrant history in our community.  The house, as we saw today, contains beautiful remnants of a bygone era.  I wanted to share a few photos from today’s assessment of the property.  

On a side note, Maple Bay is a great place for skiing and snow-shoeing.  I was happy to see hikers driving by for a morning hike along the shore.  

A phone-list tacked to the wall.

Is there anything more beautiful than aged plaster?  

In an upstairs bedroom we discovered a bird’s nest tucked into the space sheltered by an old storm window.