SHU TAUI AMEN
ND, HHC
February 26th 2012
Compact Goddening
Compact gardening requires advance planning. Knowing as
much as you can about what you plan to grow, how fast it
grows, how it grows, what kind of light is required etc.,
will help you choose the right things to plant in your
garden. The last thing you want to do is go into it without
planning and have to restart your whole project!
Compact Goddening
The only limits compact gardening have are the limitations
of your imagination. With the right level of creativity and
advanced planning you can have an incredible compact
garden no matter where you live.
Compact Goddening
Rather than procrastinating over the lack of space, start
thinking about all the great things you can do in the
space that you do have and you will be well on your way
to having a great compact garden.
So stop wasting your time worrying about it and go out
there and do it!
PLANTING RITUAL
 It’s a simple rite that celebrates the fertility of the planting season, and
so it’s one that should be performed on the soil to be used.
 Request permission from mother earth to use this part of her earth and
request her help to make this a plentiful harvest.
 Request that assistance of ancestors who nurtured land and protected
the natural resources of mother earth.
 Prepare the soil for planting. If you’ve already gotten your garden tilled
or mulched, great – you’ll have a bit less work. If not, now’s the time to
do so. Use your shovel or tiller to loosen the soil as much as possible. As
you’re turning the earth over, and mixing it all up, take time to connect
with the elements. Feel the earth, soft and moist beneath your feet. Take
in the breeze, exhaling and inhaling calmly as you work. Feel the warmth
of the sun on your face, and listen to the birds chattering in the trees
above you. Connect with nature, and with the planet itself.
PLANTING RITUAL
 When you have finished turning the soil and preparing it, it is
time to plant the seeds (or seedlings, if you started them
earlier in the spring). While you can do this easily with a
shovel, sometimes it is better to get down on your hands and
knees and really connect with the soil. If you’re not limited
by mobility issues, get as close to the ground as you can, and
use your hands to part the soil as you put the seeds in place.
Yes, you’ll get dirty, but that’s what gardening is about. As
you place each seed into the ground, offer a simple blessing,
such as: May the soil be blessed as the womb of the land
Becomes full and fruitful to bring forth the garden anew.
PLANTING RITUAL
 As you’re performing all the different actions of gardening –
touching the earth, feeling the plants – remember to focus
on the energy and power of the elements. Get dirt under
your fingernails, squash it between your toes if you don’t
mind being barefoot outside. Say hello to that worm you just
dug up by accident, and place him back in the ground. Do
you compost? If so, be sure to add the compost to your
plantings.
PLANTING RITUAL
 Finally, you’ll water your freshly planted seeds.You can either use
a garden hose for this, or you can water by hand with a can. If you
have a rain barrel, use the water from the barrel to start your
garden.
 As you’re watering your seeds or seedlings, call upon the deities of
your tradition one last time.
Sample:
We honor you by planting these seeds.
We ask your blessing upon our fertile soil.
We will tend this garden, and keep it healthy,
Watching over it in your name.
We honor you by planting, and pay you tribute with this garden.
Ashe
Spring Gardening Tips
Prepping soil
Soil in Your Garden Needs Refreshing
Gardening in the same location over the years may mean
your soil requires refreshing.
Rotate your crops (i.e., plant tomato plants where peppers were
grown last year)
Pre-plant crystals in your garden
Compact Goddening
Quartz Crystals
 Prepare a power grid in your garden.
 Find the center of your garden and the
farthest four points or corners.
 Bury your largest crystal quartz in the center
of the garden, with half of it above the surface
and half in the soil. If the quartz has a pointed
side, place it so that it is facing up toward the
sun and moon.
 Do the same thing with four more crystals in
each corner of the garden. This will create a
positive energy field for your garden plants.
Compact Goddening using Crystals
 Place quartz crystals in a circle
around an unhealthy plant to
give it a boost of positive
energy and to support growth
and health
 You can even bury a crystal 2 to
3 inches from the main stem of
a dying or unhealthy plant
with the point facing the sun to
see whether the sick plant will
harvest the energy of the
crystal and rejuvenate.
 Sprinkle quartz crystal
dust or very small pieces of
stone as a sort of mulch for
your garden. It adds an
attractive sparkle and may
discourage pests.
 Consider adding some
black tourmaline to the
mix as well. It also will
create an attractive sparkle
and is a natural source of
boron that is sometimes
used in pesticides.
Compact Goddening – Crystal Benefits
 Crystals will significantly
improve water holding
capacity of sandy soil...by as
much as 400%!!!
 They also increase infiltration
rates of water through clay
soils as they constantly
expand and contract when
absorbing and releasing
water.
 This not only keeps your clay
soil looser but also makes
growing plants in this hard to
handle soil a pleasure.
 When properly applied,
Crystals can reduce the
need to water by 50 - 70%
in potted plants, 15 - 40%
in garden.,
 Crystals will reduce the
stress/dry periods in all
plants by increasing the
availability of reserve
energy stored for them
in the crystals.
Harmony of Plants
 According to Native records, corn, beans, and squash are
three inseparable sisters who only grow and thrive together.
This tradition of inter-planting corn, beans and squash in the
same mounds, was widespread among Native American
farming societies. It is a sophisticated, sustainable system
that provided long-term soil fertility and a healthy diet to
generations.
 Growing a Three Sisters garden is a wonderful way to feel
more connected to the land.
Harmony of Plants
 Corn provides a natural pole for bean vines to climb. Beans fix
nitrogen on their roots, improving the overall fertility of the plot
by providing nitrogen to the following years corn. Bean vines also
help stabilize the corn plants, making them less vulnerable to
blowing over in the wind. Shallow-rooted squash vines become a
living mulch, shading emerging weeds and preventing soil
moisture from evaporating, thereby improving the overall crops
chances of survival in dry years. Spiny squash plants also help
discourage predators from approaching the corn and beans. The
large amount of crop residue from this planting combination can
be incorporated back into the soil at the end of the season, to
build up the organic matter and improve its structure.
Harmony of Plants
 Corn, beans and squash also complement each other
nutritionally. Corn provides carbohydrates, the dried beans
are rich in protein, balancing the lack of necessary amino
acids found in corn. Finally, squash yields both vitamins from
the fruit and healthful, delicious oil from the seeds.
 Native Americans kept this system in practice for centuries
without the modern conceptual vocabulary we use today, i.e.
soil nitrogen, vitamins, etc.
Plants that grow in harmony
It has been clearly show that there are plants that do not
thrive in the company of certain plants. Roses, fir
example, like garlic and chives near them and benefit
from them, but they do not like the company of tulip
bulbs.
This is generally caused by the roots exuding certain
substances into the surrounding soil that suits some plants
and disturb others.
Note: There are some plants that give off stronger energy,
while other plants are not as vigorous.
What to plant in a spring garden
 Eleven types of seeds to plant this month: beans,
beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, green onions,
melons, okra, pumpkins, radishes and summer
squash, capsicum(also known as red pepper or
chili pepper).
 Plant transplants of artichokes, eggplant, peppers
and tomatoes.
Beans
 Fresh beans are a moderate
source of beta carotene, protein,
dietary fiber, vitamin C, and
carbohydrates.
 Half a cup of beans per day has a
cholesterol-lowering effect in
many people.
 Beans also appear to have a
blood sugar normalizing effect,
and may be of benefit to
diabetics.
 Beans make you feel full, and
consumption of them benefits
an individual weight loss
program.
Beets
 Beet juice can measurably reduce blood
pressure within one hour after drinking it
 They contain an antioxidant, betacyanin,
which both inhibits tumor growth and
prevents the formation of cancer-causing
nitrosamines.
 Aid in the proper function of the digestive
system.
 Effective at treating irritated skin and
dandruff.
 Beets are also considered an aphrodisiac.
Beets contain boron, which helps in the
production of human sex hormones.
Carrots
 Cleanse the intestines and to be
diuretic, remineralizing,
antidiarrheal, an overall tonic.
 Stimulate the appetite, reduce
colic, aid fluid retention and help
alleviate menstrual cramps.
Corn
 Regulates intestinal and
liver function.
 High fiber content
promotes intestinal transit.
 Sooth minor itching due to
an insect bite
 Promotes Good Kidney
Function.
Cucumbers
 Cleaning properties that
removes accumulated
waste and toxins from our
body.
 It may improve arthritis
since it eliminates uric
acid.
 Helps in proper regulation
of blood pressure and
promotes flexibility of
muscles.
Scallion - green onions,
 Stimulates the respiratory
tract and helps in expelling
sputum (phlegm).
 Esential oils that stimulates
the sweat glands and
promote sweating.
 Normalizes blood pressure.
 rich in sulfur, an essential
element that kills or
inhibits fungus infections.
Melons
 Replaces the minerals, lost
by the body due to heat and
perspiration.
 Cooling effects the mind
and body become.
 Contains potassium. Used
for treating urinary stones
scanty urination, metabolic
acidosis etc.
Okra
 Stabilize the blood sugar by
curbing the rate at which
sugar is absorbed from the
intestinal tract.
 Binds cholesterol and bile
acid carrying toxins dumped
into it by the filtering liver.
 lubricate the large intestines
due to its bulk laxative
qualities. The okra fiber
absorbs water and ensures
bulk in stools.
Pumpkins
 Rich in fiber, good for
treatment of obesity and
constipation
 Helps synthesizes proteins.
 Helps the development of
muscles and scar healing
 Prostrate health.
Radishes and summer squash
Radishes to treat digestive ailments.
It is useful in treating constipation,
weak appetite, and respiratory
tightness.
Summer squash contains vitamin
C as well as beta-carotene, folate
and fiber. These nutrients make
summer squash a tool in
preventing cancers, heart
disease, and diseases of
inflammation such as arthritis
and asthma.
Capsicum, also known as red pepper or chili
pepper
 Capsicum is used for various
problems with digestion
including upset stomach,
intestinal gas, stomach pain,
diarrhea, and cramps. It is
also used for conditions of the
heart and blood vessels
including poor circulation,
excessive blood clotting, high
cholesterol, and preventing
heart disease.
Transplant
artichokes, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.
Additional plants in your spring garden
 Eight types of seeds to plant this month: amaranth, basil,
chamomile, garlic chives, rue, sage, sesame and yarrow.
Amaranth
 This plant is valued for the
positive chemical
composition of seed that does
not contain gluten.
 Amaranth is very interesting
crop from the point of its
high production potential. It
grows intensively,
photosynthesises fast and
effectively, does not suffer
from major diseases and is
tolerant to various extreme
conditions.
Basil
 Helps ease and remove
stomach cramps, vomiting,
constipation, headaches,
and anxiety.
 Digestion - activates
peristalsis, enzymes,
detergent for poor
indigestion.
 Restorative, stimulant,
especially for the nervous
system.
Chamomile
 Used - as an anti-inflammatory
for the skin, as an anti-infective
for many common ailments, and
as an anti-spasmodic for such
problems as stomach cramps and
indigestion.
 Abscesses, allergies, arthritis,
boils, colic, cuts, cystitis,
dermatitis, dysmenorrhea,
earache, flatulence, hair,
headache, inflamed skin, insect
bites, insomnia, nausea, neuralgia,
PMS, rheumatism, sores, sprains,
strains, stress, wounds
Garlic chives
 Used as a antibiotic effect
to reduce blood pressure,
and strengthen kidneys.
 Reduce fatigue, has been
used as an antidote for
ingested poisons, to control
excessive bleeding; leaves
and rhizomes are applied to
bug bites, cuts, wounds;
seeds are used to treat
kidney, liver, and digestive
system problems.
Rue
 Relieve gouty and rheumatic
pains and to treat nervous heart
problems, such as palpitations In
women going through
menopause.
 Recommends the herb for
painful menstruation, stomach
trouble, cramps in the bowels,
nervousness, hysteria, spasms,
convulsions, pain in the head,
confusion, dizziness, colic and
convulsions in children, sciatica,
pain in the joints and gout. It is
also believed to resist poison.
Sage
 Medications for mouth
sores, mouth ulcers, and
sore throat.
 Moisture-drying
properties, and can be used
as an antiperspirant.
 lower blood sugar in cases
of diabetes.
Sesame
 Skin Disorders :- A poultice of the sesame
seeds can be applied externally over ulcers, burns
and scalds. External application of a mixture of
equal parts of sesame oil and lime water is also
effective in these conditions. The oil is also used as
a substitute for olive oil in pharmaceutical
preparations for external uses.
 Anemia :- Black sesame seeds, as a rich source of iron,
are valuable in anemia. An emulsion of the seeds is prepared
by grinding and straining them after soaking them in warm
water for a couple of hours. This emulsion, mixed with a
cupful of milk and sweetened with jaggery. should be given
to patients suffering from anemia.
 Dysentery and Diarrhea :- Sesame seeds are useful in
dysentery and diarrhea. Two tablespoonfuls of the seeds
should be lightly roasted on a frying pan. They should then
be ground intO fine powder and mixed with one
tablespoon of into three parts. Each part should be used
with boiled goat's milk thrice daily for six days by the
patients suffering from chronic dysentery or diarrhea. It
acts as an excellent medicine in these conditions.
 Abortion :- Sesame seeds are traditionally used as a
medicine for causing abortion. One tablespoonful of the
seeds should be ground with equal quantity of palm jaggery
and used twice daily in the early stage of pregnancy for this
purpose. It excites the uterine contractions and thus expels
the fertilized ovum.
Yarrow
 Yarrow is believed to aid in
digestion and possibly
increase appetite.
 Causes the body to perspire,
thereby eliminating toxins
causing the illness.
 Relief from symptoms of
stomach cramps, rheumatism,
menstrual cramping,
hypertension, flatulence,
diarrhea, and as a general
tonic.
Organizing a Compost Bin Construction
Below are instructions for two different compost bins. The first is a very simple, very inexpensive bin
that is ideal for those just getting started. The second bin is sturdier and requires more effort to build.
The general structure of the two bins is the same so you can take the general plan and build your own
to match your needs.
If you are creating one of the more complex bins, you may consider completing some of the steps
requiring cutting or drilling before the volunteers assemble the compost bin in order to save time and
to minimize the number of people using potentially dangerous tools. If you decide to build a bin that is
different than the ones we describe, remember that the minimum effective size for a compost bin is 3'
by 3' and the maximum effective size for a single bin is 5' x 5'.
Materials
Bin 1 - Round Wire Compost Bin
12-1/2 feet of 36" wide 1" poultry wire, or 1/2" hardware
cloth, or 16 gauge plastic coated wire mesh
4 metal or plastic clips, or copper wire ties
3 or 4 four foot wooden or metal posts for poultry wire bins
Tools
Bin 1 - Round Wire Compost Bin
Heavy duty wire or tin snips,
Pliers,
Hammer or metal file,
Work gloves
Building Your Compost Bin
Bin 1 - Round Wire Compost Bin
In the case of the round wire bin, you are almost there! Roll out and cut 12½
feet of poultry wire, hardware cloth or plastic coated wire mesh using the wire
snips or tin snips. If you use poultry wire, roll back three to four inches at each
end of the cut piece to provide a strong clean edge which will be easy to latch
and won’t poke or snag. Now form the wire in the form of a circle and secure the
ends with clips or wire ties.Your bin is now ready go! Bring the bin to the place
where you would like it to be and then space the posts around edge inside wire
circle. Hammer the posts firmly into the ground while tensing them against wire
to provide support.You now have your compost bin!
Using and Maintaining Your Compost Bin
What to put in your compost Bin
There are four basic ingredients in the compost pile,
nitrogen, carbon, water, and air.
Nitrogen –The nitrogen in your compost pile comes
from green materials such as grass clippings, fresh
leaves and twigs, vegetable and fruit trimmings, and
coffee grounds and filters. Most any organic material
that has moisture or ‘life’ still in it is considered a green
material.
Carbon –You are adding carbon to your compost by
adding brown materials such as dry leaves and grasses,
straw, wood chips, corn stalks, shredded newspaper,
paper towels, napkins, and cardboard.
Using and Maintaining Your Compost Bin
Water – Occasionally adding water to the pile will balance
the correct moisture level. The proper moisture should be
about the same as a wet sponge that has been squeezed to
remove moisture.
Air – Oxygen is very important to the organisms that are
working in the pile to breakdown the organic material.
Bacteria, fungi, microorganisms, and insects need oxygen to
breathe and air space in which to move throughout the pile.
Where to locate your bin
Place your bin at least two feet away from any
permanent structure.
It should be partially shaded and near a water
source.
Don't place it too close to your garden because it
might attract slugs, but don’t place it too far away
because it won’t be convenient!
Make sure that there is a source of water nearby so
that you can occasionally moisten the compost.
Composting Dos and Don'ts
Do turn your aerobic bin regularly.
Once every 6-7 days is ideal, but it can be done as seldom as once a month. This will insure that air
is supplied to all parts of the pile, and that all the material gets composted. When turning the pile,
put the material from the middle of the pile outside, and vice versa, so that all the material will be
composted.
Do water your compost pile if it is not moist like a sponge.
If it gets too wet, air will not be able to get through the pile, and foul odors may arise. If the pile
gets too dry, decomposition will stop. Both aerobic and anaerobic systems need water, but the
anaerobic will require less overall.
Don’t put any meat, dairy products, fats, or oils into the compost pile.
These materials tend to putrefy instead of breaking down, and will attract a wide variety of pests,
including flies, rats, raccoons, stray dogs and cats, etc.
Don’t put dog and cat wastes into the compost pile.
The manure from any animal that eats meat contains several pathogens that survive the compost
process, and may affect any fruits or vegetables on which the compost is used.