Monday, May 23, 2011

Garden in Harmony with Nature

Thank you Minnie Kansman for your May Spirit Gardens presentation. For all who missed this event, here are Minnie's Feng Shui Garden Tips.

1.  Create curves whenever possible. Energy flows in the most balanced way when curves are introduced. Avoid sharp, pointy angles that can send uncomfortable "arrow chi" towards buildings and people.

2. Be able to walk all around your house easily and have something green and alive on all sides of your home. This ensures accessibility to all of your garden spaces and hugs the house with positive green energy.

3.  Give nature a place to remain wild in your yard. This encourages habitat for beneficial insects and keeps us connected to the earth and our roots.

4. Use only safe organic fertilizers and pest control. Read the label. It if is hazardous to humans it is hazardous to the environment and our ground water as well.

5. Name your garden areas giving them focus and intention. The Cottage Garden, the Abundance Garden and the Fairy Garden are a few examples.

6. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce the amount of water that you use by planting drought tolerant species. Reuse plants by dividing what you have extras of and sharing them with a garden friend. Recycle your plastic flats and containers at your local garden or recycling center.

7.  Mix variety into your garden plan, allowing for different heights and textures of plants to compliment each other.

8.  When in doubt, work in groupings of three for an asymentrical, natural balance. For example, arrange three combination planters together on the backyard deck or plant three yellow coreopsis in a triangular formation within the garden bed.

9.  Incorporate comfortable seating into your plans so you spend as much time enjoying your beautiful spaces as you do tending them!

(c) Minnie Kansman
Eco-Balance Humanity in Harmony with Nature
www.minniekansman.com

Monday, May 2, 2011

learn how your garden can deepen your spiritual awareness

Cole Crops Are In!

We met last Saturday to plant Phase 1 of the labyrinth.

Residents of Children's Village started the seedlings in their greenhouse. Several of the children came to help us plant artichokes, cardoon, amaranth, cauliflower, collard greens, golden chard, rhubarb chard, chamomile, hyssop, Korean mint, and chives.

Many of the plants we put in are considered "Cole Crops." "Cole" refers to any of various plants belonging to the Cruciferae or mustard family--cool season crops such as cauliflower and collards.


Neighbors stopped by to chat. We learned that Donald and his pug walk the labyrinth twice a day! 

After planting, we covered the little seedlings with protective mesh to keep the wild animals from nibbling them down to nothing. 

Just two days after the Royal Wedding, it looks appropriately white and veiled.