What is Cosmic Gardening?

Cosmic Gardening is just one aspect of Biodynamic Farming practices.  It is believed that when certain planets are in specific constellations it will aid in plant growth as a result of the affected element.  If interested to find out more about this subject, go to www.biodynamics.com. This website has so much information, and oddly enough, it was through this website, that I found out that the oldest biodynamic farm in the U.S. is located right  in my hometown of Elkhorn, WI!  Very cool!!

Tomorrow there is a Warmth Trine.  A Trine occurs  when two planets are 120 degrees from each other.  More specifically a Warmth Trine means that two planets are within the same elemental configuration as each other, and that this configuration will help enhance seed and fruit formation.  Elemental configuration meaning: Warmth, Water, Light, Earth.  Each element affects the plants differently based on planet location and which constellation it is passing through.  Earth=Root, Light=Flower, Water=Leaf, Warmth=Fruit/Seed.  As for the constellations, I am still trying to figure out the properties of each one...there is so much to learn!

Besides planting more seeds, we will start construction of the greenhouse frame.

Another good day for creating the dream!

Test Day

What's a girl to do on a crazy windy, snowy, rainy, sunny day?  Test the soil! 

April 2011- The Big Dig

"dig out 2011"

With a little over one week left in April, my Biodynamic Calendar seems to be pretty accurate. "Four planets are in watery Pisces at the beginning of the month, then Venus joins them in the middle of the month, to make 5."  That's a lot of rain!  Or in our case here in the mountains...rain AND snow.  With only Pluto in Sagittarius being the only planet in a Warmth Constellation, there was little chance of Warmth this month...pretty good predictions!

rising temps

 With only little knowledge of cosmic gardening, this is quite the "hands-on" experiential learning process to jump into.  That's o.k.  In many realms of living in a "sports and adrenaline junkies' paradise," the motto is, "Go Big or Go Home."   For those who know me, I tend to "go big" without completely understanding what I am doing.   As I get more comfortable, explanations will start to follow the method in which I plant.  For now, pictures will suffice. 

  cement mixing

On Tuesday Don taught me how to work with cement as we poured it around stakes to better secure the hoop house into the ground. It was the most thorough lesson in working with cement that I have ever had! (Besides as a kid having my hand swell up like a balloon after sticking my hand in it).   It is amazing to me that just weeks ago we were under snow, and now we are pouring cement!  Even the worms are loving life!

happy worms made it through the winter

 

flower seeds

After pouring cement all day, I came back home and sowed all flower seeds, as the aspects are right for transplanting.  Sowing doesn't necessarily have to be done on a "Flower Day," as the Moon can be either ascending or descending, but I figure any extra lunar and planetary help couldn't hurt to get these roots growing!

Oct. 16, 2010 BIJA Gardens Finds a Home

Unloading aged horse manure

sifting out the rocks

The Truckee River Sanctuary is where I am pleased to have seeds grow during the 2011 season.  It is a special place where my friends Don and Polly live with their cats, dogs, and chickens .  I invite you to take a look at Polly's sight~just scroll down to the Micro-Eco Farm Balloon and click! It took effort to get the beds prepped before the winter set in, but we managed to complete the goal JUST as Mother Nature dropped her first 3' storm on us on  November 19.  Since then we have had over 700" of snow this season!   This link will show the finished products with the storm looming over Donner Summit, as well as other information about the services offered at the sanctuary.  Enjoy!

Sanctuary "Helper" Brody with the Kiva in the background

Source of Life

I found this in April of  last year in my 2010  We'Moon calendar ...it hangs in my kitchen above my planting calendar as a source of inspiration.

   In Sanskrit, bija, the seed, means the source of life.  Saving seed is our duty; sharing seed is our culture.
   Patents on seeds and genetic resources rob us of our birth right and deprive us of our livelihoods by transforming seed saving and seed sharing into intellectual property crimes....
   The seed is starting to take shape as the site and symbol of freedom in the age of manipulation and monopoly of life.  The seed is not big and powerful, but can become alive as a sign of resistance and creativity in the smallest huts or gardens and the poorest families.  In smallness lies power.  The seed also embodies diversity...the freedom to stay alive...the freedom of diverse cultures from centralized control.
   In the seed, ecological issues combine with social justice.

excerpt from Earth Democracy:  Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva

BIJA Gardens was created in 2010 with 3 small gardens in two different locations.  This year in 2011, I have 9 raised beds in two different locations and am deepening my gardening practices to coincide with cosmic activity.  I have also finished all the paperwork to go to the small farmer's market that occurs every Thursday night in Truckee, CA  from June-September.  I am lucky to have such a good network of farmer friends  to offer assistance as my project is launched this season.  My intention with this sight is to document the trials and tribulations of growing at 5840' in the heart of snow country where summer is really only a couple of months  and snow is possible year round.

One week after the big "dig out" Garlic reaches for light