Permaculture

Dia de la Muertos – time for harvest

Posted on by Jean Campbell

  I began this post the evening of Nov. 1, the Dia de la Muertos. I have never participated much in this tradition. I've always tended to honor these kinds of things internally, rather than placing much focus on tangible objects or physical actions. I do think it is a really cool practice, though, and am all in favor of folks celebrating the lives of those they've lost in this positive way. It's just not how I do. Today, on the Day of the Dead, I pulled up dying plants and cut back... Continue reading

My excuse: a crazy, busy, bustling, “retired” life

Posted on by Jean Campbell

  "Where the hell have you been?" my garden and the SGS blog both asked. I put in my last day of employment over a year ago, but when I set my sights on retirement from my "day job", sitting back and relaxing was far from the plan. In this next phase of my life, I will have plenty of time to garden while I finally pursue the career path I chose some 44 years ago: creating and selling art. After I wrapped up my professional responsibilities, I gave myself six months to develop a... Continue reading

Allium reincarnation

Posted on by Jean Campbell

I don't know how a vegetable might earn karma points, but you can often persuade a remnant to offer a little more good with a second life! Onions are a great example. Next time you cut open an onion, set aside the bottom bit. You know, the part with the dried-out roots still sticking out. This little piece of refuse has the potential to become not one, but several new onions. Note that this process does not work with every onion. I'm not certain of the rhyme or reason for success. Maybe it's... Continue reading

Victory Garden

Posted on by Jean Campbell

Day one I'm not holding my breath for all that purported "American Greatness" to start showing up any time soon. I'm beginning my Victory Garden today. We can stretch our food dollars, save money on supplies, and help the planet heal with our gardening practices. This post details a few ways to do just so. When I see piles of sticks and leaves all bagged up with plastic and ready for the trash heap, I instinctively do a head bump. I confess to sending a lot of tree matter away before I... Continue reading