Category Archives: organic

April 28, 2013 · 2:49 pm

My herbs and vegetable seeds

Merry Meet All,

I am excited! I’m excited because this is my first year in experimenting with container gardening. I have a variety of organic vegetable seeds and seed starting soil, organic Neptune’s harvest fertilizer, and a big deep planter for my veggies outdoors. So read on to see how I did this and how you can too!!

First, you need seeds. I went to Halifax Seed and bought a few organic vegetable seeds packets. I chose a lettuce mix, green onions, carrots and peas. I started tomatoes from seed from other tomatoes already. I bought two seed trays with slots. I gathered my soil, a candle, a spoon, the seeds, the trays and slots, watering can and fertilizer.

I lit the candle and prayed to the God and Goddess to bless this experiment of mine and the seeds. Working in four rows, I planted one row of shallots, one row of lettuce mix, one row of peas and one row of carrots. You can see the seed trays here:

I was hard at work, as you can tell. In the second tray, I planted peas. The expiry date is for 6/2013. The third tray (I used an egg carton) is the lettuce mix. I can’t wait to plant these outdoors. I set them on a large flat piece of wood and set the three trays on top of my pet guinea pig’s cage. The seeds will receive plenty of sunlight and a breeze from the open window. I watered and fertilized the seeds. Now I have to wait for them to germinate.

I bought organic herbs for cooking and magickal workings. I have a lovely thyme plant growing in a gorgeous golden brass cauldron. The tiny leaves cascade over the edge of the cauldron. The dill will be set outdoors, the tarragon is for cooking, and the parsley is for Magic, and the peppermint is to improve the indoor air quality. I am having success with the carrot tops. They are indeed sprouting. I placed a carrot in a bowl of water and I can see sprouts coming up.

It is exciting to watch plants grow. Vegetables are annuals. I have tons of seeds in the packets, enough to grow veggies year-round. Why not? I have enough light, space and soil.

I sterilized the seed trays and planter before I used them. I will put the seedlings in the planter to grow outdoors. The bleach kills any potential eggs from hatching. I also learned a few more tips I would love to share. I planted a sliced green onion, the roots facing down in the soil, and it will grow from that. I am using organic Neptune’s Harvest fish emulsion fertilizer. It is worth investing in this smelly fertilizer because you will reap more fruits, herbs or veggies. It packs growing power to your plants. I can see a major difference in my sage. The sage plant has never looked happier. You will notice an increased bounty if you use that stuff.

Healthy plants are more resistant to disease and pests. I chose organic vegetable seeds that have resistance to disease and pests. I may not have disease ruining my plants, but I am sure the insect population will try to enjoy their share of my veggies before fall comes. I plan to set down some chickenwire to keep out larger pests, some cloches to protect the plants, and mulch to add moisture.

A lot of work! The work is worth it. I bought a kneeling pad, a new trowel, and I need gardening gloves. Otherwise, I am all set. Happy planting! I hope you are all ready for Beltaine!!

Blessed Be,
Lady Spiderwitch )O(

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Filed under carrots, fertilizer, garden, lettuce, Neptune's harvest, organic, peas, seed trays, seeds and seedlings, tomatoes

April 11, 2013 · 1:09 pm

The Basics of Seed Storage

Merry Meet All,

I talked the other day about the safety of our food supply. To avoid purchasing seeds from companies like Monsanto, and doing damage to your garden, consider creating and saving your own seeds. When you grow veggies, flowers, and herbs this year, during the harvest, store the seeds to save for next spring.

This also works well if you know you purchased organic plants in the first place. If you didn’t, then continue with organic practices.

Keep seeds dry and cool. Never store seeds, herbs, roots or bark in damp jars, as that causes it to mould. Keep seed packets in Mason jars. I disagree with storing seeds in plastic, as chemicals leach from the plastic into the seeds and herbs. Be sure the Mason jars are sterile and have tight-fitting lids. The refrigerator is a good place to store seeds and the pantry cupboard. Simply store the seeds in the jar and leave in a dark area out of direct sunlight.

Seeds from self-polinated, not hybrid, plants can produce the exact same crop as last year. If the plants are pollinated by bees, the plant will not grow to be the same plant in the next season. Also, hybrid varieties do not always breed true.

Plants are either perennial, biennial, or annual. Annual plants such as lettuce and tomatoes flower and mature seeds in the same year.

Biennial plants such as carrots and beets are harvested in the summer but do not produce seeds until next year. Biennials do not produce seed pods till the next year. Perennials bear seeds year after year.

Do not use heat to store your seeds. They need to be kept cool and dry. Here are tips on saving vegetable seeds.

For vegetables such as tomatoes, squashes, and melons, gather the seeds when they are fully ripe. Scoop out the seed and store in a well-ventilated place. Beans and peas can be left on the vine till they are dried. Corn should be left on the vine till the kernels dent. Potatoes and onions can be stored in open boxes or other mesh bags where the temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Other types of seeds can be gathered when the fruit is fully grown. Remember to collect seeds from only the healthiest plants. By doing that, you will create a special sub-variety of crops that are adapted to your climate.

Remember to label and store the seeds -once clean, as soon as you have harvested your bounty. Also, some of the seeds may closely resemble each other. Know what you harvest and store them separately.

You can store seeds in paper envelopes and Mason jars. Be sure to label the jars and envelopes. Be sure the jars are clean and bone dry.

How long do seeds last? This chart will tell you

Aspparagus 4 years
String beans 2 years
Broccoli 3 years
Cabbage 3 years
Carrots 4 years
Cucumber 5 years
Lettuce 5 years
Onion 2 years
Peas 2 years
Pumpkin 6 years
Radish 3 years
Spinach 5 years
Squash 4 years
Tomato 3 years
Turnip 3 years

Some seed storage fluctuates depending on how, where, and when they are stored.

Now you know to select seeds from organic companies and store seeds for a delicious crop of veggies to bring to your dinner table. Mmm I can already taste it!! Tomorrow we will look at storing flower and herb seeds.

Blessed Be,
Lady Spiderwitch )O(

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Filed under importance of organic seeds, organic, preservation, Safety, seeds

April 9, 2013 · 1:24 pm

Organic seed safety

Merry Meet All,

I am pleased to announce that I have started a tomato plant from seed. I stored the seeds that I saved from a tomato and planted the seed, then forgot about it. The seed germinated. I never imagined that I could grow tomatoes from seed.

I am scared to buy food. I won’t buy seed from here anymore. Monsanto has gained control of 40% of the U.S vegetables and bought up the smaller seed companies and now own the names of many types of seeds. This is a huge cause for concern. I will never allow this poison near my garden. Everything would die. I worked hard to fashion life in my garden and it is for the most part organic. Monsanto sells poison!! If I had those seeds, the bees would die. The bees are dying because those chemicals kill what was good in the plants, passing it on to the bees.

Here is a list of companies that are affiliated with Monsanto: http://www.seminis.com/global/us/products/Pages/Home-Garden.aspx. .

It is safe to buy from the companies Monsanto has not bought and are not affiliated to do business with Seminis: http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/2012/03/26/monsanto-free-seed-companies/

Avoid buying certain heirloom varieties because Monsanto owns the names. You will have to do research to find out what is safe and what is not. Here is the list of companies: http://occupymonsanto360.org/2012/03/17/monsanto-owned-seednames/

Research and ask seed companies if they have taken the Safe Seed Pledge. The following companies in this link have done so. Here is the link: http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ViewPage.aspx?pageid=261

I hope you can now see why I am scared to buy food. We were never meant to toy with genetics in such a way. Thinking that we are above Nature, leads to the biggest hardest fall and unfortunately for us-the consumers, we are dragged down. But if we continue to support and purchase organic and refuse to buy GMO food, then we help the earth. And that is what being a Witch is all about.

I realize that organic food is more expensive. Do not let that daunt you. I admit I even do not eat 100% organic food but my diet is mostly comprised of organic food. There was a time when I would scream if I heard the word ‘organic’ one more time from my Mother who was a professor and knows all about the truth of our current food supply. She has offered to help if I want organic food, since I live on a low income. I bake my own food and I have a garden. I will not let the evil Monsanto filth get into my garden with their slimy paws. No way. I understand the importance of choosing and supporting organic food now. I hope this post encourages you to understand the significance of choosing organic now.

I am reading the book ‘Grow Organic: A simple guide to Nova Scotia vegetable gardening’ by Elizabeth Pierce. This book shows you how to grow food, save seed, prepare your soil, where to buy seeds, and how to prepare your harvest. The book is written in an accessible, friendly manner. There are probably lots of other books out there about growing organic food. With all this information, you are well prepared to grow organic food this year!

Blessed Be,
Lady Spiderwitch )O(

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Filed under Food safety, GMO, organic, seed companies, seeds

March 3, 2013 · 3:24 pm

Organic Heirloom Gardening

Merry Meet All,

I visited the local farmers market this weekend. I bought two packets of organic heirloom seeds: dil and brandywine tomatoes. I can’t wait to see them bloom into beautiful plants. I used an egg carton for growing the plants from seed. I put holes in the bottom of each hole for water drainage and added the soil and seeds and a blessing from the Goddess. I put the carton onto a tray and stored the tray on a windowsill. I put plastic over the egg carton to trap moisture.

The seeds are locally grown and open-pollinated. The company called Annapolis Seeds is from the Annapolis Valley. They strive for a diversity of seeds that can thrive in our climate. The seeds come from growers committed to sustainable farming methods. The seeds are 100% non GMO (genetically modified).

Egg cartons are ideal for growing plants. They are a good size, easy to use, and recyclable. You can use whatever strikes your fancy but bear in mind, it has to have drainage holes in it. You can use coffee cups, plant holders, even buckets.

I look forward to watching my plants grow. I hope this post inspires you to get started on your spring seedlings. I plan to grow more seeds this spring such as sage, thyme (the plant pot is sitting in a gold brass cauldron on my windowsill.) I bought the thyme plant- a favourite of faeries- at the Farmers Market this weekend. I also bought some organic homemade Earth Child Patchouli scented soap. I am all ready for spring.

Blessings,
Lady Spiderwitch

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Filed under Farmers market, gardening, heirloom seeds, organic, seeds, spring

December 14, 2011 · 2:38 pm

Yule

Merry Meet All,

Yule is approaching. Are you excited? I already have a tiny fake tree decorated, decorations put around my house and plan to do some delicious baking soon. Yule is a celebration of the light at the time of the winter solstice. In the Northern hemisphere, it falls on December 20-22.

The nip is in the air and while not much snow has fallen, it can be fun to decorate your altar. I bought a lovely sheer white meter of fabric with reversible silver and gold snowflakes decorating it. Add silver and gold candles on your altar. Add sparkle and symbols that represent the winter solstice, a snow candle and perhaps solar symbols, evergreen boughs, springs of green holly, pinecones, a Yule log reindeer. Mistletoe and snowflakes add some wintry magic. Burn some scented essential oils associated with Yule such as pine, peppermint, cinnamon and clove. They put you in the spirit for Yule. Every Yule, I play songs from the Nutcracker soundtrack.

Consider using a fake tree for Yule. Why hurt a real tree? Thousands of trees are wasted for Christmas/ Yule. A fake tree can be reused every Yule. Be careful how you toss out the gift wrap. It ends up in landfill. Get an organic turkey or chicken and avoid consuming the harsh chemicals that are injected and force fed into the chickens on those farms where they are tortured. Why would you want a part in that? If you buy a non organic chicken, that’s what you get.

To avoid the rush of Boxing Day, and standing in line for a long time, if you bought someone a gift that they really are not in love with, consider buying one gift for that loved one that they really want in their heart. This means really paying attention to that person. Likewise, you might get one gift that you desperately wanted. It is better than ten little gifts that do not enhance, beautify or truly signify something to you. Support the local market and avoid buying items from America or China. There is ample products that can be bought locally and it adds to our local economy.

Hold a Yule log ceremony, a cleansing ceremony, and a welcoming back the sun ceremony for Yule. More information can be found on about.com about Yule and how to enjoy it.

Have a magickal Yule!
Blessed be,
Lady Spiderwitch

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Filed under gift wrap, gifts, organic, snowflakes, Yule

December 5, 2011 · 1:53 pm

Organic

Merry Meet All,

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while. I’ve been busy with things lately. Life gets in the way.

Today I am going to talk about being organic. It is becoming more and more important to me. I am rejecting the non organic foods and other products in the stores. I use organic cotton sheets, organic clothing, and I eat organic food. I am making this choice in my life for the following reasons.

I want to help the environment. I feel better when I know I have made the right choice. We are all getting what we want but at what price? There is always a price. However, I have a conscience. I have chosen to make the right choice. I want to help my health. My health is improved since I have been eating organic food. I want to inspire others to be more organic and make the choice to be more earth-friendly. Mother Earth is being treated terribly for the price we are forcing her to pay for our greed and over consumption of her finite resources. I believe that what happened in Japan was Nature fighting back. You can go ahead and say I”m wrong and you’re entitled to it. Nature does fight back. I’m rooting for her and hope I am not alone in my mission. My cat gets a special grain free organic food diet. I’ve heard people mention her fur is shinier.

Organic cannot be a fad. It must be a commitment in our daily lives and philosophy. If we are out camping, it means not tossing cigarettes on the ground, putting out the fire, and disposing of chemicals in a safe way. We can’t expect the earth to absorb our manmade poisons, especially if the camping site was pristine before people arrived.

There was a time years ago when I would have screamed if I heard the word organic one more time. Now I have researched what it is about and I understand. It is as if a veil is parted from my eyes. I wish we all had that veil lifted to the true evils of the global corporations who believe the earth will continue to produce to meet selfish needs. We all need to dramatically change our lifestyles to save the earth. Or we will have nothing left and what will we do then?

David Suzuki said we all needed to die to save the planet. I agree with him. No other race or species has driven the earth and the human race to a doom so fast in history. After all the earth has given us, it is a fit sacrifice. There is no other planet that can support life to this magnitude. The human race needs to grow up and care for our Earth Mother. It is time to ask ourselves what are we willing to sacrifice for our Earth Mother?

Blessed Be,
Lady Spiderwitch

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Filed under choices, food, health, organic