Hi everyone - So so pleased to get my Computer back today - Just can't handle keyboard on Tablet! Thank goodness you all seem to be up to date. I popped Mangetouts in last night and am delighted with 1st and 2nd crop peas. Spent w/e at Gastronomic Fair and met nice young biodynamic gardener, who agrees with me that us Moon gardeners are easily 2/3 weeks ahead of anyone else! He made the most amazing nettle jam, which I shall mix with creamy goat cheese and turn into savoury muffins . Anyway onto Calender 29th May-14th June
29/30th May Root Days with moon descending. Plant out leeks sown 24-26th March, remembering to trim tops and roots before re planting to ensure stronger growth (I always worried about weakening the plant but actually this does seem to regenerate it.) To counter attack potential carrot fly plant these leeks in between your rows of carrots. Thin out beetroot sown 10-11th May.
31st May 1st June - Flower Days Cut out unwanted spurs from climbing roses/clematis/honeysuckle and wisteria - Will grow strongly now as moon coming to full and changing to ascending position so drawing on sap levels to generate new growth.Thin out cauliflowers & broccoli sown 12th May. Firm soil down well (I am trying Biodynamic method of growing these in blocks of 6 closer together to keep ground covered and leaves will give shade to ground thus needing less watering if Summer turns out hot.
2/3 June - Leaf Days Trim hedges in particular evergreens. Prick out cabbages sown 13-16th May Thin out salad crops and keep damp to give disturbed roots a 'lift'
4/5/6th June - Moon ascending Fruit Days - Sow all types of beans in pockets of 3-5 seeds where they are to crop. Sow nasturtiums beside them to to attract pests away from growing shoots (Excellent Blackfly deterrent if mixed amongst Broad Beans) Sow sweetcorn for the beans to climb up or as supports for tomatoes. (This is practised in the South of France) and works really well,
7th June - Root Day Sow chicory to force later in year. Sow carrots again especially mixed colours as sprout better if sown later than standard origianl varieties.
8/9th June Flower Days Harvest and dry flowers for tisannes and decorations. Sow Bi annuals and perrenials in nursery bed.
10/11/12th June Leaf Days No gardening before 10.50am on 10th as Moon at highest point so magnetic forces too weak to draw up plants Moving in front of Pisces Cancer and Scorpio this is the ideal time to cut herbs/nettles and comfrey to make brews to rev up the production cycle in your garden. Sow Chinese & Italian Salad crops . Renew lettuce sowings with varieties that will put up with heat and dry conditions.
13/14th June Fruit Days Sow Outdoor cucumbers/ gherkins and courgettes in pockets of 3/4 seeds. Sow sweetcorn again and more beans.
There we are back up to date. Weekend off thank goodness, so can leap into potager and weed flower beds!! Garden looks wonderful, but on close inspection lots of baddies to be pulled out!!! Happy Gardening.
High winds and rain last week forced many things to be put off, but I am still pleased with progress of veg. First peas ready to eat today and brassicas shooting ahead. Just dreading arrival of caterpillars. Will scatter tansy amongst leaves as per last year which worked well, and probably cover with environmesh just to be sure. Tuscan Black Nero Kale coming on well, and planted tomatoes out yesterday saving some in greenhouse for earlier crops. Still a bit sceptical about Bio dynamic Weather predictions although they have been accurate for the past 3mths. Will carry on keeping personal diary and may add relevant points to Moon Calender after further research.
Anyway here is Lunar Calender 15-30th June 2015
15/16th June - Root Days Sow winter radishes and swedes. Renew sowings of carrots and parsnips.
17/18th June - Moon descending Flowers Days. Layer Wisteria and divide daffodils and tulips. storing best bulbs or replanting in new positions Plant out broccoli sown 12th May
19/20th June - Leaf Days Plant out celery sown 16-18th April Cut back the leaves and roots a little to give strength to new growth.
21/22/23rd June - Fruit Days Prune fanned fruit trees taking out non fruiting spurs to 5th leaf. Pot on tomatoes/cucumbers and courgettes for last time and trim leaves.
24/25/26th June Root Days Moon at lowest point in sky after 1.20pm on 24th June so no gardening. Harvest 1st early potatoes according to your needs as they don't keep well. Lift Garlic Onions & Shallots if leaves have yellowed. Thin out carrots and winter radish sown 6-7th June. plant out leeks sown 10-11th May.
27/28th June Flower Days Plant out cauliflowers sown 12th May and bury them up to 1st leaves water really well and keep moist for balance of Summer.
29/30th June Leaf Days Plant out Brussel Sprouts and Autumn Cabbages sown 13-16th May. Thin out lettuce and endive sown 9-12th June.
How are you getting on now that we are nearly 6mths into this year's Moon Calender. Impressed? Not impressed? - I'd love to know. Personally I am about 3 weeks ahead of traditional gardening calender - So really chuffed.
Tansy or Tanacetum Vulgare is a native herb in Europe and also grows wild in East America. Its pungent bitter leaves were used in the Middle Ages to flavour cakes at Easter and used in desserts and salads. It is a herbaceous perrenial with ferny leaves and yellow bobble flowers. Scrunched up in the hands and scattered over brassicas it is a detterrent to cabbage white butterflies. (I did not have the black & yellow caterpillars at all last year but still had green ones, although not so many) It also makes a good insect repellant and is a source of orange dye.
Just in passing if you have livestock - Cut Hay 17th/18th June (Flower Days) for a crop that will stay aromatic throughout the Winter - The biodynamics involved on Flower Days intensify the aromas of herbs and flowers, making horses less 'picky' about their haynet in the Winter Months.
My pleasure! Just received Course Notes from Germany on how to make potions (Purins) from herbs to deter pests to be used primarily from June-August. Will list recipes in detail if you are interested in not resorting to chemicals. Even a good one for blackspot on roses. By the way my Feverfew has attracted all blackfly away from my Broad Beans , shall definately plant more of this alongside bean bed next year.
Hi Biofreak. I've been sowing and planting my veggies and ornamentals according to the lunar calendar and everything is looking very good apart from clematis being blasted off their supports by strong winds.
Noted with interest that the farmer planted the field behind me with spuds on a roots day and now has some fine healthy greenery poking through and looking sturdy. The ones planted by another farmer in a neighbouring field just 3 or 4 days later are only just showing through so are well behind.
I am about to start a comfrey tea for my plants and would be very interested in the black spot recipe. I have very little of it but Zephirine Drouhin has come back this year after doing nothing last year and she always gets a bit.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
There are 3 methods to make preperations. 1. 'Maceration' Soaking whole plant material in cold water for several days to make mild preventative treatments (Normally used to increase strength in young plants) 2. 'Decoction' Dowsing herbs/flowers and some vegetables in hot NOT boiling water to infuse, then allow to get cold.( Normally used to release oils as an insecticide). 3. 'Purin' Chopping herbs/flowers and indeed some vegetables (cabbage leaves or tomato leaves) into small pieces thus releasing juices and soaking in cold water and allowing to ferment for up to 3 weeks to make extracts.
Whilst we already know about Comfrey & Nettle Brews. I have been introduced to other plants with specific beneficial ingredients used to increase vigour in young plants/ to help prevent rust/mildew and fungicidal problems and to use as repulsants against slugs/caterpillars/red & white spider plus other unwanted creepy crawlies.
To make 'Macerations' Place chopped leaves in plastic bucket (never use wood or metal as there is a reaction between the juices and these materials destroying the purity of the finished product) Add 3 times their volume cold rain water. Allow to soak for 5-10 days (Fermentation commences the 3rd Day) Filter and dilute to 20% (1 part Maceration to 5 parts water)
A 'Decoction' is a faster method to obtain the same result as 'Maceration' and stronger smells to repulse insects/voles - (Yes voles!)/slugs/caterpillars. Once again fill aplastic bucket with plant material and pour over 20 times the volume hot NOT boiling water (tap water is OK for this although a purist would boil rain water. Then allow to get cold completely.Filter and keep in bottles store at 12 degrees C in the dark.
For a 'Purin' Chop plant material insto small pieces including flowers and leaves and place in plastic bucket. Soak in 10 times its volume in warm or cold water for 24hrs at 18 degrees C.Then filter and store.
As an anti fungicide the following plants are used:-
Tansy - Decoction - Spray over Roses/Tomatoes/Potatoes
Elderberry - Decoction - Spray Fruit trees and Roses
Sage - Purin - Spray over Fruit Trees and Roses
Sorrel -Maceration - Sponge over fruit trees against canker
Nettles - Decoction - Spray Fruit trees & Roses
Origano - Decoction - Spray Camelias/Rhododendrons as a fumigant
Garlic - Decoction or Maceration - Spray for Peach Leaf Curl/Rust
Star Anise - Purin - Spray Potatoes against Mildew & Grey Mould
Nasturtiums - Decoction - Spray Fruit Trees against Canker
Posts
Thank you Gardengirl, both excellent ideas
Hi everyone - So so pleased to get my Computer back today - Just can't handle keyboard on Tablet! Thank goodness you all seem to be up to date. I popped Mangetouts in last night and am delighted with 1st and 2nd crop peas. Spent w/e at Gastronomic Fair and met nice young biodynamic gardener, who agrees with me that us Moon gardeners are easily 2/3 weeks ahead of anyone else! He made the most amazing nettle jam, which I shall mix with creamy goat cheese and turn into savoury muffins . Anyway onto Calender 29th May-14th June
29/30th May Root Days with moon descending. Plant out leeks sown 24-26th March, remembering to trim tops and roots before re planting to ensure stronger growth (I always worried about weakening the plant but actually this does seem to regenerate it.) To counter attack potential carrot fly plant these leeks in between your rows of carrots. Thin out beetroot sown 10-11th May.
31st May 1st June - Flower Days Cut out unwanted spurs from climbing roses/clematis/honeysuckle and wisteria - Will grow strongly now as moon coming to full and changing to ascending position so drawing on sap levels to generate new growth.Thin out cauliflowers & broccoli sown 12th May. Firm soil down well (I am trying Biodynamic method of growing these in blocks of 6 closer together to keep ground covered and leaves will give shade to ground thus needing less watering if Summer turns out hot.
2/3 June - Leaf Days Trim hedges in particular evergreens. Prick out cabbages sown 13-16th May Thin out salad crops and keep damp to give disturbed roots a 'lift'
4/5/6th June - Moon ascending Fruit Days - Sow all types of beans in pockets of 3-5 seeds where they are to crop. Sow nasturtiums beside them to to attract pests away from growing shoots (Excellent Blackfly deterrent if mixed amongst Broad Beans) Sow sweetcorn for the beans to climb up or as supports for tomatoes. (This is practised in the South of France) and works really well,
7th June - Root Day Sow chicory to force later in year. Sow carrots again especially mixed colours as sprout better if sown later than standard origianl varieties.
8/9th June Flower Days Harvest and dry flowers for tisannes and decorations. Sow Bi annuals and perrenials in nursery bed.
10/11/12th June Leaf Days No gardening before 10.50am on 10th as Moon at highest point so magnetic forces too weak to draw up plants Moving in front of Pisces Cancer and Scorpio this is the ideal time to cut herbs/nettles and comfrey to make brews to rev up the production cycle in your garden. Sow Chinese & Italian Salad crops . Renew lettuce sowings with varieties that will put up with heat and dry conditions.
13/14th June Fruit Days Sow Outdoor cucumbers/ gherkins and courgettes in pockets of 3/4 seeds. Sow sweetcorn again and more beans.
There we are back up to date. Weekend off thank goodness, so can leap into potager and weed flower beds!! Garden looks wonderful, but on close inspection lots of baddies to be pulled out!!! Happy Gardening.
High winds and rain last week forced many things to be put off, but I am still pleased with progress of veg. First peas ready to eat today and brassicas shooting ahead. Just dreading arrival of caterpillars. Will scatter tansy amongst leaves as per last year which worked well, and probably cover with environmesh just to be sure. Tuscan Black Nero Kale coming on well, and planted tomatoes out yesterday saving some in greenhouse for earlier crops. Still a bit sceptical about Bio dynamic Weather predictions although they have been accurate for the past 3mths. Will carry on keeping personal diary and may add relevant points to Moon Calender after further research.
Anyway here is Lunar Calender 15-30th June 2015
15/16th June - Root Days Sow winter radishes and swedes. Renew sowings of carrots and parsnips.
17/18th June - Moon descending Flowers Days. Layer Wisteria and divide daffodils and tulips. storing best bulbs or replanting in new positions Plant out broccoli sown 12th May
19/20th June - Leaf Days Plant out celery sown 16-18th April Cut back the leaves and roots a little to give strength to new growth.
21/22/23rd June - Fruit Days Prune fanned fruit trees taking out non fruiting spurs to 5th leaf. Pot on tomatoes/cucumbers and courgettes for last time and trim leaves.
24/25/26th June Root Days Moon at lowest point in sky after 1.20pm on 24th June so no gardening. Harvest 1st early potatoes according to your needs as they don't keep well. Lift Garlic Onions & Shallots if leaves have yellowed. Thin out carrots and winter radish sown 6-7th June. plant out leeks sown 10-11th May.
27/28th June Flower Days Plant out cauliflowers sown 12th May and bury them up to 1st leaves water really well and keep moist for balance of Summer.
29/30th June Leaf Days Plant out Brussel Sprouts and Autumn Cabbages sown 13-16th May. Thin out lettuce and endive sown 9-12th June.
How are you getting on now that we are nearly 6mths into this year's Moon Calender. Impressed? Not impressed? - I'd love to know. Personally I am about 3 weeks ahead of traditional gardening calender - So really chuffed.
Hello Boifreak, just being nosey , what's " Tansy " ?
Tansy or Tanacetum Vulgare is a native herb in Europe and also grows wild in East America. Its pungent bitter leaves were used in the Middle Ages to flavour cakes at Easter and used in desserts and salads. It is a herbaceous perrenial with ferny leaves and yellow bobble flowers. Scrunched up in the hands and scattered over brassicas it is a detterrent to cabbage white butterflies. (I did not have the black & yellow caterpillars at all last year but still had green ones, although not so many) It also makes a good insect repellant and is a source of orange dye.
Just in passing if you have livestock - Cut Hay 17th/18th June (Flower Days) for a crop that will stay aromatic throughout the Winter - The biodynamics involved on Flower Days intensify the aromas of herbs and flowers, making horses less 'picky' about their haynet in the Winter Months.
Bio freak , thanks for the info
My pleasure! Just received Course Notes from Germany on how to make potions (Purins) from herbs to deter pests to be used primarily from June-August. Will list recipes in detail if you are interested in not resorting to chemicals. Even a good one for blackspot on roses. By the way my Feverfew has attracted all blackfly away from my Broad Beans , shall definately plant more of this alongside bean bed next year.
Hi Biofreak. I've been sowing and planting my veggies and ornamentals according to the lunar calendar and everything is looking very good apart from clematis being blasted off their supports by strong winds.
Noted with interest that the farmer planted the field behind me with spuds on a roots day and now has some fine healthy greenery poking through and looking sturdy. The ones planted by another farmer in a neighbouring field just 3 or 4 days later are only just showing through so are well behind.
I am about to start a comfrey tea for my plants and would be very interested in the black spot recipe. I have very little of it but Zephirine Drouhin has come back this year after doing nothing last year and she always gets a bit.
There are 3 methods to make preperations. 1. 'Maceration' Soaking whole plant material in cold water for several days to make mild preventative treatments (Normally used to increase strength in young plants) 2. 'Decoction' Dowsing herbs/flowers and some vegetables in hot NOT boiling water to infuse, then allow to get cold.( Normally used to release oils as an insecticide). 3. 'Purin' Chopping herbs/flowers and indeed some vegetables (cabbage leaves or tomato leaves) into small pieces thus releasing juices and soaking in cold water and allowing to ferment for up to 3 weeks to make extracts.
Whilst we already know about Comfrey & Nettle Brews. I have been introduced to other plants with specific beneficial ingredients used to increase vigour in young plants/ to help prevent rust/mildew and fungicidal problems and to use as repulsants against slugs/caterpillars/red & white spider plus other unwanted creepy crawlies.
To make 'Macerations' Place chopped leaves in plastic bucket (never use wood or metal as there is a reaction between the juices and these materials destroying the purity of the finished product) Add 3 times their volume cold rain water. Allow to soak for 5-10 days (Fermentation commences the 3rd Day) Filter and dilute to 20% (1 part Maceration to 5 parts water)
A 'Decoction' is a faster method to obtain the same result as 'Maceration' and stronger smells to repulse insects/voles - (Yes voles!)/slugs/caterpillars. Once again fill aplastic bucket with plant material and pour over 20 times the volume hot NOT boiling water (tap water is OK for this although a purist would boil rain water. Then allow to get cold completely.Filter and keep in bottles store at 12 degrees C in the dark.
For a 'Purin' Chop plant material insto small pieces including flowers and leaves and place in plastic bucket. Soak in 10 times its volume in warm or cold water for 24hrs at 18 degrees C.Then filter and store.
As an anti fungicide the following plants are used:-
Tansy - Decoction - Spray over Roses/Tomatoes/Potatoes
Elderberry - Decoction - Spray Fruit trees and Roses
Sage - Purin - Spray over Fruit Trees and Roses
Sorrel -Maceration - Sponge over fruit trees against canker
Nettles - Decoction - Spray Fruit trees & Roses
Origano - Decoction - Spray Camelias/Rhododendrons as a fumigant
Garlic - Decoction or Maceration - Spray for Peach Leaf Curl/Rust
Star Anise - Purin - Spray Potatoes against Mildew & Grey Mould
Nasturtiums - Decoction - Spray Fruit Trees against Canker
Chives - Decoction - Spray Cucumbers/Courgettes/Roses/ Currants - against Mildew & Grey Mould
Just a taster of what you can use without resorting to chemicals.
Bio freak , yes interesting , does it take a lot of time all these preparations ?
always interesting in reading your input