Season’s first lemon balm harvest!
This week I did my first major lemon balm harvest and I’ll be harvesting mint in the next few days as well. I posted information about harvesting and drying these herbs for storage a couple of weeks ago, but after receiving requests for more information about uses for lemon balm, I decided to give some more in-depth information on this lesser-known herb.
While reading up on permaculture principles, I discovered the idea of gardening by the phases of the moon (one of a number of practices included in the practice of biodynamic farming). While these ideas may sound a little flaky, there are a number of reputable gardeners who swear by it. Guides to the phases of the moon can be found on the Old Farmer’s Almanac, as well as here, and a more in-depth calendar can be found here. In contrast, many have attacked biodynamic farming as a non-scientific hoax.
According to tradition, the differences in the gravitational pull of the moon during the different phases of the moon can make conditions more favorable for different types of plants. Seeding during the new moon is thought to be best for leafy annuals, while the first quarter phase is best for fruiting annuals and the full moon phase is best for root crops. The last quarter phase is a rest period, best used for non-planting tasks such as weeding or other upkeep.
So my pea plants are starting to get pretty tall, which means they are hanging pretty close to the ground. From what I’ve read, trellising is helpful at this point (all about peas from Mother Earth News), although I do know some organic farmers who don’t bother.
Today
by Mary Oliver
It’s been raining off and on for the past few days here and I’m finally seeing some germination in the areas I direct seeded! It’s very exciting to see things popping up because I was a little bit afraid that a whole third of my garden was going to be left bare!It’s so funny how perspective can change: rain as a nuisance, rain as an inconvenience, rain as a necessity.
Rhubarb, strawberries, asparagus, and lettuce
Until my garden is a little further along, I’m still supplementing my vegetable supply from the farmer’s market. I love when the farmers start to have local fruit! It’s still early in the season in upstate New York, so most farms have lots of greens available and some perennials like asparagus, strawberries, and rhubarb.
living on a green thumb 