Hugelkultur How to

Posted February 05, 2013
One of my favorite permaculture design techniques is turning “waste” products into useful resources. Hugelkultur is a permaculture technique that does just this, taking an excess of wood, such as branches, logs, brush, tree trunks and such,  to make a raised bed. These raised beds improve drainage, regenerate soil health, and maintain moisture. The woody material soaks up the water and then slowly releases over time. As the wood decomposes it also leaves small air pockets, creating a no till fertile soil base.
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Time for Thyme

Posted January 31, 2013
Thyme is a perennial, many-branched ground-cover shrub that grows to about a foot tall. Its pink flowers bloom in the summer and has small stalkless leaves. Also known as Mother Thyme, thyme leaves and flowers has a long history of being used as an antiseptic, cough remedy, and digestive aid. Not only will you be able to find it in your spice rack, but your medicinal cabinet as well.
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The Funnest Guy of All!

Posted January 29, 2013
If you have any interest in gardening or farming, there is another player in addition to the plants and soil that you should know about: mycorrhizal fungi. This type of fungus forms a symbiotic relationship with approximately 90% of plants! The fungi colonize the roots of the plant and then extend their hyphae far into the soil, bringing nutrients and water that would otherwise be out of reach to its host. In return, the plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates.There are two types of mycorrhizal fungi.
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Groundnuts

Posted January 24, 2013
 The groundnut (Apios Americana), which is actually a legume, is one of the most popular wild edible plants in eastern North America. Also known as indian potato and american potato bean, they are popular among the native Americans as a source of food.  The swollen stems and the tubers are the edible parts of the plant. The tubers of the plant are best harvested from late fall to early spring. They must be cooked and contain 17 grams of protein per serving, which is three times more than potatoes or any other widely used vegetable root.
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Window Farming

Posted January 23, 2013
A friend of mine recently showed me a youtube video that really affected me. Granted, I say that sometimes after I watch cute baby animal videos, but I was so impressed by this video because it depicted a real response to a big problem. Doing so can be difficult, as our awareness of environmental problems can easily put us on a dark path of futility or preaching inconceivable change. While throwing in the towel is not a solution to problems regarding our environment, advocating for drastic change that just won’t happen as quick as you want it to is not efficient either.
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Rhubarb: The "Pieplant"

Posted January 17, 2013
 Rhubarb, also known as rheum, turkish, and sometimes chinese himalayan, is an interesting plant. Its roots are medicinal, its stems, which must be cooked, are used to make delicious pies, and its leaves contain oxalic acid, making them poisonous. The plant is a perennial that reaches about ten feet. It has thick, brown roots and round hollow stems that end in multi-directional spikes of small flowers.Studies have shown that small amounts of rhubarb help relieve diarrhea and larger does help relieve constipation.
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The Truth About Bottled Water

Posted January 15, 2013
 I haven’t taken a sip of bottled water in over two years. That may sound surprising to you, but up until 1979 practically no one in America had ever taken a sip of bottled water and they were just fine. So why is it then that everywhere we go today we see people sipping bottled water? Our society has come to a point where people need absolutely everything in a disposable single serving container. When I tell people that I don’t drink bottled water, they seem genuinely shocked.
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Sage: The Healing Herb

Posted January 10, 2013
The name salvia comes from the Latin name “to heal." Sage (Salvia Officinalis) is a perennial and should be harvested before the flower buds open by cutting the plant back to 4 inches above the ground. After harvesting, discard the stem and leaf stalks then dry the herb and store in an airtight container. Sage is a herb that has been praised since that ancient Greeks and Romans. Charlemagne ordered that this medicinal be grown in his herb gardens on his farms.  This herb was even used by American colonists and was even referenced in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
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Ch-ch-ch-chia!

Posted January 08, 2013
I’m sure everyone has grown, or at least heard of, chia pets. You also may have heard of native tribes running up to 50 miles per day and drinking only chia fresca.Or maybe you’ve seen a weird floating substance that looks like fish eggs in a friend’s water. Well, they’re all the same thing – chia seeds! And there are many reasons to add them to your diet.The chia plant, Salvia hispanica, originated in southern Mexico and is a member of the mint family. The word ‘chia’ means strength in the Mayan language, and soon you’ll understand why.
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Lavender: The Stress Relieving Herb

Posted January 03, 2013
The word lavender comes from the latin word lavare meaning “to wash.” In the past, this herb was widely used as an addition to bathes and was also used as a purifier for the mind and body. Today, it is mostly used in hair products, soaps, and cosmetics, but there are many more uses than these. The plant is considered the first herb of aromatherapy, which is described as the healing tactic that involves inhaling aromatic plant oils or massaging them into the skin for physical and emotional advantages.The herb is a perennial that grows upwards of three feet.
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