by Briscoe White | Dec 11, 2009 | Exploring, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous |
Today we woke up to our first true winter day: cold even with the sun shining and a wind that dives the cold bone deep. I learned long ago to never mention the actual temperature to my buddies living further north. It is hard to impress them with weather that makes us shiver; they always end up laughing? But for us it is cold and we are busy just keeping everything going: waterlines, power lines; even the greenhouse is fragile and vulnerable to these winter storms.
Outside the nursery the farm has a windswept and generally bleak look. Not a critter or varmint of any kind is out in this weather. They are all in their nest, keeping warm and riding out the storm. And since it is Friday, I think I will follow their lead, and keep warm by a fire and hope it is over by Monday. I hope all of you all have made alternate plans, because gardening is out for this weekend. I guess for me the cycle will turn, as I look through seed catalogs and dream of spring as the winter winds howl outside.
by Briscoe White | Dec 8, 2009 | Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening |
You know the aroma. I looked it up on the Urban Dictionary.com; those living an alternate or bohemian lifestyle seem to favor patchouli. That must describe greenhouse workers, because patchouli is always present in ours. Whether wafting from a passing co-worker or from the source itself. Patchouli is one of our top five favorite herbs. You can hardly get through a day here without smelling it once.
Patchouli makes what I call a great pet plant, a plant which will live in a pot for years. Potting makes it a great houseplant in winter which loves to spend summer outside on a deck or patio. A native of tropical Asia, patchouli likes it hot and humid, it should be inside before night temperatures drop below fifty. The soil should be watered when moist to the touch; they need lots of water, maybe every day in summer. Fertilize once or twice a month, as too much will reduce the oil content.
Anyone looking for an herb to grow potted, patchouli is one worth considering. It’s large dark green leaves are shiny and beautiful, with pinching it will form a nice rounded shrub like plant. Flowers appear in fall but are inconsequential in appearance, heady in aroma. In its native habitat, patchouli is an under-story plant and should be protected from full sun. Though not for everyone, patchouli makes a great pet plant.
by Briscoe White | Dec 7, 2009 | Containers, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening, Miscellaneous |
We have been growing herbs as potted plants for about 25 years. Way back then herbs were not available even in the larger greenhouses; having a selection of herbs is what made our garden center stand out from the others. Herbs are now a mainstream crop, not the exotic niche market it was a few short years back.
Potted herbs are still our main crop, but after agreeing to grow a few custom orders for cut herbs we are growing and shipping more each year. I guess we are not exactly local since almost all these cut herbs go to NYC, but we are a lot closer than many growers selling in NY. Virginia to NY in less than 24 hours is the key to our success, the herbs are on a restaurant table in 48 hrs. A few years ago I would not believe this possible, but the internet has linked the farm to the world!
Attempting to grow cut herbs year round, we are experimenting with the towers pictured. Herbs are: Oregano, Marjoram, Zaatar, Parsley, and Basil. These herb towers will allow us to grow cuts in the greenhouse in winter. Catnip for the kitties and the rest for cooking. Fresh herbs make a difference!
by Briscoe White | Dec 4, 2009 | Exploring, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous |
” And it rained for a real long time!” goes the old song about a great flood of long ago. I know we do not have it as bad as those folks, but 3.5″ overnight on top of the days of lashing Nor’easter driven rain is a lot of rain. All water that must run off somewhere; the ground was already saturated with standing water when the skies let loose a waterfall.
All that rain did run off and in some places the soil erosion is serious. I was planning to use a picture of some riverbank damage. I wasn’t sure if the camera could capture the dueling erosion marks. High water damage from the first storm, the gullies cut to the river where countless acre/feet of water ran into the river from the second. Then I saw this beginner Grand Canyon in a neighbor’s field; this was just a ditch not long ago. Like I said in the beginning, it rained real hard.
I can’t even begin to imagine all of the water damage it created inside the homes though. Goodness, it doesn’t bear thinking about. If there was this amount of water outside, then surely it must’ve created some damage on the inside too. I’m sure some of my neighbors would have had to contact property damage experts later. A distant relative, who used to live near the Roseville area a few years ago, had to face similar issues. It usually doesn’t rain that heavy in that part of the country, but that one time it did, She had to call in experts in property damage restoration in Roseville to get her house fixed!
Another time, it happened to my friend not so long ago. Her area experienced even more rainfall than us, and because she had a clogged drain, all that water ended up inside her home. Luckily, she had insurance but as they took ages to give her the money she deserved, she had to enlist the help of a public adjuster Doylestown to help drive their applications forward. It worked, and this allowed her to get started on the repair process as soon as possible. Apparently all of her electrics were ruined and she had no power for days. I told her to check out SALT Light & Electric to find an electrician who could replace all of her damaged wiring which all needed stripping out. I also made sure she knew to ask to have her plug sockets raised further up the walls on the ground floor so that if she is flooded again, she’ll at least still have a safe electrical supply. So, I really hope that none of this happened to anyone around here. It would be devastating. Thanks, rainfall…
by Briscoe White | Dec 1, 2009 | Exploring, Growing, Herbs, Inspiration, Miscellaneous |
I hope everyone enjoys Thanksgiving as much as I do. Our annual family gathering measures in the high thirties, maybe even forty by now. Since marrying into this family I have seen exponential growth, a clan sized population boom. With so much fun and family mixing for a few days, there always are those little incidents that do not remind one of a Hallmark moment. Details differ, but let’s just admit that some of the time these family gatherings also gather old angst. Sitting here in my office, I couldn’t help wondering if I was carrying any of that old angst when I spotted the white sage bundle near my desk.
Is there negative energy floating around my office? I don’t feel any, but why not let the sage tell me? My brother in Colorado keeps me with a steady supply of sage wands, as they are hard to come by in Virginia. What comes next is an honest experiment, and be aware I have something at risk doing this online. Once I light the sage wand, it cannot be extinguished, it must be allowed to smoke as needed to negate positive ions and other bad vibes. So if the wand produces a lot of smoke? Then I guess I was carrying some bad vibes, maybe?
The sage is lit and the room is smudging as a column of smoke rises from the sage wand; a thin light stream, a good sign. I am sitting here watching and honestly wondering how much smoke will be needed to clear my aura. My interest is keen, and as we wait, let’s admit that no one can get under your skin like those that know you best, especially if related. So instead of wondering, I asked the sage to reveal the negative vibes around me. And as I write these words, the fire is out! Only a small quarter of an inch burned, not even to the first wrapping. My office is cleared and there wasn’t much here, and that is good to know!
To be honest, it is about time that I did some redecorating in my office. I have had the same office furniture for a few years now so I might invest in a new office chair and a new desk. What do you think? A friend of mine has also suggested that I should get some storage boxes. There is so much clutter in my office at the moment, the entire room is in desperate need of decluttering! Feel free to share any office decluttering tips in the comments below as I would love to hear them.
That being said, herbs are such useful plants. They can be used for so many different things. Right here, I settled a question that had been nagging me for days, if my aura is clear then my intentions must be good also, and anything that may or may not have happened over the holiday certainly was not of my doing. I have never seen ” conscious cleaning” as a property listed for white sage, but I just proved it works for that too! So, if there is some unresolved dispute still lingering, no matter how small. Ask the sage to reveal the vibes around you; just do it in private in case you burn the whole sage wand! Herbs are amazing plants; I seem to find new uses all the time.
