During the last few days the weather here in NE Indiana has begun to turn more “springlike”. Sunny days with highs in the low forties and cold frosty nights. The buds on the trees appear to be plumping right before my eyes and the boxwoods out front are showing signs of their spring growth.
As I sit here writing at 0730, I see the spring sun rising; filling the sky with it’s wonderful warm hues and casting its ever-progressing shadows over the landscape. I’m sure this happens every day, but I seem to be more in tune with it this morning. I just finished the Intro To Permaculture session 7 video (that I mention in the Permaculture post), which made me more aware of the movement of energy through and around the landscape.
It is with this in mind that I will make a conscience effort to monitor the landscape for solar tracking, shadows cast, microclimates, wildlife activity, etc. These observations will help me to better adapt my plans for the weeks and months to come.
I am also planning, today, to create a map of the landscape and the energy flows around it.
Container Garden/ Seed start update-
After listening to the Self-Sufficient Homestead podcast– Episode 19 yesterday, which included a segment on indoor grow lights, I’ve adjusted the fridge-germinator to make it more efficient. I’ve lined the walls with heavy-duty aluminum foil, added a 19w compact florescent bulb, and lowered the light rack to within four inches of the seed starter trays. These minor changed made an immediate impact that was noticable this morning.
The nice thing about using the fridge is the ability to adjust the shelves as the seedling grow taller. The shorter starts can be propped up on so they can be closer to the light source, instead of having to stretch, while the taller starts can be given all the room they need.
I started another 35 tp starter pots yesterday. These are mostly herbs, maybe a dozen varieties, and a few flowers, including some Four O’ Clocks.
I’ve read that Four o’ Clocks are a natural pesticide for handling Japanese Beetles. Supposedly, the Japanese Beetle loves them and will be drawn to them, but they are toxic for them, resulting in their immediate death.
I would much rather let the birds enjoy the free meal, than spread the chemical pesticides all over the landscape.
As John Wayne would say ‘We’re burning daylight…’, with that said, it’s time for another cup of coffee and off to pleasure (I mean work).
