Garden to Table: Oil of Oregano



My weekend weather forced me to work inside instead of out. Between showers and storms my feet found their way to the gardens for snippets of pungent herbs and healing spices; after all, my body has been waging quite a war with things these past weeks.

Amid the many buzz words floating around the health-o-sphere oregano has risen. This strong, somewhat 'hot' herb caught my attention some time ago leading me to dig deeper and test it for myself.

Oregano oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of oregano (Origanum vulgare), a hardy, bushy perennial herb, and a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family. It's native to Europe, although it grows in many areas around the world¹ The plant grows up to 90 centimeters (35 inches) high, with dark green leaves that are two to three centimeters long.
The ancient Greeks and Romans have a profound appreciation for oregano, using it for various medicinal uses. In fact, its name comes from the Greek words "oros" and "ganos," which are words for mountain and joy,– oregano literally means "joy of the mountain." It was revered as a symbol of happiness, and it was an ancient tradition to crown brides and grooms with a laurel of oregano.


In the general population, oregano is known as the taste Italian and Greek cooking- sauces, vinaigrettes and marinades. Aromatherapy clinicians employ oregano essential oil for it's antiviral antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. Herbalists bring oregano into their practice knowing the broad uses of aroma therapy as well as the importance of ingesting it and topical application for skin conditions, fungal issues, and inflammation.


Personally, I bring oregano into all aspects of my home practices: culinary, aroma therapy, and herbal preparation. One rather multipurpose and very easy preparation is oil of oregano. Let's make a note of understanding: oregano oil often infers the essential oil derived from oregano, while oil of oregano often implies an infusion of oregano into a carrier oil. Both preparation can be topical, diffused, and ingested with caution (oregano is 'hot' and may cause rash, burning and upset stomach).


Oil of oregano can be prepared in two ways: sun steeped or heat steeped.
Sun steeped simply means placing the leaves and or stems of the oregano plant in oil then placing it i the sun to infuse for approximately 6 weeks. I do not use sun steeped due to the increased risk of botulism spores or rancid oil.
Heat steeped is much quicker and safer since the herbs are set in the oil over low heat and warmed just to the simmering point.
Both methods require removal of the plant materials and air tight storage (I freeze or refrigerate mine for extra precaution).
From here the oil is used for cooking, added to boiling water for a steam/aroma therapy, or applied topically for specific ailments.


Today my oil of oregano resides safely in the fridge waiting for me to call it into action! Hopefully it will only be needed for flavor and preventative health- not to combat illness:)

Creative in the Kitchen: Kumquats

Miss K's kumquat tree produced quite a yield this year. Our little three foot fruit tree brought in about 5 pounds of tiny fruits (with the help of a good rainy season and some hearty mushroom compost). While plenty of these vitamin C rich bites were eaten straight up- and shared with others- I ended up with two pounds that needed 'put up' before they went bad.

Last year Miss K and I stirred up kumquat preserves; one in jelly form, one in marmalade style, and a batch of candied kumquats. From those test recipes, we found the jelly form our favorite with the candied version a close second.

This year, with a need to distract myself (son shipping out), it seemed a good idea to play with last year's test runs. Instead of my standard jams and jellies, I decided to focus in on honey and spice; two things I already had on hand and enjoy immensely. Honey is a perfect preservative with numerous health benefits and a serious shelf life. Spice, well, I intended to use cinnamon and cloves, however, when rummaging through the herbal cabinet the scent of cardamom and anise spoke to me. Upon rubbing a few pods together in my hand, I determined to blend them together for a unique aroma. A few basic recipes from the internet and I was on may way to playing in the kitchen.

I took two pounds of washed kumquats, stems removed, and simmered them in just enough water to cover. After about 10 minutes they had plumped and split (not all of them split, but that's okay). Drained and returned to the pan, I poured in a quart of honey along with a palm-ful of cardamon pods, about 10 star anise pods, and a tablespoon or so of clove buds. This simmered until is smelled divine- about 10-15 minutes.
Heat off and slightly covered, this wonderful concoction was left to sit overnight steeping in the wondrous perfume.

The next day, I strained the honey. Kumquats were placed in jars with the infused honey poured over to cover. Those amazing herbs were dried in the dehydrator to be ground and used in all sorts of yummy ways. Finally the remaining honey was jarred and set to use as well.

How do we use all this?

Kumquats can be eaten, added to baked goods, dried for a tasty snack, and added to hot tea.

Spices can be ground, added to anything needing a sweet hint of spice.

Honey is wonderful on anything!

August's Garden: Let it Go

August made it's appearance in a wave of intense heat; we tipped 108 last week! Temperatures like that pretty much bring all of life to a searing halt; especially the garden. That is why the garden theme in August is 'let it go'.

1. Pull it out! Plants succumb to the heat quite quickly leaving the garden a sad, crispy mess. All we can do is pull it out.

2. Put it in! The soil will be somewhat depleted from nurturing the summer garden. This past weekend found me adding manure and compost in thick layers.

3. Cover it up! As much as possible, I cover the beds/rows and let the sun cook down the compost along with weed seeds and pests; the fancy word is 'solarize'.

4. Let it go! I walk away and pretend it doesn't exist until planting time. That's the plan anyway. I never really can stay out of the garden!

5. Plan something new! Whether it is what we plant next, adding a new bed or two, or even creating a 'theme' for the area I love sketching and making notes on the next season's layout.

The three garden beds are going through a major overhaul this year in order to adapt to our changing homestead. Our large 'raised row' garden is intended to become the orchard/vine patch; blackberries, gourds, melons and wildflowers are in the plans. The victory garden (the one with a greenhouse) has six raised beds and several raised rows- the plans are to add a few more raised beds and possibly irrigation while planting 'pottager style'. This area will also have a small bed area for Miss K to work her tools in. I hope to stock the greenhouse with fresh herbs. Finally, the rose/herb area is to undergo the most change as a children's wonder garden filled with color, texture, fragrance and hidden storybook characters such as Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck.

Today I'm drooling over seed catalogs and perusing Pintrest for garden art ideas. I guess when you really look at it, I'm not letting go after all!

Clearing the Mess- June's Garden

The theme for June's garden is- mud. Raised rows, raised beds, even our mobile gardens are simply saturated and standing in mud. Any break in the downpours will find me slogging out to the gardens to baby the surviving plants and harvest whatever they offer me.

This particular week seems to offer a bit of sun, which means mosquitoes, mud and rot. Plants that have been severely water logged now face searing sunlight causing fungus, mildew, and death. Each day my goal has been to work one garden location (I have 3 home gardens, an education garden, and several school/community center gardens to tend).

Hanging in there: herbs, tomatoes, some squash, peppers, a couple eggplant, and believe it or not the green beans. It is a struggle to remove diseased leaves and aerate the soil as much as possible. Some growth is stunted, but they aren't dead, so we will give them a shot.

Berries are busy and green; mine seem to have delayed ripening, most likely due to lack of sunlight. Let's hope they get enough this week to harvest soon.

Many of the fruit trees, peach, nectarine, and citrus, dropped their fruits and blossoms during the severe weather. Winds that topple trees often toss the unripe fruits and blossoms right off.

Today I press forward: several beds cleaned and cleared, several more to go. In the empty spaces we did seed some okra; some we simply covered for fall. 

Feeding the Frozen Soul

Baby it's cold outside! It seems an arctic freeze found it's way south- all the way down to my homestead. Not only did it freeze, but it seems we also have freezing rain- blah. Weather like this tends to lead many normal human beings to a place of desolation and emotional despair. I am one of them. This girl was born for sun light and green growing things- not grey freezing rain.

Days like this are the reason I am have been redesigning the greenhouse. In order to keep my soul fed during the dreary winter months (or, in my neck of the woods- dreary winter days) the greenhouse is under renovation in order to provide a warm, thriving environment for life and soul lifting color.

Last summer my guys and I built raised beds and a stone path in the existing solar greenhouse. Each bed has irrigation hosing burried in the soil of the bed for 'at the root' irrigation. With the beds in place, it was time for some plants. This year I completed my herbalist certification, so herbs seemed like the perfect focus for the year round greenhouse.

Today, the thriving plants offered a welcome and stimulating sight. Thi basil's purple bloom stands stately beside a new rosemary bush and my colorful cuban oregano. There is thyme, parsley, stevia and even some patchouli. These dots of life are braving the new territory as I test the plans!

So what's next? My coffee cup and I sat between the rows sketching ideas and jotting notes: ventilation fans added in summer, shade cloth for the top, many more herbs- of course!

Winter weather makes me weary, and the only way for me to keep myself sane is to focus my mind and energy in a project- preferably one that involves plants!

What do you do to feed your frozen soul during dark winter days?
 

I Grew an Orange.

 

     I grew an orange; a Satsuma, to be specific. While this may seem hardly worth the effort to talk about, for me this is a huge feat! In the four years that tree has been in my garden the only thing I got from it was frustration; blossom drop, fruit dropping, and the almighty drought were to thank. This year, however, I grew an orange!

 

     Trivial, maybe, but this orange is my 'one thing' right now. Do you have that? A 'one thing' that makes you feel everything is okay. It allows you to just take a breath and sigh. The past several weeks have been a flurry of activity, productivity and chaos- none of which anyone cares to hear about. Today I really needed 'one thing' to set my focus. God is good- He sent the right thing at the right time.

 

    So, simple as it is, I proclaim loudly with juice dripping down my chin- I grew an orange!

Planning A Thanksgiving Garden

     Yesterday, around a large table in a children's library, there sat four creative souls with one purpose in mind: to create a thanksgiving garden. When the teacher approached me with the idea I was pleasantly fascinated by the notion of it (while slightly concerned about the timing). Sensing my hesitation she pressed the question, can we do it?- and me, well.. challenge accepted!
      The desire was for students in a particular grade level to apply their food growing/tasting/get physically active knowledge toward a particular common goal that could be shared with the entire campus. Okay, so that isn't daunting or anything. 1. Get a mass of fourth graders to work together, in soil. 2. Location, location, location- how do we place it in a communal area where all the school can see. 3. What on earth do we plant? 4. Funding. Everything costs something. Thus we found ourselves in the library; pens, paper, and plenty of coffee (one sweet soul thought to bring granola bars!). Address the mess:
        1. The majority of fourth graders at this campus already spent last year working gardens and preparing food with me; fortunately one of their teachers worked with me last year as well. This gives us a foundation to start with.
         2. Location took care of itself when we realized an atrium garden area was available since the class it was build for and maintained by was no more; a central location, seem by everyone who walks two main halls of the school. A little clean up, a little soil amending and we are ready to go.
          3. Funding (yes, I know I am out of order) will be on each team members shoulder. Some donations have already come in for seeds, and some plants. With a common wish list in hand, we can approach prospective supporters for donations not yet received.
          3. What do we plant (the best part for last)? Well, what do we eat at Thanksgiving? Teachers had already mentioned the notion to students who eagerly put some thoughts in: sweet potato, greens, corn, green beans, white potatoes, herbs such as sage and parsley- oh, and, of course, pumpkins!.. they were on a roll. The only concern now is to find the best variety for our zone and get those seeds in the ground!
           So how will this all play out? The mystery is the most amazing part. Seeing the beauty and chaos unfold is the stuff that fuels my madness! Hopefully, students and teachers will connect outside the paper and book zone in an opportunity to truly enjoy each other. Mentors will arise from the shadows and nurturers will shine. Agriculture will draw together with history as children face plant needs, nature's unpredictability, and the science of kitchen magic. I can hardly wait to get my muck boots on and meet in the garden.
            Will it be successful? It already is! Teachers and students have stepped outside the box; administrators have approved and are watching; the wheels are turning and there is no turning back.    

A Whole Lot of Building Going On

 

        These past few weeks have been a flurry of garden builds and upgrades, all with hopes and dreams of beautiful growing glory. In our area, four schools have either built a set of garden beds, added a new bed to their existing garden, and amended their old beds. A community recreation center also had us build some beds on their grounds. That is a lot of building!
        Community and school beds are build with funding from grants in order to further nutrition education not only with children but adults as well. These gardens are utilized during class time, after school, and hopefully during mobile cooking school classes as well. My heart longs to see families return to a knowledge of their food origins and get back in touch with the nature around them.

           Lest you think public beds are all I am working on, there are some garden beds being built right here on the homestead. Several years ago I had raised beds constructed from various materials. When they succumbed to the elements, I simply returned to my roots and gardened in rows. My current need to simplify routines and make life as weed free and easy as possible have brought me back to the raised bed test- currently there are four with more to come.

          Along with building there must be a tearing down- or a cleaning out. On the list: the fruit and the herb garden- both in need of a major overhaul! and the green house- needing some TLC and a good clean up. Now that the beds are built both at work and home, maybe I will find some time to get on those tasks- it might take me a while!
 

Growing Sunshine

     There is just something about a sunflower. I can't explain it... it's like growing sunshine right there in your garden. Simple, pure sunshine... right there... smiling at you when you pass by. I have no idea where my fascination with sunflowers began, or what may have started it, but I do know that no garden of mine has ever been without these big, beautiful, blossoms.
      Sunflower, a composite flower of the Asteracea family native to North America distinguished by their ray flowers. Of the 52 species of Asteracea, the domesticated annual sunflower, Helianthus annuus, is the most commonly known and loved as opposed to its perennial cousin which tends to be quite invasive. Sunflowers provide not only vivid beautiful colors, but a focal point for any garden layout. Personally, I love variety often growing whorled variegated plants alongside traditional yellow mammoths.
       While their beauty is astounding, they are purposeful as well- most of you know things on my homestead must be purposeful and practical. Sunflowers provide seed for wild birds and our homestead poultry; stalks and stems are fodder for the goats and donkey. No part wasted, sunflowers are truly a frugal and functional investment for our garden space.
       Care and tending are minimal since sunflowers grow in most average soils and often reseed themselves by dropping to the ground or being transplanted by a bird. Garden designers often suggest they be a backdrop for layered gardens or a stabilizing feature for climbing vines- they make a great support for pole beans. I, myself, and a rather practical/functional gardener whose sunflower seeds get scattered here and there thus afforded the freedom to grow wherever they desire.
        And so it is, that I drive through my gate at the end of every day to be greeted by these faithful flowers which stand quite stately in the fruit garden. They are my ray of sunshine no matter what the day has been. As we prepare for the next growing season I can not imagine my garden ever being without them. Who doesn't want to grow sunshine in their garden?

I'd Rather Be...

     Today was a day in the office; the place I'd rather not be. Confined by the beige walls, tucked away from natural light and beauty.. the office is, well, confining. Meetings and paperwork have their place and I respect their need, however, there is a place I'd rather be.

      I'd rather be tip toeing through a garden filled with bloom and wonder.. gazing at the sunlight as it filters through the canopy... absorbing color, beauty  and sound... breathing in fragrance and life. The moment I arrive at home, my feet can't help but make their way to one of the three gardens we keep. The victory garden hold a greenhouse filled with beautiful greens of variant colors: dark and light green with hues of blue, shiny green with deep red veining, and green so pale it almost seems white. Outside of it there lies fruit bushes just leafing out, winter greens gone to seed with tiny flowers white and yellow. Fresh spring peas filling out among their vines near young lettuce and kale just about ready to harvest. Wild chickweed creeps ever closer from the tree line needing a hearty trim to keep it at bay.

       In the larger garden by the well, old fashion tea roses peeked open today offering a hint of dainty color. Pears, apples, strawberries and blueberries hide among the foliage near the jujube and the black berry canes. Here new tomato sets hide among mustards gone to seed, and pepper starts play peek-a-boo between the winter onions. I spotted squash starts and pole beans peeking through the leaf mulch- I'm amazed the chickens haven't pecked them to death. Wait till they see the melons start to vine.

          My final stop is the herb garden; close to the house for easy strolling. There fresh green seems to burst from ever inch. Fragrance and beauty are sprouting and flourishing just enough to give mystery to newly added toad homes and a stray white goose figure. These will hopefully be joined by more hidden secrets as we consider a story book garden for the soon-to-arrive grand baby. I ponder what time we may spend together here, seeking a buzzing bee or a flitting butterfly.. maybe even spying a lizard to two.

             Just as my soul starts to relax, replacing the chaos with calm, the barnyard calls with duties to fill; still not as hectic as my day. One last breath of apple mint before I head that way. I tuck a sprig in my pocket where I can call upon it later when I need a soothing reminder of the peace and joy all found in my garden.. always the place I'd rather be.

Test Run: Infused Soaps

     Recently I began the course to become a certified herbalist. While natural health has always been an interest, studying it intensely had never occurred to me. I find the properties of God's plants fascinating and quite intriguing. This time studying stirs the fire in my being to get out there and work the herb garden. Uncovering the herb garden this week, the fresh green beauty stirred a creative curiosity in me. I had to do a test run.

     It's no secret we have been making home made herbal soap for some time now; natural fats, lye and some wonderful essential oils. It occurred to me- why am I using essential oils when there are amazing herbs growing right outside my door? Enter the idea of infused soap. Natural oils steeped with fresh, vibrant herbs then transformed into nourishing soaps. I like it. Mint, pineapple sage, and tea tree each in their turn made their way to the soap mold- can I say- it amazes me how the coloration varies and changes as milk, lye and even time is introduced.
     Tonight my home is filled with natural fragrance and joyful anticipation- soaps are curing on the shelf! I can hardly wait for the day we test them in action. What's next? Well, the creativity didn't end with infusion- I am working some 'after the gym' care soap and a few interesting molds. All in all, a very creative sunshiny day.

Surveying the Seeds

      January starts the garden flow here on my homestead. The greenhouse is ready and waiting as I scatter seed packets across every surface. Dreaming and envisioning lively plants vigorously growing in the fertile soil, I make a list and check it twice- best be sure to have every seed needed for the upcoming season.

         As we survey the seeds, one important thing to note is storage. Seeds need to be kept cool and dry, preferably out of direct light. Here on the homestead, seeds are stored in plastic containers with an air tight seal. Desiccant packets are added to each container to further prevent moisture (these are often from a shoe purchase, a medicine bottle or such). Each container holds a grouping of seeds often planted in the same season, for example, the one I am working from today contains leafy greens, cole crops, radish and carrot, onion and the seeds of tomato and pepper which need started indoors for later. Due to humidity and extreme heat, seed containers stay comfortable and dark in the barn fridge.

            I am known for the 'notebook' issue; having one and carrying it everywhere. Once I 'outgrow' one, I carry two until weaned off the old one. That being said, there is always a spot in my current notebook where my seed list resides. What I have, what I need, and what I'm interested in are listed on a page (or two) with details regarding variety and quantity. There are side notes for my wish list, for example, I am wishing for a grapefruit tree and another lime tree. Since the notebook goes everywhere, I can reference it when seed/garden stops happen.

Hopefully this years seed starts will be as prolific and hearty as last years. Today we start the process and wait for the magic to begin.

Getting Real with Homestead Gardening

     The very first thing we got up and running on our homestead was a garden. Early on, it was a challenge to reclaim the garden plot as weeds and bugs had taken over the fertile soils. We tilled and pulled, weeded and burned row upon row trying for success; it was a task! Before the soil is turned, there has to be a plan. Let's look at a few tried and true always on the list garden crops.

1.Greens.
   If nothing else, grow greens. Rich in nutrients, antioxidants and minerals this crop is essential to good health and nutrition. I plot plenty of space and plant in succession to keep them going. Knowing my area's climate, our green varieties vary in season to beat the heat. Leaf and head lettuce, chard, kale, cabbages and collards are on the list for every garden planted.

 

 2.Beans.
   Easily grown, beans are a productive crop even when only a few plants are sown. We have tested both bush and vining varieties with success with both. I will say, the only beans we didn't have much luck with was wax beans; they just don't do well in my area. Green, rattlesnake, scarlette and turtle beans are regular guests in our homestead garden.

3.Tomatoes.
   While I find tomatoes a challenge, their versatility and vigor are a complement to so many dishes. My family isn't partial to the yellow varieties, but give them a beefsteak or cherry tomato and they are good to go. Even when we only had a little space, tomatoes had a spot.

4.Herbs.
   Fragrant, medicinal and full of nutrients- herbs are an area I constantly strive to learn more about. Early on we stuck to the basics, basil, rosemary, parsley, sage and thyme, but these days we grow every herb we can get our hands on! Once they reach a hearty size, we start harvesting and drying them in preparation for the intense summers that often destroy the tender plants.

   This list is quite simple and rather small it seems, but our early gardens were just that- simple and small. Little successes urged us on to bigger beds and expanded rows. We started small, but didn't stay that way long! Tomorrow, we take a look at the challenge of planning the garden to feed a family.

Starting Up the Homestead Garden

     Once settled in our home priorities shifted toward the big homesteading list. On the forefront of the needs- a garden. The property came with a fenced area that had been a large garden- during it's production years, regular amending was done and hearty harvests were reaped. Unfortunately, the garden had been left to itself for several years thus presenting a big challenge.
      If you have never embraced the task of reclaiming a garden space let me tell you it is a serious undertaking. Weeds and seeds set themselves deep- and pests over run it. My first gardens on the reclaimed location drove me to tears and nearly caused me to quit altogether. Tilling and turning unearthed new irritants to choke out tender plants wile the bugs voraciously claimed the rest. After my time of falling on the floor and crying until dehydration set in, I picked myself up, found my determination, and dug in my heels.
       We turned the earth once more and gathered piles of reclaimed wood, cinder block, and even some old tires to pair with weed barrier cloths for some raised bed attempts. Simple crops were intensively planted leaving no room for massive weeds. Herbs were placed near tender crops confusing some pests giving us a leg up as we tried to keep our methods as natural as possible.          

       Relieved and reassured of my abilities, we added and amended for several successful years of home harvests. With such confidence came experimentation and the long awaited arrival of our home greenhouse. Simple and hand made, this space offered us extended harvests and early beginnings. Seeds were sown for transplanting and cuttings were nurtured. A passion grew.

       I am not a person to stop learning- I am not one to keep it small. From the original plot there has grown two additional garden spaces, a rotation location and a large herbal sight. This year fruit trees and berry canes find there beginnings as we expand even further. Learning, growing, changing- that is the homestead garden. From those early tests and trials has grown a love of natural gardening, the amazing fascination with entomology (bugs/insects), and a heart for horticultural history.

      The process never ends, but grows with each passing season. I am blessed to be a Master Gardener for my county which affords me the opportunity to continue learning, honing my expertise, and teaching these amazing lessons to others longing to learn. I am honored to teach gardening and nutrition to children, hopefully sparking another generation with a passion for growing and learning.
All of this started with a small homestead garden simply graced with a few sparse green beans and some straggly tomatoes. Starting up the homestead garden started a life long journey for me, and for my family as well.

 

Small Space Homesteading: Health

     Health concerns are prominent in most homes- everywhere we look health conscious advertising, marketing and information. One area of homesteading often overlooked is maintaining our health. Dependent upon the depth of homesteading commitments, health coverage may not be an option- or it may be a modest coverage. There were many of our early years where health coverage wasn't available to us.
      Whether or not coverage exists, we are still responsible to educate ourselves and be aware of things within our means to improve our overall health. Homesteading offers us whole foods and plenty of exercise to keep us moving and improving, but illness and accident can happen to anyone.
        It has been our personal conviction to educate ourselves about natural and common sense proactive, preventative treatments. Understanding our bodies, our immunities and how they work give us a leg up on the germ war. The more we can do for ourselves the less dependent we are on outside care. Our family always focuses on what we can do and going for help when it is apparent we need it.
         Some areas we continually strive to learn more about are: nutrition, fitness, essential oils, herbal remedies, and improving immunity naturally. Integrative, holistic health improves our independence and strengthens us for times when illness does come. Overall, we have been very blessed to have minimal health needs while living a healthy and very active homesteading life.
          No matter what size our homestead, or even if we homestead at all, our health is in our hands- an area we can improve upon one step- one choice- at a time.

Grow with the "Go Lady"

      It's true, my job comes with quite a lengthy title- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Project Specialist for Texas Grow Eat Go. Answer the phone with that one. Then there is my last name- get a third grader to pronounce Scaife- I dare you. It will get some giggles. Needless to say, students in my project have affectionately dubbed me 'the Go Lady'. I'm good with that; it works for us.
      Today and tomorrow are super cool way awesome days for the Go Lady and her totally tripping team- we get to kneel down elbow to elbow in the gardens! It's grow time- my favorite! Students will set seeds in square foot garden format, discover the care and considerations for transplanting, and go over the requirements for maintaining a garden. How fun does that sound?
      I have to say- I would rather be in the garden (or the kitchen) with these amazing teachers and their classes than anywhere else. Office work is my nemesis; paperwork and politics drive me to absolute tears, but getting down to the nitty gritty- that's the stuff that keeps me sane.
      Take a cue from our tenacious team of energetic youngsters and their teachers- get out there and grow something wonderful!

Come Join Me

-

 

Join me and the rest of our county master gardeners for this weekend's amazing fall plant sale. Visit with the experts, hear a great lecture on fall gardening, and purchase Texas friendly plants for your garden.

For more information, call the extension office (936-539-7824) or visit Montgomery County Master Gardeners.

 

See you there!

Children in the Garden: Exploration

 

     In the dictionary, exploration is defined as the act of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. Truly many lessons can be prepared and shared in relation to nature and the garden, yet, exploration has it's place as well. The absolute freedom and release to roam without directed or dictation-  that is the essence of our exploration. 

 

     Exploration was the first introduction my children had with nature; in formal gardens, home gardens, and the great woods. As infants, I carried them on walks through the beautiful trees resting near ponds and creaks or sat them nearby our home gardens while weeding the flower beds and planting the vegetable plots. The outdoors can calm a fussy baby and engage a cranky toddler as they gaze at color and contrast; see the butterflies and hear the call of a bird. Once mobile, exploration come easily as fresh curiosity is allowed to be satisfied. 

     As older children, we enjoyed strolls through nature reserves and visits to area forests or master garden lots. This gave them greater exposure to continue stirring those inner questions and curiosities. Opportunities came for them to plant in our own yard and seek information from various resources as they pondered their visits. Picnics were had in the midst of native trees after visiting a butterfly museum filled with amazing living habitats. Freedom to explore and make requests for further exploration stirs the older child as they grown in their own wisdom and experience. 

     Teens need the opportunity for exploration as well. Often I struggled with the strong desire to 'teach' or 'lead' as we hiked, planted or planned, but letting go the reigns gave them courage to press on and seek for themselves. At this age, they planned many of our outings as well as designed gardens at our home placing close at hand the beauty of nature for their own quiet place to be. To sit beneath a tree on a hike, with a rod in a boat, or even stroll the vegetable garden in absolute quiet simplicity brings a rest and comfort not found anywhere else. 

     

      In this world of violence, over stimulation, and media driven entertainment our children- our adults as well- need the unhindered opportunity to explore the beauty and wonder of nature. It doesn't have to be complicated or even all day, it simply needs to be available and repeated to refresh ourselves and renew our sense of being.  

Weekend Gardening: Children in the Garden

a much younger farm boy

    It is no secret; I am a huge supporter of garden education, especially with children. Natural wonder and inborn curiosity are free to run in the midst of a garden. Turn a child loose among the growing things and simply watch as their unfettered roaming leads to investigation and question. That drive to investigate and learn can be fostered and encouraged leading to adults who continue in that quest for understanding, whether in nature or in another area of interest.
 

 

    Unfortunately our current cultural environment no longer encourages the native roamings of a child at play. Instead we face sterile walls of confinement met with hours of screen time. Commercialized neighborhoods offer a few well placed shrubs and a manicured facade aimed to enhance curb appeal, but leave very little to the explorative nature of a child. Children are kept clean and given activities, homework, and rewarded with media exposure instead of the freedom to roam. 

     In this we have built for ourselves generations of souls suffering. Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods addresses this culture with great sorrow and concern. Modern educators are seeing the truth in his writing as he summons up the situation with the term "nature deficit disorder" (NDD). Nature-deficit disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature. This alienation damages children and shapes adults, families, and communities. There are solutions, though, and they’re right in our own backyards. (*education.com) 

    

   We have a choice to make. Do we reason this to be the new norm, allowing the continuation of NDD and it's side effects? This choice leaves us to consider the rise in reading and concentration problems, obesity, anxiety and depression. Do we stand up and make a difference? This choice leaves us to look closely first at our own homes, then beyond to our communities offering encouragement and example. 

    I stand for the children and say, let's open the doors and lead the way opening the door to a return to the woods. Over the next several weekends our 'Weekend Gardening' section will be dedicated to the children and their return to the wild. My family has been raised with freedom and opportunity to roam the wild with nature parks, habitat preserves, and home gardens. They have been given permission to seek for themselves and direction to learn from others. They now have the opportunity to mentor and share that love with others as they mature and move on. 

    My heart's desire is to inspire life long learners- and one way to do that is through God's glorious creation. Next week we look at the aspect of exploration; providing opportunity and freedom to the very young, the more advanced, and the special cases. As always I offer you the freedom to share your heart, your experience, and your questions..let's learn, grow and encourage together. 

    Let's meet in the garden, shall we?

To learn more about NDD please consider visiting education.com, and consider reading Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv.

Grazing in the Garden

   It's no secret; late summer makes our gardens a desert wasteland. Weeds overtake productive plants and what they don't destroy heat and pest do. The past few weeks of clean out and cull left the garden rather empty and without purpose. Not this weekend.

 

      This weekend the garden gates are open wide letting the herds and flocks in. Free to roam the grasses and leftover roughage, the herd gleans weeds and seeds. Doc will nibble tougher things goats won't touch, and the chickens will scratch out grubs and insects before the next planting season begins. Soon they will have our plots stripped clean and ready to go!

     Naturally Hadassah will take her place just outside the gate ensuring everyone stays in their place busy at their task. She is quite the goat wrestler when need be!

     Southern gardeners, clean out your beds, solarize your soils, and get ready; the next planting dates are nearly here!