Cultivate Simple 27: Pondering Ponds
Today on Cultivate Simple we’re talking about ponds. We went to the local library a few weeks ago for a workshop on pond building and maintenance. We’d love to put in a small pond here at Chiot’s Run for increased diversity and provide a place for planting water loving plants. We had a small pond back in our garden in Ohio and really enjoyed what it brought to our garden. Of course we have 40 acres of wetlands in the back, but we really want something that we can see from the house.
Books of the Week
PDF Of USDA book on Ponds: Planning, Design, and Construction.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:13 — 68.8MB)
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Cultivate Simple 26: Plowing with Pigs with Hank Will
A note from Mr. Chiots – We had some problems with our podcast host wcich resulted in changing hosts and all should be good from now on. We had to re-publish this episode to get it to show up in iTunes.
Today on Cultivate Simple we’re talking with Hank Will, farmer and editor of Grit Magazine. We discuss his new book that he wrote with his wife Karen titled Plowing with Pigs, and Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading Solutions.
We are giving away an autographed copy of the book. To find out how to win… you will have to listen to the podcast. You can also purchase a copy of the book directly from the Grit website.
Hank’s Books of the Week
Any books by:
Shannon Hayes
Gene Logsdon
Joel Salatin
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:39 — 62.3MB)
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Cultivate Simple 25: Planting for Pollinators
This past Tuesday we packed up our microphones and headed in to the library to record a talk given by Deb Soule titled: Planting for Pollinators. Deb is the founder of Avena Botanicals in Rockport, ME. This summer we’ll be heading down there to see the gardens and take some photos. You’ll definitely be hearing all about it when we do.
From their website:
Avena Botanicals Herbal Apothecary offers a variety of hand-crafted herbal remedies for supporting the health and well being of our customers. Most of our products are made with herbs grown and hand-harvested from our own biodynamic garden situated on a 32-acre farm in Rockport, Maine. Avena was founded in 1985 by herbalist and gardener Deb Soule. In 1995, Avena moved to its current location where Deb was able to design and plant a large organic and biodynamic herb garden. This beautiful three-acre garden provides an abundance of certified biodynamic herbs for the apothecary, a classroom for students, nectar-producing flowers for pollinators and a peaceful place for visitors to renew their spirit and find healing in nature.
List of Plants Deb Mentions in her talk:
- Solomon’s seal – (polyganatum spp.) – root is beneficial for: tendonitis, carpal tunnel
- Native pink beebalm (monarda)
- Lemon Bergamot (monarda citriodora) – annual beebalm,
- Evening Primrose – (Oenthera biennis)
- Grecian Foxglove (digitalis lanata)
- Clary Sage (salvia scarea) – reseeds
- Honeysuckle (red – Lonerica)
- Hummingbird Sage (Salvia coccinea) (greenhouse early April)
- Mexican Sunflower (tithonia rotundifolia) plant out early June
- Lungwort (pulmonaria officinalis) flowering mid-May – shade loving, spreading
- Larkspur
- Marshmallow (Althea Officinalis)
- Nicotiana, Jasmine Scented (nicotiana alata)
- Sunflowers, great pollen producing plants, make sure you get a variety that produces pollen
- Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) – part shade, woodland
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Swamp Milkweed (asclepias incarnata)
- Common Milkweed (asclepias syrica)
- Borage (borago officinalis)
- Sacred Basil (ocimum sanctum) – fedco
- Echinacea spp. – 9 species that are native, to US. (tenusienses is on the endangered plant list)
- Blue Vervain (verbena hastata) – native, purple to blue, bloom through August, grow 3’-4’ tall
- Linden (tilia spp) – tree
- Hawthorne (crataegus spp) – cardiovascular tonic herb, dry berries for tea,
- Hyssop (hyssop officinalis) – coughs, astringent
- Lavender (lavendula spp)
- Lemon Balm (melissa officianlis) – antiviral, good for relieving flu, etc.
- Nasturium (tropaeolum) jewel mix, alaska mix
- Poppy (Papaver Somnifera)
- St Johnswort (hypericum frondosum)
- Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) flower in first photo above
- Greek Mullien (verbascum olympicus)
- Rosa Rugosa (rugosa rose)
- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Books about Herbs
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:34:30 — 65.6MB)
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Cultivate Simple 24: Say No to GMO
This week on Cultivate Simple we talk about random topics and get a little political, sharing our frustrations about living in a society where not many people act on their convictions.
Don’t you love our potting bench/studio?
The Survival Podcast – Defining the Machine Podcast about how government is bought and paid for.
Reader Questions
Daina from FrontYardFoodie: I know you like to buy local and use farmers but where do you get things like dish soap and baking soda, etc?
Soap and other bulk items are often purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs. Their castile soap is particularly good, here’s a post I wrote about it.
The automatic dishwashing detergent from Tropical Traditions is the best you’ll ever find (even over non-green options).
Brian’s Geeky Corner
Angie asked about keeping data on an external hard drive. Brian recommends these hard drives: G-Technology Hard Drives
Sign up for BackBlaze and start backing up today!
Book of the Week
Check out Heidi Egerman Designs– Thanks for the support Heidi!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:56:45 — 80.9MB)
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Cultivate Simple 23: Permaculture, Beyond the Basics
Bill & Lauren Errickson from Singing Nettle Farm & Conscious Elements Permaculture talk about permaculture, beyond the basics from the The Permaculture Process Podcast. Like them on facebook if you’d like to keep up with what they’re doing.
From Mr. Chiots – Some of the things that Bill & Lauren mentioned reminded me of an episode of The Permaculture Podcast: An Introduction to Nutrient Dense Farming with Mary Johnson If you want to hear more, check it out.
Books of the Week
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:25:05 — 59.1MB)
