| Gwenythe briat's Journal of Memories of Gwenwood Farms and her Gardens in Litchfield County, Ct. Opening Page of www.usagardens.net. Gwenythe briat Harvey's Journal (c) of Herb Gardens, Recipes, and Farm Stories P.O.Box 1064 Litchfield, Conn. 06759 e-mail:webmaster @ usagardens.net 860-567-3708 main site: www.gardengoddess.net |
| Content Plant Directory of Zone 5-7 plantings Self Help Questions & Answers * Farm Stories to share with your Children * Herbs, Recipes and Herb Gardens: * Ole' Timers Quick Fix for your Gardens: i.e. this Grandmother's practical advice * Bibliography |
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| Planting: consider the Moon.....every Ole' Timer will tell you to sow seed and to transplant only with a waxing, never a waning moon. Scientists have finally caught up to the effects of lunar rhythms on the earth's magnetic field which in turn affect growth. Planting Herbs:Never plant the same kind of herb in the same place twice in succession...if you are using a plan, simply alternate from one side to the other or one corner to the other...rotation if you will. Symbiosis: Marigolds with everything...Both the aroma and the excretions from these tiny plants (also known as Indian Buttonholes) are invaluable. They are perfect edging plants and can be sown as decorative hedgerows between the flower beds. Tagetes minuto is even more potent than the French (tagetes patula) or the African marigold. They are also known for their invaluable contribution to killing nematodes in the soil as well as whitefly. I use the old fashioned Mexican Marigolds which can grow to 3' in the background of my perennial beds or as a welcome contrast to the ornamental cabbage, and the lacy tops of the carrots. Deer and rabbits dislike the aroma. Keep in mind that marigolds and the herb "Rue" actively dislike one another. Potatoes and Tomatoes need this plant badly. Nettles within reason. The birds love them and the squirrels gather the fallen seed heads. These stimulate the growth of all the plants in their neighbourhood. They are also the best thing for hastening decomposition in a compost heap, while providing it with rich nutrients. In the Kitchen Garden planting nettles by currant bushes will assist the currants in blooming more prolifically, so that they will thereby fruit better and be more resistant to disease. An old bed of nettles is the perfect spot to plant soft fruit, as the soil has been enriched for many years with their compost. Nitrogen, silica, iron, protein,phosphates, formic acid and other mineral salts are all benefits from nettles. Try planting sea holly in with the nettles. The shiny greens and blues of the sea holly compliment the dreariness of the nettle. I use my elbow length, leather rose gloves to weed around the nettles. Dr.Digatalis aka Foxglove assist in keeping other plants healthier and improve the storage qualities for potatoes, tomatoes and apples that are grown near them. Ole' Timers know them as stimulators of growth and helpers of disease resistance for neighboring plants. Nurse Camomile assists mints in developing more savour. Planted next to ailing plants, it improves their health. The "exhalation" from the leaves, or "the sweet breath thereof" was considered as beneficial to the neighboring plants as it was pleasant to humans when trodden underfoot. When the plant grows too large having done its work, remove it, leaving much improved soil near the plants it has strenthened. Replace it with a yearling so the process can be repeated. continued on the home page of the "Ole' Timers" link below |
| Herb Gardens Ole' Timers Bibliography Farm Stories Coe Memorial Park Weekly Series Garden Goddess Botanical Gardens Web Site |
| Rule # 1: Sow seed generously............ One for the Rook, One for the Crow, One to Die, and One to Grow.... The following pages will assist you in sowing literally what you reap and being very pragmatic, a harvest of 85% germination.!! |
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| Gwenwood Farms, winter scene. I was going to replace this photograph with one of my Gardens in the spring.. However today, March 23,2005, large heavy drops of water- laden snow is falling from a very gloomy sky. The boxwood is wearing a cloak of crystal white. The tiny snowdrops and crocus that are devotedly struggling to foretell of spring, are crestfallen. As I am! DUST OF SNOW The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued. Robert Frost |
| These Web Pages at USA Gardens.net are dedicated to the loyal inhabitants of Gwenwood Farms. You shall read their individual stories on the Farm Stories link. These friends include "Mozart" a friendly Rooster and his devoted companion Hennie Pennie; the motherly Ewes, Sheri, Abigail and Liberace; his "Highness" Puppet, a not so ordinary Ram; Sarah the PeaHen; the stallion- hearted Horses, Flameglow, Ginger, and Sneezy; Pongo the Dalmation; my Old English Sheepdogs, Lady Ashley and Professor Watson; the feathered flock of Geese, Bessie and Busty and their fearless leader "Yackie"; "Jeremaih" Puddleduck, a very brave duck; and the Shitzus, Shutzie, Precious "little caesar", Munchkin and Wiggins. My dedication: "They are my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. They are the part of me that can reach out into the sea. They have all told me a thousand times in a thousand different ways that I am their reason for being" Thank You for all the gifts of love and adventures during our times together! |
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| Braveheart "Mozart" and his Hennie Pennie 1985-1993 |
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| All rights reserved 2003-10 USA Gardens HomePage Web Design: Gwenythe b. Harvey |
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