Comments

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  Tommy October 25, 2008 at 11:44am

  Hay Ericka and Ryan... Sorry I have been out of touch, Grad School is amazing! I am learning so much Environmental theory it's crazy. The first seed balls, the ones I gave you didn't work out so well. I put some sand in them by accident and they were more like adobe balls. The next batch did much better. I got a ton of native squashes. Two different kinds. Also a native okra that is growing like a weed. Two different kinds of native sunflowers that produced well also. The native melons cracked, but I got a ton of seed, if it don't rain so much next summer they should do well. I can give you some seeds. I haven't had any time to work in the garden once school started, but its still producing. This winter I am thinking of putting in native lentils and peas, they can take the cold and put nitrogen in the soil for next summers corn. I have also discovered accidentally that wheat, sorghum and millet grow just fine out here. You should see the birds hanging off the sorghum plants which are like 6 feet tall. Its really cute. Wheat is a very cool plant, but a bugger to thresh. When this semester is over (2nd week of December) lets get together and talk. I need some permi minds to run some of this theory stuff past to see what the reactions might be.
  Tommy...
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  Jim Muir September 28, 2008 at 4:22pm

  Hi Ericka,
  There are 2 methods that you can effectively use: 1. Collect as many live bugs as you can, add them to a blender with some water, and blend them up good. Strain the mixture, and spray the liquid all over and around your plants.
  
  2. The second method is Biodynamic, and is called "peppering." Collect the bugs, and carefully burn them in a metal bowl or pot. A propane torch works OK, just don't blow the resulting ash (peppers) out of the pot. Let cool, and grind up the ash. Place the ash in a crock (I use a 3 gals. one), get a wooden stick, add the ash to the water, Now stir the mixture clockwise,until it forms a vortex (whirlpool). Break the vortex with your stirring stick, and stir counter-clockwise until a vortex appears. Repeat the process, stirring for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid. I use a 3 gal. Solo back pack sprayer. Spray the mixture on and around your plants and garden. I know it involves more effort and equipment for this method, however, I have been using Biodynamic peppering for over 30 years and it Works!
  
  Hope this helps.
  
  Have a wonderful evening. Jim Muir jim.muir@cox.net