The Dogmother Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Did anyone see the article on pages 26 and 27 of today's Daily Mail? Lesley, Kooringa, Graham - you would find this very interesting. In a nutshell it's about the declining goodness in today's food as bought from most supermarkets, and the value of returning to old fashioned methods of farming, and organic produce. I can't say how much I agree with what they are saying. If you are having trouble getting a copy, then PM me with your postal address and I'll have a go at photocopying it on Monday and send it out. I read an article somewhere else, not so long ago about the ancient method of farming by the phases of the moon. This made real sense, but I can't remember where ai saw it, so if anyone can point me in the direction of a book/article on the subject, I would be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Sorry can't point you in the right direction but I think I saw it or something similar about beans sprouting sooner if planted on a certain moon ie waxing or waning I think (got to be one or the other I guess!) It was facinating. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Blue Sky Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Some French organic produce is grown in this way = they call it agriculture biodynamique rather than organic, working with phases of the moon and I think working in some astrology. They say you should weed when the moon is new, and plant/sow when the moon is full, to take advantage of the changes in the water table. I had a book which would now be out of date as it contained an ephemeris, called Astrological Gardening, I should think they would print again each year to keep it current, and a look at Abebooks might turn one up. It's a fascinating subject, I hope you find something on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 (edited) Clare, the Mail article sounds interesting, if you get the opportunity to copy it I'd be really keen on reading it please. I'm not sure if we're talking about the same lunar cycles article, but I read about it in the Jan 06 issue of GYO. I found it quite interesting and am planning to try it out this year, following some of their recommended dates. They're also running a trial, getting readers to plant according to their biodynamic dates to see if there really is anything in it. If you've not got the article yourself I can try to copy it. Not sure if I know how to post or PM it, but I'm sure I can either email or post in the traditional way to anyone who wants a copy Quick edit to add that the article suggests these websites for further information, although I have to confess that I've not checked them out myself.... yet. The Biodynamic gardening initiative www.peagreenboat.co.uk Biodynamic Agricultural Association www.biodynamic.org Recommended books are "Biodynamic Gardening" by John Soper (Souvenir Press, £10.99) and "Gardening and Planting by the Moon" by Nick Kollerstrum (Quantum, £8.99) Edited February 4, 2006 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Blue Sky Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 They've got this one for sale on Amazon: Working with the Stars: A Bio-dynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar Maria Thun (Editor), Matthias K. Thun (Editor) The one I was talking about earlier was by Louise Riotte, but it gets a sound slagging off in Amazon's reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 I agree wholeheartedly - that is why I eat what I grow - hardly buy any food. Still trying to find someone with a goat, then I wouldn't have to even go in for milk! I made some more butter today, and am going to have a go at drying some of my garlic and onions. Will do that in my studio = a bit of a pong? Up the allotments they do talk of sowing things of the shortest and harvesting them on the longest - but they tell me a month later! Mrs L on her forum is going to do it that way this year and document it. Should be good Thanks for drawing attention to it Clare - just got back from my allotment and am thawing out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 Thanks for all that info chaps. I will look at those sites when I get a moment Kate. Kate, I am sure that I still have your address somewhere, but would you be able to PM it to me - and any others of you who would like a copy. I will copy it at work on Monday and stick it in the post to you. It made interesting reading and goes to underline what we all believe anyway. I couldn't help but be disgusted this morning as I walked into town and saw loads of people eating takeaway breakfasts (mainly McD's)on the hoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 I haven't read the paper yet Clare - don't feel well. You might be able to find the article on www.dailymail.co.uk - I haven't looked there either That's also why, like Kooringa, we grow as much as we can. I do have some shrubs and flowers but only to entice beneficial insects to the garden. We are only interested in plants that produce something edible and it's amazing how much you can fit in, even in a small garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 Lesley, I hope that you feel better soon. I had a look on the Daily Mail site, but it's not on there. Or if it is, it's buried so deep that I can't find it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
