Should I Plant My Tomatoes Yet?

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Create - Enhance - Restore

Issue 5-2022
Ecological Gardening
Pollinator Week: June 20-26
Moon Gardening
Monthly Tips
Offers

Hello friends,

As the rains still fall heavy this May, seedlings popping out of the soil and the rhody's are in their full glory I am turning my attention to the small yet powerful steps I can take to make changes in the garden and in my-self.

I am constantly learning and exploring ways to apply permaculture and regenerative practices into many aspects of life. Let’s continue the theme of Regenerative Gardening from the last couple of issues.

Regenerative Gardening is when your garden re-generates as much as or more than it consumes.

Here are a few examples of what this might look like in a small, urban, residential setting:

Creating gardens where we can leave the leaves, collect branches and other greens to make compost on-site for fertilizing the veggies is regenerative.

When we let some of our flowers go to seed at the end of the season to grow next year's crop without having to buy seeds, that is regenerative.

Leaving these seeds in the garden for the birds, chipmunks (and yes squirrels) so we don’t have to purchase bagged seed and nuts, is also regenerative.

Flowers you do decide to clip for decorating a dinner table, or gifting a friend on a tough day; those too play a vital role. Those hollow stems left to dry out become home to the next generation of bees to pollinate the next generation of flowers. And one less “thing” to buy, package, ship, pick up at the store, throw away - that is regenerative.

Picture yourself in the garden on a beautiful late spring day. Now think of your task list, your shopping list.

How many items on your list do you have to buy in a package that someone else made?

Is it possible that you might be able to generate any of those items yourself?

Even if it is just one, give it a try this season. And start with something simple* !

*Hint: garden clippings + clean cardboard = compost

Did you participate in No-Mow May?
How did it go?

Share pictures of your 'wild' lawn and be sure to tag me for a garden gift!
#ecorestoreconsulting
#nomowlawns
#pollinatorfriendly

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This month is a busy one full of tasks to have a bountiful harvest the rest of the year, but also a busy month of some of the year's first big gatherings out in the fresh air. BBQs, graduations, weddings and honoring those that have passed. Thank you to those that have served, here and gone, on this Memorial Day.

Stay healthy, happy and your hands in the soil !!
~ Lisa

I do not receive compensation for any affiliate links in email or on website.

Pollinator Week ~ 2022 June 20-26th

Join in the fun and celebration for these creatures that do so much for us everyday.

Activities and events start on the 20th - check it out and register today
Pollinator.org

Consultations Available in June: 3

Share with a friend to Grow Together!

Moon Gardening

Since time immemorial our ancestors have lived, told time, fell in love, passed down stories and tended the gardens by the light of the moon. I would like to offer the opportunity for you all to learn more and engage with our only true and beloved satellite while digging in the soil and while walking other paths of your lives.

How does it work - different phases of the moon provide different energies for working in the garden (and all aspects of our lives) to support a specific task or goal.

This is related to but not exactly the same as planting by Astrological days. There is some overlap and you can do both concurrently or choose only one. In these posts I will focus on Moon gardening, yet I will add tid-bits about which astrological sign we may be in at the time.

The Moon, as you all know, directly affects our gravity and the tides. Did you realize it affects gravity on everything - all water on Earth; in our bodies and down to the water in single cells of plants and animals.

Where are we now?

As I finish writing this, today is a New Moon in Gemini and we are rounding the corner of Mercury Retrograde ending on June 3. And quite a heavy one for me; how are you coming through the other side?

New Moon - Set New Intentions, Start Projects, Renew and Regenerate

This New Moon so close to the start of a new month is ripe for setting NEW Intentions, start new projects.

The New Moon of Gemini supports “the magic of communication” and coming out of Mercury Retrograde this may need extra tending and grace. During this moon phase - be curious, explore, talk to someone new.

How can this apply to the garden?

In the garden the New Moon is ideal for planting seeds, transplanting or repotting. Now is a great time to think about sowing (1st or 2nd) successional leafy greens for harvest over the next few months.

Plants for the Moon Garden:
In honoring of Memorial Celebrations and working through grief of any kind.

Hawthorn* (Crataegus douglasii) - Delicate white flowers and bright red berries of this small tree are protectors of the heart and an ally in grief.
*Note common hawthorn is a WA state noxious weed

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - Unique white flowers and foliage are stunning in the light of a moon garden. Supports the cardiovascular system similar to Hawthorn and an ally for those who may have lost a mother or a mother who has lost a child.

Sources and Resources:

Coloring Book of Shadows (my favorite day planner)
The Moon Book by Sarah Gottesdiener
The Herbal Academy

Online links for reference - Shop local, Shop small business!

While you are learning more about the moon’s seasons, energy, power and spirit I ask that each of you also consider how you can help protect her - right now (and for some time really) there has been an assault on the moon. To regard this beautiful being in our solar system only as a resource, a thing to exploit for our benefit is beyond unfortunate and will only do us harm in the long run.

Please join me in honoring the moon by accepting and celebrating what she has to offer. I look forward to learning more with all of you.

Moon Phases and their associations.

There are four primary phases, in some resources you may see as many as 9. Here I am introducing the most commonly seen. Please note this list of associations or attributes is not exhaustive, only a foundation to get us started on this journey together. Remember these apply to all aspects of life not just in the landscape.

New - Set New Intentions, Start Projects, Renew and Regenerate

First Quarter - Take Action, Increase Energy, Let things In

Full - Culmination, Complete and Fulfill

Last Quarter - Banishing, Let things Go

In addition to the phases there are periods of transition.

Waxing is the time between new & full; the first quarter

Waning is the time between full & new; the last quarter

I do not receive compensation for any affiliate links in email or on website.

Want to plan and build your own Moon Garden?
Reach out today - Click HERE

June Pro-TIPS

Get your hands dirty with past posts & tips by visiting the blog:
The Bee's Knees - News You Can Use

Seattle is still a bit chilly with the average temperatures of high 65 ℉ - and low 45℉!

~ Tomatoes - Remember my plea for patience last month? That continues here.
Be sure the night time lows are up to 50 degrees in your area. And have a cover for each plant available for when we get cold snaps.
~ Plant them deeper than you think you should (ignore any of my previous planting rules just this once)!
~ Feed them nitrogen rich food in the beginning and then switch to phosphorus rich once they flower and begin to fruit.

~ Haven’t converted to a no-mow lawn yet and have lawn clippings? You have options:

Set your mower to a height that cuts off no more than ½ inch and leave the clippings on the lawn to self fertilize and retain moisture.
Rake and add them to your compost pile to create mulch* for this coming fall.
*The fresh clippings are not compost or mulch- (ie decomposed) please don’t add these around trees or shrubs or in your garden beds; Edible or ornamental beds.

Over the lawn is fine because it is such a thin layer and will add N-P-K back to the soil, but around other plants it can create too much heat near the roots as it decomposes and if not dry may mold/mildew creating more problems.

PS approximately 12% of landfill waste is green yard waste - creating a lot of methane gas as they decompose in large quantities, so let's close the loop and keep them on-site.

Have a specific question? Hire a Garden Coach for a single session or a year-long package for seasonal troubleshooting!

Have a chef or grill-master in your life who loves fresh ingredients?

Do they have all of the cooking gadgets one can imagine?

Treat them to a gift of fresh herbs to savor those pop up BBQ nites all season long!

Great for gardeners of all skill levels.

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Whether you are looking to grow more flowers, harvest more veggies or pick fresh herbs from your garden - the best garden tool is a healthy population of beneficial insects and pollinators.
Creating habitats for birds, bees, butterflies and other insects is such a rewarding experience for any level gardener.

Pollinator Patch Garden Kit includes:
20 plants personally selected for your site, covers approximately 75 square feet
A basic design so you can plant them for the greatest success*
Your choice of a butterfly or bee house to support your newest garden neighbors!

Pollinator Paradise Garden Kit includes:
50 plants personally selected for your site, covers approximately 200 square feet
A basic design so you can plant them for the greatest success*
Pollinator garden sign to proudly display
Your choice of a butterfly or bee house to support your newest garden neighbors!

*Additional service available if you would like Eco-Restore to install plants in the appropriate place.

Start Here Today !

Eco-Restore provides consultation services and designs sustainable, regenerative and healthy gardens. Incorporating native, edible, and medicinal plants to enhance habitats for the benefit of people and the planet.

Eco-Restore landscapes include: