A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post detailing my intentions for my little courtyard garden. So here's a short update on the progress...

I'm so glad that all the containers, tubs, and pots I am using have either been donated by neighbors or are old single-use plastic that I had saved to reuse. The thyme plant was a supermarket kitchen herb that I ran a test with to see how hardy it was. So far so good...

It doesn't look like much is going on but I am super happy to have planted some seeds yesterday.

It was a New Moon on Sunday. I have a particular fondness for the moon. I feel quite sensitive to her energy, the pull that each phase brings. I have been waiting for this moment since some of the seeds I needed arrived in the post. There is something quite magical about using the moon to grow plants. I've been using a Lunar planting guide to help me over the last few years. It also includes the biodynamic calendar which I am also interested in gaining more knowledge in that area of gardening.

Many years ago I was watching an episode of Gardener's World ( a very British gardening t.v show) and a lovely old man was talking about how he always plants his seeds under a new moon as they will be stronger and brighter. He went on to say that there is a misconception that a full moon, with its brightness, correlates to vigorous plant growth from strong seedlings. I also found it fascinating as he pointed out that children conceived under a new moon will often be bright and intelligent.
What a lovely concept!

Lunar planting is the idea that the moon's pulling and pushing affect works in harmony with the growth of the plant. For example, leaf and fruit bearing plants need water drawn up to their leaves and flowers, it is in the first phases on the moon's cycle that this effect is stronger and thus considered to be most beneficial for these types of plants. For root crops, the waning moon's pushing effect encourages water into the root.

During these cycles, the new moon and the full moon are a time for rest, to relax in the calmness that these two phases bring. The last quarter of the waning moon, leading up to the new moon is ideal for harvesting, tidying and preparing.

I like to set good intentions when preparing and planting, to further encourage good health in the plants and hope for abundance. One of my rituals for planting is to play some calm and uplifting music while doing it in the hope that this positive energy transfers into the seeds and the soil.

So while it may seem that I don't have much to show just yet, I am happy in the knowledge that those little seeds are tucked away nicely. Each time I water them, I repeat a positive mantra and set good intentions to keep the energy upbeat, to give the little seeds a better chance to thrive.

Studies have been conducted into the transmission of certain frequencies to improve plant and crop growth with results showing greener, more vigorous growth as well as greater yields. It was discovered that music played at frequencies between 115hz to 250hz had a beneficial effect. This particular study showed that the frequencies helped the plant roots to find water, and appeared to make it easier for them to find water.

I like to think that the frequencies worked in harmony, jiggling the root, the water and the soil to give the plant the best possible chance.

I ordered this herb box as it was good value and had most of the ones i wanted to grow. The pot to the left contains the leaf and flower plants such as lettuce, sunflower, spinach, cucumber, nasturtiums and my favorite cherry tomatoes named 'sweet millions'.

Above from left to right are the lettuce,tomatoes, oregano, basil in the pots and cucumber in the plastic egg carton. They are all growing in my daughter's bedroom as it has the most light in the house and the least people.

On the windowledge is some Lemon Balm and two pots of sage because well, I like to make smudge sticks.
I've kept this indoors for now as we have still had a few frosts and I don't have a cold frame or cloche to cover them with, so I felt this was the most efficient way to go.

In here, I have planted the nasturtiums. These will provide cover for when the tomatatoes and basil go in. Yes that's an old rat cage that I repurposed. We used the base as a sled when it snowed, hence the cracks. The cage is on top as the local alley cat likes to use it as a toilet otherwise.
I have a few other things on the grow but felt it unnecessary to bore Hive with numerous pots of soil. I am just going to list them below:

• Chamomile
• Chives
• Purple Basil
• Creeping Thyme
• Sunflowers
• Potatoes

Hopefully there will be signs of life in the next post I write about this.

I am finishing this post with a little poem I wrote about Lunar Gardening ...

Oh Luna bright, oh Luna blue
You shine at night to guide me through
Even in the darkest hour
I feel your presence, respect your power.

In your waxing new,
leaf and flower thrive, ensue
When you wane, there comes a time
to delve below, roots you enshrine

Thriving, strengthen, fertility dance
Seeds flourish, Midwife of plants
Abundant energy, create inspire
Cool, calm balance, soft glow beguile.

~ONE LOVE~

***

CommunityIIDiscord

***

***