December 21, 2019 One of the advantages of retirement, apart from not having to rush off to work in the morning, is the opportunity to take the time to witness dawn each day from the same location. In the early morning hours one can feel like a conscious participant in the counterclockwise spin of theContinue reading “The Winter Solstice”
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Winter Down Time
December 15, 2019 In aboriginal cultures of the northern hemisphere, winter was traditionally the time for storytelling. There was usually plenty of food stored from hunting and gathering throughout the summer and fall, ideally enough to see the community through the winter. The closer you work with the Earth, the closer you continue this traditional life style. With freezers full, herbsContinue reading “Winter Down Time”
Our Yards and Gardens in Late Fall and Winter
December 8, 2019 I’m a big fan of the scientific approach as it involves letting go of preconceived ideas and becoming fully aware of our surroundings or subject of study through unbiased observation. A scientific mind is less likely to say, “I love this and hate that.” Society has taught us the so-called good andContinue reading “Our Yards and Gardens in Late Fall and Winter”
Our Venture into Raising Chickens
December 1,2019 For as many years as we’ve had the greenhouses, I have thought of options to throwing weeds and spent produce on the compost pile. I would imagine feeding these nutritious greens to hens we didn’t have and collecting eggs in return. We use a fair number of eggs and I could feed hensContinue reading “Our Venture into Raising Chickens”
There is so much and so many possibilities
November 24, 2019 Energy is all around us. Forests, meadows, and wetlands need only solar energy to drive their complex ecosystems. Energy from the sun drives the water cycle as well as air and water currents all over the world. Inside the earth is a cauldron of hot molten rock, so powerful that it spewsContinue reading “There is so much and so many possibilities”
My Adventures with Trial and Error Greenhouse Gardening
November 17, 2019 One should never assume anything, especially when it comes to weather. Past weather patterns, at best, provide some predictability. More importantly than this, is to be prepared to readily adapt. Climate change is bringing us more blasts of extreme cold as the polar vortex extends further south. This past week has seenContinue reading “My Adventures with Trial and Error Greenhouse Gardening”
Looking Ahead to Next Spring
November 10, 2019 My father would always remind us to make time work for us. Applying that principle makes it possible to achieve a considerable amount with least effort. Using least effort and avoiding mechanization is generally much better for the environment. Sometimes we find ourselves struggling to speed up a process. If we wantContinue reading “Looking Ahead to Next Spring”
Trees, Shrubs and Observations
November 3, 2019, by Bea Heissler Now that the market season is over, it’s time to put the potted trees and shrubs away for the winter. We set the trees tightly together into trenches that are about the depth of the pots. Then, use leaf litter to cover the edges of the trenches and aroundContinue reading “Trees, Shrubs and Observations”
Gardening in Fall
October 28, 2019 The northern hemisphere is now tilted away from the sun during this part of Earth’s annual journey around our star. All living things are tuned in to seasonal changes. Daylength sets biological clocks. Varying periods of light triggers changes in plants and animal behaviour. We are not as tuned in as otherContinue reading “Gardening in Fall”
Every day is a learning experience . . .
October 20, 2019 by Bea Heissler In 2006, I took early retirement from a position in outdoor education to start a native plant nursery in Frankford, Ontario. For those who recognize the importance of biodiversity and wanted to turn their yards into havens for wildlife, it was hard to find plants native to this generalContinue reading “Every day is a learning experience . . .”
Natural Themes Farms 