Elizabeth's Secret Garden

  My garden this fall is productive and flourishing. I have learned and experienced so much during the 4 years I’ve been gardening. I now grow herbs, vegetables, and butterfly plants. Many of my herbs and vegetables are started from seed which allows me to experiment with different and unique varieties. When I first started, I could hardly get seeds to sprout and many of my plants dried out. So if you feel that you are lacking a “green thumb,” don’t be discouraged. Start out small and then expand. I learned that growing plants in pots in Florida doesn’t work well because the heat dries out the soil too fast. We converted to raised beds in our family garden which works much better.  Also, as a beginner gardener, I suggest buying seedlings from the store and when you feel more confident than begin your journey with seeds. B eware though, seed shopping is addicting! The joy of herbs! So many choices. Starting herbs from seeds can open so many different opportunities to try n...

This fall I am participating in a Permaculture Design Course through the Simple Living Institute http://www.simplelivinginstitute.org/ . Tia and Terry Meer are teaching the course and have discussed a wide range of topics. For day 4, we discussed propagation from seeds and cuttings, composting piles, and worm composting. All of these are important in applying permaculture and integrating sustainable living. It is a way of life that takes time and is constantly developing. Steps to Building Worm Bin The bottom container has a tap that allows worm compost tea to be released. The worm tea is very concentrated so I water mine down to a ratio of 1 part worm tea and 10 parts water. It is a wonderful liquid fertilizer for plants. I use it for plants that need a little extra boost in nutrients. Then I lay down a thin cloth before adding the first tray which will be where the worms and food scraps are added. At the bottom of the tray, I put ripped up paper. This is a great way to recycle j...

  For the third day of the Permaculture Design Course, we spent the morning learning about composting, biointensive gardening, creating mushroom beds, and we began our study of forest garden designs. The Urban Farm is an educational site that brings fellow gardeners together to dig deeper into permaculture. The farm demonstrates how to produce food that is healthy for us and the planet. The Urban Farm is managed by Tia Meer and was co-founded with John Rife. The farm now has a work exchange CSA program and “Work and Learn” classes to teach basic gardening skills to anyone who is interested. Urban Farm Website: http://winterparkharvestfestival.com/urban-farm   The first demonstration involved hands on work for building a compost pile. These wood pallets were converted into a composter. We discovered that the wood was already in use by a cluster of mushrooms. With all the men working together, the composter was quickly assembled. The first layer consisted of large...

  The Econ Farm was purchased in 2003 by Tia and Terry Meer, and is used for demonstrating sustainable living practices and for educational classes on topics such as organic gardening, permaculture, and sustainability.  This fall from Sept. 15 – Nov. 4th they are offering their third Permaculture Design Course in Orlando, FL. Permaculture is a design for sustainable living and agriculture. The methods can be applied around the world to turn degraded ecosystems into productive and thriving communities. It is not only a way of life, but also the future. It takes methods and strategies from around the world and weaves them into an applicable example that can be used in urban and rural land designs. In a time when environmental health is at risk, permaculture is one of the solutions that will help us rise above the ecological problems that we are currently facing. To learn more about the Econ Farm and how you can get involved visit, http://www.simplelivinginstitute.org/econf...

Chimney Bluffs State Park is a series of sharp pinnacles and cliffs that span the shore of Lake Ontario. Its formation is a result of the erosive power from wind, rain, snow, and waves. The erosion of the bluffs occurs at the rate of 1 to 5 feet per year. It is constantly changing and transforming. It is a nice place to take a hike or have a picnic. Website with more info:  http://nysparks.com/parks/43/details.aspx     Our family took the longest trail through and had a good view of the bluffs. We were high up and the trail overlooked the shore. The peaks have a razor sharp appearance.        Golden rod lined the pathway. To get a good view of the bluffs, I stood on the edge of the cliff and hung on to a tree.  I was in the adventurous mood and wanted to get some good photos. Here is the valley below. It’s a long way down! If you look closely, you can see a person on the shore. Here is the tree that fell into the path.  ...