Between reading Consumed: Food for a Finite Planet, hearing about an old debate and bet about population growth and resources between an economist and biologists this morning and viewing some of these fabulously made videos on permaculture and sustainable gardening/food harvesting I'm reminded of my ever-standing goal of growing as much of my own food in my own space as possible. And this is my resolution every year. And with that the New Year has begun with this:
Spicy Coconut Squash Soup with Kale
The highlighted veg here is the squash. This dish can be made with either sweet potatoes (which I also have) or squash. This squash is Seminole. It is a wild squash that is very resistant to pests and disease and thus productive. I grew it for the first time and will continue to do so. We have problems with squash borers and stink bugs around here and this one seemed to not attract either. It is a small, variably-shaped, heather-orange skinned squash that grows rampant.
Curry sauce base: 2 tsp salt, 3 cloves garlic, 1 small chili, 1 Tbs fresh ginger (attempting to grow my own now), 1 tsp coriander (ground), 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 can coconut milk (not exactly local), 2 c. water, 1 chopped onion sauteed
After tasting the sweet squash (that I'm storing in my unheated garage) I decided to save the seeds. I just cleaned the pulp off under water and dried on a paper towel and then stored in a paper envelope.
Wild Seminole Squash Seeds
Seeds started:
12/25/13: started pepper seeds in baggies on water heater
12/26/13: started, but not yet up: spinach mix, celery, walking stick kale, forager kale
12/26/13: started and germinated: tronchuda cabbage (leafing cabbage), Russian kale, pak choi
Pak Choi
Sustainable gardening should take into consideration plants aside from those directly usable by humans. Diversity of plants and wildlife should be maintained as much as possible. With this in mind I have established a living fence on my property. A living fence is in essence a hedgerow. This isn't a new idea to the old time farmers. It's just something we shouldn't have gotten away from. My living fence includes lots of native shrubs, wildflowers and vines. In a small attempt to help the struggling Monarch butterfly population I've begun adding more Milkweeds to my property, along with other native wildflowers I don't currently grow. Here is how I am stratifying & starting some of those seeds:
Seed stratification
Stratification is the necessary exposure to a cold and moist period in order for many native perennial seeds to break dormancy. I've planted the seeds in pots, held in trays to hold some moisture and labeled. Nature is doing the rest of the work.
Sustainable gardening for me includes feeding the birds. Since I moved into this property and greatly increased the diversity of plants and habitat options I have seen a significant increase in the number of species of birds I have and the number of birds in general, even while (and I hate to admit it) having outdoor cats. The only real reason I have outdoor cats is because they were abandoned pets that showed up and refuse to live in my home (tore through the screens to get out).
House Sparrows
While House Sparrows are not native and there are a load of them in my yard and not the best example of diversity and sustainability they are here. They were introduced to this country the same year my house was built, 1851. Unless a disease wipes them out they aren't leaving. So, looking on the bright side these birds do eat seeds and insects, which are two reasons why having birds in sustainable farms and gardens is useful.
Overwintering progress report
Most of the overwintered plants in my basement are looking as pathetic as they usually do this time of year, except for the chili peppers which are still very green and full of leaves. Maybe I've done a better job of keeping them watered this year?
usual sad looking overwintered annuals
Habanero looking good
Mustard or Peach Habanero
Today I will probably start another round of greens in the basement garden as I hope to have cycles of plants ready for early spring/late winter gardening. Very soon I will place my spring/summer seed order. I've already marked my catalogs.
Gardening forces optimism on me.
I need that.
-Me
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