Mid-late Sept Update: Todo hay un razon

It's been a while, but things have been in motion.

Quick update on growing plants:

• Tomatoes- are still growing, giving us their all until they complete their season cycle.
• Amaranth- something is wrong. Our prized crop has been invaded by critters. There are pockets missing from majority of leaves, we suspect hungry-hungry catepillars. We plan on getting rid of what's necessary and salvaging what we can. More info to come on that process
• Beans- some are growing and flowering! That is exciting, some aren't doing so well, but we are watching them.
• Squash- Doing it's thang, there are small yellow flowers, so we suspect some baby squashes soon. <3 font="">
• Okra- (upper left corner) looks so tasty. Some are a deep purple and others bright green, I am excited about these! They feel so fuzzy :)

Saturday 09/14 Update:

We love having new fresh energy in the Jardin. We were blessed with overwhelming male energy, it made up for a long summer without hombres. My brother Roland and his workers (amigos) came to help us get dirt from A+B Soil (down by Telephone & Bellfort). Go, call, and/or check them out!! (713) 649-0747 7425 Bellfort ST 77087

We debated how much soil we needed/wanted, but decided on one (1) cubic yard for a raised bed and had plenty excess. It was just shy of half a bed of a pick up truck. They dumped it straight into the truck, and upon arrival at the Jardin the guys kindly removed it from the truck. Besides resuming the "womanly" duties of offering water, we supervised.

We gave them a quick tour and prepared for other people to come volunteer. An old friend of mine from college came and brought a friend with him. We went straight to business from the moment they came out of the car and just to work! Wheeling new cynder blocks no joke! The plan for the day: welcome newbies to the jardin, tour of what we had growing, what we grew, why we grew, what the mission for the day was (building a raised bed) and plans for the fall. [We mean business!!]

We were able to prepare the new bed in this order: 

1. A layer of BROWN cardboard boxes broken down (minimal ink is key, if there is some, no worries just make sure you have brown up and ink down to the ground. Don't fret about weeds, the cardboard takes care of that.
2. Followed by cynder blocks to hold in the soil, be fun and creative, we stuck to a rectangle for our Fall crops.
3. Add soil and fill. We used a blend from A+B which consisted of dirt, mulch and manure. We also used some of our supply and enriched it as much needed. The key to a healthy garden is GOOD SOIL! Don't cheap out.

Hours passed as we laughed, joked, built with each other, shared knowledge and I daresay opened our hearts to hear the faint whispered the cosmos meant for us to have. It was beautiful thing, and as I sit here reflecting on it, the high from that day carried me through the next week.

Real Talk:

The connection we gain from working the earth is UNREAL. I cry every time, not because of sadness, but because this mission for our own self-sustainability is reaching people. Igniting fires. Inspiring. Educating. Decolonizing. Allowing them to have a place to reminisce on their ancestors and make connections to the history of their people and blood that flows within them. It's a beautiful thing. I was happy to hear their stories, about the knowledge they had, and laughed at hearing some of the things they knew were things we had to research. If only we had known each other before, but we didn't and we do now. #superfeliz Definite connections made and I am happy about that.

Tlazokamati / Gracias / Thank You / Shout-OUTs:

• Gina and her baby Bella, your boxes did us good! Gracias hermana de mi hermana! 
• Roland, Rene & the other hombre, mil gracias! Your time, energy, truck and sweat was well appreciated and won't be forgotten.
• Ruben & Josh, you own this garden too! Communal love and good spirits to each of you! You guys sent me on that good ol'natural high for a minute. I am happy to have spent the time with each of you and invite you to come back.
• Dee, como siempre, thank you for allowing the space, knowledge, good vibe and for being a trooper that day.
• Obaid, plant your seeds! Our seeds are siblings from the same lot. So we want to see progress, don't let us down. Happy belated birthday too!

BTW - we planted since and as of 09/22 Things have sprouted!!! More info in a new blog soon! 

Marigolds & Tears

Peace. I say this time and time again, but working with Mother Earth (Tonantzin) changes us. It ignites this fire within us that we just can't ignore. Bear with me as I speak of  something close not only my heart but my soul. 

As the summer comes to an end, we have been talking about phasing into our Fall crops, which dee expanded on in our last blog. (Tlazos a dee!)


We change, we move, it changes, it moves, but we must find the balance. Balance.

As we continually do our tasks, we step back each time and think of how things have changed, express our words of gratitude to the cosmos, to each other, shed a tear or two because we are overcome with emotion for the tasks we have completed that has no words to express/share/even write.

Last week we sat down to plan our crops for the upcoming season, and if you know me on any level I have talked about this at one point or another, greens in the fall, phasing, etc. As we thumbed through the pages of our catalog, did some on-the-fly research, the day began to escape us. We literally became CONSUMED in the work that we do. It was an eye-opening thing because we were gifted with the opportunity to do such work and we made so many plans. We debated, we giggled, we talked about things we wanted to offer our households and our community to enrich our lives.

Altar decorated with Cempasuchil flores

In the midst of discussing companion planting, herbs to repel pests, etc. We came across Marigolds or Cempasuchil in spanish. (Which is the flower of most used to decorate during dia de los muertos, Nov.1 & 2, a sacred day for many brown people that honors our past loved ones.) I began to become short of breath and had to turn away from my sister because F*#%! We talk about being in tune with things, building connections and there it was staring at us in the face.

Our ancestors knew these things, and somewhere along the course of history this knowledge wasn't shared with us. It moved me because I know in October I need marigolds. I see them in art, in stores, on altars, in cemeteries, and I know that it is a sign of acknowledging my ancestors, paying homage to the dead and respect. I didn't know it was used to keep Fall crops healthy. It sounds funny now, but tears are filling my eyes as I try to type.

I feel such a strong connection with muertos, and it just moves me that we will have the opportunity to experience Marigolds in the Original Jardin. I feel truly honored and gifted by the cosmos for this.

Paz,
Gritona 

Mictlancihuatl y Mictlantecuhtli

Above you can see the different energy representations from the underworld, Mictlancihuatl is the female represntation and Mictlantecuhtli is the male. The light/dark dark, the feminine/male to balance themselves. I felt it would be appropriate to share that part of myself here. It has been burning in my mind since Saturday.

Okra-Cen & Support

We have amaranth/calalloo, squash, tomatoes, okra, & Hopi beans growing in our Original Jardin right now. As we prepare for Fall planting, we are maintaining what continues to yield in our Space. We love our plantitas & are excited to work toward inspiring & opening our fence to you:

Okra/Squash

/Okra-Cen: A play on words for Okra- the yummy green-seed pod & the Español word for growth- Crecer - combined kinda like 'grow you some of this Okra goodness! - because that's what's happening for us!

Okra is taking off in the garden! It's been exciting to watch it's leaves & notice how 2 are rigged and one smooth- distinguished and shooting up. We are suspicious, though, that the calabasa squash that was planted and harvested nearby blended in though- we have vining okra....maybe? Ha!

Cool facts about Okra:

- One of the earliest accounts of Okra is by a Spanish Moor who visited Egypt in 1216, who described the plant under cultivation by the locals who ate the tender, young pods with meal
- Okra is easily dried for later use. A little dried okra in prepared dishes produces much the same results as does the fresh product.
- Okra Nutrition (half-cup cooked okra)

• Calories = 25
• Dietary Fiber = 2 grams
• Protein = 1.5 grams
• Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
• Vitamin A = 460 IU
• Vitamin C = 13 mg
• Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
• Calcium = 50 mg
• Iron = 0.4 mg
• Potassium = 256 mg
• Magnesium = 46 mg 

- There is an Annual Okra Festival in Burkville, Alabama- http://www.okrafestival.org/

/ Support

Much like us human folk need 'support', so do many of the foods growing in our Jardin.

Our tomato plants grew above the small cages we originally put them in so, after some discussion, we decided to buy 2 new cages and work them onto what we had already put down. We reinforced the cages where they intercepted and were able to branch the plant upward- works for now!

Beans 1: Built a trellis structure around the growing pole beans because, due to the corn already being harvested, they had no where to go but around the ground in bundles!

Beans 2: I used wooden stakes & thick garden string to create a triangle near all of the growing bean bundles. Once the grid was built, I untangled the 'bean bundles' and guided them up the trellises. I'm proud of the work & the frijoles seemed happy to spread out with SUPPORT! 

8/25/2013-
Seeing how far we've come and how the garden evolved much on it's own made us laugh and drop some tears into the ground as we closed our day of work with our palabra. As much as we did guide what would grow, we have allowed and the seeds have shown that they rule. They go where they want and our job is to protect them, make paths, understand when they move the way that they do, and appreciate the flores/food they gift to show thanks to us for the guidance y amor.
We spent another 3 hours after this picking out Fall seeds to order and make plans for a raised bed within this little squash-induced maze. Greens is the name of the game & the marigolds are also going to be sweeettt... More on all this from Gritona to come!

P.S. We harvested 3 sunflowers worth of seeds & (what we now believe to have not been Red Creole but) Tohono O'odhalm I'itoi Onions!

Thank you for reading & please email questions & check our page via facebook at The Original Jardin.

We are taking donations of:
- Cardboard (no white & as little labels as possible)
- Composting materials
- Used Coffee Grounds
- $$$$ to help us purchase soil- We are an organic non-GMO & chemical free garden, so great soil blends & upkeep are key & is a bit pricer to maintain since we don't do miracle grow and find natural pest deterrents where possible, etc.

Peace 4 Now, Mi Gente

~ dee!

July 10 & July 13: Talacheras y Okra

July 10: Wednesday we met to do some light work in the garden. While I was making executive decisions on the fly about our new soil to be added, my sisters were preparing to come in to the garden for work.

We kept it light:

• lifted weeds
• scoped out the area for okra areas
• bagged the sunflowers to ensure we were saving as many seeds from birds/rodents, etc.
• make sure to cut small holes/slithers for sun to poke through!
• took the Amaranth that was ready out.

• The best way to tell is to see how the inflorescene (tassel like top) becomes too heavy it weighs the plant down.
• In order to take out the amaranth you cut the steam about 1-1.5 ft off the ground and it will regrow itself.
• We harvested seeds by saving the inflorescene to dry out and shake out seeds
• We saved leaves for eating and put the stalk in the compost.100% useable

July 13: Saturday the plan was to create a space for okra that gets at least 8-10 hours of sun.

How it went down:

• First things first, we needed to get tools out, we pulled out almost every tool we had. ha! 
• Next to pick a spot to place our okra, we initially made plans for a particular area, but based off Dee's research found out it probably isnt the best place. so we moved on to a different area.

• Creating Patches: 
• Using the Talacho. I don't know what the proper term for the tool is in English, but I can say I can pick it up and use it! I think it's called a pickaxe. It was such an experience as I literally used almost every muscle in my body to properly use it and create spaces for us to use. 
• We picked down about 6- 8 inches of the ground so we can create a area to make a nice rich 
• Soil mix: After making a small basin we decided to mix the following ingredients. With this we were able to make a mound that gives the roots a little bit over (1) foot to grow in rich soil.

• compost mulch
• manure
• our collective compost
• O.Jardin's finest dirt ;)
• planting of the seeds
• The matron of the house (Dee's Mama) usually comes out to visit us in the garden, this time she came in to plant seeds! special moments 
• Put more soil down to support growing Squash
• General clean-up weeding, picking up branches, etc.
• Cleared patch of weeds under the tree [took a quick nap...hehe]

Sentimientos: Well, if you don't know me personally, I am a relatively private person, with the exception of those closely surround me. This past week has been so emotional for me. Experiencing life, watching our garden grow, sharing laughter, having deep conversation and understanding what it all really means. As I/We continually strive towards Mexicayotl we are constantly evaluating what we are doing in relation to this life. I put my sweat and tears into this and watching things grow is truly an amazing experience. We are watching seeds form into food that goes into our mouths. I always leave with a heart full of accomplishment and a step toward creating sustainability in my communidad. I am excited about the okra. I love the way it was tastes and can't wait to share it with my father.

Gracias/Tlazos:

A Juan! We got a cool weed/grass tool to use. Juana, thank you for helping us plant the okra. To our sisters, thank you for either contributing to the compost, coming to learn, weeding, conversing, listening and/or sharing your palabra, your words, sweat and hearts help us reaffirm the work that we do!

Other:

Peace to Trayvon Martin, may your soul rest and continue to be one of many who opens our eyes to be proactive in our communities. There is NO JUSTICE, there is JUST US.

July 10: Update since I last wrote...

Things that have been done:

• routine things done in the garden (i.e. watering/weeding)
• removed the last of the corn stalks (07/03/13)
• decided we need to move our cardboard. It's working y'all, we are just moving it around to continue to kill those weeds
• re-soiling, we laid some new soil, and will continue to do so, we are going to have to find a new soil place to go to, so we can buy in bulk.

Quick Crop Updates:

• Amaranth- matured! We are preparing to cut it down.
• Squash- which is thriving, it looks awesome, its really taking over.
• something i learned: the stem of the leaf that grows (to provide shade) is hollow.
• Beans-growing, seems to be a bit fragile, have to be mindful of that when watering
• Tomatoes they are growing. despite some problems we had with a caterpillar (Tomato Hornworm) ugly little thing. it got a few, but I got to taste one! it was awesome, and was very special to me. 
• Onion- we need to do some research on this, some leaves look great, others not so much, which scares me since it's a root crop you pull on the leaves to get it out... might need to do some digging.
• Sunflowers- looking, er-not so good? NO! they are where they need to be! Once the flower wilts it means the seeds are setting into place and getting ready for picking!

Things to do:

• Get more soil and paperbags
• work on composting
• try to find a barrel to use for compost
• plan for fall crops! MUST RESEARCH: 
• companion planting, specifically for okra, mesculin lettuce mix, squash, tomato and onion
• common pests and natural solutions for those pests.

Surprises:

• We were gifted Okra! Yay! I am particularly excited, its one of my favorite things to eat.
• we will be planting this soon.

Resources:

• common garden pests- this is a constant problem, so we occasionally have to look a thing up or two. This link is great and helped us identify the tomato pest culprit.

Special Thanks & Dedication:
This is my favorite area to post. Giving thanks is so important in our lives. This post I want to say Thank You to so many people. To everyone who liked our Facebook Page: The Original Jardin (where we post info, pictures, links, resources, etc.). To Brother Zin for the Okra seeds and a good build on soil and the importance of it. Knowledge spreads far between people. For our visitors: our family, our friends. We had a great group of people come see our jardin, original members who put in work for years and it brought so much peace and happiness to my heart. Their words brought tears to my eyes, and their actions peace in my soul. I love them. 

Thank You (English) ~ Gracias (Spanish) ~ Tlazokamati (Nahuatl) 

From Rows to Groceries...

Since this is a (b)log of our garden, I want to make sure I remember how our garden changed over time.

Besides the research I think its important to see our progress... and since I am an amateur Paint artists (lol, I love Paint, great program) I have been working on this to track the changes in the garden. 

Please click to enlarge

The first image is what the planned our rows were supposed to look like

This is what survived after the original planting and second round (because of those birds!) All pieces in green are seeds that didn't take, and no crop yield.

The garden before planting Beans & Squash

Here is when we inserted the beans

and squash to complete the three sisters..... 

After our mishap with stink bugs, and having to

get rid of some of our stalks this is what survived....  Notice how some areas no longer have the corn stalks, simply bean and squash.

June 15: Clean-Up, Ears & Hojas

Earlier this week, I went out into the garden and was overcome with what I saw. Through all the research I had been reading about stinkbugs, I realized that what I feared was happening to our garden. Last we learned that if Stinkbugs take over your garden it can potentially ruin your crop. Anything sucked of its nutrients can wither and die.

Our garden looked in bad shape! Saturday (June 15) we went out to the garden to do and discuss a few things: survey damage, cut down dead stalks, decide what we would do with corn, figure out what was salvageable and make a plan to keep what we could do to maintain a healthy garden.

Here are some notes of the day:
Corn

• Many stalks were damaged, however once we viewed them closely quite a few were salvageable. So we removed what we felt like we had to. 
• To remove the corn, we decided to cut the base instead of pulling out- to ensure new squash/bean seedling roots weren't interrupted. Reminder: squash/Beans can both grow without the corn stalk.
• The corn we chose is absolutely beautiful! When you look at it it shines, literally, it looks shimmery, it was so beautiful to hold.
• We have hojas to save for Tamales!

Amaranth

• Is big! The inflorescenes (tassel-like parts) are getting huge!
• Weeds grow really fast! Gotta keep an eye on the imposters...

Sunflowers

• The 1st sprouted sunflower, although wilted looks like it can survive with more care and water. We will leave it as is.

Tomatoes

• We need to watch out for the Caterpillar attacking the tomato. However in the time being we have quite a few small bulbs!!!

Onions

• Are growing, need to do reserach about harvesting.

Seed Saving

• We need to figure when/how to seed save for amaranth and corn!

Pests

• Ants! They can be nasty little things with their friends Aphids! We found 1 stalk that had damage from Aphids (no we didn't put it in the compost), but we do need to treat with grits/coffee more
• We need to get more coffee grounds from people... 

Compost

• This is hard for me to do, because in my home we eat every inch of a vegetable, except the little colitas of fruits and vegetables... Either way, I thought I would attach a friendly link of items you can compost for reference.

Watering

• Decided that we needed to water more. The damage had to be a combination of both lack of enough water and the stinkbugs. 
• Solution: Dee will water in the morning, and I will (most) evenings.

Juanes- Thank you for trimming the weeds around the garden. We appreciate both you and Juana's patience with us and for the space! Jane- Thank You for the wisdom and experience you have shared from your gardening. It is much appreciated.