Harvesting Nettle Seeds

Posted on di 26 juli 2022 in blog • Tagged with experiment, season: summer

Let's start with a question I get every time I say that I collect nettle seeds: "Why?" Well, for sowing, of course! ;-) ... and other uses. So, why would you want to collect nettle seeds? Here are a few reasons (Source):

  • nettles are a source of minerals: they contain iron, calcium …

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PASTE survey for the backyard (2022)

Posted on di 07 juni 2022 in surveys • Tagged with permaculture, survey, backyard, site information, PASTE, DAFOR(N)

This survey is for a revision of the design for the backyard.

The extra information for each plant is derived from the following sources:

Plants

DAFOR(N)

Dominant

  • Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca (mirabelle plum / mirabel)
    • only …

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Human body energy requirement

Posted on do 02 juni 2022 in blog

Recently I got asked about about creating a garden with the specific aim of keeping starvation at bay. I came to the conclusion you need crops that contain at least sufficient calories to keep you going. So starchy, sugary, oily or protein rich.

Check out the table on the Potato …


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PASTE survey allotment garden (2022)

Posted on vr 20 mei 2022 in surveys • Tagged with permaculture, survey, PASTE, garden design, Eindhoven, season: summer

Starting from 2018-09-01, Ina and I have rented an allotment at an association nearby. This survey lists the different species discovered in May 2022. For comparison, last year ago I did the same thing.

This list is part of the ongoing design for the allotment garden.

Plants

  • Achillea millefolium (common …

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Journal of work in Proeftuin Meerhoven in 2021

Posted on za 08 januari 2022 in blog • Tagged with survey, practical, season: spring, season: summer, season: fall, season: winter

Since mid 2017 I have been involved with gardening at the Proeftuin Meerhoven in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. This is a community garden maintained by volunteers in the neighborhood adjoining ours. We use the space with approval from the local council. The harvest from this garden has supplemented our lunches and …


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Experiments in 2021

Posted on wo 22 december 2021 in blog • Tagged with experiment

This is a list of experiments Ina and I have been conducting in 2021.

  • gardening
    • Arno taking over full responsibility for the allotment
    • Ina helps with voorcultuur, odd jobs
    • harvesting musterd seeds
    • cleaning musterd seeds
    • harvesting mirabels
    • more hedgelaying at the Proeftuin
    • more planting cuttings
      • raspberry
      • black and red currant …

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Contemplation: Pray and Work

Posted on zo 31 oktober 2021 in contemplation • Tagged with contemplation, meditation

I recently visited the abby of Val Dieu in Aubel, Belgium. The abby was founded in by Cistercian monks in the beginning of the 13th century. The Cistercian order followed the Rule of Saint Benedict as guidelines for their order. The motto Ora et Labora is associated with these guidelines …


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Making mustard

Posted on ma 13 september 2021 in blog • Tagged with experiment, harvest, recipe, season: fall

This month I made mustard from mustard seeds grown in the Proeftuin. The recipe follows further down the page. But first a bit of botany.

Flowers of Sinapis alba (white mustard) being worked by a bee. Lower on the stem you can see the seed pods developing. As the plant …


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Contemplation on wind

Posted on di 03 augustus 2021 in contemplation • Tagged with contemplation

Hello, my name is Air Flow. You may also know me as wind, breeze, storm, gale or gust. People also have called me far worse.

I am a child of the heavens and I am powered by the sun. I have two siblings: Water Flow and Lava Flow. There's a …


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Facilitation: Design a Healer's Practice

Posted on di 20 juli 2021 in designs • Tagged with permaculture, life design, social design, design web, facilitation, zettelkasten, dreaming circle, vision, brainstorm, mind map, mental inventory, bullet journaling, year compass, burn rate, 4 questions, Holmgren principles, functions and elements

Background

After the recent completion of his courses in alternative forms of health care, a close friend intends to set up a business offering these types of therapy for clients. I offered my help in creating a design for his practice. I have run my own business for over ten …


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