Effective Organization of our Organisms
Here in the garden we have the good, the bad, and the ugly creatures on larger and smaller scales. As much as we want to go beyond the whole good/bad dichotomy, and see the whole symbiotic web of complex interrelations as inseparable from each other, let’s face it: goat head/puncture vine (Lat. Tribulus terrestris) is a real troublemaker! Yes, like virtually every plant on the planet it has medicinal qualities used in traditions somewhere (the Chinese, for example, and how they put to use nearly everything you could ever imagine that is “natural” in their medical cabinet). It needs its own special area set aside though, if it’s gonna be used for medicine. I mention this because we were pulling out big piles of it today.
I also mention goat heads because here we are cultivating relationships, with a long term vision. We have implemented integration of beneficial micro-organisms into our garden environments in order to facilitate this better. This is one part of building an ecosystem’s immune system, and one that we humans are not separate from also. When I spoke with a friend about our use of these micro-organisms she responded “I hope I can be an effective micro-organism also!” Well put. How can we all become more complimentary in our symbiosis with the world around us? Our own thorns can jab others, and vice versa.
Ok, the garden. We have all these vegetables growing, along with the “weed” plants (some bioregional, like the devil’s claw, others imported, some of whihc are on official “invasive lists”, and are more of a problem.). We have our precious lady bugs, along side with the pesky flea beetle. We have our mice that chew, and the bull snake hunting it. There is the mildew that occurs in the moist inner growth of the squash, there are the bees pollinating, and the ants that aerate the soil and move seeds around. We have all the swallows swallowing millions of mosquitoes and other insects, but they also bring mites into the barns and make messes with their droppings. We have our manure/compost teas also, which everyone worldwide has used forever in their agriculture with great results, but if you read on the net certain “health officials” warn to not make it anymore because it can have high E. coli counts. Gotta look at everything from many angles and weigh pros and cons.
From a certain perspective we see a massive “war” going on where we (and those on our side, i.e. ladybugs) fight and fight for our livelihood and prosperity against the opposing forces, but isn’t it time for the warring to end? Isn’t it time we quit the fussing and fighting that divides us and sets us apart? So, here we are in the garden. Instead of an endless battle of good and bad that the “Green Revolution” spawned in its terrible tragedy, we cultivate the higher approach so many others also are employing more these days. This is seeking a balance with the forces that oppose a healthy garden rather than the approach of total annihilation of “harmful” things by harsh chemical warfare and unnatural land management techniques. As we become more effectively organized in this complex garden ecosystem the health will increase, and the healing energies inherent in nature around us will increasingly integrate and come forth.
Today a group of us harvested cabbage, collards, carrots, beets, peppers, summer squash, and basil. Towards the end of our morning, we planted more basil. Many hands make light work. With the monsoons coming in, our vegetables are really starting to go for it. Soon we will be swamped with harvesting. No complaints about that!
The rains have cooled us off. It’s really pleasant to have some cloud-cover to work out under here in Arizona, where the blazing sun seems ever present. Everything is becoming more lush, green, and filled with life. Our CSA program is getting going now, with our first deliveries the past three weeks. The process of learning how to make this happen has been educational for us. Always, so much more to learn, and more to share of the ongoing experiment…
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