Newsletters from Motherherbs Garden - Val - 2015

[Brian Gallimore]

2/7/2014
Hello Veggie Gardeners and Organic Folk,

 I bet a lot of you thought I had fallen off the planet, maybe a little, but I'm still here and open on Thur. and Sat. 10am till 6pm.

I've been working for a garden app and doing lots of writing so I took the winter off from the emails so I could get my bearings. But I have missed ya'll.....

The spring surge has begun.....Woo-Hoo.....But just so ya' know winter isn't done with us, I'm sure of it. So don't let this fine weather mislead you......Mama Val is tapping you on the head and telling you to hold back..... it's only the first week in Feb.

But to get you going......
Bulk Mushroom compost is in......Black Gold......We sell it by the Yard--$65, 1/2 yard--$35, and bag your own is $6.50...........Sorry to say the price of it has gone up.
A huge shipment of the new organic/ heirloom seed just came in today---No GMO's !!!!!
The seed potatoes and onion slips are in too

On to the Moon News...

Thur.2/5 and Fri.2/6 the moon walks through Virgo--an earth sign. This isn't the best for planting or seeding, but it is ideal for getting your beds prepped.... adding compost, greensand, molasses and alfalfa meal.

Sat.2/7, Sun.2/8 and Mon.2/9 the moon glides through Libra--an air sign. Keep getting those veggie beds ready,.... clean up and add a top dressing to your asparagus bed before it starts to emerge.....You could also cut back all your herbaceous perennials---these are the ones that die all the way back and regrow fresh from the underground rootstock, like mints, non-woody Salvias and phlox. Then add a layer of compost and fresh mulch and then the bed will look beautiful as the new growth pushes through. Don't cut back your woody perennials like lavender, sage, salvia greggii, or oreganos yet. The above growth helps protect the root stock until we're past hard freezes.

Tue.2/10 and Wed.2/11 the moon will go through Scorpio--a water sign, and the last quarter moon begins late Thur. Each phase of the moon lasts for about a week, and the last quarter is the least hospitable of all the phases for encouraging growth. If I was going to try to take advantage of the Scorpio moon though I would keep it easy like maybe cilantro and arugula seed, but I definitely hold off on anything else especially root crops. If you seed or plant root crops in a water moon they're much more likely to rot out---this includes onions and potatoes.

Thur.2/12, Fri.2/13 and Sat.2/14, Happy Valentines Day, the moon will be in Sagittarius--a fire sign, and the moons still in the last quarter this is what I call a Super Killing Moon---back away from the garden......Set your sights on things you want to get rid of.....those unwanteds like baby trees in your beds or that poison ivy patch.

Sun.2/15, Mon.2/16 and Tue.2/17 the moon travel through Aquarius--an air sign. The new moon fires up Wed. so these would be the best days to get those potatoes and onions in the ground, other wise you'll need to wait till next Sunday the 22nd.............Feb. 15th is traditionally the time old farmers would get them planted.
ALSO this is the time to feed your roses and  trim  back your rose bushes---don't prune the climbing roses till after they bloom, or you'll be cutting off the flowering leaders. 

I'm bring in all the good organics as usual but the BIG GUYS have bought the little guys and a lot is still up in the air -----So if there's things your looking for please feel free to call and inquire and I'll let ya' know how much I have on hand.

Peace, Love and Gardening..
Val

[Brian Gallimore]

2/19/2015:

Hello Veggie Gardeners and Organic Folk,

Spring is starting to peek out from around the backside of winter but I'm afraid we're gonna' be in that back and fourth, cold then warm then cold again cycle.......I've been watching the yo-yo weather pattern that has become our 'norm' in the last 4 years and have to say Mother Nature is very confused....It's become a lot more difficult to predict the weather and the signs the old farmers used aren't very reliable these days either.......So stay alert and be prepared for anything---Growing in Texas can be an adventure!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time to fertilize your world !!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valentines Day through the end of the month is the time to start cutting back and feeding your roses...This is the best opportunity you have to reshape your gangely rose bushes, so be aggressive!!! ............I cut back at least 40-50%, and every 3-4 years I go in and thin out the old cane by cutting them off at ground level..................#1---remove anything thats dead................#2---thin out the old cane if needed ................#3---remove any branches that are growing inward, or rubbing against one another.
 NOTE, when cutting back look at the nodes, these are the so called "joints", you want to cut above the joint by at least 1/2". , and look for one that has the little leaf bud facing outward.....This is the direction the next branch will take---and you want it to be outward, not in towards the center.
IMPORTANT NOTE---Don't cut back climbing roses until after they bloom or you'll be cutting off the long laterals { long arms}, that are going to be the blooms for Spring....Cut back after bloom time is over

Feeding your roses now is the BEST time!.......I carry Rabbit Hills "Rose Food", and it's one of the best I've ever used......Your roses will love you for it!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you put out Winter Cover crops you'll want to turn them now. Just scoop and flip, like pancakes, green side down and dirt side up. It'll take at least a month to break down and you can add a dusting of molasses and alfalfa to speed it up as well as feed the soil life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timing is everything when it comes to growing food.
You can seed arugula, beets, bok choy, raab, carrots, kale, lettuce--{but be prepared to protect if freezing weather moves in}, mustard, scallions, peas, radish, spinach, swiss chard, cilantro, nasturtiums, parsley, borage, chamomile, cress, and dill.

 You can plant potatoes and onions up through the 1st week in March.

Potato Info...

First you should know a freshly grown potato tastes so much better than one from the store, you won't believe the difference!
One pound of seed potatoes should produce 6-9 lbs of potatoes.
Maintain soil or mulch over potatoes to prevent exposure to sunlight which can cause greening or sunburn. The "green" portions can be toxic, and studies show it's linked to Alzheimer's.
Hilling is important because potatoes form above the roots and below the foliage....you will add more soil or mulch as they grow to give them more production space.

To begin...

Cut seed potatoes into chunks, each containing 2-3 eyes.........Roll these in Soft rock phosphate or bone meal this is to prevent rotting.{ I use soft rock phosphate}. Allow to callous over for 2-4 days in a cool, dark dry place before planting.

Soil Prep and Planting....

Dig a trench 4"-5" deep and 5"-8" wide
Add an inch or compost and an inch of expanded shale---This will keep the soil loose and well drained, which is very important if you want a good crop.
Rake the garden soil back into the trench and hill it down the center.
Dig holes in the hill 3"-4" deep and 8"-12" apart
Put a good handful of "Val's Planting Mix"--this is a 50/50 mix of Soft Rock Phosphate and Worm Castings, in each hole....I use this whenever I do planting or seeding, and it makes a huge difference in how well things do.
Place the potato pieces in the hole cut side down, this also helps keep water from pooling on the cut and causing it to rot .
Mulch well, and water in with Sea Mist or seaweed---this is a rot stimulator
Don't forget to hill up more--adding more soil or mulch, as they grow.
2-3 weeks after planting apply a heavy dose of nitrogen---alfalfa meal, {they love it} ...Reapply every 3 weeks....You'll just be sprinkling it on the surface and watering it in...When they begin to bloom stop adding the nitrogen.

Onion Info....

The stalks of an onion are very important, each stalk represents a layer of onion....so don't cut them off because they've flopped over...leave them be.
If the tips of the stalks turn yellow, or dry out it is a sign that they are not receiving the moisture they need.
They need full sun, good drainage, and regular water to do well.
I like to plant my onions along the borders of my gardens, they take up less space that way and also help to deter bugs----most bugs have a very high sense of smell, and most don't like the smell of onions or garlic.

Soil Prep and Growing....


Dig a trench 5" deep and 4" wide.
Put 1" expanded shale and 1" of compost in the trench, then put 1" of the garden soil back in the trench, this will leave you with a 2" deep trench to place the onion slips in. The expanded shale and extra compost will be there when the roots start to stretch down and will help to insure that your onions get big!...I get so many people telling me their onions never got large---this will make a difference.
Line the trench with a heavy dusting of "Val's Planting Mix"---soft rock phosphate and worm castings.
Place the onion slips so they are about 1"-2" deep and about 4" apart.....They need this space to become Big Onions......Or you can plant them every 2" and as they grow you can pull every other one to use as green onions, and allow the others to have the space they need.
Mulch well with Cedar or Hardwood Mulch
Water in with Sea Mist or seaweed to get them going
They also love extra nitrogen just like potatoes, so 3 weeks after planting apply a good dusting of Alfalfa Meal, and repeat every 3 weeks up to mid April.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On to the Moon News....

Wed.2/18, Thur.2/19 and Fri.2/20 the moon will be in Pisces---a water sign, and the glorious New Moon phase begins as well. This is an optimal time for planting and seeding everything BUT root crops, this includes onions, potatoes, carrots, beets, etc. Root crops planted in water moons have a tendency to rot........ It's also a good time for cutting perennials and roses back to encourage new growth. Take advantage of these days as best you can because by the weekend things will change.
Sat.2/21 and Sun.2/22 the moon stomps through Aries---a fire sign, and even though we're in a new moon phase it's still going to discourage any new growth. Work on cleaning up the yard and last years gardens..... Get the areas ready and well prepared for popping in your root crops....... Fire moons are great for cleaning and sharpening up your tools, and a little effort now sure makes your jobs easier once the season kicks in.
Mon.2/23 and Tue.2/24 the moon roams into Taurus---an earth sign. This is GREAT for root crops, and if you got the area all ready to go over the weekend all you'll need to do is get 'em in the ground. Don't forget to mulch well, it's like a blanket for the soil and helps hold in the moisture too.
Wed.2/25 and Thur.2/26 the moon moves through Gemini---an air sign. The First Quarter Moon phase begins Wed too. This is still good for planting and seeding all kinds of stuff including the root crops.
Fri.2/27, Sat.2/28, and Sun.3/1 the moon crawls through Cancer--a water sign and my absolute favorite for playing in the garden........Cut back for new growth, fertilize, seed, plant, just hold back on root crop stuff---it is a water moon after all.
Mon.3/2 and Tue.3/3 the moon roars into Leo---a fire sign......Step away from the garden and up to the lawn mower, or do some weeding. This is a time to discourage growth so work on things you want to slow down or go away. Use this 'Killing Moon' energy to your advantage.
Wed.3/4, Thur.3/5 and Fri.3/6 the moon goes through Virgo---an earth sign and Thur. will be the Full Moon. This is a good time to plant root crops, or things you need to build a strong root system like trees and shrubs. From full moon to new moon the growing energy is pulling inward so below ground growth benefits from this cycle.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm open Thur. and Sat. 10am-6pm and have almost everything in stock, your welcome to call in advance if you have specific things your looking for or need to order in quantities.

Val
1007 West Belt Line Rd. { behind old white Victorian house}
Cedar Hill TX 75104

See Ya' in the garden!!!!
Peace, Val

[Brian Gallimore]

3/7/2015:

Hello Veggie Gardeners and Organic Folk,

I hope you all made it through the Arctic tundra of our last few weeks, I warned you it wasn't over yet.......I'm feeling as though we've turned a corner---hopefully......I still see more freezes in our future so I wouldn't get too excited about tomatoes and peppers just yet, maybe by the end of March. I personally have never put mine in the ground till about mid April.....
With the weather the way it's been I think a lot of us have gotten behind in getting ready for spring so here are some things you can still catch up on.
FERTILIZING--for your yard I've got Texas Tee in stock
                        for your flower beds I've got Buds and Blooms---{I'll have Lady bug in stock next week, the truck couldn't deliver this week due to the weather}.
                        for your roses I have rose food
CUT BACK YOUR ROSES--- I only got a few of mine done before the weather went nuts, but reshaping them now is really important............Don't cut on those climbers till after they                                 bloom though !
CORN GLUTON MEAL----This can still be applied and for those of you wanting to do that I'm taking orders it's pricey, $45 @ bag, so I don't keep it on hand...........Also I scoped out                                 some local retailers and all they're carrying seems to be the spreadable.......I and a few other notable organic gurus agree this isn't very affective.... the powdered is the                             only way to go and for the money your spending you want it to work.
PREPARE YOUR BEDS FOR THE SUMMER GARDENS TO COME---- Add good quality compost, and a dusting of alfalfa meal, greensand and dry molasses. Then get a layer of                                 mulch on it . I still have mushroom compost.
SEED COOL SEASON THINGS----Like, arugula, beets, bok choy, raab, carrots, kale, lettuce--{but be prepared to protect if freezing weather moves in}, mustard, scallions, peas,                                     radish, spinach, swiss chard, cilantro, nasturtiums, parsley, borage, chamomile, cress, and dill.
ONION SLIPS AND SEED POTATOES----These can still be done, and you might want to check any you put in the ground earlier with all the rain and snow they could have rotted out.
On to the Moon News.....

Sat.3/7 and Sun.3/8 the moon will be in Libra---an air sign, but one of balance and beauty. This would be good for cutting things back to encourage new growth, seeding veggies and herbs, and planting hardy perennials. If your like me I have cabin fever after this last week and a half............so get out there and enjoy it !!!!
Also with the rain moving back in on Sunday it's an ideal time to put out the fertilizers.
Mon.3/9, Tue.3/10 and Wed.3/11 the moon crawls through Scorpio---a water sign which is good for planting and seeding everything but root crops.
Thur.3/12 and Fri3/13--oooh, Friday the 13th the moon sails into Sagittarius---a fire sign and the last quarter moon phase begins. Last quarter phases are all about discouraging growth and being in a fire sign it equals what I call a Killing Moon.....Get that corn gluton meal out, pull weeds or mow the yard these are all good ways to use this moon energy to your advantage.
Sat.3/14 and Sun.3/15 the moon stomps through Capricorn--an earth sign but we still have that last quarter moon phase with us so keep fighting the unwanteds.
Mon.3/16 and Tue.3/17 the moon moves through Aquarius--an air sign, still in the last quarter phase---keep pulling weeds, and making preparations for the spring to EXPLODE.
Wed.3/18 and Thur.3/19 the moon will swim into Pisces---a water sign. This is a very good sign for planting and seeding and it happens right before the new moon which comes in on Saturday in the early am. Research shows this is a very productive time to get things in the ground---so go for it!!!!
Fri.3/20 and Sat.3/21the moon goes into Aries---a fire sign and the new moon phase begins. The Vernal / Spring Equinox is on Fri as well, this is a day when darkness and light are equal, and is considered the end of winter---but don't put that frost cloth away just yet......Last year we saw one of the latest freezes on record, which even topped the one from the year before. Our weather pattern is changing, but it's not just us it's happening all over the world......
Sun.3/22and Mon.3/23 the moon will be in Taurus---an earth sign.......This is optimal for planting anything and everything !!!!! Get out and enjoy the weather, play in the garden, prepare soil---earth signs are great for working in, and enriching soil........But keep your eye on the weather forecasts....
Tue.3/24 and Wed.3/25 the moon walks into Gemini--an air sign, but still good for continuing work you've been doing in the yard and garden.
Thur.3/26, Fri.3/27 and Sat.3/28 the moon floats into Cancer---a water sign and my absolute favorite for encouraging new growth and life........All things are very fertile at this time so take advantage of the opportunity and do some seeding, do another round of lettuce and radishes, seed your cukes and squash in starter pots, just play in the garden !!!!
Sun.3/29, Mon.3/30 and Tue.3/31 the moon roars through Leo---a fire sign.........Step away from the garden this is another 'killing moon', mow, weed, and do battle with the things you wish to get rid of.

I'm open 2 days a week Thursday and Saturday 10am till dark. I have almost everything in stock, and have new plants and veggies coming in next week---weather permitting.

Feel free to call with any questions or requests 972-207-2938----I'm looking forward to seeing all of you !!!!

Here's to a beautiful spring and amazing gardens !!!!!!!
Love, Val

[Brian Gallimore]

4/1/2015

Hello Veggie Gardeners and Organic Folk,

Spring has sprung and I think the freezes are over..............YAHOO !!!!!!
I am open 2 days a week to assist you, Thursdays and Saturdays 10am-7pm. 972-207-2938.
I've got tomato and pepper plants out, tons of new herbs, and beautiful annual and perennial color to dress up those containers for Easter............
If you haven't fertilized your lawn or gardens it's not too late.....
I have Tricogramma wasps in stock for those of you with fruit trees. They also work well for canker worms---those little guys that float out of the trees on silken threads and bag worms too.
SO MUCH TO DO and the perfect weather to do it in!
On to the Moon News..........

Wed.4/1 and Thur.4/2 the moon will be in Virgo---an earth sign. This isn't the best nor is it the worst for planting. Although it is a great time for fertilizing and preparing beds.
Fri.4/3 and Sat.4/4 the moon passes through Libra---an air sign, and the full moon comes in on Sat. as well. This is a time of astounding beauty and balance and ideal for planting flowers and fragrant herbs.......and yes veggies too...........
Sun.4/5--Happy Easter, Mon.4/6 and Tue.4/7 the moon goes through Scorpio---a water sign-----Go play in the garden if you have any chance to do so, plant and seed. This is a great time for doing corn, squash, cucumbers, beans and more.
Wed.4/8 and Thur.4/9 the moon slides into Sagittarius---a fire sign---time to get the mowing done or pull weeds especially all those zillions of baby Hackberry trees sprouting everywhere.
Fri.4/10, Sat.4/11 and Sun.4/12 the moon trudges through Capricorn---an earth sign and we begin the last quarter moon phase late Sat. Take advantage of this weekend to get those gardens in. The next week won't be so promising.
Mon.4/13 and Tue.4/14 the flows into Aquarius---an air sign, and with last quarter in motion I stick to pulling weeds............This would also be a good time to start your daily inspections---the bugs are coming!!!!............If you'll do a foliare feed with the Seamist I swear by you'll be practicing some preventive medicine and really improving the health and vigor of your plants as well.
Wed.4/15 and Thur.4/16 the moon will go through Pisces---a water sign, which is usually a good time for gardening, but NOT during this moon phase, plus we'll all be sweating about getting our taxes done......I'd just focus on that and leave the garden alone.
Fri.4/17 and Sat.4/18 the moon pushes into Aries---a fire sign, This is a mega 'Killing Moon'----Go after any unwanteds you need to deal with---bugs, poison ivy, trees popping up in your beds, anything like that. And then we welcome back the New Moon Sat.afternoon.
Sun.4/19 and Mon.4/20 the moon moves into Taurus---an earth sign and with the New moon so we can put back on our dancing shoes and garden gloves and get back to planting and seeding.
Tue.4/21 and Wed.4/22 the moon will be in Gemini---an air sign---keep playing in the garden.....Life is good!!!!
Get out there and enjoy this glorious Spring---I know I will.
Happy Gardening, Val

[Brian Gallimore]

4/16/2015:

Hello Veggie Gardeners and Organic Folk,

Here's a quicky ----
With all the rain we'll see in the next few days now is the time to get those beneficial nematodes out!!!!!!
I just got a fresh batch both small and large packs----1/8-1/4 acre@$30 and 1/4-1/2 acre@$45.............They need water to get to work so I'm suggesting you all take advantage of what Mother Nature will be throwing our way.
If you have problems with fleas, chiggers, fire ants, grubs or ticks these will make your life soooooo much better.

Also the 4-lined plant beetles are HERE.......I always suggested Mound Drench but last year they changed the formula and don't make the one that works on them anymore, so I got all the ingredients and am making it up myself...............This is another pest you need to take down FAST, in another week they'll have developed their wings and then there is no stopping them!!!!!

I've got tomatoes, peppers and young {not over grown} cucumber, squash and more........Come on down

I'm open Thursdays AND Saturdays 10am till dark-----That's 2 days a week only

"I love my gardeners!!!!"

Val---972-207-2938

[Brian Gallimore]

9/5/2015

Hello Veggie Gardeners and Organic Folk,

    I'm back, actually I've never been gone, I've just been focusing on other writing gigs..........But as the weather starts to change I say it's time to get back in the garden !!!!!
The first thing we need to do is get our beds prepped for the fall- winter gardens............I love cool season gardens........and the weather guys say were in for a change by next weekend--Woo-Hoo!!!!!
I'm open 2 days a week Thursdays and Saturdays, 10am-7pm and am tucked behind the white one-story Victorian at 1007 West Belt Line Rd. Cedar Hill TX, 75104.....Just a heads up GPS often sends folks off to Neverland when they punch in this address, but I'm near old town between the RXR tracks and the fire station on the north side of the road. If you need help just call me ---972-207-2938

I'll be bringing in all the organic veggie starts next weekend, and will also have some wonderful TX tough fall annuals.........I like to carry the plants that really rock for our area, and believe choosing the right cultivars makes a world of difference.
.Bagged goods are already here---Organic compost, Expanded shale, TX greensand, Dry Molasses, Worm castings, Soft rock Phosphate, Organic potting soil, Humate, Rose food, Val's mix and much more..... also all the Organic fertilizers like Texas Tee and Ladybug, and of course the Cedar mulch--the really good stuff........
The new fall organic heirloom seeds are already in stock too. As are wild flower seeds---alot of you comment on my Purple Larkspur and double Poppies each spring, soon the seed will need to go out and then you can have a bang of color yourself.......It's time for cilantro too....

Fall fertilizing time is usually mid September, and if your planning on putting out Corn Glueton Meal to suppress weeds, I am taking orders now. 972-207-2938 { I have a few bags in stock right now but you may want to call ahead of time}
Fall gardens will be going in soon---Not yet---But soon.

I realize you're probably already seeing the fall veggie plants in the big box stores---They just want your money they don't care how well your veggies do,.......But I Do Care---A LOT !!!! 
I want you to be successful, and have healthy thriving plants.......So I'm gonna' tell you to wait, it's still too hot for broccoli, cabbage, and the rest of the cool season families.....Their little heads will just get toasted, and they'll be tough and bitter if you put their feet in hot soil when they are young.
This is a good time to start getting your fall beds ready......You will have to reamend, everything you added in the spring { compost, dry molasses, alfalfa meal, Texas greensand etc.},  which has either been absorbed by the plants that were there, or leached down through watering and heavy rains.....They must be replaced!!!.... Veggies are huge feeders, and if we don't feed them they won't feed us---bottom line!!!

So many people get caught up with buying plants and hording seed packets that they forget about the soil----This would be like building a house, painting, decorating, and moving in the furniture without having a FOUNDATION for it to sit  on...................Well prepared soil is the FOUNDATION for your garden---it must happen first........I've come up with a simple formula, that done right,  will guarantee your success............It is an investment in your dream to grow abundant, flavorful produce, so don't skimp on your soil.......
Step 1---Start with the soil First

For amending an existing bed----clean out the area--remove dead plants, weeds, invading grasses and if you still have a goodly amount of mulch you can  rake it out and you'll be able to reuse it........Here's a tip to salvage what you can---cut the plants down first, rake out the mulch and then pull up the roots, cause if you pull up the big stuff first you'll be mixing the soil up with the mulch and you won't be able to salvage as much....
For beginning a new bed ---clean out the area---remove weeds, roots, and debris, the more thorough  you are with this process the less maintenance it will need down the road, and just so you know, rototilling the soil to smithereens doesn't get rid of those native "running" grasses, it just chops them up into thousands of babies......And if you decide that your rototiller needs to dig down a foot you've just done more harm than good......Our top soil is only 3-4" deep, { I know some of you have a deeper layer of top soil--but don't rub it in},  then you hit that white rock---they make cement outa' the stuff......If you go so deep the rock comes up then that means the top soil went down----It took nature thousands of years to create that tiny bit of topsoil and you just destroyed it by being over zealous with a machine.....Now if you clean out the area and then gently run it through to loosen the first few inches that would probably be ok, but when you reach the rock-STOP.......
Personally I only consider using a tiller when building new beds---I happen to love my earthworms and don't want to see them chopped up,

Add compost to both----for the new beds add 4", for established beds add 2"--- an established bed is one you added compost to this past spring, if the bed has been there for years and you haven't done anything for it in the last couple of years treat it like a new bed, add 4"..................Compost is organic matter, and the most important part of your success. The better quality of compost-- the more success....

Add Expanded Shale---2" minimal, 3" would be better.......you'll only need to add this to your beds once, it doesn't leech away, it stays where you put it......It doesn't brake down for 25 years, KEEPS YOUR SOIL LOOSE, aides with drainage and water retention.....This would be the substitute for Peat Moss......Peat Moss is not what it used to be, it's dead expensive dust that absorbs moisture and will not allow the plants to access it......Expanded shale can be used in any of the applications  that Peat Moss is called for.....bed prep, potting soil mixes, you name it.

So your foundation is ......4" of native soil......4" of good compost.....and 2-3" of expanded shale---A beautiful site to behold.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 2---Now for the amendments to help balance and enrich your soil.......


These are the  3  basics I add to any new bed, there are other things that can be added, but I'm trying to make it as simple as possible......just apply a heavy dusting of each to the prepared soil, rough them into the 1st inch this will allow them to leech down through ALL of your soil, then water deeply to begin the binding process.

  ......Alfalfa Meal---to bring up the nitrogen levels, it also contains a natural growth hormone, this is why farmers have been using it for eons.

    ......Dry Molasses---Feeds the microbial life you introduced with that GOOD Compost, sweetens up your crops, and gives plants the sugar fix they need to really thrive.

    ......Texas Greensand----20% iron, and alot of different trace minerals---if it's not in your soil it won't be in your food!!, Folks have been using this to green up lawns, landscapes and gardens for years in Texas.....We lack iron in our soils, and when plants get iron deficient their leaves yellow, and then the photosynthesis process is weakened, { this is the way plants turn sunlight in to food--and the greener their leaves the more capable they are of doing it}
This step allows you to achieve soil with a neutral Ph which is imperative for healthy plant growth.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 2.5---Put a protective layer of mulch over it.......
Once you've applied the amendments, lightly roughed them in and watered deeply there is one last very important step---COVER THE SOIL WITH A THICK, 2-3" LAYER OF CEDAR MULCH--which I think is the best to use in our area, Hardwood would be my 2nd choice.......It's soooo much easier to just pull the mulch back and pop in your new plants instead of trying to apply mulch after they are already in the ground.
Your doing this for multiple reasons........It helps the soil stay moist which protects the soil life, and cuts down on your watering.........It helps prevent weeds......and it acts as an insulator to protect plant roots in the winter but it also helps them stay cooler in the summer.......Kinda' like a blanket for winter, or a hat for summer.
I tell people if you don't mulch you shouldn't garden in TX---it's that important.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 3---The best planting methods......
I have 2 major things I do with ALL of my plantings........I alway put a food source directly under transplants and seeds and I always water them in with a liquid seaweed product. If you do this you will truly see a major difference in your success rate---I promise ya'.....
The food source I use most often is a 50/50 mix of soft rock phosphate and earthworm castings, I make it up in small bags and just call it Val's mix, it's a great 'all purpose' for putting under seeds or transplants.
I use a locally made super duper liquid seaweed combo called Seamist......This stuff is absolutely magic and can be used as a drench or as a foliar spray. Seaweed is the best root stimulator in the world---really.......and builds the health and immune systems of plants, it will also give them 5 degrees of extra cold tolerance..........if we're expecting a freeze I'll spray my plants with it the day before.
I also always plant 'wet to wet', meaning the soil needs to be moist and your transplants need to be wet. This cuts down on transplant shock and will make it easier to loosen the root ball without as much damage when planting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You now have the 3 steps to create the garden you always wanted......Follow them and be amazed!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On to the Moon News....

Sat.9/5 the moon will be in Gemini--an air sign and we begin our Last Quarter Moon Phase---This phase is all about detering growth and will be in effect till next Sunday, so I advise you not do any planting or seeding this week, focus on clean up, bed prep, fertilizing before the rain moves in next Thur--or so they say, and of course BBQ's and other Labor Day fun.
Sun.9/6, Mon.9/7 and Tue.9/8 the moon crawls through Cancer ---a water sign and usually one of my favorites for gardening, but with that Last Quarter moon I don't recommend it.....Hold your Garden breath till next weekend although this would be a good time to cultivate the soil and prep your beds. And get fertilizer out before the rains begin.
Wed.9/9 and Thur.9/10 the moon roars into Leo--a fire sign--Fire signs and Last Quarter moon phases equal one thing.......Big time "Killing Moon", mow the lawn, yank the weeds or fight the unwanteds. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT USE CORN GLUETON MEAL TO CONTROL WEEDS THIS IS A BONUS TIME TO GET IT OUT---this is where you could be wildly successful with your efforts.
Fri.9/11, Sat.9/12 and Sun.9/13 the moon goes through Virgo---an earth sign.....and the New Moon phase begins Sunday....This is a mildly barren moon but it is ideal for cultivating and prepping soil, and another good time to get the fall fertilizer out.
The moon will be in a great gardening phase by Wed so take this time to make plans--- figure out what you want in your fall gardens.....get your seeds and transplants, and other supplies you may need.
Mon.9/14 and Tue.9/15 the moon walks into Libra---an air sign and one of beauty and balance, this would be a good time to do the fall trimming and feeding of your roses, most of us had a dismal rose year because of the heavy rains, they are just dying for some TLC and will respond well to the extra attention. It's again a good time to get out some fertilizer, and cut back other flowering perennials to encourage new growth.
Wed.9/16, Thur.9/17 and Fri.9/18 the moon will be in Scorpio---a water sign, and during a New Moon phase.....This is the garden moon we've been waiting for---Woo-Hoo....Get out those seed packs, transplants, and seaweed........Put on those garden gloves and go to it..........You can do lettuce, arugula, swiss chard, cilantro and parsley they all love cooler weather....... Peas--YUM,.....Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, mustard, collards, cauliflower, Raab, Kale......Ohhhh, there are soooo many goodies to grow.......This moon is all about encouraging new growth. NOTE--hold off on planting root crops, if planted in a water moon they have a tendency to rot.
Sat.9/19 and Sun.9/20 the moon flies through Sagittarius---a fire sign....we still have the new moon with us but I'd still not do any gardening, do some clean up, make plans, think about putting in an extra garden bed.........and then there's those pots full of summer stuff that's looking a little pathetic ....time to yank stuff out and revamp the potting mix so next week you can get some cool season stuff planted in them.
Mon.9/21, Tue.9/22 and most of Wed.9/23 the moon will walks into Capricorn---an earth sign and the First Quarter moon.....Wed is also the Autumn Equinox, this is when the day and the night are equal in time, from here our days get shorter and nights get longer......... This is a good moon to do all the root stuff like carrots, turnips, radishes, beets, scallions and others---they like earth moons!
Thur.9/24and Fri 9/25 the moon floats through Aquarius--an air sign.......this is a good time to mow, or start collecting leaves for the compost pile, or getting your patio plants ready to come in for the winter.............and admire the beautiful garden you made...
Sat.9/26 and Sun.9/27till around 3pm the moon will swim through Pisces---a water sign, and the full moon comes in Sunday too......A great time to play in the garden, plant, seed, cut stuff back, fertilize..........{just don't do root crop stuff---water moon }
Sun.9/27 after 3pm and Mon.9/28 the moon moves into Aries---a fire sign.......step away from the garden the 'Killing Moon' is back in town.....mow, weed, or fight the unwanteds.....

It feels good to be back and doing Moon News.....I've missed ya'll this summer, but still depend on your support in order to keep this train rolling......It seems small independents are having a hard time competing with the big guys, but we have something to offer that they don't,-- Our hearts and the love of our professions.....I truly LOVE what I do and want to share the best information and the cleanest, truest organic products that I can....Organics is a huge business and most are in it for money, I'm in it because I love this planet and I have faith and hope in my fellow man---and in a better more loving future where we all embrace nature and each other.

{And violent video games don't exist, and anyone under 18 can't use a cell phone for more than an hour a day or their thumbs will fall off!}---hey I can dream.....

See ya in the garden.....Love and Light, Val