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phases of the moon
Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm
thinking of giving it a try. -- Mark Hamer www.another-way.co.uk I don't want to arrive at my grave in an attractive and well preserved body, hopefully I will be skidding in sideways, Gin and Tonic in one hand -- Cigar in the other screaming YAHAAAY! |
phases of the moon
On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, Hamer Family wrote:
Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. Before doing so read Ben Goldacre's 'Bad Science': then use the principles therein to evaluate biodynamics. I'm pretty sure it'll turn out to be the '******** du jour' of gardening. If there are any peer- reviewed blinded trials then I'll apologize in advance. |
phases of the moon
In message , Hamer Family
writes Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. If you, for example, sow plants by the phase of the moon, that means that there's a 4 week variation in the time of year that you sow the plants. While the optimal time for sowing varies from year to year, for most crops I doubt that the variation at one location amounts to this much. In any one year the optimal time for sowing varies according to location (it's not the same in Penzance as in Peterhead). So apart from the lack of positive reasons to hold that the phase of the moon is a predominant determinant of the optimal time for sowing, there are negative reasons leading us to doubt the efficacy of the practice. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
phases of the moon
Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and
critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. -- Mark Hamer www.another-way.co.uk |
phases of the moon
In message , Hamer Family
writes Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. While understanding that you wish local UK input - which will probably be forthcoming - I would suggest that you may consider asking any gardening (especially vegetable gardening) friends you may have in, for example, Italy, France or Spain. I have never actually tried to harness the "powers" of the lunar cycle so much followed by many friends I have in the countries I mention. Certain of these would no more dream of planting out of this cycle than fly to the hub of their plan :-)) I do hope you get helpful responses from others as, if I can get myself organised and get my head around the principles, I would be very happy to test the theory next year in part of my veg beds. Thank you for raising an interesting point .... it's probably been discussed before but not that I can recall, although I have been lurking only for a few years. -- Gopher .... I know my place! Deepest Dorset |
phases of the moon
On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:56:08 +0100, Hamer Family wrote:
Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. And if you find any I'm sure they'll all tell how well it works. See Goldacre's chapter on the placebo effect and the Hawthorne effect. |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-27 19:56:08 +0100, "Hamer Family" said:
Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. We have no personal experience of it but some years ago, in Provence, visited and bought wine from Chateau Romanin which was then working to the principles you're interested in. I don't know if they do know but it might be worth you're taking a look. Certainly, I would never scoff at such things personally. I think there's a lot we're too complacent about when scoff comes to shove. ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
In message , Hamer Family
writes Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. The problem with anecdotal responses is that you don't know whether their results are obtained because of their methods, or in spite of their methods, or if their methods are irrelevant to the results. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
phases of the moon
Is there anybody willing to raise their hands and say 'I do it'?
I am happy to receive emails off list as I know this group can be aggressive enough to stifle debate and mitigate against open communication. In the interest of clarity I have a research background and I am well aware of the failings of anecdotal responses and of the Placebo effect and have experience of conducting double blind trials. If you would rather contact me off list here's my address You can email me at: remove NOSPAM to make the address work -- Mark Hamer www.another-way.co.uk I don't want to arrive at my grave in an attractive and well preserved body, hopefully I will be skidding in sideways, Gin and Tonic in one hand -- Cigar in the other screaming YAHAAAY! |
phases of the moon
On Jul 27, 11:19*pm, Sacha wrote:
On 2009-07-27 19:56:08 +0100, "Hamer Family" said: Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. We have no personal experience of it but some years ago, in Provence, visited and bought wine from Chateau Romanin which was then working to the principles you're interested in. * I don't know if they do know but it might be worth you're taking a look. *Certainly, I would never scoff at such things personally. *I think there's a lot we're too complacent about when scoff comes to shove. *;-) -- Sachawww.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon I am very used to my old neighbour Marie-Louise, the widow of the farmer next door, checking the calendar to check on the phases of the moon. Her son was there one time when I asked a question about something agricultural and he got up and checked the calendar; yes they really do adhere to it. Judith |
phases of the moon
On Jul 28, 10:37*am, Martin wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:32:13 -0700 (PDT), Judith in France wrote: On Jul 27, 11:19*pm, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-27 19:56:08 +0100, "Hamer Family" said: Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. We have no personal experience of it but some years ago, in Provence, visited and bought wine from Chateau Romanin which was then working to the principles you're interested in. * I don't know if they do know but it might be worth you're taking a look. *Certainly, I would never scoff at such things personally. *I think there's a lot we're too complacent about when scoff comes to shove. *;-) -- Sachawww.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon I am very used to my old neighbour Marie-Louise, the widow of the farmer next door, checking the calendar to check on the phases of the moon. *Her son was there one time when I asked a question about something agricultural and he got up and checked the calendar; yes they really do adhere to it. Do they wear necklaces of garlic and bathe in the pool of Our Lady of Lost Secateurs? -- Martin Oh you!!!!! Oddly enough, they can't swim!!! Judith |
phases of the moon
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-07-27 19:56:08 +0100, "Hamer Family" said: Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. We have no personal experience of it but some years ago, in Provence, visited and bought wine from Chateau Romanin which was then working to the principles you're interested in. I don't know if they do know but it might be worth you're taking a look. Certainly, I would never scoff at such things personally. I think there's a lot we're too complacent about when scoff comes to shove. ;-) FWIW my sister used to practice biodynamic farming in south Wales. I was educated K through 9 at Steiner schools, and as a result tend to take the wilder aspects of anthroposophy (or biodynamics) with at best several grains of salt. (Sort of like Dave Allen at Catholic school.) In particular it is hard to imagine how burying various substances in the horn of a bullock can have much of a quantitative effect on the microbial (or other) balance of the garden as a whole. Planting with the phases of the moon is another issue, any mushroom hunter can tell you that fungal -- and so presumably mycorrhizael -- growth is moon related. Still, the issue of wine that Sacha raises is a tricky one. In fact, some of the best vineyards in France practice biodynamic farming. In Burgundy: Dom. Romanee Conti, Dujac, Leflaive, Leroy to name just a few. In the Loire, Huet, Joly, Breton, etc. In Alsace Weinbach-Faller, Zind Humbrecht, etc. In the Rhone, M. Chapoutier and others (Chave I think in Cornas). In Provence, Ste Anne and Trevallon. The list goes on, a partial list can be found at: http://www.forkandbottle.com/wine/bi..._producers.htm In short, some of the very best wine in the world is being made as the end result of biodynamic methods. Is it because biodynamics enforces such stringent practices that the end result is great, or because of the practices themselves? There's the rub; as a farmer an important question is: does it matter why? For many viticulteurs, who are skeptical of Steinerite hooey, the answer is "no." I've had more than a handful of conversations recently, as with the Baudry family in Chinon, where wine makers are considering/exploring biodynamics "because it seems to work." (For whichever reason.) Now these are people who are motivated by quality and have been for generations, also educated in secular French schools with a low regard for non-scientific thought. (My last visit we did a fascinating tasting of the same vintage, pre-blend, from perhaps 30 barrels of different ages and origins). They are conservative and traditionally minded. If they are considering such a switch, it's because there is a growing consensus in the professional community that the methods produce a desirable end result. HTH -E |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-28 11:18:33 +0100, Martin said:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:57:23 -0700 (PDT), Judith in France wrote: On Jul 28, 10:37*am, Martin wrote: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:32:13 -0700 (PDT), Judith in France wrote: On Jul 27, 11:19*pm, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-27 19:56:08 +0100, "Hamer Family" said: Thanks for those replies, yes I am aware of many of the issues and critiques. However I am looking for people who actually do it. We have no personal experience of it but some years ago, in Provence, visited and bought wine from Chateau Romanin which was then working to the principles you're interested in. * I don't know if they do know but it might be worth you're taking a look. *Certainly, I would never scoff at such things personally. *I think there's a lot we're too complacent about when scoff comes to shove. *;-) -- Sachawww.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon I am very used to my old neighbour Marie-Louise, the widow of the farmer next door, checking the calendar to check on the phases of the moon. *Her son was there one time when I asked a question about something agricultural and he got up and checked the calendar; yes they really do adhere to it. Do they wear necklaces of garlic and bathe in the pool of Our Lady of Lost Secateurs? -- Martin Oh you!!!!! Oddly enough, they can't swim!!! but if they believed in miracles they could and would walk on the water. Eh? That's a rather broad interpretation! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family"
wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) |
phases of the moon
"Martin" wrote in message ... On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:58:05 +0200, Martin wrote: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Better still and that a cloud always passes in front of the sun ... -- That'll always be true for somewhere. mark |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
Emery Davis wrote in
: Planting with the phases of the moon is another issue, any mushroom hunter can tell you that fungal -- and so presumably mycorrhizael -- growth is moon related. I haven't come across any such people, and I've been gathering fungi for over 30 years. Can you point to some decent[*] literature on this subject, please. [*] preferably peer reviewed; anecdotes will be ignored Never underestimate the power of placebos, the Hawthorne Effect, and cold reading techniques |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
In message , Sacha
writes On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). PS Didn't the cricket umpire, Sheppard (sp?) stand on one leg every time a cricket score reached 111? -- June Hughes |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-29 11:43:40 +0100, June Hughes
said: In message , Sacha writes On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). Didn't the pundits tell us it was something to do with carbon dioxide? I certainly talk to mine and when I had bees, I always told them if something momentous happened in the family. PS Didn't the cricket umpire, Sheppard (sp?) stand on one leg every time a cricket score reached 111? !! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
June Hughes writes
Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). I think the talking thing works simply because you pay a bit more attention to your plants and spot problems a bit earlier. -- Kay |
phases of the moon
In message , K
writes June Hughes writes Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). I think the talking thing works simply because you pay a bit more attention to your plants and spot problems a bit earlier. Probably. -- June Hughes |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-29 12:11:04 +0100, Martin said:
On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:01:40 +0100, K wrote: June Hughes writes Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). I think the talking thing works simply because you pay a bit more attention to your plants and spot problems a bit earlier. In Prince Charles case it could be because he pays an enormous staff to do his gardening and has the bill paid by the state. Martin, come now, that's nonsense. Like all Princes of Wales, his income comes from the Duchy of Cornwall and he isn't on the Civil List, so gets nothing from the State, other than the expenses he incurs at the behest of the government of the day. He has several gardeners and does as much as he can himself when he can, because he enjoys it. People go to see the garden and pay for the prvilege and all the money goes to one of his charities, not to the upkeep of the garden. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-29 12:09:13 +0100, Martin said:
On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:30:23 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. "seems" Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. I don't understand what you mean by respects the land. Wants to work with it rather than beating it into submission. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. People did predict it back in the 1960s. But how many paid attention? I know that in Jersey so many nitrates were put onto the fields by the previous generation of farmers, that the nitrates in the water level were a long way above the level considered to be safe. Nonetheless, I can't see any harm in someone wanting to try a method that does nothing to anyone or anything other than themselves and their own land. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
In message , mark
writes "Martin" wrote and that a cloud always passes in front of the sun ... That'll always be true for somewhere. mark A similar remark that "The sun is always shining somewhere" started a long and stupid argument between several of my mates many years ago when we were in our late teens. ;-) -- Gordon H Remove "invalid" to reply |
phases of the moon
In message , K
writes June Hughes writes Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). I think the talking thing works simply because you pay a bit more attention to your plants and spot problems a bit earlier. I don't talk to mine, I listen to them. Otherwise you get the old nag, nag, nag of "You never listen to anything I say". Sound familiar? -- Gordon H Remove "invalid" to reply |
phases of the moon
In message , Gordon H
writes In message , K writes June Hughes writes Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). I think the talking thing works simply because you pay a bit more attention to your plants and spot problems a bit earlier. I don't talk to mine, I listen to them. Otherwise you get the old nag, nag, nag of "You never listen to anything I say". Sound familiar? G -- June Hughes |
phases of the moon
On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:11:39 +0100, Sacha wrote:
In Prince Charles case it could be because he pays an enormous staff to do his gardening and has the bill paid by the state. Martin, come now, that's nonsense. Like all Princes of Wales, his income comes from the Duchy of Cornwall and he isn't on the Civil List, so gets nothing from the State, other than the expenses he incurs at the behest of the government of the day. I think you'll find that your statement is not entirely correct. Almost £2million of grant aid went on a Clarence House refit, paid by the taxpayer in 2002. He is estimated to have received £3 million from the taxpayer in 2002 and I don't suppose he's milking the system for much less these days. Please see :- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...0m-542293.html -- ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°¹ |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-29 15:26:05 +0100, ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°¹ said:
On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:11:39 +0100, Sacha wrote: In Prince Charles case it could be because he pays an enormous staff to do his gardening and has the bill paid by the state. Martin, come now, that's nonsense. Like all Princes of Wales, his income comes from the Duchy of Cornwall and he isn't on the Civil List, so gets nothing from the State, other than the expenses he incurs at the behest of the government of the day. I think you'll find that your statement is not entirely correct. Almost £2million of grant aid went on a Clarence House refit, paid by the taxpayer in 2002. He is estimated to have received £3 million from the taxpayer in 2002 and I don't suppose he's milking the system for much less these days. Please see :- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...0m-542293.html I think your choice of words indicates your preferences. I can't take seriously a newspaper article like that seriously especially one which was written in 2003 when Clarence House was being worked on and which has such a biased agenda. Clarence House doesn't belong to the prince and it hadn't been 'renovated' since the Queen Mother moved there in the 1950s. I suppose you could say that our heir to the throne should do his official entertaining in a house that hasn't been updated for over 50 years but for myself, I don't think it's very good for Britain's image! The point was and remains that he spends his own income on Highgrove which IS his house and that the maintenace of royal official buildings is not his personal responsibility any more than Buckingham Palace is the Queen's. Nobody would expect a managing director or CEO to pay out of their own pocket for either travel expenses or official habitation expenses. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
"June Hughes" wrote in message ... In message , Sacha writes On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. Perhaps the singing is something to do with the plants liking the sound of the gardener's voice (a bit like Prince Charles talking to his plants - I talk to mine). If you talk to your plants you would be breathing out carbon dioxide, inexchange for which they will put up with your 'witty banter' or l.o.b. mark |
phases of the moon
In message , Judith M Smith
writes On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) When I were a lad it was always said that potatoes should be planted B4 Good Friday. This was nothing to do with growth - just to show that you weren't a lazy sod. -- hugh It may be more complicated but is it better? |
phases of the moon
In message , Martin
writes On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:19:53 +0100, "mark" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message . .. On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:58:05 +0200, Martin wrote: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Better still and that a cloud always passes in front of the sun ... -- That'll always be true for somewhere. It was never true while I was at the junior school. Often it rained the whole long weekend because that is traditional at Easter. :o) So it was true, just a question of interpretation -- hugh It may be more complicated but is it better? |
phases of the moon
In message , Sacha
writes On 2009-07-29 12:09:13 +0100, Martin said: On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:30:23 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. "seems" Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. I don't understand what you mean by respects the land. Wants to work with it rather than beating it into submission. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. People did predict it back in the 1960s. But how many paid attention? I know that in Jersey so many nitrates were put onto the fields by the previous generation of farmers, that the nitrates in the water level were a long way above the level considered to be safe. Nonetheless, I can't see any harm in someone wanting to try a method that does nothing to anyone or anything other than themselves and their own land. Also in east Anglia IIRC and pregnant women were given bottled water. -- hugh It may be more complicated but is it better? |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-29 20:39:02 +0100, hugh ] said:
In message , Sacha writes snip But how many paid attention? I know that in Jersey so many nitrates were put onto the fields by the previous generation of farmers, that the nitrates in the water level were a long way above the level considered to be safe. Nonetheless, I can't see any harm in someone wanting to try a method that does nothing to anyone or anything other than themselves and their own land. Also in east Anglia IIRC and pregnant women were given bottled water. My first child is now 33 and when that child was born the nitrate thing was becoming known. Consequently, all his milk formula bottles were made with bottled water in a separate kettle to the one we used for ourselves. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:30:23 +0100, Sacha wrote:
On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. I can assure you that the post re planting of potatoes on Good Friday was deadly serious. It was (and is) the done thing. -- Vote NO to the proposed group uk.rec.cycling.moderated aka uk.rec.cycling.censored |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-30 00:42:29 +0100, Judith M Smith said:
On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:30:23 +0100, Sacha wrote: snip Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. I can assure you that the post re planting of potatoes on Good Friday was deadly serious. It was (and is) the done thing. I'm not scoffing though I thought that was the lore for parsley, not potatoes. Growers in Jersey plant a lot earlier than Easter so much depends on the climate. I would think that long-establlished farming families have figured out the best thing to do for their soil and their climate and there's no harm I can see in gardeners experimenting on their own patch of the planet. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
phases of the moon
In message , Martin
writes On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:39:02 +0100, hugh ] wrote: In message , Sacha writes On 2009-07-29 12:09:13 +0100, Martin said: On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:30:23 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-29 09:33:55 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:36:57 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-07-28 17:58:05 +0100, Martin said: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Be fair - the man asked a reasonable question. He also got some very reasonable answers. Not if they're along the lines of standing on one leg reciting The Ancient Mariner while planting parsley! A lot of old gardening lore is just that but it's been around for centries and seems to work. "seems" Certainly, as it appears to respect the land I can't see any harm in someone enquiring about it and/or trying it. I don't understand what you mean by respects the land. Wants to work with it rather than beating it into submission. After all, nitrates were all the thing as can't-go-wrong, prouce-huge-crops fertilisers at one time. People are re-thinking their attitudes to chemicals now and I doubt many people would have predicted that back in the 60s. People did predict it back in the 1960s. But how many paid attention? I know that in Jersey so many nitrates were put onto the fields by the previous generation of farmers, that the nitrates in the water level were a long way above the level considered to be safe. Nonetheless, I can't see any harm in someone wanting to try a method that does nothing to anyone or anything other than themselves and their own land. Also in east Anglia IIRC and pregnant women were given bottled water. They drink bottled water like everybody else in many places in Europe. Yes but normally they go to a supemarket and buy it, rather than in this instance having it delivered by their water supply company F-O-C -- hugh It may be more complicated but is it better? |
phases of the moon
In message , Martin
writes On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:31:11 +0100, hugh ] wrote: In message , Martin writes On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:19:53 +0100, "mark" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message m... On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:58:05 +0200, Martin wrote: On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:39 +0100, Judith M Smith wrote: On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:15:51 +0100, "Hamer Family" wrote: Does anybody here garden by biodynamics or the phases of the moon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. It's along the same lines - I can assure you that potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday ;-) and that the sun always passes in front of the sun at 3 pm on Good Friday. I was taught this at junior school. Better still and that a cloud always passes in front of the sun ... -- That'll always be true for somewhere. It was never true while I was at the junior school. Often it rained the whole long weekend because that is traditional at Easter. :o) So it was true, just a question of interpretation or the meaning of passing over. I don't think clouds are ever stationary so even when it is raining and the skies are grey some of them are still passing over the sun. -- hugh It may be more complicated but is it better? |
phases of the moon
On 2009-07-30 11:47:27 +0100, Martin said:
On Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:32:51 +0100, hugh ] wrote: In message , Martin snip They drink bottled water like everybody else in many places in Europe. Yes but normally they go to a supemarket and buy it, rather than in this instance having it delivered by their water supply company F-O-C In UK the water companies can afford it. Yes but who's paying for it?! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
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