Monthly Archives: March 2015
I have discovered a wonderful mix, in combining Lemon Verbena with Passiflora leaves. In folk medicine Passiflora or Passion Fruit has been used as an anti-spasmodic, sedative, tonic and tranquilizer for centuries. The flower of passion fruit has a mild sedative and can help to induce sleep. Passion flower has been used in the treatment of nervous and easily excited children, bronchial asthma, insomnia, nervous gastrointestinal disorders and menopausal problems. Passion flower is sometimes used as a mild hallucinogen.
A tea is traditionally brewed from the leaves, while the crushed flower and fresh leaves can be used topically for wounds. I have combined it with Lemon Verbena, because it is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants remove potentially harmful oxidizing agents from the body.
It can also be combined with Lemon Balm for a more sedative effect, or Chamomile.
Available at the market or message me via the contact me page.
I spent a few hours with a woofing volunteer, Jonas laying out more bottle lines, mixing in more compost and soil into the next two beds. Ive been hesitant to plant more things, due to the need for a watering system. This promises to be sorted out with a tap installation and box grid to keep a hose and tools in.
I am grateful for the rains that have occurred, and the lessons Im taught through observation. For a start, the planned keyhole section to harvest runoff water from the roof cannot be done here as there are pipes laid right where the swale should be started and the contour of the land is apparently wrong too. I noticed the slope is sloping more, and have begun a process of using bottles to keep it raised up and in more sturdy position. I will be utilizing the runoff in a different way.
One Green Corner donated one of their doggie couches to me, and it proved to be quite a mission uncovering the frame. I will be putting it into the garden today, and complete it in the garden. I hope to turn this couch frame into a wonderfully green creation for people to sit on and enjoy the serenity of the garden.
For now, this is where the garden is at – and I might have two volunteers to help next week, the composting will begin too. Much creativity at hand. Please contact me if you would like to donate funds to speed up the project or assist and learn at the same time. Also come show some community support by getting in touch, and coming to the market on the grounds every Saturday 
Peppermint has a hint of purple in its stem, and shorter, darker leaves than the garden mint variety most people Ive met know of.
Peppermint is actually a natural hybrid cross between water mint and spearmint. Mint leaves were rubbed on tables to welcome guests in Greece, and mint tea is still customarily offered to arriving guests in the Middle East.
When picking peppermint for your own use, the fresh leaves will impart a superior flavor to dried leaves (such as for use in the tisanes I sell). Look for fresh leaves that are green in color without any dark spots or yellowing. In addition to using fresh mint leaves in tea, you can add them to soups, fruit salad or gazpacho.
I recommend you to use mint in most of my flu remedies and even coffee at times.
Calamint tops, topped with boiled water make an excellent aromatic tisane which was taken for weaknesses of the stomach and flatulent colic, in other times.
The name of the genus, Calamintha, is derived from the Greek Kalos (excellent because of the ancient belief in its power to drive away serpents and the dreaded basilisk – the fabled king of the serpents, whose very glance was fatal.
I took a walk around zoo lake one day with friend and discovered this plant, outside the nursery or shop. The man being creative there, stopped planting something and accepted my request for a piece to plant. He sent my friend around the corner to get a shovel and a pot or two. We dug out a few pieces, which I am to plant soon and have distributed a few cuttings. One cannot always just take cuttings, ask first, I was in the right place at the right time and this man did not have the time to harvest or make use of the plant and it needed pruning.
I managed to harvest – from what I grew, enough to mix up with lavender for a few cups of tea, and have them on my table 14 March at least R30 each.
In this post I will show how to make use of the theory of the hugelkultuur method, in a very practical way.
Firstly, we gathered cardboard boxes in need of recycling. I removed all the tape and sticky bits and used a box cutter to cut the pieces. I did tear a few with my hands too, as I was not making a craft but just a bottom lining of cardboard, which is an excellent way of stunting weed growth and adding nutrients to the soil. Tearing up the cardboard is also good for stress release, in my opinion
When I completed this task, I added the remaining parts of the tree that Phil cut up for us. The next layer was the shredded bits from the bit of use of the shredder we had for a day, and whatever other green garden waste I could gather to raise the beds. The guys continued with the outer circle of bottles, during this process.
My first expense for this project, other than taxi fare and R50 toward the blooper moment was compost supplied by Mark (083 305 3867). I am grateful that I could afford this expense, from the sales at the market but will need to up sales and get a system in place to grow soil asap on the grounds (anyone wanting to learn and assist in this process can contact me). Don’t forget Marcel has a bottle brick making fundraiser this Saturday 14 March 2015 for this purpose as well.
The next layer was a mix of sifted soil and compost.
TEAM WORK GETS THE JOB DONE EVERYTIME
This is the result, and still a long way to go.
For now, I must do more planning and package tea and do some more creativity so I have things to sell at the market.
On Day 4 the volunteers from Eco Synergy Designs and Jonas – a volunteer donated for the day by One Green Corner assisted me. Jonas and I collected bottles from the recycling bins behind the Pirates Sports Club bar, in this process I learnt that alot of beer comes in green bottles lol.
The guys used string to measure out the beds, we sifted soil for mixing with compost, tried the use of a shredder did alot of digging in an effort to level out the soil and place the bottles as much at similar height as possible. Using cement is a way of getting bottles uniform and in position, so we did the outer ring, using cement. None of us think this is a permaculture method at all, so we used the other way of digging a trench for the bottles on the inner bed lines. I hope this will be an example of the difference between these two methods of laying bottles for bed lines to many.
A big thank you to Phil, from Phils Tree Felling & Removal (082 544 3745) who came recommended by Matt from Eco Synergy Designs to use a chainsaw to neaten up the part of the tree we chopped down on Day 1. He also made a few wedges from the large log, which we used as stepping stones in the garden and the rest of the branches into smaller bits which were used in the hugelkultuur method used to line the beds. The sawdust has also been utilized in the garden (see part 4 for these pics). I will dedicate a post to explaining hugelkultuur another time.
Super exciting, to see my design come to life and be a part of creating it Day 5 results are absolutely awesome. Jabs even got into the tree for some areal shots, thank you Jabs. (see part 4 for some of these pics).
On Day 3 I went with the volunteers from Eco Synergy Designs, and the guys spent much time digging the layout of my garden design. Unfortunately, due to not being notified of or having the knowledge of plumbing systems or pipes under the ground, one of the guys knocked into a pipe connected to the solar heating of the swimming pool. This is a reminder to ALL GARDEN DESIGNERS, and a lesson for me for any future similar work to always inquire about what might exist under the ground before planning an area.
We were very lucky, in that, it took a few phonecalls, and a few jogs to the workers on the grounds, as well as management to find a solution. The jogging helped me calmly stress less, so it served it’s purpose Alistair was able to turn off the water supply, and ascertain where the damage was done. We were also lucky because the water did not overflow and fill up the garden, or run downhill into the gym area. A wonderful and efficient plumber in the JHB area, Julius from JM Plumbing (his contact number is 082 670 4586) came to solve the problem. We assisted him in getting rid of the overflow of water, and made use of it in the area we were clearing for the mandala section of the garden, to soften the soil, seeing as there are no taps on the grounds to attach a hosepipe to as yet. (if anyone can assist in getting that sorted please contact me asap).
This blooper occurred during the digging of a small trench along the squash court wall. The purpose of the trench is to assist in utilizing the run-off water from the rooftop and the water that comes from the basins in the bathroom of the court. We layered it with some rubble and cuttings from the tree pruning, as well as shredded green waste. These layers, will assist in the water distribution of what was once before just stagnant water compounding that area of the garden, hereby allowing the water to be dispersed further into the garden.
We have already completed day 4, as I type now just past midnight and I will post the progress in a separate post along with day 5 on this topic next time I write.
I discovered some Bamboo Leaf Tea in meeting Marcel, who is the brain behind the idea of setting up a bottle brick making station in the garden I am creating with some amazing volunteers. She introduced me to Gwendolene or Gwen who grows bamboo, which variety is still a mystery, but I am also considering adding more of her products in the future for reasons below.
Bamboo Leaf Tea, is mainly silica and removes Aluminum from the body. The build-up of Aluminum in the body causes Alzheimer’s. Bamboo Leaf Tea contains the highest amount of vegetative silica of any plant. It promotes hair growth, nail strength, it is the building block of collagen, rejuvenates the skin, increases bone density and is effective for IBS, ulcers and other digestive issues. You need only boil one or two leaves for a cup of tea. I have tried and tested it, and added rooibos and honey or pomegranite juice. Let us know what you think if you try this cup of tea. Please see the end of this post for contact details.
Gwen reminded me that almost all diseases and sickness stem from extreme acidity in the body. The way to solve this is with an alkaline to bring up the PH levels in the body. Gwen has a very good Colon Cleanser which does that. It brings the PH levels up, bonds with toxins in the body, especially the BT Toxin, which is an insecticide that is in all the foods in South Africa, that is causing high rates of cancer amongst the people also children, also toxins that are in tap water, and removes them from the body. It also removes Mercury from the body which is the cause of many diseases. Gwen claimed that everyone used this, many doctors would find themselves without work! Think about that!
I am also putting this article out for any other retailers or stall holders who might be interested in her products, or mine or both to contact Gwen on info.organic.solutions@gmail.com or 072 414 0529 or me 072 146 9017. You can also contact me via this blog
On Day 2 Matt Perkins from Eco Synergy, has offered the use of his tools and some keen minds, among his laborers. A big thank you in advance, as I will be making use of them on Day 3. Today, we used only a chainsaw to cut down an appendage of the tree, and cleared away the debris. This will be used later in the garden. Rain deterred us from further progress for the day.
I sat amidst the looming ivy, painting the signage advertising the bottle brick making station on Saturday 14th March Click on the date to go to the facebook event page. I used the signage at the market this past Saturday, and put it up in the garden after the market. Below are a few images for you to enjoy
I am looking forward to this weeks activities and hope to have some plants at least having stretched their roots out of their bags
I will be adding to this this post on a regular basis, as progress is made in the garden Thank you for enjoying this journey with me and for being mindful of the space at the Pirates Sports Club RESPECT IT, LOVE IT, LEARN FROM IT, ENJOY THE SERENITY AND POSITIVITY I aim to achieve in this space but please do not think it is okay to just pick plants or leave trash in this space.
Firstly, I have noted that what I am doing is generating a lot of interest as the world of permaculture is becoming the passion of many, as well as the thought or theory of community gardens. THIS IS NOT A COMMUNITY GARDEN. I am using the space and people who have shown interest to assist me in getting this garden built and up and running, so that I can be in a position to get on two taxis, take a long walk and water it as required in the interim while the plants grow. I will be harvesting, drying what I harvest and packaging it and selling it on Saturdays at the Jozi Real Food Market on the premises as I am already there every Saturday with artwork and herbal tea remedies or tisanes. This is my only income.
Day 1 and Day 2
A beautiful trade occurred between myself, Ingrid Goncalves and an international mission called Remar. Two laborers twice this week (2 – 8 March 2015) in exchange for a stall space at the market. They produce soap among other things. Day 1 occurred on Tuesday from 1 – 4.30pm, where they removed the ivy and I painted the signage. On Day 2, which is tomorrow as I type, Friday they will be pruning the overhanging tree and laying some lines with logs from the pruning. I aim to make use of everything, including some waste from the bar. Images below of Day 1, Day 2 images to follow once complete, do check in on this post again later
Two amazing people – Seth and Marcel are coming to set up a bottle brick making station in the garden on the 14th March, as a fundraiser to assist me and educate the community on sustainable building techniques. The cost will be R5 per person and you can donate the brick to me for the garden or take it home to show others. I will be adding some info to this at the market and in the garden asap. I will be using the money to purchase cement for the building or compost for the garden.
My name is Netanya Naude’ and you can find more information about me on facebook by clicking on my name in this sentence
The art of permaculture begins with <3
