Take a moment
The Winter Solstice is a fabulous time to let out a big breath, sit down and reflect on how your edible food garden is going. The days will soon be longer and we will be waiting patiently for seed orders to arrive and planning how we are going to fit everything in to our current garden.
Take time to consider how the previous season went for you, which areas you need to focus on and how you can continue to improve the vitality of your soil so that your plants will be nutrient-dense, healthy and free of pest and disease. If you have one, pull out your garden diary and look back at the selection of crops you grew, when they were planted and how well they did in your garden.
Give thanks
Recall the wonderful moments. Like the time you gathered a basket of fresh produce and created a delicious summer salad for the family that you ate outside on a warm sunny evening. We owe it to ourselves to reflect on the joyful moments as they get us through the more difficult times we endure. Be thankful for all the harvest blessings and give yourself a big pat on the back for the time and effort you have put in to growing your own food. You’re doing your part to care for the earth, take responsibility for your food source and provide healthy food for your family. It’s a big job and you are rocking it.
Consider the disappointments also. When working with nature things often do not go to plan and we can use these experiences to tweak our techniqies and create an edible paradise suited to our families lifestyle and food preferences.
Make a note
If you don’t have a diary or are unsure where to start, get a pen and paper and answer as many of the following questions as you (or your memory) allows. By exploring deeper, you may discover a forgotten tip that will give you a head start when planning next summers crops.
What was the best crop you grew and what was your biggest disappointment?
What did the kids enjoy the most?
Which pests did you find yourself dealing with?
Are there any skills you feel you need to improve on?
Is you garden the right size for your needs? Do you need more beds so that you can grow crops like potato and kumara or do you need to downsize due to time and energy restraints?
Is your garden in the best spot? Is it receiving enough sun? Does it get too much sun?
What can you do to improve the health of your soil?
Did you enjoy an abundant year of harvest or are you considering chucking in the self-sufficient dream as your harvest is mostly weeds and pests. I would love to hear from you. Head over to the Nurture Earth Community on facebook and share the insights you gained from this exercise. If you are not already a member I invite you to join us and share your top crops, top flops and any other aha moments you remember.
Wishing you all the best in the seasons to come!
Bridget x