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Sunseed News
PIE MURO After restoring a stonewall in the Arboretum, it remained a clear area where we have recently planted Mediterranean plants. We have planted one Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic) that it can be found in north facing slopes and close to gullies around our valley. We have also planted another plant from the same gender, Pistacia terebinthus (Terebinth). And finally, two Laurus nobilis (Bay leaf), in terms to provide the kitchen with bay leafs for cooking. Mastic, Terebinth and Bay leaf: LENTISCO LAURELCORNICABRA First, we selected the spots for the digging and planting depending on the proximity to other plants, the wall next to the parcel and the dripping irrigation system that it had already been laid around. Some weeding was needed in some spots too. In each hole, humanure was added as fertilizer. Once planted we have surrounded and secure each of the plants with stones taken from the site and safeguarding the dripping irrigation system stays in placed next to them. The wall restored last year has been used for planting Sedum sediforme (Pale Stonecrop), and also for seeding Capparis spinosa (Capers) looking forward to harvest some this year. FINALMB We prepared a substrate with one basket of soil and one basket of “Humanure”, the manure from human ‘s faeces. Then we watered abundantly. SUBSTRATE Before sowing the seeds, they were soaked in lemon juice to help the germination and develop a good percent of growth. CAPERS SOKED IN LEMON JUI After this germinative treatment, we sow the seeds mixed with our substrate making balls to fill the gaps on the wall. SEMBRAR ALCAPARRAS MB UÑA DE GATO2MB In the same way, we planted the plants of Pale Stonecrop. We used the same substrate to fix them on the wall and to protect their roots. wall vegetation Both plants, Pale Stonecrop and Capers, are found in our valley in rocky soils with very low requirements of water,…perfect choice to encourage drylands biodiversity in the Arboretum!.PIE MURODespués de la reciente restauración de un balate en el Arboretum, el departamento ha decidido revegetarlo con plantas mediterráneas locales. Hemos plantado una Pistacia lentiscus (Lentisco) presente en laderas de humbría orientadas al norte y cerca de barrancos y cárcavas en el entorno de nuestro valle. También hemos plantado otra planta del mismo género, Pistacia terebinthus (Cornicabra). Y por último, dos Laurus nobilis (Laurel), con el objetivo de dar un uso culinario a sus hojas. Lentisco, Cornicabra y Laurel: LENTISCO LAUREL CORNICABRA En primer lugar, se seleccionaron los puntos para la siembra y plantación en función de la proximidad a otras plantas y el sistema de riego por goteo ya establecido anteriormente. En cada hoyo, se añadió “humanure” como fertilizante, abono proveniente de las heces humanas. Una vez hecha la plantación se protegen las plantas con piedras para mantener la humedad y fijar el riego por goteo. La pared restaurada el año pasado, se ha utilizado para la plantación de Sedum sediforme (Uña de gato) y la siembra de Capparis spinosa (Alcaparras), con vistas a cosechar algo de alcaparras este verano. FINALMB Hemos preparado un sustrato con mitad de suelo y mitad de “humanure”. A continuación se ha regado abundantemente. SUBSTRATE Antes de la siembra de las semillas, éstas se empapan en jugo de limón para favorecer su germinación. CAPERS SOKED IN LEMON JUI Después de este tratamiento pregerminativo, sembramos las semillas mezcladas con el sustrato haciendo bolas que permitan rellenar los huecos entre las rocas del balate. SEMBRAR ALCAPARRAS MB De la misma manera se ha procedido a plantar las plantas de Uña de gato. Utilizando UÑA DE GATO2MBel mismo sustrato, se fijan las plantas en la pared asegurándonos de que queden sus raíces bien protegidas. wall vegetation Ambas plantas, Uña de gato y Alcaparras, se encuentran en nuestro valle en suelos rocosos con muy bajos requerimientos de agua,…una elección perfecta para fomentar la biodiversidad vegetal de climas semiáridos en el Arboretum!.
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A hotbed is a traditional method of using heat produced by decomposing organic material, such as manure or compost, to start seedlings off early in spring while it is still cold outside. There are various different ways to make a hotbed for different purposes and in different environments. Here is how we made ours: Step 1: Take six bales of straw and make them into a rectangle, mark out the hole in the middle on the ground. Step 2: Move one of the end bales and dig out 20cm of soil from the hole and put it aside (the top 20cm is the most fertile and contains the most beneficial soil life such as bacteria and worms) Step 3: Fill the hole with layers of manure, dry leaves, straw and urine. It is important to use manure that is as fresh as possible, as this will produce the most heat for the longest time. The urine helps kick start the process as it is rich in nitrogen which feeds bacteria, which in turn produce the heat. We used roughly three wheelbarrows of manure to one barrow of dry leaves and straw. The hole should be filled to 20cm below the top of the bales. Step 4: Put the soil (taken from the bottom) mixed with some mature compost on top of the manure to fill up the hole. It will bulge over the top to begin with, but will settle down onver time as the manure rots down and the soil compacts. Step 5: Wait for the temperature to rise and then sow seeds when the temperature has stabalised. It should produce heat for one to two months so ours should stay warm till mid March. 2014-01-15 16.18.18DSC_0007 DSC_0009 2014-01-10 12.35.412014-01-17 16.06.10 2014-01-22 09.24.58 DSC_0001 DSC_0004
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Sunseed News
The Eco Construction department has been working in the preparation of chumba & lime paint. First you find some chumba and then slice it in small pieces, then cover it with water and leave it fermenting for a week, next friday will see the final product Well, the paint did turned out not quite how we wanted it, it had a greenish colour. We will do another tryout, this time peeling the chumba so we end up with a much clear product. The paint does cover very well on just one coat which is very uncommon when using lime wash so we think we are in the right path for making the ultimate eco paint. Wait for the next update.El departamento de eco construccion ha estado trabajando en la preparacion de pintura de cal y chumba Primero hay que encontrar una chumbera y cortar unas hojas entonces de corta todo en pedacitos y se cubre con agua, se deja fermentar y listo el viernes que viene veremos los resultados
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We finally have a new polytunnel! This will be a protected space for propagating seedlings. We were kindly donated the hoops by a local farmer who no longer needed them and we used the plastic cover from our old polytunnel so it cost almost nothing to build. The plastic is buried in the ground on the sides to make it tight. The hoops are cemented into the ground and are connected with side struts to make the structure really strong and durable. DSC_00272013-12-31 16.37.56DSC_00862013-12-31 16.38.042014-01-07 10.22.52DSC_0079DSC_00332014-01-07 10.50.48DSC_0029
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We decided it would make sense to create an area specifically for seed saving for a variety of reasons: making it clear that the plants are only for saving, not for harvesting; making it easier to prevent cross-pollination (i.e. for brassicas); and having a space for plants that take two years to produce seed (i.e. carrots). We chose part of Terrace Uno for our purpose and, like in other gardens, installed a drip irrigation system and built raised beds. We have planted/transplanted beetroots, carrots, oriental greens – purple flowering choi sum and mizuna, broccolis, lettuces and shallots. IMG_3060 DSC_0544 DSC_0548 DSC_0554 DSC_0556 DSC_0560 DSC_0561
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Now is the time for harvesting beetroot, walking through the almond blossom and hanging out with the bees who pollinate the flowers while feeding from their sweet nectar. IMAG1721 We have various patches of beetroot in the gardens planted at different times to ensure an extended harvest. During cold spells its growth slows right down, but after a nice warm period we harvested 10kg from one row in the Patch. We ate some fresh, grated into salads, some cooked and some preserved in jars for eating when we have none to harvest. Beetroot is a great crop to grow as it can grow in partial shade and does not need lots of water or nutrients, you can also eat the leaves like chard or spinach. IMAG1695
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 During these month we have been making our own almond milk. That was with the almonds that we picked last Autumn and that we have been crushing during the last weeks. With that we have obtain many litres of delicious drink 100% vegetable, local, full of calcium and proteins. Do you want to know the recipe that many volunteers have learn already? Here it is!   vaso-leche-001-559x450 Ingredients 200grs of almonds 2 litres of water We put the almonds to soak slightly cover with water for 12 hours. We rinse the almonds and add new clean water, half a litre. We blend with the hand blender. Filter the milky liquid with the help of a colander. Keep the almond mush, add more water one litre and repeat. Filter again the liquid and repeat the process once more. After the 3rd time you will have a nice veggie drink. esencia-de-almendras-aromaticaleche de almendras (1)   If you like a thicker drink you can add less water. You can also use the same technique with other seeds, nuts and grains such as: hazelnuts, sesame or sunflower seeds, oats… And…what happen with the almond mush? We do delicious deserts, pates and sauces as the ajoblanco…but we’ll tell you the recipe in another post! By now enjoy your drink!
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After many sessions of hard work, over several months, we are proud to announce the inauguration of a beautiful and functional renovation of the Far Terrace! The previous bed design with flood irrigation was an inefficient in terms of water and land use. We cleared the garden of plants (transplanting remaining peppers) and beds. We luckily had assistance from a rotovator (saving our backs!) and then started digging the new raised beds. Adding two wheelbarrows of composted goat manure to each bed would add fertility and improve soil structure and texture. Putting the pipes, connectors and drippers in took a great deal of time and patience but finally we had installed and were ready to test. There was a little celebratory party complete with lemon and pomegranate cake, tea on the gassifyer and electronic music! Currently growing is: lettuce, oriental greens, carrot, beetroot, cabbage, fennel, leeks, green manures. We are pleased to report they are thriving in their new home! IMG_3017IMG_3019IMG_3022IMG_3027IMG_9117DSC_0431DSC_0432DSC_0430DSC_0046IMG_3066 IMG_3075DSC_0049IMG_3066 IMG_3075 IMG_9117 DSC_0046 DSC_0049 DSC_0064 DSC_0430 DSC_0431 DSC_0432 IMG_3017 IMG_3019 IMG_3022 IMG_3027
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CONSUELDA

Recently both the Drylands Department and the Sustainable Living department worked together to make comfrey ointment. Comfrey is a well known plant remedy for easing muscle, bone and skin problems, for example, sprains, bites, rashes, muscle pains, even broken bones. Considering all the outdoor and physical activities that we do here at Sunseed, this ointment is an essential part of our natural medicine cabinet!

Comfrey is a native plant of Europe and is incredibly versatile and useful. Not only, is it a great natural medicine but it also is very good natural fertilizer as it is full of potassium. Therefore, it is an important compliment to the work of both the Drylands and Organic Gardens departments at Sunseed. You can find comfrey plants everywhere here.

So if you want to make some comfrey ointment, this is what you do:

You will need:

Cumfrey roots

Olive or almond oil

Chili

Cocao butter

Lavender Essential oil

  1. First you extract the comfrey plant

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2. Then take off the leaves and keep the root

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3. Clean the roots well, chop off any bad bits until the roots are dirt free

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4.Put the roots in boiling water for a while to soften them

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5. Wrap the pieces of root in an old rag and squeeze them to get rid of their juice

IMG_09766.Keep the remains of the root and blend until a soft consistency

IMG_09847.In a separate bowl, mix together some olive or almond oil and chili

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8.In a separate pot put more olive or almond oil and add the cocoa butter, then heat them up until the butter has melted

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9) To the hot pot, add the blended cumfrey roots, the marigold oil/ginger mix and stir everything together

IMG_098810) Remove the pot from the heat and add some lavender oil

IMG_099911)   Pour the mixture into a container and leave to cool

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