MODERNROOTS
  • Shop
    • Face Care
    • Lotions, Creams, Body Whips
    • Soaps
    • Hair Care
    • Lip & Oral Care
    • Natural Deodorant
    • Sun Care
    • Body Wash & Liquid Soap
    • Bath Bombs, Clouds, Tea
    • Exfoliants, Scrubs, Soaks
    • Chaga Products
    • Laundry & Cleaning
    • Makeup
    • Essential Oils & Blends
    • Soy Candles
    • Beard Care
    • Roll-Ons, Sprays, After Shave
    • Pet Care
  • Our Story
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Self Sustainability
  • Contact Form
    • Store Address & Hours
  • Shop
    • Face Care
    • Lotions, Creams, Body Whips
    • Soaps
    • Hair Care
    • Lip & Oral Care
    • Natural Deodorant
    • Sun Care
    • Body Wash & Liquid Soap
    • Bath Bombs, Clouds, Tea
    • Exfoliants, Scrubs, Soaks
    • Chaga Products
    • Laundry & Cleaning
    • Makeup
    • Essential Oils & Blends
    • Soy Candles
    • Beard Care
    • Roll-Ons, Sprays, After Shave
    • Pet Care
  • Our Story
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Self Sustainability
  • Contact Form
    • Store Address & Hours
Search

The Dirty Truth

3/10/2013

1 Comment

 
As Joe Dirt would say, "Life's a garden, dig it." Watching my garden grow from the inside of my home to the outside gardens is very rewarding. From seedling, I have tried various ways now to get them to come up. For me, the best is leaving the dirt very loose and semi-moist, planting the seeds (the little ones just smooshing them into the surface a bit), and before putting them under the lights - spraying them with a a couple squirts of water. When I can see little green sprouts in a week or so, it is very exciting. Yay! I didn't kill you, yet. I have always bought my plants after they were started by someone else or a garden center after I wasn't successful at starting my own seeds, for numerous reasons. So now that I am watching my gardens grow from the inside of my home with success, I am more excited than ever to plant all my seeds according to the sow/germinate schedule. I have started several seeds but the real planting mahem is coming end of March and beginning of April.
There is certainly a sense of pride and gratification from nuturing these little seedlings into a large plant that can provide food or beauty. Not to get too philosophical but the pure amazement that a tiny little seed carries perfect genetic code to become a large plant that provides food is pretty cool. So nurturing the seedling along and making it stronger, not drowning it in too much water, and not letting it dry out while in growth is a task in itself. After successfully growing the seeds indoors and moving them to the outside gardens can be nerve racking so once my plants are strong enough and the weather will allow for them to survive, it will be easier breathing after the transition.
I have found with the chaos of my day-kids, meals, all my crazy projects etc.- dirt is my therapy. There is something about digging in it that makes me feel better and more alive than before. I look forward to the seed booklets and the juicy details about the plant descriptions (they ALWAYS get me to buy with the first two words being 'juicy and/or beautiful').  I have told myself for the rest of this spring, any more seeds books that come must immediately go into the garbage. Of about 10 that have recently been sent, I have thrown out one. It actually hurts a little to not allow myself to read about all the new and best seeds that seed company has to offer. Being from Minnesota, it's hope disquised in another 12" of snow fall.
My plans this year for self-food are now in the making. I have put the cart in motion and have empowered myself to take care of my family in a more healthy, knowledgeable and informed way. Sending my seeds along their way to the end result-production, is what each seasons goal is about. Producing different varieties and finding just the right specialty fruit or vegetable has calmed my anxiousness for conquering the world. At this point in my life, sprouting seeds and self-reliant preparation is enough. 
My anticipation for the Farmer's Markets this year has gotten me started on my soap curing and other projects. Taking my produce and other creations to them will be a journey I am looking forward to being on. I also look forward to meeting new people with like minds. I can always take some new advice on making my homestead more effecient.
In watching my garden grow from the inside out and using dirt as my go to for theraputic relief, this season has officially started and my plans for self-reliance have begun.
1 Comment
Mom
3/11/2013 09:24:55 am

Hope you don't mind my sharing this. It feed right into your comment about dirt being therapy. Happy Digging!

I share this directly from May/June 2012 Grit Magazine page 20.

"For better health, Dig in the Dirt"
"Gardeners have touted the benefits of their hobby for centuries, and only within the last few years has science caught up. Scientific evidence proves that digging in the dirt is good for you.
About 10 years ago, a discovery gave credence to the theory that the good bacteria in dirt - namely Mycobacterium vaccae - acts similarly to an antidepressant when breathed by humans. Further studies with mice proved the notion. A recent article in The Atlantic has again brought the 2007 mice study to the public's attention.
Playing in the dirt...helps the human brain release more serotonin, a key neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, metabolism, aggression, sleep and appetite."
While I think "proved" is a rather strong word to attribute to the mouse study, my own need to be outdoors and active substantiates the antidepressing effects of 'digging in the dirt'. I look at the dramatic upsurge in the use of antidepressants and strongly suspect that a good dose of 'digging in the dirt' would be most beneficial to many. How depressing to go to work in the dark, sit in a flouresent lit cubical all day, and return home in the dark to more artificial light. I suspect it is a combination of exposure to sunlight and 'digging in the dirt' that is a great mood lifter!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Google+
    Subscribe to modernroots - Blog by Email

    Who Writes This Blog

    It's me, Meg. Checkout 'My Story' for more about my mission.

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Sign up to receive the latest product launches, skin care tips & more!

Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Shop
    • Face Care
    • Lotions, Creams, Body Whips
    • Soaps
    • Hair Care
    • Lip & Oral Care
    • Natural Deodorant
    • Sun Care
    • Body Wash & Liquid Soap
    • Bath Bombs, Clouds, Tea
    • Exfoliants, Scrubs, Soaks
    • Chaga Products
    • Laundry & Cleaning
    • Makeup
    • Essential Oils & Blends
    • Soy Candles
    • Beard Care
    • Roll-Ons, Sprays, After Shave
    • Pet Care
  • Our Story
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Self Sustainability
  • Contact Form
    • Store Address & Hours