The Winds Of Change Are Blowing~

The Season Is Changing-Time To Change/Tweak Our Diet~



The longest journey begins with that first short step.

The healthiest table begins with that first realization that “ I” must take the interest and the action to make it so.


Our food sources of today, and actually for the last forty years have been slowly contaminated to the degree that they are basically void of nutrition by the time they reach our dining table . The average meal travels no less than 1500 miles before it reaches a destination. This means it is harvested green, sprayed/treated to slow the process of maturation, sprayed again to keep insects away while in transit, sprayed again when it reaches its destination…to restart a process that allows the ‘color’ to finalize. Remember, the process of nutritional growth is halted at harvesting and does not begin again.


This is one of the best reasons for re-educating ourselves on how we choose what we eat.


Understood-everyone in this country cannot be a farmer or even have a garden…what everyone can do; is look at all the options, either pick from or develop one, and set a new goal, a goal to grow or purchase from a local grower, or from sources that allow you to feel safe in the foods you serve at your table.


Many across the country are turning their lawns into urban gardens. You can grow in over-sized containers, on porches and patio’s, in small hobby greenhouse’s. Gardening makes a wonderful family project while supplying healthy and tasty foods.

One very easy way to healthatize your meals is through the use of herbs.

Fresh or fresh dried…( fresh dried is Not from the local super-market )


Oils, fats, sodium ( salt ) artificial coloring, white sugar, and additives are the biggest culprits in today’s diet, within the seasoning range.


Stevia is a naturally sweet herb that can be used to replace sugar. http://www.stevia.com/

http://www.stevia.net/


TIP: Anything that ends in ‘ose’ is a sugar, and many times one that has been chemically made from a natural source, once it is processed chemically it is no longer a natural product.


The links above will supply you with the information you need to understand the benefits of these products as a substitute to sugar…plus recipes and other interesting stuff.


You will always be able to find resource articles, recipes, and good to know facts on the Sage Hill Farms website also.

I’m a click away if you have questions .

Enjoy the season that is Autumn~

From Garden To Dining Room-A Personal Project~

Gardening~A Personal Project

September always has been the time of reinvention, learn something new, and refurbish the old to new...for me. Shuffling the papers, sharpening the pencils, and dragging out the loads of books that hold idea after idea...this is my September.

Of course, most of my ideas and projects revolve around the gardening concept. I have discovered ( long ago actually ) that one idea/interest will always lead me to another.

For instances, I've had a bare dining room wall for years...could not zero in on what would be the perfect display, both for myself and for others to enjoy.

After an interest peaking ah-ha moment in the extremely talented man ( Ray Harm ) the perfect display is now taking shape. ' Botanical' drawings....the intricate thought and energy that had to go into the many forms of this mans work boggles the mind. One silent moment of studying a perfect specimen of the 'coneflower' in my garden led me to research that reminded me of an older interest...the Botanical drawings....so here I am...a new September, a new ( old ) interest, and a new project.

September is looking an awful lot like ' A Journey.'

Make your September a learning project to share~

September's Garden Thoughts~

September, fall, autumn...a changing of the season from hot and humid to a comfortable coolness that takes some time for adjustment...in the mind as well as in the body.

September brings stark and vivid color to many trees and shrubs.

If, when planning your garden beds-thinking ahead a bit will allow for careful placement of small trees and shrubs that will grace your landscape with color you can be grateful for. ( as will those who enter )

Black Gum, Sweet Gum, Sassafras, and Sumac are all perfect plants for autumn color.  The gums and sassafras are trees that will eventually be large and spreading-however, they are slow growing and you can prune them to be smaller if desired...at least for many years.
They are heat and cold tolerant, not fussy about the soil they are planted in, and will thrive in sunny or part shade locations.

Most Stone Crop plants will deliver awesome color and they are perennial-which means they may die back to a degree in the cold months, but will come back with a mighty show in the spring.

Don't forget the vegetables for adding color to your autumn landscape...pumpkins, gourds, squash, eggplant, artichoke, sunflowers, and garlic chives will brighten up the garden and the dinner table.

Pumpkins are for more than Jack-o-lanterns...more about that in October....

It's hot tea time and Sage Hill Farms has the most delicious blends and tisanes-blended and made just for the discriminating taste.

Visit the website and make your choices while they are fresh from the fields.
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Happy September~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz~

Timeline: World History of Viral Pandemics: 412BC to 2009

Timeline: World History of Viral Pandemics: 412BC to 2009

Change Is In The Air-and Other Places~

We are not in our previous zone anymore...climate change--regardless as to the why and how, is a fact that has established itself in the gardening arena all around the world. From milder winters, to longer and hotter summers, more unpredicted weather patterns and a renegade growth pattern that will keep the gardener up at night...all of these have been a steady show for the last few years.

One major change we are seeing is the early maturation of all fruits, vegetables and even herbs, highly productive but a shorter production time.

Sage Hill has kept a careful record of planting times, time span  between planting and beginning of production, length of time between start and final production...it has gradually over a period of three years moved us a full zone from our previous one.

I am strongly seeing the need for more and more alternative ways of growing the foods we love and depend on for good health and survival.

High Tunnels and Green House growing I think will become a much needed and sought after alternative.

We must get serious about alternative methods of watering our gardens...both large and small. Rain barrels for the collection of rain water is a great choice for smaller needs. Larger farms will need to consider drilling wells to take water from deeper in the earth and natural springs over using water from the domestic sources that most use now. ( this is a good option regardless...especially if one is growing without chemicals....using water from the same source as your household needs is releasing a steady dose of chemicals on your gardens each time you water. ( don't overlook the use of a filtration system on the household water supply. )

In a 2009 report titled " Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, the U.S. Global Change Research Program documents changes that have already occurred and provides predictions  for the future. Average temps in the United States have risen more than 2*F in the past 50 years, for example, and are expected to increase an additional 4* to 11* F by 2100.

These changes will effect different parts of the country in different ways. 

Hotter and drier conditions could decrease productive in the Southeast.

Severe storms along with longer droughts could increase the possibility of crop destruction in the Great plains.

But some changes will be an overall, country wide issue--extreme weather happenings. accelerated weed growth, higher and stronger pollen counts.

We are truly living in a time of great change.....the gardens are a much bigger part of that change than many might consider.

I have a sticker on the back window of my Jeep that reads  'No Farms-No Food.'   My prayers are for the ability to adapt to the change in ways that will bring a new and hopefully better era of farming.

Your thoughts are always welcome.

My information in part comes from the Organic Gardening magazine.

A source of must know information ~

Enjoy September...a time of change in most welcomed ways at Sage Hill:)

Herbal Summer Tips~

Summer can mean too much sun and exposure to itchy things and bug bites :)

A few simple and inexpensive ways to keep your skin in healthy condition and calm the itch of bug bites...when they itch, one tends to scratch...which leads to more itching, more scratching...and eventually infection.

Lemon balm and Lemongrass makes an excellent wash....boil a small pot of water, add a handful of Lemon balm or Lemongrass, turn heat to a very low setting and steep for about 10 minutes...add to a bath or soak a bath cloth and gently wash the skin. You can then add a touch of Tea Tree oil to the areas needing attention. You can do this as often as needed.
Aloe Vera plant is an awesome herb for sunburn or just to cool and treat hot skin and itchy bites....if you don't have a plant invest in a good gel or cream from a natural/organic source.
Big Tip....If you refrain from using chemicals on your lawn and gardens, in a short time you will discover you have no pesky bugs to be concerned about.

Bad bugs thrive in bad soil and plants....with healthy, chemical free lawns/gardens you will have an abundance of good bugs...which eat any bad bugs who come creeping around...it's a win-win~

Wishing you a very safe and bad-bug free summer~

This is the awesome Praying Mantis...a very good bug in the garden.

Please do not kill them.

Posted by BeaK. at 8:46 AM

Collection & Conservation~of Water

It is the time of season when a lot of water is in demand.

Those of us who have small farms or home gardens can and should practice the options given by nature to conserve and use water in the wisest ways possible.

Collecting rain water is one of the most simple methods of water management we have.

The market offers many different styles of rain barrels for this purpose-or, one can simply use large outdoor containers or cisterns to catch and store rainwater.

Place these containers under the downspouts of your buildings and wait for the rain to come :)

You may want to treat the stored water for bacteria and to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes. Keep a screen covering over the containers to keep debris and animals out.

Other ways to keep water usage at a savings level is the soaker -hose or installed irrigation system. ( for larger projects.)

Water in the early morning, never the hottest part of the day ( evaporation will be the highest ) or too late in the day ( your plants will be too damp over night and will be a temptation to pest looking for moisture.)

Each time you water test the soil at least 4 to 6 " deep for moisture-don't water again until the soil is dry at that same depth.

**Never water lightly or sprinkle the tops of your plants/garden-shallow watering encourages the roots to come to the surface for the moisture, causing shallow rooted plants, this will result in breakage and/or pest infestation.**

A 2 to 3 " of organic mulch around the base of your plants, ( not too close to the crown ) will help to retain moisture. ( shields the soil from the sun.

If you have individual plants that are scattered around your yard that needs even watering...such as fruit trees, shrubs, etc., I have found this to be a perfect solution. ( using gallon plastic jugs-punch tiny holes in the bottom, fill with water, set close to the base of the plants...just refill the jugs as needed....really does save water and time.

Happy gardening and respect and control your water needs...it is the source of life.

Happy Gardening and a lovely summer~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

beakunz@bellsouth.net