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Home Farming
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Ireland
margaret@home-farming.com Margaret Lloyd 650.776.1003
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When your peace becomes your connection, a garden is made as living proof.
In the background, a field of oats and a field of potatoes
raise the bulk of Bernie's (and his animals') winter diet
Bernie's digging out potatoes in September. The beds will then
be fertilized by the seaweed that begins washing on shore at this
time.
Bernie's collecting specific seaweeds for the
beds. This is the traditional method of fertilizing
beds on the West coast of Ireland. Seaweed and
the cow's winter manure from the barn have been
ths sole methods of fertilizing this land for over 5
generations.
STEP 1 Cutting down the oats with a
'hook' (scythe) in September
STEP 2 Laying the cut oats in neat
and intentional sheaves, so they can
be easily picked up and tied
STEP 3 20 sheaves are used to build a stook. The last 4 are
turned upside down (grains facing down) and with their ends up,
creating the top of the teepee.
The seaweed is laid on top of the beds
to begin decomposing. Nothing will be
planted in this bed again until early
next spring. As the cow and donkey
manure is collected over the winter,
this, too, will be added to the beds.
Bernie's making a basket from last
years unused oat stalks. He also
makes nests for the chickens, hot
plates, bowls, and mats. Oat stalks
are the only material used.
Milk, butter and cream from the cow.
Irish Stew!
