My Vegan-Organic Garden

Honey Locust Tree- Mount Shasta, CA

 

Vegan-Organic or Stockfree-Organic is defined by the Vegan Organic Network (VON) as: “Any system of cultivation that excludes artificial chemicals, livestock manures, animal remains from slaughterhouses, genetically modified material and indeed anything of animal origin such as fishmeal”.

Source: http://veganorganic.net/

I have been living a vegan lifestyle since 2007.  I thought I had all my bases covered through careful selection of cruelty-free, animal-free products and ingredients.  However in 2010, I was stunned into reality by informers telling me that my ‘vegan’ ingredients were all being grown with animal feces or animal remains from slaughterhouses. 

This information helped me to realize that there was much more I wanted to do to help reduce the suffering of animals and Mother Earth.  I began with composting.  I live in a small studio apartment so I needed a container that would accommodate my small lot.  I found the Envirocycle Composter which is a perfect size for me and is also made from recycled plastic.  I also like how it sits on a wheeled base so that I only have to roll it over the wheels to mix the compost, instead of sticking my hands inside (yuck).  There are less expensive ways to compost by simply using an old bucket to throw away your scraps.-Don’t forget to stir it up from time to time. 

I am new to composting therefore am still in the process of understanding the ratio of wet ingredients (vegetable peelings, used tea bags, etc.) versus dry ingredients (dead leaves, cardboard, etc.).  Good compost has a balanced combination of both and breaks down into a rich, dark, earthy smelling mixture that is fabulous for growing flowers and vegetables.  *(Note:  I use only organic produce and ingredients (unfortunately grown with animal fertilizers) but, at least the peelings, tea bags, etc. do not have the added pesticides).    

One thing I learned quickly is the importance of placing my composter it in a location away from my front door, during the summer months.  This is necessary so that fruit flies and other creature friends are less likely to find their way into my home.  In the winter time this may not be an issue for you if you live in a colder climate.  I kept my composter inside my kitchen last year for about a month with no problems with insects.  This allowed me to get a good amount of compost started for the spring.  However, as the compost broke down, I eventually started having some leaks when I rotated the barrel, and the mixture started to smell from the natural decomposition, so I had to move it out to my deck for the remainder of the winter season.    

 

*Envirocycle Composter:  Dimensions: 18.5 x 18 x 20.5 inches ; 10.5 pounds

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AQY8H6

 

*Tips on composting can be found here:  http://compostguide.com/

 

In June of 2011, I began experimenting with vegan-organic/stock-free gardening.  Using a rake, I mixed together my beautiful compost (which had not completely broken down yet :-) that I had been preparing throughout the winter and spring, directly into the ground soil. -I did not purchase any new/outside soil.  Then, using organic seeds, I planted arugula and onions directly into the ground, and tomatoes and cucumbers in large pots.  In order to try and stay within the stock-free growing guidelines, I didn’t use any animal fertilizers.  *(Note:  My organic seeds were purchased from a store, so unfortunately they were descendents of the plants grown with animal fertilizers).  For my fertilizer, I used a product called Soluble Seaweed Extract Powder, sprinkled on top of the covered seeds, and then gently hosed with water.  This Seaweed Powder can be purchased at some organic gardening places, health food stores, or online.  

Tips on stock free gardening can be found here:  http://veganorganic.net/information-sheets/

 

Here are the results:

My arugula and onion plants came up but got eaten by slugs -lol.  Remember these were planted directly into the ground, and without pesticides. 

My tomato plants came up but are slow growing.  No slugs though. 

My cucumber plants came up and seem hardy, with many flowers.  Flowers are a good sign indicating the fruit (cucumber) is next -yea!

 

What I learned:

~The number one thing I learned from my first gardening experience is that I still have more to learn :)

~Planting seeds or seedlings directly into the soil will take some smart maneuvering to prevent them from being eaten by insects.  I need to research earth-friendly/vegan insect deterrents.  I read that some people surround their crops with a tent of cheese cloth to keep insects away.  I’m sure there are many other ideas I can find.

~It seems one of the reasons my cucumbers are doing well is because of the high-drainage soil I used.  Apparently they like this.  Remember, I used the soil I had in the yard. -I didn’t purchase any new soil.  My soil had lots of different types of natural debris like dead pine tree needles, rocks, etc., which created a natural drainage texture. 

~The tomatoes seem to need less drainage.  This could be why they are not growing as fast as the cucumbers. 

~I discovered that the plants like quartz crystals.  I put one in each of the pots. The crystals appeared to have boosted the health of each plant.   

~I also praise and thank the plants every day.  Loving intentions and good energy effect plants in a positive way.  They like Reiki treatments.  

~Add a bird feeder to your garden area to enhance the positive energy and help you to reconnect with Mother Nature.  The birds are very appreciative for the bird seed. 

~Even if you do not have a patch of land to plant a garden, you can still successfully grow a balcony garden using terracotta pots (better for the environment than plastic pots).

~Vegan-organic/stock-free gardening is healthy and kind for your body, Mother Earth, and all her inhabitants. 

 

Here is some other helpful information:

*This link gives information about female/male cucumber flowers.  "Plants in these families have both male and female flowers. The female flowers have the little tiny fruit behind them, and the male flowers will not.  In order for the female plant to produce fruit, it must receive pollen from the male flower."

http://www.veggiegardener.com/how-to-hand-pollinate-your-cucumbers/

*Vegan Organic Network  ( http://veganorganic.net/ ) puts out a fabulous magazine for its members called, "Growing Green International".  In the 2011 summer issue, an article featured,"Veganic gardener Marco Pagliarulo, who has a 5th-floor balcony garden in downtown Toronto, came up with an innovative homemade technique for composting in a container garden on his balcony.  A simple do-it-yourself design, the balcony compost has the potential to bring veganic composting to skyscrapers, rooftops, concrete surfaces and contaminated lots.  The design has already won first place in Toronto’s container gardening competition, and was featured in the book, 'City Farmer: Adventures in Growing Urban Food'.   "Click here for the full story:  http://www.goveganic.net/spip.php?article201

*More "How To?" articles on Balcony Gardening and Composting:  http://www.torontobalconiesbloom.ca/demo.html

 

 

Here are some pictures of my Vegan-Organic Cucumbers:

 

Veganic Cucumber Plant in Terracotta Pot -September 2011

 

 

 

If you look closely, you will see the tiny veganic cucumber (1/4 inch) growing right under the base of the yellow flower. -September 2011

 

 

 

Another one (1/4 inch).  There are about 8-10 tiny, veganic cucumbers, so far. -September 2011

 

 

 

Veganic Cucumber Plant in Terracotta Pot -October 2011

 

 

 

Veganic Cucumber Plant with Fruits (1 ½  - 2 inches) -October 2011

 

 

 

Envirocycle Composter -Front view showing door on top with latch

 

 

  

Envirocycle Composter -Side view showing wheel base to rotate barrel

 

 

 

Bird Feeder Hanging Outside My Front Door.  Blue Jays visit often.  They love the extra peanuts I mix in with the sunflower seeds. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonya Oak

Creatorblessings.com

2011