Our New Generation of Gardeners - Nuestra Nueva Generación de Jardineros

Today was a scheduled visit from 16 kids (6-8 year-old) from Escuela del Mundo. After giving a brief overview of our "Rebirth of the Compost Pile" operation, we split the group in two for different tasks.

Hoy tuvimos la visita programada de 16 niñ@s (6-8 años) de la Escuela del Mundo. Después de darles un breve resumen de nuestra operación del "Renacimiento de la Composta", nos dividimos en dos grupos para realizar distintas tareas.

One group raked leaves from the old compost pile,

Un grupo sacó hojas de la vieja pila de composta usando el rastrillo,

and brought the leaves to the new compost pile.

y las llevó a la nueva pila de composta.

Meanwhile, the other group sifted soil dug from the old compost pile.

Por mientras, el otro grupo tamizó tierra extraída de la vieja pila de composta.

Soil is sifted through a screen. Many different kinds of earth bugs were oberved, including Cucarachas!

La tierra se tamiza por una malla. Se observaron muchos tipos de bichos de tierra, incluyendo unas cucarachas!

After a visit to the rest of the garden, Juaquin pulled some soursop fruits from his hat, and shared the juicy magic with the kids.

Después de un recorrido por el resto del jardín, Juaquín sacó unas guanábanas de su sombrero, y compartió esta magia jugosa con los niños.

Eating soursop is yummy and messy - Embarrándose con guanábana deliciosa


The kids were amazing, incredibly attentive, interested and hard working. It was a real treat to welcome our new generation of gardeners... And of course, we had them save all the fruit seeds!


Los niños fueron asombrosos, increíblemente atentos, llenos de interés y trabajaron duro. Fue un deleite darle la bienvenida a la nueva generación de hortelanos... Y por supuesto, les pedimos que guarden las semillas de la fruta!

¡Thank you / Gracias Escuela del Mundo!

Seeding our First Raised Beds - Sembrando las Primeras Camas Elevadas

Today, we continued building more raised beds.

Hoy continuamos construyendo más camas elevadas.

A finished bed. Ready for seeding.

Una cama terminada. Lista para sembrarse.

After seeding the beds with many varieties of vegetables (see list below), we cover the seeds with several thin layers of compost, carefully and evenly "rained" on the beds.

VIDEOS

Sift-turning compost (or sifted manure) into the raised beds

Finishing raised bed with a garden fork


Después de sembrar las camas con muchas variedades de vegetales (ver lista abajo), cubrimos las semillas con múltiples capas delgadas de composta, cuidadosa y uniformemente "regadas" sobre las camas.

VIDEOS

Incorporando abono (estiércol tamizado) a las camas elevadas

Terminando las camas elevadas con un bieldo de jardín

Our first 5 raised beds were seeded with 20 varieties of vegetables:
Nuestras primeras 5 camas elevadas fueron sembradas con 20 variedades de vegetales:

Pak Choi (several varieties) - Pak Choi / Col China (muchas variedades)
Joi Choi - Joi Choi (híbrido de Pak Choi)
Curly Endives - Endivia rizada
Mustard Greens - Mostaza oriental
Dandelions - Dientes de león
Radishes - Rábanos
Turnips (several varieties) - Nabos (muchas variedades)
Spinach - Espinaca
Coriander Cilantro - Cilantro
Kohlrabi - Colirrábano (Col silvestre)
Collard Greens - Berza
Mache Salad - Canónigo/Rapónchigo
Lettuce - Lechuga
and Edible Flowers (a mix) - Flores comestibles (mezcla)

In three weeks, we should have salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner...

En tres semanas, comeremos ensalada para desayuno, comida y cena...

Plant Sale Saturday 3/26, 12:00-2:00 pm @ EntreAmigos - Venta de plantas sábado 26

We will be having our first Plant Sale - Tendremos nuestra primer Venta de Plantas

Saturday March 26
at EntreAmigos
Noon to 2:00pm

Sábado 26 de Marzo
en entreamigos
Mediodía 12:00 a 2:00 pm

Plants are in potting bags and ready to be transplanted in your garden.
Las plantas están en bolsa de plástico listas para trasplantarse a su jardín.

Price per plant - $25 pesos - Precio por planta

n.t.: Las variedades están en inglés, no las conozco en castellano y no sé si tenga caso traducirlas literalmente, les recomiendo buscar las imágenes en algún motor de búsqueda en internet para tener una idea de lo que son.

SQUASH - CALABACITA - ZAPALLO

• Summer
• Summer Coco
• Green Patty

ZUCCHINI

• Black Beauty
• Italian

CUCUMBER - PEPINO

• Sooyou
• Market More
• Palace Pride
• Suhyo Cross
• Straight Eight
• Armenian

WATERMELON - SANDÍA

• Ice Cream
• Asian

CANTALOUPE - MELÓN

• Eel River

This is the list of vegetables, herbs and flowers that will be available in the next 2-3 weeks:

(Many thanks to Carol Guerrero for compiling this list!)

Esta es la lista de verduras, hierbas y flores que estarán disponibles en las proximas 2-3 semanas:
(¡Muchas gracias a Carol Guerrero por compilar la lista!)

n.t.: lo mismo sobre las variedades, sólo traduzco el nombre general de la planta o el nombre científico.

Anchusa Dawn Mx Anchusa

Anise Anís

Aster Alpine Blue Aster

Baby Breath Creeping Repens Gypsophila repens

Basil Anise Scent Albahaca

Basil Cinnamon

Basil Leaf Lettuce

Basil Siam Queen Thai

Basil Sweet Italian

Borage Borraja Borago officinalis

Broccoli Nutri Bed Brócoli

Cabbage Early Flat Dutch Col / Repollo

Cabbage Walking Stick

Calendula, Pacific Beauty Caléndula

Candytuft Dwarf Fairy Iberis

Carnation Chabaud Clavel

Chamomile German Manzanilla

Chamomile Roman

Chenopodium St Chris Chenopodium

Chervil Curled Perifollo Anthriscus cerefolium

Chives Cebollín

Cleome Purple Queen Cleome hasslerana

Cleome Rose Shades

Coleus Mint Chocolate Cóleo Solenostemon

Collard Top Bunch Berza Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Collard Vates

Cosmos Sea Shell MX Cosmos

Cosmos Sensation

Cosmos Sensation MX

Cumin Comino

Dahlia Flower Mix Zinnia Dalia

Dahlia, Redskin

Dahlia, Unwins Dwarf Mix

Daisy African Margarita

Daisy Gloriosa

Daisy Painted Robinson Mx

Daisy Painted Robinson Mx

Dianthus Chianti Clavel

Dianthus Gratianopolitanus Cheddar Pink

Dianthus Victoriana

Dill Mammoth Eneldo

Echinacea White Swan Echinacea

Eggplant Black Beauty Berenjena

Eggplant Long Purple

Eggplant Rosa Bianca

Eggplant Turkish Orange

Fennel Florence Hinojo

Forget Me Not Myosotis Nomeolvides Mysotis

Gazania, Daybreak Mix Gazania

Grapefruit Toronja

Greens Tyton Holland

Hollyhock Antwerp Alcea

Hollyhock Summer Carnival

Hollyhock Summer Carnival

Jicama Jícama

Lavender Lady Herb Lavanda

Leaf Lettuce New Red Fire

Lemon Grass Zacate limón

Lemonbalm Toronjil

Lettuce All Year Round Lechuga

Lettuce Better Okayana Salad

Lettuce Concept

Lettuce Freckles

Lettuce Grand Rapid Concept

Lettuce Green Deer Tongue

Lettuce Green Grand Rapid

Lettuce Green Ice

Lettuce Green Romaine Winter Density

Lettuce Maioa

Lettuce Marvailled de Quarta

Lettuce Merveille de Quatro

Lettuce New Red Fire

Lettuce Oak leaf

Lettuce Red Deer Tongue

Lettuce Red Grand Rapid New Red Fire

Lettuce Red Leaf Grand Rapid

Lettuce Red Oak Leaf Jamai

Lettuce Red Romaine Rouge Diver

Lettuce Red Summer Magenta

Lettuce Red Velvet

Lettuce Romaine Defender

Lettuce Rouge Granobles

Lettuce Rugline Romaine

Lettuce Salad Mix

Lettuce Spicy Salad Mix

Lettuce Summer Crisp Nevada

Lettuce Summer Red Cherokee

Lettuce Summertime

Lettuce Winter Density

Lovage Apio de monte Levisticum officinale

Marigold Cempasúchil

Marigold Clavelon India

Marigold Crackerjack

Marigold Ground Control Herb

Marigold, Mexican Herb

Marjoram Sweet Mejorana

Mint Bardan Menta

Mint Lemon Monardo Citriodora

Morning Glory Flying Saucer Campanitas-Convolvulácea

Morning Glory Grandpa Ott's

Morning Glory Ipomea Heavenly Blue

Morning Glory Scarlett O'Hara

Mustard Southern Curd Mostaza

Mustard Tendergreens

Nasturtium Empress of India Capuchina / Mastuerzo

Nasturtium, Jewel Mix

Nasturtium, Out of Africa

Noni Noni

Okra Red Burgundy Ocra / Gombo

Onion Bunching Evergreen Cebolla

Onion Crimson Forest Bunching

Onion Evergreen Bunching Heshino

Onion Spanish Utah

Onion White Lisbon

Oregano True Greek Orégano

Papaver Oriental Scarlet Amapola

Papaya Papaya

Parsley Flatleaf Perejil

Parsley Italian Flat Leaf

Parsley Moss Curled

Pennyroyal Poleo

Pepper Early Jalapeno Chile

Pepper Fresno Chile

Pepper Kungo Pao

Pepper Poblano

Pepper Serano

Pepper Sunbright

Pepper Sunbright

Pepper Thai Dragon

Pepper Yellow Sweet Banana

PepperWax Hungarian

Petunia Rainbox MX Petunia

Poppy California White Amapola de California / Campanilla

Poppy Fruit Punch

Poppy Pizzicato

Poppy Shirley Mx

Poppy Somniferum

Poppy Twister

Portulaca Double MX Portulaca

Portulaca Moss Rose

Portulaca Sundial MX

Rosemary French Romero

Rudbeckia Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia Indian Summer

Rudbeckia Irish Eyes

Rudebeckia Irish Eyes

Rudebeckia Irish Spring

Sage Broad Leaf Salvia

Salad Bar

Salpiglosis Bolero MX Salpiglossis

Salvia Bonfire Salvia

Salvia, Farnacer Blue Bedder

Savory Summer Ajedrea de jardín

Speed Blue

Spinach Malbar Green Espinaca

Spinach Malibar

Spinach Molokia Egypton

Spinach New Zealand

Spinach Red Stew Malibar

Spinach Winter GF

Spinacho Giganto

Starfruit Carambolo

Stock Evening Matthiold Longipetaur Matthiola Longipetala

Stock Excelsior Mammoth Alhelí Matthiola incana

Straw Flowers Flor de Paja/Papel

Strawberry Mignonette Fresa Alpina Mignonette

Sunflower Pastiche Girasol

Sunflower Velvet Queen

Sweet Pea Early Multiflora Guisante de olor

Sweet Pea Knee Hi Dwarf

Sweet Pea Royal Family

Sweet William Wee Willie Clavel poeta Dianthus barbatus

Swiss Chard Fantasia Orange Acelga

Swiss Chard Golden Sunrise

Swiss Chard Magenta Sunset

Tabacco Goldenseal Special Tabaco

Tabacco Hungarian

Tabacco Nicotina Wild Aztec

Tabacco Virginia Gold

Tithonia, Fiesta Del Sol Girasol mexicano / Acahual

Tithonia, Torch

Tobacco Black Samson Tabaco

Tomatillo Tomate (verde)

Tomatillo Pineapple

Tomatillo Purple

Tomato Ace 55 VF Jitomate

Tomato Amana Orange

Tomato Beefsteak

Tomato Better Boy

Tomato Big Beef

Tomato Big Boy

Tomato Black Cherry

Tomato Brandywine Red

Tomato Chadwick Cherry

Tomato Crimson Carmello

Tomato Garden Delight

Tomato Golden Sunburst

Tomato Grandeur

Tomato Kelloggs Breakfast

Tomato Nugget

Tomato Orange Cherry Sungold

Tomato Pepperoncino

Tomato San Marzano Organic

Tomato Stupice

Tomato Super Sweet 100

Tomato Sweetie Organic

Tropaeolum perigrinum Canary Crème Capuchina amarilla

Valerian Herb Valeriana

Viola Johnny Jump Up Pensamiento salvaje

Zinnia Catus Flower MX Zinnia

Zinnia Scarlet Flame

Zinnia State Fair MX

Zinnia, Persian Carpet

Making more Raised Beds-Tilthing the Soil >< Más Camas Elevadas - Labrando la Tierra

Today, we learned first how to trace and build raised beds.

Hoy aprendimos como delimitar y hacer camas elevadas.

The bed is quite wide, but narrow enough so that the center is reached by either side. Using one of our spades as a guide for the bed width, Juaquin begins by digging the path, putting the excavated soil onto the bed.

La cama es ancha, pero no tanto como para que se pueda acceder el centro de ambos lados. Usando una de las palas como guía para el ancho de la cama, Juaquín comienza a excavar el camino, colocando esa tierra sobre la cama.

Using a larger shovel, he widens the path, again putting the soil on the bed.

Usando una pala mayor, ensancha el camino, nuevamente colocando la tierra en la cama.

Using a rake, the bed soil is gently leveled.

Usando el rastrillo, se nivela la cama delicadamente.


















Next is "tilthing" the soil. Using a fork, and a specific whipping motion, soil is finely broken up, while integrity of bed and edges are maintained.

See Video of Tilthing Motion here

Next, we "top-dressed" all the new beds, sprinkling a fine layer of finely sifted horse manure and compost on them. We then "sift-turned" the manure and compost into the beds.

Lo que sigue es un tipo de labrado especial, en inglés "tilthing". Usando un bieldo, se golpea la tierra continuamente, como un latigazo, para desmoronar la tierra paleada, manteniendo la integridad de la cama y sus bordes.

Ver video del movimiento aquí

A continuación, se abonan superficialmente las camas, esparciendo una capa fina de estiércol y composta cernida. Luego se incorpora el abono a las camas.

Pitchu, our new garden mascot, demonstrating how comfortable the edges of the raised beds are.

Pitchu, la nueva mascota del jardín, demostrando lo cómodos que son los bordes de las camas elevadas.

















A friend brought Amaranth (purchased for cooking) and Alfafa seeds (purchased for sprouting). We planted both grains in boxes to test whether seeds will germinate. Both these grains make excellent cover crops to enrich the soil and make green manure.

Un amigo trajo amaranto (preparado para cocinar) y semillas de alfafa (preparadas para germinar). Sembramos ambos granos en cajas para probar su germinación. Los dos granos son excelentes cultivos de cobertura que enriquecen el suelo y producen abono verde.

WEDNESDAY 3/23

Making more raised beds in the other garden areas.
Transplanting seedling in boxes
Transplanting other seedlings, and sowing seeds, in the raised beds
Making soil for transplanting
We needs lots of hands!

THURSDAY 3/24

We will continue building the new compost pile while also clearing the old pile. Bring your friends. Wear work clothes and good boots. We have some gloves, bring yours if you have any.

Creating our First Raised Beds - Creando Nuestras Primeras Camas Elevadas

Today, after single-digging the rest of the area we started on Saturday, we created our first raised beds. Using the trunk of the Mango tree as the epicenter of the garden, Juaquin created the first beds.

Hoy, después de completar la excavación sencilla en el resto de la jardinera que comenzamos el sábado, creamos nuestra primera cama elevada. Usando el tronco del árbol de mango como el epicentro del jardín, Juaquín delineó y alzó las primeras camas.

Next is "Top Dressing" the beds. A thin and uniform layer of finely-sifted (horse in this case) manure is sprinkled on the beds, making sure the edges of the raised beds are also covered.

Luego se cubre la cama con abono superficial (n.t.: del inglés "top dressing", una aplicación superficial de abono o fertilizante a la tierra). Una delgada y uniforme capa de estiécol (de caballo en este caso) previamente tamizada se esparce sobre la cama, asegurándose que los bordes de la cama también sean cubiertos.

Next is "Sift-Turning"-mixing the manure in the first 4" of the raised bed, using a twist of the wrist on the spade handle. The integrity of the raised beds is maintained, especially the edges.

A continuación, sigue la incorporación del estiércol en las primeras 4'' superficiales de la cama, moviendo la muñeca (pronación-supinación) para que la pala gire y mezcle todo. La integridad de la cama elevada se mantiene, especialmente en sus bordes.

















Using a rake, the beds are gently finished. The soil of the raised beds is light and contains a lot of air. The beds are ready for seed-sowing or transplanting.

Usando un rastrillo, se terminan las camas con delicadeza. La tierra de las camas elevadas es ligera y contiene mucho aire. Las camas están listas para ser sembradas o recibir trasplantes.

Quillari enjoying a stroll across our freshly dug soil...

Quillari disfruta de un paseo a través de la tierra recién excavada...

If feels so good....

Se siente tan bien...

A sleepy Tarantula got dug up...

Despertamos a una soñolienta tarántula...

Baby Pineapple at the edge of the cultivated area.

Piñas pequeñas al borde de la jardinera.

Monday Documentary-Alan Chadwick's "Garden Song" - Documental de Lunes

Monday March 22, 3:00PM -- Lunes 22 de Marzo, 3:00 PM
at/en Café Arte San Pancho

A portrait of Alan Chadwick, inventor of the Biodynamic French Intensive Method of gardening. This documentary was filmed shortly before his death.

Un retrato de Alan Chadwick, inventor del Método Biodinámico Francés-Intensivo de jardinería. Este documetal se filmó poco antes de su fallecimiento.

The late Alan Chadwick, actor, master gardener, and inventor of the "Biodynamic French Intensive Method" spent 50 years in the garden -- digging, planting and watching.
Chadwick's method of gardening in raised beds produces an amazing amount of food in very little space, and uses few resources. Over 50 countries are developing garden projects based on his technique. But to Chadwick there is more to gardening than growing food. It can nourish your soul as well.

A beautiful portrait of a dynamic human being, it was photographed at Chadwick's gardens in Virginia, Boulder Creek and Bolinas, California. It also features John Jeavons and Dr. Paul Lee, who discuss Chadwick's vitally important contribution to small-scale agriculture in a hungry world.

REVIEWS "The eloquence of his thought and diction make Chadwick an electrifying proponent of life on a human scale, of moral vision, and personal dignity. An intriguing program for public and college library audiences." Booklist "Artistic, yet informative -- important ideas are conveyed simply and clearly. Captures the spirit and intensity of a very unique man. Technical quality good to very good." EFLA Evaluations "He evidently was one of those rare individuals whose vision is clearer, more perceptive than most. Students talk about what a privilege it was to work with and for him: the interviews make quite clear why this was. The man is inspiring." John Voorhees, Television Critic, The Seattle Times More on Alan Chadwick, who was Juaquin's teacher.

Saturday Workout - Trabajo del sábado

Yesterday, when I suggested to Juaquin that we begin digging and making beds in the front area of Alianza Jaguar, his eyes lit up. This morning, we got our shiny spades and forks (from Lee Valleys Tools) and started digging. We just love digging! Something happens in our bodies, besides the great workout and the meditation, that brings us great joy and satisfaction.

Ayer, cuando sugerí a Juaquín que comenzáramos a preparar camas en las jardineras del patio frontal de Alianza Jaguar, sus ojos se iluminaron. Esta mañana, sacamos nuestras palas y bieldos resplandecientes (de Lee Valleys Tools) y empezamos a cavar. ¡Simplemente nos encanta excavar! Algo sucede en nuestros cuerpos, además del entrenamiento físico y la meditación, que nos trae mucha alegría y satisfacción.

Alan, of course, couldn't resist trying one of them shinny spades!
¡Alan, por supuesto, no se pudo resistir a probar una de esas palas brillantes! (n.t.: es cierto.)

















In two hours, we single-dug exactly 600sq'ft of ground.
En dos horas, hicimos una excavación simple de 600 pies cuadrados de suelo (55 m cuadrados).

Sorry if you missed some of the fun! Come by on Monday or Tuesday, there's plenty of fancy spades, and more ground to dig.
¡Lástima si se perdieron la diversión! Vengan el lunes o martes, hay suficientes palas brillantes y más tierra que voltear.