Edel Project June 2022.

 

Here I would like to let people know exactly what the Eden-Project is; this is a project within the WF-C but without any form of 'official' status. It is a group of individuals within the WF-C (or outside if anyone wishes to join us) that grow their own fruit and veg in their garden or using an allotment or piece of land available. This could also be done under the guise of Guerrilla Growing using a piece of land neither rented nor owned, but which lies waste and is crying out to be used for something positive. Of course, this would have to be a piece of land where the mass of people cannot see it for what it is - we will not go into this here in detail.

Individuals in this project, at this time anyway, live far from each other, and thus have to work alone or with the family. At this time this is how it has to be, even if we would wish this were not so; it is hoped that those involved will try to get others in their area involved - there would be no need to mention this as something to do with Wodenism since it can also be out of the bounds of religion. I have already encouraged my neighbours both sides to grow food, and both have had allotments now. In fact, the lease on the allotments was due for renewal and in order to do so the local Community Association - which had lapsed - needed to be revived, so I volunteered as Chairman ("Chair" was the phrase the local council used but I don't go with that bull....) This means that I have some control over what is done and hopefully this (infiltration into The System) will pay dividends in the future. 

What do I grow? I will list here the things that I grow and a short note on how they are doing this year, and have done in the past. 

Potatoes - this is perhaps the easiest to grow and invariably has a fair crop, sometimes a very good crop. I have started to grow in containers this year as an experiment, and so far this seems to be a good move. The one thing with this approach is that you can leave them in the containers and they will store themselves. People say this is a good crop to plant because they break down the soil - in fact it is the gardener that breaks down the soil through 'earthing up'. They can be planted in 'channels' and then mounded over, or they can even be planted under a mulch of grass or hay and not even in the ground - they will grow. I have even had potatoes-peelings grow, and this is a point to remember since this is an cheap way around buying 'seed-potatoes'. 

Tomatoes - Same family, and also quite easy to grow, though I have had tomato blight in my garden before and this can be a problem for many years. This year mine are early and fruited, with some beginning to ripen already (in a small poly-tunnel). What is interesting is that for the past two years I have had 'renegade' plants coming up, and when left they do better this way than those transplanted. These can be grown from the shop-tomatoes - just cut the tomatoes and put in compost in pots - they will grow. Again, a money-saving idea.

Lettuce - I always plant way too many of these, and this is done early; they all seem to come up at the same time and then start to bolt to seed. Another mistake I have made is to plant them too close together, hoping to get more into a small space. Did it this year and we have a lot of rain at the wrong time, so some of these rotted at the point where the stem meets the root. Like anything else they need space - this was something that I remember was said by the famous English Radical, William Cobbettt. Should have taken notice! Anyway, they can be cut and will come again very often - not always though.

Brassicas - These have always been rather a problem for me, especially cauliflower, but this year's crop of cabbage and broccoli seem to be doing well - so far. They need to be grown under nets to keep the Cabbage White Butterflies out. I use a mini poly-tunnel with a net over. 

Onions - up to two years ago I have always had a brilliant crop of onions - white and red - but for the past two years this is not the case. This year I made the mistake of putting them close to broad beans which over-shadowed them and these and of little use now. I have a small bed with others, and have also grown some from seed - which I usually lift and store as 'sets' for next year. Saved the seeds last year but they did not come out. 

Spring Onions - these always seem to take a great deal of time setting bulbs, so what I do now is to grow in clumps, then cutting the shoots as I need them. Like chives, they grow again and again this way. Much better way to do this.

Garlic - First time I've grown this and the shop-grown ones I have lifted some out of and they are small but seem alright. The rest have been left to grow longer; the supplier-bought ones are not ready as yet. These need planting in the autumn when it is cold, to overwinter in order to mature.

Carrots - had some in a raised container over the winter but this did not do well, so I lifted them and planted other stuff. Carrots have done well in the past years, and i just sow the seeds and let them grow, pulling the small ones to allow room as the others grow. Best grown in raised containers since carrot-fly can ravage a crop on the ground. 

Turnips & Parsnips - these usually do well, with the turnips being the quickest to grow and mature.

Beetroot - this has always done well, and the leaves can be eaten too. Full of goodness as well. Cooking is a long process though.

Kale - This year this is doing fine.

Broad Beans - This years crop is far better than the last ones, and no blackfly, but I did cut the tips off to help. Don't forget though - Black Flies Matter!

Runner Beans - Doing very well this year.

Peas - Grown from dried peas from Turkey but the crop is the best that I have ever had and I have already had two dinners form these and saved four bags of peas in the freezer (as well as nipping off the pods and eating them every day). Left some to dry out for next year. Why pay around £3.00 per packet from a supplier? 

Courgettes - Picked the first one today, although it is the size of a marrow - did not even notice it had matured. These usually do very well.

Winter Squash - The Butternut Squash taste great and have grown these for the past five years from seed from a supermarket squash, keeping the seeds each year to use again. 

Spinach - Leaf Beet - Chard - the are easy to grow and good for salads or cooking. The Swiss Chard is tastier. 

Celery - have grown this successfully once, but not so easy to grow for me.

Sweet-Corn - Grew this for the first time for year, and it was a great crop; left about half of it until it was a bit late, so I had to take the cobs off and scrape off and dry the seeds. These are growing well this year and I still have an excess of seeds - enough for Bill Gates to plant on his 60% of land bought up in the US!!! (no good though, they are not GM). 

Peppers - Planted these as seeds for the first time last year but too late to do much; this year they are growing but slowly. We shall see.

Apples - the two apple trees I have at the bottom of the garden do well each year now - good crops.

Raspberry - have not really had great crops for years now, used to get better.

Strawberry - same with these, since I shifted to growing in a barrel - which has not worked I am afraid. 

Redcurrants/Blackcurrants/gooseberries - these I shifted over to WW, but the birds usually feast on these before I can get them. 

Herbs - Peppermint/Spearmint/Garden Mint - always does well.

Comfrey - does well in a container I use now, and make salves from t for various ailments.

Lemon Balm - malke teas from this, as with the peppermint. 

Fennel - this has grown from last year and I use the seeds.

Also, out of the garden I have used nettles to make tea and dandelions to use in salads. I have a Rowan Tree and the berries can be used (cooked) as a sauce on some meats. 

One of the on-going experiments I am doing is to use seeds from shop-bought vegetables since this is a way of saving buying. Of course, the seed-merchants will tell us this should not be done, since they would be out of business if everyone did so. This goes for potatoes too. 

I start my seeds off in January-February indoors and transfer the seedlings to a mini-greenhouse at the front of the house. To avoid frost-damage I use home-made candles (*) which last around 12 hours. Even when forgetting to light the candles I have - so far - had no frost damage. (Note here - the mini-greenhouse has plastic and not glass, and I have double-glazed it for the winter with more sheets - this does seem to help.) 

(*) These I put in glass containers but beware to keep the wick in the very centre since the glass can shatter when the flame gets near the sides. 

Individualism is fine, but we need some form of co-operation if we are to weather the storms ahead. "Many had make light work" is a saying that comes to mind. We need to have some form of co-operation between us in these times if we are to be ready for when the SHTF! The strength of the wolf is the pack! 

Edel Update - May 2022

 

A gooseberry bush grows in a small pot; this was a 'renegade' which seeded in my allotment and which I potted up for the garden. It produced quite a good crop of fruit last year which I ate straight from the plant.

These are garlic bulbs (rear) in front of which are Perpetual Spinach (Leaf Beet); flowers grow in the border next to the raised bed. 

This Raised Planter was seeded with carrots last autumn, and which are now growing well, and will be ready to pick in a short time. Picked small they are far more tasty. They were covered for the winter months which helps protect them from frost.

These are the tomato plants in the poly tunnel which are now around 2 ft high already; a couple of plants are actually flowering - in early May. The plants are healthy and thriving. I have this year used Blood, Fish and Bone as plant food, which has certainly helped to make the plants grow quickly. 

This photo was taken in April, it is of a potato plot; today the plants have doubled in size (will post photo later). The one thing to note here is the extra growth on the left part of the plot, since this was where I tipped some half-rotted compost and dug in before planting - which is why I have not dug trenches to put the spuds in. Even though this was not composted it has made the plants thrive where it was dug in. 

These are garlic bulbs (shop bought) to try them out; there are 'renegade' spuds shooting up in between, which have been left to grow amongst them.

Grown in a raised bed in the front garden are spring onions; these have not been planted in rows nor a few planted together. This year I have seen a whole bunch of them in one place and they have grown even bigger now. They will be cut and used again this way. 

Garlic Bulbs bought from a supplier, and some fennel which grew last year and is coming again this year. These are in a raised bed in the front garden.

Raised bed in rear garden, growing Broad Beans and Onions from set; I have also grown onions from seed again this year. Even if they do not mature fully they can be used next years as sets. 

Peppermint Chard left over from last year; this has sine been cut down and is growing again well. This bed has now been seeded with parsnips, beetroot, pak chou, and kale. 

Raspberries growing along a small fence; these have been moved from the bottom of the garden where they did not do well. I have more raspberries which have come as runners from next door. They are growing under a plum tree and doing very well there.

These are a few examples, done quickly to make this post and an update on the Edel Project as I am doing it. Have some more photos to take after coming back from the Wild Camping and will create a more thorough post sometime this week.

Solo Wild Camp - May 2022

I spent three days over at Woden's Wald doing some log-cutting ready for use over the coming months. Also some other small jobs needed doing so did these whilst I was there. 

The area of the Mound was covered in bluebells which have been out for a couple of weeks or so I would think. As the bluebells die off the area is covered with bracken which needs cutting right down to allow other plants to grow, such as the Foxgloves which are abundant since this has been done.

This is another angle on the Mound, this area being dedicated to Ingwe; whilst there I did rites to Ingwe as well as Woden-Herne, Thunor, Idunn and to Nerthus at the Pool. 

This is the Camping Area which is below some electric cables, hence the reason why the area is cleared and gets the best sunlight. It is also the flattest area of the woodland.

Rather than sleeping in the open shelter this time I took a new 'Pop-Up' Tent to try out. This one is so easy to put up, only takes a couple of minutes. I put it up on a milar-backed tarp to give more insulation from the ground. Sam (the dog) can be seen having a nap in the entrance. This is in fact warmer than the open-fronted shelter, it still being a bit chilly at night even though it is May now. 

This is an old gas barbecue-burner from which I took away the gas connections and have used it to burn wood for cooking. Did not use it this time since I had propane gas stoves with me, saves so much cleaning. 

Since the last trip I have installed a 100 Watt Solar-Panel on top of the Land Rover; this is connected to a 12-volt Battery inside a Battery-Carrier.

This is the Battery-Carrier and 12-volt Battery; it has two cigarette-sockets and two USB Ports which can charge small electronic gadgets such as mobiles, cameras, etc. I have put a light on the side to light up the back of the car in the dark. This could also power a small car-fridge no doubt, though as yet I have not tried this. 

The Solar Power Controller is fitted onto the side of the rear section of the motor; here it is set at 13.7 Volts and, as can be seen, is charging the battery, even though at this point the Sun was not out.

This is the Sacred Heart in front of what we call 'Herne's Oak'; Wulfgar kindly built this and used lime-mix to hold the rocks together. 

Herne's Oak

Cooked a piece of steak for myself and a couple of sausages for Sam, since he is being awkward about eating dog-food as he gets older. We shared these though which seems only fair; he has done some hunting for me in the past so deserves his 'retirement'. This is cooked on a Coleman Duel-Fuel Stove which is a very fast cooker, and since I use unleaded petrol the fuel is easy to get hold off - though growing more expensive. The stove is over 20 years old now and works well; it is also large enough around the burning-area to be safe.

Potatoes being fried in a shallow pan on a propane-gas stove; the canisters I bought cheap were not much good but we live and learn. Did the job though but not lasting long.

Used an mKettle to boil water for a cup of coffee; this boils water very quickly too, being designed in such a way that the water is held in a narrow area with the fire inside this. This one is smaller than the Kelly Kettle and can be used for back packing. The water can be carried in the kettle since the rubber bung fits very tightly in the hole. 

The Fire-Pit outside the wood-tarp shelter built to keep us warm and dry during the winter months. This is fed from the log-store. Had to use the fire in the mornings and evenings which were rather cold, and this can, if necessary, be used to cook on.

This is the Coleman Duel-Fuel Stove; it is made in the USA, and is the older version which has a smaller filler-cap than the latest ones. After 20 years it is still in good condition, though has not been used excessively since I left it and forgot it for some years. 

I keep the old L200 Truck on the land because I intend looking to see if it can be restored; if not it can be used around the woodland anyway. There are plenty of things it can come in useful for.

I carry the Lifesaver Jerry Can full of water (from the tap) which is cleaned and purified for use; it will clean and purify any dirty water, and after looking around the area I found a stream that could come in useful one day. 

The Land-Rover has certain survival aids left in it in case they are needed at some future time; small survival gear is kept in a Tactical Vest, and the car has a number of tarps ready for use, as well as a Divvy-Bag left there for an emergency. This seems the best way to keep prepared for a forthcoming emergency or when the SHTF. It has extra alarms fitted because of the stuff that is carried, again something to think about.

The Log Store, filled with logs I cut with a chainsaw ready for use; it is surprising how much one gets through in three days, though this time of year not as much as during the winter months. I would have no qualms in saying that if the SHTF and I had time I would take a chainsaw with me since they are an invaluable aid in cutting wood, not only for fuel but also for building work. 

As I have said before, I see different scenarios that we may need to look at in order to prepare ourselves for the worst. We may have the chance to take a car-truck in which case things would be far easier. This may not be possible, in which case the Bug-Out Bag would be the next option; I also keep a Tactical Bag ready which could be carried too. The speed with which we are 'locked down' and a police step put into place overnight shows us what can happen in an instance. The stupidity of the majority who now seem to be like the animals in Orwell's Animal Farm and know full well how bad their rulers are, but seem to have given up caring at all. (This shows in local elections here in England and the complete apathy over them - this is not [I would think] some form of protest by not voting, but just not being bothered.)

I have done overnight wild-camps over the winter too, but during the spring-summer months step this up because the weather is better, and more things can be done. Woden's Folk has always been an active group, and our work has always been done through outdoor activity. Even at 75 years old I still keep this up, since it is my own belief that one should lead bye example. Besides which it keep me fit and active and is far better than sitting behind a computer - though this is necessary to show what we are doing. 

Edel Project - Sussex

 

Early last year I sowed some rhubarb seeds and most of them seem to have taken quite well; never done that before with these. They are here in a 5-part container, four of which are doing alright. I have others either outside with what is left of my old rhubarb plants (lost a few last year) and in another pot. I overwintered the container in the small poly-tunnel. When cooking rhubarb I find that the bitter taste can be softened by adding a peeled orange as well as sugar. 

Here is a raised bed with a 'roof' on top to keep the frost off as much as possible; it was planted with carrots last autumn and they have survived the winter. We did have a number of frosts but nothing drastic, which is why they survived, no doubt. All I do with carrots is throw the seeds around anyhow and as they grow pull up the larger ones to space the rest out. This has worked before and I get a good crop in a very small space.

These are onions growing from seed; many people prefer to use onion sets, which I do myself, but I also like to sow seeds too since these will grow but may be smaller and useful for pickling. Last year was not a good growing year by any means, as the seed-suppliers pointed out, so my onion crop was not as good as previous years. But they did last until around February this year, though I usually have them until April or so - which gives a continuous crop.

These are onion sets; usually I put them straight into the ground but this year tried an experiment in using trays to start them off. I have some more on order soon and will get these straight into the ground. Onions, I have found, get little problems and are easy to grow. They can also be grown amongst other stuff, like lettuce, to ward off predators who don't like the smell of onions.

These are tomatoes, a bit early being sown in January, but nevertheless they have grown well. I put them outside into the Mini-Greenhouse which can be warmed by a candle when frost is predicted. They were 'free' seeds and again an experiment, which has been the object of the Eden-Project really. 

This larger container has been sown with dried peas; the sticks don't really hold peas and are there just to start things off. When they grow I'll use twigs cut from a tree at the bottom of the garden (nothing is wasted). I have a lot of trays sown with dried peas (dirt cheap and they do grow) and these will soon be ready to put straight into a raised bed.

These are seed-supplier bought garlic bulbs; they were planted in January since garlic needs a cold spell to kick-start them. I have also planted supermarket garlic in containers - we'll see which does better. Another experiment, since one day we may need different outlets for our growing stuff. The fennel was from last year and is growing again.

These are peas which were sown in early winter and a planted into a cold-frame in the front garden. In front of them (in the shade so not easily seen) are a few lettuce as a catch-crop. The cold-frame will be removed at the end of March and used for more seed-sowings. 

This pot contains another two rhubarb plants; rhubarb is a perennial and thus an easy crop of dessert to grow. Last year was a bit odd since I lost quite a few which had been there years, but this year should see these progress and take their place - I hope. 

This is a stray lemon-balm plant which grew from seed last year; I saved it because I lost a couple of these last year but will try to keep this in a larger 'Herb-Tub' this year (on the ground the dog pees on them, which does nothing to enhance the flavour!). The pot was kept in the Poly-Tunnel over winter which is why this is growing so well and green.

These are supermarket garlic bulbs which are doing about as well (so far) as the seed-supplier bought ones. We shall see how different these are in growth and quality. Any seed-supplier will tell us that their stuff is better, but they are there to sell them. 

This is a pot of comfrey; this one I dug from the bottom of the garden, where I managed to lose a couple last year. The larger tub that it stands on is also full of comfrey - or at least it was last year, there are signs of growth now. Comfrey or 'Knit-Bone' is good for sprains and broken bones - I have used this years ago on a cracked bone in my toe and it certainly does the job.

I have dug all of my raised beds already so as to be ready to plant out as soon as it is possible; spuds are 'chitting' ready to go. I prefer to dig my garden, as my father and grandfather did, but some people prefer a 'no-dig' approach; since I get the results I want I see no need to change, but this is entirely down to the individual. 

Back in January I performed my own 'Blessing of the Spade' since small gardens have no need of a plough; but this is something we have in our rituals if we wish to use them, so thought I'd do so. Also, in the same month, I did a 'Wassailing' on the two apple trees at the bottom of the garden, again to try to revive something that is still done but not much in the home-garden. 

I still have my allotments but the lease on these has run out and it is not certain whether the council will continue it - land is 'needed' for government house-building 'requirements'. The allotments are on a small patch of land on the road that I live on, and are tied to the local 'Community', so I have had to volunteer to 'chair' this to try to stop them getting rid of the allotments altogether. We shall see how this pans out. 

Seeds & Stuff

I start to grow seeds in early January; this year started with tomatoes, onions, leeks, lettuce and peas. This is done by keeping the seeds-trays inside the house, in a store-room I have ready to go after Yuletide. We are now in the middle of February, and I have started to put some of the trays outside in a mini-greenhouse in the daytime - to start to harden them off. They are taken back inside the house overnight, just in case of frost. 

 

I use this size of seed-tray, and have had these for years now, even though they are not exactly strong - but they work. 

These two trays have tomatoes in them; they have been put outside in the mini-greenhouse to start to harden them off. 

Now is the time to chit potatoes; I use egg-boxes since this is something that I eat a lot. Save them up throughout the year for use in the early winter. These are First Early, Second Early and Maincrop - though the main crop do not really need to be chatted. 

This is a bed of garlic, planted last December; garlic thrive on a cold start and this is the best time of year to plant the bulbs. At the back of the bed is a fennel plant growing again this year.

The above tray of leeks was planted in early January; you can see here that I use plastic supermarket trays which I collect from various people to use for the seed-sowing. This has saved a great deal of money having to buy the cheap plastic trays which usually break quickly. These are mushroom and tomato trays mainly, and most supermarkets use them so there is an endless supply. (This is why I do not moan about the use of these since they can be 'home-recycled' to make good use of them.)

I do a friend's garden and he has a large Rosemary Bush which needed trimming last year; I planted up a host of trimmings - merely scraping the base of the stems - and around 90% of them rooted and are now growing well. Rosemary is one of the easiest to take and plant cuttings of - no point in buying them.

The raised beds in the garden have been dug over ready for planting, the small poly-tunnel cleaned out, and a small plastic-covered mini-greenhouse put in place ready for planting later. Good-to-Go!