Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2020 i MOTHER EARTH NEWS

A few years ago, I wrote about losing a big chunk of a basil crop to mildew one particularly humid spring and summer. We resolved to procure many different types of basil from many different seed sources, and mix their seed with the seed of the few plants we grew that year that didn’t succumb to mildew. The following year, we planted the mixture of seed by scattering it in beds from which we intended to select seed from some mildew-resistant survivors. It was an interesting year, with very little mildew pressure — we wound up with a lot of basil for cooking, drying, and freezing. Joanna’s approach to saving the basil seed was simply to let the flowers mature and dry down, and then cut them before the seed…

Several years ago, my husband and I decided to reduce the amount of lawn we were mowing. Our children had grown up and moved out, and we no longer needed a large area for playing catch or otherwise spending pent-up energy. Our first decision was to mow pathways through the lawn, letting large patches grow meadow-like. Unfortunately, as much as we enjoyed the look, feel, and sound of this, we found that it was illegal. At the time, the Ohio Revised Code stated that our “lawn” could be no taller than 12 inches. I tried laying it down flat, but I was told it was technically still too long and needed to be mowed. My heart broke as we had a friend mow it for us, laying waste to what…

I know more dedicated homesteaders and holiday bakers turned entrepreneurs than I do folks who set out to open a thriving business from the get-go. But when you ask these unsuspecting professionals when that transformation happened, the answer is rarely straightforward. So, how do you know when you’ve made the leap from amateur to professional, and what sort of business management tasks must you accomplish in order to set your new business up for success? There are some signs to watch for that will indicate your business is ready to move out of the informal economy and into the regulated one, and once you’ve determined you’re ready to take the leap, a few simple steps will get you started in the right direction. Signs Your Business Is Ready for the…

As with all good things, apple cider vinegar isn’t for everyone or every situation. Diluting apple cider vinegar in warm water or juice is generally recommended before use, because undiluted cider vinegar can erode dental enamel and will sometimes turn teeth yellow. Some people find that cider vinegar contributes to their indigestion. Heartburn and indigestion are the most common side effects. You can try diluting it as above, or adding a small amount of honey or maple syrup. Discontinue the use of vinegar if symptoms persist. Apple cider vinegar can irritate stomach ulcers and isn’t recommended for sufferers. While apple cider vinegar can be helpful for people experiencing yeast overgrowth, including vaginal infections caused by yeast, you should pay attention to symptoms and discontinue its use if they seem to…

Though some elements of winter encourage comfort and happiness, the dormant season still brings its share of problems. Cold weather kills more people annually than extreme heat, and it provides ideal conditions for colds and flu. For those far north of the equator, brief days incite seasonal affective disorder. Finally, excess carbon dioxide floods the atmosphere after deciduous plants drop their leaves. Happily, studies suggest that cheer and optimism lower the risk of winter illness. One of the most time-tested hacks for embracing winter requires lots of evergreens — transforming the indoors into a garden-like stage for celebration, a tradition seen in both past and present cultures around the world. The ancient and widespread practice of turning spaces into greenery spas demonstrates the therapeutic power of plants, scents, and folk…

Creating your own fantastic sourdough starter doesn’t take great skill or expense, just time and consistent, though not time-consuming, care. Some people suggest creating your starter using particular grains, such as rye, but we used spelt and had no issues achieving success. Start with a clean pint glass jar or a small bowl. Clear glass is particularly useful, as it allows you to see activity in your new starter from the sides in addition to the surface. In the jar, combine ¼ cup of whole spelt or whole-wheat flour and just under ¼ cup of water (ends up being just over ¾ cup, if you’re measuring). Mix together thoroughly, scrape down the sides, and loosely cover with a clean cloth. We like to use a cloth napkin for this purpose,…

ROO APRON, PURPLE ORCHID The Roo Apron is perfect for helping you harvest vegetables from the garden, pull weeds, or collect anything that needs to be put away! No more using your shirt trying to get vegetables indoors! Simply put on the Roo, fill the pouch, and the cylinder chute allows you to deposit your collection without messy fallout. #9628 $32.95 Member: $28.01 SHIITAKE MUSHROOM PLUGS - 500 PACK A great way to start a diverse mushroom garden, this pack of 500 shiitake mushroom plugs also makes an excellent gift for a beginning mushroom farmer or gardener! Shiitakes are one of the easiest and most prolific, forgiving mushrooms to grow on logs for all skill levels. Because each mushroom kit is freshly packed to order, please allow five days to…

If you have a craft or hobby that you work on regularly, then you know how helpful it is to have a designated space where you can create. At our house, we’re passionate about using homegrown herbs to make natural body care products, primarily soaps and steam-distilled floral waters. Both projects can get messy, and we got sick of the materials infringing on our living space. We needed a designated room where we could store our materials and work on projects in peace. After assessing our basement and our spare bedroom, we ultimately decided to convert our tiny, one-car garage into a hobby space that we now call our “herb shed.” Our herb shed includes a built-in workbench, storage, windows that overlook our garden, and herb-drying racks. Because it’s outdoors,…

While people deal with stressors in different ways, our bodies all react quite similarly. Your adrenals, which are glands located above each kidney, control specific hormone production. One of these hormones is called “cortisol” and is released as your body responds to a stressful environment. When we worry, that cortisol level rises. And when we’re chronically worried, cortisol is in our system for a longer time and can lead to a lot of health issues, including a weakened immune system, digestive issues, insomnia, depression, skin irritation, and more. This is why it’s incredibly important to have remedies and strategies in place to help reduce stress. Herbal Remedies for Stress Stress-relieving teas or tinctures are helpful allies to have on hand right now. Lavender, chamomile, calendula, lemon balm, motherwort, nettles, rose,…

SHOW US! Share your unique perspective with our community by submitting photos of inviting gardens, nutritious foods, wild animals, and more to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Photo Group on Flickr (www.Flickr.com/Groups/MotherEarthNewsPhotos/Pool). We’ll feature our favorites here and online!…

EDITORS’ PICK Environmental Epiphany Congratulations on your 50th anniversary! You, along with Rodale’s Organic Gardening and Farming, were my bibles back in the day. In 1973, I was in my second year at the University of South Florida, where I belonged to a group that planned a community garden. This project fell flat, since I was the only one willing to work. From there, I had an epiphany about my future, changed my major to agriculture, changed schools, and became part of the back-to-the-land movement. The early issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS helped me find work in 1974 on a small farm in Tennessee. The information and stories from like-minded individuals also inspired and helped me continue to learn. I saved all those back issues. Ever since that epiphany, I’ve…

I first tasted fire cider while taking Rosemary Gladstar’s herbal apprentice course in 2004, and I’ve been preparing my own version ever since. I make it every fall, after harvesting horseradish, to use throughout the winter months as a general tonic. When I’m experiencing cold or flu symptoms, I sip it slowly from a shot glass a few times a day. If you need an immune boost, you can use fire cider before the 8-week infusion time is up. I add elderberries to Rosemary’s basic fire cider recipe for an additional immunity boost; they lend a darker color to the elixir. Be sure to use local, organic ingredients whenever possible. Directions: In a half-gallon jar, combine horseradish, onion, garlic, ginger, peppers, elderberries, and lemon, and add enough apple cider vinegar…

1 Soil fertility. Organisms will decompose dead cover crops into nutrients that are taken up by the roots of food plants, and add to your soil’s humus content. 2 Soil texture. Mycorrhizal fungi grow in association with plant roots, producing a substance that glues microscopic clay and organic matter particles into aggregate clumps. This makes the soil more porous to oxygen and water. 3 Erosion prevention. A cover crop’s tight canopy protects the soil from the drying effects of wind and the impact of heavy rain, and its roots hold the soil together. 4 Moisture. Organic matter added by cover crops acts like a sponge in the soil, absorbing rainwater and holding it for gradual release to plant roots. 5 Weed, disease, and insect protection. Cover crops suppress weeds, and…

You’ll need one or two special trays to make these, either a cast-iron or stoneware muffin topper pan or a biscuit pan. Why cast-iron or stoneware? They do the best job holding and transferring heat, giving the muffins a nice crisp exterior while ensuring the interior is fully cooked. Yield: 8 servings. Directions: The night before, combine starter, milk, and honey, mixing thoroughly. Add flour until a soft dough forms. You want it to be somewhat sticky, adding just enough flour so the dough is easy to work in the morning. If it’s too dry, the muffins end up tasting floury. Mix the flour in thoroughly, and then cover the pot with a moist towel overnight. In the morning, combine salt and baking soda and sprinkle over the dough. Using…

Don’t forget to check out the mercantile supplement that came with this issue. Discount “member” pricing applies to all subscribers! PRODUCE BAGS (SET OF 3) Tired of tossing thin plastic produce bags in the trash? Bring these reusable, lightweight, cotton drawstring bags to the bulk and produce aisles of your favorite store or co-op and fill ‘em up! Each package contains three bags: Small (8-inch by 10-inch), Medium (11-inch by 13.25-inch), and Large (13.5-inch by 17-inch). #10268 $13.78 Member: $11.71 VEGAN HOLIDAY COOKING The first vegan holiday cookbook from professional chefs, this gorgeous book elevates plant-based fare to a new level with fresh, inventive recipes that blend favorite traditions with a modern sensibility. This book presents special-occasion favorites from acclaimed vegan restaurants Candle Cafe and Candle 79 tailored for the…

Before purchasing lumber, determine the size of your worktable. Ours is 3 feet tall, 2 feet deep, and 16 feet long. Two feet is a nice depth, and it’s also convenient, because you can saw a 4x8 sheet of plywood in half lengthwise for a durable and inexpensive tabletop. (If you don’t have a table saw, ask the lumberyard to do this for you.) This list reflects what we used to build our table; you may need to adjust it according to your own project. • Garden rake (optional)• Filler dirt or gravel (optional)• Measuring tape• Miter saw• Level• Drill• 3-inch decking screws• Nail gun• Finishing nails• Stain (color of choice)• Polyurethane• Paint (color of choice)• Brushes for application• 8-foot-long 4x4 for table legs (2)• 8-foot-long 2x4 for frame (4)•…

This recipe has been around forever in the Mennonite community. Here, I’m encouraging you to make 10 pounds of pickles. If you don’t believe me, halve the recipe. Mark my words, you’ll make these pickles again before long. Use nonchlorinated water. Chill the pickles thoroughly before serving. Yield: 12 pint jars. • 10 pounds fresh Kirby cucumbers• ¼ cup kosher or pickling salt• 3 tablespoons alum, or 5 tablespoons loose black tea from 8 tea bags• 4 quarts apple cider vinegar• 10 cups granulated sugar, divided, plus 1 cup if needed• ¼ cup pickling spice Day 1: In a large bowl or a clean cooler, soak the cucumbers in ice water for 30 minutes, and then drain. Trim off the ends, and then slice them into ¾-inch chunks; a waffle…

According to the Environmental Working Group, as of mid-July, only eight states have mandatory protections in place for farmworkers, including personal protective equipment, distancing requirements, disinfection, testing, and housing and transportation adjustments. Other states have issued recommendations for these types of protections to stop the spread, but many don’t have any guidance or laws in place to prevent outbreaks and protect workers on the frontlines. In some places, farmworkers have gone on strike to protest the lack of protections, demanding safer conditions and higher pay. In Yakima County, Washington, hundreds of farmworkers went on strike in May, demanding protective supplies and higher pay. Their collective action prompted a wave of protests throughout the region, with workers walking off their jobs, rallying outside the state capitol, and filing complaints to the…

Apple cider vinegar may be among the most ubiquitous health items in the world. Inexpensive, easy to store, and versatile, it’s liquid gold. Travel the four corners of the world, and, wherever apples grow, you’ll find all manner of cider vinegar recipes and remedies in use. Some apple cider vinegar recipes have been around for centuries. Science has largely ignored simple home remedies, such as apple cider vinegar, despite years of use and countless testimonials about their effectiveness. The tide is slowly turning, though, and a growing body of reputable, rigorous studies support the health effects of apple cider vinegar. The most promising seem to be in the areas of diabetes care, treatment of infections, and weight loss. Research into the Remedy Several studies have found that apple cider vinegar…

Anna is thought to be among the best female gyr x peregrine falcons in the United States for harassing other birds. You might consider Anna petite, at no more than 2 feet tall when her 3½-foot wingspan is contracted. Set loose on a strawberry farm being terrorized by European starlings, though, she’ll corral and chase off up to 5,000 birds on her own, flying at more than 150 miles per hour. A flock of starlings can decimate 80 percent of a berry crop in about five hours; that’s why Anna’s work is valuable. She’s one of about 20 birds of prey flying for Adam’s Falconry Service (http://AdamsFalconryService.com), a bird abatement business in Southern California that uses birds of prey as nontoxic, nonlethal bird control. “It can look like a scene…

The MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR team recorded a webinar titled DIY Sourdough with John and Jessica Moody on June 6, 2020. In this webinar recording, you’ll learn how to make and maintain a sourdough starter, fit sourdough into a busy schedule, and get three simple sourdough recipes — all using whole-grain flours. They even go over the basics of milling your own grain! Also, Jessica’s workshop video on sourdough basics is part of the Food Independence Course of the SUMMER 2020 program. Both the webinar and the workshop video are included in the All-Access package at MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR ONLINE. Subscribers save $50 off the all-access one-time registration by entering code ALLACCESSSALE. For more information, visit www.online.MotherEarthNewsFair.com or call 800-234-3368. Also, be sure to join us November 15-21 for…

SWEET REMEDIES JUST ADD HONEY KIT This Sweet Remedies Just Add Honey Kit has everything you need to start making electuaries in your own kitchen! This kit includes Dawn Combs’ book, Sweet Remedies, as well as three different Mockingbird Meadows Herbal Honey Boosters (Allergency, Sleep Well, and Ache Ease). This kit has everything you need to learn about, taste, and create your very own electuaries! #10096 $49.95 Member: $39.96 BEEKEEPER'S LAB If you keep bees or are interested in keeping bees, Beekeeper's Lab is the book for you. Filled with 52 beekeeping and hive-inspired projects to keep you involved with your bees and hive all year long. The tutorials are brief, accomplishable, and rewarding. Beekeeping is a fun and educational for the whole family to enjoy and is a highly…

While today’s newest furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps are more efficient and reliable than ever, the large variety of options out there can make it challenging to choose. Ask yourself these five questions to make your decision. 1 When should I replace my heating system? Sometimes, heating systems break in permanent ways. The need for replacement is obvious in cases like this. Other times, the old system keeps working, so replacement is optional. Newer heating systems are often so much more efficient than older ones that it’s actually a waste of money to keep an old furnace or boiler going. Depending on the state of insulation in your home, how old your furnace is, and how cold it gets where you live, a modern heating system can save more than…

I’ve learned a lot about soap-making after years of raising goats and making and selling goat’s milk soap for our family business, Hallow Springs Farm. Here’s some of the knowledge I’ve gleaned from many batches of “soap gone wrong.” For equipment, use a stainless steel or glass bowl, because lye is corrosive and gets very hot during the chemical reaction of soap making. Measure ingredients carefully with a digital scale. Although I blended ingredients with a whisk when I first started to make soap, I recommend using a stick blender to prevent elbow and shoulder damage. A thermometer is critical for measuring the temperature of ingredients. A soap knife will come in handy, although I’ve cut soap with a kitchen knife for years. Always work in a well-ventilated area, wear…