Fantastic Fungi: The Forbidden Fruit

Outdoor rooms.

The view to the left was that from the client's window before we began work.  Their backyard was transformed into an outdoor room.  Working with talented colleagues on the rock walls and flagstone, the space may now be enjoyed by the clients both day and night. 

Kind words from clients

Letter of reference:  Ethos Landscape Design and Soil Ecology.

We love our home.  It is our haven and we have worked hard over the past 12 years to make is a safe place to land for ourselves and our beloved animals.  Our one drawback is the natural hill that is our backyard.  It is clear that nature never intended to have a house built on her so close to this hill and we struggled with erosion concerns.  After several interviews with landscapers and gardeners who all shrugged their shoulders and told us that it was "as good as it was going to get," Orchard Nursery sent us Ethos Landscape and the owner, Jae Koenig.

Simply put, Jae loves dirt.  She describes soil in the same way that we describe great wine, using words like "yummy aroma" and "fabulous texture" and "rich color".  Jae is passionate about her work and it shows in her results.  She is a student of the earth and understands how weather impacts the soil and the plants that are nourished by it.  She "meditates" on the irrigation system to get it positioned just right to keep the plants happy and hydrated.  Our main area of focus was that back hill and shoring it up with plants that would grow naturally in this area.  We also mentioned that our grass in our side and front yards were not the lush green that we had hoped for.  Jae and her team worked their magic and thoroughly cleaned up our entire landscaping, trimming and thinning out mostly by hand, and treating the lawns with just what it needed to become the lawns we had hoped for.

Jae and her team also dragged essential soils up to our back hill to fortify it and the plants they planted are thriving from their efforts.

We have always believed that when people find their passion as their work, they thrive and we reap the benefits of their efforts.  Jae loves what she does and her tremendous respect for nature and all its beauty is evident in everything she does.

Jae listens carefully to our needs, and has a terrific memory for what is important to us.  She is responsible to our needs and stays in frequent contact with us, setting our expectations for when she and her team will be on site and when the work will be completed.

While it is likely that Ethos Landscape is not the least expensive option for landscaping and gardening services, our experience has been that Jae's goal is to strive to create an environment where plants thrive on their own and require minimal attention.  We believe that in the long run, Jae's services will actually end up to be less that the standard "mow and blow" gardening services that we left behind and we will be much happier with the results.

We are grateful to Orchard Nursery for their recommendation and are pleased to offer this letter of recommendation for Ethos Landscape.

Jan and Chris
Martinez, CA

To Roundup or not to Roundup?

Roundup is something to avoid.

http://www.scoop.it/t/the-big-picture/p/3997079889/nearly-half-of-all-us-farms-now-have-superweeds

Before...and after.

The project in May-12

There is a joy within me as I watch a project blossom.   What is most satisfying, though, is observing the clients' joy upon completion of a project.  

 

The project in Sept-12

This outdoor space once housed a play structure.  It sat for years untouched and unused.  The presence of grandchildren inspired its transformation.

Not only was a playspace transformed for the enjoyment of all family members, the soils were remediated and nourished.  All plants on the site now show vibrant health.

Impermanence and grace.

I am blessed to live on a small piece of land I refer to as Revery.  It has become sacred over the years, both by the fact that I have experienced the pendulum of pain and joy while living here and that I have connected with every aspect of its ecology and presence.  Years ago, I decided to plant a maze in the back yard for my children.  The shrubs are now grown together in both breadth and height, creating the opportunity for adventure within the pathways created by their forms.  Recently, my 19 year old son walked through the maze as I was working in the back garden.  His word, so often spoken in the current youth culture, was “epic” as he appeared from the end of the maze.  I watched him as he walked then onto the meadowed chaos of our back lawn; my youngest son and I have insisted that it remain unkempt and unmowed, for the adventure it affords as such.  He paused to observe a huge patch of dandelions in seed and immediately reached for his phone to take a picture.  In that moment, we both recalled a journey up Dolores Street on the center medians planted with the huge date palms; that day when he was so small, he picked every dandelion seed head, forming a huge bouquet in his small and powerful hands.  He held thousands of wishes at that moment; he recalled them as he observed these seed heads again in the garden.

I have learned that love is my muse.  My journey as a mother has been steeped in love and I am inspired to continue toward the depth of being that my children ask of me.  My time with my family and observance of the suffering of those beloved to me has expanded my experience of love.  Love expands within me through my work and through my daily walk in my own garden.  I have found peace as I observe the parasitic wasp pause for a drink from the trough of water held by the tiny flower of euphorbia.  I am elated as a hummingbird pauses in its race for a meal and flies around me, hovering to observe, then flies a few more feet, and hovers again.  And, the porosity of soil and tiny white threads of mycelium give me a great reverence for all that is unseen.

In the press of responsibility in each day, I hope to see the small wonders of this life.  The pajamas, turned inside out and thrown on the bookshelf of my youngest son’s room, can remind me of the carefree moments of life.  The vision of my aged dog sunbathing reminds me of a common wisdom among all living creatures.  The mantis I discover while gardening, inviting him to my hand for a visit, reminds me that all of life is sentient. 

I am grateful to do work that I love now.  The opportunity to work with people and act as a catalyst to their own visions of inspiration is a great gift.

Our outdoor living spaces can nourish all aspects of our daily journey.

Gratitude. Thank you Louie Schwartzberg.

http://youtu.be/gXDMoiEkyuQ

Beloved bearded iris

The bearded iris was installed in our garden by my mother when I was young. It has become a beloved element of our garden now. Here, the gorgeous blooms amid a stand of Festuca californica.

Drainage success. And healthy results.

We installed a french drain on an Orinda residential landscape in Oct-09. The clients had previously experienced up to 12" of standing water in the lowest part of the landscape during rain storms.

We are experiencing a winter storm that dropped 1.18" of rain in the past 12 hours. I visited the site to check on the effectiveness of the drains; there was no standing water and I walked across the landscape with a solid base of soil under my boot - no mud. Stunning contrast to that of 18 months ago.

The successful strategy? French drains that direct water to the back of the property where is slowly percolates into a hillside. However, the most important strategy deployed at this site was healing of the soil porosity! Four cubic yards of CCL Organics Soil Builder compost + 200+ lbs of organic soil amendments applied to main planting beds and 50 lbs greensand (residues of ancient oceans) and wood chips (not bark) = SUCCESS. And happy clients (the best part).

Photo of the water flow not far away from this site - an example of how much water has percolated into the soil (supporting the abundance of life around it):

Keep loving the soil.

Jae

I love the soil.

Structural crust is formed from water drop impact. If there is sufficient organic matter on the soil surface, the impact of rain will be lessened and soil structure, microbiology and porosity will be maintained.

It takes time for disrupted soils to become fully active in diverse microbial populations. Organic matter on the soil surface will encourage microbiological activity. Dropped leaves, for example, are ideal mulch over the compost-and-nutrient-mixture we have applied already. On immature or unprotected soils, the rain drops break apart the soil aggregates. These aggregates are formed by the exudates produced by the individual soil biology organisms that then act to adhere particles of soil to one another; when these aggregates have little organic matter in the surrounding or surface soil (e.g., no protection) a structural crust results.

The porosity of soil is, thereby, reliant upon a high level of organic matter and healthy microbiology – the makings of soil aggregates which are THE prevention of erosion.

It is important to leave the soils undisturbed as much as possible (e.g., no raking). The soil biology resides primarily in the top 5 cm of soil; any disturbance, such as raking, disrupts the expansion of a healthy soil foodweb.

A helpful reference sampling soil structure and tillage impact:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/soils/soilstructure.pdf

Our region can be classified as “semi-arid”.
http://www.paton.com.au/Research/Horticulture/Pedocare/TheSealingProcessandCrustFormation.pdf

Anyway. Enjoy. Love that soil. Abundance will result. Well, I suppose Abundance always is the result of Love.

Wisdom shared by mentor David Richo

"I am fully present here and now with all my unconditional attention, acceptance, appreciation, affection and allowing. I am happy to let go of judgement, fear, control and demands. May this be the way I show love to everyone. May I be ever more open to the love that comes to me. May I feel compassion for those who are afraid of love. May all beings find this path of love."

Children. Our best teachers.

I am in awe of my sons. As with all of Life, parenting is a journey. My sons continue to offer me both sanctuary and inspiration, perhaps most poignantly in the difficult moments. Love the perspective, structure, approach, as in these photos taken by my eldest son and his best friend (a son to me as well).

Our garden, we fondly call Revery, did well with little water.

According to our EBMUD statement covering 09 July through 08 September, as compared to last year during this time, typically our peak Summer usage period:

- We used 26 vs. 42 water units, 39% less than 2009,
- We consumed an average of 318 vs. 551 gallons of water/day, 43% less than 2009, and
- We spent $98.14 vs. $144.18 on water for the period, a savings of 32%.

Ethos’ philosophy-in-action.

Water deeply and infrequently.

A poem written by my youngest son, age 7. With grace to his 1st grade teacher, Cheri Facer.

Inside of Me.

Inside of me is a cold, clear river flowing in the mountains.
Inside of me is an oak tree quiet in the forest.
I am a soccer ball flying intothe net for a goal.
I am a pencil drawing super heroes.
Inside of me is a red ruby in a hidden treasure chest.
Inside of me is a very nice person.
Inside of me is a golden spirit.
I am a storm of happiness.
I am a bowl full of love.

May 2010

Glorious abundance.

Our home, Revery, and the garden. It shows what healthy soil and thoughtful planting can become without management.

Aphids? Eek. Some solutions...

The aphids and (their many relatives) are busy at this time of year, as our roses and other blossoms begin to emerge. This Thursday, I will release 5,000 lacewing larva – the babies are insect eating machines – and the lacewing is one of those amazing ‘good guys’ for our gardens (along with the Soldier bug, Lady bug, Predatory wasps...).

From my favorite bug guy, Ron Whithurst of Rincon Vitova:

“Honeydew (sugary poop) on leaves grows sooty mold - a give away that you have honeydew producing pests like aphid, whitefly, mealybug, scale working the plant.

Spray with 1% soap (Dr Bronner’s or castile soap from Trader Joe’s is inexpensive with water in a spray bottle), let sit a while, 20 min, then wash off with forceful spray of water, then maybe follow up with an oil spray if you want to reduce population. (note from Jae: if you spray blossoms, such as roses, directly from the side, they won’t be damaged. If you are concerned about a stem breaking, you can support gently in your hand while you spray the water.)

Manage ants, they protect the scale from predators and parasites http://www.rinconvitova.com/ant_bait_antpro.htm

Release some lacewing and Lindorus if it needs more clean up in a week or two.
http://www.rinconvitova.com/lacewing.htm
http://www.rinconvitova.com/bulletins_product_htm/Lindorus_BUL.htm

not familiar with the particular scale, a micrograph would help...
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=usb+microscope&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=f&oq=usb+micro&gs_rfai=&fp=bcdf8cbbf06dc4f “

happiness,

Ron

Ron Whitehurst
Marketing Manager

Rincon-Vitova Insectaries,
P.O. Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002-1555
805-643-5407 800-248-2847 (BUGS) fax 805-643-6267

e-mail: bugnet@rinconvitova.com
web: http://www.rinconvitova.com

Biological Solutions for Pest Management

Healing soils and dance? Yes, they're connected.

The Wooden Floor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPVuwzEBjV0

Words the illustrate why I work with soils, animals and people.

The powerful wisdom of our Native American elders. This is Part 4 of many parts available on YouTube. Peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BqJMwKZdyE&feature=related

Wondrous blossoming.

This time of year is one of constant change in our gardens. Revery, my name for our own garden, is bursting with the energy of flowers and new growth. This Euphorbia, 'Blackbird', one of my favorite hybrids, becomes a source of drink for the insects.

And this lovely native hybrid, Mimulus, I so often enjoy as it grows among the Coyote Brush in the Berkeley hills.

And my beloved Bearded Irises - so many are ready to burst forth in every imaginable color.

May you enjoy the wonder of your gardens.

Peace,

Jae

Gardening with Nature by Elaine R. Ingham Ph.D. and Carole Ann Rollins, Ph.D.

These women are two of my heroes. Valuable information here in a tangible format. http://gardeningwithnature.net/About_the_Authors_QK.html

Fungi the Magnificent

Yesterday, I nudged through a debris pile in my garden. It contained begonia rootballs that I had pulled from a site after the last hard frost. Observing the new leaves on what had appeared completely dead plant matter was another opportunity for learning - begonias are toughies. As I unearthed the begonias planning to replant them at the site, I marveled at the mycelium, a fungal network of threadlike cells, that was evident.

The white threads visible here are the mycelium. Not only is fungus essential for the transfer of nutrients between the soils and plants, the health of plants and soils is enhanced by their presence.

In all installations of plants, we apply myccrrhizal spores to the root ball of the new plant. The product I use is produced by a friend and colleague, Carole Ann Rollins, Ph.D., at her company Nature Technologies http://www.nature-technologies.com/Mycorrhizae.html

My clients and crew laugh when I rush to them at a job site, holding gently a blob of soil held together by mycelium and giddy from the discovery. I often ponder whether I love more the fungi or the dung beetle for their importance to soil. Then realize it is like my children, animals, and tribe - I love them all, equally.

Peace. And fungi.

Jae

Patrick Whitefield, author of The Earth Care Manual

Inspiration is everywhere. I was reminded of Patrick Whitefield's words as I researched a soil remediation last night. The Earth Care Manual is a marvelous resource. His words follow:

"This book is much more about solutions than about problems, more about what we can do in the present situation that about how we came to be in It in the first place. Yet there's no escaping the fact that the Earth is in a dire state, and getting worse. In the twenty-three years I've been actively involved in the ecological movement almost every aspect of planetary health has got worse.

This raises the question: Is it all worth it? If we do out best to heal the Earth and make our place in her a sustainable one, is there a good chance that we will succeed? Or is it a forlorn hope? It's a big questions, and one which can lead to depression if we look at the facts honestly and dispassionately. But to my mind it's the wrong question. Evening if we could answer it - and we can never know anything about the future for certain - it would beg the question, How do I want to live my life?.

Here I find the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi very useful. One of his precepts was that of non-attachment to the fruits of our labour. All we can do in life is to make sure that we play our own part in it the best way we can. Much as we would like to, we can never do more than that. Everything we do is so complex, and relies for its ultimate completion on so many different people and natural forces, that we can never take responsibility for the final outcome of our actions. We can only take responsibility for our actions themselves.

So my answer to the question, How do I want to live my life? is that I want to be part of the solution rather than a part of the problem."

His words are beautiful and inspiring for me. May I do a good job living this way to show my children how.

Love, light and laughter.

Jae

Living WITH nature.

The creekside remediation project with Villa San Ramon has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. Perhaps most beautiful for me are the dialogues we have with the residents of the community, sharing their memories - of time in their home gardens, of their favorite flowers, of the lush colors and aromas - and expressing their appreciation for our work.

Last week, I toured the site with the Executive Director and the Vice President of Operations for Vintage Senior Living. As we walked, it was noted that the trees now in lush flower had only few flowers in the year prior. And, Virbunums previously with limited flowers are now with abundant flowers.

It is, simply, providing the opportunity for abundant diversity within the community of soil microbes that results in this kind of plant health. And love, I think.

We continued our work on the property and discovered the marvel of Nature in the parking lot. Within the deep cover of Boxwood in a parking median, lay a mother Mallard on her nest. I captured two snails and dropped them to her as an offering for her trust in us. And, as we have worked this site, the Canada Geese, Snowy Egrets, Peregrine Falcons and Cooper's Hawks have graced us with their presence as we apply compost, plant natives (e.g., Penstemon pseudospectabilis), and broadcast wildflower seeds.

It is a gift to do the work of healing soils. Truly. And so much more to share...

A gorgeous poem shared by Molly, Permaculture student

The seven of pentacles

Under a sky the color of pea soup
she is looking at her work growing away there
actively, thickly like grapevines or pole beans
as things grow in the real world, slowly enough.
If you tend them properly, if you mulch, if you water,
if you provide birds that eat insects a home and winter food
if the sun shines and you pick off caterpillars,
if the praying mantis comes and the ladybugs and the bees,
then the plants flourish, but at their own internal clock.

Connections are made slowly, sometimes they grow underground.
You cannot always tell by looking what is happening.
More than half a tree is spread out in the soil under your feet.
Penetrate quietly as the earthworm that blows no trumpet.
Fight persistently as the creeper that brings down the tree.
Spread like the squash plant that overruns the garden.
Gnaw in the dark and use the sun to make sugar.

Weave real connections, create real nodes, build real houses.
Live a life you can endure; make love that is loving.
Keep tangling and interweaving and taking more in,
a thicket and bramble wilderness to the outside but to us
interconnected with rabbit runs and burrows and lairs.

Live as if you liked yourself, and it may happen:
reach out, keep reaching out, keep bringing in.
This is how we are going to live for a long time: not always,
for every gardener knows that after the digging, after the planting,
after the long season of tending and growth, the harvest comes.

~Marge Piercy

What is Soil Ecology?

I support the Wikipedia Foundation - this is a great overview. Enjoy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_ecology

Why do I love the fungi?

Thank you, Jake Voit.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/258

Why I follow the work of Elaine Ingham, Ph.D.

http://kjpermaculture.blogspot.com/2008/01/bacterium-that-almost-ate-world.html

Jae Koenig to present at 2010 Low Impact Design Conference / San Francisco Apr-10

Abstract
Bioassay of Microbial Diversity in Compost
Written by Carole Ann Rollins, Ph.D., Nature Technologies International LLC and Jae Koenig, Principal, Ethos Landscape LLC

Application and use of compost in urban and agricultural landscapes has become a common practice for maintaining healthy soils and restoring ecological balance. While testing protocols have improved since 2006, many materials labeled as “compost” are only anaerobic decomposing organic matter due to both processing and packaging. This paper presents research indicating that aerobic compost, with confirmed active and diverse microbial populations, provides the environment necessary for proper nutrient cycling performed by the soil foodweb. This paper will propose a revision to the quality testing protocols specified by the U.S. Composting Council (“USCC”), the American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) and the US EPA Report SW-846 to include biological assays to reflect the diversity of microbial populations in compost using expanded methods to include direct microscopy, updated molecular techniques, phospholipid fatty acid analysis, and plate counts using numerous agar food sources. Currently, a bioassay of compost analyzes only possible existence of pathogens, stability of compost by measuring oxygen consumption, or seed emergence and seedling vigor relative to positive controls. This paper proposes that compost, meeting this expanded testing requirement, will ensure nutrient and water retention in soils to maintain and improve health of stormwater runoff and related environmental impacts.

Vegetable gardens and deer

I work to bring beauty to the deer fences built in our designs. To coexist with our animal neighbors is essential. As is growing tomatoes for our own table!

I have begun a collaboration with Troy McGregor of Garden Natives; Troy brings his graphic art skills to Ethos through renderings.

- Jae

Humates, as explained by Mark Turner of Catalyst Product Group

In response to my inquiry as to the product Activate 80 Micronized Humate produced by Catalyst Product Group and its affect on fungal populations, Mark replied with the following (extraordinary and marvelous):

Lesson #1: Humates (lignites or leonardite, or leaonardite shale) are what humic, fulvic and ulmic acids come from. Naturally occurring humates that are mined are found all over the US and world. These products are often found around Coal mines. This black to dark brown shale which should have no BTU (can't burn) is where humates come from. Read my letter to the industry about these products on my web page. The pH of these products are usually around 3.5 to 6.5.

Lesson #2: Humic acids (liquid) are "ONLY" soluble at alkaline pH's, above 9. So you use something like potassium hydroxide to extract, much like gold is extracted. Phosphate can not be used to extract humic acid.

Lesson #3: Fulvic acid (liquid) is soluble at any pH with solubility going up as pH drops. This is where most people use Phosphoric acid to extract. WE DO NOT, we ferment our extraction process to preserve the carbon molecules that chelate.

Lesson #4: Fungi are interesting creatures (not animals), they like high organic soils that are not disturbed. Every time you disrupt the soil you will kill many forms of fungi. This is why most agricultural soils are bacterial dominant. Yes, any of the above 3 products will stimulate fungi in a compost tea, but the fungi and bacteria will only live as long as the food source(s) in your tea are available and the soil is not disturbed. Yes, some fungi will live, but most of what is in your teas will not colonize in the soil.

Lesson #5: What to do. Use good compost and good fertility programs to promote the health of the soil (add humates, humic and fulvic acids). Feed the naturally occurring soil micro-organisms that are already in the soil. You will get more fungi out of compost than compost tea. Activate 80 micronized can be put in tea's and is all over the place. It is not soluble and needs good agitation to stir it up. Activate 80 is a naturally occurring humate, not fortified with anything. Call Peaceful Valley Farm Supply in Grass Valley Ca to order the product.

Children and nature.

We learn so much from them, when we simply observe and listen. The patterns of Nature as imaged by my youngest son, age six.

Deluge of water? Not a problem, when Permaculture methods are deployed.

Permaculture is a design science that renews natural resources and enriches local ecosystems. Through our work at Ethos, we seek to implement landscape solutions under the practice of Permaculture.

The Ethos crew completed installation of a French drain on a property; our intent was to relocate the water and yet keep it on the property. This practice not only ensures the health of the ecosystem of the site, it prevents additional flow into the storm drains, thereby retaining nutrients on the land.

Water would previously collect at this site in the front yard, creating a pond for many months of the year. I designed the drain to move this source back along the fenceline, then into a percolating drain where it now waters a hillside with mighty redwoods towering above.

The drain runs parallel to the left of the waddle shown below (I installed the waddle as a precaution before the storm).

NB this image is "before"

We experienced a huge storm over the past two days - 4.7" with a high rain rate of 2.4"/hour. Suffice it write - tons of water in a short time. I am pleased to report the drain not only moved the water as we intended, the percolating area remained intact with no land loss and the front yard - previously a pond in this situation - was solid and as I walked over it, next to the drain, my boot sank only about 1/4". Very exciting, to a soil geek such as me.

Now, onto the design for this marvelous space.

Update Oct-10: we have completed the site. Quite a transformation. The image to the right is taken from the same vantage point at the "before" above.

Healing and laughter,

Jae

Dung Beetle Field Day

I have long admired the dung beetle for both legend and function. Now it is being recognized by a broader community, given its great value to pasture health.

http://www.rinconvitova.com/dung%20beetle%20field%20day%20dvd.htm

Lafayette Farmer's Market!!

The City of Lafayette will have a trial farmers market at the downtown Plaza Park on the first three Thursday evenings of September (9/3, 9/10, 9/17) from 4-8pm. This market will be have a local focus with most of the farmers coming from less than 100 miles! The purpose of the trial is to see if there are any traffic or parking issues, and to gauge the impact on local businesses. So, please try to find an easy place to park and then walk to the market, (Mt. Diablo Rd., east of the new library has many parking spots) or ride your bike, and consider visiting other stores and restaurants while in town. Please spread the word and help make the farmers market a big success!! http://www.cccfm.org/pages/laf.html

I will be working with Feral Kevin at table "From Our Backyards". I will be selling golden delicious apples from the tree at our home. The family who grew up in this house planted the tree as a graft from a tree in Wisconsin. Lots of love in these apples...

Wendell Berry

Within the circles of our lives
we dance the circles of the years,
the circles of the seasons
within the circles of the years,
the cycles of the moon
within the circles of the seasons,
the circles of our reasons
within the cycles of the moon.

Again, again we come and go,
Changed, changing. Hands
join, unjoin in love and fear,
grief and joy. The circles turn,
each giving into each, into all.
Only music keeps us here,

Each by all the other held.
In the hold of hands and eyes
we turn in pairs, that joining
joining each to all again.

And then we turn aside, alone,
out of the sunlight gone

Into the darker circles of return.

--Wendell Berry

Transformation and healing.

Our landscape, when we found it...

and now.

"Work, motion, life. All rise from the dirt and stand upon it as on a launching pad." From Dirt, The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan.

http://www.citydirt.net/

Experiencing the wisdom of others

When we get out of the glass bottles of our ego,
And when we escape like squirrels turning in the
cages of our personality
And get into the forests again,
We shall shiver with cold and fright
But things will happen to us
So that we don’t know ourselves.

Cool, unlying life will rush in,
And passion will make our bodies taut with power,
We shall stamp our feet with new power
And old things will fall down,
We shall laugh, and institutions will curl up like
burnt paper.

--D.H. Lawrence

Opportunities and choices

The urban American landscape has reached a critical state wherein it may either settle again into equilibrium or it may destroy itself. The opportunity for the restoration of ecological balance is reliant upon the choices made with regard to urban development. The anthropogenic activities that include creation of vast impermeable surfaces, as well as regular applications of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have created a condition wherein the decline of soil health is rampant. At risk is the health and wellbeing of all life. The journey of humanity in the urban landscape can become one of healing and this can be achieved through education. If we begin to understand the essence of life in the soil – its microbiology, the soil food web, nutrient cycling and the affects of urban development – our recognition of the interconnection we share can be articulated. From this we can refine the decisions that affect our soils, choosing sustainable options. Through presentation of the general structure of soils and the microbial life therein, this opportunity for integrated learning includes discussion of quality composting methods as well as ecological landscape design and maintenance methodologies.

Healing and the Soil

Wisdom is often found in the uncomfortable. Picris echioides L., known as Bristly Oxtongue or more fondly by a friend as Velcro Plant, was the day's assignment for me in a garden. The intent was to prevent proliferation of the already plentiful plant by cutting its stems and flowers prior to its seeds being dispersed by the wind. As I cut each, Felco pruners in hand, the common names for these plants found expression on my garden gloves, bristles spearing through the glove's thick mesh. Tolerable. The occasional plant merited a tug and as I pulled out the strong tap root, the dialogue within me transformed. In our rich clay soils that can result in broken shovels, these tap roots become a path over which water, insects and microbes can travel into the soils. FeralKevin has found it beneficial when planting among the Picris, as the roots of a more delicate plant can follow this fearsome tap root down into the soil on a quest for moisture and nourishment. On this particular day, I was thankful that I had not time to dig each plant out; in fact, my small shovel had broken in the clay after just two attempts. As I gathered the cuttings, I reflected upon the similarity of Picris and Comfrey, the marvelous healing plant with high biomass, whose name is from the Latin word conferta, meaning "to grow together". Shall we then keep the Picris within the garden and attend to it with a simple pruning? Coexistence? I think so. Conferta? With open minds and resilient choices, we shall.

Heroes, Microbes and Earth

My interest in the Microbiology of Soil is rooted in the fact that the health of our plants begins and ends the level of microbial diversity in the soil. It is this that creates the essence of the soil food web. You can glance at this page and it illustrates beautifully the topic. http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html My fascination with this information allows you to understand why Soil Geek is an appropriate title for me.

One of my heroes is a microbiologist, Dr Elaine Ingham. She now heads a firm, Soil Food Web Inc. http://www.soilfoodweb.com/03_about_us/approach.html My work with her has transformed my vision of how we can work with soil and nurture plants. Another hero, Dr Carole Ann Rollins, brews the Actively Aerated Compost Tea ("AACT") that I apply to my own and clients' gardens. http://www.nature-technologies.com/

Organisms live in the microscale environments within and between soil particles. Differences over short distances in pH, moisture, pore size, and the types of food available create a broad range of habitats. Therefore, dirt doesn’t turn to soil overnight nor does compaction transform in a short time. However, if we nurture the opportunity for microbiology to regain its natural state in a situation where dirt and compaction exist, we can create the opportunity for the soil food web to become engaged and, thereby, soil is made. We just provide the conditions for the abundance.

Our response to conflict impacts the outcome. Our response to change impacts its effect. Ethos Landscape implements the principles of Permaculture with recognition of the socio-economic and environmental impacts these decisions imply.

We are about nurturing—plants, soil, creatures, individuals, communities. No chemicals, no synthetic fertilizers, no toxins. We plan lush gardens that are drought tolerant. We incorporate natives as often as possible. Simply, we seek to design, install and maintain beautiful and functional landscapes that enhance work, rest, learning and play while honoring the ecosystems within which we all live.

- Jae Koenig