The Old Farmer's Almanac 2015 (32 page)

Remember, too, that weeds are “nature’s meadow”—a blanket of living mulch that helps to conserve water and protect bare ground against heavy rains and wind that can cause soil compaction and erosion. Even shallow-rooted weeds, such as ground ivy, purslane, and oxalis, can help to prevent erosion.

Weeds Bring Beneficial Bugs

Weed species of
Solanum, Amaranthus,
and
Solidago
are the favored housing for a variety of beneficial ground beetles, and their flowers provide excellent sources of pollen and nectar for beneficial insects. Having a food source not only encourages beneficial insects to stay around, but it also makes them healthier and increases their effectiveness: They lay more eggs and so are better able to control the bad bugs.

In general, small flowers attract small bugs and large flowers attract large bugs.

So, the next time you’re thinking about pulling those weeds, remember that they may actually be of benefit—and can help you to grow your best garden ever!

Weeds of Wisdom

In general, weed 2 to 3 weeks before you plant flowers. The new plants will benefit from the mined nutrients left behind.

Keep deep-rooted Canadian thistle in check by thinning to a few plants and cutting the flowers before they set seed.

Avoid tilling comfrey and other aggressive weeds that spread by underground roots. Tilling just causes them to reproduce more vigorously.

To control comfrey and maximize benefits, grow it as a separate patch and use the leaves to make a nutrient-rich garden tea. To make the tea, loosely fill a trash can or large bucket two-thirds full with bruised or torn comfrey leaves, then add water to cover. Stir daily and allow to steep in the sun for several days or until the brew is a rich brown color. Strain the tea and use it as a fertilizing spray on foliage and vegetables.

Organic gardener Kris Wetherbee hosts an 8,000-square-foot garden, an orchard, and a very drought-resistant Mediterranean courtyard garden in Oregon.

No matter our age, occupation, or avocation, we all want to feel good, to be healthy. The ancients understood that every person, based on his sign of the zodiac, has a weakness, a potential vulnerability that needs to be considered when looking at his health profile. Even Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” insisted that all of his students learn astrology. Of course, this meant that they looked at the person’s entire astrological chart, not just the Sun sign. Nonetheless, the Sun sign is a good place to start.

The Sun travels through the entire zodiac in one year. It spends about a month in each sign. These “months” do not align exactly with calendar months, so the calendar dates for each sign are given at the beginning of each profile here.

March 21–April 20

Aries is ruled by the head. Have you ever noticed how these individuals tuck their chins and move forward like their totem, the ram? Once they decide on a course of action, get out of their way. They are always in a hurry, moving in a straight line much like a runaway train, and when they bump into people or things, the head often takes the brunt of it. Therefore, headaches are common. Arians can benefit greatly by slowing down and taking a few deep breaths on a regular basis.

April 21-May 20

Taurus is ruled by the throat. Many individuals born under this sign have beautiful voices. Scarves and necklaces often adorn their neck. They are the earthiest of the earth signs: Should germs appear around these individuals, they are likely to attack the throat first. Gargling with warm salt water at the first hint of a problem can do much to keep the nasties at bay. Taureans are fond of comfort; keeping the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer is also helpful.

May 21-June 20

Gemini is ruled by the lungs. These individuals love to talk, and witty repartee flows from their mouth like lava slides down a volcano. Great gulps of air are sometimes necessary to keep the stream going, resulting in infectious agents often getting sucked right into their lungs. Maintaining a somewhat slower pace is useful, as well as donning a mask when working amid dust. Taking the time to vacuum the mattress and pillows between bedsheet changes and keeping the nightstand dust-free can make a difference.

June 21-July 22

Cancer is ruled by the stomach. Most Cancerians love to cook and eat, and their families are extremely important to them. However, not just food fills them up; they often stuff their feelings inside. This aversion to direct communication can cause misunderstandings—and stomach discomfort. Emotions are not bad; they are real and need to be expressed. Get a beautiful blank book and spend time writing down your thoughts and feelings.

July 23-August 22

Leo is ruled by the heart. Fun-loving, generous, and cheerful, Leos play to an audience and thrive on response. They are loyal and devoted friends and ask only for a bit of attention in return. Leos put their heart into relationships and activities, often forgetting that the heart is one of the biggest muscles in the body. Getting adequate exercise—in fact, keeping all of the muscles in tone—is important.

August 23-September 22

Virgo is ruled by the intestines. This sign enjoys analytical processes: Details matter, and Virgos strive for perfection. (Perhaps this is why more billionaires are Virgos than they are any other sign.) Aiding digestion through the consumption of proper nutrients is important. Virgos would do well to eat fresh vegetables and properly raised and fed meats, instead of food that has been treated with pesticides and/or herbicides or been overly processed or packaged for a long shelf life.