Ecocide - part 1

I have been reading and thinking, pondering and scheming... nothing new. What has got my heart tied in a knot, my brain flip flopping all around is a long tale, the story of civilization. From it's birth in Mespotamia 7000 years ago, it rages on but faster and dirtier than ever. Thinking "green" is not enough to turn this sad story around, an end to civilization and an abrupt end to all fossil fuel use seems to me the only answer. Outrageous to even think of it, I know, but what's more important - a healthy economy or a liveable planet? I'll take the latter. Two hundred species go extinct every day, using a cloth bag to throw my farm bought, organic produce in won't bring them back. Of course a healthy diet without pesticide poisoning is important, but it's not enough to change the state of the world. THe government wants to run everyone in this country to cities so the destruction of our landbase goes unnoticed. They're doing a damn good job at it. I recently saw a film called Gasland that presented some grave details about the natural gas industry. This apparent "clean" fossil fuel deserves a blog all it's own but let me just say that they are pumping some very deadly, toxic chemicals into the ground seeping into the groundwater of many peoples wherever natural gas is being drilled. These people have cancer, irreversible brain damage, flammable water that obviously should not be used for anyone.. and many of them aren't even aware. It's absolutely horendous.

Some say that violence is not the answer, that we must kill with kindness. While we are sending thoughts of love to every CEO in the country, they are making millions of dollars while murdering people, animals, and land all over the world. This is violence. This is genocide. I will not stand by and witness genocide without fighting to stop it. This is a call to action. I don't know what to do yet, but the answer will come to me and while I wait, I hope everyone else opens their eyes and admits that what is going on is murder. The corporations and governments are the murderers, but we are watching is happen.

Moon Cycle Farming

I have officially begun experimenting with gardening by the moon cycle. All I know is what I have read, but I understand that basics of it pretty well. The moon has a gravitational pull on the planet's water. When I was a kid I learned about the ocean tides in relation to the moon, but until recently I never thought about the effect of the moon on the groundwater and the rest of the water on earth.

What I have learned so far...

New Moon:
A time to maintain the garden. State of rest. Growth of plants is steady and stable. Plant damage is repaired. Time to cultivate, harvest, transplant, prune, till, add necessary ammendments.

WAXING - a time of increasing moonlight
From New Moon to Second 1/4 Moon:
Plant leafy crops and all gymnosperms - plants with seeds exposed on outer portion (greens, corn).
From Second 1/4 to Full Moon:
Plant angiosperms - plants with seeds enclosed in an ovary (beans, eggplant, squash).

Full Moon:
Do no planting. It is the apex of the above ground planting cycle. Seeds planted during waxing moon should be sprouting. A time of balanced growth and period when plants establish themselves. Soil preparation and ammendments can be done during this time. Harvesting is best done during full moon. Herbs and veggies are at peak flavor and nutrition.

WANING - a time of decreasing moonlight
From Full Moon to Third 1/4 Moon:
Gravitational effects drain moisture down through soil. Plant biennials, perennials, bulbs, root plants, trees, and shrubs.
Third 1/4 Moon to New Moon:
Garden Maintenance! Cultivate soil, weed, and remove unwanted plants. Prune. No planting. Timber cut during this time dries out better. Best time to weed because the weed seeds and roots will have a harder time reaching water.

If anyone has any information to add this, please do! I'm a beginner and have much learning to do.