planting

April 3 – Start to grow a Pot Plant at Home or Office

Leave a Comment / Fast for the Earth 2020 / /

Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. ~ Genesis 1:11-12   Global warming and air pollution are on the rise and if you live in a populate busy city, you experience pollution on a daily basis. Pollution is not just outside, it is in our homes and offices and it is even worse in commercial buildings. Plants have a unique value of clearing and cleaning the air we breathe Research shows that humans have a natural desire to be connected with nature but we are so busy in an urbanised world that we have become so disconnected with nature. Planting pot plants in your office or home is a great way to reconnect with nature. Pot plants do not just add greenery to your space, these living organisms interact with your body, mind, office and home in ways that enhance the quality of life. Benefits of pot plants: Reducing carbon dioxide levels and keeps oxygen flowing Increasing humidity Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide Reducing airborne dust levels Keeps air temperatures down Eases tension Reduces stress creates a relaxed and happy living and working environment Boost mood, productivity, concentration and creativity The air purifying and filtering properties of pot plants ultimately results in a healthier and happier working and living environment. More links https://lifestyle.co.za/benefits-of-indoor-plants/ https://www.bioadvanced.com/articles/5-benefits-houseplants

April 3 – Start to grow a Pot Plant at Home or Office Read More »

March 5 – Starting A Veggie Patch

Leave a Comment / Fast for the Earth 2020 / /

God said, “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant that is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit; they shall be yours for food. … the fruit of the tree whose seed shall be food for you.” ~ Genesis 1.29    Start your own veggie patch Buying food that is locally grown is a great way to minimise your environmental impact, but growing your OWN food takes it to the next level. You can grow your own food by starting a veggie patch in your home. It requires a small amount of space, so you can grow it on your backyard, balcony or even some space on a window ledge. How to get started: Most vegetables need lots on sunlight for growth, so make sure you choose a sunny area for your veggie patch It is important to have healthy soil to grow healthy vegetables. Prepare your soil by adding 4 spadefuls of compost to every square metre of soil. Compost helps to improve drainage of the soil and it is a vital for the growth of healthy vegetables. Decide on what to plant. Plant what you really like and what you will use on a daily or weekly basis. Plant veggies that mature quickly and that you can re-use throughout the season Sow smaller amounts of each vegetable at two week intervals, this will result in a steady supply of veggies throughout the growing season. Practice crop rotation. This will help keep your soil healthy by preventing the loss of any nutrients in the soil. You can apply this by not planting the same veggie in the same spot, two years in a row. Benefits of growing a veggie patch: Reduce carbon emissions and waste: When you grow your own food, you help reduce the high amounts of burning fuels that emit carbon dioxide and fill our environment as a direct result of importing food from commercial farms. You will also reduce waste from packaging materials from the vegetables from grocery stores. Avoid toxic pesticides and fertilizers. By growing your own veggies, you decide what goes on your plants and soil. Grow veggies organic veggies by using safe and natural fertilizers and pesticides removal products. Improve your health.  Consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. When you pick vegetables right from your garden, the vitamin content will be at its highest. Get outdoor exercise. Gardening is a physical activity and pulling weeds, planting, and digging can burn up to 400 calories per hour. Gardening is also a good mental exercise and helps keep your mind sharp. Gardening is a natural stress reliever. Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can improve mood and make you feel rejuvenated and overall happy https://www.burke.org/blog/2016/4/the-benefits-of-growing-a-vegetable-garden/83 https://www.stodels.com/start-your-own-veggie-patch/

March 5 – Starting A Veggie Patch Read More »

Diocesan Field Workers in Niassa teach new skills

Leave a Comment / News / /

Diocesan Field workers in Niassa teach new skills   Diocesan Field workers in Niassa Diocese (Mozambique) are known as ‘adeptos’  -this word means ‘fans’ like soccer fans. Their job is to empower members of different congregations and then to stand back and cheer and encourage from the side. The parish of Messumba learned about food security from their ‘adepto’ Tomas Bola. In the beginning it was difficult for people to believe in the teachings about improving their economic management and the improved production of crops, because they still didn’t believe that transformation was possible. Based on an exchange visit with Malawi they saw the advantage of using new agricultural techniques and practices for improved development. In a meeting they held, they decided to focus on vegetables, and the chief made a plot of land available . They then had a meeting with the adepto (diocesan fieldworker) to ask for help with seeds and other materials and then they began to implement what they had learned.   As a result, the community has a collective garden with tomatoes, onion, cabbage, and lettuce. There are also about 17 people who are using the techniques on their own. The community no longer has a lack of vegetables, and they are able to sell part of the greens to raise money to pay for a treadle pump. Diocese of Niassa

Diocesan Field Workers in Niassa teach new skills Read More »