The One-Straw Revolution - Multiworld India

As with vegetables, it is important to choose the right time to sow theclover seed. Late summer or fall sowing is best; the roots develop duringthe cold months, giving the clover a jump on the annual spring grasses.The clover will also do well if sown early in spring. Either broadcastingor planting in rows about twelve inches apart is fine. Once the clovertakes hold, you do not need to sow it again for five or six years.The main aim of this semi-wild vegetable growing is to grow cropsas naturally as possible on land which would otherwise be left unused. Ifyou try to use improved techniques or to get bigger yields the attemptwill end in failure. In most cases the failure will be caused by insects ordiseases. If various kinds of herbs and vegetables are mixed together andgrown among the natural vegetation, damage by insects and diseases willbe minimal and there will be no need to use sprays or to pick bugs off byhand.You can grow vegetables anyplace there is a varied and vigorousgrowth of weeds. It is important to become familiar with the yearly cycleand growing pattern of the weeds and grasses. By looking at the varietyand the size of the weeds in a certain area you can tell what kind of soilis there and whether or not a deficiency exists.In my orchard I grow burdock, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, mustard,beans, turnips and many other kinds of herbs and vegetables in thissemi-wild way.69