Water Wisdom

More and more we are all becoming aware of the wonders and healing effects of homegrown, pure, organic food. I often think of food as medicine when I’m confronted with any health challenge. I look to what I have been eating to find where I may possibly have stepped out of bounds of good choices regarding health. There have been times in life when I have made frivolous food choices that may not have been the best for me. And then if I made those choices a habit, there was a consequence, usually feeling physically, mentally, or emotionally out of sorts.

Firstly, I do not think negatively of myself for having transgressed the fundamental focus of healthy eating in exchange for a different experience now and then. And secondly, I understand the healing powers of good food choices and return my eating habits to those foods that give me strength, clarity, cleansing qualities, and a better feeling in my body.

Growing your own food for assured nutrient value can be both very rewarding and frustrating. In view of where we live, which is a very dry climate in a high altitude, water can be a challenge. My husband and I have been on our land for about 35 years, and we love the ambience away from city living and the freedom of expression for our chosen style of living. Most of the homes in our neighborhood depend on private wells and some rely on rainwater catch systems. We have both a well and rainwater catch, which has worked great for us. The reason we have rainwater catch in addition to the well is in consideration of the influx of new people with new wells being established. This means more water usage, and seeing that we all depend on this natural wonder of nature, it is prudent for all to consider how to use water responsibly

Here are some helpful hints to conserve water during dry times and still provide water to our gardens:

• Collect rain/snow water from roofs. Snow melt has filled our tanks every year that we have had them and this has proven a great help to decrease our well water usage.
• Place a small tub in the kitchen sink to catch water used for rinsing dishes and use it for watering plants.
• Water in the early morning or the evening. Midday sun will evaporate the water too quickly.
• Make sure soil is rich in organic matter, as this will help retain water. Kitchen scraps, garden waste or animal manure are good sources of living organisms to make your own nutrient-rich compost.
• Mulch will retain moisture. Some useful materials for mulching are straw, grass clippings, corn cobs, bark chips, leaves, peat moss, wood ashes, and sawdust.
• Provide a windbreak for plants to keep them from drying out.
• Weeding is important, as unwanted plants use up water that could be utilized by the plants we do want.
• Happy growing, and healthy, happy eating.