SOME LAST PLANTING VIDEOS AND A TYING UP OF LOOSE ENDS (ONE MONTH LATER)

Here in Melbourne, back in the routines of work and home, I feel very distant from this project. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to return to it and conclude it properly. I started off this blog thinking about how problematic it is to designate a beginning to a process oriented project. It seems that finding the point at which it finally ends is just as hard.

YESTERDAY'S GREEN PLUM PLANTING DAY

According to both the biodynamic planting guide and also the Māori lunar calendar that you, Andrea, posted the link to, yesterday was an optimum day for planting seeds. The name of the 13th day after a new moon according to the Māori calendar is ‘Ōhua’, and is described as “a very good day for planting food.”[1]

 

Earlier, when thinking about the possibilities of this lunar planting proposition, I had the dilemma of what should be planted. It felt appropriate that the chosen plant/s be something related specifically to the site of Alterations or to the experience of being a ‘resident’ here. Two lines of thought led to different activities.

1:

First, after the suggestion of looking into the plants that were growing in the vicinity of the Book House building, I went on a number of video walks investigating in detail what was sprouting out of cracks and gaps, up walls and in between drain pipes. It was quite an adventure. (The first version to be added here shortly - while I am considering the possibility of screening another version in the gallery...)

LUNAR CYCLES AND BIODYNAMIC PLANTING

Since looking at the lunar calendar you posted, Andrea, and thinking about our discussions for possible activities that the movement of the moon might dictate, I’ve done a little more research. Yesterday I visited the City Library, and found a number of books about biodynamics, a topic I know very little of, but which seemed to tie in to our interest regarding lunar movements and their relation to planting. 

Lunar Phases

Since our discussion on lunar cycles I’ve been reading up on the phases of the moon, and according to this chart, next week is optimal for moon illumination. This Saturday night marks the first quarter, after which the sunlit portion of the moon will continually increase until the full moon on Saturday 19 February. I wonder if this period will provide you with much light to work with?